No 2nd TMS race? With three new races offsetting the two that are disappearing from the Busch Series schedule in 2001, Texas Motor Speedway general manager Eddie Gossage is no longer optimistic about landing a second race for 2001. New events have been added for Kansas Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and, just this week, Kentucky Speedway. Two short tracks, Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway and South Boston (Va.) Speedway, have elected to drop their races rather than pay the sanctioning fees. But Gossage said he wasn’t encouraged by a recent conversation with NASCAR chief operating officer Mike Helton(Dallas Morning News)(8-31-2000)
Kentucky and the BGN? UPDATE 3 OFFICIAL: Kentucky Speedway is expected to announce Tuesday(at 12noon) that it has obtained a BGN event for the 2001 season. Last week, smaller tracks at Myrtle Beach and South Boston announced the Busch series would not return to their facilities in 2001, which opened up potential dates for Kentucky. NASCAR officials will not comment on whether Kentucky will get a Busch race(Cincinnati Enquirer)(8-28-2000) UPDATE: hearing the BGN racedate will be June 16, 2001, same weekend as the CTS race was this year, looks like a doubleheader UPDATE 2: the BGN will have its 2001 schedule expanded with a new stop at the Kentucky Speedway, a 67,000 seat, 1.5-mile, tri-oval facility located in Sparta, Ky. The 2001 event will be held on June 16, 2001. The announcement was made at the Kentucky Speedway where BGN competitors David and Mark Green, the brothers that hail from Owensboro, Ky., joined NASCAR and speedway executives along with team owner Clarence Brewer. The addition of the Kentucky Speedway comes after an announcement on May 8 that the NASCAR Busch Series would add events at the under-construction Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Motor Speedway in 2001(Kentucky Speedway Site). No word on if a CTS race would be on the same weekend(8-29-2000) UPDATE 3: hearing the CTS date will not be the same as the BGN, unless they have two CTS races there as rumored. Hearing the new CTS date will be July 14th(8-30-2000)
#21 Paint Scheme: the #21 Rockwell Automation Chevy as part of an employee contest, the car’s paint scheme will be transformed from its familiar red and white to a myriad of bright colors. The design, created by 10-year-old Asheville, NC-native Chevelle Griffin, will definitely catch the eye of many fans and bring added excitement to the Darlington BGN race. Chevelle, the daughter of Dean Griffin, a maintenance technician at the Rockwell Automation manufacturing facility in Asheville, was announced as the winner of the Rockwell Automation Paint Shop Contest on July 3rd. The promotion, held during the months of February and March, was geared toward the children and grandchildren of Rockwell Automation employees. Participants received an outline of the #21 Chevy, which they were allowed to decorate as they chose. The entries were collected in April and judged by members of the Rockwell Automation Racing staff. Griffin, whose favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt, receives a trip for four to attend the DURA-LUBE 200 at Darlington Raceway this Saturday where she will watch her creation race around the track. She will also get a chance to meet driver Mike Dillon, have her picture taken with the car, and watch the race from the Rockwell Automation suite. Dillon is hoping this new look might bring some luck to the #21 team as they head into Darlington, SC. He finished 13th in the spring race and is hoping to better that this weekend. He is currently 22nd in the Busch Series Driver Points Standings with one top-10 and 10 top-20 finishes this season(Rockwell Automation PR). See an image of the Scheme on the Paint Schemes Gallery(go to the BGN section)(8-30-2000)
#57 News: RPM 2Night reported that Excedrin has re-signed with the #57 ppc Racing team for the 2001 season(8-29-2000)
Barrett to drive for Spencer: Stanton Barrett, part-time racer and part-time Hollywood stunt man, will attempt to drive a Chevrolet owned by Jimmy Spencer at Darlington Saturday in the Busch Series event. Spencer and Barrett are testing the grounds to potentially put together a program for next year and they have had a few companies show an interest in sponsoring a car with Barrett driving and Spencer as the owner(Williams Company)(8-29-2000)
#66 News: The Phillips 66 Racing team will compete at three different race tracks during the month of September. During the very same month of September, another team with athletes supported by Phillips Petroleum Company will take to a swimming pool in Sydney, Australia as part of the 2000 Olympic Games. In support of USA Swimming, the No. 66 Phillips 66 Chevrolet Monte Carlo will carry a logo showing the race team’s support of the USA Olympic Swim Team’s efforts in Sydney(IMG Motorsports PR)(8-29-2000)
Sadlers BGN plans: Andy Petree Racing has announced today that Elliott Sadler will finish the season in the #15 Hot Tamales Chevy in the Busch Series. Sadler will race at Richmond, Rockingham, and Phoenix. The team also fields the #15 Albertsons Chevrolet driven by Mike Skinner. Driver Derrick Gilchrist will remain an employee of Andy Petree Racing(APR PR)(8-28-2000)
Evernham Hire? UPDATE 3 New #24 crew chief/Hendrick to the CTS: hearing #24 Hendrick BGN crew chief, Patrick Donahue, may be bolting to join Evernham’s Dodge team(8-23-2000) UPDATE: hearing Donahue has left the #24 BGN Hendrick Motorsports team(8-25-2000) UPDATE 2: Ken Howes will take over as the interim crew chief for the #24 Hendrick-Gordon Motorsports Busch team replacing Patrick Donahue who is no longer with the organization. Howes has most recently headed up the research and development program at Hendrick Motorsports. He will be working with Ricky Hendrick as the 20-year-old prepares for a full season in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2001(Gordonline)(8-26-2000) UPDATE 3: hear that Dennis Connor, Sprague’s crew chief, will direct both truck teams of Sprague and Ricky Hendrick next season. The #24 team may attempt 6-10 BGN races but currently have no plans to run a full Busch schedule with another driver in 2001(Tinas Jeff Gordon Newsletter)(8-27-2000)
McLaughlin’s Dad UPDATE: Busch Series driver Mike McLaughlin’s dad remains in the ICU unit in a New York hospital. Mr. McLaughlin took a nasty fall and broke several ribs and his collarbone, then developed pneumonia. He had been on a respirator over the weekend, but the good news is they have removed the respirator and he is now breathing on his own. Those so inclined might want to keep him and the family in their prayers until Mr. McLaughlin recovers fully. (Matt McLaughlin, no relation to Mike)(8-22-2000) UPDATE: as of Thursday afternoon McLaughlin’s dad, Tom, is out of Intensive Care now. He is improving some and hopefully can get back up on his feet in the near future(8-25-2000)
#81 Special Paint: WCW’s #81 Busch car, driven by Blaise Alexander, will sport a special Vampiro paint scheme at the Friday night race in Bristol, Tennessee. Vampiro will hang out with the crew before the race, and sign autographs at 4:45 p.m. (ET) at the Cartoon Network/WCW Merchandise Trailer.(WCW Site/PR)(8-25-2000)
Wimmer signs: Scott Wimmer of the ASA Series has signed with Bill Davis Racing for 5 races this season and tested at Richmond earlier this week. His first race in the #02 is at Richmond. The remaining 4 races, which are all after the ASA season wraps up, are Rockingham, Memphis, Phoenix, and Homestead(Wimmer PR via the StockCarFans Newsletter)(8-24-2000)
Fines Announced: NASCAR officials announced they have penalized two BGN crew chiefs and one driver for rules violations at Michigan. Ben Holm, crew chief of the #81 WCW SABCO Chevy, was fined a total of $22,500 and placed on probation until December 31, 2000. He was fined $17,500 and penalized under Section 12-4-A in the NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book: “…actions detrimental to stock car racing…” Section 12-4-Q: “…use of parts that do not conform to NASCAR rules…” and Section 20A-5.10.1B(7): “…alterations to allow additional air to be picked up…” Holm was also fined $5,000 and penalized under Section 12-4-A and Section 20A-12-A: “…if an I-Beam style trailing arm is used, it must be constructed using two (2) C-channels of a minimum one (1) inch in width by three (3) inches in height magnetic steel with a minimum wall thickness of 1/8 inch…welded back to back, creating a vertical wall of two (2) 1/8 inch wall thicknesses…” Additionally, Todd Berrier, crew chief of the #2 AC Delco RCR Chevrolet, was fined $3,000 and penalized under Section 12-4-A and Section 12-4-W: “…added weight bolted forward of the firewall…” Kevin Grubb, driver of the #37 Timber Wolf Brewco Chevy, was fined $2,000 and placed on probation until December 31, 2000, for hitting another competitor’s vehicle on pit road after completion of the race. He was penalized under Section 12-4-A.(in part from NASCAR PR)(8-23-2000)
Sadler and the WWF UPDATE 2: World Wrestling Federation Entertainment will participate in its first ever NASCAR race on Friday, August 25, 2000 when Hermie Sadler drives the “WWF Summer Slam” Chevy in the BGN race at Bristol. World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc., which currently sponsors NHRA Funny Car teammates Jim Epler and Terry Toliver, is excited about its first NASCAR race. In support of the event, World Wrestling Federation superstars “Road Dogg” Jesse James, Faarooq and Bradshaw will be on hand for the race. The Superstars will be available for pictures and autographs prior to the race at the WWF Racing merchandise trailer(Cox Marketing). The car will be owned by longtime BGN owner Ed Whittiker and be the #7 Chevy(not #07) UPDATE: actually the The World Wrestling Federation(WWF) has already sponsored a car in the BGN, the #74 BACE Motorsports Chevy with driver Tony Raines at Richmond last September(1999). From what I understand, the WWF was not a true sponsor deal, but a ‘feeling out’ by the WWF, not sure what that all means(8-21-2000) UPDATE 2: see a little bitty image of the car at: The WWF Site(8-23-2000)
#0 Alumni Motorsports News: Alumni Motorsports will be heading to Bristol with a special paint scheme for the teams #0 Chevy driven by Johnny Rumley. The traditional red and silver paint scheme of the car is replaced with a sparkling black design. The team has talked about an all black car all year and the decision was made that it was time to make the move. The team hopes the change will also change its string of tough luck. Although not intended as a permanent change, look for this scheme to continue if it does turn out to be a “Lucky Charm”. Also, the team continues its search for sponsorship for the balance of this season as well as working on programs for the 2001 season. Co-owner and Detroit Lion quarterback Mike Tomczak is working diligently with companies to secure the proper sponsorship for the balance of this season and next. Tomczak has more time on his hands after his season was ended prematurely when he broke his leg in a preseason game last weekend against the Oakland Raiders(in part from a Alumni Motorsports PR)(8-23-2000)
South Boston/Myrtle Beach gone? UPDATE MB is gone, South Boston gone: hearing that the BGN races at South Boston, VA and Myrtle Beach, SC will not be on the BGN schedule in 2001. Kansas and Chicagoland will be added (as previously announced) and Kentucky Speedway may be added to the BGN schedule(8-21-2000) UPDATE: Myrtle Beach Speedway, host of a BGN race for the last 13 years, won’t be on the NASCAR junior circuit’s list of places to go in 2001. The good ol’ boys will be somewhere else instead. And that somewhere else, although the official schedule has not yet been announced, will likely look a lot different than the local track that has been in the racing business since 1958. Myrtle Beach would seem to be an ideal location when it comes to packing the house. The problem is MBS’s 18,000-seat house is no longer big enough for NASCAR. The owner’s dug deep into their pockets to keep the track up to NASCAR’s standards. They spent more than $100,000 to upgrade facilities for competitors and fans before the June 17 event, but it wasn’t enough. Now NASCAR’s presence may be gone forever, unless the area joins the rat race and builds a new multi-million dollar facility. There have been about Burroughs & Chapin (Company) building a racetrack in the area(Myrtle Beach Sun News). As for South Boston, many readers from that area have emailed saying it was announced in June that South Boston had signed a sponsor and with NASCAR thru 2002 to hold a race at the track – the story from February on my BGN Tracks page, past news: Textilease and South Boston Speedway officials have announced that the BGN race would be officially known as the Textilease/Medique 300 for the next three years. Textilease and Textilease Medique signed a three-year contract extending their title sponsorship through 2002. Also, see the story at The State: Busch won’t make pit stop at Myrtle Beach(8-22-2000) UPDATE 2: it was reported on RPM 2Night that South Boston also will not run a BGN event in 2001. AND from the South Boston Speedway site: South Boston Speedway, one of NASCAR’s premiere short tracks, plans on hosting a minimum of six national touring series events in 2001, a significant increase over the 2000 schedule. While touring series for Late Model Stock Cars will be a priority, events for open wheel and dirt series are also being explored. Of these new events, at least three are expected to be nationally televised. The 2001 schedule will not include a NASCAR Busch Series event(8-23-2000)
#26 White Scheme: The #26 Carroll Racing Team will be fielding an all white Chevy for Friday night’s BGN race at Bristol for driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. Carroll Racing is accelerating their efforts, searching for a primary sponsor on the #26 for the remainder of the 2000 season and beyond(Carroll Racing PR)(8-22-2000)
Another Roush CTS Test? Nope, team Rensi: Hearing Gary Lewis(1998 NW Tour Champion) will test in South Carolina (Greenville-Pickens?) for an un-named Truck team on Monday, Aug 21st. Also several unamed drivers will be on hand to test with Lewis on Tuesday(8-20-2000) UPDATE: hearing Lewis will test for Team Rensi for either the CTS or BGN (or Both) team today(8-22-2000)
Green 200th, David: Friday’s Food City 250 at Bristol marks David Green’s 200th career Busch Series start. The 1994 Busch Series champion becomes the 24th driver to reach the elite benchmark. Ten drivers with more than 200 starts are still active in the Busch Series (Elton Sawyer, Phil Parsons, Todd Bodine, Randy LaJoie, Tim Fedewa, Jason Keller, Mike McLaughlin, Hermie Sadler, Mark Martin and Jeff Burton). Green, drives the #34 AFG Glass Chevy. He made his debut at Hickory Motor Speedway on July 22, 1989. Two years later, in the first race of his rookie season and his fourth series start, Green grabbed his first pole. Ten races later, in his 12th start, he captured his first win. The 1994 Busch Series season has proved to be Green’s best to date. He earned nine poles, one win (Bristol Motor Speedway), 10 top five and 14 top 10 finishes(Vertical Horizons PR)(8-21-2000)
Santerre/Craven ar MIS: a question I have been asked, why was Ricky Craven in the #25 Lance Snacks Chevy instead of Andy Santerre? The answer: Michigan was not one of Santerre’s scheduled races and he made plans for the weekend. When Thursday was rained out, the team flew him in as a back up. Andy qualified the car, but because of his prior plans, Ricky Craven drove the car so Andy could keep his commitment in Charlotte. There was nothing wrong with Andy or the car, just a previous engagement(8-22-2000)
BGN Wins: Todd Bodine won the BGN race at Michigan, a span of 70 wins since his last BGN race. Five other BGN drivers have longer streaks: Phil Parsons 178 races; Hermie Sadler 158; Jeff Purvis 95; Bobby Hillin 92; and David Green 72 races.(RPM 2Night/ESPN2)(8-20-2000)
Lysol gone at The Glen too? Besides leaving the #98 team of Elton Sawyer, hearing Lysol will also not be the title sponsor of the race at Watkins Glen for the 2001 BGN race(8-20-2000)
Hank Parker Jr to road race: Hank Parker, Jr., will bemaking a return to Watkins Glen for the Bosch Sports Car Summerfest August 25-27. Parker will be participating in the 3-hour Motorola Cup race where he will share driving duties with Lyndon Amick in the Team Amick #34 Dodge Viper. Both NASCAR Busch Series regulars, Parker and Amick will be flying in to Watkins Glen right after the Friday evening event at Bristol. While running the Motorola Cup, they hope to gain valuable experience at road racing. The pair has participated in two Motorola Cup events this season. Parker and Amick competed at Daytona and Homestead-Miami, leading several laps in the Daytona event before retiring with a broken transmission. The NASCAR Busch Series competes on the 2.45-mile short course at The Glen. Both Amick and Parker will be racing for the first time on the full 3.377-mile circuit that includes the section of track known as the “boot”(Watkins Glen PR)(8-19-2000)
Hillin Team Closed Up? UPDATE: heard from a source that the #8 Bobby Hillin/Millennium Motorsports BGN team has closed up shop. No word on Hillin’s plans for future racing. Also, if true, no word on where/if the Kleenex sponsorship will end up(8-17-2000) UPDATE: from the team – Bobby Hillin Racing has suspended operations(at least for Michigan), because of financial issues. Currently all employees are still working and preparing cars for Bristol and beyond. Hillin is looking into all options(8-18-2000)
Stricklin and Jarrett: Rayovac Maximum Batteries will be “two for one” at Michigan Speedway this weekend. Jarrett / Favre Motorsports announced today that veteran wheelman Hut Stricklin will run the #88 Rayovac Maximum Pontiac during the NAPA Online.com 250 as teammate to Jason Jarrett’s #11 Rayovac Maximum Chevrolet. According to crew chief Ricky Bowman, the reason for the dual entries is two-fold. “First, this team made great technical strides during Hut’s first race at Pike’s Peak, then continued to improve with Jason’s solid run at Indianapolis,” Bowman said. “Second, is the fact that Rayovac has been incredibly supportive during our building process this season, and we wanted to thank them by putting two cars on the track.” According to Bowman, Jarrett and Stricklin, the Pike’s Peak run provided a tremendous amount of information regarding chassis and set up questions, as well as driving insight for Jarrett. “I saw a lot of things from a different vantage point that I don’t get to see from behind the wheel, and I believe that helped me in the way I communicated with the team in Indy,” he said. Even the car selection has accommodated the preference of each driver. After starting from the pole in Daytona in a Pontiac, Stricklin selected that make from the Jarrett / Favre stable, while Jarrett chose the Chevrolet he ran in Charlotte(Mach One Marketing PR)(8-15-2000)
Bickle Switches: After more than two years of trying, Rich Bickle has finally adapted the philosophy of “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”. “We’re going to debut a new car at Michigan,” said Bickle, who will switch from the Pontiac brand to a Chevrolet for the NapaOnline 200 BGN race at Michigan. “We had to make the change to Chevys because of aerodynamics. It seems like the whole field at these Busch races is Chevys right now. We had to join the crowd. Bob Newling at NewFab has always built us good speedway cars and he built this one for us. We hope that it is going to be good off the trailer and run up front all day long.”(Speedway Illustrated via Bickle PR)(8-11-2000)
#34 Crew Chief Change UPDATE Ward named: After assuming Crew Chief duties four races ago for the Cicci-Welliver #34 team driven by David Green, C.R. Miller was released by the team following a 9th place finish at IRP. After recording 2 top 10’s, and an outside pole, including the exciting battle for the win with his brother Jeff Green at Pike Peak, David and the team decided that they wanted to go in a different direction. C.R. Miller is currently exploring other options in the BGN and WC Series(C.R. Miller PR)(8-12-2000) UPDATE: The Cicci-Welliver Racing team announced today that Wes Ward has replaced C.R. Miller as crew chief of its #34 AFG Glass entry in the NASCAR Busch Series driven by David Green. The first event for Ward is Saturday’s NAPAOnline.com 200 at Michigan Speedway(Cicci-Welliver Racing PR)(8-14-2000)
Kentucky Testing: hearing that Gibbs Racing – #4-Jeff Purvis and #18-Jason Leffler are testing their Busch cars at Kentucky Speedway 810 – 8/11, along with Ryan Newman who is testing (with the help of Buddy Baker) for the ARCA race at Kentucky in two weeks(8-11-2000)
Crew Chief News UPDATE: hearing former #93 Amoco/Bill Davis Racing crew chief, Gil Martin, is being considered for the 2nd Cal Well’s team (#? McDonald’s Ford) and for the #01 crew chief job. Supposedly, Tony Glover will go back to more of a Team Manager role(8-7-2000) UPDATE: hearing Martin has began work at Richard Childress Racing as the crew chief for #21-Mike Dillon in the BGN series. Supposedly, Martin decided to go back to the BGN for the lighter schedule and spend more time with the family this season(8-10-2000)
Bird Rumor UPDATE: hearing #20 Bill Davis Racing BGN team crew chief Steve Bird, is looking to start his own BGN team sometime this year with Midas as the possible sponsor(3-22-2000) UPDATE: hearing that crew chief of the #20 AT&T/Bill Davis Pontiac, Steve Bird, has parted ways with the team. No new crew chief named yet. No word on if Bird plans to start his own BGN team(8-10-2000)
Lepages BGN plans: Kevin Lepage, majority owner of the #71 Matrix Motorsports BGN team, announced a sponsorship deal with State Fair Brand Corn Dogs. Lepage and team co-owner Steve Plattenberger will field the #71 State Fair Brand Corn Dog Taurus at Bristol and Homestead this season and plan to run 12 to 15 races in 2001. Matrix Motorsports was formed earlier this year, and has entered the #71 Red Man Taurus in several BGN events this year. Lepage will continue to drive the #71, with partner Plattenberger filling the role of crew chief(PR)(8-9-2000)
Labonte in or out..at Watkins Glen? UPDATE – Out: during an interview at Indy, Terry Labonte said he would skip Indy and Watkins Glen, test at Bristol on the 14th and decide when he would return to the seat of the #5 Kelloggs Chevy. Labonte sat out at Indy due to continuing complications from injuries suffered at the Pepsi 400 (Dizziness)…BUT in NASCAR Online’s Saturday Notebook, Labonte is quoted: “I don’t like wearing the headsets in the pits,” Labonte said after the race. “I accepted my decision and that was it. I wish I had been out there, but I wasn’t. I hope I’ll be aback in a couple of weeks. If we can’t find anyone to drive my car at Watkins Glen, I may be back next week.”(8-7-2000) UPDATE: Ron Hornaday has been asked by Rick Hendrick to drive the #5 Kelloggs Chevy at Watkins Glen for ailing Terry Labonte. Hornaday received the ok from DEI and from NAPA AUTO PARTS. Hornaday won at The Glen in the trucks(Champion Sports Group)(8-8-2000)
Cicci-Weliver News: Cicci-Welliver Racing announced they have signed Billy Nacewicz, crew chief for the #36 Stanley Racing team, to a three-year contract. Under the agreement, Nacewicz will continue as crew chief for the #36 team through the end of the 2003 season. Although Stanley has announced it will discontinue its sponsorship of the #36 Chevy driven by Tim Fedewa at the end of this season, Cicci-Welliver is actively seeking a new sponsor for the #36 team. Team co-owner Frank Cicci has said he is committed to keeping the #36 team intact. Nacewicz, 50, joined Cicci-Welliver and the Stanley racing team this past April. Since coming on board as the team’s crew chief, the team has captured its first win and pole position at New Hampshire International Speedway in May. To date, the team also has two top fives and four top 10s under Nacewicz’s leadership(IMG Motorsports PR) AND from the Winston Cup Scene – reports that while many things are up in the air with the three car BGN team (#’s 34,36 and 66) such as the #36’s sponsor/driver status and what Todd Bodine will do (Go to Cup with Cicci Weliver or anther team or stay in BGN?) BUT that #34 driver, David Green, will stay with the team next season and stay in the BGN sereis(8-8-2000)
#01 Watkins Glen Driver? UPDATE 2 PJ Jones: hearing #19 Yellow Freight/Pameco BGN driver, PJ Jones will drive the #01 BellSouth Chevy at Watkins Glen and Ted Musgrave will drive the car for the remaining races(8-3-2000) UPDATE: P.J. Jones will be the driver of the #01 Chevrolet of Chip Gnassi Racing in next weekend’s Winston Cup race at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Jones is a regular in the #19 Chevy on the Busch Series and ranks 33rd in the circuit’s points standings. He is the son of 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones(AJC)(8-6-2000) UPDATE 2: BGN rookie contender P.J. Jones will pilot the #01 BellSouth/Team SABCO Chevy in the Aug. 13 Global Crossing at the Glen NASCAR Winston Cup event at Watkins Glen. In the June Busch Series event at the 2.45-mile circuit, Jones posted a career-best ninth-place finish after starting from the fourth position. The 31-year-old also earned a ninth-place NASCAR Winston Cup finish at Watkins Glen in one of six events he entered in 1993 for car owner Harry Melling. Ted Musgrave took the reins of the #01 BellSouth Chevy in the last two races — the July 23 Pocono race and the Brickyard 400(SABCO PR)(8-7-2000)
Harvick to run some Cup? Kevin Harvick, a rookie in the BGN (#2 AC Delco Chevy), may enter one or two Winston Cup races this season to “test the waters,” his car owner Richard Childress said Saturday. Childress said he would like to see Harvick run one or two Winston Cup races at least the next two seasons before running full time in the series.(That’s Racin’)(8-5-2000)
SABCO’s BGN cars? UPDATE 2: hearing #91 Winston Cup owner, Joe Falk, may be a partner in buying the #’s 01, 81 and 82 SABCO BGN teams and moving them to his shop(8-1-2000) UPDATE: Joe Falk is renting his race shop to Felix Sabates, who was looking for a place to move his BGN teams to after selling majority ownership of SABCO to Chip Ganassi. SABCO began moving their equipment to Falk’s shop this week. It was also mentioned that Sabates and Falk may be forming some sort of partnership, though no details were divulged, other than the fact that it will not be until November before anything became official. The rumors are that they will partner the Busch teams for next year, which Falk has had past experience(Victory Lane) BUT Team SABCO has leased Joe Falk’s shop for its Busch Series teams for the remainder of the year. The lease will expire in November once the season is complete. The Busch teams are moving from SABCO’s Mooresville facility to allow space for expansion to the existing fab shop. There is no truth to the rumor that Joe Falk and Felix Sabates will partner for next year(Team SABCO PR)(8-2-2000) UPDATE 2: According to a news release from Joe Falk that was published in Friday mornings Daily Press (printed editiion), Falk intends to revive his dormant #91 LJ Racing team this fall with financial help from Felix Sabates. According to the report, Falk will have #81 BGN driver Blaise Alexander make his Winston Cup debut later this season, and run up to five races towards the end of this season. It wasn’t disclosed what races those would be, but Falk mentioned to Victory Lane in the past that he want’s to run at Richmond this fall, as well as at Charlotte and possible other Cup races. The news release also confirmed reports that Falk has rented the LJ Racing shop out to Felix Sabates until the end of the season. The reason given, was that Ganassi/SABCO senior owner Chip Ganassi was going to be switching the Winston Cup team over to Dodge for 2001, and wanted the BGN cars and equipment out of the way in order to have room to build the new fleet. No mention was made as to what will follow for next year. Family members have told Victory Lane that Falk is at Indianapolis Raceway Park this weekend overseeing Blaise Alexander’s BGN team. Falk also mentioned that he was going to try and find a BGN ride for Jody McCormick, who runs in the LMSC division at Langley Speedway(VA)(Victory Lane) AND Sabates is also investing resources and equipment in a partnership with Joe Falk, bringing along the remnants of his Busch Grand National teams(Gaston Gazette)(8-5-2000)
Jarrett back for IRP: Jason Jarrett will run the #11 Jarrett/Favre car at IRP this weekend in place of Hut Stricklin who will be running the #90 Hills Bros Ford at the Brickyard 400(Keystone Marketing). Jarrett had stepped aside to help out the team use a more experienced driver(8-4-2000)
Allen stays in the ASA, for now: Owner Bud Gebben of Michigan-based Automotive Promotions has reached an agreement with ASA ACDelco Series veteran Glenn Allen Jr. of Cincinnati to continue as driver of the #4 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Pontiac through the r emainder of the 2000 season. That will include the entire second half of the 20-event season. Allen has competed in recent ASA ACDelco Series events at Chicago Motor Speedway and Salem Speedway, recording finishes of 11th and fifth respectively. He previously spent several years in the Busch Grand National Series since leaving ASA in 1996(ASA PR and Glenn Allen site)(8-4-2000)
Sad News: ppc Racing(#’s 10 and 57) Loses Friend In Freak Accident – PPC Racing general manager Keith Barnwell, unfortunately lost his college roommate in a freak accident on Monday, July 24th. Karl Witzke, 40, from Greenville, SC lost his life as he and a friend were running at lunch on a city street. A tree company was bringing down a tree and one of the larger branches fell and hit Karl in the head who was killed instantly. His running companion was not injured. Keith is asking for all fans and teams to reach out to the children with a donation to: the Witzke Education Fund, First Union National Bank, 1720 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC 29607(ppc Racing Site)(8-2-2000)
