April 4, 2003
- Little E leads the Vote: More than 230,000 votes have been cast in the 2003 National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver award and Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds an early lead. Earnhardt Jr., who was edged out by Bill Elliott [who removed his name from this years voting] in last year’s voting, holds an advantage over second-place Jeff Gordon and third-place Tony Stewart, the 2002 Winston Cup champion. Online voting began for the award in mid-February at www.mostpopulardriver.com and concludes on Nov. 17. Additional voting guidelines are available on the voting Web site. The rest of the top 10 in voting: Steve Park, Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick, Michael Waltrip, Kyle Petty, Ricky Rudd and Dale Jarrett. The award is administered by the NMPA and sponsored by Grands! Biscuits. It’s the only fan-based award in major league motorsports. The award is given to the leading vote getter during the Winston Cup series award festivities in New York in December.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-4-2003)
- NASCAR examining Tony Stewart’s car UPDATE Gibbs not getting the car back?: Impounding the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet of Tony Stewart last weekend at TMS was a first for NASCAR, but officials have good reasons for wanting to take a closer look at the car. The slant of the rear window was three-quarters of an inch off allowable measurements, but the car fit all the templates. That put quite a scare into NASCAR inspectors, who couldn’t believe the window could be that far out of line and still fit the new templates. It took an X-measurement with a tape measure across the window (a new measurement this season) to prove the violation. NASCAR officials want to determine if another template is needed. They also want to make sure teams haven’t found other ways to get around the 32 template measurements. Raymond Fox, crew chief for the No. 38 M&Ms Ford of Elliott Sadler, said NASCAR’s action got everyone’s attention. “It opens up your eyes,” Fox said. “You go back to the shop and say, ‘OK, this is what happened last week. Let’s not let it happen to us.’ “(Dallas Morning News – may need to register to view), for past news see my #20 Team News and Links page, NO NEWS on any actions by NASCAR….yet.(4-3-2003)
UPDATE: Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, said on Friday that the Joe Gibb’s #20 car, confiscated at Texas last week, is being measured at the R&D shop by lasers and no determination has been made what will be done with the car or what penalties might be imposed. “I can say that the car probably won’t be returned to the team, at least not in it’s current configuration,” said Hunter, “We’ll more than likely take it to the wind tunnel to see if it has an aerodynamic advantage.”(Insider Racing News) and on an interview with Claire B. Lang of (XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio (Subscription Required), Hunter said not to expect any penalties/decisions to be handed down before the race at Talladega, especially if it goes to the wind tunnel. It could be weeks before anything is announced.
AND “There really is no timeline on the process on the 20 car.” That from NASCAR’s Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter who said here at Talladega Tony Stewart’s Home Depot Chevrolet which was confiscated at Texas is undergoing computer testing to simulate the exact measurements of the car at NASCAR’s Research and Developement Center in Mooresville, North Carolina…and it may be taken to a wind tunnel for further scrutiny. As for any penalties against the team Hunter says “there are all sorts of options”, however he doesn’t know if a decision will be made within several weeks or a month. NASCAR also must determine when and if the car will be returned to the team. Hunter said one possiblity is that it could be “sectioned” and the legal pieces given back to Joe Gibbs Racing. However, he says there is no rush because the car doesn’t have to be anywhere.(PRN’s Garage Pass – will be aired later today)(4-4-2003)
- Some DW news UPDATE: The Martinsville race on April 12 will be the first of two Craftsman Truck Series appearances by Fox TV analyst Darrell Waltrip as a driver. Broadcast partner Larry McReynolds will be Waltrip’s spotter, and Jeff Hammond, who turned the wrenches during part of Waltrip’s Cup career, will be the crew chief. … Fox’s frequent assertion that Hammond was Waltrip’s crew chief for three championships is incorrect, by the way. In 1981, Tim Brewer was Waltrip’s crew chief. In 1982, the duties were shared among Brewer, Hammond and Mike Hill. Hammond was the crew chief for Waltrip’s third title in 1985. You can look it up, as they say.(Gaston Gazette)
UPDATE: Tim Brewer was no longer with the team in 1982 and Jeff Hammond was the crew chief. Also on the truck, Hammond is NOT the Crew Chief, Bobby Kennedy is the Crew Chief, Hammond is the “Interperator”.(4-4-2003)
- 2003 International Motorsports Hall of Fame class inducted: The International Motorsports Hall of Fame inducted its 2003 class Thursday night a class with a background as varied as racing itself. Mel Kenyon races and builds United States Auto Club midgets. Ray Fox built stock cars and served as a NASCAR inspector. Briggs Cunningham built and drove sports cars that competed with the best in the world. A.J. Watson built cars that won the Indianapolis 500, and Emerson Fittipaldi raced to the top of the Formula One and Indy car worlds. Kenyon told his audience he was especially glad he was being inducted by Winston Cup driver Ryan Newman, who won a United States Auto Club midget series rookie championship while driving for Kenyon in 1995. Fox, who was introduced by Hueytown’s Bobby Allison, has rubbed shoulders with many fabled NASCAR names such as Fireball Roberts and Buddy Baker. Asked which driver was the best to work with over the years, he replied: “David Pearson and Junior Johnson were good. Junior could tell what was wrong with a car.” Briggs Cunningham III represented his father, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Watson and Fittipaldi were not present at Thursday’s induction ceremony. Fittipaldi, in Brazil for the Brazilian Grand Prix, was represented by his daughter, Tatiana. Christian Fittipaldi, Emerson’s nephew, inducted his uncle.(Alabama Live)(4-4-2003)
- 16 Gallon Fuel Cells? Word at Texas was that NASCAR is considering moving towards the 16-gallon fuel cells for all events, but the tracks a mile in length [Dover, Lodudon, Rockingham?]. The idea is to get the cars on pit road more often, and to give the crew people who go over the wall more chances to shine each weekend. That move would seem to play into the hands of Matt Kenseth’s #17 crew due to their frequent fast-as-lightning work on the DeWalt Ford when it comes to pit road [the crew is not a parcipating team in the McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit Championship].(Ford Racing)(4-4-2003)
- Dale Jr to run Concert car at Talladega in Busch race: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will drive a #8 Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert Chevrolet car in the Busch Series Aaron’s 312 at the Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, April 5. The one-time appearance of this specially designed car will highlight the inaugural Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert, sponsored by longtime partner Kraft and its Nabisco Biscuit Division, to be held June 28th at Daytona International Speedway. In addition to its sponsorship of the concert, Kraft and its Nabisco brands made a $500,000 donation to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Dale Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt unveiled the car at the NASCAR media day in February during which the concert’s first performing artists were announced. They included Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Sheryl Crow. Since then, the Goo Goo Dolls and Hootie and the Blowfish have joined the all-star lineup. Tickets are on sale through www.daleearnhardtinc.com and www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Proceeds from concert ticket sales will benefit the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, established by Teresa Earnhardt to support the causes Dale championed during his lifetime, including programs for children, education and wildlife preservation.(DEI PR / DIS PR) see an image of the real car and a diecast on my Busch Series Paint Scheme Gallery.(4-4-2003)
- Park Rumors Denied: Rumors about Steve Park’s job security in DEI’s #1 Pennzoil Chevy were circulating even before the Cup race at Texas. But Ty Norris, vice president of motorsports at DEI isn’t ready for talk of change, saying the team needs to do better and that DEI is going to keep trying to do better. Norris said Park has been real dedicated, coming by the shop and talking to the crew. The communication is open and positive. Norris had no comment when it was mentioned that Shane Hmiel’s [#48 in the Busch Series] name has been tossed around as a possible replacement for Park.(paraphrased from the Winston Cup Scene – subscription required to read online)(4-4-2003)
- Pepsi and a Billion: Michael Davies’ Diplomatic Productions and The WB are near a deal for a two-hour live special in which the grand prize is $1 billion, according to a report in today’s Daily Variety. Pepsi will be partnered in the program, for which contestants are selected through the purchase of a few specially marked Pepsi products. Plans call for Pepsi to promote the program throughout the summer and up to the special’s September airdate. Details are still being worked out for the contest, in which contestants will face off in a game of nerve and “chicken,” the report said. Mr. Davies was responsible for bringing ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” to the United States.(TV Week), looks like one of the promotions will be at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, see the car Jeff Gordon will drive there on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(4-4-2003)
- Grubb to run the #43 at Nashville race: Kevin Grubb, who’s splitting time with Lance Norick in Dave Carroll’s Dodges in the Busch Series this year, will drive for #43 Curb-Agajanian Motorsports at both Nashville events. Grubb is represented by CAM co-owner Cary Agajanian, a California-based attorney. Carroll is attempting to put a 10-race deal together with another team to cover the races Grubb isn’t slated to drive for his team to keep the driver competitive in the Busch standings. Headed into Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega, Grubb is 13th in driver points.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter via BGN Racing)(4-4-2003)
- Dale Jr to run Concert car at Talladega in Busch race: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will drive a #8 Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert Chevrolet car in the Busch Series Aaron’s 312 at the Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, April 5. The one-time appearance of this specially designed car will highlight the inaugural Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert, sponsored by longtime partner Kraft and its Nabisco Biscuit Division, to be held June 28th at Daytona International Speedway. In addition to its sponsorship of the concert, Kraft and its Nabisco brands made a $500,000 donation to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Dale Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt unveiled the car at the NASCAR media day in February during which the concert’s first performing artists were announced. They included Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Sheryl Crow. Since then, the Goo Goo Dolls and Hootie and the Blowfish have joined the all-star lineup. Tickets are on sale through www.daleearnhardtinc.com and www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Proceeds from concert ticket sales will benefit the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, established by Teresa Earnhardt to support the causes Dale championed during his lifetime, including programs for children, education and wildlife preservation.(DEI PR / DIS PR) see an image of the real car and a diecast on my Busch Series Paint Scheme Gallery.(4-4-2003)
- Gordon gets a sponsor for ‘Dega: Industrial Coatings Alliance Group, Inc (iCAG)/Building Restoration Products (BRP) announce sponsorship for NASCAR Busch Series driver Tina Gordon. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Tina Gordon recently announced plans to compete in the Aaron’s 312 Busch Series race on April 5, 2003 at Talladega Superspeedway. Gordon will drive the #22 Bost Motorsports Chevrolet this week at Talladega. Industrial Coatings Alliance Group, Inc. (iCAG) as well as it’s sister company, Building Restoration Products (BRP) announced plans today to assist Tina with sponsorship for this race as well as some possible future races. Industrial Coatings Alliance Group, Inc. (iCAG) is a nationwide roof restoration company that provides its clients with energy efficient roofing systems as well as facility maintenance programs. iCAG, known for its ability to reduce building owners utility costs while waterproofing their facility, is also the parent company for Building Restoration Products (BRP). BRP, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is a premier supplier of construction materials and specialty coatings in the southeast. Matt Lawler, General Manager of BRP, is excited about the opportunity to sponsor Tina Gordon. “The timing of this relationship couldn’t be better. BRP is proud to be affiliated with Tina Gordon and the bright future that she has in NASCAR.” The No. 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. 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 overall in 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)(4-4-2003)
- Happy Hour at Talladega: #59-Stacy Compton was the fastest in Happy Hour with a speed of 192.948, followed by #20-Mike Bliss, #32-Lyndon Amick, #12-Kerry Earnhardt and #5-Brian Vickers. For speeds, see BGN Racing and NASCAR.com.(4-4-2003)
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