Jayski's® NASCAR Silly Season Site

#37 Team Past News and Rumors

NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages

Past 2006 News

Elliott & RJ Racing to attempt Daytona races: looks like the #37 R.J. Racing team and driver Bill Elliott will attempt the races at Daytona in February 2007, the Budweiser Shootout, Duel 150's and Daytona 500. The team is looking for sponsorship for the race and the 2007 season.(rjracing.us)(12-31-2006)

Elliott honored before race: Before Dawsonville, Ga., native Bill Elliott started his 57th Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, he was honored in a special presentation and proclamation at driver introductions by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue. "He's been our hometown favorite for 30 years," Perdue said during the announcement. "He's our own Bill Elliott." Elliott's 57th career start at Atlanta Motor Speedway didn't end the way he was hoping for. Elliott's car was battling engine problems and had to retire from the Bass Pro Shops 500 after completing only 146 laps. "It just got worse and worse, and we ended up having to quit," said Elliott. "We were hoping for a caution to get it straightened out, but it never worked out."(AMS Pit Notes)(10-30-2006)

Elliott switches teams for Atlanta; Allmendinger in Red Bull ride: Bill Elliott's plans to run in the Bass Pro Shops 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway next week with a special paint scheme commemorating his 30 years of racing at his home track have been scrapped, but he'll race in front of the home folks anyway. Elliott said the Red Bull team that was set to field his car asked him to step aside so rookie A.J. Allmendinger could drive. Elliott agreed, then struck a deal to drive the #37 Dodge R&J Racing. "But the key is that I'll be racing, and that I don't let down the fans who have already bought tickets," Elliott said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-20-2006)

Hauler malfunction slows Elliott: #37-Bill Elliott starts 39th after ending a bizarre day for his team. The liftgate on the hauler that unloads the cars broke. The team couldn't get its car out until another team backed its hauler to the rear of the hauler with Elliott's car. That allowed the team to roll Elliott's car on the liftgate of the other hauler. That was completed nearly three hours after the garage opened.(Roanoke Times)(9-30-2006)

Bill Elliott to attempt Kansas in #37 UPDATE Melling sponsoring the #37: #37 R&J Racing announced that 1988 Cup Champ Bill Elliott will be in the #37 Dodge at Kansas Speedway next weekend. "We are extremely excited to announce that after a few weeks off to restructure our program, we have signed Bill to drive the #37 car. We feel that after joining forces with Ernie Elliott, we finally have achieved the success with our program that our team deserves." R&J Racing also has signed a deal with Vision Motorsports Marketing out of Atlanta to handle sponsorship and PR for them. "We feel that the #37 team has made huge strides towards developing their program and we believe with the right marketing partner they would be a force to challenge for the win each weekend." said Vision Motorsports Marketing Vice President Adam Loser. R&J Racing and Vision Motorsports Marketing are working on their sponsorship program with opportunities still available for the Kansas race.(Vision Motorsports Marketing PR)(9-19-2006)
UPDATE: Twenty-Five years after they first became one of the most dominating duos in Nascar history, Bill Elliott and the Melling family reunite in the Nextel Cup Series Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods October 1, 2006 at the Kansas Speedway. Mark Melling, now CEO of the Melling Family business, made the announcement today about the two getting back together with Melling providing a one race sponsorship of the #37 R&J Racing Dodge. The car will feature a retro red and white paint scheme from Bills first year driving with Melling funding in 1982. Over a span of a decade with Melling backing(1982-1991) Bill racked up 39 poles, 34 victories, the 1985 Winston Million Dollar Bonus, and the 1988 Championship. Because of this success, Mark Mellings late father Harry Melling was named one of the 40 most important people in Nascar history in 1997. Mark Melling noted he is thrilled to associate with the #37 team and sponsor their entry at the Kansas Race for the 25th anniversary season of Mellings original relationship with Bill Elliott. Melling Engine Parts is a world-class designer, manufacturer, and distributor of oil pumps and internal engine parts to the automotive aftermarket, performance, and original Equipment industries. Our catalog contains oil pumps, camshafts, timing components, valve train, and cylinder sleeves. More info at melling.com.(Melling Engine Parts/Fast Life Marketing Consultants PR)(9-25-2006)
IMAGES: see a images the car/scheme on my #37 Team Schemes page.(9-26-2006)

Checkers/Rally's will sponsor #37 & Skinner at Indy: Checkers/Rally's has stepped up to be the primary sponsor on Mike Skinner's #37 Dodge Charger for Sunday's 400-mile race at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Skinner's R&J Racing entry qualified 17th in Saturday's time trials. The effort was the fastest among teams that needed to qualify on time. "It's really exciting that we're carrying the colors of the Official Burger of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard," said team owner Roger Craven. "We have a veteran driver in Mike and plan on giving Checkers/Rally's plenty of coverage in one of NASCAR's biggest races of the season." Sunday's NEXTEL Cup race will mark the first start for the #37 team in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. R&J Racing, owned by Craven and John Carter, is currently in its third season of Cup racing. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard will be Skinner's third event of the weekend. He competed in Friday's Truck Series race and Saturday's Busch Series event at ORP.(DMF Communications)(8-6-2006)

Elliott's shop puts engine in lineup: It might not have been big enough to get Gordon Pirkle to sound the siren at the Dawsonville [GA] Pool Room, as he has for all of Bill Elliott's poles and victories, but the folks from Dawsonville pulled off a victory of sorts in qualifying for the Allstate 400. Mike Skinner, driving a #37 Dodge prepared in the Elliott shops in Dawsonville, sped to the 17th starting spot in Saturday's time trials. His R and J Racing entry was built by Evernham Motorsports. The engine was prepared by Elliott's brother Ernie, who also played a key role in the setup of the car, according to John Carter of Toccoa, GA one of the owners of the team. "I can't tell you how much Ernie Elliott has helped us," Carter said. And Bill Elliott, whose #00 Burger King Chevy was 26th fastest, seemed as happy as Carter to see his old friends and crew members like Jim Barfield and Russ Bales put a car in the 400, where seven went home. "I'm really proud for those guys," Elliott said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(8-6-2006)

Murry in the #37 at Watkins Glen: during the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama televised on Sunday, road racer Dave Murry mentioned he would drive the #37 car at the Watkins Glen Nextel Cup series race next week. Murry's website has this posted: "will be driving in the Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen, August 13. I will be in the #37 Upstate New York Dodge Dealers Association Dodge Charger. It will be with Gary Trout Autosports/R & J Racing." [Trout is also teaming with Front Row Motorsports for Indy](8-1-2006)

No Deal? been told the deal with Victory Motorsports and Terance Mathis fell thru and the team has reverted to it's old RJ Racing name and plans to run a few more races in 2007.(7-20-2006)

Front Row Motorsports and Race El Paso to team up at Indy: Race El Paso, the race team based out of El Paso, Texas owned by Gregg and Ryan Jackson plan to attempt the Brickyard 400 at Indy this August. The Jacksons nearly made it in 2004, when Geoff Bodine drove the team's car [was #34 then], the Border Bandit, to a qualifying run that put it one slot from earning its way into the Brickyard race. This year, the team is in a partnership with two race teams: Gary Trout Autosports and Front Row Motorsports. Those teams are helping to put together the pit crew and have been storing Race El Paso's cars. The team also has more than one car and more than one engine, which is being built by Ernie Elliott, the brother of longtime NASCAR driver and semi-retired Bill Elliott. The car also will have a capable driver. The team already has NASCAR Craftsman Trucks series driver Chad Chaffin lined up, but it also still is negotiating with NASCAR veteran Mike Skinner. Still, the Jacksons know it won't be easy to get a car into a Nextel Cup race. "Our primary goal is to qualify," Ryan said. "Our second goal is to finish the race." More info at suncityracing.com.(El Paso Times/kvia.com)(7-2-2006)

Victory Motorsports Acquires #37 Team: Victory Motorsports Racing, owned by former NFL All-Pro Wide Receiver, Terance Mathis, has acquired R&J Racing, car #37. This will be an addition to the #67 car [?] that is already owned by Victory Motorsports Racing. The car will be driven by Carl Long, a veteran driver that has been in the NASCAR circuit for a number of years. The new Victory Motorsports Racing car will attempt to qualify at the 3M Performance 400 presented by Post-it Picture Paper, at the Michigan International Speedway, on the weekend of June 16, 2006. "I believe this will be an excellent opportunity for Victory Motorsports Racing to become a more competitive team. I have such a huge vision for this team, and this new acquisition doesn't do anything, but make that vision a reality. With having the skill and experience that accompanies such a veteran drive such as Carl Long, I'm ecstatic, having some like this on our team screams what we're all about - long time success," states Terance Mathis, Victory Motorsports Racing Team Owner. No sponsors for this team have yet been determined. For more information on Victory Motorsports Racing at victorymotorsportsllc.com.(Origins PR), no word if Victory Motorsports Racing is still aligned with the #4 Morgan McClure Motorsports team, which was announced last October.(6-15-2006)

#37 gets sponsor for All-Star race: Atomic-X, makers of the leading non-carbonated Energy Drink, announced their sponsorship of the #37 R & J Racing Nextel Cup Team for the All-Star Weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 19th and 20th. The Atomic-X machine will be driven by accomplished NASCAR veteran driver Mike Skinner and will don the brands bright orange color and logos during NASCAR's marquee event for race fans. Atomic-X CEO Sam Perricone II views NASCAR racing as an effective way to build brand awareness around the world and is excited about the impact it will have on product sales. Atomic-X is now available in 25 States and has recently begun expansion into other countries around the world. The increased popularity of non-carbonated beverages has helped the brand increase sales over 300% during the past 12 months and is continuing to make it a top-seller at many major grocery and convenience store chains. More info about Atomic-X at drinkatomicx.com.(Atomic X PR)(5-19-2006)

Long to attempt Darlington in #37 car: Carl Long will be driving the #37 R&J Racing Dodge in the NEXTEL Cup Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 13th. The team is looking for sponsorship, but will be racing regardless. Carl Long qualified an impressive 21st fastest last time the Cup cars raced at Darlington. Long has also put up for sale a number of his vehicles and chassis. Long needs to sell these items immediately in order to repair and prepare his NEXTEL Cup car to run at New Hampshire International Speedway in July.(more at Carl Long site)(4-11-2006)

#37 Needs Sponsor or may close UPDATE: Two Toccoa [GA] businessmen, John Carter and Roger Craven, did the near-impossible last year when they took their shoestring budget team to Daytona and finished ninth in the Daytona 500, earning more than $300,000. But this year, Carter and Craven are on the verge of dropping off the circuit. With Mike Skinner at the wheel of their #37 Dodge, the R and J Racing team has failed to qualify for an event this year, and the team has no primary sponsor to help foot the bills. "We're still trying to get on our feet, and we're too good a team to just quit," Carter said. "It's a shame that a Georgia-based team can't get a Georgia-based company to help us just a little bit."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(3-24-2006)
UPDATE: After failing to qualify for the first five races this year, #37 R&J Racing moved its shop back to Toccoa, Ga., and plans to spend the next month rebuilding cars. Car owner Roger Craven said the team needed time to re-evaluate its schedule and concentrate on selected races for the rest of the year. "We've decided to put everything under the same roof," Craven said. "We're re-organizing and using the rest of the year to rebuild for the future."(Augusta Chronicle)(3-30-2006)

Skinner in the #37 for some races: been told that Mike Skinner will run some Nextel Cup races in the #23 Bill Davis Racing Dodge as sponsorship permits and the #37 R&J Racing Dodge in some races. No word on what happened with Chad Blount's full time ride with the #37. Skinner will run the #37 at California this coming weekend.(2-22-2006)

Blount to the #37 for full season: Chad Blount is using this weekend's ARCA RE/MAX Series event as a test session and said he has been hired to drive the #37 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series for owner John Carter. Blount said the team is looking for sponsorship but plans to run the full 2006 Nextel Cup schedule. Blount is driving a Dodge prepared by Hagans Racing with assistance from Mark Gibson Racing.(Catchfence.com), no word if Blount will enter the Rookie of the Year race which is now up to eight drivers.(2-11-2006)

Past 2005 News

Skinner in the #37 at Atlanta: Mike Skinner was hired this week to drive the #37-BoSPOKER.net/Patrón Tequila Dodge for this Sunday’s Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tony Raines, who drove the car at Michigan, has decided to concentrate on his job with Kevin Harvick’s Busch Series team the rest of the year. “This is a good chance for both of us,” said crew chief Terry Wooten. “We needsomebody like Mike to give everything he’s got; this is a chance for him to drive a car where the biggest goal is to run up front. We’re not racing for points. We’re racing to win.” Skinner won the first truck series championship in 1995. He’s ranked sixth in the current truck standings. He also will compete in Saturday afternoon’s truck series race at Atlanta. “This is a positive step for me and I hope a positive step for R&J Racing,” Skinner said. “I want to race. I don’t want to ride around in the back of the pack and they really seem committed to getting the car up to speed, running all 500 miles and posting a good finish. “If you’re going to run up front, win some money and get some good finishes, you’ve got to stay in there and keep your gloves on. They want to do that, so I’m going to slug away, too.”(RJ Racing PR)(10-26-2005)

HOF Racing chooses driver...UPDATE Raines?: on the Roger Staubach site, this is posted: As most of you know, Troy Aikman and I are principal owners in Hall of Fame Racing with Texas Instruments DLP sponsoring our car for the 2006 Nextel Cup Season. We’ve hired a phenomenal crew chief in Phillipe Lopez and recently made a decision on who will be driving our car. We hope to have the announcement available here this week so keep your browser bookmarked for the news. NFL great Staubach is one of the owners of Hall of Fame Racing along with Troy Aikman. Rumored drivers included Tony Raines and Mike Wallace, other drivers that were rumored and denied being considered included Ward Burton, Paul Tracy and Terry Labonte. OR it could be someone we have not heard of yet.(10-17-2005)
AND also hearing Truck Series drivers and Texas native David Starr is another driver who was under consideration.(10-18-2005)
UPDATE: hearing that Tony Raines was slected as the Hall of Fame Racing driver for 2006, expect an announcement at Texas [Nov 6th race day] and supposedly Raines will not return to the #37 R&J Racing Dodge this season.(10-19-2005)

Spencer, R&J Racing team up at Martinsville: Jimmy Spencer, a two-time winner on the Nextel Cup Series circuit, will drive the #37 BoSPOKER.net Dodge for R&J Racing this Sunday at the Martinsville Speedway. In making the announcement, team owner Roger Craven said the addition of Spencer was important as the BoSPOKER.net team continues to build for the future. “Not only is Jimmy an accomplished and tenacious driver, he will be able to provide our team with valuable information that could help us down the road,” Craven said. “There’s no question he knows everything there’s to know about a race car, so we’re going to be dependent for information as well as speed at Martinsville.” Spencer has a part-time arrangement with Arnold Motorsports, but that team will not compete in the Subway 500. R&J Racing driver Tony Raines took a two-week leave of absence to fulfill his commitment with Kevin Harvick’s Busch Series team.(R&J Racing PR)(10-17-2005)

Mike Garvey, R&J Racing team up at Charlotte: Mike Garvey will drive the #37 BoSPOKER.net Dodge for R&J Racing in this Saturday night’s UAW-GM 500 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, team owner Roger Craven said. Garvey, from McDonough, Ga., will complete the all-Georgia team. R&J Racing owners John Carter and Roger Craven live in Toccoa, Ga. While the race shop is in Concord, N.C., the team’s business office is in Georgia. Garvey replaces Tony Raines, who’s taking a two-week leave of absence from the team. Raines will skip this Saturday’s race and the Subway 500 at the Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 23. Raines has commitments with his Busch Series program that prompted his decision. While he doesn’t know what the future may bring, Garvey said every race is a chance to audition. “Every race is a chance for you to show what you can do,” he said. “You never know what might come out of a race. A good run can open some doors. That’s what makes an opportunity like this so exciting.”(R&J Racing PR)(10-12-2005)

Raines and team part ways? hearing #37 RJ Motorsports has parted ways with driver Tony Raines. No word on Raines plans [he is a HOF Racing candidate] or who will drive the car this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
UPDATE: been told that Raines and the team have not 'parted ways', but Raines will not drive the #37 at Lowe's Motor Speedway this week or at Martinsville the following week, no driver named as of yet.(10-11-2005)

#37 Crew Chief Suspended by NASCAR: NASCAR has suspended crew chief Glenn Darrow indefinitely, for violation of the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. Darrow, [now former] crew chief for the #37 Dodge [Tony Raines driver] that competes in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, was tested for banned substances last Saturday (Oct. 1) at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Test results were positive, violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-E (violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2005 NASCAR rule book.(NASCAR PR)(10-6-2005)

Terry Wooten replaces Glenn Darrow at R&J Racing: Terry Wooten has joined #37 R&J Racing and will be with the race team for this Sunday’s race at the Kansas Speedway. Wooten, who recently worked as a crew chief at Michael Waltrip Racing’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team, replaces Glenn Darrow. “We appreciate everything Glenn did for our race team,” said car owner Roger Craven. “He certainly elevated our program. But we had the opportunity to take our team to another level, and we were very fortunate to get somebody with Wooten’s experience.” Darrow is no longer with R&J Racing, Craven said. “The very first thing I noticed at R&J Racing is they’ve built a very strong foundation,” Wooten said. “It’s just a matter of refining what they already have. You have to stay moving in this sport. The old adage is true: If you’re caught up, you’re already behind. We will focus our attention in working ahead of the curve.” Driver Tony Raines welcomed the change. “Glenn did a great job, but when you have the chance to bring that kind of experience to your team, you have to take it,” Raines said. “I’m really looking forward to taking the next step with Terry. I joined the team in August and I quickly realized they have all the tools to be successful. Terry Wooten will help us put those tools in order. Success in this sport usually doesn’t come with major changes. It’s a quarter-inch here, an eighth-of-inch there. “I look forward to creating a long, successful relationship with Terry.” R&J Racing is based in Toccoa, Ga., and the shop is in Concord, N.C.(RJ Racing PR/Media Brokers International)(10-6-2005)

Raines in the #37 at MIS; Lepage released: R&J Racing released driver Kevin Lepage from his driving duties for the #37 BoSPOKER.netDodge Charger effective immediately. Lepage has been the driver for the R&J Racing Team since late last year. Lepage will be replaced by veteran driver Tony Raines who has 49 career starts and one top-10 finish in his four year NASCAR Nextel Cup career. Raines will run the #37 BoSPOKER.net Dodge Charger at this weekend's race at Michigan International Speedway. The decision to make a driver change was a hard one for owners John Cater and Roger Craven but one they felt the team needed to make.
"This was a very tough decision for John and I to make, but one we felt needed to be made for the team," said Craven. "We cannot thank Kevin enough for all he has done to get this team where it is today. Without him, there's no telling where we would be. We felt the chemistry just wasn't there. John and I decided that we needed to make a driver change and felt Tony Raines would be the right choice for us." Lepage who has been with the team since late last year was disappointed with the decision, but under stands the owner's decision in trying to find the right driver/team combination. "I am not happy with the decision but I can understand where they are coming from," said Lepage. "No driver likes to lose their ride. I am going to miss the guys in the shop. I'd like to thank John Carter and Roger Craven for the opportunity they gave me. We started out with one car and no sponsorship and now the team has a handful of cars and has been able to find sponsorship for the rest of the year. To help build this team from nothing and to have helped bring them to this point has been a great feeling for me. I think Tony will do a good job behind the wheel. I have a couple irons in the fire and I look forward to getting back out on the track. I wish John and Roger all the best."(Integrated Marketing Solutions PR)(8-16-2005)

Lazzaro and #37 team not happy with Kyle Busch: Anthony Lazzaro completed the full 92 laps and finished 28th in the #37 Tequila Patron Dodge at Watkins Glen. But a post-race incident with Nextel Cup rookie #5-Kyle Busch spoiled what had been a successful day. "The punk crashed me on the cooldown lap. It just shows me this guy never built or worked on a car," Lazzaro said of Kurt Busch's younger brother. "We don't go out and try to wreck other people's equipment." Lazzaro said the trouble may have resulted when the two made contact late in the race. Lazzaro admitted he made some mistakes, the result of not having enough spotters. He said he got into Scott Pruett and drove underneath Ken Schrader at different points of the race. The #37 crew was so fired up over the incident a fight almost erupted with Kyle Busch's #5 Kellogg Chevrolet crew. The #37's acting crew chief, Glenn Darrow, had to calm his guys down by saying, "We're not going to start anything. But if they want to start something, we'll finish it."(Elmira Star Gazette)(8-16-2005)

Lazzaro to run #37 at Watkins Glen: Road coarse specialist Anthony Lazzaro will be filling in for NASCAR Nextel Cup regular Kevin Lepage for this weekends road coarse race at Watkins Glen. Lepage made the decision late this week to have Lazzaro fill in for him, as he thought it would be better for the team to put a more experienced road course driver in the driver's seat of the #37 Patrón Tequila Dodge Charger for Watkins Glen. "It was a tough decision to make because no driver wants to give up their seat at anytime for any race" says Lepage. "But I thought it would be better for the team to have a more experienced road course driver take the wheel for this weekend's race at the Glen. Anthony has a lot of experience on road courses and I thought he would be a good fill in for me. I know Anthony well; he drove for my Matrix Motorsports Busch Team back in 2003 at Kansas. Have no fear I will be back in the car at Michigan next week."(Integrated Marketing Solutions)(8-12-2005)

Patron back on the #37 at Indy: #37-Kevin Lepage will look to make his fourth career start in the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. The team will be bringing a new car with them, which they recently tested at Indy. Patrón Tequila returns as a sponsor of the team. Crew chief Mark Tutor will try to find the right combination to get the #37 Patrón Tequila Dodge Charger a top-15 finish this weekend at Indy.(RJ Motorsports PR)(8-5-2005)

Lepage gets a sponsor UPDATE: looks as though R&J Racing's #37 with driver Kevin Lepage has got a primary sponsor for 15 of the last 18 races (Patron Spirits for the other three races. BoSPOKER.NET has just signed on and will be on the car this weekend at New Hampshire.(7-14-2005)
UPDATE: R&J Racing announced its new sponsorship with BoSPOKER.net . The team will be unveiling the BoSPOKER.net car at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH on Friday, July 15th. The team has secured a 15 race sponsorship with BoSPOKER.net, a is a fun, safe place to learn and play 'no cost' poker with people from around the world. All of the games on BoSPOKER.net are for no cash value 'play money' chips. There is absolutely no charge to participate in the games. BoSPOKER.net provides an ideal environment for you to learn a new game or practice playing a familiar one. "BoSPOKER is elated with the opportunity to join forces with R & J Racing," said William Griffiths, director of marketing for BoSPOKER.net. "Lepage's pure dedication to the sport is truly inspiring and we are looking forward to a great finish to this year of racing."
"John and I are very excited to have BoSPOKER.net on board with us", said Roger Craven. "It is a great company that provides a top notch service. There are so many people who want to learn how to play the game of poker and BoSPOKER.net teaches people how to play with no risk since it is a free site. With the growing popularity of our sport and with the growing popularity of the game of poker, it is a good fit for both BoSPOKER.net and R&J Racing."
Driver Kevin Lepage is also looking forward to having his new sponsor on board with him this weekend. "This is very exciting for our racing team", said Kevin Lepage. "John and Roger told us right before we left for New Hampshire that the deal was done. The team and I were thrilled when they told us that BoSPOKER.net had signed on as our primary sponsor for the remainder of the year. This is going to be a big boost for our racing program and I look forward to working with BoSPOKER.net."(Integrated Marketing Solutions PR)(7-15-2005)

New crew chief for Lepage: R&J Racing owners John Carter and Roger Craven announced the signing of Mark Tudor as the new crew chief for the #37 R&J Racing Dodge Charger. Glenn Darrow has been filling in as the teams interim crew chief since the Charlotte race in May and has been working with Mark to evaluate the teams needs for success. Tudor's first race as crew chief of the #37 R&J Racing Dodge Charger will be this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH. Before joining R&J Racing, Tudor started the 2005 season with Biagi Bros. Racing as the crew chief for Ryan Hemphill in the Busch Series.(Integrated Marketing Solutions)(7-14-2005)

New crew chief for the #37: Glenn Darrow has replaced Billy Poindexter as crew chief for R&J Racing's #37 Dodge driven by Kevin Lepage in the Nextel Cup Series. Poindexter, who joined the team during the 2004 season, was released after Lepage failed to qualify at Richmond last month. Darrow, who previously worked as a mechanic for the team helped lead Lepage to a 12th-place finish in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-1-2005)

New sponsor/look for Lepage at Lowe's UPDATE Underdog: This Friday [May 20th], The #37 R&J Racing Team will announce its two-race sponsorship program on Friday, May 20th with Classic Media, Inc. Classic Media is America's largest independent family entertainment company and manages some of the world's most recognized kids' and family properties across all media including feature film, television, home video and consumer products. The #37 R&J Racing Dodge Charger will be encouraging race fans to "Have No Fear!" at this weekend's upcoming Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge and next weekend's Coca-Cola 600. The team will be unveiling its "animated" new look on Friday just prior the Nextel All-Star Challenge open-practice at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC.(R&J Racing)(5-19-2005)
UPDATE: The #37 R&J Racing Dodge Charger has joined forces with Underdog, the world's most lovable superhero, for two of NASCAR's most high profile races, this weekend's Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge and the Coca-Cola 600 on Saturday, May 28. The #37 racecar will be fueled by the "speed of lightning and roar of thunder" in its all-new red, white and blue Underdog paint scheme. In recent months the team has been referred to as the 'underdog' of Nextel Cup. Beginning with a 9th place finish in the Daytona 500, the team has sought week after week to qualify and race in every Nextel Cup event on the schedule thus far. Lepage and his crew are working against the odds with a small new team with big dreams. It's no secret that the team has been making waves and gaining a substantial amount of support from the fans. Kevin Lepage, driver of the #37 Dodge Charger said, "Underdog is one of my favorite cartoons. I was actually watching the show not long ago and thought about how our team was a lot like this scrappy superhero. So many fans have cheered for us as the 'underdog' team that continues to race against the odds, that it makes perfect sense to have the real Underdog character support the No. 37 Dodge Charger." For the next two races, R&J Racing has teamed up with Classic Media to bring Underdog himself to the racetrack.
Since the animated TV series debuted in the 1960s, Underdog has become a pop-culture icon. Audiences all over the world continue to cheer Shoeshine Boy and his alter ego Underdog, as the unlikely superhero helps restore order to society whenever danger looms. Called into action by his would-be girlfriend, ace news reporter Sweet Polly Purebred, the anti-hero must thwart the evil plans of unsavory characters such as the mad scientist Simon Barsinister or the underworld boss Riff Raff. Using a phone booth to swiftly change into the pup-of-steel, Underdog flies into action. Underdog is currently starring in a national advertising campaign for Visa Check Card. A live action/CGI Underdog feature film is also currently in development with Spyglass Entertainment.(R&J Racing), see images of the car on my #37 Team Schemes page.(5-20-2005)

#37 R&J Racing releases crew chief: The #37 R&J Racing Team has released crew chief Billy Poindexter from the team as of Monday [5-16]. Poindexter has been the crew chief for the R&J Racing Team since the fall of 2004. Owners John Carter and Roger Craven made the decision due to the teams' recent lack of performance. "Roger and I would like to thank Billy Poindexter for all of his efforts since joining the R&J Racing Team last fall" said John Carter. "Billy brought us a ninth place finish at Daytona this year, but a lack of performance on the track has brought us to this decision. This was a very tough decision for Roger and I to make, but we feel it's the best decision for the team right know. We wish Billy all the best."
The decision to let Poindexter go was also tough on R&J Racing driver Kevin Lepage as well. "It is not easy to make a decision like this for anyone", Said Lepage. "Billy has been such a big part of this team since the beginning and it willbe tough not having him around at the track or in the shop. We are all grateful to him for bringing us this far. The chemistry just seemed to have disappeared. He's a talented crew chief and I'm sure he will do well. I'd like to say 'thank you' to him for all he's done." As of today Poindexter will have no affiliation with the R&J Racing Team. A new crew chief has not yet been announced as the R&J Racing Team is in search of a new crew chief. If you are interested in this position please contact Kevin Lepage at the R&J Racing Shop. (704) 875-0271.(R&J Racing)(5-16-2005)

Sponsorship Expands After Lepage's Strong Daytona 500 Finish: Kevin Lepage's impressive ninth place finish at this year's NASCAR Daytona 500 provided the incentive for The Patròn Spirits Company to increase its involvement with Lepage's #37 Dodge and R & J Racing program to include an additional five NASCAR NEXTEL CUP races. This deal was brokered by Active International, the world's largest corporate trading firm. Active's sports & event marketing division has extensive expertise in negotiating major sports sponsorships and has helped its clients to participate in a number of high-profile properties including the PGA TOUR, NBA and NASCAR. Trade credits that The Patròn Spirits Company acquired from Active were an important element in enabling Active to tailor this financial program for Patròn's sponsorship of Lepage's #37 Dodge. The deal is unique given that 2005 is the first year that spirits companies have been able to participate as NASCAR sponsors. The sponsorship provided Patròn with an innovative way to enhance its marketing strategy. As the primary sponsor of Lepage's car, Patròn designed the paint scheme and the logos that are featured on the hood and side panels (images on my #37 Team Schemes Page). (Peppercom PR)(5-5-2005)

Sponsor back for Lepage at Talladega AND/IMAGES: This weekend Kevin Lepage and the #37 R&J Racing Team will be sporting a new look as Patrón Tequila comes on board the #37 R&J Racing Dodge Charger for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, AL. The team will not only be taking their sponsor from Daytona to Talladega, but also the car that earned them a 9th place finish. Lepage and the entire crew are looking to have a strong run this weekend.(R&J Racing/Integrated Marketing Solutions PR)(4-26-2005)
AND On Wednesday, Kevin Lepage unveiled a new paint scheme for this weekend's Aaron's 499 NASCAR Nextel Cup event at Talladega Superspeedway and it's sure to be a hit with the boss – "the good boss". The bright, lime green Dodge Charger is the same car that Lepage race to a 9th place finish in the Daytona 500 earlier this year and it is again sponsored by Patrón Tequila (in Spanish, the word *patrón *means "the good boss"). "We are very happy to announce that Patrón is with us for 5 more races this year and the new paint scheme is going to look great on the track," said Lepage. "Patrón came on board in Daytona and we had a top ten there and we plan to race the same way in Talladega. The car drafts well in traffic and that's critical, but equally as important, we want to stay out of trouble and avoid any big mishaps."
After Talladega, the R&J Racing #37 Patrón Tequila Dodge Charger driven by Kevin Lepage will be racing in Michigan on June 19, Chicago on July 10, Watkins Glen on August 14 and in Fontana, Ca. on September 4.(R&J Racing/Integrated Marketing Solutions PR)(4-28-2005)
IMAGES: see four images of the car on my #37 Team Schemes page.(4-28-2005)

Lepage gets a sponsor for Atlanta: The #37 with driver Kevin LePage, which has full sponsorship for only five races this year, will carry the colors today of Newell Recycling of Atlanta.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(3-20-2005)

Lepage sponsor: #37-Kevin Lepage says that he has a five-race primary sponsorship deal with Patron Tequila on the table, but that they are still negotiating.(NASCAR Scene)(3-7-2005)

More hard liquor: Patron tequila will be the sponsor of Kevin Lepage’s #37 Dodge for the Daytona 500.(Speed Channel)(2-19-2005)

#37 and Lepage still looking for a sponsor: R& J Racing and driver Kevin Lepage prove that their currently unsponsored Nextel Cup Team can still be a threat to win and can still prove to be fast. The 2005 Dodge Charger powered by Ernie Elliott Engines which was started during the second week of December was completed on January 17, just before the first day of the second test session in Daytona Beach, Florida. The test which began with a morning session on the 18th provided the team with the information and the results that confirmed their initial beliefs. They were fast and getting faster. Lepage ran approximately 20 runs and picked up 1 3/10 progressively. Day one Speeds started at 180.238mph and consistently progressed every session and everyday ending with the competitive Speed of 184.008 with a lap time of 48.911! The team finished 28th out of all the 54 teams. Crewchief, Billy Poindexter and the entire crew worked long hours and the effort definitely provided dividends and extended their momentum. "They all did a great job preparing the car at the track and I am very proud of everyone and we are excited about starting the season and coming back to Daytona in February." The #37 team based in Huntersville, NC hosts the talented and experienced driver Kevin Lepage who eagerly awaits the start of the Nascar Nextel Cup Series. "We had a productive test and we surpassed our goal. We were fast and we will be able to show it in February." The team is currently searching for a sponsor for the Nascar Nextel Cup Series. Any inquiries can be directed to R&J Racing at 704-875-0271.(R&J Racing PR)(1-26-2005)

#37 Team Looking for help: The #37 R & J Racing team is enlarging their workforce. They are looking for fabricators and mechanics - both with experience. They need people that have worked on race cars in the past. They can call (704) 875-0271, fax a resume (704) 875-2997 or stop in the office/shop at 107 Parr Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078.(1-8-2005)

Past 2004 News

RJ Motorsports and Lepage plans for 2005: #37 RJ Motorsports and driver Kevin Lepage are keeping busy and maintaining their focus on the 2005 Nascar Nextel Cup Series. Based in Huntersville, NC the #37 team hosts driver Kevin Lepage who has two Nascar Busch Series victories and one career Nextel Cup pole. "After the end of the past season and after having strong qualifying efforts in the last eight races, I feel like we can be a top ten, top fifteen race team in 2005 with the support of Billy and the crew surrounding him, along with Dodge's support and our strong engine program by Ernie Elliott." The crew chief, Billy Poindexter, with his amassed knowledge of the cars and the series, leads the efforts of this race team and provides the vision to win races and be competitive. "We have talented, dedicated guys on the crew and with all rule changes in 2005 I feel it will be an interesting year and with Kevin's experience we have an advantage using his knowledge and using his finesse on the track to win races." With a total of eight Dodge racecars, all in different stages of production, the shop is full of activity as the team makes preparations for the Daytona 500 in February. An aggressive effort is in place and a full season competing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is anticipated, along with the needed support of a primary sponsor and or individual race sponsor. Full scale marketing opportunities and tailored exclusive programs are available.(RJ Motorsports PR)(12-24-2004)

2nd Part teams up with #37 car: 2ndChanceRaceParts.com of Mooresville, NC, and Great Cars & Trucks of Glendale, AZ, will be joining Kevin Lepage as associate sponsors for the #37 Carter's Dispos-all Dodge for this Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. 2nd Chance Race Parts sells high-quality, slightly used race parts from the top Nextel Cup teams to underdog, independent race teams from North Carolina to Canada to Australia. Great Cars & Trucks is a multi-faceted auto and truck dealership owned by Mark Shaffer. "We'repleased to be able to help support Kevin this weekend," said Rick Russell, owner of 2nd Chance Race Parts. "This team has shown steadyimprovement in recent weeks, and we hope they'll be able to continuethat trend at Phoenix."(2nd Chance PR)(11-2-2004)

NASCAR Tears #37 Engine Down: NASCAR officials were seen tearing down the engine of Kevin Lepages' #37 Dodge in the garage area at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. There was no indication as to what the violation was. The car is owned and sponsored by Carter Racing.(Insider Racing News), Lepage lost one engine in Friday's practice and didn't qualify for the race, using a provisional to make the race.(10-24-2004)

Blount to make Cup debut at Daytona in the #37, will run Chicago too: Chad Blount looks to make his NASCAR Nextel Cup Series debut at the Daytona International Speedway in the Pepsi 400. Blount will pilot the #37 Dodge owned by John Carter and Roger Craven for the 46th running of the Pepsi 400 on Saturday night. Blount burst onto the scene in 2002 while competing in the ARCA Series for Braun Racing. He went on to post one of the most impressive rookie seasons in the history of that series: as he garnered 4 wins, 5 poles and 2 new track records (Atlanta and Chicagoland). The last two seasons have seen the 24-year-old compete in the NASCAR Busch Series where he has made 20 starts with a career best 5th place finish at Texas last season. He has also spent much time serving as a test driver for Penske Racing. The #37 team will be debuting a newly acquired speedway car from Ganassi Racing along with a strong engine program from Ernie Elliott Engines. The car was prepared for the Daytona race out of the Braun Racing shop and will be led by crew chief Todd Lohse, who has worked with Blount previously in the Busch Series. Blount and the #37 team will also be competing next week at Chicagoland Speedway. The rest of the 2004 schedule for Blount and the team will be determined at a later date.(Integrity Sports Marketing PR)(7-1-2004)

Bodine and Brown leave the #37: Todd Bodine will no longer be driving the #37 Dodge and has parted ways with the team immediately as did crew chief Teddy Brown. No word on Bodine's Cup plans [he drives the #31 Whelen Ford part-time in Busch] or who may drive the #37 Dodge.(Todd Bodine site)(6-24-2004)

Bodine News UPDATE on both!: Geoffrey Bodine will be in the #98 Lucas Oil Ford at Lowe's Motor Speedway, hearing that their former driver will be in the #89 Dodge, not sure what that is all about...yet. Can't see Morgan Shepherd giving up his ride, unless a sponsor is involved somehow.(5-26-2004)
UPDATE: Todd Bodine was added to the entry list in the #37 Dodge sponsored by Carter's Royal Dispos-all, same sponsor as #89-Morgan Shepherd who is also listed. So we are up to 53 drivers/cars now.
AND: Geoffrey Bodine will be once again driving the #98 Lucas Oil Ford this weekend in the Coca-Cola 600. This will be his second straight weekend that he will pilot the #98 car. MACH 1 will be returning to Lowes Motor Speedway with the same car that qualified 22nd and finished 16th in the previous weeks Nextel All-Star Challenge. “By virtue of having Geoffrey behind the wheel during last week’s All-Star race, we consider that a good “test session” for the 600” said team owner, Chris Edwards. Edwards went on to say “We are very pleased to have LUCAS OIL, and www.extrememotorcycles.com as well as Geoffrey back with us for the 600. Geoffrey did a great job for us last weekend and without our sponsors we would not be here for the 600, we look forward to working with them again this weekend.” America’s Most Wanted Motorsports is offering an opportunity to a sponsor to become a presenting sponsor of their NEXTEL CUP/NBS motorsports program(s). By becoming a presenting sponsor of the America’s Most wanted Motorsports program a sponsor could invest in the opportunity to garner Tremendous amounts of NATIONAL exposure on and off the track and assist in saving the lives of innocent children and tie their team marketing and promotional efforts in with John Walsh as well as a guaranteed ROI! This opportunity carries the possibilities of upwards of 3.5 Million dollars in prime time and non motorsports media coverage as well as the coverage that will come with the actual competition of the racing team. For more information visit www.bodydynamicsracing.com.(5-27-2004)
Todd and the #37: from what I understand, the #37 is an offshoot of the #89 as John Carter has split with Morgan Shepherd (who will continue to run #89). Todd will try to run every lap of every race using cars purchased from Ganassi Racing and engines from Ernie Elliott. Carter has ordered more cars and the team is currently using the Cicci-Kelly Racing shops.(5-27-2004)

Current #37 News Page
Jayski's Silly Season Sprint Cup News Page
Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

#37 Team Past News and Rumors

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This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2009© All Rights Reserved.
Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.