March 23, 2005
- Sad News: Longtime STP public relations representative Harvey Duck passed away Tuesday, March 22nd. He was 80 years old. Duck was the long-time Public Relations Rep for STP.
Richard Petty’s comments: “Harvey was one of the original PR guys in motorsports, and especially in NASCAR racing. He came to STP from a big Chicago newspaper, and there hadn’t been much of that at all for race teams or sponsors. Harvey knew the sport and he knew the media. A lot of the things people are doing today in PR started with guys like Harvey Duck. Add in the fact he was a pretty nice guy, and he was fun to have around. We’ve missed him since he retired, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
More info as it is found.
Arrangements: The viewing will be at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 548 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 — telephone 386.673.5373. Hours will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 25th. Funeral will be 10 a.m. in the Chapel at the same location.
Donations can be made in Harvey’s name to Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Lexy Duck at 262 Amberwood Ct. Ormond Beach, Florida 32174.(3-23-2005)
- Ward could take a Busch or Truck ride: As for familiar question of his brother Ward, Jeff Burton said to stay tuned. The veteran driver does not have a ride on any of the NASCAR circuits right now. “Ward is doing well,” Burton said. “He wants to be racing, but he’s stuck to his word that he’s only going to drive if gets a really good ride. The more offers Ward gets to run a good truck or Busch car, the more he is interested. I don’t think it will be long before you see Ward in a Busch or truck.”(Bristol Herald Courier)(3-23-2005)
- Appeals UPDATE Rulings Announced: The appeals for the penalties of #48 crew chief Chad Knaus and #5 crew chief Alan Gustafson were scheduled to be HEARD today, Tuesday, March 22, 2005. Doesn’t mean we will hear a decision today or even tomorrow, but sometime this week would be expected and before Bristol for sure. On Speed Channel’s NASCAR Nation, it was reported the appeals were heard, no ruling yet. Info on the penalties, fines, suspensions and the appeal process on my Penalties page. Once I hear anything on the appeals it will be posted.(3-22/23-2005)
- THE RULING ANNOUNCEDNational Stock Car Racing Commission Statements#48 Team: On March 22, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the Appeal of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus concerning three penalties assessed by NASCAR relative to the #48 car following the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 13, 2005. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing” and Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: roof height too low in post-race inspection.”The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Jeff Gordon.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for Jimmie Johnson.
• $35,000.00 fine and suspension from NASCAR until April 6, 2005 and suspension from the next two (2) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races for crew chief Chad Knaus.The car was in violation of the rules at the conclusion of the race. This was not contested during the hearing.Upon review of the evidence presented, and by a majority vote, it is the decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalties assessed against Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson and to amend the penalty assessed against Chad Knaus as follows:$35,000.00 fine. Probation for 90 days, effective from the date of this Hearing.This decision pertains specifically to the evidence presented in this Appeal. The Commission’s rulings do not have a bearing on existing or announced NASCAR enforcement policies. The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner. Commission were John Cooper, Jack Housby, George Silbermann, Chairman.(NASCAR)(3-23-2005)#5 Team: On March 22, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the Appeal of Rick Hendrick, Kyle Busch and Alan Gustafson concerning three penalties assessed by NASCAR relative to the #5 car following the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 13, 2005. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing” and Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: quarter panel heights too high in post-race inspection.”The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Rick Hendrick.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for Kyle Busch.
• $25,000 fine and suspension from NASCAR until April 6, 2005 and suspension from the next two (2) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races for crew chief Alan Gustafson.The car was in violation of the rules at the conclusion of the race. This was not contested during the hearing.
Upon review of the evidence presented, and by a majority vote, it is the decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalties assessed against Rick Hendrick and Kyle Busch and to amend the penalty assessed against Alan Gustafson as follows:
$25,000.00 fine. Probation for 90 days, effective from the date of this Hearing.
This decision pertains specifically to the evidence presented in this Appeal. The Commission’s rulings do not have a bearing on existing or announced NASCAR enforcement policies. The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.Commission were John Cooper, Jack Housby, George Silbermann, Chairman.(NASCAR)(3-23-2005)What Does this mean? everything stands EXCEPT the suspensions to Knaus and Gustafson have been recinded.
- Hendrick Statement: Team owner Rick Hendrick today commented on the results of Tuesday’s NASCAR appeal hearing, which today rescinded the suspensions of two Hendrick Motorsports crew chiefs. “I appreciate NASCAR giving us the opportunity to present the facts,” Hendrick said. “From our perspective it’s important everyone, especially our fans, know that we absolutely had no intention of breaking any rules. This sport has a rule book for good reason, and it’s vital it be enforced. As an owner, I know it’s equally important to have a just forum for teams and a fair system of checks and balances. We respect NASCAR’s decision and look forward to carrying some momentum into Bristol.”(Hendrick Motorsports)(3-23-2005)
- Crocker to make ARCA debut for Evernham: Evernham Motorsports driver and World of Outlaws phenom Erin Crocker will make her first start in the ARCA Re/MAX series this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. She will be driving the #98 Evernham Motorsports Dodge. Crocker, who turned 24 this week [Actually today], has shown great promise in the Evernham Motorsports driver development program. She has tested at both Kentucky Speedway and Nashville Speedway with solid results. This weekend, she will pilot Evernham Motorsports’ ARCA series Dodge on the 1.33-mile tri-oval speedway under the guidance of Ray Evernham and team director Chris Andrews. She will run several additional ARCA races this season, and will make her NASCAR Busch Series debut later this season [IRP]. She also will compete in the USAC Silver Crown Series in a car fielded by Kasey Kahne Racing.(Clearblue PR)(3-23-2005)
- Hamilton Jr. tests at Martinsville: #32-Bobby Hamilton’s team was the only NEXTEL Cup team testing at Martinsville Tuesday, joining almost a half-dozen NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams. Hamilton won’t be back for a second day of testing on Wednesday, but several NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers will be testing, including Ricky Craven, Todd Kluever and Justin Allgaier, all coming back for a second day, and Bill Lester, Shieage Hattori, Johnny Benson, Mike Skinner and Brandon Whitt will join them. Because of the possibility of rain, Darrell Waltrip, David Reutimann and Robert Huffman have moved their Truck Series tests to Thursday, joining David Starr, Bobby Labonte, Regan Smith, Tam Topin, Alex Yontz, Bill Lester, Johnny Benson, Mike Skinner, Todd Bodine, Steve Park and Brendan Gaughan. Tickets for both the Advance Auto Parts 500 on Sunday, April 10, and the Kroger 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, on Saturday, April 9, may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for both events also may be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway)(3-23-2005)
- NASCAR Points Visa Card Plan: NASCAR RacePoints, a new rewards program designed for NASCAR fans who use the products and services of official NASCAR sponsors. With its new MBNA NASCAR RacePoints VISA credit card, MBNA America Bank, N.A. has become the first issuing partner of NASCAR RacePoints. For the first time ever, the MBNA NASCAR RacePoints VISA credit card allows consumers to earn one NASCAR RacePoint for each dollar spent in net retail purchases. NASCAR RacePoints is a free consumer loyalty program designed to allow participants to earn points based on purchases made with participating NASCAR sponsors. Accumulated points can be tracked and redeemed online for exciting race-related rewards in the exclusive NASCAR RacePoints catalog. Free enrollment in NASCAR RacePoints can be found at WWW.NASCAR.COM by clicking on NASCAR RacePoints. The NASCAR RacePoints catalog offers racing fans an exciting array of rewards within four categories: Access & Experiences, Collectibles & Memorabilia, Apparel, and Merchandise. All the products and experiences in the catalog are from official NASCAR licensees including: Action Performance, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Team Caliber, VF Corporation and more. The opportunity to redeem NASCAR RacePoints begins May 31, 2005.(Mullen PR)(3-23-2005)
- Wolfe out? UPDATEs: hearing that Paul Wolfe will not be in the #6 Evernham Motorsports / Hungry Drivers Dodge at Atlanta and that Jeremy Mayfield will be in the car there, also hearing Kasey Kahne will drive the car at Nashville Superspeedway on March 25th. Supposedly it is just for two races and the team will evaluate the situation from there, so Wolfe could be back in the car for some races.(3-14-2004)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports announced that Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne will take over driving duties of the #6 Hungry Drivers Dodge effective immediately. Paul Wolfe was entered in the first four races in the #6 Charger, but failed to qualify at Mexico City and Las Vegas. Mayfield will drive at Atlanta while Kahne is slated for Nashville. “We felt it was necessary at this time to make some changes to ensure we are competitive,” team owner Ray Evernham said.(NASCAR PR), actually Wolfe did qualify at Las Vegas, starting 15th and finishing 30th.
AND Unilever Foods and Evernham Motorsports announced today changes to the driver lineup of the #6 Hungry Drivers Dodge Charger effective immediately. Jeremy Mayfield will take over the reins in this weekend’s Aaron’s 312 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and reigning NASCAR Nextel Cup rookie of the year, Kasey Kahne, will take over driving duties the following week at Nashville Superspeedway. Evernham Motorsports and Unilever Foods are in the process of evaluating their options for the remainder of the season and expect to announce long-term plans for the Hungry Drivers team in the coming weeks.(Hungry Drivers PR via BGNRacing.com)(3-16-2005)
UPDATE 2: Denny Darnell, a team spokesman for Evernham, said Wolfe remains under contract, but how he will be used in the future has not yet been determined by team owner Ray Evernham.(ESPN.com/AP)(3-23-2005)
- Ward could take a Busch or Truck ride: As for familiar question of his brother Ward, Jeff Burton said to stay tuned. The veteran driver does not have a ride on any of the NASCAR circuits right now. “Ward is doing well,” Burton said. “He wants to be racing, but he’s stuck to his word that he’s only going to drive if gets a really good ride. The more offers Ward gets to run a good truck or Busch car, the more he is interested. I don’t think it will be long before you see Ward in a Busch or truck.”(Bristol Herald Courier)(3-23-2005)
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997