March 29, 2006
-
-
- Johnson wrecks in LMS tire testing: #48-Jimmie Johnson crashed in Turn 4 when his right rear tire went flat at Lowe’s Motor Speedway during the Goodyear tire test Wednesday morning. Johnson was not injured in the accident, but his Hendrick Motorsports Chevy could not be repaired enough for him to continue to test on the newly repaved track. “The tire went down, lost air pressure,” said Rick Heinrich, Goodyear’s Nextel Cup product manager. “He had felt the tire start to go down in Turn 1, and in Turn 3, the deflation of the tire completed. … We’re still looking at the tire and trying to come up with a concrete determination of what caused the tire to go down. We don’t know if it was a puncture or wear-related at this point.” Johnson’s was the only incident during the Tuesday all-day session and the Monday morning session. #43-Bobby Labonte, #10-Scott Riggs, #29-Kevin Harvick and Bobby Hamilton Jr. in a truck also participated in the session.(SceneDaily.com)(3-29-2006)
- Lester Welcomes a New Son: Barely a week after the excitement of racing in his first Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bill Lester and his wife Cheryl had another major event to celebrate … the birth of their second son, Austin Richard Lester, who arrived on the starting grid at 1:56pm/et on Tuesday, March 28, at 9lb Ooz and 20.5″ tall. Following the introduction ceremony and command to start your engines, he immediately posted competitive nap times. Mom, dad, baby and brother Alex are doing fine.(AMS PR)(3-29-2006)
- New look for #07 at Martinsville: The #07 Chevy will sport a new look this weekend as DIRECTV assumes the primary sponsorship role on Bowyer’s Chevy. DIRECTV will also be showcased on his entry in June at Pocono and this fall at Talladega. Bowyer’s customary primary sponsor Jack Daniel’s will be featured on the car’s lower quarter panels and the trunk lid. DIRECTV is also the entitlement sponsor of this weekend’s race.(RCR PR), see an image on my #07 Teams Schemes page.(3-29-2006)
- #26 Tire Changer Injured, Prognosis Good: Joe Kruschek, rear tire changer for the #26 Roush Racing Ford Fusion, was injured in last Monday’s race in Atlanta during a routine pit stop. Kruschek sustained injuries to both hands when the jack was released while he was still in the process of tightening lugnuts. Kruschek suffered a broken left thumb, a broken right middle finger and a cut right index finger. He successfully underwent surgery on Tuesday, March 21st, in a local hospital in Griffin, Georgia, and was transported back to the Charlotte, North Carolina area by Roush Racing. Kruschek will be in a cast and will undergo physical therapy for at least a couple of months, but the prognosis is good for a satisfactory recovery. Upon welcoming Kruschek back to the Charlotte area, team owner Jack Roush contacted Dr. Jerry Petty, a Charlotte neurosurgeon, to further evaluate Joe and refer him to a hand specialist. “We’re going to see that Joe Kruschek has the best possible care and that the most appropriate specialists are consulted and brought on board. Joe is a racer and I know that more than anything he wants to get back to work at the race track, but first and foremost we want him to be healthy,” commented Jack Roush. This is Kruschek’s first year with Roush Racing.(Roush Racing)(3-29-2006)
- Why #1 Crew Chief not fined: FOX Sports used the same excuse for profanity creeping into Sunday’s broadcast of the Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway as CBS did for Janet Jackson’s breast being exposed during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVIII. Equipment malfunction. “We’ve talked to FOX Sports and they told us there was a malfunction, that it wasn’t deliberate,” NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said Tuesday. “They told us there’s some sort of system in play where there’s a delay. For whatever reason, it didn’t work. They assured us they’re looking at ways to make sure that doesn’t reoccur.” The incident occurred when the in-car radio conversation between crew chief Kevin Manion and his driver, Martin Truex., Jr., was broadcast. Manion was caught using the same word that earned driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. a $10,000 fine and the loss of 25 points two years ago at Talladega Superspeedway. Hunter said Manion was not fined because “this was a glitch that occurred.”(NASCAR.com)(3-29-2006)
- Stewart’s Team Earns Second Straight Pit Crew Challenge Win: For the second week in a row, Tony Stewart’s pit crew secured the weekly Checkers / Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition by spending the least amount of time on pit road in Sunday’s (March 26) NEXTEL Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. “Our pit stops were really good all day,” said Stewart, who recorded a 12th-place finish in his Home Depot/Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet. “For two straight weeks our stops have been good. The guys have really stepped it up and I’m proud of them. We never lost a spot on pit road, and at a place like Bristol where track position is so important, having a crew that keeps what you earned on the race track is invaluable.” Stewart’s team will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize entitled to the winning team. In addition, a $105,000 reward will be presented to the team with the most pit crew wins at the conclusion of the 36-race Nextel Cup season. Stewart’s over-the-wall crew, who spent 206.844 seconds on pit road during the 500-lap event, consists of: Jason Lee (jackman), Tom Dean (front-tire carrier), Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Jody Fortson (rear-tire carrier), Todd Foster (rear-tire changer), Jeff Patterson (gasman), Brian Larson (catch can) and Scott Geerts (windshield). The team’s crew chief is Greg Zipadelli and the pit stop coordinator is Paul Alepa. The Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season with the Nextel Cup Series. Checkers/Rally’s is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(3-29-2006)
- #88 tests at Caraway: In preparation for the DirecTV 500 at Martinsville the #88 UPS Team spent Monday at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C., shaking down the car Dale Jarrett will race this weekend.(UPS Racing PR)(3-29-2006)
- #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)
- Stewart tests at Lakeland: #20-Tony Stewart tested at USA International Speedway at Lakeland, FL on March 21-22 in preparation for this weeks race at Martinsville Speedway.(Truespeed/JGR)(3-29-2006)
- Mississippi passes resolution for Dale Earnhardt Day: The Mississippi House passed a resolution Tuesday designating April 29 each year as “Dale Earnhardt Day” in the state. The NASCAR star, also known as “The Intimidator” was born April 29, 1951, in North Carolina. He was killed in a crash at the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2001. Although there are no NASCAR races in Mississippi, the resolution says that Earnhardt “created a legacy in Mississippi (by) amassing so many wins.” It also says Earnhardt “changed the sport of racing, bridging past, present and future generations of fans by upholding the finest NASCAR traditions while remaining a cutting-edge competitor throughout the entirety of his career.” The resolution was sponsored by a diverse group of 55 House members — Democrats and Republicans, blacks and whites, men and women. It now goes to the Senate. A similar resolution passed the Georgia House of Representatives in 2005. Another one was filed in the Ohio House of Representatives this week.(Clanton Advertiser/AP)(3-29-2006)
- New NASCAR auto body shop opens in Mooresville: Race City USA just got its newest full-service auto body and paint shop-Automotion, which just opened its doors at 149 Beyer’s Creek in the Talbert Pointe Business Park. President Frank Norris has teamed up with several local NASCAR body and paint technicians in a brand new 12,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility..(PR) more info on my Racing Parts Links page.(3-29-2006)
- #5 tested at Caraway: #5 Crew chief Alan Gustafson has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 263 for Sunday’s race at Martinsville. The Kellogg’s team tested the car, which saw action in both Martinsville events in 2005, on March 22 at Caraway Speedway, a .455-mile oval in Asheboro, N.C.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-29-2006)
- Busch Teams to Test at Richmond: UPDATE 4: NASCAR Busch Series testing for the May 5, 2006 Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI at Richmond International Raceway will take place Tuesday, March 28 – Thursday, March 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Drivers currently scheduled to participate:
March 28-29: #00 Johnny Sauter, #01 Jay Sauter, #06 Todd Kluever, #1 Jason Keller, #2 Clint Bowyer, #5 Kyle Busch, #8 Martin Truex, Jr., #9 Kasey Kahne, #10 John Andretti, #11 Paul Menard, #16 Greg Biffle, #17 Matt Kenseth, #18 J.J. Yeley, #20 Denny Hamlin, #22 Kenny Wallace, #29 Jeff Burton, #31 Steve Park, #32 Jason Leffler, #39 Ryan Newman, #50 Danny O’Quinn, #56 Chris Cook, #60 Carl Edwards, #90 Elliott Sadler, #270 Justin Diercks.
March 29-30: #25 Ashton Lewis, Jr., #27 David Green, #35 Regan Smith, #38 A.J. Foyt IV, #43 Aaron Fike, #47 Jon Wood, #59 Stacy Compton, #64 Steve Wallace, #66 Scott Wimmer, #184 David Gilliland.(RIR PR)(3-22-2006)
UPDATE: The third test session of the season for the NASCAR Busch Series is a first for Richmond International Raceway where the 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. schedule Tuesday through Thursday allows for testing under the lights at the three-quarters of a mile track. Richmond is one of four tracks – and the only short track – that NASCAR Busch Series teams can utilize for tests this season. Daytona International Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway have already held tests. Lowe’s Motor Speedway will host the series May 8 – 10. Forty-one drivers are scheduled to participate in the three-day session where teams select two of the three available days to test.(NASCAR PR)(3-27-2006)
UPDATE 2: More than two dozen NASCAR Busch Series drivers tested at Richmond International Raceway today in preparation for the Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI on Friday, May 5. Topping the speed charts was #2-Clint Bowyer, who posted a best lap of 125.406 mph. He was followed by #9-Kasey Kahne, #60-Carl Edwards, #18-J.J. Yeley and #39-Ryan Newman in the top-five. Newman was followed by #32-Jason Leffler, #00-Johnny Sauter, #5-Kyle Busch, #29-Jeff Burton and #50-Danny O’Quinn to round out the top-10.(RIR PR)(3-28-2006)
UPDATE 3: Day two of NASCAR Busch Series testing at Richmond International Raceway ended with #29-Jeff Burton topping the speed charts with a best lap of 127.011 mph which he recorded in the afternoon. More than 40 cars tested today in preparation for the Circuit City 250 Presented by FUNAI on May 5. This week’s test session at Richmond International Raceway is one of just four test sessions for the NASCAR Busch series teams, and the only short-track test in 2006. Teams had the unique opportunity to test “under the lights” or the first time [Tuesday and Wednesday] nights, with the final day and night of testing wrapping up Thursday. The remainder of the top five were #39-Ryan Newman, #20-Denny Hamlin, #00-Johnny Sauter, and #5-Kyle Busch.(RIR PR)(3-29-2006) - Hamilton taking time off from 2006 season for health reasons UPDATE Hamilton upbeat: 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Bobby Hamilton regretfully is stepping out of his #18 Fastenal Dodge for the 2006 season effective after the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway due to health reasons. Hamilton has been diagnosed with cancer in the right side of his neck and will be replaced for the season by his son Bobby Hamilton Jr. “Nobody wants to go through this and the word cancer is a stout word to hear,” Hamilton said. “But I will be starting my treatment right after the race in Atlanta so I have to take care of me for awhile. The hardest thing I’ve done is stepping out of this truck, but I will be back by Homestead or by Daytona bext year. When I told Dodge and Fastenal that I had to do this, they were right on board with me. It says a lot for companies of this magnitude to stay with our program during such a difficult time. We have a huge family at BHR and their support will enable our program to continue to be a success.”(NASCAR PR)(3-17-2006)
UPDATE: Bobby Hamilton has undergone two chemotherapy treatments for cancer and said he’s doing well. “I walk in (at Vanderbilt University Medical Center) just like everyone else who gets the treatment, and I walk out the same way,” Hamilton said. “I don’t want any special kind of treatment out of this so it is very important for me to do this just like everyone else. I never even told my nurse who I was.” After Hamilton’s first treatment two weeks ago he returned to his racing shop in Mt. Juliet and went back to work. “It is business as usual,” he said. While still active at the shop, Hamilton is concerned that the ongoing treatments will leave him too weak to race. Starting Friday at Martinsville, Va., he will turn the driving duties over to son Bobby Jr. in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Hamilton’s goal is to be back behind the wheel for the season finale at Homestead, Fla., or at least by the ’07 opener at Daytona.(The Tennessean)(3-29-2006)
- Lester has new son: Truck series regular Bill Lester, and fresh off his first Nextel Cup start, added more excitement to his life with the birth of his second son, Austin Richard Lester, on Tuesday. Lester and family are all doing well. (Scene Daily Newsletter)(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)
-
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997