April 24, 2006
- Tragic News UPDATE new track rule: Talladega County Coroner Jerry Castleberry says two men were killed today after being electrocuted at the Talladega Superspeedway. Castleberry says 39-year-old Keith Stell of Birmingham and 42-year-old Ronny Wright of Remlap died instantly. The men were camping at the speedway and were electrocuted after the flagpole they were trying to erect fell into some power lines. Castleberry said witnesses at the scene said gusts of wind caused the flagpole to fall. He said the men had still been holding on to the pole when it touched the power lines and they –quote– “didn’t have a chance.”(wtvm.com/AP)(4-24-2006)
UPDATE Track Director of Public Relations Kristi King told Claire B. Lang XM Satellite NASCAR Radio that Talladega Superspeedway will implement a new rule this weekend following the tragic death of two campers there…”What our new policy is that we put in place today…no metal flag poles of any kind will be allowed on speedway property. That does include the infield and all of the overnight parks beginning this weekend and that goes for all future talladega superspeedway events.”(XM Satellite NASCAR Radio)(4-26-2006) - Event in Mooresville: TNA Wrestling has a live event scheduled for Friday, May 26 at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, NC during race week at Lowes Motor Speedway. For information on the event, as well as information on how to purchase the DVD of the Martinsville TNA show held April 1st. featuring NASCAR personalities Darrell Waltrip, Michael Waltrip, Kyle Petty, Scott Riggs, Jeff Hammond, and others, visit www.uwfusa.com.(4-26-2006)
- What is up with Casey Atwood? former #19 Evernham Motorsports driver Casey Atwood, 25, is sitting home, out of sport, without a ride. Atwood has been unavailable for comment on his future, but last week his father Terry said “as far as I know nothing is happening. The last time I talked to Casey he said he hadn’t found anything.” After leaving the Nextel Cup Series Atwood hoped to start over in the second-tier Busch Series, but so far that hasn’t happened. “Part of the problem is that so many Cup drivers are running Busch now that it cuts down on opportunities for young drivers,” Terry Atwood said. Atwood signed with Ray Evernham in 2000 and made his first Cup start that September at Richmond, Va. He ran his first full season in 2001, winning a pole at Phoenix and finishing third at Homestead. Despite that strong rookie season, the next year Evernham made a major shakeup. He put Jeremy Mayfield in Atwood’s Dodge and moved Atwood into a [#7] car co-owned by Jim Smith. Evernham at the time was spearheading Dodge’s return to NASCAR and explained that he wanted a more experienced driver in his primary car. Atwood’s new car was not competitive. After struggling through a disappointing season, he and Evernham parted company. Atwood at one time was considered to have Jeff Gordon-type potential. Now his career may be over. Atwood has said he is “disappointed” by the turn of events but refused to blame Evernham. “Ray did what he thought he needed to do for the sake of his team,” Atwood said. “I don’t have any hard feelings toward him.” “Ray gave up too quick on Casey,” Terry Atwood said. “I don’t know if he was feeling pressure from the Dodge people or what. Casey had some good races and everybody thought he was progressing well. Then one day it was all over. To my knowledge Ray has never given anybody an explanation about what happened. All I know is that it was a big setback for Casey and he has yet to recover from it.” (in part from the Tennessean)(4-26-2006)
- Elledge Extends Contract with Ganassi: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today Crew Chief Jimmy Elledge has signed a multi-year contract extension with the organization. Elledge is currently the crew chief for NASCAR NEXTEL Cup rookie Reed Sorenson and the #41 Target team. “Jimmy has been instrumental in the development of our young drivers,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. “He has incredible patience and leadership skills which are an asset to any organization. I’m pleased to have him as part of the present and future at Chip Ganassi Racing.”
“I’m excited about extending my relationship with Chip and Felix (Sabates),” said Elledge. “There are a lot of good people here committed to seeing this team succeed, and if we continue to keep building and working together as one team we’ll get there. I’m very pleased with the direction this organization is heading and I’m looking forward to being a part of it. Also, the relationship between Reed and I, and everyone on this team is developing at a rapid pace. We’re right on the verge of something very special.” Over the past three seasons Elledge worked with CGRFS driver Casey Mears who piloted the red and white Dodge from 2003 to 2005. Elledge led Mears to consecutive pole positions in 2004 at Pocono and Indianapolis, and to five top-10 finishes over the final nine races of 2005.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(4-26-2006) - #07 Team Takes PIt Crew Honors at Phoenix: Clint Bowyer’s pit crew captured the Checkers / Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition in Saturday night’s race at Phoenix International Raceway, helping propel its rookie driver to a Nextel Cup career-high fifth-place finish. The program awards $10,500 per week to the [eligible] pit crew of the car spending the least amount of time on pit road. In addition, the pit crew with the most wins will be awarded a $105,000 bonus at the completion of the 36-race schedule. “The guys did a good job on pit road,” said Gil Martin, crew chief of Bowyer’s #07 Chevrolet. “They stayed in sync pretty well and Clint did a good job getting on and off pit road. The guys were consistent and we did what we needed to do. They beat everybody off of pit road towards the end of the race, so that shows how well they kept their composure. All-in-all, it was a very good night.” Bowyer’s Jack Daniel’s machine spent 266.258 seconds on pit road during the 312-lap race. Bowyer’s over-the-wall crew consists of: Carey Wimbish (jackman), Dail Long (front-tire carrier), Shane Westerberg (front-tire changer), Dustin Stanley (rear-tire carrier), Tommy Wallace (rear-tire changer), Ron Liddell (gasman), Clint Almquist (catch can) and Troy Welty (windshield). The team’s pit stop coordinator is Corinne Mauldin. Bowyer’s crew, part of the Richard Childress Racing stable, becomes the sixth different team to win the Checkers/Rally’s weekly competition. Pit crews for Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Elliott Sadler, and Denny Hamlin have also scored wins. The Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season with the Nextel Cup Series.
Checkers/Rally’s is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.
2006 Nextel Cup Winners
Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge
Daytona (2/19) Jimmie Johnson Team
California (2/26) Jimmie Johnson Team
Las Vegas (3/12) Kyle Busch Team
Atlanta (3/20) Tony Stewart Team
Bristol (3/26) Tony Stewart Team
Martinsville (4/2) Elliott Sadler Team
Texas (4/9) Denny Hamlin Team
Phoenix (4/22) Clint Bowyer Team
(DMF Communications PR)(4-26-2006) - Berrier Wins WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Team owner Richard Childress may have been the one on a hunting trip this weekend, but it was his driver Kevin Harvick who came home with the trophies. Harvick won both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races at Phoenix International Raceway, bringing each of his crew chiefs, Shane Wilson and Todd Berrier, the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Following each race, a panel of voters; including Tony Eury Sr., Robbie Reiser, a member of the local media and a WypAll Wipers representative; cast their vote for the crew chief they thought made the biggest impact on his team. Wilson and Berrier were voted the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race for their solid runs. In the Subway Fresh 500 on Saturday, it wasn’t until lap 304 that Harvick cruised into the lead, putting him at the point for the final nine laps. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, WypAll Wipers gave Berrier $1,000. At the end of the season, the Nextel Cup crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Berrier’s first Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Darian Grubb and Roy McCauley for second-place in the standings. Robbie Reiser and Kenny Francis are tied for the lead, each with two wins.(Wypall PR)(4-26-2006)
- Kenny Wallace to Drive National Day of Prayer Car Talladega: Kenny Wallace is scheduled to drive the National Day of Prayer car #78 sponsored by Furniture Row for the Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America when the Continental Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a day of prayer in 1775. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May. For more information visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org. In commemoration of the day, which falls on Thursday, May 4th, the #78 Furniture Row Chevy Monte Carlo CUP car will feature a new red, white and blue paint scheme showcasing the National Day of Prayer logo for Talladega on April 30. For more information on the team, please visit furniturerowracing.com or for Wallace, see Kennywallace.com.(PR), see an image of the scheme on my #78 Team Schemes page.(4-26-2006)
- New spotter for Bowyer: Fedawa: Busch Series veteran driver Tim Fedewa has joined Richard Childress Racing (RCR) as the spotter for Clint Bowyer’s #07 Jack Daniel’s Chevy in the Nextel Cup Series and the #2 ACDelco Chevy in the Busch Series. “It’s pretty exciting to be part of a championship organization like RCR,” said Fedewa. “Up until just a few weeks ago, I was spotting some Busch races on Saturday’s but I knew I wanted to work on Sunday’s too. (Mike) Dillon saw me on the spotter’s stand and asked me who I was spotting for and I told him who it was, but that it was only on a temporary basis. He asked me if would consider spotting for Clint on both days. It was too good of an offer to turn down. We’ve got a couple races under our belts already and it seems to be working out pretty well.”(RCR PR)(4-26-2006)
- Shelmerdine back at Talladgea: #27 Kirk Shelmerdine is back on the track! After an impressive 20th place finish in the 2006 Daytona 500, Shelmerdine plans to compete in Talladega’s upcoming race on April 30, 2006: The Aaron’s 499. Shelmerdine retreated from the spotlight after Daytona to work on the #27 and scout potential sponsors. KSR continues to offer unique sponsorship opportunities that cater to the needs and budget of each and every potential sponsor. Contact info and team/driver info at www.kirkshelmerdine.com.(MLF Sports PR)(4-26-2006)
- #31 jackman returns to Talladega: #31 Team Cingular jackman Josh Yost will return to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the first time since he was hit on pit road during last season’s Aaron’s 499, severely injuring his right foot and ankle. Following multiple surgeries to repair damage to the tendons in his ankle, Yost started walking in mid-July, began physical therapy in August, returned to work in the shop at RCR in November and then resumed his role as Team Cingular jackman in the 2006 season opening Daytona 500.(RCR PR)(4-26-2006)
- STP back on #43 at Talladega: This weekend, Bobby Labonte and the #43 STP Dodge team head to the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. The #43 Dodge will carry a retro STP paint scheme designed to pay tribute to one of the longest sponsorships in history of motorsports. It will be the first time in six years that STP has been the primary sponsor. They will commemorate the event by donating $43 for each lap completed to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.(Petty Racing PR), see image of the #43 STP car on my #43 Team Schemes page.(4-26-2006)
- Reese’s back on the #29: The #29 Reese’s Chevy that Kevin Harvick will drive is sporting Reese’s Caramel Cups once again this weekend in Talladega. Last time Reese’s Caramel Cups were on the #29 Chevy, Reese’s Caramel Cups is one of six special paint schemes Reese’s will run throughout the 2006 season. Harvick teamed up with 2004 IRL Champion and Hershey’s driver Tony Kanaan to film a commercial promoting the new Reese’s Caramel Cups. Race fans can see what is going on with the #29 Reese’s Racing team at www.reesesracing.com.(RCR PR)(4-26-2006)
- Home Depot Store Represented at Talladega: Home Depot store #6901, located in East Brunswick, N.J., will be represented on the lower rear quarterpanel of the #20 Home Depot Chevy that Tony Stewart will drive during the Aaron’s 499. Store #6901 was judged to be the outstanding store of the past week, thereby earning its place on the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing machine.[wich is done each week](True Speed Communications PR)(4-26-2006)
- NASCAR Art at Hickory Museum of Art: NASCAR Inspired will engage and surprise with its variety and complexity of art forms at the Hickory Museum of Art in Hickory, NC, showing viewers that there is more depth, fore-thought and spirit behind this sport than just Sunday Racin’! This exhibition, organized and curated in-house features over 100 artists from across the country, including England. Not often is racing and art combined in such a way to provide viewers with a connection between the two. Through film, paintings, sculpture, folk art and a variety of media, the artists in this show define a new way of interpreting this genre and will challenge the viewer to look at NASCAR in a completely different way. The exhibit runs from April 29 – September 17, 2006.
and….Through a collaboration between Hickory Museum of Art and the Piedmont Council of the Boy Scouts of America, an ART CAR exhibition and competition will be installed in the Coe Gallery as part of the NASCAR Inspired exhibition. With a focus on creativity and imagination, Cub Scouts will begin with a small pine box generally used for Pinewood Derby Racing, to create ART CARS with categories such as: most colorful, strangest shape, funniest, most NASCAR Inspired and many more! The installation will run from May 16 to August 1st, 2006. The awards ceremony will be May 20, at 2 PM concluding our NASCAR Inspired Art Fest. All ART CAR winners will receive awards graciously donated by Dale Jarrett, Inc. More info at hickorymuseumofart.org.(4-26-2006) - Stewart and KHI Promote “Talladega Nights” This Weekend: This weekend the #33 Old Spice team will help promote actor Will Ferrell’s new movie “Talladega Nights.” Sponsor Old Spice plays a major role in the upcoming film, which is due out this summer. The Old Spice team will have special crew shirts and firesuits. The #33 Old Spice Monte Carlo SS will carry “Talladega Nights” logos.(KHI PR)(4-24-2006)
- Waltrip to have Special Scheme at Talladega: 6-year old Benee Calderon of Buena Park, California has won the nationwide Color your Way to Talladega Sweepstakes held by Aaron Rents. Benee and three of his family members will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend to watch as Michael Waltrip takes the wheel of the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine in the paint scheme designed by the young boy.(RTOOnline.com)(4-24-2006)
NOTE: See an image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Scheme Page. - Brevak Racing enters Gateway race: Nick Tucker will be driving the #31 Brevak Racing Dodge at Gateway International Raceway on April 29th. Crew chief for the #31 is Joe Stonkasky; sponsorship has not been announced. (brevakracing.com)(4-24-2006)
- News & Notes from the Raybestos Rookie contenders: Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the April 1 Kroger 250 at Martinsville. Timothy Peters was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 at Gateway, posting a 16th-place finish. The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in eight races at Gateway is fourth by Carl Edwards in 2003. Greg Biffle (1998) is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in eight races at Gateway. Where they stand: #99-Erik Darnell 52, #15-Kyle Krisiloff 30, #12-Joey Miller 24, #98-Erin Crocker 23, #13-Kerry Earnhardt 23, #1-Robert Richardson 19, #06-Chad McCumbee 19, #21-Bobby East 18, #25-Boston Reid 13, #47-Kraig Kinser 12, #07-Sean Murphy, #4-Scott Lagasse Jr. 6, #20-Marcos Ambrose 2, #62-J.R. Patton 1.(Raybestos PR)(4-24-2006)
- Darnell has successful return to Late Model competition: Darnell showed he hadn’t missed a beat at Lake Geneva Raceway. Due to field inversion, Darnell started the feature in the 12th position. He took the lead on lap 15 and held onto the lead for the win. At Slinger Speedway the following weekend, Darnell started the first 75 lap feature in the 19th position; finished 8th. The second race, started 10th, finished 16th.(roushracing.com)(4-24-2006)
- Gaughan to run special color scheme at Gateway: The #77 Orleans Racing Dodge will be sporting the colors of the Casino Queen for the Illinois / Missouri Dodge Dealers 200. The sponsorship brings the Queen back for its annual run in the Truck Series, where it visited victory lane in 2003. The Casino Queen is an award winning facility located just on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. Also, the team will be hosting a special guest during the Saturday night event when St. Louis Rams tight end, Rod Trafford joins the crew in the pits. (orleansracing.com)(4-24-2006)
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