May 9, 2006
- Driver Changes UPDATE: Chad Chaffin goes from #34 to #61 [both Front Row Motorsports cars]; Kevin Lepage moved from #61 [Front Row Motorsports/Peak Performance] to #49 BAM Racing Dodge; Chad Blount replaces Chaffin in #34 Front Row Motorsports car, Blount had been on the team’s #92 entry, which ceased operations. See the updated entry list at Jayski’s Darlington Entry List Page.(5-9-2006)
UPDATE: Kevin Lepage and crew chief Greg Conner have left Front Row Motorsports #61 team and are now with #49 BAM Racing. Chad Chaffin will now be in the #61 Ford with Craig Osbourne as crew chief and Chad Blount will take over the #34 Chevy’s. Mike Steurer and Teddy Kennedy are now working on the #34 team.(PR-FRMF)(5-9-2006) - Sad News – Scott Geoffrion: Scott Geoffrion, a two-time former Pro Stock world championship runner-up and nine-time national event winner, died May 8 of an apparent heart attack in Southern California. He was 40. According to his family, wakes will be held Thursday in California and Monday, May 15, at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, N.J. His funeral will be Tuesday, May 16, at Immaculate Conception Church, 900 Darlington Ave., Mahwah, N.J., at 10 a.m. The services are open to the public. Geoffrion is survived by his children, Kyle and Alexa; brother, Rick; sister, Michele; and parents, Richard and Jeanne. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Drag Racing Association of Women, www.drawfasthelp.org.(Speed Channel)(5-9-2006)
- Special AAA scheme: AAA, 2006 sponsor of Roush Racing’s #6 Ford driven by Nextel Cup veteran Mark Martin, announced it will introduce a special paint scheme highlighting AAA’s insurance products the weekend of the “Neighborhood Excellence 400” at the Dover International Speedway in June. Weekend events also include the “AAA Insurance 200” NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. The special AAA design also may be used selectively at other NEXTEL Cup events throughout the 2006 season. It features a dominant, dark blue background and chrome lettering while maintaining key elements of the traditional AAA #6 paint scheme.(AAA), see an image of the scheme on my #6 Team Schemes page, supposedly it will run at Indy also.(5-9-2006)
- Nadeau talks to Speed: Former NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Jerry Nadeau, whose career came to an abrupt end when he crashed during a practice session for a race in Richmond in [May] 2003, suffering head, lung, shoulder and rib injuries, talked with Wendy Venturini for [last] Saturday’s edition of NASCAR RaceDay on SPEED about his long recovery and his future: See questions, answers and quotes on my Jerry Nadeau News page.(5-9-2006)
- Yeley to Drive Boniva Scheme at Darlington: Mother’s Day is a time for everyone to salute their mom with gifts and good wishes. But perhaps the best gift a mother can receive is to ensure she has helpful information on how to achieve and maintain good health, including bone health. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Roche are presenting this message to moms all across America this weekend with a special delivery from NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley and the Joe Gibbs Racing team. A unique paint scheme will be displayed on the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevy, which will be driven by Yeley during the Dodge Charger 500 Nextel Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 13th. The sponsorship aims to help raise awareness about postmenopausal osteoporosis and once-monthly BonivaR (ibandronate sodium) tablets. It encourages women to take steps to protect themselves against fractures. Information about postmenopausal osteoporosis and Boniva can be found at www.boniva.com.(Camp & Associates/Joe Gibbs Racing)(5-9-2006)
- Rookie News and Notes: #11-Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 6 Crown Royal 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Hamlin finished second, his best effort in 17 career NEXTEL Cup Series races. He took top rookie honors for the fourth time this season, more than any other driver. Hamlin has racked up two top-five finishes this season, more than any other freshman driver. For the second time this season, Hamlin grabbed the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings. He holds a five-point edge over #07-Clint Bowyer (107-102) entering the May 13 Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Two Raybestos Rookies rank among the top-20 in the NEXTEL Cup Series championship standings: Bowyer (15th) and Hamlin (16th). Since 2001, Two Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions at Darlington Raceway: Kurt Busch (2001) and Kasey Kahne (2004). The way to the NASCAR NEXTEL championship is to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. Since 1979, SIX Raybestos Rookie of the Year drivers have gone on to win a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup title: Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1984), Alan Kulwicki (1986), Jeff Gordon (1993), Tony Stewart (1999, 2005) and Kenseth (2000).(Raybestos PR) For standings, rookie of each race, current and past notes, rookie stripes info and rookie history, see my 2006 Rookies Page.(5-9-2006)
- Vote for Kyle Campaign: Behind the wheel of a special MyCokeRewards racecar, Kyle Petty will continue his hard-driving campaign for the health and well-being of chronically ill youth. Launched today in downtown Charlotte, the “Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction” campaign is a grassroots effort fueled by Coca-Cola and other Petty Enterprises sponsors to reward the man who has given so much of his time and effort to charity with a spot in the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 20, 2006 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. For the upcoming Coca-Cola 600, the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge will feature a special MyCokeRewards primary sponsorship paint scheme. Petty also will carry the scheme in the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 20 if voted into the race or if he wins the Nextel Open qualifying race. With the support of Petty’s friends, family, sponsors, NASCAR fans and members of the NASCAR community, the “Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction” campaign is geared towards creating a unique opportunity to continue Kyle’s tireless efforts to give back to kids. Should Petty make the race through the fan vote, Coca-Cola — along with Petty Enterprises sponsors Wells Fargo, Schwan’s and Tire Kingdom – are donating a minimum of $250,000 to support the ongoing efforts of the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Additionally, Kyle and Petty Enterprises also will donate any purse money won in the Nextel All-Star Challenge to Victory Junction. If Kyle wins the race that’s an additional $1,000,000 to Victory Junction. Michael Waltrip was announced as Kyle’s campaign manager at today’s rally launching the “Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction” initiative. Speakers at the event included 7-time Nextel Cup champion Richard Petty, business executives and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. Also present at the rally, where race fans got a sneak peek at the MyCokeRewards racecar Petty will drive in the Coca-Cola 600 and the Nextel Open, were families and campers from Victory Junction. Voting for the Nextel All-Star Challenge is currently open and fans are invited to cast a vote to help get their favorite driver into the event by voting online at NASCAR.com. Voting will run through May 20 with the winner announced the day of the race. Race fans interested in more information about the “Vote Kyle, Reward Victory Junction” campaign have been asked to go to a special Web site, votekylepetty.com.(Petty Racing PR), more info about the Nextel All-Star Challenge and Open on my 2006 All-Star Race page.(5-9-2006)
- Testing at Lowe’s Monday-Wednesday: Wednesday UPDATE 3: Lowe’s Motor Speedway will be the site of the final scheduled test session of 2006 for the NASCAR Busch Series today through Wednesday. This year, NASCAR set a schedule for when and where each of its national series tests at tracks that host NASCAR events. Those tests are the teams’ only opportunities to test at those tracks. LMS is one of four tracks – and the second of two 1.5-mile tracks – that NASCAR Busch Series teams can utilize for tests this season. Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile) and Richmond International Raceway (.75-mile) have already hosted tests. Forty-eight drivers – predictably the most among the four sessions as many of the teams are based in the Charlotte area – are scheduled to participate in the three-day session where teams select two of the three available days to test.(NASCAR PR)(5-8-2006)
UPDATE: Speeds from Monday were as follows: 1. Denny Hamlin, 186.130; 2. Jon Wood, 186.098; 3. Matt Kenseth, 186.014; 4. Carl Edwards, 185.771; 5. Jeff Burton, 185.707; 6. Mark Martin, 185.529; 7. Paul Menard, 185.433; 8. Greg Biffle, 185.401; 9. J.J. Yeley, 185.312; 10. Kyle Busch, 185.185; 11. Jamie McMurray, 184.963; 12. Martin Truex Jr., 184.773; 13. Reed Sorenson, 184.609; 14. Todd Kluever, 184.439; 15. Clint Bowyer, 184.420; 16. Kevin Harvick, 183.899; 17. Danny O’Quinn, 183.611; 18. Michael Waltrip, 183.424; 19. Scott Wimmer, 183.405; 20. Stacy Compton, 183.125; 21. Mark McFarland, 182.865; 22. John Andretti, 182.766; 23. Johnny Sauter, 182.611; 24. Mike Wallace, 181.904; 25. Kenny Wallace, 180.560; 26. David Green, 180.439; 27. Kertus Davis, 180.012; 28. Aaron Fike, 178.359; 29. Eric McClure, 177.521. Kyle Busch was the only driver to wreck during the first day of testing.(Lowe’s Motor Speedway PR)(5-8-2006)
UPDATE 2: The second day of NASCAR Busch Series testing Tuesday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway revealed that tire strategy will play a key role in determining the winner of the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 on Saturday night, May 27. In a sport where tires often begin giving up speed after a single lap, the 42 NASCAR Busch Series teams participating in the testing session learned the harder compound tires Goodyear built for the new Lowe’s Motor Speedway surface are very unusual. They actually pick up speed the longer they run, meaning decisions on when to pit for tires will be critical. Speed from Tuesday: 1. Casey Mears, 187.071; 2. Reed Sorenson, 186.554; 3. Denny Hamlin, 186.021; 4. Denny Hamlin/J.J. Yeley, 185.746; 5. Jon Wood, 185.166; 6. Kasey Kahne, 185.109; 7. Paul Menard, 185.096; 8. J.J. Yeley, 185.008; 9. Joel Kauffman, 184.957; 10. Jeff Burton, 184.894; 11. Jamie McMurray, 184.843; 12. Jason Leffler, 184.596; 13. Mark Martin, 184.565; 14. Martin Truex Jr., 184.388; 15. Kyle Busch, 184.388; 16. Carl Edwards, 184.168; 17. Kenny Wallace, 184.074; 18. Stephen Leicht, 183.748; 19. Kertus Davis, 183.711; 20. Todd Kluever, 183.424; 21. Regan Smith, 183.343; 22. Kurt Busch, 183.243; 23. John Andretti, 183.237; 24. Matt Kenseth, 183.212; 25. Stacy Compton, 183.107; 26. Johnny Sauter, 183.038; 27. Clint Bowyer, 182.859; 28. Matt McCall, 182.797; 29. Burney Lamar, 182.469; 30. Mike Wallace, 182.309; 31. Michael Waltrip, 182.297; 32. Tracy Hines, 182.180; 33. Ashton Lewis Jr., 181.996; 34. Scott Wimmer, 181.604; 35. Mark McFarland, 181.372; 36. Eric McClure, 180.929; 37. Brandon Miller, 180.747; 38. David Gilliland, 180.626; 39. Kevin Conway, 180.608; 40. Aaron Fike, 180.433; 41. David Green, 179.742; 42. Danny O’Quinn, 175.575.(Lowe’s Motor Speedway PR)(5-9-2006)
UPDATE 3: NASCAR Busch Series testing concluded Wednesday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but crew chiefs and engineers will continue to analyze computer data as they make final preparations for the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 on Saturday night, May 27. Those preparations will focus on how to best set up a chassis for the harder compound tire Goodyear has built for the repaved racing surface at the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway. Rookie Aric Almirola bounced back from a crash to post the second fastest lap of the day at 183.306 mph in the #19 Husqvarna Chevy. Tracy Hines spun and backed the #14 Dodge into the wall and Jerry Robertson smacked the SAFER barrier in the #78 Chevy. Speeds from the fimal day of testing Wednesday: 1. Casey Mears, 184.106; 2. Aric Almirola, 183.343; 3. Kurt Busch, 183.306; 4. Jimmie Johnson, 183.299; 5. Kasey Kahne, 182.488; 6. Kevin Harvick, 181.837; 7. Jason Leffler, 181.696; 8. Tracy Hines, 181.543; 9. Joel Kauffman, 181.470; 10. David Gilliland, 181.452; 11. Regan Smith, 181.263; 12. Burney Lamar, 180.638; 13. Matt McCall, 180.445; 14. Ashton Lewis Jr., 180.385; 15. Kevin Conway, 178.141; 16. Jerry Robertson, 177.183; 17. Jorge Goeters, 174.137.(Lowe’s Motor Speedway PR)(5-9-2006) - Blaney to Drive Limited Schedule for Braun Racing: Braun Racing announced a new driver alliance with NASCAR NEXTEL Cup regular Dave Blaney. Blaney who currently drives full-time for Bill Davis in the #22 Caterpillar NEXTEL Cup car has been assigned to drive the #32 Braun Racing Chevy in a limited amount of Busch series races this year.(Braun Racing PR)(5-10-2006)
- Kertus Davis in the 34?: UPDATE 2 Hearing that Kertus Davis tested the #34 Frank Cicci Chevy today at Lowe’s and will be behind the wheel of the #34 this weekend at Darlington and again at Lowe’s in two week. Jason Keller is reportedly exploring other options.(5-8-2006)
UPDATE: Starting this weekend in Darlington and continuing to next weekend at Lowes Motor Speedway, Kertus Davis will be driving the #34 Chevy for Frank Cicci in the NASCAR Busch Series. “We’re very excited that Frank is giving us this chance,” Kertus said of the opportunity, “and we hope that we can make the best of it and give them a couple of good runs.” Davis is hoping that the opportunity will open more doors to allow him to continue his sophomore season in the best equipment possible. His best effort this season brought him a 10th place starting position at Talladega, driving the #0 RaceGirl Chevy for Davis Motorsports.(KertusDavis.com)(5-9-2006)
UPDATE 2: Sport Clips has once again joined Frank Cicci Racing to be the primary sponsor for this weekend’s race.(Sport Clips PR)(5-10-2006) - FBR to Enter One Car at Darlington: FitzBradshaw Racing will field only one car in Friday’s Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at Darlington Raceway. Joel Kauffman will drive the #12 Dodge, which will have sponsorship from Olympia Steel Buildings.(NASCAR Scene Daily)(5-10-2006)
- Reutimann in the #99 at Darlington: This weekend David Reutimann will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Darlington. As Reutimann takes the reigns, Jerry Baxter will be his crew chief.(Waltrip Racing PR)(5-9-2006)
- SKI Motorsports Adds Sponsor: SKI Motorsports officials say Berkley fishing tackle will be a major associate sponsor on the team’s #30 Chevy for Mike Bliss for its four-race NASCAR Busch Series schedule this year. The team is scheduled to make its 2006 season debut in Friday’s Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway. It also plans to run July 29 at Gateway International Raceway outside St. Louis, Sept. 2 at California Speedway and Sept. 30 at Kansas Speedway.(Scene Daily)(5-9-2006)
- Smith & Wesson Honors Law Enforcement Heros: Smith & Wesson Corp. the legendary, 154-year-old global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, kicks off its 2006 NASCAR Busch Series campaign with driver Mike Bliss at Darlington Raceway this weekend and picks up where it left off last season by honoring law enforcement heroes in partnership with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Grand Lodge national headquarters. Serving as honorary crew chief for the #30 Smith & Wesson Chevy team of SKI Motorsports at this weekend’s Diamond Hill Plywood 200 is officer Wilbur Chamberlin of Ovett, Miss., who was recognized by the FOP for his tireless efforts assisting Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina last fall.(Smith & Wesson PR)(5-9-2006)
- Speed Zone Energy Drink to Sponsor Shane Hall: Speed Zone Energy Drink has announced that it will be the primary sponsor of the #28 Car driven by Shane Hall for four races; Darlington, Kentucky, Bristol and the second Busch Series Race in Dover. Along with primary sponsorship, Speed Zone Energy Drink will be an associate on the #49 Advil Ford Fusion for the remainder of the 2006 Season. (JRR PR) (Jay Robinson Racing)(5-9-2006)
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