May 4, 2002
- Park to Lose the #1 Ride? UPDATE: The Sporting News has learned that Steve Park will be released from the Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet following the Coca-Cola 600 later this month. Kenny Wallace is expected to take the seat at Dover. While Park has continued his recovery following his crash in last September’s Busch race at Darlington, his results in the car are not what the team had hoped for since his return. Park’s best finish this season was 20th at Texas, but his average showing is 27th. Park may not be the only driver facing dismissal at DEI. Sources say that teammate Michael Waltrip’s job isn’t necessarily secure either. Although Waltrip’s contract is up for renegotiation, it has been inferred that Elliott Sadler, who asked for his release last Sunday night from the Wood Brothers team, will be in the car in 2003. Ty Norris, executive VP of motorsports for DEI, denied that Park will be replaced or that Waltrip’s status is in jeopardy. But Norris did say that he has talked to several drivers and “there are 43 available in either (the Winston Cup or Busch) garage.” He expects to have a decision by June.(Sporting News), heard from sources that DEI is adamant Park will not be released.(5-4-2002)
UPDATE: Reports that Winston Cup driver Steve Park will be released by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. following the Coca-Cola 600 in three weeks are false, DEI executive vice president Ty Norris told NASCAR.com. “It was irresponsible reporting … to make a ridiculous comment like that, when they asked me point blank and I said ‘Absolutely no way,’” Norris said. “That rumor is very, very false.” Norris also said that conversations between DEI and any future talent are focused solely on the future.(NASCAR.com)(5-4-2002) - DEI Shakeup Coming? UPDATE 2: A shakeup appears to be looming at Dale Earnhardt Inc., with word that DEI boss Ty Norris is talking with Elliott Sadler about driving for the company next season, presumably replacing either #15-Michael Waltrip or #1-Steve Park. Norris says that DEI will make a decision on next year’s drivers lineup by the end of May. Sponsor demands may be the key to Norris’ calls. The NAPA sponsor is considered one at stake, with other car owners looking to make a bid for it. But Geoff Smith, the head of Roush Racing and the man who helped write Sadler’s contract with the Woods brothers, says the decision on Sadler is up to Eddie Wood. “There have been rumors coming out of DEI about Michael Waltrip and Steve Park for some time,” Smith said. “I think this is their logical time table to address change.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-3-2002)
UPDATE: Michael Waltrip said Friday morning at Richmond he intends to be back in the #15 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevy in 2003. “I fully expect that I’ll be driving this car next year,” Waltrip said. “That’s my intention. If it’s a forgone conclusion that I won’t be, then I don’t know about that.” Dale Earnhardt Jr., now part-owner in DEI, didn’t completely deny that the team was thinking about putting Sadler in a DEI car next year, and that changes wouldn’t be made. “It’s not the truth until you hear from us or him (Sadler),” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I don’t know why everybody has to believe stuff like that. It’s kind of funny. I don’t know if we’re looking at Elliott; we’re just looking at ways to improve our team. I look at our teams myself individually as if they were stock, and we have to continue to raise the value of the team and try to improve the team as far as members, crew members, or any area that we see needs to be improved. We either try to take this guy and help him along or try to improve him or give him the things that he thinks he needs to succeed or we make a change. That’s the nature of the beast. As far as Elliott goes, I wouldn’t worry about posting anything until you hear it from us.”(RacingOne)(5-3-2002)
AND from NASCAR.com -DEI executive vice president Ty Norris told NASCAR.com Friday that the Nos. 1 and 15 teams need one of two things: improved results or a personnel shakeup within the organization. Norris said that DEI has a set deadline for its decision, but would not disclose that date. The current contracts for drivers Steve Park and Michael Waltrip expire following the 2002 season, and Norris said DEI is exploring the possibility of hiring other drivers. Norris said that sponsor input will play a large role in the decision, and that drivers aren’t the only individuals in question. “We basically have two drivers with contracts up and the end of the year,” Norris said. “So we’re feeling things out, seeing who is available and what is available.” Among the candidates is Elliott Sadler, who asked for his release from Wood Brothers Racing last weekend. Norris said Sadler was “very high” on his short list of possibilities.(5-3-2002)
UPDATE: Norris – “I’m thinking by the beginning of June we’ll know what we’re going to do, for the end of this and for next year, because both Michael and Steve have a renegotiating deadline of June 15.”(ThatsRacin.com)(5-4-2002) - Spencer’s Dad faces charges: The father and brother of NASCAR racer Jimmy Spencer [#41 target Dodge] are facing conspiracy charges for what police say was a scheme to steal truck tires for resale at their junkyard. The Luzerne County district attorney’s office approved conspiracy charges Thursday against Edgar Spencer and Edgar Spencer Jr., who own and run Ed Spencer Auto Parts in Berwick. Facing the same charges are the racer’s uncle and cousin, Edgar W. Spencer and Edgar W. Spencer Jr. of Spencer’s Auto Parts in Hunlock Creek. Authorities said they received a complaint from officials at a Wilkes-Barre business alleging that truck tires from their plant were being sold at the Spencers’ businesses. McCarthy Tire identified its tires through a code at the plant, a police report says. Edgar Senior and Junior are in Richmond this weekend to watch Jimmy race. Investigators expect all four Edgar Spencer’s to surrender either Monday or Tuesday and face theft charges in court.(CNNSI/AP and Newswatch 16)(5-4-2002)
- Bliss wins pole at Gateway: #16-Mike Bliss edged #46-Dennis Setzer to win the pole Saturday for the Dodge Ram Tough 200 at Gateway International Raceway. Bliss qualified his Chevy at 129.549mph, and will start on the pole Sunday for the first time since May 16, 1999. It was his 15th career pole, matching Mike Skinner for third in series history. #1-Ted Musgrave was third-fastest in the 36-truck field in a Dodge at 129.403. #14-Rick Crawford’s Ford qualified fourth, followed by #2-Jason Leffler. #81-Angie Wilson qualified 30th. Mike Wallace qualified Winston Cup driver Ken Schrader’s #52 Chevy 14th. Schrader plans to race Sunday after competing Saturday night in the Pontiac Excitement 400 in Richmond(unless it gets rained out). He will be forced to start at the rear of the field Sunday because of a driver change.
For the starting lineup see ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com.(5-4-2002)
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