March 27, 2003
- They’ll be back UPDATE 2: hearing that #42-Jamie McMurray in Cup and #99-Michael Waltrip in the Busch Series will run Terminator 3 movies schemes, not sure when.(2-28-2003)
UPDATE: hearing this will be for Daytona in July.(3-1-2003)
IMAGES got images of both cars, see my 2003 Busch page and 2003 Cup page for the images.(3-27-2003)
- Jeff Gordon fact: #24-Jeff Gordon has won on 19 of the 23 tracks currently [and also at North Wilkesboro which is no longer active] on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule. Texas, Chicagoland, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami are the only tracks he has yet to visit victory lane in a Winston Cup car.(3-27-2003)
- Texas Fun Facts: Eight Texas Stadiums will fit in the infield of Texas Motor Speedway. Texas Motor Speedway has enough permanent lighting to illuminate 11 NFL football stadiums. If all the hamburgers served in one year at the speedway were stacked, it would be taller than a 74-story building.(Foyt Racing)(3-27-2003)
- More things found reading PR’s: #41-Casey Mears is the only Raybestos Rookie to complete all 6 races this season without a DNF (did not finish). This weekend’s race at Texas will mark Bill Elliott’s 702nd career Winston Cup Series start. If he continues to start every race of the 2003 season, Elliott will surpass Bobby Allison to rank sixth on the all-time start list in the August race at Michigan Int’l Speedway. Bill Elliott is scheduled to drive the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge that sat on the outside pole at Atlanta this year, and qualified fourth and finished 11th in the June 2002 race at Michigan.(PR’s)(3-27-2003)
- #0 Special Scheme at Texas: The #0 NetZero High Speed Pontiac Grand Prix will make its debut at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend. The new paint scheme showcases NetZero’s HiSpeed Online Service.(NetZero Racing)(3-27-2003)
- #17 Special Scheme at Texas: Matt Kenseth’s #17 DEWALT team will have a different look this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Smirnoff Ice will be on the hood and deck lid of the #17 Ford to kick-off a new partnership with the team. The crew will also be dressed in Smirnoff Ice uniforms. Smirnoff Ice will be the primary sponsor on Kenseth’s car for seven races this season, starting with The Winston at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May.(DeWalt Racing)(3-27-2003)
- #9 Team Fast in the Pits at Bristol: NASCAR says the crew for Evernham Motorsports’ #9 Dodge driven by Bill Elliott captured Round 6 of the McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by Powerade in last Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott spent 223 seconds on pit road to best the Robert Yates crew of Elliott Sadler’s #38 Ford, which was second among the participating crews [not the #17 or #24 among others], at 247 seconds. Elliott’s pit crew earned $20,000 for the victory. After six races, Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s #15 crew for Michael Waltrip leads the contest for the $200,000 season prize with 217 points, followed by DEI’s #8 crew for Dale Earnhardt Jr. with 203 points and DEI’s #1 team for Steve Park with 199.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(3-27-2003)
- Stewart and Kid Rock? UPDATE 5 at Michigan BUT not Kid Rock…3 Doors Down: hearing that Tony Stewart will drive the #8 Kid Rock Chevy in the Busch/BGN race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May.(1-23-2003)
UPDATE: however, it has been reported that Steve Park will race the #8 BGN car at Lowe’s, so not too sure about this one.(1-24-2003)
UPDATE 2: getting a bit more info, hearing now, the scheme will race at one of the BGN Richmond races, probably May as there are rumors that Dale Earnahrdt Jr will run all three races at Richmond in Sept (CTS/BGN/Cup) and Martin Truex Jr is scheduled in the #8 BGN car at RIR in May…so this rumor has some holes in it, unless it is a 2nd Chase2 car, what is posted here is all I have heard or know.(1-25-2003)
UPDATE 3: been told that Tony Stewart will NOT be driving a #8 Kid Rock paint scheme in the May Charlotte BGN race. This is already scheduled to be a cheese nips car to be driven by Steve Park. But could show up elsewhere. However, many diecast sheets are showing the car running in Charlotte, so it could be the Fall race.(1-27-2003)
UPDATE 4: now being told the scheme will run at the Michigan Busch Series race in August.(3-13-2003)
UPDATE 5: the Tony Stewart #8 Busch Series program has been changed from Kid Rock to 3 Doors Down. This special program will be racing in Michigan on August 16th. Dale Earnhardt Jr.(car owner) and Stewart both filmed footage to appear in a new rock music video with 3 Doors Down which is due out this summer.(3-27-2003)
- Robby’s Angel’s? #31-Robby Gordon is scheduled to run a Charlie’s Angels 2 paint scheme on June 1st at Dover. It will also run again in late fall when the DVD for the movie is released, guess they are not expecting a long run in the theatres?(3-27-2003)
- The Two Leagues ‘Rumor’: Bruton Smith’s proposal of forming multiple leagues or conferences to expand the NASCAR Winston Cup Series continues to strike out. Smith first offered his “trial balloon” in the mid-1990s and has resurrected it in response to NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr.’s realignment plan for Cup schedules starting as early as 2004. “Create an American League and a National League, where you run two [races] every Sunday,” said Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. “You’ve got a West and an East [presence]. If NASCAR wants to tackle that, it’s going to be tough to do, but it can be done. I’ve studied it to death, and it could be done.” NASCAR officials acknowledge they are pushing the limit with the current Cup schedule that fits 38 races, including two non-points events, into a 41-week calendar. But France rejected the two-league system as unworkable in February, and little support for it has surfaced since.(more at Fort Worth Star Telegram)(3-27-2003)
- Foyt Delivers Meals: #14-Larry Foyt, in town for the Samsung/RadioShack 500 race Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, delivered meals to four senior adults, including Merlene Waits. “It was a total surprise for me. I thought it was exciting,” Waits said. Foyt was escorted by a police motorcade, local news media outlets and several representatives from Harrahs Casino and Meals on Wheels. Harrahs, his principal sponsor, has pledged $1 million to Meals On Wheels for three years. Police escorts were necessary because his car is not built for stop-and-go traffic and cannot stop at lights or stop signs.(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(3-27-2003)
- 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 or see the #88 Team Page for the image and the new logo.(3-26-2003)
AND Look for the new Dale Jarrett, DW, Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy UPS commerical to begin airing the week of the Martinsville weekend.(3-27-2003)
- NASCAR considering Ephedra ban UPDATE: 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)
UPDATE: NASCAR is hiring an expert on the use and effects of dietary supplements that contain the stimulant ephedra. “We’re talking to an expert in that field,” NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said Wednesday. “It’s not so much a health expert as it is a drug expert, although I hate to ever use the word drugs in relation to NASCAR.” Ephedra is banned in college athletics, the NFL, minor league baseball and the Olympics. It was partly to blame for the heatstroke death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler last month. After Bechler’s death, questions arose about the possible use of products for weight loss or extra energy by NASCAR drivers and crew members faced with a grueling 38-race schedule and heavy race-day pressure for quick pit stops and wins. NASCAR does random drug tests, but ephedra is not among its banned substances. Al Shuford, head trainer for Chip Ganassi Racing, was quoted by USA Today as saying an estimated 80 percent of NASCAR’s crew members have at least tried ephedra. “I do not believe that number,” Hunter said, pointing out that supplement manufacturer Stacker 2, sponsor of Kenny Wallace’s Winston Cup car, handed out samples to the teams earlier this year. Hunter said Winston Cup director John Darby and his staff are investigating to determine if anyone in the sport is using ephedra. He added that the investigation is also “a priority” for Gary Nelson, who heads NASCAR’s new research and development facility. “We want to find out who is using it and what they’re using it for,” Hunter said. He added that NASCAR is also talking with Bill Davis, who owns Wallace’s car. “We don’t know a lot about this, yet, and we want to find out what we’re dealing with before we react,” Hunter said. “We don’t even know if it’s a problem for us or not.” Wallace went to NVE Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Stacker 2, after Bechler’s death. “I said, ‘Hey, what’s going on? Is this going to affect us?’ And they said `Everything’s fine,’” Wallace said. NVE also markets a Stacker 2 without ephedra. “They have told me that racing has just put them to another level,” he said. “The commercials we’ve done have been a lot of fun because people react to them. And our sport is about selling product.” Dr. Scott McNair, team physician for Hendrick Motorsports, said the effects of dehydration on drivers or crew members could be serious, but added, “I’ve never been aware of (ephedra use) being a very big problem.” McNair urged anyone in the sport using ephedra to stop. “It would be beneficial in a sense to ban it,” McNair said. “People don’t understand the seriousness of the effects of drugs and ephedra is not a good drug.”(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(3-27-2003)
- NASCAR’s ad policy baffling: Taboo sponsors in NASCAR: Hard liquor, racy magazines and Internet sports gambling sites. Approved sponsors in NASCAR: Bricks-and-mortar casinos, dietary supplements that contain the controversial stimulant ephedra, and beer — including malt-based beverages made by hard-liquor companies. Cigarette maker Winston, of course, sponsors the series. NASCAR officials look at team sponsorship issues on a case-by-case basis. Approval wasn’t automatic, for example, when Stacker 2 — a company whose product line includes ephedra supplements — wanted to sponsor a car. Supplements are sold at malls and grocery stores, but several sports leagues have banned ephedra because of potential health risks.(See full story at the USA Today)(3-27-2003)
- Tina Gordon to run Talladega Busch race: CTS driver Tina Gordon announced plans today to compete in the Aaron’s 312 Busch Series race on April 5, 2003, at Talladega Superspeedway. Gordon, driver of the #31 Microtel Inns Dodge in the Truck Series, will drive the #22 Sticks n Stuff Chevrolet for Bost Motorsports next week. Gordon is looking forward to the chance to return to her home track next weekend in a Busch car. “I am really excited about being able to race at Talladega Superspeedway. Talladega has always been a special track to me. I am glad to be bale to have the opportunity to gain more experience and valuable seat time on a Superspeedway,” said Gordon. “It is great to be able to race in a series like the NASCAR Busch Series at Talladega, especially with it being my home track.” Team owner Danny Bost feels very good about having Tina Gordon in the seat next week. “We are really looking forward to having Tina drive for us at Talladega. She has had some strong Superspeedway runs and we feel like we have a solid car for Talladega that will give her the chance to show her abilities in the Busch Series.” Added Bost, “I think there will be some eyes opened to Tina and this team next weekend. I can’t wait to get there.” The #22 Bost Motorsports entry has been building momentum all season. They have competed in all five Busch series races so far and are currently 30th in owner points for the 2003 season. The team crew chief is Matt Groeschl and uses engines from T&L Engine Development. Longtime supporter of Tina Gordon, Sticks n Stuff, will be the primary sponsor of the #22 entry. Gordon is thrilled at their return. “Sticks n Stuff has been a great sponsor with me in the ARCA/REMAX Series at Daytona and Talladega. I’m glad to be able to bring them back to Talladega in the Busch Series,” said Gordon. “Sam Kelley (owner of Sticks n Stuff) has been my sponsor every time I have run at Talladega and we are glad to continue that trend.” Kelley is also glad to be back on board with Tina Gordon. “We started with Tina in ARCA and are proud to move up the NASCAR ladder with her. At Sticks n Stuff, we keep adding locations and growing, just as Tina has been growing in her NASCAR career.” Gordon goes to Talladega after a strong run in the Craftsman Truck Series last week in Mesa Marin that put her in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year points lead and 16th in overall points. She looks to carry that momentum to Talladega and then on to Martinsville with her Brevak Racing truck program. “I’m thankful that the No. 22 team is giving me the opportunity to come here during my off week from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and race at my home track, Talladega Superspeedway.”(Victory Lane Motorsports Management PR)(3-27-2003)
- Keller wins pole at Texas: #57-Jason Keller’s lap Thursday in qualifying for the O’Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway wasn’t nearly as fast as the Busch series track record, but it was fast enough, a speed of 187.474mph. Jeff Green won the pole for this race a year ago at 193.493mph. #60-Stanton Barrett will start alongside Keller on the front row Saturday after running 186.916. Rounding out the top five are #25-Bobby Hamilton at 186.793, #10-Scott Riggs, who crashed his primary car in practice and didn’t have a lap on his backup is 4th at 186.657 and #5-Brian Vickers at 186.471. Two drivers missed the race; #00-Troy Cline and #85-Robbie Benton.(story at ThatsRacin.com)
For lineups see ThatsRacin.com, BGN Racing or NASCAR.com.(3-27-2003)
- Testing News: 17-year-old hot shots Kyle Busch and Shelby Howard were all alone at the top of the speed chart in yesterday’s open ARCA test at Nashville. Both drivers look to make their Busch Series debuts later this season. Busch has his ride lined up, but Howard has yet to finalize his plans. A pair of 19-year-olds connected to the Busch Series also participated in the test: Rookie Chase Montgomery and Henderson Motorsports crew member Caleb Holman.(BGN Racing)(3-27-2003)
- Shortened Fields? Some Busch teams would like to see NASCAR shorten the field by a few cars. The reason for doing so is to avoid scrambling to fill the field each week and to eliminate the problem of much slower cars clogging the track. That would likely result in promoters wanting to cut the purse, but if adjustments weren’t made it would ease some of the rising cost problems due to an increased payout per team.(Winston Cup Scene/BGN Racing)(3-27-2003)
- Carquest on the #5 at Texas: The O’Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway will feature the first special paint scheme of the season for GMAC Racing. The #5 Chevy will highlight CarQuest Auto Parts, with the company’s logo prominently displayed on the hood.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-27-2003)
- Stewart and Kid Rock? UPDATE 5 at Michigan BUT not Kid Rock…3 Doors Down: hearing that Tony Stewart will drive the #8 Kid Rock Chevy in the Busch/BGN race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May.(1-23-2003)
UPDATE: however, it has been reported that Steve Park will race the #8 BGN car at Lowe’s, so not too sure about this one.(1-24-2003)
UPDATE 2: getting a bit more info, hearing now, the scheme will race at one of the BGN Richmond races, probably May as there are rumors that Dale Earnahrdt Jr will run all three races at Richmond in Sept (CTS/BGN/Cup) and Martin Truex Jr is scheduled in the #8 BGN car at RIR in May…so this rumor has some holes in it, unless it is a 2nd Chase2 car, what is posted here is all I have heard or know.(1-25-2003)
UPDATE 3: been told that Tony Stewart will NOT be driving a #8 Kid Rock paint scheme in the May Charlotte BGN race. This is already scheduled to be a cheese nips car to be driven by Steve Park. But could show up elsewhere. However, many diecast sheets are showing the car running in Charlotte, so it could be the Fall race.(1-27-2003)
UPDATE 4: now being told the scheme will run at the Michigan Busch Series race in August.(3-13-2003)
UPDATE 5: the Tony Stewart #8 Busch Series program has been changed from Kid Rock to 3 Doors Down. This special program will be racing in Michigan on August 16th. Dale Earnhardt Jr.(car owner) and Stewart both filmed footage to appear in a new rock music video with 3 Doors Down which is due out this summer.(3-27-2003)
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