Lepage Clears a few things up: Published reports early in the week had Atwood fired from the Ultra/Evernham #7 Dodge, to be replaced by Lepage. Ultra/Evernham Motorsports spokesperson Amy Hunerberg spent most of the weekend emphatically denying those reports, however, insisting that Atwood’ job was secure through the end of the 2002 season. Atwood did drive the car Sunday, but sources behind the scenes continued to insist that negotiations were under way to remove Atwood from the car and replace him with Lepage, if a series of contractual issues could be resolved. Monday, Atwood showed up for a testing session at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as scheduled. However, he did not drive the #7 car. Instead, he wheeled Ray Evernham’ #91 research and development Dodge the car driven at Rockingham by Hank Parker Jr. That move prompted rumors that Atwood would move to the #91 for the final two races of the season, and Smith confirmed that move Tuesday. However, Smith tabbed his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver, Jason Leffler, to steer the now-vacant Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge, leaving Lepage without a ride once again. Monday, Lepage was tight-lipped about a possible return to the Winston Cup ranks, but admitted that he has spoken with Smith. Ive had some dialogue with Jim, and I drove the #7 car in practice at Atlanta a couple of weeks ago, he said. Theyre obviously having some problems over there, and they asked me to take the car out, see what I thought, and offer them some feedback. Basically, theyre just trying to figure out where the problems lie. Lepage’ test session, in which he ran 7/10ths of a second faster than Atwood, immediately set tongues a-wagging in the Winston Cup garage. The minute anyone climbs into someone else’ car, the Internet explodes, said Lepage. By the time I climbed out from behind the wheel, (Internet Web site) Jayski had Casey fired, and me taking over. That stuff takes on a life of its own. Lepage said he did not visit the Ultra/Evernham shop last week, as published reports have claimed. In his words, I drove their car for a few laps at Atlanta, and that’ it. The Shelburne driver admitted, however, that he would be interested in driving the Sirius Dodge, if the seat becomes available..(Times Argus)(11-7-2002)
