With NASCAR on a temporary hiatus, news is going to be slow in the coming weeks. To help fill the NASCAR void, we plan on taking you on a daily trip down memory lane spanning the years since the Jayski’s site inception. Using our news archives pages, here’s a look back at what’s happened on this date through the last 23 years in NASCAR:
This day in NASCAR history: March 19
Years we have pulled today’s main items from: 1998, 199, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018
To see everything from this date over previous years: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
Note: Many links on older stories don’t work. There’s not a lot of the same websites around anymore.
2018:
StarCom Racing and Jeffrey Earnhardt part ways UPDATE: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver, Jeffrey Earnhardt and StarCom Racing have decided to mutually part ways for the time being. Earnhardt, the fourth-generation driver, has piloted the No. 00 VRX Simulators Chevrolet for the first five MENCS events in 2018.(3-19-2018)
UPDATE: StarCom Racing is happy to announce it will head to Martinsville and Texas with a new sponsor and driver for the #00. Landon Cassill will field the USFRA Chevy Camaro.[More](3-19-2018)
2016:
Bees force NASCAR to abandon flag stand: There was a lot of buzz Friday at Auto Club Speedway. Literally. A swarm of bees invaded NASCAR’s flag stand Friday afternoon at the 2-mile oval, meaning Xfinity Series practice got underway with no green flag and no flag man. FOX Sports cameras zoomed in on a collection of bees – dozens, at least – clinging to a ledge in the flag stand. Obviously, NASCAR decided it was better to not have a flag man for practice than to expose any officials to needless stings (drivers can still hear about the track conditions from their team radio communications). After practice, a beekeeper arrived and sprayed some sort of liquid at the swarm — many of which fell in a bucket. But NASCAR spokesman Tom Bryant said there were remnants of “less than happy bees in the flag stand area” before Sprint Cup Series qualifying, which meant the flag man had to stand on an elevated platform near the start/finish line in order to wave the green. “We anticipate no problems with this situation tomorrow or at any other point in the weekend,” Bryant said.(USA Today)(3-19-2016)
2014:
Vickers bringing awareness to blot clots with special scheme: Brian Vickers has overcome blood clots twice in his life. He’s taking steps to make sure others are just as fortunate. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver will pilot the #55 TREATMYCLOT.com Aaron’s Toyota in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway. He’ll also kickoff 
Blood Clot Awareness Month with Janssen to enhance the public’s understanding about the problem that twice sidelined his racing career. Vickers missed most of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season recovering from blood clots in his legs and around his lungs. He returned to competition in 2011 and earned his third career victory driving the Aaron’s Dream Machine in July 2013. In October, the discovery of a blood clot in his right calf, after wearing a walking boot, sidelined him for the final four races. He’s returned full-time in 2014 on a mission to win races and help race fans know the warning signs and treatment for blood clots. Brian Vickers: “I want people to be mindful of what the signs and symptoms are. Visit www.TREATMYCLOT.COM to learn about the warning signs and if you experience any of the signs or symptoms talk to your doctor. That’s the best thing to do. I’m always mindful and take precautions. When you’re taking long flights, you stand up and you walk around. That’s not just for me, everyone should do that. Obviously I keep an eye out for signs and symptoms, but my last incident was a provoked incident. I had to wear an ankle brace for a month, which is known to create clots. In those situations in the future, I will be more mindful and probably more careful and maybe try to get ahead of it. Other than that I just live my life and go racing.”(Michael Waltrip Racing), see an image of the car on the #55 team paint schemes page.(3-19-2014)
Check out all of the 2014 Cup Series paint schemes
Auto Club Speedway adds SAFER barrier: When #11-Denny Hamlin returns to Auto Club Speedway this week, he’ll find more of the SAFER barrier in the area where he crashed last year. The Southern California facility has added an additional 1,000 feet of the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction barrier inside Turn 4, according to a track spokesman. The change was made in September, six months after Hamlin sustained a broken back vertebra after crashing into an unprotected area of the wall in the track’s Sprint Cup Series event last March. In the wake of the accident, NASCAR officials said experts would reevaluate that section of the wall and recommend changes if necessary. SAFER barriers are typically first installed along the parts of track walls where impacts are most likely to occur, but it’s not uncommon for the barriers to be added or altered in reaction to accidents. A Jeff Gordon hit at Las Vegas, an Elliott Sadler incident at Pocono and a Jeff Fuller accident at Kentucky each resulted in changes being made to walls or barriers at those facilities.(NASCAR.com)(3-19-2014)
2011:
Some Bristol schemes added to the Paint Scheme Gallery including: #’s 09, 7, 9, 24, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42, 46, 47, 60, 66, 71, 87, 88, 92 & 99
Check out all of the 2011 Cup Series paint schemes
2009:
JR Motorsports headed to Cup? On the surface the announcement that Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Mark Martin and Scott Wimmer would share a 21-race schedule for JR Mortorsports in the Nationwide Series was all about luring sponsorship. Not really. JR Motorsports announced on January 16th that Fastenal would be the primary sponsor for the No. 5 for 14 races before the driver lineup was nailed down. But having five drivers with 91 career Nationwide victories and a pair of titles doesn’t hurt during tough economic times when sponsorship, particularly outside of NASCAR’s primary series, is hard to find. It’s also good for the series, which needs top Sprint Cup drivers to attract fans. Success in the series also could fast-forward JR Motorsports transitioning to a Cup team. Earnhardt said last season that with costs the way they are it makes sense to consider such a move if he can find the right sponsor and drive combination. He’s said little about it since, and for now he’s focused on the Nationwide program. “This #5 team carries a strong tradition and a lot of expectations and we are fortunate to attract such quality talent to help carry on that tradition,” Earnhardt said. “We had a similar setup with this team last year and we were able to go to Victory Lane twice. Obviously with this driver lineup there’s no reason we can’t exceed last year’s win total.”(ESPN.com)(3-19-2009)
2008:
Dale Jarrett will finally “race” the UPS truck: Dale Jarrett will finally “race” the truck and Lowe’s Motor Speedway is offering a special two-day ticket package for just $44 so fans can be on hand Saturday night, May 17, when Jarrett’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered Tour” culminates at the Sprint All-Star Race. Those are just two of several events and promotions that officials from UPS and Lowe’s Motor Speedway announced Wednesday in preparation for the 1999 Sprint Cup champion’s final career start. Jarrett unveiled the #44 UPS Toyota Camry he will drive in the Sprint All-Star Race which features a special paint scheme that pays tribute to several of the North Carolina native’s career accomplishments. The unveiling marked the first time Jarrett viewed the metallic-gold design which unites the past with the present. The car displays design elements from both Jarrett’s current #44 UPS Camry as well as the #88 Quality Care entry that he drove during the 1999 championship season.
But, before Jarrett straps into the #44 UPS Toyota Camry for the final time, he’ll do something fans have eagerly anticipated, he’s going to “race” the truck. After Jarrett is introduced prior to the Sprint All-Star Race, he will step into the UPS Race Truck from the UPS ad campaign and take one lucky fan for a ride around the 1.5-mile superspeedway. In honor of Jarrett and in appreciation of the fans who have supported him, Lowe’s Motor Speedway officials have created “DJ’s Deal,” a special Friday-Saturday (May 16-17) All-Star Weekend ticket package for only $44. The “DJ’s Deal” package and tickets for all May events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, including the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the May 25 Coca-Cola 600, can be purchased by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS PR), see images of the car on my #44 Team Schemes page.(3-19-2008)
2007:
Harvick’s helmet taken…..but recovered UPDATE: don’t have a ton of details on this, but heard from sources at the track that someone broke into the #29 RCR garage this morning at Atlanta Motor Speedway, taking Kevin Harvick’s helmet and was supposedly caught climbing a fence with the helmet on, no word on any other items taken or any damage by the person.(3-18-2007)
UPDATE: Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick’s helmet was stolen from the #29 hauler in the Nextel Cup garage Sunday morning. But the caper was quickly foiled by speedway security. “[NASCAR] was notified early this morning that track security had come across and apprehended two individuals in the garage who were in the possession of Kevin Harvick’s racing helmet,” NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp said. “The police were notified, the individuals were arrested and the helmet was returned safe and sound.”(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(3-19-2007)
2005:
Edwards wins at Atlanta, 1st Busch win, Buschwackers take top-five: #60-Carl Edwards won the Aaron’s 312 at Atlanta Motor Speedway for his first career Busch Series win. #33-Tony Stewart was 2nd, followed by #48-Jimmie Johnson, #17-Matt Kenseth and #38-Kasey Kahne. The first 9 spots were taken by Nextel Cup regulars, #10-Michael Jourdain Jr. was the first Busch Series only regular at 10th. {Edward’s is running both series full-time]. There were 20 lead changes among 7 drivers, 8 cautions for 39 laps. #48-Johnson led the most laps with 90.(3-19-2005)
2002:
A 5th Hendrick team? been told that Hendrick Motorsports BGN driver, Jack Sprague, will drive the #60 Haas Chevy in the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in May and possibly up to six more Cup events. See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(3-19-2002)
#500 for Martin: #6-Mark Martin will make his 500th career start on the Winston Cup circuit this week at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Food City 500 on March 24, 2002. Martin first raced on the Winston Cup circuit in 1981, when he ran his self-owned car five times, claiming two poles, two top-10 finishes and one top-five. He made his Winston Cup debut on April 3, 1981 at North Wilkesboro Speedway at the age of 22. A few months later in only this third Winston Cup start, Martin captured the pole at Nashville. A few weeks later Martin captured his second career pole at Richmond. “I didn’t really realize that it was coming up on 500,” said Martin. “As a kid growing up in Arkansas, and being into racing, NASCAR was the cool thing to do. It has certainly changed a lot since the early days of my career.” In 1988 Martin teamed up with car owner Jack Roush and 15 years, 441 races and 32 wins later Martin is still running the #6 Roush Racing Ford Taurus(Roush Racing PR)(3-19-2002)
Sharpie Announcement at Bristol: an announcement will be made by the maker of the permanent marker, Sharpie, at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 23 at 9:00am at the brand new Victory Lane Building at Bristol. Not only will the press conference feature this announcement, it will also unveil a special paint scheme to be driven by #97-Kurt Busch of Roush Racing. “Announcements like this one don’t come along every day,” Busch said. “I’m real excited about it, and am thrilled to have the opportunity of driving this one-in-a-million special paint scheme. I have seen a lot of neat stuff on the track, but this one is sure to get everyone’s attention.” Beginning in August 2001, Sharpie came on as the title sponsor for the August night race at Bristol and appropriately called it the Sharpie 500. This year, with the addition of their special announcement, they are planning to make it a race that fans won’t forget and for one fan it may even change their life.(Roush Racing PR), hmmmm…..sounds like a contest of some sort?(3-19-2002)
Check out all of the 2002 Cup Series paint schemes
Stewart held Overnight UPDATE: #20-Tony Stewart, involved in a 11 car wreck at Darlington, was awake and removed from the car on a stretcher, Jimmy Spencer reported that Stewart is going to be ok and talked to Stewart in the care center, but Stewart will be airlifted to a local hospital to be checked out as he is complaining of lower back/leg pain and will have a CAT Scan of his head, back and abdomen.(Fox coverage of the race). AND Stewart lost consciousness for a few minutes and was taken to the track’s infield care center. He was later airlifted to Carolinas Hospital System in Florence, SC. The driver was awake and alert and complained of pain in his lower back and numbness and tingling in his left foot. He had CT scans of his head, chest, abdomen and pelvis. Dr. Tony Cutry said all tests were negative. Stewart was admitted overnight for observation.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-17-2002)
UPDATE: Tony Stewart, driver of the #20 Home Depot Pontiac, was released in good condition from Carolinas Hospital System in Florence, S.C. earlier today. Stewart was X-rayed and given CT scans of the head, chest, back and pelvic area on Sunday, was admitted to the hospital for overnight observation, and underwent an MRI early this morning. All tests were negative.(Edelman Public Relations Worldwide), Stewart returned to his home in Cornelius, N.C., and is not expected to miss any time in his #20 Pontiac.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-18-2002)
1999:
Skinner Disqualified UPDATE 5 Reinstated: From TNN’s Raceday – Mike Skinner who won the BGN race in Atlanta Saturday in the #19 Team Yellow Chevy, has been disqualified for unapproved cylinder head modifications and Dave Blaney in the #93 Amoco Pontiac has been declared the winner — Skinner and the #19 Team Yellow team have appealed the decision and all points and award money are frozen pending the outcome of the appeal, which may not be resolved until Monday. See the story at That’s Racin’: Skinner disqualified; Busch victory taken away(3-14-1999) — I hear the appeal hearing is in Charlotte on Wednesday at 10:30am/et between the #19 team and the NASCAR Appeal Board. Also check out a few Press Releases from Team Yellow: T and L Motors Press Release and TEAM YELLOW RACING LOGS POST-RACE APPEAL(3-16-1999) — I hear the cylinder head infraction in question has been reviewed now by nearly everyone involved in the technical side or BGN racing and has been deemed to be legal, but…sources tell me NASCAR will uphold it’s decision, I guess we’ll see(3-17-1999) — NASCAR Reinstated Mike Skinners and Team Yellows win at the Atlanta BGN race. The team gets the win and the points but they lose the winners share of the purse which was approx $19,000. So a late congratulations to Mike Skinner…(RPM2Nite). also see an UPI story at icFlorida: Skinner’s win is restored(3-18-1999) — Some info on the ruling from Speedwords: NASCAR released a statement explaining more about the infraction they discovered on the cylinder heads on Mike skinner’s Busch car in Atlanta. In short, they say there were changes to the shape of the port that created a vein (fin?) that helped direct the airflow to the combustion chamber. Engine builders have long tried to find ways of changing the floor of port runners to get air to flow better as it enters the cylinder to maximize volume and reduce unwanted turbulence. So, did T&L intentionally do something illegal? That would be virtually impossible to say with conviction. Apparently they didn’t add anything to the ports but rather carved the port floor out to create the vein with existing material, but in NASCAR´s opinion, changed the shape of the port significantly. This is one of those famous “gray areas” so many racers at all levels have run into. The rules say you can remove material, but in this case NASCAR decided it represented an unfair advantage over the rest of the cars(Speedwords) Don’t forget to check Tom’s Conspiracy News(3-19-1999)
1998:
Ricky Craven, driver of the #50 Budweiser Monte Carlo for Hendrick Motorsports, has been directed by his doctor not to race for 90 days. Official press releases from Hendrick Motorsports and Budweiser will be forthcoming. Craven has been diagnosed with “post-concussion syndrome,” and this prevents him from driving. The immediate plans for the #50 at Darlington are that the team is looking at putting a BGN regular in the seat, although one has not been officially specified at this posting. Randy LaJoie is a leading candidate to drive the #50 at Darlington. See the story at www.country.com (3-19-98)
Click a link below for a full listing of news from each year:
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997