JAYSKI's SILLY SEASON SITE
#4 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
2006 News
Wimmer has nothing locked down for 2007 UPDATE 2: Scott Wimmer barely knows week by week whether he's going to drive in the Nextel Cup Series, much less what 2007 has in store for him. Wimmer and the #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports team must qualify on speed for each race, and that hasn't always been easy. Though he started last in Saturday night's race, Wimmer has failed to qualify for five of 23 races this year, and that doesn't create a lot of job security. "I really don't have anything locked down for next year," he said. "As a driver you always worry about when everybody else has a ride locked up and you're kind of without anything. Team owner Larry McClure also isn't sure about next year, especially because the team doesn't have a sponsor yet.(Augusta Chronicle)(8-28-2006)
UPDATE: In light of recent rumors regarding the status of his operation, Larry McClure, President and Team Manager of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, Inc. announced Monday that his familiar #4 team will compete full time in the Nextel Cup Series in 2007.
"We currently have an agreement in place for our #4 car for next season and an announcement is forthcoming," said McClure. "Additionally, we are in negotiations with a prospective partner for a long-awaited second team. We have a viable team here with the necessary components for success, including our driver Scott Wimmer, and it is our intention to have Scott in one of our cars next year. The 2007 season will mark our 25th year in NASCAR's top series and we're excited about what's in store for Morgan-McClure Motorsports."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-29-2006)
UPDATE 2: Hearing that despite reports that Scott Wimmer is going to sign or is signed with the #4 Morgan McClure Motorsports team for 2007 season, Wimmer is NOT currently signed with anyone, but is in negotiations with a couple teams and an announcement could come soon.(9-7-2006)
Morgan-McClure Motorsports and Lucas Oil Reunite at Calif: Morgan-McClure President Larry McClure announced that the #4 Chevy that Scott Wimmer drive, will be sporting the familiar red LUCAS decal on the hood for the third time this season in the
Sony HD 500 at California Speedway this weekend. Wimmer has an average finish of 27th at California and is looking to improve on that this weekend. Wimmer will have to qualify the Lucas Oil Chevy on time and expressed confidence in returning to California. Lucas Oil served as the primary sponsor for the Morgan-McClure #4 Chevy for the full season in 2005 as well as Indy and Michigan in 2006 and has long been involved in the American racing industry through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions, at all levels.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-30-2006)
Bully Hill Vineyards to Adorn Hood of #4 Chevy at Bristol: Morgan McClure Motorsports President and Team Manager Larry McClure announced today, "I am proud to announce that Bully Hill Vineyards has been signed as primary sponsor of the # 4 Morgan McClure Chevy for the upcoming Bristol Sharpie 500 Race. We met with Ms. Taylor and some of her family recently while in Watkins Glen and immediately knew we could do business together. The family history behind the success of her vineyard parallels in many ways with the history of our race team. We share a love for racing that brought us to this one-race sponsorship." Founded in 1967 by maverick winemaker Walter S. Taylor, Bully Hill Vineyards has grown to become the largest selling family owned winery in the Finger Lakes. Located in Hammondsport, NY the Bully Hill has developed a reputation for both innovative winemaking and marketing, as evidenced by the winery's unique products and long involvement with motorsports. Bully Hill Vineyards has been actively involved in motorsports since 1996, and the companies wines are currently distributed in 32 states.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-23-2006)
Wimmer/Kvapil not signed for 2007 UPDATE 2 Wimmer to MWR? NO?: #32-Travis Kvapil and #4-Scott Wimmer - two experienced drivers who have had to qualify on speed all season and have done just that most of time - have talked to other Nextel Cup teams then the ones they currently drive for, but whether they will end up eelsewhere in 2007 remains to be seen. Kvapil said he has agreed with PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells that he would try to have a decision by the end of August. There are three main rides open - Michael Waltrip Racing [#00], Team Red Bull [unknown #] and Robert Yates Racing [#88]. "It's not really that hard to figure out [who I'm talking to]," Kvapil said. "There are only a couple of seats left to shake out. I've had conversations but that really doesn't mean anything [is certain]. I just want to make sure whatever I do is best for me and my future. Last year and this year, I haven't really had the performance, I'm afraid. Another year or two of that, my days might be limited in this garage. Basically where it's at, I told him I wanted a month to see how everything shakes out," Kvapil said. "I had been contacted by a few other teams and there were conversations. I didn't feel I was comfortable to make a commitment and then a couple of weeks down the road regret that decision."
Wimmer, who made his Nextel Cup debut in 2000, has qualified for 18 of the 21 races this year. He said the Morgan-McClure Motorsports team does not have a sponsor for next season. Wimmer said he could end up in the Busch Series next year. Sponsorship could determine the drivers.(SceneDaily.com)
UPDATE: on Speed Channel's SPEED Report, Bob Dillner reported that Scott Wimmer could be announced this week as the driver of Michael Waltrip Racing's #00 Burger King/Domino's Pizza Toyota in 2007.(8-20-2003)
UPDATE 2: been told that Wimmer will NOT be the driver for the #00 MWR team, no word yet who that could be.(8-21-2006)
Food City to partner up with Morgan-McClure at Bristol: Food City, Morgan-McClure Motorsports and driver Scott Wimmer announced a one-race co-sponsorship on the #4 Chevy at the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Morgan-McClure Motorsports #4 Food City/Forward Air Chevy will hit the track during qualifying for the Sharpie 500 on Friday, August 25th, just prior to the Food City 250. "We are happy for the second time this year to be associated with Food City and the Smith family," said Larry McClure, President and Team Manager of the Abingdon, VA based Morgan-McClure Motorsports. "We have had a lasting relationship with our Food City neighbors and are excited about the opportunity to once again support a co-sponsorship of the # 4 Morgan-McClure Chevrolet Monte Carlo." Food City is the second longest race sponsor in NASCAR, second only to Coca-Cola. Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores operates 98 retail food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-21-2006)
#4 and Lucas Oil Partner at MIS: Morgan-McClure President Larry McClure announced that the # 4 Chevy will be sporting the familiar red LUCAS decal on the hood for the second time this year in the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) this weekend. Driver Scott Wimmer finished 31st in the rain shortened (129 lap) 3M Performance 400 in June at Michigan and will be making his 100th NASCAR Nextel Cup start once he qualifies for the GFS Marketplace 400. LUCAS Oil joins additional sponsors Forward Air, Aero Exhaust, Race Face, Kodak, Wide Open Performance Energy Drink, Coyote Ugly Saloons, Players Extreme Spirits and Tuff Country for the GFS Marketplace 400 at MIS. Lucas Oil served as the primary sponsor for the Morgan-McClure # 4 Chevy in 2005.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-18-2006)
#100 for Wimmer and Vickers: #4-Scott Wimmer and #25-Brian Vickers are scheduled to make their 100th starts in Nextel Cup this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.(8-15-2006)
Morgan-McClure Motorsports and Lucas Oil Join Forces for Indy: Morgan-McClure President Larry McClure announced that the #4 Chevy that Scott Wimmer drives will be sporting the familiar red Lucas decal on the hood for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard this weekend. "We have a good relationship with all the folks at Lucas Oil and are proud to have the opportunity to represent them as a primary sponsor in this one-race deal for Indy. Lucas has been an associate sponsor this year and we continue to use and promote their products through our race team. We are proud to have them back on the car in Forrest Lucas's home state." Lucas Oil joins additional sponsors Aero Exhaust, Race Face, Kodak, Wide Open Performance Energy Drink, Coyote Ugly Saloons, Players Extreme Spirits and Tuff Country for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis. Lucas Oil served as the primary sponsor for the Morgan-McClure # 4 Chevy in 2005 and has long been involved in the American racing industry through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing event promotions, at all levels. For all levels of sponsorship opportunities on the Morgan-McClure #4 Chevy for the remainder of the 2006 season and beyond, contact Jerry Wallner at 678-584-8443.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-3-2006)
Wimmer looking for 2007? Hearing #4-Scott Wimmer is looking for a ride next season, as his contract with the #4-Morgan-McClure Motorsports team is a one-year deal thru 2006. Wimmer has fielded some offers from a couple of "pretty good" Busch Series teams, but hasn't committed to anything yet.(7-31-2006)
Aero Exhaust gone from the #4? UPDATE: #4-Scott Wimmer says although he hasn't been told anything official, indications are that his Morgan-McClure Nextel Cup team has lost its Aero Exhaust sponsorship.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(7-21-2006)
UPDATEL been told the #4 teram has not losy Aero Exhuast as a sponsor. they will appear on the car in select 2006 races, and the team is trying to attract additional sponsors to go with them.(7-22-2006)
Wimmer Stuff at the Track: For the first time this year trackside merchandise is being offered featuring Scott Wimmer with Aero Exhaust, driver and sponsor of the #4 Morgan-McClure team, Coyote Ugly Saloon and Chrome Shop Mafia as well as Race Face and Wide Open Performance Energy Drink. Both Coyote Ugly Saloon and Chrome Shop Mafia have reality shows on CMT – The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search and Trick My Truck respectively. Coyote Ugly Saloon and an associate sponsor for the team.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(7-5-2006)
New sponsorship for Morgan-McClure? UPDATE: hearing that Morgan-McClure Motorsports signed a deal recently with Rockford-Montgomery Labs, Inc. to a 3-year sponsorship of the #4 Chevy. No word if they will co-sponor with Aero Exhaust or go on a 2nd team car that Morgan-McClure Motorsports has been wanting for years. Supposedly the announcement will se soon.(6-27-2006)
UPDATE: Rockford-Montgomery Labs, Inc., the exclusive distributor of the NASCAR Race Face brand premium sunscreen, has signed-on to the Aero Exhaust #4 Morgan-McClure Nextel Cup Series Chevy as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the 2006 Nextel Cup Season. Race Face is the only officially licensed sunscreen by NASCAR and comes in 4 licensed variations: Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon and an American Flag label, each carrying the NASCAR brand bar. Race Face is available in SPF 15 and SPF 30 Water Resistant UVA/UVB formulas in 2 fl oz. and 8 fl oz. sizes. "We are very pleased to have Rockford-Montgomery Labs, Inc., partner with us for the rest of the 2006 season. We are looking forward to a long-term relationship with Rockford-Montgomery that will bring success to their business and to this race team. We have won three Daytona 500's, something no other single car team has accomplished," said Larry McClure at the Abingdon, VA based race shop on Thursday morning. Bryan Hunsaker, CEO of Aero Exhaust, said, "We are very pleased that we were able to bring together RACE FACE, a NASCAR officially licensed product with Aero Exhaust, an Exclusive NASCAR Performance Partner. The NASCAR mark sets these products apart from their competition and the combined association on the #4 car only enhances that accreditation."(Market Wire PR)(6-29-2006)
Jones to run the #4 at Infineon: #4 team owner Larry McClure along with crew chief Chris Carrier, looking at the top priorities for the team, qualifying for the race and competing well in the race, have made the call to put P. J. Jones in the car for Infineon Raceway, replacing regular driver Scott Wimmer for the road course race. Jones is glad to have the opportunity to race again for Morgan-McClure, "I'm excited about being able to go back to Infineon Raceway with the Morgan-McClure bunch. I got to race there last year with them and also at Watkins Glen and I always enjoy driving for Larry [McClure] and Tim [Morgan]. I think we will have a lot better opportunity this year by getting started earlier and having two weeks to prepare for the race rather than two hours." Larry McClure is looking for ways to get his team back up in the top 35 in owner's points so he and Wimmer can go race the way they both know how. "After talking with Scott [Wimmer] and looking at what the other teams we are competing against each week for a spot in the race are doing as far as putting a road course specialist in the seat for the weekend, we decided as a team to put P.J. Jones in the # 4 Aero Exhaust Chevrolet at Infineon Raceway. We had to look at this as a business decision and try to find the solution that would work best for all of us. Scott felt that it would be better for P.J. to drive the car in hopes of getting a good finish and a boost in the points. P.J. drove for us at both the road courses last year and was headed to a good finish at both tracks until we ran out of gas at Infineon and had a brake failure at Watkins Glen."(Morgan McClure Motorsports PR)(6-13-2006)
Johnson to share with Wimmer..for a while: Dover International Speedway has only 42 pit stalls, and since #48-Jimmiw Johnson is starting 42nd on the grid after spinning out on his qualifying lap, Johnson must share a pit stall with #4-Scott Wimmer, who is starting 43rd. "We were pretty excited afterwards," Johnson said about the spin where he amazingly kept the car from hitting the wall. "Shortly thereafter, we found out we had to share a pit stall, and the smiles went away." Most tracks have 43 pit stalls, but Dover does not. Once a pit stall opens up from a car that has dropped out of the event, Johnson can choose to move to the open pit stall or tell Wimmer's team to move. If both Johnson and Wimmer are on the lead lap when the caution comes out, the highest positioned driver will get to pit first. "We've just got to make the most of it and stay ahead of the 4 car [of Wimmer]," Johnson said. "I would assume the first chance we have to separate, we will do whatever we can. We'll split up as fast as we can." Usually when teams share a pit stall, it's two teams low in points and does not create a big stir. But with Johnson being the point leader, the issue has been thrown into the spotlight.
"It's tough for me to believe that in today's world of racing, they can't modify pit road and adjust pit road for 43 cars to have their own pit stall," Johnson said. "I just wasn't aware of it. It just doesn't give anybody a fair shot." Wimmer said he hopes the Morgan-McClure team can use the situation as a learning experience. "Just pitting with those guys, we'll learn a lot about pit strategies and things like that," Wimmer said. "It might end up helping us out. But it's going to be interesting the first few stops because there are going to be times where they will want to come in and we will want to come in, too. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you qualify bad." Wimmer said he will be considerate considering Johnson is the point leader, but if he is ahead of Johnson, he plans on coming in with the lead-lap cars and make Johnson pit later. We definitely don't want to ruin his race, but we've got to get ourselves up to the top 35 in points so we don't have to rely on qualifying so much," Wimmer said.(SceneDaily.com)(6-4-2006)
Wimmer and Morgan-McClure team protected by LifeLock: Morgan-McClure Motorsports, which owns the #4 AERO Exhaust Chevy Monte Carlo team with driver Scott Wimmer, announced that it has decided to offer the LifeLock Identity Theft service to its NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team. LifeLock is the nation's first and only service that prevents identity theft and backs it up with a $1 million guarantee. LifeLock does the prevention work by maintaining active fraud alerts with the three major credit bureaus as well as ChexSystems. The LifeLock system makes personal information useless to everyone but the rightful owner. Every time someone attempts to open credit, change an address or make changes in bank accounts, LifeLock is there to make sure the right person is making the request. LifeLock and MMM are also proud to announce that fans of MMM and Scott Wimmer can get identity theft protection at a discount by going to www.lifelock.com and signing up using the promotion code (McClure). A link is also provided on the MMM website (morgan-mcclure.com).(3-30-2006)
Food City to help sponsor #4 car at Bristol: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced that Food City will again partner with the Abingdon, VA-based team for this weekend's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The associate sponsorship marks the fifth consecutive event at Bristol in which the supermarket chain has adorned the sides of #4 Aero Exhaust Chevy driven by Scott Wimmer. Steve Smith, President and CEO of Food City, Quotes: "Food City is excited to again partner with our friends and neighbors at Morgan-McClure Motorsports. We look forward to seeing the Food City colors flying around Bristol Motor Speedway and nothing would make us happier than to have Scott Wimmer join us in Victory Lane." Larry McClure, President of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, Quotes: "We're very excited to have Food City partner with our race team for the Food City 500. Food City has contributed a great deal to the racing community over the years and with Morgan-McClure and Food City both being local companies; it is a privilege for us to include them in our racing program."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(2-23-2006)
2005 News
Wimmer to #4? UPDATE Official: hearing that Scott Wimmer, former driver of the #22 Caterpillar Dodge, will be the new driver of the #4 Morgan-McClure Chevy in 2006. No word on the status of the alliance with Victory Motorsports Racing that Morgan-McClure announced a few months ago.(12-2-2005)
UPDATE: Morgan-McClure Motorsports President and Team Manager Larry McClure has announced the signing of a contract with AERO Exhaust as the primary sponsor and with Scott Wimmer as driver of the # 4 AERO Exhaust Chevy for the 2006 season. "We are very pleased to have AERO Exhaust partner with us going into the 2006 season. AERO has experience in racing with both the Grand Am series and NASCAR's AutoZone Elite Division series and we are happy to extend their involvement into the NASCAR Nextel Cup series level. We are looking forward to a long-term relationship with AERO that will bring success to their business and to this race team. We have won three Daytona 500's, something no other single car team can say, and we are ready to be that winning team again. I believe we are on the right track to make that happen," said McClure at the Abingdon, VA based race shop on Monday morning.
McClure continued, "At the same time, I am very excited to have a young, aggressive, knowledgeable driver like Scott Wimmer join our team. Scott brings a history of building his own race cars along with a winning career to our team and I believe we have a great combination of talents that will put us back in the winner's circle. We are very happy to have Scott and his family become a part of our racing 'family' here at Morgan-McClure."
When Wimmer spoke with his new team at the race shop, he found support from everyone including the team member who brought all three Daytona 500 rings in for him to see. "I'm very happy to be a part of the Morgan-McClure team. This team has won the Daytona 500 three times and I believe we can win again. I'm excited to be in a position where I can be more hands on with the cars and I know we can be successful if we all work together. I want everyone on the team to talk to us about their ideas so we can bring out the best each of us has to offer. I'm excited to get in the cars and start testing. . .how long is it before we go to Daytona? I really appreciate the opportunity to continue my Nextel Cup career with this team." The team will be testing at Daytona International Speedway the second week in January.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR), no word if Lucas Oil will be back as a sponsor, supposedly it was a multi-year deal.(12-20-2005)
Kvapil to #4 ride? this weeks NASCAR Scene [12-15 issue] reports that Travis Kvapil, recently released from the #77 Penske Racing team that is taking the year off, is rumored to be a candidate for the #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports Lucas Oil Chevy ride.(NASCAR Scene Print), it was reported here last week that Scott Wimmer is the leading candiate for the #4 ride.(12-15-2005)
Bodine turns down #4 team: Todd Bodine competed in only one Nextel Cup race in 2005, driving the #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports car at the Homestead-Miami Speedway season finale. He finished 20th in the Ford 400. Bodine said he turned down a full-time Nextel Cup ride with Morgan-McClure for 2006 because of commitments with Germain Racing [#30 Truck Series Toyota team]. "They want me to run full time for them next year," Bodine said. "Obviously, I can't do that. It's a great group there. Morgan-McClure has been very important to NASCAR and has got a lot of history. If we didn't have such a good Truck team, I probably would have considered it." Mike Wallace was Morgan-McClure's regular driver in 2005. Bodine said he could run some Nextel Cup races in 2006 but did not mention a specific team. "We're probably going to run some Cup races next year, we don't know what for sure," Bodine said. "We just have to see what happens. I've got a lot going on with Germain Racing and a lot to look forward to."(Elmira Star Gazette)(12-15-2005)
#4 team gets a guaranteed spot first five races: have been asked and have been telling folks the wrong thing, since the #77 team will not field a car/team in 2006, what happens to the 34th spot the team occupies in 2005 Owners Points? A team in the top 35 in the previous season's Owners Points are guaranteed to make the first five races, after the 5th race, 2006 Owners Points take over. I had assumed [not a good thing] that the spot would go unfilled and one of the teams outside the top-35 would get an extra shot of making the race per speed [except for the Daytona 500 with it's unique qualifying forrmat, however, saw this on NASCAR.com from Marty Smith and it has been verified by NASCAR:
By dissolving its #77 team, it seems Penske Racing indirectly sent owner #4-Larry McClure a priceless early Christmas present - a guaranteed starting position in the 2006 Daytona 500. During the first five races of a new season, NASCAR reverts to the previous season's final championship owner points to determine which teams will benefit from the top-35 rule. To receive a guaranteed starting assignment at Daytona, California, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Bristol, a team must be among the 35 highest-ranked teams present from the previous season's owner points standings, must have entered the event prior to the entrance deadline and must make an attempt to qualify for the event. Therefore, by virtue of the #77's absence, McClure's 36th-ranked team inherits the final guaranteed starting position for the first five races of the 2006 season. Remember, though, if Penske does opt to enter the #77 in the race, McClure is out. And, considering that making the Daytona 500 field guarantees a quarter-million dollar payday (roughly), that very well may happen. Had Penske not shut down the #77 operation, which held the 34th position in '05 owner points, McClure would have entered '06 faced with having to qualify for each of the first five events on speed.(NASCAR.com), the only way this would change is if Penske did field a car for one of the first 5 races or teams up with another team like Robby Gordon did with Jim Smith for the #7 in 2005. Next question would be: who will be the driver?(12-14-2005)
Todd Bodine in the #4 at Homestead: Morgan-McClure President and Team Manager Larry McClure announced that Todd Bodine will be driving the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy at the final race of the 2005 season in Homestead, FL. "Todd is coming off two wins in a row in the Craftsman Truck Series and has the momentum we feel will help our Lucas Oil team be competitive at Homestead. We appreciate Todd stepping in to be a part of our effort this weekend."
"I'm looking forward to it [driving the Lucas Oil Chevy]. Morgan-McClure has been a part of this sport for a long, long time. I have known Chris [Carrier, crew chief] for years and years and I'm very proud to help out this weekend at Homestead," said Bodine of his invitation to drive the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy. Bodine will have a busy schedule this weekend as he plans to compete in all three series events driving the #30 Germain Toyota in the Truck Series Ford 200 on Friday, the #34 Dollar General Chevy in the Busch Series Ford 300 on Saturday and the #4 Lucas Oil Chevrolet in the Nextel Cup Series Ford 400 on Sunday. Bodine has won six races in the Craftsman Truck Series to date, four of which have been in the 2005 season and has 15 career wins in the Busch Series. His best finish at Homestead in the Nextel Cup series was 11th in 2003.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(11-15-2005)
Mike Wallace looking for a ride: Just a few months ago it was announced that Morgan McClure Motorsports decided to quit playing the "pull the driver out for this race" game with Mike Wallace, and had told him he would be their driver for the rest of 2005. But, as they did earlier in the season, they apparently changed their mind. Today Morgan McClure Motorsports announced Todd Bodine as their driver of the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy for the season finale NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead, FL. This announcement comes one day after Mike's brother Kenny Wallace was announced as the fill-in driver for the #97 Roush Racing Ford, which could have put the two in the final regular season NASCAR Nextel Cup race with their older brother Rusty, who is retiring from behind the wheel after Homestead.
Motorsports Lounge talked with "Team ML" driver Mike Wallace this evening about the situation at Morgan McClure Motorsports as well as other issues surrounding this weekend. "They have to do what they feel they need to do," said Mike Wallace to Jason Stix Buckley. "They apparently feel the driver change will help them run better at Homestead, so that is that." With older brother Rusty retiring after this race, Mike was really hoping to race against him. "Kenny and I started this season racing against Rusty at Daytona, and it would be really cool if we could end it also in the same race. It would mean a lot to our family. Kenny is now in the #97 for the race, so now I need to find a ride. If a team out there wants a driver for the Homestead NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race, give me a call!" Even if Mike doesn't get that call for this memorable occasion, he will still be racing in Homestead. "This weekend I will be driving Rusty's Miller High Life car in the Busch Series race," Mike said. "Rusty's team has great equipment, so we are going down there to have some fun and win the race."
But, that isn't all the fun for Mike this weekend. "We are going to go down and hang out with country singer Chris Cagle. We are
going to watch him perform and just have a great time!"
What does next season hold for Mike Wallace? "We will deal with next season after this weekend," said Mike. "Right now we are looking forward to seeing Chris Cagle, racing Rusty's car and hopefully getting a ride for the Nextel Cup race. Also, my daughter Chrissy will be
racing her Pro Challenge car at Friendship Motor Speedway Saturday, so hopefully we both can bring home trophies this weekend!"(Motorsports Lounge PR)(11-15-2005)
HOF Racing chooses driver...UPDATE 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 - no Wallace and his plans: Mike Wallace talked to Motorsports Lounge owner Jason Stix Buckley tonight about the remainder of the 2005 racing season, the 2006 season and a few rumors flying around out there. First, Wallace addressed the current season part time rides in the Busch Series and Truck Series. As most know, Akins Motorsports has hired AJ Foyt IV to drive their #38 Great Clips Dodge for the remainder of the 2005 Busch Series season as well as the 2006 season. This ended Wallace's fill-in role with the team. Also, Joey Miller appears to be the driver for the rest of the 2005 Truck Series season in the #12 Darrell Waltrip owned Toyota Tundra. That leaves the #4 Morgan McClure Motorsports Lucas Oil Chevy in the Cup Series. Wallace confirmed tonight he will be driving for the team the remainder of the 2005 season.
But, what about next year? There have been many rumors surfacing about who will drive the Hall of Fame Racing car in the 2006 season. Wallace has been rumored to be in that seat. However, Wallace denied this rumor today. "The rumor that I will be driving for Hall of Fame Racing next season is false," Mike Wallace told Motorsports Lounge. "The team has someone else in mind." There are many rides available for next season's Nextel Cup Series up for grabs, including the #4 Morgan McClure Motorsports Chevy Wallace currently drives
for. It is possible Wallace will be back with the team for the next season, but nothing has been set into stone. "Right now I do not have any firm plans for 2006," Wallace said. "All I know is that I will not be driving the HOF car."(Motorsports Lounge)(10-18-2005)
Congrats: Danielle Donnelly, daughter of Dan Donnelly, transport driver of the #4 Morgan-McClure Lucas Oil team in the Nextel Cup series, won the crown of Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2006 recently. Danielle currently works for the Social Security Administration. When not working, Danielle gives back to her community as a volunteer and President of a spinal cord injury support group called, "Unlimited Possibilities." She has also volunteered in the special education department of Abingdon high and middle schools.(10-16-2005)
Victory Motorsports Racing joins forces with Morgan-McClure UPDATE: Terance Mathis, former NFL All-Pro Wide Receiver, and NASCAR's newest minority owner, has formed an alliance with Morgan-McClure Motorsports to unveil Victory Motorsports Racing, LLC. "I am very excited about the new venture between teams. Morgan-McClure has experienced great success in the NASCAR arena, and they bring years of experience to the table. This new venture will allow Victory Motorsports Racing, an opportunity to be a competitive team in the 2006 Nextel Cup Race season," says Terance Mathis, Majority Partner of Victory Motorsports Racing. The mission of Victory Motorsports Racing is simple, WIN. Victory Motorsports Racing is a new breed of racing, which will bring excitement, entertainment and fun to NASCAR. One major goal is to bring the minority community to NASCAR, and in turn bring NASCAR to the minority community. Not only will Victory Motorsports Racing be standing in the Winner's Circle, but they will also stand there with integrity, equality and respect. Morgan-McClure Motorsports, based in Abington, Virginia, is a 14-time winner in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series, including three victories in the prestigious Daytona 500 event in 1991, 1994 and 1995.(Morgan McClure Motorsports PR), more info on Victory Motorsports, see victorymotorsportsllc.com.(10-14-2005)
UPDATE: Morgan-McClure Motorsports is partnering with former NFL wide receiver Terance Mathis to form Victory Motorsports Racing, L.L.C. The new team, with Mathis as the majority owner, will move into the Abingdon, Va., shop of Morgan-McClure. "We want to have a second team and we can share information," Morgan-McClure owner McClure said. "It will make things better. Plus, we want to attract the minority population and have them support our race team." Morgan-McClure still will run its #4 Chevrolet, which currently is driven by Mike Wallace. McClure said the new group hopes to run its second team full time next season but said it's not a done deal.
"That's our plan. We're already behind the 8-ball, but we have to do it some time," McClure said. "This opportunity came up, and if the sponsorship comes together in the next two weeks, then we'll be able to go."(Richmond Times DIspatch)(10-15-2005)
#4 MuzikMafia scheme back at Talladega: MuzikMafia and Morgan-McClure Motorsports, along with Lucas Oil and Wide Open Performance Energy Drink, are pleased to announce that the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy will once again carry the likeness of a MuzikMafia artist. This time it will be Godfather Jon Nicholson, who releases his Warner Bros. debut today, an album that also marks the first release from the Rock 'N Soul branch of the MuzikMafia. Jon Nicholson's A Lil Sump'm Sump'm, with its rock and soul driven grooves and alt-folk and country roots, exemplifies the wide-open, all-encompassing artistic reach of the Mafia. Previous MuzikMafia/Morgan-McClure Motorsports collaborations featured Cowboy Troy's image and the MuzikMafia logos along with a specialty design paint scheme by the MuzikMafia's only visual artist, Rachel Kice. Those images were featured on the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at the Richmond International Raceway and in March 2005, Rachel attended the Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway as a guest of the #4 Lucas Oil team and painted on a platform in the infield during the race.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports)(9-28-2005)
Another Wallace moves up: Chrissy Wallace will be making her late model stock car debut this Saturday at Concord Motorsports Park. Chrissy will be driving the #84 M.R. Williams sponsored car, owned by Karen Carlson and Robbie Clay. "I would like to thank Karen and Robbie for this opportunity," Chrissy Wallace told Motorsports Lounge Wednesday. "I want to also thank Marty Williams for sponsoring our effort this weekend."(Motorsports Lounge PR)(9-15-2005)
Players Extreme joins #4 as assoc sponsor: Blavod Extreme Spirits announced that Players Extreme vodka will be an associate sponsor on the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy, with driver Mike Wallace, beginning in Richmond this past weekend. The sponsorship, featuring a co-promotion with the team's Wide Open Performance - Enhanced Formula Energy Drink, will highlight the vodka's extreme smoothness and drinkability to NASCAR's 75 million fans. The first market for the combined distribution and marketing effort is the state of Texas, where Eclipse Distribution Services, one of the fastest growing distributors, will be partnering with both brands to increase market share throughout the entire state.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports)(9-14-2005)
MuzikMafia teams up with Morgan-McClure at Richmond: Cory Gierman, MuzikMafia Godfather (www.muzikmafia.com) and Larry McClure, president and team manager of Morgan-McClure Motorsports (www.morgan-mcclure.com) announced that Cowboy Troy and the MuzikMafia logos along with a specially design paint scheme by MuzikMafia artist Rachel Kice will compete in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 on Saturday night. As the only visual artist associated with the MuzikMafia, the Nashville-based avant-garde artists' collaborative that yielded multi-platinum recording acts Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. Rachel Kice, who will be on hand during all race weekend festivities, is uniquely positioned to become a household name-a true American "Art Star." Joining Kicel on the #4 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Monte Carlo is the name and likeness of Cowboy Troy, the world's only six-foot-five inch hick-hop artist in country music. Troy is also one of the country artists featured in Chevrolet's advertising, and appears with Big & Rich on the new intro for ESPN College GameDay.
The founders of the MuzikMafia, otherwise known as "The Godfathers", include Cory Gierman, Big Kenny, John Rich and Jon Nicolson. The Godfathers formed the phenomenon back in October 2001. Members of the Mafia include multi-platinum artist Gretchen Wilson, James Otto, and Cowboy Troy. The MuzikMafia will kick off the 17-city Chevy Presents…Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich: The American Revolution Tour in November 2005.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports). five images of the car on my #4 Team Schemes page.(9-8-2005)
#4 to sport LA Dodgers Logo for California Race: The Morgan-McClure # 4 Lucas Oil Chevy will be carrying the LA Dodgers logo on the trunk lid for this weekend's Sony HD 500 at the California Speedway. "We are very proud to have the Dodgers riding along with us on our Lucas Oil Chevy this weekend in California" said Larry McClure, President and Team Manager of Morgan-McClure Motorsports. "I've always been a Dodgers fan and we look forward to having Tommy Lasorda visit with us at the track on Sunday."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-31-2005)
Andretti In For 2 Races With #4 Team: John Andretti was busy installing his personal seat into the #4 Morgan-McClure Racing Chevrolet on Friday morning at Michigan International Speedway in preparation for the day's two Nextel Cup practice sessions. Andretti will attempt to qualify the car on Saturday. The team is out of the "locked-in top-35" in owner's points, so it will be a difficult job to get the car in the field, the run will be based on speed alone. Andretti will also attempt to qualify in the same car -- for the Sony HD 500 at the California Speedway, to be held on September 4th.(Insiderracing.com), NOTE: Mike Wallace supposedly will be back in the car at Bristol in between MIS and California.(8-20-2005)
Andretti in the #4? UPDATE for MIS: NASCAR.com entry list has John Andretti in the #4 Lucas Oil / Morgan McClure Chevy for the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. No word on if it a one-race deal or what Mike Wallace's status is with the team.(8-16-2005)
UPDATE: Morgan-McClure President and Team Manager Larry McClure announced today, "In an effort to seek improvement in overall track performance we are looking at every aspect involved in fielding a car in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series. It has been decided to look at different approaches as to why the performance of our car is not where it should be. We have built new cars and improved on the performance of our engines and we still seem to be lacking somewhere. We need answers on how to get better so we decided to put someone else in the car to get feedback from his perspective and go from there." McClure continued, "We have asked John Andretti to help us with this task and he has accepted. John has been in the sport for several years and we feel his experience can help point us in the right direction for improvement. The Andretti name has been synonymous with racing for a number of years and we are proud to have John with us as part of our team." Andretti has been at the shop today getting to know the team and installing his seats in the Michigan cars. When asked about the opportunity to drive the Lucas Oil Chevy he said, "It's hard to sit back and watch everyone else have fun every weekend and I'm looking forward to coming back out with Morgan-McClure. They've been part of NASCAR for a long time and have a winning history. Hopefully, we can come out and have a good solid weekend. That will be the only way we will have a good time and we are looking forward to having a good time." Regarding the upcoming race at the team's home track of Bristol, McClure says, "I have asked Mike (Wallace) to drive the Lucas Oil Chevy at Bristol. Mike had a good run for us at Bristol in the spring race even though we were wrecked and we feel he will give us a good solid run there again at our hometown track."(Morgan-McClure PR)
AND Mike Wallace confirmed Tuesday night with Motorsports Lounge that for the third time this season, Morgan McClure Motorsports has decided to remove Mike from the seat of the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy and put in another driver. This weekend the car will be piloted by John Andretti. At both Sonoma and Watkins Glen, the team owners decided to put in 'road race expert' P.J. Jones in hopes of getting decent finishes. Unfortunately, the move backfired as they finished 32nd at Sonoma and 42nd at Watkins Glen. The team is giving John Andretti the best car in their stables as well as a superior motor with loads more horsepower than the last time the team was at Michigan. With this car and motor combination, the expectations for a good finish are high. According to Mike Wallace, he will be back in the car for Bristol.(Mike Wallace Board/Motorsportslounge.com)(8-17-2005)
#4 picks up associate sponor for Watkins Glen: In a one race deal, PEO Pros and Morgan-McClure Motorsports have agreed to an associate sponsorship of the #4 NASCAR Nextel Cup car at the Watkins Glen road course. PJ Jones will be driving the car. Jones was also instrumental in arranging the sponsorship. "We've been really happy with PJ in our marketing efforts. He's been a good investment!" said John Tenney, CEO of PEO Pros. Jones will be back in the #34 PEO Pros Chevy at Michigan next week, with Mach 1 Racing. More info on PEO Pros at peo-pros.com.(PEO Pros PR)(8-12-2005)
Mike Wallace to Drive #12 Toyota at Nashville: Mike Wallace confirmed tonight with Motorsports Lounge that he will drive Darrell Waltrip's #12 Toyota Tundra in this weekend's NASCAR Truck Series race at Nashville Speedway. Mike was available to drive the truck due to his current NASCAR Cup ride, the #4 Lucas Oil Morgan McClure Chevy, removing him from behind the wheel this coming weekend at Watkins Glen to put in a road racer [P.J. Jones] instead.(Motorsports Lounge)(8-10-2005)
Simo in for Wallace at Watkins Glen? Or Jones? UPDATE: hearing that Brian Simo will drive the #4 Lucas Oil / Morgan McClure Chevy at Watkins Glen in place of regular driver Mike Wallace, who is driving Darrell Waltrip's #12 Truck this week at IRP. Wallace is looking at other options for that weekend, including possibly driving a truck in the Truck Series at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday August 13th.(Motorsports Lounge)(8-3-2005)
OR also hearing that P.J. Jones could be in the #4 Chevy at Watkins Glen, Jones drove the car at Infineon Racway, one way or the other, Wallace will not drive the car at Watkins Glen. Guess the #34 team is not going to Watkins Glen?(8-4-2005)
UPDATE: looks like Simo will not drive the #4 but P.J. Jones will be back in the car, Jones was hoping to get a road course car for the #34 Mach 1 team, but couldn't.(8-5-2005)
#4 back in the top-35 AND: With Mike Wallace's 8th place finish at Daytona in the Pepsi 400, the #4 Morgan McClure Motorsports team is back in the top-35 in Owners Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Chicago. Thr #4 is now 34th, #22-Scott Wimmer falls to 35th [6 points behind the #4] and #11-Jason Leffer, even with a 18th place finish and leading a lap, falls out of the top-35 and is now 36th, 17 points behind Wimmer.(7-3-2005)
AND did ya know? the 8th place finish at Daytona was the first top-10 for Morgan McClure Motorsports since Mike Skinner was 6th at Rockingham on Nov. 3, 2002, or 66 races ago [the team missed a few races in that span], and the #4 team has not had a top-5 in 244 races made since Bobby Hamilton scored a 4th at Richmond in May 1999, 244 races ago.(7-6-2005)
Petty and Jones have an altercation after race UPDATE: After the race at Infineon Raceway concluded, an irate Kyle Petty [#45] tried going after P.J. Jones [#4/one race deal] in the garage area, presumably over a collision that took place at turn 11 midway through the race. Legendary driver Richard Petty, Kyle's father, reportedly had to step between the two to help break it up.(Contra Coast Times)(6-27-2005)
UPDATE: We [Yahoo Sports] were there to witness a postrace "discussion" between P.J. Jones and Kyle Petty outside of the Petty hauler. The two had gotten together early in the race and Jones was attempting to offer an apology to Petty, but Petty would have none of it, instead throwing a towel at Jones and grabbing him by the collar. A heated exchange followed and an extremely angry Petty had to be restrained. Father Richard stepped in and calmed everyone down.(Yahoo Sports)(6-28-2005)
Jones in the #4 for Wallace at Infineon: P. J. Jones will be driving the #4 Morgan-McClure Lucas Oil Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Dodge/Save Mart 300 on Sunday, June 26. This one race decision is no reflection whatsoever of Morgan-McClure and Lucas Oil's commitment to Mike Wallace as the driver of the #4 Lucas Oil Chevy. The team is looking forward to having Wallace back in the car next week in Daytona for the Pepsi 400 and continuing the season long goal of moving up in the points race. The Morgan-McClure Lucas Oil Team is 35th in owner's points coming in to the Dodge/Save Mart 300.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports/Lucas Oil PR), Jone will have to fall to the rear of the field Sunday before the drop of the green flag, Wallace was scheduled to start 40th.(6-25-2005)
AND GIVE US THE UPDATE ON THE DRIVER SITUATION FOR THIS WEEKEND IN THE #4 LUCAS OIL CHEVY:
[Mike Wallace:] "They made a decision this morning. P.J. is going to race the car. I don't understand any of it. It caught me pretty much off guard. We race hard to get ourselves inside the top 35 and we're in the 35th spot. I guess management feels that P.J. can do a better job than me here."(GM Racing PR)(6-26-2005)
#4 Crew Chief Carrier misses Michigan race: Crew Chief Chris Carrier for the # 4 Morgan-McClure Lucas Oil Chevrolet Monte Carlo is at home in Bristol, TN this weekend due to emergency surgery on Thursday night. He has been in touch with the team via cell phone and will return for the Infinion Race. Steve Gray is serving as Crew Chief for the Lucas Oil team in today's Batman Returns 400 at Michigan International Speedway.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(6-19-2005)
Brewer suing Morgan McClure: Conway Law Firm, P.L.L.C. has been retained to represent Tim Brewer, the former General Manager and Crew Chief for Morgan McClure Motorsports, Inc. Conway will bring suit next week against Morgan McClure Motorsports, Inc.for breach of contract and wrongful termination in a substantial sum.(Conway Law Firm PR)(4-2-2005)
Morgan-McClure Marketing Alliance: Cory Gierman, MuzikMafia Godfather (www.muzikmafia.com) and Larry McClure, president and team manager of #4-Morgan-McClure Motorsports (www.morgan-mcclure.com) announced today a co-marketing alliance. As part of this alliance, Rachel Kice of the MuzikMafia will be attending the Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway to capture in artistic form, the energy and emotion from 500 laps of competition on the world's fastest half-mile track. This painting will serve as the basis for the MuzikMafia themed paint scheme on the #4 Lucas Oil Chevrolet later in the NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Rachel will begin painting at the start of the green flag at Sunday's race.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports)(3-31-2005)
#4 Morgan-McClure gets Food City as assoc. sponsor at Bristol: Food City has formed a partnership with Morgan-McClure Motorsports and driver Mike Wallace for a one-race associate sponsorship. The Morgan-McClure Motorsports #4 Lucas Oil/Food City Chevrolet will debut during qualifying for the Food City 500 on Friday, April 1st.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports)(3-30-2005)
McClure and #73 part ways? UPDATE: hearing that driver Eric McClure and the #73 Raabe Racing Enterprises have parted ways, the team is not listed on Atlanta entry list. No word on plans for the team or McClure....if true.(3-15-2005)
UPDATE: Larry McClure, President and Team Manager of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, Inc. announced today that effective immediately, the organization and driver Eric McClure have parted ways with Raabe Racing Enterprises. "With two consecutive top 25 finishes the #4 car is running well and we are working together as a team. Accordingly, all of our effort is focused on finishing in the top 25 for the season points championship," said Larry McClure. "Eric will serve as a test driver and we will continue to look for marketing partners to launch our driver development program in the NASCAR Busch Series or the Craftsman Truck Series."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports)(3-16-2005)
Mike Wallace OK after plane mishap: A corporate aircraft traveling Thursday from Concord, N.C., to Daytona Beach with NASCAR driver Mike Wallace [#4 Morgan McClure driver] and his wife, Carla, aboard made an emergency landing after being diverted to Lakeland, FL. There was believed to be a problem with the landing gear, but emergency equipment standing by was not needed when the plane landed without incident. Wallace, who plans to compete in the Daytona 500 and the Busch and truck series races next week, said an inspection revealed a $3 plastic penlight flashlight had rolled up under the dashboard and jammed under the gear release. "The nice part about it is nothing happened,'' Wallace said. "Everything ended up perfect.''(ESPN.com/AP)(2-11-2005)
#4 Gets Sponsorship: Morgan-McClure Motorsports has secured sponsorship for the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series with Lucas Oil Products. Mike Wallace, who won the Winn-Dixie 250 Busch Series race last July at Daytona International Speedway, is owner Larry McClure's choice to drive the car this season and he will test the #4 Chevrolet in Tuesday's second round of Preseason Thunder. Wallace said his conversations with McClure have been ongoing, but they haven't had a chance to sit down since the deal with Lucas was done. "First and foremost my goal is to drive Larry's car this season," Wallace said. "We hope to get that deal done this week, and once we are able to do that, we'll see if it's possible to do anything in the Truck Series." McClure said that Chris Carrier would once again be the team's crew chief.(NASCAR.com)(1-18-2005)
2004 News
#4 ride? UPDATE: hearing the #4 Morgan McClure team will run in 2005, unsure if full-time, supposedly the driver is choice is between Mike Wallace and Ward Burton. No word on a sponsor, but supposedly Lucas Oil will be back in some capacity.(12-13-2004)
UPDATE: hearing that the #4 will not go to Daytona for the Daytona 500 unless a sponsor is secured and at this time, the team has no sponsors.(12-15-2004)
Sponsor for the #4 at Phoenix IMAGE: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced a new relationship with Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores, Inc. for the #4 Chevrolet in the upcoming Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. In addition, Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores, Inc. continues its relationship with Wide Open Performance Enhanced Formula Energy Drink. New to the marketplace, Wide Open Performance Enhanced Formula Energy Drink will be launched in the majority of Love's 164 travel stops and convenience stores located throughout the United States beginning the week of November 8, 2004. Wide Open Performance Energy Drink (www.4wideopen.com) is a "Made in the USA," New Wave Beverage containing a unique proprietary blend of vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants formulated to boost energy, enhance performance and relieve stress. Based in Abingdon, Virginia, Wide Open Performance, Inc. is a homegrown American brand designed specifically for the racing enthusiast and those who live life "Wide Open. Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc., (www.loves.com) based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is a Forbes 500 Company of a 164 travel stops and convenience stores in 25 states. Founded by Tom Love in 1964, it remains family owned.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR), added an image of the car on the #4 Team Paint Schemes page.(11-4-2004)
No Morgan-McClure team in 2005? Jimmy Spencer's temper has cost him his job with car owner Larry McClure, and McClure's problems couldn't come at a worse moment, just as he's trying to land a sponsor for 2005. McClure has put Mike Wallace in his car for today's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, but beyond that McClure said everything is up in the air. "If we get a sponsor, we'll be racing next year. If we don't get a sponsor ... I don't see how anyone can run without a sponsor," McClure said.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-31-2004)
Spencer Released from #4 Ride UPDATE 2 Wallace in at Atlanta: Morgan McClure Motorsports announced today the release of driver Jimmy Spencer, effective immediately. He began driving for the team earlier this year at the Samsung Radio Shack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. "Over the past several weeks there has been a steady and gradual improvement in the Morgan McClure racecar and Spencer has been an integral part of this drive for success. While his part has been greatly appreciated by everyone here at Morgan McClure Motorsports, it has been decided, by mutual agreement, that it would be beneficial to both the team and to Jimmy Spencer to release him so that he may pursue other driving opportunities within the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series," Larry McClure, team owner, stated. An announcement for his replacement in the #4 Chevrolet will be made before the BASS PRO SHOPS MBNA 500 race in Atlanta, Georgia this weekend.(Morgan McClure Motorsports PR)(10-27-2004)
UPDATE: hearing Mike Wallace will be the driver of the #4 Morgan-McClure Chevy at Atlanta.(10-28-2004)
UPDATE 2: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announces Mike Wallace will drive the #4 Lucas Oil Chevrolet in the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 race in Atlanta this weekend. Wallace, a St. Louis, Mo.-native, has 149 starts in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with two top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes. In 221 NASCAR Busch Series starts, Wallace has four wins, 17 top-fives and 47 top-10s. Having shown much success in the NASCAR Truck Series, he has 101 starts resulting in four wins, 31 top-fives, 52 top-10s and three
pole positions.(Morgan McClure Motorsports PR)(10-28-2004)
Spencer Arrested: Jimmy Spencer was arrested and charged after an incident with Cornelius [NC] police this weekend. Officers said Spencer interfered with police who were trying to serve a warrant on his son, Johnathan. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting a police officer. Johnathan Spencer and another young man are accused of pouring paint on two cars at a Cornelius home Oct. 6. They face charges of damaging personal property.(news14charlotte.com) and see a story on ThatsRacin.com, both stories list Jimmy's son as Johnathon [as does the police report], ThatsRacin.com has him listed as James and Johnathon, Spencer's website lists his children as James (17) & Katrina (15).(10-26-2004)
So..what happened with Spencer and Gaughan? ......with only 30 miles to go, #4-Jimmy Spencer [running 14th on the lead lap] and #77-Brendan Gaughan crashed. "We had a tire going down," Gaughan explained. "And I wasn't going to make it in the pits, and I was trying to get down out of the way, and I thought I was on the bottom. Then, Blam. It was probably my fault. Maybe I didn't get far enough out of the way. Sorry for Jimmy. He had a good run going. If it was my fault, I apologize."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-18-2004)
Mr. Excitement and Casey make up: #4-Jimmy Spencer and #41-Casey Mears, the principals in the multicar crash that knocked Jimmie Johnson out of last week's race at Richmond International Raceway, cordially discussed the incident after yesterday's driver's meeting, ending the conversation with a handshake.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-20-2004)
Carrier back at the #4 car: Noticed in Morgan-McClure's post Richmond race press release, that Chris Carrier is listed as the crew chief of the #4 Morgan McClure Chevy for the Richmond race. No idea if Tim Brewer was just away from the track that race or has left the team or moved to a different position with the team.(9-15-2004)
#4 Team gets a sponsor for Bristol: Food City has formed a partnership with Morgan-McClure Motorsports and driver Jimmy Spencer for a one-race deal at Bristol Motorspeedway. Food City is taking advantage of this one-race deal to launch a new product in their Supreme Clean line. The Supreme Clean laundry detergent is a premium formula developed to match Tide and is manufactured exclusively for Food City. The product was extensively tested by 3rd-party labs to ensure ultimate quality. The Supreme Clean laundry detergent is available in Regular, with Bleach Alternative, Mountain Scent and Free & Clear. The Food City logos will adorn the quarter panels while the Food City Supreme Clean logo will appear on the hood. (Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-27-2004(
Morgan-McClure team gets a sponsor for Indy: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announces that Featherlite, Inc. (www.fthr.com), the "Official Trailer" and "Official Luxury Coach" of NASCAR, will be the primary sponsor of the #4 Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the upcoming prestigious Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Featherlite will sponsor the car for one race at this time. Featherlite is a North American leader in manufacturing and marketing high quality aluminum trailers, specialized transporters, custom mobile marketing trailers, and luxury motor coaches. A premium line of NEXTEL Cup licensed Featherlite Car Care products is available at automotive stores and www.featherlitecarcare.com. In addition to Featherlite, Lucas Oil Products, the world leader of heavy duty and high-performance oils, greases and additives, will be an Associate Sponsor for Indy. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry. It has established itself as the top selling additive line in the auto part retailers and American truck stop industries. Larry McClure quotes: "Having Featherlite join the #4 car again as a primary sponsor is an excellent opportunity for us. We are also pleased to welcome Lucas Oil to Morgan-McClure. "The team tested at Indy a few weeks ago and had a very positive test session. Coming off of a string of top-25 finishes and a car which was very competitive last week at Pocono adds extra momentum to the team going into the Brickyard 400. We feel confident we can have a good weekend."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-5-2004)
#4 gets a sponsor for Chicago: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced a new sponsor for the upcoming Tropicana 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway. The #4 Chevrolet, driven by Jimmy Spencer, will carry the primary sponsorship of Wide Open Performance - Enhanced Formula Energy Drink for a one race deal. New to the market, Wide Open Performance - Enhanced Formula Energy Drink is a "Made in the USA," New Wave Beverage containing a unique proprietary blend of vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants formulated to boost energy, enhance performance and relieve stress. Based in the rolling hills of Southwest, Virginia, Wide Open Performance, Inc. is a homegrown American brand designed specifically for the racing enthusiast and those who live life 'Wide Open.' Wide Open Performance, Inc. is revved up to launch the brand's marketing effort by breaking into NASCAR and sponsoring the #4 Chevy. The national company has aspirations of a long term NASCAR sponsorship in the future. The product was developed by racers for racers and people who live their lives on the edge. Wide Open Performance - Enhanced Formula Energy Drink is receiving rave reviews at taste panels and is available at select convenience stores throughout New Jersey, the Charlotte, NC and Abingdon, VA areas, Food City Stores beginning August 9, 2004, and on
www.4wideopen.com. Tom Underdahl, President of Wide Open Performance, Inc.: "Research shows that energy drinks are one of the fastest growing categories in the beverage industry. Given the lifestyle in NASCAR and racing in general, I feel there is an opportunity in the market for a product which specifically caters to Motorsports enthusiasts and to everyone who lives life wide open. Just like most who work in racing, I grew up around a local racetrack and raced on the local level for a while. My start in NASCAR came when I began working for Larry McClure in 1997 as a Business Manager. I worked for Morgan-McClure Motorsports until 2000. Positioning this sponsorship with Larry was natural. Being associated with him and his enthusiasm for competing in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series is exciting.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(7-9-2004)
YOKETV.com returns to Morgan-McClure: Eric McClure, who made his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start earlier this season in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, is entered in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona this weekend. The 25 year-old McClure will drive the #04 YOKETV.com and 77sports.com Chevrolet in his second NEXTEL Cup Series event. YOKETV.com is pleased to return as a primary sponsor to Morgan-McClure Motorsports, which began the 2004 season with the YOKE logo embellishing its #4 Chevrolets. In addition, 77sports.com returns after launching its first primary sponsorship outing at McClure's
Talladega debut. The #4 car and Jimmy Spencer return to competition at Daytona, where Morgan-McClure Motorsports has five wins. Spencer, who gained his first NASCAR Cup Series win at Daytona on July 2, 1994, will make his 450th career Cup Series start. Brent Meikle, CEO of YOKETV.com, quotes: "I am pleased to be able to announce this resolution with Morgan-McClure and our return to the exciting Nextel Cup series. We have a great deal of confidence in Eric and I want to thank Larry McClure for giving us the time we needed to make a fresh start. While this resolution currently does not include a full season, it paves the way to a 3-year relationship which hopefully will result in our full support for Eric and, in any event, will allow us to work together with the good folks over at Morgan-McClure."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(7-1-2004)
McClure tunes up for Nextel Cup with LPR win: Eric McClure tuned up for his attempt to qualify for his second career NASCAR Nextel Cup race by taking a first and second in the Late Model division twin 50-lap races Saturday at Lonesome Pine Raceway. The LPR appearance was the first for McClure in four weeks. After finishing 26th in his Nextel Cup debut in the April running of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega, McClure hopes to make the field for Saturday's running of the Pepsi 400 at Daytona.(Coalfield.com)(6-29-2004)
#4 Owner Talks about future of team; skipping Sonoma: #4-Morgan-McClure Motorsports will not attend the upcoming race at Infineon Raceway. However, the team, which has 14 NASCAR Cup Series wins, continues to move forward in 2004 as it seeks sponsorship. With two top-20 finishes in 2004, Larry McClure stays focused on bringing his No. 4 Chevrolet back to its competitive potential. The team began the 2004 season with a sponsor, but since has been without a fulltime primary decal on the car. McClure seeks sponsorship in order to bring his three-time Daytona 500 winning team back into the competitive ranks of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Although he has experienced both sides of racing success now, McClure remains optimistic about his race team.
Larry McClure quotes:
"We have tried to use our money as well as we could. We got behind the eight ball a little bit at the beginning of the year because of the change over from Pontiac to Chevrolet. We have used several different people to put bodies on the cars. The inconsisitency of this hurt us. We were in a position that we had to run some of those cars without doing the aero work on them that they needed in order to be competitive. We found a few shortfalls when we did research in the wind tunnel recently. We have chosen a couple of the cars we have that are the better of the lot to change. It seems like from week to week to week that we are making progress even though our stats may not show it."
"Spencer quoted this past weekend that his car was the best he has driven all year with the exception of the restrictor plate cars. He felt like we have decent engines and we could be competitive if he could get through the middle of the corners a little better. Sunday at Michigan we had a reasonable effort. The team lost one lap because we ran out of gas. We lost a second lap because Spencer felt like he had a vibration in the car, like a loose wheel, which was not visual to us after pitting. Actually we shot ourselves in the foot twice. We had an opportunity to be in the top-15, possibly one lap down."
"Our sponsorship funds are limited this year. We have had to put the team on a diet. We are doing the best we can with what we have to do with. Basically that is what has happened. We are still searching for sponsorship dollars. "Changing cars from Chevrolet to Pontiac and then back to Chevrolet over the past two years really lost the team a lot of ground. I am not saying that is totally our problem. We do not have 20 engineers working on this race car and team. It is a downfall. We have to try a lot of things without them being proven and that costs us time. It creates problems with performance. With lack of engineering support and lack of sponsorship support, it has put us in a deficit deal. We are working hard to try to catch up. If we had the funds, we could buy the people and the technology. We do not have the funds. We are trying to work harder and be smarter with our group."
"Being in this position, I realize there is not much difference from an outhouse to a penthouse. On a short track, the difference is 3/10ths and on a larger track it is less than a second. If we can just come up with the right combination, we can get back to where we once were. That motivates me, because I am a competitor. I want to win. I want to be competitive. When the time comes for me to step back and to step out of this sport, I would like to know that I have given it everything I have. Plus, the fact is we have a lot of people here who depend on this company. We are doing everything we can to keep the company afloat and continue racing and make a livelihood for the people who work here."(Morgan McClure Motorsports site)(6-22-2004)
Morgan-McClure to skip Infineon Raceway race: #4 Morgan-McClure driver, Jimmy Spencer, says the team will not run a car at the road course at Infineon Raceway next week [June 27th]. The unsponsored team has ran in all the races so far in the 2004 Nextel Cup season, but is 36th in owners points. Spencer said that lack of sponsorship led to the decision. Team owner Larry McClure said a deal to put Johnny Miller [who ran the car last year at Infineon] in the car couldn't be worked out. McClure said he is still talking to potential sponsors, but says the team needs a few decent runs to help seal the deal.(NASCAR Scene Magazine - need sub to read online)(6-18-2004)
McClure loses Busch/Cup backing: Eric McClure passed his first NASCAR Nextel Cup test at Talladega Superspeedway. Although McClure's sponsor I Can Learn announced a plan for the 2004 season to include primary sponsorship of five races, the #04 team was recently informed that the company will not be able to honor the remainder of the agreement. That decision leaves McClure searching for financial backing for either the Busch Series or Nextel Cup. "We realize Eric has the talent to race in any situation," said McClure's father Jerry. "Eric has grown into a mature racer who uses his head. I am proud of what he has accomplished in such a short period of time." The McClure resume features two ARCA Series starts (Michigan-2003/Daytona 2004), two Busch starts (Rockingham-2003/Las Vegas-2004) and one Nextel Cup start. He finished 26th and on the lead lap at Talladega McClure competed in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model event at Lonesome Pine Raceway in Coeburn Saturday night.(Bristol Herald Courier)(6-7-2004)
Congrats: Eric McClure, who made his NASCAR Nextel Cup debut at Talladega on April 25 in a 2nd Morgan-McClure Motorsports #04 Chevy, is currently celebrating his honeymoon. He has been working on sponsor plans to race again soon.(Bristol Herald Courier)(6-5-2004)
Spencer to Rumble at Bristol: Michael Buffer, world famous boxing announcer, will serve as the host and emcee of the ever thrilling Bristol night race this Aug. Buffer's famous trademarked phrase "Let's Get Ready to Rumble!" is one of the most widely known and recognized in the world of sports and entertainment, and will serve as the promotional tagline and theme in Bristol's advertising leading up to the race weekend. #4 Morgan-McClure driver, Jimmy Spencer will be commemoration this infamous phrase in a "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" logo and graphics.(5-6-2004)
Two Morgan McClure cars at Talladega/To Meet with former sponsor: Morgan-McClure Motorsports will run two Chevrolets next weekend in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. In addition to its standard #4, they will also run a #04 Chevy for Eric McClure. Team owner Larry McClure said Robert Larkins would be the listed crew chief for the car, but that he would be part of a "committee" that would oversee it. McClure said Sunday he has a meeting set Monday with former sponsor YokeTV.com, with a possibility that the organization could still sponsor his car for more races this season.(NASCAR.com)
AND On Friday, Eric McClure will attempt to qualify for his first-ever NASCAR Nextel Cup event at the 2.5-mile Talladega International Speedway. McClure, the nephew of Abingdon-based Cup team owner Larry McClure, will drive the #04 Chevrolet sponsored by the "I Can Learn" computer learning software company [www.icanlearn.com] that also is sponsoring six races for him this season in NASCAR's Busch Series. His entry will be a team car to the Morgan-McClure #4 piloted by Jimmy Spencer. McClure ran his first superspeedway race at Daytona this past February in a Morgan-McClure-prepared ARCA car. He qualified sixth and raced with the leaders all day before being bumped out of the lead draft at the end and finishing 13th.(Kingsport Times News)(4-19-2004)
Featherlite back as sponsor of the #4 at Martinsville: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced Featherlite, Inc. returning as the primary sponsor of the #4 NEXTEL Cup Series Chevrolet for the Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday. Jimmy Spencer will pilot the Monte Carlo. Featherlite, Inc. (www.fthr.com), the "Official Trailer" and "Official Luxury Coach" of NASCAR, debuted its primary sponsorship of the #4 at Texas Motor Speedway with Jimmy Spencer behind the wheel. A premium line of NEXTEL Cup licensed Featherlite Car Care products is available at automotive stores and www.featherlitecarcare.com.
Larry McClure Quotes: "We are extremely happy to have Featherlite return as the primary sponsor of the No. 4 Chevrolet for Martinsville. The team tested at Martinsville last week. The test will give Jimmy Spencer more input on racing with our cars and the new tires. We are looking forward to racing at Martinsville with the successful combination of Featherlite and Spencer."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(4-13-2004)
Brewer Penalized UPDATE appeal denied: NASCAR has fined Tim Brewer, crew chief for the #4 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Lepage, $5,000 for an infraction detected during NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series opening-day inspection at Darlington Raceway. Brewer was penalized under Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book: (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules). The No. 4 had an unapproved rear deck lid.(NASCAR PR)(3-23-2004)
UPDATE: On April 13, 2004, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the Appeal of Timothy Brewer. The Appeal concerned a $5,000 fine issued by NASCAR under Section 12-4-A; "actions detrimental to stock car racing" and Section 12-4-Q; "any determination by NASCAR Officials that Parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: non-approved rear deck lid - did not fit templates." The penalty pertained to the No. 4 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series car at Darlington Raceway on March 19, 2004. The violation was clear and failure of the deck lid to conform to the template was not disputed by the Appellant. The penalty was consistent with penalties for similar NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rear deck lid violations. It is therefore the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalty issued by NASCAR. The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(4-14-2004)
Lepage not happy with release from the #4: Kevin Lepage's "full-time ride" with Morgan-McClure Racing is over, just six races after it was announced. And according to Lepage, he couldn't be happier. Lepage was handed his walking papers by the Abingdon, Va. team last week, after managing a best finish of 22nd in six NASCAR Nextel Cup Series starts this year. Veteran Jimmy Spencer took over the ride last weekend at Texas, finishing 29th, six laps down. Contacted this week at his home in North Carolina, Lepage's thoughts on the split can be summed-up in two simple words. Good riddance.
"After watching that fiasco in Texas, I'm happy to be out of there," he said. "Apparently, Jimmy Spencer isn't the miracle-worker they hoped for. (Morgan-McClure) had no set-ups on the cars, none at all. I went around the garage and begged favors from guys I knew on other teams, asking them to help us out. People put their jobs at risk to do that, but the minute we got the chassis straightened out, the motor would blow. Or we'd come out of the pits with three lug nuts missing. It was a disaster. (Team owner) Larry McClure kept asking me - over and over again, `What do we need to do to fix it?' I told him, but apparently, honesty wasn't what he wanted to hear."
Enter Spencer, who according to Lepage had been "wearing Larry out since Daytona trying to get in the car. He brought along a little bit of money, and told Larry what he wanted to hear. So I'm out, and he's in. Good luck to him, he's going to need it." After seeing the Morgan-McClure team from the inside, the Vermont native said he will be surprised if Spencer - or anyone else - can turn things around anytime soon. "Beginning with Robby Gordon in 2001, they have now had 13 drivers in three years," he said. "Robby couldn't help them, Mike Skinner couldn't help them, Stacy Compton couldn't help them, and apparently, neither could I. It's one thing after another with them; one problem piled on top of another." What's next for Lepage? he said he is working to put his own Busch Series Fords back on track for a schedule of 10-20 races, beginning next month at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We're beating the phones for sponsorship right now," he said, "and I'm about 95-percent sure we'll get a deal done with at least one of the two companies we're talking to. For every door that closes, another one opens," he said. "And in all honesty, my next opportunity won't have to be much to be better than where I just was. I would rather sit home and watch the race on TV than run like that."(Barre-Montpelier Times Argus)(4-9-2004)
Lepage out? Spencer In? UPDATE 2: hearing reports that Kevin Lepage and the #4 Morgan-McClure team have parted ways and that Jimmy Spencer will driver the #4 Chevy at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend.(3-29-2004 - 10am/et)
UPDATE: Fox Sports Net's Totally NASCAR reports that #4 crew chief Tim Brewer told them Spencer will be in the car starting at Texas and for the next several races.(3-29-2004)
UPDATE 2: Jimmy Spencer says he will replace Kevin Lepage in the Morgan-McClure team's #4 Nextel Cup car for this weekend's events at Texas Motor Speedway. "As of right now, that's what we're doing," Spencer said Monday. A team spokesperson said Spencer is expected to be in the car for the next few races, with likely sponsorship from Featherlite; the team began the season with sponsorship from a Web site, yoketv.com, but the deal apparently has fallen through. Spencer, 47, finished 24th in the season-opening Daytona 500 but was left without a ride when the #7 team lost its primary sponsor.(USA Today)
UPDATE 3 its OFFICIAL: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announces that "Mr. Excitement", Jimmy Spencer, will pilot the #4 NEXTEL Cup Series car for the upcoming Samsung Radio Shack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Additionally, Featherlite, the "Official Trailer" and "Official Luxury Coach" of NASCAR, will be the primary sponsor of the #4 Chevy at Texas. Featherlite is a North American leader in manufacturing and marketing high quality aluminum trailers, specialized transporters, custom mobile marketing trailers, and luxury motor coaches. A highly diversified product line is offered of standard to custom models of car, recreational, horse, livestock, utility and commercial trailers through a dealer network in the U.S. and Canada. Featherlite, which is well known in the NASCAR community for its high quality and superb service, is a major supplier of leading-edge racecar transporters. A premium line of NEXTEL Cup licensed Featherlite Car Care products is available at automotive stores and www.featherlitecarcare.com.
The 47-year-old Spencer will take over the wheel of the #4 Featherlite Monte Carlo at Texas while starting in his 441st career NASCAR Cup Series event. The Berwick, Pa.-native has two wins in the elite series since his first Cup Series start in 1989, each taking place in 1994 with victories at Daytona and Talladega. He has garnered 28 top-fives, an amazing 80 top-10s and three pole positions.
Larry McClure quotes: "We are extremely proud to have Featherlite as a sponsor on the car for Texas. Everyone involved with the company is top-notch. We are changing drivers to evaluate our race team. Jimmy Spencer has a lot of experience which should help us determine a positive direction for the team. "He will bring a lot of excitement to the No. 4 Monte Carlo and the NEXTEL Cup Series this weekend. We are happy to have him in the car with Featherlite sponsoring it."
Conrad Clement, Featherlite CEO, quotes: "Featherlite is excited to have the unique opportunity to be on the No. 4 car for the Texas race. Morgan-McClure Motorsports has always been a class act, and with Jimmy in the driver's seat this combination will keep fans excited throughout the race."
Jimmy Spencer quotes: "I am happy to be in the No. 4 Monte Carlo this weekend. They are looking for a sponsor and I am looking for a ride. I know I do not have a lot of years left to drive in this sport. I have never seen any more determined group of people than Larry McClure and his brothers. When I drove for Junior Johnson, Tim Brewer worked for Kranefuss. Although I never worked with him, I knew Tim for years through Junior. I think he is one of the savviest crew chiefs out there, especially calling races and making pit calls. I look forward to working with him. I have been watching the races this year. I am not real sure what to expect with the new tires. I think once I take the race car around the track a few laps, it will give me a better idea of what the car needs. Larry and the guys are very open minded for changes. You have to be somewhere where you want the team to do well. A driver cannot start blaming the crew or the crew chief and they cannot start blaming the driver. A team will soon deteriorate when this begins to happen. I realize a team has to work together. If one guy makes a mistake or the driver makes a mistake, the team has to pull together. If a guy starts pointing fingers, it is sure to fail. You know, I think having a hands on car owner like Larry who prefers aggressive driving styles will benefit us both. We still have a desire to compete and to win."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(3-30-2004)
#4 One Race Deal: Food City is on board the #4 Morgan McClure Chevy that Kevin Lepage drives for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.(Morgan McClure Motorsports PR)(3-27-2004)
Runt Retires: Shelton "Runt" Pittman the Head engine builder for #4 Morgan McClure Motorsports retired after the Daytona 500 race. He was one of NASCAR's premire engine builders for many years. He will be sorely missed at MMM racing and the entire racing community.(3-18-2004)
#4 Sheds Sponsor Decals UPDATE: The decals of sponsor YokeTV.com were removed from Morgan-McClure Motorsports' #4 Chevrolet Friday as a result of a contractual dispute between the team and the sponsor. Team owner Larry McClure said the decals "may or may not" be back after this weekend's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(ThatsRacin.com) driver Kevin Lepage qualified the decaless #4 Chevy 35th for the race.(3-12-2004)
UPDATE: The #4 Chevrolet showed up at Atlanta without YOKETV.com sponsor decals. While negotiating contractual differences between the two entities, the car will remain without those decals. Morgan-McClure Motorsports is moving forward in a proactive manner to secure full-time sponsorship for the #4 Chevrolet. The team will run the 2004 schedule per car owner Larry McClure.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR), hope Yoketv.com isn't looking for any NASCAR fans to buy their product.(3-13-2004)
#4 Announces Sponsor: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced a new primary sponsor for the #4 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series entry. Beginning its 21st year in NASCAR, the team welcomes the addition of YOKE TV.com to its racing program. YOKE TV.com is cutting edge and will offer one of the world's first web-based TV programs. The company plans to start broadcasting on May 1, 2004. It will feature stars in the world of sports, entertainment and music and offer an insiders view into the real life and behind-the-scenes stories of famous athletes, musicians or celebrities.
Viewers will enjoy a large number of new television shows created by YOKE TV.com with full 24 hour programming. Broadband internet users will be able to view YOKE TV anywhere on a global basis over their computer monitors.
Announcing its new primary sponsor at Daytona International Speedway, where the team has three prestigious Daytona 500 victories, marks a new beginning for Morgan-McClure Motorsports. The Abingdon, Va.-based team ended the 2003 season with a string of consistent runs and looks to continue the momentum. It will sport fresh colors of red, silver and white this season on new Chevrolet Monte Carlos in its stable and display a new NASCAR Nextel Cup Series logo.
Kevin Lepage will return as the driver of the #4 YOKE TV.com Monte Carlo along with the entire Morgan-McClure Motorsports road crew and Tim Brewer, the winningest crew chief on the circuit with 53 Cup victories.
Brent Meikle, President and CEO, YOKE TV.com, quotes on his company and joining NASCAR with Morgan-McClure Motorsports:
"We are extremely excited to get involved with Cup level racing in Nextel's first year and with Morgan-McClure Motorsports for the full season in YOKE TV's initial broadcast year. It's a new year and I think YOKE TV's new commitment to NASCAR is a prime example of the type of new sponsorships NEXTEL will attract to grow this great sport even bigger over the coming years.
"We will have the most interesting broadcast content on the air, not just on the internet, but our goal is to be the most interesting content on the air anywhere versus any medium. And we think we have a programming format that will make that vision a reality the very first day we begin broadcasting May 1st, 2004. This is really the future of broadcast and a whole new experience for people in viewing broadband. Today, we are happy to be here in NASCAR and want Kevin and the team to have the glory. Their focus is on a full year of racing. Our time will come soon to share more about both our programming and a major charitable drive we are heading up at the right time."
Larry McClure, President of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, quotes on obtaining a new sponsor: "We are extremely enthusiastic to have YOKE TV.com aboard as our primary sponsor. This is a new dawning for Morgan-McClure Motorsports and our sponsor. During the past several months, a lot of hard work has gone into our sponsor deal and the race team. To have this announcement at Daytona means a lot to this team and to me. It has always been one of my favorite tracks. We look forward to a successful partnership with Brent Meikle and YOKE TV.com. My commitment and dedication to winning remains strong." Visit yokeTV.com to learn more.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(2-6-2004)
#4 Sponsor Close: Though no official announcement has been made concerning sponsorship for the 2004 season, silver, red and white #4 Chevys sit in Morgan-McClure Motorsports Abingdon, VA shop. McClure said a deal is nearly completed and should be solidified by the end of the week. "We haven’t signed an agreement with a sponsor but we had a conference call on Sunday and agreed on everything," McClure said. "There’s no use in me announcing who it is until it happens, but we feel pretty good about that." While five different drivers sat behind the wheel for Morgan-McClure last season, the team’s settled on Kevin Lepage as its 2004 driver. Though Kodak remains an associate sponsor on the team’s Chevrolets, it moved its primary sponsorship to Roger Penske’s #77 Dodge, piloted by rookie Brendan Gaughan.(Bristol Herald Courier)(2-4-2004)
#4 Close to a sponsor: [#4 Team Owner] Larry McClure says he has received a deposit from a new sponsor, and hopes to announce the sponsor soon. The team owner has reached a verbal agreements with Kevin Lepage to drive the #4 Chevy this season. Tim Brewer will serve as Lepage's crew chief and the team manager."(NASCAR Scene need sub to read online)(1-25-2004)
Congrats: Congratulations to Lisa Shealy, team Public Relations Director for Morgan-McClure Motorsports #4 Nextel Cup Series Chevrolet, and Chuck Hawke, Visiting Clubhouse Manager for the Kansas City Royals MLB team, on their recent engagement. December 2004 wedding is planned. Shealy starts her 14th year in NASCAR and sixth year with Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Hawke has been with the Royals for 13 years.(1-22-2004)
Sad News: Condolences to Larry and Ginny McClure of Morgan-McClure Motorsports [#4 Chevy] for the loss of her mother, Lilly Flanary, on Sunday, January 18, 2004. The team's thoughts and prayers are with Larry, Ginny and her sister, Wilma Blevins, the team receptionist. A funeral will be held on Tuesday in Jonesville, VA.(1-19-2004)
#77 Announcement Tuesday UPDATE, OFFICIAL: hearing the announcement of the long rumored Kodak and Brendan Gaughan to the #77 {Ford to Dodge] ride with Penske buying into the Jasper Motorsports team will be announced on Tuesday, Jan 6th.(1-5-2004)
UPDATE: Eastman Kodak Company and Penske Performance, Inc. announced that Kodak would sponsor Penske-Jasper Racing Company's #77 Dodge for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. The companies forged a multi-year agreement for Kodak to be the primary sponsor of the #77 Dodge, which will be driven by Brendan Gaughan. Gaughan, the 2002 "Rookie of the Year" in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, won eight races over two full seasons and finished fourth in the Truck Series point standings in 2003.
"Kodak has had a long and rewarding relationship with NASCAR and we are pleased to be continuing with our race team program with this great sport and its fans," said Carl Gustin, Chief Marketing Officer, and Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "We are excited to be aligned with Penske, one of the premier organizations in all of motor sports."
The #77 Kodak-sponsored Dodge will be co-owned by Jasper Engine Exchange, Inc., a long-time Penske business partner, and will have the benefits of its relationship with Penske's other NEXTEL Cup teams, the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, driven by Rusty Wallace, and the #12 Alltel Dodge, driven by Ryan Newman. "Having the opportunity to partner with Kodak brings a tremendous amount of credibility to our race team and I look forward to the business-to-business opportunities that will develop from this new relationship," said Roger Penske.
Kodak plans to utilize its race team sponsorship and its NASCAR Official Imaging Sponsor status as a marketing platform for many of its 2004 strategic initiatives. Kodak will adorn the #77 Dodge with a wide representation of Kodak's digitally-oriented products and services, including KODAK EASYSHARE digital cameras and its OFOTO online photo fulfillment service (www.ofoto.com). Kodak will leverage its digital leadership through a variety of racing-related programs, such as using in-car KODAK EASYSHARE cameras, utilizing its OFOTO service for print fulfillment and incorporating race team content on KODAK PictureMaker kiosks. Additionally, Kodak plans to enable a system for fans to purchase NASCAR photos at the track, at retail and online through various KODAK digital services.
Kodak will continue its Retail Partner Program, where select retailers will partner with Kodak's racing program, beginning with Eckerd Corporation at the Daytona 500 in February 2004. Kodak expects to have 15 to 20 partners participate in this program throughout the season. Through its Entertainment Imaging operations, Kodak plans to engage movie studio customers to market new releases. In 2003, Kodak teamed up with Walt Disney Pictures to promote "The Pirates of the Caribbean" release at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
"I am thrilled to get this opportunity and thankful to so many people," said Brendan Gaughan. "I appreciate the confidence that Kodak and the Penske organization have shown in my abilities, and I'm very excited about the opportunity to represent Kodak, one of the most respected brands and companies in the world. To drive the Kodak Dodge for an organization the caliber of Penske-Jasper Racing is a dream come true. I can't wait for the 2004 season to begin."
Jasper Engine Exchange and Transmissions, Inc., which has been the primary sponsor of the #77 Jasper car for the past 13 seasons, will become an associate sponsor with the new race team. Jasper will be identified as the primary sponsor in several races each year. In addition to its sponsorship, Jasper will provide engineering support and power train development to the Kodak-sponsored #77 Dodge.
For the past 18 years, Kodak has been identified with the #4 car, teamed with Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Kodak will remain with the Morgan-McClure team as an associate sponsor. The Kodak and Morgan McClure relationship has resulted in 14 Winston Cup wins, including 3 Daytona 500 victories in 1991, 1994 and 1995. "We thank Larry McClure and Morgan-McClure Motorsports for our long-standing relationship with them," said Gustin. "We wish them the best of luck as a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competitor in the coming seasons. Kodak, EasyShare and Ofoto are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company [www.kodak.com].(Yahoo Biz)
see two images of the car on my #77 Team Paint Schemes page [both will load] or on my 2004 Paint Schemes page.(1-6-2004)
2003 News
Blaney to the #4? from FoxSports/Larry McReynolds: rumor has it that Dave Blaney may be moving to Morgan McClure since Penske reportedly has bought the Jasper car. It sounds like Kodak may go to the new Penske car, and Truck Series driver Brendan Gaughan will go to that ride as well. Penske also is thinking of changing the number on that car. I think they were talking about #72 to go with the #2 and #12 cars. When you think about it, it's going to be a completely revamped team with a new owner, a new driver, a new sponsor, a new number and a new manufacturer because now it's going to be a Dodge. And obviously there will be a new crew chief too [Shane Wilson] ]because Bootie Barker left there last season, and they never really replaced him for the final few races. I don't know if you can say anything will be the same.(FoxSports)(12-23-2003)
Changes at Morgan-McClure: A Morgan-McClure Motorsports Holiday. All through the No. 4 shop, wrenches are clanging and sheet metal is bent. The new Chevrolet Monte Carlos sit glistening, money well spent. Tim Brewer and the guys are working hard with sights set on 2004. The engine dyno is humming with engines tweaked to find a "little more". Road crew guys are spending extra time with their kin. For when 2004 arrives, all they will focus on is a win. Changes are in store for the Nextel Cup Series entry, No. 4 car.
New paint wrappings all aglow, new bodies too and a brand new announcement is not too far. So sit back and relax, enjoy the season and do not pout. For in 2004, Morgan-McClure will give race fans something to talk about.(MMM PR)(12-9-2003)
Kodak to scale back on the #4 BUT have a new sponsor lined up: Morgan-McClure Motorsports general manager Larry McClure confirmed Monday that the #4 team will have a new primary sponsor for the upcoming season. The current 18-year marriage between Kodak and the Abingdon-based M-M organization has been one of the longest in the sport's history. "We should have our major sponsor signed by Dec. 8," McClure said. "A few details are still being worked out. And Kodak will still be an associate sponsor on our car for the next three years." McClure did not divulge details on the length of the new sponsor package. As for the other big question mark at M-M - who will be the driver next year - stay tuned. Veteran Kevin Lepage, who finished the season as the driver of the #4 Kodak Pontiac, actually visited the sprawling race shop Monday morning. "Kevin is still on top of our list right now," McClure said. "He has done the best job for us. Over the last six races, we had an average finish of 24th in the points and that's about the best we did all season. We had some opportunities to finish better in several of those races, but we were competitive and feel pretty good about what we accomplished." Veteran crew chief Tim Brewer will return in the twin role of team manager and crew chief as Morgan-McClure switches back to the Chevrolet banner this season. "Right now, Tim is wearing those two hats," McClure said. "If Tim chooses to put somebody else in the crew chief position, that will be his call. The rest of the pit crew is pretty much intact." Bristol native Chris Carrier and longtime crew member Mark Prater are no longer with the team. Carrier began the 2003 season as the crew chief. After dealing with numerous interview requests and questions in recent weeks, McClure is eager to quell the speculation regarding the financial backing. "I am real excited. This is going to be a high-profile sponsor who hasn't been in the sport before. They have a lot of promotions planned, including a marketing push on TV," he said. "We've been working on this for about two months and we look forward to the announcement. It's been a good relationship for us and Kodak," McClure said. "I wish the best for Kodak. They are going to be a major sponsor with another team. We've all seen the Internet reports, but I have no idea what team that will be. We will just see how it goes for Kodak and for us." It also appears that Eric McClure, son of team co-owner Jerry McClure, will compete in several NASCAR Busch Series races.(Bristol Herald Courier)(12-2-2003)
Get Well: #4 Morgan McClure crew chief, Tim Brewer in back home in NC suffering from Kidney Stones.(11-16-2003)
UPDATE: Tim Brewer, crew chief at Morgan-McClure Motorsports, is recovering at home. Although he was hospitalized briefly, the kidney stones that prevented him from working the season’s final race in Homestead, Fla., ended up being dissolved without surgery and Brewer is back at work preparing new #4-Chevrolet Monte Carlos for January testing.(Gaston Gazette)(11-29-2003)
#4 Will be back: Larry McClure said Friday that Morgan-McClure Motorsports will race next season, despite the hurdles the team is facing. "We'll be here next year, and the year after that," McClure said. He said Kevin Lepage, who is the team's current driver, would likely continue in that role next season. McClure said he is "very close" to working out issues with Kodak, the team's primary sponsor, which has two years remaining on its contract.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-8-2003)
Kodak talking to teams: The Kodak sponsorship question is still unanswered, but company officials are expected to meet with potential car owners this weekend. Larry McClure [owner of the #4 Kodak Pontiac] has reportedly agreed to Kodak's buy-back of the final two years of his contract; however the two sides are apparently at odds over other aspects of that deal. Kodak is being bombarded with sponsorship bids, and the top two teams in the running appear to be DEI and Roush Racing. Ty Norris, DEI general manager, won't talk specifically about Kodak but says "We've had some movement in the last 10 days."(Winston Salem Journal)(10-25-2003)
Kodak to BAM? UPDATE: Hearing Kodak has given up on the high-dollar teams at Bill Davis and DEI, and is working a deal to bring BAM Racing into the picture. The main reason is BAM can give them a solid race team at a much lower price than the other two. That way, they can ease out of the #4 Morgan-McClure situation and pay him more to buy their way out but still have a somewhat solid team. They like Ken Schrader as driver and the fact the Morgenthau's have enough money to make a lower-price sponsorship work for Kodak. Still too early to call but the good price for the sponsorship and the fact Kodak is impressed with the team might make this one work.(source)(10-18-2003)
UPDATE: Kodak officials may be on the verge of announcing a buyout of the final two years of the company's sponsorship contract with car owner [#4 Pontiac] Larry McClure. Those negotiations have been sharp, according to sources. But Kodak appears ready to make a move to another Winston Cup team. The top option is the third DEI team -- however, Kodak, after doing an exhaustive review of the costs of fielding a Cup team, may not be willing to pay the price DEI wants, and rival car owners are moving in quickly with lower bids, among them Beth Ann Morgenthau, Bill Davis, and Jim Smith. And then there is unexpected a new third Joe Gibbs team in the making, looking for a sponsor.(Winston Salem Journal)
HOWEVER: Owner Larry McClure says Kodak is staying put through 2005 as sponsor for the #4 Pontiac and that Kevin Lepage will drive it the rest of the season. McClure hasn't made a decision on a driver for 2004 but says Lepage is a candidate.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(10-20-2003)
Morgan McClure gets Busch/ARCA sponsor [future for Cup?] Morgan-McClure Motorsports [#4 Kodak Pontiac in Cup] will compete in the upcoming ARCA Series event at Lowe's Motor Speedway and a future NASCAR Busch Series race with a young gun and a newly secured sponsor. Eric McClure, son of team owner Jerry McClure, will attempt to qualify for his second ARCA RE/MAX Series event. He competed at Michigan in June in the #4 car by starting the race fifth and finishing in the eighth position. I CAN Learn Education Systems (Interactive Computer Aided Natural Learning) will sponsor the #4 Chevy in the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 150 on Thursday, October 9 at the 1.5-mile quad-oval located in Concord, North Carolina. I CAN Learn is a teaching program which offers a computerized Algebra curriculum designed to help students primarily in grades 7-10, who are ethnically diverse, inner-city youth, achieve impartiality in mathematics and thinking skills. A key goal of the program is to have students interact with their counterparts across the world to learn proficiency in problem solving in a competitive, peer-oriented atmosphere. The program is a complete education software system that has been recognized by the US Department of Education. It began by teaching Algebra to 200 students in an inner-city school in New Orleans during the 1994-95 school year. Today the I CAN Learn program has expanded to cover 15 states and over 50,000 students. Its range is also expanding to include school grades K-12 and Colleges. To find out more about this exciting program, visit its website at www.icanlearn.com. McClure, who competes on Saturday nights in the NASCAR Late Model Stock Division at Lonesome Pine Speedway in Coeburn, Va., will have Morgan-McClure Motorsports veteran Robert Larkins as his crew chief. The Winston Cup crew will pit his car on raceday. The 24 year-old will also debut in the NASCAR Busch Series with the I CAN Learn sponsorship prior to the end of the season. A race venue will be announced at a later date.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(10-9-2003)
Kodak to PPI with Nemechek? UPDATE: Kodak was expected to make an announcement this week about its future in NASCAR, but that has apparently been delayed. The company has just announced a major change in its business, away from film toward digital, and it's unclear how that might play in its marketing plans. Kodak apparently won't be back with [#4 Morgan McClure] Larry McClure next season. Kodak could sponsor Cal Wells' proposed second team, with Joe Nemechek.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-28-2003)
UPDATE: According to a Cal Wells team member, the rumor of Joe Nemechek driving a second Pontiac for the team sponsored by Kodak, appears to be absolutely false. The unnamed source said that no additional parts, tools or evidence of a second car have been spotted anywhere on the Wells premises.(Insider Racing); seems to be an odd rumor as Wells himself has stated he is close to signing a sponsor for a 2nd team.(9-29-2003)
Morgan-McClure Motorsports names drivers for remainder of 2003: Morgan-McClure Motorsports named Kevin Lepage and Johnny Sauter as the drivers of the #4 Kodak Pontiac for the remainder of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Tim Brewer will serve as team manager and crew chief. Lepage, who has competed in two races for the Abingdon, Va.-based team in 2003, will be in the car for six of the remaining races. The Shelburne, Vt.-native has 133 career Winston Cup starts with two top-fives, eight top-10s and one pole position. He drove for Morgan-McClure in 21 races during the 2001 season, turning in four top-15 finishes. With consistency as a key element of his driving style, Lepage has improved his starting positions by 13 and 26 spots in the two races he has driven the #4 Kodak Pontiac. Johnny Sauter will compete in the #4 Kodak Grand Prix at Kansas City and Phoenix. The two races will bring Sauter's total career Winston Cup starts to seven, which leaves him eligible for Rookie of the Year status when he moves to Winston Cup full time [wonder with who? the #4 team or to the #30 AOL car?] . Sauter, born on May 1, 1978, in Necedah, Wisconsin, currently sits seventh in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings. He has 64 Busch Series starts with two wins, nine top-fives, 18 top-10s and three pole positions. His best Winston Cup finish is 23rd at Loudon.
Kevin Lepage quotes: "It is good to be back in a Winston Cup car. It gets pretty lonely on weekends watching the races from home. Being in the Winston Cup garage with all of my friends and co-workers is important to me. Racing on Sundays is my desire and passion. "This is a great opportunity to be back in the No. 4 Kodak Pontiac. We had some decent runs a few years ago and hope to continue that this year. It is also nice to be back with friends we made while with the team. We have had some success with the two races I have run so far. At Darlington we just kept working on the car and never gave up. We had a good finish because the entire worked their tails off and never lost focus. I think the weather hurt us at Dover by not being able to qualify. Due to a tire problem, we got down a few laps and did not have the finish we had wanted. The car was easily in the top-15 to top-20 range. We are looking for some really solid runs during the remainder of the races."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(9-24-2003)
Kodak to a new team? Announcement soon? UPDATE to DEI or both? Kodak officials could announce sponsorship of a new team by the time the tour reaches Talladega later this month, according to sources.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-13-2003)
UPDATE:Sources from two other sources tell Winston Cup Scene that DEI has completed a deal with Kodak beginning in 2004. If so, it is unclear what that would mean for [#4] Morgan-McClure Motorsports, which has been sponsored by Kodak for years. Crew chief Tim Brewer said at New Hampshire that they still had two more years on the deal with Kodak. It is possible that Kodak could sponsor both teams.(Winston Cup Scene page 22 - need sub to read)(9-18-2003)
Lepage back in the #4 for Dover: Kevin Lepage will compete in the No. 4 Kodak Easy Share Pontiac at Dover International Speedway this weekend. He will start the event in the 40th position. The field of the MBNA America 400 was set by owner points due to NASCAR's Hurricane contingency plan. Friday activities for the Winston Cup Series were canceled due to the threat of weather. As Hurricane Isabel churns closer to the East Coast, preparations remain active at Morgan-McClure Motorsports in Abingdon, Va. to race at the Monster Mile this weekend. The team plans to travel to Delaware on Friday and begin work at the track on Saturday morning when the garage opens. Kevin Lepage: "We are taking the same car that we finished 15th with at Darlington. Tim Brewer makes excellent pit calls, so we should be in for a good day on Sunday with the Kodak team. I just hope Mother Nature cooperates and lets us get the race in this weekend. Maybe Isabel will take a turn away from Dover."(Morgan McClure PR)(9-17-2003)
Sauter back in the #4 at NHIS: Johnny Sauter returns to Loudon, New Hampshire with Morgan-McClure Motorsports for the upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup Series event. The Sylvania 300 will be Sauter's fifth career Winston Cup race. In July at New Hampshire International Speedway, Sauter started the #4 Kodak Pontiac in the 41st position (field set under rain-out rules) and completed the event 23rd. Tim Brewer will work with Sauter as his crew chief. Johnny Sauter quotes: "I look forward to returning to a track where I have worked with the Kodak team this year. I think that will help us out with the set-up tremendously. We can build from the notes acquired in July. We had one of the fastest cars during that race."(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(9-9-2003)
More Kodak: From this weeks Speedway Scene Magazine: There's little doubt left that Kodak is looking to do something with their struggling investment in NASCAR, the question however is what? There were a number of scenarios painted by industry sources at Darlington last weekend that made it readily apparent that Kodak is in play. The basic premise is that NASCAR is intervening on Kodak's behalf, which seems to be the only consistent part of the varied stories that were floating around the Darlington garage. What happens with the sponsorship, if they do leave Morgan McClure [#4] at the end of this year that is, seems to run along two thought processes. The first speculative plan called for NASCAR to take the Kodak money for themselves and make it a contingency program of some sort. What we'd heard in this rumored plan was that all cars would be required to carry a Kodak sticker and be paid some sort of incentive for carrying the photography giant's logo. The other scenario was that NASCAR would place the sponsorship on one of the teams that needs sponsorship. There were varied reasons why NASCAR would act as mediator in the Kodak sponsorship, but soothing a
guilty conscience or two maybe playing into this angle.(Speedway Scene Magazine Print - no website)(9-6-2003)
and...more on Kodak: The fate of Kodak's NASCAR sponsorship is the topic of considerable debate at the moment, and there are reports that Jack Roush and DEI are two teams in the running for a Kodak deal, if the photo giant leaves car owner Larry McClure. However, Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, insists his company isn't interested in Kodak. And Ty Norris, general manager at DEI, says he doesn't want to discuss Kodak at all. While Jeff Burton has a new contract, he still doesn't have a new sponsor, Smith concedes. 'We have four companies we're quite active with, and each is doing due-diligence, because they're all new to the sport,' Smith says. 'Kodak is not one of them. We haven't not done anything with Kodak. But we would do something with Kodak if they're not under contract with Larry McClure. But we have heard this week that marketing companies have been contacted by people with that team asking for help looking for sponsorship. But NASCAR would be the one to tell us if that particular sponsorship is available. And we're like others, waiting to see if it opens up.'(Winston Salem Journal)(9-1-2003)
Kodak or Drug Company for the #99 in 2004? Jeff Burton and Jack Roush are close to a new sponsor for the #99 Ford: according to one source, Kodak [that would be weird seeing a yellow #99] -- according to another, an unnamed pharmaceutical company.(Winston Salem Journal)
AND being told it is a pharmaceutical company, no name yet....they are supposedly trying to work out how it conflicts with Pfizer/Viagra.(8-30-2003)
More on Kodak: Kodak is in its 17th year as primary sponsor for the No. 4 Morgan-McClure team, but rumors persist that it will not return after this season. Team owner Larry McClure could not be reached for comment, but Ed McClure, his brother, says the contract runs through 2005. Because most sponsor contracts contain performance clauses, Kodak likely has an out. Sources at Dale Earnhardt Inc. deny that Kodak will sponsor the #1 car next season.(Sporting News), see my #1 Team News and Links page for DEI's denial of Kodak as their sponsor in 2004.(8-25-2003)
Morgan-McClure close to a full time driver announcement; one car team in 2004: #4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports team owner Larry McClure recently said he plans to hire the man to handle his Kodak-sponsored Pontiacs sometime next month. Seven drivers have taken the wheel for the team in Winston Cup races, qualifying and test sessions after Mike Skinner was released in mid-June. “We’ve got some great people with the race team right now,’’ McClure said. “ We’re strengthening our base, and I feel like putting the right driver in with these people, we’re going to jump back to where we were.’’ McClure said Morgan-McClure Motorsports will field one car each week next season. The team qualified two cars for one race for the first time in its 20-year history at Watkins Glen Aug. 8 but lacks enough sponsorship to become a multi-car team. Johnny Sauter is driving the car this weekend at Bristol. Sauter is a candidate to move into the Morgan-McClure seat long-term, along with David Reutimann, Johnny Miller and P.J. Jones, according to McClure. “We feel like we want some youth in the car because it seems like they just get up on the wheel, and that’s kind of what we need,’’ McClure said. “We came out of nowhere (before). We were a 20th-place team in 1989. I hired one driver, Ernie Irvan. “All of a sudden, we were one of the best teams. We had one of the best crew chiefs, one of the best engine builders and some of the best cars. You just have to get that right combination.’’ McClure said Kodak’s sponsorship agreement with the team runs through 2005.(Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)(8-22-2003)
Sauter back in the #4 at Bristol: Johnny Sauter tested the #4 Kodak Pontiac at Bristol Motor Speedway Wednesday in preparation for the Aug. 23 Sharpie 500. Sauter will also compete in the Aug. 22 Food City 250 Busch Series race.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-16-2003)
Compton in the #4 this week, Brewer to serve as Crew Chief: Stacy Compton was announced as driver of the #4 Kodak Perfect Touch Pontiac for the upcoming GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Compton, who drove for Morgan-McClure Motorsports in July at the. Daytona Pepsi 400, had an eighth place finish in last year'˜s Busch Series race at Michigan. Tim Brewer will serve as crew chief. (Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR), no word on the #04 which was rumored to be running, looks like a one car team at MIS.(8-12-2003)
McClure Quotes on Kodak: Larry McClure, owner, quotes: "I think today was a bright spot for the team. It was something to build on and move on to Michigan. We have Bristol coming up and some other good tracks for the team. It was exciting to have two cars in a race for the first time. Our sponsorship with Kodak will continue for another two and a half years. I hope after that, it will go on for another 18 years. That is a question many people have been asking me. When someone is not having success, the buzzards start flying. We would certainly like to be doing better. This is a business. We make decisions that work sometimes and other times they do not. This is no different than other businesses in that area, Even Kodak has to go through that. We spent Thursday up at Kodak Park in Rochester. The support they showed our race team was an inspiration. Everybody is trying to do the best they can do."(Morgan-McClure PR)(8-11-2003)
First Time for Morgan-McClure: For the first time in Morgan-Mcclure's 20 Year History, the team will field two Cup cats in a race by making the Sirius at the Glen at Watkins Glen International. P.J. Jones will drive th #4 Kodak Perfect Touch Processing Pontiac and Johnny Miller will drive the #04 Kodak Easy Share Pontiac. Miller qualified 32nd and Jones was 33rd. The team tested with both drivers two weeks ago at Watkins Glen. P.J. Jones has four Winston Cup starts at Watkins Glen and one Busch Series start. Johnny Miller has one Winston Cup start, which took place at Infineon Raceway in June. The entire race team was in Rochester, New York, visiting Kodak City on Thursday. The team participated in a Teamwork day, which involved learning booths, simulated pit stops and autograph sessions. Hundreds of Kodak employees were able to interact with the Kodak Racing team, while parallels in racing and manufacturing were discussed. Making a special appearance at the event was Dan Carp, CEO of Eastman Kodak.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR)(8-9-2003)
McClure wins Late Model race: Eric McClure and Michael Kidd earned the pole for their respective Late Model Twin 50 event Saturday night at Lonesome Pine Raceway, and both jumped out to the lead on the initial start and held on for the win. McClure, who won the second Twin 50 of the evening, marked his second career NASCAR Weekly Racing Series win and his first this season. McClure did win a 150-lap United Auto Racing Association Late Model touring race at LPR in June, however. McClure is the son of #4 Morgan-McClure co-owner and raceday spotter Jerry McClure.(Kingsport Times News)(8-5-2003)
P.J. Jones to drive for Morgan-McClure at The Glen: Former CART driver P.J. Jones will drive the #4 Kodak Chevrolet [actually he tested the #04 for Morgan-McClure while Johnny Miller tested the #4] this week at the road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y. He finished fourth in last year's race. Robert Pressley failed to get the car qualified for the Brickyard.(Indianapolis Star) Jones ran the #14 Foyt Racing Dodge at Sonoma in June, no idea if Larry Foyt will drive or if the team will hire another road course specialist.(8-4-2003)
Pressley to drive the #4 UPDATE: the Robert Pressley Site is reporting that Robert Pressley will drive the #4 Kodak Pontiac at the Brickyard 400, the quote: "I am really glad to have the opportunity to go to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the No. 4 car,” said Robert Pressley. “I want to thank Morgan-McClure Racing for the chance to compete in one of the biggest Winston Cup races of the season, the Brickyard 400. I hope that I can come in and do what I can to help this team overcome a few problems and get the car in the field. I am excited to be able to help out Morgan-McClure.” Supposedly David Reutimann will be in the #04 Kodak Pontiac for Morgan-McClure(7-28-2003)
UPDATE: Morgan-McClure Motorsports announced two entries for the Brickyard 400 this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Veteran driver Robert Pressley will drive the #4 Kodak Pontiac, while David Reutimann will be behind the wheel of the #04 Kodak Grand Prix. "We are pleased to have two entries at the historic Brickyard this week. I feel confident with our driver choices. The team enjoyed working with David last week in the ARCA Series and looks forward to getting him in his first Winston Cup event. He drove a smart race and communicated well with the crew. Robert has been a favorite driver of mine for a long time. He is a good racer and we hope to have a great finish this weekend," team owner Larry McClure said. While preparing for a busy weekend in Indy, the team also tested its road course cars at Watkins Glen on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Johnny Miller returned to test the #04 Pontiac after turning in a respectable effort for the team earlier this season at Sonoma. Testing the #4 Kodak Grand Prix was another road racing specialist, P.J. Jones.(Morgan-McClure PR)(7-29-2003)
Morgan-McClure Plans for next three races UPDATE:
Pocono: the team has filed two entries for the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway [#04 and #4 Kodak Pontiacs] but since David Reutimann didn't make the Cup race at New Hampshire [qualifying rained out and no attempts] and didn't get to test as planned at Pocono Raceway last week, team owner Larry McClure said, "I think we might enter David in the ARCA race at Pocono," McClure said. "I don't think it would be fair to put him in a Cup car there, when he's never seen the place and would be making his first Winston Cup start. We may ask Brett Bodine to qualify our Winston Cup car and race it."
Indianapolis: After that, McClure expects to run Reutimann in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the driver was impressive in a test session last week. "At Indy we're going to run two