April 23, 2004
- StockCarFans.com – Ramblings – Talladega: It’s been a week of catchin up….First, Rusty Wallace wins his first race in three years last week, then…It had been 20 years since the Wood Brothers had won a pole, but Ricky Rudd grabbed the top-spot today at Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 and ended that streak! Kinda hard to believe it’d been that long for the Wood’s, but for Ricky it was a mere two years ago when he took his last Bud Pole at Watkins Glen in August of 2002. Ricky’s speed of 191.180 (50.089 sec) was good for his 29th career pole, and nipped the DEI juggernaut of Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. He becomes the sixth different pole winner this season, and is now eligible for next February’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona.
Michael Waltrip (2nd) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Watkins Glen in August of 2002. So, if you’ve read closely, that means we’ve got the same front row here at a 2.66 mile Superspeedway that we had at that 2.45 mile road course. The more things change, the more they stay the same…..
#01-Joe Nemechek (4th) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Richmond in May of last year. #10-Scott Riggs (5th) has his career best starting spot. His previous best was 13th last week at Martinsville. #6-Mark Martin (6th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 3rd at Richmond last September. #5-Terry Labonte (13th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 9th at Dover last September. Welcome Back and Greetings: Kenny Wallace (27th) makes his first start of the season. Eric McClure (35th) makes his first-ever Cup start, and Kerry Earnhardt makes only his second Cup start this Sunday. His first was at Michigan in August of 2000….starting 27th and finishing 43rd.
STREAKIN….Dale Earnhardt Jr. has 5 Top-10 starts in the last 6 races.(StockCarFans.com Nextel Cup Newsletter)(4-23-2004) - Provisional Rules to be changed? UPDATE: hearing after last weeks error with the provisonals being awarded that there may be a change somehow in the Provisional Starting Process. Lat week at Martinsville, #72-Kirk Shelmerdine was out of provisionals but was origianlly on the Starting Lineup. The #98 team of Todd Bodine protested and was added to the field and Shelmerdine dropped [in hindsight, since Shelmerdine was told he was in, they should had just added Boding and started 44 cars, however…]. Anyhow, hearing it could be like the top 40 speeds, and the remaining three ‘promotors option’ or the top three in owners points not in already with none being charged, however, this is just a rumor.(4-21-2004)
UPDATE – rules change: NASCAR issued technical bulletins in its Cup and Busch series this week outlining a minor change to the awarding of provisional starting positions. The change concerns instances when there are not enough teams eligible for provisionals to fill the provisional starting spots. Previously, NASCAR would award the remaining positions to teams based on their number of qualifying attempts and all teams would be charged for using the provisionals.
Under the revised rule, in the event the number of entries eligible for a provisional is equal to or less than the number of starting positions, provisionals assigned to fill positions 39 through 43 will not be charged to teams’ maximum season total.(ThatsRacin.com), not much of a change and the rule pretty much already read like that anyway, anything to make the rule more confusing I guess.
this is from a NASCAR PR dated 1-6-2004: “In the event the number of entrants is equal to or less than the number of starting positions available for an event, provisionals assigned to fill starting positions 39 through 43 will not count toward the maximum season allotment.”…so what is the difference?
So with 46 cars entered, no provisionals for #72-Shelmerdine [out], #00-Wallace or #04-McClure [first attempt for the teams] and while the #33 [Skinner] used a provisional and somehow was charged it at Daytona when it didn’t have any, assuming [hate to assume] that the #33 with Kerry Earnhardt/team is NOT eligible for a provisional. So that should/could/maybe make 42 teams eligible for a provisional this week at Talladega, so they shouldn’t be charged this week…..
Been told, provisionals will NOT be charged at Talladega.(4-23-2004) - TV Ratings Up for Martinsville UPDATE: NASCAR says 7 percent more viewers watched Fox’s broadcast of last Sunday’s Advance Auto Parts 500 from Martinsville Speedway than in 2003. NASCAR says an average of 8,552,000 viewers and an average of 5,887,000 households tuned in. No Nielsen Media Research ratings were cited. For the year, NASCAR says both viewership and household numbers for the Nextel Cup Series are up 3 percent.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-23-2004)
AND Fox’s broadcast of last Sunday’s Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway drew a final Nielsen Media Research rating of 5.4 and a 14 share, today’s Sports Business Daily reports. The rating is 1.9 percent higher than last year’s 5.3 final figure.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(4-23-2004) - Brett Bodine to the pace car? NASCAR is reevaluating its staffing on its pace car and chase vehicles and is seriously considering turning pace car driving duties in its Nextel Cup series races over to former Cup driver Brett Bodine, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Bodine, 45, who retired from active competition, was recently hired by NASCAR to tackle several special projects with its research and development team based in Concord, NC, including work on the “car of the future,” which will incorporate new safety measures. Bodine would replace Buster Auton, who has served as pace car driver in the Cup series since 1997, following the death of Elmo Langley. Auton has missed only a handful of races due to medical reasons. Auton is expected to then move to the “chase car,” NASCAR’s first-response vehicle to accident scenes, generally followed by safety crews and ambulances. Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president for corporate communications, said no final decisions have been made on staffing changes. “Whether Buster is driving the pace car or the chase car or whatever Buster Auton is doing, he is a vital part of NASCAR’s operations,” Hunter said. Hunter said NASCAR is always evaluating its needs on the track and in the garage, attempting to find where its employees’ talent can be best utilized. Bodine drove in Cup for 20 seasons. He had one win and five poles in 480 career starts. A formal announcement of any changes is expected within a couple of weeks.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-23-2004)
- #99 Team gets a 4-race sponsor: Roush Racing announced today that Roundup FastAct* weed and grass control, will team up with the #99 Roush Racing Ford of Jeff Burton for the next four races. Roundup will appear as the primary sponsor on the car this weekend at Talladega and the next three races at California, Richmond and the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Parent company, Scotts will also appear as an associate sponsor for all four races. “This is a great opportunity for our race team and I’m excited about our new partnership with Roundup and Scotts,” said Burton. “I’ve used Scotts products, including Roundup, in my yard for as long as I can remember and I’m looking forward to growing our relationship with both Roundup and Scotts over the next four races.” Vito Boscaino, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Scotts echoed Burton’s excitement. “This partnership between Roush Racing and Roundup makes perfect sense.” Boscaino continued, “Both are leaders in their industry and have successful track records. We’ve been exploring opportunities in NASCAR for sometime now and are looking forward to this trial run with one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers.” The Scotts brand is the exclusive worldwide marketing agent for the consumer lawn and garden Roundup brand, owned by Monsanto. For more than 130 years, The Scotts Company has been the world’s leader in do-it-yourself lawn and garden consumer products. The family of brands, including Scotts, Roundup, Miracle-Gro and Ortho, give beginning and expert gardeners all they need to create thick, green lawns, beautiful outdoor and indoor gardens, and delicious vegetables and fruits, as well as to keep their homes safe and sound from pests. For more information on Roundup or any of the Scotts products visit www.roundup.com, or www.scotts.com or call 800-246-7219 or 800-843-8873.
AND The Duke Children’s Hospital paint scheme has been postponed however; the #99 Roundup Ford will carry the Duke Children’s Hospital logo on the deck lid for this weekend’s race at Talladega. For more information on Duke Children’s Hospital log onto www.dukechildrens.org.(Roush Racing PR)(4-23-2004) - See a car cut in half at Talladega: thought this was interesting…. 59-year old Lee “Hackman” Breton, a 42-year employee of Lenox will cut a car in half [wonder if he can cut my old tbird in half?], by hand, in less than five minutes, using only his skill and a super-tough Lenox blade. This car cutting event will introduce the world to Lenox Team Hackman, an incredible team of five master cutters who are traveling the U.S. and the world demonstrating the strength of Lenox saw blades and their impressive cutting skills by cutting cars, buses, trucks, houses, planes, trains and anything else they can get their hands on. The ‘event’ will take place at the Irwin/Lenox Workshop Mobile Marketing Unit Exhibit/Display Area at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 25, 2004 at 10:30am/local.(Lenox PR)(4-23-2004)
- Ford looking for a woman driver: Ford racing director Dan Davis has seen enough of rising open-wheel driver Danica Patrick to believe a woman can succeed at racing’s highest levels. He also has seen enough talented young drivers come out of the U.S. Auto Club midget ranks and achieve NASCAR success to believe that is the quickest route to the Nextel Cup series. So Davis is putting Ford’s considerable resources to work to meld those two beliefs and provide a woman with an opportunity to earn a full-time NASCAR ride. With input from Lyn St. James, who since retiring as a driver has been an activist for women in racing, four candidates have been chosen for a tryout May 4-5 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway. USAC car builder Bob East will evaluate them and if he is convinced one shows promise, she’ll be given a second look the next week at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Assuming all goes well, the goal is to get her into a few USAC midget races late this year with an eye toward a possible full-time ride with team owner Steve Lewis in 2005. “When it occurs that a woman makes it in NASCAR, we’d like (her) to be a Ford driver,” Davis said. “This is just the first step in a long process. We’d like to get a sponsor involved, but if not, we’ll pay for it.” St. James said this is the first time in her experience that such an idea has been supported by a clear plan. “What’s most exciting about this is that it finds someone with talent and then backs it up,” she said. “It’s got a beginning, it’s got a middle and it’s got an end goal.” All parties involved said if none of the first four pans out, they’d bring in four more. The first candidates are Promising Newcomers Lynsey Tilton, 17, San Diego; Alison Macleod, 15, Mississauga, Ontario; Erin Crocker, 23, Buffalo, N.Y.; And Michelle Theriault, 18, Alpharetta, Ga. Lewis said it’s probably a bit optimistic to expect one of the candidates to be ready to compete over a full USAC season by 2005. But he believes Ford’s commitment ensures a woman eventually will work her way to Nextel Cup. “Dan Davis is really intent on doing this and is willing to invest the time and resources it’s going to take,” he said. “That just might be the difference-maker.” The four drivers will be tested separately. East’s son, Bobby, a USAC regular, will shake down the cars and provide instruction. Then each of the four will have half a day to show her ability. Bob East said he’ll be looking at more than lap times. He wants to see how the women handle themselves in and out of the car and how they adapt as the session progresses. By the end of the two days, he’s confident if there is a driver who deserves to move on, he’ll know who it is. “Basically, I just have to look them in the eye,” he said. “That’s a lot of it.”(Indianapolis Star)(4-23-2004)
- So….what is up with Carl Long? Much of the hype has died down since the spectacular rollover wreck Carl Long was involved in at North Carolina Speedway almost two months ago. The car that was demolished in the accident has now been replaced. With help from the generous donations received from the fans, Carl was able to purchase a 2004 Dodge that will be ready to debut in the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge qualifier event at Lowes Motor Speedway in May. ALSO: Carl Long Racing Merchandise now available as Long recently announced the opening of its new Carl Long Racing Support Team online store. See more at Carl-long.com.(4-23-2004)
- It’s back… the FieldFillers.com web site [Andy Belmont…and others] is now back on the web, with some slight changes, check it out at www.FieldFillers.com.(4-23-2004)
- Testing at Infineon Raceway: hearing a few Nextel Cup teams will test at Infineon Raceway on April 27-28th, so far the drivers who plan to test include: #18-Bobby Labonte, #21-Ricky Rudd, #9-Kasey Kahne, #45-Kyle Petty and #16-Greg Biffle.(4-23-2004)
- Shepherd car and site: hearing #89-Morgan Shepherd is running a speedway Dodge leased from Ultra Motorsports [ran #7 at Daytona]. Also, Shepherd has a new and improved website at www.morganshepherd.com.(4-23-2004)
- Marlin to run low-carb beer scheme: In support of their new low carb beer Aspen Edge, Sterling Marlin will be driving an all White Aspen Edge themed #40 Dodge at the August 1st Pocono Raceway race.(4-23-2004)
- Tire testing at RIR next week UPDATE: Goodyear will hold a tire test next Tuesday and Wednesday at Richmond International Raceway because of the repaving done there. #12-Ryan Newman, #17-Matt Kenseth and #29-Kevin Harvick will test tires.(Roanoke Times)(4-21-2004)
UPDATE: Please note that both days of testing April 27-28 will be closed to the public.
More Testing: Many drivers are scheduled to test May 3-5. The grandstands will be open to the public every day May 3-5.
May 3: NASCAR Busch Series driver Regan Smith.
May 4: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #25-Brian Vickers, #0-Ward Burton and #38-Elliott Sadler; NASCAR Busch Series drivers Johnny Benson, Paul Menard, David Stremme, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, J.J. Yeley and Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
May 5: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers #38-Elliott Sadler, #0-Ward Burton, #4-Jimmy Spencer, #42-Jamie McMurray, #2-Rusty Wallace, #97-Kurt Busch, #77-Brendan Gaughan and #32-Ricky Craven; Testing their NASCAR Busch Series cars will be David Stremme, Justin Labonte, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Jay Sauter, J.J. Yeley and Johnny Benson.(RIR PR)(4-23-2004) - Hendrick Motorsports 20th Anniversary 2004 Schemes: Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2004, Hendrick Motorsports goes to Lowe’s Motors Speedway with special paint schemes on the Chevy’s for the race in October 2004. #25-Brian Vickers, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, and #5-Terry Labonte of the HMS team will be racing together to commemorate the first twenty years of Hendrick Motorsports. These cars will be based on their primary paint schemes, but the colors will be replaced with a “silver on silver” paint palatte, giving them a platinum or chrome effect. Each car will have the Hendrick Motorsports commemorative 20th Anniversary logo.(4-23-2004)
- Gordon finishes testing at Michigan: Robby Gordon tested both his #31 Chevrolet from Richard Childress Racing and his Indy Racing League IndyCar Series entry Wednesday. Gordan made more than 30 runs Wednesday in his #31 Nextel Cup Chevrolet and shook down both of his Chevrolet-Dallaras in preparation for the 88th Indianapolis 500. “It’s the best NASCAR test that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Gordon after two days at the track. “In a test like this, it can help us with our mile-and-a-half and two-mile tracks.” The track didn’t report speeds, though Gordon said he ran at about 213 mph in his Indy entry. Evernham Motorsports’ Jeremy Mayfield also tested his #19 Nextel Cup Dodge this week at the track.(MIS PR)(4-23-2004)
- Pepsi back with Gordon: Jeff Gordon will compete in the #24 DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway in the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Nextel Cup event this Sunday. While this marks the fourth consecutive year that Gordon has driven the DuPont/Pepsi car, the paint-out will feature a new design which includes the famous Pepsi Globe with ice shards that highlight the blue background for a three-dimensional appearance. The partnership between Pepsi-Cola, Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports is entering its seventh year and is highlighted by Pepsi’s associate sponsorship of the #24 DuPont Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Gordon has starred in three television commercials for Pepsi’s flagship brand since 1998 and will be included in promotional activities through the 2005 season. Pepsi’s involvement with NASCAR began when the sport was introduced in 1948. Today, Pepsi serves its products at 16 of the 23 Nextel Cup Series tracks and is the title sponsor of NASCAR Nextel Cup races in Daytona, Fla. (Pepsi 400) and Darlington, S.C. (Mountain Dew Southern 500).(Pepsi-Cola PR)(4-23-2004)
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