Jarrett comments on NH in Nov UPDATE 2 Helton comments: Dale Jarrett implored NASCAR to rethink its decision to race in New Hampshire on Nov. 23. “As good a tire as Goodyear makes, theres no way we can make that hard tire hook up on that track in that kind of cold weather,” Jarrett said. He also said he did not want to be away from home on Thanksgiving, calling it an important respite and a holiday that was meaningful to him. He proposed instead, that the New Hampshire race be held midweek between the events at Lowes Motor Speedway on Oct. 7 and Martinsville, Va., on Oct. 14. “Is there anyone who wants to go up there on Nov. 23?” he asked.(Gaston Gazette)(9-22-2001) UPDATE: NASCAR vice president for communications Jim Hunter said that NASCAR has no plans to reconsider its decision to run the New Hampshire 300, postponed from last weekend, on Nov. 23 – the day after Thanksgiving. “As much as I hate to miss Thanksgiving with my family, I plan to be in New Hampshire,” Hunter said. “We made that decision after thinking things through. We thought it was the best overall decision knowing that a lot of people are going to be inconvenienced.” Hunter said NASCAR would continue to look at its scheduling options and how it might be able to avoid a similar problem in the future. The final 20 races of the 2002 season, however, are scheduled for 20 consecutive weekends just as they were this year.(That’s Racin’)(9-22-2001) AND see a column at the Winston Salem Journal: NASCAR Mutiny? – Winston Cup teams are rebelling against new date for Loudon race and Practice? Winston Cup series director Gary Nelson he expects teams competing in the one-day season finale Nov. 23 at New Hampshire will be allowed some practice time earlier that morning. Several drivers have been critical of NASCAR’s decision to hold the race on Thanksgiving weekend, after postponing the event last weekend following terrorist attacks Sept. 11 in New York City and Washington(That’s Racin’)(9-23-2001) UPDATE 2: NASCAR President Mike Helton, growing tired of increasing criticism from race team members regarding the rescheduled New Hampshire race now planned for Thanksgiving weekend, tried to put the talk to rest during Sunday’s prerace driver and crew chief meeting. “We will be racing on Friday, Nov. 23 in New Hampshire,” Helton said sternly. “We had to make a decision and we are sticking to it.”(That’s Racin’)(9-24-2001)
