August 2002 CTS Archive

  • Stewart and Harvick set to races trucks ar RIR: Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick will join the mix of the most competitive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season in history when they drive in the Virginia is for Lovers 200 race on Thursday, September 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Also expected to drive in the race are Bobby Hamilton, Stacey Compton and Ken Schrader. Heading into the Virginia is for Lovers 200, eight drivers are within 133 points of leader Mike Bliss. Rounding out the top eight are Terry Cook, Musgrave, Rick Crawford, Robert Pressley, Jason Leffler, David Starr and Setzer, who won the pole at Richmond International Raceway last year. Bliss and Cook lead the series with four wins each this season. For the second straight year at Richmond, Harvick will field his own truck, while Stewart will drive for Andy Petree. All seats for the Virginia is for Lovers 200 are only $30. Renewable, reserved tickets to the FUNAI 250 are only $40 and general admission tickets are only $35. Tickets to the FUNAI 250 include practice and qualifying for Saturday’s Monte Carlo 400 With The Looney Tunes- The Rematch!, which is sold out. In addition, kids 12 and under are free in the general admission sections on Thursday and Friday when accompanied by a paying adult and military personnel receive $5 off general admission tickets both nights.(Richmond International Raceway PR)(8-28-2002)
  • Truck race at Lowe’s in 2003: sources confirmed Lowe’s will host a NASCAR Truck series race under the lights the night before The Winston next season, adding another top-level NASCAR event to the speedway. NASCAR has yet to announce its 2003 schedule for the Truck series.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-22-2002)
  • Announcement about the RIR CTS race UPDATE: Richmond to announce new sponsor for the RIR CTS race [Sept 5th], #46-Dennis Setzer and #20-Coy Gibbs will be on hand at the announcement which will be Monday, Aug 12th.(RIR)
    UPDATE: In an effort to raise local, regional and national awareness of the many options available to tourists visiting the commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Tourism Corporation will sponsor the CTS race at Richmond International Raceway. The Virginia is for Lovers 200 is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start on Thursday, September 5 “Under the Lights” at “The Action Track.” “Richmond International Raceway is one of the top attractions that brings people to Virginia,” said Rita McClenny, interim president and CEO, Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Sponsoring the track’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck race is a perfect platform for us to remind people what Virginia has to offer, including historical tours, cultural destinations, theme parks, the beach and many other forms of The race will be shown on tape delay on race night at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and will air nationwide on the Motor Racing Network (MRN).(RIR PR)(8-12-2002)
  • Benning makes CTS Debut at Nashville: Norm Benning of Pittsburgh PA. made his first CTS start this weekend in the Federated Auto Parts 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. Benning s not a stranger to NASCAR racing with numerous starts in several NASCAR divisions including Cup, BGN, Dirt and Asphalt late model modified, Sprint Cars. He has been in the ARCA Series since 1996. Benning has recorded five consecutive top ten finishes in the ARCA final standings with a best finish just last season of 5th. Benning is no stranger to the Nashville track, running twice in the inaugural season races held here. In the track’s first ARCA event (April 13, 2001), he started 23 and finished 21. In the second of the 2001 season, on August 11, he started 30th and finished 10th, gaining a whopping 20 positions.(Voight Motorsports Management), Benning started 18th (in a truck qualified by Nichael Dokken) and finished 32nd out of the race.(8-12-2002)
  • Bristol to hold a CTS race? According to a track spokesperson, Bristol Motor Speedway officials are exploring the possibility of hosting another CTS race next season [held one back in 1999]. Those talks have stalled in recent years due to various factors, including available TV slots. While another truck race at Bristol is still a longshot, talks are more serious this year. According to a track spokesperson, Bristol Motor Speedway officials are exploring the possibility of hosting another NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race next season. Those talks have stalled in recent years due to various factors, including available TV slots. While another truck race at Bristol is still a longshot, talks are more serious this year.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-12-2002)
  • Bliss wins at Nashville: #16-Mike Bliss won at Nashville Saturday night, winning his fourth CTS race of the year. Bliss, who started from the pole but fell to a distant third, took advantage of Jason Leffler’s 135th-lap accident that resulted in the second of three caution periods. Bliss, who hadn’t made his second pit stop, was able to stop under caution for four new tires. #14-Rick Crawford was 2nd, followed by #1-Ted Musgrave, #4-Bobby Hamilton Jr. and #46-Dennis Setzer. The top five were the only drivers to complete all 151 laps. Bliss, who entered the race with a five-point lead over Cook, increased it to 34.(ThatsRacin.com)
    For results, see ThatsRacin.com.(8-10-2002)
  • Bliss on the pole at Nashville: Points leader #16-Mike Bliss won the pole Friday for the CTS Federated Auto Parts 200 on Saturday at Nashville Superspeedway. Bliss, five points ahead of #29-Terry Cook and 29 in front of #2-Jason Leffler after 14 of 22 events, drove his Chevrolet to a track-record speed of 157.322 mph on the 1.333-mile concrete oval. The rest of the top five are #75-David Starr at 156.033; #1-Ted Musgrave at 155.386; #18-Robert Pressley at 155.030 and 60-Travis Kvapil at 154.945. Lineup at ThatsRacin.com.(8-9-2002)
  • Musgrave to stay in the CTS: Earlier this season Ted Musgrave agreed to run a few Winston Cup races in partnership with the Ultra Motorsports team, which also fields the car driven by Nashville’s Casey Atwood. ”Don’t call it a ‘comeback,” Musgrave joked at his July press conference in Daytona. ”I’m not coming back [to Winston Cup]. I’m going to run a race now and then, and that’s it.” After trying his hand in various other racing divisions, including some frustrating stints in Winston Cup, the veteran racer from Wisconsin says he’s found a home in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.(Tennessean)(8-8-2002)
  • Hamilton looking to re-sign Lester: Bobby Hamilton Racing is currently working to extend the contract of driver Bill Lester for two more years and is looking for a young driver to put in his third truck for 2003.(Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to read)(8-8-2002)
  • Monsam back with Norick: #90-Lance Norick has re-signed crew chief John Monsam as the L&R Motorsports team tries to rebuild. Monsam returns to the team after winning three CTS races with two other teams. He was last with #16-Mike Bliss, who won two races with Monsam as his crew chief. Norick picked up a sponsor, Express Personnel Services Chevrolet, in early May, and the rebuilding process began. He has his father, Ron, hired Eddie Sharp as a consultant to the pit crew, changed engine builders and brought Monsam back to replace interim crew chief Jimmy “Gus” Primm Jr. Monsam will serve as crew chief in Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.(RacingOne)(8-7-2002)
  • NASCAR fines crew chief: NASCAR officials announced today that NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series crew chief Jeremy McCormick has been fined $250 for a rule infraction found during the initial inspection process for the Power Stroke Diesel 200 held Aug. 2 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. McCormick, crew chief for the #77 Chevrolet, was fined for actions detrimental to stock car racing, specifically under Sections 12-4-A and 20B-11.2.B of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rule Book, use of parts that do not conform to NASCAR rules. The #77 was found to have an unapproved front jacking bolt.(NASCAR PR)(8-6-2002)
  • Rose out of the #4 Truck? UPDATE 2 Rose and Ware, Hamilton Jr in at Nashville with Square-D: The remainder of Brian Rose’s season with BHR is uncertain beyond the Aug. 10 event at Nashville. Rose, 15th in points, is seeking sponsorship to keep his ride for the year’s final seven races.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(8-1-2002)
    UPDATE: Bobby Hamilton Racing has announced the release of Brian Rose as driver of the #4 Dodge. According to Hamilton, the decision was based more on sponsorship than performance. Rose is 15th in points with one top five and five top-10 finishes. Hamilton drove the truck in Friday’s Power Stroke Diesel 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park and finished 30th.(NASCAR.com)(8-2-2002)
    UPDATE 2 Brian Rose has lost his ride with Bobby Hamilton’s #4 CTS team due to loss of his sponsor, but still plans to be racing in Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. Rose was in North Carolina yesterday lining up another ride. ”It’s disappointing not to get to finish the season with Bobby’s team, but this was a business decision that was out of our control,” Rose said. ”My sponsor left and Bobby said he couldn’t continue to run the truck without it.” Rose said he expects to land at least a part-time ride with a team owned by Rick Ware and based in Thomasville, NC. Hamilton drove the #4 Dodge at Indianapolis Raceway Park last Friday night and his son, Bobby Jr., will drive the truck in Saturday’s race at Nashville Superspeedway. Team spokesman David Pepper explained why the Hamiltons are able to keep driving the truck while Rose can’t: ”When we got to Indy last week we learned that Brian’s sponsor had left,” Pepper said. ”Square D, which sponsors Bobby’s Winston Cup car, stepped up and offered to sponsor the truck for that race, provided Bobby drove it. ‘This week we have Square D back, along with an associate sponsor, for Bobby Jr. After that we don’t know whether the #4 truck will run any more or not.”(Tennessean)(8-6-2002)
    UPDATE 3: Brian Rose will team up with Ware Racing for Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 200 at the Nashville Superspeedway. “I’ll be driving the #51 Dodge Ram, so it will be sort of a return to my Truck Series roots,” said Rose, who drove the first thirteen races of this season in the #4 Dodge of Bobby Hamilton Racing. Ken Glen, Rose’s crew chief last year in the #51 of Ware Racing, will once again be calling the shots in the pits. Negotiations are underway for the remainder of the 2002 season, but no firm plans are made as of yet. “Right now we’re excited about Nashville and putting Brian as close to the front as we can,” said team owner Rick Ware. “We’ve watched Brian continue to mature as a driver throughout this season, and know he’s capable of capturing his first victory very soon.” Rose is continuing to seek sponsorship for the remained of this season, and for next year as well. “We have a great product which will generate tremendous exposure for a sponsor,” said Rose. “We’re willing to work on a race-by-race basis, or get the ball rolling on a comprehensive media plan which will span the next few years. This is NASCAR, after all. There’s no better vehicle for increasing market penetration for a sponsor than what we have right here.”(PR)(8-6-2002)
  • Cook wins race at IRP: #29-Terry Cook dominated Friday’s Power Stroke Diesel 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park, leading 189 laps and winning the Truck series race by more than a second. Cook, who started on the pole in his Ford, won for the second time in three races and posted a season-high fourth victory. He last won at Loudon on July 20. He led the first 89 laps, then passed #33-Andy Petree, who led 11 laps after not pitting during a caution. Cook regained the lead on Lap 101 and led the rest of the way. #2-Jason Leffler finished second in a Dodge, marking a series-record fifth runner-up finish without a victory. #60-Travis Kvapil avoided a multitruck, last-lap accident to take third in a Chevrolet. #52-Mike Wallace was fourth in a Chevrolet, and #18-Robert Pressley was fifth in a Dodge. Points leader #16-Mike Bliss was running fifth on the last lap when he ran up on a lapped truck, precipitating a five-truck melee that dropped him to 15th place. Three-time Winston Cup champion #17-Darrell Waltrip stepped out of the broadcast booth to make a rare appearance in this series. He avoided the crash to move up to sixth, much to the delight of the crowd. See results at ThatsRacin.com.(8-2-2002)
  • Cook wins pole at IRP: #29-Terry Cook won the pole at IRP with a speed of 108.549mph. #2-Jason Leffler will start 2nd at 108.240, followed by #16-Mike Bliss at 108.074; #18-Robert Pressley at 107.980; and (a nice surprise) #63-Carl Edwards at 107.650.
    See lineup at MotorsportsOne or NASCAR.com.(8-2-2002)
  • the #18 picks up another sponsor: Bobby Hamilton Racing has announced the signing of Dickies work clothes as the sponsor of its #18 Dodge in the CTS for the remainder of this season and 2003. The Dickies Square D Dodge driven by Robert Pressley is scheduled to make its first run today in the Power Stroke Diesel 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Dickies work pants, shirts and jackets also will become the official clothing for Hamilton’s #18, 4 and 8 teams.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(8-2-2002)
  • Chaffin to run Nashville for Kirby: BGN driver, Chad Chaffin, will trade in his stock car on August 10, 2002 to drive in the CTS race event at the Nashville Superspeedway. Chaffin will pilot the #87 Ford, owned by his father Neil Chaffin. Not only will Chaffin compete in the Federated Auto Parts 200 Truck race at the 1.33-mile concrete superspeedway, he plans to donate all winnings to the Andy Kirby Children’s Fund, a cause very close to Chaffin’s heart. “I was so devastated when I learned the news that Andy had been killed in the motorcycle accident recently and wanted to reach out and try to bring a bit of comfort to his grieving family. Andy left behind a wife and three children and many people in the racing community decided we need to rally together and help this family in their time of need,” said Chaffin. Chaffin continued, “At first I thought maybe this was too private of an issue, but then I realized that I could gain exposure which would parlay into more funds for the kids. I’m in the unique position to use my race truck to solicit money. The individual sponsors who’ve committed to this wonderful project are Town & Country Ford and Mapco Express. We also have two major sponsors aboard, Ed Rensi, the owner of the #25 Team Marines Busch car and Ted Moates, former CEO of Logan’s Roadhouse and an associate with Brewco Motorsports. I cannot thank the Nashville Superspeedway enough for all they’re doing to help us bring this project to a successful fruition. They’ve agreed to set up a tent for donations to be dropped off, plus publicizing it on their website and word of mouth. We could not be happier with their involvement. It just shows how we’re all a big family in NASCAR and the tracks are our homes away from home,” stated Chaffin. Chaffin added, “We also have to thank all the volunteers who’ve donated their time and efforts to make this project a success. They’ve supplied moral support, food, time and energy. It’s amazing how the racing community wants to help in this time of need. Andy Kirby and I were friends and competitors and between the years of 1993-97 Andy and I won 5 track championships at the old Nashville Speedway USA. I cannot think of a better way to honor my friend than to honor his children and family.” Fans are encouraged to stop by the Andy Kirby booth near the entrance of the grandstands at the Nashville Superspeedway to donate money and show their support for this charitable cause. Or fans can send donations to the following address: Kirby Children’s Fund, C/O Cumberland Bank, PO Box 626, White House, TN. 37188(PR)(8-1-2002)
  • Ruttman to drive for Petty: NASCAR veteran Joe Ruttman, who raced for the Truck Series championship just a year ago in a Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge, will drive a truck for Richard Petty on Aug. 10 at Nashville.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(8-1-2002)
  • The #15 team splits: CTS team owners Billy Ballew and Preston Countryman have split their respective operations, and the #15 CTS team will continue operation as Billy Ballew Motorsports. The team had been operating as Countryman Ballew Racing, a trade name for Countryman Motorsports. The original agreement between the two owners called for Countryman to provide the funding and Ballew the equipment and personnel for the NCTS effort. As a result of the split, Billy Ballew Motorsports will not retain the Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. and the Dickies brand of workwear as a sponsor despite the team’s efforts to provide a motorsports marketing program for the company. “The bottom line is that Countryman Motorsports ran out of the Dickies sponsorship money five races ago and I have been funding this Dickies program out of my own pocket since that time,” said Ballew. “Neither Billy Ballew Motorsports nor I have any agreement or obligation to the Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. We made a valiant effort to retain Dickies as our sponsor, but they elected to go in another direction. That’s despite the fact that we gave them five races for free and moved from 23rd to 14th in points during that time. This is the third time I have assisted that sponsor and lost money doing it. They continue to sign agreements with owners who do not have the necessary equipment to compete in this series and I have provided equipment and personnel in each case.” Despite the split, Billy Ballew Motorsports team will compete at IRP with driver Mark Gibson behind the wheel of the No. 15 Ford F-150. Billy Ballew Motorsports, located in Mooresville, NC, is currently looking for sponsorship assistance. Interested parties should contact Billy Ballew at 404-202-8800 or Emmett Byrd at 704-664-7015.(PR)(8-1-2002)
  • Ultra Motorsports to have a BGN team in 2003? Ultra/Evernham Motorsports co-owner Jim Smith says he could field a Dodge team in the Busch Series next year. Speculation has Jason Leffler, who drives for Smith in the Craftsman Truck Series, being the team’s driver. Smith hopes he’d also still have a presence in the truck series, but said nothing is certain.(Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to read online)(8-1-2002)

Born On Date: September 5, 2002

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