New BGN team: Taylor Motorsports will enter Hal Goodson in four BGN events in preparation for a full schedule in 2002. Goodson joined Taylor Motorsports in July 2000, scoring two victories, five top-five and seven top-10 finishes, along with four pole positions while competing in only 13 USAR ProCup Series events. Taylor Motorsports’ assault on the BGN begins May 4 at Richmond. Goodson will also compete in BGN races at Bristol(Aug 24); Richmond(Sept 7); and Homestead-Miami(Nov 10)(iMAGE 500 PR)(2-26-2001)
ST Motorsports to run an ASA Team: Purdue University and the Big Ten Conference released their plans to serve as primary sponsor on the ST Motorsports entry driven by Purdue graduate Brian Moates for the 2001 ASA ACDelco Series racing season. ST Motorsports, owned by Tad Geschickter, currently fields the number 59 Kingsford Charcoal Chevy driveny by Rich Bickle in the BGN. Bickle and crew chief Phil Hammer have had past success together in ASA and should prove to be a good source of knowledge for the new ASA team(ASA Site)(2-26-2001)
Newman Slugged? hearing that after an incident in the BGN race at Rockingham that #38-Elton Sawyer got out of his car yesterday and tried to throw a few punches at #02-Ryan Newman, while he was still in the car. Supposedly Jeff Green, Tim Fedewa and a few others had a few choice words for Newman. Busch officials stepped in and broke it up(2-26-2001)
Skinner in trouble again: from a story in the Courier-Tribune(Randolph, NC) – With a list in hand naming 57 people who allegedly sold drugs to undercover agents – sometimes following tips from citizens – the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office began “Operation Spring Cleaning” at 2 p.m. Friday to get street-level dealers off the street. Every law enforcement agency in the county participated in the “cleaning,” as officers spread out all over the county to make arrests involving 115 charges. By Friday evening, Stockner said that about half the alleged dealers were in Randolph County Jail. One of the persons mentioned in the story: Michael James Skinner, 23, 574 Country Acres Road, Randleman, simple possession of Ketamine, $500 unsecured bond. Michael James Skinner, also known as Jamie, is Winston Cup driver Mike Skinner’s son and ran some races in the BGN in the past. See the past news on Skinner’s last arrest on my #31 Team News and Links page(2-26-2001)
Bodine Wins at the Rock: see That’s Racin’ for the Story and the Results(2-25-2001)
BGN at the Rock – Biffle on the pole: Busch Series rookies #60-Greg Biffle and #02-Ryan Newman swept the front row in qualifying Friday at North Carolina Speedway. Biffle’s speed was 156.368mph followed by Newman at 155.511. #00-Todd Bodine was third at 154.618, followed by #48-Kenny Wallace at 154.195 and the #10-Ford of defending series champion Jeff Green at 154.123(CBS)(2-23-2001)
Another Rudd UPDATE 2 at the Rock: Sponsorship Motorsports, Inc. was founded on the principle of keeping fans in racing. Sponsorship Motorsports has selected two young drivers to start our season for 2001. Their Late Model driver Woody Howard, and their Late Model and Busch driver Jason Rudd. Their 2001 season will be Late Model racing at Langley Speedway and Southampton Motor Speedway(VA) with in-between races at other tracks. The team plans a Busch effort of 2-3 races for 2001 at Richmond International or similar tracks. Plans are to compete full time in BGN with Rudd and limited(2) Winston Cup starts for Jason, and a full Late Model schedule and 4-5 Busch races for Howard, with a new driver coming in their Late Model program. In 2003 the team plans to jump to Winston Cup with Rudd as the driver with Jason with continued involvement in Late Model and full Busch series(Sponsorship Motorsports)(1-9-2001) UPDATE: just opened, the Official Jason Rudd Site(2-17-2001) UPDATE 2: Jason Rudd has been asked by Jimmy Means to drive a his backup car at Rockingham this Saturday to gain some experience on a one mile track. NASCAR has accepted his entry and Jason will be driving #52 which was his grandfather’s number. Historical note: Jason’s uncle, Ricky Rudd, drove his first race for Bill Champion at Rockingham(Jason Rudd Site)(2-23-2001)
#37 Rocks On: Legendary rock group Aerosmith will promote its new single “Just Push Play” and an upcoming album of the same name through an associate sponsorship of Brewco Motorsports driver Jamie McMurray. Aerosmith will be featured on McMurray’s car at selected events this year. The deal began at Daytona. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora will also be associate sponsors of Brewco Motorsports this season. Aerosmith band member and songwriter Richie Supa, who’s working on a soundtrack for Turner Network’s NASCAR broadcasts, joined McMurray’s team as an honorary crew member at Daytona(Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to read)(2-22-2001)
#00 to Honor MRO: Buckshot Racing will run a special paint scheme on its #00 BGN car at Rockingham to thank Motor Racing Outreach for its contributions to the racing community in light of Sunday’s tragic accident at Daytona International Speedway(That’s Racin’)(2-21-2001)
LaJoie Wins: #7-Randy LaJoie won the NAPA 300 at Daytona, his 3rd. See the results/story at SpeedVision(2-17-2001)
Bodine, Todd that is….news UPDATE 2: hearing Todd Bodine will drive the #00 BGN car at the BGN race in Daytona and may drive other races for the team but that has yet to be determined. No sponsor has been named yet(1-20-2001) UPDATE: Todd Bodine will drive for the #00 Buckshot Racing Team in the NAPA Auto Parts 300 at Daytona on Feb. 17, backed up by last year’s Daytona Busch winning crew chief Gary Cogswell. Cogswell, who joined the Buckshot Racing Team in mid-2000, said he believes the team has a very good chance of putting him in the winner’s circle again at Daytona. The Buckshot Racing #00 Pontiac will run unsponsored at Daytona.(in part from a Buckshot Racing PR)(2-12-2001) UPDATE: Buckshot Racing announced Friday that it will run a 10-race schedule on the BGN circuit this season, and that Todd Bodine will be the driver(Anniston Star)(2-17-2001)
Ruttman helps out: CTS driver, Joe Ruttman was pressed into emergency duty in the BGN garage by his car(truck) owner, Bobby Hamilton. Ruttman was needed to drive the #08 Diet Dr Pepper Chevy of Bobby Hamilton in the BGN Happy Hour practice Friday. Hamilton had not been feeling well, so Hamilton wanted to just make sure that if he got up on Saturday and didn’t feel good, that it would make Ruttman eligible to start the race.(Anniston Star)(2-17-2001)
Wimmer gets a short term sponsor: #23-Scott Wimmer and the Bill Davis Racing team landed a sponsor for the first seven races of the year, cleaning franchise operator Jani-King. The team is still looking for long-term primary sponsorship(That’s Racin’)(2-17-2001)
#20 Sponsor for Daytona: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that, Worldvision, an international Christian relief and development organization that works to prevent the well being of all people, will appear on the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac Saturday in the NAPA 300. Joe Gibbs Racing selected Worldvision as a philanthropic effort to help provide relief and support to recent earthquake victims as well as long-term aid to the world’s most needy. Veteran Mike McLaughlin will start the Worldvision Pontiac from the 16th position. Joe Gibbs Racing continues to search for a primary sponsor for the # 20 Pontiac for the entire 2001 BGN season(Total Sports Marketing)(2-16-2001)
#55 Picks Up an assoc for Daytona: The #55 MSN Ford driven by Mark Green will carry the logo of Jensen Speakers for the Daytona race on the television panel, which is the panel located on the rear of the car. The logo will feature Jensen with the slogan “If it’s too loud, you’re too old” just below the Jensen name. Jensen Speakers are a product of Recoton Corporation, located in Lake Mary, Florida. For more information on Jensen Audio products, please visit their website at www.jensenaudio.com.(Davis & Weight Motorsports PR)(2-16-2001)
Why Parsons? UPDATE: Phil Parsons subbed in the #74 for Chad Little and powered the #74 car into the field. Parsons ran the car in case they could not get up to speed, then the team could had used a provisional. With Little, the team cannot use a provisional thru the 4th race as Little was higher then 35th in Winston Cup drivers points in 2000. Parsons must start the car Saturday but likely will give way to Little early in the race. Only two drivers missed the race: #38-Christian Elder and #49-Andy Kirby(SpeedVision)(2-15-2001) UPDATE: Little will start the car, falling to the rear of the field before the green flag(2-16-2001)
Nemechek Wins the Pole…in a Pontiac? #87-Joe Nemechek won the pole for the BGN Daytona race with a speed of 186.966mph (quite a bit faster then the Cup pole for the Daytona 500), Nemechek is listed in a Pontiac as is his teammate #7-Randy Lajoie, who qualified 2nd, a full mph behind Nemechek. See the rundown of 1st Round Qualifying at That’s Racin’(2-14-2001)
Tuesday Practice: fastest was #37-Kevin Grubb with a speed of 183.884mph, followed by 35-Lyndon Amick at 183.827. Slowest car was #74-Chad Little at 177.298. 44 Cars practiced. See the results at NASCAR Online(2-14-2001)
#43 News: As part of the previously announced partnership with Quality Farm Stores and the #43 Curb-Agajanian Chevy NASCAR BGN team, Morton Salt has released the six race venues where they will assume primary identity on the racecar: April 28 – California; July 1 – Milwaukee; July 14 – Chicagoland; August 4 – Indianapolis Raceway Park; October 27 – Phoenix; November 10 – Homestead. The races identified are key market areas to Morton Salt’s core business. Morton plans to activate their program with an extensive promotional plan complete with racing merchandise, special edition packaging, and a Morton Salt show car program.(Sport Management PR)(2-14-2001)
44 cars at Daytona: see the Qualifying Order at NASCAR Online, 45 cars listed (no entry list there)(2-13-2001)
Daytona BGN Schedule:
Thursday, February 15:
8:30am Practice Until 9:30am; non-qualified cars only
2:30pm 2nd Round Qualifying; (pos. 26-36)
Friday, February 16:
4:30pm Final Practice (1 hour)
Saturday, February 17:
11:00am Driver / Crew Chief Meeting
12:30pm Driver Introductions
12:30pm Napa 300 Prerace Special on Fox
1:00pm Start of NAPA Auto Parts 300 on Fox(2-13-2001)
#19 News: hearing the #19 Emerald Performance Group Chevy will run at Daytona with driver Mike Bliss sponsored by Motorsports Safety Technology, a specialty paint company(2-13-2001)
#34 Sponsor: Aqua Velva, a household name since its after shave lotion was introduced in 1931, will be serving as primary sponsor of the #34 Cicci-Welliver BGN team driven by David Green for four races in 2001. Aqua Velva will be featured as primary sponsor on the #34 Chevrolet fielded by Cicci-Welliver Racing, one of the oldest and most successful BGN teams in history. Aqua Velva will be featured on the #34 Chevy at Talladega (April 21), Watkins Glen (July 8), Chicagoland (July 15), and Pikes Peak (July 28). The four races selected are geographically positioned to allow JB Williams Company to leverage its NASCAR involvement with the regional Aqua Velva Drivers Wanted Sweepstakes. AFG Glass is slated to sponsor the #34 in the remaining events(Cicci-Welliver Racing PR)(2-12-2001)
All Should Make It? Only 43 BGN teams/cars came through registration at Daytona on Monday morning, raising concerns about the car count this season(SpeedVision). If no others show, all should make the show(2-12-2001)
Jarrett signs to drive ARCA: Damon Corporation, a top ten manufacturer offering a full range of gas and diesel motorhomes, has announced an expanded race program and has been named as “The Official Motorhome of ARCA.” Damon has also partnered with ML Motorsports, owned by Mary Louise Miller, in sponsoring the #67 car that will be driven by Jason Jarrett(Victory Lane)(2-11-2001)
Sadler Buzz: According to Hermie Sadler, he was all set to partner with WWF superstar Dwayne Johnson(The Rock), on a full time Winston Cup operation known as Rock Racing. But WWF owner/president Vince McMahon told Johnson that he wouldn’t allow use of the name or likeness of The Rock character. Thus, the deal was nixed, and Sadler was forced to renege on prior plans to purchase equipment, cars, tools and even personnel from Joe Bessey Motorsports(NOL), see the past rumor/news on that at the #60 Team News and Links page. Being told from sources close to Sadler that he has not been contacted by the #48 BGN team as reported in the Buzz and that he is still looking for a ride(2-9-2001)
ARCA Pole has Cup roots: Kirk Shelmerdine won the pole for the ARCA Series opener at Daytona. The crew chief in four of Dale Earnhardt’s NASCAR championship seasons during his tenure from 1984-92, Shelmerdine has two career ARCA wins and three top-five finishes at Daytona(Speed Magazine)(2-9-2001)
John Deere Back? UPDATE: hearing John Deere could return to NASCAR, as the sponsor for the #74 BACE Motorsports team and driver Chad Little. Little has been sponsored by John Deere since 1995 in either BGN(#23) or CUP(#97)(2-4-2001) UPDATE: the #74 Chevy and Chad Little will carry “Staff America” colors at Daytona, no word on John Deere(2-9-2001)
ARCA Driver Hurt UPDATE: ARCA driver Bill Hoff was taken to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona for observation following a crash on his first lap of testing Wednesday at Daytona in his first ARCA race attempt. Hoff complained of neck and rib pain(Speed Magazine/Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-8-2001) UPDATE: no word on Huff, but he is not listed in the ARCA lineup or as one of the drivers to miss the race(Speed Magazine)(2-9-2001)
Darlington Testing: a few BGN teams tested at Darlington Raceway on February 5th and 6th. Some teams speeds: #27-Jamie McMurray, 169.983mph; #37-Kevin Grubb, 169.106; #18-Jeff Purvis, 168.123(2-8-2001)
New BGN Team UPDATE 2: Owner Sid May, relocating from Michigan to the Charlotte NC area, is forming a new BGN Team, hiring veteran Darrell Bryant, formerly of the #50 Washington-Erving BGN team, as crew chief and team manager. Gus Wasson of Bloomdale, OH is the driver for the team. Wasson started the 2000 season running the #96 Perry Huggins team, but the team closed up when the sponsor left. The team may run a few Cup races. The long term plans are to graduate into Winston Cup. The BGN shop operation will be operated from a former race shop (Washington-Erving) near Lexington, NC. Additional facilities are also being acquired. Sponsorship programs are in place as well as others pursued, but none named in the PR(TEAM S3 PR)(12-10-2000) UPDATE: An early announcement of a full time BGN ride took Gus Wasson out of the running for many driving opportunities. As the 2001 season is about to start, Wasson finds himself without a full time ride and is seeking opportunities. After signing Wasson to a contract early in December to drive for his new BGN team, Sid May’s Team S3 never materialized. Wasson is now looking for a ride in either BGN or CTS(Hufco Pro-Motion PR)(2-4-2001) UPDATE 2: Gus Wasson’s plans to run a full season with car owner Sid May have hit a snag, and no one seems to know what will happen next. There’d been speculation that Team S3 Motorsports had folded, and phone calls to the organization’s shop went unanswered for three days. May himself finally answered Feb. 2, and said the team probably won’t make its debut until Talladega in April. May added that he planned to have Wasson behind the wheel when the team begins competition.(Winston Cup Scene– sub needed)(2-8-2001)
#55 Sponsor – for Daytona: MSN will partner with Mark Green and the #55 Davis & Weight Motorsports Ford for the BGN race at Daytona. The one-race deal will feature MSN as primary sponsor of the #55 Ford for the Daytona race only, and will include a paint scheme sporting the colors and logo of MSN. Mark Green will be given the opportunity to showcase the #55 MSN Ford to the world at Daytona on Saturday, February 17th. The partnership marks the first time MSN has partnered with a team in NASCAR. MSN, a division of Microsoft, provides internet service and tools for computer-users through its website, www.msn.com. Davis & Weight Motorsports still seeks sponsorship for the remainder of the 2001 BGN season following Daytona. The team will run the entire BGN schedule, and looks to partner with established companies for the remaining 32 races(Davis & Weight Motorsports PR/Site), see my BGN Paint Schemes Page for an image of the car(2-7-2001)
#28 News UPDATE 3: hearing that Gary Baker is the owner of the #28 BGN Chevy previosuly owned by Larry Lockamy. The team is planning to run at least 15 BGN races in 2001 with no sponsor and possibly the whole season if they get a sponsor. The driver will be Brad Baker, Gary’s son. Former crew chief of the #28, Dennis Adcock has been promoted to Team Manager and Randy Seals (team engineer/shock specialist) will be the Crew Chief(12-28-2000) UPDATE: Gary Baker, one-time owner of Nashville Speedway and Bristol Speedway, has purchased the LAR Racing team and his son Brad will do the driving, starting with next month’s Busch and ARCA races at Daytona. Baker plans to run at least 15 Busch races and two ARCA races. If sponsorship can be found, he will consider running the full schedule. The team plans to eventually move up to Winston Cup. Brad, 26, has raced at Nashville Speedway in recent years while his and his father mapped their big-league plans. Dennis Adcock, who had been a partner with Larry Lockamy in the LAR Racing team, will work with Baker. It is estimated that $3 million is needed to run a full Busch schedule. Baker said he is prepared to run approximately half the Busch schedule out of his own pocket(Tennessean)(1-5-2001) UPDATE 2: The Vanderbilt University Commodores have entered the Winston Cup Racing Series. The University has agreed to allow Baker Racing to carry the logos and colors into battle on the #28 race team owned by Gary Baker, 1972 alumni of Vanderbilt University. There is a three year plan in place to build Vanderbilt University into the premire university program in motorsports. There is no financial obligation on part of Vanderbilt Universtiy but it stands to benefit from the sale of related promotional items such as hats, t-shirts, die-cast, and other team merchandise. The Commodores racing team will be unveiled at the Daytona International Speedway on 02-17-01 in the “Superbowl” of racing. The #28 Vanderbilt University Monte Carlo will be entered in the Busch series. If associate sponsorship gets on board to support the team, the Commodore racing team will enter up to15 events this year(Vanderbilt Commordores Racing Site)(1-21-2001) UPDATE 3: Baker Racing, and Nashville’s Vanderbilt University will team up for the BGN season-opener in Daytona on February 17. The team and Vanderbilt have reached an agreement in which Brad Baker will drive a black and gold #28 Monte Carlo carrying the Vanderbilt University name for the NAPA Auto Parts 300. Gary Baker, owner of the #28 team and Vanderbilt University alumnus, wants to represent the black and gold in all 15 BGN events, which he is scheduled to enter this year. With this initial agreement, University officials are also considering a longer-term relationship with Baker Racing, although details have not been finalized. Baker Racing is also working with other major and associate sponsors to run the remaining schedule.(Baker Racing PR), see images on my BGN Paint Schemes page(2-6-2001)
Kenseth’s BGN Run: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 DEWALT car will compete in 20(not 21 and not 19) BGN races in 2001. Nineteen companion events with Winston Cup races and then run one at Milwaukee in July.(Roush Racing PR x 3)(2-6-2001)
#55 Testing: the #55 Davis and Weight Ford and driver Mark Green are testing at Talladega today and Tuesday. The team is still looking for a sponsor(2-5-2001)
McLaughlin to Gibbs? UPDATE: rumors are circulating that Mike McLaughlin, driver of Innovative Motorsports #48 Goulds Pumps Chevy has spoken to Joe Gibbs about the driver opening for the #20(was #4) Pontiac and could bring Gould’s Pumps with him as a sponsor. Other sources say McLaughlin will stay put UPDATE: hearing it is a done deal and that McLaughlin will go to Gibbs along with Goulds(2-2-2001) UPDATE 2: Goulds Pumps, ITT Industries announced today that Mike McLaughlin (driver of the Goulds Pumps #48 car) has decided to leave team owners Innovative Motorsports to join Gibbs Racing. A new driver for the Team 48 will be announced soon. Goulds Pumps and Innovative Motorsports plan to run a full race schedule in the BGN this season(Team Goulds Site). Some drivers I have heard as a replacement for McLaughlin include Phil Morris and Ward Burton, although, Burton wouldn’t be the full time driver, could run some in the #30 car(2-3-2001)
Query gets ride: former BGN driver and short-track veteran Freddie Query has signed on to run the Hooters ProCup Series in a Chevy entered by Talmadge Motorsports and owner Frazier Boyd(Gaston Gazette)(2-3-2001)
Las Vegas Testing Day 4(1st for BGN): #00-Todd Bodine, who was testing for Buckshot Racing, put up the best testing time of the 10 BGN teams who were testing in preparation for the Sam’s Town 300 on March 3. Bodine’s lap was 169.002mph was the fastest time among all BGN cars that tested this week at LVMS. There were no incidents on Thursday. The five-day test ends Friday as six BGN teams complete their second day of testing. The complete list of Thursday’s testing times for BGN drivers:
#00-Todd Bodine, 168.514mph
#21-Mike Dillon, 168.097
#26-Bobby Hamilton Jr., 167.896
#98-Elton Sawyer, 167.254
#99-Michael Waltrip, 165.806
#43-Jay Sauter, 164.634
#92-Jimmie Johnson, 164.197
#59-Rich Bickle, 162.901
#46-Ashton Lewis Jr., 162.398
#38-Christian Elder, 161.444
(LVMS PR)(2-2-2001)
Grissom at Daytona only? hearing that Steve Grissom will only run the #45 Petty Enterprises BGN Chevy at Daytona unless a sponsor can be found(2-2-2001)
Spencer BGN team in trouble: If Jimmy Spencer isn’t able to land sponsorship for his full-time BGN team within the next 10 days or so, he may be forced to close the doors on his shop in Mooresville, NC. Schneider Trucking and full-time driver Dick Trickle left at the end of last season, as did Zippo, which had backed Spencer in a limited schedule on the tour. Several crew members have already been released. About six crew members remain in the shop, down from about 20 during the season(Winston Cup Scene – need a sub to read)(2-1-2001)
Las Vegas Testing Day 3: #61-Tim Sauter paced a group of 13 BGN drivers who were preparing for the March 3 Sam’s Town 300. Sauter turned a lap of 166.037 mph), which was a lot faster than #11-Marty Houston’ s second-best of 162.901mph. Joining Sauter and Houston for Busch Series testing were #27-Jamie McMurray, #8-Blaise Alexander, #25-Chad Chaffin, #37-Kevin Grubb, #14-Larry Foyt, #09-Rick Johnson, #59-Rich Bickle, #21-Mike Dillon, #26-Bobby Hamilton Jr., #99-Michael Waltrip and #55-Mark Green. #00-Todd Bodine and #99-Waltrip are expected to test Busch cars on Thursday(LVMS PR) UPDATE: here are the top five speeds for Wednesday:
Here are the end of day top 5 Busch testing speeds from 1/31/01. #27-Jamie McMurray, 167.286mph
#61-Tim Sauter,166.359
#37-Kevin Grubb,165.899
#11-Marty Houston,165.644
#26-Bobby Hamilton Jr.,164.835
(2-1-2001)
Harvick can see clearly now:#2-Kevin Harvick underwent Lasik surgery on Monday, January 29th to correct his vision. The driver of the #2 ACDelco Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing did not have particularly poor eyesight, but he did have one eye that was stronger than the other and he decided to have the procedure in order to improve his vision in both eyes. The procedure uses laser technology to reshape the cornea of the eye to correct vision. The surgery, which Harvick said was quick and painless, was performed by Dr. Keith Walter at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and took just 40 seconds on right eye and one minute on the left. The doctor talked Harvick through the entire procedure, which helped him feel more comfortable(Champion Sports Group)(2-1-2001)
Kenny Wallace not to run BGN: Rensi Motorsports and Kenny Wallace have decided not to run the #52 unsponsored BGN car due to the fact that a sponsor has not been acquired at this time. Therefore, Tony Lambert has decided to part ways with Rensi and pursue other interests. Due to his Winston Cup obligations, Wallace was not going to run the full BGN schedule, so at this time, focusing on a limited season with the unsponsored #52 car just doesn’t make sense. That’s not to say that if in the future something sponsor-related comes up, Rensi Motorsports will field a second BGN(Team Rensi)(2-1-2001)
Brewco to Pontiac? been asked and found out that Brewco, who recently tested Pontiacs at Daytona, had to build new speedway cars for both teams so they decided to build Pontiacs for #27-Jamie McMurray and #37-Kevin Grubb. As far as I know they will race Chevy’s at all other tracks except Daytona and Talladega(2-1-2001)
