December 2005 Busch Series Archive

 

  • News regarding Shane Hmiel’s suspension can be found on the Hmiel Suspension page.
  • Yellow Transportation Prepares for 2006: As preparations for the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season amplify, team and driver discussions continue to circulate throughout the racing community. In effort to solidify our presence in the sport, Yellow Transportation is busy preparing for its eighth year of team sponsorship. As previously stated, their dedication to the continued success of our racing program is unyielding and an official announcement regarding their 2006 race team partner will be made public in the New Year.(Yellow PR), no word on the new team, but supposedly Yellow will NOT be back with the #1 Phoenix Racing team or new driver Jason Keller.(12-30-2005)
  • Mexican Busch Team? UPDATE: Keep hearing that Mexico City pole winner Jorge Goeters and his older brother Eduardo will run a partial schedule next season with a new Busch team owned by Mexican tv host and comedian Adal Ramones. The team will field Dodges and be based in Mooresville, NC. An official announcement is supposed to take place this weekend in Mexico City. (BGNRacing.com)(12-5-2005)
    UPDATE: The introduction of Latin American Racing to the Hispanic market hit the ground running with positive reviews this past Friday evening. Jorge Goeters, driver, along with Adal Ramones, part owner, have teamed up to compete in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season. Latin American Racing has aligned themselves with Akins Motorsports for technical support and affiliation with the #38 Great Clips Dodge. The unveiling took place in Mexico City, Mexico and had an attendance of over seventy five local and national media. The team was introduced and answered questions concerning Latin American Racing’s outlook for 2006. The unveiling of the car took place outside the auditorium on the indoor race track. The car was then started to the applause of the media, and that moment Latin American Racing was born and the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season was quickly approaching. The partnership of Adal Ramones with Jorge Goeters brings the Latin American community full speed ahead into the NASCAR market where the need for diversity remains.(Latin American Racing PR)(12-30-2005)
  • Yates to Sign Diercks: Davenport [Iowa] racer Justin Diercks has rounded a big turn in his bid to catch a Nextel Cup ride. The two-time defending NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Midwest point series champion, Diercks will sign a contract with Robert Yates Racing in the coming days, Yates team general manager Eddie D’Hondt said Thursday. The Yates team has three Nextel Cup cars, but D’Hondt said Diercks likely would spend the coming year driving on the ARCA circuit, the equivalent of Double-A baseball. D’Hondt said Diercks also could earn some starts in the Triple-A Busch Cup series, which is raced at NASCAR tracks in conjunction with Nextel Cup events.(Quad-City Times)(12-23-2005)
  • Full-time Ride for Carl Long?: Carl Long is in the process of working out a deal to run the full NASCAR Busch Series schedule in 2006. Plans are projected to be announced on January 1st.(Carl-Long.com)(12-22-2005)
  • Kluever #06 sponsor? UPDATE: hearing 3M will be the sponsor of the #06 Roush Racing Ford Todd Kluever will drive in the Busch Series in 2006. AAA will be an associate of some sort.(12-8-2005)
    UPDATE: 3M Company and Roush Racing announced today that 3M will be the primary sponsor for the #06 Ford Fusion entry driven by Todd Kluever in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series. The season-opening February 18th race at Daytona International Speedway will mark the Busch Series debut for Kluever, the new #06 team under the leadership of crew chief Mike Kelley, and 3M. In addition, 3M will be the primary sponsor for Todd Kluever’s six planned Nextel Cup races in the #06 Ford. The company will also be an associate sponsor of Mark Martin’s #6 AAA car for the entire 2006 season.(Roush PR)(12-20-2005)
  • Rensi Promotes Winchester: Team Rensi Motorsports President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Rensi announced the promotion of Rob Winchester to Vice President of Administration for Team Rensi Motorsports. Winchester, 43, has been a key part of Team Rensi Motorsports since his hiring in 2003. Winchester, joined Team Rensi Motorsports following a 23 year career in the United States Marine Corps. One of his duties with the USMC involved management of the Team Marines NASCAR Racing Program. In his new position, the Tallahassee, FL native will oversee all areas of Administration for the two-car NASCAR Busch Series operation owned by Ed Reni, Sam Rensi and Gary Weisbaum.(Rensi PR)(12-20-2005)
  • Paul Tracy to race in Busch Series in 2006: UPDATE Paul Tracy will make the jump to the NASCAR Busch Series in selected races in 2006. Tracy, who was in Daytona testing an ARCA car for Andy HIllenburg, told MRN Radio’s “NASCAR Today” that he will run a second Busch car for Biagi Brothers [#4 team with Mark Green driving] racing next year. “I will be doing the 24 hours again and trying to get some experience in stock cars and make the transition into stock cars in the future. Andy Hillenburg, who I am driving for here, has been really helpful with trying to help me out make the transition. We’ve got a deal 99% done to run 4 or 5 Busch Series racing for Fred Biagi. We’ve got a sponsor package put together to run a second car. Really my timetable is to be up and running by 2007… maybe run 10 or 11 races and a Cup race or 2 next year.” MRN Radio’s “NASCAR Today” can be heard on 505 radio stations and XM Satellite Radio.(MRN’s NASCAR Today)(12-17-2005)
    UPDATE: ChampCar driver, Paul Tracy, has achieved tremendous success at every level of his racing career. On Friday, the 2003 ChampCar Series champion descended on Daytona International Speedway hoping that his past racing success would translate into success at his first stock car test at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. Tracy is close to securing a deal to run a limited number of NASCAR Busch Series events with Biagi Bros. Racing as a teammate to Mark Green and the #4 GEICO Dodge. The events will coordinate with his ChampCar Schedule and his commitment to Forsythe Racing. In 2006, Paul will return to the ChampCar Series, but hopes to be running full-time in NASCAR in 2007. “My game plan was to make the transition in ’06, but it really didn’t come together,” said Tracy. “I’ve made another year commitment to Forsythe Racing. Jerry Forsythe has been gracious enough to let me do whatever I want to do and to try whatever I want to try. My timetable is to be in NASCAR full-time in 2007.”(Paul Tracy PR)(12-19-2005)
  • Lepage looking for a part time Busch gig: UPDATE2: Kevin Lepage, driver of the #66 Ford in the Nextel Cup series is looking for a part-time Busch Series ride in 2006.(12-8-2005)
    UPDATE: Kevin Lepage has posted on his website message board that he will drive for Mac Hill Motorsports in the Busch Series in 2006. They will test at Daytona and Vegas to get ready for these races as well racing in Bristol. The #56 team is looking to run between 10 to 20 races but needs sponsorship. (Kevin Lepage fan page)(12-19-2005)
    UPDATE 2: Lepage’s deal is currently only for the 3 races mentioned. He will run more races if sponsorship is secured.(12-19-2005)
  • Kyle Busch to run full season in Busch Series: UPDATE: Several drivers including Carl Edwards and Reed Sorenson plan to race full-time on both tours next year and Busch had been rumored to be doing the same thing. He confirmed to us that was true and he wouldn’t be able to make a return appearance to Oxford this year. (SeaCoastOnline.com)(12-19-2005)
    UPDATE Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports today announced that Kyle Busch is scheduled to drive the #5 Lowe’s Chevrolet in every NASCAR Busch Series race in 2006.(Hendrick PR)(12-19-2005)
  • Busch North Series Gets a New Name; Santerre to Quit Racing: Andy Santerre was honored with his fourth consecutive NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series championship trophy and NASCAR champion’s ring Saturday night during the series’ annual awards banquet at the Mohegan Sun Resort. In his acceptance, he stated that he will not seek to extend the streak in 2006 as he concentrates on his managerial responsibilities for the championship-winning Grizco Racing team. During the evening it was also announced that the series will change its name to “NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series”, reflecting the planned expansion of the series’ geographic boundaries, which has taken place in recent years and is expected to continue in 2006 and future seasons.(NASCAR PR)(12-19-2005)
  • Rusty Gets #66 Back?: Have just heard that Rusty Wallace stated during his annual cruise that RWI has gotten the #66 back [for 2006].(64car.com via BGNRacing.com)(12-18-2005)
  • Lamar Tests at VIR: Burney Lamar and the #77 Dollar General team tested for two days at Virginia International Raceway to prepare for the upcoming 2006 Busch Series season. Lamar will compete in his first Busch Series road course event in Mexico City held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this spring, along with KHI teammate Ron Fellows in the #33 entry.(KHI PR)(12-17-2005)
  • AirPlus Re-Ups with ppc: ppc Racing officials announced today that Airplus Footcare has extended its associate sponsorship of the #22 AutoZone race team and driver Kenny Wallace through the 2006 season. The Airplus Footcare logos will continue to be featured on the deck lid of the #22 AutoZone Ford Fusion.(ppc PR)(12-16-2005)
  • Rice Leaves ST Motorsports: In a statement released today by Wood Bros./JTG Racing. Chris Rice, Crew Chief of The Kingsford Charcoal #59 Ford, driven by Stacy Compton in the NASCAR Busch Series, has stepped down to persue other opportunities. The position has not been filled at this time.(Wood Bros./JTG Racing PR)(12-16-2005)
  • Daytona Preseason Testing and Fan Fest: NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest, which will coincide with January’s NASCAR Busch Series testing sessions at the “World Center of Racing,” will be held on January 21. The Fan Fest events, which include fan forums, bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations and displays, start at 5 p.m. but fans will be able to enter the NEXTEL FANZONE beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action. Admissions for the Busch Fan Fest is $15. Fans can watch all of the January testing sessions free from the Oldfield Grandstands located just outside of DAYTONA USA. Busch Series testing is scheduled for January 20-22 (all cars).(Daytona Speedway PR)(12-13-2005)
  • Freedom Road RVs to Sponsor ppc / Andretti: With their eyes on a championship, FreedomRoads, along with partner Camping World, are happy to announce their sponsorship of the #10 ppc Racing Ford for 28 NASCAR Busch Series races in 2006. The 2006 season marks FreedomRoads and Camping World’s first full-time Motorsports endeavor. With camping at the racetrack becoming more and more popular, FreedomRoads and Camping World see this sponsorship as a way to reach their customers on common ground. Veteran driver John Andretti and experienced ppc Racing crew chief, Rick Gay, were selected to lead the #10 team. Andretti has amassed wins in nearly every competitive racing series and plans to add a Busch series win in 2006 to his list of accomplishments. (ppc Racing PR)(12-13-2005)
  • Scleroderma Foundation Associate Sponsor for ppc: ppc Racing officials announced today that the Scleroderma Foundation will be an associate sponsor on the #22 AutoZone Ford Fusion driven by Kenny Wallace in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series. The Scleroderma Foundation first partnered with ppc Racing earlier this year for the Dover 200 on September 24th at Dover International Speedway. The Scleroderma Foundation’s logo will be located on the #22 AutoZone Ford’s b-pillar for the 2006 season.(ppc Racing PR)(12-12-2005)
  • Wilson Crew Chief at RCR?: UPDATE Hearing former #77 Cup crew chief, Shane Wilson will be a new crew chief for one of Richard Childress Racing’s Busch Series teams.(12-11-2005)
    UPDATE: Being told Wilson will be crew chief on the #21 team (12-12-2005)
  • Coleman to run for Brewco: UPDATE Brewco Motorsports has announced plans to run rookie Brad Coleman in at least 10 ARCA RE/MAX Series races in 2006 beginning with the RE/MAX Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on April 15. Coleman, who turns 18 a few days after the season-opening Daytona ARCA 200 in February, will also compete in a yet-to-be-determined number of Busch races in 2006. Coleman already has an impressive resume competing in karts, open-wheel cars and sports cars including a run in last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. (ARCARacing.com via Catchfence.com)(12-11-2005)
    UPDATE:Brewco Motorsports announced the signing of Brad Coleman to a NASCAR driver development contract for the 2006 season. Coleman, the record setting young driver with stock car, sports car, and open-wheel experience, will pilot a Brewco Motorsports entry in selected NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series races.(Brewco PR)(12-12-2005)
  • Biffle Returning to Brewco in 06: Greg Biffle mentioned at the awards banquet that in addition to his Busch excursions with Roush Racing in 2006 he will also return to Brewco for occasional starts with possible sponsorship from Cub Cadet.(BGNRacing.com)(12-11-2005)
  • Lambert Staying with #56 Team: Mac Hill Motorsports announced today that Crew Chief Tony Lambert has agreed to return for the 2006 season. The veteran crew chief joined Mac Hill Motorsports in July, 2005, led the team through the remainder of the season and is directing it’s off-season preparations.(MacHill PR)(12-8-2005)
  • Waltrip to Fitzbradshaw? UPDATE 3: hearing that Michael Waltrip’s Busch team will be associated with Fitz-Bradshaw Racing with the #40 team in 2006, not sure if he and his drivers would still run #99 and if Aaron’s / State Fair Corn Dogs would still be sponsors. Supposedly Ted Kennedy would be the crew chief. No word what happens to Michael Waltrip Racing, crew chief Butch Hylton or the #00 Nextel Cup team. (12-1-2005)
    UPDATE: FitzBradshaw Racing announced today that it has hired Butch Hylton as crew chief for driver Joel Kauffman and the #12 Supercuts Dodge Charger. (12-1-2005)
    UPDATE 2: Veteran NASCAR crew chief Ted Kennedy announced Friday afternoon that his plans are to continue to serve as the car chief on the #92 Front Row Motorsports NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team for the 2006 season with driver Chad Chaffin despite rumors flowing that Kennedy will join Michael Waltrip Racing in association with FitzBradshaw Racing next year in the NASCAR Busch Series.(Ted Kennedy Enterprises PR/Catchfence)(12-02-2005)
    UPDATE 3: Michael Waltrip Racing has moved its Busch Series equipment into the FitzBradshaw Racing shop and the two teams will partner next year with the #99 car. The car will run the entire season with Waltrip as the main driver and carry sponsorship from Aaron’s and Best Western. FBR sponsors – possibly JaniKing, Cottman Transmissions or Goulds Pumps – will fill out the rest of the schedule. The car will have FBR’s #40 owner points and all three teams will use Evernham engines. Charles “Cully” Barraclough will be the crew chief of the #99 car. MWR will still operate its Hooters Pro Cup teams out of its original shop.(NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing.com)(12-8-2005)
  • Carelli Returns to KHI: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) added two more names to its growing list of talented employees who are helping build a solid foundation at KHI for 2006 and beyond. Stacy Johnson has been hired as Director of Competition and Engineering and Rick Carelli has been named General Manager of KHI’s Truck and Busch Series teams.(KHI PR)(12-7-2005)
  • Blount and ML Motorsports Part Ways: Chad Blount and ML Motorsports have parted ways. Blount ran part of the 2005 season with ML in the ARCA Series, where they collected four wins, before moving to Busch. The team however failed to make the fields in Kansas and Texas. The team confirmed Wednesday that Blount has left the team and that ML is “in the process of interviewing drivers” and that they plan on “running 18 races in the 2006 season.” (BGNRacing.com)(12-7-2005)
  • Lewis & Smith with Marine Recruits UPDATE 2: Ashton Lewis, Regan Smith and members of the Team Rensi Motorsports organzation are spending time this week in Parris Island, SC at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot. The team members are witnessing the basic training of Marines first hand and participating in activities.(12-1-2005)
    UPDATE: A day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island proved more hazardous to NASCAR Busch Series driver Ashton Lewis Jr. than his high-speed day job. Lewis, who drives the #25 Marine Corps-sponsored Ford car, “stepped funny on a line” while touring Parris Island’s confidence course Thursday and was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with an ankle injury, said Louie Louchart, a staff engineer for the team. “Driving 180 mph, not a problem, but walking 2 mph is difficult,” said Regan Smith, who drives the #35 McDonald’s Big Mac Ford, for which the Marine Corps is an associate sponsor. (Beaufort Gazette via BGNRacing.com)(12-2-2005)
    UPDATE 2: If there is such a thing as good timing for an injury, Ashton Lewis, Jr. may have just found it. Within two weeks of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series season finale and nearly three months before the 2006 season opening race, Lewis suffered a broken right talus bone. The injury occurred during a three day visit to Parris Island Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, in Parris Island, SC last week. Lewis was participating in a training activity when his ankle landed on a large rope following a repel down the rope. The result; a broken talus bone and surgery to repair the bone. The surgery was performed on Monday by Dr. Bob Anderson at Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy.(Rensi PR)(12-6-2005)
  • Tim Sauter to the #36 with Lester Buildings: Tim Sauter will drive and Lester Buildings will sponsor a newly-named NASCAR Busch Series stock car racing team beginning with the 2006 season. McGill Motorsports is the new name of DCT Motorsports, the team owned by John and Nancy McGill of Cleveland, Ohio. McGill Motorsports fields the #36 Chevrolet that begins its second full-time season in 2006, following two partial-schedule years.(McGill Motorsports PR)(12-6-2005)
  • Ward leaves ppc Racing? UPDATE: been told the Wes Ward has left ppc Racing’s #22 team and driver Kenny Wallace to work for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s JR Motorsports and the #88 Navy Chevy Mark McFarland will drive in 2006.(11-21-2005)
    UPDATE: With JR Motorsports moving Mark McFarland and their entire USAR Hooters Pro Cup team up to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2006, they were looking for someone to come in and take the reins of the Pro Cup cars without missing a beat. Shane Huffman, the 2003 Hooters Pro Cup champion, comes over after a one year stint with Knight’s Racing. Wes Ward comes over from PPC Racing to take over the crew chief duties for the #32 entry. Most recently Ward was crew chief for the #22 NASCAR Busch Series ride for Kenny Wallace. Ward brings an extensive Busch Series resume and that should transfer easily to the Pro Cup cars.(JR Motorsports PR)(12-6-2005)
  • Viers Leaves RCR: Rick Viers, winning crew chief for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and driver Kevin Harvick has parted ways with RCR effective immediately. Viers, who has a record of eight wins and four poles over his career is looking forward to pursuing new opportunities. “I’ve had a long great relationship with Richard and the folks at RCR. I had the opportunity to work with one of the best drivers of all time, Dale Earnhardt and to crew chief and win races with one of the promising stars, Kevin Harvick, but it was time to move on. Viers is pursuing new crew chief opportunities in the Busch and Cup Series.(Viers PR)(12-6-2005)
  • Randy Cox new Crew Chief at ppc: UPDATE: Kenny Wallace and ppc Racing have a new crew chief already at the helm for 2006. Randy Cox has come on board and is already logging hours at the race shop as crew chief for the #22 AutoZone Ford. “I could not turn my head on his resume,’ says Kenny. “Three years at DEI, then moving to Ganassi Racing to help bring along Stremme. Randy is already working in the shop.” (KennyWallace.com) (11-29-2005)
    UPDATE: ppc Racing officials announced today that they have assembled a team of veteran crew chiefs to lead ppc Racing into 2006. Randy Cox and Ricky Gay have been selected to lead the #22 AutoZone Ford and #10 FreedomRoads Ford race teams in the NASCAR Busch Series.(ppc PR)(12-5-2005)

    NOTE past news archived, see below the RACE NEWS section:

    BANQUET STUFF


  • 2005 Busch Series Banquet: will be held on Fri., Dec. 9 at the Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, TV-TNT 12/14 at 12:00am/et.
  • Martin Truex Jr. Collects Record $3 Million in Final 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Payout – Series record 17 drivers exceed $1 million DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2005) – Martin Truex Jr., the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series driver champion, will receive a series single-season record payout of $3,123,692. Truex collected over $1.5 million in race winnings ($1,596,404) as well as his share of the series point fund ($1,433,288). The series’ $7.1 million point fund includes a record $3.7 million contribution from series sponsor Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to the NASCAR Busch Series will increase again for the 2006 season, exceeding $4 million. Truex is the first driver in the 24-year history of the series to total over $3 million, and bettered the previous single-season winnings mark he set last year ($2,537,171). In 84 career series starts, Truex has totaled $5,907,470, the most for a driver with so few starts and seventh all-time. The balance of Truex’s total – $114,000 – comes via various contingency awards which include: the Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award ($20,000), the Goody’s Headache Powder Award ($5,000), the Goodyear Tire Award ($20,000), the Mobil 1 Command Performance Award ($20,000), the MBNA Mid-Race Leader Award ($16,500), the Sunoco Diamond Performance Award ($12,500) and the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award ($20,000).
    In addition to Truex’s record mark in 2005:
    * Series runner-up Clint Bowyer nearly joined Truex in the $3 million club, earning $2,831,236, a record amount for second place.
    * A series record 17 drivers exceeded $1 million in winnings this year, including a record three Raybestos Rookies (Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin and Reed Sorenson).
    * Jason Keller’s total payout of $1,074,447 builds on his title as the NASCAR Busch Series’ all-time leading money winner with a career total of $10,470,071. He is the first driver in series history to surpass $9 and now $10 million.
    * The series’ largest-ever purse was paid at Daytona last February – $2,412,152. (NASCAR PR)(12-10-05)
  • Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week – Day 3: Following two days of whirlwind media opportunities in the Tampa Bay area by himself as the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series champion, Martin Truex Jr. as joined by his fellow members of the series’ Top 10 in Orlando for more media interviews today. Despite a gloomy rain that canceled a scheduled media vs. driver miniature golf competition at Fantasia Gardens on the grounds of Walt Disney World’s famed EPCOT Center, the drivers and NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash were greeted by members of the national and local media representing national and local print, broadcast and internet outlets. Clint Bowyer and Reed Sorenson, who finished second and fourth, respectively in the points standings, began the day with a morning show appearance on the local NBC affiliate. Bowyer, Sorenson and David Green then participated in call-ins to radio outlets across the country that included the Martinsville, Texas, Kansas City, Cincinnati and St. Louis markets. “Every driver that doesn’t have an opportunity to be a part of the Top 10, to see what he’s missing out on, events like this should make them work even harder,” said Green, the 1994 NASCAR Busch Series champion, who finished eighth in the standings. “The banquet and the activities surrounding it give us an opportunity to reflect on the season, its highs and lows,” he said. “This gives us the chance to say thanks to Anheuser-Busch and NASCAR, as well as all of our sponsors, for allowing us to do what we love to do.” Paul Menard, who joined Bowyer, Sorenson and Denny Hamlin as first-time Top-10 members, agreed with Green. “This is a great experience,” he said. “It’s a perfect way to celebrate a great season.” Tonight, Truex will join members of his Chance 2 Motorsports team, including car owner Teresa Earnhardt and crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion, at a champion’s dinner with NASCAR executives at Luma on Park in Winter Park. Also tonight, Carl Edwards will travel to Tampa to take part in the pre-game festivities for the Tampa Bay Lightning – St. Louis Blues hockey game. Edwards will be wearing a #60 Lightning jersey as he starts the game with the team’s trademark “Let’s play hockey” call. Edwards, the NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year who finished third in the points standings, could be torn – he’s a native of Columbia, Mo., while his hosts are the defending Stanley Cup champions. Additionally this evening, there will be a comedy show featuring Alex Reymundo, one of the Latin kings of comedy. The show will take place in the Venetian Ballroom in the Portofino Bay Hotel. The NASCAR Busch Series champion’s week activities culminate tomorrow with the annual Awards Ceremony, also at the Portofino. The event will be held in the Tuscan Ballroom beginning at 7:00 p.m. (NASCAR PR)(12-08-2005)
  • Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week – Day 2: It was an early beginning for 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Champion Martin Truex Jr. (#8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Chevrolet) during the first full day of his media activities during NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week. Truex’s schedule actually began on Tuesday when he arrived in Tampa – the nation’s second-largest NASCAR Busch Series television market in 2005 – to visit two of the Bay area’s media outlets, including a live 11 p.m. sports program in advance of the start of today’s full schedule. Truex kicked off his day in Tampa with an appearance on one of the area’s top morning television shows, then was interviewed in-studio at four of the Bay area’s top radio outlets, including the nationally-syndicated FOX sports radio network show, Race Day on FOX, which reaches over 150 stations throughout the county. Following his busy morning, Truex met with more of the Tampa Bay and national media at the Rock ‘N Sports Bar and Grill, a popular restaurant in the historic Ybor City section of Tampa. Over 20 print, broadcast, radio and internet media were on hand to speak with Truex, who this season became the sixth driver in NASCAR Busch Series history to win consecutive championships. “Tampa is one of the biggest markets for the NASCAR Busch Series, so it’s always great to come to this city and visit with the media,” he said during his morning show appearance. “I’m living the dream. This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said during a radio interview when asked about his two titles in the NASCAR Busch Series and his move in 2006 to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Truex will team with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the premier series next season; Earnhardt co-owns Truex’s Chance 2 Motorsports team with his stepmother, Teresa, and the team also claimed its second consecutive owner’s championship this year. Truex shared some of his off-season plans as well. “I did some fishing after the Homestead race. I’ll be going home (Mayetta, N.J.) for Christmas. Then I’ll spend a week in Colorado,” he said. Truex departed for Orlando, the next – and final stop – on his Champion’s Week tour. He will be joined by other members of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 on Thursday for another round of media interviews in the morning before heading to Fantasia Gardens at Disney World for a media event in the afternoon. The week culminates on Friday night with the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Awards Ceremony at the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando. (NASCAR PR)(12-07-2005)
  • Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week – Day 1 During his first NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week media activities at this time last year, Martin Truex Jr. was asked how he was enjoying the experience. It was fine, he said, adding that he felt he was quite accomplished at the interview process thanks to three straight days worth of questions from the Tampa and Orlando press. Those two markets ranked second and sixth, respectively, this season among the nation’s top 10 NASCAR Busch Series broadcast markets. Now, as the two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion, Truex can take that familiarity and experience with the Champion’s Week schedule and combine it with the excitement of being crowned once again. On Friday night, Dec. 9, the week culminates with the NASCAR Busch Series Awards Ceremony at the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando. Truex is one of only five drivers to win consecutive NASCAR Busch Series championships; only six have won multiple titles in the 24-year history of the series. The last driver to accomplish the feat was his Chance 2 Motorsports co-owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., in 1998-99. Truex’s rewards as champion have actually already begun. He ventured to New York City last Thursday where he joined 2005 NASCAR champions from the other two national series – including NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave – along with NASCAR’s Dodge Weekly Series and regional touring series titlists, for the annual champion’s photo shoot. The group gathered for the shot at Cipriani, the only time during the year when all NASCAR champions are brought together. The champions were treated to dinner with NASCAR executives and various New York and other national media members in the Empire Room at the Waldorf-Astoria, and finished off their New York experience at the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Awards Ceremony last Friday. But this week belongs to Truex and the other members of the NASCAR Busch Series top 10. The champion kicks off the events – as have the last two series champions before Truex’s first title last year – in Tampa tonight with select media appearances including a live shot on Bay News 9 at 11 p.m.
    Fast Facts
    Where: Tuscan Ballroom, The Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, Fla.
    When: 7-10:30 p.m. (ET). Friday, Dec. 9.
    TV: TNT, Midnight. (ET) Tuesday, Dec. 13.
    Raybestos Rookie of the Year: Carl Edwards.
    Emcee: Allen Bestwick.
    Special Guest: Benny Parsons.
    Comedian: Richard Jeni.
    Musical Entertainment: Lisa Maria Presley. (NASCAR PR)(12-07-2005)
  • New Procedure for Determining Race Line-Ups: NASCAR has adopted a new procedure for establishing the starting race fields in the NASCAR Busch Series that will go into effect this season, NASCAR officials announced today. NASCAR has changed the system by simplifying the procedure with teams no longer accruing provisionals throughout the season to gain entry into the starting fields. While starting positions one through 42 in the NASCAR Busch Series still will be determined by qualifying speed, the new system will assure the highest-ranked 30 positions of the NASCAR Busch Series owner championship points that have entered the event prior to the entry deadline one of those starting positions in the field, providing they have made an attempt to qualify. The remaining 12 positions will be assigned to those drivers with the fastest qualifying speeds whose car owners are not among the top 30. The final starting position – the champion’s provisional – can be utilized by a car owner whose driver is a current or past NASCAR Busch Series champion who participated as a driver during their 2004 season and was entered in the event for that owner in that car prior to the entry deadline. If there is more than one series champion vying for the position, it will be given to the most recent series champion. If the final provisional starting position – 43rd in the NASCAR Busch Series – is not filled by a current or past series champion, it will be assigned to the next eligible car owner according to qualifying results. Through the first five races of the season for the NASCAR Busch Series, the top 30 of the 2004 owner championship points entered in the event prior to the entry deadline will be assured one of the 42 starting positions in the field, provided they have made an attempt to qualify. In addition, the owner’s entry must have made an attempt to qualify in all 34 events in 2004 to be eligible for one of those 30 positions. From the sixth race on, the highest-ranked 30 positions of the current owner championship points will be assured one of those positions as long as their entry has made an attempt to qualify in the previous 2005 events up to that point. In the event that conditions prevent qualifying from being run, starting positions will be assigned according to the respective series’ 2005 Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)(1-13-2005)