April 10, 2001
- Seat Belt News UPDATE 2: No one was more astonished than Bill Simpson when NASCAR officials suggested at a news conference in February that a faulty seat belt made by his company might have been responsible for the death of racing icon Dale Earnhardt. Horrified, the longtime maker of racing safety equipment polled his factory workers and suppliers about the nylon belts and quality control. He sent six sets of lap belts, made from the same batch as those in Earnhardt’s car, to an independent testing laboratory. The verdict: They should not have sheared when Earnhardt’s car crashed on the last lap of February’s Daytona 500. Seven weeks after the accident, however, Simpson knows little more about the belt in Earnhardt’s mangled Chevrolet than what he learned during that news conference. See full story at the Orlando Sentinel: NASCAR’s lips sealed on seat-belt analysis, some great images and explanations at the site(4-9-2001)
UPDATE: Seat-belt failure did not cause the head injuries that killed NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt during February’s Daytona 500, a court-appointed medical expert who studied the racer’s autopsy photos reported Monday. Dr. Barry Myers, a Duke University expert in crash injuries, said Earnhardt died when his head whipped violently forward in the moments after his #3 Chevy struck a concrete wall at 150 mph. Rejecting NASCAR’s theory of the crash, Myers said that, even assuming what he termed “a worst-case scenario,” Earnhardt’s head probably would have suffered the same damage even if his lap belt had not torn on impact. See full story at the Orlando Sentinel: Expert: Seat belt no factor in Earnhardt death
UPDATE 2 – NASCAR Statement: “We have said before and re-iterated Monday we’re conducting our own detailed review with a team of experts ranging from occupant safety-restraint analysis, and crash analysis to medical and biomechanical specialists,” said NASCAR president Mike Helton. “This latest report will not change that. “Contrary to several reports in the media, this report is not an opposing theory to anything NASCAR has presented. Since the Daytona 500, NASCAR has made clear that we will not suggest or speculate on the circumstances surrounding Dale Earnhardt’s accident until our study is complete. No one from NASCAR has ever suggested what may have happened in this accident other than to say in our preliminary investigation we found issues of concern involving the occupant restraint system. “As referenced in the report compiled by Dr. Barry Myers, better understanding can be achieved through biomechanical, sled and crash testing, which is consistent with the process we announced Monday. “We respect the varied theories from the medical field and welcome their input as to what likely could have occurred and we remain committed to a thorough, comprehensive review.”(NASCAR PR) and That’s Racin’ has a bunch of columns up about this
AND Bill Simpson, president of Simpson Race Products, says he plans to consult with his legal team before commenting on the report on Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash at Daytona, released today by the Orlando Sentinel(SpeedVision)(4-10-2001) - Another Allison UPDATE 3 Injured but ok: Robbie Allison, son of Davey and Liz Allison, is slated to make his racing debut March 30 in the Bandolero division at Twin Fountains Raceway Park in Shelbyville, Tenn. Robbie was just a few weeks shy of his second birthday when father Davey died July 13, 1993.(Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to see online)(3-29-2001)
UPDATE: been told that Allison will be driving in a new car developed by Pro Chassis called “Jr Racing League” not a Bandolero(3-30-2001)
UPDATE 2: Robbie Allison, 9-year-old son of late NASCAR star Davey Allison, was injured in a crash last night while practicing for what would have been his racing debut. Allison was taken by ambulance from Twin Fountain Speedway to Bedford County Hospital after complaining of dizziness following the crash. He was treated for a sprained neck and released. ”He’s OK, just a little sore,” said Robbie’s mother, Liz, who was watching at trackside with husband Ryan Hackett and other family members. ”It scared him a little when they put a neck brace on him. He said, ‘Mom, did my daddy ever go through something like this?’ ”(Tennessean)(4-7-2001)
UPDATE 3: Robbie suffered a strained neck, and his parents — mother Liz and stepfather Ryan Hackett — sustained badly jangled nerves. ”It scared him — and us — more than anything,” Liz said afterward. ”As soon as things calmed down a little, he asked, ‘Mom, when can I race again?’ ” Not for a while. ”The experience has made me re-evaluate the situation,” Liz said. ”We will continue to let Robbie practice, but we’ll wait awhile before he ventures into the competitive part. I know how badly he wants to get on the track, but I’ve got to make decisions that I feel are best for him.”(Tennessean)(4-10-2001) - Dodge to ARCA: Officials with the Automobile Racing Club of America(ARCA) series announced Monday the new Dodge Intrepid body style, used in the Winston Cup series this season, will be eligible for use in ARCA competition effective April 20. The first series event in which the Dodge Intrepid is eligible to compete is at Winchester Speedway in Indiana on April 22. (That’s Racin’)(4-10-2001)
- Four Roush CTS Teams in 2002: Roush Racing on Monday announced its plans to field up to four teams in 2002 in the CTS. Roush currently fields two teams, with drivers Chuck Hossfeld and Nathan Haseleu. Roush plans to add teams for 18-year-old Jon Wood, son of Wood Brothers Racing owner Eddie Wood, and Tim Woods, a 24-year-old African American driver from California. None of the teams currently has sponsorship in place for the 2002 season. (That’s Racin’)(4-10-2001)
- Chaffin released from the #25 UPDATE David Donohue in: Chad Chaffin was released as the driver for the #25 Team Marines Chevy. Team Rensi spokesperson Shelly DeCaro, speaking from team headquarters in Charlotte, said the team will field a car in the Nashville Busch race with a new driver(Tennessean)(4-6-2001)
UPDATE: Team Rensi Motorsports announces David Donohue will drive the #25 Team Marines Monte Carlo in the BGN. Donohue started the 2001 season as one of two Team Rensi Motorsports Chevy entries in the CTS with teammate Randy Tolsma. “We are really excited that David will be behind the wheel of the Team Marines Monte Carlo”, said Sam Rensi co-owner of Team Rensi Motorsports. “David’s experience in the Nascar Craftsman Truck Series along with his vast experience in many other racing circuits will help him right from the start.” David has tested and qualified like a series veteran,” stated Ed Rensi, co-owner of Team Rensi Motorsports. “We are confident David will move our team up toward the Top 10 in owner points where we finished the 2000 season.” Helping Team Marines excel both on and off the track is a challenge Donohue looks forward to taking. “This is an unbelievable opportunity for me and I cannot wait for Nashville this week” stated David Donohue last weekend in Martinsville. Driving for over 172,000 active duty Marines as well as all the reserve and former Marines is something I am very proud of. In addition, having the chance to speak on behalf of the Marines to high school students across the country on responsible driving is a mission I am looking forward to performing.” Donohue is a Malvern, Pa., native and has competed in the Nascar Busch Series, Nascar Craftsman Truck Series, Indy Lights, IMSA, GT, CART, Super Touring and FIA and ACO International GT Series. “I want to finish races, complete laps and get Team Rensi Motorsports and the Marines moving toward the front in points in 2001” stated Donohue.(Team Rensi PR)(4-10-2001) - Kimmel to run at Nashville: Frank Kimmel, the defending ARCA Re/Max Series Champion, will be making his BGN debut this Satuday, April 14th, at the Nashville Superspeedway. Kimmel will drive the #8 Advance Auto Parts, E. T. Sharp Trucking, Pork the other White Meat Chevy for the Mooresville, NC-based Highline Performance Group. The race will reunite Kimmel with his 1998 ARCA Re/Max Series crew chief, Jeff Lemons, who will head up the crew chief duties for the Busch race. Highline Performance Group is the former Sabco Busch Series team, now owned by Armando Fitz, the son-in-law for Felix Sabates()(4-10-2001)
- ppc Ownership changes: Bob Campbell has announced his retirement from ppc Racing and Campbell Show Cars after working more than 20 years in the racing industry. Campbell, who has been a partial owner of ppc Racing and the director of motorsports operations since 2000, is looking to pursue a “simpler way of life.” ppc Racing named general manager Keith Barnwell as a team owner and will be listed as the new owner of the #57 Albertson’s Ford driven by Keller in the NASCAR Busch Series. Barnwell began his racing career in 1986 and has worked for top notch Winston Cup and Busch Grand National teams over the past 15 years. Barnwell joined ppc Racing as general manager in 1999. Harold Holly, who will continue to serve as crew chief on the #10 Nesquik Ford, will assume the role of director of race operations formerly occupied by Campbell. ppc Racing currently fields two cars in the NASCAR Busch Series. The #57 Albertson’s Ford driven by Keller currently sits second in the points standings and finished second in 2000. Defending BGN Champion Green and the #10 Nesquik Ford are fourth in points after the first seven races(ppc Racing PR)(4-10-2001)
- Dodge to ARCA: Officials with the Automobile Racing Club of America(ARCA) series announced Monday the new Dodge Intrepid body style, used in the Winston Cup series this season, will be eligible for use in ARCA competition effective April 20. The first series event in which the Dodge Intrepid is eligible to compete is at Winchester Speedway in Indiana on April 22. (That’s Racin’)(4-10-2001)
- Four Roush CTS Teams in 2002: Roush Racing on Monday announced its plans to field up to four teams in 2002 in the CTS. Roush currently fields two teams, with drivers Chuck Hossfeld and Nathan Haseleu. Roush plans to add teams for 18-year-old Jon Wood, son of Wood Brothers Racing owner Eddie Wood, and Tim Woods, a 24-year-old African American driver from California. None of the teams currently has sponsorship in place for the 2002 season. (That’s Racin’)(4-10-2001)
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