March 28, 2008
- Latest on the ‘stolen’ Roush “proprietary part” UPDATE MWR: Jack Roush said on Friday that a Toyota team stole a sway bar made specifically for Roush Fenway Racing from one of his Sprint Cup teams last season at Dover. “A theft did occur,” the co-owner of Roush Fenway said during practice at Martinsville Speedway. “The part was recovered … We are still considering what if any legal action to seek.” One of Roush’s options is asking for a restraining order to guarantee the team in question does not duplicate the bar, which has been determined legal by NASCAR, for a competitive advantage. “It’s lawyer time,” Roush said. Roush made his first comments since he was quoted in ESPN The Magazine as saying a proprietary part was found missing from his inventory and discovered with a Toyota team. He discounted comments made by Jim Aust, the president of Toyota Racing Development, that a valve spring was found during a teardown inspection, identified as belonging to Roush and returned. Roush said the theft occurred in the garage area at Dover in September [2007], where the only Toyota teams in the field belonged to Michael Waltrip Racing and Team Red Bull.
Lee White, the general manager of TRD, said his organization launched a full investigation into the allegation when Roush’s allegations were published in ESPN The Magazine. He said a valve spring that did not belong to Toyota ended up at TRD’s California location after the California race, that it was reported to NASCAR and returned. Roush said he became aware of the theft in early January when the vendor that produced the product for Roush Fenway was contacted by the Toyota team in question about duplicating the bar.
Roush said he’s had several discussions with NASCAR officials about the situation. He was alarmed when Robin Pemberton, the vice president of competition for the series, said disappearing parts are a common occurrence and the teams needed to work it out amongst themselves. Roush said there is something fundamentally wrong if NASCAR doesn’t intercede, reminding the governing body has no problem reacting when somebody uses an illegal part — on purpose or not. Roush, noting he has been in the business 22 years, and said this is the first time he’s heard of such a situation. He declined to respond to a question in which Michael Waltrip Racing was insinuated as the Toyota team. “I don’t substantiate,” he said. Waltrip declined to comment until he heard how the question was posed and the way Roush responded.(see full story at ESPN.com), see past news about this on the #17 Team News and Links page.(3-28-2008) Comment here
- Goodyear completes 2nd test at Darlington: The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Wednesday completed a “continuation test” at Darlington Raceway with drivers #16-Greg Biffle, #24-Jeff Gordon and #12-Ryan Newman. An initial test with the same drivers earlier this month got Goodyear half-way to its goal of finding the right tire combination for the May 10 race at the legendary track. Goodyear engineers and the three teams held an original tire test at Darlington on March 10-11. They struck on the correct right-side tire, though they were not completely satisfied with the left-side codes they tested. Thus, Goodyear brought back the same three teams — so as to take advantage of their baseline notes — to hone in on that correct left-side. “Goodyear did a great job with the tire that they brought back,” said Greg Biffle. “The track still has quite a bit of speed. The ‘softer’ left-side tire had us a little faster than we wanted to go, but the ‘tougher’ left-side was real driveable. We were all happy with it.” A complete track repaving job was recently completed at Darlington, changing what had traditionally been one of the NASCAR circuits most abrasive racing surfaces. The result is a smooth, fast race track. “The track seems to be, as all dark, repaved tracks are, very sensitive to temperature. The hotter it is, the less grip there is,” explained Rick Campbell, Goodyear’s team leader for NASCAR Racing. “The Darlington race will be run primarily in the evening and this tire is intended to perform on a cool race track where grip will be a little better. This is the right tire for an evening race at Darlington and based on the feedback we received from all three drivers in attendance, they agreed with that.”(Goodyear PR)(3-28-2008)
- NASCAR said NO to a #44 – #00 pts swap: David Reutimann wanted to keep the points he earned in the #00 car during the first five races of the Sprint Cup season as he makes the switch to the #44 driven by Dale Jarrett for Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway. NASCAR said no. “They wouldn’t let us switch,” Reutimann said Friday. “It puts you back almost in the same boat you were before. It’s aggravating.” Reutimann was 27th in owner’s points in the #00. Jarrett, who is retiring, was 34th in the #44 and only 16 points from falling out of the top 35 — the cutoff for a guaranteed spot in the field for each Sprint Cup race. Michael Waltrip Racing announced last season that Reutimann would replace Jarrett after the first five races. John Darby, the Sprint Cup series director, said point swaps typically are granted only when there is a change in a business function or when an owner is trying to reorganize during the offseason. Sam Hornish Jr., for example, was given Kurt Busch’s points at the start of this season as the newest member of Penske Racing so that he would be guaranteed a spot in the first five races. “This was never meant to be used to give a driver the best position he can get,” Darby said. “Most people in the garage understand that.” Rookie Michael McDowell will inherit Reutimann’s points as the new driver of the #00.(ESPN.com)(3-28-2008)
- Biffle 90% sure he’ll stay at Roush UPDATE: #16-Greg Biffle is in his contract year — is deal with Roush Fenway Racing is up at the end of the season. He’s got something to prove, not only to everybody who thought he would never make the Chase again, but also to team owner Jack Roush. He’s said that he feels there’s a “90 percent” chance he will re-sign, but there’s little doubt that the better he does on the track, the more money he’s likely to make off of it.(Sports Illustrated)(3-28-2008)
UPDATE: Greg Biffle on Friday stated his intent to sign a contract extension with Roush-Fenway Racing, saying he is “90%” sure he will do so. “We’re really just in the fine-tune negotiations [stage],” Biffle said. “I think we’re coming along fairly well. It hasn’t been a top priority, but we’ve been communicating back and forth about what we’d like to see in a contract — appearances and the way it’s structured and different things. And I feel pretty confident we’re going to be able to reach middle ground [at Roush Fenway]. I would say 90%.” The hope, Biffle said, is to complete the agreement by midseason. “That would be preferable,” Biffle said. “So closing down to the chase, and the championship, we have the thing ironed out.” Biffle said other teams have mentioned casual interest in securing his driving services, and he’s spoken with them — but only in passing. Roush Fenway, he said, is the only team with which he is negotiating.(ESPN.com)(3-28-2008)
- Interim crew chief named for the #21: Team engineer Mike Smith is the interim crew chief for the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Sprint Cup Series team this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Smith is an aerodynamic specialist who has been with the team for 18 years. Bill Elliott is driving for the Wood Brothers this weekend at Martinsville. The team is outside the top 35 in owners points, but has access to a past champions provisional and is, therefore, locked into the field for Sunday’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500.(SceneDaily)(3-28-2008)
- Tony cuts his mane: Tony Stewart comes into Martinsville Speedway relaxed and refreshed after a rare off-weekend on the 38-race weekend Sprint Cup Series schedule. The driver of the #20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing is also a bit more aerodynamic, for the long hair he had sported since the end of last season is gone. Stewart’s mane looks more like it did when he was a rookie in 1999.
Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing:
What made you decide to finally cut your hair? “To be honest, I just woke up one morning and told one of my roommates, ‘Today’s the day. I’m going to get it cut.’ There was no rhyme or reason for it. I just woke up that morning and decided to get my hair cut, and that was that. I kind of laughed about it myself because there wasn’t anything that happened that made me do it. I just went ahead and did it. People who know me say I look 10 years younger now.”
How is the aftermath of having your back waxed? “It’s already growing back. It’s like a Chia Pet.”
Is it a testament to NASCAR’s popularity that the length of your hair and your hair follicles in general have become a topic of discussion?
“Yeah, it’s kind of unbelievable, and it does say that the sport is popular because I never thought the length of my hair would ever gain so much attention.”(JGR PR)(3-28-2008)
- Jeff Gordon wins pole at Martinsville: #24-Jeff Gordon won the Coors Light Pole for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway with a speed of 96.288mph for his 2nd pole of 2008 and the 65th of his career. #11-Hamlin qualified second with the rest of the top-10 being: #8-Almirola, #6-Ragan, #26-McMurray [best go-or-go homer], #9-Kahne, #49-Schrader [first race w/Toyota], #18-Busch, #20-Stewart and #48-Johnson. The non-top 35 teams that made the race were: #26-McMurray, #49-Schrader, #21-Elliott, #22-Blaney, #84-Skinner, #01-Smith, #10-Carpentier and #40-Franchitti. Franchitti tied with #45-Kyle Pettyy, but go the 43rd starting spot over Petty due to the fact that Petty was 40th in owners points and Franchitti was 38th.
For the starting lineup, qualifying results, pole progression see my Starting Lineup/Qualifying Results/Order Page.(3-28-2008)
- Four do not qualify [DNQ] for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway: #45-Petty, #34-Andretti, #78-Nemechek and #08-Raines.(3-28-2008)
- Qualifying Notes:
.. Jeff Gordon won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 with a lap of 19.666 seconds, 96.288 mph.
.. This is his 65th pole in 515 career NASCAR Sprint Cup races. He is fourth on the all-time pole winners list behind Richard Petty (126), David Pearson (112) and Cale Yarborough (70).
.. This is his second pole and sixth top-10 start in 2008.
.. This is Gordon’s seventh pole at Martinsville Speedway. He also started first here in September 1995 when qualified was canceled.
.. Denny Hamlin posted the second-fastest qualifying time with a lap of 19.775 seconds, 95.757 mph. This is his fourth top-10 start in six Martinsville races – all also top-fives. This is Hamlin’s second top-10 start in 2008.
.. Aric Almirola (third) posted his career-first Sprint Cup Series top-10 start. His best start in his seven-race Sprint Cup Series career was 16th, which came last race at Bristol.
.. Jamie McMurray (fifth) was the fastest of the drivers required to make the field on time.
.. Sam Hornish Jr. (26th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
.. Michael McDowell (34th) qualified for his career-first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
(NASCAR Statistics)(3-28-2008)
- Martinsville Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both the Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck Series will be running the same tire codes at Martinsville this weekend, though the Cup tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Truck tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . this is the same successful tire combination of left- and right-side tires that Goodyear brought to Martinsville for the COT cars and trucks in 2007 . . . this is the only track at which Cup teams will run this combination this season, though this right-side code (D-4110) will be run on all four tire positions at the road courses of Infineon Raceway and Watkins Glen International . . . Truck teams will run this combination on one other short track in 2008 — Mansfield . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners their tires at Martinsville. Estimated Pit Window: Every 120-130 laps, based on fuel mileage (Sprint Cup).(Goodyear PR), see full notes on my Martinsville Race Info page.(3-28-2008)
- Stewart and Zippy at the Rock: Tony Stewart will be climbing into the flagstand for the first time to wave the green flag to start a major stock car race when 50 cars come roaring by to start the Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway on May 4th. Stewart’s Sprint Cup crew chief will also be in Rockingham for the Carolina 500 and he will trade his normal race day duties as crew chief in for a position as driver. Greg Zipadelli will drive the pace car for the parade laps to begin the 312-lap race before relinquishing the steering wheel back to Jack Wallace, the regular ARCA RE/MAX Series driver. “It is an honor to have Tony and Greg join us for our race,” said track owner Andy Hillenburg. “Tony has the same passion for the sport that our fans have and there is not a nicer person in the garage area than Greg.” Stewart and Zipadelli will be traveling to Rockingham after trying to win the Sprint Cup Series race the night before in Richmond, VA. If weather is a factor in Richmond then both men will not be present for the Carolina 500.(Rockingham Speedway)(3-28-2008) Comment here
- Friday Practice for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway is over, the fastest:
#11-Hamlin 95.338
#48-Johnson 95.275
#41-Sorenson 95.237
#24-Gordon 95.145
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 95.161
slowest: #08-Raines 92.974 and #83-Vickers 93.580
most laps run: #00-McDowell 72; #77-Hornish 65
For the speeds, laps run, see my Martinsville Practice Speeds Page.(3-28-2008)
- Where did the non top-35 drivers practice at Martinsville
if things stay the same, these drivers would make the race:
#22-Dave Blaney, 6th
#26-Jamie McMurray, 11th
#49-Ken Schrader, 12th
#84-Mike Skinner, 19th
#45-Kyle Petty, 25th
#01-Regan Smith, 34th
#78-Joe Nemechek, 35th
#21-Bill Elliott, [could use past champ provisional], 38th
if things stay the same, these drivers would miss the race:
#10-Patrick Carpentier, 39th
#40-Dario Franchitti, 43rd
#34-John Andretti, 44th
#08-Tony Raines, 47th
For the speeds, laps run, see my Martinsville Practice Speeds Page.(3-28-2008) - #36 Team Cutting Back Schedule; Wallace to the #28: UPDATE 4: Fitz Motorsports’ Shark Energy Drink #36 Nationwide Series team will temporarily slow operations, effective immediately. Kenny Wallace drove the car in the first five Nationwide Series events this season. A number of different factors led to the decision. “Sponsor money for the #36 Dodge was based on distribution of Shark Energy Drink,” said team owner Armando Fitz. “While the initial response was terrific, it’s taking longer than anticipated to generate enough funding to run the #36 car competitively in the Nationwide Series. “We’re going to scale the #36 team back and put a full effort toward our #22 Supercuts Dodge,” Fitz added. “Kenny Wallace has an opportunity to drive for another Nationwide Series team and we certainly don’t want to hold him back. Kenny has been a great friend and supporter of our program, and he deserves to be racing full time.” Fitz Motorsports will customize a race program for Shark Energy Drink as more distribution outlets are found and product is sold.(Fitz Motorsports PR)(3-17-2008)
AND: Rusty Wallace said on NASCAR Now tonight that Kenny will drive the #28-Jay Robinson Border Patrol car.(3-17-2008)
UPDATE: Jay Robinson Racing announces that Kenny Wallace will be behind the wheel of the #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevy for the remainder of the 2008 Nationwide Series Season. Kenny will make his debut in the #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevy this Saturday March 22, 2008 in Nashville during the running of the Pepsi 300.(Jay Robinson Racing PR)(3-18-2008)
UPDATE 2: Tennessee’s own Sterling Marlin will be in the #1 Miccosukee Resort Chevy at Nashville, replacing Johnny Sauter.(NASCAR PR)(3-18-2008)
UPDATE 3: David Tomasello, The former Chief Executive Officer of Shark Energy Drink, comments on last week´s news that Shark Energy Drink has suspended its marketing program in NASCAR. “My management team worked very hard to build that motorsports program with Fitz Motorsports and Xpress Motorsports, and it´s very unfortunate that the new CEO and management has chosen not to continue with the program. “I heard about it just like everyone else, on the internet” said Tomasello.(3-26-2008)
UPDATE 4: Shark Energy Drink responsded to the comments of David Tomasello as follows, “As stated before, Shark Energy Drink will continue to work with Fitz Motorsports in an effort to pursue distribution outlets for our product,” said Shark Energy President, Moe Boukadida, “NASCAR racing, and particularly the Nationwide Series with Fitz Motorsports is a terrific marketing platform for us. As a distribution-based program, sales is the key to its success. With more product now available in the U.S. our distribution efforts will be enhanced and allow us the financial latitude to achieve our marketing goals with Fitz Motorsports. The comments recently expressed by a prior company official in no way reflect our position. We will continue to work collectively to bring Shark Energy Drink to the NASCAR fan.”(Shark Energy Drink PR) and Fitz Motorsports responds to Thomasellos claims. Armando Fitz released the following statement: “Mr. Tomasellos’ asumptions are far from correct. We are working diligently on adding yet more select races for Shark Energy. President Moe Boukadida and his staff have attended many races with us and have brought his on-site marketing group with him for sampling and various marketing “ops”. The relationship with Fitz Motorsports and NASCAR has been very successful for Shark Energy as they will attest. They love Kenny Wallace and what he did. They are pleased with their NASCAR results and have Osotspa Corporate (Shark) excited about NASCAR as a marketing platform.(3-28-2008) - Lia helps raise awareness about Autism: UPDATE Image Added: Donny Lia’s #71 Chevy will carry the colors of Autism Speaks starting at Martinsville Speedway. Lia has a close connection to a child suffering from the incurable disorder. “The Car Chief on my modified has a son who is autistic,” explained Lia. “When we were looking at running at Martinsville without a primary sponsor, we decided that it would be better to offer the space to Autism Speaks to help get the word out about Autism and the need for a cure.”(TRG Motorsports PR)(3-26-2008)
Image added: Image of the #71-AutismSpeaks.com Chevy is posted on the 2008 Paint Scheme Gallery page.(3-28-2008)
- Shark Energy Drink no longer sponsoring NASCAR teams: David Tomasello, The former Chief Executive Officer of Shark Energy Drink, comments on last weeks news that Shark Energy Drink has suspended its marketing program in NASCAR. “My management team worked very hard to build that motorsports program with Fitz Motorsports and Xpress Motorsports, and it’s very unfortunate that the new CEO and management has chosen not to continue with the program. “I heard about it just like everyone else, on the internet” said Tomasello.[Shark Energy Drink has been sponsoring the #16 Chevy of Brian Scott.](3-28-2008)
- Lagasse makes first series run at Martinsville: Saturday’s Kroger 250 Craftsman Truck Series race will give many rookie truck series drivers their first glimpse of Martinsville’s long straight-aways and sharp turns. Among them will be 27-year-old Scott Lagasse Jr. in the #20 JTG Racing [Nicholson Group] Ford. Lagasse, son of Scott Lagasse Sr., a former Craftsman Truck Series driver, is not new to racing. Lagasse has piloted a few Nationwide Series cars in the past and competed in several other truck races over the years, but has never competed at Martinsville Speedway. Lagasse took his first laps around Martinsville during the March 12-13 Craftsman Truck Series practice at the track.(Scott Lagasse PR)(3-28-2008)
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