March 29, 2005
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- Dale Jr. comments on troubles: A lot of people want to know the reason behind Dale Earnhardt Jr’s. poor start to the 2005 season. Taking time out from testing at Martinsville Junior said he doesn’t blame his new pit crew but claims DEI is playing catch up. Dale Jr said “There’s a lot of other stuff and variables going on in the sport right now to where DEI is a company that’s found itself behind in a lot of areas. We’ve got great race cars but there are guys who have better ones now and we’ve got to work hard and gain on some areas.” So, Dale was asked, how do you do that? He said “Gotta hire some people, steal some people, get rid of the dead weight…that’s the only way you can do it. I heard somebody say that (Junior joked)…that’s a quote…(smiling)…not my own.(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show)(3-29-2005)
- Council approves NASCAR incentives: In an effort to keep NASCAR’s all-star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, the Charlotte [NC] City Council voted Monday night to set aside thousands of incentive dollars. NASCAR is considering moving the big race, which contributes more than $94 million a year to the regional economy. So last week, the president of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority asked the City Council to approve more than $62,000 in incentives. The state has already put up $250,000 in incentives.(News Carolina 14)(3-29-2005)
- #9 to Outfit Special ‘Reverse’ Paint Scheme of Kahne’s Signature Dodge Pit Cap: While Kasey Kahne turned out a season for the record books in 2004, NASCAR fans turned out in record numbers donning Kahne’s signature Dodge pit cap at racetracks across the country. As a thank-you for the sea of red Dodge pit caps seen in the grandstands each weekend, Kahne’s #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger will sport a ‘reverse’ paint scheme of the fan-favorite hat style. The special paint scheme, which will debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2005 Brickyard 400, represents a unique twist on the style of Kahne’s well-known red hat. For the first time, Kahne’s #9 Dodge Charger will feature a predominantly white design with two red racing stripes across the entire length of the car top – a ‘reverse’ color design based upon the popular hat and the replica race car scheme that Kahne debuted in the 2004 Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.(Clear!Blue), see an image of the scheme on my #9 Team Schemes page.(3-29-2005)
- Writer Honored: Larry Woody of The Tennessean is the 2005 recipient of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame‘s Henry T. McLemore Award, which recognizes outstanding motorsports journalism. Woody will be honored during ceremonies April 28 at the hall in Talladega, Ala., along with 2005 inductees Darrell Waltrip, Nigel Mansell, Chip Hanauer, Joe Amato and Bob Glidden. Woody is the 25th person to receive the McLemore Award since it was first awarded in 1969. Previous recipients include Chris Economaki, Ken Squier, Barney Hall, Eli Gold, Bob Jenkins and Ned Jarrett. ”It’s really an honor, particularly with Darrell being inducted, because our careers have kind of paralleled each other,” Woody said. A three-time Tennessee Sportswriter of the Year, Woody has also covered the NFL and Vanderbilt. He has written several books, including Mark Martin: Mark of Excellence, Pure Sterling: The Sterling Marlin Storyand A Dixie Farewell: The Life and Death of Chucky Mullins. His most recent book is Along for the Ride, a collection of stories about covering auto racing. The Crossville native joined The Tennessean sports staff in 1967 after serving two years in the Army and receiving two citations for valor in Vietnam.(Tennessean)(3-29-2005)
- Testing at Texas: Texas Motor Speedway says Bill Elliott, Kasey Kahne, and Boris Said are scheduled to test their Nextel Cup entries there on Tuesday, and Rusty Wallace is expected on Wednesday. Busch Series drivers planning tests this week include Joe Nemechk, Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard and Brandon Miller on Tuesday and Greg Biffle on Wednesday. The tests are not open to the public.NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(3-29-2005)
- Johnson Gillette Young Gun at Atlanta: By picking Jimmie Johnson as the highest finishing Gillette Young Gun in the Golden Corral 500, Presented by Gillette Mach3 Turbo Nitro at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20th, Cynthia W. of Conyers, GA was the winner of the weekly Gillette Young Guns $5,000 Challenge. Cynthia picked Johnson as the highest finishing Young Gun by going to www.gilletteyoungguns.com and entering before the weekly deadline. As the highest finishing Gillette Young Gun, a $1,000 donation will be made to the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) on behalf of Johnson. This is the third time this season a donation has been made to the NPCC on behalf of Johnson.(Alan Taylor Communications)(3-29-2005)
- #56 Looking for a Crew Chief: Mac Hill Motorsports (NASCAR Busch Series #56) announced today that the team has decided to seek a replacement for Crew Chief Todd Myers. Team Owner Jack McNelly made the announcement. “While it is difficult for us to make this change, we feel it is in the best interest of our team to seek a new crew chief at this time,” said McNelly. “We certainly appreciate Todd’s efforts and dedication this season to Mac Hill Motorsports and the Lester Buildings Chevrolet. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”Jeff Spraker will take over crew chief duties on an interim basis for the team’s next race, the Sharpie Professional 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday. Mac Hill Motorsports has begun the process of interviewing candidates for the permanent Crew Chief position and expects to make an announcement soon.(Mac Hill Motorsports)(3-29-2005)
- Mike Wallace to run the #6 at Bristol: Unilever Foods and Evernham Motorsports announced that veteran driver, Mike Wallace will pilot the #6 Hungry Drivers Dodge Charger in this weekend’s NASCAR Busch Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ray Evernham, CEO and President, Evernham Motorsports, called upon Wallace because he felt it was essential to have a veteran driver with short track racing experience for the demanding Bristol event. Evernham Motorsports and Unilever Foods are in the process of evaluating their options for the remainder of the season and expect to announce long-term plans for the Hungry Drivers team in the coming weeks. They will continue to look for talented young drivers to be a part of the Hungry Drivers program and Evernham Motorsports driver development program throughout the 2005 season.(Hungry Drivers PR)(3-29-2005)
- Two Crew Chief Fines: NASCAR announced Monday that fines have been issued to two NASCAR Busch Series crew chiefs resulting from rule violations during opening day inspection at Nashville Superspeedway on March 25. Steve Plattenberger, crew chief of the #12 Dodge driven by Tim Fedewa and Elton Sawyer, crew chief for the #6 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne, were each fined $500 after being found in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (unapproved lug nuts).(NASCAR PR)(3-29-2005)
- Plattenberger and #12 Team Part Ways: FitzBradshaw Racing announced that it has amicably parted ways with Steve Plattenberger, crew chief for driver Tim Fedewa and the #12 SuperCuts/Hot Tamales Dodge Charger. “I’ve enjoyed working with Tim and everyone at FitzBradshaw Racing,” said Plattenberger. “I was fortunate to work with a great group in the shop and at the track every weekend. However, another opportunity has come my way that I feel is best for me to pursue at this time. I wish everyone at FitzBradshaw Racing the best of luck.” Plattenberger joined FitzBradshaw Racing towards the end of the 2004 season, following a string of crew chiefs for the #12 team. No replacement has been named as crew chief for the #12 SuperCuts/HOT TAMALES Dodge Charger. An announcement from the team will be forthcoming.(FitzBradshaw Racing)(3-29-2005)
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