April 15, 2004
- Something with that #9? Did You Know? #9-Bill Elliott [now part-time #91] finished second eight times before he picked up his first Cup win.(Caledonian Record) Now #9-Kasey Kahne has finished 2nd three times [in 7 races] with no win.(4-15-2004)
- Wimmer’s Court Date Now Tax Day Today UPDATE: April 15th is the day driver Scott Wimmer is scheduled to appear in a Guilford County [NC] courtroom on drunk driving charges. In what the clerk of court called “an administrative day”, Wimmer’s attorney went before a judge Wednesday in a High Point, North Carolina courtroom to hear the charges and receive the court date. Wimmer was not required to appear yesterday. Wimmer has said publiclly he knows what he did was wrong and now wants to help others not to make the same mistake.(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show)(3-112004)
UPDATE: Scott Wimmer’s attorney asked for and was granted a second continuance in his client’s drunk driving charge. The next court date has been rescheduled for June 1st in Guilford County Superior Court in High Point, North Carolina. Wimmer was charged with DUI back in January.(PRN’s Garage Pass Radio Show)(4-15-2004) - Testing at Kentucky UPDATE 1a: Kentucky Speedway’s weekly calendar shows plans for four Nextel Cup drivers and two Busch Series drivers to test this week. Cup testers expected on Wednesday are #12-Ryan Newman, #0-Ward Burton and #24-Jeff Gordon and #25-Brian Vickers. Vickers is also scheduled to test on Thursday. The track says #24-Mike Harmon and Chad Blount are expected to test Busch Series entries on Wednesday and Thursday. The track says the schedule is subject to change and says spectators may watch testing from its Fan Center.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-12-2004)
UPDATE: Kentucky Speedway’s updated test schedule for today [Wednesday] shows Kerry Earnhardt testing a research and development Chevrolet from Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick had been expected to test Jeff Gordon in the #24 Chevrolet and rookie Brian Vickers in the #25 Chevrolet, but the schedule today shows only Vickers and Earnhardt, the eldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt, on hand from the team. The ASA tests on Friday the 16th.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-15-2004)
UPDATE 1a: been informed….Kerry Earnhardt is at Kentucky doing a motor test for Dale Earnhardt Inc. NOT testing for Hendrick.(4-15-2004) - Another State to have NASCAR License Plate: A bill to create a new NASCAR prestige license plate turned into a vehicle to bring back special Louisiana license plates for military groups Tuesday. House Bill 904 by Rep. Bryant Hammett, D-Ferriday, started out as a bill to create a new NASCAR prestige plate, provided that at least 1,000 people sign up for it, to honor the car-racing organization.(2theadvocate.com)(4-15-2004)
- Jessica Lynch Booksigning – Labonte in line: Roughly 200 people came to Barnes & Noble to meet Army veteran and former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch and get signed copies of “I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Bragg. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the book Tuesday will be used to buy books for Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem. Before the event, Lynch met in the children’s section of the bookstore with a group of kids from the More at Four prekindergarten program at the Clara Cox Children’s Center operated by Developmental Day Care…..Others waiting in the book-signing line that snaked through stacks of books — including NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte — were equally anxious to meet Lynch.(News and Record)(4-15-2004)
- Changes coming, a ‘bigger’ car UPDATE Bodine Project: During the Speed Channel show Inside Nextel Cup, Gary Nelson, head of NASCAR R&D was interviewed on the ‘Hot Seat’ and mentioned the ‘car of tomorrow’ is currently being worked on and tested and hopes are to possibly run it late in the 2005 season. The car will have a larger greenhouse [the upper inside of the car above the ‘doors’], have a different areodynamic signature [meaning not as aerodynanic], have a squarer appearance, move the driver over to the right away from the ‘drivers-side door’ but not in the middle, be safer for the driver and maintain most of the safety features currently being used and that NASCAR does NOT plan to have a ‘common engine’ as had been rumored.(4-13-2004)
UPDATE: Brett Bodine has a mechanical engineering degree from the State University of New York at Alfred. He will work at NASCAR’s research and development center in Concord, N.C., as a special project manager. In addition to working with safety issues, the research and development center is responsible for creating the car of the future – one that incorporates safety, competition and cost. The car will feature a larger greenhouse – the passenger area – to mirror the kind of competition currently displayed on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The new car will be less dependent on aerodynamics and will be easier to police since all manufacturers will basically share the same body shapes. Bodine’s new job comes at a time of change at NASCAR. Joe Garone, a former crew chief for Bill Elliott, is leaving his job as director of officiating to return to the garage area; vice president Jim Hunter, the company’s top spokesman, is being moved to a new position that oversees regional touring and weekly series, and Don Hawk, the former business manager for Dale Earnhardt, is joining NASCAR as the director of regional racing development.(Augusta Chronicle)(4-15-2004) - Bang Racing adds sponsorhip for Truck and Cup programs: Bang Racing says Limelight Media Group Inc. of Memphis, Tenn., has signed on as an associate sponsor of its #42 Toyota for Mike Skinner and #24 Toyota of Travis Kvapil in the Craftsman Truck Series. The team says the agreement also includes Limelight’s sponsorship of Bang Racing in the Nextel Cup Series during the second half of 2004. Limelight Media creates and manages what it describes as “out-of-home digital advertising and promotional networks.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-15-2004)
- Martin opens Ford dealership: Mark Martin, driver of the #6 Viagra Roush Racing Ford, opened Mark Martin Ford-Mercury in his hometown of Batesville, Arkansas earlier this year. “It’s my dream to make it a world-class dealership,” said Martin. “A place where people can come and have an exciting time and see some exciting vehicles. Not just your everyday dealership.” In addition the dealership represents a continuation of Martin’s long-time partnership with Roush Racing owner Jack Roush, as Martin’s dealership will carry the exclusive line of Roush Performance automobiles. “We already have the Roush Performance vehicles here on the lot and we are excited about that,” said Martin. “We have the Roush Mustangs and Roush Focuses and the trucks are on the way. In addition, we have a Mark Martin signature F-150 in the works. It will be really tricked out with DVD’s and a lot of other neat features and I’m really excited about that.” Martin’s partner in the dealership, Lance Landers, will oversee the operation of the dealership on a daily basis. The lot will be hosting its official Grand Opening on April 24 and Martin will take a break from the busy racing schedule at Talladega Superspeedway for the event. Joining in the festivities will be current Nextel Cup Champion Matt Kenseth and Roush Racing owner Jack Roush. In addition the No. 6 Viagra Ford Taurus show car will be on hand and Pfizer, who sponsors Martin’s car will be on hand doing free health screenings during the day. The grand opening will start at 10 AM and last until 5 PM. Martin, Roush and Kenseth will make their way to Batesville after NASCAR’s final practice on Saturday morning. Mark Martin Ford-Mercury is located at 2850 E. Harrison St. in Batesville, Arkansas. For more information log on to: www.markmartinfordmercury.com.(Roush Racing PR)(4-15-2004)
- Robby Benton Enters Talladega: Robby Benton has informed Catchfence.com that his RAB team will enter the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega. Benton, a competitor in the ARCA RE/MAX Series hopes to make his 2004 debut after failing to make the grid in Daytona. Mac Tools will sponsor the #03 Ford and ARCA RE/MAX Series team Dan Shaver Motorsports will supply the engines. It will mark the first time in Shaver Motorsports career that they build an engine for a team in the NASCAR Busch Series. Shaver Motorsports supplies engine for several teams in the ARCA RE/MAX Series including Billy Venturini, and Ron Cox. Benton also mentioned the team hopes to enter a few more Busch events which include Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and Daytona.(Catchfence PR)(4-15-2004)
- ave Fuge Jr. Joins ppc Racing Truck Program: ppc Racing assembled its final piece of the puzzle Thursday with the hiring of Dave Fuge Jr. as its truck chief for the #10 Power StrokeR Diesel Ford. Fuge Jr., who was crew chief for the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship team, will work alongside veterans Terry Cook (driver) and Fred Wanke (crew chief) in their chase for the championship title. “ppc Racing is one of the top organizations in all of NASCAR,” said Fuge Jr. “This is a championship organization, something you cannot take away from any team. I got a call from the owners at ppc Racing and asked if I’d be interested in the truck chief position with Terry Cook and Fred Wanke. I thought about the position and began talking to Greg (Pollex, Co-Owner) and then to Fred. The next day I was working with the rest of the guys at the shop.”(ppc Racing PR)(4-15-2004)
- DW-Darrell Waltrip tests at Lanier in prep for Martinsville: Darrell Waltrip and the Toyota Tundra Test Crew were at Lanier National Speedway Tuesday with the Toyota Tundra Craftsman Truck Waltrip plans to race at Martinsville this week. Waltrip was looking for a dry place and made arrangements late Monday evening with Stan Narrison track General Manager to come down from High Point, NC to do some testing. “Things are pretty wet up in these parts of the country and you are the closest place that looks dry”, said Waltrip. Unfortunately it did not stay dry for very long and Waltrip and the Toyota Testing Team had to close up shop early.(LNS Site)(4-15-2004)
- Jerry Cook back to the #88 as crew chief: Tracy Hines has added confidence coming into Martinsville Speedway because Jerry Cook returns to the #88 Menards team as crew chief, moving over from ThorSport’s #13 team [Tina Gordon]. “I am really happy to have Jerry on board,” Hines said. “He has been around the series for a long time, and he really has the hunger to win one of these things. After working with him for that two-day test at Sandusky, I just can’t wait to get to Martinsville and get after it.”(ThorSport PR)(4-15-2004)
- Bang Racing adds sponsorhip for Truck and Cup programs: Bang Racing says Limelight Media Group Inc. of Memphis, Tenn., has signed on as an associate sponsor of its #42 Toyota for Mike Skinner and #24 Toyota of Travis Kvapil in the Craftsman Truck Series. The team says the agreement also includes Limelight’s sponsorship of Bang Racing in the Nextel Cup Series during the second half of 2004. Limelight Media creates and manages what it describes as “out-of-home digital advertising and promotional networks.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-15-2004)
- ppc Racing gets an assoc sponsor: Sof ComfortR Insoles, a leading brand of insoles from footcare expert Implus Footcare LLC, announced today its association with ppc Racing and the #10 Power StrokeR Diesel Ford driven by Terry Cook. Sof Comfort will be an associate sponsor for the 2004 season and join sister Implus Footcare brand, Airplus, an associate sponsor on ppc Racing’s #22 Miller High Life Ford Taurus driven by Jason Keller [in the Busch Series]. Based in Research Triangle Park, NC, Implus Footcare, LLC is a leading supplier of Insoles, Technical Socks, Shoecare Products and Laces. Implus brands include Sof SoleR, the Leader in the Sports Specialty channel, AirplusR and Sof ComfortR, both mass-market brands and Thom McAn Shoecare, a licensed property from Footstar (NYSE: FTST). For more information, please visit www.implusfootcare.com.(ppc Racing PR)(4-15-2004)
- Hooper to crew chief for Gordon? UPDATE Gordon to race at Martinsville: hearing that former Winston West and Truck Series driver, Lance Hooper, has taken a job as the new crew chief for the #13 Truck Series team with driver Tina Gordon. And of Gordon is not able to drive due to her injuries at Atlanta, Hooper would step in as a sub.(4-6-2004)
UPDATE Gordon to race, Hooper as crew cheif: Tina Gordon is ready to return to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition five weeks after suffering a broken right leg in a hard crash at the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 13. Gordon received the appropriate medical clearances recently and immediately got back into a truck in a private test session at Sandusky Speedway. “We made 86 laps at Sandusky last week,” Gordon said. “Tracy (Hines) had spent the previous two days there working on setups for Martinsville, so I really didn’t need to concentrate on that. Those guys did a great job and learned a lot that will help us both at Martinsville. My main focus was to get back in the truck, get comfortable, and figure out how some of my aches and pains would react once I had some track time.” Gordon will wear a brace on her injured right leg, but only to prevent banging it up again should another incident happen. “We have a brace for my leg, and that is what we spent a lot of time working on at Sandusky,” Gordon continued. “It’s there for support and to make sure if something else happens it doesn’t aggravate the injury any more. We worked on getting that as comfortable for me as we could.” Gordon heads to Martinsville win a new crew chief on the #13 ThorSport Racing Chevrolet. Lance Hooper, a championship-winning driver himself, joined the team recently. “I loved working with Jerry Cook because he has a lot of knowledge and is very easy to get along with,” Gordon said. “But having Lance come on board is going to be really good for me because he has raced at most of the tracks we are going to. He knows these trucks inside and out, and has raced them. Having him on board is going to strengthened our team and the entire ThorSport operation as a whole.(ThorSport PR)(4-15-2004) - #40 Team Closing up? UPDATE 2 an assoc sponsors: hearing the #40 Key Motorsports team and driver Joey Clanton has parted way and the team may be suspending operations? The will not be at Martinsville, after that…..??(4-12-2004)
UPDATE: the Key Motorsports, Craftsman Truck Series team, is restructuring its team in hopes of gaining the winning edge in the series. Contrary to recent rumors, the team has no plans in shutting its doors. In fact, the team has added two new marketing representatives, Bill Adams and Marie Lupia, to help secure sponsorship. The management is reassessing everyone’s position with the team. “We want Key Motorsports to be successful in its racing endeavors,” stated Curtis Key, owner of the #40 team. “We are still in the process of getting the funds needed to race every week. The sponsor we were told that would do just that has failed to fulfill their end of the deal.” The team has decided not to release any information regarding the employment status of its current or future employees at this time. The team is still actively seeking marketing partners. Interested parties can contact the marketing department at: 757-547-4411 or www.ckeymotorsports.com.(4-14-2004)
UPDATE 2: Key Motorsports, announcing earlier this week that it was “restructuring” its team announces today that it has secured two minor associate sponsors for the 2004 racing season. The Race Depot and Woodmasters Inc. have joined Key Motorsports to aid in the teams efforts in gaining a winning edge. The Race Depot, which Internet shoppers know as “race-depot.com”, is a NASCAR collectibles racing company based in Ft. Eustis, VA. The Race Depot offers quality product, quality service, and FAST shipping. Woodmasters Inc., a subsidiary of Raymond Key and Sons, is a full service general contracting firm, located in Virginia Beach, VA. Over the past two decades, Woodmasters has performed a wide range of residential and commercial work including, interior and exterior projects and renovations, additions and new construction. Terms of both deals were not disclosed. “I welcome both of these companies with the utmost gratitude,” stated Curtis Key, owner of Key Motorsports. Key added, “Our marketing staff has been working hard all year to get Virginia based companies to sponsor our Virginia based team, we hope the rewards will be great for all three of us”.(Key Motorsports PR)(4-15-2004)
Main Page | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997