March 26 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history

March 26, 2003

• Some Texas Facts: #5-Terry Labonte has five top-10 finishes at Texas in the six NASCAR Winston Cup events held at the track. One of those top 10s was a victory in the 1999 event “ his last victory. His average finish of 7.0 at TMS is the best among drivers with at least five starts at the track. #6-Mark Martin is the only driver to qualify in the top 10 in all six previous NASCAR Winston Cup races at TMS. #88-Dale Jarrett, the 2001 winner at Texas, has led a total of 406 laps at the track, more than any other driver. In six years there have been six different winners: Jeff Burton in 1997, Mark Martin in ’98, Terry Labonte in ’99, Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000, Dale Jarrett in ˜01 and Matt Kenseth last year.(NASCAR PR)(3-26-2003)

• Martin special scheme in the Winston: #6-Mark Martin will drive a white #6 Viagra Ford in the Winston ay Lowe’s Motor Speedway this year, see my Paint Schemes Gallery for the images.(3-26-2003)

• Testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Speedway says Jerry Nadeau is scheduled to test MB2 Motorsports’ #01 Pontiac at the 1.5-mile track today. Evernham Motorsports is also scheduled to test at the facility, but the track did not disclose which driver would be on hand. Testing is closed, although fans may watch from inside the track’s gift shop.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(3-26-2003)

• Testing at Greensville Pickens [not Kentucky]: #10-Johnny Benson and #32-Ricky Craven are scheduled to test at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway [SC] today [March 26th].(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio – Subscription Required)(3-26-2003)

• Evernham Changes? UPDATE 3: hearing some crew changes have occurred on the #9 and #19 Evernham Motorsports teams with the rear tire changers/carriers switching. Hearing there could be other changes coming, including Crew Chief (even though they do not use a ‘crew chief’ but a CART crew formula), Supposedly #19 Dodge driver, Jermey Mayfield is under some pressure to perform better or a change could be made there.(3-21-2003)
  UPDATE: been told by sources that the rear tire changers/carriers have switched teams. Also some sources say that Brendan Gaughan’s [#62 in the Truck Series[ name hass come up as an option for Evernham Motorsports if changes are made or they choose to run the third R&D car [#91 Dodge](3-22-2003)
  UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham’s teams are among the organizations that are struggling to get up to speed this season, so he’s experimenting with the structure of his pit crews. Last week, the rear tire changer/carrier duo of Shane Russellberg and Bob Dowens on Bill Elliott’s #9 Dodge swapped spots with Joe Singerland and Eric Wakeland on Jeremy Mayfield’s #19. “I’ve got really good people,” Evernham says. “I’m just trying to get them moved around and into the right place. We just hope that the chemistry will be better in areas we were weak.” Evernham says those crew members will maintain their regular roles in the shop during the week. Elliott finished 18th and Mayfield 23rd at Bristol.(Sporting News)(3-24-2003)
  UPDATE 3: Ray Evernham is not satisfied with Jermey Mayfield’s results so far, however that doesn’t mean he is about to replace Mayfield or drastically revamp his crew. “I’m extremely happy with the team,” Evernham said. “There’s no crew chief changes, no driver changes – there’s none of that coming. The only thing that’s got to change is our performance.” The only driver opening at this point will be when Evernham needs one for the third car he will enter in select races [was #91 in 2002]. The car was going to run at Talladega with Hank Parker Jr., but those plans have been put on hold. Parker helps the team with testing.(Winston Cup Scene – Subscription Required to read online)(3-26-2003)

• Changes to the Winston: There will be a slight change to the qualifying format of The Winston, scheduled to run at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 17th. In 2002 teams could make their madatory pit stop anytime during the 3 lap qualifying run. This year team must pit after they take the green flag to qualifyin and before the end of their 3 laps. The drive must enter pit road at the normal pit road speed [45mph I think], but after the pitstop is completed, there will be no pit road speed once they exit their pit box. Also, during the race, plans are once again to invert the field, how it will be inverted or how many drivers is to be determined. The top 20 will advance to the 2nd segment (of three) and top 14 after the 2nd segment will advance to the 3rd segment.(Winston Cup Scene – Subscription Required to read online)(3-26-2003)

• NASCAR considering Ephedra ban: NASCAR gives random drug tests but does not check for ephedra, which has been banned by other sports leagues but is sold in malls and grocery stores. Kevin Triplett, NASCAR’s managing director of business operations, says an ephedra ban “is something we’re looking at.” Ephedra, which is extracted from an Asian plant, is banned in college sports, the Olympics, the NFL and minor league baseball. Although supplement manufacturer Stacker 2 sponsors Kenny Wallace’s race #23 car, Triplett says that would not stop NASCAR from considering an ephedra ban. Karen Finocchio, vice president of marketing for NVE, Stacker 2’s parent company, says the company stands behind its ephedra supplement but notes it also offers an ephedra-free version. She says users should follow the extensive set of guidelines printed on the bottle. “Take it as directed,” she says. “Consult your physician. … Know your limitations.”(USA Today)(3-26-2003)

• Dale Earnhardt Jr/Kyle Petty in TBS Baseball Promos: TBS Superstation recently unveiled a new integrated print and on-air advertising campaign that is MLB topical and focuses on match-ups and the superstars around the league that will be battling against the Braves throughout the season on the Superstation. WTBS, Turner South and the Atlanta Braves also unveiled their new campaign, which centers around the classic ballpark song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The campaign features such celebrities as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Charles Barkley, D.L. Hughley, Brian Littrell (of The Backstreet Boys), Mike Mills (of R.E.M.), Kyle Petty, Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The relaxed and casual demeanor caught on film shows viewers a different side of the players and celebrity Braves fans.(Turner Sports PR/MotorsportsTV)(3-26-2003)

• #31 Crew Member Injured UPDATE 2: Jason Fowler, rear tire carrier for Robby Gordon’s #31 Chevrolet, was taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center during Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway after sustaining an injury on pit road. Fowler sustained a cut to his left index finger and was being evaluated for possible nerve damage.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-24-2003)
  UPDATE: Jason Fowler, the rear-tire carrier for Richard Childress Racing’s #31 Chevy driven by Robby Gordon, is recovering from an injury. Fowler, 24, suffered a severed nerve, severed tendons and chipped bone in his left index finger while working on torn sheet metal during a pit stop. He was treated and released. He is expected to perform his tire carrier duties Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.(The State)(3-25-2003)
  UPDATE 2: Jason Fowler, rear-tire carrier for Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) #31 Cingular Wireless Chevy, will miss Sunday’s Samsung/Radio Shock 500 at Texas Motor Speedway as he recovers from an injury suffered to his left index finger last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Phil Gould, rear-tire carrier for RCR’s #21 Payday Chevy Busch Series team, will fill in for Fowler at Texas. Fowler sustained a severed nerve, severed tendons and chipped bone in his left index finger while working on torn sheet metal during a pit stop on lap 229 of the Food City 500. He was treated at the infield care center and then transported to Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Fowler is scheduled to see an orthopedic specialist in Winston-Salem, NC, Wednesday morning for additional treatment. His status beyond this weekend’s race is yet to be determined.(RCR Site)(3-26-2003)

• Kenny Wallace to run a Card’s car UPDATE: Kenny Wallace will run a Michael Waltrip owned/loaned #99 St Louis Cardinals Chevy in the Busch Series race, none mentioned, but it makes sense that is would be at Gateway Int’l Raceway near St Louis. See an image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Schemes Gallery.
  UPDATE: hearing the Kenny Wallace Cardinals car is in collaboration with Bill Davis Racing.(3-26-2003)

• New #88 Paint Scheme soon? UPDATE: supposedly in a few weeks, a new UPS logo will appear on the #88 Ford driven by Dale Jarrett. Supposedly after it is introduced it will run the remainder of the 2003 season(3-13-2003)
  UPDATE – UPS To Change Logo: United Parcel Service isn’t giving up its trademark color, but the box in its logo is being shipped out. A UPS Boeing 767 will touch down at Louisville International Airport this morning bearing the company’s first new logo since 1961. Gone will be the string bow atop a yellow-and-brown shield. A more contemporary look will incorporate the letters UPS in a brown shield outlined in yellow and gold. An accompanying tag line will read “Synchronizing the World of Commerce.” Work on the logo, the fourth in UPS’ 95 years, has taken about a year, said John Beystehner, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, who was formerly based in Louisville as vice president of airline operations. The transition to the new look will take years more. The 767 arriving today is one of the first of more than 88,000 vehicles, including 257 large jet aircraft, that will get the new design. About 40 planes will be repainted this year, but the air fleet changeover won’t be complete until 2008. Ground vehicles will be changed, too, mostly following their normal three-year painting schedule. The logo also will appear on 1,700 facilities around the world, 70,000 drop-off and retail access points, more than 1 million uniform pieces and more than 3 billion packages annually. The logo, designed by Future Brand of New York City, also will appear on the newly branded Mail Boxes Etc., which next month will become The UPS Store. The logo also will be seen Sunday on the uniform and car of NASCAR racer Dale Jarrett, Beystehner said.(Courier-Journal and the UPS Site), on Friday there will be a UPS Announcement at Texas Motor Speedway.(3-25-2003)
  IMAGE: got an image sent in, see my 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes page – Cars #’s 24-99 for the image.(3-26-2003)

• Roush not happy about Toyota: Jack Roush, head of Roush Racing, said Tuesday that while Toyota will bring new sponsors and generate added interest in stock car racing, America would be better off if NASCAR stayed “red, white and blue.” Toyota will become the first Japanese manufacturer to compete in one of NASCAR’s top three divisions next year when it enters the Craftsman Truck Series. The company is expected to move up to Winston Cup within a few years.(Tampa Tribune)(3-26-2003)

• Hermie back at Talladega: Hermie Sadler will make his return to the Cup Series on April 6, 2003 when he pilots the #02 Autism Awareness Pontiac sponsored by NWA-TNA: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in the AARON’ S 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. In honor of Autism Awareness Month and the thousands of people affected daily by this disease, the car will feature the Autism “puzzle ribbon” on the hood along with 1-800-3-AUTISM, the phone number for the Autism Society of America. Sadler, whose daughter Halie Dru was diagnosed with Autism in February 2001, carried the ribbon in the Spring Bristol race last year and was amazed at the response. “The number of people we reached through this exposure was unbelievable. It was just the tool we needed-the Autism Society of America received literally thousands of phone calls following the race. This is the perfect way for us to kick off Autism Awareness month for 2003,” stated Sadler. NWA-TNA Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett is pleased to participate in this event. “Hermie has been such a huge supporter of NWA-TNA, and it is a pleasure to return the favor. I’m looking forward to the race and helping increase the awareness of Autism.” Also participating in the promotion are FOX Sports, FX, www.goteamva.com, and Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated. Fox Sports is providing an in-car camera to help promote awareness for autism and Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated is providing engines and technical support to Sadler’s team for this event. “I am honored and grateful to everyone who is involved with this program,” Sadler said. “We not only have the chance to run a great race; we have the chance to make a difference for kids and families all over the world affected by autism.” NWA-TNA Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is the first-ever weekly Pay-Per-View wrestling series that airs every Wednesday at 8:00pm/et on iN DEMAND and DIRECT-TV. With its unique blend of traditional wrestling and the high-flying cutting edge moves of the X-Division, it is the definitive alternative for the wrestling enthusiast. For more information on NWA-TNA: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, go to www.nwatna.com.(PR)(3-26-2003)

• Update on NC Autopsy photos: Autopsy photos would be open to viewing by the general public, but only certain people would be allowed to receive copies of such photos under a proposal that made its way out of a House committee on Tuesday. The compromise bill adopted by a House Judiciary committee would allow copies of autopsy photos to be distributed to: The chief medical examiner or his designee. The investigating medical examiner, the district attorney, a superior court judge and law enforcement officials. A personal representative of the deceased (such as the next-of-kin). A person authorized by court order and another medical examiner or doctor who would use the photo for teaching and training purposes. Anyone denied access to copies of the photos can file a special proceeding before a clerk of court. Clerks would be authorized to grant the request if they think the person asking for the photos has good cause. Rep. Karen Ray, R-Iredell, who introduced the bill, said she hopes to “achieve a balance” between the rights of privacy and a free press. John Bussian, a lobbyist for the N.C. Press Association, which opposes the bill, said that the committee should remember that the proposed new law is dealing with something that has historically been open to the public. The bill that Ray originally filed was patterned after a law that passed in Florida following the Feb. 18, 2001, death of Dale Earnhardt in the Daytona 500. Earnhardt’s widow, Teresa, fought to keep the autopsy photos from becoming public record, fearing that they could be published over the Internet. A number of NASCAR teams are in Ray’s district, and she has a racing-related business. The bill would make it a felony to disseminate autopsy photos to unauthorized recipients. The next step for the bill is the House floor.(in part from the Sun Journal)(3-26-2003)
• Bainey Jr to debut at RIR: DRT Enterprises will return to the Busch Series in 2003 starting May 2nd at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, VA entering the “Hardee’s 250.” Tim Bainey Jr. will pilot the team’s Ford Taurus as he attempts to make his debut in the NASCAR Busch Series. The team is very excited, as it has put a great deal into developing the young Pennsylvania driver over the past few seasons. Bainey Jr. started with the team running super late model events in Western PA. They would continue with him into the Northeast’s Iceman Super Late Model Series, and then to the USAR Hooter’s ProCup Series. DRT Enterprises attempted two Busch Series events late last season with Bainey Jr, missing each race by just .2 tenths of a second. He posted the 41st quickest time in qualifying at Bristol. Without any provisional points the team needed to be in the top-36 and failed to make the show. They returned to attempt the event at Memphis where he posted the 43rd quickest time in qualifying, and once again came up short. DRT Enterprises also returned to the USAR Hooter’s ProCup Series for a few events during the 2002 season. Bainey Jr’s best performance in the series would be a 5th place finish on the high banks of Winchester Speedway. Bainey Jr. also competed in a number of NASCAR Weekly Racing Series regional events to fill out his driving schedule for the season. The team is currently offering one-race “trial” sponsorships for a select number of events this season as they look to develop solid relationships to assist them in moving Tim Jr. full-time into the series by 2004. Anyone interested may contact the team at 1-877-DRT-ZONE for more information.(DRT Enterprises PR)(3-26-2003)

• Renshaw to sport military colors in ARCA race: Deborah Renshaw will sport the colors of the 101st Airborne Division on her car during the April 11 ARCA race at Nashville Superspeedway. ”I’m very proud to represent the 101st Airborne during these tumultuous times,” Renshaw said yesterday at her car’s unveiling, which was attended by representatives from the military base in Fort Campbell, Ky. ”I grew up [in Madisonville, Ky.] close to the base and I have such a deep respect for the sacrifices that these soldiers make to ensure our freedom and our way of life in the United States. I feel like this is a small way to say thanks to them.” Said Maj. Hugh C. Cate III, the division’s public-affairs officer: ”Her demonstrated drive and devotion to her sport is self-evident. She has earned her spot as a Screaming Eagle not only because she travels as fast as a Blackhawk helicopter, but because she does it on the ground.” Cliff Hawks, Superspeedway vice president and general manager, has donated 700 race tickets to the families of soldiers at Fort Campbell. ”As Deborah said, it’s a way for us to express our gratitude for their service to our country,” Hawks said.(Tennessean)(3-26-2003)

• #48 Team barely hanging on, needs a sponsor: #48 Team owner, George de Bidart was unsure earlier this week if he will send his #48 Chevy team and driver Shane Hmiel to Texas [they are listed on the Entry List]. de Bidart desperatly needs a sponsor to replace the one that left at the end of 2002 [Stacker2]. The team runs Dark Dog, a high-energy drink, but the deal is tied into distribution and only gets paid if the product is sold.(Winston Cup Scene – Subscription Required to read online)(3-26-2003)

• Greg Ray to drive in BGN UPDATE: Former IRL champion Greg Ray is trying to finalize a deal to run several Busch series races this season as a teammate to Matt Kenseth at Reiser Enterprises. Robbie Reiser, the crew chief for the Winston Cup car Kenseth’s drives, owns a Busch team and wants Ray to drive a second Busch car for them if the sponsorship can be worked out. “We should know something on that by March 1,” Ray said. “If we can finalize things, my first Busch race will be March 29 at Texas Motor Speedway.”(Dallas Morning News – need to register to read)(2-19-2003)
  UPDATE: guess sponsorship never happened as Ray is not listed on the Entry List.(3-26-2003)
• Kentucky CTS Sponsor to be named UPDATE: Kentucky Speedway will introduce its newest, toughest event sponsor during a news conference on Wednesday, March 26 beginning at 11:30am in the speedway’s Blue Grass Hall. Craftsman Truck Series drivers Terry Cook and Carl Edwards will be available for comment and interview along with Kentucky Speedway and sponsor representatives.(Kentucky Speedway PR)
  UPDATE Ford to sponsor Kentucky CTS race: The Ford Motor Company along with the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers will team up to sponsor the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race July 12, 2003 at Kentucky Speedway. The event will be known as “The Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” and telecast live nationally on SPEED Channel beginning at 8:00pm.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-26-2003)

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