April 2002 CTS Archive

• Cook and East – Congrats: ESPN pit reporter Amy East and her husband Terry Cook, driver of the #29-Power Stroke Diesel Ford in the CTS, have announced they are expecting an addition to their family after the completion of the current racing season. “Terry and I had discussed having children at some point in the future,” said the excited mother-to-be. “We know that with our busy schedules, that if it didn’t happen this year it would probably be a couple of years before we had this type of opportunity. We haven’t been trying all that long, and we both feel very fortunate to have it work out the way it did. Our entire family is so deeply involved in racing, so it is so nice to have this timed the way it is.” The timing could not have worked out any better. “Our due date is December 25, Christmas Day,” she said. “We couldn’t ask for a better Christmas gift. And it is timed out perfectly, right in the middle of the off season. That way, I can continue with my duties with ESPN and be at all of the events with Terry. I plan to be on pit road when the season starts up at Daytona in 2003, too.” The expectant father says the upcoming addition to the family definitely gives him an added incentive on the racetrack. “You know the old saying, baby needs a pair of new shoes?” Cook asked. “Well, at this point baby needs new everything! I really need to start collecting those wins and top-5s, and fast, to help furnish the baby’s nursery, don’t I? Maybe we can ask the Power Stroke folks if they want to sponsor Amy and the baby to help defray some of the costs,” Cook said with a smile. “In all seriousness,” Cook continued, “I have never been at the start of a racing season and couldn’t wait for it to be over. It’s usually the other way around; you just don’t want it to end. Now, that last race at Homestead can’t get here soon enough. The best part of the whole thing is knowing we will both be together at the track week in and week out and I will be there by Amy’s side the entire time. Winning races is great and what every racer is in this business for, but it truly doesn’t match the happiness we both feel right now.” The child will be the first grandchild for the East family, and the first great-grandchild for the Kennedy family. When asked what the couple is hoping for, boy or girl, Cook summed it up nicely. “Right now, we are both praying for ten fingers and ten toes. As long as we have a healthy baby, we will both consider ourselves to be very fortunate.”(PR)(4-30-2002)
• #39 Crew Chief: Veteran George Church will serve as the crew chief for Steve Portenga Racing in upcoming CTS races, it was announced Wednesday.. The team fields the #39 Roto-Rooter Chevy for driver Steve Portenga in the CTS. “I’m pleased to have George Church join us,” Portenga said.. “He has a lot of experience in the truck series.. I think he’ll help our program immediately.” Church joins the team after it experienced a frustrating weekend at the Advance Auto Parts 250 in Martinsville. Portenga failed to qualify for that race, missing the event by three one-thousandths of a second. The first race for the Church/Portenga combination is the Ram Tough 200 at the Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill. That event is Sunday, May 5.(Liberty Sports PR)(4-27-2002)
• No Chicago or replacment race: According to Winston Cup Scene, drivers were informed at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway that there will be no replacement event for the canceled race at Chicago MotorSpeedway. That leaves this year’s schedule at 22 events.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-25-2002)
• 32 instead of 31: the first 32 spots in the field will be based on speed, allowing for four provisionals. Previously, 31 spots were filled based on speed.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-25-2002)
• Chevy gets help: Chevrolet teams have been granted a 2-inch kickout of the front valence beginning with next month’s race at Gateway International Raceway.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(4-25-2002)
• Petree/Waltrip to race at Richmond? Andy Petree’s racing career still may not be over. Yesterday, the owner said he is considering running in the Truck race at Richmond International Raceway this fall. Darrell Waltrip said the same thing after running at Martinsville. Could they both be heading to the local short track? Stay tuned.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(4-21-2002)
• No more trucks for Harvick? (as a driver): While cars were going through inspection Friday [at Talladega], car owner Richard Childress said that he might prohibit Kevin Harvick from driving in the truck series again. “I don’t think I’ll let him do that,” Childress said. “We haven’t discussed it, but I don’t think so.”(High Point Enterprise). Harvick could still own the team and run with other drivers.(4-20-2002)
• Haseleu back racing: thought folks may be interested in what is up with former Roush CTS driver Nathan Haseleu – Racing Beat – Haseleu ready for a restart by Dave Kallmann(4-19-2002)
• #0 Looking for a driver: Richardson Racing is currently accepting driver applications for their CTS Truck #0 for the May 5 race at Gateway International Speedway and the May 19th race at Pikes Peak International Speedway. The driver must be an approved NASCAR Craftsman Truck series driver or be able to get approved by NASCAR. Please contact General Manager Rickey Richardson at (903) 737-8874 or (903) 491-5458.(4-19-2002)
• Record TV audience: The return of Darrell Waltrip to NASCAR meant big ratings for the Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville. The race scored an impressive 1.19 rating, the highest ever for the Truck Series on ESPN2. This means the Truck race did a higher rating than the overnights for the CART race on Fox! Of course, the household reach was probably about the same because Fox is an OTA network. Nevertheless, it’s impressive for the Trucks and dreadful for CART.(MotorsportsTV)(4-17-2002)
• DW to race more Truck races? a few reports mention Darrell Waltip saying he is consdiering running CTS races at Richmond and Indianapolis Raceway Park.(4-14-2002)
• DW and Petree have tough luck in CTS race at Martinsville: #17-Darrell Waltrip finished 34th with a broken rear end and #33-Andy Petree finished 31st after an accident took him out.(4-14-2002)
• Setzer comes from the back to win at Martinsville: #46-Dennis Setzer beat #16-Mike Bliss by .422 seconds to win the Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway – and now holds the record for coming from the farthest back in the field to win a series race (he started 33rd). It was Setzer’s seventh series win and first since winning at Memphis last June. He also became the fourth driver in series history to win at least one race for five-consecutive seasons. #14-Rick Crawford was third, #08-Bobby Dotter was fourth and #29-Terry Cook rounded out the top five. #18-Robert Pressley took over the series points lead, holding a 20-point edge over #1-Ted Musgrave. Setzer originally was going to start from the fourth position, but his qualifying speed was disallowed after a left-front spring exceeding maximum height was found on his #46 Chevy. He had to take a provisional and started 33rd.(ThatsRacin.com)(4-14-2002)
• White loses spot: NASCAR officials disallowed a qualifying speed by #46-Dennis Setzer, but the big loser was a young driver from Concord named Dana White. Setzer’s punishment? He dropped from fifth in the qualifying order to 33rd (the first provisional slot). The problem was in the right-front springs in Setzer’s Chevrolet, according to officials. What was interesting was the fact the disqualification of Setzer cost White a spot in the starting field. By giving Setzer a provisional, NASCAR took one away from White. The move also enabled Brendan Gaughan, whose Dodge is sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts, the 32nd starting position, based on his average speed. Had Setzer’s truck not been declared illegal, White would have made the field and Gaughan would have been sent packing.(Gaston Gazette)(4-13-2002)
• Musgrave on pole at Martinsville: #1-Ted Musgrave won the pole with a speed of 92.863mph and teammate #2-Jason Leffler is on the outside pole with a speed of 92.746. Cup team owner Andy Petree will start 3rd, #17-Darrell Waltrip will start 18th, and Cup driver Kevin Harick will start 12th on the #6 Chevy. #81-Angie Wilson made the field using a provisional. See NASCAR.com for the Advance Auto Parts 250 Reace Lineup.(4-12-2002)
• APR Sponsor for Talladega and CTS race: Preen, America’s leading weed preventer for lawns and gardens, will sponsor the Andy Petree Racing organization over the next two weeks. A product of Greenview, the consumer products division of Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, Preen will be on the CTS Truck driven by Petree at Martinsville this weekend, and will be on the #33 Cup Chevy driven by Mike Wallace at Talladega next week. New Preen For Lawns was launched this Spring. It kills weeds and even fertilizes up to four months, twice as long as traditional fertilizers. The only product of its kind that effectively kills and prevents weeds in one step, it is found at neighborhood garden and hardware centers. Preen ˜N Green For Gardens is endorsed by the American Rose Society. The first opportunity will come in Saturday’s Truck race at Martinsville but the next in the Winston Cup race next week at Talladega. “Having two cars at Talladega is always a plus. The way we ran there last year and the way Mike Wallace ran there last year, we feel we can do a lot with the Preen Chevrolet and the Schneider Electric Chevrolet (of driver Bobby Hamilton),” Petree said. “The past few years we’ve really been good there, and we think we can be great next week too.” The Preen Team gets its start this week with Petree behind the wheel of his CTS Truck at Martinsville. This will be Petree’s first Truck race, though he has ARCA and other stock car racing experience.(Williams Company PR)(4-9-2002)
• DW tests: Darrell Waltrip tested the #17 Duckhead Dodge at Caraway Speedway in NC on Tuesday in preparation for the Martinsville race.(FSN’s Totally NASCAR)(4-9-2002)
• Shepherd at Martinsville: #21-Morgan Shepherd will attempt to make the Martinsville CTS race and has a full crew for the race. Shepherd is also testing at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in SC on Tuesday and Wednesday.(4-9-2002)
• Wood Donates Winning to Injured Teenager: Jon Wood, driver of the Navy Racing #50 Ford, will donate a portion of his winnings this weekend to Joshua Hill, a 17 year-old student at Patrick County High School in Stuart, VA. On November 10, 2001, Hill’s car was hit head on by a drunk driver and sustained severe injuries. After being removed from his car by the jaws-of-life, Hill was airlifted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. His injuries included moderate to severe brain injuries, a broken right femur, a cracked hip joint, and a contusion on his spinal cord, which may take 18 months to determine if there is permanent damage. In addition, Hill underwent emergency surgery to have his left frontal lobe and some of the other damaged brain tissue removed that was not responding to medication and swelling dangerously. “When I heard about this accident, I knew that I wanted to help in some way,” explains Wood. “I went to the same high school as Josh and tried to think of some ways that I could help. I thought by donating a portion of my winnings at Martinsville it would help offset some of the family’s medical expenses.” Over $50,000 has been donated to Hill’s family to help pay for the rehabilitation efforts. Hill, who once played football and was a member of the varsity basketball team, faces a daunting rehabilitation. He must now relearn basic skills like walking and talking. Members of the Hill family will be special guests at the Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, April 13. Wood will meet with the family prior to the race to finalize plans for his donation.(Roush Racing PR)(4-9-2002)
• Tolsma and Team Rensi to race at Martinsville: Randy Tolsma will return to the CTS, Saturday, April 13, at Martinsville Speedway for the Advance Auto Parts 250. It may feel like deja vu as Tolsma climbs back into the familiar driver’s seat of the #61 entry, fielded by Team Rensi Motorsports, which Tolsma drove for most of the 2001 CTS season. The truck will carry the United States Marine Corps colors and will have the same paint scheme as the Team Rensi owned #25 Team Marines Ford Taurus in the BGN. While at this time it is only a one-race deal, Tolsma is ready to get back on the race track and prove that he remains a viable competitor. Last year, Randy finished fifth in the NCTS race in Martinsville and feels that his chance of beating a fifth place finish this time around are high. Fred Wanke, who is crew chief on the #25 Team Marines Ford in the BGN, has been overseeing the project from the beginning as a consultant, while Kevin Cram has assumed the role of crew chief. Pooling their knowledge, they both feel that the #61 Team Marines truck has a good chance of getting to victory lane. In addition, Dennis Fisher of Fisher Engineering is building the engine and the #22 Winston Cup pit crew of Ward Burton has agreed to help out and will perform pit road duties. Tolsma drove the #61 truck last season and posted two top-fives and six top-10s, before he was asked in July by car owners, Ed and Sam Rensi, to drive the #25 Team Marines Ford for the remainder of the BGN season. Although, the off-season brought numerous changes to the #25 BGN team, the Rensi’s saw a lot of talent in Tolsma and worked diligently to secure a full-time sponsor for him for the 2002 NCTS season, but have been unsuccessful to date. Sam Rensi would like nothing more than to provide Tolsma with a full 2002 schedule. Team Rensi is giving complimentary primary signage to the United States Marine Corps, not only as a thank you for their continued support of their BGN team, but also to demonstrate the added value marketing partners of Team Rensi Motorsports enjoy. Performance Promotions Group, Inc., owned by Team Rensi Motorsports co-owner, Gary Weisbaum, will also be on the truck as an associate sponsor.(Team Rensi Motorsports PR)(4-9-2002)
• Woman driver at Martinsville UPDATE 2 Wilson signs thru 2004: Angie Wilson, a Dash Series veteran, is expected to make her Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway in a Ware Racing Enterprises-owned Chevrolet sponsored by Subscriberbase. The last — and only — female driver to compete in the series was Tammy Jo Kirk, on Nov. 8, 1998, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(Daytona Beach News Journal), doesn’t say which Ware truck (#’s 5,51,81 see next story)(3-21-2002)
  UPDATE: Angie Wilson, a Dash Series veteran, wants to make her Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway in a Ware Racing Enterprises entry, but it’s not set in stone.Tom Granelli, a representative of Wilson’s, said they are exploring putting Wilson in a truck, but Martinsville is only a possibility for the start of a program. Nothing is agreed upon yet.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(3-28-2002)
  UPDATE 2: Angie Wilson was on ESPN2’s RPM 2 Night Thursday and announced that she had siged with Ware Racing to to drive the #81 Dodge truck and that the deal was a Dodge factory program with backing from Dodge. Wilson’s first race will be Martinsville and she will run the remaining races in 2002 and run for ROTY. A sponsor Wilson mentioned during the interview with John Kernan is TotalRaceBabe.com.(4-4-2002)
• Carl Long to attempt Martinsville: Mansion Motorsports is building several brand new Dodge Trucks, and Carl Long is planning to debut the first one in the upcoming Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway. With the new chassis, and Mike Ege power under the hood, confidence is high that the team will be competitive. No sponsorship has been announced as of yet and is available.(Carl Long Site)(4-4-2002)
• Dotter to fly the colors of Gold Creek Golden Retriever Rescue at Martinsville: #08-Bobby Dotter will run the colors of Gold Creek Golden Retriever Rescue in the Advance Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Dotter’s #08 Chevy will feature the ‘Racing For Rescue’ logo and pictures of golden retriever dogs available for adoption through the Gold Creek organization. Among the dogs featured will be ‘Trooper’, a golden retriever the group nursed back to health after it was left as a stray by its previous owner. Trooper was allowed to stay in the program only if medical expenses could be raised. Thanks to a donation by Gene Christensen, owner of Dotter’s NCTS entry, Trooper was nursed back to health. In conjunction with the Martinsville sponsorship, Trooper will be featured on a special edition T-shirts. The shirts are available for a minimum donation of $30.00. Those making a donation to the Racing For Rescue program will also be listed on GCGRR website – www.gcgrr.com. Currently, all of the dogs under the care of GCGRR are in foster homes. Through Dotter’s on-track efforts, the group hopes to find permanent homes for the animals as well as raise awareness and additional funding for the group. Online donations to GCGRR can be made by credit card or check using Paypal at the group’s web page. Donations can also be made by mail to Gold Creek Golden Retriever Rescue, PO Drawer 5486, Greensboro, NC 27403.(Motorsports Management Group PR)(4-4-2002)
• #64 Crew Chief leaves: Wayne Morrow has parted ways with MLM Motorsports. MLM Motorsports Owns and Operates the #64 Truck driven by Mike Leffingwell in the CTS. Wayne Morrow is leaving to explore other options and expects to be with another team shortly and wishes nothing but the best for Mike Leffingwell and the entire MLM Motorsports Crew.(Catchfence)(4-4-2002)