April 10, 2003
- Wilburn staying at the #2 UPDATE: #2-Rusty Wallace/Penske Racing crew chief, Billy Wilburn, said there are no truth to the rumors [not here!] that he is leaving the team or being released.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio – Subscription Required)(4-10-2003)
UPDATE: the rumor floating around is that once Todd Parrott gets out of his ‘lifetime’ contract with Robert Yates, he could be headed to the #2 Penske team.(4-10-2003) - Realtree and the #29? UPDATE 2: hearing Realtree, who sponsored Dave Marcis for years on the #71 car, will be on Kevin Harvick’s #29 GM Goodwrench as the primary or co-primary at an upcoming race.
UPDATE: This special paint will run August 23rd at Bristol under the lights OR rumor has it may run in the Busch Series.(3-14-2003)
UPDATE 2: now have an image of the scheme, see my Paint Scheme Gallery for the image.(4-10-2003) - Brad Parott back to Roush? UPDATE: hearing former #88 Crew Chief, Brad Parrott will be the new car chief for #99-Jeff Burton.(4-10-2003)
UPDATE: Roush Racing announced today that they have re-hired Brad Parrott and assigned him to join the #99 CITGO team, reporting to crew chief Paul Andrews. “We are excited to bring Brad (Parrott) back to Roush Racing,” said Jeff Burton, driver of the #99 CITGO Ford. “Our Busch Series team had a lot of success last year and Brad was a big contributor to that success so we think he can come in and help the #99 team this year.” Parrott was crew chief for Burton and the #9 Busch Series team in 2002 making the trip to victory lane five times in only 14 races. Crew chief Paul Andrews is excited to have this kind of experience in his stable. “I think this is a really good thing,” said Andrews. “We will be able to utilize Brad’s (Parrott) knowledge and expertise to help advance the #99 team. We are fortunate to have so many talented people working on the CITGO team, and Brad will help make us even stronger.”(Roush Racing site)(4-10-2003) - Bill Elliott’s Pit Crew Wins Again: The pit crew for #9-Bill Elliott captured the $20,000 prize in McDonald’s Drive-Thru Pit Championship fueled by Powerade for the fastest pit work among participating teams in last Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #9 spent a total of 310 seconds in the pits. #40-Sterling Marlin’s crew was second with 328 seconds. #74-Tony Raines crew was third with 488 seconds. For the standing and full press release, see my Pit Crew News and Links page.(4-10-2003)
- Petree and Menard to do ABC and T schedule UPDATE: it was announced on XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio (Subscription Required) that Paul Menard will drive a ABCT schedule for 18 races for Andy Petree Racing [APR] in 2003. A=ARCA, B=Busch Series, C=Cup and T=Trucks. The team will be sponsored by Turtle Wax and Manard. First scheduled race is the Salem ARCA race on April 27th and goes thru to the Phoenix Cup race in November. Menard is currently in college and after he finishes up, he will move to North Carolina. Menard will spot for Petree at Martinsville, who will run the Truck Series race there.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio Subscription Required), see more info about Paul Menard at Teammenard.net and more about APR at www.andypetreeracing.com.(4-9-2003)
UPDATE: Andy Petree has made a commitment to build the future of his racing team by developing young talent, likewise Paul Menard, 22, the son of Eau Claire home-improvement businessman and Indy-car owner John Menard, has made a commitment to learning this year, both on and off the track. Menard who is pursuing a degree in business at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, will tackle an 18-event racing schedule driving a Turtle Wax“sponsored Chevrolet for APR that will include races in the Truck Series, Busch Series, Winston Cup Series and ARCA. Over the past three seasons, Paul Menard has been working his way up the NASCAR ladder, competing in the ReMax Challenge Series fulltime, while also running selected events in the Southwest Tour Series. At the close of 2002, Menard won the November Phoenix Southwest Tour event at Phoenix with a late race pass of Ken Schrader, something that caught the intrigue of NASCAR veteran, Andy Petree. “To be honest, I didn’t even see the race; I was driving like crazy to get to the track to see as much as I could because I promised Kenny (Schrader) I would watch it,” said Petree, owner of Andy Petree Racing. “I got there a few minutes too late and called Kenny as I was crossing the bridge to find out what happened. He said he got beat by some kid and finished second. I said, “What kid?” He said, “Paul Menard“ the kid just chased me down, got underneath me on the last lap and won it. He did a great job.” Paul Menard’s Andy Petree Racing Chevrolet will be sponsored by Turtle Wax and will likely carry the #33 across all series he will compete in this year. The first event will be the ARCA race in Salem, IN April 27. The complete schedule is listed on my #33 Team News and Links page. See full Press release at the Team Menard site.(Co-Pilott PR)(4-10-2003) - Racing and Wrestling Event and Hermie to Announce Sponsorship plans UPDATE: Racing and wrestling pair up once again for an evening of incredible sports entertainment this Wednesday night on NWA-TNA: Total Nonstop Action wrestling on iNDEMAND and DirecTV pay-per-view at 8:00pm/et. Fox Sport’s Jeff Hammond will serve as a guest color analyst for an innovative X-Division 6 Man Match. The X Division is an extreme class of wrestling with high-flying, acrobatic maneuvers and is available only on TNA. Hammond will join “The Professor” Mike Tenay and Don West ringside to call the action on what will surely be a “match of the year” candidate. In addition to his analyst duties, Hammond will be broadcasting his segment for Totally NASCAR on Fox Sports Net from the TNA Asylum Wednesday night. Hermie Sadler will be back at the TNA Asylum to talk about TNA’s sponsorship of his car this past weekend at the Aaron’s 499 in Talladega, and will be announcing TNA’s sponsorship plans for the #02 car for several additional Winston Cup races. No stranger to wrestling, Sadler defeated Ron “The Truth” Killings in his only in-ring appearance last September. NWA-TNA: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is the first-ever weekly pay-per-view wrestling series that airs every Wednesday at 8:00pm/et on iNDEMAND and DirecTV. With its unique blend of traditional wrestling and the high-flying cutting edge moves of the X-Division, it is the definitive alternative for the wrestling enthusiast.(Trifecta Entertainment PR)(4-8-2003)
UPDATE: “We’re announcing a five-race sponsorship program in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling,” Hermie Sadler said on Totally NASCAR. “The first race is going to be the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. We’re tying John Boy & Billy and all those on in. It’s a great promotion, and we’re looking forward to getting it started.”(Fox Sports Net’s Totally NASCAR)(4-10-2003 - Jeff Burton and Dan Ackroyd Team Up for “Auto Care Month”: The month of April is “Auto Care Month” and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Lung Association are launching a massive public awareness campaign on behalf of cleaner air and more efficiently running cars. They are teaming up with Jeff Burton, driver of the #99 CITGO Ford, and actor/comedian Dan Ackroyd to produce a public service campaign titled, “The Little Light with a Big Message.” “I’m honored to be a part of the campaign,” said Burton. “Hopefully it will bring awareness and educate people about a topic most of us ignore.” The campaign centers around the “check engine” light in the dashboard of cars and trucks. Research has shown that most people ignore the light when it comes on. This could shorten engine life, increase harmful emissions and reduce gas mileage. “This is a small but important thing.” Burton continued, “If people would take the time to have their engines checked when the light came on, it would save them time, money and headaches down the road.” Burton and Ackroyd have taped a :30 second TV spot and radio spots that will begin airing April 12 and run through July 12. The TV and radio campaign will be distributed to all TV/radio networks and cable outlets and will be run during NASCAR race broadcasts.(Roush Racing)(4-10-2003)
- Chartwell Investments invests in RCR: Chartwell Investments II LLC announced today that it has made an equity investment in RCR Enterprises, LLC, the elite NASCAR racing team founded and majority-owned by Richard Childress. “We are pleased to partner with Chartwell Investments,” said Richard Childress, President and CEO of RCR. “I’ve had investors in RCR since the late 1990’s and I am confident that Chartwell’s people and capital will help us to continue to build one of NASCAR’s top organizations. I’ve made a long-term commitment to Chartwell and there will be no changes in how RCR is run.”
“NASCAR is the fastest-growing major sport with over 75 million fans nationwide and we are enthusiastic about partnering with Richard Childress, a legendary figure in the NASCAR racing world,” said Todd R. Berman, President and Founder of Chartwell Investments. “We hope our participation will give Richard even more time to focus on winning races and supporting the company’s sponsors.”(PRN Newswire)(4-3-2003)
UPDATE: Winston Cup car owner Richard Childress confirmed Wednesday he has sold partial equity in his Richard Childress Racing company to Chartwell Investments, a private New York City-based equity firm. “We have had an investor in RCR since I expanded with (Mike) Skinner in the No. 31 (in 1996), but on a limited basis. This is more extensive,” Childress said. “Nothing will look different. I still have control of the company, I own the majority of the company and I’m still the CEO.” Chartwell’s investment was not disclosed, but Childress said he holds more than a 50 percent interest in RCR. The addition of Chartwell, Childress said, strengthens his organization. “We aren’t a little corporation any more,” he said. “They can help RCR Enterprises go to another level in this sport. There are a lot of ways you can grow your business in this sport without adding race teams. I’ve made a long-term commitment to Chartwell, to my employees and to the sport.”(ThatsRacin.com)(4-10-2003) - #29 Owner Keselowski Hospitalized UPDATE 3 getting out: Veteran NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and crew chief Bob Keselowski was transported by ambulance to Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, MI late Wednesday afternoon with an undisclosed illness. Keselowski and his K-Automotive team were wrapping up a daylong test in the Detroit area when the 51-year-old Keselowski was stricken just past 5:00pm/et. Keselowski was later transported by ambulance to William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI around midnight were he was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit. Additional details will be released as they become available.(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-3-2003)
UPDATE: Bob Keselowski, a veteran NASCAR Craftsman Truck driver and crew chief, remained in intensive care Thursday at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak after suffering a suspected heart attack. Keselowski, who lives in Rochester Hills, collapsed as his K-Automotive Motorsports team wrapped up a lengthy test session Wednesday at the Ford Proving Grounds in Dearborn. Keselowski, 51, is crew chief on the No. 29 Power Stroke Diesel Ford driven by Terry Cook of Toledo. Keselowski’s wife, Kay, who owns the race truck, was at her husband’s side Thursday. They run K-Automotive from their shop in Lake Orion. “Bob had been in good health before he collapsed,” a team spokesman said. “We are just waiting on the results of more tests.”(Detroit Free Press), more info on the team, see their site: www.teamkeselowski.com or www.terrycook.com.(4-4-2003)
UPDATE 2: The condition of veteran NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and crew chief Bob Keselowski was listed at stable Monday morning at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. “The prognosis looks really good for Bob and he is improving rapidly every day,” said Kay Keselowski, Bob’s wife this morning. “Bob is alert, talking and wants to get out of bed. That alone shows he’s already on his way back.” Keselowski was transported by ambulance to Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, MI last Wednesday afternoon after his K-Automotive team concluded a daylong test. His condition steadily improved over the weekend. “I want to thank everyone for their heartfelt wishes and keeping us in their thoughts and prayers,” stated Kay Keselowski. “We have had dozens of calls and e-mails from people in the NASCAR community asking what they can do to help. The response was overwhelming and I just want to let everyone know how much it means to us.” Neither Bob or Kay Keselowski will participate in the Truck Series race at Martinsville, VA this weekend. According to Keselowski, the #29 Power Stroke Diesel/Oil Mate Ford and driver Terry Cook will still be one of the team’s to beat. “The team is not going to miss a beat,” said Kay Keselowski. “Bob’s brother, Ron, is stepping up as crew chief until Bob comes back. My good friend, Jason Pasch, Jack Sprague’s spotter, will take over the spotting duties for me. Terry will be in good hands. The K-Automotive team has always run well at Martinsville and we expect to do it again this weekend.”(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-7-2003)
UPDATE 3: The condition of veteran NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and crew chief Bob Keselowski has improved and he is scheduled to be released from William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI sometime Thursday. “Bob has improved so much that I just got word that he is being released from the hospital today,” said Keselowski’s wife, Kay, in a Thursday morning phone interview from the K-Automotive team shop in Lake Orion, MI. “Bob’s feeling much better and he’s looking forward to watching the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville on television Saturday.” Keselowski has been hospitalized since Wednesday, April 2. The No. 29 Power Stroke Diesel/Oil Mate Ford team will compete in the Truck Series race at Martinsville this weekend under the direction of Keselowski’s brother, Ron. “Everyone is looking forward to a solid finish at Martinsville this weekend,” stated Kay Keselowski. “We have a great team and everyone has really pulled together. It’s been a trying time for all of us, but we made it through this and we’re going to be stronger than ever.”(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-10-2003) - Rose gets a sponsor for Martinsville: Brian Rose will be teaming with Nocer Racing Strategies, a manufacturer of racing heads for R/C cars, when he pilots the #57 Dodge Ram in the April 12 Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway. There’s long been a connection between NASCAR and the radio-controlled racer. Many R/C hobbyists are die-hard NASCAR fans, and many NASCAR drivers, crew and fans are die-hard R/C hobbyists. Rose is no exception. “I’ve been driving R/C cars and trucks as long as I can remember,” said Rose. “And just like in NASCAR, the goal is to run faster, longer, and cooler. That’s what Nocer heads do for the R/C racer.” Nocer is located in Rose’s hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky. “We’re both little guys struggling against the giants of our industries,” said Rose. “Nocer started out with the goal of making a product that would improve the performance of R/C racers, and they did it. They’ve gotten some national attention, many big-time racers are using their products, and hobby shops are selling them as fast as they can get them. But they’re still a small company in a worldwide arena of competition, going head-to-head with the largest R/C suppliers in the world. And our 57 team knows just how they feel,” Rose added. “We pretty much have to mortgage the farm every week to get to the track. We’re lucky because some of the other teams have helped us out some, but not having the big corporate sponsor means we have to cut out just about everything that doesn’t directly relate to speed on the racetrack. In fact,” confided Rose, “we need to have a great finish at Martinsville so I can get my own Dodge Dakota out of hock. Before Nocer stepped up, that was the only way I could figure out to put a truck on the track that’s capable of finishing up front. We actually broke down on our way to the Mesa Marin race (in Bakersfield, CA) a couple of weeks ago, and spent the weekend in Amarillo, Texas. We had to withdraw our entry and spend all our money to get back on the road.” John Helveston, president of Nocer, sees the Martinsville race as a win-win situation for everybody. “It’s such a natural cross-promotion that I’m surprised every R/C manufacturer isn’t already doing this,” he said. “The exposure Brian can give us is tremendous. Look at what he’s done on a small budget. I know he’ll run well and get lots of camera time. We’re able to help out Brian some, and he’s helping us a lot.” Although this is only a one-race sponsorship, Helveston would like to be able to continue the relationship. “If I could figure out a way, Nocer would be on his truck every week. I’m just afraid some mega-sponsor is going snatch him up before I’m able to go Craftsman truck racing full time,” he said. “But for his sake, I hope someone does.” More information on Nocer Racing Strategies can be found at www.Nocer.com. More information on Brian Rose can be found at www.BrianRoseRacing.com.(PR)(4-10-2003)
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