April 9, 2002
- A 5th Hendrick team? UPDATE: been told that Hendrick Motorsports BGN driver, Jack Sprague, will drive the #60 Haas Chevy in the Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in May and possibly up to six more Cup events. See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(3-19-2002)
UPDATE: Dr Jerry Punch interviewed Jack Sprague on ESPN2’s RPM 2 Night and it was mentioned that the team just got the new #60 car in the shop and plans to test at Charlotte/Lowes Motor Speedway in a few weeks. Other races include New Hampshire, both Lowes races and Homestead. Rick Hendrick will be part owner of the team.(4-9-2002) - Sadler and the Lottery at Martinsville: Two of Virginia’s most popular pastimes will be joined together again as the Virginia Lottery will conduct its second promotional campaign with Virginia native Hermie Sadler during Virginia’s NASCAR Winston Cup Series 2002 events [Martinsville and Richmond]. The program, which began last season, featured numerous at-track promotions as well as the now famous “I’m gonna tell my mama!” television commercial that promoted the “Pole Position” scratch tickets. Both Sadler and Lottery officials are excited to extend the program, which begins with the Virginia 500 this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. In addition to fielding a #02-Virginia Lottery Winston Cup Chevy in the races, the program also includes appearances by Sadler and the Virginia Lottery show car at various lottery retailers across the state as well as some of Virginia’s other short tracks. Also in 2002, the Virginia Lottery will operate a booth at the track that will feature the Virginia Lottery show car, frequent appearances by Sadler during race weekends, and many other promotions, including giving fans a chance to win premium garage and pit experiences on race morning. Sadler’s goal in 2002 will be to match the success of the off-track program with performance on the track, something the team started to realize at the end of 2001. Sadler has added depth and strength to his team by adding several new crewmembers, including Bobby King. King was Sadler’s crew chief during his successful start in the BGN.(The Patterson Group PR)(4-9-2002)
- Texas TV Ratings: Though rain postponed NASCAR’s race until Monday, Sunday’s race-less telecast on Fox still posted the third-highest sports rating of the weekend. Fox’s 3.1 overnight rating in large markets comprising 68% of the USA for Sunday’s Samsung/Radio Shack 500 rainout trailed only the 4.0 for NBC’s Los Angeles Lakers-Miami Heat NBA game and the 3.9 for NBC’s final round of the BellSouth Classic golf tournament.(USA Today)(4-9-2002)
- APR Sponsor for Talladega and CTS race: Preen, America’s leading weed preventer for lawns and gardens, will sponsor the Andy Petree Racing organization over the next two weeks. A product of Greenview, the consumer products division of Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, Preen will be on the CTS Truck driven by Petree at Martinsville this weekend, and will be on the #33 Cup Chevy driven by Mike Wallace at Talladega next week. New Preen For Lawns was launched this Spring. It kills weeds and even fertilizes up to four months, twice as long as traditional fertilizers. The only product of its kind that effectively kills and prevents weeds in one step, it is found at neighborhood garden and hardware centers. Preen ˜N Green For Gardens is endorsed by the American Rose Society. The first opportunity will come in Saturday’s Truck race at Martinsville but the next in the Winston Cup race next week at Talladega. “Having two cars at Talladega is always a plus. The way we ran there last year and the way Mike Wallace ran there last year, we feel we can do a lot with the Preen Chevrolet and the Schneider Electric Chevrolet (of driver Bobby Hamilton),” Petree said. “The past few years we’ve really been good there, and we think we can be great next week too.” The Preen Team gets its start this week with Petree behind the wheel of his CTS Truck at Martinsville. This will be Petree’s first Truck race, though he has ARCA and other stock car racing experience.(Williams Company PR)(4-9-2002)
- Andretti Talking Indy 500 again UPDATE: John Andretti, the first driver to race in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day, says he’ll meet with car owner Kyle Petty next week and ask to drive in both races. Petty said a couple of weeks ago that Andretti wouldn’t be driving at Indianapolis so Andretti could focus on his Petty Enterprises ride. Andretti wants to drive the Indy 500 again and admits he has “more than one” opportunity to race there this year. “We’re going to sit down and we’re going to talk about it,” Andretti said of his meeting with Petty. “We’re going to talk about this year and kind of clean that up and then see what the future is because I do want to do Indy.”(News and Record)(4-6-2002)
UPDATE: John Andretti will meet with team owner Kyle Petty this week in hopes of getting permission to try the Indianapolis 500/Coca-Cola 600 double May 26. He’ll get the same answer he got earlier this year: no. “We’ve got Winston Cup races to run, and he’s our Winston Cup driver,” Petty said Monday. Andretti was the first driver to race in the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Winston Cup race at Charlotte on the same day, in 1994, and is passionate about trying it again. He said he respects the Petty family too much to give them an ultimatum, but his contract is up this season and having permission to run Indy will figure into his decision to re-sign with the team. “Indy’s really important to me, and I’m not sure I want to give it up for the rest of my career,” said Andretti, nephew of 1969 Indy winner Mario Andretti. “I’ve easily got some years left in me to get there and win Indy, and I want the opportunity. So we’ll have to wait and see what comes out of” the meeting. Petty said he wants Andretti to be able to race at Indy — just not this year, a critical point in the rebuilding process of the once-dominant team. Petty Enterprises made several changes in the offseason, switching to a new engine supplier and hiring Robin Pemberton to take over many of Petty’s management responsibilities.(USA Today)(4-9-2002) - Nemechek to the #44? UPDATE: rumors are afloat that place Joe Nemechek (recently released by Haas-Cart Motorsports) in the #44 Georgia Pacific Petty Racing Dodge at Martinsville this weekend. Buckshot Jones is the current driver.(4-9-2002)
UPDATE: checked with a few more sources and been told that Nemechek is still under contract with Haas Carter Motorsports and that the team is hoping sponsorship will come through soon.(4-9-2002) - New Chevy Body in 2003? UPDATE: hearing that Chevrolet will roll out a new body for the 2003 season which basically be a Pontiac with a new nose and tail.(4-8-2002)
UPDATE: Chevrolet officials are exploring the possibility of introducing a new body style for the 2003 Winston Cup season, or at least making major modifications to their current Monte Carlo, which was last changed in the 2000 season. “I think it will end up falling more in line with the cars that are out there right now,” said Robbie Loomis, crew chief for four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon. “We got a great race car with the one we got but you always have to be out there looking ahead and trying to get in shape. Like anything, you try to plan ahead of time. We’re always looking for ways to make it better, and not just once a year, but every weekend we’re at the race track.” Loomis said the biggest change is likely to occur in the front end of the car. “If you look at our car and you look at the shape of the Dodge or the shape of the Ford, it’s pretty clear to see, especially from the front windshield forward, we’re off on the shape pretty big aerodynamically,” he said. Richard Childress, who the Chevrolet teams of Kevin Harvick, Jeff Green and Robby Gordon, said there was “nothing definite” in regards to changing the Chevrolet body. “From what I understand, this is the last year that particular nose of the car is approved. I don’t know the exact details,” he said. “But there is some preliminary talk right now about some changes.”(ThatsRacin.com)(4-9-2002) - Stewarts Back Hurting: #20-Tony Stewart, who finished fifth, said his back was hurting after Monday’s race. Stewart was injured in a crash at Darlington three weeks ago.(Roanoke Times)(4-9-2002)
- Bodine’s Window Problem: Trouble with the side window of Brett Bodine’s #11 Hooters Ford brought about a caution on Lap 49 of Monday’s Samsung/Radio Shack 500. The side window came loose and fell off on the frontstretch, requiring NASCAR to call a caution for debris. It was the second time this season Bodine’s car had experienced the same problem. His right side window also came off during the race at Atlanta last month. Bodine and his crew chief, Doug Richert, were called to the NASCAR hauler to discuss the problem following the race. Bodine finished 38th.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-9-2002)
- Jones and Petree news UPDATE: Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys’ owner, had a dinner meeting with [#33/55 Car owner Andy] Petree over the weekend to discuss Jones’ plans to buy into part of Petree’s Asheville operation. The two have been talking about teaming for more than a year now, but management issues may be holding things up.(Winston Salem Journal). See my #33 Team News and Links page for past news on this.(4-8-2002)
UPDATE: Cowboys owners Jerry Jones didn’t show up in the garage area at Texas Motor Speedway, but he did have a dinner meeting with Winston Cup team owner Andy Petree to discuss Jones’ plan to buy a majority ownership in Petree’s team. Jones and Petree need to finalize how the team will be structured next season. Other NASCAR owners have said they believe Petree, a former Winston Cup crew chief, will continue to be in control of all the race-related decisions.(Dallas Morning News)(4-9-2002) - NAPCM Pit Crew of the week: #2-Rusty Wallace’s Miller Lite Crew – Smokin’ fast pit stops (14.7, 13.5, 14.3) make the Miller Lite Crew their pick this week. Check the current standings of the MechanixWear Pit Crew of the Year Award at www.napcm.com.(4-9-2002)
- NASCAR and Wheel of Fortune: The game show Wheel of Fortune has teamed up with NASCAR for “NASCAR Week”, airing nationwide April 22-26, 2002. All week, the die-hard NASCAR fans that were chosen as contestants will compete on a NASCAR-outfitted Wheel of Fortune set featuring everything from stock cars to checkered flags for great NASCAR-themed prizes, such as Gasoline for Life from TOSCO/76, a Ford F 150 Truck, and VIP fantasy trips to some of NASCAR’s premiere events. The April theme week marks the first partnering of Wheel of Fortune and NASCAR. Drivers who will appear on the show include Bobby Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace, Ward Burton, Jeff Burton, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones and 7-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, Richard Petty, will be featured in show segments shot with Vanna White will be featured in show segments shot with Vanna White on location at the Las Vegas Speedway in March. Kyle Petty, Jeff Green, Stacy Compton, Ricky Craven and Jimmie Johnson also make appearances during Wheel of Fortune “NASCAR Week” to introduce the great NASCAR-themed prizes from sponsors Lowe’s Home Improvement, Tide, Conseco, Daytona USA, NASCAR Speed Park, America Online (AOL) and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Wheel of Fortune “NASCAR Week” will be promoted nationwide on over 200 Wheel of Fortune affiliates and online at nascar.com. Hosted by Pat Sajak and featuring Vanna White, Wheel of Fortune is televised in 40 territories worldwide, reaching more than 100 million weekly viewers, making it the most popular television show on earth. Since its 1983 syndication launch, the game show has awarded more than $125 million in cash and prizes to contestants.(NASCAR PR)(4-9-2002)
- School Out due to….Racing: While a few schools near the track were closed because of race traffic, some children skipped school to attend the race. Stacy Compton helped one elementary school student with a personal note for the child’s teacher to excuse the student from class. “Dear Miss Dixon: Thank you for excusing Keaton from school today. We learned all about physics out here at TMS. Stacy Compton.”(Roanoke Times)(4-9-2002)
- Sad News: Two drivers died from injuries suffered in race-related incidents across the country this weekend. Jimmy Johnston, a 39-year-old sprint car racer from Ohio, died after crashing during a Modified race at Eldora Speedway (Ohio) on Saturday night. Witnesses said the car rolled 10 times after the car hit the wall at about 85 mph. At California Speedway, motorcyclist Ricky Lundgren died from injuries in what the L.A. Times deemed a freak accident. Lundgren, 40, was hit by another competitor’s motorcycle after it launched “five to six feet in the air,” according to speedway officials. The bike then hit Lundgren’s. The driver of the original bike suffered only minor injuries. The motorcycles were qualifying for the AMA Yamaha Challenge.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(4-9-2002)
- Fox Reports Strong Sales: Mediaweek magazine is reporting that Fox is 90% sold out of its NASCAR ad spots this season and that FX has sold out its four upcoming Winston Cup race telecasts, according to today’s Sports Business Daily. The magazine says the level of sellouts at Fox “dwarfs last season, when the network scrambled to sell its 80 NASCAR spots each week.” Fox President of Ad Sales Jon Nesvig told the magazine: “So far this year, all the races that aired were sold out and at higher rates than last year.” Media buyers estimated that the average 30-second spot for NASCAR is selling for about $100,000. The story also quotes Fox Cable Sports Exec VP/Sales Guy Sousa as saying that FX’s four Winston Cup races “have sold out earlier this season at ad rates that are 40-50% higher than last season.” Much of that growth is attributed to the fact that FX grew its subscriber base from 58.5 million last season to 76.6 million.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-9-2002)
- BAM Racing gets an assoc: Clearwater, FL based R & B Auto Body announced today that the company has joined a growing list of marketing partners at BAM Racing. They will take on an associate sponsorship role on the #49 Dodge for the duration of the 2002 season. R & B Auto Body president and CEO, Ray Maxwell stated Thursday, “We are excited about the opportunity to support Shawna Robinson and the entire BAM Racing operation. The team is showing excellent growth and we look forward to utilizing the marketing potential of the organization.” R & B Auto Body specializes in commercial vehicle finishing and operates out of a state of the art facility, capable of satisfying the quality and scheduling demands of Fortune 500 fleet accounts.(BAM Racing PR)(4-9-2002)
- New Site: NetZero enhanced its NASCAR marketing initiative today with the launch of www.teamnetzero.com, a website featuring information about Jack Sprague and the #24 NetZero Chevy BGN entry. “The Team NetZero Racing website is a great addition to our program with Jack and the NetZero Chevy,” stated Brian Woods, chief marketing officer of NetZero. “As a leading value-priced Internet service provider, it’s natural for NetZero to have a website where race fans can go to get information about the team. The site will be packed with race stories and photos. There are also links to Jack Sprague’s Fan Club and Merchandise. It’s a great site and everyone associated with the team and the project is excited about it’s launch.” NetZero is a United Online company.(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-9-2002)
- New crew chief for the #19: Bobby Bakeeff has been named the new crew chief for Tim Sauter and the #19 AP Performance Chevy BGN team. Bakeeff, a Hialeah, FL native, leaves his position as car chief for the #17 Reiser Enterprises BGN effort driven by Matt Kenseth. Bakeeff worked for Reiser Enterprises for the past three years and will be reunited with the fleet of Chevrolet Monte Carlos AP Performance purchased from the Reiser organization prior to the start of the 2002 Busch Series season. Bakeeff’s racing resume also includes a stint at Akins Motorsports with drivers Elton Sawyer and Glenn Allen, Jr. Bakeeff replaces Joe Shear, Jr. as the AP crew chief. Shear will continue to work with the team as a shock and set-up specialist.(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-9-2002)
- APR Sponsor for Talladega and CTS race: Preen, America’s leading weed preventer for lawns and gardens, will sponsor the Andy Petree Racing organization over the next two weeks. A product of Greenview, the consumer products division of Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, Preen will be on the CTS Truck driven by Petree at Martinsville this weekend, and will be on the #33 Cup Chevy driven by Mike Wallace at Talladega next week. New Preen For Lawns was launched this Spring. It kills weeds and even fertilizes up to four months, twice as long as traditional fertilizers. The only product of its kind that effectively kills and prevents weeds in one step, it is found at neighborhood garden and hardware centers. Preen ˜N Green For Gardens is endorsed by the American Rose Society. The first opportunity will come in Saturday’s Truck race at Martinsville but the next in the Winston Cup race next week at Talladega. “Having two cars at Talladega is always a plus. The way we ran there last year and the way Mike Wallace ran there last year, we feel we can do a lot with the Preen Chevrolet and the Schneider Electric Chevrolet (of driver Bobby Hamilton),” Petree said. “The past few years we’ve really been good there, and we think we can be great next week too.” The Preen Team gets its start this week with Petree behind the wheel of his CTS Truck at Martinsville. This will be Petree’s first Truck race, though he has ARCA and other stock car racing experience.(Williams Company PR)(4-9-2002)
- DW tests: Darrell Waltrip tested the #17 Duckhead Dodge at Caraway Speedway in NC on Tuesday in preparation for the Martinsville race.(FSN’s Totally NASCAR)(4-9-2002)
- Shepherd at Martinsville: #21-Morgan Shepherd will attempt to make the Martinsville CTS race and has a full crew for the race. Shepherd is also testing at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in SC on Tuesday and Wednesday.(4-9-2002)
- Wood Donates Winning to Injured Teenager: Jon Wood, driver of the Navy Racing #50 Ford, will donate a portion of his winnings this weekend to Joshua Hill, a 17 year-old student at Patrick County High School in Stuart, VA. On November 10, 2001, Hill’s car was hit head on by a drunk driver and sustained severe injuries. After being removed from his car by the jaws-of-life, Hill was airlifted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. His injuries included moderate to severe brain injuries, a broken right femur, a cracked hip joint, and a contusion on his spinal cord, which may take 18 months to determine if there is permanent damage. In addition, Hill underwent emergency surgery to have his left frontal lobe and some of the other damaged brain tissue removed that was not responding to medication and swelling dangerously. “When I heard about this accident, I knew that I wanted to help in some way,” explains Wood. “I went to the same high school as Josh and tried to think of some ways that I could help. I thought by donating a portion of my winnings at Martinsville it would help offset some of the family’s medical expenses.” Over $50,000 has been donated to Hill’s family to help pay for the rehabilitation efforts. Hill, who once played football and was a member of the varsity basketball team, faces a daunting rehabilitation. He must now relearn basic skills like walking and talking. Members of the Hill family will be special guests at the Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, April 13. Wood will meet with the family prior to the race to finalize plans for his donation.(Roush Racing PR)(4-9-2002)
- Tolsma and Team Rensi to race at Martinsville: Randy Tolsma will return to the CTS, Saturday, April 13, at Martinsville Speedway for the Advance Auto Parts 250. It may feel like deja vu as Tolsma climbs back into the familiar driver’s seat of the #61 entry, fielded by Team Rensi Motorsports, which Tolsma drove for most of the 2001 CTS season. The truck will carry the United States Marine Corps colors and will have the same paint scheme as the Team Rensi owned #25 Team Marines Ford Taurus in the BGN. While at this time it is only a one-race deal, Tolsma is ready to get back on the race track and prove that he remains a viable competitor. Last year, Randy finished fifth in the NCTS race in Martinsville and feels that his chance of beating a fifth place finish this time around are high. Fred Wanke, who is crew chief on the #25 Team Marines Ford in the BGN, has been overseeing the project from the beginning as a consultant, while Kevin Cram has assumed the role of crew chief. Pooling their knowledge, they both feel that the #61 Team Marines truck has a good chance of getting to victory lane. In addition, Dennis Fisher of Fisher Engineering is building the engine and the #22 Winston Cup pit crew of Ward Burton has agreed to help out and will perform pit road duties. Tolsma drove the #61 truck last season and posted two top-fives and six top-10s, before he was asked in July by car owners, Ed and Sam Rensi, to drive the #25 Team Marines Ford for the remainder of the BGN season. Although, the off-season brought numerous changes to the #25 BGN team, the Rensi’s saw a lot of talent in Tolsma and worked diligently to secure a full-time sponsor for him for the 2002 NCTS season, but have been unsuccessful to date. Sam Rensi would like nothing more than to provide Tolsma with a full 2002 schedule. Team Rensi is giving complimentary primary signage to the United States Marine Corps, not only as a thank you for their continued support of their BGN team, but also to demonstrate the added value marketing partners of Team Rensi Motorsports enjoy. Performance Promotions Group, Inc., owned by Team Rensi Motorsports co-owner, Gary Weisbaum, will also be on the truck as an associate sponsor.(Team Rensi Motorsports PR)(4-9-2002)
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