May 1, 2007
- NASCAR This Week on ESPN: The Busch Series was born on short tracks racing under the lights and will make a return to its roots Friday night at Richmond International Raceway. ESPN2 will have live primetime coverage of the 250-lap race from the .750-mile Virginia track beginning at 7:30pm/et with NASCAR Countdown. The race will start at 8pm/et. The D-shaped Richmond track is a favorite among NASCAR drivers and fans for producing close and exciting racing. Kevin Harvick, the defending Busch Series champion and winner of the 2007 Daytona 500, has won three consecutive Busch Series races at Richmond, including a sweep of the track’s two events in 2006. Dale Jarrett will join Andy Petree in the ESPN booth for analysis during the telecast. Jarrett is filling in for ESPN’s lead auto racing analyst, Rusty Wallace, who will rejoin NASCAR coverage in June. ESPN’s Marty Reid will handle play-by-play duties, filling in for regular anchor Jerry Punch. Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Mike Massaro will serve as pit reporters. In addition to the telecast on ESPN2, ESPN’s signature broadband service, ESPN360.com, will deliver a live online simulcast of the event, and a Spanish-language version of the race will be televised on ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s domestic Spanish-language network.
NASCAR Now, ESPN’s daily news and information show totally dedicated to NASCAR, will have its expanded Monday edition on the air from 6-7pm/et on ESPN2. The program will have extensive highlights and recaps of the weekend’s NASCAR races, as well as looks ahead to the next weekend. NASCAR Now will air on ESPN2 for 30 minutes at its regular 6:30 p.m. ET timeslot Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and at midnight on Thursday. The show will air at 6pm on Friday with reports from Richmond International Raceway. In addition, the one-hour weekend edition will air at 10am. Saturday with a wrap-up of Friday’s Busch Series race from Richmond and a look ahead to that evening’s Nextel Cup race. Sunday night’s edition of the program will air at midnight.(ESPN PR)(5-1-2007) - Ford Racing Aware of DEI-RYR Merger Talk: In response to media reports from this past weekend, Ford Racing confirmed it is fully aware of merger talks that have taken place between Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) and Robert Yates Racing (RYR) officials. “Ford is fully committed to Robert Yates Racing for the long-term, and they have assured us that are similarly committed to Ford,” said Kevin Kennedy, Ford Racing Technology Communications Manager. “Robert and Doug have been in contact with Ford about the nature of the discussions. We have a valued partnership with them, and they are keeping us informed of those discussions like a true partner would. We fully expect they will remain with Ford for many, many years.” Robert Yates Racing and Ford have a relationship that goes back to the formation of the race team in the late 1980s, and Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology, has repeatedly stated that the manufacturer is fully committed to bringing RYR back to the top of the field. Media reports this past weekend also stated that Ford had been in discussions with DEI about a switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the 2008 season. Davis has repeatedly said that Ford is interested in adding championship-level teams to its Cup roster. “We definitely have been talking with DEI. Truthfully, we’ve been having informal talks with them for several years,” said Kennedy. “We have not yet made a formal offer to them, but we know that their GM contract is up at the end of the year. We had some discussions with them, and we’ve made it clear that we’d love to have them in our program.”(Ford Racing)(5-1-2007)
- After 9 races in 2004-2006 worst spot a future chaser was? with #9-Kasey Kahne, 31st in drivers championship points after 9 races, the question has been, after 9 races in the three previous Chase’s, what was the worst spot a future Chaser [in that season] was in after the 9th race? In 2006 after the 9th race, #11-Hamlin was 19th in drivers points [and made it in the chase at 5th], in 2005 it was #17-Matt Kenseth who was 23rd [and made it in at 9th] after 9 races and in the first year of the Chase, 2004, Jeremy Mayfield [then in the #19, now in the #36] was 16th [and went into the chase at 9th]. The three drivers who won the last three Nextel Cup Championships were no deeper then 6th, that being #20-Tony Stewart. In 2006 #48-Jimmie Johnson was 1st and in 2004, #97-[now in the #2]-Kurt Busch was 4th after 9 races.(5-1-2007)
- Cup, Busch, Truck teams test dates at Lowe’s Motor Speedway set: Testing sessions for Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series teams have been scheduled at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in preparation for the track’s calendar of May races, including the May 19 Nextel All-Star Challenge and the May 27 Coca-Cola 600. Each division will participate in a two-day testing session with a third day reserved in case of rain. The Nextel Cup Series is scheduled to test on May 7-8 (1-9pm/et; May 9 Rain Date); the Craftsman Truck Series is scheduled to test on May 10-11 (9am-9pm/et; May 12 Rain Date); and the Busch Series is scheduled to test May 14-15 (1-9pm/et; May 16 Rain Date). During each testing session, Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s frontstretch grandstand will be open free of charge and fans should enter through Gate 5A, located next to the main ticket office.(LMS PR)(5-1-2007)
- Ward Burton and Eric McClure to Wear Virginia Tech Helmets at Richmond: Two NASCAR drivers are honoring Virginia Tech this weekend by sporting helmets especially designed to pay tribute to the school. Virginia natives #4-Ward Burton and Eric McClure (#0 in the Busch Series) will don the customized headgear during this weekend’s races at Richmond. McClure is racing in the Busch Series Circuit City 250 on Friday, while Burton is racing Saturday in the Crown Royal 400 Nextel Cup Series race. Both helmets are being designed and hand painted by David Arrigo, an acclaimed artist from Ontario. As for the actual design of the helmets, both will feature the American flag, along with images of Virginia Tech set against the backdrop of a rising sun. Burton’s helmet will also have a rose in bloom. McClure’s will portray a Virginia Tech student reading. The American flag on the helmets will feature 32 stars, in honor of the number of victims.(Richmond.com)(5-1-2007)
- Florida Senate Approves NASCAR License Plate: Florida may not be getting the NASCAR Hall of Fame, but racing fans could soon be able to buy a specialty stock-car license plate. The Florida Senate unanimously approved a bill Monday that creates a NASCAR license plate as well as several other specialty tags. The House still has to approve the tag, but [the bill sponsor Sen Carey] Baker said he is confident that will happen. Proceeds from the annual $25 specialty fee charged for each of the plates will go to NASCAR; The NASCAR Foundation, a charitable group; and the Florida Sports Foundation, a state group that promotes sports. If the bill becomes law, Florida will join nine other states in offering NASCAR license plates. In 2005, lawmakers approved a NASCAR plate to boost Daytona Beach’s bid for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The plate was expected to generate $1.5 million a year for the effort. The plate was contingent on Daytona Beach getting the hall, and because the museum went to Charlotte, N.C., it was never created.(Orlando Sentinel)(5-1-2007)
- Sports Emmy’s announced – NASCAR related garners 3 emmys: Winners of the 28th Annual Sports Emmy Awards were announced tonight by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at a special ceremony at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Prominent sports broadcasters, athletes and executives attended the star-studded ceremony.
NASCAR related programming emmy’s went to:
OUTSTANDING LIVE SPORTS SERIES: NASCAR on TNT & NBC
OUTSTANDING LIVE EVENT TURNAROUND: Beyond the Wheel, NASCAR Images / SPEED
OUTSTANDING LIVE EVENT AUDIO / SOUND: NASCAR on FOX, FOX
The Sports Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in sports television coverage. For over a quarter century, the National Television Academy has presented the Emmy as a reward for excellence in Sports broadcasting and as an incentive for its continued pursuit.(emmyonline.org)(5-1-2007) - PVA partners with BAM Racing: Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) will be the primary sponsor of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge at upcoming Nextel Cup Series events, thanks to an innovative new public-private partnership. Under the partnership between Paralyzed Veterans and BAM Racing/ARMER Holding LLC, the public can pay tribute to the military service of a family member or friend by purchasing a star at www.pva.org. A Gold Star $100 Tribute places the name of the honored service member or veteran on the race car itself and on a virtual wall at pva.org. A Silver Star $50 tribute appears on a virtual wall at pva.org. A significant portion of the proceeds will go directly to Paralyzed Veterans and its work to help returning service members and veterans maximize the quality of their lives. “BAM Racing is honored to welcome Paralyzed Veterans to the No. 49 Dodge,” said team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau.(Paralyzed Veterans PR)(4-29-2007)
- Former series driver injured in off-road accident: Former series driver Tracy Hines was in stable condition at Methodist Hospital on Tuesday after surgery for injuries in an off-road motorcycle crash on his New Castle, Ind., property. Hines competes in the USAC Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown series for Tony Stewart Racing.. “We’re grateful that Tracy is going to be OK,” Stewart said. “All we’re concerned about is his health. We’ll give him and his family all the support they need to ensure a full and successful recovery.” Hines broke his pelvis and left thigh and dislocated his right knee when he crashed his motorcycle Monday night. He was taken by helicopter to Methodist, where he underwent surgery.(USAToday.com)(5-1-2007)
- Kyle Busch’s HANs Device breaks in Busch crash: UPDATE: NASCAR on Monday tried to figure out why Kyle Busch’s HANS device cracked during a spectacular crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Busch wrecked in Saturday’s Busch Series event, when he was hit from behind and his car ended up on its roof before rolling several times through the grass. His HANS device, a NASCAR-mandated head-and-neck restraint system, cracked in the accident. “It performed the way it was supposed to, but it had a slight stress crack in it after the accident,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. NASCAR sent the device back to manufacturer Hubbard Downing in Georgia for examination.(Associated Press)(5-1-2007)
UPDATE: Officials from HANS Performance Products downplayed the crack found in Kyle Busch’s HANS Device after a spectacular crash in the Busch race last weekend at Talladega. After the crash, a crack was found in the head-and-neck restraint that is worn on a driver’s shoulders and has a carbon fiber piece that sits behind the helmet. “We were pleased to see Kyle shrug off such a dramatic wreck,” HANS Performance Products CEO Mark Stiles said in a statement. “It takes a lot to even produce a slight stress crack in a HANS Device. It worked as designed, and was ready for more action – like its driver.” The device is made primarily of carbon fiber, a high-strength, lightweight material. It was not revealed how large the crack was. General Motors Director of Safety Tom Gideon said he did not know where the HANS Device cracked, but with Busch walking away, he wasn’t alarmed.(SceneDaily.com)(5-1-2007) - Cope in the #28 at Richmond: From DerrikeCope.com: Derrike told us this today. “I am going to drive the Checkers/Rally’s Chevy for Jay Robinson Racing at Richmond this weekend. I am very excited about it! They have been running quite well and I look forward to getting back on the track.”(DerrikeCope.com)(5-1-2007)
- Ward Burton and Eric McClure to Wear Virginia Tech Helmets at Richmond: Two NASCAR drivers are honoring Virginia Tech this weekend by sporting helmets especially designed to pay tribute to the school. Virginia natives #4-Ward Burton and Eric McClure (#0 in the Busch Series) will don the customized headgear during this weekend’s races at Richmond. McClure is racing in the Busch Series Circuit City 250 on Friday, while Burton is racing Saturday in the Crown Royal 400 Nextel Cup Series race. Both helmets are being designed and hand painted by David Arrigo, an acclaimed artist from Ontario. As for the actual design of the helmets, both will feature the American flag, along with images of Virginia Tech set against the backdrop of a rising sun. Burton’s helmet will also have a rose in bloom. McClure’s will portray a Virginia Tech student reading. The American flag on the helmets will feature 32 stars, in honor of the number of victims.(Richmond.com)(5-1-2007)
- Former series driver injured in off-road accident: Former series driver Tracy Hines was in stable condition at Methodist Hospital on Tuesday after surgery for injuries in an off-road motorcycle crash on his New Castle, Ind., property. Hines competes in the USAC Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown series for Tony Stewart Racing.. “We’re grateful that Tracy is going to be OK,” Stewart said. “All we’re concerned about is his health. We’ll give him and his family all the support they need to ensure a full and successful recovery.” Hines broke his pelvis and left thigh and dislocated his right knee when he crashed his motorcycle Monday night. He was taken by helicopter to Methodist, where he underwent surgery.(usatoday.com)(5-1-2007)
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