With NASCAR on a temporary hiatus, news is going to be slow in the coming weeks. To help fill the NASCAR void, we plan on taking you on a daily trip down memory lane spanning the years since the Jayski’s site inception. Using our news archives pages, here’s a look back at what’s happened on this date through the last 23 years in NASCAR:
This day in NASCAR history: March 29
Years we have pulled today’s main items from: 2018, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003, 1998
Top see everything from this date over previous years: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
Note: Many links on older stories don’t work. There’s not a lot of the same websites around anymore.
To see previous articles covering “Today in History”, click here.
2018:
- Kurt Busch expected to return to Stewart Haas: Kurt Busch’s contract with Stewart-Haas Racing expires at the end of the 2018 season. And the team said Wednesday it “fully expects” Busch to return in 2019.[More](3-29-2018)
2016:
- Attorney seeks to withdraw from XXXtreme Motorsports suit: Drew A. Richards, attorney for former Sprint Cup car owner John Cohen, filed a motion to withdraw on Monday because Cohen and XXXtreme Motorsports have “failed to fully compensate” for services rendered and failed to provide a retainer to cover fees and expenses in preparing the case. NBC Sports sought a comment from Cohen but has not received a response. Cohen is being sued in federal court by former Swan Racing car owner Brandon Davis for failure to pay $200,000 for the points of Swan Racing’s #30 car based on an April 2014 agreement cited in the complaint. The complaint notes that Cohen’s XXXtreme Motorsports fielded the #30 car for one race and transferred the points to the #44 car after that.(NBC Sports)(3-29-2016)
- Custer driving 5 races for JR Motorsports: Cole Custer, driver of the #00 Haas Automation Chevrolet
Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for JR Motorsports, will compete in five NASCAR Xfinity Series events this season. Haas Automation will sponsor Custer in four of the five races with Cessna receiving primary branding at Kentucky Speedway. The 18-year-old Californian will make his debut in the #5 Chevrolet next month at Richmond International Raceway (April 23) in a fourth entry for JRM. Custer then transitions to the #88 Chevrolet at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 28) and Kentucky Speedway (July 8). He’ll return to the seat of the #5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oct. 7) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 19). After spending 2015 competing part-time in the NCWTS with JRM, Custer embarked on his first full-time season in 2016. In 12 starts for the team, Custer has amassed one win (Gateway Motorsports Park), two top-five and four top-10 finishes, with one pole.(JR Motorsports)(3-29-2016)
2015:
- Penske warns teams not to mess with tires: Roger Penske has warned his NASCAR team to stay out of any controversy regarding the possible manipulation of tires used during races. The team owner is aware of rampant industry speculation that some crews are drilling tiny holes in tires to allow air to escape during a race, a process known as “bleeding tires.” NASCAR has confiscated tires the last two weeks, including those of Team Penske driver #22-Joey Logano following the race at Phoenix. “It’s my understanding that there could be ways to have the tires lose pressure over a stint,” Penske said Saturday at the IndyCar Series event at St. Petersburg. Obviously with softer tires, you are going to have better grip and better performance. I’ve told our guys ‘Hey, let’s stay out of this.’ I can tell you this: we are not making any adjustments to our tires for that type of activity.” Penske didn’t know what NASCAR was looking for when it took Logano’s tires after the March 15 race at Phoenix. He also doesn’t know if anyone in the Sprint Cup Series garage is actually bleeding tires. “I can’t ever point my finger at anyone else. At the end of the day, guys go fast for different reasons, and someone has an idea that that’s going on,” Penske said. “I’ve seen no evidence at this point, at least it hasn’t been show to me, to say ‘this is happening.’ The only finger I’m pointing is at my own guys to make sure we’re not involved in anything like that.”(Associated Press)(3-29-2015)
2011:
- Jay Robinson Racing to run Cup? Although Jay Robinson Racing [#28 team in NNS] is no stranger to the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Robinson also gave details about going Cup racing this season—very soon. “It’s not a matter of if, but when. We already have the car, the license, and the car number. ” The team is hoping to within the next couple of months.(Racing Experts)(3-29-2011)
2010:
- Martinsville would like new spring date: Clay Campbell, track president of Martinsville Speedway and he said he would like to have a new date for this spring race (the track had a mid-April date for a number of years until moving up earlier in the schedule in 2007). Here’s what he said: “March, it’s a tough time period here, so yes, I’m talking to see if there’s any chance of something being done (spring date moved).
I don’t know if there is. Years ago we were the last week of April. That’s a good time of the year around here. I know NASCAR has a tough time juggling the schedule around because if they move one (date), it takes two to move. I understand that, and I understand that NASCAR has issues, too. It’s not an easy thing to do, and I’d say the chances are slim of any movement happening, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t try to improve what we’ve got here.” Of course, there could be a good bit of movement to the schedule next year if the legal issues around Kentucky Motor Speedway get resolved and Bruton Smith moves a Cup date there. Also, International Speedway Corp., wants a second date for Kansas Speedway but has not said from what track it will take it from. ISC owns Martinsville Speedway. Certainly, there could be a good bit of changes to the schedule next year and this is about the time of the year that NASCAR officials begin working on the next year’s schedule.(Virginian Pilot)(3-29-2010)
2008:
- NASCAR won’t intervene in Roush dispute with Toyota team: NASCAR officials say they will not intervene in the dispute between Roush Fenway Racing and an unspecified Toyota team that allegedly took a part from the Ford organization. Team owner Jack Roush is asking NASCAR for “relief” on the issue, but NASCAR Vice President of Competition strongly dismissed that idea on Friday. “If they’ve got issues with each other or other teams, then they’ve got to talk to those other teams,” Pemberton said. “I didn’t take a part or a piece, all right? Nobody in this [NASCAR] trailer took a part or a piece. We know Jack said that, and apparently some other team acknowledged having a part or a piece. Those people need to work their deal out.” Roush said a Toyota team took a sway bar home from a September race at Dover last season. If that’s true, Pemberton said, “Then shame on a team that has that person working for them. If you’ve got a guy that takes a part or a piece from another team, then, in my opinion, I wouldn’t have a guy like that work for me,” he said. Still, that doesn’t mean NASCAR is going to do anything about it. “[The teams] have to work together,” he said. “We’re not going to build walls in here. We’re not going to separate everything. We’re going to run this garage area just like it’s been run. If you have issues, then you’ve got to work it out.”(SceneDaily)(3-29-2008)
2006:
#400 for Nemechek: #01-Joe Nemechek will reach another career milestone when the green flag drops for Sunday’s Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway. It will be his 400th career Cup start. Nemechek’s first start was July 11, 1993 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. He started 15th and finished 36th in a family-owned Chevrolet sponsored by Dentyne. Since then, the U.S. Army Chevy driver has carved an impressive career leading up to his 400th start.(MB2Motorsports PR)(3-29-2006)
- Sauter to sub for Sutton: Johnny Sauter makes his Martinsville Truck Series debut in this Saturday’s Kroger 250. Sauter steps in to pilot the #02 Team Copaxone Chevy for the injured Kelly Sutton. Sauter has two previous Nextel Cup starts at the track.(Sauter PR)(3-29-2006)
2004:
- Reed Sorenson Set for Run at ASA Championship and run some Busch races: 18-year-old driving sensation Reed Sorenson may be returning to familiar territory when the 2004 ASA Racing season kicks off this
Saturday at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla., but one thing is for sure – almost everything around him has changed. Sorenson, the 2003 ASA Rookie of the Year, will be sporting a new car with new colors in addition to having some major sponsorship backing. Sorenson will pilot the #29 Target/Texaco/Havoline Dodge for RSR Racing full time in ASA competition this season. Veteran crew chief Gene Roberts has been added to help guide the 18-year-old to the 2004 ASA Championship. “I’m really excited about getting things started this year,” Sorenson said. “Gene is going to bring a lot of information to this team and I’m looking forward to working with him. I’m also very excited to have Target and Texaco/Havoline supporting me this year. Being part of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is definitely an honor for me. Hopefully we can deliver everyone with a championship this year.” Sorenson, who is part of the driver development program at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, also plans to test the water in several other racing series during the 2004 season. Through a collaborative effort with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Sorenson will compete in select ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series races in 2004. For more information on Reed Sorenson, please visit www.reedsorenson.com.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(3-29-2004)
2003:
- Dale Earnhardt Plaza is now Kannapolis’ newest city park: Kannapolis, NC officially assumed ownership of the 1-acre tribute site in downtown Kannapolis last week. David Murdock, owner of Atlantic American Properties and Cannon Village, donated the land and the statue. The city originally had planned to lease the site from the company for $1 a year, said Jennifer Woodford, Kannapolis public information officer. Now, Kannapolis will have control over the maintenance and development of the area. “It’s a good step forward,” she said. Woodford said the city plans to begin landscaping and continue working on the wall and entrances that surround the statue. “We can’t thank Mr. Murdock enough for his support and his help,” said City Manager Mike Mahaney in a press release. “His contributions have helped to make our tribute a place that truly honors Dale Earnhardt and a place that our community can be proud of.”(Independent Tribune)(3-29-2003)
1998:
- Joe Gibbs Racing is building a new facility that will be 120,000 square feet with 100,000 devoted to shop space and the remainder to offices. There will also be a museum and an auditorium. It will be located in Huntersville, NC. It will house the Cup and BGN teams with the possibility of the NHRA teams moving there from Indy. The shop should be open in November 1998. The current shop is 34,000 square feet(WC Scene)(3-29-98)
Click a link below for a full listing of news from each year:
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997