March 19, 2003
- Hermie Sadler gets a sponsor: At a press conference held on the State Capitol Grounds, NASCAR team owner and driver Hermie Sadler, in concert with the Honorable Mark R. Warner, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, announced today the formation of a racing partnership between Sadler Motorsports and four of Virginia’s universities. The two-year program, known as “GO Team VA”, has Virginia Tech, The University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and James Madison University teaming up to compete in a minimum of six NASCAR Winston Cup Series events in both 2003 and 2004. Each race will feature a different paint scheme, allowing all four schools their very own Winston Cup Car design. Certain races will simply feature a Go Team VA design. The first race for the GO Team VA program is March 23, 2003 at Bristol Motor Speedway, and will feature the colors of the Virginia Tech Hokies. Sadler commented on the program’s unique structure.. “Go Team VA is excitement! It brings together two of the most exciting categories of sport: Winston Cup Stock Car Racing and College Athletics in a state that is crazy about both.” Virginia plays host to six NASCAR Winston Cup Events, the largest number of Winston Cup events held in any one state. Governor Warner and the schools are equally excited about the program for various reasons; the exposure for the schools, the experience it will bring to the students, and of course the additional exposure for the state. Said Gov. Warner, “This great program has no monetary cost to the schools, which is all the more attractive during lean fiscal times. Also, students from the schools marketing and public relations colleges programs get a chance to learn more about the business of sports marketing at the NASCAR level.” Go Team VA also operates a website (www.GoteamVA.com). The site offers supporters the chance to join the Go Team VA Motorsports Club. Members can participate in a fantasy racing game and will be automatically entered into all of the special promotions that will be run at each university, as well as other special events. Prizes offered will include pit passes at races, a day of golf in Emporia with Hermie and Elliott Sadler, tickets to collegiate sporting events, standing on the sidelines at football games, WWE Wrestling tickets. and more.(Go Team VA PR), the #02 To Team VA plans to race at (per their site):
March 23rd, Bristol, Virginia Tech;
April 13th Martinsville, GoTeam VA
May 3rd, Richmond, Go Team VA;
August 23rd Bristol, Univ. Of Virgnia;
September 6th Richmond, Virginia Tech;
October 11th, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, James Madison;
October 19th, Martinsville, Va. Commonwealth;.(3-19-2003)
- Lopping off some of the spoiler coming? #2-Rusty Wallace says that NASCAR’s John Darby will cut half an inch or so off the rear spoiler “within the next six weeks.” That timetable would point toward an aerodynamics change at either the fast two-mile California track April 27 or the 3/4-mile Richmond track the following week.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-19-2003)
- Sadler Racing tests with Ray, plans at least five races: Kevin Ray plans to jumpstart his driving career less than five miles from where he grew up. Ray, who has five starts at Talladega Superspeedway on his resume, has teamed with Sadler Racing to compete in at least five NASCAR Busch Series events in 2003. Ray’s return to competitive racing will be in the Busch Series Aaron’s 312 at Talladega on April 5. Ray will drive the #95 car on John Deere Qualifying Day, Thursday, April 3, in an attempt to make the 43-car field. “It’s been really hectic, but it’s also been very nice to be back in this situation,” said Ray, who grew up in Eastaboga, Ala. “I’ve spent the last year sort of re-organizing myself and my family for a return to NASCAR Busch Series racing as a competitive driver,” said Ray. “The program at Sadler Racing has allowed me to fulfill the next part of my career.” Ray drove for Sadler Racing in 1999, competing in the Busch Series and the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Ray blew an engine that year at Talladega in the ARCA RE/MAX Series event and finished 29th. His best finishes at Talladega are fourth in 1995 and sixth in 1998. “We don’t have any sponsorship right now, but we’re all committed to making this happen,” said Ray. “We have another test session next week, and we’re working on a backup car. Ernie Elliott is making us an engine. There’s a lot to be excited about.” Ray was testing at Talladega on Tuesday along with five other teams. Lyndon Amick with Team Amick; C.W. Smith with Smith Brothers Racing; Justin Ashburn with Day Enterprises and Rich Markle and Larry Holenbeck with Rich Markle Racing were also testing Busch Series cars at the track on Tuesday. Doug Hubert with High Rollers Racing and Keith Segars with Keith Segars Motorsports were at Talladega testing ARCA cars. Segars won last year’s ARCA Food World 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(3-19-2003)
- Get Well: Dennis Punch, PR Man for Brewco Racing [#27 and #37], recently had knee surgery following the Las Vegas Busch Race weekend. He is home recovering.(3-19-2003)
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