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April 5 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history

April 5, 2020 at 6:12 AM

April 5, 2005

  • DW’s last Truck Race at Martinsville: Preparing for his last race in the #11 Toyota Tundra at Martinsville Speedway, Darrell Waltrip reflects his most memorable moments at the famed oval where he’s won 11 times. In 16 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, Waltrip’s best career finish is fifth at Martinsville (09/21/96). Waltrip may not race again, but the three-time Nextel Cup champion professes he’s not out of the game. “I’m not going to race competitively again,” said Waltrip, who finished 24th at the .526-mile oval last spring. “People need to realize something, I retired in 2000. Ever since then, everything I’ve done is for fun. It would be no different if you were a professional baseball player or a golfer and you still like to play the game. I still like to the play game. It’s like going to Martinsville a few weeks ago and testing with David and Robert. I still want to do that. It’s not that I’m not never going to get in a car or truck again. Until I don’t think I’m physically capable of driving a car or truck around the racetrack, I’ll probably hop in there every now and then just for fun.” Dabbling in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 1995, Waltrip has collected one top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Continuing his racing career, Waltrip’s primary focus is his commitment to Toyota. “This is the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Waltrip. “When I talk about desire, commitment and purpose, Toyota has the same goals I have. That’s why I love working with them. I want to do whatever Toyota wants me to do, whether it’s being a truck owner for the rest of my racing career or expanding into Busch or Cup.”(DW Motorsports PR), click here to see am image of DW’s ride for Martinsville, and yep, it has flames.(4-5-2005)
  • The Force will be with Sadler and Jarrett at Phoenix: Storm troopers, a wookiee, Darth Vader and the Yellow M&M’S Brand Character M-Vader are all potential sights at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) on April 23, 2005. Add NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers and teammates Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett and the Star Wars Chocolate M-Pire is complete. This fun collaboration of characters is part a promotion between Masterfoods USA and the Lucasfilm for the May 19 release of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Masterfoods USA is debuting limited edition Dark Chocolate M&M’S in celebration of the year’s most anticipated theatrical release.
    M&M’S and UPS are uniting under the banner of the Star Wars Chocolate M-Pire but are separated by dark Darth and light Jedi sides. Supporting characters include Sadler’s ‘Darth Side’ team members and a specially designed #38 Dark Chocolate M&M’S Ford Taurus. UPS driver Jarrett and crew will channel the positive power of the Force through the efforts of the #88 UPS/Milk Chocolate M&M’S Ford Taurus representing the Jedi. Some of the popular M&M’S Characters are for the first time joining Jarrett on the #88 UPS/Milk Chocolate M&M’S Ford Taurus including Sadler’s personal favorite, Green. Action Performance Companies, the leader in licensed motorsports retail, is the official supplier of Star Wars themed NASCAR merchandise.(Action Performance/M&M’s Racing/Evelvation Group), see images of the schemes on my #38 Team Schemes page and #88 Team Schemes page.(4-5-2005)
  • 3 Doors Down scheme for Dale Jr. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will run a #8 Chevy Rock & Roll – 3 Doors Down scheme at Richmond in September. See an image of the scheme on my #8 Team Schemes page.(4-5-2005)
  • Edwards goes green again, for National Garden Month: The #99 Scotts team will kick off National Garden Month this week when the green and white Scotts/Miracle Gro paint scheme returns to the Ford of Carl Edwards. In honor of National Garden Month, the #99 Scotts/Miracle Gro Ford will carry a special decal on the TV panel with the “Give a Garden* – Add Beauty to Life” logo throughout the month of April. “Give a Garden* – Add Beauty to Life” is this year’s theme and has one simple premise – someone in your community can benefit by receiving a “garden”. National Garden Month, an annual National Gardening Association (NGA) program, is a call to action that encourages everyone to get out and plant to help beautify our backyards and communities. The opportunities for making a difference through gardening are limited only by your imagination. For more ways to help celebrate National Garden Month log onto www.nationalgardenmonth.org.(Roush Racing)(4-5-2005)
  • Sad News, Not NASCAR but tragic: Automobile racing, regardless of the venue, is a dangerous business. It goes without saying that those who participate in the racing universe and those who ardently follow the action from the safety of the grandstands or their TV rooms understand the risks. But even the most rock steady fan of the NHRA and its Lucas Oil Sportsman division has truly been shaken and saddened by the freak accident in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday evening that claimed the life of Top Alcohol Dragster star Shelly Howard and her son, Brian. According to reports, the 59-year-old Shelly was making a test pass in a newly delivered racecar at Tulsa Raceway Park when the dragster’s front end lifted vertically somewhere near half-track, sending it into an uncontrollable blowover. The car crashed heavily back onto the racing surface facing the starting line. Then, with her husband, Paul, looking on helplessly, the racecar accelerated back toward the starting line at high speed, crashing into the team’s tow vehicle which was parked at the starting line with Shelly’s son, 36-year-old Brian, sitting inside the cab. Shelly and Brian lost their lives almost simultaneously in what those in attendance have described as one of the sport’s most horrifying mishaps. Police estimated the car hit the truck at 250 mph. And while the accident itself is an unspeakably freakish tragedy, the circumstances and magnitude of the two lives ultimately lost seem to add an even greater dimension of inexplicable sadness to what was witnessed. Shelly Howard was a standout racer, a former Division 4 champion, a former registered nurse who won respect from everyone she encountered with her quiet manner, unquestioned driving skills, and devotion to her family, fans and crew. She also leaves behind two daughters, Jennifer and Tracy, and a legion of friends who came to know and admire her through her NHRA exploits. Info on services can be found at shellyhoward.com.(ESPN.com)(4-5-2005)
  • DW’s last Truck Race at Martinsville: Preparing for his last race in the #11 Toyota Tundra at Martinsville Speedway, Darrell Waltrip reflects his most memorable moments at the famed oval where he’s won 11 times. In 16 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, Waltrip’s best career finish is fifth at Martinsville (09/21/96). Waltrip may not race again, but the three-time Nextel Cup champion professes he’s not out of the game. “I’m not going to race competitively again,” said Waltrip, who finished 24th at the .526-mile oval last spring. “People need to realize something, I retired in 2000. Ever since then, everything I’ve done is for fun. It would be no different if you were a professional baseball player or a golfer and you still like to play the game. I still like to the play game. It’s like going to Martinsville a few weeks ago and testing with David and Robert. I still want to do that. It’s not that I’m not never going to get in a car or truck again. Until I don’t think I’m physically capable of driving a car or truck around the racetrack, I’ll probably hop in there every now and then just for fun.” Dabbling in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 1995, Waltrip has collected one top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Continuing his racing career, Waltrip’s primary focus is his commitment to Toyota. “This is the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Waltrip. “When I talk about desire, commitment and purpose, Toyota has the same goals I have. That’s why I love working with them. I want to do whatever Toyota wants me to do, whether it’s being a truck owner for the rest of my racing career or expanding into Busch or Cup.”(DW Motorsports PR), click here to see am image of DW’s ride for Martinsville, and yep, it has flames.(4-5-2005)

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