March 16 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history

March 16, 2010

• Spoiler/Tire test news from Talladega: Twenty-four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams assembled Tuesday at Talladega Superspeedway in an R&D test session that was used to confirm that the gear ratio was compatible with the restrictor plate size for next month’s running of the Aaron’s 499. The cars ran with the spoiler on the rear of the cars, as NASCAR announced in January that it was going to transition from the wing to the traditional spoiler sometime during the first quarter of this season. Teams started the day with a 1 1/32-inch sized restrictor plate. For the majority of the morning session, the teams participated in single-car runs over the 2.66-mile superspeedway. However, five cars hooked up for some drafting shortly before the lunch break and the speeds picked up a bit, with #48-Jimmie Johnson putting up the quickest speed of 196.467 mph. Teams began drafting in earnest after lunch. The plate size went down to 31/32” and the teams adjusted the size of their rear spoilers in order to find that happy medium between high speeds and handling. Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition, was pleased with how the adjustments went during the afternoon practice. “We saw that the closure rates were a little too quick in the initial drafting session after lunch,” said Pemberton. “So, we had the teams make some adjustments, including going down on the plate size and trimming the spoiler back some. We believe we came away here today with a good starting point and are looking forward to coming back here next month with a great race.” More than 1,500 fans participated in a Fan Q&A session during the lunch break. Sitting in the track’s newly renovated grandstands on the frontstretch, the fans heard from drivers #2-Kurt Busch and #31-Jeff Burton, along with NASCAR Managing Director of Competition John Darby. Some of the fans were seen waiting in line outside the gates as early as 6 a.m. Tuesday. NASCAR also has a test planned next week – March 23-24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway – for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams to test the spoiler on a 1.5-mile race track.(NASCAR)(3-16-2010)
• Gordon and wife having a boy: from NASCAR’s weekly teleconference with #24-Jeff Gordon
  JOSH HAMILTON: Before we get into this test, could you talk to us about the off weekend and how you spent the last week.
  JEFF GORDON: We stayed at home, which was really nice for a change. Normally we’re always going somewhere. We had some exciting news during the off week that we announced on JeffGordon.com that we’re going to have a boy. So that was certainly great news to find out over our off week. Other than that, it was nice and relaxing, opportunity to get some things around the house.
  Q. Jeff, I have a baby question. I was wondering if you were secretly rooting for a boy? Not to discredit Ella and any potential talent she has, but what are your thoughts now that you are having a boy on potentially raising a racer?
  JEFF GORDON: Haven’t even thought about it. I think we’re going to approach it the same way we do with Ella. There’s no doubt we were rooting for a boy. I think for us, you know, the ultimate would be to have a boy and a girl. We want two. We want both. But the most important thing is just for a healthy baby. So we were gonna be totally content and fine and stop at two no matter what, even if it was a girl. But as far as from whatever it is that is going to be their passion in life, I want to support them in whatever that may be. If it’s racing, that’s great. I’ll support either one of them. You know, but we’re just gonna try to present as many opportunities as we possibly can and see if there’s something that they’re really truly passionate about, interested in. Kind of do it the same way I feel my parents did with me. You know, I don’t think they thought I was going to be a racecar driver when I was born. I think that they were just interested in trying to pursue opportunities with their children and find their passion. For me, I was fortunate that I got introduced to racing and loved it right away.(GM/Chevy Racing)(3-16-2010)
• Gibbs to be named to Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame: Joe Gibbs will be the latest motorsports icon inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame. Gibbs, who owns three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships (2000, ’02, ’05) as owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, will be honored Friday, April 16, during the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Gala held in the Speedway Club’s Grand Ballroom at Texas Motor Speedway during the Samsung Mobile 500 race weekend. Along with Gibbs’ induction, Texas Motor Speedway and Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas Chapter will help recognize other outstanding individuals in motorsports – renown Sprint Cup Series team owner and engine builder Robert Yates, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, JTG-Daugherty, Marcos Ambrose, veteran motorsports reporter John Sturbin – as well as recognize the top moment from the 2009 season at “The Great American Speedway!” Gibbs will become the 12th member of the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame, joining previous inductees A.J. Foyt (2003), Johnny Rutherford (2003), Terry Labonte (2004), Lee Shepherd (2004), Kenny Bernstein (2005), Jim Hall (2005), Eddie Hill (2006), Mark Martin (2007), Jim McElreath (2007), Bobby Labonte (2008) and Bruton Smith (2008). With his induction, Gibbs becomes the first Sprint Cup Series team owner to earn a spot in the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame. Gibbs has established one of the premier organizations in motorsports since opening the doors to Joe Gibbs Racing in 1992. He has won four championships in NASCAR competition (three Sprint Cup Series, one Nationwide Series), with his most recent coming last year as Busch was crowned Nationwide Series champion. Gibbs’ most dominate driver at Texas Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch, will be honored as this year’s Texas Motor Speedway Racer of the Year. Yates, veteran team owner of Robert Yates Racing and accomplished NASCAR engine builder, will be recognized as this year’s Bruton Smith Legend Award recipient. Ambrose and Gordon will both receive the Texas Motor Speedway Sportsmanship Award. The newest award, the Excellence in Motorsports Journalism Award, will be awarded to Sturbin. He has covered motorsports for more than 35 years, most notably with
  the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and currently for RacinToday.com. His work has been recognized by those in the industry as he received the prestigious Bloys Britt Award, as judged by The Associated Press, for a feature on Indy-car icon A.J. Foyt and his rehabilitation from devastating foot and leg injuries.A new twist this year will allow fans to take part in the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame ceremony as they will vote on Texas Motor Speedway’s top moment from the 2009 season in the Fan Choice Award presented by 1310 The Ticket. Gordon’s first victory at Texas Motor Speedway; Helio Castroneves’ record-tying third career IndyCar Series win in June’s Bombardier Learjet 550k; and Jimmie Johnson’s early-lap wreck in the Dickies 500 that changed the complexion of the championship race at the time are the three moments being featured. Fans can vote at www.texasmotorspeedway.com to decide the winner and one lucky fan will have the opportunity to announce the winner and present the award during the festivities.The Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame, located in the outdoor atrium adjacent to The Speedway Club, is open year round and free to the public. The Hall of Fame atrium
  features pedestals of the inductees, including their career highlights. The Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Gala benefits Speedway Children’s Charities-
  Texas Chapter. A VIP reception hosted by previous Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees will take place prior to the awards ceremony beginning at 6:30pm/ct on the ninth floor in the Grand Ballroom.(TMS)(3-16-2010)
• Racing Electronics becomes the Official Radio Communications Supplier for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Fresh off announcing their new role as the Official Radio Communications Provider for the Indy Racing League earlier this week, Racing Electronics [longtome Jayski.com sponsor] has also announced that they have entered into a multi-year agreement with Indianapolis Motor Speedway to become the Official Radio Communications Supplier of IMS, the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, Indianapolis GP and all other racing events held the historic Indiana racing facility. The partnership between Racing Electronics and Indianapolis Motor Speedway brings together the leader in professional racing products worldwide and the most recognizable racing facility in the world. RE’s Team Services personnel will be in attendance for the most prestigious racing events in the world held annually at “The Brickyard,” including the Indianapolis 500 IZOD IndyCar Series event and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ Brickyard 400. RE’s fan sales and rental units will also be available at the track for fans to rent or purchase communications products such as scanners, headsets and other two-way communications materials. Racing Electronics manufactures and supplies a complete line of race communication products and accessories and has been serving the professional drivers and pit crews, as well as the race fan, for more than 20 years. In addition to its worldwide headquarters and full showroom in Concord, North Carolina, In addition to being the Official Radio Communications Provider for the Indy Racing League, Racing Electronics has mobile offices at all NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series events, along with all NHRA races and short-track events throughout the United States,(Racing Electronics)(3-16-2010)
• Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2010 Kobalt Tools 500: For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, or wonder how often your driver was focused on, here is the breakdown for last Sunday’s race. Fox was the broadcast team for this event.Total number of commercials: 104Total number of companies or entities advertised: 57Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 43Start time to record race/commercial periods: 1:00 PMEnd time to record race/commercial periods: 5:17 PMTotal minutes: 257Minutes of race broadcast: 201Minutes of commercials: 56Number of missed restarts: 0Number of ‘mystery cautions’ (debris not shown): 3Animated Digger shots: 10Still Digger shots: 0Total race brdcst time 201 Total comm. brdcst time 56see more on my 2010 Commercials page.(3-16-2010)
• Sad News – Peggy Sappenfield: Peggy Sappenfield, wife of NASCAR Scorer Earl Sappenfield passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2010 after a courageous struggle with lung disease. She was 75 years of age. She was born in Winston Salem, NC. She married Earl Sappenfield in 1955 and they have been married for 54 years. They have lived in Jacksonville for 48 years. Peggy retired from the Duval County School Board Food Service where she worked at Sandalwood High School Cafeteria for 20 years. She is preceded in death by three sisters Ruby Page, Elise Thompson and Helen Williard. She is survived by her husband Earl Sappenfield, daughter and son in law, Marsha (Lee) Pruitt, one grandson, Marty, two sisters Martha (JC) Redmon and Francis (Bobby) Barlow. She is also survived by two special sister in laws Violet Kimmer and Earline Burton. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Hardage- Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home on 850 St. John’s Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL (904-641-9755). Services will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11:00am at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home located at St. John’s Bluff Road North.(Jacksonville Times Union)(3-16-2010)
• Stremme in the #26 at Bristol? UPDATE: NASCAR’s entry list for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway lists David Stremme in the #26 for Latitude 43 Motorsports. Boris Said had driven the first four races, but has never made a start at Bristol.(3-15-2010)UPDATE: Vermont-based Latitude 43 Motorsports will see its first-ever driver change as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hits Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. David Stremme, a veteran of 108 NSCS starts, will take over for Boris Said at the controls of the #26 Ford for Latitude 43 at the Food City 500. The Food City 500 is the fifth race of the season, and Jenkins sits 37th in owner points, just 24 points out of 35th place; after Bristol, all cars outside the top-35 will have to qualify on speed during time trials without the benefit of a provisional. South Bend, Ind., native Stremme, an accomplished short track racer, has been tabbed to drive the car at the treacherous Bristol half-mile. The change, says Jenkins, was Said’s idea. “Boris came to me last week and said he thought we needed a different driver for Bristol,” Jenkins told Vermont Motorsports Magazine. “Boris is as big a part of this team as anyone, and I can’t thank him enough for his willingness to help the whole program. We need to put all of our chips on the table at Bristol, and we need to come out of there strong and inside the top-35. Boris thought putting Stremme in the car was the right move, and I stand behind his decision.” Stremme has been idle in NASCAR’s three national series since being released from Penske Racing’s #12 NSCS Dodge last November. Said has a best finish of 25th in the season-opening Daytona 500. In 39 career Sprint Cup starts, Said has only raced once at a track shorter than 1.5 miles in length, at Loudon, N.H., in 2007.(Vermont Motorsports Magazine)(3-16-2010)
• More about spoiler testing at Talladega TODAY: Cup Series teams will assemble on Tuesday, March 16 for an important early-season test at Talladega Superspeedway. Approximately 24 teams are expected to participate in the one-day session, which will target a number of mechanical options in advance of the Aaron’s 499 on April 25 at Talladega. Cup officials will analyze the data gleaned — along with teams’ input — and later make several decisions for the Aaron’s 499. Teams also will test spoilers, which will replace the current wings on the backs of cars. No timetable has been set for the wing-to-spoiler move. “It’s a confirmation test for restrictor plates and gearing, and an opportunity for teams to work on their handling packages as we transition to the spoiler,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition. Rule changes, announced on Jan. 21, are the impetus behind the test. Cup Series teams used larger carburetor restrictor-plate openings in the 2010 Daytona 500 and larger plate openings are expected for the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. At 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR mandated openings of 63/64-inch — the largest since the one-inch mandate in 1988, the first year the horsepower-reducing plates were used in Cup competition at Daytona. Each plate contains four openings, which restrict air flow to the engine, thus slowing stock cars. Larger openings mean more air, and more horsepower. The switch from wing to spoiler also was a rule change. The wing replaced the traditional stock-car spoiler on NASCAR’s new car, now in its third full-time season. Returning to the spoiler means on-track testing, and another series test — Tuesday, March 23 and Wednesday, March 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway — will be devoted solely to spoiler work.
  Both the Charlotte and Talladega tests are exceptions to the current testing policy. For the second consecutive season, Cup, Nationwide and Truck teams may not test at facilities that host national-series events. This year, teams may test at tracks that host regional touring series events, but not national series events. Tuesday’s Talladega session begins at 10:00am and runs until 6:00pm with an hour lunch break. Fans are welcome to attend, with free admission. The track’s Gadsden and Lincoln grandstands will be open, with parking lots behind those grandstands opening at 9:30am. Grandstand gates open at 9:45 am. See some nice images of the spoiler at Joe Gibbs Racing’s site.(3-16-2010)
• Roush gets 400th win: Jack Roush Sr. celebrated his 400th all-time win last weekend when his son, Jack Roush Jr., and co-driver Billy Johnson won the Homestead 200 (Grand Sport Class) at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(Ford Racing)(3-16-2010)
• Spoiler test at Talladega on Tuesday: TODAY: Sprint Cup Series teams will assemble on Tuesday, March 16 for an important early-season test at Talladega Superspeedway. Approximately 24 teams are expected to participate in the one-day session, which will target a number of mechanical options in advance of the Aaron’s 499 on Sunday, April 25 at Talladega. NASCAR Sprint Cup officials will analyze the data gleaned – along with teams’ input – and later make several key decisions for the Aaron’s 499. Teams also will test spoilers, which will replace the current wings on the backs of cars. No timetable has been set for the wing-to-spoiler move. Rule changes, announced on Jan. 21, are the impetus behind the test. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams used larger carburetor restrictor-plate openings in the 2010 Daytona 500 and larger plate openings are expected for the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. The switch from wing to spoiler also was a rule change. The wing replaced the traditional stock-car spoiler on NASCAR’s new car, now in its third fulltime season. Returning to the spoiler means on-track testing, and another series test – Tuesday, March 23 and Wednesday, March 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway – will be devoted solely to spoiler work. Both the Charlotte and Talladega tests are exceptions to the current testing policy. Next Tuesday’s Talladega session begins at 9 a.m. CT and runs until 5 p.m. CT with a noon-1 p.m. lunch break. Fans are welcome to attend, with free admission. The track’s Gadsden and Lincoln grandstands only will be open, with parking lots behind those grandstands opening at 8:30 a.m. Grandstand gates open at 8:45 a.m. Grandstands close at 5:15 p.m.(NASCAR PR)According to the Talladega Speedway Facebook page , the following teams are currently confirmed for the test (some teams may use test drivers): #00-Reutimann, #5-Martin, #11-Hamlin, #14-Stewart, #17-Kenseth, #18-Gilliland [testing for Busch], #20-Logano, #24-Gordon, #29-Harvick, #31-Burton, #39-Newman, #48-Johnson, #56-Truex, Jr., #66-Blaney, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., and a Roush R&D team.(3-12-2010)UDPATE: NASCAR will use restrictor plates with larger holes than they have used in the past at Talladega Superspeedway Tuesday as its Sprint Cup teams test the new spoiler that is expected to replace the rear wing in a few weeks. The test will not only help teams figure out setups for the new spoiler but help NASCAR evaluate which restrictor plate to use with the new configuration. The test Tuesday is the first open test for Sprint Cup teams with the spoiler, and they likely will start with a restrictor plate with holes of 1-1/32 inches (66/64ths) – 7/64ths of an inch more than the plates used last October and 3/64ths larger than the plate used for this year’s Daytona 500. The spoiler is expected to replace the wing starting with the March 28 race at Martinsville Speedway, although NASCAR has not announced a firm start date yet. The spoiler will definitely be in use, however, for the April 25 race at Talladega. Most teams are expected to attend the test. But not all teams are going as Richard Petty Motorsports is only sending Paul Menard and Roush Fenway Racing is only sending Matt Kenseth and David Ragan. Teams will fabricate their own spoilers for the test, but NASCAR will end up issuing teams the spoilers for the races. Richardson Racing Products will be making the spoilers and they should be ready for the March 23-24 test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darby said. In addition to replacing the wing with the spoiler, the rear quarter panel of the cars will be extended by four inches from the front edge, leaving only seven inches instead of 11 between the ground and the front edge of the rear quarter panel.(Scene Daily)(3-16-2010)
• Drivers could face legal troubles over intentional contact: If NASCAR drivers are going to retaliate against their fellow competitors, they might get more than three weeks probation because of it. They could find themselves in trouble with the law. Drivers should be aware that if they intentionally wreck another driver and someone is injured, they could face criminal penalties, according to Winston-Salem, N.C., attorney John Morrow, whose firm has represented Richard Childress Racing. Whether the charges would stick and whether those injured could successfully bring civil claims against the driver is a matter of debate, according to lawyers and educators who follow sports law. While race fans and fellow drivers might be hesitant to file lawsuits against a driver, a local prosecutor in the spotlight would face outside pressures and influences on whether to charge a race-car driver. William Bray, a Charlotte attorney who has taught sports law classes at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, said if Keselowski had been injured and tried to sue Edwards, the Roush Fenway Racing driver would need to be found to be reckless and not just simply negligent. By competing in NASCAR, a driver consents to a level of contact, much like a boxer in the ring, Bray said. Bray said a driver would be more susceptible to a lawsuit for intentional contact if the driver was coming out of the pits and directly T-boned another driver rather than a push or nudge on the track that leads to injury or death.(Scene Daily)(3-16-2010)
• Bristol has largest seating capacity of SMI tracks: Bristol Motor Speedway has the largest grandstand capacity of any of the Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks, according to the company’s annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bristol’s seating capacity remained at 158,0000. Texas Motor Speedway, which was also at 158,000, now stands at 137,000 seats (not including the infield) after the removal of 21,000 seats. Charlotte Motor Speedway also has cut seats from 156,000 to 146,000. Six of the SMI tracks have the same seating capacity as a year ago: Bristol, Las Vegas (131,000), Atlanta (101,000), New Hampshire (96,000), Kentucky (69,000) and Infineon (47,000). Bristol ranks third among all NASCAR Sprint Cup tracks in seating capacity, behind Indianapolis (approximately 250,000) and Daytona (159,000).(Scene Daily)(3-16-2010)
• Charlotte Motor Speedway Opens Sprint Cup Series Test to Fans: Fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite drivers in action at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time in 2010 during Sprint Cup Series testing March 23-24. The test will be held for the new spoiler that will soon replace the rear wing on the current Sprint Cup Series car. Ticket holders to any 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway including the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 22, the Coca-Cola 600 on May 30 and the NASCAR Banking 500 on Oct. 16, will be granted special access to watch testing from the infield. The VIP seating area located behind pit road near Victory Circle will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Ticket holders will also have the opportunity to take part in a question and answer forum with available drivers; meet Miss Sprint Cup during an autograph session in Victory Circle; and take their picture with the Charlotte Motor Speedway show car. Concessions and souvenirs will be available in the infield.(CMS PR)(3-16-2010)
• Sorenson making 2010 debut: Reed Sorenson has been patiently waiting this season to take the wheel of the #32 Dollar General Toyota. This weekend’s Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway will be his first NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race in 2010. Sorenson drove the #32 car in two races in 2009, finishing second (Gateway, July) and third (Phoenix, Nov.).(Braun Racing PR)(3-16-2010)
• Food City on the #24: For a second consecutive year Food City will adorn the quarter- panels on McClure’s #24 Hefty Odor Block Ford, serving as a co-primary sponsor during both events at BMS. Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores operates 99 food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of Southwest Virginia, Southeast Kentucky and Northeast Tennessee.(McClure PR)(3-16-2010)
• Hermie Sadler first 2010 start at Martinsville UPDATE Sadler Foundation onboard: During the NASCAR Live SPEEDtv broadcast, Hermie Sadler announced he would be running a few truck races in 2010 to include Martinsville, Bristol, Charlotte and possibly Homestead.(3-5-2010)
  UPDATE: NASCAR on SPEED analyst Hermie Sadler will compete in the Kroger 250 on March 27 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. This will be the first of about 5 races Sadler, the 1993 Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year, plans to compete in during the 2010 season. Sadler’s #48, owned by Andy Hillenburg, will carry the colors of the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation courtesy of family friends Joe and Meagan Denette. The Sadler Foundation raises funds and awareness for autism. The green flag for the Kroger 250 falls at 1:30 pm. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit HermieSadler.com or SadlerFoundation.org.(Fast Track Racing PR)(3-16-2010)
• Benson to run Martinsville: UPDATE 2 Confirmed; Benson/Wallace next two Red Top to sponsor: According to a post by Johnny Benson’s sister Barb on the JB Message Board, Benson will be racing at Martinsville…press release with details to be released soon.(JohnnyBenson.com)(3-12-2010)
  UPDATE: Hearing that Johnny Benson will be driving the #15 for Billy Ballew Motorsports for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 27th.(3-12-2010)
  UPDATE 2: Red Top Auto Auction will continue its sponsorship of the #15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra for the next two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) events. The Cartersville, Ga.-based organization will pair with Johnny Benson for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 27, and with Steve Wallace for Nashville 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on April 2. Red Top Auto Auctions most recently sponsored Wallace’s Billy Ballew Motorsports-fielded entry in the Atlanta 200, which Wallace finished in fourth-place. Red Top Auto Auction is a subsidiary of Auction Broadcasting Company (ABC). ABC is a full service auto auction company offering transportation, full and partial reconditioning, telemarketing, in-house restaurants, world class auctioneers and ringman, on-line bidding capability, and managers that are car people.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(3-16-2010)

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