April 20 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history

April 20, 2005

• NFL, NBC and NASCAR AND: been getting a lot of questions about this, so figured I’d answer what I know and some common sense here: NBC has signed to broadcast the Sunday night NFL Football games starting in 2006, so the 2005 schedule stays the same. As for 2006, without seeing the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Schedule, there is no way to tell how it will change the way NBC Broadcasts NASCAR Nextel Cup. But using the 2005 Schedule, it wouldn’t effect any of the races currently run in September thru the end of the season. Richmond has been televised on TNT since NBC/TNT took over the 2nd half of the season and it is on a Saturday night anyhow, the and the Cup race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway is also on Saturday night. In 2006 the NBC NFL Pre-game show starts at 7:00pm/et [with the kickoff at 8:15pm/et].
  Three last three races in 2005 are at Texas [3:00pm/et start], Phoenix [3:00pm/et start] and Homestead [4:00pm/et start] and all scheduled to be televised on NBC Live. This past week, the race at Texas was just under 4 hours long, the Phoenix last year was just over 3 hours and the 2004 Homestead race under 4 hours. So in 2006 look for starting times of those races to be set a little earlier or since all three tracks have lights, the races could be moved to Saturday night races. But this is all speculation and until the 2006 schedule comes out, no idea.(4-19-2005)
  AND On the heels of securing a lucrative, Sunday night broadcast package with the National Football League, NBC says broadcasting NASCAR is very much in its future plans. “We love our relationship with NASCAR,” said Mike McCarley, vice president for sports communications at NBC. “We feel like we have a very strong relationship with NASCAR and we certainly want to keep that relationship going.” NBC, TNT and FOX ponied up a total of $2.8 billion dollars in 2000 for the rights to broadcast Cup and Busch Series races beginning in 2001. NBC’s portion of the deal ends at the end of the 2006 season, but McCarley hopes that isn’t where their partnership with NASCAR ends. “We’ll sit down with our partners and hopefully figure out a way to make it work,” he said. ESPN, who has been mentioned as a returning player in the upcoming fight for NASCAR’s broadcast rights, will reportedly pay the NFL $1.1 billion per year over the next eight years for the rights to broadcast “Monday Night Football,” also beginning with the 2006 season.(NASCAR.com)(4-20-2005)
• New Petty Book: A large, diverse collection of Richard Petty photographs has been released. Richard Petty: Images of the King ($29.95, MBI Publishing) is a 256-page work compiled by Ben Blake and Dick Conway. Blake wrote the text and Conway supplied most of the more than 250 photographs, many of which are rare and have never been published. ”Sorting through all my Petty stuff brought back a lot of memories,” said Conway, whose photos have appeared in numerous racing books and publications. ”One of my favorite shots is of some of Richard’s old junked race cars that I found sitting out in the woods behind his house. There, rusting away in the weeds and bushes, were some of the most famous race cars in the world. For some reason that image really appealed to me.” The book is available through bookstores.(Tennessean)(4-20-2005)
• Elliott to run at Nashville: One of the most popular drivers in the history of NASCAR racing and 1988 NEXTEL Cup champion, Bill Elliott, will compete under the lights in the upcoming Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series event at the Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, June 11. Elliott will run in the Rusty Wallace Inc.-owned #64 Dodge and will be making his first appearance at a Nashville venue since the late 1980s at the old Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. This will be Elliott’s first appearance at the 1.33-mile concrete oval. For tickets please go to www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com or call 1-866-RACE-TIX.(Nashville Superspeedway)(4-20-2005)
• Rusty Snap-On at Infineon: This June, Snap-on will recognize racing legend Rusty Wallace’s “Last Call” with a special paint scheme salute on his #2 Dodge Charger. The paint scheme will be unveiled in the June 26 NEXTEL Cup Series Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. The scheme prominently features the familiar Snap-on red logo on the hood with the Miller Lite logo and a special Snap-on 85th anniversary logo on the rear quarter panels. The recognition, in collaboration with Penske Racing South and primary sponsor Miller Brewing Company, continues Snap-on Tools Company’s sponsorship of Rusty Wallace’s #2 Dodge, a relationship that began in 2000. “Rusty’s ‘Last Call’ represents the end of a racing era. During the last 24 years, Rusty has developed a skill for racing and a fan base unlike any other in NASCAR,” said Carl Johanson, Snap-on Tools motorsports marketing manager. “Celebrating together with Penske Racing South, Snap-on couldn’t be happier to commemorate Rusty’s storied career alongside Miller Brewing Company.” Beyond the special paint scheme, Snap-on Tools will feature special promotions and products throughout 2005 honoring Wallace’s successful career on and off the track. (Ogilvy PR Worldwide), see an image of the scheme on my #2 Team Schemes page.(4-20-2005)
• #66 Crew Chief Fined: NASCAR announced Wednesday that Greg Conner, crew chief for the #66 Peak Fitness Ford driven by Hermie Sadler, has been fined for rule violations during opening day inspection at Texas Motor Speedway on April 15. A fine of $5,000 resulted from violations of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rule book, due to an unapproved deck lid.(NASCAR PR)(4-20-2005)
• Mexican-born Driver Looks to Make History at Infineon: Jose Luis Ramirez will attempt to make history at Infineon Raceway during the Dodge/Save Mart 350, June 24-26, by becoming only the second Mexican-born driver in history to compete in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event. Ramirez, who is participating in a two-day NASCAR test session at Infineon Raceway Tuesday-Wednesday, is currently a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Grand National West Series and finished 10th in points in 2004. He’s had two West Series starts in 2005 and is currently 16th in points. Ramirez also competed in the Telcel MOTOROLA 200 NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico City this year, starting 33rd and finishing 31st.
  The Dodge/Save Mart 350 will mark Ramirez’s first-ever NEXTEL Cup event, if he qualifies, and he feels the weight of an entire country (Mexico) on his shoulders. “It’s a lot of pressure but I’ve been dreaming of this moment all my life,” Ramirez said in his first visit to the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in the Sonoma Valley. “I’ve always wanted to drive a Cup car and to also represent my country is an honor.” The car Ramirez will drive in Sonoma is sponsored by Pro30.com, a Northern California-based mortgage bank/software technologies company. The team, #52 Ware Enterprises Racing is running a five-race schedule in 2005. Ramirez would become the 18th foreign-born driver to compete in a NEXTEL Cup Series event. Pedro Rodriguez became the first Mexican-born NEXTEL Cup driver after competing in six events between 1959-1971. Infineon Raceway has also hosted the series’ first Japanese-born driver, Hideo Fukuyama, as well as Klaus Graff, who was born in Germany. Great tickets are still available for the Dodge/Save Mart 350 by calling 800-870-RACE or visiting www.infineonraceway.com.(Infineon Raceway)(4-20-2005)
• Different look for McMurray at Phoenix: The #42 Dodge of Jamie McMurray will carry the blue and white colors of Home123, a subsidiary of New Century Financial Corporation, and one of America’s largest providers of home mortgage loans, this weekend in Phoenix. This is the first of six events that Home123 will serve as the primary sponsor on the car in 2005.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), see an image of the scheme on my #42 Team Schemes page.(4-20-2005)
• Bowyer to make Cup debut at Phoenix: Clint Bowyer will make his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series debut driving the #33 Sylvania Chevrolet Monte Carlo. RCR also runs the #33 with Kerry Earnhardt under the Bass Pro Shops banner. The #2 ACDelco Busch Series pit crew that will jump over the pit wall for Friday’s NASCAR Busch Series race will perform the same duties Saturday night. Gil Martin, crew chief of the #2 team, will call the shots Saturday night, as well.(RCR) see images of the car on my #33 Team Schemes page.(4-20-2005)
• #150 for Harvick: #29-Kevin will make his 150th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start on Saturday night at Phoenix International Speedway.(RCR)(4-20-2005)
• Leffler to run special St. Jude scheme at Darlington: FedEx is expanding its support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to the world of NASCAR. The company unveiled a specially-designed racecar with a “Birdies for St. Jude” theme during an event at the hospital. “Birdies for St. Jude” is an annual pledge-drive program held in conjunction with the FedEx St. Jude Classic PGA TOUR event. The tournament has raised more than $14 million for St. Jude since FedEx became title sponsor in 1986. Jason Leffler, driver of the FedEx #11 car, joined representatives of FedEx and St. Jude, as well as St. Jude patients for the unveiling of the #11 “Birdies for St. Jude” racecar, which will run on May 7 in the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway.(JGR)(4-20-2005)
• Kulwicki Movie Openings AND: Dare To Dream opened in Texas on April 14th in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and three of the people involved were at the track, Texas Motor Speedway for the weekend promoting the movie, signing autographs and doing interviews: David Orgas (Writer/Director), Brad Weber (Alan Kulwicki) and Bryan Madson (Executive Producer/2nd Lead Actor). The movie will be opening in the Phoenix area at the end of this week and also through out the middle and western half of Wisconsin (Madison, La Crosse, Wausau, Rhinelander, Shawano, etc). Brad Weber and Bryan Madson will both be at the Phoenix track from Thursday through Saturday promoting and talking to fans. The movie will then open in the Talladega region the following week [Apr 29th] and Charlotte at the time of the All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600 [mid to end of May]. New on the DVD release will come later in the year.(4-19-2005)
  this Thursday and Friday after the 7:00pm show at the Harkins theater in Avondale, AZ, Brad Weber (Alan Kulwicki), Bryan Madson (Lead Actor/Executive Producer) and Tom Loppnow (Sound and Score Engineer) will be present for a Q&A with the viewers. Also autograph and promotion sessions on Thursday the 20th at the Tempe AZ Hooters and Friday the 21st at the Phoenix Hooters.(4-20-2005)
• NASCAR HOF would make money in Daytona: A proposed NASCAR hall of fame would be a money-maker in Daytona Beach, drawing more than 400,000 people a year — but it would need state dollars and Speedway land to be feasible, according to an economic study. Local officials who commissioned the study hailed it as proof the project could thrive in Daytona Beach, which is competing with five other areas to be home to the hall of fame. Daytona Beach officials propose building an 80,000-square-foot facility that would cost $70 million., The overall cost of the project, with interest, would be $86 million. The study anticipates paying a $1 a year to lease a site for the building on Daytona International Speedway property.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-20-2005)
• Hotel Tax to help foot NASCAR HOF in Charlotte: Higher taxes on Charlotte hotel rooms would pay to build a NASCAR Hall of Fame, organizers announced Monday. The potential tax increase, from 6% to 8% countywide [Mecklenburg], has the crucial backing of leaders in the hotel-motel industry. It must be approved by the state legislature. The new tax would pay for $63.5 million of the estimated $137.5 million cost of putting the NASCAR Hall of Fame uptown, as well as building a new convention center ballroom. About $35 million would come from a combination of state funding and private contributions. The remaining $37.5 million would come from the existing convention center expansion budget, funded by the existing tax on restaurant meals. Monday’s announcement marks the latest step in the city’s fast-moving drive to land what organizers call a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Just last week, they announced the preferred site — just east of the convention center — and hired the well-known architectural firm headed by I.M. Pei. To meet NASCAR’s May 31 deadline for proposals, Charlotte must keep moving quickly. Next Monday, the City Council will consider designating the city-owned site. Charlotte’s bid would compete with bids from Atlanta, Daytona Beach, Fla., Kansas City, Kan., Richmond, Va., and the state of Michigan. Organizers expect NASCAR to pick a site by the end of 2005. But the NASCAR project would not be the only use of the higher hotel-motel tax. The proposal calls for half the increase to occur regardless of whether Charlotte gets the hall of fame. The money would be used by the city or the visitors’ authority to lure conventions and sporting events, such as basketball tournaments. The city and county often use property tax money to pay for those items now.(Charlotte Observer and another column: N.C. legislators: Not so fast on NASCAR hall funds)(4-20-2005)
• Kahne Fastest During First Day at Infineon Raceway: #9-Kasey Kahne (Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) posted the fastest time on Tuesday during a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup test session at Infineon Raceway. Kahne, who placed 31st in his first visit to Infineon Raceway in 2004, turned the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in 1 minute, 17.25 seconds [92.738mph]. Jeff Gordon (DuPont Chevrolet) holds the track qualifying record of 1:15.968 [94.303], set in 2004. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will visit the Sonoma Valley, June 24-26, for the Dodge/Save Mart 350 weekend. Kahne was one of three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers testing the course on Tuesday. #99-Carl Edwards (Office Depot Ford) was second-fast at 1:17.50 [92.439], with #52-Jose Luis Ramirez (Pro30.com) third at 1:20.54 [88.950]. #77-Travis Kvapil (Kodak EasyShare Dodge) is scheduled to test on Wednesday and Todd Souza also tested, no speeds announounced. Ramirez was involved in a single-car accident late in the day at Turn 4 on the raceway and was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek for precautionary reasons, according to a family member. Testing resumes on Wednesday with a full day scheduled from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (PDT). Great tickets are still available for the Dodge/Save Mart 350 by calling 800-870-RACE or visiting www.infineonraceway.com.(Infineon Raceway)(4-20-2005)
  UPDATE: Jose Luis Ramirez was released from John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek on Wednesday, one day after being involved in a late-day accident during a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup test session at Infineon Raceway. Ramirez said he sustained minor injuries to his right foot, right eye and back. He was held overnight on Tuesday at John Muir Medical Center for observation. The #52 Pro30.com car Ramirez was driving impacted the foam barriers at Turn 4 on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in a single-car accident late in the day. “I’m a little sore but I’ll be OK,” Ramirez said. “It could have been worse but the fire safety team did a great job. I’m hoping they will clear me to race on Thursday.” Ramirez is scheduled to compete on Thursday in a NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series race, at Phoenix International Raceway.(Infineon Raceway)(4-20-2005)
• Testing at Talladega: Richard Childress Racing drivers Kerry Earnhardt and Brandon Miller, Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly driver Randy LaJoie and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. driver Paul Menard shared track time at Talladega Superspeedway on Tuesday, and each took time to provide their thoughts on the day’s test as well as their anticipation of the upcoming Aaron’s Dream Weekend April 28 – May 1 at Talladega Superspeedway.(Talladega Superspeedway), no speeds were reported. Evernham Motorsports #91-Bill Elliott and #23-Tom Hubert [testing for Mike Skinner who will run the race] and Busch Series driver #56-Tim Sauter will test today, Wednesday, April 20th.(4-20-2005)
• Elliott at Nashville: One of the most popular drivers in the history of NASCAR racing and 1988 NEXTEL Cup champion, Bill Elliott, will compete under the lights in the upcoming Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series event at the Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, June 11. Elliott will run in the Rusty Wallace Inc.-owned #64 Dodge and will be making his first appearance at a Nashville venue since the late 1980s at the old Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. This will be Elliott’s first appearance at the 1.33-mile concrete oval. For tickets please go to www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com or call 1-866-RACE-TIX.(Nashville Superspeedway)(4-20-2005)
• Hmeil/Braun Racing Drop Appeal: Todd Braun, owner of Braun Racing, and Shane Hmiel, driver of the #32 WINFUEL Chevrolet, have decided not to appeal the penalties assessed by NASCAR for the incident that occurred during the Sharpie 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Monday, April 4. “Although we do not agree with the way that everything has been handled in regards to the incident that occurred; we do understand the direction that NASCAR is trying to move and what they are trying to accomplish,” Todd Braun said Monday afternoon. “We have decided not to appeal the penalties that were assessed, but to instead move forward in representing WINFUEL and the NASCAR Busch series. Braun Racing looks forward to putting this incident behind us and going to Phoenix to win the race.” NASCAR fined Shane Hmiel $10,000 and docked him 25 driver points for making an obscene gesture that appeared on live television via Hmiel’s in car camera. Owner Todd Braun was also docked 25 owner points for the incident. “I apologize for making the gesture,” Hmiel said today. “I never intended for it to end up on television. We have decided to drop the appeal and move forward with our pursuit of the Busch Series Championship.”(NASCAR PR)(4-20-2005)
• Mallory tests the #7/#24: Blake Mallory tested for the #7 / 24 team Tuesday at Tuson. He could show up in the car at some point this season.(BGNRacing.com)(4-20-2005)

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