NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
2008 News
Part of I-85 in NC named For Richard Childress: Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett joined N.C. Board of Transportation member Nancy Dunn and other state and local officials to dedicate a 5.5-mile section of I-85 from U.S. 64 to Lake Road (State Road 2085) in Davidson County as the Richard Childress Freeway, in honor of the former NASCAR driver and current team owner Richard Childress. A ceremony officially naming the highway for Childress was held at Richard Childress Racing in Welcome on Tuesday. “Richard has been a great contributor to the sport of automobile racing, North Carolina’s growing wine industry and the economy of Davidson County,” Tippett said. “Naming this stretch of I-85 for him is a fitting tribute to the many ways he has given back to this state and its communities.” Childress is the president and owner of Richard Childress Racing. His race team, based in Welcome, has won 12 NASCAR championships including six Sprint Cup, five Nationwide Series and one Craftsman Truck series. Childress is also the owner of Childress Vineyards, located in Lexington. The vineyard, which opened in November 2004, has received several industry awards and was recently named one of America’s Top 25 Tasting Rooms by Wine Enthusiast. Through his efforts and dedication to the local community, Childress has helped create more than 500 local jobs and made the Childress group of companies one of Davidson County’s top five private employers. He has also directly invested more than $100 million into the local economy and recently donated $5 million to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to initiate the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma. The Davidson County Board of Commissioners requested the road naming, and the N.C. Board of Transportation passed a resolution dedicating the stretch of highway in Childress’ honor in July, 2008. (RCR site)(12-17-2008) Comment here
Childress to have highway named for him: Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett will join local officials on Tuesday, Dec. 16th at Richard Childress Racing in a ceremony dedicating the segment of I-85 from Lake Road (State Road 2085) to U.S. 64 in Davidson County as the Richard Childress Freeway in honor of Childress and the work he has done for Davidson County and the Piedmont region of North Carolina.(RCR PR)(12-13-2008)
Jeff Burton comments on Ward: Jeff Burton couldn’t leave the gathering without being asked what his older brother [Ward Burton] was up to these days. “I don’t know what he’s doing. He says he’s working but I doubt it,” Burton said with a laugh. “Ward’s conservation program always has been the thing that woke him up in the morning. It’s always been the thing that drove him, and that continues today. Obviously, he has quite a bit more time to spend on that now and he has done a lot of great things. And his oldest son, Jeb (now 16) is racing Late Models — he’s aging quickly, Ward is — and that’s required quite a bit of his time as well.”(Peoria Journal Star)(12-12-2008) Comment here
RCR Gets 20/20 Hindsight: Richard Childress Racing will utilize Monitoring Technology Corporation’s 20/20 Hindsight system to improve the efficiency of its Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series over-the-wall pit crews. RCR, through its Human Performance department, and MTC have entered into a multi-year technical partnership. MTC, based in Fairfax, Va., provides products that monitor industrial equipment and processes utilizing high-speed cameras, vibration sensors, tachometers and other sensors. Its 20/20 Hindsight technology provides millisecond accuracy, portability and, as a result, increased efficiency.(RCR PR)(12-10-2008)
AT&T unsure of plans: Rather than finishing with a bang, AT&T decided to go quietly without any special activation at the end of the season. AT&T executives watched their final Sprint Cup race as sponsor of Jeff Burton’s #31 car from a speedway suite over the garages. Tim McGhee, AT&T’s director of national sponsorships, said the scene was sad, “knowing that we won’t be back in the Cup series in the foreseeable future.” With Cingular’s rebranding to AT&T, the Richard Childress Racing sponsor was bumped out of the Sprint Cup Series by NASCAR and its series title sponsor, Sprint. McGhee said it remains to be seen whether AT&T will continue its substantial advertising on NASCAR broadcasts.(Sports Business Journal)(11-24-2008) Comment here
Childress named NCMA Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award: Richard Childress will be the recipient of the North Carolina Motorsports Association’s Tribute Award at the group’s annual awards banquet on January 26, 2009, at the Embassy Suites Resort and Conference Center in Concord, NC. Childress is celebrating his 40th year as a NASCAR team owner in 2008, having amassed 11 championships, two Daytona 500 and two Brickyard 400 victories in addition to a lifetime of achievements on and off the track in his home state of North Carolina. As both a driver and team owner, Childress has been an integral part of NASCAR’s highest level of racing for five decades. His career as a driver spanned from 1969 to the middle of 1981 when he made the tough decision to step down as a driver but to remain a team owner with driver Dale Earnhardt. He built up his team and achieved his first Cup Series victory in 1983 with driver Ricky Rudd. Then in 1984, Earnhardt returned as Childress’s full-time driver, and together they went on to win six championships between 1986 and 1994. Still competing for championships to this day and continuing to grow, as Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will expand from a three-car to four-car operation in 2009, Childress is truly one of the most accomplished professionals in motorsports.
An avid hunter and outdoor conservationist, he contributes annually to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation and has been a longtime supporter of the Winston-Salem Soap Box Derby. In July, he teamed up with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to form the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma – creating what will become the nation’s most comprehensive institute for pediatric trauma. In 2004, Childress was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Hunt, the state’s highest honor, and in May he was inducted to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. His passion for fine wine led to the founding of Childress Vineyards, a Napa Valley-influenced winery that produces quality North Carolina wines in Lexington, N.C. -- not far from his RCR race shop. Other winner’s of the NCMA’s Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award include Richard Petty and Benny Parsons. Additionally, winners of awards in 10 distinct categories will be determined by an NCMA member vote.(NCMA PR)(11-12-2008)
RCR Reorganizes its Business Unit: Richard Childress Racing has reorganized its business unit to help strengthen the overall performance of the 11-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. Ben Schlosser has been promoted to the position of senior vice president, business operations. Schlosser joined RCR in April 2002 as director of corporate sales and sponsorships and was named vice president of marketing in 2004. In his newly expanded role, departments reporting to him will include partnership marketing, business development, communications, licensing, the RCR Racing Museum, and show car and promotions. “The purpose of this reorganization is to be more efficient for our sponsors and everyone involved in making RCR a success,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “Ben has a very good understanding of the business side of RCR so bringing the communications, licensing and show car departments under his supervision, along with the partnership marketing department, will allow all of those units to work together more seamlessly.”
Bill Patterson has been named executive vice president, support services. Patterson began his fulltime tenure at RCR in 1983 and has been a part of all 11 of its NASCAR championships. The departments now under his direction will include finance and accounting, human resources, aviation, and facilities and maintenance. Additional responsibilities will include capital and major expenditures, driver contracts and other contract issues. "Bill has been an asset to RCR since the early 1980s and will continue to be moving forward,” said Childress. “His new responsibilities will allow him to focus more on RCR’s finances and accounting, which has always been important but is even more so in the current economic climate.”(RCR PR)(11-5-2008)
RCR Names DiCio Director of Business Development: Michael DiCio has been named managing director of business development for 11-time NASCAR championship-winning Richard Childress Racing. DiCio comes to RCR with nearly 30 years’ experience in marketing and business development with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. His day-to-day responsibilities will include overseeing overall business development, including sponsorship opportunities across RCR's teams and new corporate and technical partnerships. He will also explore new strategic partnerships, potential B2B opportunities for RCR and its partners, and incremental revenue opportunities. “We are excited about Mike becoming a key member of our marketing team at RCR,” said Ben Schlosser, RCR’s vice president of marketing. “Mike’s energy and his nearly 30 years of strategic planning, business development, brand management and international business experience will make him a valuable asset to RCR and our partners.” DiCio earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He was the 1978 NCAA Division III Springboard Diving Champion and a six-time All-America in both one-meter and three-meter competition (1977-79).(RCR PR)(10-28-2008)
Jeff Burton promotes safe teen driving: On Thursday, a group of Luella High School underclassmen got positive reinforcement about driving safety from veteran NASCAR driver Jeff Burton. Burton visited the school enroute to the Atlanta Motor Speedway. He will run his #31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in hopes of winning Sunday's Pep Boys Auto 500. "Driving safely is so important, and this is the place where all the young drivers are," Burton said. "It's just a great opportunity [to promote safe driving]." Burton, a driver-safety advocate with AT&T, has visited high schools around the country for the past two years, urging students and would-be new drivers of their driving responsibilities. He was at Luella early Thursday afternoon. "Every year, high schools across the county lose students because of car accidents," Burton said. "It's really, really important for you guys to understand [driving ...], with it comes a huge responsibility." He told his teenage audience that he experienced the loss of friends, and injuries to family members in preventable automobile accidents. He urged teens to use sound judgment, common sense and adhere to the rules of driving, to avoid fates similar to people he knew. According to the Teen Driving Council, one in three teen drivers has an accident in the first year of receiving a license, and a teenager is injured in a car crash every 55 seconds, and killed every 6.5 minutes. Crashes continue to rank as the top cause of death among children and young adults. "Anytime you have a celebrity push the same message that we try to, it's important," added Principal Eckerle. "With Jeff Burton speaking about it, the message becomes even stronger."(Henry Daily Record)(10-25-2008) Comment here
Burton wins at Charlotte: #31-Jeff Burton won the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway for his 2nd win of the season and the 21st of his career. He took no tires on his final pit stop and held off a late run by #9-Kahne to take the win. #2-Busch finished third, followed by #18-Busch, #26-McMurray, #48-Johnson, #16-Biffle, #24-Gordon, #8-Martin, and #6-Ragan. Other chase drivers: #20-Stewart was 11th, #07-Bowyer 12th, #29-Harvick 13th, #11-Hamlin 16th, #99-Edwards had an ignition failure and finished 33rd, #88-Earnhardt, Jr cut a tire and finsihed 36th, #17-Kenseth was involved in an accident just past the midway point of the race for a 41st place finish. There were 10 cautions for 48 laps and 24 lead changes among 16 leaders.
For race results, awards and more, see my Charlotte Race Results Awards Page.(10-11-2008) Comment here
Burton to visit a school: Before heading to Talladega, Ala., for the running of the AMP Energy 500, #31-Jeff Burton will stop in Birmingham, Ala., on Thurs., Oct. 2 to be a guest speaker at Shades Valley High School. Burton will speak to approximately 150 students about AT&T's Be Sensible program. This program teaches novice drivers how to manage all distractions and includes a video, detailed educator's guide, educational wall poster, and classroom activities.(RCR PR)(10-1-2008)
RCR has never won a Cup race at Kansas: Surprisingly enough, in 20 starts at Kansas Speedway, RCR has only two top-five and just five top-10 finishes. Clint Bowyer finished second last year while Kevin Harvick went on to finish sixth. In 2006, Burton captured his career-best finish at the 1.5-mile oval by finishing fifth while teammate Bowyer finished ninth. Harvick notched a sixth-place effort in October 2003. All told, RCR's three-car team has a 22.6 starting average and a 17.6 average finish at the metropolitan Kansas City race course. The only other tracks on the current schedule where RCR hasn't earned Cup Series wins are Auto Club Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(RCR PR)(9-26-2008)
AT&T Looking at ways to continue marketing to NASCAR fans: AT&T won't be able to sponsor the #31 Sprint Cup car of Jeff Burton next year, but that doesn't mean it will be nowhere to be seen around NASCAR tracks. The company is still weighing its options on how to market to NASCAR fans without having its logos on a car. "Obviously having to step away from the Cup Series, we’ve been approached by every other racing circuit out there – teams, drivers, racing leagues,” said Tim McGhee, AT&T director of national sponsorships. “We’re evaluating all of our opportunities right now." AT&T has spent significant money on advertising as well as sponsoring segments on the Sprint Cup telecasts. "We can’t do anything at the track, but we’re going through our 2009 media planning, and we did a significant media buy on Fox, TNT, ABC, ESPN [this year]," McGhee said. "I wouldn’t be surprised if we retained a presence on the broadcast because it does deliver a very desirable audience to us."(SceneDaily.com)(9-2-2008) Comment here
Burton to make 500th career start: #31-Jeff Burton will add his name to an exclusive list on Sunday when he takes the green flag at Sunday's Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway for his 500th career start in NASCAR's premier series. He will become the 29th driver to reach the 500-start mark. He is also 30th all-time with 20 victories. Over 16 years of Cup Series competition, Burton has compiled 114 top-five and 205 top-10 finishes. To commemorate his 500th Cup Series start, Burton will be honored at a roast on Sat., Aug. 30 at Auto Club Speedway. ESPN broadcaster Allen Bestwick will serve as the roastmaster, with team owner Richard Childress, fellow RCR drivers Kevin Harvick and Bowyer, ESPN broadcaster and recently retired Cup Series driver Dale Jarrett and AT&T's director of national sponsorships Tim McGhee as roasters.(RCR PR)(8-27-2008) Comment here
DEI names Hutchens VP of Competition: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has named NASCAR veteran Bobby Hutchens vice president of competition. Hutchens, who previously served as general manager of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines after a long tenure with Richard Childress Racing, will oversee all competition efforts at Dale Earnhardt Inc., including its four Sprint Cup teams. Hutchens' new position came as the result of a joint decision between DEI and RCR. The championship-winning NASCAR racing organizations have a long history of
successful collaboration including, among others, ECR Engines and the RAD aerodynamics program that also included Andy Petree Racing. Hutchens, who graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1982, is highly regarded in Sprint Cup racing for his research, development and computer testing accomplishments. Hutchens has managed and developed all facets of RCR's R&D program, while overseeing RCR's engineering, engines, engine R&D, manufacturing, chassis R&D and aerodynamics programs. He was named general manager of ECR Engines when the program was put together in May 2007.(DEI PR)(8-12-2008)
AT&T offers race coverage to Wireless Subscribers: NASCAR fans that subscribe to AT&T Mobile TV with FLO now have the ability to take the rush and excitement of live racing coverage on the road this summer. In an agreement with ESPN to carry NASCAR content on ESPN Mobile via FLO TV service, a full slate of live Cup Series and Nationwide Series races will be available for viewing on select AT&T handsets. Upcoming Cup Series races available through live coverage include (all times EDT): Watkins Glen [8/10, 1pm]; Michigan [8/17, 1pm]; Bristol [8/23, 7pm]; Auto Club Speedway [8/31, 7pm]. Upcoming Nationwide Series races include: Michigan [8/16, 3pm]; Bristol [8/22, 7:30pm]. AT&T Mobile TV with FLO is available on select handsets in 58 major metropolitan areas nationwide, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, D.C., among others. FLO TV service is an award-winning mobile TV service provided by MediaFLO USA. For more info, visit www.att.com/mobiletv.(PR)(8-6-2008)
Childress-Howard Motorsports to Make Grand-Am Series Debut: The #4 AT&T Daytona Prototype Pontiac Crawford fielded by Childress-Howard Motorsports will make its 2008 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series debut Aug. 8 in the Crown Royal 200 at the Glen at
Watkins Glen International. Sports Car racing legend Andy Wallace and multi-time Rolex Series champion Andy Lally will be the co-drivers. It will be the third time the duo has co-driven an entry after competing in two races in another series last year. CHM is a joint effort between Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, and Rick Howard, president of Howard Motorsports. The announcement of the team's formation was made Jan. 21 during the NASCAR Media Tour stop at RCR. Current plans are to compete in at least one other race this season and then the full season in 2009.(RCR PR)(8-6-2008)
Childress Champions Pediatric Trauma Research: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and the Richard Childress family announced at a press conference Wednesday [July 30, 2008] today that they have teamed up to form what will become the nation’s most comprehensive Institute for Pediatric Trauma.
The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma will focus on key areas in treatment, education and training, research and prevention of pediatric trauma. The Institute’s goal is to help pave the way for others in the nation searching for ways to help save the lives of severely injured children and help those who survive on the road to recovery.
“Accidental injury and death is the number one killer of children in this nation,” said J. Wayne Meredith, M.D., Chief of Surgery at Wake Forest Baptist, Medical Director of Trauma Programs for the American College of Surgeons and the Interim Director of the Institute. “This Institute will have a national impact and bring much more attention and awareness to this issue. We need a better way to treat children and there is not enough research being done.”
The Childress family has donated $5 million to the Medical Center to initiate the project, which will get underway later this year. Wake Forest Baptist and the Childress family are currently working with a number of corporations and individuals to raise the additional $20 million to establish the Childress Institute.
“Most people don’t know that traumatic injury is the biggest killer of our children,” said Richard Childress. “The Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma will be the focal point of a national movement to improve the level of pediatric trauma care available across the country. We will assemble the right team to conquer this national crisis in pediatric trauma. The Childress family is committed to making the Childress Institute the leader in pediatric trauma care.”
Because of significant programs and infrastructure in place at Wake Forest Baptist, the Institute will be able to devote most of the monies to research, education, treatment and prevention and to raising the national awareness about childhood injuries. The project will also help expand our state-of-the-art pediatric emergency department for the Triad region.
This institute has a goal to become the most comprehensive research center in the country as it develops new research initiatives and partners with other investigators throughout the nation. For example, the Institute will investigate pediatric devices to be used in treating pediatric trauma victims and will study issues including researching the best way to detect, prevent and minimize the effects of a serious injury in a child once it has occurred, Meredith said. The Institute also plans to offer four fellowships in pediatric trauma to help train the next generation of pediatric trauma surgeons.
“There is no one in the country presently studying this issue in a comprehensive manner as this institute is targeted to become,” Meredith said. “We won’t find a cure for pediatric trauma. You are always going to have injuries, despite our desire to prevent them, and some can’t be fixed. But for the kids who do get hurt, we’d like to find a better way to help them and reduce their disability. I think we can make the most difference here.”
The Institute will also work with national and regional research groups to pool knowledge and data that can be shared with healthcare providers nationwide. Charles L. Branch, Jr., M.D., Chair of Neurosurgery at Wake Forest Baptist, is one of the visionaries behind the formation of the Institute. “Our goal is to find the best possible way to care for children who have experienced traumatic injuries and then share that information with other trauma centers,” Branch said. “We want to help realize the Childresses’ vision to help children everywhere to get out of the hospital and back at play or in school and living normal lives as soon as possible.”
For more information about the institute, visit www.childresspediatrictrauma.com or www.wfubmc.edu, or call 866-635-8190.(RCR PR)(7-31-2008)
AT&T Team USA Chevrolet at Pocono Raceway: To drive excitement for Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, #31-Jeff Burton will circle Pocono Raceway in a paint scheme featuring the AT&T USA five-ring logo and images of U.S. Olympic team hopefuls gymnast Nastia Liukin and swimmer Michael Phelps. Luikin is currently focused on qualifying for her first Olympic Games and has nine world medals (four gold and five silver), tying the mark held by Shannon Miller, who has earned more world and Olympic medals (16 total) than any other U.S. gymnast. Phelps is the most decorated swimmer in World Championships history and is a 20-time record holder. Most recently, he recorded two world records and has captured eight medals (six gold and two bronze) at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, becoming the first American to win eight medals in one Olympiad. AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic team and provides significant financial support, products and services to the U.S. Olympic Committee. In addition to sporting new colors this weekend at Pocono, Burton will also wear a special AT&T Team USA firesuit and sport a custom designed American Flag helmet. Both the firesuit and helmet will be auctioned off following the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 with all the proceeds benefiting one of the Olympic charities.(RCR PR), see a few images of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(7-30-2008)
Prilosec OTC Scheme for Burton at Indy: Prilosec OTC's major associate sponsorship of RCR's #31 kicks into high gear this weekend in Indianpolis as Burton and the #31 team transform their bright orange #31 AT&T Chevy into a purple Prilosec OTC racing machine for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.(RCR PR) See images of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(7-23-2008)
AT&T Proudly Showcases Team USA athletes on # 31 AT&T Car: The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are fast approaching and Team USA swimmer Michael Phelps, 23, is in rare form. At the 2008 U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Phelps set two world records (200 individual medley, 400 individual medley) and one U.S. Open record (200 freestyle), ultimately qualifying to compete in eight events in Beijing (5 individual and 3 relays). To drive excitement and show support for Team USA, AT&T recently announced a new paint scheme for Richard Childress Racing´s (RCR) #31 AT&T Chevy, driven by Jeff Burton. Featured on the car is an image of Phelps along with Nastia Liukin, a rising star in her own right from Team USA´s gymnastics squad. The custom paint scheme will run during the Pennsylvania 500 on Aug. 3 at Pocono Raceway.(AT&T Racing PR) see images of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(7-17-2008)
RCR Unveils #31 Caterpillar Chevy: Richard Childress Racing unveiled at Chicagoland Speedway the #31 Caterpillar Chevy to be driven by Jeff Burton in the Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2009. Caterpillar Inc. and RCR announced June 18 that they had entered into a multi-year partnership for the #31 Chevy team and Burton. Next season marks Caterpillar's 17th year of sponsorship involvement in NASCAR. It will also be Richard Childress' 40th anniversary in the sport.(RCR PR)(7-10-2008), see an image of the car on my 2009 #31 team paint schemes page.
LENOX scheme for Burton at NHMS: LENOX's associate sponsorship of RCR's #31 Chevy kicks into high gear this weekend in New Hampshire as Burton and the #31 team transform their bright orange #31 AT&T Chevy into a red, white and blue LENOX racing machine for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. LENOX produces band saw blades, sawing fluids, hand power tool accessories in over 70 countries around the world. In addition to the added mile in this weekend's LENOX Industrial Tools 301, LENOX has kicked off their Extra Mile Hero contest where LENOX customers can nominate the hero in their life who have gone the extra mile either in their job or community. The contest winner could
receive up to a half a million dollars with a matching gift awarded to their charity of choice. Complete LENOX Extra Mile Hero contest details are available at www.lenoxhero.com.(RCR PR), see an image of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(6-25-2008)
CAT leaves BDR for RCR: Caterpillar Inc. and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) have agreed to a multi-year partnership for the #31 Chevy driven by Jeff Burton beginning with the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. Burton, a 20-time winner in Sprint Cup Series competition, is currently second in the 2008 point standings with one victory, four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes in the season's first 15 races. The #31 team has made the "Chase for the Championship" the past two seasons, finishing seventh in 2006 and eighth last year. "To represent a well-known global brand like Caterpillar is an honor," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "Cat products have played a big part over the decades in construction projects at RCR, Childress Vineyards and Yadkin River Angus. Jeff and I look forward to meeting the Cat dealers and customers who loyally follow NASCAR racing." The 2009 season will mark Caterpillar's 17th year of sponsorship in NASCAR. It will also be Richard Childress' 40th anniversary in the sport. “Success in the highly competitive environment of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series requires substantially greater levels of technology and investment than even a few years ago,” said Jim Parker, vice president of Caterpillar’s North American Commercial Division. “Joining Richard Childress and his team matches two organizations that share common values, as well as high levels of success. I'm confident this new partnership will excite Caterpillar's customers, dealers and employees."(RCR PR), AT&T is the #31 current sponsor, but must leave the series after 2008.(6-18-2008) Comment here
#31 will hit the 'Road to Beiging' with new paint scheme: To drive excitement for Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, AT&T Inc. today announced a new paint scheme for Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) #31 AT&T Chevrolet, driven by Jeff Burton. Burton will circle the Pocono Raceway in a paint scheme featuring the AT&T USA five-ring logo and images of U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls gymnast Nastia Liukin and swimmer Michael Phelps. "We're excited to integrate our support for professional stock car racing and AT&T Team USA into this fresh and unique paint scheme," said Jamie Butcher, vice president of Sponsorships and Employee Communications. Burton said: "We're in the midst of an exciting season, and the AT&T Racing team is thrilled about the new look. The Olympic Games only come around every two years, and it's an honor to show our support for AT&T Team USA hopefuls." "It's an amazing honor to be featured on Jeff Burton's race car and to know that we have great support from fans, AT&T and the AT&T Racing team as we prepare for the Olympic Games," Liukin said. "The new paint scheme looks awesome." Liukin is currently focused on qualifying for her first Olympic Games. She now has nine world medals (four gold and five silver), tying the mark of nine world medals held by Shannon Miller, who has earned more world and Olympic medals than any other U.S. gymnast (16 total). Phelps said: "The excitement and encouragement we receive from fans around the Olympic Games is incredible, and it really motivates us to compete at our very best. The new paint scheme will help drive that enthusiasm for the Olympic Games, and it's a privilege to be showcased on the #31 AT&T Chevrolet." Phelps is the most decorated swimmer in World Championships history and is a 20-time world-record holder. He captured eight medals - six gold and two bronze - at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, becoming the first American to win eight medals in one Olympiad. The new paint scheme was unveiled today at the 2008 Visa Championships at Boston University's Agganis Arena, where Liukin and the USA's other top gymnasts begin the final steps toward earning berths on the U.S. Olympic Team. The race car will tour the country to promote excitement for the 2008 Olympic Games and support for Team USA until its race track debut at the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway in August. "It is exciting to see AT&T taking Olympic sponsorship outside the traditional boundaries," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "Having USA Gymnastics and Nastia representing the Olympic movement within NASCAR is a tremendous testament to the relevance of the Olympic Games, and the sense of pride that we all have around the U.S. Team." Today's announcement is the latest move by AT&T to help U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes train and compete for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and provides significant financial support, products and services to the U.S. Olympic Committee. AT&T will also serve as the official telecommunications services partner of the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Olympic Games. In addition to supporting USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming, the company serves as an official partner for several National Governing Bodies, including USA Track & Field and USA Diving. Team USA enthusiasts who want to stay connected to their favorite U.S. athletes can log on to the AT&T blue room (attblueroom.com/teamusa) to enjoy webcasts of events and exclusive interviews with AT&T U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls. The blue room currently features "USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team," the online series available only on the AT&T blue room Team USA site. Liukin and Phelps are also featured in AT&T Tips and Training program episodes - original productions that provide fans access to sport-specific training tips from several elite U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls. Liukin is in the latest AT&T Home Turf episode - a series of streaming video webisodes in which athletes grant fans a behind-the-scenes peek of life off the clock. AT&T U-verseSM TV customers can also connect with U.S. Olympic Team hopefuls with AT&T Tips and Training and "USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team" via AT&T Team USA On Demand. These sponsorships are an important part of AT&T's mission to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else.
Additional information about AT&T's sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team is available at www.att.com/teamusa2008. For more information on AT&T's products and services, visit http://www.att.com. For more information on AT&T racing news, visit att.com/racing(AT&T Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(6-5-2008)
Childress Honored by Davidson County Chambers of Commerce: NASCAR champion car owner and Davidson County (N.C.) businessman Richard Childress was presented with the "Are You With Me" Exemplary Award by the Davidson County Chambers of Commerce. The honor was bestowed upon Childress as part of the chamber's fourth annual Davidson County Business Showcase, held at Davidson County Community College. The award is presented annually to a Davidson County business that believes in
the principles of good business, doing business locally whenever possible, job creation, innovation, and community involvement. In addition to Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Davidson County is also home to Childress Vineyards and Yadkin River Angus, Childress' Black Angus cattle ranch.(RCR)(5-22-2008)
Childress Inducted into N.C. Sports Hall of Fame: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) president and CEO Richard Childress and six others were honored in Raleigh last night at the 45th Induction Banquet for the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. The evening's event, which took place at the North Raleigh Hilton, was a who's who of some of the greatest sports figures in North Carolina history. Those inducted in addition to Childress, who was the 258th inductee of the now 260-member group, were former Duke University Athletic Director Tom Butters, former Duke University quarterback Leo Hart, sportswriter and promoter Bill Hensley, former UNC and NFL offensive lineman Ken Huff, former Guilford College men's golf and basketball coach Jack Jensen, legendary former Harlem Globetrotter Fred "Curly" Neal, and current University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill men's basketball head coach Roy Williams. "It was a very humbling experience and an honor for me to be nominated and inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame," said Childress. "Only in America can a kid with a dream to drive a race car be fortunate enough to be inducted into the hall of fame of his home state. I'd be remiss if I didn't give Dale Earnhardt a lot of credit for my induction. I also have to thank all of the long-time team members at RCR and the current team members who are keeping the RCR heritage strong. Racing is a team sport and I've been fortunate to have been able to surround myself over the years with people who are committed to success." Childress, an 11-time NASCAR championship-winning team owner, including six Cup Series titles with the legendary Dale Earnhardt (1986-87, '90-'91, '93-'94), is the ninth member of the motorsports fraternity to be honored by the North
Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. The others include Lee Petty (1966), Richard Petty (1973), Ned Jarrett (1990), Buck Baker (1992), Junior Johnson (1992), Herb Thomas (1992), Dale Earnhardt (1994), and H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler (2004).(RCR)(5-17-2008) Comment here
Burton still has run every lap: UPDATE: #31-Jeff Burton is the lone Sprint Cup driver who has completed every lap (3,297) of competition this season. Burton also has completed 77.5% of the total laps (2,555 of 3,297) running in the top 15 and leads all drivers with the most runs on the lead lap (3,277 of 3,297).(RCR)(5-8-2008) UPDATE: Burton completed all 367 laps at Darlington Saturday night.(5-11-2008) Comment here
Office Depot negotiating with Roush; if not UPS could replace: MORE Office Depot is in the midst of an exclusive 60-day negotiating period to extend its sponsorship of Carl Edwards’ #99 Ford, but industry sources say that UPS is waiting in the wings to make a run at the hot Roush Fenway Racing driver.(SportsBusinessJournal.com-sub)(4-21-2008) UPDATE: Office Depot is in the final year of its three-year deal with the #99 team. Edwards and Roush Fenway appear to be in position to push the first of many sponsor dominoes in the coming four to six weeks. If Office Depot, which has used Edwards out front for its annual "Official Small Business of NASCAR" promotion, doesn't have a deal done by mid-May, industry sources say UPS will pursue sponsorship of Edwards' car. UPS has been considering several options, from staying at Michael Waltrip Racing to Edwards to Jeff Burton's #31, which is scheduled to lose AT&T as its primary sponsor at the end of this season, but sources said Edwards has emerged as the top option. The issue between Office Depot and Roush Fenway, sources said, is the price tag for the #99 car has increased significantly from three years ago when Edwards was considered more of an up-and-comer than a bona fide star. If Edwards stays in the # 99 as expected, Roush Fenway hopes to extract $22 million to $24 million a year in the next contract, sources said, a significant step up from the deal Office Depot signed three years ago in the $14 million to $15 million range annually. It's uncertain how aggressively Office Depot will pursue another three years on the #99 at the higher price. The office supply retailer is embroiled in a proxy fight with a shareholder group that is attempting to oust CEO Steve Odland from the company's board after an 85 percent drop in fourth-quarter net earnings year-over-year. Office Depot's stock price has dropped from a high of $37.05 nearly a year ago to $11.51 at Monday's close, which has prompted questions about its ability to win a bidding war for the #99 car. John Miller, a former Roush marketing executive who now owns his own agency, Xceed Sports Marketing, is representing Office Depot in these negotiations.(Sports Business Journal/SceneDaily.com)(4-22-2008) Comment here
Childress Vineyards named one of America's Top 25: Wine Enthusiast magazine has selected Childress Vineyards as one of America's Top 25 Tasting Rooms. In the May issue, the magazine asked its editors and contributors to suggest tasting rooms that were memorable to them for a number of reasons. Wine quality was the top criteria considered, followed by décor, staff savvy, amenities and overall uniqueness. Reporter Lynn Seldon wrote that Childress Vineyards, founded by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress in 2004, has "quickly become a stand-alone destination in the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area." The write up encourages readers to "go for the Signature Tasting to reveal winemaker Mark Friszolowski's best work to date. The Reserve Syrah and the Signature Meritage are both sublime, as is the setting - a stone and stucco building, terra-cotta style roof and large tasting room, shop and The Bistro restaurant, all reminiscent of Tuscany." Childress Vineyards is open daily for tours, tastings and lunch at The Bistro. Tastings range in price from $10 to $15 and include a souvenir glass. Free tours are conducted at Noon, 2 and 4 p.m. each day.(RCR)(4-14-2008) Comment here
Only four drivers left: only four Sprint Cup drivers have ran all fifteen Sprint Cup races at Texas Motor Speedway including the race Sunday: #8-Mark Martin, #31-Jeff Burton, #24-Jeff Gordon and #43-Bobby Labonte. Martin and Burton have won at the track.(4-5-2008)
Prilosec OTC colors for Burton at Texas: Prilosec OTC's major associate sponsorship of RCR's #31 Chevy kicks into high gear this weekend in Texas as Burton and the #31 team transform their bright orange #31 AT&T Chevy into a purple Prilosec OTC racing machine for the Samsung 500. Prilosec OTC, marketed exclusively by Procter & Gamble, is available in food, drug, mass, and club stores in the U.S. Prilosec OTC is available over-the-counter for the treatment of frequent heartburn, with one pill taken every day for 14 days and is the No. 1 selling over-the-counter heartburn medication. Prilosec OTC Victory of a Lifetime Sweepstakes winner Kathryn Cooley continues her ultimate NASCAR Fan's season at Texas Motor Speedway's Samsung 500 this weekend. This will be Kathryn's fifth race of her 20-race schedule with RCR's #31 Cup Series team and will be a race that Kathryn's husband, Jack Cooley, will not soon forget. This weekend Jack will truly become part of the No. 31 team as an honorary pit crew member. Jack will dawn his very own Prilosec OTC pit crew uniform and firesuit as he takes a spot in the pits with the rest of the #31 crew. And while Jack is working hard in the pits, Kathryn and her guest will enjoy a bird's eye view from one of Texas Motor Speedway's exclusive luxury suites.(RCR PR), see image of the car on my #31 Team Schemes page(4-2-2008)
Burton wins at Bristol: #31-Jeff Burton won the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the AT&T Chevy for his first win 2008 and 20th of his career in a green-white-checked finish. #29-Harvick finished 2nd and #07-Bowyer finished 3rd, for the first ever Richard Childress Racing 1-2-3 finish. #16-Biffle, finished 4th followed by #88-Earnhardt Jr., #11-Hamlin [who led with 2 laps to go but had a bad restart], #9-Kahne, #8-Almirola [his best career finish in seven starts], #38-Gilliland and #17-Kenseth. Points leader #18-Kyle Busch finished 17th. #44-Dale Jarrett in his final points race of his career, finished 37th, 10 laps down. There were 10 cautions for 86 laps and there were 17 lead changes among 8 drivers.
See race results, awards, laps led and more on my Bristol Race Results page
For the points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.(3-16-2008)
RCR missing California win: Richard Childress Racing has earned a Cup Series victory at 18 of the 22 tracks on the 2008 schedule. The only tracks on the
current schedule where RCR hasn't earned wins are California Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway.
Additionally, RCR has Cup Series wins at 21 tracks, the three defunct tracks being North Wilkesboro (N.C.), Riverside (Calif.) and Rockingham (N.C.).(RCR PR)(2-20-2008)
AT&T Races into 2008: Racing fans, fasten your seatbelts. AT&T Inc. announced the major components of the company’s 2008 multiplatform motorsports campaign. To promote its sponsorship in stock car racing’s elite-level circuit, AT&T has developed a creative campaign that includes a fully branded integration into FOX Sports NASCAR broadcasts — titled “AT&T Race Break” — as well as heavy promotion of its Safe Driving public service initiative, which is a pillar of AT&T’s larger Be Sensible public awareness campaign. AT&T has been the primary sponsor for a professional stock car racing team for more than a decade. Hosted by Emmy-winning FOX Sports broadcaster Chris Myers and champion crew chief Jeff Hammond, the “AT&T Race Break” segments will broadcast live from the “Hollywood Hotel” — FOX Sports’ mobile trackside studio. During breaks in racing action, “AT&T Race Break” segments will give viewers the latest in racing news and exclusive insight from the world of NASCAR. In addition, AT&T will use the platform to promote racing-related streaming video content available exclusively to its wireless subscribers.
To start the season, and to promote the Safe Driving initiative, AT&T will customize approximately 200 service vans across the country to reflect the look and feel of the #31 AT&T Chevrolet. Driver Jeff Burton will be on hand when the first wrapped vehicle is rolled out Friday, Feb. 15, at the Daytona Speedway AT&T retail store (Daytona Beach, Fla.). At the unveiling, Burton will officially sign the Safe Driving pledge, along with Rudy Hermond, vice president and general manager, AT&T North Florida, and a representative service van driver. The Safe Driving pledge that Jeff Burton and the service van drivers will sign include the following tips:
* Ask passengers to help by changing the CD or radio station, placing a mobile phone call or reading directions to you.
* If you don’t have a passenger, wait until you come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign before changing the CD or radio station.
* If you need to make or take a call, wait until your trip is complete and your car is safely stopped.
* Never use your phone to take pictures, send and read messages, record video or watch video while driving.
* It’s best not to eat and drive at the same time. If you’re traveling with someone, take turns driving while the passenger eats.
* Avoid stressful or emotional conversations with passengers while driving.
* Don’t be a “rubbernecker.” Let your passengers do the sightseeing while you drive.
* Make safety your most important call. In the case of any emergency, a mobile phone can be a very useful tool. Remember, dialing 911 is always a free call.
For more information on AT&T’s Be Sensible public awareness campaign, visit wireless.att.com/be-sensible.
For more information on AT&T racing news, visit www.att.com/racing.(Career Sports & Entertainment/AT&T PR)(2-15-2008)
Pinnacle Foods Joins RCR to as Assoc Sponsors for Cup Teams: Pinnacle Foods, a leading producer, marketer and distributor of high-quality branded food products has joined Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) family of partners in a multi-year sponsorship agreement for all three of the 11-time championship winning racing organization's Cup Series teams. Pinnacle Foods will showcase its Hungry-Man meals, Armour canned meat and Vlasic pickles, peppers and relish brands on, the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevy (driver Clint Bowyer), the #31 AT&T Chevy (driver Jeff Burton) and the #29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy (driver Kevin Harvick), respectively.(RCR PR)(2-9-2008)
AT&T Not giving up hope to stay in NASCAR: AT&T has not given up on NASCAR, despite its agreement to exit the Sprint Cup Series at the end of the 2008 season, sources told SportsBusiness Journal. The telecommunications turf war that raged throughout much of 2007 between AT&T and series sponsor Sprint supposedly was settled last September with an agreement -- mediated by NASCAR -- that allowed AT&T to keep its marks on Jeff Burton's No. 31 car. In exchange, AT&T agreed to leave Sprint Cup, NASCAR's top series, after the 2008 season. But that hasn't stopped team owner Richard Childress from lobbying NASCAR to keep AT&T in Cup racing, sources say, and Sprint's continuing financial woes are only adding to the sense that AT&T's sponsorship might not be dead yet. Also, AT&T is in the first year of a three-year contract with Richard Childress Racing to sponsor the #31 car, and there are no exit provisions or refunds for AT&T in the deal, sources said, which obligates AT&T for the sponsorship fee through the 2010 season. AT&T agreed to the deal last June before the settlement was reached with NASCAR and Sprint in September. The deal between AT&T and Childress did not require NASCAR's approval. If it eventually leaves, AT&T has said it will work with Childress to find new sponsorship. AT&T's annual costs for the sponsorship are believed to be $16 million to $18 million. RCR officials said they've had no formal talks with AT&T about its plans beyond this season and offered no further comment. NASCAR reiterated that the door is not open for AT&T's return. "Nothing has changed," said Ramsey Poston, NASCAR's managing director of communications. "The fans certainly don't want to hear any more of this. This is a closed issue. Agreements were made, and we expect all sides to live up to them." AT&T's official stance continues to be that it will abide by the agreement and exit the sport if nothing changes, but there's always a chance the climate could shift over the course of a year, especially if Sprint's business problems persist. Sources close to AT&T said the company has contingency marketing plans in place if it's still in the sport in 2009. AT&T is the nation's largest wireless carrier (70.1 million subscribers), with Verizon second (65.7 million) and Sprint third (53.8 million). AT&T, Verizon and No. 4 T-Mobile combined to add 5.65 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2007, while Sprint lost 109,000 subscribers. AT&T also enjoyed a record fourth quarter in 2007 with 2.7 million new customers. As part of its 10-year agreement with NASCAR that runs through 2013, Sprint allowed Cingular and Alltel to stay in the sport, while other wireless brands are forbidden from entering the Cup series. When Cingular, the original sponsor of Childress' #31 entry, merged with AT&T last year and AT&T sought to rebrand the car, Sprint balked. In AT&T's lawsuit, it said it wasn't entering the series as a new sponsor, it was simply taking over Cingular's existing sponsorship. A preliminary injunction was filed in AT&T's favor, but NASCAR and Sprint won an appeal of the injunction. All parties settled before the formal lawsuit ever made it to court.(Sporting News/SportsBusiness Journal)(2-4-2008) Comment here
LENOX and Jeff Burton Team Up: LENOX announced the kick-off of the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes Program. #31-Jeff Burton and LENOX are conducting a search for users and suppliers of industrial tools who go the extra mile. The winner of the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes Program could receive up to $1 million to split with their charity of choice. In recognition of the LENOX Extra Mile Heroes, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) Sprint Cup race has added a lap; making it the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. For the first time in NASCAR history, the length of the Sprint Cup race will be 301 laps to honor the efforts of these heroes. For more information and to vote, see the Jayski's Racing Charities Page.(1-29-2008)
RCR reaches agreement with Garage company: Richard Childress Racing has agreed to licensing terms with garage interiors and home storage market leader, Slide-Lok, for the categories of garage cabinets, garage flooring, Slat-Wall storage and closet systems for a multi-year term. Slide-Lok's most recent licensing agreement with Richard Childress Racing, which comes in the wake of their latest announcement with NASCAR, Inc. and Roush Fenway Racing, includes the signing of Richard Childress Racing's drivers #29-Kevin Harvick and #31-Jeff Burton. The RCR drivers will be notably featured in Slide-Lok's new "Racing Garage" product line which will brandish the names, numbers, color schemes and signature logos of the top drivers of NASCAR integrated into Slide-Lok's patented plywood garage cabinets, Slat-Wall storage, closet systems and garage floor coatings. The unveiling of the new Slide-Lok Racing Garage line is set for early 2008. For more information on Slide-Lok garage cabinets, garage floor coating systems, garage storage and their patented, innovative design advantages, contact Slide-Lok directly at 800-835-1759 or visit them on the web at www.slide-lok.com.(Marketwire)(1-10-2008)
2007 News
New Paint Scheme for Jeff Burton: AT&T Inc. has a new look for Richard Childress Racing's #31 Chevy driven by Jeff Burton. Burton will be zipping around the track in a new paint scheme splashed with the AT&T logo. The stylish revamp coincides with the first full season of competition of the Car of Tomorrow, as well as RCR's switch from a Monte Carlo SS to an Impala SS. "AT&T is proud of its sponsorship of the # RCR 31 ride, and we wanted to make sure the car would have a lasting impression while circling the track during the 2008 season," said Tim McGhee, director of National Sponsorships for AT&T's wireless unit. "The entire AT&T Racing team is incredibly excited for the 2008 season, and the new paint scheme will be the icing on the cake," said Burton, who finished eighth in this year's Chase for the Championship standings. "Our goal is to win a championship, and with our new ride we'll be taking the checkered flag in style."(AT&T PR), for an image of the car see my #31 Paint Scheme Page.(12-20-2007)
AT&T #31 Driver Jeff Burton honored as 2007 Person of the Year: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 AT&T Chevrolet and winner of the Busch race in Miami on Saturday, is well-known for his skill and tenacity on the track, but he is also a noted philanthropist off of it. Today, Burton was named the 2007 Person of the Year by NASCAR Illustrated for his efforts both on and off the track. As part of this honor, Old Spice has agreed to donate $5,000 to Duke Children's Hospital in his name. To congratulate Burton for the award, AT&T has matched the donation with a $5,000 contribution of their own to the hospital. "AT&T wants to congratulate Jeff for this wonderful honor," said Tim McGhee, director of national sponsorships for AT&T's wireless unit. "We have always known that Jeff is not just a great driver, but a great person. We're proud that others will be aware now, too." In addition to being one of the top drivers in the sport, Burton has been an advocate for improved driver safety as well as a top supporter of the Duke Children's Hospital. Burton and his wife Kim have raised well over a million dollars for the hospital and devoted countless hours of personal time to brightening the lives of seriously ill children. The Person of the Year award is an annual honor decided on by NASCAR Illustrated staffers. This is the first time Burton has won the award, and he appears on the cover of the December issues.(AT&T PR)(11-20-2007)
MLB team owner Hicks to join RCR? Nextel Cup team owner Richard Childress hasn't joined the trend of adding an individual partner to his organization. Not yet, anyway.
Childress paused and had a big smile on his face when asked if Texas Rangers team owner Tom Hicks might become a future partner of Richard Childress Racing. "Tom's a friend of mine," Childress said with a grin. "We talk a lot about different things." Hicks, who also owns the Dallas Stars NHL team, attended the Cup race at California Speedway on Labor Day weekend as Childress' guest. Hicks also is a business partner with George Gillett, who bought majority ownership in Ray Evernham's Cup team earlier this year. Gillett, who owns the Montreal Canadiens NHL team, partnered with Hicks to buy the Liverpool, England, soccer team earlier this year for $430 million. Childress said he has been approached this year by several corporations wanting to invest in RCR, but he already has a relationship with the New York firm of Chartwell Investments. "I brought Chartwell in here in 2002," he said. "They're still involved in a small percentage of the company. At this time, we still want to go in the direction we've been going."(ESPN.com)(11-17-2007)
Jeff Burton Racing to Win Ultimate Souvenir for Local Texas Resident: Nikki Kelly, winner of the Dickies Race For The Riches promotion, announced her driver selection Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton will not only be trying for the "Texas two-step" during the Dickies 500 on Sunday, but he will be trying to win the ultimate souvenir for Nikki and her family - half a million dollars. Kelly not only has a chance to take home $500,000 if Burton takes the checkered flag, but she and her sister, Lori, will also receive an "all-access" VIP weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. In the third consecutive year of this successful promotion, Dickies, the leading global workwear brand, has teamed up exclusively with Richard
Childress Racing bringing together a legend in work with a legend in NASCAR. Nikki was announced as the Dickies Race For The Riches grand prize winner during the Texas Motor Speedway "Cut To The Chase" Brunch in September. Her NASCAR experience will be complete with pit and garage tours, the opportunity to meet Richard Childress and his drivers,
exclusive seating and participation in pre- and post-race ceremonies. The Dickies Race For The Riches promotion call for entries kicked off on May 1, 2007 with participants visiting www.dickies500.com to enter for a chance to win. The winner was chosen on September 5, 2007.(Edelman PR)(11-3-2007)
NASCAR studying how Hamlin, Blaney had water in fuel: MORE Denny Hamlin, who thought he had enough gas while leading when his car sputtered and didn't start with three laps remaining in the Pep Boys Auto 500, actually had water in his fuel cell at the time. Whether that caused him not to accelerate and get hit from behind by Martin Truex Jr. is uncertain, Joe Gibbs Racing Senior Vice President Jimmy Makar said Sunday night at Atlanta. But what is certain is that Hamlin and Bill Davis Racing's Dave Blaney had water in their fuel cells, and Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle also might have had a similar situation. NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby said that no water was found in the Sunoco pumps following the race. Darby said all of the Sunoco documentation from the weekend shows no water in the tanks.(SceneDaily.com)(10-28-2007) UPDATE: Water found in the fuel tanks of cars driven by #11-Denny Hamlin and #22-Dave Blaney during Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Atlanta was not isolated to those teams, a NASCAR official said Monday. Water also was discovered in the fuel of the Penske Racing cars driven by #2-Kurt Busch and #12-Ryan Newman after returning to Charlotte, N.C. In addition, water was found in the fuel cell of all three Richard Childress racing team cars belonging to #29-Kevin Harvick, #07-Clint Bowyer and #31-Jeff Burton. #16-Greg Biffle believes his car may have had water in its fuel, although no evidence was found. NASCAR Nextel Cup Series director John Darby said the problem is more widespread than originally thought and that NASCAR has issued bulletins to all Cup and Truck Series teams to check for evidence of contamination so they can locate the source. Darby said everything from the underground fuel-holding tank at the track to the fuel trucks that deliver the gas to the individual gas cans are being analyzed. He said the underground tank is the least likely source because there is an alarm system located that can detect the slightest amount of contamination. Darby dismissed sabotage as a possible explanation, saying too many teams were affected for anyone to have been singled out.(ESPN.com)(10-30-2007)
Holiday Inn Renews with RCR: Holiday Inn has exercised the option in its current contract with Richard Childress Racing by signing a multi-year contract extension as the Official Hotel of RCR and the primary sponsor of RCR's #29 Chevy in the Nationwide Series with co-drivers Scott Wimmer and Jeff Burton. At the same time, Wimmer has reached agreement with RCR on a contract extension with the 10-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. The 2008 season will once again feature Wimmer and Burton as co-pilots of the #29 Holiday Inn Chevy [in the Nationwide Series]. Wimmer will also run a limited schedule of Sprint Cup Series events next season.(RCR PR)(10-25-2007)
Childress likely sticking to three full-time teams: Richard Childress said Friday he would likely not expand to four Sprint Cup entries for 2008 because he can't find the "right situation." Childress fields three Nextel Cup cars - for #29-Kevin Harvick, #31-Jeff Burton and #07-Clint Bowyer - and wanted to add a fourth team next year. But the lack of sponsorship appears to be the main issue. Busch Series driver Scott Wimmer would "probably" be the driver of the fourth team, Childress said. Cars were already built for the fourth Cup team, Childress said, but those would be used among the three current teams.(SceneDaily.com)(9-28-2007)
Court papers confirm AT&T-NASCAR settlement: NASCAR, AT&T and Sprint have filed paperwork in U.S. District Court in Atlanta confirming they have settled the lawsuit over logos on the #31 Richard Childress Racing car. All sides announced Sept. 8 that a settlement had been reached, allowing the AT&T logos on the Jeff Burton car through the end of the 2008 season. AT&T, which had a deal to sponsor Burton through 2010, cannot sponsor a Cup car beyond 2008. The paperwork was filed with the court Sept. 14. No terms were part of the filing, although it indicated that each side would pay its own costs and attorney fees.(SceneDaily.com)(9-17-2007)
AT&T logos back on the #31 Chevy UPDATE 2: on SPEED's NASCAR Live Friday, Bob Dilner reported and it was shown at Richmond International Raceway, the AT&T decals are back on the #31 Chevy that Jeff Burton driver for Richard Childress Racing, no word on details...yet. UPDATE: AT&T, NASCAR and Sprint apparently have settled the lawsuit involving the primary sponsorship logos on the #31 Richard Childress Racing Chevy. With NASCAR approval, the AT&T logos were being put on the car of Jeff Burton on Friday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway. Details of the settlement were not immediately released.(SceneDaily.com) UPDATE 2: NASCAR, Sprint Nextel, AT&T and Richard Childress Racing have agreed to end the legal dispute over branding of the #31 car. The agreement immediately permits AT&T to continue as primary sponsor of the #31 car, using the AT&T name and logos, through the 2008 season. “This agreement represents compromise from all sides that ultimately serves the sport well,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “No one likes litigation, most of all the NASCAR fans, and it was time to find a mutually agreeable resolution. We’re now happy to move forward with the exciting conclusion of the season as we approach the Chase for the Nextel Cup.”
“This is a great solution for NASCAR, the fans, Richard Childress Racing and Sprint Nextel,” said Tim Kelly, chief marketing officer for Sprint. “We accomplished our ultimate goal of protecting our unique position with NASCAR while giving the #31 team ample time to transition to a new sponsor. We will continue to focus on bringing new and unique innovations to NASCAR fans for the betterment of the sport.”
“We’re very pleased to have the AT&T logos back on the #31 Chevrolet and to have AT&T continue as a primary sponsor for Jeff Burton and Richard Childress Racing,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “We’re excited to have AT&T back on the car for Richmond and that they will continue to be a big part of what we do,” said Jeff Burton, driver, RCR’s #31 AT&T Chevrolet. “Now we can move forward and concentrate on winning races and competing for the championship.”
“This agreement is the right step taken at the right time. It provides a clear path forward for the sport and its fans, for Richard Childress Racing and Jeff Burton, and for AT&T, which can use its brand on the #31 Car,” said Dave Garver, executive director of business development and wireless sponsorships for AT&T’s wireless unit.(NASCAR PR) AND Garver said at the end of 2008, AT&T must leave the Cup Series. He said the telecommunications company could stay in the sport in a lower series.(Associated Press)(9-7-2007)
Childress Could Lose Sponsorship For #31 Team: Richard Childress said on Sunday at California Speedway, that he could be in danger of losing sponsorship for the #31 car if the lawsuit between AT&T and NASCAR/Sprint goes the wrong way. "If they would go away, we definitely could, they couldn't afford to stay in (the sport) to run a blank car. It's all up to Sprint to make the decision. It's in Sprint's hands. NASCAR is being controlled by what Sprint is going to let them do. The sad part of it is, the money AT&T spends with Richard Childress Racing, they will spend three times as much in media, FOX, ESPN, newspapers, magazines, and everything else they do -- they'll spend millions of dollars promoting their products and in that product, they are helping to promote our sport. It's just sad to see it where it is. If they (AT&T) get beat and end up having to leave, naturally we're going to lose them. Not only will RCR have a loss -- but the sport will lose. Again, it's in Sprint's hands."(Insider Racing News)(9-3-2007)
Sports Teams Owner is Childress' Guest at California: [MLB's Texas] Rangers and [NHL's Dallas] Stars owner Tom Hicks and members of his family were scheduled to attend the Sharp Aquos 500 Nextel Cup race at California. Hicks said it was a social invitation by team owner [#s 07, 29, 31] Richard Childress. He wouldn't comment on whether he has any interest in investing in a NASCAR team. But his sports empire has grown this year. In February, he became co-chairman of the Liverpool Football Club, one of the most storied soccer franchises in the English Premier League. Hicks' partner in that purchase was George Gillett, the owner of the NHL's Montreal Canadians and now a major investor in Ray Evernham's NASCAR team.(Dallas Morning News)(9-3-2007)
Blank #31 at Calif: AT&T will again field an unbranded car this weekend at California Speedway. The #31 Richard Childress Racing car driven by Jeff Burton will carry a plain paint scheme of orange and black, AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel confirmed Thursday. It will be the second week that the car has run without logos from its primary sponsor. AT&T, NASCAR and Sprint are in a contentious legal battle over the paint scheme of the car. In addition to not having the AT&T logos on the car, the AT&T logo also cannot be worn by team members nor be used on any items - haulers, pit boxes, etc. - inside the NASCAR garage.(SceneDaily.com)(8-31-2007)
Chevy and RCR continue partnership: Chevrolet, the winningest nameplate in NASCAR, will continue its partnership in NASCAR competition in 2008 with one of racing's elite organizations, Richard Childress Racing (RCR). "2008 marks Richard Childress's 39th year as a team owner and his cars proudly carry the Chevy bowtie," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "At Chevrolet and GM Racing, we are very excited to continue a long and successful relationship with one of the best racing organizations in NASCAR, both on and off the track." RCR's lineup includes #29-Kevin Harvick, #31-Jeff Burton and #07-Clint Bowyer in the Cup Series and Harvick and Tim McCreadie in the #21, Burton and Scott Wimmer in the #29 and #2-Bowyer in the Buscg Series.(GM Racing PR)(8-18-2007)
RC: Burton not leaving: Jeff Burton will not be on the market any time soon, even if the NASCAR/AT&T legal wrangling doesn't fall AT&T's way, car owner Richard Childress said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. Burton signed a contract to drive for Richard Childress Racing in June, with AT&T signing on as sponsor. But that was before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an injunction that had allowed AT&T logos on the #31 Chevy in place of Cingular signage. "We've got contracts with AT&T and Jeff Burton," Childress said. That means Burton isn't going anywhere, Childress indicated. Childress did not want to comment on the NASCAR/AT&T situation "because it's still in the legal system," he said. "We hope we can come to some kind of agreement we can all live with," Childress said. Should there be further trouble for AT&T, it could affect RCR's plans for a fourth team in 2008, though Childress was confident the fourth team would go on as planned. "It's something we'll probably have to take a harder look at," Childress said. "But we feel that team's pretty safe." Childress confirmed his team had talked to representatives of J.J. Yeley, the driver who recently announced he would not return to Joe Gibbs Racing next year, about the possibility of driving for RCR. "We've spoken to Yeley's people," Childress said. "He's someone that we definitely would very highly consider."(SceneDaily.com)(8-18-2007)
Jeff Burton to be Featured on ABC News Special Series: Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) Jeff Burton is one of several drivers to be featured in a five-piece, non-narrative, unscripted series, "NASCAR in Primetime," beginning August 15 on ABC News [at 10pm/et]. The nationally syndicated show will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, logistics, drama and competition of America's most popular motor sport. "NASCAR in Primetime" will take an inside look at Burton's life in the fast lane by illustrating his passion and dedication for racing in addition to the importance of having support from his family. "I'm excited that viewers can get a glimpse of what it takes to be competitive and successful in this sport," said Burton. "This sport strives on dedication - not only from your team members, but from your family, as well. Hopefully, this series will show viewers how exciting this sport really is and make new fans out of them as well." Burton, along with wife Kim and the entire #31 AT&T Racing team, will be featured in episode three, scheduled to air August 29. Other drivers slated to be featured in the five-part series are Stanton Barrett, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Juan Pablo Montoya, Johnny Sauter, Tony Stewart and David Stremme.(RCR PR)(8-13-2007)
"NASCAR in Primetime" Premieres Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 10/9c: Stock car racing has its origins in Prohibition-era bootlegging and until recent years was popular mainly with Southern white men. Today, NASCAR casts a far wider net. NASCAR is a multibillion dollar empire built on brilliant marketing, speed and the American dream. It already has a firm hold on the hearts and minds of Americans and now it's fixing its eye on the rest of the world. NASCAR in Primetime is the first time that NASCAR has given any news organization uncensored access to its inner workings. ABC News spent six months following drivers, fans and officials, documenting everything that happened on and off the racetrack. Our cameras saw people and places that NASCAR has never before allowed to be filmed for TV. For the first time, viewers will get an inside look at the real world of NASCAR. The show will air the next five Wednesday's, starting August 15th, at 10:00pm/et on ABC.(ABC)(8-13-2007)
RCR to honor Prosser at Indy, run Wake Forest decals: Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) Nextel Cup Series teams will honor Skip Prosser, the former Wake Forest University men's basketball coach who died unexpectedly on Thursday, with Wake Forest decals in Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway. RCR's three Chevys driven by Kevin Harvick (#29 Reese's), Jeff Burton (#31 AT&T) and Clint Bowyer (#07 Jack Daniel's) will carry a Wake Forest decal on the B-Post of each machine. Scott Wimmer will also attempt to qualify the #33 Holiday Inn Chevy for this weekend's Nextel Cup race. If the Wimmer makes the race, the #33 machine will also display the decal. "I grew up in Winston-Salem and have spent my entire life living and working in the area," said RCR president and CEO Richard Childress. "We just want everyone in the Wake Forest Community to know that we're thinking about them during this difficult time." Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, N.C., just 14 miles north of RCR's campus in Welcome, N.C.(RCR PR)(7-28-2007)
Harvick and Burton Say NASCAR Needs More Drug Testing: #29-Kevin Harvick questioned NASCAR's drug testing policy after Craftsman Truck Series driver Aaron Fike was arrested and charged with possession of drugs last weekend. "I believe that every driver and every national series should be drug tested a couple of times a year randomly regardless of who you are, what you are doing," Harvick said on Friday at Chicagoland Speedway. "We owe it to the sponsors and the fans to 100 percent know this is a clean environment. It would eliminate a lot of those problems of the younger guys that disrespect the sport and the system."(ESPN.com) AND: Jeff Burton said he would like to see series officials do even more drug testing. "I honestly wish that we would test more than we do," Burton said. "I wish that we would have a random number of drug tests throughout the year - you know you're going to do five or six every year, or whatever the number is. There's too much at stake for this sport, too much at stake for the drivers, the racetrack, the crew members on pit road," Burton said.(Associated Press/Fox Sports)(7-14-2007)
#31 Spotter getting hitched & special guest in #31 pits at Chicago: Following race weekend in Chicago, #31-Jeff Burton spotter Rocky Ryan will marry Kathy Moore in a ceremony at Childress Vineyards on Tuesday, July 17. The newlyweds plan to honeymoon at the end of the 2007 NASCAR season in Maui. Ryan will resume his spotter duty the upcoming [Busch Series] weekend at Gateway International Raceway for driver Scott Wimmer. Chicago Bulls basketball player Chris Duhon will attend Sunday's USG Sheetrock 400 as a guest of Jeff Burton. Duhon, a former Duke Blue Devils hoops player, will spend the day as an honorary pit crew member with the AT&T Racing team. He won the experience from a charity event hosted by Duke Children's Hospital.(RCR PR)(7-11-2007)
RCR-DEI Engine Debut at Daytona: Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies will debut the new common engine package this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. All six Richard Chiledress Racing [#07,#29,#31] and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) cars [#1,#8,#15] will run the new engine.(RCR PR)(7-4-2007)
LENOX colors on the #31 at NHIS: #31-Jeff Burton wil carry the red, white and blue colors of LENOX Industrial Tools at New Hampshire International Speedway with the running of the LENOX Industrial Tools 300. This is the second year that LENOX has been the title sponsor of New Hampshire's classic summer race. It's also the second time in 2007 that the East Longmeadow, Mass., based company will be the primary sponsor of Burton's Nextel Cup Series car. It's appropriate that the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 is so close in proximity to Independence Day, a holiday in which we honor individuals who went the extra mile for our country. LENOX is also honoring those who go the "Extra Mile" in construction and industrial trades with their recently announced 2007 national promotional sweepstakes - the "Extra Mile Experience with Richard Childress Racing Driver Jeff Burton." LENOX is represented throughout the season as an associate sponsor on Burton's #31 AT&T Chevy as well. The LENOX logo appears on the rear quarter panels of the car just behind the rear wheels. LENOX, a leading manufacturer of premium band saw blades, power tool accessories and torches has an extensive product line including the LENOX Gold bi-metal reciprocating saw blades; LENOX Gold bi-metal utility blades and knives; and LENOX ARMOR Rx+ bi-metal coated band saw blades for cutting structurals and tubing, just to mention a few. More info at lenoxracing.com.(LENOX PR) See images of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(6-26-2007)
AT&T Signs 3yr Contract Renewal with RCR, Burton extends: AT&T has exercised the option in its current contract with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) by signing a contract extension that will ensure that the #31 AT&T Chevy remains a competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series for years to come. At the same time, Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 AT&T Chevy, has reached agreement with RCR on a contract extension with the 10-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. "As long-time supporters of racing and its fans, we are very pleased to continue our involvement with the sport as a team sponsor in the wireless category," said Dave Garver, executive director of high growth segments and sponsorships for the wireless division at AT&T. "We've enjoyed our relationship with Jeff and RCR, and look forward to continuing to work with them through many more winning seasons. In the past decade, we've developed innovative ways to bring fans closer to racing, with interactive content that can be accessed via their wireless handsets, alerts sent directly to their phones and on-the-ground activities promoting wireless services at and around racing events. We're looking ahead, planning even more engaging ways to bring the latest in wireless technology to fans."
AT&T, as Cingular, has been the primary sponsor of RCR's #31 team since 2002. In that time, with Burton and Robby Gordon behind the wheel, the team has earned four wins, four pole positions, 22 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes. "AT&T has been an important part of RCR since 2002 so we're very excited about renewing our contract with them and continuing that great relationship," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "AT&T has been a tremendous supporter of RCR's fans and racing fans throughout the sport for more than a decade and I am eager to turn our full attention back to winning a championship. Jeff has been an important piece of the puzzle since he arrived at RCR in 2004. He's helped our entire organization since that time and will continue in that role. He's a true professional, whether it's with his crew or with sponsors, so we're very pleased to have him signed to a new long-term contract."
Burton began driving for RCR in August 2004 and was named the driver of its #31 team for the 2005 NASCAR Cup Series season. He has
earned two victories, four pole positions, 15 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes in 85 races driving the #31 AT&T Chevy.
"I'm really excited about AT&T extending their involvement with RCR. They've been a great company to work with," said Burton. "They have great people and great products. It's a real honor to represent AT&T both on and off the track. My enthusiasm about what we are doing at RCR is as high as it's ever been. I've never even considered doing something different. I'm glad we were able to re-sign with AT&T so that Richard and I could get our deal done. It's a real honor to drive for Richard and I am looking forward to continue working with him over the next few years." AT&T, formerly Cingular, has sponsored a NASCAR Cup Series team for 10 years, and is in its sixth season with RCR's #31 Chevrolet program. Key dates
* 1994 - BellSouth branded car makes debut in the Busch series
* 1997 - BellSouth car makes debut in the Cup series
* 2001 - Cingular branded car makes debut in the Cup series
* 2002 - Cingular and RCR sign a three-year contract through 2004
* 2004 - Jeff Burton named driver of No. 31 Cingular Chevrolet
* 2005 - Cingular renews its contract with RCR through 2007
* 2007 - AT&T branded car makes debut in the Cup series
* 2007 - AT&T and RCR sign contract extension through 2010.(RCR PR)(6-18-2007)
Childress close to signing extension with Burton: Richard Childress said he hopes to have an announcement soon that he has signed #31-Jeff Burton to a contract extension. Childress is also working on an extension with sponsor AT&T. Burton's deal runs out at the end of this year. "Hopefully we get a few things sorted out here in the next week or so, and we'll be able to make some type of a release on that," Childress said Saturday. "It's definitely the plan for him to stay but we can't do anything at this point. We're working on hopefully being able to do something to release it here in the near future."(SceneDaily.com)(6-17-2007)
Childress interested in Kyle Busch: Car owner Richard Childress was unable to sign Dale Earnhardt, Jr., but his team is hardly hurting as is. The car owner said Saturday that like a lot of car owners in the garage, he’s very interested in talking with newly minted free agent Kyle Busch, possibly for a long-rumored fourth Richard Childress Racing car. “Anybody would look at Kyle right now - any team in here,” said Childress. Childress, one of the most independent minds in the Nextel Cup garage, is not someone even remotely daunted by Busch’s reputation as a hot head. “I can name you eight or 10 guys in here at his age that were a handful. He's learning." Of Busch, Childress added, “He's the hottest property on the market right now.” In fact, some in the garage believe that Busch’s driving talent is equal to or even ahead of that of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.(SPEEDtv.com)(6-17-2007)
Some teams looking to add 4th team: The season is not even half over and several teams say they want to expand for next season. Officials from Dale Earnhardt Inc., Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing have said they'd like to expand to four cars next year. There have been hints other teams might look add a team. How many actually do will depend on what kind of sponsorship they can find.(Greensboro News and Record)(6-16-2007)
Burton says RCR 'likely' to add fourth team next season: #31-Jeff Burton thinks Richard Childress Racing will add a fourth Nextel Cup Series team in 2008, citing much recent discussion about the subject as partial evidence. "I think it's likely," Burton said of adding a fourth full-time team to the RCR stable. "Obviously we can't divulge what's on our minds but we have some exciting things that could happen." Burton wouldn't divulge details, rather said "there's a lot up in the air right now that we don't 100 percent know what's going to happen." The addition isn't a no-brainer, Burton said. He was quick to point out the negatives of adding another program: 25 percent more challenges, 25 percent more problems. The chief benefit of adding a fourth team is the additional knowledge added to the resource pool.(ESPN.com)(6-9-2007)
Childress and Burton hope to sign long term deal soon: Team owner Richard Childress hinted strongly that he will soon announce a new long-term contract with driver #31-Jeff Burton. “Jeff and I have a plan that we are going to announce pretty soon,” Childress said Friday. “I am sure we will start talking to AT&T pretty soon. Jeff is very happy where he is at and I am very happy with Jeff. We will be making some announcements pretty soon.”(SPEEDtv.com)(5-19-2007)
DEI and RCR team up to build engines: One of NASCAR's greatest partnerships - Childress and Earnhardt - has been expanded with the creation of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies. Richard Childress and Teresa Earnhardt announced today that the joint venture partnership will combine the Chevrolet engine departments of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), with engine development work to begin immediately. Construction of a permanent stand-alone facility located between RCR and
DEI will begin later this summer with completion expected by mid 2008. A specific site has not been announced, although a location has been identified pending zoning approval. Until that facility is complete, all work will be divided between the RCR's engine shop in Welcome, N.C. and DEI's shop in Mooresville, N.C. It is anticipated that all six RCR and DEI cars will run the first common engine at Daytona in July. Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies will develop and build engines for the Chevrolet Nextel Cup Series and Busch Series teams campaigned by the two companies. A long-term goal of the joint venture will include an engine leasing program for teams in NASCAR's top three divisions. The partnership also has long-term plans to diversify and expand beyond NASCAR by providing race engines to teams competing in series such as the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, various off-road and stock car series, sports car series, etc. This is not the first time RCR and DEI have worked together in a technology partnership. RAD, an acronym for the three teams owned by Richard Childress, Andy Petree and Dale Earnhardt, was formed in the late 90's as an aerodynamic consortium between the programs. The partnership was considered wildly successful with the three teams dominating the aerodynamically sensitive restrictor plate tracks Daytona and Talladega for the next few years.(DEI PR)(5-18-2007)
Career Start #450 for Jeff Burton this weekend: #31-Jeff Burton is set to reach another career milestone when he takes the green flag at Saturday’s Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway for his 450th start in NASCAR’s premier series. “It’s fitting that my 450th career start will take place at Darlington. It’s one of my favorite race tracks on the circuit,” said Burton. “What makes Darlington so special is the history that surrounds the track and how entrenched it is in our sport. It’s always an honor to race at Darlington and I’m looking forward to my 450th start at the track.” (RCR PR)(5-8-2007)
NASCAR donates $160,000 to Virginia Tech memorial fund: For the last three weeks, NASCAR's Nextel Cup cars have all displayed a Virginia Tech logo with a black background in a show of support for the victims and families of the massacre that left 33 dead in Blacksburg on April 16. On Saturday night the decals were just a symbol, and the support was something more tangible: money. In prerace introductions, Virginia drivers Jeff and Ward Burton, Elliott Sadler and Denny Hamlin presented Hokies football coach Frank Beamer with a check for $120,000 for the Hokies Spirit Memorial Fund. And Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz presented him with a check for $40,000, also for the memorial fund, that he said was given by RIR and some sister tracks also owned by International Speedway Corp.(Associated Press/ESPN)(5-6-2007)
NAPA looking? UPDATE 2 denied hearing that NAPA Auto Parts is looking at options for their sponsorship in the Nextel Cup Series. NAPA has been the sponsor for Michael Waltrip in the Cup Series since 2001, first with the #15 DEI Chevy, then since 2006 on the #55 car. Supposedly NAPA is talking to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) as a possible replacement sponsor for Cingular, should AT&T not win its lawsuit against NASCAR to have the AT&T decals put on the #31 Chevy AND with Roush Fenway Racing as a sponsor for the #16 Ford Greg Biffle drives. Current sponsor Ameriquest has opted out of the sponsorship after the 2007 season.(4-25-2007) UPDATE: been told there is no truth to the rumor that RCR is in contact with NAPA regarding sponsorship for the #31.(RCR)(4-27-2007) UPDATE 2: Michael Waltrip knows that his team needs to overcome its struggles this season, but he is disputing published reports that his #55 Toyota sponsor, NAPA, is exploring options elsewhere. "NAPA has ... had a lot of trials and tribulations; they've been really very supportive of getting this whole thing turned around. ...," Waltrip said Friday morning at Talladega Superspeedway. "This is the first year. I read on the Internet that NAPA was looking. They are; they're looking for us to do a better job."(SceneDaily.com)(4-27-2007)
Jeff Burton to speak safety at a school: On behalf of Cingular Wireless, #31-Jeff Burton is scheduled to speak at Shelby County High School in Columbiana, AL. on Thursday, April 26 regarding Cingular's "Be Sensible" safe driving program. The South Boston, Va., native will speak to 650 students and answer questions regarding safe driving.(RCR PR)(4-25-2007)
Jeff Burton wins at Texas: #31-Jeff Burton won the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway for his 1st win of the 2007 season, 19th career win and first since Dover in Sept 2006. Burton is the first driver in 13 Nextel Cup races to repeat as a winner at TMS. Burton passed #17-Matt Kenseth on the final lap to win, leading only the most important lap, the final one, Kenseth held on to 2nd, followed by #01-Martin, #24-Gordon [led the most laps], #26-McMurray, #16-Biffle, #1-Truex Jr., #42-Montoya, #11-Hamlin and #40-David Stremme scored his first ever top-10 finish. #8-Earnhardt Jr, was leading when he slowed for #20-Tony Stewart's spin, #5-Kyle Busch couldn't see and rammed into Earnhardt Jr. who spun and had serious rear-end damage. Busch declined comment and left the track, but the team fixed the car, and ironically Dale Jr. jumped in the car and picked up a spot for the #5 team, passing #48-Jimmie Johnson, who had retired the #48 late in the race. Jeff Gordon maintains the points lead, but only 8 points over Jeff Burton and even after missing two races, #01-Mark Martin is still 11th in the points chase. There were 7 cautions for 32 laps and 9 drivers lead the race with 13 lead changes. Race Results on my Texas Race Results/Awards Page. Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Texas page Race Rundown: see my Texas Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(4-15-2007)
Dangers of Children in Hot Cars #31-Jeff Burton, Safe Kids Worldwide and General Motors will try to educate families on the dangers children face in hot vehicles via a press conference scheduled for this Friday, April 13 at the Chevy Racing Display at Texas Motor Speedway. As temperatures heat up, children are at great risk for heat stroke when left even for a few minutes in a closed vehicle. At least 41 Texas children - 14 in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex - have experienced this type of horrible death since 1998. Burton, who spends many of his weekends driving in hot cars, will help warn parents and caregivers of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles - even on days when outside temperatures are as low as 70 degrees Fahrenheit.(GM Racing PR)(4-12-2007)
Jeff Burton to Receive Sportsmanship Award: Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton will join the ranks of some of the greatest names in motorsports when he receives this year’s Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Sportsmanship Award. The Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame annually awards the best performers who exemplify excellence in racing both on and off the track. Nominees to the Hall of Fame are determined by a panel of motorsports media throughout Texas, including representatives from print and broadcast outlets in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. This year’s inductees include NHRA veteran racer Eddie Hill and NASCAR team owner Roger Penske. Fellow NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will also be honored at the induction ceremony. Burton, along with other award winners will be honored at the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 11 at Texas Motor Speedway’s Grand Ballroom. Proceeds from the event, in association with Speedway Children’s Charities, go to Happy Hill Farm in Granbury, Texas, an academy and home for disadvantaged children.(RCR PR)(4-10-2007)
Purple scheme at Texas for Jeff Burton: Richard Childress Racing rolls out its #31 Prilosec OTC Chevy Monte Carlo SS on April 15th, complete with a purple lightning paint scheme, for the first time this season at Texas. A good luck charm for the #31 team will be the addition of Prilosec OTC Victory of a Lifetime Sweepstakes Grand Prize winner Jim Farina as the team's Honorary Pit Crew member. The Pittsfield, Mass., native will spend the weekend with Burton and his crew helping with pre-race preparations as he proudly sports his purple #31 team uniform and firesuit. Prilosec OTC is a Major Associate sponsor of RCR's #31 Chevy. In addition to this week's purple paint scheme, Prilosec OTC supports Team Cingular throughout the year on the lower rear quarter panel of the #31
Chevy and on Jeff Burton's firesuit.(RCR PR), see an image of the scheme on the #31 Team Schemes page.(4-6-2007)
AT&T Lawsuit could be resolved by end of April: AT&T's lawsuit against NASCAR, in which it asks for an injunction to allow it to rebadge Jeff Burton's #31 car from Cingular-orange to AT&T blue this spring, may have quick resolution, perhaps even as soon as the end of this month, according to sources close to the situation. However, Sprint Nextel officials continue to have nothing to say about the issue, even though it is directly related to their series sponsorship contract with NASCAR, a $70 million a year sponsorship in its fourth year of a 10-year pact.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-2-2007)
Cingular/AT&T/NASCAR update: With no court date set for Friday, employees of Richard Childress Racing didn't even bother to pack the forbidden AT&T logos for the #31 Chevy. AT&T filed a lawsuit on March 16 and sought an immediate injunction earlier this week to allow the logos to appear on the #31 driven by Jeff Burton. NASCAR has so far refused the change, citing its contract with the series' title sponsor, Nextel. Since its merger last year with BellSouth, AT&T has begun to phase out the Cingular name. It submitted a paint scheme in January to NASCAR, but it was rejected. AT&T spokesman Chris Capo told USA TODAY earlier this week crewmembers could affix the logo to the car this weekend if a federal court judge grated the injunction. He was hopeful Friday that there would be a hearing sometime before the next Cup race, scheduled for Texas Motor Speedway on April 15.(USA Today)(3-31-2007)
AT&T wants logo on Burton's car immediately UPDATE NASCAR responds: Telecommunications giant AT&T filed a motion Monday, asking that its logo be added to Jeff Burton's #31 Chevy immediately. The motion was filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, where the company also filed its lawsuit against NASCAR. A hearing on the motion has not yet been scheduled. Burton is sponsored by cell phone service provider Cingular. AT&T recently took full ownership of Cingular as part of its recent merger with BellSouth and intends to eliminate the brand name. AT&T sued NASCAR on March 16 after racing series officials refused to allow AT&T to put its logo on Burton's car because of NASCAR's deal with Nextel, which sponsors NASCAR's top series -- the Nextel Cup. "We must bring this issue to resolution," John Burbank, vice president of marketing for AT&T, said in a statement. "The season is well under way and so are our rebranding efforts. This filing is a logical next step for us in the process, and one we must pursue so that we can simply move forward with our paint scheme -- something our agreement with NASCAR allows us to do." AT&T officials acknowledge they agreed to a contract with Childress' team that contains provisions saying Cingular can't increase the size or placement of its logo on the car and can't switch its sponsorship to another team. But they say the contract does not contain language preventing a logo change if Cingular is bought out by another company. NASCAR and Nextel officials declined comment when the lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit seeks permission to make the logo switch and damages for the "substantial harm" NASCAR has caused to the company. The lawsuit calls altering the design of the #31 car an "integral part" of the company's brand name switch, and that NASCAR's refusal to allow it inhibits the company's ability to "attract new customers and retain existing ones."(AP/ESPN.com), see past news on the AT&T lawsuit and Cingular on my #31 Team Schemes page.(3-26-2007) UPDATE - NASCAR fires back: AT&T has been pressuring NASCAR with its lawsuit over how to paint the quarter panels on Jeff Burton's Nextel Cup #31 Chevy car as it rebrands Cingular under the AT&T logo. According to papers being filed in the suit, NASCAR officials told Stan Sigman, the president and CEO of Cingular, five weeks ago that in April 2005, George Pyne, NASCAR's CEO at the time, told the Richard Childress-Burton team that it would not allow a change in paint scheme or logos if Cingular was bought and had its name changed. NASCAR further said that its grandfathering of Cingular - after Nextel signed on as the series sponsor - "was tied directly to the Cingular Wireless brand and not the Cingular company." The papers further say that "it is generally not in NASCAR's interest to limit sponsors' participation in the sport." NASCAR suggested that AT&T could sponsor a Busch team or a Trucks team instead, if it wished. That is precisely the route that Verizon has taken. NASCAR's filing refers specifically to Pyne's letter to Childress, dated April 4, 2005. It specifies that "should Cingular be acquired by a third party, the Cingular brand is continually welcome as a team sponsor. However, should the company's name change, we will not allow any paint scheme or branding on the car promoting this new name."
The papers go on to say: "NASCAR certainly has no desire to eliminate the Cingular brand from NASCAR Nextel Cup series competition." But, "unfortunately AT&T's decision to purchase Cingular and then to eliminate the Cingular brand puts NASCAR in the position of having to now enforce the rights granted Nextel in the series sponsorship agreement."(in part from the Winston Salem Journal)(3-28-2007)
Burton hopes for resolution soon with AT&T suit: #31-Jeff Burton says his Richard Childress Racing team can't wait long for a resolution to its AT&T lawsuit against NASCAR. That's why he's keenly awaiting to see if AT&T will get the injunction it's asking for to be allowed to put the AT&T logos on the car in place of Cingular. AT&T and Cingular merged earlier this year, and AT&T is phasing out the Cingular brand. AT&T wants to put its logos on the #31 Nextel Cup car, but NASCAR has said that conflicts with NASCAR's sponsorship agreement with Nextel. No hearings have yet been set in AT&T's request for a temporary injunction as well as a permanent injunction for it to be allowed to remain as a Cup sponsor. NASCAR has not yet responded to the lawsuit, which was filed March 16 in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. "It can't linger," Burton said Friday. "An injunction will have a much quicker decision than a regular court case, and then it still will go to court later. ... If AT&T is told it can't come back, then we have people that we have to feed, people that have house payments and have a life they have to live and they have to be paid. We can't be caught in the position of not having sponsorship going into '08. And if AT&T raised their hand and say, 'We're going to get out and fight it later,' they might not ever be able to get back in." When NASCAR negotiated a 10-year deal with Nextel in 2003 worth an estimated, $700-$750 million, it grandfathered in Cingular but not AT&T. The Cingluar sponsorship was set to run out at the end of the year, and AT&T wants to renew but must now wait for the courts.(SceneDaily.com)(3-24-2007)
AT&T to sue NASCAR to place logos on #31 UPDATE and image: The cell-phone industry's ruthless fight has spilled over into NASCAR, and landed squarely on the hood of Jeff Burton's #31 Chevy. AT&T's wireless unit, formerly known as Cingular Wireless, planned to file a lawsuit later on Friday in Atlanta's U.S. District Court against NASCAR. The suit will center around AT&T's sponsorship on the #31 Chevrolet driven by Burton. The car has traditionally been sponsored by Cingular, with its familiar orange paint scheme. Though federal regulators approved AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth and its wireless unit Cingular on Dec. 29, NASCAR will not allow AT&T logos to appear on the #31 car because it would violate its current agreement with Sprint Nextel, which owns the naming right to NASCAR's top series. "We're filing a lawsuit to protect the right to transition from Cingular to AT&T on the #31 car," AT&T spokesperson Clay Owen said Friday afternoon. NASCAR officials were not immediately available for comment. Burton's car will continue to sport the Cingular Wireless paint scheme for this weekend's Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(3-16-2007) UPDATE: AT&T Inc., owner of the largest U.S. mobile phone carrier, sued NASCAR after meeting resistance to its efforts to replace the Cingular brand with the AT&T brand on the #31 Chevy car that the company sponsors. “NASCAR’s refusal is apparently a result of its fealty to Spring Nextel Corp., a wireless provider that, since 2004, has been lead sponsor of NASCAR’s ‘Cup Series,’ which is a series of NASCAR’s highest profile races,” stated AT&T in a complaint for injunctive relief. The complaint, filed in federal court in Atlanta, also seeks a declaratory ruling and damages. AT&T, which acquired the remaining 40% ownership of Cingular Wireless L.L.C. in its acquisition of BellSouth Corp. late last year, has a sponsorship agreement with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) that runs from 2005 through 2007, with an exclusive right to negotiate a renewal beyond 2007, the suit said. RCR owns the #31 car, which is driven by Jeff Burton. “NASCAR granted Sprint Nextel a lead sponsor of the Cup Series, exclusivity as the sole communications provider sponsoring NASCAR racing, and it is apparently on this basis that NASCAR refuses to permit RCR to alter the design of the #31 car,” the AT&T suit stated. Andrew Giangola, director of business communications for NASCAR, said the motorsports organization does not comment on litigation. However, Giangola pointed out that NASCAR’s contract with Sprint Nextel grandfathered both Cingular and Alltel Corp. into the competition, allowing Cingular and Alltel to participate in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series as team sponsors indefinitely as long as the firms did not change the scope of their sponsorship (beyond a team) or the actual name and brand on the race car. He said only the “Cingular” and “Alltel” brands are permitted on cars competing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. “This has been and remains NASCAR’s position,” said Giangola. The issue is notable as Cingular and Sprint Nextel have previously battled over a variety of issues, including advertising claims.(source: rcrnews.com), see an image of the proposed Cingular/AT&T scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(3-20-2007)
AT&T Rolls Out Burton Blog: #31-Jeff Burton now sharing his views on this year's season in a new blog available only through the MEdia Net Racing Portal from the wireless unit of AT&T Inc. Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy and
18-time Cup Series winner, is launching the Burton Blog, a unique perspective on a variety of issues ranging from candid reviews of his
race performances to light-hearted commentary on pop culture. Cingular, now AT&T, is making the unique content available to its more than 61 million customers exclusively on its MEdia Net Racing Portal. Continuing through the end of the Cup season in November, new Burton Blog entries will be posted several times a week in the "Cingular Exclusives" section of the MEdia Net Racing Portal. Fans can participate in the Burton Blog mailbag by submitting a text message with a question to "JB31" (5-2-3-1). Burton will answer select
questions throughout the season. Other content available on the Racing Portal includes Jayski.com text alerts of news and in-race results, NASCAR.com To Go and racing-themed ringtones and wallpapers. Fans with 3G capable handsets can view weekly exclusive video insight on Burton and the #31 Chevrolet. Cingular Video features pre- and post-race video analysis from Burton and TEAM Cingular members, filmed on location at the Richard Childress Racing team shop. Customers can access the Racing Portal and the Burton Blog on their wireless handset by launching the MEdia Net option and then visiting the main Sports home page. Customers can access the Burton race reviews and previews on their 3G handsets by launching Cingular Video and visiting the Richard Childress Racing option on the main Sports page of MEdia Net. Standard MEdia Net data-usage charges and text-message charges apply.(Career Sports & Entertainment PR)(3-10-2007)
Childress to Speak March 8 at Neurosurgeon Convention: Richard Childress will give a speech March 8 to the American
Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS). The speech, entitled "The Importance of Teamwork," is part of the 2007 AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves Annual Meeting at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix. The 10-time NASCAR championship team owner and winning team owner of the 2007 Daytona 500 was invited to speak to the group by his friend, Charles L. Branch Jr., MD, chair of the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine
and Peripheral Nerves, and a practicing neurosurgeon at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.(RCR PR)(3-8-2007)
Burton comments on Martin; Martin testing at Bristol: Mark Martin signed up to run 22 races in the #01 US Army Chevy in 2007. However, with his success in the first two races cause him to re-think that plan? “I’d bet almost anybody right now today that Mark Martin runs all 38 races” said fellow driver and long-time friend #31-Jeff Burton. “Matt (Kenseth) and I told him (Martin) before the Daytona 500 that we both bet that he would run every race. I believed it before the year started and I believe it even more today.” Burton felt all along that if Martin would be up front competing for wins it would be almost impossible for him to give up his ride to Regan Smith for 16 races. “I know him really well” said Burton. “I hate to use this analogy but he’s like a drug addict that can’t get away from it…and that’s a horrible analogy but this is an addicting thing and when you’re having success it’s much, much harder to walk away. The only way that he wouldn’t is if they’d gone to Daytona and got in a wreck or gone to California and had some kind of problem. Mark Martin isn’t going to have a car owner look him in the eye and say, “Hey, we have a chance to win a championship and him say well I’m not riding. I know he’s not going to. He can say all he wants to but he’s not scheduled to run Bristol but who’s doing the Bristol test? Mark Martin.” While the official Bristol scoring rundown indicates Regan Smith was testing both US Army cars, Martin was in fact turning laps in the teams’ “A” machine.(PRN's Garage Pass radio show)(2-28-2007)
#31 Jackman needs surgery: #31-Team Cingular jackman Josh Yost will undergo surgery to his left ankle Thursday at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C. During a routine pit stop in last Sunday's Daytona 500, Yost's left Archilles tendon ruptured. Adam North, the jackman for the #29 Holiday Inn NBS team, will fill in for Yost beginning this weekend at California.(RCR PR)(2-21-2007)
News on the two injured crew members: It appears that Josh Yost, jack man for Jeff Burton's #31 Chevy, suffered his second serious Achilles' tendon injury in less than two years in Sunday's Daytona 500. Richard Childress Racing team spokesman David Hart said Yost suffered an injury to his left Achilles' tendon that doctors described as showing "classic signs of a rupture."
In May 2005, Yost suffered a laceration to his right Achilles tendon at Talladega Superspeedway when he was struck by Rusty Wallace's Dodge on the pit lane. That took months to heal. Yost required a wheelchair and had to learn how to walk again. Hart said Yost flew home to North Carolina on Sunday in a splint and will see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible Monday. Yost wasn't the only crewman injured Sunday. Jeremy Geiter, a crewmember on Mike Wallace's #09 team, suffered an injury to his left foot and ankle after being struck by #26-Jamie McMurray during a pit stop on Lap 176. Geiter told ESPN.com that he and the #09 team were pushing Wallace from the pit stall when McMurray, pitting behind them, pulled out and ran over his left foot. Geiter said doctors informed him he might have a hairline fracture, but that a sprain and bruise was likely the extent of the injury.(ESPN.com)(2-19-2007)
New sponsor for Burton? UPDATE 2 no, sponsor extends with NHIS: Nextel Cup driver Jeff Burton and New Hampshire International Speedway will conduct a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 11:30am/et at Boston Park Plaza Hotel [Boston, MA]. With recent news that Burton's Cingular sponsor has decided not to extend its relationship [have not heard that, just that AT&T was taking over Cingualr name] with Richard Childress Racing, its expected that Danvers-based Sylvania lighting company will become the #31 car's primary sponsor for the 2007 season. Sylvania also partners with NHIS by sponsoring the Sylvania 300 each September.(Boston Herald) UPDATE: been told by sources that the press conference at NHIS will be about LENOX becoimg more involved with the team somehow and about re-upping at the title sponsor for the July race at NHIS. Sources tell me that Cingular/AT&T will stay as the primary sponsor of the #31 RCR Chevy and Jeff Burton at least thru 2007.(1-22-2007) UPDATE 2: LENOX Industrial Tools, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, hand tools, torches and band saw blades announced it has extended its sponsorship of the LENOX Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS). For years to come, the summer Nextel Cup Series race at “The Magic Mile” will be known as the LENOX Industrial Tools 300. The announcement was made during a luncheon at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers in Boston, Mass. After much success with the race entitlement last year, LENOX, based in East Longmeadow, Mass. (just 150 miles from New Hampshire International Speedway), decided to join the track with a long-term partnership. In addition to the race entitlement, LENOX will also have another presence. Jeff Burton, the driver with the most Nextel Cup Series wins at NHIS, will race a special white and blue #31 Chevy in the event with LENOX Industrial Tools Chevy as his primary sponsor. LENOX is also an associate sponsor on Burton’s Richard Childress Racing car throughout the 2007 season. Advance tickets for the LENOX Industrial Tool 300 are on sale now, please call Speedway Guest Services at 603-783-4931 or visit the track website at www.nhis.com for more information.(Pro Sports Management & Marketing/LENOX PR), no terms were released.(1-25-2007)
More on the Cingular Sponsorship Story: Team owner Richard Childress is still hopeful a solution can be reached that will allow him to keep his sponsor on his #31 Nextel Cup car. Cingular is the current sponsor, but that company has been bought by AT&T. The AT&T brand cannot be put on the car because of Nextel's agreement to sponsor NASCAR's premier series. Nextel grandfathered existing sponsorships for Cingular and Alltel, but its NASCAR agreement does not allow any changes. "I'm going to let that ball roll on its own, that globe roll on its own," Childress said Tuesday in reference to AT&T's logo. "I laid some plans out there, and it's up to NASCAR to make that call." NASCAR is still looking for a possible solution. "We are positive we will be able to come to an amicable relationship with those guys and look forward to 2007," said NASCAR Vice President of Operations Steve O'Donnell. "We're working with folks at Cingular and Richard Childress Racing." O'Donnell said the AT&T brand cannot be on the car. "Is there a way that we can work with Sprint [which has taken over Nextel in a merger] and figure out what might work?" O'Donnell said about the discussions. "At the end of the day, we need team sponsors." Dean Kessel, who handles the Nextel Cup marketing program for Sprint, said he has not been involved in any discussions, leaving it up to NASCAR and RCR to figure out if there is a solution. "Paint schemes have to be approved, and [NASCAR officials] are charged with protecting our rights," Kessel said. The issue is not new. The team has been aware of the situation since the Cingular-AT&T merger was first discussed nearly a year ago. Childress called Nextel a great series sponsor, and the negotiations continue. "I'm going to leave all of that up to those guys to work that out," Childress said. "We're just going to try to win some races this year with Cingular Wireless. [NASCAR] controls the paint schemes and stuff like that. Right now, we're working through any details on that." Kessel said he didn't think the new iPhone, a product of Cingular and Apple, could be on the car.(SceneDaily.com)(1-24-2007) MORE: Dean Kessel, director of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series marketing for Sprint Nextel, said it is written in Nextel's contract that they can only have one name change . In other words, they can only change their name from the Nextel Cup Series once. But it's also written that if Cingular and Alltel want to sponsor cars while Nextel is the title sponsor, they can, but they can't make a name change. Kessel was very adamant about not altering his feelings on that point.(Larry McReynolds/FoxSports)(1-24-2007)
Cingular / AT&T hope to stay as #31 sponsor: #31-Jeff Burton said sponsor Cingular would like to stay in the sport and is looking at ways to remain a car sponsor while changing its name to AT&T. When Nextel signed the title sponsorship for NASCAR's premier series in June 2003, it grandfathered in Cingular and Alltel as team sponsors. It prohibited other telecommunication companies from becoming team sponsors and prohibited any moves by Cingular and Alltel to other teams or, in case of a merger or name change, to a new brand. With Cingular's merger with AT&T and the Cingular name being phased out, the sponsorship of the #31 Richard Childress Racing team and Burton is up in the air because AT&T cannot be branded on the car. Cingular is in its final year of its deal with RCR. "I can tell you that Cingular is extremely excited about their involvement with AT&T," Burton said Monday. "I can tell you that they're extremely excited about being involved in this sport. They love their sponsorship opportunity and they're going to do everything in their power to continue it. It's an interesting situation to be in, and time will tell exactly what happens. But from a marketing standpoint, it certainly is going to require some creativity and it's going to require some interesting strategies. But they're committed to doing what it takes to make it work, and I'm confident that they will."(SceneDaily.com)(1-16-2007)
Cingular name going away? UPDATE yes: The largest wireless service provider in the United States, Cingular Wireless, will soon undergo a name change. This carrier had been jointly owned by AT&T and BellSouth, but last week AT&T finally got Federal permission to acquire BellSouth. As the sole owner of Cingular, AT&T has said in the past that it intends to change the carrier's name to "AT&T Wireless". The re-branding is expected to happen over the next several months. This wireless service provider's headquarters will remain in Atlanta.(cdrinfo.com) MORE: Cingular's sponsorship contract with Richard Childress Racing expires at the end of the 2007 season, but the Cingular name will expire before then, leaving the branding of the #31 car driven by Jeff Burton up in the air, according to a story in this week's NASCAR Scene. With the Bell South-AT&T merger approved Dec. 29, AT&T has announced that it is phasing out the Cingular name and replacing it with AT&T. That's a problem for RCR's #31 team because it cannot change the name on the hood of the car. When Nextel became NASCAR's top series sponsor in 2004, the sponsorship agreement grandfathered in existing team-sponsor telecommunications relationships, but it does not permit any changes. Sprint Nextel's Dean Kessel confirmed that remains the group's position Jan. 3. Cingular spokesman Clay Owen would not speculate about the future of the sponsorship. "We look forward to the start of the 2007 NASCAR season with Jeff Burton behind the wheel of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet," Owen said in a statement Jan. 5. "It's an exciting time as we begin the early planning stages of transitioning our brand into the AT&T family." Kessel said there is no wiggle room to allow a change. "We grandfathered in the companies that were involved in the sport, and that was our take," he said. "We're not looking to renegotiate anything." Part of the Bell South-AT&T merger includes yellowpages.com. Kessel said Sprint hadn't investigated whether that would be permissible as a possible replacement for the team. Cingular could still sponsor a car in the Busch Series or Craftsman Truck Series.(SceneDaily.com)(1-10-2007) UPDATE: AT&T Inc. will begin next week to extinguish the brand of cellphone operator Cingular to imprint its more-than-century-old name firmly across its services. AT&T (Charts), which took full control of No. 1 U.S. mobile carrier Cingular with its $86 billion purchase of BellSouth Corp. last month, will launch a campaign Monday to mark the change. In its first stage, Cingular will share its orange logo of a bouncing jack with the AT&T globe logo on everything from television ads to sales uniforms and monthly bills. AT&T's name and logo will eventually replace Cingular in a process expected to take several months, with the exact timing determined as more customer feedback comes in, Wendy Clark, vice president of advertising at AT&T, said. One new ad will portray a familiar Cingular image - grain harvesters mowing a field to represent "bars" showing maximum cellphone reception. But in a new take, the harvesters will change direction and mow the AT&T globe out of the stalks. The new AT&T was formed in the merger of SBC Communications and AT&T Corp. in late 2005. Adding to the mix, in late 2004 Cingular bought AT&T Wireless, eradicating that brand because of its poor reputation among customers.(CNN) NO WORD how this effects the sponsorship of the #31 Chevy Jeff Burton drives for Richard Childress Racing as it is not mentioned in the article and have not heard.(1-12-2007)
Jeff Burton tests COT at Phoenix: #31-Jeff Burton wrapped up a day of testing the COT [Car of Tomorrow] Goodyear Tire test at Phoenix International Raceway on Wednesday.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(1-11-2007)
2006 News
Testing at Nashville: been told #55-Michael Waltrip, #00-David Reutimann and #31-Jeff Burton were testing on Wednesday, Dec 13th at Nashville Superspeedway AND also....Darrell Waltrip was helping brother Michael by testing a Toyota Camry.(12-14-2006)
Neighbors not happy with RCR engine noise, RCR working on problem: Until a few months ago, racing the engines at the Richard Childress Racing [#'s 07,29,31,33 in Nextel Cup] garage in Welcome, NC was never a problem, according to residents. Then, the team cleared 10 acres of forest between its buildings and nearby neighborhoods for its expansion. Those trees served as a muffler for the noise. Now that they're gone, people say the noise is unbearable. Some neighbors said the noise rattles their windows. Monday night, the Davidson County Commissioners granted RCR a zoning request that green lights the expansion. While the neighbors were disappointed with the decision, RCR spokesman Bill Patterson said the racing team will plant cypress trees along the back property line to create a buffer. Patterson also said the team has spent $500,000 on reducing noise and will do more. Neighbors said they'd like to see a sound reduction wall.(wxii12.com)(12-12-2006)
Headbanger Rachtman to get head shaved on NASCAR Raceday: In February, at the Daytona 500, TV and Radio personality, Riki Rachtman, was on stage at the Chevy fanfest in front of thousands of fans. As a fan of Nextel Cup driver #31-Jeff Burton, Riki told the audience that when the driver of the # 31 Cingular Wireless Chevy won a race he would shave his head
bald. After a winless streak of 5 years, Jeff Burton scored a victory at Dover. That was Sept 24th. Live on “NASCAR Raceday” (Speed TV) host and NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace challenged Riki to come to the Phoenix NASCAR race and have his head shaved live
on the show. “NASCAR Raceday” is the definitive pre-race program that gets fans pumped and ready for the adrenaline rush of each race. After taunts from the other hosts Jimmy Spencer and John Roberts, Riki reluctantly agreed. "You gotta respect a man of his word," said Chris Long, Speed VP of Production. "NASCAR Raceday” is the ultimate fan show and we love that Riki is going to honor his promise to Jeff Burton on our show and in front of the NASCAR fans."
“I have always been a fan of the program “NASCAR Raceday,” said Riki Rachtman. “At first I thought, how cool. I get to be a guest on the show. Then when it sunk in why I was going to be on the show, I got a little nervous.” Riki also claims he dug up some dirt on Kenny Wallace and he will reveal it on the program.
Who is Riki Rachtman ? The answer depends on who you ask. Many remember Riki as the host of the highly rated MTV show, “Headbangers Ball” [a huge Jayski Fave]. Today he is a regular on the music channel, VH1. Yes, many people still know Riki from the world of rock n’ roll. Riki has a passion for NASCAR as much as he has for music. In the spring of 2003, “Racing Rocks! with Riki Rachtman,” debuted. In October of 2006 United Stations EVP/Programming Andy Denemark, made the announcement from the network’s New York City Headquarters that “Racing Rocks with Riki Rachtman” had secured its 100th affiliate. “Racing Rocks with Riki Rachtman” is a two-hour weekly long-form program that provides rock fans coast-to-coast with news, exclusive insights, interviews and dedicated coverage from the world of NASCAR, primarily the Nextel Cup racing series. The show is driven by the star power of its host and NASCAR’S massive fan base.(PR)(11-10-2006)
Holiday Inn/RCR Cup debut Nov 19th UPDATE: no real details, but on the Holidayinn.com site, it shows [bottom right corner] a #29 Holiday Inn Chevy [which has been raced by Jeff Burton for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in the Busch Series] but it has a driver 'greened' out and says "November 19: The Last Race, A Cup Debut, A New Teammate", the teammate could be Scott Wimmer, who has been testing for RCR lately and has been rumored to be running a partial Busch/Cup scheduled for RCR in 2007, possibly in the #33 4th RCR Chevy.(11-8-2006) UPDATE: Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts will expand its winning Busch Series program with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2007 to a full season of competition with co-drivers Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer. The program is the next step of this season’s 10-race program with Burton behind the wheel of the #29 Holiday Inn Chevy. In those ten starts, Burton earned one victory (June 3 at Dover International Speedway in Delaware), five top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Wimmer is also scheduled to drive RCR’s #33 Chevy
with sponsorship from Holiday Inn, in this season’s Nextel Cup Series season finale, Nov. 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “It’s an honor to be able to continue and grow our relationship with an American icon like Holiday Inn,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Jeff Burton, Pat Smith (crew chief) and the entire team have done a solid job on the competition side and the folks at Holiday Inn have done a great job in promoting their program to their customers. We’ve had pretty good success the past couple of years running a two-driver program and we think that will only continue with the Holiday Inn team in 2007.” Burton and Wimmer will split the 35-race season down the middle, though which driver runs an 18th race is yet to be determined. Plans for 2007 also call for Wimmer to compete in two still-to-be-determined Nextel Cup Series events in RCR’s #33 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with
primary sponsorship from Holiday Inn. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to drive for Richard Childress and his Busch Series program,” said Wimmer. “Being teamed up with Jeff Burton, and having Kevin and Clint (Bowyer) to draw from, is one of the big reasons why I decided to drive for RCR. I’ve raced in NASCAR for almost six years and have never had a teammate. It’s something I’ve always been missing in my career so I’m really looking forward to it, especially with someone the caliber of Jeff Burton. Growing up in the Midwest, I think I had every birthday party from the time I can remember until I was 14 or so at a Holiday Inn Holidome so it’s great to be driving for them. We had a lot of fun in those Holidomes and I’m looking forward to having just as much fun in their race cars.” Call 1-800-HOLIDAY or log onto www.holidayinn.com for more information or to book a reservation.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(11-9-2006)
Outside the Lines ESPN Sunday 9:30am/et: #31-Team Cingular driver Jeff Burton is scheduled to be a guest on ESPN's 'Outside the Lines' Sunday, November 5 from Texas Motor Speedway. The Emmy Award winning series will air live at 9:30am/et.(11-2/4-2006) MORE In a garage in High Point, N.C., Toyota is preparing for its debut on the NASCAR scene. Its entry marks the first time a Japanese manufacturer will be allowed to compete in NASCAR and some are criticizing Toyota's lavish spending and technological onslaught. Toyota insists it has earned its way here and that, with 10 U.S. manufacturing plants, Toyota has become a part of the American automotive landscape. "Outside the Lines," (Sunday 9:30am/et - ESPN) takes a look at Toyota's arrival in stock-car racing. For more, click here.(11-5-2006)
Franchitti visits Texas: During Saturday's Nextel Cup Happy Hour practice session at Texas Motor Speedway, open wheel veteran Dario Franchitti was an observer on top of Jeff Burton's hauler. His visit was purely business. Franchitti shares a business relationship with one of Burton's team sponsors and the Scotsman was invited to attend and speak at a dinner in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Yahoo's Bob Margolis had a chance to chat with Franchitti, and the conversation turned to Franchitti's future. There had been some speculation during the summer that Franchitti perhaps was interested in a NASCAR ride. Obviously the interest was in passing – or maybe a way to leverage a better deal from his current team – as Franchitti acknowledged that he would be back in his Indy Racing League ride with Andretti Green Racing for the entire 2007 season. He also expects to race the entire season in the American Le Mans Series with AGR teammate Bryan Herta in AGR's recently announced Acura/Courage program. Might there be a NASCAR ride somewhere down the road for Franchitti? "Not in the immediate future," Franchitti said.(Yahoo Sports)(11-5-2006)
Burton and Childress to announce new partnership UPDATE 2: on Friday, November 3rd at Texas Motor Speedway, #31 team owner, Richard Childress and driver Jeff Burton, along with a New Sponsor Representative will be announcing a new partnership for the 2007 NASCAR season.(RCR PR)(11-3-2006) UPDATE: on Speed Channel's NASCAR Live, Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Cingular Chevy for RCR, said LENOX Industrial Tools will be a major associate sponsor for the team in 2007 and be the primary sponsor at Richmond in May and New Hampshire in July.(Speed Channel's NASCAR Live)(11-3-2006) UPDATE 2: Lenox Industrial Tools has partnered with Richard Childress Racing and driver Jeff Burton in a multi-year sponsorship agreement beginning with the 2007 Cup season. LENOX will be an associate sponsor throughout the season on Burton’s #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy. The LENOX logo will appear on the rear quarter panels of the car just behind the rear wheels. In addition, LENOX will serve as the primary sponsor of the #31 in two races during the 2007 season – May 5 at Richmond International Raceway and July 1 at New Hampshire International Speedway (located less than 150 miles from LENOX’s home headquarters). This season’s July New Hampshire event was known as the LENOX Industrial Tools 300. LENOX, which will utilize the partnership through marketing and advertising initiatives, has an extensive product line including the LENOX Gold bi-metal reciprocating saw blades; LENOX Gold bi-metal utility blades and knives; LENOX ARMOR Rx+ bi-metal coated band saw blades for cutting structurals and tubing; and the LENOX all-in-one screwdriver, just to mention a few. For more information see www.LENOXsaw.com.(RCR PR)(11-4-2006)
#31 Pit Crew to be honored: The #31 Team Cingular pit crew will be awarded Mechanix Wear's third quarter 'Most Valuable Pit Crew Award' during the Bank of America 500 pre-race ceremonies. The award was voted on by the NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs. An outstanding pit crew is selected each quarter of the season and one of the quarterly winners will be chosen as the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew at season end and awarded $75,000.(RCR PR)(10-11-2006)
RCR Cars to carry special sticker: Each of the three RCR Cup Series entries [#07, #29, #31] will carry a Down Syndrome Awareness Month decal this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway to promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals born with this genetic condition. The Down syndrome community has been celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month each October since 1981.(RCR PR)(10-11-2006)
Wimmer to RCR? hearing that Scott Wimmer, who parted ways with Morgan-McClure Motorsports on Tuesday, will have a ride with a Richard Childress Racing Busch Series team in 2007.(10-4-2006)
#31 back in the winners circle: Jeff Burton is only the 2nd person to ever win a Cup race running the #31 after winning at Dover on Sept 24, 2006. Robby Gordon [also for RCR] was the last winner in the #31, at Watkins Glen in August 2003 and was the first winner ever in the #31 at New Hampshire in November 2001, the #31 has now won four times, see more about wins by car numbers on my Wins by Car# page.(9-26-2006)
Jeff Burton wins at Dover: #31-Jeff Burton won the Dover 400 at Dover International Speedway for his 1st win of 2006 and first in 175 races ago, at Phoenix in Oct 2001, the 18th of his career and vaults the #31 Cingular Wireless driver into the points lead for the first time since May 1999. Burton led only 6 laps, the final 6 laps, dueling with #17-Matt Kenseth [who led the most laps 215] until passing Kenseth on lap 394. Kenseth then ran out of fuel on the final lap and finished 10th. Rounding out the top 10 were: #99-Edwards, #24-Gordon, #2-Busch, #16-Biffle, #1-Truex Jr. [best career finish], #43-Labonte, #07-Bowyer and #17-Kenseth. Points leader, #29-Kevin Harvick was running in the top-10 when his engine failed on lap 366, dropping him out of the points lead. Three other Chasers had rough days with #9-Kasey Kahne getting caught up early in a #20-Stewart spin finishing 38th, #5-Kyle Busch lost an engine and finished 40th and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. had some tire issues, finishing 21st down 3 laps. There were 9 leaders with 12 lead changes and 10 cautions for 48 laps. Race Results on my New Hampshire Race Results/Awards Page. Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after New Hampshire page Race Rundown: see my Dover Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race penalties, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(9-24-2006)
RCR Forms Partnership with Metris: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is investing in a multi-million dollar partnership with Metris to utilize the Belgium-based company’s integrated metrology solutions for use in the production of the nine-time NASCAR champion racing organization’s engines and race cars. Metris, with U.S. operations in Detroit, California and Virginia, will supply RCR with proven high-technology metrology systems, both contact and optical, and the expertise to improve the aerodynamics and boost the performance of its engines. The partnership is another strategic move in RCR’s continuing bid to boost the performance of its cars with winning technology. “We’re partnering with Metris because of its impressive range of advanced metrology products,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “We’re confident that the expertise its engineers have demonstrated will help us to push the performance of our race cars to the next level. The technology involved in NASCAR today continues to grow and RCR’s partnership with Metris will put us on the cutting edge in both the engine and fabrication shops.” Metris provides integrated solutions for automotive and aerospace metrology. The portfolio comprises Coordinate-Measuring Machines (CMM), Optical CMM, 3D Laser Scanners, Laser Radar and iGPS systems along with Focus, the leading inspection and reverse engineering software. “Having Metris’ equipment on-site at RCR will help facilitate our engine and body fabrication sides of the business,” said Bobby Hutchens, RCR’s vice president of research and development. “On the fab side, it will provide us with the technology to more precisely duplicate our bodies and, on the engine side, will ensure that both the parts we purchase from outside sources as well as those produced by RCR’s Okuma Technology Center meet our current specifications.” More info about Metris at www.metris.com. (RCR PR)(9-22-2006)
Ex-employee's lawsuit claims improprieties in engine shop at RCR UPDATE Statement by Childress: .A lawsuit filed by a former Richard Childress Racing employee includes specific allegations that engines the team used in events at 2006 Speedweeks at Daytona were designed to defeat NASCAR rules. The team denies the allegations. Anthony Corrente, who lost his job as assistant manager for engine research and development for RCR earlier this year, filed his suit Wednesday in Mecklenburg County superior court. It alleges wrongful termination, defamation and breach of contract against the team, which fields Nextel Cup cars for #29-Kevin Harvick, #31-Jeff Burton and #07-Clint Bowyer. Corrente said he inspected an engine from Harvick’s #29 Chevy after the Budweiser Shootout and found it had been altered to allow more air to enter, which would be contrary to the purpose of carburetor restrictor plates used at the Daytona track. “Inserts were placed in the four outside corners of the cylinder head where the manifold is attached,” the lawsuit says. When tightened, the bottom of the bolts hit these inserts, leaving room for air to get in between the intake manifold and the cylinder head. Such air would get to the engine beneath the restrictor plate, which is designed specifically to limit the flow of air. More air means more power, at least in theory. The suit also says that Burton won the pole for this year’s Daytona 500 with another engine that had the same modifications. Burton’s engine passed NASCAR inspection following the qualifying session. David Hart, a spokesman for Richard Childress Racing, said Thursday that Corrente’s allegations are untrue. “We will deal with them in the courts,” Hart said. Corrente left Joe Gibbs Racing in July 2005, signing a three-year contract with a two-year renewal option at RCR. He said he was fired after a conversation with Harvick in May during a test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, where Harvick’s team had tested an engine built to Corrente’s specifications that differed from what the team had been doing. See full story by David Poole at ThatsRacin.(9-21-2006) UPDATE Statement by Richard Childress: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding allegations made in a lawsuit filed by a former employee: "The allegations made about RCR in a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled former employee are absolutely untrue. Specifically, our cars passed NASCAR inspection both before and after qualifying for the 2006 Daytona 500. Additional allegations made are also untrue. We will make no further comments until after the issue is resolved in a court of law."(RCR PR)(9-22-2006)
More on the Speed Channel/RCR Wheels Report: per NASCAR Live with Eli Gold, Kevin Harvick comments, "We have an inspection process that happens every week. The ironic part about it is that our wheels are taken to the racetrack by a wheel company every week. Really, the only thing you can touch is the valve stem. And the report was, that, you know, I don't even know, laser cut
holes in the wheels. So, there's really no possible way that you could even wind up knowing what corner that the wheels are going to be mounted on, because the tires are already mounted when you get to the race track. If somebody would have just done their homework for thirty seconds or a couple of minutes and just figured out exactly what they were doing, they would have realized they would have realized that it's virtually impossible to do what they reported. So, it's just unfortunate that we've spent the whole week talking about Bob Dillner instead of talking about our win, and that's unfortunate for the Speed Channel that they are where they are in their journalism state of reporters."(MRN Radio)(9-21-2006)
Issue with #29 and #31 cars after race at NHIS UPDATE's NASCAR denies; RCR & Speed's statements: FoxSports/Speed's Bob Dilner reports: have learned that there was an issue with the winning car of #29-Kevin Harvick and also his teammate, #31-Jeff Burton, in postrace tech [at New Hampshire Intl Speedway in the Cup race]. That issue surrounded the actual [wheel] rim of the race car. The team apparently manipulated that rim to act as a bleeder valve to release air pressure from that rim. In English, it was performance advantage for the RCR team. Now, it was not against anything in the rule book so there won't be any fines or points penalties later on this week, but they have been told not to do it again.(more at FoxSports)(9-18-2006) UPDATE: Race winner Kevin Harvick and his teammate, Jeff Burton, did not have any problems in post race tech Sunday night at Loudon. Late Sunday night, it was reported that the Richard Childress Racing teams had manipulated their rims to act as a bleeder valve to release air pressure from the rim. According to NASCAR however, the issue of the rims never surfaced during post race tech. “We’ve been checking valves and valve stems for about 4 months now,” said Jim Hunter Vice President of Corporate Communications for NASCAR said Monday. “What it was, was one reporter trying to make something that wasn’t there. Then another reporter went on TV and reported it as fact, when it was actually totally untrue. It was one reporter’s unsubstantiated fantasy,”(Cupscene.com) AND The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding
allegations in the media after the Sept. 19 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway that two of RCR's teams had manipulated the rules: "Reports in the media, specifically on SPEED TV, that one or more of our NEXTEL Cup Series teams was found by NASCAR to be manipulating the rules yesterday at New Hampshire International Speedway are false and misleading. Our cars passed post-race inspection and officials at NASCAR assured us last night and again today that no one from RCR was told at any time not to bring a part back to the race track. The reported events and conversations did not happen. Our focus remains on two of our teams competing for the championship and the other finishing as high in the points as possible.(RCR PR)
SPEED statement: SPEED issues the following response to statements made by NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing regarding a story filed by SPEED reporter Bob Dillner during the Sept. 17 LIVE broadcast of The SPEED Report. "SPEED reporter Bob Dillner has a strong record of solid reporting from the NASCAR garage; so there is no rational reason for us to consider that the events and conversations he related to SPEED viewers are anything other than the truth," said Chris Long, SPEED Executive Producer for NASCAR programming.(SpeedTV.com)
AND Kevin Harvick told Sirius Speedway that he believes a rival team was behind Sunday's SPEED TV report alleging that NASCAR had discovered issues with the team's right-front wheels. "I absolutely think it was a plant from another team," said Harvick. "NASCAR didn't say anything, so it's pretty obvious to me where it came from. It's an attempt to try and distract us from what we're
doing, but they're going to have to do a lot better than that." Harvick said he knows who planted the story, but declined to name names.
(Sirius Speedway/MRN Radio)(9-18-2006) UPDATE 3: Car owner Richard Childress told Benny Parsons during Monday night’s PRN's “Fast Talk radio show" that a Speed Channel report that RCR manipulated a rim giving the 29 car a performance advantage at New Hampshire was not true. Childress said reporter Bob Dilner “Got some bad information and he talked about it before he knew all the facts." Childress fielded many phone calls from various sponsors about the story, but he did not chastise Dilner. “I’ve got to say something for Bob Dilner. He did not report that on purpose. He didn’t do it out of anything derogatory to RCR or Jeff or Kevin. Its part of you guys (the media) job sometimes…you report things and maybe you don’t get the whole story.” Meanwhile the incident brought back some fond memories to the long-time car owner who won six championships with Dale Earnhardt. “All it did was made me think back to the days when Dale and RCR was winning and running good. You know, nobody ever loses…if you’ve ever heard that story...it’s because somebody’s doing something wrong to win. So, naturally with Kevin’s performance the last few weeks and RCR’s performance this year, people are going to say things.”(PRN's "Fast Talk with Benny Parsons" radio show)(9-19-2006)
Peters to RCR? UPDATE: Dodge released Timothy Peters as driver of the Craftsman Series #4 truck, Bobby Hamilton Racing announced Tuesday. However, Peters shouldn’t be without a ride for long. After racing for two seasons with Bobby Hamilton Racing, Peters is expected to sign with Richard Childress Racing as early as this weekend in New Hampshire. Phone messages left with Richard Childress Racing were not immediately returned, and Peters said he couldn’t comment on his future. “I’m not at liberty to say anything,” he said. In 17 Truck Series races this season, Peters has one top-10 finish - placing sixth on June 23 at Milwaukee. He has three career top-10 finishes in 33 Truck Series starts, and is currently 19th in the points standings. “We brought Timothy Peters in as a rookie, and with some seat time under his belt he has proven to be a hot commodity,” team owner Bobby Hamilton said in a release. A potential deal with RCR would join Peters with Danville native Peyton Sellers, who is in RCR’s development program, and South Boston native Jeff Burton. For now the plan is to team back up with his Bailey’s South Boston team for the Bailey’s 300 late model race at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 1.(Danville Register Bee)(9-15-2006)
UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing has signed Timothy Peters as a driver for its 2007 NASCAR Busch Series program. Peters raced the past two seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Bobby Hamilton Racing. A determination is forthcoming as to which of RCR’s Busch teams he will drive for. RCR is also scheduled to field a car for Peters in the Oct. 7 ARCA race at Talladega.(RCRRacing.com)(9-19-2006)
Cingular Revs up "Race Talk: The second half of the race season is underway and the top drivers are positioning themselves for a run at the championship. Cingular Wireless, primary sponsor of the #31 Chevy driven by Jeff Burton, is giving one lucky fan a chance to experience all of this excitement VIP-style at the last race of the season in Homestead, Fla. Cingular "Race Talk", which launches this month during motorsports coverage on NBC and TNT, gives viewers the chance to win a VIP trip for two to Miami, spending money and a customized #31 Cingular-branded golf cart. The sweepstakes is part of Cingular's popular on-air polling program that will air through November on race telecasts on NBC and TNT. Viewers are prompted to text message "RACE" to 191 and answer a race-specific question, with the results revealed on-air during the race broadcast. Information about the sweepstakes can be obtained at www.cingular31.com.(8-10-2006)
Senator Jeff Burton? After his racing career is over the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy driver plans to explore the political arena. “I’ve had the good fortune to spend a little bit of time with Senator (John) Kyl of Arizona quizzing him a little bit about what he does and how the Senate works” said Burton recently. “One of the things I’ve become discontented with politics is that I think that there are a lot of people in politics for the wrong reason. I could go into it without really having an agenda other than trying to do the right thing. I’m not going to do it now, but at some point in my life I’m going to look into it and see if there it’s something I could be successful at and if it’s something that I would enjoy. We’ll see what happens when that time comes.” Burton, a Republican who lives nears Charlotte wouldn’t be satisfied running for local or state office. “No, I’m gonna run for U.S. Senate if I do it. I want to do it at a big level. I think I’d have a chance in North Carolina to win and I’d want to have an impact on a national level. The people I’ve talked to said I have a chance so we’ll see.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(8-5-2006)
CarMax on the #31: CarMax, the nation's largest retailer of used cars, will join RCR’s #31 Cingular Chevy as an associate sponsor for The Brickyard 400 and the upcoming Sony HD 500 at California Speedway Labor weekend. Based in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 71 used car superstores in 34 markets throughout the United States and offers consumers a no hassle way of purchasing a car.(RCR PR)(8-2-2006)
Burton to visit ESPN and Online Chat Today: Prior to his arrival at New Hampshire International Speedway for the Lenox Industrial Tools 300 race weekend, #31 Team Cingular driver Jeff Burton will spend Thursday, July 13 in Bristol, Conn. at the ESPN campus. Burton is scheduled for a day-long media tour of various ESPN programs including Mike and Mike in the Morning, Sportscenter, ESPNews, ESPN.com, Cold Pizza, ESPN Radio and EOE, ESPN's in-house production company.(RCR PR)(7-12-2006) CHAT: fans can chat with Burton at ESPN.com on Thursday, July 13th at 3:50pm/et.(7-13-2006)
Cingular Giving Fan a Chance to win Burton's Pay-Day at Daytona: Once the green flag drops at the Daytona Beach stock car race on July 1, Russell Tillson will be in the stands cheering for Jeff Burton and the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy harder than anyone else. That's because when Burton wins, he wins. Even if Burton doesn't win, Tillson still wins. Thanks to a unique promotion by Cingular, Tillson is guaranteed of winning the same amount of money that Burton earns during the race, no matter where he finishes in the 43-car field. Tillson was randomly selected for the opportunity to "Win Jeff Burton's Pay-Day" from more than one million entries submitted between February and June. The sweepstakes was part of Cingular's Virtual Crew Chief program that aired during race telecasts on FOX and FX this year, prompting viewers to answer race-specific questions via wireless text messaging or online at foxsports.com, with the results revealed on-air during the race broadcast. Information about the sweepstakes was provided on Cingular31.com. As part of the grand prize, Tillson will get to travel to his first ever Daytona Beach race and root for the bright orange Cingular Chevy at one of motorsports' most famous tracks. Regardless of how Burton performs, Tillson is guaranteed an attractive payout. During last year's race, payouts ranged from $368,261 for the winner down to $80,725.(Career Sports & Entertainment/Cingular PR)(6-28-2006)
Childress interested in Gilliland: [#07,#29,#31] team owner Richard Childress said Sunday [at Infineon Raceway] that he is among those interested in signing David Gilliland to a contract. Gilliland, currently driving without a contract for a part-time, unsponsored entry in the Busch Series, has seen his stock skyrocket since winning the June 17 Busch race at Kentucky, then getting a weak car into Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Sonoma. "He's probably the hottest young commodity out there today," said Childress, who currently fields three Cup cars and won six Cup championships with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. "There are several teams here that will be after him, but he'd definitely be a good fit for us." Childress noted that Gilliland's good character and family background (his father Butch was also a NASCAR driver) play into the 30-year-old's favor. Childress didn't shy away from expressing his interest in Gilliland, but said the driver might be better served to get more time in the Busch Series. Gilliland has just seven career Busch starts and made his Cup debut Sunday. "I think he has all it takes to become a Cup driver, I'll put it like that," Childress said. "I think he could win races in the Cup Series. I believe if I was him, I'd run a few more Busch races (first)."(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)(6-26-2006)
Burton's Team Grabs Pit Crew Challenge Win In Dover; Jeff Burton's pit crew took home the $10,500 first-place check for winning the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge in Sunday's Neighborhood Excellence 400 at Dover International Speedway. The #31 crew, which assisted its veteran driver to a fourth-place finish in the 400-lap, 400-mile Nextel Cup race, spent the least amount of time on pit road -- 395.590 seconds. Burton's over-the-wall crew includes: Josh Yost (jackman), Kevin Nervegna (front-tire carrier), Joe Zielinski (front-tire changer), Jason Fowler (rear-tire carrier), Aaron Smith (rear-tire changer), Larry Hartle (gasman), Rich Burgess (catch can) and Wes Adams (windshield). The pit crew coordinator is Corrine Mauldin. The #31 team became the eighth pit crew of the season to win the weekly Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge. A bonus of $105,000 will be presented to the team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(6-7-2006)
Burton could test in Canada UPDATE NO: Jeff Burton probably will be the driver chosen to test a 750-horsepower Chevy on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve June 19 or 20 [2006]. By then, Canadian Formula One Grand Prix race promoter Normand Legault hopes to have confirmed a summer 2007 race in the Busch Series, a circuit populated by many Nextel Cup stars and by drivers being groomed for the top league. Legault expects to renew an Ile Notre Dame race-site lease soon with the city of Montreal, his landlord. The ink might not even be dry on that document when he announces a NASCAR race. The timing of a mid-June stock-car test would be ideal - Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a temporary road course, will be in full race trim for the June 23-25 Grand Prix weekend, and Burton will be a short flight away, having run a Nextel Cup race in Brooklyn, Mich., on June 18.(Montreal Gazette)(5-23-2006) UPDATE: Jeff Burton is not scheduled to test a Busch Series car in Montreal as speculated by the Montreal Gazette.(RCR)(5-25-2006)
RCR to Sponsor Local Soap Box Derby: Richard Childress will lend support to his racing roots June 3 at Hobby Park in
Winston-Salem for the Winston-Salem Area Soap Box Derby presented by Richard Childress Racing. The winner of this All-American Soap Box Derby "local race" will advance to the 69th annual All-American Soap Box Derby presented by Levi Strauss Signature, July 22 in Akron, Ohio. Childress was a teenager in the late 1950s when he and his brother, Larry Childress, went door to door in downtown Winston-Salem soliciting shop owners for funding to purchase a soap box derby kit. Nearly 50 years later, the wheels and axles from that soap box derby racer are on display in the RCR Racing Museum on the RCR campus. For further information, visit the web site of the Winston-Salem Area Soap Box Derby at wsasbd.com.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(5-18-2006)
Childress Vineyards Set to Release Racing Collection: Childress Vineyards is set to release its first collection of race-related wine sets celebrating the championship style of RCR Racing, one of NASCAR’s most winning franchises owned by Richard Childress. The Collector’s Edition sets will feature “Champion’s Blend” Meritage Red Wine individually boxed with two etched crystal Childress Vineyards logo wine glasses. Each of RCR’s car numbers, #29, #31, #21, and #2, will have its own label while a special bottling, called “Legendary,” is planned for the #3. The “Legendary” Limited Collector’s Edition will come in a boxed set along with two etched crystal wine glasses, featuring the number 3. Members of Childress Vineyards Fast Track Wine Club will have the first opportunity to order the Collector’s Edition boxed sets until April 30. Remaining supplies will go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 15 with a limit of 3 per person. The sets will be sold exclusively at the winery in Lexington, N.C. Each will retail for $99.99. Wine club members will receive a discount of 15%.(RCR)(5-3-2006)
4th RCR team,,,with Mears? denied: RCR team sources tell [Marty Smith - NASCAR.com] the organization would like to add a fourth team with [Casey] Mears [current driver of Ganassi's #42 Dodge] as driver, but RCR spokesman David Hart discounted the speculation Wednesday. "No decisions have been made to add a fourth team with Casey Mears or any other driver," Hart said.(NASCAR.com)(4-27-2006)
#31 jackman returns to Talladega: #31 Team Cingular jackman Josh Yost will return to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the first time since he was hit on pit road during last season’s Aaron’s 499, severely injuring his right foot and ankle. Following multiple surgeries to repair damage to the tendons in his ankle, Yost started walking in mid-July, began physical therapy in August, returned to work in the shop at RCR in November and then resumed his role as Team Cingular jackman in the 2006 season opening Daytona 500.(RCR PR)(4-26-2006)
New Burton/Cingular Commercial: Cingular Wireless, primary sponsor on Jeff Burton’s #31 Chevy, will debut a new commercial during the Subway Fresh 500. The new spot titled ‘Golf Cart’ features Burton and was shot earlier this season in Las Vegas. It highlights Media Net, a new service which provides Cingular subscribers access to all things racing like insider info, driver stats and racing updates. Burton rides in on a customized high-speed golf cart carrying the same paint scheme as his Cingular Chevy.(RCR PR)(4-20-2006)
Prilosecotc to #31? UPDATE 2: hearing Prilosec OTC will become an associate sponsor for #31 Jeff Burton and that a Prilosec OTC paint scheme will run in 2006, Cingular Wireless is the primary sponsor for Burton and the #31 team. Prilosec OTC had been with the #40 Ganassi Racing team and ran a scheme once a year with Sterling Marlin..now with the #14 team.(12-28-2005) UPDATE: Prilosec OTC announced new sponsorships with Richard Childress Racing's #31 Nextel Cup Series team and NASCAR. Starting with the 2006 season, both relationships will elevate Prilosec OTC's marketing efforts within NASCAR. "Success in our business is measured by performance," said Richard Childress. "Prilosec OTC is all about performance in treating frequent heartburn with an over-the-counter medicine. Thanks to Prilosec OTC, frequent heartburn is something I don't worry about all of the time. We're proud to have Prilosec OTC as a member of the #31 Cup team." Later this season, Prilosec OTC, proud sponsor of NASCAR will unveil the Victory of a Lifetime Sweepstakes. This sweepstakes will award the Grand Prize winner and, accompanying friends and family, a NASCAR season, that up to now, fans have only dreamed of. 2006 will also mark Prilosec OTC's inaugural season as a "Proud Partner of NASCAR." Prilosec OTC's NASCAR relationship includes heartburn remedy category exclusivity and will allow Prilosec OTC to integrate NASCAR marks into all Prilosec OTC, NASCAR related marketing initiatives. Prilosec OTC's Major Associate sponsorship of RCR's #31 Chevy will be highlighted by a unique one-race paint scheme each season that will transform the orange #31 Cingular Chevy into a purple racing machine. Throughout the NEXTEL Cup Series season, Prilosec OTC will be positioned on Jeff Burton's firesuit and the lower rear quarter panel of the #31 Cingular Chevy.(Yahoo Biz), will run at Phoenix in April and Richmond in May, see the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(2-16-2006) UPDATE 2: Prilosec OTC’s major associate sponsorship of RCR’s #31 Chevy kicks into high gear this weekend in Phoenix as Burton and the #31 team transform their bright orange #31 Cingular Chevy into a purple Prilosec OTC racing machine for the Subway Fresh 500. Prilosec OTC, marketed exclusively by Procter & Gamble, is available in food, drug, mass, and club stores in the U.S. Prilosec OTC is available over-the-counter for the treatment of frequent heartburn, with one pill taken every day for 14 days and is the #1 selling over-the-counter heartburn medication.(RCR PR)(4-20-2006)
#31 Crew Chief to throw out 1st pitch: As part of a promotion for Cingular Wireless, #31 Cingular Chevy crew chief Scott Miller will throw out the first pitch at Ameriquest Field for the Texas Rangers game Thursday, April 7 vs. the Detroit Tigers.(RCR)(4-6-2006)
Even more on Cingular/AT&T/Childress: Car owner Richard Childress could have sponsor trouble if AT&T changes the names of the brands its about to acquire. AT&T has said it will spend $67 billion to purchase BellSouth, the parent company of Cingular - which currently sponsors Childress' #31 Chevrolet. If the deal goes through, Cingular and BellSouth will be known as AT&T.
That won't fly in NASCAR, where series sponsor Nextel Cup has an exclusivity contract that grandfathered in the Cingular and Alltel sponsorships and logos. But they can't be changed, and new names will not be permitted. "The contract NASCAR presented us is pretty straightforward," said Michael Robichaud, vice president of sports sponsorships. "It's really no different than the category exclusivity that Winston had for 33 years. We actually took it one step further, out of respect for Richard Childress and Roger Penske, and grandfathered in their existing sponsorships as it stood on the day we signed our agreement." Childress wasn't sure how it will play out. "It's too early to comment on all that," he said. "Cingular has said they're going to be here for the long haul, and we expect them to be in the sport for quite a while."(Associated Press)(3-27-2006)
Latest on AT&T and Cingular UPDATE #31 news - NASCAR says NO: Life goes on for Cingular Wireless, even though the brand is mere months from dying away. AT&T, which plans to take full control of the cellphone provider as part of its acquisition of BellSouth, intends to drop the 5-year-old Cingular name. Although Atlanta-based Cingular has spent more than $4 billion advertising itself since the company was born, its services will be renamed with the historic AT&T brand. Cingular's president and chief executive, Stan Sigman, supports the change, saying the company has been at a "competitive disadvantage" in pitting itself against rival Verizon Wireless, which shares the same name as other services offered by Verizon Communications. Cingular, meanwhile, has been distinct from its current corporate parents, AT&T and BellSouth. One thing isn't up for debate: Because the Cingular brand will continue to exist for months, the carrier can't afford to stop spending money on marketing. Thus you'll see plenty of Cingular ads, notably during the NCAA men's basketball tournament — which began this week — and during Fox TV's hugely popular "American Idol." Cingular will come full circle if, as expected, AT&T buys BellSouth for $67 billion in stock, taking full control of Cingular in the process. AT&T's plans to eliminate the BellSouth and Cingular names, and move to the single AT&T name, would save hundreds of millions of dollars on ads.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution), no mention in the column what happens with the #31 team, but would assume it will be rebranded AT&T at some point.(3-18-2006) UPDATE: NASCAR officials say they have informed Richard Childress Racing that if Cingular Wireless changes its name to AT&T, as expected after a recent merger, AT&T would not be allowed on Jeff Burton's #31 car. NASCAR made the ruling based on its interpretation of its contract with series sponsor Nextel. Cingular and Alltel, as well as Samsung/Radio Shack with Texas Motor Speedway, were grandfathered in as existing sponsors when the Nextel Series sponsorship contract was signed in 2003. "It's pretty clear that they can't transfer a name due to a sale," NASCAR Vice President for Corporate Communications Jim Hunter said March 17.
Executives from Cingular would not comment March 16 when asked about what would happen to the company's sponsorship. "Right now, Cingular is in it and is in it for the long haul," team owner Richard Childress said March 19. "That's about all I can say."
Hunter said that Cingular could negotiate with Nextel to try to transfer the name and keep the sponsorship. But Michael Robichaud, vice president for sports marketing for Sprint Nextel, said there are no plans to negotiate. One option could be for Cingular to move to the Busch Series, where any cellular company can provide sponsorship.(SceneDaily.com)(3-22-2006)
RCR Announcement UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing and #31 driver Jeff Burton have scheduled a press conference Friday, March 17 at Atlanta Motor Speedway to announce a new partnership for the 2006 season.(RCR PR)(3-15-2006) UPDATE: Holiday Inn is expected to join a growing list of Atlanta companies that sponsor cars and drivers in NASCAR. Richard Childress Racing and driver Jeff Burton will be backed by Holiday Inn in as many as 10 Busch Series races this season, according to team officials. The team has scheduled a press conference today at Atlanta Motor Speedway to reveal details of its new sponsorship.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(3-17-2006)
Latest on AT&T and Cingular: AT&T announced a $67 billion dollar merger with BellSouth that could create the largest telecommunications company in the country. The purchase of Atlanta-based BellSouth would give AT&T total control of Cingular, the nation’s largest cell phone provider, and BellSouth’s nine-state network. Together, the three companies employ more than 316,000 people. The Cingular brand would likely be phased out in favor of the AT&T brand. The name will be familiar to wireless customers: AT&T Wireless Inc., a spin-off of AT&T, was acquired by Cingular in October 2004. The BellSouth name also would be absorbed in the deal.(MSNBC), no word on how this will effect the Cingular sponsorship of the #31 RCR team.(3-6-2006)
Rachtman to serve as #31 honorary crewman: Riki Rachtman, host of the nationally syndicated radio program ‘Racing Rocks’ [racingrocks.com] and original host of MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball [a Jayski fave - still have tapes of it], will join #31 Team Cingular this weekend as an honorary crew member, serving as gas runner. Rachtman is a big fan of Team Cingular driver Jeff Burton and has vowed to shave his head when Burton claims his next victory.(RCR PR)(2-22-2006)
Cingular Launches New Media Net Racing Portal: With the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet in the pole position for the big race in Daytona on Sunday, Cingular Wireless is giving race fans the chance to follow all of the exciting racing action this weekend and all year from their wireless handset. Cingular's new MEdia Net Racing Portal will allow many of its 54 million customers real-time access to the most up-to-date and content-rich motorsports information available from any wireless carrier, putting them almost as close to the action as the drivers.
The Cingular MEdia Net Racing Portal will showcase a wide variety of exclusive motorsports content available only from Cingular. In-depth information will include top stories from around motorsports, as well as pre- and post- race reports, real-time statistical information on
in-race leaderboards and individual driver news. Speed freaks and gear heads will also be able to show off their forecasting skills with
Fantasy Racing presented by Cingular, one of the most user-friendly fantasy racing games available in wireless format. Driver selections
and up-to-date score-tracking can be managed from the ease and convenience of the wireless handset. Fantasy participants will be able to compete against other Cingular customers nationwide for the chance to win great prizes.
"The Cingular MEdia Net Racing Portal will give motorsports enthusiasts quick access to the most comprehensive racing information available," said David Garver, Executive Director of High Growth Segments and Sponsorships at Cingular Wireless. "We want to feed the passion of the race fan by providing compelling interactive content and creating a unique wireless experience for our customers."
"The Cingular MEdia Net Racing Portal is a great way for fans to follow me - and my fellow competitors - throughout the entire season," said Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet and pole-sitter for this weekend's race in Daytona. "With all of the news
alerts and race reports, fans won't miss a minute of racing excitement. This is another example of how Cingular is leading the way in providing wireless motorsports content."
For the second year in a row, Cingular has reached a deal to become the Official Wireless Sponsor of Jayski.com, one of the most popular fan destinations on the Internet for breaking racing news, information and statistics. The deal makes Cingular the exclusive wireless licensee to all Jayski content, allowing it to offer popular Jayski content, including up-to-date driver news, race summaries and "Silly Season" gossip. Cingular will continue with its Jayski text alerts throughout the season. "I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with Cingular and adding their customers to the hundreds of thousands of fans who already rely on Jayski.com for NASCAR news," said Jayski Founder Jay Adamcyzk. "Partnering with Cingular to create Jayski content into a wireless format is yet another way that we are able to deliver breaking NASCA R news and information to fans in the quickest way possible. We will continue to look for new ways to develop interactive content as the season progresses."
Additional Cingular MEdia Net Racing Portal features include a variety of action-packed racing games, the Virtual Crew Chief Enter-to-Win sweepstakes, challenging motorsports trivia questions as well as racing-themed ringtones and wallpapers. Cingular customers can access the MEdia Net Racing Portal on their wireless handset by launching the MEdia Net option and then visiting the main Sports home page. There is no subscription fee to access the Portal but standard MEdia Net data usage charges apply. Download charges start at $1.99 for games, ringtones, and wallpapers. MEdia Net can be purchased on a pay-as-you-go basis ($.01 per KB), or included in a MEdia Net or MEdia Bundle package. These packages range in price from $4.99 for 1MB of data usage to $19.99 for unlimited data usage.
About Cingular Wireless: Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 54.1 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc., formerly SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corporation, has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVERTM network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover, the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at www.cingular.com.(PR)(2-16-2006)
State Farm teams up with Burton and Sorenson: Beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 19, 2006, State Farm will begin partnerships with NASCAR drivers #31-Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and #41-Reed Sorenson of Chip Ganassi Racing. During the Daytona 500 on February 19, State Farm will debut two commercials featuring Jeff Burton and his State Farm agent. Throughout the 2006 NASCAR season, State Farm will advertise in nearly every NASCAR race. Commercials featuring Reed Sorenson will begin later this year.State Farm logo will appear on Burton's driver uniform and uniforms of pit crew during Nextel Cup and Busch Series races, on RCR trailer/transporter and pit equipment and in "fan walk" of RCR headquarters, museum, and RCRacing.com. The State Farm logo will appear on Sorenson's driver uniform and uniforms of pit crew during Nextel Cup and Busch Series races. In both cases, State Farm is sponsoring the drivers and not the cars. The State Farm logo will not appear on either car.(State Farm PR)(2-10-2006)
RCR Personnel Moves: Mike Brown has been named director of licensing for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), replacing Chuck Spicer who has assumed the new position of director of competition business operations. Brown is responsible for all aspects of RCR's licensing programs. He has been involved in the sales, marketing and licensing end of the NASCAR industry for more than a decade, most recently in a three-year stint as director of sales and marketing with Team Caliber. Prior to that, he spent more than four years as director of licensing for International Speedway Corporation (ISC), establishing and then supervising the sales, marketing, licensing and purchasing activities of its Charlotte office. Spicer's new responsibilities include RCR's driver development and diversity programs, team travel, engine department business opportunities, and to serve as the liaison between the competition and business sides of the company. He served as RCR's licensing director since moving from Bill Davis Racing in December 2000.(RCR PR)(1-22-2006)
#31 Jackman back: #31-Jeff Burton's jackman, Josh Yost, who suffered cut tendons and ligaments and a shattered ankle when he was hit by Rusty Wallace's car on pit road in May at Talladega, returned to RCR in November and is expected to return to the roster for Daytona.(Sporting News)(1-9-2006)
2005 News
Hamlin leaves RCR for BDR? hearing that crew chief Kevin Hamlin has left Richard Childress Racing and will
be the new crew chief at Bill Davis Racing for Dave Blaney and the #22 Caterpillar Dodge with former #22 crew chief Derrick Finley moving over to the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Dodge atj Michael Waltrip will drive in 2006.(11-29-2005)
Cingular name to AT&T, RCR signed thru 2007: SBC, which closed its merger with AT&T on Friday [Nov 18th], plans to sell Cingular Wireless under the fabled AT&T name, Ed Whitacre, the chairman and CEO of the combined company, has confirmed to USA TODAY. Cingular, the USA's No. 1 wireless company, is 60% owned by the new AT&T; BellSouth controls 40%. SBC recently said it would adopt AT&T's name, putting to rest questions about what would happen to the famous name. But speculation had also swirled about what would happen to the Cingular brand name once the AT&T deal closed. In an interview with USA TODAY on Friday, Whitacre left no doubt about his plans. Asked if the company planned to drop the Cingular name in favor of the AT&T brand, Whitacre said, "Yes, we do."(See full article at USA Today), how will this effect the #31 Richard Childress Racing team and Cingular's sponsorshjip? No word if they At&T will take over BUT Cingular is signed with RCR thru 2007.(11-21-2005)
Cingular Wireless gives fan a chance at over a $1mil: Cingular Wireless is finishing the 2005 racing season with a bang by giving Race Talk Million winner Jessica Gilbert of Chamois, Mo., a chance to win $1,000,031 before the NASCAR Cup race in Homestead. Gilbert will attempt to start the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton from one of 18 keys. If the car starts, Gilbert will take home a check for $1,000,031. In addition, Cingular is also giving local fans the chance to register to play alongside her. If Gilbert starts the No. 31 car, one registered fan on-site will win $50,000. Customers and fans can register on-site from 12 – 5 p.m., with the drawing scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 17 at the Cingular Wireless store located at 5043 Sheridan Ave, Hollywood, Fla. For additional information, please visit www.cingular31.com.(11-16-2005)
RCR Signs Driver for NASCAR West Ride with BMR: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has signed 2005 NASCAR Weekly Series (NDWS) National Champion Peyton Sellers to a multi-year contract and next season will have him driving the #16 Chevrolet for Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series. Sellers, a 22-year-old native of Danville, Va., claimed this year's NDWS Division I championship racing primarily at South Boston Speedway, where he also earned the track championship. BMR's #16 team finished second in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series point standings this season with driver Steve Portenga. In 12 starts, the team earned three victories, seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.(RCR PR), no word on plans for Sara Fisher or Allison Duncan, bit who drove the West Series for RCR in 2005.(11-12-2005)
RCR Shuffles Cup Series Crew Chief Lineup: Two of Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) NASCAR Cup Series teams will swap crew chiefs next week in preparation for the 2006 season. Scott Miller, current crew chief on the #07 Jack Daniel's team, will
assume the crew chief position on the #31 Cingular Wireless team with driver Jeff Burton for the final two races this season and next year.
Kevin Hamlin, current crew chief on the #31 Cingular Wireless team, will move to the #07 Jack Daniel's team for the rest of this season
with driver Dave Blaney. He will be assisted by Gil Martin who, it was announced in October, will be the crew chief for the team next year with new driver Clint Bowyer. Hamlin has been offered another position within the RCR organization at the conclusion of this season. "We're making these moves next week to get a head start on 2006," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "We had already announced that Gil was going to be the Jack Daniel's team crew chief for 2006 so it made sense to get him running as quickly as possible. We have put Scott Miller and Jeff Burton together on the Cingular Wireless team in an effort to take the success the team has had this season to the next level. Kevin Hamlin has been a valuable part of RCR for many years and we look forward to him continuing to contribute to our success in the future." Martin will remain as the crew chief for Bowyer and the #2 ACDelco team in their quest for the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series championship. Jeremy Bullins, the team's engineer who will also move to the #07 Jack Daniel's team next season, will assist Hamlin and Martin for the balance of the season. "This in no way will take away from the effort Clint, Gil and the ACDelco team will give toward winning the Busch championship," said Childress. "They've still got a good shot at it and Gil has great guys working for him on both teams so we won't let him get overloaded from either direction."(RCR PR)(11-2-2005)
Truck Drivers Honored: Pilot Travel Centers awarded $50,000 to two long-haul truck drivers - one a professional driver and the other a driver of a NASCAR team transporter. Dubbed the Pilot Truck Driver Challenge, the program is in its second year of honoring the best driver in the NASCAR garage area and the best driver in its Driver Payback program. Among the qualifications for the award, the drivers must have a clean record, with no accidents and no speeding tickets. James and Sue Langley, of Jonesboro, La., were the
non-NASCAR winners. He drives for Southern Cal Transport.
And for the second year, a driver for one of Richard Childress Racing was the NASCAR winner. Frankie Nester has been with RCR for three years and drives the Cingular Chevrolet race cars and equipment from track to track for driver Jeff Burton. He previously drove for Roush Racing and a Busch team. "Before that, I was hauling furniture up north," Nester said."I think you guys have the hardest job in this sport," Burton said to all of the NASCAR transport drivers. "You're gone more. You're always here, you're always the first ones to be here and the last ones to leave." Burton said Nester previously said if he won, he would donate 10% of his winnings to charity and the driver said he would match it. Nester, of Stoneville, N.C., said they will select a charity and announce it at a later date. Pilot Travel Centers also
donate unspecified amounts each year to NASCAR charities, including the Victory Junction Gang Camp.(AMS Pit Notes)(10-29-2005)
Burton to visit school: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy, is scheduled to be the surprise guest speaker at a Dekalb County public high school student driver assembly on Thursday, October 27 in Doraville. While there, Burton will provide safe driving tips to students, talk racing and present Dekalb County with the Cingular Wireless Be Sensible Teen Driving Award for its eight years of commitment to teaching students about sensible driving.(Career Sports Entertainment PR)(10-26-2005)
Burton to help member of the Navy to re-enlist: #31-Jeff Burton will make one long-time fan's dream come true following the race at Martinsville Speedway. On Monday, Oct. 24 the driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet will participate in the reenlistment ceremony for Joe Gallagher, Chief Operations Specialist in the U.S. Navy. After giving a personal tour of the RCR Cup shop, Burton will join Chief Warrant Officer Bill Stocke in swearing in Gallagher, who has served 13 years in the U.S. Navy including deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, for another term of duty.(RCR)(10-20-2005)
Burton to test Texas: Jeff Burton and #31 Team Cingular are scheduled to test at Texas Motor Speedway on October 25-26 in preparation for the upcoming Dickies 500 on November 6.(RCR)(10-20-2005)
Fan wins to be Honorary Pit Crew Member: As the Cup Series prepares to head to Kansas for the first and only time this year, Cingular Wireless is providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a local race fan to experience the excitement of stock car racing up close and personal. Richard Garrett of Pleasant Hill, Mo., was randomly selected as the grand prize winner during a special Cingular sweepstakes and is being rewarded with a chance to serve as an honorary pit crew member for Jeff Burton and TEAM Cingular during Sunday's big event. As an honorary pit crew member, Garrett will get the opportunity to meet Burton, driver of the Richard Childress Racing #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet and a 17-time Cup Series winner, and team owner Richard Childress on Sunday, October 9, before the green flag drops. Garrett will truly be a part of TEAM Cingular the entire day, from helping the team set up the pit stop and to attending pre-race team meetings. The weekend package also includes hotel accommodations for Garrett and a guest.(Career Sports & Entertainment)(10-7-2005)
#31 Crewman Update: During the Aaron's 499 at Talladega in May, Josh Yost, the jackman for Jeff Burton's #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy, was injured in the pits when hit by Rusty Wallace's car. Yost has had several surgeries to repair damage to tendons in his ankle. He started walking again in July and is working with a physical therapist at least twice a week. He hopes to receive medical clearance to return to work at the Richard Childress Racing shop next month.(Alabama Live)(10-1-2005)
RCR Joins The Motorsport Industry Association: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has been accepted as the newest international member of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), and the UK association's first US-based NASCAR stock car racing team organization. The MIA works tirelessly to strengthen its network of contacts within the worldwide motorsport industry, including the NASCAR sector, and the membership for RCR will open up the world market through the MIA's membership on all continents.
Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA, said "North Carolina, USA and Motorsport Valley in the UK are far closer than geography suggests. The culture of the motorsport businesses in both of these highly successful business communities is based on success. RCR's decision to join the MIA and become the first NASCAR team to do so cements the closeness of those relationships. The MIA will offer access to a truly global motorsport business network from which RCR will gain commercial and competitive advantage. I am delighted that this outstanding company has chosen to join our membership, and we look forward to helping them succeed in whatever way we can."
"RCR is honored to be the first NASCAR team to be accepted into the Motorsport Industry Association," said Richard Childress, president
and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "The process began when we hired Nick Hayes (former technical director for Cosworth) earlier this year to head our engine research and development program. Gaining a competitive edge in racing is very important, whether it's NASCAR,
Formula 1 or at the local dirt track. Being an MIA member will provide RCR with the opportunity to build relationships to achieve that edge
and we hope to be able do the same for other members."
The MIA is a truly global network and has a strong presence in both the UK and the US as well as a liaison office in the Far East. The
MIA offers a wide range of motorsport-specific services including market research, conferences, networking events and exhibitions, as well as a number of trade missions to events in the US, the Gulf, and the Far East. For more info on the MIA and its international events, see the-mia.com.(RCR PR)(9-24-2005)
New Hires at RCR: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has hired Tom Knox as its managing director of business development and promoted Jason Garrow to the director of sponsor services. Knox will be responsible for evaluating and pursuing new business
opportunities, leading the efforts to add to RCR's family of sponsors and technical partners and working with RCR's sponsor services group
to bring additional opportunities to its partners. The Wayne, N.J., native comes to RCR from Rusty Wallace, Inc., where he had been since 1999 and last held the position of vice president of business development. From 1997-99, he was a sales account manager with NASCAR's New York office. Knox earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Fairfield University in 1994 and a Master of
Business Administration in Marketing from Seton Hall University in 1997.
Garrow will oversee day-to-day business activities and client activation with current sponsors, manage sponsors' event and at-track
activities, work with RCR partners to leverage their sponsorship assets and help develop new marketing activities and services for RCR. The Marshall, Minn., native had been RCR's senior sponsorship manager since February 2003. A 1992 graduate of Augustana College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration/Economics, he earned a Master of Science degree in Sports Management in 1996 from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.(RCR)(9-15-2005)
Childress and Diversity: Car owner Richard Childress is stepping up his diversity efforts with drivers Allison Duncan and Sarah Fisher, who will be testing head-to-head this week with hopes of getting the OK to step up to Busch racing, too. Duncan has been racing a weekly quarter-mile in Stockton, Calif., this season for Childress, and Fisher has been racing NASCAR West for Childress, although rather sporadically. Fisher's car lost its engine early in last week's race at California Speedway.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-10-2005)
NASCAR Fan to be presented #31 Cingular Monte Carlo before race: Cingular Wireless, primary sponsor of the Richard Childress Racing #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy driven by Jeff Burton, is awarding Paul Carignan a one-of-a-kind #31 Cingular-branded Chevy Monte Carlo as part of its Virtual Crew Chief sweepstakes. Carignan will be presented with the specially-designed car Saturday, September 10, at the Libbie Place Cingular Store in Richmond [5601 W. Broad St. (804) 426-7130] before the Cup race later that evening. The Cingular Virtual Crew Chief sweepstakes ran on the FOX network during race broadcasts between February and June. The interactive, consumer-focused promotion graphically prompted viewers three times during each race to text message a response to a particular race-related question. Carignan, who hails from Alexandria, Va., was randomly selected among the tens of thousands of viewers who sent more than 7 million total text messages during the five-month program. He will be presented with the bright orange 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo at a special ceremony at the Libbie Place Cingular store location in Richmond at 2:00pm/et Saturday. This is the third consecutive year that Cingular has implemented the Virtual Crew Chief platform on race telecasts on FOX. On the track, Cingular is in its fourth year as a primary sponsor of the Richard Childress Racing #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy driven by Burton. This season, Burton is 21st in the Cup point standings with two Top 5 finishes, three Top 10 finishes and nine Top 15s.(Career Sports & Entertainment PR)(9-9-2005)
DEI and RCR...merge? a merger between RCR and Dale Earnhardt Inc. is rumored to be in the works. Although DEI vice president Richie Gilmore says the partnership will involve nothing more than promotional plans, the two organizations enjoyed a beneficial aerodynamic alliance several years ago. Considering the strength of powerhouses Roush and Hendrick Motorsports, a marriage between RCR and DEI would move their programs up a level. Another benefit? Dale Earnhardt Jr. could follow in his late father's footsteps in an RCR car.(Sporting News)(9-5-2005)
Blaney and Burton testing at Milwaukee: Dave Blaney and the #07 Jack Daniel’s Racing Team and Jeff Burton and #31 Team Cingular are scheduled to test at The Milwaukee Mile on Wednesday, August 31 in preparation for the upcoming Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.(RCR PR)(8-31-2005)
Burton Announcement UPDATE: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chvey for RCR will hold a press conference Friday, August 26 at 4:00pm/et at Bristol Motor Speedway to announce a new partnership.(RCR)(8-25-2005) UPDATE - Burton Announces Campaign to Improve Teen Driver Safety: Jeff Burton announced his campaign to improve teenage driver training during a press conference at Bristol Motor Speedway. Burton joins the board of directors of Advanced Car Control Techniques, parent company of the New Driver Car Control Clinic, the nation's leading provider of behind-the-wheel accident avoidance and defensive driving for teens and their parents. The New Driver Car Control Clinic is a six-hour program for teens and their parents (the Clinic does not accept a teen without a parent) where students perform a series of exercises learning how to use their eyes, hands and feet to identify obstructions and steer the vehicle away from them under heavy breaking. Clinics are currently conducted in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Maryland and the Washington, DC area. The training has proven results. In a study conducted by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, graduates of the New Driver Car Control Clinic had 77% fewer crashes than their peers. For additional information on the New Driver Car Control Clinic please visit www.carcontrol.com.(RCR PR) AND The Dale Earnhardt Foundation has partnered with four-time road racing champion Andy Pilgrim in the release of "The Driving Zone" DVD for new drivers. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. assists Pilgrim in the instructional portions. More info at the DEI site.(8-27-2005)
Burton testing at NHIS: Following the race weekend at Bristol, #31-Jeff Burton and Team Cingular will head to New Hampshire International Speedway for a test session Tuesday, August 30 in preparation for the upcoming Sylvania 300 September 18.(RCR)(8-25-2005)
Burton back in the #21 at Watkins Glen Busch race: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy in the Cup series, will be pulling double duty this weekend, piloting the #21 Reese's Chevrolet in the Zippo 200 Busch Series race at Watkins Glen International Saturday, August 13. In his two previous starts in the #21 Chevy earlier this season (Darlington and Bristol), Burton has two second-place finishes.(RCR PR)(8-9-2005)
Childress says all 3 teams will remain intact for 2006: [Team owner Richard] Childress said his three teams will return intact next season: "We're pretty much set on everything right now." All three drivers, #31-Jeff Burton, #29-Kevin Harvick and #07-Dave Blaney, will be back with their current crew chiefs, Kevin Hamlin, Todd Berrier and Philippe Lopez? "Yes, as far as I know," Childress said.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-25-2005)
Update on the injured #31 Jackman: It's been difficult for Josh Yost to find his place at the racetrack following a pit road accident May 1 at Talladega Superspeedway. A man who's comfortable being inches away from speeding cars and teammates working at a frantic, yet precise, pace now feels awkward as he inches along with a bulky cast following reconstructive surgery on his ankle. Yost was struck by Rusty Wallace's #2 car during the race at what most drivers feel is the widest, safest pit road in all of NASCAR. It will take a year of rehabilitation before Yost can return to his work as #31-Jeff Burton's jackman, but for now, all he can do is sit around and offer moral support to his teammates - sometimes by simply being in the way. "It's a matter of inches every time you're out there," Yost said. "It's amazing it doesn't happen more often." Yost said fans don't know about most of the problems for the over-the-wall crewmen because they often continue their work after being knocked down. Despite a serious injury that will take a year to heal, Yost said he plans to be back on the jack next year. "It broke my fibia, kind of crushed it. The side skirt cut through the back of my heel, through all the tendons and ligaments and joint capsule and came out through the front of my foot," he said. "It basically looked like you de-boned a ham." During his rehabilitation, Yost only comes to the racetrack when NASCAR is close to his home near Welcome, N.C. "I'll be back," he said. "I'm not worried, I'm not scared. I like being close to the action."(Augusta Chronicle)(7-21-2005)
New TV Gig for Burton: Each Saturday for the remainder of the 2005 season, #31-Jeff Burton will join host Steve Byrnes from the track on NASCAR Live! as they conduct interviews, profile the competition and handicap the weekend. Direct from each week's Nextel Cup venue, the SPEED Channel stage truck is powered up for informative and lively pre and post-race coverage of the weekend's activities. For additional information on the program or to find the location of the SPEED stage at the track, visit www.speedtv.com.(RCR PR)(7-21-2005)
RC Wine...the good stuff: A bottle of 2004 Childress Vineyards' Barrel Select Pinot Gris was chosen as one of the top wines produced by celebrity wine proprietors in today's USA TODAY. Legendary NASCAR championship team owner Richard Childress is also the proprietor of Childress Vineyards, located at the gateway of the Yadkin Valley in Lexington, N.C. In a "Food & wine" column ("Heard about stars through the grapevine", July 8, 2005), columnist Jerry Shriver wrote about celebrities involved in winemaking and the taste test USA TODAY entertainment reporter Donna Freydkin conducted with 11 wines having celebrity connections. Freydkin mentioned the Childress Vineyard selection first, commenting that she "preferred the smooth, easy-to-drink-while-sitting-on-your-porch character" of the North Carolina wine crafted by award-winning winemaker Mark Friszolowksi.
The list of celebrities, other than Richard Childress, proprietor of Childress Vineyards president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing,
included: movie director Sofia Coppola; her father, director Francis Ford Coppola; the rock band Doobie Brothers, music legend Bob Dylan; golfers Ernie Els, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer; Vince Neil, lead singer for Motley Crue; and acting legends Fess Parker and Fred MacMurray.(RCR PR)(7-10-2005)
RCR makes changes in the engine dept: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) continues to make personnel moves to improve its championship-winning engine department. Engine shop manager Spenny Clendenen, an RCR employee since 1985 and head engine builder from 1995 to 1997, has been named to the position of general manager in charge of the department’s business and administrative responsibilities. He will also be the focal point for RCR’s customer engine program, which furnishes engines for Kevin Harvick, Inc. (Busch and Truck), PPI Motorsports (NEXTEL Cup) and Morgan-Dollar Motorsports (Truck). Rick Mann has been named chief engine builder and will oversee all competition-related responsibilities. He brings 17 years of NASCAR engine building experience and nearly 30 years of overall engine building experience to his new position. Assistant engine shop manager Danny Lawrence, an RCR employee since 1985 and head engine builder from 1998 to 2001, has been named assistant chief engine builder. He will responsible for all at-track activities involving RCR’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team engine tuners and will assist Mann at the shop. "I think the reorganization we’ve made is a positive new start to our entire engine department,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. ”We’ve had tremendous growth at RCR over the past couple of years and the workload we’ve asked our management group to be responsible for was keeping us from achieving the success I know we’re capable of. These moves, in addition to bringing on Nick Hayes to head up our engine research and development department, have put RCR in a much better position to reach the goals we’ve set for ourselves.” A new engine shop manager will be named at a later date.(RCR Site)(7-8-2005) AND Nick Hayes has been named by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) as its engine research and development director
and will lead all RCR engine research and development activities from a newly-created R&D facility at the RCR complex. Hayes comes to RCR after a well-documented yet unique career at Cosworth, which is based in England, including spells in Formula One
engine design, development and track support before rising through the ranks to lead its F1 program through the late 1990s. Recent years saw him leading all technical activities at Cosworth as Technical Director. The move to RCR marks the start of a new chapter in Hayes' illustrious and successful race engine career that has covered a wide variety of series but, until now, has not touched NASCAR significantly.(RCR PR)(7-10-2005)
Different look for the #31 at Chicago: The familiar bright orange Cingular paint scheme on Jeff Burton's #31 Chevrolet will be replaced with a camouflage and orange design for the race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway to highlight associate sponsor Bass Pro Shops.(RCR)(7-6-2005)
Sad News: Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) fabrication shop manager Paul Wise passed away this morning after a
brief illness. He was 58. Wise was employed by RCR since January 2003 after spending two-and-a-half years in a similar position with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. All six RCR cars competing this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series, will carry "In Memory of Paul Wise" decals. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at Charity Baptist Church, 2420 Brantley Road in Kannapolis, N.C. The Rev. R.J. Hammond and the Rev. Gene Beaver will officiate. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Internment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, at Charity Baptist Church.
Born Jan. 6, 1947, in Cabarrus (N.C.) County, Wise was the son of C. Winfred Wise and Ethel Howell Wise of Kannapolis. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and was a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. He worked with many NASCAR teams during his career. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula Jean Wise, Feb. 14, 1975.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Barbara Austin Wise; son, Jason Paul Wise and wife, Brittany Cromer Wise, and
granddaughter, Jayleigh Austin Wise of Kannapolis; sister, Anne W. Watts and husband, Charles, of Raleigh; brothers, Phil Wise and wife, Lynda, of Kannapolis and Mark Wise and wife, Derlene, of Raleigh; along with 13 nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Dancers for Cancer, c/o Carolina Dance, 2353 Concord Lake Road, Suite 110, Concord, N.C. 28025.(RCR)(6-28-2005)
Different look for Burton at MIS: This Week's Race Car at Michigan International Speedway. Jeff Burton will have Beneficial being the primary sponsor on Jeff Burton's #No. 31 Chevrolet for Batman Begins 400 at MIS. The consumer lending company joined Richard Childress Racing's family of sponsors this season as an associate sponsor of the #29 GM Goodwrench and #31 Cingular Wireless teams driven in the NASCAR Cup Series by Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton, respectively, and is the official consumer lending company of RCR.(RCR), see an iage of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(6-17-2005)
Sad News: Robert Ray "Bud" Hutchens, 63, father of Richard Childress Racing's Bobby Hutchen's, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2005, at his home. He was retired from Leaseway Motor Cars. Mr. Hutchens was an avid NASCAR fan and had cars that raced at Bowman Gray Stadium for over 40 years. Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Mrs. Carol Long Hutchens; two sons, Bobby Hutchens and wife Sharon, Kenny Hutchens and wife Robin, all of Winston-Salem. NC; a daughter, Lisa Thomas and husband Chris of Greenville, NC; seven grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret Edwards and Nancy Tulbert, both of Winston-Salem. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00am/et Monday, June 13, at Waughtown Cemetery with the Rev. Norwood Green officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 this evening, June 12, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 4A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407 or to the Bowman Gray Neurosurgery Dept., Medical Center Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27157.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-12-2005)
Burton to test at VIR: Following the race in Pocono, Burton and Team Cingular will head to Virginia International Raceway for a test session Monday, June 13th [with Tuesday, June 14 as a rain date] in preparation for the upcoming Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.(RCR)(6-8-2005)
Burton to run GoPhone again on the #31: #31-Jeff Burton’s Cingular Wireless Chevrolet will again carry the special paint scheme to promote Cingular Wireless’ new GoPhone, a prepaid or pay-as-you-go wireless service providing consumers with the ultimate level of freedom, control and choice of their wireless products and plans. With no annual contract or credit check, GoPhone is the perfect plan for the quick and painless wireless pit stop while still providing consumers with all of the latest products and services that have helped Cingular become the largest wireless carrier in the country.(RCR), see image of the car on my #31 Team Schemes page.(6-3-2005)
GoPhone for Burton at LMS: Jeff Burton’s bright orange #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet will have a new look at the Coca-Cola 600 with a special paint scheme to promote Cingular Wireless’ new GoPhone, a prepaid or pay-as-you-go wireless service providing consumers with the ultimate level of freedom, control and choice of their wireless products and plans. With no annual contract or credit check, GoPhone is perfect plan for the quick and painless wireless pit stop while still providing consumers with all of the latest products and services that have helped Cingular become the largest wireless carrier in the country.(RCR)(5-25-2005)
Update on #31 Jackman Josh Yost: Josh Yost, jackman for the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton, who was injured on pit road after being struck by another car [#2-Wallace], will not return to competition this season following two surgeries to repair his heavily injured right ankle. After being released from a Birmingham, Ala., hospital following the May 1 NASCAR Cup event at Talladega Superspeedway, Yost was flown back to North Carolina to begin treatment at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. During the exploratory surgery performed May 3, it was discovered Yost's injuries included two ruptured tendons, damaged ligaments, a severe laceration and a crushed fibula tip. Yost then underwent reconstructive surgery May 5 to repair the ankle and was released from the hospital the following day. He has been instructed by his doctors to remain off of the ankle for six to eight weeks and can then begin the lengthy rehabilitation process.(RCR)(5-10-2005)
Bass Pro Shops to sponsor #07 at Richmond; #31 at Chicago: Bass Pro Shops will be the primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) #07 Chevrolet in this weekend's Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) and its #31 Chevrolet in the July 10 Chicagoland 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Driver Dave Blaney's full-time sponsor, Jack Daniel's, will
be prominently featured on the #07 car's lower quarter panels and deck lid this weekend. In turn, Cingular Wireless, Jeff Burton's primary sponsor, will receive prominent placement on the #31 car highlighting Bass Pro Shops ongoing involvement with RCR. The outdoor
retail giant is also the primary sponsor of RCR's #33 Chevrolet four-race superspeedway program with driver Kerry Earnhardt. For
more information go to www.basspro.com.(RCR)(5-10-2005)
Rusty does call injured crewman Contrary to a recent report, Rusty Wallace said Thursday that he had, in fact, attempted to contact Richard Childress Racing crewman Josh Yost throughout the past week. Wallace and Yost finally spoke via cell phone Thursday morning. "I just spoke with him and he's fine," Wallace said. Yost, the jack man for Jeff Burton's #31 Cingular Chevrolet, was struck by Wallace's Dodge during a pit stop in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. An RCR team spokesman who had spoken directly with Yost on Wednesday told NASCAR.COM's Marty Smith that Wallace had not yet spoken with Yost. The spokesman said Yost had his cell phone with him throughout his hospital stay and had not received a call from the 1989 Cup Series champion. Smith then reported that information on SPEED Channel's NASCAR Nation Wednesday, greatly upsetting Wallace, who explained he had tried to contact Yost at home and had left messages on his home answering machine. "I'm glad I've spoken with him and that he's OK," Wallace said. Yost's right ankle suffered two ruptured ligaments, torn ligaments and a severe laceration in the incident, which the team confirmed would sideline him for the remainder of the 2005 season. Exploratory surgery Tuesday also revealed that the tip of Yost's right fibula was crushed. Yost had reconstructive surgery Thursday, and may be able to go home Friday, the team said.(NASCAR.com)(5-6-2005)
Update 2 on RCR Crewman: Josh Yost, the jackman for #31 Jeff Burton's Cingular Wireless team, suffered torn ligaments and a severe laceration on his right ankle after a pit stop mishap. He was taken to a Birmingham hospital, but flew home with his team Sunday night.(Alabama Live)(5-2-2005) UPDATE: Injured Jeff Burton jackman Josh Yost was released from a Birmingham, AL hospital Sunday night and flown back to Winston-Salem, NC on one of Richard Childress' planes. He was admitted to the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and will be operated on Tuesday by Dr. David Martin. After getting hit by Rusty Wallace on pit road at Talladega, Yost was thought to have broken his right ankle, but after tests in turned out to be badly torn ligaments. Yost also suffered a severe, deep laceration to his lower right leg.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-2-2005)
Burton to appear on TV show: The fast-paced world of auto racing will be front and center on The WB's hit series One
Tree Hill from Warner Bros. Television Tuesday, May 3 (9-10 p.m.) as Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty) meet up with real-life NASCAR standout Jeff Burton, who drives the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet in the Cup Series. Lucas and Nathan meet Burton in the garage before they take a couple of laps around the track. In the episode, which combines America's most popular spectator sport with a dramatic ending, Lucas and Nathan go to the track with their uncle, a professional stock car racer. While there, Nathan and Lucas learn to drive a car in excess of 100 miles per hour as Nathan tries to leave his past in the dust. The pair also gets the chance to rub elbows with Burton, a career 17-time winner on the NASCAR Cup Series.(RCR PR)(4-29-2005)
Cingular rolls out the COWs at Phoenix: As the stock car Series heads West again for the first of two races in Phoenix, Cingular Wireless has again taken the lead in meeting the enhanced communications needs of customers attending this weekend's big race and spreading the excitement of stock car racing to its fans at Cingular stores. Cingular Wireless announced the activation of two "Cell sites On Wheels," known as "COWs", in the Phoenix market. Cingular is raising the bar in network quality by anticipating the sheer volume of calls from fans at the race. COWs are self-contained portable cell sites that can quickly and easily be brought to a specific location to boost network capacity or restore communications following an emergency situation. Cingular has several COWs available for use at special events where large crowds can put unusual strain on existing wireless facilities or for use in emergency service situations. Leading up to the race on April 23, the Richard Childress Racing #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driven by NASCAR driver Jeff Burton is embarking upon a six-store tour between April 20 and 22 at Cingular retail locations in the greater Phoenix area. The show car tour is highlighted by a gift-with-purchase promotion offering service activation incentives, such as a free DVD player or MP3 player (two-year service agreement required).(Career Sports & Entertainment)(4-21-2005)
Burton talks about TV Responsibility: Jeff Burton told "Sirius Speedway" (MRN/Sirius Satelite Radio) Wednesday that while TV networks bear some share of responsibility for televising incidents like the one that caused NASCAR to fine driver Shane Hmiel last week, the ultimate responsibility still lies with the drivers themselves. "This stuff happens on the spot, without you knowing you're on TV," he said. I have an in-car camera every week, and if some driver rolls by and gives me the finger n national TV, is that his fault? Is he going to get penalized? We have to hold ourselves to a high standard, and I support NASCAR in its efforts to clean things up. But where does it stop? The networks are the backup, backup, backup plan. They need to help keep things off TV that they don't want their viewers to see. But it's our responsibility as drivers not to put them in that position. We'd like them to help us out, but it's still our responsibility."(MRN/Sirius Satelite Radio)(4-14-2005)
Cingular Jacks: Taking a cue from college football, a round white decal with the Cingular Jack will be applied to the #31 Team Cingular Pit Crew helmets for each pit stop under 12.99 seconds throughout the season. Heading to Texas the pit crew has already earned nine “Jacks.”(RCR)(4-14-2005)
Burton tests at Phoenix: Jeff Burton and the #31 Team Cingular tested at Phoenix International Raceway on Tuesday, April 12th and will again on Wednesday, April 13 in preparation for the Subway Fresh 500 April 23.(RCR)(4-13-2005)
Dickerson may have a new gig UPDATE RCR? DEI?: Chassis and body guru Eddie Dickerson, who was released by Hendrick Motorsports after being arrested in the early-morning hours at Daytona in February (disorderly intoxication), could land at Richard Childress Racing, sources in the garage said.(Speed Channel)(4-11-2005) UPDATE: Former Hendrick Motorsports chassis director Eddie Dickerson will interview with Dale Earnhardt Inc. this week. DEI is starting an in-house chassis program, and Dickerson could use his magic to develop better-handling cars for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who complains about the drivability of his cars.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(4-13-2005)
Beneficial to Sponsor Two RCR Teams: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has teamed up with Beneficial in a multi-year associate sponsorship agreement for two of its NASCAR Cup Series teams. Beneficial will sponsor and have decal space on the "B" posts of the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet of driver Kevin Harvick and the lower rear quarter panels of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet of driver Jeff Burton. It will also be the primary sponsor of the #31 Chevrolet for the June event at Michigan International Speedway. Finally, Beneficial will have status with the racing organization as the "Official Consumer Lending Company of RCR." More info on Beneficial at beneficial.com.(RCR PR)(2-24-2005) IMAGE: see an image of the scheme on my #31 Team Schemes page.(4-12-2005)
New Sponsor Site - Cingular Racing: Cingular Wireless has dropped the green flag in cyberspace for fans of #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet and NASCAR driver Jeff Burton. With the launch of www.cingular31.com, the official Web site of TEAM Cingular, fans will now have an opportunity to stay up to speed on everything happening around the team, including the latest news and notes, driver appearances and customer promotions. The new, interactive web site will serve as a comprehensive portal devoted to everything around TEAM Cingular. Exclusive content will include pre- and post-race reports, Jeff Burton pre- and post-race perspectives, up-to-date driver and show car appearance schedules, Cingular-themed promotions and contests and links to the latest media coverage around TEAM Cingular.(Career Sports & Entertainment)(4-1-2005)
Jeff Burton Back to Busch UPDATE 2 #21 RCR: Nextel Cup veteran #31-Jeff Burton will join the Busch-whacker brigade in the April 2 Sharpie Professional 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Burton was among the drivers testing at BMS Tuesday. "I’ve got a good car and I’m real happy with what I’m seeing on the track," Burton said. "We’ve been trying to figure out what kind of setup we need to win this race. I think we are in good shape. Right now, we are planning on running three Busch races. But I bet that number ends up being seven," said Burton, who ranks eighth in career Busch wins with 20. "Next year, we’re hoping to run about 15 Busch races.’’(Bristol Herald Courier), doesn't say what team [RCR #29?] Jeff will run for.(3-23-2005) UPDATE: Everyone knows, peanut butter and chocolate go hand-in-hand; however, NASCAR drivers Kevin Harvick and
Jeff Burton will go head-to-head promoting Reese's rich milk chocolate and creamy peanut butter at Bristol Speedway on April 2. Always a winning combination, Reese's will debut two Limited Edition cups: Reese's Peanut Butter Lovers and Reese's Chocolate Lovers March 15. Chocolate Lover Kevin Harvick will be sporting the Reese's Chocolate Lovers car and Burton the Reese's Peanut Butter Lovers car each looking for a win at Bristol and for their favorite Reese's Limited Edition to win top spot on reeses.com. Burton will be wearing the Reeses's Peanut Butter Lovers uniform and the #21 Chevrolet will be sporting the Reese's Peanut Butter Lovers
theme. Decked in a Reese's Chocolate Lovers uniform, Harvick will be driving the #29 Chevrolet featuring the Reese's Chocolate Lovers
theme. "I'm thrilled to represent Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and campaign for Reese's Chocolate Lovers at Bristol," said Kevin Harvick. "The Reese's Limited Edition Vote and race cars add another layer of excitement for our race fans at Bristol."
While Harvick and Burton will be campaigning on the track, they are also encouraging Reese's lovers to taste, vote and win as part of The Great Reese's Limited Edition Vote. After enjoying the new Reese's Peanut Butter Lovers and Reese's Chocolate Lovers Peanut Butter Cups, consumers can log on to www.reeses.com to enter their favorite winning combination. All entrants will have the chance to win a trip for four to the sweetest place on Earth - Hershey, Pa. Voting runs now through September 20, 2005 and is limited to one online entry per person.(Keystone Marketing)(3-24-2005)
Burton wants better car; engineer joins RCR: Burton wants better cars: The work of Jeff Burton's pit crew helped his No. 31 gain 18 positions over seven stops at California, but going into Las Vegas, he doesn't believe his Monte Carlos are up to speed. "Pit crews can't be winning races," Burton says. "We've got to get better cars." The cars are sure to improve after Burton is reunited with former Roush senior engineer Nick Ollila, who joined Richard Childress Racing last week. Off the track, despite having a week away from racing, Burton was anything but idle. In a little more than a week, he shot a commercial for Cingular, made appearances for Chevrolet and Coke and had a cameo role on the WB's One Tree Hill.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(3-7-2005)
New Official Jeff Burton Official Site: #31-Jeff Burton has a new number, new colors and a new sponsor in 2005, but it doesn't end there. He's also raising the bar with a brand new state-of-the-art website and fan club. The re-designed jeffburton.com internet site was launched today just in time for the 2005 season-opening Daytona 500. As a part of the site, NASCAR fans can join the fully re-engineered Jeff Burton Fan Club. Filled with countless visuals and multimedia features, fans can learn about Jeff's career, his thoughts on upcoming events, his life away from the track, Richard Childress Racing and its team members, team sponsors, weekly race previews and reports, and photos from the track. In addition, fans can even experience what it feels like to take a lap around the track from inside the cockpit of the Cingular Wireless Chevy. For additional information about the website and fan club, log onto jeffburton.com.(2-15-2005)
Childress Team Member Leaves: NASCAR's controversial decision to allow liquor sponsorships has caused a popular personality in the garages to quit because of his religious convictions. David Smith, a former crew chief for the late Dale Earnhardt and team manager and pit crew coach for Richard Childress Racing, told Childress during the offseason that he couldn't work on a car backed by a liquor company. Last season, Childress teams were sponsored by AOL, Cingular and Goodwrench. When AOL dropped out, Jack Daniels took the spot. "The absolute hardest part of this deal was to tell Richard that I was leaving after 25 years," said Smith, who in four decades has been a six-time all-pro jackman. I had a great job, the best anybody could ask for. I may never have a job as great as that again, but I'll have peace of mind from knowing that what I did was the right thing to do. That's worth more than money." Liquor sponsors Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam and Crown Royal will be prominent throughout the sport this season. Smith said his decision actually was made years ago when he gave up his wayward ways to become a Christian. "I trusted the Lord with my life, and He changed it around for me," Smith said. "I went to work for Richard in 1979 and told him when I went there that I'd work for him as long as he didn't have an alcohol or dirty magazine or gambling sponsorship on his car. And he was OK with that." Dave Blaney, who drives the #07 [RCR Chevy] sponsored by Jack Daniel's, said he's not much of a drinker, but he's proud to be associated with his sponsor. Childress said that although he and Smith are on different sides of the liquor issue he still respects him highly. "I've admired David Smith for years," Childress said. "I've always said I wish I could have been as strong a man as he was many, many years ago."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(1-21-2005)
More on Burton testing in Mexico: NASCAR says Jeff Burton averaged laps at almost 100 mph in the first test of a Busch Series car on the Mexico City road course that will host the series' first race outside the United States on March 6. The Richard Childress Racing Nextel Cup driver averaged laps in the 91.9-second range around the 2.518-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in a car prepared by RCR's No. 21 Busch Series team. NASCAR officials who watched the test included Vice President of Research and Development Gary Nelson, Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton and Busch Series Director Joe Balash. The test, originally scheduled for one day, will continue today. Balash said data gathered from the test will be shared with all teams.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-13-2005)
Burton wants more drafting testing: With the first Nextel Cup test session underway at Daytona, the emphasis, as usual, is for the two laps of qualifying for the 500. By next week Jeff Burton would like to change that. He's been "politicing" other drivers to join his "drafting" party. "I think it's a complete waste of time to go down there and run two laps at a time all by yourself. I was on the phone yesterday with Mark martin saying the heck with this running one and two laps at a time. Let's go down there and draft. We only get like two hours of practice before the 150's this year where before we had much more so I think it's really gonna be important to get some drafting practice in".(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(1-11-2005)
Jeff Burton to test in Mexico: NASCAR says Richard Childress Racing and driver Jeff Burton will conduct a test next Wednesday [Jan 12th] of the Mexico City road course where the Busch Series will race March 6. Burton, who has won 20 races in the series, will spend the day on the 2.518-mile Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, where the Mexico 200 will be run. The race will be the Busch Series' first road-course event since the 2001 race at Watkins Glen International in New York.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-6-2005)
2004 News
Andrews leaves RCR UPDATE: hearing that #31 Crew Chief Chris Andrews has left Richard Childress Racing.(12-1-2004) UPDATE: hearing Andrews is now at Evernham Motorsports and will serve as the crew chief for Bill Elliott in the #91 Dodge.(12-3-2004) UPDATE 2: Effective today, Chris Andrews joins Evernham Motorsports as Team Director [crew chief] of the #91 Evernham Motorsports Dodge team. Andrews brings a wealth of experience to the position and will work with veteran driver Bill Elliott in 2005. Sammy Johns, who had served as interim Team Director for the #91 Dodge team, remains Director of Competition at Evernham Motorsports.(Evernham Motorsports/ClearBlue PR)(12-14-2004)
SKF to RCR? UPDATE: hearing longtime #99 Roush Racing Asscoiate sponsor, SKF, will move over to the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy that Jeff Burton will drive in 2005 and the other RCR teams [#07, #29]. Burton had driven the #99 Ford since its inception.(12-5-2004) UPDATE: SKF announced the expansion of its NASCAR NEXTEL Cup involvement, signing a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Richard Childress Racing (RCR). With the start of the 2005 NASCAR season, SKF will hold sponsorship
positions on the #07 of Dave Blaney, the #29 of Kevin Harvick and the #31 of Jeff Burton. Additionally, the agreement includes a
technical partnership between RCR and SKF engineers. Both parties will communicate worldwide to develop new technologies focused toward building on RCR’s racing performance, as well as new products intended to increase the safety and performance of consumer vehicles. For the past seven seasons, SKF has utilized its NASCAR involvement to promote its products, services and industry activities. SKF actively communicates the messages of the Be Car Care Aware Campaign and the Right to Repair Act through its NASCAR relationships.(SKF PR) and a note on the SKF site.(12-6-2004)
Andrews leaves RCR UPDATE: hearing that #31 Crew Chief Chris Andrews has left Richard Childress Racing.(12-1-2004) UPDATE: hearing Andrews is now at Evernham Motorsports and will serve as the crew chief for Bill Elliott in the #91 Dodge.(12-3-2004)
Robby Racing in Baja AND: haven't found much, but Robby made it to Homestead and qualified the #31 Cingular Chevy. From some reports, Robby's truck broke out on the course.. For updates on the race, see robbygordon.com.(11-19-2004) AND: After three trips to Baja for pre-runs and shakedowns of the truck, the race got off to a great start for Robby Thursday morning. He was the 7th Trophy Truck to start the race, and by the 200 mile mark had a fivr minute lead. Robby drove as far as Loreto, Mexico (about 2/3 of the way down) when he had to leave to fly to Florida. At the time of the driver swap, he had a 30 minute lead. When he got to Brownsville, TX to clear customs at 5:00am/et, he found out that the truck had broken a ring & pinion and was out of the race. At the time of the breakage, they still had over a half hour lead. Robby leaves immediately after the Homestead race for Morocco to practice for the Paris-Dakkar rally in a Red Bull sponsored VW Taureg. The race starts in Paris on January 1st.(11-20-2004)
Congrats: Team Cingular crew chief Chris Andrews is now the proud father of a baby girl. He and his wife welcomed their little girl into the world Monday evening. Andrews stayed home last weekend to be with his expectant wife. He will be back to racing this weekend at Darlington.(RCR PR)(11-10-2004)
New Blue and Orange Look for the #31: This weekend at Phoenix the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet will continue to carry the new paint scheme that symbolizes Cingular's new status as the nation's biggest wireless carrier. Cingular now serves more than 46 million customers with the largest digital voice and data network in the United States. The special paint scheme will remain on the #31 Chevy the remainder of the 2004 season, but is NOT the car's new look for 2005.(RCR PR), see an image of the new scheme on my #31 Paint Scheme page.(11-3-2004)
Temp Crew Chief for Robby at Phoenix...for a good reason: #31 RCR Crew Chief Chris Andrews will not be in Phoenix this
weekend because he will be home with his expectant wife, anticipating the arrival of their first born. Substituting for Andrews will be Team Cingular engineer Greg Erwin. Erwin joined the Cingular team in August and has been a multi-team engineer at RCR since December 2002. Before coming to RCR, Erwin, of Mooresville, N.C., worked with Ganassi Racing, Team Sabco, and Diamond Ridge Motorsports. Andrews will be back with the team next weekend at Darlington Raceway.(RCR PR)(11-3-2004)
Robby Testing at Baja: Robby Gordon flew directly from Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday night to San Felipe in Baja California, Mexico, to prepare to pre-run the course for the 2004 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in his sand car. He ran the course Monday and Tuesday with Greg Till, his co-driver for the Baja 1000. The duo drove from San Felipe to Loreto. Gordon will compete in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, coming up November 17 - 21, racing in the #31 Red Bull Trophy Truck. Last month, Gordon drew to start eighth in the legendary off-road race. He plans to run the majority of the race, but will have to hand over the wheel to Steve Barlow, so he can head to Homestead, Fla., to compete in the final NASCAR Cup and Busch races of the season. To learn more about the 37th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, go to www.score-international.com.(RCR PR)(11-3-2004)
New Blue and Orange Look for the #31: This weekend at Phoenix the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet will continue to carry the new paint scheme that symbolizes Cingular's new status as the nation's biggest wireless carrier. Cingular now serves more than 46 million customers with the largest digital voice and data network in the United States. The special paint scheme will remain on the #31 Chevy the remainder of the 2004 season, but is NOT the car's new look for 2005.(RCR PR), see an image of the new scheme on my #31 Paint Scheme page.(11-3-2004)
Three Fined for Infractions: Three others were issued penalties for equipment infractions at Martinsville. Gil Martin, crew chief for the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet of driver Robby Gordon, and co-crew chief Chris Andrews will share in a $10,000 fine for violating Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-W (Improperly attached weight) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book.
Mario Gosselin, driver of the #80 Hover Motorsports Ford, was fined $500 for violating Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-17.1B (3) for an expired manufacturer’s date on his driver’s head-and-neck restraint device.(NASCAR PR)(11-2-2004)
RC to announce most of 2005 plans at AMS UPDATE 3 Surprise...Burton to the #31: Richard Childress said he'll lay out most of his 2005 season plans on Friday in a press conference in Atlanta, and yesterday he declined to confirm - but wouldn't deny - widespread speculation that he would name Dave Blaney as his new driver, replacing Robby Gordon, and Jack Daniels as a new sponsor, replacing AOL. Childress also had little to say, either way, about rampant rumors he planned to swap crews among his teams [see below or my #30 Team page or #31 Team page for the past news/rumors/links]. "All those announcements are in the coming," Childress said. Jack Daniels is owned by the Louisville, Ky., business Brown-Forman, which did $578 million in sales last year.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-25-2004) UPDATE: An announcement on who will be the driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet in 2005 will be made this Friday, Oct. 29, at 2:00pm/et in the infield media center of Atlanta Motor Speedway.(RCR PR)(10-26-2004) UPDATE 2: the RCR press conference is now listed at 8:45am/et on Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Been told Blaney will be named driver, not sure if the 'team swap' will be announced or anything on the sponsor [AOL? Motorola? Jack Daniel's]..yet.(10-28-2004) UPDATE 3, It's Official Burton to the #31: Jeff Burton will finish the season behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) #30 AOL Chevy and then move to its #31 Cingular Wireless team for the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. Cingular Wireless has also extended it contract with RCR through 2007. The Atlanta-based telecommunications leader has sponsored the team since 2002. “I’m excited about driving for Cingular Wireless and continuing on with RCR,” Burton said. “In the short time I’ve driven for Richard, it’s already been proven that we can be successful. I’ve had a tremendous amount of fun and I am looking forward to greater things. It is my intention to get RCR and Cingular Wireless in position to contend for a championship. Cingular Wireless is a household name and it’s an honor to represent a company that has such a quality product and is so supportive of motorsports.” Burton will replace Robby Gordon in the #31 Chevrolet. It was announced earlier this week that Gordon and RCR were parting ways at the end of the season, with Gordon stepping up to the ranks of NASCAR Cup Series ownership in 2005. RCR will announce the remainder of its 2005 plans in upcoming weeks [like the #30 team, driver and sponsor](RCR Site)(10-30-2004)
Robby Gordon will NOT be back with RCR in 2005 UPDATE Official: #31-Robby Gordon has confirmed that he and car owner Richard Childress will split at the end of 2004. Gordon told PRN's Garagepass, "The process is we've made the determination that our Busch car runs so competitive every weekend that we're gonna go ahead and make the step and move that to a Nextel Cup car in 2005. Obviously we'll have other announcements in the near future but our plan is to take our exisiting Busch car and roll that up to a cup program." When asked...so you won't be with RCR next year? Gordon said, "that's what it sounds like right now, so that looks like our direction...looks like the direction we're trying to head."(PRN's Garagepass Radio show)(10-22-2004) UPDATE it's official: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Robby Gordon will part ways at the conclusion of the 2004 season, with Gordon stepping up to the ranks of NASCAR Cup Series ownership in 2005. "Several months ago Robby told me that his goals included running his own NASCAR Cup Series team," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "He has won three points races, a qualifying race at Daytona and has had a lot of good runs for RCR since 2001, but sometimes change is good. Robby is a true racer and I will always be grateful to him for what we've been able to accomplish together and for the positive things he brought to our organization. I've always said that Robby is one of the most talented drivers out there and he has always gone above and beyond for our sponsors. I'm sure Robby will do just fine on his own. His Busch cars run good every week and I'm sure he can translate some of that success to the Cup Series. I wish him only the best."
"Driving for RCR has been an incredible honor and is an opportunity most drivers could only wish for," Gordon said. "I've learned as much outside the car as I have in it with RCR, and Richard has taught me a great deal about the business of NASCAR. He's a man of his word and someone I will always respect immensely. But I think everyone knows what my long-term goals are, both as a driver and a car owner, and now is the time for me to start my future as an owner at NASCAR's highest level. If I can be half as successful as Richard has been, I'll be very happy. We have been putting the pieces in place for our own team for most of the past year, and although we don't have anything to announce yet for next season, we hope to make some announcements soon."
"Cingular Wireless is glad to have had Robby Gordon behind the wheel of the #31 Chevrolet for the past three seasons," said Daryl Evans, Vice President of Advertising and Marketing Communications for Cingular Wireless. "He and the RCR team were able to take Cingular to the winner's circle three times last year and we know we still have a great shot at getting back there before the conclusion of the 2004 season. Robby is a very talented driver and we wish him continued success in the future."
An announcement on who will be the driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet in 2005 will be made this Friday, Oct. 29, at 2:00pm/et in the infield media center of Atlanta Motor Speedway.(RCR PR)(10-26-2004)
RC to announce most of 2005 plans at AMS UPDATE: Richard Childress said he'll lay out most of his 2005 season plans on Friday in a press conference in Atlanta, and yesterday he declined to confirm - but wouldn't deny - widespread speculation that he would name Dave Blaney as his new driver, replacing Robby Gordon, and Jack Daniels as a new sponsor, replacing AOL. Childress also had little to say, either way, about rampant rumors he planned to swap crews among his teams [see below or my #30 Team page or #31 Team page for the past news/rumors/links]. "All those announcements are in the coming," Childress said. Jack Daniels is owned by the Louisville, Ky., business Brown-Forman, which did $578 million in sales last year.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-25-2004) UPDATE: An announcement on who will be the driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet in 2005 will be made this Friday, Oct. 29, at 2:00pm/et in the infield media center of Atlanta Motor Speedway.(RCR PR)(10-26-2004)
Another RCR Swap in the works? UPDATE 3: hearing that Richard Childress Racing could swap entrie teams again, with the current #30 driver, Jeff Burton and crew going to the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy, currently driven by Robby Gordon. Cingular Wireless can stay in the sport, only if they stay on the #31 Chevy with RCR. The crew of the #31 could go to the #30 with either Gordon [unlikely] or another driver [Ricky Craven? Dave Blaney?], have hear that AOL may or may not be back in 2005, but Richard Childress has said before, if AOL opts not to to return, he has another option for a sponsor. AND Richard Childress said that he would be making announcements soon, possibly by the end of October. In the Nextel Cup Series, RCR has Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton signed with multi-year deals, but Childress will have to make the decision whether to retain Robby Gordon. Childress is also working to make sure AOL returns as Burton's sponsor in 2005. "We're probably going to make those announcements around Atlanta or a little after," Childress said. "We pretty much have everything in place. You know, we are going to make adjustments all throughout or organization. We're going to make a few adjustments, everything from Cup to Busch."(NASCAR.com)(10-8-2004) AND II: hearing if AOL doesn't come back to the #30 car, the sponsor could be Motorola.(10-9-2004) UPDATE: Several Nextel Cup teams – Roush Racing and Richard Childress Racing among them – are primed to sign sponsorship deals with hard-liquor companies, including Diageo and Jack Daniels.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-15-2004) UPDATE 2: Expect Richard Childress to make more changes before the start of the 2005 season. An announcement the last week of October at Atlanta should clarify the situation, at least partially. Jeff Burton could move from the #30 car to the #31.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(10-18-2004) UPDATE 3: Garage buzz indicates that Dave Blaney may fill the seat of the #30 when Jeff Burton moves to the #31 at the end of the season. The #30 crew is expected to follow Burton to the 31 ride.(Motorsport.com)(10-23-2004)
Some RCR Changes UPDATE: #29 team Catch-can man Kirk Almquist is moving up the RCR chain of command. Starting this weekend he'll be the car chief for the #31 Cingular Wireless team with driver Robby Gordon. Kevin Gabard will fall into his position on the weekend crew and #29 car chief Scott Naset will take over catch-can duties.(RCR PR)(10-13-2004) UPDATE: This weekend, Gil Martin will be teaming up with the #31 Cingular Wireless racing team to assume the responsibilities as interim crew chief. Martin has spent the majority of 2004 working with the #29 GM Goodwrench team and serving as crew chief of RCR’s special teams programs. Martin is one of a select few crew chiefs to win in NASCAR’s Cup, Busch and Truck Series. He and Gordon are no strangers, having worked together in 2001 and 2002 when Gordon first joined RCR, the duo scored their first NASCAR Cup Series win together at New Hampshire International Speedway in November 2001. Martin will work as a co-crew chief with Gordon’s current crew chief, Chris Andrews.(Robbygordon.com)(10-14-2004)
Ride with Richard Winner: Bob Buell of Camden, Maine, is the lucky grand prize winner of RCR's "Ride with Richard" promotion as part of the 35th Anniversary celebration. Buell will ride around Lowe's Motor Speedway with Childress himself in the retro No. 3 35th Anniversary Chevrolet painted in the CRC colors Childress drove in the the mid 70's. The event will take place Friday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. The grand prize also includes round trip airfare, hotel accommodations and a VIP weekend at the track with RCR for Buell and a guest. Buell entered the contest by signing up to be a RCR fan club member at rcrracing.com.(RCR PR)(10-13-2004)
What Happened Between Gordon and Stewart? from a True Speed Communication PR [from Stewart's side] -- The ever-competitive driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet was far from thrilled with his sixth-place effort in Sunday's MBNA America 400 at Dover's high-banked, 1-mile oval. Part of his frustration stemmed from having an ill-handling race car, while another part came via Robby Gordon. Gordon, who intentionally spun Greg Biffle last Sunday at New Hampshire to trigger a multi-car accident that consumed Stewart, again used questionable judgment at Dover. On a lap 22 restart, Gordon inexplicably drove his car to the outside of Stewart in turns three and four before officially taking the green. And when Gordon ran out of race track while coming off turn four, he clipped the right front corner of Stewart's nose, altering the #20's aerodynamics. With 378 laps still remaining, it was a case of premature aggression. Stewart quickly put the incident and Gordon behind him with a convincing pass through turns one and two. And throughout the race Gordon would remain in Stewart's rearview mirror, as he wound up finishing 30th, 15 laps off the pace.(True Speed Communication PR) AND Stewart, wrecked out of the New Hampshire race last weekend by Robby Gordon, tangled with him briefly again early in Sunday's race. The two traded bumps, with Stewart finally getting by Gordon. Stewart was none too happy after the race and paid NASCAR officials a visit to complain about Gordon's conduct. Asked what he felt like after the race, Stewart replied: "Kicking Robby Gordon's butt, to be honest. It's racing."(ThatsRacin.com) AND II "Tell him to come on over," Gordon responded. "Or, here, give him my phone number and tell him 'Anytime.'"(Winston Salem Journal)(9-27-2004)
Sponsor Saves Robby's Gig; to the #00 in 2005?: Car owner Richard Childress was ready to release driver Robby Gordon last week after his run-in at Loudon, N.H., but sponsors intervened on Gordon's behalf, according to sources close to Gordon. Gordon has been toying with the idea of expanding his Busch operation into a full Cup operation next season. However, he's also under consideration for the ride with Gene Haas [#00 NetZero Chevy], depending on what Haas and current driver Ward Burton do, according to team sources.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-27-2004)
Robby Apologizes Again; has talked to Biffle: Robby Gordon repeated his apology Friday for his actions in last Sunday's race at New Hampshire, during which he intentionally wrecked Greg Biffle, but caught up Chase for the Nextel Cup contenders Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart as well. "What happened last weekend obviously I'm sorry for, but I'm more sorry to Tony Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield, putting them behind the eight-ball in this 10-race championship," Gordon said. "I hope they have an opportunity to climb back into the championship. I'm sorry we got into this situation. I didn't intend for it to be this at all." Gordon said he spoke to Biffle Thursday night, but had not yet been able to speak to Mayfield or Stewart, but had tried to reach them. "Between me and Greg there is no issue because he knows what he did and he knows what I did," Gordon said. "I consider Greg not only a fierce competitor but a good friend of mine."
Gordon also denied reports this week by ThatsRacin.com, Speed TV, The Tampa Tribune, The Rocky Mountain News and NASCAR Scene, among others, that he had pushed aside [XM] radio reporter Claire B. Lang after the race while attempting to avoid a gathering of media members. After first saying, "I did not push Claire B. Lang after the race," Gordon responded to a follow-up question later with, "If she got moved a little bit, it was not an intentional shove. If I bumped you, I apologize." For her part, Lang has stated both that she did not recall the incident and that it didn't happen in conversations over the past week. Gordon, who was penalized two laps in the race by NASCAR and also placed on probation by his Richard Childress Racing team, also admitted to using an obscene gesture, but said it was directed to one member of the media, not the group as a whole. Gordon said he also spoke with NASCAR officials Friday morning to "clear the air." NASCAR President Mike Helton "said my punishment I received last weekend for being two laps held should have been embarrassing enough to be what it is."(ThatsRacin.com and the full press conference transcipt at FoxSports)(9-24-2004)
Robby put on probation by RCR: Robby Gordon has been placed on probation by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) for the remainder of the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series season. "Many athletes have made mistakes in their careers and would take back
the negative things they've said or done if they could," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "As a result of his actions last weekend in New Hampshire, I have placed Robby on probation for the rest of the season. I would like to apologize to all of the fans, the media, and the teams. I also would like to publicly apologize to Cingular Wireless for being placed in this situation. If there is one positive, I think this can make Robby understand that there is more to racing than just being aggressive. In this sport today, one action can affect many people's lives on the track and beyond it, as well." Gordon will conduct a press conference at 8:30am/et on Friday, Sept. 24, in the infield media center at Dover International Speedway.(RCR PR)(9-22-2004)
Robby NOT Happy, gestures to media UPDATE Apologizes: Following the race [at New Hampshire], a large media contingent gathered outside Gordon's hauler. After parking his #31 Cingular Chevrolet, Gordon got out of the car, pushed aside XM Satellite Radio reporter Claire B. Lang saying, "Get out of here." He then walked to a golf cart without saying a word, and before being driven off, directed an obscene gesture toward the crowd of media."(ThatsRacin.com)....yikes.(9-19-2004) UPDATE Robby Apologizes: The following is a statement by Robby Gordon, driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet, regarding yesterday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway: "First and foremost, I feel terrible for Jeremy Mayfield, Tony Stewart, their teams, sponsors and car owners Joe Gibbs and Ray Evernham. I allowed my frustration with the 16 car to affect two other teams, both of which have great shots to win a championship, and for that I am sorry. I also want to apologize to Cingular Wireless and everyone at Richard Childress Racing. We had a car capable of winning Sunday, and from my standpoint I was spun intentionally after I made a clean aggressive pass on the 16, and I showed poor judgment in trying to even the score. As for the post-race events, I chose not speak with the media given the fact that I had nothing to say other than I'm sorry. One media member made what I felt was a very inappropriate comment to me because I would not answer his question, and he was the target of my gesture, not the media contingent as a whole. That, too, was poor judgment and, in hindsight, I should have just walked away, so I also apologize to any media members and bystanders I offended. It was a bad day that just seemed to get worse and worse."(RCR PR)(9-20-2004)
Blaney 'expected' to replace Gordon; Craven in at Dover? UPDATE 5 RCR Denial: it's been more than a year since one of his [Richard Childress] teams last won, and that was Robby Gordon at Watkins Glen. Now Gordon is expected to be replaced by Dave Blaney.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-19-2004) UPDATE: after Gordon's 'incident' with Biffle, Stewart, Mayfield and the media [see below] at New Hampshire, rumors have caught fire. Have heard Ricky Craven or Dave Blaney could be in the #31 as soon as Dover this week.(9-20-2004) UPDATE 2: the Boston Herald is reporting.....Ricky Craven will replace the embattled Robby Gordon behind the wheel of the #31 Richard Childress Racing machine at Dover (Del.) this Sunday, Bostonherald.com has learned. Gordon’s contract was to expire at the end of the season and RCR is not seeking to re-sign him. Craven, of Newburgh, Maine, could not be reached for comment. Childress is expected to fire Gordon later this week after a poor showing at NHIS. Craven is without a ride after being replaced earlier this month by Bobby Hamilton Jr. He was asked to race the No. 32 Tide car at NHIS for the Sylvania 300, in which he finished 17th.(Boston Herald)(9-20-2004) UPDATE 3: XM Radio's NASCAR Channel 144 reporter, Claire B. Lang, reports that her contacts at RCR say Robby Gordon is still their driver and will be in the #31 Chevy at Dover. Also, Claire said she was not pushed by Gordon and was in a group of about 10 other reporters at the time. AND more from the Boston Herald - According to a NASCAR source, Gordon's employer, Richard Childress Racing, has taken immediate action, reportedly asking driver Ricky Craven of Newburgh, Maine, to take over the wheel at Dover, Delaware, this weekend. Craven was behind the wheel of the #32 Tide Chevy for PPI Motorsports in Sunday's Sylvania 300, in what was to be his last race since team owner Cal Wells signed another driver in the beginning of September. Craven could not be reached for comment, and a spokesperson from Hawk Sport Management would not confirm or deny that the agency's client will be driving for Childress this weekend.(Boston Herald) and another column at Union Leader: Craven rides again with Childress.(9-21-2004) UPDATE 4: from RCR - Robby is definitely in the car this weekend at Dover. The rumors about Craven driving the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet at Dover are completely false and unfounded. RCR placed a call to the reporter from the Boston Herald asking him about his source but that was unreturned as of late Tuesday afternoon.(RCR PR)(9-21-2004) UPDATE 5: Embattled Nextel Cup driver Robby Gordon will still be driving for owner Richard Childress this weekend at Dover International Speedway. Gordon’s publicist, Angie Copen, confirmed Gordon’s status as the driver of Childress’ #31 Cingular Chevrolet. The Union Leader and Boston Herald reported Monday that Maine-native Ricky Craven was likely to unseat Gordon this Sunday in Dover.(Union Leader)(9-22-2004)
No More Indy 500-Coca Cola 600 doubles? The Indianapolis 500, which in 2005 will be held for the 89th time, will begin at 12:00noon/ct [1:00pm/et] on May 29 after starting at 11:00am/ct [12:00noon/et] the past 41 years. Track officials said the switch is seen as a way to improve television ratings that have sagged in recent years. Other changes include a new four-day qualifying formet with bumping each day, less practice time and moving Carburetion Day to the Friday before the race.(Indianapolis Star/IMS Site), with the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway starting around 5:30pm/et the smae day, it may be near impossible for a driver [such as Robby Gordon or Tony Stewart] do the Indy 500/Coke 600 double, running both races in the same day.(9-15-2004)
More on Robby at RCR..Blaney? Schrader? Onne of the hottest stories in the garage sits inside Childress' head - the future of the team that Robby Gordon drives for. Will Childress sign Gordon to a new contract for 2005 or will Childress sign a new driver? Dave Blaney is the man most prominently mentioned as the candidate for the ride. Ken Schrader is another man also mentioned for the ride. Childress, without saying what his specific options are, expects to make a decision "within the next two weeks."(Winston Salem Journal)(9-11-2004)
Robby Gordon out of the #31 at end of 2004? #31 Cingular Chevy driver Robby Gordon seemed to indicate Thursday this would be his final year with Richard Childress Racing, although he left open the possibility of a return. When asked at Richmond International Raceway about the plans for his Busch Series team next year, Gordon replied: "How do you say it in a nice way? Those are the only plans I do have are the Busch plans. We were sitting here in fourth (in points) this season when Richard asked me to slow down the Busch program and focus on the Cup deal." Gordon, who has three Cup wins in his career, said he has had good runs in Cup this season, only to see them turn sour by bad luck. "We've had flat tires, other things have happened and got wrecked. I plan to run the (Busch team) in 24 races next year and if I don't get anything else, we'll fill the rest of the races with another sponsor." Asked later if he was certain he was leaving RCR, Gordon said, "We have been consistently the best car in the camp quite often, so I wouldn't say I won't be there. I've had a good relationship with Richard and we'll see what happens. If I could do my own deal, that's probably what I would do." Gordon ran his own Cup team briefly in 2001, but he never completed the whole season. He started up his own Busch team this season operated out of a new shop and has had good results, with three top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 19 starts. Gordon's Cup team is 19th in points, with two top-five and five top-10 finishes. All three of his career wins have come with RCR.
(ThatsRacin.com)(9-9-2004)
Robby Gordon In Documentary: Robby Gordon will fly back to Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, September 8, to see the premier of the action documentary, "Dust to Glory" in which he is one of the featured drivers. The film, by Brownwa Pictures, is about the Baja 1000 and is directed by Dana Brown, who also brought us the 2003 surfing documentary, “Stepping into Liquid.” Also featured in the documentary will be racers, Sal Fish, Mario Andretti, Malcolm Smith, Chad McQueen, and Ricky Johnson.(Insider Racing News)(9-6-2004)
Robby looking at options for 2005: #31-Robby Gordon is a free agent. His contract with Childress expires at the end of the season, and he doesn't know who he will be working for when the 2005 season opens at Daytona in February. He might end up being his own boss again. He would like to continue working for Childress; however, he said he has been talking to three other "well-established, elite teams" in the series. "My time with Richard has been great. I think we have had some good success together," said Gordon. Since he began driving for Richard Childress Racing in September 2001, Gordon has won three races and finished in the top five eight times. "I have had a great relationship with him. Don't get me wrong," Gordon said. "We have been talking. But my contract is up, and it is what it is." On Wednesday, Gordon spent most of the day hanging out at Harrah's in Las Vegas. The hotel and casino used to sponsor A.J. Foyt's Cup team, but now Gordon does endorsements for Harrah's. Gordon even had a stock car painted in Harrah's colors that is used for promotional purposes. Harrah's isn't on the side of his Childress-owned Chevy Monte Carlo in the Cup series, but Gordon said if you look hard enough at the side of his Busch Series car, which he owns, you will see a Harrah's logo. He said his "deal" with Harrah's could "very easily be taken to the Cup level." For the past couple of days, Gordon has been talking with a few potential sponsors, and he said he is close to some sort of a deal for next season. "The next few days could get pretty interesting," Gordon said. "I have learned so much from Richard when it comes to owning your own team, like where to spend the money. If I do end up owning my own team in Cup, I will be so much smarter than when I did this the last time."
"Don't forget I own my own Busch car this year, and I have had some pretty good results," said Gordon, who opened the season with five top-10 finishes in the first eight Busch Series races. If he does end up driving for someone else next year, which he said still is a "very real possibility," Gordon said he might add another car to his Busch team. One of the cars would be for him, and he would drive it on a part-time basis. The other he would like to give to a young driver, possibly Brandon Miller, 23, from Bakersfield, CA. But if he can land the right kind of sponsorship deals, he said he might be able to fund two Cup cars and one Busch car. The Busch car would be driven off-and-on by Gordon. Childress said he wants to announce his lineup of drivers in October.(Orange County Register)(9-4-2004)
NASCAR Teams Using Facilities at ORNL to Increase Performance: More and more, NASCAR teams seeking a racing edge are making pit stops at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Temperature Materials Laboratory [ornl.gov / Oak Ridge, TN] for high-tech tips to better performance. "ORNL facilities that are used to test and develop transportation and materials technologies are gaining popularity among the NASCAR set," HTML Director Arvid Pasto said. "HTML provides a means for racing teams to study ways to enhance a car's ability to race at high speeds." Pasto said the HTML helps solve problems in advanced energy conversion systems -- such as race cars -- to make them more efficient and reliable. Engineers with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) of Welcome, N.C., which includes three cars [#'s 29,30,31] on the Nextel Cup circuit and two more in the Busch series, said they have been able to improve performances of their cars during the first half of the 2004 season based in part on research conducted last fall at the HTML.(more at azom.com.(9-1-2004)
Gordon's Pit Crew Wins At Bristol: The pit crew for Robby Gordon won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was the fourth victory of the season for the No. 31 Cingular Wireless crew, which has amassed $80,000 in season prize money. The record of four McDonald's/POWERade victories ties Elliott Sadler's crew for most pit crew wins in 2004. The victory also lifted Gordon's crew from eighth to sixth in the season point standings. The crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues to lead in the title chase that will pay $200,000 to the season pit crew champion. Earnhardt's crew has a 12-point lead over Sadler's crew - 868 to 856. Gordon's Cingular Chevrolet spent 207.043 seconds on pit road in Bristol. Greg Biffle's National Guard Ford was second with a time of 211.289 and Earnhardt's Budweiser Chevy was third at 264.916.
"Saturday night was tough," said Chris Andrews, crew chief for the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Team. "The long green-flag run was brutal on the drivers and pitting the car without losing too much ground is always a challenge at Bristol because of the track's short distance. "Robby and the guys really worked hard all night to get the job done. I knew they were doing pretty good when we actually gained two positions after everyone was forced to make green-flag pit stops approaching the midway point of the race. We were 12th and then we were 10th. That doesn't seem like much, but Bristol is one place it is not easy to gain position when you come down pit road." Gordon's over-the-wall crew consists of: Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Kevin Nervegna (front-tire carrier), Timmy Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Matt Kreuter (rear-tire carrier), Ron Liddell (gas man), Mike Moore (jackman) and Coy Hedrick (catch can).(DMF Communications PR), see the top 10 and season standings on my Pit Crew page.(9-2-2004)
Tracy to RCR rumors surface....again UPDATE denied: One NASCAR Nextel Cup door closed on Toronto's [CART driver] Paul Tracy on Friday but another one opened yesterday at Watkins Glen International. It appeared that after a surprise announcement by Richard Childress Racing that it had signed veteran Jeff Burton to drive the #30 AOL Chevrolet for the remainder of this season and all of next year that Tracy's hopes for a career in stock cars might be over. But recently former CART driver Robby Gordon hinted strongly that he might not be back with RCR in 2005, leaving the #31 Chevrolet without a driver. Rumours have been floating around the NASCAR garage area that Gordon's performance this season -- he sits 23rd in the points race with no wins -- places him in a precarious position at RCR. Childress would not talk about the possibility of Tracy coming aboard in the #31 Chevrolet, saying that any more team announcements would be made at the end of this season [actually in October at Charlotte]. Childress had offered Tracy a chance to drive the #30 Chevrolet a number of times over the past two seasons but each time Tracy opted to stay in Champ Car where he is the defending series champion.(Toronto Sun)(8-19-2004) UPDATE: One of the hot rumors in the NASCAR paddock over the weekend at Michigan was that Paul Tracy had the inside line on a seat at Richard Childress Racing if Robby Gordon leaves to start his own team. But it sounds like the only time Champ Car's biggest star will be going south in 2005 is for spring training at Sebring, Fla. "I don't know who started that rumor but I'll give them 10-1 odds," said Gerald Forsythe, who fields a car and pays the 2003 CART champion out of his own pocket. "I had a nice meeting with Paul and his agent recently and he's excited about the future. Paul has been one of our most vocal supporters and I appreciate his position." Tracy, who had been approached by Childress to run the Nextel Cup show at Sonoma, Calif. earlier this season, admitted Monday that he's staying put. "We've come to an agreement but we just don't have it on paper yet," said the 35-year-old Canadian. "I'd like to get this deal together and I should know for sure within the next couple races." Asked if he still had aspirations of NASCAR, especially if the stock car set goes to Montreal, Tracy replied: "Maybe, if the right deal came along but I'd like to stay in Champ Car. It's always been my home and I like the direction our new owners are taking it." Forsythe was asked why he wouldn't let Tracy run some select NASCAR races. "I don't see any connection between Champ Car and NASCAR so I can't see how it would benefit Paul or Champ Car," he replied. "Those people aren't going to let Paul do good anyway." As a parting shot, Forsythe added: "I just wish next time that Richard would call me instead of my driver."(Speed Channel/Robin Miller)(8-24-2004)
RC Mum on 2005 plans, but says RCR is set: #29, #30, #31 Team Owner Richad Childress says "everything is set" for next season with his three teams "but I'm not announcing anything on my sponsors until late October or December, later this year." There has been intense speculation that AOL may not return as sponsor for the team Jeff Burton drives for, and there is also speculation that the future of the Cingular sponsorship depends on Robby Gordon being firmly in the top 20 by some unspecified September deadline. However, there is also speculation that Gordon may be leaving Childress.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-23-2004)
Craven's 2005 Plans? Not Telling, to the #31?: Ricky Craven, current driver of the #32 Tide Chevy, who announced last month that he was leaving PPI-Motorsports/Tide Chevy team after this season with two years left on his contract, doesn't want to talk about his plans beyond this season. "I've had discussions [with other teams] but I'm still a month away from talking about that," said Craven Friday morning. It is important for me to continue to focus on this program. I'm 100 percent committed to finishing the year out the right way and all the team members know that. I want to finish what I started with Cal [PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells III]. It's absolutely critical for me to run well in the next couple of months and for the team to finish strong," said Craven. He pointed out that he has raced with "a lot of these people for four years. I've gone to Victory Lane [twice] with them. It's a fabulous group of people. There's concern, speculation and uncertainty from their standpoint [about their futures] and I'm trying to help with all that. We may not be in the middle of a playoff run but there's still a lot to race for." The latest speculation has Craven taking over Robby Gordon's ride in the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Gordon is considering starting his own Nextel Cup team if he and Childress decide to part ways. Childress has a three-car team with #29-Kevin Harvick, Gordon and recent addition #30-Jeff Burton, who left Roush Racing to hook up with Childress. Burton will debut for RCR this weekend at the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Scott Miller, Craven's crew chief last season, has recently been named team manager for Harvick's team. Craven will make his debut in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sept. 18, the Sylvania 200.(Bangor Daily News)(8-21-2004)
Two RCR sponsor's contract up at end of 2004; Cingular stays with RCR or is out of NASCAR: it's not a lock that the team [RCR - Richard Childress Racing] will have three primary sponsors next season; RCR's contract with the #30 car's sponsor, America Online, is up for renegotiation. Cingular sponsors the #31 car currently being driven by Robby Gordon. And if they want to stay in NASCAR as a sponsor, the 31 car is their only option. NASCAR's sponsorship contract with Nextel prohibits competing telecommunications companies from sponsoring cars. Previously existing sponsorships such as Cingular's were grandfathered in, but the sponsor may not leave to sponsor another car. Cingular has been extremely supportive of Gordon — but if AOL leaves, will Childress try to get Cingular to take Burton instead?(USA Today)(8-17-2004)
Burton to the #31 in 2005? Insiders say that Jeff Burton could be in [Robby] Gordon's Cingular-sponsored #31-car next season. Gordon might have to sell himself to a potential new sponsor if AOL doesn't remain with Childress. Or Gordon might have to sell himself to AOL, a sponsor that is still looking for some solid results after a year and a half with Childress. In a curious twist, Cingular officials, according to sources, are pegging their contract renegotiations on whether or not Gordon makes the top 20 - if he makes the top 20, they renew, and if he doesn't, they don't. That's odd, because if Cingular doesn't renew with Childress, then it's out of NASCAR entirely [because of Nextel and the grandfather clause for Cingular and Alltel].(WInston Salem Journal)(8-15-2004)
Robby to have his own Cup team again? UPDATE 2 to Yates? Robby Gordon's future plans continue to be the subject of debate, and the veteran driver continues dodging the media. The latest report is that he's considering building his own Nextel Cup team for next season.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-9-2004) OR TO YATES? hearing Robby Gordon could be heading to Robert Yates Racing, a third team? with Citi Financial as the sponsor?(8-10-2004) UPDATE: With one driver situation cleared up for next season with the hiring of Jeff Burton in the No. 30 Chevrolets, Richard Childress Racing owner Richard Childress said he hoped to have the rest of his lineup set in concrete and announced in October. The future of Robby Gordon, driver of RCR's #31 Chevrolets, has been the subject of a mass of rumors over the past several weeks. When asked Friday about the situation with the #31 team, Childress relied: "Robby and I have been talking. What we're going to do in October is announce everything with RCR, even our Busch cars. "It takes one domino to fall and that's going to put everything else in play at RCR. The dominos fell. We got that thing rolling."(ThatsRacin.com)(8-14-2004) UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon said he is prepared to run his own NASCAR Nextel Cup team in 2005 should the need arise. Richard Childress, Gordon's current car owner, didn't exactly give Gordon a vote of confidence when asked about the status of the #31 team. Gordon said his contract is up after this season and doesn't know what will happen for 2005. "I've enjoyed working for Richard. I've had a lot of fun doing it. As of right now, I plan on continuing doing that next year." Gordon said. Gordon doesn't want to wait too long, he said, before deciding on what to do -- especially if he needs to start a Cup team. Gordon currently owns a Busch Series team and wants to expand that to a two-car effort for 2005, one for a full-time driver and one for himself for 24 races. But if a Cup ride isn't available, Gordon said he would "definitely need to run two Busch cars." And maybe a Cup car, too.(NASCAR.com)(8-15-2004)
Robby to Gibbs? the Winston Salem Journal is reporting.....Robby Gordon's season with car owner Richard Childress hasn't been that great. It started fine, and he could have won Darlington. But since then things have gone downhill, generally because of bad luck and too many crashes. So there are questions being raised about Gordon's future with Childress. Yesterday Gordon finished seventh, his best run since Talladega in April. Ironically just as those questions are being heard about Gordon and Childress, officials at Joe Gibbs Racing are expressing interest in Gordon as a candidate for next year's third team [#11 Fed-Ex], as a teammate with Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte. Stewart is calling Gordon one of the most talented drivers in the Cup garage. Stewart's crew says that Stewart would like to have Gordon as a teammate and could work with him. Stewart and Gordon are NASCAR's top two Indy-car racers.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-2-2004)
Flag of appreciation: Members of the 193rd Special Operations National Guard unit, based out of Middletown, Pa., are presenting the #31 Cingular Wireless pit crew an American flag that flew during an Iraqi Freedom combat mission on April 23, 2003. The flag is being presented Sunday, August 1, at Pocono Raceway as a token of appreciation to the Richard Childress Racing crewmen for their spontaneous hospitality and support they devoted to the National Guard servicemen during their visit in June 2003 to the NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway(RCR PR)(7-29-2004)
Boyer tests the #31 at Kentucky: Richard Childress Racing [RCR] driver Clint Bowyer conducted a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series fact-finding mission in the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet during a test at Kentucky Speedway today. Bowyer, who is driving a part-time Busch Series schedule for Childress in the #21 Reese’s Chevrolet, used the day to gain valuable NNCS seat time and gather information that will benefit RCR Cup drivers Robby Gordon in the #31, Kevin Harvick in the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet and Dave Blaney in the #30 AOL Chevrolet during the second half of the season. “We’re just working on a whole lot of different things and gathering data,” Bowyer said. “We’re just putting all of those little bits and pieces together for the big package. The RCR cars aren’t running where they’re used to running and that’s why we’re here. There’s a lot of data you can gather from this racetrack that helps on a lot of different racetracks. Hopefully, they can use the data they’ve learned here to put forth a better effort in the Cup series.”(Kentucky Speedway PR)(7-15-2004)
So what happened to Robby at Sonoma? Loose wheels: #31-Robby Gordon said his tire problems last weekend at Infineon Raceway were because the team forgot to tighten the lug nuts on all four tires before the race. Gordon said that all four tires nearly came off, wearing the studs off the hubs. He said that ground the sway bar off the car, later popping the left front and right front tires. Gordon had three front tires go down during that race and finished 34th. He has won the previous two Cup road races.(Roanoke Times)(7-3-2004)
Good chance Cingular back with the #31 in 2005: #31 Car owner Richard Childress said sponsor Cingular Wireless has an option to remain sponsor of Robby Gordon's ride next year. "It's a performance option," Childress said. "Right now we're within that."(Roanoke Times)(6-20-2004)
Robby Apologizes: #31-Robby Gordon publicly apologized to #12-Ryan Newman for the crash that eliminated Newman from the Pocono 500 and led him to describe the crash by saying Gordon “ran out of talent.” “I’m sorry about what happened with Ryan,” said Gordon. “He is a very talented driver and I respect him greatly. I just got pushed down too low on the track onto the curb and it made me loose, causing me to swing up into him. I didn’t mean to do that. I was just trying to save my race car and, unfortunately, bumped him in the process.”(Gaston Gazette)(6-19-2004)
Changes at RCR: A change in management occurred last week when Richard Childress Racing [#'s 29,30,31,33] promoted Mike Dillon, a former Busch Series competitor and Richard Childress' son-in-law, to general manager. Bobby Hutchens was named vice president of competition. Childress says RCR has been operating as a three-team organization despite its growth to five full-time teams in Cup and Busch. Childress did not rule out additional changes with his teams if performance does not pick up. Dillon added, "We're trying to improve all aspects of competition, and the change will take some of the weight off Bobby's shoulders." The move will allow Hutchens to spend more time with the engineering and R&D departments.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(6-7-2004)
RCR Crewman wants Biffle: Crewmen at Richard Childress' shop are chomping at the bit with the possibility of acquiring Greg Biffle. "We need someone to step this operation up a notch," an RCR crewman said. "And Biffle could do that. Childress needs to get him - no matter what it costs."(Winston Salem Journal)(6-5-2004)
RCR Getting Bigger: Richard Childress Racing is growing again. The latest plans include a 40,000-square foot engine shop that is expected to be completed by November.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(5-31-2004)
Jayski pays as Robby runs more and more miles!: Once again Jayski will do the "Jayski Robby Gordon Double Charity Challenge", as I have done in the past when Robby Gordon [and Tony Stewart] do the Indianapolis 500 / Coca Cola 600 doubles, I will donate a $1.00 for every mile [not lap] Robby Gordon completes in each race [a total possible 1100], adding a bonus for a win: $500 for either [$1,500 if he wins both], $250 for second in either [$750 for both], and $100 for a 3rd in either race. Also, new twist this year, and extra $1.00 for each lap led.
(if Gordon fails to complete at least 500 laps, I will donate a minimum of $500)
So where does this money go?
AND: In honor of Jayski’s charity double every year, I [Todd Berger of Teamracin.com] have an idea for my own version of the double, and this is one everyone can do. In honor of Robby Gordon running both (the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600) Sunday, I will donate two cents per mile completed, ten dollars if he wins either race or twenty dollars for both races as well as a ten-dollar double winner’s bonus. The most I will donate based on this format is $52. The minimum donated will be $20. For more, see TeamRacin.com.(5-26-2004) the Total well....not what I [nor Robby I am sure] was looking for, but the totals were:
Indy: Robby Gordon / Jaques Lazier, 88 laps x 2.5 miles = $220
Coca-Cola 600: Robby Gordon, 397 laps x 1.5 miles = $595.50 Total to be donated to the VJGC Jayski Computer Lab will be $815.50.
RCR Getting Bigger: Richard Childress Racing is growing again. The latest plans include a 40,000-square foot engine shop that is expected to be completed by November.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(5-31-2004)
Robby Gordon UPDATEs: Indy Racing League race winner Jaques Lazier will spot for Robby Gordon in Sunday's 88th Indianapolis 500 and be available to drive Gordon's Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet should Gordon need to leave before the end of the 500 to fulfill his commitment to drive the Cingular Wireless Chevy for Richard Childress Racing in Sunday evening's Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR event at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte.(Team Gordon PR) AND Clint Boyer is standing by for Gordon at Lowe's Motor Speedway - even though Boyer has never been in a Cup car, NASCAR officials still approved him for competition in the 600.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-30-2004) UPDATE from LMS as of 12:50pm/et: 1:30pm/et is the estimated start time for the Indy 500. Gordon is starting the race, but must be on his way to North Carolina by 4:00pm/et to make the start of the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. If he is unable to finish the Indy 500 before 4:00pm/et, Jaques Lazier will driver Gordon's Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallar-Chevy to complete the 88th running running of the Indy 500.(LMS PR) UPDATE from Team Gordon: Robby Gordon left the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday on Tony George's helicopter at approximately 3:06pm/et to take a Citation X jet to Concord, N.C. for Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup event. Gordon passed eight cars on the first lap of Sunday's Indy 500, advancing from his 18th starting position to 10th in the Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet. Gordon lost one spot on lap two and fell to 16th place after his first pit stop and was in that spot when the red flag waved after 27 laps [of 250]. Gordon's pit stop was delayed when he was held in the pit stall after refueling and change of Firestone Firehawk tires in order to avoid a potential collision with another car coming down pit road.
Gordon plans to drive the #31-Cingular Wireless Chevy for Richard Childress Racing Sunday night at Charlotte and then return to Indianapolis in anticipation of the race resuming Monday. Jaques Lazier, Gordon's designated relief driver, started Sunday spotting for Gordon in turn one, and then was in the pits with his Meijer uniform (actually, one of Robby's extras) on at the time of the red flag. If Lazier gets in the car, he would be the first in-race relief driver since 1977, when Larry Cannon replaced John Mahler.
Robby Gordon quotes: On passing eight cars on the first lap: "That was pretty cool. Actually, I think it was more like 10 cars, but I had to give up a couple of spots because I had to check-up (get out of the throttle) to avoid a couple of other cars. That was our plan, to try to gain spots on the first lap, so I'm pretty pumped about that." On how his Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevy is running: "I think we're OK. We were a little tight and made a change (front-wing adjustment) on the pit stop. I know we were faster than several of the cars ahead of us."
On the rain delay: "I guess I'm the only person in Indianapolis who was hoping for rain, and is glad it did rain. No disrespect to the Indy 500 fans, but with the late (delayed) start today, that's what we needed. I love the Indy 500 and that's why I'm racing here in the Meijer car. We said all along that the first priority was racing the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress in the Coca-Cola 600 and so there was never any question this morning that I would have to leave and was ready to get out of the Meijer car, during the race, if that was what had to happen. That's definitely not what I wanted to do, but it was the situation we faced. Jaques (Lazier) was spotting for me in turn one and then he came down to the pits and had his uniform on and was ready when the race was stopped. I hope all the fans understand my situation and the plan is I'll be back here in Indianapolis Tuesday morning for the restart."(PR) AND: NASCAR.com has updates on Gordon at: Blog: Robby Gordon's double duty attempt, with updates during the day.(5-30-2004)
Some 'Double' facts: Drivers who ran the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day:
Year ........................... Driver ...........................600 Finish / 500 Finish
1994... ........................ John.Andretti...... ...... 36th ................. .10th
1997............................ Robby Gordon............ *41st................. 29th
1999............................ Tony.Stewart........ .... 4th .................. ...9th
2000............................ Robby Gordon............ **35th............... .. 5th
2001............................ Tony Stewart.............. 3rd................... .. 6th
2002 ........................... Robby Gordon............ 16th.................. 8th
2003 ........................... Robby Gordon............ 17th.................. 22nd
2004............................ Robby Gordon............ 20th.................. ***29th
*Indianapolis 500 was postponed one day because of rain.
**P.J. Jones started the 600 in Gordon's car, due to delay in Gordon's arrival after the Indy 500.
The 600's finish was delayed by rain until the next day, when Gordon took over on Lap 262.
*** relieved by Jaques Lazier after 27 laps when it rained and Gordon left for Concord.
The 'Double' May Be Impossible in the Future: Today could be the last time any driver competes in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day if the Indy 500's starting time is changed. ABC, Indy Racing League and speedway officials are considering moving the starting time of the Indy 500 back, beginning next year. Tradition dictates that the race start at noon, but that's 9:00am on the West Coast and makes it hard to attract a larger audience. Pushing the Indianapolis 500's starting time back an hour most likely would prevent any driver from running both races because they wouldn't be able to get to Lowe's Motor Speedway in time for the start of the 600. Since John Andretti first accomplished the feat in 1994, Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon have done it. Gordon is attempting it today for a third consecutive year. Stewart last ran both races in 2001.(Roanoke Times)(5-30-2004)
Special Paint for RCR at LMS in Oct: All three of RCR's fulltime NASCAR NEXTEL Cup cars will have special paint schemes in the UAW-GM 500 made famous by RCR over the years. The #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet will have a blue-and-white paint scheme reminiscent of the #3 Wrangler cars, the #30 America Online Chevrolet will carry a white-blue-and-red paint scheme reminiscent of the #3 Piedmont Airlines cars, and the #31 Cingular Wireless scheme will be reminiscent of the #3 Quicksilver car. RCR's two fulltime NASCAR Busch Series teams, the #2 ACDelco Chevrolet and the #21 Reese's Chevrolet, will maintain their primary paint schemes and will also carry the RCR 35th Anniversary logo on the hood. All RCR cars currently carry the 35th Anniversary logo. AND Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will celebrate its 35th Anniversary by giving one lucky fan (and a guest) a fantasy race weekend at the UAW-GM 500 weekend in October at Lowe's Motor Speedway and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with team owner Richard Childress. The "Ride with Richard" promotion begins today (May 27) and will run through Sept. 8, when the winner will be chosen. Race fans will enter by signing up in the Fan Central section of RCR's revamped RCRNetwork web site at www.rcrracing.com, www.rcrnetwork.com, or at AOL Keyword: RCR.(RCR PR)(5-28-2004)
Gordon's final practice at Indy: Robby Gordon completed 20 laps in Thursday's traditional "Carb Day" -- the last practice session before Sunday's 88th Indianapolis 500 -- in his Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet before leaving for NASCAR practice and qualifying at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. He'll drive the Richard Childress Racing Cingular Wireless Chevy in Sunday evening's Coca-Cola 600 after competing in his 10th Indy 500. Gordon's best lap Thursday was 214.630mph. "We're OK," said Gordon. "Just doing an (oil) leak check and scrubbing in some tires today." Gordon will be in Charlotte through late Saturday, then returns to Indianapolis that evening. This is the third consecutive year he is attempting the "Double"by racing both in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.(Team Gordon PR)(5-27-2004)
Engine Competition UPDATE: there was some sort of Engine Competition at NASCAR Institute between Richard Childress Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. XM Satellite NASCAR Radio reports that RCR had the fatest time of 19:52, but nothing is official yet barring penalties.(5-26-2004) UPDATE: Lanny Barnes and Todd Hamm of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) defeated Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow of Hendrick Motorsports Tuesday night in the final round of the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. The four-round competition, which began in January at Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte, N.C., and concluded with the final round at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C., requires each team build an engine from the block up and specifies that it run for one minute. The RCR team turned in a time of 19:52 minutes while the Hendrick team finished in 20.33 minutes. Each team was penalized one minute for a rules infraction (the RCR team cross-threaded an oil pan nut), canceling what would have been a record time for Barnes. RCR has won two of the last three final rounds of the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. Danny Lawrence, RCR's assistant engine shop manager, won the event in 2002 and was runner-up last year. Barnes defeated Lawrence in the semifinals this year. Lawrence owns the record time for the build, 20:26 minutes, which he established during the 2002 competition. This was Barnes' fourth appearance in the competition and first time in the final. Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR, attended as an analyst for The Speed Channel's coverage of the event, which is scheduled to air July 18 at 8:00pm/et.(RCR PR)(5-26-2004)
Robby and Tony almost team up for Indy: Robbie Gordon says he’d love to have Tony Stewart as a teammate for the 2005 Indianapolis 500. "It’s something that we should consider next year. I don’t know what his plans are but I will run a car next year and if he wants to drive one of them we’ll put him in one." Gordon says Stewart asked him over a week ago about a back-up car. "I got pretty excited because hey, yeah, we’ll run him in a back-up car...it’s a Chevrolet…heck (Gordon joked) we could race cars, race helicopters, race airplanes and race helicopters again and see who wins." As for Stewart’s appearance at the Brickyard over the weekend Gordon said "To do what he did and not drive the car was pretty disappointing because I was anxious to see him get out there and bust off a couple laps. It
just would have been neat to see how quick he got up to speed. He’s proven he can drive Indy cars...he could do it with his eyes
closed...it was just disappointed he didn’t drive it at all."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(5-25-2004)
Robby Gordon skipping Nazareth:BGNRacing.com has confirmed that Robby Gordon has tentatively decided not to run the Busch race this weekend at Nazareth. Plans could change, but the team currently plans on skipping the race and forgoing the chase for a Busch Series championship.(5-18-2004) UPDATE: Robby Gordon, who is in the midst of a grueling schedule of races that include several NASCAR Cup Series races as well as the famed Indianapolis 500, will not attempt to make NASCAR Busch Series starts at Nazareth Speedway or Lowe's Motor Speedway. Given the complexity of his schedule, as well as his continuing commitment to his NASCAR Cup Series, Indy 500 and NASCAR Busch Series sponsors, Gordon has chosen to channel all of his energy toward his original objectives. Those include being within the top 10 in NASCAR Cup Series points by Sept. 11 thus making a run at the Series championship, winning the Indianapolis 500 and running a limited schedule in the NASCAR Busch Series. The reduced May schedule will allow Gordon to practice several additional days at Indianapolis, as well as attend several Meijer store appearances in the Indianapolis market. Gordon will practice at Indianapolis Wednesday and Thursday as well as Saturday prior to the start of the NASCAR All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The reduced schedule does not alter his NASCAR Cup Series schedule in any way, as he was not intending to miss any practice or qualifying sessions at either Charlotte race. "We didn't qualify where we wanted to at Indy, but I have complete faith in my guys that by race time we'll have one of the cars to beat. They're doing everything we ask of them, and now as the driver, I need to run as many laps as possible in order to have a great car for the race. We've got a good shot a making history by winning both races, and that's the goal. We had the schedule worked out to do it all, but by taking two races off the schedule I think we'll be better prepared for Indy and Charlotte." After 11 starts, Gordon is fifth in points with four top-five finishes and six top-10 finishes.(Team Gordon)(5-18-2004)
No Busch RCR engines for Gordon at Nazareth: Robby Gordon will run triple duty, racing in the Indy Racing League, Nextel Cup and the Busch Series. Gordon had initially planned to run a partial Busch schedule, and his Cup owner, Richard Childress Racing, had agreed to supply the engines. But when Gordon decided to stretch his Busch schedule beyond 25 races, Childress told Gordon he needed to find another power source. Enter his former IRL owner/sponsor John Menard, who will build Gordon's engines for this weekend's race at Nazareth Speedway.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(5-17-2004)
Gordon qualifies for the Indy 500: Robby Gordon accepted a four-lap, 10-mile qualifying speed average of 216.522mph in Saturday rain-delayed qualifying for the 88th Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Driving his self-owned #70 Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet, Gordon turned laps of 217.101 mph, 216.969 mph, 216.600 mph and 215.426 mph. "I'm very disappointed," said Gordon, who left immediately after his qualifying run for an approximately 60 minutes flight on a Citation 10 private jet for Saturday night's NASCAR Cup Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond, Va., where he qualified sixth Friday afternoon in the Cingular Wireless Chevy. "I thought we'd run better than that. We didn't. The car got really tight. I just couldn't hold it (throttle) open in turn one. This will probably be our worst Indianapolis 500 starting spot and that's disappointing. The track (conditions) obviously isn't as fast as we thought. If we didn't have to leave (for Richmond), we would have waved it (qualifying attempt) off, for sure. We couldn't do that because of the circumstances. I don't think we lost anything to our competitors by me not being here the last two days (in Richmond), because of the rain here (Indy), the other teams didn't get that much track time. I'm already thinking about what we need to do for race setup. I think we'll have a good car for the race and that's what's important."(Team Gordon PR), as of 7:00pm/et on May 15th, Gordon is 18th on the Indy 500 grid.(5-15-2004)
Last day of Indy practice for Robby: Wednesday was Robby Gordon's last day of practice before Indianapolis 500 pole qualifying this Saturday, since he will be in Richmond, Va., all-day Thursday and Friday for NASCAR Busch Series and Cup practice and qualifying. Driving his backup Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet, Gordon went 219.034 mph in the concluding 15 minutes of practice, 13th best on the day. Tony Kanaan was fastest at 222.668 mph."We're back in the game," said Gordon. "I'd say we're back to where we were before the crash (Monday). It feels a lot better to go away (to Richmond) knowing we have a good car." Gordon said his speed was done on a "clean" lap and without a "tow" (draft) from another car. Gordon, currently fifth in Busch Series points in his #55 Fruit of the Loom Chevrolet, races in that event Friday night at Richmond. He then will return to Indianapolis to qualify the Meijer car Saturday, then takes a Citation-10 private jet back to Richmond for Saturday night's Chevy American Revolution 400, to drive the Cingular Wireless Chevy for Richard Childress Racing.(Team Gordon PR)(5-13-2004)
Robby Gordon OK after Indy 500 practice crash: Robby Gordon was uninjured in a single-car accident with approximately 10 minutes remaining in Monday's Indianapolis 500 practice session. Gordon lost control of the #70 Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet in turn one and hit the wall. Gordon was checked and immediately released from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield medical center. The car received left-side suspension, underwing, rear wing and bodywork damage and Gordon plans to drive his team's backup Meijer Chevy in Tuesday practice. "I went down into turn one and the car compressed in the corner and the rear got a little bit sideways," Gordon recalled. "I tried to save it and it hooked back the other way and spun around. It is what it is. When you can walk away from one here, it doesn't
matter how fast you were going. We were going to run four straight hot laps on new tires and our warmup lap was over 218 mph. I think we were going to be pretty good. We'll be fine." Gordon finished the session, delayed by rain, 10th fastest at 218.446mph. Helio Castroneves was quick on the day at 220.300mph.(PR)(5-11-2004)
Gordon practices at Indy: Robby Gordon used Sunday's opening day of practice for the May 30 Indianapolis 500 for minimal set-up laps on both his primary and backup Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolets. In just six laps, late in the afternoon, Gordon went 215.317mph in his primary car. Earlier, he did a 209.733 mph speed in 11 laps in the backup Meijer entry. Scott Dixon was fastest for the day at 219.760 mph in more than 20 laps. "Today's goal was to run both cars and not have any problems," said Gordon. "It was a good function-check day and that was Thomas' (Knapp, team manager/engineer) plan all along. We tried one new setup on the backup car and then went back to what we learned in the test here a week ago."(PR)(5-10-2004)
Robby looking for sponsor to run full Busch season: At the start of the 2004 NASCAR season, Robby Gordon and Fruit of the Loom were content to compete together in 24 NASCAR Busch Series races. As a result of a better-than-expected start, the objectives have changed. In its first effort on the track, the Gordon-owned #55 entry qualified fifth and finished third at the season-opening Hershey's
Kisses 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Since then, the team has performed consistently, recording three top-fives and five top-10
finishes in only nine races. Through the Stater Bros. 300 at California Speedway, Gordon sits just 90 points out of the NASCAR Busch Series championship lead. Being close enough to reach out and touch a championship has changed the full-time NASCAR Cup driver's outlook. "We didn't even consider making a run at the full 34-race schedule when the season began," Gordon admitted. "My focus was, and
continues to be, on winning a NASCAR Cup Series championship with my Cingular Wireless team, and on winning as many Busch Series races as possible for Fruit of the Loom. To be honest with you, we didn't necessarily expect to be this close to the points lead after nine
races with a brand new team. Now that we are, and given that we're getting better as a team every time out, we've added winning a Busch
Series championship to the objectives for the year." In order to make those goals a reality, however, Gordon, and his Robby Gordon Motorsports team, is seeking primary sponsorship for the nine races Fruit of the Loom did not plan for at the start of the season. The first open date on the team's NASCAR Busch Series schedule is the Goulds Pumps ITT Industries 200 at Nazareth Speedway on May 23, followed the next week by the Carquest Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 29. Both races fall within the time frame Gordon will undoubtedly garner tremendous media attention as he tackles the high-profile Double Duty effort for the third-consecutive year, which will see him compete in both the IRL's Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day (May 30). A sponsor participating in all nine available NASCAR Busch Series races will also receive a position on the Gordon-owned Indianapolis 500 car. "This season is coming together nicely for us," Gordon said. "We're climbing back into the championship hunt in the Cingular Wireless Cup car, we're right there for the championship in the Busch car, we've got a legitimate shot at winning both the pole and the race in the Meijer Stores Chevrolet Dallara in the Indy 500 and we're going to finish the season by trying to win the Baja 1000 again in the Red Bull Chevy Trophy Truck. If a few things go our way, we can have a great year for ourselves as well as our corporate partners that help make our goals possible."(Robby Gordon Motorsports PR)(5-9-2004)
Pit Crew for Robby Gordon Pockets Third Win of Season: For the second straight week and third time of the season, the pit crew for Robby Gordon claimed top honors in the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. Gordon's crew became the season's first three-time winner of the competition by scoring the best pit road time at last week's Auto Club 500 at California Speedway in Fontana. The other wins for the No. 31 crew were the week before in Talladega and March 14 in Atlanta. The three victories have earned Gordon's crew $60,000. The McDonald's/POWERade weekly competition pays $20,000 for an event victory and a bonus of $200,000 to the season pit crew champion. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s pit crew continues to lead in the standings with 382 points. Kurt Busch's crew is second with 360. Gordon's crew is 10th with 321. Gordon's Cingular Wireless Chevrolet spent 213.700 seconds on pit road in the California race, edging Joe Nemechek's U.S. Army Chevrolet by less than a second (214.423). Ken Schrader's No. 49 Schwan's Home Service Dodge was third with a time of 215.555. "I knew the Cingular Wireless pit crew had to be in strong contention after having another phenomenal performance in California," said Chris Andrews, crew chief of the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing team. "We made two pit stops within the first 60 laps of the race. After that second stop, we had gained 15 positions from where we had started and I know at least eight of the 15 were obtained on pit road." Gordon was equally complimentary of the No. 31 crew. "There are so many factors that affect how a team is going to finish a race and pit performance is one factor that definitely plays a huge role," said Gordon. "Our finishes are finally starting to show what Team Cingular is capable of and I do attribute a lot of that to my guys on pit road." Gordon's over-the-wall crew consists of: Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Kevin Nervegna (front-tire carrier), Timmy Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Matt Kreuter (rear-tire carrier), Ron Liddell (gas man), Mike Moore (jackman) and Coy Hedrick (catch can).(DMD Communications PR), for the top 10 at California and the season standings, see my Pit Crew News page.(5-7-2004)
Robby Gordon gets a sponsor for Indy 500 and Busch: Char-Broil, the world's leader in gas, charcoal and electric grills, has joined race driver Robby Gordon as a sponsor of his Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR Busch Series teams. Char-Broil's portable grill brand Thermos Grill2Go has prominent identification on the #70 Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet that Gordon will race in the May 30th Indy 500. In addition, Thermos Grill2Go has placement on the #55 Fruit of the Loom Chevy that Gordon drives in the NASCAR Busch Series. Char-Broil's Grilling Team Tour will be trackside at the Indianapolis 500 over Memorial Day weekend, the NASCAR GFS Marketplace
400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 22nd and the NASCAR UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 16th in Charlotte. The tour consists of a 40-foot mobile marketing trailer that will travel to races, events and retail locations along the east
coast and throughout the midwest for 27 weeks this summer. Fans that visit the trailer on race day may have a chance to meet Gordon, and can enter to win a Thermos Grill2Go Fire & Ice; the portable grill and cooler combination perfect for tailgating. At the trailer fans will participate in interactive games like the washer toss, sample different cuts of pork from tour sponsor Smithfield, and learn about the latest grills, smokers, fireplaces and accessories from Char-Broil.(PR)(5-7-2004)
Busy Weekend Coming up for Robby: After driving in Friday [May 14th] night's Busch race at Richmond, Va., Robby Gordon will fly to Indianapolis to qualify on Saturday [and go for the pole], then return to Richmond to drive that night in the American Revolution 500 Nextel Cup race.(Los Angeles Times)(5-2-2004)
Gordon 3rd fastest in Indy 500 testing Wed UPDATE: Robby Gordon was third quickest in Wednesday's open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500, solidifying himself as a favorite to win the race May 30. Gordon, who is winless in nine previous 500s, trailed only Indy Racing League standouts Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves of Team Penske on the speed chart. Gordon's lap of 218.921 mph in a Dallara/Chevrolet was just a tick slower than Hornish's pace-setting 219.271. But Gordon said he "light lifted" entering the third turn, which he believed was more than enough to create the difference.(Indianapolis Star)(4-29-2004) UPDATE: Robby Gordon Thursday completed his two days of testing in preparation for the May 30 Indianapolis 500 with a best lap of 216.778 mph (41.517 seconds) in the #70 Meijer/Coca-Cola Dallara-Chevrolet he owns. Gordon concentrated on a race set-up after
immediately finding speed Wednesday with the third fastest lap of the day. On Thursday, he was 10th best in windy conditions, and completed 56 laps of the 2.5-mile oval. "We didn't even make an attempt for outright speed on one lap," said Thomas Knapp, team manager/engineer. "Just boring, race-day stuff. Robby said he's very pleased with what we've done over these two days." Sam Hornish was fastest with a 220.113 mph (40.888 seconds) lap. The Speedway is now closed until the official start of practice on Sunday, May 9. Pole qualifying is Saturday, May 15 [when Cup is in Richmond], and the race is Sunday, May 30. For the third consecutive year, Gordon will be attempting the "Double," by racing in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on the same day.(PR)(4-29-2004)
#31 Pit Crew Notches 2nd Win of Season; #8 Crew Takes Over Points Lead: The pit crew for Robby Gordon's Chevrolet won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The $20,000 victory was the second time Gordon's Cingular Wireless pit crew took top honors this season. The other was at the March 4th race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The pit crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second in Talladega and moved into first place in the McDonald's/POWERade season standings with 344 points, 10 more than the second place crew for Kurt Busch's team. Elliott Sadler's team is third with 329 points. The season champion will receive $200,000.
Gordon's #31 Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on Talladega's pit road -- 255.107 seconds. Earnhardt's Budweiser Chevy was close behind with a time of 264.364.
"I remember saying after their first McDonald's/POWERade win this year the Team Cingular pit crew would be back on top more than once this year," said Chris Andrews, Team Cingular crew chief. "Thank goodness they didn't make a liar out of me. I suspected they were going to win or be real close to first by the end of the day Sunday because they really hit their marks all day long.
"I know there were three times Robby came down pit road outside of first place, but was in the lead by the time the guys sent him back out on the track. I didn't make it easy on those guys either, because there was more than one time Sunday I didn't make the final pit call for four or two tires until Robby was driving down pit road and those guys responded every time, not fumbling once."
Gordon's over-the-wall crew consists of: Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Kevin Nervegna (front-tire carrier), Timmy Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Matt Kreuter (rear-tire carrier), Ron Liddell (gasman), Mike Moore (jackman) and Coy Hedrick (catch can).(DMF Communications PR). For the season standings, top 10 at Talladega, see my Pit Crew News page.(4-28-2004)
Cingular helps War Vet to see race: When the green flag drops in Talladega on Sunday, James Mayne will be one of the most excited fans at the race regardless of which driver crosses the finish line first. That's because the lifelong motor sports fan from Fyffe, Alabama, will be attending his first ever stock car race VIP-style as the grand prize winner in the 'Ultimate Cingular Sports Experience' sweepstakes. Mayne, a Vietnam War veteran, submitted his winning sweepstakes entry at the Scottsboro, Alabama, Cingular store and received the news that he was randomly selected as the contest winner on Thursday. Thanks to Cingular, he will also get the chance to have a VIP experience at his second stock car race ever, as the 'Ultimate Cingular Sports Experience' also includes airfare to see the big race in Indianapolis on August 8th. Mayne's perks include:
* VIP experience to the stock car race in Talladega on April 25th and the race in Indianapolis on August 8th
* Roundtrip airfare for two to Indianapolis
* Three days, two nights hotel accommodations in Indianapolis
* A Meet and Greet with Team Cingular's NASCAR driver Robby Gordon
The 'Ultimate Cingular Sports Experience' sweepstakes was executed throughout Alabama from April 1-19th. Entry methods included text to win "RG31" for Cingular customers and register to win at participating Cingular stores in Alabama. The sweepstakes was supported with in-store POP and radio spots/on-air mentions.(Career Sports & Entertainment PR)(4-25-2004)
Gordon finishes testing at Michigan: Robby Gordon tested both his #31 Chevrolet from Richard Childress Racing and his Indy Racing League IndyCar Series entry Wednesday. Gordan made more than 30 runs Wednesday in his #31 Nextel Cup Chevrolet and shook down both of his Chevrolet-Dallaras in preparation for the 88th Indianapolis 500. "It's the best NASCAR test that I've ever been a part of," said Gordon after two days at the track. "In a test like this, it can help us with our mile-and-a-half and two-mile tracks." The track didn't report speeds, though Gordon said he ran at about 213 mph in his Indy entry. Evernham Motorsports' Jeremy Mayfield also tested his #19 Nextel Cup Dodge this week at the track.(MIS PR)(4-23-2004)
Burton comments on the RCR rumor: "You know, I actually had a conversation with someone about this the other day because I'm curious how it starts. I really don't read a lot of rumor things on the Internet because when it involves me most of the time they have it wrong. But then there's an element of it that is right, too. They can say 40 things and there might be three of those that have an element of possibly being correct, but then on other stories they nail it so you have to pay attention to it. If one member of the media reports something, it forces everyone else to report it. The problem I have with what went on last week is that Richard Childress and I have had zero conversations about me replacing Robby Gordon or me replacing Johnny Sauter. We've had zero conversations about that and that's just the truth. One reporter reported that we were having these conversations and then it went very specific on how these things were gonna happen. It was reported kind of as rumor, but the next phase of it went into factual stuff that was fiction, but it was reported as fact. On Tuesday of last week, I had two strangers come up and congratulate me on my new ride. My attorney called me on Tuesday morning and asked me point blank, 'What in the world is going on?' I said, 'What are you talking about?' He said, 'I'm in my car and they just said on the radio that sources confirmed that Jeff Burton would replace Johnny Sauter in the AOL Chevrolet at the all-star race in May.' It was reported as fact. That's when I start having a problem and that's when I started to get upset because every member of this team deserves 100 percent effort from me and I deserve 100 percent effort from them. Every member on this team and my car owner and everybody that has anything at all to do with this team deserves to know exactly what's going on. When these things get going that aren't true, it puts a little bit of doubt and that's not right. A lot of people have made the comment and the claim that Roush Racing has done a poor job of getting a sponsor for the 99 car. I've had a lot of people walk up to me and say, 'They're not taking care of you,' and things like that. But the fact of the matter is that it hasn't quit running. They're running the team out of their pockets. No one has gotten a decrease in pay, so I think Roush Racing deserves some credit for doing the right thing for everybody on this team. Instead, they get negative and they also get people out there talking like the driver is gonna leave and that's not right. If there was truth to some of it, then I wouldn't be up in arms about it. I would be trying to avoid it, but when people start reporting stuff that's factual when it's not, I have a real problem with that."(Ford Racing)(4-21-2004)
Gordon and Sauter deemed 'safe' despite rumors: Two drivers rumored to be on the hot seat apparently can rest easy. Richard Childress said before yesterday's race that he hadn't lost confidence in #31-Robby Gordon or rookie #30-Johnny Sauter. "It's too early to make any decisions on drivers changes right now, and I don't have any plans to," Childress said. "With Johnny, the biggest thing is give him the seat time in these cars. I think Robby's going to do real well. He got behind in a couple of wrecks. If we had top 10s instead, we'd be in decent shape." Reports last week indicated Sauter was on the verge of being fired. The gossip spread while Childress was out of range, hunting polar bears during an off-week trip to the Arctic Ocean. He met with his drivers Monday. "It's all good," he said.(Richmond Times Dispatch) AND Car owner Richard Childress is known for making major changes to his race teams when he returns from hunting trips. But after bagging an 1,800-pound polar bear in Alaska during the Nextel Cup circuit's Easter break, Childress didn't return to the shop as loaded for bear as he was after a hunting trip in 2002. That year he swapped the crews of the cars driven by Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon. Childress said he did a lot of thinking about his teams while out in the wild. "We're going to be doing some internal stuff for sure," he said. "There will be some changes." But he said drivers Johnny Sauter and Robby Gordon are safe in their current positions. "If there would have been a driver change, I would have made it when I came back last week," Childress said. "It's too early to make any decision on driver changes."(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(4-19-2004)
Jeff Burton to RCR #31?Rumors swirled last week about Johnny Sauter being released from the #30 AOL Chevy team, which is 24th in the standings, and getting replaced by Johnny Benson or Dave Blaney. Another garage rumor: Jeff Burton's #99 Ford, which is 30th in the standings, will shut down if sponsorship is not found by the end of May, and Burton will move to the #31 Cingular Chevy driven by Robby Gordon. However, anyone who knows Richard Childress, the owner of the #31, realizes Childress left after the Texas race for Canada's Northwest Territories to go hunting.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(4-12-2004) UPDATE - denied: Recent rumors of Robby Gordon's possible release from Richard Childress Racing were repudiated Wednesday by the driver and a team official. Recent media reports have had two RCR drivers, Gordon and Johnny Sauter, out of their respective rides. The latest rumor had Gordon being replaced by Roush Racing driver Jeff Burton. Gordon said that while that's not a pleasant statistic for anyone at RCR, his release has no part in the organization's near future. "I think that all that is, is a rumor," Gordon said. "I've got a good relationship with Richard. We've had conversations, and it's all about how we're going to perform at Martinsville and what we're doing to try to make the 31 and the 30 cars more competitive, as a team." RCR director of competition Bobby Hutchens, who Gordon said has been spending extra time working with his group and new crew chief Chris Andrews so far this season, concurred Wednesday afternoon. "Robby Gordon is our driver of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet," Hutchens said. "Whatever rumors have been flying around out there are just rumors. To my knowledge, there have been no conversations that would prove any different." Due to his schedule, Childress was unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon, a team spokesperson said. But Gordon insisted that the circulating stories were unfounded.(NASCAR.com)(4-15-2004) UPDATE 2: Jeff Burton was Dave Despain's guest on Thursday's Wind Tunnel [Speed Channel - M-Th 10:00pm/et] and denied reports he was leaving Roush Racing for the #31 RCR ride or any ride. Burton said he is not sure why his name keeps coming up with RCR rumors the past few years as he has not discussed a ride with team owner Richard Childress. Burton also said that his #99 Roush Racin team is close to a major sponsor signing that would run thru the rest of the 2004 season and future season.(4-16-2004)
Double-Duty lets Fans join Robbie Gordon at Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600: Fans can attend both the Indianapolis 500 and
NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on May 30 to watch Robby Gordon race in the two events by taking advantage of Gordon's third "Double Duty Tour." The specially designed one-day travel package provides round-trip air transportation, originating in Charlotte, as well as grandstand/suite tickets at both tracks and luxury motorcoach transport with police escort. Guests will also receive additional benefits, including a gift bag, which will contain a scanner programmed to Gordon's radio frequencies and a commemorative "Double Duty" T-shirt. Gordon will be driving the Meijer/Coca-Coca Dallara-Chevrolet in the Indy 500 and the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing at Charlotte. Guests also will be invited to a May 29 BBQ at Robby Gordon Motorsports, in Huntersville, NC., where they can meet Gordon and tour the race shop. For more information and to make reservations, fans can call 704-949-1255 or visit Gordon's web site, www.RobbyGordon.com.(4-12-2004)
RCR Adds Design Technology: Blue Ridge Numerics announced that Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in Welcome, NC, has selected CFdesign for virtual prototyping fluid flow and heat transfer performance of automotive components and systems built in Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire. On their first project, the RCR engineering team used CFdesign to identify a significantly improved design of the fuel delivery system used to refuel cars during pit stops. Recognized as a one of the heavyweights of NASCAR, RCR has a reputation for finding engineering innovations that help current drivers Kevin Harvick, Johnny Sauter, Robby Gordon, Ron Hornaday, and Clint Bowyer cross the finish line first in Nextel Cup and Busch Series races across the country. RCR saw the benefit of CFdesign with the very first project. Always looking for an edge in a competition where a fraction of a second determines winners and losers, CFdesign helped improve the fuel delivery system used by pit crews to refuel the car. Holden says the improvement achieved with CFdesign is a gain that will show up on the racetrack.(tenlinks.com via Insider Racing News)(3-20-2004)
Robby Gordon's Pit Crew Pockets Win In Atlanta; Stewart's crew takes over first in point standings: The #31 pit crew for Robby Gordon squeaked by Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew to capture the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday's (March 14) 500-mile NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. While Gordon's crew grabbed the $20,000 weekly prize, the pit crew for Tony Stewart moved into first place with 154 points. Kurt Busch's crew stands second, one point behind at 153. Earnhardt's crew, the reigning McDonald's/POWERade champion, is third with 148 points. Last week's point leader - Elliott Sadler's crew - dropped to fourth with 143 points. Though Earnhardt's No. 8 Chevrolet found its way to winner's circle in Atlanta, it was Gordon's Cingular Wireless Chevy that spent the least amount of time on pit road. Gordon's pit road time of 281.691 seconds was just over a second quicker than Earnhardt's time of 282.864. Jeff Burton's Ford was third at 284.833. "The guys work hard at the shop and at the track," said Chris Andrews, crew chief of the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet. "Between working on cars, spending time in the gym and at pit stop practice, they've managed to bang out 13 to 14-second, and sometimes even 12-second stops every weekend. "We made seven stops Sunday and gained track position every time we came down pit lane. Our over-the-wall crew is a competitive group of guys. I don't think this will be the last time I will be asked to comment about their performance this year for the McDonald's/POWERade championship." Gordon's over-the-wall crew consists of: Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Kevin Nervegna (front-tire carrier), Timmy Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Matt Kreuter (rear-tire carrier), Ron Liddell (gasman), Mike Moore (jackman) and Coy Hedrick (catch can).(DMF Communications PR), see my Pit Crew News Page for top 10 at Atlanta and the season standings.(3-18-2004)
Seven Cup Drivers to run Special Chevy Trucks: The Chevrolet Silverado All-Stars, pairing NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers with superstar musical celebrities in the Truck Series. Michael Waltrip will be the first of seven different drivers to pilot the #47 Chevy All-Stars Silverado in individual races during the 2004 NCTS season. His musical partner, Sheryl Crow, will be featured in the special paint scheme for the first All-Stars race - the Charlotte Tailgate 200 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 21. Following the program debut at Lowe's Motor Speedway with Michael Waltrip, the following Chevy drivers with their specific musical partners will pilot the #47 Chevy All-Stars Silverado: Robby Gordon, Bristol (August 25); Tony Stewart, Richmond (September 9); Ricky Craven, New Hampshire (September 18); Bobby Labonte, Martinsville (October 23); Driver To Be Announced, Phoenix (November 5); and Ward Burton, Darlington (November 12). Serving as primary sponsor of the #47 Chevy All-Stars Silverado is Acxiom, a worldwide data services company. This Silverado entry will be campaigned by Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, with whom Acxiom has been partnered since 1998 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.(GM PR)(3-13-2004)
Gordon may increase IRL involvement: NASCAR driver Robby Gordon said he tried to buy Team Menard but lost out to Panther Racing. Gordon would have operated the IRL team through his shop in Huntersville, N.C., where his startup Indy 500 ride is being prepared. Gordon will consider continuing his new operation past the 500 if he lands more sponsorship.(Indy Star)(3-12-2004)
Gordon to host Fan Fest: Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has announced the signing of NASCAR driver Robby Gordon to host a series of Fan Fest events at its casinos and to help raise awareness for its "March For Meals" program with the Meals On Wheels Association of America. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(3-10-2004)
Robby Gordon's Indy Plans UPDATE: Look for an announcement next week from Robby Gordon about his fourth attempt at driving 1,100 miles in one day - 500 at Indianapolis and 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina on May 30. Gordon stopped short of confirming Friday that he'll go for the double, but promised to end his silence on Monday after his Indy team gives him the go-ahead.(ThatsRacin.com/AP), Speed Channel says Nextel Cup driver Robby Gordon is scheduled to detail plans to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 30 when he appears on "Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain" on Monday. The show is scheduled to air at 10:00pm/et.(3-6-2004) UPDATE: As revealed in his live appearance on “Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on SPEED Channel Monday night, Robby Gordon will make another attempt at the Memorial Day weekend double this year, tackling both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Nextel Cup race on the same day. Gordon will return to the owner-driver role for the 88th Indianapolis 500, as he will attempt to qualify a Chevrolet-powered Dallara chassis entered by Robby Gordon Racing for his 10th Indy start, with major sponsorship from Midwest-based retail chain Meijer, a longtime backer of Indy entries. Gordon, who has hired veteran Indy car engineer Thomas Knapp to oversee his Indy effort, is the only driver currently planning to compete in both the Indy 500 on May 30 and in that evening's Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR event in Charlotte, in the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing. It will be the fourth consecutive year that Gordon will attempt what has come to be known as the "Double." Although he drove last year for Andretti Green Racing at Indy, his best shot an Indy 500 victory came as an owner-driver in 1999, when he wwent into the last lap with the lead, only to run out of fuel short of the flag, which handed the win to Kenny Brack. Gordon told Dave Despain on “Wind Tunnel” that he had received his new Dallara from the factory today, and expects his first 3.5-liter Chevy engine shortly. The Gordon squal expects to have its new 3.0-liter engine (mandated for the Indy 500) in time for his first scheduled test run at the end of April.(Speed Channel)(3-9-2004)
Gordon back in the Dirt: While the rest of the NASCAR nation was enjoying its first weekend off of the season, Robby Gordon and his RCR powered Chevrolet trophy truck headed to the Baja peninsula for the San Felipe 250. Gordon was unable to finish the competition due to mechanical problems, but Gordon is confident the truck will be ready to run up front in the Baja 1000 this upcoming November. Gordon competed earlier this year in the Laughlin Desert Challenge, which was the first 2004 SCORE International Off-Road race in Laughlin, Nev. This past weekend of off-road racing was not enough for Gordon, because he is planning to play in the dessert again to spend a "Day in the Dirt" 11a.m. to 3p.m. Thursday, March 4, near Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the Las Vegas Dunes Recreation Land.(RCR Preview)(3-3-2004)
Gordon off to the road: After racing in Rockingham this weekend, #31-Robby Gordon is heading to San Felipe, Calif., to compete in the Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, which is the second competition of the 2004 SCORE International Off-Road racing series. Gordon competed earlier this year in the Laughlin Desert Challenge, which was the first 2004 SCORE International Off-Road race in Laughlin, Nev.(RCR PR)(2-23-2004)
Nice story about Robby Gordon: Last August, 9-year-old Killian Owen lost his three-and-a-half-year struggle with leukemia. But in the gym of his east Cobb elementary school, a climbing wall on a giant mural of a phoenix - a legendary bird that rises from the ashes to live on - flying triumphantly over a mountain will keep the youngster's memory alive for generations of students to come. Dubbed "Killian's Climb," the wall and the mural were dedicated Tuesday in a ceremony that included heartfelt remarks by Killian's mother, Grainne Owen, who expressed her gratitude for the support her family received throughout her son's illness. Killian Owen was a month shy of his 6th birthday when he was diagnosed in December 1999 with the cancer that eventually took his life. In October 2002, a relapse put Killian back in the hospital and introduced him to a new hero, NASCAR driver Robby Gordon, who drives the #31 Cingular Wireless car. Owen, who lives with his family in the east Cobb subdivision of Johnson's Landing and works for the Atlanta-based Cingular, asked Gordon one day if he would mind dropping by the hospital to say hello to his son. "He came over that day and we couldn't get him to go away. He visited every room on the cancer ward," Owen recalled. Gordon, who was a special guest at Tuesday's dedication ceremony, came back many times to see Killian. "We'd play games, like Dragonstrike, anything to cheer him up and make him smile," Gordon said. "Every time I was in town, I'd go see him for three or four hours." When the child was out of the hospital, Gordon made sure Killian and his family attended races in which Gordon was competing or that they were with him when he made special appearances in the community. "Killian didn't know much about racing before he met Robbie, but he became a huge fan," Mrs. Owen said. For Gordon, Killian's illness and eventual death was a reality check. "I had a friend whose daughter had cancer, but she survived," he said. "I live in such a fantasy world that (losing Killian) really makes my life more real." Gordon is very special to the Owen family, "not because of how famous he is or how exciting his job is, but because he's a kind, generous person who made a great difference in our lives, and Killian loved him," Mrs. Owen said.(see full story and photo at the Marietta Daily Journal)(2-18-2004)
Gordon close on Indy 500 plans: #31-Robby Gordon is close to finalizing a deal for the 2004 Indianapolis 500. He hoped to have it ready to announce Thursday during media day at Daytona International Speedway but needed a few more days to get the contracts signed. He plans to do it largely on his own with support from one of Chevrolet's Indy Racing League teams.(Indy Star)(2-6-2004)
Robby Gordon signs to drive in 24 At Daytona: It's official, the Spirit of Daytona team grew by one more really hot shoe Saturday as Nextel Cup driver Robby Gordon was added to the team's roster for Saturday's Rolex 24 At Daytona. Gordon joins Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kyle Petty and Jimmie Johnson in the temporary leap from NASCAR to open-wheel racing for the Jan. 31-Feb. 1 endurance event at Daytona International Speedway. With five top-10 and four top-five overall finishes in the five Rolex 24 events in which he has participated, Gordon has demonstrated an ability to drive in a race that calls as much upon a driver's finesse as it does shear speed. Gordon will team with the Spirit's regular driving duo of Goad and IRL veteran Gregoire (greg-WAH) in a Crawford DP03 Daytona Prototype.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-25-2004)
Gordon [Robby] plans to run the Indy 500: Robby Gordon said he has a program in place that will allow him to compete in the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, and he will announce details of that plan during the week of the Feb. 15 Daytona 500. It will be the third straight year he competes in the Indy race before flying to Concord, N.C., to compete in the 600-mile Cup race that night.(Las Vegas Journal Review)(1-17-2004)
Gordon on the road again: Robby Gordon will take time out from his preparations for next month's Daytona 500 and drive in the Trophy Truck division at the 10th annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge. Gordon will drive the No. 31 Chevy CK1500 Trophy Truck that was built at his Anaheim, Calif., race shop. Gordon, a two-time winner of the SCORE Baja 1000, drove in the Trophy Truck division in Baja last November but experienced shock problems with a little more than 100 miles remaining in the 808-mile race and was forced to park his truck.(Las Vegas Sun)(1-16-2004)
2003 News
New #31 Team Members: Scott Miller has returned to Richard Childress Racing as team manager for the #31 car after working with #32-Ricky Craven for a year at PPI Motorsports as the crew chief. Miller will join crew chief Chris Andrews and driver Robby Gordon along with newly named car chief Todd Osborne, who came from Ganassi Racing's #40 car. Andrews inherited the pit crew from RCR's #30 team, which he describes as "awesome."(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(12-31-2003)
Childress and the new points system? Richard Childress, who won six Winston Cup championships with Dale Earnhardt under the points system in place since 1975, said he was hesitant about a proposed playoff format for NASCAR's top series, but has since gained a better understanding of it. NASCAR plans to announce by the middle of next month whether it will adapt a 26-race "regular season" and 10-race playoff format. Only the top-10 drivers in points after 26 races would be eligible to race for the championship over the final 10 races. "From a purely selfish standpoint I would prefer the system stay the same," said Childress, who won Cup titles in 1986, '87, '90, '91, '93 and '94 with Earnhardt, the late seven-time champion. "When I first heard about it around the time of the (Cup awards) banquet in New York, I didn’t think much of it." Childress said he recently spoke extensively with NASCAR officials, looking for answers to several questions he had about the proposal. "I think I have a better understanding now of what NASCAR is thinking. Sometimes you have to step back and take a look at the big picture," he said. "I can certainly see where the added media exposure and excitement surrounding a playoff atmosphere would help grow the sport and continue its success." Nextel, which takes over sponsorship of the Cup series in 2004, has been meeting with NASCAR over the proposal. Many fans have mistakenly cited Nextel as the reason for the change, when in fact it has been heavily promoted by new NASCAR chairman Brian France.(more at ThatsRacin.com)(12-20-2003)
more Congrats: Megan and Brian Englehart of RCR welcome a set of twins. Megan is the #31 PR person and Brian is the gasman for the #29 car.(12-3-2003)
#31 Crew Chief? UPDATE: Changes were already in the works at Richard Childress Racing. Although a driver has not been selected for the #30, sources say Kevin Hamlin will be the new crew chief. Chris Andrews, who was Robby Gordon's engineer on the #31 Cingular Chevy, is expected to become the crew chief for that squad with a more experienced crew chief to become team manager later.(Yahoo Sports/Sporting News)(12-1-2003) UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing announced today Chris Andrews, former RCR team engineer, will begin his rookie crew chief season in 2004 with Robby Gordon and the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet team. In addition, to round out the rest of Team Cingular Wireless, the majority of the 2003 #30 crew members will join Andrews and Gordon to run for the 2004 NASCAR Cup championship. "Robby got used to working with an engineer instead of a crew chief from his days of driving Indy Cars so this will be nothing new to him," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Chris and Kevin Hamlin were successful last year working side-by-side with Robby on the Cingular Wireless team and I see Chris making a smooth transition to calling the shots on his own. I think Robby and Chris working with the crew from last season's America Online team can be a very successful combination." An Evansville, Ind., native and 1992 graduate of Purdue University’s School of Interdisciplinary Engineering, Andrews has been an employee at Richard Childress Racing since 1999. One of the first engineers hired to join RCR, Andrews has worked with every Cup and Busch team but started focusing most of his attention toward the #31 Cingular Wireless team the latter part of the 2002 season after the #29/#31 crew swap took place. “I have known Robby for almost 10 years now and we have worked great together the last year-and-a-half so I am ready to just keep moving forward and work for a win every weekend in 2004,” Andrews said. “This is a great opportunity Richard is giving me. I am very excited and optimistic about what lies ahead because we are building great race cars and a great team.”(RCR PR)(12-4-2003)
Announcements Next Week:
Next Thursday is shaping up to be a day of answers in NASCAR. News conferences scheduled for next Thursday morning by Richard Childress Racing and Evernham Motorsports at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City should shed some light on several lingering questions left over from the 2003 season.
RCR will start the morning addressing its #30 AOL Chevrolet team in Winston Cup, announcing its new driver for the 2004 season and crew chief, sources said. Although the driver situation remains clouded, sources confirmed Kevin Hamlin, currently the crew chief with RCR's #31 Cup team, will move to the #30 in the same role.
RCR's announcement will be followed shortly by another from Evernham Motorsports.
The scope of the Evernham announcement remains unclear, but sources confirmed the future of veteran Bill Elliott, who drives the #9 Dodge for Evernham, will be addressed at the event. For the past several months, Elliott, 48, has been contemplating retirement, or at least a reduced schedule for the 2004 season.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-26-2003)
Robby Gordon Fails to Finish Baja 1000 After Series of Problems: Robby Gordon’s quest for a third Baja 1000 victory fell short after he dropped out of the 805-mile race due to mechanical problems. Beginning the race 10 minutes after the first truck started, Gordon’s team and performance was optimistic and spectacular as he passed almost 15 trucks that had started in front of him. Then, the day turned to a sour note when Gordon’s #31 Red Bull Trophy Truck sustained a flat tire a little over 100 miles into the event. Soon, another problem evolved with the same tire when the wheel came loose and broke the hub studs. Again, the team went to work and made the repairs, eventually returning Gordon to competition more than two hours later.
Then, with more than 100 miles left, a valve malfunction in both rear shocks forced Gordon to park his truck.
Gordon started 21st out of 22 Trophy Trucks entered in the class by virtue of a qualifying draw. The race course, originally scheduled for 765 miles, was lengthened to 805 miles six days before the event. Baja 1000 officials reconfigured the course after heavy rain earlier in the week created extreme silt and mud along the original path, resulting in hazardous racing conditions. “I know we had a truck that could win, and I'm proud of the fact that our RCR Chevrolet engine ran well and that we were competitive when we were on the course,"Gordon said. "Both of the problems that we had during the race were easily avoidable, and we'll learn from our mistakes and come back next year and give it another run.”
Gordon is a legend in Baja after several SCORE championships and successful runs in the Baja 1000. He won the race in a solo drive in 1989 and in 1987 as a co-driver with his father Bob Gordon. "I know we built a truck that was probably the most technologically advanced in the desert, and even though we only had 70 miles on it before they dropped the green flag, it performed great. We'll run it a few more times before next year's race and we'll make it as close to perfect as possible."(RCR PR)(11-25-2003) Winner: Doug Fortin, a California-based manufacturer of special off-road racing transmissions, and his co-driver Charley Townsley covered the grueling 808-mile loop-course through the northern portion of the rugged Baja peninsula in 16 hours 24 minutes and 02 seconds to win by 4min46sec over Trophy Truck champions Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero in their specially prepared Chevrolet Silverado Pro-Truck, modified to run in the marquee Trophy Truck Class. Although the two winning teams actually started about half an hour apart early on Friday morning Miller, driving the first, highly technical leg down the center of the mountainous course, soon gained a strategic lead on elapsed time as he passed every other Trophy Truck from his ninth starting slot.(Speed Channel)(11-26-2003)
Robby Gordon Headed to Baja Following Homestead Race: #31-Robby Gordon, a two-time Baja 1000 champion, is scheduled to fly to Baja Sunday night to pre-run the race course Nov. 17-Nov. 19 following the Cup race Sunday at Homestead. He will navigate the course in a pre-runner vehicle instead of his race truck to minimize the miles put on the #31 Red Bull Trophy Truck entered in the Baja 1000. The desert race, which spans only 765 miles this year instead of 1,000, will kick off in Ensenada, Baja California, on Friday, Nov. 21 at 8:30am local time. The course is a loop this year, commencing and finishing in Ensenada. In the past, the 34-year-old would pre-run the course once to compile notes about the lay of the land and then return a second time to run with his notes. However, this year's NASCAR Winston Cup schedule and sponsor obligations have allowed Gordon only one trip around the course before race day. His father, Bob Gordon, also a Baja 1000 champion, is scheduled to build the pace notes with Greg Till, Robby Gordon's co-pilot for the event, prior to the driver's arrival in Baja. Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is supplying the engine for Gordon's #31 Trophy Truck (Chevrolet CK500) for the first time this year. Gordon will compete in a Trophy Truck he built in his off-road shop in Anaheim, Calif. Five of the 22 Trophy Trucks entered in the Baja 1000 were built in Gordon's shop, mostly for his customers. He drew the 20th-starting spot out of the 22 Trophy Trucks entered in the competition. Gordon is a legend in Baja after several SCORE championships and successful runs in the Baja 1000. He won the Baja 1000 in a solo drive in 1989 and in 1987 as a co-driver with his father. Gordon says he puts all that work into preparing for the Baja because he loves the competition and putting on a show for the locals. Running 765 miles through the desert is definitely different than the 400 miles Gordon will log turning left Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Gordon's pit crew for the Baja 1000 also functions in stark contrast to his Cingular Wireless over-the-wall crew. Gordon finished third in the Baja 1000 last year after making a lengthy pit stop to repair a wheel bearing seal. In addition to his two wins in the race, Gordon scored a fifth-place finish in the 1999 Baja 1000 and nearly won the grueling race in a late charge in 1997 before finishing in the runner-up spot. Additionally, he won four of the seven events in the 1996 SCORE Trophy Truck Series en route to the series championship, including a third-place finish in the Baja 1000. Gordon also won five consecutive SCORE/HDRA Heavy Metal Off-Road championships between 1986 and 1990. For further information on the 36th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 or to follow Gordon's progress, go to www.score-international.com.(RCR PR)(11-15-2003)
Robby Gordon to run 2004 Busch Series: Fruit of the Loom announced that it has teamed up with three-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series race winner Robby Gordon to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2004. Beginning with the season-opening Hershey's Kisses 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, Gordon will drive the Fruit of the Loom-sponsored #55 Chevy in 24 NASCAR Busch Series races. Robby Gordon Motorsports will own the entry and will operate from its new facility in Huntersville, NC.(Robby Gordon site)(11-14-2003)
Hornaday in 4th RCR car at Homestead: Richard Childress Racing Busch Series driver [and championship contender], Ron Hornaday will drive the #90 Childress Vineyards/RCRRacing.com Chevy in the Nov. 16 Ford 400. Childress Vineyards broke ground in September on its winery facility in Lexington, NC, and current plans call for its first vintage, using grapes from other North Carolina growers, to be available in late 2004. RCR last entered a #90 car when John Andretti drove the AOL 9.0 Optimized/Special Operations Warrior Foundation Chevrolet at Talladega in September, when he started 24th and finished 15th in the EA Sports 500.(RCR PR)(11-11-2003)
Changes at the #31: Richard Childress is reported to be considering a change in the setup of the Robby Gordon-Kevin Hamlin team, possibly promoting Hamlin to general manager and engineer Chris Andrews to crew chief. Childress made a similar move earlier this season with the Kevin Harvick team.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-8-2003)
Robby Gordon at Baja: Robby Gordon is again returning to his off-road racing roots as he gears up to pre-run the Baja 1000 course in preparation for the legendary Nov. 21 race. Gordon, a two-time Baja 1000 champion, built his #31 SCORE Trophy Truck (Chevrolet CK500) in his off-road shop in Anaheim, Calif., and will take it to Phoenix this weekend for testing Saturday following NASCAR Winston Cup Happy Hour in the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet. The vehicle Gordon will use this weekend is his pre-runner truck, not the actual Trophy Truck he will race in the Baja 1000. As soon as he completes the Nov. 16 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Gordon will board a plane to Baja California, Mexico. He will pre-run the Baja 1000 course, which starts and finishes in Ensenada, Mexico, Nov. 17-Nov. 19 in order to familiarize himself with it. Gordon will compile notes about the lay of the land, which measures only 765 miles this year instead of the traditional 1,000. The 34-year-old drew a 20th-starting position out of a current 20 Trophy Trucks entered in the competition, which commences at 8:30 a.m. local time on Nov. 21. For further information on the 36th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, go to www.score-international.com.(RCR PR)(10-31-2003)
Phoenix testing nest week: Robby Gordon and the #31 Cingular Wireless team are scheduled to test at Phoenix on Oct. 21 and 22.(10-15-2003)
RCR cars have “SOWF” decals this week All five Richard Childress Racing entries scheduled to compete in Friday night’s NASCAR Busch Series’ Little Trees 300 and Saturday night’s UAW-GM 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway will carry decals of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). The SOWF began in 1980 as the Col. Arthur D. "Bull"Simons Scholarship Fund and was created after the Iranian hostage rescue attempt to provide college educations for the 17 children that survived the nine men killed or incapacitated at Desert One. A tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, SOWF is dedicated to providing college scholarships and educational counseling to the children surviving Special Operations personnel killed as a result of an operational mission or training accident. These services are provided throughout the United States, or overseas, depending upon where the surviving children reside. To date, 455 children of fallen Special Operations personnel are involved in the program, of which 65 are currently attending college. RCR's relationship with the SOWF is a continuation of the support Richard Childress and Richard Childress Racing have for the United States armed forces. Childress and long-time RCR crew member Danny "Chocolate" Myers visited with U.S. troops in Europe last January as guests of the Tennessee Air National Guard.(SOWF site)(10-8-2003)
Wine for Childress UPDATE: NASCAR Championship Team Owner [#29,#30,#31,#75 Cup] Richard Childress will break ground on Childress Vineyards on Wednesday, September 17th at the Childress Vineyards construction site, at the northwest corner of the intersection of Highways 52 and 64 in Lexington, NC.(RCR PR)(9-16-2003) UPDATE: Childress Vineyards broke ground today on the winery portion of the new Childress Vineyards complex in Lexington, NC. Childress Vineyards is a 60-acre facility located at the junction of Highways 52 and 64 in Lexington, N.C. The Childress Vineyards winery will be a 34,000 square foot facility. Approximately 25 acres of grapes will be grown at the site. Other facilities planned for the site include walking trails, an amphitheater, and separate retail and hotel space. The projected completion date for the winery is Aug. 1, 2004. Plans call for the production area to be fully operational by April or May of next year with the retail sector open in August. Childress Vineyards will produce 10 different wines. Childress has more than 25 acres of grapes (Vidal, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah) growing on the grounds surrounding his home in nearby Clemmons, N.C. His business partner, Greg Johns, owner of Johns Plumbing in Greensboro, has five acres of grapes (Sangiovese) growing in Summerfield, northwest of Greensboro in Guilford County. Production plans call for Childress Vineyards to produce wine from its own grapes and purchased grapes in 2004. Approximately 8,500 cases will be produced in 2004 and the 2005 vintage will also be produced from a combination of estate-grown and purchased grapes.(RCR PR)(9-17-2003)
If Robby Wins, Fan wins $1 Million: While many NASCAR fans are Gordon fans, Cindy Maxwell will be rooting this weekend for Robby, not Jeff. Maxwell, who was one of 10 finalists in a nation-wide contest who won a trip to today’s Sharpie 500 in Bristol, Tenn., also won the grand prize in the contest, getting a stake in the race. After a drawing Friday, Maxwell learned "her car" in the race would by Robby Gordon’s #31 Chevrolet. Gordon will start the race in the 22nd position, but if he wins, Maxwell will take home $1 million. If Gordon finishes second through fifth, Maxwell will take home $150,000. In fact, if Gordon just finishes the race, Maxwell will get a nice consolation check of $10,000. Her father-in-law, Don Maxwell, said no matter how Robby Gordon finishes, his son and daughter-in-law are having a great time in Bristol — and he has become a big Robby Gordon fan.(Abilene Reporter-News) UPDATE it didn't happen as Gordon had trouble all race and finished 35th.(8-23-2003)
Reverse #31: The #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet will carry a special orange "reverse" paint scheme this weekend at Bristol.(RCR PR)(8-21-2003)
Cingular to Donate $100,000: Cingular Wireless, primary sponsor of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy, will donate $50,000 each to FDNY and Special Olympics as a result of Robby Gordon’s win Sunday at Watkins Glen. The donation marks the third time Gordon’s on-track success has benefited FDNY and Special Olympics. Following his November 2001 victory at New Hampshire International Speedway, car owner Richard Childress and Gordon donated $203,924, their total purse money, to the Uniformed Firefighters Association’s Widow’s and Children’s Fund. Cingular Wireless also donated $18,800 to Special Olympics Team USA in April 2003, a $100 per-lap-completed donation, after Gordon completed all of the 188 laps in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Cingular Wireless had pledged to each organization $50,000 if Gordon won Sunday’s Sirius at The Glen.. As part of Cingular Wireless’ support of FDNY and Special Olympics, the #31 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevrolet also carried a special paint scheme this past weekend at Watkins Glen International. “Sweeping both road course races this year is pretty special but being able to raise money for FDNY and Special Olympics makes it even more awesome for me,” Gordon said. “It’s all about us being able to give something back to these everyday heroes. I got to know a lot of the guys with FDNY back in 2001 when Richard Childress and I presented a check to them after we won at Loudon. They’re just a great group of selfless people and I’m glad we could help them out. I’ve also gotten to know a lot of the athletes with Special Olympics as a result of Cingular Wireless’ relationship with them and they are truly amazing people in everything they do. This win was for both of these great organizations.” A date and location for Cingular and Gordon’s check presentation to FDNY and Special Olympics will be announced in the near future. Cingular Wireless is the largest U.S. corporate sponsor in Special Olympics history, raising more than $28 million nationwide during the past three years.(RCR PR)(8-11-2003)
Didja know? Richard Childress Racing teammates #29-Kevin Harvick and #31-Robby Gordon were the only drivers to finish in the top five in both of this season's road-course races this season.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-11-2003)
Cup Drivers do ok in the Bully Hill Vineyards 250: there were a few drivers with NASCAR connections in Friday's Bully Hill Vineyards 250 at Watkins Glen International. Rick Carelli and John Metcalf picked up their first Rolex Series GTS win in the Team Re/Max Racing #05 Corvette on Friday night. The duo took a three-lap victory over the second-place Gunnar Racing #6 Porsche GT1 of Gunnar Jeannette, Kyle Petty and Paul Newman. The Porsche was able to take second in the class despite a spin by Newman that sent the car into The Glen's foam walls and brought out a caution. The team was able to repair the car and get it back on course before the track went back to green flag conditions. Petty was the only guest NASCAR driver to earn a spot on the podium. Robby Gordon finished fifth in the Daytona Prototypes class in the Cegwa Sport #3 Toyota, and Geoffrey Bodine took seventh in the class in the G&W Motorsports #8 BMW. The Bully Hill Vineyards 250 will be broadcast on SPEED Channel on Sunday, August 10 at 5:00pm/et. The overall race was won by Terry Borcheller and Forest Barber. Former Busch driver and son of Racing legend Mark Donohue, David Donohue was 2nd.(Grand American Road Racing Association Site)(8-9-2003)
Robby Gordon FDNY scheme UPDATE 2: #31-Robby Gordon will run a special Cingular FDNY paint scheme in August at Watkins Glen.(4-25-2003) UPDATE: Robby Gordon, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the #31 race team will field a race car at Watkins Glen, lauding some everyday heroes -- New York City Fire Department (FDNY) personnel and Special Olympics athletes. Gordon’s #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy will incorporate an FDNY/Special Olympics paint scheme, designed to celebrate each organization’s commitment to service and personal heroics. For years, FDNY and Cingular Wireless have been ardent supporters of the Special Olympics, which promotes training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for individuals with mental retardation. Special Olympics provides opportunities for participants to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy by sharing their athletic skills in an enriching environment. Members of the FDNY community proudly contribute their time to various Special Olympics events, providing equipment set-up and support at athletic events.(Robby Gordon site)(5-6-2003) UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon on Monday unveiled a special paint scheme for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 Chevrolet that will promote the Fire Department of New York and the Special Olympics in the Aug. 10 Winston Cup race at Watkins Glen International. With traffic temporarily stopped, Gordon drove the race car onto Second Avenue at 29th Street and turned donuts in the street. The car’s primary sponsor, Cingular Wireless, will donate $50 to the Special Olympics and $50 to FDNY for each lap Gordon completes at Watkins Glen and $500 to each organization for each lap Gordon leads. If Gordon takes the checkered flag, Cingular will donate $50,000 to each organization.(RCR PR) see image of car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(7-22-2003)
Gordon's hood goes over fence fan injured UPDATE 3: the hood of the damaged #31 Chevy of Robby Gordon flew over the catchfence and into the crowd, there were some injuries, no reports of the extend of the injuires yet.(NBC Post-race coverage)(7-5-2003) UPDATE: The hood from Robby Gordon's #31 Chevrolet came off on Lap 156 in Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway and went into the grandstands on the frontstretch, injuring at least one race fan. The fan, an unidentified woman, was taken to Halifax Medical Center for observation, track officials said. Her condition was unknown. Gordon's car was heavily damaged in an accident on Lap 74, but he returned to the track later in the race in order to help curb the damage in the series points race. While Gordon was exiting Turn 4 and driving down the frontstretch, the hood came off, flew high into the air and over the catch fence. It dropped down into the stands, where it was soon swarmed by fans.(ThatsRacin.com) AND The hood from the damaged car of Robby Gordon came off his car and flew into the frontstretch grandstands at Daytona International Speedway late in the Pepsi 400, injuring one fan, according to spectators [which we saw on the NBC broadcast]. Track and NASCAR officials said immediately after the race they were aware of the hood going into the stands but did not have any other information. Gordon's car sat in the garage area after the race under a car cover. Its hood, obviously, was not there. NASCAR officials stood next to the car. The hood came off along the tri-oval and went 30 to 40 feet in the air, according to spectators near the area where it came down [could be seen on an NBC replay also]. "It fluttered up in the air for a while," said Ty Crosthwaite of Melbourne, Fla., who estimated the hood landed 50 feet to his left. "It landed about three or four rows up." Crosthwaite said a female spectator was carried away on a stretcher but appeared to not have any serious injuries, other than a gash on her forehead. The fan was transported to Halifax Medical Center, where she remains under evaluation. Her name was not released. "She was waving to the crowd when they took her under the stands," Crosthwaite said. The hood was later taken back to the garage area.(NASCAR.com)(7-6-2003) UPDATE 2: NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway confirmed only that a person had been injured when the hood flew off Robby Gordon's car and sailed into the frontstretch grandstands late in Saturday night's Pepsi 400 . . . and that the person was taken by speedway-provided ambulance to nearby Halifax Medical Center for evaluation. Medical privacy law prevented release of the name, they said. She was released from the hospital Sunday, according to a Daytona International Speedway spokesman.(Orlando Sentinel)(7-7-2003) UPDATE 3: NASCAR spokesman Herb Branham said Monday that no determination has been made as to what caused the hood from to come off of Robby Gordon's car and fly into the grandstands and injuring a spectator in during Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. "The process is underway to investigate and we will find out what happened," Branham said. "We take things like this very seriously."(full story at ThatsRacin.com) AND Following is a statement from Kevin Hamlin, crew chief of the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy driven by Robby Gordon, concerning the incident Saturday evening at Daytona International Speedway in which the hood of the #31 Chevrolet flew off the car. “Following the accident, we took our time and made all the proper repairs to the Cingular car and prepared to return Robby to the race.. We correctly secured the hood and the hood tethers per NASCAR’s specifications.. NASCAR is investigating how and why the hood flew off in an effort to ensure this does not happen again.”(RCR PR)(7-8-2003) UPDATE 4 the reason the hood flew off: NASCAR officials have determined a bolt connecting the hood with a safety tether failed in Winston Cup driver Robby Gordon's #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy, causing the hood to fly off the car and into the grandstands during last Saturday's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR spokesman Mike Zizzo said Tuesday officials continue to investigate the incident, including finding a cause for the bolt's failure. "There remains a lot of work to be done on this," he said. NASCAR officials are working on ways to prevent the bolt failure, including the possible use of different size bolts, Zizzo said. No penalties are likely to be assessed to the #31 team. Zizzo said it appeared the team had followed all NASCAR guidelines while preparing the car for a return to the race track. Winston Cup cars are required to have two tethers made from a fiber called Vectran attached from bars in the engine bay to the hood at points approximately 12 inches from the rear of the hood. The hoods are also anchored by steel hinges in the rear, attached with bolts, and pinned in front with four steel fasteners. It was one of these bolts that failed in Gordon's car, Zizzo said.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-9-2003)
Robby Gordon's Pit Crew Wins For Second Time After Outstanding Performance in Sonoma: Call it a double win for the #31 Cingular Wireless team during Sunday's (June 22) Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Winston Cup race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Team driver Robby Gordon won the race on the twisting 11-turn road course and his pit crew won the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERADE. "It took the entire Cingular Wireless team to win at Sonoma and the pit crew played a huge role in our victory," said Gordon. "Pit strategy and pit stops are huge at Sonoma and the guys came through for me when it counted.. They've been awesome all year long and they were really on top of their game Sunday. They helped pull the Cingular car into Victory Lane." Thanks to fast and accurate work by the Cingular Wireless pit crew, Gordon's car, owned by Richard Childress Racing, spent the least amount of time of pit road during Sunday's 110-lap race on the 1.949-mile road course. The total pit road elapsed time for the No. 31 Chevrolet was 104.101 seconds. Finishing second was the yellow #1 Pennzoil Chevrolet, driven by Ron Fellows, with a time of 107.361. Michael Waltrip's NAPA Chevrolet was third at 108.861. It was the second time this season that Gordon's pit crew collected the $20,000 first-place check for winning the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERADE. The team also won at Texas Motor Speedway (March 30). Gordon's over-the-wall crew consists of: Josh Yost (jackman), Shane Westerberg (front-tire changer), Mike Barry (front-tire carrier), Ron Otto (rear-tire changer), Jason Fowler (rear-tire carrier) Larry Hartle (gasman) and Rich Burgess (catch can). The team's crew chief is Kevin Hamlin. The No. 31 Cingular Wireless team is in third place in the McDonald's/POWERADE season pit crew standings. Michael Waltrip's pit crew continues to lead in the point standings and Dale Earnhardt Jr's team is second.(DMF Communications PR)(6-25-2003)
The 'Pass': Race winner, #31-Robby Gordon, was involved in “one of those racing deals” on his way to victory, according to car owner Richard Childress. Gordon got the lead for the final time when he passed teammate #29-Kevin Harvick as the field came back to take a full course caution. Gordon scooted his car under Harvick’s as the field was coming to take the yellow on lap 70 of the event after Christian Fittipaldi made one of his several runs off course. Gordon and Harvick have some history at Infinion Raceway as the two tangled several years ago when Gordon was working towards his first career WC victory. Harvick, who was a lap down in that scenario, ran his future teammate hard enough to allow Tony Stewart to take the victory in that race. The two tangled again today when Harvick tried to force a pass for the lead earlier in the event, and opened the door for Ron Fellows to take the spot. Gordon expressed his displeasure with his hands. Gordon, who was hammering NASCAR during the pre-race drivers meeting about yellow flag procedures for this event, apparently took NASCAR’s description of the gentlemen’s agreement to heart and worked his teammate under caution for the lead and eventual race win. But none of the action mattered to car owner Childress, who placed the Cingular Chevy into victory lane the weekend immediately following the announcement of wireless competitor Nextel as the series sponsor for 2004. "I hate it was our team car. Kevin had a great car today and I hate it for Kevin, but I'm happy as can be for Robby,” said Childress, who later added that he’d sit his drivers down for a chat during the upcoming week.(Ford Racing)(6-23-2003)
#31 Crew Chief getting married: #31-Cingular Wireless crew chief Kevin Hamlin will marry Patti Miles Thursday in Napa, CA. Gordon and the Cingular Wireless team members will attend.(RCR PR)(6-18-2003)
What of the Cingular and Alltel sponsorships? One change that fans won't have to worry about is the status of #31-Robby Gordon and #12-Ryan Newman's teams, which are both sponsored by Nextel rivals. Alltel is signed to sponsor Newman's team through 2006, and Cingular Wireless is signed to sponsor Gordon's team through 2005. Richard Childress, car owner for Gordon's team, said Tuesday he expected both Cingular and Alltel to be grandfathered in, allowing them to remain in the series despite Nextel's presence.(Roanoke Times) AND However, expect Cingular and Alltel to get the cold shoulder, much like RJR grudgingly tolerated the Skoal and Copenhagen sponsorships.. Those cars didn't appear in NASCAR ads, video, promotions or on program covers. Other companies presently in the sport might not fare as well. Cellular One (Busch) and Verizon (ARCA) might have moved up to the Cup series. Now what? If Nextel insists on tracks and teams using only their radio/phone technology, what happens to longtime NASCAR and team sponsors Racing Radios and Racing Electronics? They supply the Motorola two-way radios used by the teams as well as the scanners fans use to eavesdrop on driver to team communications.(6-18-2003)
Robby's Angel's? UPDATE: #31-Robby Gordon is scheduled to run a Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle paint scheme on June 1st at Dover. It will also run again in late fall when the DVD for the movie is released(3-27-2003) UPDATE: added the image of the scheme to my Paint Schemes Gallery Cup page.(5-29-2003)
Robby Gordon Special on Speed - Tonight: From the front row at the famed Brickyard to the final lap at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Speed Channel followed Robby Gordon on his 1,100-mile Memorial Day weekend quest to compete in the Indy 500 and Charlotte's Coca Cola 600 - on the same day. Speed Channel had unlimited access to Gordon throughout the day, even accompanying the driver on the jet ride between events. In addition, Speed Channel documented Gordon's preparation for both events, recording everything from his initial practice sessions at Indy to his efforts in The Winston Open. The footage, along with highlights from Gordon's three
previous doubles, will be compiled into a one-hour Speed Channel special to be aired Wed., May 28 at 7:00pm/et [after Totally NASCAR](Speed Channel PR)(5-28-2003)
Gordon to test at VIR: Robby Gordon is scheduled to test the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Tuesday [today] at Virginia International Raceway in preparation for the upcoming event at Infineon Raceway.(RCR PR)(5-27-2003)
AOL and Cingular team up: AOL and Cingular Wireless are launching NASCAR marketing programs, according to two stories in this week’s Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal. AOL plans to send an 18-wheel truck equipped with computers to allow fans to see AOL broadband features to 16 Winston Cup races, starting with Sunday’s MBNA Armed Forces Family 400 at Dover International Speedway. The internet service provider has also launched a new NASCAR home page on AOL for Broadband called "RaceTime." Cingular, meanwhile, will send a "mobile, interactive tent" to 11 Winston Cup races. Visitors can download racing-themed ring tones and games, sample products and sign up for special rate plans.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(5-27-2003)
Gordon makes it to the track on time: There was a ban on helicopters in and out of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Sunday with one exception. Medical helicopters were allowed to fly so Robby Gordon was brought into Lowe's on a medical helicopter and will be at the speedway in time for driver introductions.(Insider Racing News)(5-25-2003)
Follow Robby's Progress on ThatsRacin.com: Where's Robby? How's he running? Those are a couple of questions likely to come up on Sunday in regards to Robby Gordon. ThatsRacin.com and WFNZ's Mark Packer are teaming up to provide the answers as the driver attempts an Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double. Packer, a Charlotte, N.C.-based sports-radio veteran, will travel with Gordon, first to Indianapolis, then to the airport at Concord, N.C., and finally to Lowe's Motor Speedway for Sunday's 600. And they'll pass along updates from every twist, turn, takeoff and landing on the way. Packer, pleased to be going along for the ride is just as glad he's not the one who has to drive those 1,100 miles in competition on Sunday.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-24-2003)
Increased Security May Delay Gordon's Travel on Sunday: Recent increased national security has thrown into limbo Robby Gordon’s plans for transportation between Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway Sunday for the Double. At the moment, the FAA has banned any helicopter flights into and out of either speedway for one hour before and after the race. As a result, plans are being made for Gordon to golf cart out of Indianapolis Motor Speedway via a police escort to his rental car parked nearby, from where he will continue to the Indianapolis airport with the police escort. He will fly from Indianapolis to the Concord airport, where he will jump into a van led by a police escort into Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Final plans will not be determined until Sunday morning. Gordon will practice the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy Saturday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and then host a Double Duty fans’ barbecue dinner at Team Gordon before departing Concord for Indianapolis at 6:30pm/et Saturday.(RCR PR)(5-24-2003)
Flyers for Gordon: Charlotte-based Jacobsen is a recently formed company with a rapidly rising profile on the local pro sports scene. Race-car driver Robby Gordon -- in need of fast, convenient transportation this weekend -- flew from Concord Regional Airport to Indianapolis early Thursday in a jet provided by Jacobsen President Jon Carlson, a friend from their Lake Norman-area neighborhood. And Jacobsen's products -- turf-care equipment used primarily for golf courses and sports fields -- maintained the Quail Hollow Club's layout this month for the PGA Tour's Wachovia Championship. Gordon can use Jacobsen's help. For a second straight year, Gordon is driving in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday. Carlson helped out by going to Jacobsen parent company Textron's two other brands, Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter. The jets will transport Gordon between Concord and Indianapolis; the choppers from the airports to the tracks' infields. "I don't know if it would be possible to do both races without the transportation worked out this way," said Gordon, who flew on Richard Childress Racing aircraft and had to rent helicopters last year. "Being able to bounce back and forth like this makes my job a lot easier." Gordon, who will start on the outside front row at Indy, flew to Indianapolis for practice Thursday and returned the same day. He'll go back Saturday night, run the 500 at 11 a.m. Sunday, then be back at Lowe's Motor Speedway for the 600's 5:30 p.m. start. Carlson said Jacobsen might get involved with NASCAR in a more formal way in the future. "A lot of our customers and employees really identify with and enjoy the sport," said Carlson. "It's something we're looking at."(Charlotte Observer)(5-24-2003)
Gordon 2nd fastest at Indy 500 Carb Day: Kenny Brack, who'll start Sunday's Indianapolis 500 from the outside of the second row, and Robby Gordon, who'll start directly in front of him, ran the fastest laps in the final practice session Thursday. Sweden's Brack, who won the 1999 race when Gordon had to pit for fuel with two laps remaining, turned a fast lap of 228.707 mph during the two-hour Carburetion Day practice. Brack is one of two drivers for former winner Bobby Rahal. Gordon, one of four drivers for the Andretti Green team, had a circuit at 227.850 mph. Gordon turned a few laps before flying to Charlotte, N.C., to qualify for Sunday's World 600. He'll race in the Indy 500, where he'll be among the favorites, and then drive in the 600 the same day. Gordon will remaining in North Carolina for practice today and fly to Indianapolis tonight, accompanied by 200 fans who will watch both races. He anticipates arriving back at the Carolina track about 20 minutes before Sunday night's race there. "Our main focus today was just making sure the car shifted gears, the aero balance was right and the gearing was right," Gordon said. "The car feels very good and I'm very confident."(Hoosier Herald Times)(5-23-2003)
Robby Gordon's Schedule for the Indy/Coke 600 Double:
Thursday, May 22
7:45 a.m. .................... Depart Concord for Indianapolis
11:00 a.m.................... Final practice
11:30 a.m.................... Leave IMS for Indianapolis airport
12:00 p.m.................... Depart Indianapolis airport for Concord
2:00 p.m. ET............... Land at Concord Airport
3:00 p.m. .................... Winston Cup practice
7:05 p.m...................... Coca-Cola 600 Qualifying
Friday, May 23 - No on-track activities
Saturday, May 24
9:30 a.m...................... Winston Cup practice
11:15 a.m.................... Winston Cup final practice
5:00 p.m...................... “Double Duty” Fan barbecue dinner at Team Gordon
7:30 p.m...................... Depart Concord for Indianapolis
Sunday, May 25
10:33 a.m.................... Driver Introductions
11:00 a.m.................... Start of the Indianapolis 500
2:30 p.m...................... Completion of race
2:35-2:40 p.m............. Out of race car and onto golf cart
2:40-2:50 p.m............. Cart to helicopter
2:50 p.m...................... Helicopter to Indianapolis airport
3:00 p.m. CT............... Wheels up at Indianapolis airport
....................... ........... (4:45 p.m. - Driver Introductions - will possibly miss)
5:00 p.m. ET............... Land at Concord airport
5:00-5:05 p.m............. Airplane to helicopter
5:05-5:10 p.m............. Helicopter into Lowe’s Motor Speedway
5:30 p.m...................... Start of the Coca-Cola 600.(RCR PR)(5-22-2003)
Some 'Daily Double' facts: Drivers who ran the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day:
Year ........................... Driver ...........................600 Finish / 500 Finish
1994... ........................ John.Andretti...... ...... 36th ................. .10th
1997............................ Robby Gordon............ *41st................. 29th
1999............................ Tony.Stewart........ .... 4th .................. ...9th
2000............................ Robby Gordon............ **35th............... .. 5th
2001............................ Tony Stewart.............. 3rd................... .. 6th
2002 ........................... Robby Gordon............ 16th.................. 8th
*Indianapolis 500 was postponed one day because of rain.
**P.J. Jones started the 600 in Gordon's car, due to delay in Gordon's arrival after the Indy 500.
The 600's finish was delayed by rain until the next day, when Gordon took over on Lap 262.(NASCAR PR)(5-21-2003)
Childress 1st Qtr Pocono Spirit Award: Richard Childress has been named the first quarter winner of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award. The award recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity as well as sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Others receiving first-quarter votes included drivers John Andretti, Ricky Craven and Morgan Shepherd, sponsor Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouses, and General Motors public relations representative Nancy Wager. Four quarterly winners of the award will be named, with the overall winner to be announced at the NMPA's annual banquet in Jan., 2004.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-21-2003)
Hornaday to stand by for Gordon UPDATE: Ron Hornaday said that Richard Childress asked him to fill in for Robby Gordon if for some reason he doesn't get back from Indy in time for the race. Hornaday got fitted for the seat today and will hang out with the team and get ready just in case. Gordon will be attempting to run the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio - Subscription Required)(5-20-2003) UPDATE: Hornaday will practice the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Saturday for a few laps, as required by NASCAR, in the event he needs to drive the car Sunday. Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress will accompany Gordon Thursday morning when he flies to Indianapolis for Carburetion Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.. The trio will then fly back to Concord, N.C., in time for the afternoon practice for the Coca-Cola 600.(RCR PR)(5-20-2003)
AOL will be back in 2004: [#29, 30, 31] Owner Richard Childress says rumors that he will field only two Winston Cup cars next season are "absolutely not" true. There have been questions about the financial stability of AOL, the primary sponsor for Childress' #30 car [now Steve Park driving], but Childress says AOL is committed to honoring the final year of its contract, which ends after the 2004 season. "Not only will we have three full-time Cup teams and two Busch teams, we'll run seven or eight cars at some tracks next year," he says.(Sporting News)(5-19-2003)
Flyboy: #31-Robby Gordon completed five laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday before rain ended practice and sent Gordon to Lowe's Motor Speedway for last night's Winston Open. Gordon is attempting to run the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day for the fourth time. He has signed a deal with jet and helicopter companies to ensure swift transportation from the Brickyard to Lowe's Motor Speedway.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-18-2003)
Robby Gordon to start 3rd in the Indy 500: Robby Gordon, who will run the 'double' - Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on May 25th, qualified 3rd for the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with a four lap average of 230.205mph [four laps were 228.829, 230.529, 230.687, 230.778], 24 drivers have made the field...so far. Two time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves won the pole with a speed 231.725mph. Qualifying will continue next Sunday to fill the 33 car field.(5-11-2003), wanna go on the double with Robby? check out the Robby Gordon site.
Gordon fastest in Friday's testing at Indy UPDATE Rain: Add Robby Gordon’s name to the crowded ring of MBNA Pole contenders for the 87th Indianapolis 500, as he led the final practice before qualifications with a lap of 231.362mph on May 9 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gordon turned his top lap in the #27 Alpine/Archipelago/Motorola Dallara/Honda/Firestone in sunny, warm conditions during the last 30 minutes of practice. He became the fifth different driver to lead one of the six practice days leading up to Pole Day. Qualifying for the MBNA Pole starts at 1:00pm/et Saturday [and will be televised on ABC 1:00-300pm/et, then ESPN 5:00-6:00pm/et, then ESPN2 6:00-700pm/et]. Robbie Buhl is the first driver in the qualifying line – determined in a blind draw after practice Friday – in the #24 Purex/Aventis/Dreyer & Reinbold Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone. Gordon’s speed was the fifth fastest of the event, marking him as a strong contender for the pole and the accompanying $100,000 bonus.(IRL Site) UPDATE: qualifying has been postponed due to rain, they will try again Sunday(5-10-2003)
Gordon 9th overall at Indy practice: Robby Gordon returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in fast fashion Thursday, posting the ninth-fastest lap at 230.214mph (39.0941 seconds). Gordon strapped back into the #27 Archipelago/Motorola Dallara/Honda/Firestone yesterday after taking Wednesday off for a previous engagement.(RCR PR)(5-9-2003)(5-9-2003)
Gordon 23rd fastest Tues: Robby Gordon had the 21rd fastest car at Indy, a speed of 226.607mph in the #27 Dallara/Honda, fastest speed was turned in by his teammate, Dan Wheldon at 231.108. A.J. Foyt's grandson, A.J. Foyt IV had the 15th fastest car.(Indianapolis Star) AND Gordon posted the 23rd-fastest lap of the day yesterday in preparation for the Indianapolis 500 with a best speed of 226.607 miles per hour (39.7163 seconds) among his 85 laps run.. The Archipelago/Motorola team concentrated on the car’s race balance for the third day in a row, focusing on different downforce levels. Once satisfied with the race set-up, Gordon’s team began changing the car over for a simulated qualifying run. (RCR PR)(5-7-2003)
Gordon moves up the speed charts at Indy; Herta to stand by: #31-Robby Gordon was 8th fastest in Tuesday Indy 500 practice with a speed of 227.735mph in his Dallara-Honda. Tora Takagi was the fastest at 229.019.(Indianaplis Star) AND Andretti Green Racing got two replacements in one driver Monday when it hired former Championship Auto Racing Teams driver Bryan Herta. Herta will be the backup for Robby Gordon, who is Dario Franchitti's fill-in at the Speedway, should rain delay the start of the 500 and Gordon have to leave early for the NASCAR race in Charlotte. The team's plan is to test Herta on Wednesday. After the 500, Herta will be Franchitti's replacement in the IRL's races at Texas and Pikes Peak. He will test at the two tracks in the next two weeks.(Indianapolis Star)(5-6-2003)
Gordon practices at Indy: Robby Gordon jumped into one of Andretti/Green Racing's Indy cars and laid down a lap at 220.636mph [25th of 29th] on Sunday's opening day of practice for the Indianapolis 500. Although that was pretty far down the speed list, Gordon's agenda was to get acclimated to the high-speed machine after finishing fourth in Saturday night's race at Richmond. After returning to Charlotte, NC from Richmond, VA at 2:00am/et, Gordon got to bed a few hours later and was up at 7:00am to fly to Indianapolis. "I normally only sleep about five hours a night, so today was no problem," Gordon said. "I had a good run last night. We have a great team at Richard Childress Racing. We have our short-track and superspeedway programs figured out, but we struggle on the intermediate ovals. We kind of threw it away at California and let it slip away. It was good to come back and be as strong as we were at Richmond." Gordon, who has done the Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 double twice in his career, is driving in the IRL for Michael Andretti, who used to be his adversary when both were competing in CART. Gordon and Paul Tracy once wore T-shirts that said, "Michael Andretti Driving School for the Blind - If you can't see them, hit them" into a CART driver's meeting. Andretti was not happy about that, but over the years, the son of 1969 Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti has become a little more forgiving. "I think it's definitely amazing," Andretti said. "You have to do what is best for the team and we feel that Robby can win the race. His association with Cingular is definitely good for Motorola, so it's all about what is best for the team." Gordon has an ideal schedule to participate in both Winston Cup and the Indy 500 this year. Next weekend, there are no Winston Cup races, so Gordon's Pole Day is unencumbered. He can also practice for a few days the following week but will participate in The Winston at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 17. The driver from Orange, California will be able to participate in Carburetion Day -- the final practice session before the Indy 500 -- on May 22 before returning to Charlotte for practice and qualifications for the Coca-Cola 600. Gordon will attempt to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day for the third time in his career.(CNNSI)(5-5-2003)
Team Gordon Offers Ultimate Motorsports Experience to Fans: #31-Robby Gordon will continue his quest to claim victory at both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25 of Memorial Day Weekend. Gordon will run both events, marking the fourth time in his career he has attempted to complete the 1,100-mile endurance journey. Gordon has put together what he calls “The Double Duty Tour.” It is day-long trip that will provide motorsports fans the opportunity to witness two distinctively different forms of racing in one day. The Double Duty Tour was created for those who love racing, regardless whether the vehicle has fenders or not. For those who participate, the Tour will be an experience of a lifetime. Originating in Charlotte, NC, planes, buses and most importantly, police escorts, will help navigate Tour Fans through the logistical challenge of attending two races in two different places on the same day. Each fan gets transportation to and from the races, tickets for both events, a souvenir gift pack, a race scanner and some “up close and personal” time with Gordon before the Indy 500. Gordon wanted to make sure the package would put fans “in the middle” of the journey with him. For more information on The Double Duty Tour and pricing, please visit teamgordon.com.(5-1-2003)
Robby Gordon responds:John Andretti made some comments last weekend that showed he wasn't happy about his cousin, IRL team owner/driver Michael Andretti, selecting Robby Gordon to replace Dario Franchitti in the Indy 500.
John thought Michael would select him to drive for the injured Franchitti, but John hasn't driven in the Indy 500 since 1994 when he became the first person to complete the double of the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. "I'll be there that week and I'll qualify the car, because he [Gordon] will be in the hospital by then," John Andretti told Speed Channel. Gordon responded to John's comment: "All I want to say is I never would wish one of my fellow competitors get hurt so I could get a ride." Andretti realizes sponsor considerations were a factor in the selection of Gordon. Motorola, the sponsor on Franchitti's car, supplies cell phones for Cingular Wireless, the sponsor of Gordon's Winston Cup car.(Dallas Morning News - may need to register to read)(5-1-2003)
Robby Gordon to run Indy? UPDATE: hearing there will be an announcement soon regarding #31-Robby Gordon's attempt to run the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on May 25th, no word on the team or sponsor...yet.(4-25-2003) UPDATE: Indianapolis 500 veteran Robby Gordon will replace Dario Franchitti in the #27 Alpine/Archipelago/Motorola/Budweiser Dallara/Honda/Firestone for Andretti Green Racing during the 87th running of the Indianapolis 500. Gordon, who has eight career Indianapolis 500 starts, will run both the '500' and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, marking the fourth time in his career he has attempted to run both events in one day. Last season Gordon successfully completed "the Memorial Day double," finishing eighth in the Indianapolis 500 and 16th in the 600-mile Winston Cup event held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. "I'm thrilled to have the chance to attempt one of the ultimate racing challenges again this year and hopefully win both races," said Gordon. "I've run the Indy 500 eight times and been competitive and run near the front each year. I certainly haven't given up on the goal of winning both races and hope 2003 will be my year to do it. Running in an Andretti Green prepared-car will no doubt give me a good shot at having one win down and one to go when I head to Charlotte that afternoon." Gordon, who drives the #31 Cingular Wireless entry for Richard Childress Racing, is currently in 14th place in the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup point standings and finished sixth at the season-opening Daytona 500. He won the 2001 season-ending Winston Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway. "I want to thank Richard, all of the guys on the Cingular Wireless team, and everyone at RCR for letting me chase one of my dreams," said Gordon. Gordon owns five top-10 finishes in his eight Indianapolis 500 starts, one of which was a fourth place run in 1999 when he ran out of fuel while leading with less than two laps to go. Gordon's entry is part of a four-car Indianapolis 500 effort by Andretti Green Racing which is owned by Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree. Andretti is seeking to qualify for his 14th Indy 500 and make the final start of his racing career behind the wheel of the #7 Team 7-Eleven Dallara/Honda/Firestone. Tony Kanaan, who is nursing a broken left arm sustained in a crash during the Indy Japan, plans to qualify the #11 Team 7-Eleven Dallara/Honda/Firestone. Rookie Dan Wheldon, who passed rookie orientation last week in the #26 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda/Firestone, is looking to become the first British driver since Nigel Mansell to start the Indy 500. "Having Robby in our car for the month of May gives us a great shot to win the Indy 500, although we expect all four of our cars to compete for the win," said Michael Andretti. "It's just peace of mind for us, knowing we've added another veteran in our lineup who knows his way around the Speedway and knows how to prepare for the biggest race of the year."
Indy 500 Career Summary
Starts - 8
Total Laps - 1,367
Best Start - 3rd (2001)
Best Finish - 4th (1999)
Top 5 - 3
Top 10 - 5
Races Led - 5
Laps Led - 53
Winnings $1,615,283(RCR PR)(4-25-2003)
Chartwell Investments invests in RCR: Chartwell Investments II LLC announced today that it has made an equity investment in RCR Enterprises, LLC, the elite NASCAR racing team founded and majority-owned by Richard Childress. "We are pleased to partner with Chartwell Investments," said Richard Childress, President and CEO of RCR. "I've had investors in RCR since the late 1990's and I am confident that Chartwell's people and capital will help us to continue to build one of NASCAR's top organizations. I've made a long-term commitment to Chartwell and there will be no changes in how RCR is run."
"NASCAR is the fastest-growing major sport with over 75 million fans nationwide and we are enthusiastic about partnering with Richard Childress, a legendary figure in the NASCAR racing world," said Todd R. Berman, President and Founder of Chartwell Investments. "We hope our participation will give Richard even more time to focus on winning races and supporting the company's sponsors."(PRN Newswire)(4-3-2003) UPDATE: Winston Cup car owner Richard Childress confirmed Wednesday he has sold partial equity in his Richard Childress Racing company to Chartwell Investments, a private New York City-based equity firm. "We have had an investor in RCR since I expanded with (Mike) Skinner in the No. 31 (in 1996), but on a limited basis. This is more extensive," Childress said. "Nothing will look different. I still have control of the company, I own the majority of the company and I'm still the CEO." Chartwell's investment was not disclosed, but Childress said he holds more than a 50 percent interest in RCR. The addition of Chartwell, Childress said, strengthens his organization. "We aren't a little corporation any more," he said. "They can help RCR Enterprises go to another level in this sport. There are a lot of ways you can grow your business in this sport without adding race teams. I've made a long-term commitment to Chartwell, to my employees and to the sport."(ThatsRacin.com)(4-10-2003)
#31 Tire Changer Back: Jason Fowler, the rear tire carrier for Robby Gordon's team, nearly sliced off his finger while making repairs to the #31 car in Bristol. After sitting out a week, Totally NASCAR checked on his progress in Talladega. "Actually the finger is doing really well," Fowler said. "I can really bend it. I've got more movement in it. I really don't have much feeling in the side right now but I've got more feeling in the bottom. In pit practice this week, I could bend it just fine." Fowler will be back in action Sunday at Martinsville(Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR)(4-9-2003)
Gordon Testing at Nashville: #31-Robby Gordon is scheduled to test at Nashville Superspeedway on April 15 and 16.(RCR PR)(4-9-2003)
Robby Gordon's Pit Crew Finishes First in Texas: The crew of Robby Gordon's #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy was the Round 7 winner of the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade during Sunday's (March 30) NASCAR Winston Cup race - Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Gordon's team, owned by Richard Childress Racing, was declared the winner and the recipient of the $20,000 first prize money for spending the least amount of time (202 seconds) on pit road. Coming in second was another Richard Childress Racing entry - the #30 crew of Jeff Green's AOL Chevy. Green's car had a total time of 234 seconds on pit road. The win lifted Gordon's team into third place in the season point standings for the McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade. During each 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup points event, the participating team whose car spends the least amount of aggregate time off the race track will be named the weekly winner provided the team's driver takes the green flag at the beginning of the event and the checkered flag at the conclusion of the event. A timing line at the entrance and exit of pit road triggers the car's transponder and records the total time spent off the race track. The team that records the most standing points during the season will receive a $200,000 bonus at the end of the year. The point distribution per race is: 43 points for first place, descending in increments of one. In order to obtain points at each race, a team must take the opening green flag and the closing checkered flag. The McDonald's Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade is the largest monetary contingency program in NASCAR history and the first to reward pit crews for performance at each race.
Top 10 Pit Crews For Participating Teams At Texas:
1. Robby Gordon, 202 seconds
2. Jeff Green, 234
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.,. 238
4. John Andretti, 251
5. Jamie McMurray, 262
6. Jerry Nadeau, 270
7. Michael Waltrip, 309
8. Todd Bodine, 342
9. Jack Sprague, 372
10. Kurt Busch, 379
(DMF Communications PR)(4-2-2003)
Andretti and Gordon may miss the Indy 500: John Andretti and Robby Gordon announced several weeks ago their intention to compete in this year's Indianapolis 500. But both are being reminded of the significant gap between planning and doing. It takes money to bridge that gap, and neither is having luck finding it. The two Winston Cup regulars said this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway that time is quickly running out on hopes of pulling double duty May 25, racing in both the Indy 500 in the day and the Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, N.C., that night. It is particularly disappointing for Andretti, an Indianapolis native who wanted to return to the 500 in what cousin Michael Andretti has said will be his last race. John Andretti was counting on General Mills, his Winston Cup sponsor, to fund his Indy program, but the company now is telling him that given the economy and world situation, it is inclined to wait a year. He hasn't given up and even has talked to one potential sponsor about a package deal for himself and another open-wheeler turned stock car driver, Petty Enterprises teammate Christian Fittipaldi. One thing he won't do is ask his cousin, in his first year as an Indy Racing League team owner, for help. Michael already has plans to run four cars at Indy. "He's got his hands full," John Andretti said of his cousin. "I don't want to be the guy he comes up to afterward and says, 'I lost because of you,' because he split up one of his pit crews to help me out." Complicating matters for Gordon and Andretti is the IRL has all new cars this season with few extras available. But Gordon said all he has to do is turn on CNN to see the real problem. "It's hard to find money when there's a war going on," Gordon said. "I don't have a deal and I don't see one opening up."(Indianapolis Star)(4-1-2003)
Cingular Wireless and Robby Gordon race on behalf of Special Olympics athletes at Talladega: Sporting a Special Olympics Team USA paint scheme on his race car, Robby Gordon will drive Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy for a good cause on April 6 at Talladega Superspeedway. To launch Cingular's fourth year of supporting Special Olympics, Cingular will donate $100 to the organization for every lap completed, and an additional $1,000 for each lap that Gordon leads in the Aaron's 499. If Gordon wins the race, Cingular will donate $100,000 to Special Olympics. The promotion will help to support Special Olympics Team USA athletes who will compete at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, June 21-29. The games will showcase the athletic skills, courage and dignity of 7,500 athletes with mental retardation from more than 150 countries around the world. Five Special Olympics Alabama athletes will be the VIP guests of Cingular Wireless and Gordon at Talladega. Gordon has invited them to pit row to cheer him on from the sidelines in his specially painted No. 31 race car with a Special Olympics Team USA logo splashed across the car. Special Olympics athletes attending are: Elizabeth Bronold, Dothan, Ala.; Michael Crunkelton, Huntsville, Ala.; Brandi Deese, Dothan, Ala.; Joseph Gann, Prattville, Ala. and Dossie King, Montgomery, Ala. Cingular Wireless, an official partner of Special Olympics USA and an official sponsor of Special Olympics Team USA, has raised more than $28.1 million for the organization over the past three years. Cingular's fundraising effort is the largest partnership in Special Olympics history. "This is one of Cingular's many initiatives for Special Olympics. As an athlete, Robby knows all too well how much training, hard work and determination goes into competition," said Marc Lefar, Cingular's chief marketing officer. "Cingular is confident Robby will end up in Victory Lane, allowing us to successfully launch our 2003 Special Olympics fundraising efforts, and to help Special Olympics Team USA athletes train and participate in the 2003 World Games."
"Cingular and I both believe in the mission of Special Olympics," said Gordon. "Realizing that my success at the Talledega Superspeedway next week can have a direct impact on the organization and can benefit Special Olympics athletes gives me more incentive than ever to win." Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org.(RCR)(3-31-2003)
RCR to Honor POW's: All five cars fielded by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will carry decals recognizing the plight of United States prisoners of war in Iraq during this weekend's NASCAR races at Texas Motor Speedway. "The men and women captured by the Iraqis are serving our country in the most honorable way possible," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. "They have put their lives on the line in the name of our country so we all have to keep them in our thoughts and prayers and hope that they will be returned safely." RCR's Chevrolet Monte Carlo teams in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series include the #29 GM Goodwrench entry with driver Kevin Harvick, the #30 America Online entry with driver Jeff Green and the #31 Cingular Wireless entry with driver Robby Gordon. Its NASCAR Busch Series teams include the #2 ACDelco entry with driver Ron Hornaday and the #21 PayDay entry of Johnny Sauter, who will be driving the car this weekend in Texas. The POW decals will be placed on the C-posts of each car. Childress was the catalyst behind a five-day visit in late January to U.S. troops stationed in Europe. NASCAR team owners, drivers and celebrities traveled to Germany, Bosnia, Sicily and Spain with the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee National Guard. Last October at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Childress signed a statement of support for the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR). The National Guard and Reserves make up nearly half of the United States military personnel.(RCR PR)(3-28-2003)
Robby Gordon takes out an ad for Indy: The Buzz recently spotted an advertisement in Sports Business Journal in which Robby Gordon is looking for primary and associate sponsorship for the May 25 classic. In it, Gordon touts the unique challenges of running two races totalling 1,100 miles on the same day -- and the advantages of sponsoring his effort. "Imagine the impact" is the headline of the ad, which hopefully is not an omen for Gordon, who has traditionally done well at Indianapolis. Gordon is planning to complete the Memorial Day weekend double again this year, running at the Brickyard in the morning, then flying to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway that night. There's no price tag listed, but prospective sponsors will certainly need a hefty pocketbook. A typical IRL car and engine runs a minimum of $400,000 out of the box, not including spare parts, tires, fuel and a crew.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(3-29-2003)
Robby's Angel's? #31-Robby Gordon is scheduled to run a Charlie's Angels 2 paint scheme on June 1st at Dover. It will also run again in late fall when the DVD for the movie is released, guess they are not expecting a long run in the theatres?(3-27-2003)
#31 Crew Member Injured UPDATE 2: Jason Fowler, rear tire carrier for Robby Gordon's #31 Chevrolet, was taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center during Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway after sustaining an injury on pit road. Fowler sustained a cut to his left index finger and was being evaluated for possible nerve damage.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-24-2003) UPDATE: Jason Fowler, the rear-tire carrier for Richard Childress Racing's #31 Chevy driven by Robby Gordon, is recovering from an injury. Fowler, 24, suffered a severed nerve, severed tendons and chipped bone in his left index finger while working on torn sheet metal during a pit stop. He was treated and released. He is expected to perform his tire carrier duties Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.(The State)(3-25-2003) UPDATE 2: Jason Fowler, rear-tire carrier for Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy, will miss Sunday’s Samsung/Radio Shock 500 at Texas Motor Speedway as he recovers from an injury suffered to his left index finger last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Phil Gould, rear-tire carrier for RCR’s #21 Payday Chevy Busch Series team, will fill in for Fowler at Texas. Fowler sustained a severed nerve, severed tendons and chipped bone in his left index finger while working on torn sheet metal during a pit stop on lap 229 of the Food City 500. He was treated at the infield care center and then transported to Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Fowler is scheduled to see an orthopedic specialist in Winston-Salem, NC, Wednesday morning for additional treatment. His status beyond this weekend’s race is yet to be determined.(RCR Site)(3-26-2003)
Robby Gordon and the Indy 500: from NASCAR This Morning: Indy car ready, sponsor not - John Roberts: Is the Indy 500 in your plans again for this year? Robby Gordon: I've been working really hard on an Indy 500 program with Richard Childress. We've got an engine package lined up. We've got chassis lined up. We don't have a major sponsor right now so we're working hard, trying to get that put together. Hopefully we can get something put together here in a little while. It's tough right now with the situation we're in with America right now. If we're going to go to war, not going to go to war. People don't know if they want to spend money or not so that's making it a little more difficult.(FSN's NASCAR This Morning)(3-9-2003)
Sad News: it was reported on this morning's NASCAR This Morning on Fox Sports Net, that Richard Childress' mother, Virginia Hodge, passed away last night. Thoughts go out the the family. AND Just hours after signing Kevin Harvick and Goodwrench to a contract extension, team owner Richard Childress received news that his mother had died. Virginia Hodge, a resident of East Bend, NC, was 79. She passed away Saturday night after a brief illness, according to a team press release. Childress flew back to North Carolina on Sunday morning to be with family.(NASCAR.com)(3-9-2003)
Robby Gordon to run Indy 500? from a question on Robby Gordon's Mailbag on CNNSI.com, will Gordon run the Coca-Cola 600 and Indy 500 this year? "I'd love to do the Double on Memorial Day weekend again, so I'm working on getting a sponsor for the Indy 500 right now and I think I'm getting close. Cingular Wireless sponsored me in the Double last May when I competed in the Indy 500 and then flew to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. That was a blast but it was also a lot of work and an exhausting day. I finished eighth at Indy and brought home a 16th-place finish in the Winston Cup race. If I get the chance to do it again, I'll make sure I take the IV fluids between the races and work out a little more leading up to the race. It takes a lot of stamina to make 1,100 miles."(CNNSI)(2-7-2003)
Gordon and fans help out: #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driver Robby Gordon and his fans have teamed up to raise money for Victory Junction Gang. The charity drive began when Gordon’s fans posted messages on RobbyGordonFans.com urging each other to donate checks in the amount of $31 to Victory Junction Gang. Gordon agreed to match any total the fans collected. The fans’ drive closed last week at approximately $1,150 and a check was written to Victory Junction Gang, along with Gordon’s matching donation.(1-29-2003)
Childress Wine: NASCAR team owner [#29,#30,#31] Richard Childress and a business partner have announced plans to develop 70 acres for a winery, vineyard and hotel in Davidson County, NC. Childress said the initial investment would be from $6 million to $8 million. Childress and business partner Greg Johns of Greensboro plan to develop the land at the intersection of U.S. 64 and U.S. 52 west of Lexington. Plans include a 25,000-square-foot winery, a 25-acre vineyard, a hotel, restaurant and gift shop. Childress said construction on the winery could begin this year. It will likely be the spring of 2004 before the winery opens.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(1-15-2003)
Robby Gordon to run BGN: a quote from Team Gordon on some 2003 plans (besides his #31 Cup ride): "Our hope is to participate in some Busch Grand National events this season and beyond out of the Team Gordon Shop. Of course funding for the program must be adequate enough for us to put together wins. Right now there are a few companies interested in participating in a Busch program with an Indy 500 and Baja 1000 overflow, but nothing is concrete at this time. It's a wait-and-see scenario."(American Race Fan)(1-8-2003)
2002 News
RCR Med Exams: Richard Childress [#29,#30,#31] is requiring his drivers to undergo medical examinations before the start of the season to establish a baseline for their health. "We want to make sure that if they get hurt, we can compare 'A' to 'B,'" he says. Childress didn't find out until after the season that Johnny Sauter, his Busch Series driver, raced hurt for part of 2002.(Sporting News)(12-9-2002)
The Baja 1000 starts Nov 21st UPDATE 2: Winston Cup stock car driver Robby Gordon will lead the list of drivers from other major series competing in the Baja 1000. Of course, Gordon got his start in off-road racing and is a former winner of the event. Other recognized drivers from other series competing this year are Jimmy Vasser, Robbie Groff and Michel Jordain Jr. (CART), Brendan Gaughan (NASCAR Craftsman Trucks), sports car legend Elliott Forbes-Robinson and former IndyCar driver Roberto Guerrero.(San Diego Union Tribune)(11-21-2002) UPDATE: hearing Robby Gordon finished third in his class-Trophy Truck and 10th overall in the Baja. See more info and scoring at the www.off-road.com or www.score-international.com or www.bajawireless.com sites.(11-22-2002) UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon drove to a third-place finish in the Trophy Truck class of the Baja 1000 late Thursday night after holding a 10-minute lead on the field earlier in the event. In a solo drive, Gordon completed the 1,017-mile survival race through Baja California, Mexico, in 18 hours, 32 minutes and four seconds. The 33-year-old grabbed the lead (leading all classes in the Baja 1000) about 120 miles into the desert race but gave it up at mile marker 350 to work on a wheel bearing problem his No. 31 Trophy Truck had suffered. Gordon said he continued to add gear oil to the truck each time he made a scheduled pit stop and did not lose much extra time on those pit stops. His disadvantage was that the leaking oil hurt the rear brakes on the Trophy Truck.(RCR PR)(11-23-2002)
Changes at Childress? Cup [#'s 29,30,31] team owner owner Richard Childress said changes might be in the works for his race teams. "There will be personnel changes," Childress said. "We're going to be shifting a lot of people around, moving a lot of people. We've got to work on getting the right fix and the best people we can in all those positions." BGN champion crew chief Harold Holly of ppc Racing recently visited RCR's complex but decided not to go to work there. Some speculation has surrounded crew chief Todd Berrier and driver Jeff Green, who work together on the #30 AOL Chevy, and Childress indicated the changes could come very soon.(NASCAR.com)(11-17-2002)
Chocolate to retire UPDATE 2 looks so: Next weekend's season finale at Homestead will be the last race as a Richard Childress Racing gas man for Danny "Chocolate" Myers, team officials confirmed Sunday. Myers will retire at the end of the season, but will remain employed at RCR. Myers gained fame as Dale Earnhardt's gas man over a stretch in which Earnhardt won 83 races. Myers remained when Kevin Harvick took over Earnhardt's team last season, but moved to Robby Gordon's #31 Chevy this season after two of the RCR teams swapped crew chiefs. Myers has worked as a color commentator and appeared in television commercials and movies. He is the eldest son of the late Bobby Myers, a pioneer of NASCAR who was killed while driving in the Southern 500 at Darlington in 1957.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-10-2002) UPDATE: Danny “Chocolate” Myers, long-time gasman for the Richard Childress Racing operation, said that he’s not sure that he’ll be retiring from the road at the end of the year, as several outlets have reported. “I may not even get off the road,” Myers said, today. “They did that [retirement story] six months ago when I was mad.”(Ford Racing)(11-12-2002) UPDATE 2: Legendary gasman Danny "Chocolate" Myers will fuel a NASCAR Winston Cup car for the final time Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway as he retires after 17 years as a gasman for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Myers, 54, began his career as a gasman in 1986 for the No. 3 GM Goodwrench team and the late Dale Earnhardt, and was part of the team during Earnhardt's six NASCAR Winston Cup championships at RCR. Myers remained with the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Service team when Kevin Harvick took over driving duties and moved to the No. 31 Cingular Wireless team after the No. 29/No. 31 crew swap in June 2002. Myers has been employed at RCR since 1983. Myers will remain at RCR as the Director of Safety, responsible for ensuring that RCR is in compliance with state and federal safety regulations. In addition to serving as Director of Safety, Myers is charged with assisting with aspects of the RCR Museum and Gift Shop and various special projects. He will also continue to make appearances for various RCR sponsors.(RCR Site)(11-13-2002)
Childress Crew Chiefs: Richard Childress is still working on the 2003 lineup of crew chiefs for his five cars (three Winston Cup, two BGN). Childress would not confirm that he’d hired Harold Holly, who left ppc Racing earlier this week for an undisclosed position with a Winston Cup team. When asked about the selection of five crew chiefs from the pool of six Childress said, “I don’t know, but I’ll be able to tell you next week.”(Ford Racing)(11-12-2002)
Gordon and Baja: Robby Gordon will fly to Loreto, Mexico, Monday morning following the Rockingham race to participate in a pre-run session for the Tecate/SCORE Baja 1000 on Nov. 4-6. He is scheduled to pre-run the lower half of the Baja course during that time in a vehicle other than the #31 Trophy Truck he will compete in in the Baja. The pre-run session gives the competitors the opportunity to get the "lay of the land" and familiarize themselves with the track. Gordon will run from San Ignacio to La Parisma the 4th, La Parisma to La Paz the 5th and repeat La Parisma to La Paz the 6th. Gordon is scheduled to test his Trophy Truck along the upper part of the Baja course on Nov. 11-12.(RCR Racing)(10-31-2002)
Gordon hurt...but ok: #31-Robby Gordon hurt his ankle in the big crash that took out 10 cars, but it wasn't from the wreck. He made the comment that his foot "is hurt a little bit." To clarify, he aggravated an injury he suffered on a dirt bike earlier this year by putting a lot of pressure on it while braking hard during the accident. It is sore, he said, but not a further injury.(The State)(10-14-2002)
R Gordon hurt but will race UPDATE 2: Winston Cup driver #31-Robby Gordon plans to drive Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway despite sustaining two sprained ankles Saturday afternoon in a motocross incident. Gordon sprained both ankles after jumping a hill at Traxx Motorsports Park at Jack Frost Ski Resort on his Honda CRF450 motocross bike. He was with some members of his #31 Richard Childress Racing team at the time and was immediately evaluated by park physicians. Dr. Jay Golding, RCR's team physician, evaluated Gordon Sunday morning and concurred with the Traxx Motorsports Park physicians' diagnosis. Gordon¹s left ankle was injured more severely than his right ankle, and Dr. Golding plans to place an aircast on Gordon¹s left ankle and wrap the right ankle in an ACE bandage for the 500-mile race. Gordon's team will decide following Sunday's race whether Gordon will still test Monday and Tuesday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-28-2002) UPDATE: Gordon sprained both ankles Saturday when he overshot a jump at a local motocross park and his bike landed on its chassis. He is scheduled to undergo x-rays Monday morning in North Carolina and his RCR crew chief Kevin Hamlin said the teams scheduled test at Watkins Glen was canceled.(NASCAR.com)(7-29-2002) UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon's injuries from a weekend motorcycle accident are a little more serious than first appeared. Upon further evaluation by doctors Monday in Charlotte, N.C., it was determined Gordon fractured his left heel in Saturday afternoon's motocross bike incident near Pocono Raceway. Gordon also sustained two sprained ankles in the incident but is still expected to drive the #31 Cingular Chevy in Sunday's Brickyard 400. The team cancelled this week's scheduled test at Watkins Glen. Gordon underwent x-rays and an MRI at Carolinas Medical Center Monday, at which time the heel fracture was discovered. Doctors placed an air cast on Gordon's left foot and taped his right ankle for support. Gordon, 33, was jumping hills on his Honda CRF450 motocross bike Saturday afternoon at Traxx Motorsports Park at Jack Frost Ski Resort near Pocono when the bike landed incorrectly on the top of a hill. Gordon plans to use the aluminum insert in his left shoe this weekend that team members made at Pocono to stabilize his left foot in the race car. He is not expected to miss any races.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-30-2002)
RCR Crew Chief to own a NHRA team: supposedly there is an announcement coming this weekend by Mark Whisnant that he is teaming up with NASCAR crew chief Kevin Hamlin to form a two-car Pro Stock team is already paying dividends as Whisnant powered to a fourth-best 6.890 at 200.38 mph. "We'll take the engineering from over there and put it together with the engineering from over here and we can only get better," said Hamlin, who was seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt's crew chief at the time of his death and now heads Robbie Gordon's [#31] car. "Already I can see a lot of things over here that I'd like to try. It'll take time but it should be interesting and a whole lot of fun. I owe my career to drag racing and the fact the pits are open. I used to come to the drag races in the early 1970s and I'd just stand there and watch guys until they finally started talking to me. I wouldn't be where I am today if fans weren't allowed in the pits. I think it's so cool."(NHRA.com, heads up to The Racing Report)(6-29-2002)
Robby Gordon Staying at RCR: It appears neither driver Robby Gordon nor team owner Richard Childress wants to end the relationship [between Gordon and the team/owner]. "As far as I'm concerned, I'd like to see Robby here for a long, long time," Childress said. "Robby is a lot better driver than the cars we've given him." Said Gordon: "We have until (Aug. 1) to talk about 2003. I really enjoy working for (Childress). Richard Childress is a racer, and I enjoy driving for a racer."(Arizona Republic)(6-26-2002)
Cingular Helps UPDATE: Cingular Wireless says it will donate $100,000 to Special Olympics if Robby Gordon can drive Richard Childress Racing's #31 Chevy to victory in next Sunday's Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Sears Point Raceway. Cingular Wireless, which sponsors Gordon's car, is in the midst of a four-year campaign to raise $40 million for Special Olympics. Cingular Wireless will also donate $100 for each lap he leads and $50 for each lap he completes in the 110-lap event.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-18-2002) UPDATE: Twenty Special Olympics athletes will be the special guests of Cingular Wireless and Robby Gordon to watch the road course specialist take another shot at winning after his second-place finish there last year. Beginning this weekend, the #31 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevy will also carry the Special Olympics USA decal for the remainder of the 2002 season. Cingular Wireless, the National Partner of Special Olympics, Inc., and the exclusive telecommunications sponsor of Special Olympics TEAM USA, is in the third year of its support for Special Olympics U.S. Programs. In addition, Cingular Wireless launched a 60-day promotional drive on June 1, 2002, to collect donations on behalf of Special Olympics. Those who donate $20 to Special Olympics at a Cingular Wireless retail store are eligible for a FREE wireless handset or a $50 mail-in rebate. The nationwide effort spearheaded by Cingular is the largest sponsorship in Special Olympics history. Fundraising efforts by Cingular support year-round training and competition for Special Olympics athletes, as well as send Special Olympics Team USA athletes to the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland.(Robby Gordon site)(6-20-2002)
Chocolate back in pits but not gassing: Richard Childress Racing gasman Danny “Chocolate” Myers was in Robby Gordon’s pits for the second straight race, but didn't’t refuel the car since his injured left arm has not yet healed. Larry Hartle substituted once again, flying from Kentucky, where he’d worked the Busch Series race the night before. With rain forcing that race to be finished on Sunday, Mark Metcalf served as the gasman on Johnny Sauter’s car.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(6-20-2002)
Gordon/RCR close on a contract? Richard Childress said that he and Robby Gordon, driver of the #31 Cingular Chevy, are close to signing a new contract. The agreement will only be for one year when it is completed. "We are and always have just signed year to year to year contracts," said Childress, "Robby and I are close to getting that done."(Insider Racing News)(6-17-2002) UPDATE: Gordon and Childress plan to talk over the summer about a new contract, which they both say they hope will be a long-term deal. Gordon's current contract is up at the end of this season.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-19-2002)
Cingular Helps UPDATE: Cingular Wireless says it will donate $100,000 to Special Olympics if Robby Gordon can drive Richard Childress Racing's #31 Chevy to victory in next Sunday's Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Sears Point Raceway. Cingular Wireless, which sponsors Gordon's car, is in the midst of a four-year campaign to raise $40 million for Special Olympics. Cingular Wireless will also donate $100 for each lap he leads and $50 for each lap he completes in the 110-lap event.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-18-2002) UPDATE: Twenty Special Olympics athletes will be the special guests of Cingular Wireless and Robby Gordon to watch the road course specialist take another shot at winning after his second-place finish there last year. Beginning this weekend, the #31 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevy will also carry the Special Olympics USA decal for the remainder of the 2002 season. Cingular Wireless, the National Partner of Special Olympics, Inc., and the exclusive telecommunications sponsor of Special Olympics TEAM USA, is in the third year of its support for Special Olympics U.S. Programs. In addition, Cingular Wireless launched a 60-day promotional drive on June 1, 2002, to collect donations on behalf of Special Olympics. Those who donate $20 to Special Olympics at a Cingular Wireless retail store are eligible for a FREE wireless handset or a $50 mail-in rebate. The nationwide effort spearheaded by Cingular is the largest sponsorship in Special Olympics history. Fundraising efforts by Cingular support year-round training and competition for Special Olympics athletes, as well as send Special Olympics Team USA athletes to the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland.(Robby Gordon site)(6-20-2002)
Gordon/RCR close on a contract? Richard Childress said that he and Robby Gordon, driver of the #31 Cingular Chevy, are close to signing a new contract. The agreement will only be for one year when it is completed. "We are and always have just signed year to year to year contracts," said Childress, "Robby and I are close to getting that done."(Insider Racing News)(6-17-2002)
Harvick a free agent? Childress switches pitboxes too UPDATE Childress not happy: There was one small item omitted from the team press release that announced Richard Childress changing the #29 and #31 crews. The missing bit of info — the location from which the car’s owner would sit during the Pocono 500. Childress, who has been wrestling with a combination that would make his three-car operation a little more competitive, has taken a real shine to Robby Gordon, driver of his #31 RCR Chevy. Childress has gotten to the point where he’s not hiding his feelings for Gordon; and went so far as to save a chair for Gordon during the Pocono Raceway driver’s meeting. When Gordon walked into the crowded room Childress jumped up waiving to attract Gordon’s attention. The acid test came prior to the start of the race, as Childress’ war wagon mounted chair was set atop the orange and black Cingular war wagon. Then, moments before the race, Childress came and took his seat at the helm, all the while wearing a smirk that carried a great deal of attitude. The Pocono 500 was the first race since Childress took on GM’s Goodwrench Services sponsorship that he wasn’t perched on that team’s toolbox – so say RCR personnel. Apparently Harvick is a free agent at this time, or so one would believe with the number of car owners who claim the driver who has caused a stir in the Winston Cup garage has approached them. One owner, who is looking for talent for next year, was asked if he was tough enough to tame Harvick. After a smile came across the owner’s face he responded, “I don’t know anyone that tough.”(see full story at Ford Racing)(6-12-2002) UPDATE: Winston Cup car owner Richard Childress criticized Ford Motor Co. and its FordRacing.com Web site for a posted earlier this week claiming Childress watched last weekend's race at Pocono from driver Robby Gordon's pit box because of his disillusion with driver Kevin Harvick. The story, which did not have a byline, also claimed there were "more folks" who said that Harvick's two Winston Cup victories last season came from "cheated-up cars." "It's just like your competition. When you're down they try to kick you. It surprises me it came off that Web site," said Childress, who owns three Chevrolet Cup teams that have struggled this season. "It just surprises me that they want to get involved in starting rumors and making accusations when they don't know what's really going on." Last weekend was the first Harvick's former crew chief and team members from the #29 moved over to Gordon's #31 team, and Gordon's crew chief and team went to the #29. Childress said he moved to Gordon's pit because he has performed duties on the pit box with Kevin Hamlin, now Gordon's crew chief, and planned to continue in that role. "Yes, I'm going to try to help Robby's team because that's the team I've been working with. I can't just desert them and say, 'To hell with it,' " Childress said. "I have just always been on that (#29 team) box. I have always helped call the races with Kevin, that's just always been my position." Ford officials say there was nothing unusual about the story, that it is typical of the content of the Web site, which is intended for fans of Ford Racing. "In terms of Childress being disappointed, I'm sorry if he is, but I haven't heard anyone saying the story wasn't accurate or the story wasn't true," said Kevin Kennedy, public affairs manager for Ford Racing Technology. "The story was done by a professional journalist who is part of the NASCAR scene and is in the garage area every day, and we stand by the story," Kennedy said the Web site has an agreement with its correspondents not to use their names on the stories, so as not to disrupt their professional careers.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-14-2002)
Three to Double at Sears Point: Sears Point Raceway says NASCAR Winston Cup drivers #31-Robby Gordon, #30-Jeff Green and #29-Kevin Harvick will pull double-duty as they compete in both the Dodge/Save Mart 350 Winston Cup race and the Snap-on Tools/Jelly Belly 200 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series events on the weekend of June 20-23.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-5-2002)
Cup drivers in the Baja 1000: Long-time off-road racer Robby Gordon will compete in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 this fall. Gordon, who is competing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series this year, will have another Cup star, Kevin Harvick, as his co-driver in a Trophy Truck for the off-road marathon. Sal Fish, SCORE International chief executive, announced earlier this week that the dates for this year's Baja 1000 were being moved back by two weeks to Nov. 20-23. The original schedule would have had the Baja 1000 on the same weekend as season finales for the Cup series and the National Hot Rod Association.(Las Vegas Review-Journal) AND Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon, who would make an ornery tag-team pair in world wrestling circles, may have NASCAR company when they team up at November's Baja 1000. There is some speculation Dale Earnhardt Jr. also may drive a rival Trophy Truck during a portion of the race.(Arizona Republic)(6-4-2002)
Action and Childress extend: Action Performance Companies announced an extension to their ongoing exclusive licensing and marketing contract with Richard Childress Racing. The new agreement, which extends the exclusive license relationship until May 2012, seeks to capitalize on the long-term merchandising value of Richard Childress Racing. Under the revised agreement, Action will have the exclusive right to produce die-cast race car replicas, apparel and other merchandise for Richard Childress Racing team drivers, which currently includes Winston Cup drivers Kevin Harvick (#29), Jeff Green (#30) and Robby Gordon (#31), and Busch Series drivers Johnny Sauter (#2) and Jay Sauter (#21). In addition to the standard personal services clauses and production exclusives, the agreement also allows Action Performance to continue developing and producing Historical Series vehicles from the Richard Childress Racing stable.(Business Wire)(6-3-2002)
Chocolate Myers Injured Will Sit Out Of Cup Race: Chocolate Myers, longtime spokesperson and safety director for RCR who doubles as the gasman on the #29 GM Goodwrench team, has injured his left arm and will not participate in Sunday's MBNA Platinum 400 Winston Cup race at Dover. Larry Hartle, who is the gasman for RCR's #2 ACDelco Chevy on the Busch circuit, has been named as Chocolate's replacement for Sunday's race.(Catchfence)(6-2-2002)
RCR Crew Swap? UPDATE 2 Yes and Chocolate too: hearing rumors that the #29 and #31 Richard Childress Racing teams could swap crews in order to try to turn around their season.(5-22-2002) UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) crew chief Kevin Hamlin and many current members of the #29 Goodwrench Service NASCAR Winston Cup team will swap places with fellow RCR crew chief Gil Martin and many current members of the #31 Cingular Wireless team starting at next weekend's Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. In essence, Hamlin and his group will become the Cingular Wireless crew for driver Robby Gordon while Martin and his group will become the GM Goodwrench Service crew for driver Kevin Harvick. "We're making this move to help the GM Goodwrench Service and Cingular Wireless teams and all of RCR," said Richard Childress, President and CEO of Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. "The results of our performances this season have not been up to expectations. Jeff Green and the America Online team have had the best results so far and are showing a lot of promise for the second half of the year so we're not going to change what they have been building on. But the 29 and 31 teams are down enough in the points right now that it makes the most sense to make some changes between the two. Kevin (Hamlin), Gil and all of the guys in the shop haven't forgotten how to build and prepare race cars and Kevin (Harvick) and Robby still know how to win races so it's just a matter of getting the right people in the right places. We've made changes like this before and it's worked out and we're confident that it will again." Hamlin is actually moving back to where he began at RCR. He was the #31 team's crew chief during its inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup season in 1997 until midway through the 1998 season when he swapped places with former RCR crew chief Larry McReynolds.(RCR Racing Site)(5-29-2002) UPDATE 2: Danny "Chocolate" Myers, the well-known gasman during all six of the late Dale Earnhardt’s Winston Cup championships with Richard Childress Racing, will fuel the #29 Chevrolet for the final time this weekend at Dover before moving to RCR’s #31 team. RCR announced on Wednesday the crew chiefs and crews would swap between the No. 29 and 31 teams beginning next weekend at Pocono. "Richard (Childress) let me have the choice of staying with the 29 team and I would love to but, on the other hand, I’ve worked with that group of guys moving to the 31 team for so long and so well that I don’t want to break up that deal," Myers said. "I’ve been at Richard Childress Racing for nearly 20 years and I feel like there are a lot of younger guys coming in that look up to me because I’ve been doing this for so long. By making this change and not having a problem with it, it should give the other guys reason to be able to do the same thing."(ThatsRacin.com)(5-30-2002)
More new Chevy/Pontiac for 2003 news: Richard Childress [owner of the #'s 29,30,31] says he expects NASCAR to approve a significantly modified Chevrolet Monte Carlo body style for 2003. Pontiacs also are due for a change (has submitted a 2003 Grand Prix body to NASCAR for approval, Chevy has not). Childress hopes the new Monte Carlo will narrow a perceived aerodynamic disadvantage to rival Ford and Dodge teams. NASCAR cars' bodies are only loosely based on street cars', and NASCAR officials regularly tinker with the aerodynamic characteristics of different car makes' bodies to keep competition equal. That causes teams to argue over which make has an advantage and lobby for changes. Winston Cup series director John Darby hopes to reduce the bickering next year by making all four car makes almost identical, primarily different in the nose and tail. The current Ford and Dodge bodies already are similar; Chevys and Pontiacs likely will get more rounded-off roof sections in 2003. Darby says making the cars more similar also will make it easier to accomplish NASCAR's broader goal of making its cars less dependent on aerodynamics to stick to the track, a move it hopes will make racing more competitive.(USA Today)(5-29-2002)
RCR Crew Swap? UPDATE: hearing rumors that the #29 and #31 Richard Childress Racing teams could swap crews in order to try to turn around their season.(5-22-2002) UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) crew chief Kevin Hamlin and many current members of the #29 Goodwrench Service NASCAR Winston Cup team will swap places with fellow RCR crew chief Gil Martin and many current members of the #31 Cingular Wireless team starting at next weekend's Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway. In essence, Hamlin and his group will become the Cingular Wireless crew for driver Robby Gordon while Martin and his group will become the GM Goodwrench Service crew for driver Kevin Harvick. "We're making this move to help the GM Goodwrench Service and Cingular Wireless teams and all of RCR," said Richard Childress, President and CEO of Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. "The results of our performances this season have not been up to expectations. Jeff Green and the America Online team have had the best results so far and are showing a lot of promise for the second half of the year so we're not going to change what they have been building on. But the 29 and 31 teams are down enough in the points right now that it makes the most sense to make some changes between the two. Kevin (Hamlin), Gil and all of the guys in the shop haven't forgotten how to build and prepare race cars and Kevin (Harvick) and Robby still know how to win races so it's just a matter of getting the right people in the right places. We've made changes like this before and it's worked out and we're confident that it will again." Hamlin is actually moving back to where he began at RCR. He was the #31 team's crew chief during its inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup season in 1997 until midway through the 1998 season when he swapped places with former RCR crew chief Larry McReynolds.(RCR Racing Site)(5-29-2002)
Robby Gordon at the Indy 500 and at Lowes UPDATE: Robby Gordon ended up 8th as Roger Penske won his 12th Indy 500 as an owner with Helio Castroneves winning his 2nd Indy 500, the only driver ever to do so in two starts and the first back to back winner since Al Unser in 1970-71. There was a fire in Gordon's pits around lap 80 when the fuel hose didn't get disconnected and the top blew off the fuel cart/tank in the pits when it cuaght fire but was put out immediately, they had to restart Gordon's car as it stalled , but Gordon left the pits and is back on the track and no one got injured. The team will be moved to Greg Ray's pits and use that fuel tank, Ray is out of the race. Weather at Indianapolis was perfect and will not cause Gordon to be late or miss the Coca Cola 600. See results at ThatsRacin.com.(5-26-2002) UPDATE Gordon arrived at Charlotte and started the race, but had to start from the rear of the field, cramped up a bit but stayed in the car for the whole race and finished 16th one lap down.(5-26-2002)
Childress in Indy: Winston Cup car owner Richard Childress will be attending his first Indianapolis 500 today. And despite his lack of experience in open-wheel racing, he'll be calling the shots in the pits for driver Robby Gordon in the Indy 500.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(5-26-2002)
Robby Gordon Lobbies NASCAR: #31-Robby Gordon, who is slated to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the 600-mile event at LMS on Sunday, qualified a respectable 12th. It was the top spot among Richard Childress Racing's three drivers, but Gordon will have to start at the back of the 43-car field if he misses the 3:30 p.m. (EDT) drivers meeting at LMS. Gordon would like to keep his starting spot and is lobbying NASCAR to allow him to attend the meeting via videoconference due to his Indy commitment. "With today's technology, I asked NASCAR earlier if I could videoconference into the drivers meeting so I don't have to go to the back," Gordon said. "They said they'd think about it. Nobody has ever asked that question before. People can run billion-dollar companies through videoconferencing, so why can't I go to the drivers meeting through a videoconference?"(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(5-25-2002)
Wallace to stand by for Gordon if needed: Richard Childress Racing will have Mike Wallace standing by for the team's #31 Cingular Chevy team Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway in case Robby Gordon doesn't return from the Indianapolis 500 in time for the start of the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600. The Indy 500 is scheduled to start at 12:00noon/et on Sunday, while the 600 is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm/et, about three hours after the end of the Indy race. Gordon's itinerary shows him arriving at Lowe's Motor Speedway at about 5:15pm/et.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(5-23-2002)
Robby Gordon starts 11th in the Indy 500: Robby Gordon, who is seeking to win the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, qualified 11th at Indy on Saturday. "I'm a little disappointed with 11th because it's the farthest back in the field that I have even started from...," says Gordon, who will also drive Richard Childress Racing's #31 Cingular Chevy in the 600 that night at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "All qualifying 11th means is that there will be that many more cars I have to pass on the outside as I head into turn one on the first lap." This week, Gordon expects to test his Indy car on Wednesday and Thursday before flying back to Charlotte for practice Thursday night for The Winston, which is scheduled for Saturday night.(Winston Cup Scene - Daily Newsletter)(5-14-2002)
CIngular Scheme: hearing the #31 Cingular Chevy will run the Special Olympics Logo in conjunction with a promotion the month of June and July. Cingular did a similar promotion in 2001.(5-9-2002)
Gordon misses Indy practice: Saturday's postponement forced Robby Gordon to miss opening day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gordon is attempting to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.(Roanoke Times)(5-6-2002)
Robby Gordon and Spiderman: Robby Gordon and Richard Childress Racing's #31 Cingular Wireless team are joining forces with superhero Spider-Man for the NASCAR Winston Cup events at California Speedway and Richmond. The comic book hero will ride along with Gordon and the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo at Fontana and Richmond in a special paint scheme celebrating his jump to the big screen. Spider-Man, Columbia Pictures' highly anticipated action adventure film, is scheduled for release worldwide on May 3. Cingular Wireless has launched a special promotional campaign in conjunction with its partnership with the movie. The campaign - supported by TV, print and radio advertising, direct mail, and in-store placement -- is the most ambitious ever for a wireless carrier in conjunction with a Hollywood movie. Cingular, the nation's second largest wireless carrier, developed the campaign with Sony Entertainment. Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider-Man will be released May 3 by Columbia Pictures and stars Tobey Maguire as the web-slinging superhero. The film also stars Willem Dafoe as the villainous Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn, Cliff Robertson as Uncle Ben, Rosemary Harris as Aunt May and J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson.(Robby Gordon site), see an image of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery(4-26-2002)
Gordon and Earnhardt Jr speak: After finishing his qualifying run, #31-Robby Gordon climbed from his car, walked right over to #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and struck up a conversation. "I asked him if he was OK with me starting behind him," said Gordon, who was third after his run, but got bumped down to 11th. Gordon said his feud with Earnhardt Jr. at Bristol is over. "It's racing," Gordon said. "We don't have any grudges. One thing that's nice about Winston Cup is we have 36 weekends to get at it. Texas was rough for us, but we're happy to be starting where we're at."(News and Advance)(4-13-2002)
Childress to be honored: NASCAR team owner and former driver Richard Childress will be honored during Speedway Children's Charities 22nd annual Charity Ball Friday, May 24, at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Charlotte. This event, held in
conjunction with the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, will be themed "A Welcome Champion." Sponsored by UAW-GM Motorsports, the gala affair is annually Charlotte's largest black-tie benefit as well as one of the most successful fundraisers for the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities. See my Racing Charity Page for more info.(LMS PR)(4-13-2002)
Gordon Makes Offer: #31-Robby Gordon, who was fined after running into #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the end of the Food City 500 at Bristol, paid the fine himself and offered to reimburse Childress for the damage to the car. That offer was declined, however.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to see)(4-11-2002)
Gordon and the Indy 500 UPDATE 2: After being announced as the driver for the #31 Cingular Chevy for the 2002 season, Robby Gordon says he may still run the Indy 500 if the right deal can be worked out (and it is with Richard Childress)(Insider Racing News/FSN's Totally NASCAR)(11-17-2001) UPDATE: Word is that Robby Gordon will be pulling double duty Memorial Day weekend by driving in the Indy 500 and then flying from Indy to Lowe's Motor Speedway to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 later that day. Gordon, the regular driver of the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet, will have backing from his team owner Richard Childress in more ways than one. It is believed that Childress will be a financial backer of the Indy team Gordon would drive for -- Menard Racing. It is also believed that Cingular will come aboard with some level of sponsorship as well. If he does the double duty, Gordon would join Tony Stewart and John Andretti as the only other NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers to do so. Stewart completed the task in 1999 and 2001. Andretti did it in 1994. This would be the third time Gordon will attempt the 1,100-mile marathon. He attempted to do it in 1997, but was stopped by Mother Nature -- the Indy race was delayed two days because of rain. Gordon also tried in 2000 but P.J. Jones started the car for Gordon.(NASCAR.com BUZZ)(3-27-2002) UPDATE 2: Cingular Wireless will sponsor both race teams in Robby Gordon's third attempt at the Indianapolis 500/Coca-Cola 600 "double" May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway for car owners Richard Childress and John Menard. Gordon will drive the #31 Menard/Childress/Cingular Wireless Chevrolet-powered Dallara in the Indianapolis 500 and the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in the Coca-Cola 600. Gordon had high hopes for the Memorial Day weekend feat in 2000 and 1997 but never enjoyed a true 'double' due to weather delays both years. A rain delay in the 2000 Indianapolis 500 caused Gordon to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600, while rain postponed the 1997 Indianapolis 500 until the following Monday.. Although he has not enjoyed the full 'double' experience, Gordon has logged four top-six finishes in seven Indianapolis 500 starts and was leading on the next-to-last lap of the 1999 race before running out of fuel (he finished fourth). This year's 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' will not be Gordon's first venture with Menard, either. Menard co-owned Gordon's 1999 and 2000 Indy 500 teams, as well as his 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series team. Team Menard will build and crew the Menard/Childress/Cingular Wireless Dallara/Chevrolet. Gordon is also reuniting with his former crew chief Dave Forbes for the 500-mile race.. Forbes was Gordon's crew chief during the 1999 CART Series and in the 1999 Indy 500.(RCR PR)(3-28-2002)
Expect Harvick and R Gordon to be fined and penalized UPDATE penalties announced: #31-Robby Gordon and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. were called to the NASCAR hauler to meet with series officials following Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol. The two traded bumps several times during the race, and after the race ended, Gordon drove his No. 31 Chevrolet into the back of Earnhardt Jr.’s car on pit road, turning it around. NASCAR officials said they planned to review the incident and that Gordon would likely be penalized in a similar fashion to Tony Stewart, who was fined $10,000 last year for spinning Jeff Gordon on pit road. After the pit road incident, Robby Gordon drove to the garage area, while Earnhardt Jr. stopped on pit road for media interviews, as is common for drivers who finish in the top five (Earnhardt Jr. was fourth). As Earnhardt Jr. was getting out of his car, Mike Scearce, the jack man for Gordon’s team, ran up to Earnhardt Jr.’s car and Scearce and members of Earnhardt Jr.’s team exchanged obscenities before they were separated.(ThatsRacin.com) AND Kevin Harvick likely faces a large fine and probation for his actions on pit road following Saturday’s Channellock 250 BGTN race at Bristol. Greg Biffle hit Harvick’s car exiting Turn 4 on Lap 240, sending Harvick into the wall. Harvick waited in a pit stall on the frontstretch until the race was over and when Biffle brought his #60 Ford on pit road, Harvick charged after him and the two locked arms for nearly a minute before they were separated(actually jumped on and over Biffle's car). Saturday afternoon, Harvick, his crew chief, Kevin Hamlin, and car owner, Richard Childress, all met with NASCAR officials. Childress met with NASCAR President Mike Helton again early Sunday morning, and Childress, Harvick and Helton met again for 25 minutes later Sunday morning. Harvick had to cancel an appearance in the hospitality village Sunday morning because of his meeting with Helton. Helton said penalties against Harvick will be issued this week, perhaps as early as Monday. “I think the issue we have to deal with, is how disruptive Harvick’s actions were and how detrimental his actions were to the overall scheme of things,” Helton said. Childress agreed that NASCAR had to take some action. Not only was Harvick frustrated with having his car wrecked, but he was shaken by the wreck itself. “It was a tough hit,” Childress said. “He couldn’t walk hardly last night. He’s really hurting today.”(ThatsRacin.com)(3-25-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR officials announced today they have penalized NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers Robby Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., for intentionally running into each other's car during the cool-down lap of the Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Gordon, driver of the #31 NASCAR Winston Cup Series team, was fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 28th. Earnhardt Jr. was fined $5,000. Both drivers were penalized under Section 12-4-A in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: "actions deemed by NASCAR Officials as detrimental to stock car racing."
A penalty was also levied against driver Kevin Harvick for his actions in the pits following Saturday's Channellock 250 NASCAR Busch Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Harvick, driver of the #29 NASCAR Busch Series team, was fined $15,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 28th. He was penalized under Section 12-4-A in the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series rule book: "actions deemed by NASCAR Officials as detrimental to stock car racing."(NASCAR PR)(3-25-2002)
One Thousand Starts for RCR: Robby Gordon's #31 Chevy will represent the 1,000th start for the Richard Childress Racing team when he takes the green flag Sunday at Las Vegas. Gordon qualified 12th on Friday, ahead of teammates Jeff Green (22nd) and Kevin Harvick (28th). More than half of the team's cup starts were made by the late Dale Earnhardt with 529. Childress added 188 of his own. Mike Skinner has 157 starts, Ricky Rudd 60, Harvick 37, Gordon 12, Green 10, Morgan Shepherd and Neil Bonnett 2 each and Mike Dillon and Rodney Combs one each.(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)(3-2-2002)
Why was Robby Gordon....? UPDATE: getting this question much today - Why was Robby Gordon called to the NASCAR trailer after the race? On CNN/Si's NASCAR Plus, Benny Parsons said that Gordon was called to the NASCAR trailer because after making contact with #48-Jimmie Johnson and cutting a tire down, he did not pit the #31 Chevy when NASCAR told him to, he stayed out on the track, the tire blew ripped some sheet metal off the car.(2-25-2002) UPDATE: On Lap 387, Robby Gordon was hit by Jimmie Johnson on the backstretch, sending Gordon spinning out of control. After staying clear of the field, an angry Gordon, who was running in the top 10 at the time of the accident, restarted his car and returned to the track. He did not pit on his first pass of pit road, and after not pitting a second time, the damage to his car took its toll. A rear tire blew and debris scattered across the frontstretch, forcing NASCAR to display the yellow. Gordon, crew chief Gil Martin and the team’s spotter, Tim Overby, were called to the NASCAR trailer after the race. Martin was admonished for not getting Gordon to pit sooner. "NASCAR said we had an opportunity to get on pit road and Robby should have done that. They basically said by staying out, we caused the last caution which was detrimental to the outcome of the race," Martin said. "I understand their position. But at the same time, why was the yellow not thrown when my driver first spun on the backstretch, which could have been a dangerous situation for him and detrimental to our team?" Martin said both sides simply expressed their opinions on the matter during the meeting. There are no penalties forthcoming related to the incident. NASCAR spokesperson Danielle Humphrey said officials were trying to get Gordon to pit or at least get below the apron to prevent fluids or pieces of sheet metal from being dropped on the racing groove.(ThatsRacin.com)(2-26-2002)
Robby Gordon in the desert UPDATE 3: Robby Gordon is driving in this weekend's Parker 400 off-road race.(Arizona Republic), Parker 400, and will be driving a new Danny Porter built Truggy. Robby will be unable to attend the Parker 400 Poker Run this Saturday due to a previous NASCAR commitment in Daytona, but will be arriving in Parker late Saturday night. Robby will be driving the first half of the race, teamed with co-pilot/owner/designer Johnny Kaiser in the new #131 Truggy. Team Gordon is currently planning to race a limited off-road schedule as time permits, which includes the following races, San Felipe 250, Terrible Town 250 and 1 or 2 other races time permitting given Robby's busy NASCAR schedule running in Cup.(Desert Racing) and more at www.off-road.com(1-25-2002) UPDATE: Robby Gordon's plans have changed for the Historic Whiplash/SNORE Parker 400. Instead of co-driving a single vehicle in this race, Gordon is now going to be driving with his father [Bob] in their Class 1 Toyota, as well as driving Johnny Kaiser's Class 1 Truggy. Gordon's current plans are to start the race in the Toyota, and then at the halfway point, Bob Gordon will take over the driving duties in the Toyota, and Robby will take over the driving duties in the new Kaiser Truggy. This is the supposedly first time anyone has ever attempted to compete in two Class 1 vehicles in the same race.(Robby Gordon site)(1-26-2002) UPDATE 2: looks like Gordon finished 32nd of 97(Off Road)(1-27-2002) UPDATE 3: Gordon finished the buggy 12th in class. He had some problems early on (within the first 30 miles) that put him about 40 minutes down from the leaders. After the repairs were complete, he made up a considerable amount of time. Eventually,
he suffered a few flat tires that he had to manually change and finished the 400 miles in 7 hours, 18 minutes and 49 seconds. Gordon was unable to drive the Kaiser truggy, because it also suffered problems within the early stages of the race.(1-27-2002)
2001 News
Hutchens promoted: Richard Childress has reorganized his three-team Winston Cup operation for this season, and Bobby Hutchens, the company's chief engineer and general manager [and of the Hutchens device], has taken on another role, as team manager for all three Cup teams(Winston Salem Journal)(1-15-2002)
24 Hours - Been asked...here ya go: SpeedChannel, formerly SpeedVision, will air the Rolex 24-Hours of Daytona live starting February 2 and at various times that weekend.(RacingOne)(1-15-2002)
Childress Trademark News: A U.S. magistrate judge issued a permanent injunction and judgement last month in favor of Richard Childress Racing in its trademark infringement lawsuit against Charlotte, N.C.-based Heavenly Deigns of N.C. Inc. and its owners, Barry and Billi Jo McCall Baker. In an order signed Dec. 10, Judge Russell Eliason awarded RCR approximately $500,000 in damages, costs and legal fees. He also issued a permanent injunction prohibiting Heavenly Designs from "manufacturing, distributing, advertising, offering for sale, or selling goods under any designs or marks comprised of a number 3, with or without angel's wings and/or halo." Childress said he was pleased the case was over and the injunction issued.(That's Racin')(1-11-2002)
Rolex 24 at Daytona - Robinson in?(no) UPDATE 4 Harvick, Petty, R Gordon, Stewart, Dallenbach, Andretti: hearing Shawna Robinson is going to be driving a second Flis Corvette in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, with Conway and Goad as co-drivers. Supposedly Bam Motorsports is buying the seat time for her.(12-7-2001) UPDATE: hearing Shawna Robinson will NOT drive in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona and that Kevin Harvick could be in the seat now(12-25-2001) UPDATE 2: Flis Motorsports, which claimed 2001 AGT-class driver and car owner championships, will test two Corvettes entered for this year's race. A championship-winning NASCAR driver, whose name will be made public Jan. 2, has signed on to drive in the team's second car(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-27-2001) UPDATE 3: Kevin Harvick will help kick off Speed Weeks 2002 by driving a Flis Motorsports Corvette during the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Feb. 2-3. Harvick will join the Daytona Beach-based team drivers Rick Carelli, John Metcalf and Dave Liniger, primary sponsor of the Flis Corvette. Carelli, a Truck Series driver [in Harvicks CTS truck] and longtime friend of Harvick, was instrumental in suggesting that the NASCAR star join the team. Harvick joins a growing list of NASCAR drivers who will suit up for this year's 24-hour event at Daytona International Speedway. Kyle Petty [#45 Cup car], whose team finished seventh overall in the 2001 endurance event, is returning for another run and will bring along Petty Enterprises teammate John Andretti [#43], also a sportscar racing veteran. They will drive a Porsche GT3R. Tony Stewart [#20] will drive a Judd-powered Crawford prototype racer. Wally Dallenbach Jr. will drive a Robinson Racing Riley & Scott MkIII, also a prototype. Robby Gordon [#31] is said to be joining Indy Racing League driver Scott Sharp, who announced Wednesday that he will drive for the Jim Matthews Racing team in an Elan-powered Riley & Scott. Sharp, a two-time SCCA Trans-Am champion and 1996 IRL inaugural season co-champion, teamed with Wayne Taylor and Jim Pace to win overall honors in the 1996 Rolex 24 At Daytona.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-28-2001) UPDATE 4: Robby Gordon will drive a Jim Matthews Racing R&S Mk III C for the 40th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, according to Bill Riley, vice president of chassis manufacturer Riley & Scott, and Jim Matthews, owner of Jim Matthews Racing. Guy Smith, Jim Matthews and 1996 Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Scott Sharp will share driving duties with Gordon.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(12-29-2001)
New RCR shop: Richard Childress Racing has started construction on an 80,000-square foot state-of-the-art Winston Cup shop will be the new home for its three Winston Cup teams. The building will have paint and body shops, prep stations and truck bays for the #29, #30 and #31 teams of drivers Kevin Harvick, Jeff Green and Robby Gordon, respectively. The new structure will include office space for the Winston Cup crew chiefs and general manager, as well as the RCR engineering department. Samet Construction of Greensboro, N.C., is building the new shop. It will be a two-story, precast concrete construction, with an elevator and parking for 150. The new shop will be among 12 buildings that make up 330,000-square feet on the 34-acre RCR complex. The Winston Cup shop is expected to be completed by April 15, 2002.(That's Racin')(12-24-2001)
Robby Gordon races for the Nations Cup UPDATE: The wraps are finally off this year’s team line-ups for the Michelin Race of Champions - Nations Cup. Eight fearsome trios are set to lock horns around the 2.6 kilometres of asphalt and gravel of the Circuit Ciudad Deportiva Islas Canarias to decide which nation is the fastest of them all. Traditionally a star-studded event, this year’s Michelin Race of Champions (7-9 December, Gran Canaria) has attracted a better-than-ever calibre and quantity of speed merchants, drawn by the rare opportunity to put patriotism before individual pride. Representing the USA are: Robby Gordon [#31 RCR Chevy], Rhys Millen [Rally Driver/Pikes Peak] and Shaun Palmer [Snowboarder, World Cup mountain bike and motocross racer]. For more info, see the website: www.raceofchampions.com(12-5-2001) UPDATE: Finnish WRC ace, Harri Rovanpera was duly crowned 2001 Champion of Champions after defeating Germany's Armin Schwarz in the Final of the prestigious Michelin Race Of Champions event at the Circuito de la Ciudad Deportiva Islas Canarias today. The Peugeot driver triumphed two heats to one with less than a second between both drivers in every race. Robby Gordon lost in the Quarter-Finals(Race Of Champions site)(12-10-2001)
More Gordon and Gordon: Jeff Gordon had a surprise visitor at his private championship party Nov. 29 when Robby Gordon, who punted him out of the lead to win the Nov. 23 race at New Hampshire, showed up. According to witnesses, the two drivers chatted about the incident with the intent of putting it behind them. Jeff Gordon, meanwhile, says the incident might have been a blessing in disguise. After he chased down Robby and rammed his car from behind, his fan base suddenly began to swell. "I gained more fans over that deal than I did by winning races all year long," he said. "I had a lot of people approach me and say, 'It was great to see that intensity,' and, 'We know that you've got it in you.'"(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(12-6-2001)
RCR/Gordon present winnings: Team owner Richard Childress and driver Robby Gordon presented a check for $203,924 to the Uniformed Firefighters Association's Widows and Childrens Fund. That is what Gordon and the #31 team earned with their victory last Friday in the season-ending NASCAR race in Loudon, N.H. -- Gordon's first Winston Cup victory.(Daytona Beach News Journal/AP)(11-30-2001)
Robby Gordon wins at New Hampshire: #24-Jeff Gordon dominated the race but after an altercation with #31-Robby Gordon and Robby bumping Jeff, Jeff retaliated and got black flagged, Robby went on and won the race, his first ever Winston Cup start (in 62 starts). Robby Gordon is the 5th first time winner in 2001, the first points win for Lowe's as a sponsor (and their last one as the sponsor of the #31) and for the #31 RCR team. Robby Gordon is also the 19th different winner in 2001, which ties the all-time record. See That's Racin' for the New Hampshire 300 Results and for Winston Cup drivers points. Robby Gordon also announced that all the winnings from the race will be donated to the NYC Firemans fund. Gordon is now the 160th driver to win a Cup race in 1957 races. Also for more info on the race, see my New Hamshire 300 Race Info page(11-23-2001)
Gordon and the Indy 500: After being announced as the driver for the #31 Cingular Chevy for the 2002 season, Robby Gordon says he may still run the Indy 500 if the right deal can be worked out (and it is with Richard Childress)(Insider Racing News/FSN's Totally NASCAR)(11-17-2001)
RCR Announcements at Atlanta UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing is scheduled to make a pair of announcements next weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway concerning drivers for its #31 Cup team and #2 BGN team. On Friday, Robby Gordon, who has substituted frequently in the #31 this season in place of injured driver Mike Skinner, will be named the team's new full-time driver for 2002. In addition, RCR is expected to announce ASA champ Johnny Sauter will run a full schedule and compete for rookie of the year honors in the #2 Chevy next season. Originally, Harvick was going to run most of the races held in conjunction with Winston Cup events, while Sauter would run the remainder of the schedule. Harvick, who won the series title this season in the car, will run few, if any, races with the team while Sauter will compete full time.(That's Racin')(11-12-2001) UPDATE: from www.cingular.com website, Cingular's newsroom is reporting the signing of Robby Gordon: Robby Gordon will drive the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. "Driving for Richard Childress Racing and Cingular Wireless is the perfect opportunity for me," said Gordon. "RCR has made winning races and championships a tradition for three decades and I'm confident we'll be able to contribute our share of success to the program. Cingular Wireless is about creativity and self-expression and it's no secret that I've been known to creatively express myself throughout my career. I'm still learning a lot in Winston Cup racing so I appreciate Richard's confidence in me to get the job done and I look forward to getting the Cingular Wireless team on the winning track."
"Robby's a winner and a champion," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. "He understands what it takes to be successful - and that will give the Cingular Wireless program a big head start for next season. Robby's experience in the No. 31 car this year allowed him to get comfortable working with Gil (Martin, crew chief) and the crew and got him more seat time in a NASCAR Winston Cup car. I think it's just a matter of time before he starts consistently getting finishes like the one he had in Phoenix.", see an image of the car on the Paint Schemes Gallery(11-16-2001)
Robby and the Baja 1000 UPDATE: don't know much about the Baja 1000 Robby Gordon will run in this weekend (Jeff Green will the #31 Lowes Chevy at Homestead), but a few sites that readers can follow his, and the races progress, are: www.off-road.com including realtime coverage of the events. Also the www.score-international.com site has info(11-9-2001) UPDATE: Robby Gordon failed to finish last Friday's Baja 1000 due to electronic problems. Gordon was leading the race when the problems first surfaced and he worked on his Trophy Truck for six hours before withdrawing from the race. Robby Gordon's Thoughts on the Baja 1000: "I was leading the Baja when the 'electronic gremlins' bit me, kind of like what happened to the Lowe's car at Watkins Glen. All the wires are sealed in my Baja truck like in an airplane. Everything is electronic and that's supposed to be the best way to go, but if I run the Baja again, I may not do that. Most of the cars and trucks in the Baja don't run an all electronic system like I do. When the ignition shuts off, you don't really know where to start looking for the culprit because you really need to hook the truck up to a computer to find the problem. I worked on it for six hours and finally gave up. I did get the truck running again but then it misfired. I couldn't get 12 volts, even after I changed batteries. Months of effort went into preparing for the Baja so I'm pretty upset right now. I guess you could say I'm becoming a good loser under unusual circumstances, especially when they're related to electrical problems. It looked like the race was going to fall into my lap but I guess it just wasn't meant to be."(RCR PR)(11-12-2001)
Gordon Tribute: #31-Robby Gordon will continue to pay tribute to the efforts of the United States Navy in the war against Osama bin Laden and the Taliban government of Afghanistan by wearing a crew hat from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during this weekend’s NASCAR events at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham. Last week at Phoenix International Raceway, Gordon and crewmembers of Richard Childress Racing’s #31 Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse team wore crew hats from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and other ships in the Battle Force Seventh Fleet, including the guided missile frigates USS Gary (FFG-51) and USS Vandegrift (FFG-48). The Lowe’s team finished seventh at PIR, a season-best and Gordon’s NASCAR Winston Cup career best on a track other than a road course.(RCR Site)(11-2-2001)
New #31 Crew Chief: Richard Childress Racing announced on Friday that Gil Martin has been named crew chief for the # 31 car, effective immediately. Martin has been crew chief for the #21 team in the BGN and has been a consultant to the #31 Cup team since midseason. Royce McGee, previously the crew chief on the #31 car, was named Winston Cup shop manager at RCR and will oversee the three-team operation next year.(That's Racin'/RCR PR)(11-2-2001)
Gordon to the #31 in 2002? Richard Childress is planning a shakeup in the Robby Gordon [#31 Lowes] team this week. But Childress is giving Gordon himself a vote of confidence. In fact, Childress confirmed Gordon as his man for next season: "He did a great job for us all day. He's what I expected, and he's going to do a hellava job next year. To me, watching him, with his talent and ability, he reminds me a lot of Tim Richmond. We've helped him, we've kept him calmed down. We told him just be smooth. "We're going to approach this thing (next season) different from how he's ever approached it."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-29-2001)
Gordon NOT signed: Robby Gordon denied rumors posted on various NASCAR Internet sites that he has already signed with Childress Racing for next season. As for "Silly Season" rumors that have Gordon already filming commercials for RCR's new sponsor Cingular Wireless, Gordon said flatly, "Absolutely not true. This is a great team, and I think I could do some great things with this team, but I don't know what's going to happen. I've got several offers on the table, one here and several in Indy cars," he said. Gordon, who has filled in for RCR since Mike Skinner's season-ending knee surgery following a crash at Chicago in July, said Childress will make his decision on the permanent replacement for Skinner in the #31 Chevy by next month's race in Atlanta.(TimesDaily)(10-24-2001)
#31 Announcement at Atlanta: Richard Childress continues to insist his plans for his #31 Chevrolet will not be announced until sometime around the Nov. 18 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway(Gaston Gazette)(10-20-2001)
Mayfield in the #31? #7? Evernham? UPDATE:(maybe the Jayski Studabaker?) - A source close to Richard Childress said Sunday night that Mayfield is the lead candidate to take over the #31 Chevy. The major issue, according to the source, is sponsor Cingular, who apparently requested that Robby Gordon drive the car. Mayfield has been rumored in virtually every car on the circuit, including one rumor that has him in a Ray Evernham Dodge. Interestingly, a source close to Jim Smith's Ultra Motorsports team said he was told Mayfield would be in the #7 with McDonald's as sponsor.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(10-15-2001) UPDATE: hearing that Mayfield is NOT a top choice for Richard Childress and that Gordon is still the front runner for the #31 ride(10-16-2001)
Sauter in the #31 at Homestead? UPDATE 2, no it's Green: hearing ASA Champ and RCR BGN driver, Johhny Sauter could be in the #31 Lowes Chevy at Homestead. Robby Gordon will likely miss next month's race at Homestead, due to a commitment to run the Baja 1000 off-road race(10-11-2001) UPDATE: Rick Mast is also under consideration to drive the #31 at Homestead. Gordon will NOT drive the car there(FSN's Totally NASCAR)(10-12-2001) UPDATE 2: Jeff Green will drive the #31 Lowes Chevy at Homestead as Gordon will miss the race. Gordon will be in the #31 for the other remaining five Cup races this year. Team Owner Richard Childress hope to make an announcement on the 2002 #31 driver within the next week(TNT Race Coverage)(10-15-2001)
Childress not Happy: Car owner Richard Childress took offense yesterday at claims by Felix Sabates that Childress stole sponsor Cingular Wireless. "I don't get in a public debate with a skunk. I don't handle situations like this in the media. If Felix has a problem with me, if he's a man, he'll come up to me face to face and we'll talk about it."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-13-2001)
#31 News? When Mike Skinner vacated his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for season-ending knee surgery, Robby Gordon was named as his replacement. Yet Gordon, who failed to qualify for the UAW-GM Quality 500, may be replaced by Rick Mast at Martinsville - at least for qualifying. And Gordon will likely miss next month's race at Homestead, due to a commitment to run the Baja 1000 off-road race. This in the wake of speculation that RCR may try to sign Jeremy Mayfield to drive the #31 entry in 2002. Childress was non-committal about his Martinsville plans, but indicated they may well vary from the norm(Winston Cup Scene)(10-11-2001)
Mast in the #31? UPDATE 2 in the #29 for practice/qualifyng: hearing Rick Mast will run the #31 Lowes Chevy at Martinsville in a one race deal(10-7-2001) UPDATE: Rick Mast, who lost his Winston Cup ride when his Eel River Racing team folded last week, is testing the No. 31 Chevrolet this week for Richard Childress Racing at South Carolina's Greenville-Pickens Speedway, team officials confirmed. It remains unclear whether Mast will drive the car at Martinsville, Va., next weekend. Robby Gordon has been driving the #31, but failed to qualify for Sunday's s race, the first time the #31 missed a race since 1998.(That's Racin') AND Two of Childress' cars missed the race this weekend, and it was the first time that the #31 car was not in the field since the Coca-Cola 600 in 1997. Childress says he has "a whole different plan that we're going to approach with Kevin (Harvick and his car) and the #31 car" but wouldn't expound on the details other than to say that Robby Gordon "would be in Martinsville on Friday."(Sporting News) ANDFSN's Totally NASCAR reported that the team went to Greenville-Pickens Speedway with both Robby Gordon and Rick Mast, Larry McReynold's said that at the end of the two day test, the team may consider having Mast qualify the #31 Chevy for the race. Would assume then that Gordon would run the race to gain experience(10-8-2001) UPDATE 2: Rick Mast will practice and qualify the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy for regular driver Kevin Harvick at Martinsville. Harvick will be in Memphis for the BGN race on Saturday. Harvick will drive the #29 Chevy in the race, but will have to fall to the back of the field before the start of the race(ESPN2's PRM 2Night)(10-9-2001)
Lowe's Helps Out: Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) driver Robby Gordon are "Racing For Relief" this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway to raise funds for the families of the firefighters killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. As part of its "Power of Pride" campaign, Lowe's will donate to the New York Firefighters' 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund $100 for every lap Gordon completes and $1,000 for every lap he leads in Sunday's UAW-GM Quality 500. In conjunction with the donation-per-lap campaign, the #31 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Chevrolet will carry special decals including the American Flag and a N.Y. Firefighters' decal on the #31 Chevrolet.(RCR Racing), the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy and driver Jimmie Johnson will also run Lowes [his sponsor for 2 more races in 2001 and full-time in 2002] colors and do the same "Power of Pride" campaign(10-4-2001)
No Word on #31 Driver until Atlanta? UPDATE Next Week? Car owner Richard Childress said he hoped to have a decision on the future of the # 31 car by the Atlanta race in November. There was some media speculation that Sunday's announcement would involve Robby Gordon, filling in for injured Mike Skinner in the Lowe's Chevrolet. Skinner is to have knee surgery Wednesday.(That's Racin'/AP)(9-30-2001) UPDATE: Robby Gordon is expected to be announced this week as Richard Childress' newest driver, taking Skinner's spot next season in the #31 Chevy(Winston Salem Journal)(10-1-2001)
Skinner to have Surgery UPDATE 4 Gordon in NOW: Mike Skinner: "I'm going to have surgery on my left knee sometime later in the season. The doctors are going to replace my ACL and repair my MCL but I don't know just yet when we're going to do it. I've got to sit down with Richard and work that out. I need to do it soon so I have time to do the rehab and be 100-percent when the next season rolls around. I've definitely decided to have knee surgery so now I've got to get it scheduled and find a time to say good-bye to Richard and the guys. Finding a good time to say good-bye to a man's race team is a hard time to find. I've still got some thinking to do about it."(RCR Racing)(9-20-2001) UPDATE: it was reported on Friday's FSN's Totally NASCAR that Skinner may leave the #31 RCR team early to get the sugery done as it would take 4-6 months to heal and that he hopes to make an announcement on his 2002 plans very soon and wants to be 100% for his new team when the 2002 Daytona 500 rolls around in February. Rumors have Skinner in either the #4-Kodak Chevy, the #33-APR Chevy or the #77 Jasper Motorsports Ford in 2002(9-22-2001) UPDATE 2: while it's not yet official, but Robby Gordon is already busy cutting commercials as new driver for Richard Childress' Cingular-sponsored team next season. And Gordon could be back in Childress' Chevy within the next few weeks, possibly by Charlotte, depending on when or if Mike Skinner decides to step out for extensive knee surgery. "It would be very easy to put Robby in the car (if Skinner goes into the hospital), and that would be the most logical choice, since we already have some time with him," team manager David Smith said. "Mike has discussed it (surgery) with us, and we'll just work around it if it comes up."(Winston Salem Journal) - also hearing the strongest rumor for Skinner in 2002? the #4 Kodak Chevy ride and the #77 ride and Skinner are making rounds(9-23-2001) UPDATE 3: Robby Gordon might be in the No. 31 by Oct. 14 at Martinsville(Sporting News)(9-24-2001) UPDATE 4: Robby Gordon will drive the #31 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Chevy for the remainder of the Cup Series season to allow Mike Skinner the opportunity to have surgery on his injured left knee. The move brings to a conclusion Skinner's seven-season tenure as a driver for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Reconstructive surgery has been scheduled for Oct. 2 as a result of Skinner aggravating the injury in a crash at Richmond. Gordon will also pilot the #21 Rockwell Automation/Brant Motorsports Chevrolet for RCR in the BGN at Kansas and Lowe's Motor Speedway.(RCR Racing PR), no announcement was made on the 2002 driver of the #31 car which will have Cingular as it's sponsor in 2002(9-25-2001)
Some more driver rumors UPDATE Pressley to the #4? or is it Skinner?: Mike Skinner to the #77 Jasper Engines Ford with current driver, Robert Pressley possibly headed to the #4 Morgan McClure Kodak Chevy. Skinner is also rumored to the #4 team and the #33 Andy Petree Racing team if a sponsor is found(9-18-2001) UPDATE: and also hearing Robert Pressley as a stong candidate to the #4 Kodak Chevy for 2002 as well as Skinner(9-23-2001)
#31 Driver...soon? Expect team owner Richard Childress to announce plans for the #31 car soon, possibly during the final weekend of the month when the Winston Cup circuit is at Kansas Speedway. Sources say Robby Gordon will drive the car in 2002, but the legal terminology in the contract still is being worked out.(Sporting News)(9-17-2001)
Nemechek leaving? Petree Says #33 will not close UPDATE: #33-Joe Nemechek may be the next driver in the free-agent market, and car owner Andy Petree may be down to a one-car team (the #55 with Bobby Hamilton) next season, according to team members, who say Nemechek is working the garage area hard for a new ride if needed.(Winston Salem Journal) AND Andy Petree lost Oakwood Homes as the primary sponsor on Joe Nemechek's #33 car (at the end of the season), but insists that the future of the team is secure. "Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated," Petree said Saturday.(CNN/SI)(9-2-2001)
UPDATE: It also appears that Joe Nemechek will be leaving Andy Petree at the end of the season, possibly to be replaced by Mike Skinner if Petree can land a sponsor for the team(Winston Salem Journal)(9-3-2001)
#3 to return in 2002? UPDATE: NASCAR.com's The Buzz is reporting that Richard Childress Racing could be bringing back the #3 Chevrolet. Formerly driven by and made famous by the late Dale Earnhardt, it has not been driven in competition since the seven-time champion's death in the Daytona 500. Allegedly, the design has already been finished but the #3 will have a different look and design to it than what Earnhardt drove. The design has been rumored to already have been approved by Dale Earnhardt Inc., Chevrolet and Richard Childress Racing. Since the season's second race at Rockingham, Kevin Harvick has competed in a white No. 29 Chevrolet with Goodwrench Plus on board. If the #3 came back, it wouldn't be until next year in time for the Daytona 500.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(8-16-2001) UPDATE: Richard Childress did not directly deny plans to revive the #3 at some point for his Winston Cup racing operation. "We'll be making announcements on the 3 sometime in the near future," Childress said before Saturday's Sharpie 500 at Bristol. "I can't go there right now, but it will be an issue we'll handle by the end of the year." The #3 has been inactive since Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash in the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18. Rumors have circulated about the future of the #3 for the past few months. Childress will field three teams next season and the car number for only one of them, the #30 to be driven by Jeff Green and sponsored by America Online. Kevin Harvick will continue to drive for Earnhardt's former team in the GM Goodwrench sponsored car now carrying the #29. The third Childress team will be sponsored by Cingular Wireless. No driver or car number has been announced, although Robby Gordon is considered a leading candidate for that ride(That's Racin')(8-26-2001)
Gordon and the #31? UPDATE 2: hearing Robby Gordon has signed a 3-year deal with RCR to drive the #31 Cingular Chevy(8-17-2001) UPDATE: It appears that Robby Gordon will be replacing Mike Skinner on Richard Childress's second team next season, with what is reported to be a three-year contract. Childress has told Mike Skinner he is free to look for another ride.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-20-2001) UPDATE 2: From a GM Teleconference Q&A with Richard Childress: Do you have a driver signed for the No. 31 car yet? "No, we don't."(8-25-2001)
Compton to Petty Enterprises? UPDATE but: hearing Stacy Compton is close to signing with Petty Enterprises to drive the #44 Dodge. Compton currently drives the #92 Melling Racing Dodge nad Buckshot Jones currently drives the #44 Dodge(8-21-2001) UPDATE: but the Anniston Star is reporting: Now that Childress has officially confirmed that Mike Skinner is out of the Lowe's car(#31) after this season, expect to hear Stacy Compton's name as Skinner's replacement. Kodiak is out as the sponsor of the Melling Dodge after this season and Melling has already given Compton permission to explore other possibilities for next season just in case a new sponsor isn't found. BUT everything I hear is Robby Gordon in the #31 Cingular Chevy(or whatever #)(8-23-2001)
Skinner Free to Look and Out UPDATE: during an interview on FSN's Totally NASCAR, Mike Skinner said he has been given permission to look around for other driving oppurtunities. Skinner currently drives the #31 Lowes Chevy AND from SpeedVision: Mike Skinner and Richard Childress definitely will go separate ways next year, Skinner said Friday. The decision apparently was made in the past week "According to Richard, he's tried everything in his power to keep me in the car," Skinner said. "It may be a situation where the sponsor [Cingular] is wanting somebody else in the car. I have another year on my contract, and obviously I will be released of that, and I'll release Richard of his part of that contract if we find another job thats a comparable job." Cingular announced Wednesday that it would take over sponsorship of the #31 car, replacing Lowe's. Lowe's sources confirmed Friday that that company will migrate to Hendrick Motorsports, likely with rookie Jimmie Johnson. Skinner has been mentioned as a possibility for one of Childress's Busch cars, but that will not happen, Skinner said.(8-17-2001) UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Mike Skinner have come to a mutual agreement to forego the final year of their contract together and part ways at the end of the 2001 NASCAR season. "This was a very tough decision because Mike and I are friends and he's been a part of the RCR family for the past seven years," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. "Mike is one of the most talented drivers out there but, for some reason, we haven't been able to win. We've had some great runs but this sport is about winning. Mike and I talked back in January and decided that if the program wasn't going well by mid-season, we would go our separate ways at the end of the year. I don't want to hold his career back or this race team's so I think it's best that we make this move now to give Mike as much time as possible to put a deal together with another team."(RCR PR)(8-20-2001)
Cingular Sponsorship moving? UPDATE 6 to RCR #31? Gordon in - 3yr deal?: At least four teams are vying for a major sponsorship with Bell Atlantic/Cingular Wireless (Actually it is BellSouth not Bell Atlantic which is Verizon), according to NASCAR sources. The company currently sponsors Jason Leffler and car owner Chip Ganassi. Among the car owners expected to be talking with the company are Richard Childress and Bill Davis. Childress and Mike Skinner are assessing their situation, Childress says, but an announcement could still be a month away, according to Childress. Childress has made it official that Jeff Green will drive an AOL-sponsored car for him next season, ending months of debate(Winston Salem Journal)(7-16-2001) UPDATE: hearing the #33 Andy Petree Chevy driven by Joe Nemechek and currently with sponsorship by Oakwood Homes (who will leave at the end of 2001) will get the Cingular sponsorship in 2001. Cingular currently sponsors the #01 Dodge driven by Jason Leffler(8-8-2001) UPDATE 2: also hearing Cingular could end up on the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy's that Jimmie Johnson will drive in 2002(8-9-2001) UPDATE 3: The battle for the Cingular Wireless sponsorship is down to Bill Davis vs. Richard Childress, according to sources close to the situation. That would leave Chip Ganassi and Andy Petree still searching for sponsors for next season(Winston Salem Journal)(8-11-2001) UPDATE 4: hearing there was a teleconference today in which it was announced that Cingular Wireless will sponsor a RCR car next season, didn't say which car, but hearing it'll could take the place of Lowes on the #31 and Lowes could go to go to the Hendrick Motorsports #48 and Jimmie Johnson? Chip Ganassi said on FSN's Totally NASCAR that the Target car at Bristol is a one race deal only and he has two sponsors Cingular and Coors AND from a Cingular Newsletter - Cingular Wireless will take the green flag in the 2002 Winston Cup Series with Richard Childress Racing. Cingular, the country's second largest wireless company, will be a primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing, and will compete nationally in the 36-race series in the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet. Cingular and RCR have agreed to a four-year sponsorship. The driver and the number of the Cingular Wireless/Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet will be announced in the near future.(8-15-2001) AND "We hope to be ready to give everybody all of the information about our teams and drivers at the first of next week," Childress said (That's Racin')(8-16-2001) UPDATE 5: Richard Childress said that he wouldn't make the announcement or talk about it until the first part of the week, but it has been learned that the Cingular Wireless Phone Company will be the primary sponsor on the #31 Chevy currently sponsored by Lowe's. Still no word on who will drive the car. Current #31 driver, Mike Skinner, still has a year left on his contract with RCR(Insider Racing News) AND hearing Robby Gordon has signed a 3-year deal with RCR to drive the #31 Cingular Chevy(8-17-2001) UPDATE 6: It appears that Robby Gordon will be replacing Mike Skinner on Richard Childress's second team next season, with what is reported to be a three-year contract. Childress has told Mike Skinner he is free to look for another ride.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-20-2001)
Lowes is Out at RCR: On Saturday morning, RCR announced its relationship with Lowe's, the sponsor of its #31 Chevy driven in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series by Skinner, would terminate at the end of this season. Last week RCR announced a long-term sponsorship agreement with Cingular Wireless, which is anticipated to be displayed on the #31 Monte Carlo. Childress also said he planned to make a driver announcement early in the next(NASCAR.com)(8-18-2001)
No Backup for Skinner? Despite a noticeable limp, Mike Skinner says he'll be running the BGN #21 Rockwell Automation Chevy on Saturday and the Cup #31 Lowe's Chevy on Sunday without a backup driver. When asked if he would play it by ear on Saturday and try to find someone to drive the Cup car on Sunday if needed, Skinner replied, "Oh I'm sure they could get Robby Gordon up here in a hurry if they need to."(Insider Racing News)(8-17-2001)
Robby Gordon fired up UPDATE: Robby Gordon had a fire in the #31 Lowes Chevy, the telemetry box used by NBC to monitor rpms, speed and braking reportedly caught on fire when the batteries used to power it came out. (see a Gaston Gazette Column on this: Robby Gordon falls prey to high-tech sabotage(8-13-2001) UPDATE: Scott Cluka, the #31 team's rear-tire changer, was burned when the box blew up in his face as he tried to unbolt the shoe-box-size piece of machinery from the floorboard of Gordon's Chevy. Cluka was not seriously injured, but Smith says the obvious danger from the telemetry box means that that device won't be in the team's car this weekend at Michigan.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-14-2001)
Childress Speaks UPDATE: "We'll make some type of announcement of what we're going to do with the 31 and Mike Skinner some time in August. We're looking at about the 15th before we'll have exact... we're hoping to do some stuff by Michigan. We'll probably have some type of press conference." and What future does Robby Gordon have with RCR? - "Right now with Robby, he's running these races here [substituting for injured Skinner]. Other sponsors have talked to us about him, and a lot of things will come to a head here in the next two weeks or so. I'm going to catch that ball and say, 'This is where we're going.' I don't like to be out here and have... I pretty much know what I'm doing wiith the 2 car, I know what I'm doing with the 21 about 80pct, I'm 70pct sure on the 31. I want to have all those things done by Sept. 1. Also some comments on AOL, franchising and Dallas Cowboys's owner Jerry Jones. See Full Interview at SpeedVision)(8-5-2001) UPDATE more: Skinner has been rumored to be on his way out of RCR's #31 after this season, along with sponsor Lowe's. Childress, when asked, has left such matters up in the air, saying he could make announcements involving the team, driver and sponsor as soon as Michigan. Childress and Skinner have a year left on their contract (through 2002), as to Childress and Lowe's. Childress, however, is in position to move pawns as he pleases. Possibilities for Skinner include a) remaining with the #31, b) somehow gaining a release from his contract, c) racing full-time in a Childress car in Busch, or d) taking the seat in a Childress satellite car, such as the #71 Marcis Racing group will become next year. Childress hinted last week that Lowe's likely would not be primary sponsor of No. 31 next season, and although it is not known what would take Lowe's place, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is said to be very interested in owning and/or sponsoring a NASCAR team.(SpeedVision)(8-10-2001)
Cingular Sponsorship moving? UPDATE 3 the #33? #93? RCR? At least four teams are vying for a major sponsorship with Bell Atlantic/Cingular Wireless (Actually it is BellSouth not Bell Atlantic which is Verizon), according to NASCAR sources. The company currently sponsors Jason Leffler and car owner Chip Ganassi. Among the car owners expected to be talking with the company are Richard Childress and Bill Davis. Childress and Mike Skinner are assessing their situation, Childress says, but an announcement could still be a month away, according to Childress. Childress has made it official that Jeff Green will drive an AOL-sponsored car for him next season, ending months of debate(Winston Salem Journal)(7-16-2001) UPDATE: hearing the #33 Andy Petree Chevy driven by Joe Nemechek and currently with sponsorship by Oakwood Homes (who will leave at the end of 2001) will get the Cingular sponsorship in 2001. Cingular currently sponsors the #01 Dodge driven by Jason Leffler(8-8-2001) UPDATE 2: also hearing Cingular could end up on the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy's that Jimmie Johnson will drive in 2002(8-9-2001) UPDATE 3: The battle for the Cingular Wireless sponsorship is down to Bill Davis vs. Richard Childress, according to sources close to the situation. That would leave Chip Ganassi and Andy Petree still searching for sponsors for next season(Winston Salem Journal)(8-11-2001)
Compton to RCR? Stacy Compton could be leaving Melling Racing by the end of the year. Sources say that he is being considered by Richard Childress Racing for the #31 Lowes Chevy or the #21 or #2 BGN cars. Compton is in the option year of his contact, but sources say that owner Mark Melling has agreed NOT to exercise the option, should Compton decide to join another team. The #92 Melling team is also looking for a primary sponsor for the 2002 season as Kodiak will leave at the end of this season(8-7-2001)
Dallas Cowboys and RCR? UPDATE 3: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may not be able to get his team to the Super Bowl, but he could have a car in Daytona. Officials confirmed Thursday that Jones is negotiating to invest up to $10 million in the Richard Childress Winston Cup racing team. Jones has said the goal is to have an agreement in place by February of 2002 when the NASCAR season starts with the Daytona 500. These discussions are the latest example of the Cowboys thrust to market the club beyond the football field. The club attempted to strike a deal to have their colors and logo placed on a car in the Direct TV 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway last year, but the deal fell through(FoxSports)(7-27-2001) UPDATE: Jerry Jones, owner of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, has been in discussions with Richard Childress Racing to either invest in or sponsor a Winston Cup team next season(That's Racin')(7-28-2001) UPDATE 2: Jones has talked with Richard Childress, president of Richard Childress Racing, on issues of NASCAR ownership and the business of securing sponsors to pay the bills. "We're just in the preliminary discussion stage right now," Jones said. "We recognize that NASCAR is an outstanding sport and has a great number of fans who have a lot of synergy with Dallas Cowboys fans." Jones has been told by NASCAR officials that "upwards of $9 million to $12 million a year" can be brought in by sponsors vying for advertising space on the car. "As owners -- again, if we're involved -- we will use the credibility and the visibility of the Dallas Cowboys to promote the racing team during its season and have a [marketing] tie-in during our season," Jones said. "We are going to be sponsored by other companies. That's the business of racing ... to cover your expenses of owning a car. If you do it right, that could mean upwards of $9 million to $12 million a year covered by sponsors. Certainly, we would anticipate that." Jones wouldn't hint at possible sponsors. But he has had business associations with Pepsi-Cola, Miller beer and Dr. Pepper, to name a few. "It would be obvious to everybody that this was the Dallas Cowboys' car out there," Jones said. "It will done -- if we do it -- strictly on a business basis." Jones' sons, Stephen and Jerry Jones Jr., are involved in the day-to-day operation of the Cowboys, and they also have significant roles in projects such as Dallas' new Arena Football League team, which begins play in 2002. "Right now, this is the Dallas Cowboys teaming up with people who are in the [NASCAR] business," Jones said. "But no matter what we might do here, my focus will remain on football. I am the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. The car, the visibility, the success of [racing] would be done just like I run the Dallas Cowboys -- just not by me." Jones' family members will handle all corporate decisions, even the hiring of the driver(Star Telegram)(7-29-2001) UPDATE 3: Might we see the silver background and blue star of the Dallas Cowboys on a Richard Childress car in the future? It's a distinct possibility. "We'd be crazy not to listen to the Cowboys," says Childress, whose stable includes five cars -- three in Winston Cup and two in the Busch Series(Sporting News) and a story at NASCAR.com Childress: On Purvis, Harvick, Cowboys(7-30-2001)
Skinner Support: Injured driver Mike Skinner(#31) says the fan support he has received since he incurred multiple injuries an accident July 15 at Chicagoland Speedway has been an eye-opener to him. "The support from everybody has been phenomenal," said Skinner, who plans to make his return to the #31 Lowe's Chevy at Michigan in mid-August. "The fans' support is probably the biggest surprise to me -- I didn't know I had this many fans. I have received so many phone calls, cards and gifts. The outpouring has been amazing and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate their caring, support and sympathy. Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and Rockwell Automation have been extremely supportive of me during this time and have really showed me how much they care about me, not as just a driver but as a friend."(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-30-2001)
Robby Gordon back in the #31 at Pocono UPDATE:NASCAR.com reports that Robby Gordon, who is on a race-to-race basis with RCR to run the #31 Lowes Chevy, will be back in the car at Pocono next weekend(7-23-2001) UPDATE: FSN's Totally NASCAR reports that Robby Gordon will drive the #31 Lowes Chevy in the next three Cup races, Pocono, Indy (where he is testing) and Watkins Glen(7-24-2001)
Skinner Sore but OK UPDATE 6 Gordon in at NHIS, No torn ACL: #31-Mike Skinner took a hard hit when a front tire blew on his car on Lap 23, pitching him hard into the wall. He was taken to a hospital, was found to have a concussion and a fractured left ankle, and was patched up and released. It is not known whether Skinner will be able to compete next week at New Hampshire. Actually Skinner was wearing the HANS device, not Hutchens Device(7-15-2001) UPDATE: Mike Skinner suffered a fractured left ankle and a mild concussion Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway after a cut right-front tire sent the #31 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Racing Chevrolet into the outside wall. Skinner was transported by ambulance to the Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Ill., for evaluation. He was treated and released Sunday afternoon. "Mike Skinner sustained a fracture in his left ankle that will require a specialist to determine what the next step will be," said Dr. Marius Katilius of Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. "The CT scan showed no signs of injury and no abnormalities. He has no head, neck or internal injuries." The Lowe's Chevrolet Monte Carlo was running in the fourth position when the right-front tire went down and caused Skinner to hit the wall between turns one and two on lap 23 of the inaugural Tropicana 400. "I passed a few cars as soon as the race started and had set my sights on the #66 car," Skinner said. "I was catching him and then 'pow,' the right-front tire went down on the Lowe's Chevy. There was no warning at all -- just like when I cut a tire at Texas two years ago. I think we ran over some debris on the race track." A decision will be made regarding Skinner's status for this weekend's event at New Hampshire following his appointment with a specialist on Monday afternoon(RCR PR) UPDATE 2: am hearing Mike Skinner will NOT drive at NHIS this weekend. No word on who will drive the #31 Chevy. Maybe Jeff Green can hitch a ride with Kevin Harvick from St Louis? also hearing Ted Musgrave could be in the #31? hmm....how about Dave Marcis?(7-16-2001) UPDATE 3: another scenerio I am hearing, Robby Gordon in the #31 at NHIS and Ted Musgrave in the #7 Ford for his CTS owner, Jim Smith UPDATE 4: hearing from sources that Robby Gordon will drive the #31 Lowes Chevy at NHIS, no word on the #7 Driver AND the Sporting News is reporting: Robby Gordon, who drove last week for Jim Smith in the #7 Ultra Motorsports Ford, will be the relief driver for the #31 Lowe's Chevrolet. Mike Wallace will be back in the #7 car for the weekend at Hew Hampshire. Because Ted Musgrave is a Dodge factory driver in the truck series, he will be unable to fill in for Smith(no idea why Musgrave was allowed to drive at Pocono in the #7 Ford)(7-17-2001) UPDATE 5: Mike Skinner could miss several weeks as a result of injuries sustained from a wreck in Sunday's Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway(That's Racin') AND Skinner has a torn ACL in his left knee and a fractured left ankle, and he will have surgery. Yesterday afternoon he was at the doctor's office in Daytona Beach, his home, discussing medical options. Royce McGee, Skinner's crew chief, said that Skinner will be out for at least three weeks. McGee said there was a slim possibility that Skinner could be back in the car for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis but that it was doubtful. He said that Skinner is hesitant about making a return the next weekend at Watkins Glen, a demanding road course that requires a lot of footwork. Gordon is only be substituting in the Childress car for sure this weekend, but if things go well, he would likely be in the car for the races at Pocono and Indianapolis as well. Lowe's, which sponsors the team, expressed interest in having Jeff Green in Skinner's car, but Green will be running the Busch tour this weekend in St. Louis. Kevin Harvick, Skinner's teammate, is making the cross-country run to make both the Cup and Busch events, but he will be giving up a lot at both tracks, in terms of practice and qualifying. Next weekend, the Busch stop is near Denver while the Winston Cup stop is at Pocono.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-18-2001) UPDATE 6: Mike Skinner had his fractured left ankle operated on Wednesday morning. Doctors also said the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that was originally thought torn, was just an aggravation of a 1998 injury. Dr. Craig M. Hankins, of Hankins Orthopedic Center in Daytona Beach, Fla., performed the surgery. He put two titanium screws Skinners left ankle. The doctor chose titanium screws to expedite the healing and rehabilitation process. One was 42 mm long and the other was 30 mm long with each screw being four millimeters in diameter(NASCAR.com)(7-19-2001)
and Mike Skinner? UPDATE: It was what Richard Childress didn't say about Mike Skinner on Saturday that will only fuel speculation about the driver's future in the #31 Chevy. During the announcement that Jeff Green will drive the #30 car sponsored by America Online for Richard Childress Racing next year, the car owner was asked about Skinner. "We have another year with Mike Skinner and another year with (sponsor) Lowe's," Childress said. "What we're doing now is just revisiting our whole RCR organization. ...We might be able to make more announcements like that next month." Asked specifically if Skinner's contract meant he would definitely be in the car next year, Childress gave a similarly non-definitive answer.(That's Racin') UPDATE: Richard Childress clarified one piece of his ongoing Winston Cup jigsaw puzzle Saturday when he announced Jeff Green would drive his #30 AOL Chevy in 2002. That still left the status of #31 Lowe’s Chevrolet driver Mike Skinner up in the air. Childress, who at Sears Point last month said he and Skinner would discuss their options and decide if they wanted to make a change in the next few weeks, seemingly extended that “deadline” Saturday. “We have another year with Mike Skinner and another year with Lowe's,” Childress said. “What we're doing now is just revisiting our whole RCR organization. We're in the mix of trying some things that I don't think other teams have done. We're going to put all three teams together. We're going to have all the crew chiefs together. Right now, we've got several other things that we're trying at RCR and this was a huge step to go with AOL and all. AOL was so good to work with through what happened in Daytona and us taking Kevin out of that car and putting him into the No. 29 car and put Jeff into it. We have a lot of things like that to work out. We might be able to make more announcements like that (regarding the No. 31 team) next month.”(NASCAR.com Buzz)(7-15-2001)
Crew Members Family in Flood: John Dillon, who normally hauls the fuel cans from pit road to the fuel pumps and back for Mike Skinner's team during Winston Cup races, isn't at the track this weekend. Dillon is in his hometown of Anawalt, W.Va., helping his family and their neighbors recover from flooding that hit the town last weekend. His grandmother nearly drowned in the floodwaters and is still in the hospital. Employees at Richard Childress Racing collected money along with clothes, bedding, food and other supplies for the flood victims this week. Dillon left the shop Wednesday, taking a truck and trailer full of supplies with him.
(That's Racin')(7-13-2001)
#31 Car Chief to Return: Kevin Gabard, front-tire carrier and car chief of the #31 Loves Chevy of Mike Skinner, will resume his pit road duties at next Sunday's Pepsi 400 Daytona after recuperating from knee surgery. Gabard underwent anterior cruciate ligament replacement surgery on his left knee on April 16 to repair an injury sustained on April 8 at the Martinsville race. The 35-year-old crewman was injured during a late-race pit stop when a loose tire from another team rolled into the pit and struck Gabard as he stepped off the pit wall. This latest surgery marked the eighth procedure on his left knee since 1991. He had undergone surgery for a torn meniscus in the same knee seven times previously, the most recent in November 1999(Daytona Beach News Journal)(6-28-2001)
Cameron to RCR? Austin Cameron is supposedly one of the top three drivers RCR is looking at to drive the Chevy(doesn't say which one) next year it is rumored that he is near the top of the list.(AutoRacing1)(6-25-2001)
Lowes and the #31 UPDATE 2 Gordon/Lowes Connection: Lowe's officials admitted last week that they want to find a driver who can compete with the popularity and success of Tony Stewart, who drives the #20 Pontiac for their competition, Home Depot. Lowe's officials have informed Richard Childress, owner of the #31 Chevy, that they will pay whatever it takes to get a top driver to replace Mike Skinner, who has not won a Winston Cup points race in five seasons as the Lowe's Chevrolet driver. Lowe's and Childress would love to get Jeff Burton, who is under contract with Roush Racing, but Burton says he's staying with Jack Roush's team. Greg Biffle, who drives the Grainger Ford for Roush's Busch team, was seen touring the Childress racing facility last week. Childress also is looking for a driver for the No. 30 AOL car, which he will run on a full schedule next season. Jeff Green, the defending Busch series champion who will turn 39 in September, withdrew his name from consideration after AOL officials said they were looking for a younger driver(Dallas Morning News)(6-21-2001) UPDATE: Richard Childress, owner of the #31 Chevrolet, said he has made no final decision about whether driver Mike Skinner will be with that team next year. "We have a contract with Skinner through next year," Childress said. "We both discussed that if we're not both completely happy here in another few weeks, we'll sit down and talk about the direction we're going to go." Childress plans to have three Winston Cup teams next year, with a #30 car joining the #'s 29 and 31. Rumors about who'll drive that third car have been circulating for weeks(That's Racin')(6-24-2001) UPDATE 2: since this question has been posed to me numerous times since the race at Sears Point, it'll be addressed: Since the #7 Ford driven by Robby Gordon has a Lowes decal on the rear lower 1/4 panel, he must be the next driver of the #31 Lowes Chevy for RCR. Nothing but speculation and a jump to conclusion, the decal has been on the car for months(as NationsRent and Lowes have a marketing agreement and some NationRents stores are located in Lowes), see my Paint Scheme Gallery and an image there of the #7 Ford taken at Martinsville, the decal was on the car then. It has been reported in the past that Gordon may run a BGN car for RCR either in 2001 or 2002 and Gordon is scheduled to drive the #21 BGN car for Richard Childress at Watkins Glen(6-25-2001)
Skinner Safe..for 2001: Something is happening on Richard Childress' second team(#31), where Mike Skinner works, and Skinner's future has been the subject of conversation in the Winston Cup garage for two weeks. Childress confirmed that he is talking with potential new drivers, but that Skinner will be in his cars the rest of the season. Skinner has been driving for Childress on the Winston Cup tour since 1996 but is still winless. "We're just trying to get the team running, and we're doing our best with it," Childress said. "We're using all the resources we can come up with at RCR to make it go, and we're seeing a little improvement. But he'll be driving the car all year." And next season? "Well, if he's not happy and I'm not happy, we'll talk about it closer to the end of the year. We just both want to win, and neither one of us wants to be in the situation we're in. We've just got to keep digging and get to where we can win races together." It has been reported that Childress has been talking with everyone from Jeff Burton(doubtful) to Greg Biffle(?), Jeremy Mayfield(who knows? but signed thru 2002), Matt Kenseth(a lock to Childress?) and Tony Stewart(no way).(Winston Salem Journal)(6-5-2001)
Another Roush/Kenseth Rumor UPDATE: seen in the June 1st edition of the Speedway Scene magazine - Despite a recent PR that denies any drivers might be leaving the Roush organization, it is expected that Matt Kenseth(driver #17 DeWalt Ford) and Robbie Reiser (crew chief #17 and owner of Kenseth's BGN team) will depart Roush Racing and 'do their own thing' (start own team) with Chevy and DeWalt Tools(6-3-2001) UPDATE: and still hearing Kenseth to one of the RCR is close to if not a done deal also(6-4-2001)
Robbie Gordon in a RCR car? UPDATE 4 Skinner/Lowes to Stay?:PRN's Garage Pass interviewed Cup, BGN, IRL team owner Richard Childress who says he may give Robbie Gordon a shot in one of his cars in the future, possibly a BGN car(The #21 at Watkins Glen?). Plus the #30-AOL team still needs a full time driver in 2002(5-16-2001) UPDATE - Robby Gordon at the Brickyard 400? After struggling in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Robby Gordon was fired by Morgan-McClure Motorsports last month. But he came to Indianapolis and qualified an A.J. Foyt entry for a front-row start in the May 27 race(follow Gordon during the race at www.robbygordon.com). Gordon says, "I'm going to try to put a program together for the Brickyard 400," he said of the Winston Cup race at Indianapolis in August. "That's a race I really would like to compete in this year. I feel with the right situation, we can be just as competitive at that race in qualifying as we were for this (Indy 500) race."(ESPN/AP)(5-17-2001) UPDATE 2: Rumors are abound on Gordon's future, a future that he just coyly smiles at when asked what the short-term holds in store for him. He knows where he's going; he just can't say too much about it ... at least not yet. One rumor has Gordon heading back to NASCAR to drive for legendary owner Richard Childress. One scenario has Gordon competing in a Childress-owned Busch Series car for the remainder of this season before returning to Winston Cup in 2002. Another scenario has Gordon primed and ready to replace the struggling Mike Skinner in the #31 Lowe's Home Improvement Chevrolet if Skinner's mediocre season does not improve dramatically in the coming races. A third scenario has Gordon starting his own Cup team in partnership with Childress, with the likely debut being this year's Brickyard 400.(ESPN) UPDATE 3: Richard Childress very likely will have three teams next year, with solid sponsorships for #29 (Goodwrench with Kevin Harvick), the new #30 (America Online, possibly with Jeff Green), and with Lowe's recommitted to #31. The future of Mike Skinner in #31 is not clear, and it's hard to get a clear view from any of the principals. If Skinner does not return (rumors put him in Childress's #21 Busch car next year), who is available? Childress apparently has talked with several drivers. Jeff Burton's name came up a couple months ago, but Burton firmly denied he has any interest in leaving Jack Roush's #99. Others available could be Joe Nemechek and John Andretti, although, again, all this is just rumor(SpeedVision)(5-27-2001) UPDATE 4: There are reports that Jeff Green, who has a seven-race Winston Cup deal with Childress this season, may take Mike Skinner's ride before the year is out, but David Smith, the general manager of Skinner's team, insists that Skinner will be in the car the rest of the season. However, there are now some questions about sponsor Lowe's. Last fall, the company fall said it was considering moving to a different team, provoking a sharp debate with Childress over contracts. The Lowe's questions come just as Home Depot's Tony Stewart is making big headlines. Meanwhile, there are reports that Greg Biffle is now on Childress' list as a possible third Cup driver next season. Biffle drives this season on the Busch tour for Jack Roush. A large number of drivers have been mentioned on Childress' list, including Jeff Burton, Ward Burton, Joe Nemechek and Jeremy Mayfield, and even Tony Stewart.(Winston Salem Journal), some Jayski Notes on the drivers listed: Jeff Burton and Roush have denied any contact or interest, Ward Burton is signed with Bill Davis thru 2002 as is Mayfield with Penske and Tony Stewart is signed with Joe Gibbs thru 2004 and reports a few weeks ago about him leaving the #20 Team were squashed AND: Richard Childress is continuing his search for a driver of what is now the AOL-sponsored car in 2002. Roush Racing drivers endured speculation earlier this season about being prime candidates for the job, but both Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton denied plans to move. Jeff Green is in the car for a few races this season but has not signed for next year. Currently, Green is headlining reports right now. An interesting combination would come if Childress selected Greg Biffle. A Kevin Harvick/Biffle team could be tough to beat. The pair added a much-needed shot of excitement to the Grand National series this season, fighting for wins and championship points on a weekly basis. As teammates, they could assist one another's run for titles. Biffle could join Harvick in the Winston Cup series this season. Although he is concentrating on the Grand National series, the rookie may enter a few Cup events for the Roush team(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-28-2001)
Childress changes belts: Richard Childress Racing has removed Simpson seat belts from its Cup and Busch cars except Mike Skinner's #31. The team says the move was made because of driver preference(Sporting News)(5-7-2001)
Kenseth to RCR? it was reported on ESPN2's RPM 2Day on Sunday that #17 DeWalt driver, Matt Kenseth could be headed to Richard Childress Racing in 2002. Didn't say which car, the #30 AOL Chevy or the #31 Lowes Chevy if Skinner leaves(4-29-2001)
Three RCR Teams in 2002: Richard Childress Racing will run three Winston Cup teams next season, regardless of what has been heard about sponsor Lowe's and driver Mike Skinner. First of all, both have contracts through 2002, Childress representatives said Friday. Second, Lowe's, which threatened to pull out of the game last September after a very odd sequence of events, has demonstrated renewed enthusiasm, posting its lumber products brand in primary positions on the #31 car. The driver situation remains unclear for 2002, despite the contracts, with many "speculating" that Skinner will be given other work in the RCR organzation. That may or may not be. Regardless, Childress will have the #31 next season, it appears now, and Skinner very well could remain as driver(in part from SpeedVision)(4-21-2001)
#31 Car Chief Recovering: Kevin Gabard, front-tire carrier and car chief of the #31 Lowe's Chevy, is recovering after knee surgery Monday to correct an injury sustained during the Virginia 500 at Martinsville. Dr. Gary Poehling of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center replaced the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Gabard's left knee during outpatient surgery Monday morning in Winston-Salem, N.C. Gabard has undergone surgery for a torn meniscus in the same knee seven times since 1991. His most recent surgery took place in November 1999. "We assessed Kevin's injuries and found he had a complete ACL tear," said Dr. John Birkedal, professor and chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Wake Forest University, who assisted Dr. Poehling in the procedure. "We completely replaced the ACL in his left knee but found there was no damage to the meniscus other than what he'd had from past injuries. Everything went very well." Gabard, 35, was injured during a late-race pit stop April 8 at Martinsville Speedway when a loose tire from another team rolled into the Lowe's pit and struck Gabard in the left knee as he stepped off of pit wall. Sean Irvan, a mechanic on the #31 team, will assume Gabard's front-tire carrier duties while he recovers from surgery. Irvan also substituted for Gabard in several races following his Nov. 1999 surgery. Dr. Birkedal said that Gabard will wear a knee brace for two weeks, at which time he will begin physical therapy for light strengthening and range of motion in his knee. Dr. Birkedal anticipates a recovery time of four to six months before Gabard is able to return to full activity(RCR PR)(4-19-2001)
Tire Carrier Hurt UPDATE: Kevin Garband, 35, of Winston-Salem was injured during a late-race pit stop when a loose tire from Bill Elliott's #9 Dodge rolled into the pit stall of driver Mike Skinner. Garband is the front-tire carrier on Skinner's pit crew. Garband had just jumped off the pit wall and was running around the left side of the car when the tire clipped his left knee and sent to the ground. Garband has had surgery in the past on the knee for a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He was treated and released from the infield care center and will see his personal physician Monday for further evaluation(That's Racin')(4-9-2001) UPDATE: Kevin Gabard, front-tire carrier and car chief for the #31 Lowe's Chevy, will undergo surgery on Monday, April 16, to replace the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and repair a torn meniscus. Gabard was injured during a late-race pit stop Sunday at Martinsville Speedway when a loose tire from another team rolled into the Lowe's pit and clipped Gabard's left knee. Gabard has undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the same knee seven times since 1991, most recently in November 1999.(RCR PR)(4-11-2001)
Dillon Out UPDATE Skinner In: Mike Dillon has stepped down as the driver of the #21 Rockwell Chevy co-owned by father-in-law Richard Childress in an attempt to improve the team's performance, and not because of injuries he sustained in a multicar wreck March 24 at Bristol. Mike Skinner, who drives Childress' #31 Winston Cup Chevy, was behind the wheel of the #21 car at Texas, where he qualified fifth and finished ninth. Despite initial word out of the Childress camp that Skinner was simply filling in, the move is all but permanent. There's a possibility that Dillon may drive "a race or two" later this season, but that's it. Dillon's focus seems to have almost completely shifted from driving to a new, as-yet unspecified role within the Childress organization. A search would begin for a driver to run the races Skinner couldn't. Skinner will most likely drive most, if not all, of the remaining races run in conjunction with the Winston Cup tour. With an eye toward 2002, the team might opt for a young, unproven talent in stand-alone events, much the same as it did with Kevin Harvick last year(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to view online)(4-5-2001) UPDATE: Winston Cup driver Mike Skinner will drive the Richard Childress Racing/Brant Motorsports #21 BGN car this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway and the balance of this year's races that coincide with Winston Cup events. Skinner, the full-time driver of the RCR #31 Lowes Chevys in the Winston Cup series, replaces Mike Dillon as driver for the #21 team. Dillon, recovered from injuries sustained in a March 24 crash at Bristol and another during testing at Nashville a couple of weeks before, will remain with RCR in an as-yet undetermined role. Subbing for an injured Dillon March 24 at Texas Motor Speedway, Skinner qualified fifth and finished ninth, both season bests for the team. A driver for the races that conflict with the Winston Cup schedule is being sought(That's Racin')(4-11-2001)
RCR Doctor: Dr. Jay Golding has worked with Richard Childress Racing since the fall of 1999 and his role continues to evolve. In addition to seeing team members and their families at his practice in Lexington, N.C., he tries to provide some continuity at the track as well. When RCR BGN driver Mike Dillon was involved in a wreck at Bristol, Dr. Golding was there to help when he reached the infield medical center. Golding was able to order the tests he felt Dillon should undergo, allowing him to get in and out of the hospital correctly. And while accidents would seem to be the biggest reason to have a team physician, owner Richard Childress says Golding is invaluable for a number of reasons. "It's good to have someone in an organization like ours who can help you with everything from the flu shots to whatever," Childress said. "He's been a tremendous help. He's been in Daytona with us (when Dale Earnhardt was killed) and I think he helped us all (deal with that). And he can head off a lot of stuff that would cause (crew members) to be out of work." NASCAR does not have a physician that travels the circuit, preferring that local physicians work with the hospitals in that area. Golding says everyone he's encountered has been receptive to his presence and he sees pros and cons to NASCAR having its own doctor.(Winston Cup Scene - need subscription to view online)(4-5-2001)
Some Paint Scheme Rumors: #66-Blue Light Special; #9 Bill Elliott "Charlotte.Special"; #19 Casey Atwood "Charlotte.Special"; #31 Mike Skinner "Richmond 400 Special". For some past news and rumors, see my Paint Scheme News Page(3-24-2001)
Skinner and the HANS UPDATE: many folks have emailed me and wondered what Mike Skinner thought about the HANS device and the situation where there was quite a bit of fire. On ESPN2's RPM 2Night Skinner said he may had taken him a little longer to get out with the HANS device, but he was happy with it's performance and he will continue to wear the device. He said the length of time to get out of the car had more to do with him shaking off the effects of the crash and trying to get the steering wheel and unstrapping the belts and the HANS device(3-20-2001) UPDATE: Mike Skinner credits the HANS device with helping him avoid serious injuries in a crash late in Sunday's race at Darlington. "I've taken a lot less severe hits than this and hurt a lot worse," Skinner said. "I give a big thumbs-up to the HANS device. It kept me from hurting a lot worse than I did." Car owner Richard Childress said the HANS device did not prevent his driver from exiting quickly. Skinner told Childress that he didn't drop the left net, which is between the driver's head and the window net, at first and that held him up. Skinner said that he slid forward in the seat in the wreck and got his belt stuck against the steering wheel, further slowing him(Roanoke Times)(3-21-2001)
70th for Childress: Kevin Harvick's win in Atlanta marks Richard Childress’ 70th as a car owner(NASCAR.com)(3-12-2001)
Penalties #31: NASCAR officials announced today they have penalized NASCAR Winston Cup Series crew chief Royce
McGee for rules violations (performance enhancing additive to the air filter) discovered in inspection prior to last Sunday's UAW-Daimler
Chrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev. McGee, crew chief of the #31 NASCAR Winston Cup Series team, was fined $5,000 and penalized under Section 12-4-Q, 20-5.12 in the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform...or have not been approved by NASCAR..."(NASCAR PR)(3-8-2001)
#31 Fine? Mike Skinner's #31 team could face a penalty for a parts infraction. Skinner's carburetor intake was confiscated before qualifying after being found with a performance-enhancing additive(Richmond Times Dispatch)(3-5-2001)
Skinner's son in Trouble: Been asked often about Mike Skinner's son and his past arrest in Nov 2000, I had heard nothing until some folks sent me a link to a recent story, see it on the BGN Site(2-27-2001)
RCR Crewman Ill: Mike Hawkins, an engine man with Richard Childress Racing, will be flown home today to be treated for kidney stones. The team hopes Hawkins can return for Sunday's Daytona 500(Speed Magazine)(2-12-2001)
Former World Champ Visits: Phil Hill, the 1961 Formula One World Champion, got a first-hand look at NASCAR racing when toured the Richard Childress Racing complex on Monday. Hill, the first American to win the F1 World Championship (the second being Mario Andretti in 1978), is North Carolina on assignment for Road & Track. He will be climbing behind the wheel of a current #3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevy on Tuesday at North
Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway(bring it back....) to do a then-and-now track comparison with Junior Johnson and his 1963 #3 Chevy Impala(RCR Racing PR)(2-6-2001)
Lowes to stay on the #31: Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse will continue its primary sponsorship of the #31 Richard Childress Racing team for the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. RCR president Richard Childress said he is looking forward to a strong season from driver Mike Skinner & Company with Lowe's backing.(RCR PR)(1-5-2001)
2000 News
#31 Sponsor? UPDATE: hearing that Top Choice Lumber, which is sold at Lowes, will be the sponsor on the #31 RCR Chevy driven by Mike Skinner for the first half of the 2001 Cup season. Lowes announced a few months ago that it wanted out of its contract to sponsor the #31 but team owner Richard Childress says he will hold Lowes to it deal which runs thru 2002. So it looks like companies associated with Lowes will be on the car(12-5-2000) UPDATE: Car owner Richard Childress confirmed Dec. 7 that Lowe's will return as a primary sponsor next year for his #31 Chevy and driver Mike Skinner. Childress did confirm that a lumber company that is a Lowe's vendor will be on the hood of the car with the home improvement store continuing on the quarter panels(Winston Cup Scene)(12-14-2000)
Skinner News - UPDATE: The son of Winston Cup driver Mike Skinner was arrested in North Carolina on Thursday on multiple drug charges. A spokesman for the Randolph County Sheriff's department said they arrested Michael James Skinner, 22, of Randleman, N.C., after a search warrant turned up valium, anabolic steroids, marijuana and two digital scales with cocaine residue on them in his home and garage. Officials said they also found 88.9 grams of cocaine inside a race car belonging to the younger Skinner. He was jailed and bond was set at $100,000.(ESPN/AP) ESPN2's RPM 2Night also reported this, and Skinner's son, Jamie (nickname) raced in two CTS races and four BGN races, Also see story at SpeedVision(11-3-2000) UPDATE Mike Skinner Comments: The following are comments by Mike Skinner on the Nov. 2 arrest of his 22-year-old son, Michael James (Jamie) Skinner, on violations of drug laws. "I'm devastated by the news as any parent would be," said Skinner. "But right now, since we don't have all the information, there's not a lot I can say," said Skinner. "Jamie and I talked on the telephone but it was a conversation between me and my son that will be kept private. I own the house and the shop where Jamie lived and rented them to him. It is not the home I have in Sophia (N.C.). I spend a small amount of time there during the year but I've lived full time in Spruce Creek (a suburb of Daytona Beach, Fla.) for about a year now. I will make a further statement after I know all of the details. Until then, there's not a lot more I can say."(Richard Childress Racing Ent PR)(11-4-2000)
Skinner in a backup: #31-Mike Skinner was forced to move to a backup car after hitting the inside retaining wall on the back stretch at Rockingham during Friday's practice(That's Racin')(10-20-2000)
Lowes? The silence about what's going on with the Lowe's sponsorship of the #31 Chevys driven by Mike Skinner makes you believe that lawyers are involved. The best guess is that they're trying to work out some kind of settlement that will allow Lowe's to come off the car after paying car owner Richard Childress some sum of money(That's Racin')(10-10-2000)
Richard Childress Venture: Richard Childress has formed a partnership with machine tool maker Okuma. They are building a racing parts manufacturing facility at the Childress complex in Welcome. The building is under construction. Childress said the first parts produced by the facility should be available for use in the Daytona 500(High Point Enterprise)(10-6-2000)
Lowes Sponsorship News: Car owner Rick Hendrick(#'s 5,24,25) said he has been approached with a pitch for a Lowe's sponsorship but turned it down saying "...Lowe's will not be sponsoring one of our cars next season." Lowe's has two more years on its contract with Childress, but Lowe's officials said two weeks ago they would be dropping Childress at the end of the season, a move that Childress has disputed(PitNow)(10-6-2000)
Lowes Gone - Totally? The LTN Radio show is reporting that Lowes may leave NASCAR as a whole, no more name on the Charlotte race track, now known as Lowes Motor Speedway and no sponsorship of any NASCAR team(9-28-2000)
Lowes In? Lowes Out? UPDATE 4 - the #25?: many readers emailed me a Lowes in-house memo saying that Lowes was leaving the #31 Richard Childress Team and driver Mike Skinner after the 2000 season, ESPN2's RPM 2Night also reported the memo. I was told as was RPM 2Night, that owner Richard Childress says he spoke with Lowes on Wednesday and was assured that Lowes would honor the remaining two years of their contract with the team. The memo goes on to say that Lowes would not leave the sport but move to another team. There is nothing on the Lowes site concerning this UPDATE: Richard Childress admits he has learned sponsor Lowe's will leave his #31 Chevy after this season, but he insists he still has a two-year contract with the company and intends that it be honored by both sides(SpeedVision) AND from NOL: One way to put rumors to rest in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series is to simply hold a press conference and set the record straight. Richard Childress did just that Friday regarding Lowe's sponsorship of Mike Skinner's #31 Chevy. According to Childress, he met with Lowe's Wednesday, and was told they would honor the remainder of their deal with Richard Childress Racing. Thursday, however, Lowe's sent a company-wide memo to its employees stating they would no longer sponsor the car(NOL). Note: Still leaves some questions, in-house hoax at Lowes?? Lowes response?? UPDATE 2: Reached Friday by telephone, Lowe's spokesperson Chris Ahearn said the company would honor its financial commitment to the team for the next two years, but "the Lowe's name will be off the car at the end of the season." Ahearn said the team had not performed up to expectations, though she said that was not the only reason the company was leaving. She said Lowe's remains committed to NASCAR and will likely sponsor another team next season. Ahearn also said Lowe's decision to leave Richard Childress Racing would not affect the company's 10-year naming rights deal with Lowe's Motor Speedway(more at That's Racin')(9-21-2000) UPDATE 3: One possibility making the rounds at Dover was that Jack Roush either has or is on the verge of making off with the Lowe’s account. Roush has at least two teams open(#'s 16, 97) and earlier nabbed Pfizer/Viagra away from Eel River Racing(#27) for Mark Martin’s #6 Ford(Gaston Gazette) AND Lowe's will be backing another team next year, apparently moving to the Rick Hendrick camp to sponsor Jerry Nadeau(#25 Chevy)(PitNow)(9-23-2000) UPDATE: Jack Roush and Geoff Smith, the manager of Roush Racing, say they haven't talked with Lowe's executives about acquiring that company's NASCAR sponsorship. However, Roush said, since Richard Childress' announcement Friday that Lowe's plans to leave the Mike Skinner team, Smith has begun pursing Lowe's. However, Lowe's has already agreed to a deal with car owner Rick Hendrick for next season, with Jerry Nadeau(#25 Chevy), according to sources(PitNow)(9-25-2000)
Skinner to Stay: when #31 crew chief Larry McReynolds announced he was leaving the #31 Lowes Chevy, there were questions about the future of driver Mike Skinner(had heard none here). Saturday, team owner Richard
Childress put those questions to rest, saying Skinner would be in the #31 for two more years and that the team wants Skiiner to stay and that Skinner wants to stay(NOL)(8-12-2000)
Larry Mac to leave RCR UPDATE 2: It was announced on ESPN2's RPM 2Night that #31 Lowes/Richard Childress Racing crew chief, Larry McReynolds, would leave that operation at the conclusion of the 2000 Cup season. No word on McReynolds plans, but word is that he could end up in a job out of the garage, possibly with one of the new TV packages, NBC/TBS or Fox/FX(8-9-2000) UPDATE: Larry McReynolds, recognized as one of the top crew chiefs in the NASCAR garages, apparently has decided to leave Richard Childress Racing to pursue a career in television. Speedvision.com learned last weekend at Indianapolis that McReynolds had been offered a position as announcer or commentator by one of the two network groups (Fox, NBC/TBS) who will take over rights to televise NASCAR races beginning next year(SpeedVision)(8-10-2000) UPDATE: Royce McGee will spend the rest of the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season transitioning into the role of crew chief for the #31 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Racing team in preparation for taking full control in 2001(RCR Site)(8-11-2000)
Larry Mac and DW together....in the booth UPDATE: Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 career NASCAR Winston Cup Series races, and veteran, personable crew chief Larry McReynolds, have been named race analysts for the premiere season of NASCAR on FOX(in 2001 at Daytona). Waltrip and McReynolds form two-thirds of the NASCAR on FOX race broadcast team. Waltrip and McReynolds also serve as analysts for next season's NASCAR coverage on FX and FOX Sports Net. A NASCAR on FOX play-by-play announcer will announced at a later date, as will multiple pit reporters and an on-site pre-race show team. On Nov. 11, 1999, NASCAR announced that it had reached an eight-year agreement with FOX and FX to carry Winston Cup and Busch Series races. FOX Sports begins its telecast schedule SpeedWeek 2001 from Daytona, which culminates with live flag-to-flag coverage of the 42nd Daytona 500. The 2001 Winston Cup schedule is expected to be announced later this month(NASCAR PR)(8-10-2000) UPDATE: hearing Mike Joy will be the third piece of the Fox announcement team, doing the 'play-by-play'(8-11-2000)
Skinner and the Red Cross: #31-Mike Skinner and Lowes COO Larry Stone will present $224,540 in checks to Mike Turner of the American Red Cross, prior to the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Through Lowe's Racing for Relief program, led by NASCAR driver Mike Skinner, Lowe's raised $114,370 through four Winston Cup Races in April.
During March and April, Lowe's customers contributed $110,170 for the Red Cross through the company's customer donations program. Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse pledged $31 (Skinner's car number) to the Relief: American Red Cross disaster relief fund for every lap Skinner completed and $1,031 for every lap he led during April. During the month-long program, Skinner raised the $114,370 donation by leading 75 laps and completing a total of 1,270 laps(PR)(5-28-2000)
Skinner/Lowes/Red Cross: Topping off a second place finish at Talladega, Ala., and a strong performance during the month of April, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse NASCAR driver Mike Skinner was also a winner for the American Red Cross and victims of natural disasters. At the NAPA Auto Parts 500 race in Fontana, Calif., Skinner crossed the finish line for the Racing for Relief program, having raised $114,370 for American Red Cross disaster relief during the month of April. During the month long program, Skinner raised the $114,370 donation by leading 75 laps and completing a total of 1,270 laps. Under the program, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse pledged $31 (Skinner's car number) to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund for every lap Skinner completed and $1,031 for every lap he led during April, the beginning of severe weather season(PR)(5-1-2000)
Racing for Relief: With a second place finish and 188 laps completed this week in Talladega, Mike Skinner raised $5,828 for the American Red Cross' disaster relief fund as part of the "Racing for Relief" program. To date, Skinner has raised a total of $42,620. With one race remaining, Skinner has already made a significant contribution that we hope you will consider using in your post-race coverage. Again, as part of the "Racing for Relief" program, Lowe's donates $31 (Skinner's number) to the Red Cross disaster relief fund for every lap Skinner completes and $1,031 for every lap lead during April, the beginning of severe weather season(PR)(4-21-2000)
Skinner/Lowes/Red Cross: Mike Skinner and Lowes generates more Red Cross funds, leading ten laps and running 498 of the 500 on Sunday, helping him raise $23,438 for the American Red Cross Racing for Relief program. Lowe's, Skinner's sponsor, is donating $31 for every lap he completes and $1,031 for every lap he leads in April's races. After two races, the total contribution is $34,792(That's Racin')(4-10-2000)
Skinner and Petree: Andy Petree Racing announced that Cup regular Mike Skinner will take over driving
duties of the #15 Albertson's Chevy in the BGN beginning with California on April 29. Following his debut with the team at California, Skinner will race at both Lowe's Motor Speedway events, both Dover events Phoenix on November 4. Derrick Gilchrist will drive the #15 Albertson's Chevy at The Milwaukee Mile on July 2 while Skinner fulfills his Winston Cup duties in Daytona(IMG Motorsports PR) Jack Sprague will no longer drive the car(4-9-2000)
#31 and Lowes news: This Friday at the Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, Mike Skinner and Lowe's are announcing the "Racing for Relief" program to raise money for the American Red Cross' disaster relief efforts and awareness about disaster preparation during April, the beginning of severe storm weather season. As part of "Racing for Relief": Lowe's will donate $31 (Mike's car number) for every lap Skinner completes and $1,031 for every lap he leads during April Winston Cup races. The public can give to their local disaster relief fund by visiting their local Lowe's store in April or to the national fund by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.(Insider Racing)(3-30-2000)
Team Yellow News: Yellow Freight, Pameco and Emerald Performance Group welcome Kobalt Mechanics Tools as a new team sponsor of the #19 Chevy to be driven by Mike and Jamie Skinner. Each will compete in approximately half the
events. Check out the schedule for each driver and sponsor at Team Yellow 2000 schedule(Team Yellow PR)(2-9-2000)
RCR News: Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. (RCR), has hired David Hart to the newly created position of director of communications(PR)(12-29-1999)
Shop Closed UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing, which has one of its teams sponsored by Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse(#31 Skinner), has closed its race shop to visitors since Friday because of recent attacks and bomb threats on Lowe's stores in North Carolina(The Depot)(10-3-1999) -- UPDATE: As of yesterday afternoon(10-5), the RCR shop has reopened to the public and is operating as normal(10-6-1999)
Micro Racing: Members of the #31 Lowe's Chevy team for driver Mike Skinner will compete in a special Micro Sprint Car race Saturday night in New Castle, DE. RCR's #31 team manager David Smith and catch-can man Gary Gafgen will battle four Cup in the 10-lap race at Airport Speedway. The event is scheduled in conjunction with the MBNA Gold 400. Also scheduled to participate are RCR's #3 crew chief Kevin Hamlin, head engine builder Danny Lawrence and two members of Rusty Wallace's team. The men will be available to sign autographs and chat with fans. The crewmembers will drive Micro Sprint Cars owned by teams who regularly race at the one-eighth-mile Airport Speedway. The Cup feature race will take place between Micro Sprint qualifying and race time. Qualifying begins at 6pm/et. Airport Speedway is located in New Castle, Del., on Speedway Drive in New Castle Corporate Commons. For more information, call (302) 328-8302(NOL Friday Notes)(9-25-1999)
#31 Tire Changer: Former front-tire changer Jack Lewis will dust off his air wrench for the Aug. 7 Brickyard 400 for Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Racing. Lewis will change front tires for the #31 RCR Lowes Chevy driven by Mike Skinner. The 36 year old will substitute for one race until a full-time replacement is named to the position recently vacated by Mike Lingerfelt. Lewis currently serves as a full-time fabricator for the #31 Lowe's Chevy. Team Manager David Smith said Lewis was the standout choice for the Brickyard 400. Lewis has six years of experience as a tire changer, most recently with Skinner's teammate Dale Earnhardt in the #3 GM Goodwrench Chevy(Cotter Group)(8-2-1999)
Childress Notes: from Chris Economaki's National Speed Sport News weekly column 'Editor's Notebook': concerning Larry McReynolds 3-year deal with RCR as crew chief for the #31 - The 3-year deal can be aborted by Childress if McReynolds later decides he still wants to be a team owner. Childress also noted there are no plans for a third RCR team next year, "Not unless we need one."(NSSN)(7-31-1999)
RAD: The aerodynamic alliance of Richard Childress Racing(#'s 3 and 31), Andy Petree Racing(#'s 33 and 55) and Dale Earnhardt Inc.(#'s 1 and 8) - (RAD) placed all six of its Winston Cup teams in the top 15 in qualifying at Charlotte on Wednesday. Four cars occupied the top eight spots. Since its inception in December, RAD has concentrated on the 1999 Monte Carlo, but when its introduction was delayed until 2000, RAD turned its attention to the current Monte Carlos seeking improvement at high downforce tracks like Charlotte. RAD Aero Engineer Louis Duncan said Charlotte is the first test of the technology developed through computer simulations, wind tunnel work, track testing and a great deal of tweaking. Duncan has a long history in racing. His most recent assignment was providing aerodynamic support to the Ford Motor Company stock car programs. Duncan and his son Brad now work exclusively with RAD(Pennzoil PR)(5-28-1999)
Daytona Testing:Jimmy Spencer and Mike Skinner were at Daytona last week for a day of Goodyear tire test in preparation for the July 3 Pepsi 400. In the most recent test, speeds over long runs (100 miles or more) averaged 185 mph. Speeds over short runs (12.5 miles) averaged 187 mph(NOL)(5-23-1999)
The #31 Penalty: Following the crash at Talladega, Skinner's crew was penalized (held in the "penalty box") for what a team member described as "being violent to the wrecker crew." A scuffle apparently occurred when the crashed car arrived back in the garage area(It was even showed on TV). What actually occurred was that the driver of the wrecker inadvertently damaged the nose of Skinner's wrecked Chevrolet while towing it back to the garage. The penalty ended up being two laps, the source being NASCAR timing and scoring, and Skinner finished 36th(SpeedNet)(4-26-1999)
Black Flag: Had a few questions on why Steve Park and Mike Skinner got black flagged towards the end of the Food City 500. From David Poole of That's Racin': Mike Skinner and Steve Park were shown the black flag by
NASCAR late in the race for violating rules governing how they should blend back into position with cars pitting on the frontstretch. Skinner ignored the black flag while his team, led by crew chief Larry McReynolds, questioned NASCAR officials about the decision. So NASCAR pulled the scorecard on the #31 Chevrolet. Skinner was running on the lead lap at the time the penalty was imposed and probably would have finished 12th. Skinner was originally put in 30th in the final rundown, but after reviewing the situation NASCAR moved him back up to 21st in the revised finish(That's Racin')(4-13-1999)
Skinner Update: Mike Skinner stopped by the RCR #31 shop Monday and told the crew he would be ready to run 500 laps at Bristol in two weeks(almost). Team Mgr, David Smith told RPM2Nite that he would have a relief driver standing by in case Skinner needs one(RPM2Nite). Candidates would probably be Morgan Shepherd and Mike Dillon.(3-30-1999)
Childress Third Team? Now that Richard Childress has locked up Lowe's and Mike Skinner for another three years, he can start work on that long-rumored third Winston Cup team. One possible driver is Casey Atwood, but is the 18-year-old sensation rough and tough enough for Childress? Another possibility is Mike Dillon. Certainly Childress should have no trouble finding a promising young driver interested in the job, if he is indeed interested in a third team(PitNow)(3-15-1999)
Skinner/Childress: Mike Skinner is in the process of working out a new three-year deal with owner Richard Childress. But he's torn because his crew chief, Larry McReynolds with whom he has a productive relationship, is looking to create his own Winston Cup team next season(That's Racin') -- Update from the StockCarFans Newsletter: Mike Skinner, current Winston Cup points leader, Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Richard Childress agreed today to work together for the next three years. This will end all speculation about Mike Skinner leaving the team to join Larry McReynold's when he leaves the team . McReynolds, Crew Chief on the #31 Lowe's Chevrolet, is attempting to put together his own team and the rumor was, that Skinner may leave with him(3-14-1999)
Atwood? Childress? Casey Atwood in a Richard Childress Chevy? That's a distinct possibility, according to GM sources. Atwood, though just 18, has impressed a lot of veterans in his few Busch tour runs. Both Childress drivers on the Cup tour this season are in their 40s. Childress just said that they are exploring several options(PitNow)(3-8-1999)
Lowes? UPDATE 4: I didn't see the story yet, but I hear an article in this weeks Winston Cup Scene mentions that Lowes will not return to the #31 Richard Childress Chevy in 2000. Also will not sponsor any car/team in 2000. I guess they are concentrating on the Lowes Motor Speedway deal(2-25-1999) -- I hear it is on Page 56 of the latest issue and another note: during an interview at Rockingham, Mike Skinner said the team was in negotiations with Lowes for 2000(2-26-1999) -- Yes it says right in Deb Williams column that Lowes will not return on the #31 in 2000(2-28-1999) -- Hmm, sources tell me that this is incorrect and expect a big announcement by Lowes this week(3-1-1999) -- NASCAR Today radio reports that negotiations are underway for a multi-year contract between the #31 team and Lowes(3-2-1999) -- Lowe's might or might not be back on Mike Skinner's car next season, but the decision is going to be made quite soon, according to sources close to the situation, because car owner Richard Childress has another potential sponsor waiting in the wings if Lowe's officials say no(PitNow), also a similar story in this weeks Winston Cup Scene(3-6-1999)
Marcis to test: Dave Marcis will sub for Mike Skinner at Daytona next week in the #31 Lowes Chevy. Skinner is recovering from knee surgury during the offseason(NASCAR Online)(12-30-98)
Skinner OK: #31 Lowe Chevy driver Mike Skinner underwent a scheduled successful arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Skinner underwent the procedure as an outpatient and was in and out of the hospital Tuesday, a Lowe's Chevrolet team spokesman said. Skinner is at home resting and is fine. Skinner's left knee was injured in three areas, including a complete tear in the lateral meniscus, a pad of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the bones that connect at the knee (the femur and the tibia); a 70 percent tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which connects the femur and tibia at the center of the knee; and a partially torn articular cartilage, which covers the ends of the bones and acts as a cushion between the two. Skinner hopes to test at Daytona on the 2nd test date, Jan. 19-21(NASCAR Online)(12-11-98)
Skinner new paint? UPDATE: Looks like Mike Skinner will have a different paint scheme on the #31 Lowes Chevy this weekend, from SpeedNet: Team Lowe's Racing took time off the track Thursday for a pit stop in downtown Atlanta to help announce the newest member of the team: Kobalt tools. The team was on hand to unveil the #31 Chevrolet Monte Carlo's new paint(SpeedNet)(11-6-98) -- Lowe's Home Improvement and Kobalt Tools will share the sponsorship duties on the #31 Chevrolet driven by Mike Skinner through the 1999 season. The new paint scheme will be debuted at Atlanta(Speed Magazine)(11-8-98)
Skinner to BGN - UPDATE 2: Mike Skinner will drive up to 12 BGN races in 1999 with Riddling Motorsports.(TNN's Raceday) Sponsor will be Yellow Freight on a Chevy, supposedly Skinners son Jamie will run a few races.(NSSN)(11-8-98) -- The team, which will donate 10 percent of all prize money earned next season to Motor Racing Outreach(MRO), is also looking for another driver to enter eight additional races in 1999.(That's Racin' notes) -- The team is owned by the Emerald Performance Group and not Ridling Motorsports and will be referred to as Team Yellow Racing. They also have major associate sponsorship from Pameco Corporation and their Thermalzone brand of HVAC products. Other announcements concerning the other driver(s) in the very new future.(11-9-98)
