March 25 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history

March 25, 2004

• • • Looking for Fabricators: Body Dynamics Racing Bodies, Inc. is announcing that they are taking pre-applications to attend their newly developed professional Cup racecar Body Fabrication Instructional Program. They are inviting you to learn from fabricators who are on the frontline everyday, dealing with rule changes, up to date templates, at track testing and wind tunnel knowledge and who have cars competitively running in today’s CUP fields. You can prepare for your career in professional motorsports at their state of the art 20,000 square foot facility that has currently six service plates, up to date fabrication equipment and a above industry standards down draft paint booth system. For more information visit www.bodydynamicsracing.com.(3-25-2004)
  • • Bobby Labonte, Michael McSwain, J.D. Gibbs To Visit “Racing For Life” Mobile Health Unit: Bobby Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion, his crew chief, Michael “Fatback” McSwain and J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing will visit the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), “Racing For Life” Mobile Health Unit outside of Bristol Motor Speedway at 10:00am Friday, March 26. Wellbutrin XLT (bupropion HCl extended-release tablets), a medicine indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder in patients 18 years and older produced by GSK, will serve as the primary sponsor for Labonte’s #18 Chevrolet at Bristol and seven other races in 2004. In addition to their sponsorship, GSK officials announced in February at Daytona that they would be offering free health screenings to fans across the nation at 23 races in 2004. The unique “Racing for Life” mobile health unit expands into a patient education and health-screening center, and provides screenings and information on such health topics as hypertension, type II diabetes, osteoporosis, asthma, men’s health, smoking cessation, migraine, and depression. Labonte, McSwain and Gibbs will each be screened in the unit as part of the “Green-flag Ceremony,” which helps kick off Wellbutrin XLT’s primary sponsorship at Bristol.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(3-25-2004)
  • • Todd Bodine…crew chief: Todd Bodine has formed an agreement to be co-owner and crew chief for Rookie candidate Travis Foster during the 2004 ASA National Tour. Bodine will make his debut with the Illinois driver at USA International Speedway on Saturday, March 27.(ASA Site), Bodine was listed in the #98 car for the Bristol Cup race, but Larry Gunselman is now listed in it.(3-25-2004)
  • • Sauter’s Penalty Upheld: The National Stock Car Racing Commission announced Thursday that it had rejected NASCAR Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter’s appeal of financial and points penalties levied earlier this month. The Commission, consisting of Chairman George Silbermann, NASCAR’s director of administration; former sports car driver Lyn St. James; and former track owner Mike Staley upheld NASCAR’s $10,000 fine and 25-point penalty. Sauter has the right under Section 15 of the Busch Series rulebook to appeal the decision to National Stock Car Racing Commissioner Charles D. Strang and Thursday his team owner, Clarence Brewer, said the team was seriously considering that move. “As of right now we plan to appeal,” Brewer said. “Because I think we’ve been made an example of. My biggest problem with the whole situation is not the fine for cursing, because I agree with it. Even if it were more I wouldn’t have a problem with it. The problem I have as a team owner is that when you deduct points for an action that the driver did, you’re affecting Clarence Brewer and the team more than the driver.” Sauter is currently 10th in the Busch Series driver standings, 113 points behind leader Kevin Harvick. Without the 25-point penalty, Sauter would be tied with Bobby Hamilton Jr. for sixth position.(NASCAR.com), see past new about this on my Busch Site.(3-25-2004)
  • • Bickford back with Gordon: Jeff Gordon, president and owner of Jeff Gordon Inc., announced changes in the senior management of his company on Thursday. John Bickford, Gordon’s stepfather, has been named vice president and general manager of JG Inc., and Gordon’s other business interests. “I’m very excited about working with John in this capacity again,” said Gordon. “He helped shape my racing career and was pivotal in the decision-making process as I progressed through different racing series up to NASCAR. I’m confident in his ability to move JG Inc., forward.” Bickford, an Action Performance Co. executive since 1997, is excited to be working with his stepson again. “Jeff is a proven winner on and off the track,” Bickford said. “My goal is to strengthen his current business relationships while branching out to create new and better opportunities. I’ve always wanted the best for Jeff Gordon as a person. That won’t change as I take on this new role of overseeing his business interests.” Jeff Gordon Inc., also announced that Robert B. Brannan, vice president and general manager of the company since May of 1995, has resigned. “Bob has been instrumental in the growth of this company, and I have the utmost respect for him as a person and a businessman,” Gordon said. “With the addition of my stepfather into a senior manager role, Bob’s services were no longer required.” Said Brannan: “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work with Jeff Gordon and my associates at JG Inc., over the years. I know that John Bickford will bring a new level of enthusiasm to the organization to move it to a higher level.I’m looking forward to pursuing other business opportunities and spending some time with my family.”(ThatsRacin.com)(3-25-2004)
  • • Labonte better the he started, only one: Through the first five races of the 2004 schedule, #5-Terry Labonte is the only driver who has finished in a higher position than he started in each event. Labonte is the lone Hendrick Motorsports driver without a DNF (did not finish) through the first five races of the season. By running to the end of the March 28 event at Darlington, Labonte extended his series-high streak of consecutive races without a DNF to 47. The last time he failed to complete a race was in October 2002 at Talladega Superspeedway. The modern-era record is 56 in a row, set by Gordon in 2001-02.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-25-2004)
  • • Pit Crew For Greg Biffle Captures McDonald’s/POWERade Win in Darlington: Greg Biffle’s pit crew claimed first prize and the $20,000 weekly check for winning the McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by POWERade in Sunday’s (March 21) Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Biffle’s Roush Racing teammate – the crew for Kurt Busch’s No. 97 team finished third in Darlington and jumped into first place in the McDonald’s/POWERade standings with 184 points, 10 more than Tony Stewart’s second-place crew. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew is third with 183 points. The season pit crew champion will receive a $200,000 bonus. Biffle’s crew displayed a superior effort in Darlington with a 35-second margin over last week’s winner – the No. 31 crew for Robby Gordon. Biffle’s Travel Lodge/National Guard Ford spent 378.315 seconds on pit road compared to 413.964 for Gordon’s No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet. “This pit crew is awesome,” said Biffle. “They totally deserve this award for all their hard work and dedication to the team. This is the second year for most of these guys working together. And not only are they fast but they are consistently fast, which is what it takes to have the competitive edge on Sunday.” Biffle’s over-the-wall crew consists of Adam Emmert (front-tire changer), Jeff Silver (front-tire carrier), Mike Hillman (rear-tire changer), TJ Hamilton (rear-tire carrier), Jeff Merkel (jackman), Donnie Ratledge (gasman), John Eicher (catch can). The team’s crew chief is Doug Richert.(DMF Communications PR), see top 10 at Darlington and standings on my Pit Crew Page.(3-25-2004)
  • • Blaney Assoc at Texas: Earlier in the week it was announced that Mooney Starr and the Batesville Speedway would be primary sponsor for the Dave Blaney’s #23 Dodge, owned by Bill Davis Motorsports Samsung/Radio Shack 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway, Sunday April 4. Starr announced today that an associate sponsor has been added to the package. Bad Boy Mowers of Batesville, Arkansas will join the Batesville Speedway, The Alltel 100, and the Comp Cams Topless 100 as sponsors for Blaney. Bad Boy Mowers [and I just bought a John Deere] of Batesville manufactures a zero turn radius commerical mower. The company, started in 1998, has since moved into a 30,000 square foot production facility in Batesville, and is providing a superior product to experts in the commerical turf industry. Bad Boy mowers can be seen at their website, www.badboymowers.com. Bad Boy Mowers looks forward to their participation the upcoming Nextel Cup event at the Texas Motor Speedway, and their one race assocation with Starr, Bill Davis Motorsports, and Dave Blaney.(PR), also check out the Michigan Race Sponsor Fan Pledges via my #23 Team News and Links page.(3-25-2004)
  • • Gillette Young Guns 5 for 5: This past weekend’s event at Darlington Raceway was yet another banner day for the Gillette Young Guns, who have now claimed the checkered flag at every race this season. Jimmie Johnson, driving the #48 Chevrolet, recorded his first victory of the season, joining fellow Young Guns Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth as the only race winners so far this year. Though only five out of the 36-races have been run so far, the Young Guns — Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman — have factored heavily into the outcome of each race, leading an impressive 830 out of 1,478 (56%) total laps run so far in 2004. In addition to the first five races being won by these drivers, Gillette has made weekly $1,000 donations in the name of each winning Young Gun to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC), which is a season-long program.(Alan Taylor PR)(3-25-2004)
  • • Plane Coming From Darlington Missing UPDATE found, no survivors: A private plane bringing six people back from a NASCAR race [Darlington] in South Carolina disappeared on its way to Bloomington, IL Sunday. Emergency crews continued to search for the plane early this morning. The six-seat, single-engine Piper Saratoga II was carrying pilot Curt Piercy [used to drive ARCA] and his wife, Linda Piercy; Don Maurer Jr. and his wife, Amy Maurer; Amy Maurer’s brother, Brad Webb, all of Carlock; and Webb’s girlfriend, whose name wasn’t available, according to family friends. They were returning from NASCAR races, friends said. The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 race was Sunday in Darlington, SC. Curt Piercy has more than 475 hours as a pilot and 50 to 55 hours flying planes with retractable gear, like that of the missing plane, he said. Curt Piercy owns Piercy Auto and Truck Body in Carlock, and Don Maurer Jr. runs Don Maurer Wrecker Service in Carlock with his father.(The Pantagraph)(3-23-2004)
      UPDATE: Rescuers searched into the evening Tuesday for signs of an aircraft that was carrying six people when it was last heard from on Sunday as it flew from South Carolina to Illinois. Air patrol rescuers had already flown the entire Kentucky flight segment in search of wreckage and were continuing those efforts, said 1st Lt. Michael Brown, public affairs officer for Kentucky Wing Civil Air Patrol. “We are trying to find these people and bring them home alive,” Brown said. Tuesday night, a crew spotted debris near Harlan. It’s not clear if it’s the debris from the plane. The search will resume Wednesday.(wkyt.com)(3-24-2004)
      UPDATE 2 Sad News: Searchers found the wreckage of a single-engine plane Wednesday that crashed while carrying six central Illinois residents home from a NASCAR race in South Carolina, authorities said. FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said there were no survivors. Ground crews had been searching a heavily wooded mountainside in southeastern Kentucky near where the plane was last spotted on radar Sunday night. Cory said investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were en route to the scene. Kentucky State Police Trooper Walt Meachum said the airplane crashed into the side of Little Black Mountain. “If they had gone 20 to 30 yards higher, they would have cleared the top,” Meachum said. Harlan County Coroner Philip Bianchi said the impact occurred at about 3,000 feet and that the plane hit trees, rock and earth and was not intact but not scattered over a large area. Debris from the wreckage was in a very small area on the mountainside. It was partially burned, said Meachum, who was at the scene Wednesday night. He said he believes all the victims died on impact, and Bianchi agreed. The pilot, Curt Piercy of Normal, and his wife, Linda, owned an auto body shop in Carlock. Don Maurer lived in Carlock, where he ran a wrecker service. His wife, Amy, who gave her husband the NASCAR tickets as a birthday present, worked in the McLean County state’s attorney’s office. Her brother, Brad Webb, and his girlfriend, Erica Edgington, also lived in Carlock and were aboard the plane. Gavin Pitcher of Carlock, a spokesman for the families, said relatives were upset because news reports that the plane was found were broadcast before the families were officially notified.(wkyt.com)(3-25-2004)
    • Sauter fined $10G and 25 points for cursing UPDATE 2 to appeal: In a pre-race drivers meeting several weeks ago, drivers were warned by NASCAR President Mike Helton, to watch their language and to maintain a suitable level of decorum during live television (and radio) interviews in the wake of Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl halftime show. Helton said. “We have a policy about profanity, and that is under more of a microscope today than it ever has been.” Following the Sam’s Town 300 Busch Series race at LVMS, Johnny Sauter, driver of the #27 Kleenex Pontiac, had a bone to pick with Michael Waltrip and let loose a string of expletivities during a post-race radio interview. NASCAR may come down hard on him, to make an example of what shouldn’t be done. If penalties are in order, they will probably be announced by next Tuesday.(Insider Racing News)(3-9-2004)
      UPDATE: NASCAR has fined Johnny Sauter $10,000, deducted 25 NASCAR Busch Series championship driver points and placed him on probation through Dec. 31 for using inappropriate language following the NASCAR Busch Series race on March 6 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sauter, driver of the #27 Pontiac in the NASCAR Busch Series, was penalized under Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Use of improper language.) for his comments during a post-race broadcast interview. The loss of 25 driver points dropped him from second to fourth in the NASCAR Busch Series championship standings, with an adjusted total of 425 points. The use of inappropriate language and NASCAR’s lack of tolerance for such behavior was brought to the attention of all drivers by NASCAR President Mike Helton during the drivers’ meeting held for the NASCAR Busch Series on Feb. 21 and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series on Feb. 22 during the race weekend at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C.(NASCAR PR)(3-10-2004)
      UPDATE 2: Brewco Motorsports and driver Johnny Sauter have decided to appeal part of his penalty for using profanity in a post-race radio interview following the NASCAR Busch Series race at Las Vegas. Sauter was fined $10,000, placed on probation through the end of the year and docked 25 Busch Series driver points after a live radio interview with Performance Racing Network. Sauter and the team will appeal the points reduction and their appeal is scheduled to be heard Tuesday before a three-member panel of the National Stock Car Racing Commission in Daytona Beach, Fla. During the race weekend at Rockingham, N.C., NASCAR President Mike Helton warned participants the sanctioning body would be strictly enforcing its restrictions on the use of profanity in radio and TV broadcasts. Helton cited the Federal Communication Commission’s recent crackdown on such language for its toughened stance.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-21-2004)
      UPDATE 3 – upheld: The National Stock Car Racing Commission announced Thursday that it had rejected NASCAR Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter’s appeal of financial and points penalties levied earlier this month. The Commission, consisting of Chairman George Silbermann, NASCAR’s director of administration; former sports car driver Lyn St. James; and former track owner Mike Staley upheld NASCAR’s $10,000 fine and 25-point penalty. Sauter has the right under Section 15 of the Busch Series rulebook to appeal the decision to National Stock Car Racing Commissioner Charles D. Strang and Thursday his team owner, Clarence Brewer, said the team was seriously considering that move. “As of right now we plan to appeal,” Brewer said. “Because I think we’ve been made an example of. My biggest problem with the whole situation is not the fine for cursing, because I agree with it. Even if it were more I wouldn’t have a problem with it. The problem I have as a team owner is that when you deduct points for an action that the driver did, you’re affecting Clarence Brewer and the team more than the driver. If Johnny were to finish second in points instead of first because of the 25 points (penalty), it’s going to cost Clarence Brewer $200,000 in driver point fund money that’s shared between the team and the driver.” Sauter is currently 10th in the Busch Series driver standings, 113 points behind leader Kevin Harvick. Without the 25-point penalty, Sauter would be tied with Bobby Hamilton Jr. for sixth position. Brewer said he looked back through five years of records and could find no record of anyone being penalized points for cursing, only for breaking other rules in the rulebook. Sauter, who also competes in the Nextel Cup Series, was penalized — including being placed on probation for the balance of this calendar year — for cursing in a live broadcast interview March 6 following the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, in which he finished 16th. According to a statement issued Thursday by the Commission, during the hearing Tuesday, Sauter acknowledged that the infraction had occurred. He did not contest the fine or probation, but appealed the loss of driver points, arguing that points had not been deducted for improper language violations in the past. Witnesses further argued that the loss of driver points would have an adverse effect on the team. In its statement the Commission countered that, in considering the appeal, it recognized that NASCAR drivers in the top tiers of the sport are high-profile celebrities and should conduct themselves accordingly. They also noted that NASCAR had issued specific warnings to contestants during the driver briefings at the preceding event, at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, regarding the use of inappropriate language during live event broadcasts. The Commission noted that the violation occurred on-air at the racetrack during the live broadcast of a NASCAR event, not in a casual private conversation or off-site activity. Brewer said Sauter had to pay $200 to appeal the penalties to the Commission. The appeal to Strang carries the same fee.(NASCAR.com)(3-25-2004)
  • • Joe Gibbs Racing Signs Denny Hamlin to Driver Development Contract: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced that it has signed driver Denny Hamlin to a driver development contract. Beginning in 2004, Hamlin, 23, will test a NASCAR Busch Series car and an ARCA car with the plan to enter select races in each of those divisions in 2005. “We are certainly very excited about Denny’s potential,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “I know first-hand how difficult and challenging it is to compete and win at the local short-track level. Denny has a ton of talent and has won races in everything he’s ever driven. We are confident that he will continue that success with us in the years to come.” A native of Chesterfield, VA, Hamlin started his career at the age of seven when he began competing in go-karts. He won his very first go-kart race and his go-kart accomplishments include over 50 wins. Hamlin won the 1994 Amelia Track Championship in the Junior Restricted and Junior Super Stock Division, and he placed fourth in the 1995 WKA National Championship. In 1997 at the age of 16, Hamlin began his stock car racing career. In his first stock car race, Hamlin won the pole, set a new track record, and won the race at the season opener at Langley Speedway. He finished the season by winning the Rookie of the Year title and two track championships (Langley Speedway and Southside Speedway in Richmond, VA). Hamlin moved to the Grand Stock division in 1998 and 1999, winning five races. He also racked up 20 top fives and 38 top tens. Hamlin finished second in points at Southside Speedway and won the Most Popular Driver Award in 1999. In 2000 Hamlin started racing Late Model Stock Cars, and he won the Rookie of the Year Award at Southside Speedway. The following year Hamlin finished in the top ten at every race at Southampton Motor Speedway. Finally, in 2002, Hamlin broke into the Late Model Stock Car winner’s circle as he recorded 10 wins, 15 poles and 26 top fives. Hamlin’s 2003 season was simply dominating as he won an astounding 25 races in just 36 starts. He finished in the top five 32 times and also won 30 poles.
      “There are many people I must thank that contributed to the development of my racing career,” said Hamlin. “My parents helped pave the way for me, and we always had several friends and family members who were eagerly willing to help out in times of need. In addition, Jim Dean (Hamlin’s current Late Model Stock Car owner) has given me a great opportunity to drive his car the last couple of years. I am so thrilled to be involved with such a great organization like Joe Gibbs Racing,” Hamlin continued. “It is very humbling to hear Joe Gibbs Racing express such excitement and confidence in me. I can’t wait to get in one of their cars and translate their excitement and confidence into actual results on the track.”(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(3-25-2004)
  • • #22 Sponsor Update: The Bristol race marks the first of 13 in which Miller High Life will appear as an associate sponsor on Jason Keller’s #22 car. The Miller High Life brand will appear as a primary sponsor for 19 of the 34 races for the 2004 season. The High Life brand is no stranger to the NASCAR community. The brand made its motor sports debut in 1970 by sponsoring the High Life 500 NASCAR stock car race at California’s Ontario Motor Speedway. The Miller High Life logo also garnered the hood of Bobby Allison’s #22 championship winning car in 1983. Keller’s car carries a similar paint scheme to that of Allison’s championship car, in honor of Miller High Life’s rich history in the sport.(Miller High Life Racing PR)(3-25-2004)
  • • Edwards and Wood test for Martinsville: Roush Racing teammates #50-Jon Wood and #99-Carl Edwards spent Tuesday testing at Ace Speedway in Elon, N.C., preparing for the upcoming race at Martinsville Speedway on April 17. Ace is a four-tenths-mile short track which has characteristics similar to the half-mile of Martinsville. Both drivers felt the test was extremely worthwhile and they came away with valuable information. “We were pretty fast right away,” Wood said of the #50 F-150. “It is a brand new truck and it’s the first Roush-built chassis out of Concord (N.C.) that we’ve ever raced. We spent some time getting used to that along with the new tires. It was our first short-track test with the new body, although that didn’t seem to make much of a difference at a track like that. “We spent our time working on some things to make the truck turn better and trying to get better forward bite. Those are both very important at Martinsville and some of the things we learned should help us race better. We won there last fall and we’d sure like to win it again.” Edwards is trying to better a fourth-place and a second-place finish at Martinsville last year. Testing at similar tracks before the race was an important part of the team’s strong runs in 2003. “We tested right before the Martinsville race last year and it really seemed to pay off for us,” said Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Superchips Ford F-150. “I think we are going to try to test one more time before the race to make a little more progress at going faster. “The test yesterday went really well. It was good to get back to the feel of a short track after spending all of this year so far working on our set-ups for big, fast tracks like Daytona and Atlanta. It was also our first test with the new tires, which had a different feel. I’m excited to go short-track racing again after this test. The Roush teams should be strong.”(Roush Racing PR)(3-25-2004)

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