#78 Team Past News and Rumors
NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages
2008 News
National Day of Prayer on the #78 at Talladega: The #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy, driven by Joe Nemechek, will once again showcase a unique paint scheme at Talladega Superspeedway, site of this weekend's Sprint Cup race. For the third year in a row at the Talladega spring event, Furniture Row, the Denver-based company which owns the #78 Chevy, is devoting its entire space on the car to the National Day of Prayer. The red, white and blue patriotic paint scheme will include the National Day of Prayer logo on the hood, the rear quarter panels, trunk-lid and the rear bumper (TV) panel of the #78 car.(Furniture Row Racing PR)(4-22-2008) Comment here
Furniture Row Racing to field two cars in 2008 UPDATE: Furniture Row Racing enters its third year of competitive Sprint Cup racing this season, and the team is positioning itself to have its best opening season yet. Striving to reach its top potential, the team will be powering their Chevy Impala's with Hendrick Motorsports engines. Team Manager Joe Garone comments, "Having a world class driver in Joe Nemechek, and in our mind the best power in the garage with Hendrick engines, allows us to put the driver and engine program behind us. Crew chief Jay Guy and his staff can now focus on the vehicle dynamics and aero package of the new COT's." Furniture Row Racing will be running the #78 Chevy Impala this season with sponsorship from both Furniture Row and Denver Mattress. The Team will continue to seek associate sponsorship for the #78 and primary sponsorship for the #87 Chevy Impala which will be making its debut at the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500. Additional races for the #87 will only be scheduled when sponsorship is secured. The #87 Chevy Impala will be piloted by former Furniture Row driver Kenny Wallace. "I'm honored that Furniture Row Racing has asked me to attempt to qualify the #87 Denver Mattress Chevy in the 50th Anniversary of the Daytona 500. It's a team effort, with Joe and I hopefully both qualifying. It's also a chance… which is better than no chance at all to race." Ed Nathman will be the crew chief for the #87 Denver Mattress Chevy Impala. Furniture Row Racing looks forward to having Kenny as Joe Nemechek's teammate. As this sport evolves into more and more multi-car teams, single car teams are becoming a thing of the past. To be able to continue their two car effort, Furniture Row is eagerly seeking sponsorship for the #87 car. For more information on sponsorship opportunities you can go to www.furniturerowracing.com.(FRM PR)(1-22-2008)
UPDATE: There is a catch, however. If Kenny Wallace qualifies [for the Daytona 500 in the #87] and teammate #78-Joe Nemechek doesn't, Wallace must relinquish the seat to Nemechek.(SceneDaily.com)(1-22-2008) Comment here
Fuller testing 2nd Furniture Row car at Daytona: Furniture Row Racing, whose full-time driver Joe Nemechek tested last week [in the #78], has brought its #87 entry for this test, with Jeff Fuller behind the wheel.(SceneDaily.com)(1-14-2008)
2007 News
Furniture Row Racing finalizing contract with Nemechek: Furniture Row Racing officials say the team is working on the final details of a three-year contract with driver Joe Nemechek. Nemechek took over the team's #78 at California Speedway in September. With the team outside the top 35 in owners points, Nemechek qualified his way into six consecutive races before failing to make the field for the last two. The organization is also seeking sponsorship to start a second team to run at least a limited schedule in the series.(SceneDaily.com)(10-24-2007)
Nemechek to the #78 in 2008: Barney Visser, owner of Denver-based #78 Furniture Row Racing, said he and driver Joe Nemechek have agreed in principle to a contract for next season. Visser also said his team has stopped producing its own engines and has been powered by Hendrick Motorsports motors since Nemechek came aboard.CQ Hendrick will provide Visser with all his engines next year, he said.(Denver Post)(10-4-2007)
Hendrick Engines for #78 team: During Nextel Cup qualifying on ESPN2 Friday, Dr. Jerry Punch stated that, effective last week in Richmond, the #78 team is now using Hendrick engines.(9-15-2007)
More on the Marlin-Nemechek-Ginn Lawsuit: Bobby Ginn said Tuesday he's surprised by a lawsuit that claims he hasn't honored the contracts for Sterling Marlin, Joe Nemechek and two crew chiefs. All four lost their jobs when Ginn Racing merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in late July. The four filed separate lawsuits against both teams last week in Cabarrus County, claiming they are owed their salaries. The suits don't specify what the parties are seeking, but claim they have demanded payment, and the teams have either failed or refused to comply. "Sterling and Joe's contracts ran through the end of the year, and I have paid them through August -- all of their winnings and salary, per the contract," Ginn said. "And I intend to pay through the end of the year. I always have." Ginn said that crew chiefs Richard "Slugger" Labbe and Peter Sospenzo were given severance packages when they were let go, and said he's honored it and payments are up to date. "This totally surprised me, and it looks to me like they are trying to ask for something over and above and they are just not entitled to," Ginn said. Marlin did not return a telephone message Tuesday, while Nemechek and the crew chiefs could not be reached. DEI, also named in the suit, said it was never a party to the contracts in question and the obligation to honor the agreements falls on Ginn.(AP/ESPN.com), see past news on this and more on the lawsuit, see my Lawsuit News page.(9-12-2007)
Nemechek Plans More Races with Furniture Row UPDATE: Joe Nemechek said he expects to run a handful of races with #78-Furniture Row Racing the remainder of the season. Nemechek qualified for the Sharp Aquos 500 this weekend at California Speedway and expects to drive next week at Richmond and the following two weeks at New Hampshire and Dover.(SceneDaily.com)(9-1-2007)
UPDATE: Joe Nemechek qualified the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet for Sunday's race in California but finished last because of an engine failure. Nemechek will drive the car for a least the next five races for the Denver- based team.(Rocky Mountain News)(9-6-2007)
Nemechek in the #78 at California: #78-Furniture Row Racing plans to use several drivers through the rest of the season, manager Joe Garone said Tuesday.
"We released him, let him go, but it's not like a fire type of situation, just a continuing effort to get to the bottom of the problems we're having," Garone said of Wallace. "We're missing so many races. Ultimately, putting another driver in the car is something we have to do." Scott Wimmer unsuccessfully tried to qualify the #78 Chevrolet last weekend at Michigan - for a rain-delayed race that finally took place Tuesday - and Sterling Marlin is pegged to try to qualify the car for Saturday's race at Bristol. Joe Nemechek has agreed to try to get the #78 in the field for the ensuing race at California Speedway on Sept. 2. "It always helps running other drivers," Garone said. "Until we have a teammate situation, we can bounce things off various drivers that work for us. We're in a situation where we can move drivers in and out and share their information." Second-year Furniture Row runs Chevrolet engines, but not the new RO7 model that was distributed to the top Chevy teams in late May. Garone said the RO7 is producing about 30 more horsepower than the SB2 engine all Chevy teams began with this season. Wallace failed to qualify for eight consecutive races until he made the Aug. 12 event at Watkins Glen, N.Y., because rain canceled qualifying and the 43-car field was set by owner points. Wallace made seven consecutive races before his "losing" streak began, which coincided with the introduction of the RO7 that Chevy provided only to its signature, multiple-car teams of Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. "It's not that our engines aren't good," Garone said. "We are just not on the top of the food chain in Chevrolet's pecking order. We're last." Furniture Row, which builds its engines in its north Denver [CO] headquarters, has received the RO7 models and Garone said dyno testing should take place this week. He hopes the engine is ready to go by the Sept. 30 race at Kansas Speedway. For the next five races, whoever drives the car will be down on horsepower. Garone said all that his team members can do is keep their heads up. Garone said Wallace could drive the car again, and that there was no friction between Wallace and the team. Wallace was in the first year of a two-year contract that wasn't guaranteed for the second year.(Denver Post)(8-24-2007)
Marlin in the #78 at Bristol UPDATE 2: Sterling Marlin was at the shop in Denver, CO on Friday to be fitted for the #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy seat and will run the car at Bristol Motor Speedway next weekend.(FRR site), was also mentioned during SPEED's Cup qualifying coverage that the #78 team will test at Rockingham, NC next week.(8-18-2007)
UPDATE: WTVF-TV Nashville reported at 6:00pm/et newscast that Sterling Marlin will drive the #78 Chevy at Bristol, Martinsville, Richmond, Dover and possibly Talladega. Marlin is also negotiating to drive the #78 for about half the 2008 season. The team may also talk to Ricky Rudd to drive the other half of the 2008 season.(WTVF-TV Nashville)(8-21-2007)
UPDATE 2: Furniture Row Racing has a seat ready for Sterling Marlin. Marlin will try to qualify the #78 Chevy for Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway as Furniture Row continues its search for a driver or two. Kenny Wallace had been behind the wheel of the car but agreed Aug. 14 to step aside. Scott Wimmer attempted but failed to qualify the car for Tuesday's twice-delayed race at Michigan International Speedway, so now the 50-year-old Marlin, who was released earlier this season by Ginn Motorsports, gets his chance. Marlin, who was in town last week to have a seat fitted, has been talking with FRR about possibly driving a second car next season if a sponsor can be found. "They wanted me to run a second car for them, 15 to 18 races next year," Marlin said. "We talked about that. Then the deal came along with Kenny. They parted company."(Rocky Mountain News)(8-22-2007)
New Engine man for Furniture Row team: Darin Morgan, recently Cylinder Head Department Manager for Reher Morrison Racing Engines, will be taking over the cylinder head department for #78 Furniture Row Racing in Denver, CO. He will be managing the cylinder head department and all related research and development efforts in that area.(Darinmorgan.com)(8-18-2007)
Kenny Wallace out of #78 ride UPDATE 3 Kenny speaks: hearing Kenny Wallace and the #78 Furniture Row team have parted ways effective immediately, no word who will drive the car at Michigan this weekend.(8-14-2007)
UPDATE: Furniture Row Racing, a Denver-based Nextel Cup Series racing team, announced today that Kenny Wallace is stepping down as the driver of car #78. Officials for the team have stated that Wallace will remain with the team as a consultant and will be called upon to run races as needed, but that he will also be available to drive for another team.
Joe Garone, Team Manager for Furniture Row Racing, said: "Kenny has been the perfect driver for us as we have looked to his veteran experience during our first year-and-half in the Cup Series. His personality has brought much positive exposure to the team and to Furniture Row Companies, the team¹s owner and sponsor. This has included winning the fan vote to participate in this year¹s All-Star Challenge events." Looking at the remainder of this season, officials for Furniture Row Racing have said that they will be intensifying efforts to fine tune their performance in preparation for next season¹s run. Wallace added: "I've enjoyed my run as the primary driver for Furniture Row despite all the challenges of a new team. I look forward to helping them as they move forward in building a program that will be competitive for many years to come."(Furniture Row Racing PR)
UPDATE 2: been told that Scott Wimmer will drive the #78 at Michigan and hearing that Sterling Marlin will drive at Bristol, no word who will drive for the rest of the season.(8-14-2007)
UPDATE 3: Kenny Wallace has a statement posted on his website - kennywallace.com: "I want all my fans to know that I am going to give them a very personal retrospective of the way I feel about not driving the #78 any more. Two years a ago I was asked to come to Denver, CO and visit the Furniture Row shop. When I arrived, there was not even a Cup car ready to race, so from that standpoint I am proud that I was able to bring the Furniture Row race team to where it is today. I have a lot of confidence in my ability and the #78 team has a lot of confidence in their ability. We have got to a point in the NASCAR Nextel Cup season that I can sense the aggravation for the teams outside the top 35 in points. I truly want everybody to know that although I know it hurts a lot of my fans, that I am relieved. The week-to-week pressure of trying to make the race is very grinding, and I also felt that if the team feels like there is a change to be made, it was fine with me. I really, really feel this way. I am not lying! Like I always remind everybody I am a racecar driver to go to these races and not be able to compete was very, very hard on me. I will take time to let everyone know in the NASCAR circuit that I would like to drive in either the NASCAR Busch Series, Nextel Cup Series or even the Craftsman Truck Series. I would also like to let everybody know that while I wait for another NASCAR ride you can probably find me at your local dirt track racing. I really want everybody to know that our team manager, Joe Garrone, and our team owner, Barney Visser, have been really good to me and that the decision to try another driver was based upon more or so the crew members within the team this is what I was told by Joe Garrone. Joe is a good guy and has always been very supportive of me. I want to thank my personal sponsors JEG'S, Bank of America, and everybody at Speed TV. I will end like this: Never fold your tent. For a face-to-face interview, I will be on NASCAR Raceday this Sunday. Please watch."(kennywallace.com)(8-15-2007)
DEI wasn't allowed to sell #13 team's points: NASCAR wouldn't allow the new Dale Earnhardt Inc. to "partner" with another team to transfer the #13 team's points with that of an existing team because that would have given Bobby Ginn ownership of five teams, DEI Vice President John Story said Thursday. Teams are not allowed to just sell points, although most get around the requirement by remaining a minority owner after the "sale." The problem for DEI after its merger with Ginn Racing was that neither Ginn nor DEI could have the rights to more than the NASCAR limit of four teams. DEI used the #14's points to go to its #15 car of Paul Menard, which was outside the top 35. With the #13 team not entered this weekend, the 36th-place team of Bill Elliott in the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford will be automatically locked in the field.(SceneDaily.com)(7-27-2007)
Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing Merge; Official Announcement: Dale Earnhardt Inc. has become even stronger through a merger with Ginn Racing. Effective immediately, the team will feature the Chevys of #15-Paul Menard, #1-Martin Truex Jr., #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #01-Mark Martin and #01-Aric Almirola. Martin and Almirola will combine to drive the #01 Army Chevy for the remainder of the 2007 season as well as the entire 2008 season. Menard drives the Menards Chevy, Truex drives the Bass Pro Shops Chevy and Earnhardt handles driving duties of the Budweiser Chevy. All four entries are inside the top 35 in Nextel Cup points heading into this weekend's Brickyard 400. Regan Smith, who was originally slated to drive the Ginn Clubs and Resorts Chevy in the Brickyard 400, will instead compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park Friday night in the Ginn Resorts Chevy Silverado. Specific schedules for Martin, Smith and Almirola will be announced later. In addition to Nextel Cup Series competition, the company will continue to field entries in the Busch Series, the Busch East Series and will analyze its future involvement in the Craftsman Truck Series. The numerous teams of Dale Earnhardt Inc. will operate from both the original facility built by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt as well as the nearly 180,000-square-foot facility currently housing Ginn Racing's teams. The buildings are less than five miles apart in Mooresville, N.C. Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s current management team will be responsible for all day-to- day activities and transition plans have already begun to develop. John Story, vice president of motorsports operations for DEI will oversee the expansion of the company's racing efforts. In completing this merger, points on Ginn Racing's #13 car, which was 34th in Nextel Cup owner's points, have been eliminated.(Dale Earnhardt Inc PR), been told the #78 team will NOT be allowed to buy the points for the #13 car, so the #21 Ford supposedly will move up into the top 35 of owners pts and get the guaranteed spot. Bill Elliott will run the #21 car at Indy with Ken Schrader in the #49, no word yet if Schrader will return to the #21 at Pocono next week.(7-25-2007)
DEI buying Ginn? UPDATE 3: hearing a deal could be announced in the next week or so, where Dale Earnhardt Inc. would buy into or outright Ginn Racing. Ginn Racing currently fields the #01-Mark Martin/Regan Smith, #13-Joe Nemechek and #14-Sterling Marlin teams.(7-16-2007)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. [#s 1, 8, 15] and Ginn Racing [#s 01, 13, 14] are working on a merger agreement that, if finalized, would meld the two organizations into a single company, multiple sources close to negotiations told ESPN.com on Monday. The deal is not done, but a decision will be made soon. Both organizations hope, sources said, to firm up outstanding details and announce a partnership immediately. This deal is an elaborate proposition that entails several obstacles, including how best to reduce from six Nextel Cup teams to the maximum four. The obvious answer, sources said, would be to eliminate Ginn's financially-strapped #13 and #14 teams.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2007)
UPDATE 2: Tim Packman talked with Dave Moody on Sirius Speedway Tuesday afternoon and stated that Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has entered into a meger/acquisition of Ginn Racing. Reportedly, the #13 team's points will go to #15-Paul Menard and he will be locked into the field. #01-Mark Martin will drive at Indianapolis under the DEI banner, and possibly the #14 team points will be sold to Furniture Row Racing and #78-Kenny Wallace to lock him into the field. It is unknown what will happen to Regan Smith, who was scheduled to drive the #14 this weekend.(7-24-2007)
UPDATE 3: ESPN's David Newton reported on NASCAR Now Tuesday that #01-Mark Martin, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #8-Dale Earnhart, Jr, and #15-Paul Menard will drive for DEI this weekend at the Brickyard. Menard will be locked into the race using the #14 team's points. Ginn Racing CEO Jay Frye will stay with DEI. DEI will move it's motorsports operations to the Ginn facilities in Mooresville, NC. A determination has not been made on Regan Smith's future with the team. An announcment should come sometime Wednesday.(7-24-2007)
#78 to get #13 owners points? UPDATE: hearing the #78 Furniture Row Racing team will 'buy' the owners points of the #13 Ginn Racing team unless a sponsorship deal can be put together for the #13 team to run at Indy. A deal could be announced for the owners pts early this week. Joe Nemechek was driving the #13 Chevy for Ginn Racing and was recently told he was free to look for another ride by Ginn Racing. Kenny Wallace drives the #78 Chevy for Furniture Row Racing. The #78 is 43rd in owners pts and out of a guaranteed starting spot; the #13 is 34th in owners pts and has a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup.(7-24-2007)
UPDATE: Ginn Racing hopes to have a decision on the future of the #13 car before Friday's Nextel Cup qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. The financially strapped organization has been in discussions with Dale Earnhardt Inc. about possibly selling the #13 team for its owner's points or merging with the company formed by the late Dale Earnhardt. There have also been discussions with selling the points to the #78 car of Kenny Wallace in time for Sunday's race at Indianapolis. The Barney Visser-owned team is 42nd in points and has made only nine races this season. Ginn could also race the car with Joe Nemechek if a sponsor can be lined up at the last minute for the high-profile race. But sources said it is clear the car, 34th in owner's points and comfortably inside the top 35 guaranteed a spot in each race with a 244-point lead over 36th, will not be idle this weekend.(ESPN.com)(7-24-2007)
Marlin may cut back to part-time in 2008 UPDATE 2: #14- Sterling Marlin has had talks with Ginn Racing about cutting back to a part-time schedule next season. Marlin's contract expires after this season.(Roanoke Times)(6-20-2007)
UPDATE: hearing that Marlin will go to Furniture Row Motorsports and run a 2nd team part-time in 2008, Kenny Wallace is the full time driver in the #78 Chevy. Regan Smith would replace Marlin in the #14 Chevy at Ginn Racing.(6-25- 2007)
UPDATE 2: [Kenny] Wallace said he has discussed Marlin driving a second car in 2008 for Furniture Row, provided a sponsor can be secured.(Crossville Chronicle)(7-23-2007)
Furniture Row Racing looking for sponsor, to form 2nd team UPDATE 2 denied: Furniture Row Racing, #78 in the Nextel Cup Series, has announced plans to seek additional sponsorship. Furniture Row Companies, based out of Denver, Colorado, owns and exclusively sponsors Furniture Row Racing. The organization currently operates a full-time, stand-alone Cup team with driver and motor sport personality Kenny Wallace behind the wheel. Furniture Row Racing is actively seeking sponsorship to fund the #78 team with a new sponsor. The Furniture Row Racing sponsorship will be used to form a second team [rumored to be driven by Sterling Marlin in 2008]. Furniture Row Racing is confident that a second team will provide the additional resources required to continue to grow and develop a competitive program. The benefits of running a second team, even in a part-time capacity, are deemed exceptionally valuable by the organization. Due to Wallace’s widespread popularity, a new sponsor could garner valuable brand exposure both on and off the track.(Businesswire.com)(7-4-2007)
UPDATE: also hearing that the ream will be ending it's current in-house engine program and is currently in talks with Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and RCR/DEI about an engine leasing program for 2008.(7-5-2007)
UPDATE 2: Furniture Row Racing's representatives deny recent rumors that their in house engine program will be outsourced or leased beyond their existing deal with Hendrick Motorsport for superspeedway [resrtictor plate] engines. In fact, the organization is committed to building a long term, competitive program. The continued enhancement and growth of its in house engine department is considered a key element in obtaining that goal. Furniture Row Racing currently does not have a second team, and has not interviewed any drivers at this point.(FRM PR)(7-5-2007)
Chevy unveils paint schemes to commemorate 50 Years of the '57 Chevy: One of the most recognizable cars in American motoring history reaches a notable milestone this year, a milestone which NASCAR, Chevy and Motorsports Authentics proudly celebrate. The 1957 Chevrolet, a car which turns 50 years old this year, will be commemorated at August 19’s 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway by at least 11 Team Chevy drivers. Unveiled by Jimmie Johnson at MIS today, a Monte Carlo SS race car featuring decals with cues from the iconic 1957 design is similar to the ones Johnson and other Team Chevy drivers will race during the August event. On August 18, ’57 Chevys along with many other historic vehicles will hit the streets during Metro Detroit’s Woodward Dream Cruise. That same weekend, Team Chevy Nextel Cup Series drivers #4-Ward Burton, #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #14-Sterling Marlin, #01-Mark Martin, #15-Paul Menard, #96-Tony Raines, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #78-Kenny Wallace and #18-J.J. Yeley will take to the track at MIS with their cars wearing special ’57 Chevy paint schemes. To commemorate this special event, Motorsports Authentics will replicate their cars with die-cast models and offer apparel and novelty items related to the event.(GM Racing PR), see an image of the #48 Scheme on my #48 Team Schemes page.(6-16-2007)
Furniture Row tests road course car in Colorado; VIR next: Pueblo Motorsports Park proved to be a valuable resource for Colorado's lone Nextel Cup Series team Friday. The Denver-based Furniture Row team and its test driver Scott Gaylord spent the afternoon testing the team's car at PMP's 2.2-mile road course. "We came here to do a shakedown," shop manager Dave Hatfield said. "We wanted to use this facility because it is close to home. This is really the only place we can test (in Colorado) and this is a good track." The No. 78 Furniture Row team, which is owned by Englewood businessman Barney Visser, was planning to run 35 laps at PMP in preparation for a more extensive testing session Wednesday and Thursday at Virginia International Speedway in Danville, Va. Kenny Wallace, the team's driver, is scheduled to be at the Danville test.(Pueblo Chieftain)(6-9-2007)
Motorsports publisher Coastal 181 will host a book-signing event with the very popular Kenny Wallace at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, June 9th. Wallace will sign copies of his brand new autobiography, Inside Herman's World, at the Coastal 181 display in the Fan Fair area immediately after the ARCA RE/MAX Series race. Writing with nationally known racing columnist Joyce Standridge, Wallace describes growing up as a member of Rusty Wallace's Evil Gang, then striking out on his own, first as a crew chief at just 21, and later becoming a respected driver in the NASCAR Busch and Cup series despite a series of challenges and disappointments. Wallace also discusses his career as a SPEED TV commentator, where he's known for his humor and celebrated laugh. Along the way, Herman has been supported and encouraged by a devoted wife and family, and he shares an intimate view of family life rarely seen in racing. Kenny Wallace won the 2007 All-Star Fan vote and will win the hearts of many with a view inside his special world. Inside Herman's World -The Kenny Wallace Story is soft-cover with 264 pages and over 300 photographs. Coastal 181 will have a display throughout the three-day Pocono weekend, offering books and prints of colorful legends of stock car and open-wheel racing as well as titles on today's NASCAR stars. For more information, contact Coastal 181 toll free at 877-907-8181 or online at www.coastal181.com.(6-2-2007)
Kenny Wallace Book Released: Motorsports publisher Coastal 181 announced the release of Inside Herman's World, the autobiography of popular NASCAR driver and SPEED TV personality Kenny Wallace. The book was written with Joyce Standridge and includes forewords by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, and Ken Schrader. More info on my Bookstore Page.(5-23-2007)
#78 to display purple ribbon at Nextel Open: In and effort to heighten the public's awareness of pancreatic cancer diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention, Furniture Row will feature a purple awareness ribbon on the #78 Chevy that Kenny Wallace drives this weekend at the Nextel Open at Lowes Motor Speedway.(Furniture Row Racing site)(5-17-2007)
#78 to run special Kenny hood at Darlington: Furniture Row Companies, owner and sponsor of Furniture Row Racing, #78 Chevyin the Nextel Cup Series, will be utilizing a unique marketing strategy with a hood wrap that will debut at Darlington Raceway. The hood will showcase their driver, Kenny Wallace in front of an American flag. In addition, the #78 hood will also feature the campaign slogan "Vote for Kenny," and a website address www.voteinkenny.com.(Kenny Wallace/Furniture Row Racing PR)(5-11-2007)
Kenny Wallace to run special scheme at Talladgea: Kenny Wallace is scheduled to drive the National Day of Prayer car #78 sponsored by Furniture Row for the Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. Wallace qualified 6th for the race. The 56th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 3, 2007. The theme for this year is "America, Unite in Prayer" The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America when the Continental Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a day of prayer in 1775. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May. For more information visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org In commemoration of the day, the #78 Furniture Row Chevy Monte Carlo will once again feature a red, white and blue paint scheme [same scheme as used in 2006], created by Sam Bass Design. This design showcases the National Day of Prayer logo predominately displayed on the hood, side and back of the car. Fans and enthusiasts alike overloaded the National Day of Prayer website, in 2006, with thousands of emails of support when the car debuted last year at Talladega.(Kenny Wallace site)(4-29-2007)
Kenny Wallace Book coming out later this year: One of auto racing’s most likable personalities, #78-Kenny Wallace is also a dedicated racer. In a fascinating recounting of his roller coaster life and career, Wallace shares hilarious stories from a racing-obsessed youth, the pain of losing his best friend, and remarkable insights from a life well-lived. A NASCAR crew chief before he was 21 years old, a nine-time winner in the Busch Series, and a go-to driver for Nextel Cup car owners, “Herman” provides an insider’s view of great drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Richard Petty and so many more, including brother Rusty Wallace, as well as a behind-the-scenes view of motorsports TV. Inside Herman’s World is the rollicking good-time fans would expect, but it’s also poignant and perceptive. Another must read for NASCAR and short track fans alike!(Kenny Wallace site)(1-31-2007)
Furniture Row Racing unviels car and 2007 plans: The #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy, piloted by veteran driver Kenny Wallace, will take to the track every weekend to compete against multi-car teams that quickly accrue owner's points [the #78 is currently outside the top 35 in owner's points]. Acutely aware of the challenges, the team has decided to focuses all of its energy, resources, personnel, and driver talents towards the unified goal of strengthening the competitive level of its Cup program. General Manager Joe Garone elaborates on realigning the organization's focus. "Cup is always a challenge, but with the car of tomorrow being implemented, a new manufacturer joining the series, and new teams jumping on board, 2007 promises to be an unusually challenging year. "Our team was started from scratch in '05 with the intent of running a handful of Busch races. At the start of the '06 season, the opportunity came up to compete in Cup on a full-time basis. However, we were still a very small team and unsure of a lot of important factors. The most important factor for us was our choice of driver. With the huge financial investment it takes to compete in Cup, as well as limited testing at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks, it was important for us to find a veteran driver that could guide our competition department as well as assist with sponsorship awareness."
"In addition, transportation issues out of Denver, Colorado became as important as any of the traditional competition-related factors for our program. There were no full-time Cup teams to model our transportation program after, as everybody runs their teams out of the southeastern region of the U.S. We currently have a full season under our belt, and feel we have a handle on the logistics. But with the changes in the series, we have had to make some major additions and adjustments to our team. In addition to new personnel, more equipment, and more engineering resources, we have made the decision to not run in the Busch Series in the '07 season. We are proud to be representing Colorado in the Cup series, but it comes at a high price and demands all of our focus to be pinpointed in the direction of Cup. Although we appreciate the assets a Busch team brings to the table, we are still in a building year and can't spread ourselves too thin. Basically, it comes down to a division of resources. Running both teams ran the risk of taxing the organization's time, resources and energy. Ultimately, we felt it would negatively impact our Cup team's performance at this time." For more information on the #78 Nextel Cup team, visit www.furniturerowracing.com. Based in Denver, Colorado, Furniture Row Racing is owned and sponsored by Furniture Row Companies.(American Digital Networks)(1-26-2007)
Stewart, Schrader and Kenny Wallace buy into Macon track: One of the oldest race tracks in Illinois gets new life with new owners. Macon Speedway revealed the new ownership team Sunday as part of the Racing Expo at the State Fairgrounds. Past track owner-operator Macon's Bob Sargent and NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader make up the team.
Racing on the dirt track ended ahead of schedule last season because of financial hard times. The track was built back in 1946 in Macon.(wandtv.com)(1-22-2007)
#78 to unviel 2007 car and plans: on Wednesday, January 24, #78 Furniture Row Racing and driver Kenny Wallace will unveil their 2007 Nextel Cup car and Wallace and Team Mgr Joe Garone will discuss issues regarding enhancements to the program, team goals, Daytona 500, and field questions from the media. at Furniture Row Marketing in Denver, CO(
businesswire.com)(1-20-2007)
Kenny Wallace deals with more sad news: As race fans and NASCAR family mourn the death of former champion and
broadcaster Benny Parsons, Kenny Wallace’s family was dealt a blow of its own Tuesday morning. Shortly after Parsons passing Wallace’s father-in-law Charlie Poole died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 61. “This day has not been a good day for me. In six days you have Bobby Hamilton die, Benny Parsons, my father-in-law…and I thought of Kevin Harvick because (last year) he lost his father-in-law too. My wife and the family asked me to please stay down here because Charlie liked racing so much. Unfortunately the pearly gates are backed up right now like a toll booth…and I don’t mean that funny…just not a real good two weeks you know…its pretty rough.”(PRN's Garage Pass)
AND Charles "Charlie" Poole died Tuesday, January 16 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Dolores Sunshine Poole and the son of Edna Poole. He is survived by daughters Kim Wallace, Kelly Shackelford, Jenny Melton, son Jason Poole and 10 grandchildren. Cards may be sent to Dolores Poole and Family to the fan club office at 8949 Harris Road, Concord, NC 28027. Details of memorial donations will be available soon. Please leave online condolences at Kenny Wallace Official Forum.(Kenny Wallace site)(1-16-2007)
2006 News
Furniture Row Racing adds crew chief, other enhancements: Furniture Row Racing’s Nextel Cup program continues to make enhancements to strengthen the competitive level of its organization. The #78 Chevy with veteran driver Kenny Wallace will run a full Cup schedule in 2007. New hires, new departments, new equipment, and Wallace’s complete focus on the team will expedite the growth and development of the program. Joe Garone has been juggling duel roles as both crew chief and manager for Furniture Row Racing for two years. He will now focus his efforts exclusively on general manager responsibilities. Reporting directly to team owner Barney Visser, Garone will oversee the team operations in the various departments, act as the liaison between Furniture Row Racing and its partners, and continue to support the growth and development of the entire program. Furniture Row Racing’s new additions to the organizations will be instrumental to realizing the team’s goals. The new hires include Jay Guy, Doug Holbrook, Gary Beveridge, and Claude Rouelle. Guy joins the team as the newly appointed crew chief. Guy’s prior stint was with the #47 Busch team. His resume includes crew chief positions with Johnny Benson in Cup, and Casey Atwood, Dave Blaney and David Stremme in the Busch Series.
Furniture Row Racing has also inked a deal with a new car chief, Doug Holbrook. Holbrook, formerly with Evernham Motorsports, brings a vast repertoire of knowledge and experience to the position. Gary Beveridge comes to the organization after heading up the superspeedway department for Robert Yates for the last four years. Beveridge has been brought on as the fabrication shop supervisor.
In addition, a big gun as been added to the engineering department of the program. Claude Rouelle has been named as the Director of Engineering. Rouelle is a renowned high-performance racecar research and development engineer. With 30 years of experience in designing, testing and engineering racecars in Europe, Japan and the USA, Furniture Row Racing will benefit from his extensive and specialized skill set. In 1997, Rouelle also created OptimumG, a consulting company that teaches racecar engineering and data acquisitions. Along with new equipment purchases in engine shop, the organization has acquired a seven-post rig (ride simulator). This equipment is extremely valuable in acquiring data due to the lack of actual track testing opportunities permitted by NASCAR during the season.(Business Wire)(12-21-2006)
Kenny Lee Wallace to carry JEGS Banner into NASCAR arena: JEGS Automotive, Inc is taking a big step into the NASCAR arena by signing colorful driver and television personality Kenny Wallace as a company spokesman. Wallace will carry the familiar yellow and black JEGS logo onto Speed TV's highly-rated NASCAR Raceday prerace and NASCAR Victory Lane shows, the JEGS colors will also be on the #78 Furniture Row Nextel Cup car and will brand his Late Model and Modified Stock Cars with prominent JEGS signage. Wallace will add a JEGS logo to all the items in his on-air wardrobe and will campaign a JEGS Mail Order Late Model Stock Car at approximately 30 races on the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) tour. He will also promote JEGS with prominent signage on his St. Louis Cardinals-themed UMP Modified Stock Car racer.(JEGS PR)(11-22-2006)
Kenny Wallace plans to run full-time in Cup and Busch in 2007 UPDATE 2: From kennywallace.com: Note to Fans – “Howdy all, I would just like to let you all know that everything with Kenny Wallace is still great. I will drive the #78 car next year full time in Cup, the #22 next year full time in Busch and still do my normal SpeedTV duties. I will say the phone has been very busy today with offers of full time BGN [Busch] and Cup ride offers, but I am more then happy with my current teams and am glad I will be running a full season with each. Everything is good people! And thanks for everything, you are the best fans in racin. See you at the track!” AND "Andy O'Hara from PPC called me last night to inform me that AutoZone [Wallace's Busch Series sponsor] will not be returning next year on any race car full time. AutoZone felt that it was best if their advertising budget was best spent on commercial spots instead of on a race car."(kennywallace.com)(8-16-2006)
UPDATE: Wallace and crew chief Joe Garone announced on SPEED's NASCAR Live that Wallace has signed with the #78 Furniture Row team for two years to run full-time in Nextel Cup starting in 2007.(10-21-2006)
UPDATE 2: Furniture Row Racing announced that NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will be driving for Furniture Row Racing’s Nextel Cup program for two consecutive seasons commencing in 2007. Wallace will fulfill his Busch series commitment with ppc Racing at the conclusion of the 2006 season. He will shift his focus to the Furniture Row Cup program to assist with growth and development for the next two years.(
businesswire.com)(10-22-2006)
Papis [not Said] testing the #78 at Kentucky: Before heading to Dover, the #78 Furniture Row team will test this week in Kentucky, with driver Max Papis filling in for regular driver Kenny Wallace.(Rocky Mountain News)(9-21-2006)
Papis to make Cup debut in #78 at Watkins Glen: Open-wheel veteran Max Papis will make his Nextel Cup debut at Watkins Glen for the #78 Furniture Row Motorsports team, driving the #78 Furniture Row Chevy. Kenny Wallace is the regular driver, and Jimmy Spencer has made a few attempts in the car.(Furniture Row Racing site)(7-29-2006)
Papis hopes to run races at Watkins Glen; during Speed Channel's coverage of the IROC race at Daytona,
Jeff Hammond mentioned that road racer Max Papis is looking to run the Busch North and Busch Series races at Watkins Glen and could be in the #78 Furniture Row Chevy that Kenny Wallace normally drives, in the Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen in August.(6-30-2006)
Fellows in the #32 at Infineon Raceway, and Watkins Glen UPDATE: A brand new NASCAR Nextel Cup chassis built by world famous racing engineering firm Pratt and Miller should provide Ron Fellows with renewed hope to earn his first victory in stock car's top series next month in California. Fellows tested the much heralded chassis -- one he will use in his attempt to win the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway June 25 in the #32 PPI Motorsports Chevy -- at Virginia International Raceway yesterday. Fellows has a long and hugely successful history with Pratt and Miller who have prepared his winning #3 Corvettes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours at Daytona and for his three American Le Mans Series GT1 championships. Even though it was his first time in the new car yesterday, Fellows already was confident it will fare much better than the car he had in 2005 at Infineon when he earned a top-10 finish. A big part of Fellows' hopes for the #32 Chevrolet this time around is that Pratt and Miller purpose built the car with him in mind. But it was on the track where Fellows saw a huge improvement over many of his previous Cup cars. Nextel Cup points leader #48-Jimmy Johnson -- who Pratt and Miller also built a road course chassis for -- was at VIR yesterday with Fellows. "We compared very favourably with Jimmy's speeds," Fellows said. "That's really good to have that kind of benchmark." Fellows said the car still has some handling issues but he is confident the team will work them out before the Infineon race. "At Infineon you need a car that is really good in the turns," he said. "We are sure we will be able to get this car to unload near perfect next month." He said he was sharing information with the #48 team and in return was able to gauge his progress off of another Hendrick Motorsports team -- the #25 Chevrolet of Brian Vickers -- who was running an in-house chassis. Fellows hopes to get on another round of tests for team owner Cal Wells after the Infineon race to prepare for Nextel Cup's second road course event in August at Watkins Glen.(Toronto Sun), Travis Kavpil is the regular driver of the #32 PPI Motorsports Chevy. but the team is mired outside the top-35 in owners points.(5-17-2006)
UPDATE: PPI Motorsports (PPIM) announced today that road course expert Ron Fellows will once again drive the #32 Tide/Downy Chevy in the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway on June 25. As for the team’s full-time driver Travis Kvapil, he will take over the reigns of the #78 Furniture Row Chevy for Kenny Wallace who has a Busch Series commitment. Both drivers will be racing identically prepared chassis built by Pratt and Miller Engineering and Fabrication … the same company responsible for the highly successful Corvette Racing program and its domination of the American Le Mans Series for which Fellows is a driver. So far, Kvapil and Fellows have participated in three days of testing at Virginia International Raceway (May 16, 30 & 31) with another test scheduled with Kvapil going solo since Fellows is in France participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans festivities and race.(PPI Motorsports Site)(6-1-2006)
#61 Team Sold? UPDATE: hearing that #61 team owner, Jeff Stec has sold the #61 Peak Fitness Motorsports team that Kevin Lepage drivers for the Furniture Row Motorsports, the team that #78-Kenny Wallace drives for. Unclear if it will become a two-car team or merged into the current one car operation. The #61 runs Fords while the #78 runs Chevy's.
UPDATE: looks like my sources were a little confused as to what team, it is Front Row Motorsports [not Furniture Row Motorsports].......Front Row Motor Sports owner Bob Jenkins, and Jeff Stec have formed a limited partnership to campaign the #61 Ford Fusion for the remainder of the 2006 NASCAR season. Greg Conner and the balance of the #61 team members will be integrated into the Front Row Motorsports organization beginning this week with the running of the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Kevin Lepage will continue to drive the #61 car. “The #61 team has gotten off to a good start this year by making 6 of the first 8 races. By combining resources and sharing knowledge, we are confident that we can improve each of our teams,” states Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. “We are looking to upgrade both our qualifying and race day efforts. We are excited about the opportunities this presents our team and the advantages we can gain by working together.”(Front Row Motorsports PR)(4-27-2006)
Kenny Wallace to Drive National Day of Prayer Car Talladega: Kenny Wallace is scheduled to drive the National Day of Prayer car #78 sponsored by Furniture Row for the Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America when the Continental Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a day of prayer in 1775. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May. For more information visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org. In commemoration of the day, which falls on Thursday, May 4th, the #78 Furniture Row Chevy Monte Carlo CUP car will feature a new red, white and blue paint scheme showcasing the National Day of Prayer logo for Talladega on April 30. For more information on the team, please visit furniturerowracing.com or for Wallace, see Kennywallace.com.(PR), see an image of the scheme on my #78 Team Schemes page.(4-26-2006)
Spencer to run #78 at Pocono: on Speed Channel's Victory Lane, Kenny Wallace said that Jimmy Spencer will drive the #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevy at Pocono and Michigan in June, as Wallace will be driving the Busch race in Nashville and Kentucky.(4-23-2006)
#78 gets help from the Benchwarmers: The Benchwarmers, the new comedy from Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo’s Happy Madison Productions and Revolution Studios, will serve as an associate sponsor of the #78 Furniture Row Chevy and driver Kenny Wallace at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which will feature the title of the film on the car’s hood. The Benchwarmers, which will be released nationwide by Columbia Pictures on April 7, tells the story of three underdogs (Rob Schneider, David Spade and Jon Heder), once benchwarmers themselves, who form a three-man baseball team to challenge a full squad of elementary school baseball bullies. Their success leads to a high-stakes, winner-take-all game with the best kids in the state where, if they win, they will become an inspiration for every kid who has ever been a benchwarmer. Kenny Wallace will have to speed his way into the Golden Corral 500 by being one of the fastest cars during Friday night’s Qualifying. Expressing the reasoning behind the sponsorship, producer Jack Giarraputo said, “It would be easy to come in and pick one of the top teams to advertise our movie, but that would go against everything the movie’s about. We wanted to show support for one of the underdogs.” The three stars of The Benchwarmers, Rob Schneider, David Spade and Jon Heder, will be on hand to lend their moral support to #78 to overcome the odds, as they will also serve as Grand Marshals of the Golden Corral 500.(Furniture Row Racing PR)(3-16-2006)
#32 and #78 to share resources: Nextel Cup's #78 Furniture Row Racing of Denver has joined forces with North Carolina-based PPI Motorsports. The single-car teams agreed to share resources and manpower, according to Furniture Row backup driver Jerry Robertson of Arvada [CO]. Robertson, who might replace veteran driver Kenny Wallace in the #78 Chevrolet later in the season, will become teammates with PPI driver Travis Kvapil, who drives the #32 Tide-sponsored Chevy.(Denver Post)(3-6-2006)
#78 team plans to run full schedule: #78 Furniture Row Racing, one of the few sponsor owned Nextel Cup teams, is scheduled to run 36 Nextel Cup races with Kenny Wallac and Jerry Robertson driving. Wallace is committed to run the first 5 Cup races of the season for Furniture Row Racing. Kenny Wallace states, "Furniture Row Racing has the resources, Joe Garone has the knowledge, and I'm very excited to help this new team get started." Robertson's explains, "To race in Cup is my ultimate dream. We've got a year under our belts in the Busch Series, and the team is working very hard to get competitive for Cup. Everybody's really excited." Owner Barney Visser says, “Our original 2005 NCS [Cup] plans were based on Kenny's NBS [Busch] sponsor commitment and scheduling. Our intention of running Kenny in 15 NCS races and the remainder with Jerry did not fully pan out, but it was a year of tremendous growth. Now, in 2006, Kenny has been approved to run as many races as possible, without interfering with his NBS commitment. This has put Jerry in a pinch hitter position for Cup. We are actively pursuing any top NBS teams that may be interested in having Jerry drive for them, with Furniture Row Racing supplying race engines, sponsorship, and technology. This will keep Jerry behind the wheel in the NBS while Kenny is racing in his select cup races.” Crew Chief is NASCAR vet Joe Garone. The Furniture Row Racing is Based in Denver, Colorado. Furniture Row operates more than 270 stores, in 30 states nationwide.(Furniture Row Racing site)(1-12-2006)
2005 News
Kenny Wallace to run some Cup races in 2006: Kenny Wallace says that he will run several Nextel Cup races in 2006. “I am going to run for sure the first five races of year in the #78 Furniture Row Racing Cup car. (Team owner) Joe Garone has asked me to run as many Cup races as I can this year. Furniture Row Racing had decided to quit running in the NASCAR Busch Series, and they will put all their effort into a Cup team. It is their decision to do this.”(Kenny Wallace site)(12-17-2005)
#78 Crew Chief Fined: NASCAR announced today that Joe Garone, crew chief for the No. 78 Chevrolet driven by Kenny Wallace in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, has been fined $1,000 for an infraction during last weekend’s event at Dover International Speedway. Garone was fined for an unapproved fuel cell recessed well, a violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-U (unapproved fuel cell container) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rule book. There were false panels inside the recessed well.(NASCAR PR)(9-27-2005)
Furniture Row Racing to make Cup debut at Dover: Furniture Row Racing will debut their #78 Chevy at the Dover International Speedway on September 25. T he newly formed stand-alone NEXTEL Cup team has signed veteran driver Kenny Wallace to a five-race deal headed up by team manger Joe Garone. "We’ll be testing before every race to make sure the car is competitive, so we do this CUP deal right,” explains Wallace. Based in Denver, Colorado Furniture Row Racing is the NEXTEL Cup Series newest team, formed and sponsored by Furniture Row Companies [furniturerow.com]. The company also sponsors the #78 car in the Busch Series driven by Jerry Robertson. Furniture Row Companies is the fourth largest family-owned specialty home furnishings and bedding retailer. The company is comprised of five specialty store brands including: Oak Express, Sofa Mart, Bedroom Expressions, Denver Mattress Company and Furniture Row Outlets. Furniture Row operates more than 250 stores nationwide; the company is among the "Top 15" national furniture retailers.(Furniture Row Racing site), no mention of Andy Petree being part of this team.(9-22-2005)
Kenny Wallace to a new team? MORE: during Speed Channel's Inside Nextel Cup show, Kenny Wallace mentioned he would be driving some races for Joe Garone and Furniture Row Racing in some Cup races this year, that is why Johnny Benson will drive Michael Waltrip's #00 State Fair Corn Dogs Chevy at Michigan this weekend. Furniture Row Racing is running a limited Busch Series schedule in 2005 with Jerry Robertson and is based in Colorado. Supposedly Wallace's first race with the team will be at Dover International Speedway in September. Also hearing championship crew chief and former winning team owner Andy Petree will be the crew chief for Wallace.(8-16-2005)
UPDATE: Kenny Wallace will not be driving the #00 MWR car in the Michigan Nextel Cup race. The Reason is the #00 for Michigan has been outsourced to BDR [Bill Davis Racing]. BDR will use it's complete #23 car team and driver (truck series driver Johnny Benson) to run the race. This does not effect the rest of the year or the relationship with MWR.(Kenny Wallace site)(8-17-2005)