With NASCAR on a temporary hiatus, news is going to be slow in the coming weeks. To help fill the NASCAR void, we plan on taking you on a daily trip down memory lane spanning the years since the Jayski’s site inception. Using our news archives pages, here’s a look back at what’s happened on this date through the last 23 years in NASCAR:
This day in NASCAR history: April 18
Years we have pulled today’s main items from: 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1997
Top see everything from this date over previous years: 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
Note: Many links on older stories don’t work. There’s not a lot of the same websites around anymore.
To see previous articles covering “Today in History”, click here.
2018:
- Truex Jr. to make 450th career start in Richmond: Martin Truex Jr. will make his 450th career NASCAR Cup Series start in Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. “That’s crazy how time flies,” said Truex when he was told that Richmond will be his 450th career start. “Just seems like yesterday we were making preparations to run our first Cup races.[More](4-18-2018)
2016:
- NASCAR will discuss lug nuts and loose wheels: NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell said Monday that a recent rash of loose wheels would be a topic in the Sprint Cup Series’ monthly competition meeting with teams. #78-Martin Truex Jr., #24-Chase Elliott and #48-Jimmie Johnson were among several who needed extra pit stops because of loose wheels during Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. There also were multiple loose wheels in the previous race at Texas Motor Speedway, prompting much debate last week over the risks and rewards of the practice of tightening fewer than five lug nuts during a pit stop. A loose wheel is a safety hazard for drivers, who can be left with little warning of losing control at a high rate of speed. “We’ll continue to look at it,” O’Donnell said during his weekly appearance on “The Morning Drive” on SiriusXM’s NASCAR channel. “We’ve got our competition meeting monthly where we meet with the teams and certainly raise any issues that they see as something we’ve got to address, probably more so immediately.” NASCAR once monitored and punished teams for hitting fewer than five lug nuts on a stop. But it hasn’t been policed since an overhaul of pit road officiating before last season.(in part from NBC Sports)(4-18-2016)
2015:
- Fans, NASCAR to honor Steve Brynes at Bristol: Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Bristol Motor Speedway — the Food City 500 In Support Of Steve Byrnes And Stand Up To Cancer — is including race teams, NASCAR officials and race fans in a heartfelt gesture to support one of the sport’s most popular broadcasters and all of those battling cancer. As race fans enter Bristol Motor Speedway Sunday morning, they have the opportunity to receive a Stand Up To Cancer placard, writing in the name of someone they are supporting in their battle against the deadly disease. Race team crews and NASCAR officials have placards specifically honoring Byrnes. There are two opportunities to display the placards during the race airing live on FOX on Sunday, April 19 — during parade laps, when crews are asked to stand atop the pit wall with their salutes, and again on lap 250 of the 500-lap race, when fans are asked to Stand Up To Cancer with their placards. In addition, NASCAR is offering race teams the option to carry a special car decal with Byrnes’ initials, honoring him with placement on the B-post or C-post of any Sprint Cup, SFINITY, or K&N Series entry. Byrnes’ brother, Dan Byrnes, and his family (wife Tammy; Steve’s nephews Tyler and Dylan; and niece Samantha) are attending Sunday’s race on behalf of Steve Byrnes and his family. Byrnes has been battling courageously against head and neck cancer. He is the co-host of NASCAR Race Hub and the play-by-play announcer for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.(Fox Sports)(4-18-2015)
2014:
- Lack of sponsorship could shut down Swan Racing UPDATE3: Swan Racing [#26-Cole Whitt & #30-Parker Kligerman] issued the following statement Thursday afternoon: “Swan Racing is in the process of reviewing its current situation and the ability to continue to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team has been unable to secure the kind of sponsorship required to effectively operate the team. As a result, the team management is exploring every available option. We hope to be in position to provide a detailed update in the near future.”(Swan Racing)(4-17-2014)
UPDATE: Team spokesperson Ramsey Poston told Motorsport.com that Swan is assessing its current situation. Other sources familiar with the situation said it’s unlikely that Swan will field more than one car — if any — for the Apr. 25-26 NASCAR events at Richmond International Raceway.(Motorsport)
UPDATE2: The Swan Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team released a number of employees today [Thursday] and may not compete in the circuit’s next race at Richmond International Raceway On April 26. Team employees were reportedly informed today that the team is suspending operations, and many of them are already seeking employment with other teams. Sources say there is a possibility that Whitt’s #26 Toyota could be absorbed into the existing BK Racing operation, if Swan Racing is unable to continue.(Godfather Motorsports)
UPDATE3: Swan Racing co-owner Anthony Marlowe tweeted on Thursday afternoon: “My mission is to ensure @ColeWhitt races in every #NASCAR Sprint Cup event this season.”(4-18-2014)
2011:
- With Biffle signed, Roush will now focus on Edwards: With #16-Greg Biffle now signed to a new three-year
contract, Roush Fenway Racing will turn its focus to retaining Sprint Cup points leader #99-Carl Edwards. Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark said on Sunday he is cautiously optimistic a deal can be reached with Edwards, the biggest free agent on the NASCAR market. He hopes the deal can be reached before mid-summer. Edwards is free to talk to other teams. Sources said he has visited with Joe Gibbs Racing, which would have to expand to a fourth team to accommodate such an addition. But most in the garage believe Edwards will re-sign with Roush Fenway, the team he has driven for since his Sprint Cup career began in 2004. Biffle is among those who are confident that Edwards will remain his teammate.(ESPN.com)(4-18-2011)
- SPEED marks 200th NCWTS broadcast at Nashville: SPEED celebrates its 200th NASCAR Camping Truck Series race broadcast Friday, April 22 at Nashville Superspeedway (live at 8 p.m. ET; NCWTS Setup with Krista
Voda at 7:30 p.m. ET). The network, the exclusive television home of the Truck Series, took the reins for the first time in February 2003 at Daytona International Speedway and has been at the helm ever since. When SPEED arrived on the scene at Daytona, Rick Allen called the action alongside former sports car driver Dorsey Schroeder and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship crew chief Barry Dodson, with reporter Ray Dunlap and former NASCAR driver Phil Parsons reporting from pit road. That cast has remained largely intact over the years, now consisting of Allen and Parsons alongside NASCAR team owner/driver Michael Waltrip in the booth, with Dunlap and NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler patrolling the pits and Krista Voda hosting NCWTS Setup, the series’ popular pre-race show.(SPEEDtv.com)(4-18-2011)
2009:
- Mark Martin wins at Phoenix: #5-Mark Martin won the Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix International Raceway for his first win in 97 races [Kansas in 2005] for his first win in 2009 and 36th win of his career [16th all-time]. Former owner Jack Roush came to victory lane to shake Martin’s hand along with many other drivers. #14-Stewart finished 2nd, followed by #2-Busch, #48-Johnson, #16-Biffle, #11-Hamlin, #1-Truex Jr., #00-Reutimann, #77-Hornish Jr. [career best finish] and #99-Edwards. Points leader, #24-Jeff Gordon had a bad pitstop late and finished 25th and his point lead dwindles to 85 over #48-Johnson. There were 6 cautions for 29 laps and there were 14 lead changes among 10 drivers.(4-18-2009)
2006:
- Different Car Models the answer in Busch Series? NASCAR continues to look for a way to differentiate the Busch Series from the premiere Nextel Cup Series, in answer to critics who suggest Busch has become Cup Lite,
with near-identical cars and a plethora of invading Nextel Cup drivers. One possible way: Change the Busch Series cars from sedans to the manufacturers’ “pony” cars—the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Toyota Solara. Sound farfetched? It isn’t. “It’s under discussion with NASCAR,” said John Fernandez, director of Dodge’s racing operation. “It isn’t to what I’d consider the serious stage, but it is under discussion.” Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology, said, “We’ve discussed it. And I’d like to see it. We need to do something about the Busch Series.” Given the production schedule of the Camaro and Challenger, it is unlikely those cars would be able to enter the Busch Series before the 2008 season, with 2009 a more likely scenario. By then Nextel Cup’s Car of Tomorrow redesign should be in place. One scenario would have the Busch pony cars built on modified platforms from the Nextel Cup cars used now, thus helping team owners who say the Car of Tomorrow seriously reduces the value of the old cars. Manufacturers are hoping that if it happens, NASCAR will allow the pony car racers.(AutoNews.com)(4-18-2006)
2005:
- Biffle denies talk of him to the #2 MORE: Reports say that Greg Biffle, driver of Roush Racing’s #16, may again be in play, although Biffle says he hopes to stay with Roush if terms can be made satisfactory. Biffle, rumored to be a top choice to replace Wallace, told reporters that an extension with Roush was “in final discussions. I haven’t talked to anybody, and I don’t plan to untl I have exhausted every possible resource [for] staying at Roush Racing.”(Speed Channel)(4-17-2005)
AND Greg Biffle, reported to be a top candidate for Penske Racing’s No. 2 car when Rusty Wallace retires end of this year, insisted he will remain with Roush Racing. Biffle, two-time winner this season and fully competitive at most other stops, said, in the presence of owner Jack Roush, said that his contract-renewal negotiations with Roush are more a matter of timing. “There isn’t a question about it, and there hasn’t been this year,” Biffle said.(Speed Channel)(4-18-2005)
2004:
- Rusty wins at Martinsville – breaks 3-year streak: #2-Rusty Wallace won the Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway for his 55th career Cup win [breaks a tie with Lee Petty and is now 7th all-time], his first in
105 races [at California Speedway, 4/21/2001] his 7th win at Martinsville Speedway, Rusty’s first ever win in a Dodge and first ever for #2 crew chief, Larry Carter. The win also puts the #2 team in the 2004 Winner’s Circle Program, which is now full with 12 teams. #18-Bobby Labonte was 2nd, followed by #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #48-Jimmie Johnson and #12-Ryan Newman. Good narrative of the race at ThatsRacin.com
INFO for my race rundown, see my Martinsville Race Info/Rundown Page, for Lucky Dog drivers and their finish, caution narrative, where did the top 10 starters finish…and more.
Results can be seen at:
ThatsRacin.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com.(4-18-2004)
2001:
- Roush Buys an Airline: Team Owner Jack Roush struck a deal with an Indiana billionaire who was looking to unload his charter service, acquiring his fleet of three 727 jets and retaining three veteran pilots. The sale price is said to be a bargain — estimated to be in the $5 million to $6 million range –but the operating cost won’t be cheap, unless the boss can find a way to make a buck off Air Roush. Plans call for only one of the jets to transport Roush Racing’s four Winston Cup and one Busch team. Another is being offered to charter other Cup race teams. The third might also be made available for charter or even sold. The planes were built as luxury charters for professional sports teams and corporate junkets, thus seat only 50.(CNN/SI)(4-18-2001)
2000:
- Atwood and Dodge? hearing from a few sources that Casey Atwood’s signing with Ray Evernham and Dodge for the 2001 Winston Cup season is almost if not already, a done deal. Pretty much a given anyway(4-18-2000)
1997:
How could I have rumors without Tony Stewart involved? Here is another one: Joe Gibbs supposedly has bought out Tony Stewarts contract and plans to run him in a second Gibbs team in 1998(4-18-97). NEW NEWS: Shell, Labonte’s major associate sponsor, is behind the push. But Gibbs would confirm little more. As for Stewart, who is said to have a contract for NASCAR racing with Harry Ranier, Gibbs says, “The only thing I can say is it’s nothing we’ve gotten done, Shell and ourselves have been looking for a while. But we’re not going to do anything unless we get the right situation and the right driver(4-21-97)- I hear Morgan-McClure may start a second team, are close to sponsorship and rumors include Ted Musgrave here(I hear he is on the hot-seat at Roush)?(4-18-97)
Click a link below for a full listing of news from each year:
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