April 18, 2001
- Talladega Chassis Rumors UPDATE: Rumor has it that several teams will come to Talladega with varying alterations that may or may not be consistent with NASCAR’s rules. The team member said those with altered cars “include assurances the owners and sponsors are prepared to fight for their approval in the inspection line should questions be raised by NASCAR.” and according to the same team member, at least three new chassis featuring softer, more crushable front ends will be run at Talladega. The teams that will run them developed the chassis(more at NASCAR.com Buzz and Stock Car Reporter)(4-14-2001)
UPDATE: While some are hemming and hawing about the possibility of some teams bringing a “soft chassis” to Talladega this weekend that may not conform to NASCAR rules and regulations, Michael Waltrip took the issue head-on during today’s news conference. “I’ve heard nothing about that,” Waltrip said. “That’s something that somebody dreamed up somewhere. There’s no validity to any rumor that would have anything at all to do with that.”(NASCAR.com Buzz) and a followup story at: Stock Car Reporter – Michael, Michael…(4-18-2001) - Subway to the #27? UPDATE 2: Word last weekend was that sandwich company Subway was planning to sponsor a Winston Cup car in the upcoming Talladega 500. Kenny Wallace’s Eel River Racing team has no sponsor, so it could very well be him. Plus, Subway is the title sponsor of Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series race, so it could happen.(NASCAR.com Buzz)
UPDATE: an the Kenny Wallace Racing site is reporting Subway as the teams new sponsor for the weekend(4-17-2001)
UPDATE 2: Kenny Wallace’s #27 Pontiac will carry sponsorship from Subway in the Talladega 500. Crew chief/team manager Barry Dodson said the deal was for only one race but was hopeful the arrangement could be extended(Gaston Gazette)(4-18-2001) - 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)
- Wind Tunnel: The #12 Penske Racing team had two cars in the wind tunnel at N.A.S.A.’s Langley Research Center located in Hampton, VA on Tuesday, a Talladega car and an intermediate car(Lowes/Vegas)(4-18-2001)
- Stewart in IROC: IROC confirmed that Tony Stewart will compete in the three remaining IROC races, including Saturday’s event at Talladega. In the season’s first race at Daytona, Stewart substituted for Gil de Ferran, last season’s champion of CART. de Ferran had injured his foot in testing and was unable to compete. Since de Ferran has been unable to test or practice with the IROC cars — he is currently competing in both CART and Indy Racing League events — he has withdrawn for the remainder of the IROC season. All points and victories Stewart gains this season will be credited to himself and not de Ferran. Stewart finished ninth in the series opener at Daytona and in his first season in the series in 2000, he was third in points(That’s Racin’)(4-18-2001)
- Shop-Vac Racing at Talladega: Skip Smith and the #67 Shop-Vac Racing team will enter the Subway 300 this weekend at Talladega. While Smith Brothers Motorsports carries the #28 in ARCA competition, the black and day-glow red Shop-Vac Chevy will sport the #67 in the BGN. Skip Smith, a retired Pa. State Police Officer. “It is my favorite race track and I feel we have really good equipment for the race.” Smith plans to run an additional 9 ARCA speedway races this season. But, the recent decline in BGN event entries have presented car owner Mike Smith with the opportunity to evaluate the future race series of his team. Results at Talladega will play a large role in determining future BGN races this season(Shop Vac Racing PR)(4-18-2001)
- #72 News: Hearing that road racer David Murry is speaking with MacDonald Motorsports about filling the seat in the #72 truck, which was left vacant by Randy MacDonald after a crash at Daytona in February. It may be a race-to-race deal or for the rest of the season. Jimmy Hensley was the most recent driver to substitute for MacDonald, at Martinsville, two weeks ago. Reports are that MacDonald underwent neck surgery in Florida yesterday to repair lingering injuries suffered in the crash. Murry is presently competing in the American Le Mans Series with a Porsche race team. An Atlanta resident, Murry has ARCA and Winston Cup experience, the latter coming at Watkins Glen in 1999 when he qualified 31st, ran as high as eighth, before finishing 36th after an oil line problem.(4-18-2001)
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