Zippo to sponsor the Watkins Glen Busch race: Watkins Glen International and Zippo Manufacturing Company announced today a new marketing partnership with making Zippo the title sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series race on August 13, 2005 during the annual SIRIUS Satellite Radio at The Glen weekend. The race will be called the Zippo 200. Zippo Motorsports has recently launched a “HOT” new collectable line of over 60 lighters featuring the NASCAR license and drivers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Michael Waltrip. The Zippo 200 will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2005 and will start at approximately 2:00 PM following the new NASCAR NEXTEL Cup qualifying. Both the Zippo 200 on Saturday and the SIRIUS Satellite Radio at The Glen NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday will air live on NBC. For more information about Zippo, log on to zippo.com. For tickets and additional information, please contact the Watkins Glen ticket office at 866-461-RACE, log on to the official Watkins Glen website at www.TheGlen.com.(Watkins Glen International PR)(2-26-2005)
Eric Jones and Red Cactus Racing announce 2005 plans: Red Cactus Racing enters its first 2005 NASCAR Busch Series event at this weekend’s Stater Bros. 300 in Fontana, California. The #73 Chevrolet driven by Eric Jones debuts a brand new primary paint scheme for its sponsor, Red Cactus Salsa. The team has also donated an associate sponsorship position to the BHARE Foundation (Brenen Hornstein Autism Research & Education). BHARE is dedicated to raising awareness and funds necessary to research and effectively combat and cure Autism. “It’s been a lot of hard work building this team from the ground up,” said Eric Jones, Driver of the #73 Red Cactus Salsa Chevrolet. “Red Cactus Salsa and all of our sponsors have been tremendous. I just can’t wait to hit the track in California.” This season, NASCAR Craftsman Truck veteran crew chief, Danny Gill, takes over the crew chief position for the #73 Red Cactus Chevrolet. Last year, Gill was the crew chief for Dennis Setzer’s Craftsman Truck Series team, which finished second in the series points race. “Danny Gill has had a lot of success at Fontana and brings a great deal of experience to our team,” added Jones. “It gives me a lot of confidence to know he is on our pit box.” Red Cactus Racing is a growing force in the NASCAR Busch Series. Entering its second year of competition, Red Cactus is scheduled to compete in 19 NBS events in 2005, as well as two NEXTEL Cup events. Red Cactus Salsa is the primary sponsor of Red Cactus Racing. To learn more about both, please visit www.redcactus-usa.com. The BHARE Foundation was created by the parents of Brenen Hornstein who, at the age of three, was diagnosed with Autism. The top priority of BHARE is to fund research that will lead to a cure for Autism while educating parents of Autistic children to make informed decisions regarding the future treatment of their children. To learn more, please visit www.bhare.org.(PR)(2-26-2005)
Martin wins at California: #9-Mark Martin won the Stater Brothers 300 at California Speedway, his first Busch Series win since Sept 2000 at Darlington and 46th of his career, Martin is the Busch Series all-time leader in wins. #21-Kevin Harvick was 2nd and takes the points lead, the rest of the top five were #32-Shane Hmiel, #2-Clint Bowyer and rookie #41 Reed Sorenson. Pole sitter #33-Tony Stewart ended up 29th after having tire problems late in the race. Martin led 102 of the 150 laps. The race was red-flagged for 25 minutes for a brief rain shower.
See race results at: BGNRacing.com MotorsportsOne NASCAR.com.(2-26-2005)
Stewart wins the pole at California: #33-Tony Stewart continued his Busch Series hot streak by winning the pole for the Stater Bros. 300 at California Speedway with a new track record speed of 185.941mph. The rest of the top five are: #18-J.J. Yeley, #9-Mark Martin, #41-Reed Sorenson and #32-Shane Hmiel. #34-Randy LaJoie used the Champions Provisional. Missing the race were five drivers: #24-Kim Crosby, #73-Eric Jones, #03-Kevin Conway, #52-Shane Hall and #16-John Hayden.
See lineups/qualifying results at: BGNRacing.com – starting lineup BGNRacing.com – Qualifying Results NASCAR.com.(2-26-2005)
UPS to Coordinate Mexico Trip: UPS announced coordination and logistics support for the first-ever NASCAR Busch Series race south of the border at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on March 6. With special document requirements, advance coordination between U.S. and Mexican officials, security and staging for expedited border crossings early this week, UPS has facilitated a complex planning and communications process. UPS will manifest and seal all NASCAR and team equipment, coordinate international logistics and synchronize more than 80 team haulers, official trailers of technical scoring and template equipment, tires, emergency and safety vehicles and media trucks across the border in multiple convoys. This project leverages the rapid customs clearance, information management and consulting capabilities offered by UPS Supply Chain Solutions, the logistics and distribution arm of UPS, expanding UPS’s sponsorship role as the official delivery company of NASCAR. Following the rapid clearance, convoy groups will cross the World Trade Bridge to begin the approximate 20 hour non-stop trip to Mexico City. Each convoy will have federal and private security escorts, as well as coordinated communications en route. Then, UPS will complete all procedures in reverse after the checkered flag at the Sunday race for reentry into the United States for the race the following weekend. At the track, UPS Trackside Services also will operate its unique service counter for urgent UPS Worldwide Express package delivery services to and from the controlled-access garage areas used by the race teams. UPS is the official express delivery company of NASCAR and primary sponsor of the #88 UPS Ford Taurus driven by Dale Jarrett for Robert Yates Racing in the NEXTEL Cup series. The UPS shield also can be found on the #90 CitiFinancial Ford during the race in Mexico through an associate sponsorship with the Yates team. Building on NASCAR’s popularity and fan loyalty, UPS provides updated information about UPS Racing, the #88 team performance, features and photography, and access to licensed merchandise at www.racing.ups.com.(UPS PR)(2-26-2005)
Hamilton to run at Nashville: The fifth annual Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race will include all the favorite NASCAR Busch Series drivers including 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Champion Martin Truex, Jr., David Green, and David Stremme; but add to the mix local favorites including NEXTEL Cup Driver Sterling Marlin and 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Champion Bobby Hamilton. Although having tested at the Nashville Superspeedway a dozen times, this will be Marlin’s first race at his hometown track. Hamilton won the 2004 Toyota Tundra 200 last August at the superspeedway. Tickets are on sale now for the double-header Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race and the PFG Lester 150 ARCA RE/MAX Series race by calling toll-free 1-866-RACE-TIX or visit www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(2-25-2005)
Fellows to run at Mexico for NEMCO: Ron Fellows, who has three Busch Series road course wins, will drive for Nemco Motorsports [#7 and #87] in the Busch Race at Mexico on March 6th. Eric Phillips will serve as crew chief.(NASCAR Scene Magazine) AND NEMCO Motorsports team owner Joe Nemechek today named Ron Fellows as driver of his #87 Chevy for the Mexico City NASCAR Busch Series event on March 6. Earlier in the year, Nemechek named Chris Cook as driver of his #7 entry for the event.(NEMCO PR via BGNRacing.com)(2-25-2005)
Said in the #1 at Mexico, Sauter in the #28: Boris Said will compete in the #1 Phoenix Racing car at Mexico, while regular driver Johnny Sauter will fill the spot in the #28 Jay Robinson Racing car..(NASCAR Scene Magazine) AND When the green flag flies in the Mexico 200 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, two drivers will take the track in the signature Swamp Holly Orange color scheme of Yellow Transportation. Boris Said and Johnny Sauter, racing for team owner James Finch, will come together as teammates for what some consider the most significant race of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series season. As a senior and decorated road racer, Said has been the “go-to guy” other drivers, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ken Schrader, have turned in the past to learn about road racing. At 26 years old, Sauter is the aggressive and talented driver, who until this weekend, has never had to make right turns in a race. Sauter, looking forward to the challenge of road course racing, took extra steps to prepare for the event by attending the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Racing in Arizona for a week during the off-season.(Yellow PR via BGNRacing.com)(2-25-2005)
Team Marines Mark the 60th Anniversary of Iwo Jima Flag Raising: Ashton Lewis, Jr. and the Team Marines NASCAR Busch Series racing team will pause this weekend to reflect on the 60th anniversary of one of America’s most historic moments. On February 23, 1945 the famous photograph of five determined Marines and one Sailor raising the American flag on a hilltop on Iwo Jima. The flag raising came after the first week of battle on Iwo Jima during World War II. The famed picture has become synonymous with the Marine Corps’ image. Commemorations of the milestone have taken place across America this week. The entire Team Rensi Motorsports organization recognizes the importance of the flag raising and looks forward to remembering it during this weekend’s racing activities at California Speedway.(Team Rensi Motorsports PR)(2-25-2005)
California News and Notes: The buzz surrounding Tony Stewart’s (#33 Old Spice Chevrolet) own version of the “pass in the grass” en route to his first NASCAR Busch Series victory at Daytona last Saturday has barely died down. Now, the adrenaline rush following the 2005 season-opener now carries some 3,000 miles from Florida to California as the NASCAR Busch Series prepares for its first of three consecutive events spanning from Los Angeles to Mexico City to Las Vegas, beginning Saturday at California Speedway. The first of two races this year at California, the Stater Bros. 300 now sits in the #2 slot on the 2005 schedule, the earliest trip to the Golden State for the NASCAR Busch Series since the first event at the venue in October, 1997.
Greg Biffle (#66 Duraflame Ford), one of seven former NASCAR Busch Series champions entered in the California field, returns not only as the defending champion of this event, but he also won the second race at the track last September. He will try to match Matt Kenseth (#17 Waste Management Ford) as a three-time series winner at California. Biffle finished eighth last week at Daytona, so momentum is on his side heading west. But the Vancouver, Wash., native is well aware of the talented field that looks to challenge his consecutive victories.
Following the race at California, a third consecutive different track configuration awaits the competitors in the NASCAR Busch Series as they venture to Mexico City to run in the series’ first road-course event since 2001 at Watkins Glen. The Telcel Motorola 200 presented by Banamex will take place on the 2.518-mile course at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on March 6. The event is the first points race held outside the United States for the NASCAR Busch Series. “It’s going to be cool,” reigning NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. (#8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) said about the trip to Mexico City. “There are a lot of things different about it, [especially with] it being a road course.” NEWS & NOTES, PART II
Jarrett makes return to NASCAR Busch Series … Dale Jarrett (#90 CitiFinancial Ford) plans to make his return to the NASCAR Busch Series for the first time in five years at California. The 1999 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion is known as one of the charter members of the NASCAR Busch Series, making his debut in 1982 – the year the division was consolidated into a national touring series. Jarrett — who finished in the NASCAR Busch Series top 10 in six consecutive seasons from 1982-87 – placing fourth twice (1984, ’86) – has 11 wins and is fourth all-time in series starts (324). “I haven’t run in the NASCAR Busch Series since 1999 but I definitely believe there is something that can be learned by running in the Saturday race,” Jarrett said. “I look at it as an opportunity to learn. I’m 48 years old and I’ve been at this for a long time now. If I sat here and tried to tell you that I didn’t need to do it because I know everything there is to know, I’d be lying and be a fool on top of that to think anything like that. So I still feel that there are a lot of things that I can learn and hopefully that translates into information for us on Sunday.” Jarrett will share time in the #90 Robert Yates entry with NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teammate Elliott Sadler in 2005.
Historic Mexico race field settling in … The March 6 Telcel Motorola 200 in Mexico City has drawn 48 entries to date, including nine drivers with ties to Mexico along with eight NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competitors among the field of NASCAR Busch Series regulars. Boris Said, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Robby Gordon, Carl Edwards, Rusty Wallace, Joe Nemechek, and Elliott Sadler are the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers entered. In addition to Michel Jourdain Jr. (#10 ppc Racing Ford), a native of Mexico City who is running a full NASCAR Busch Series schedule for ppc Racing this year, other Mexican driving stars include: Adrian Fernandez, Rafael Martinez, Carlos Contreras, Mara Reyes, Jorge Goeters, Ruben Novoa, Jose Magana and Jimmy Morales. Of those drivers, Contreras is the only one with NASCAR Busch Series experience – he had two starts in 2003 with his best finish a 17th at Homestead.
Mexico race Travel Guide now available … A travel guide for the NASCAR Busch Series Telcel Motorola 200 presented by Banamex in Mexico City is now available on www.nbsmexico.com (User ID – mexico; Password – busch). This is a comprehensive guide detailing the trip with information relating to transportation, hotel, restaurants, event schedule, at-track meals and evening entertainment schedules, track and garage maps, UPS trackside services information, important contact information as well as useful information on Mexico City. A pocket copy of this travel guide will be available upon arrival to Mexico City via either charter flights or by check-in at the Hotel Nikko. Please see your NASCAR hotel representatives upon arrival for further information or additional travel guides.
California race features seven former series champions … Defending race winner Greg Biffle will be joined by six other NASCAR Busch Series champions in the California field. In addition to Biffle (2002 series champion), Martin Truex Jr., the defending series champ, will try to better his 13th-place finish one year ago. In addition, Kevin Harvick (#21 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Chevrolet – 2001 champion), Randy LaJoie (#34 Dollar General Chevrolet – 1996-97), David Green (#27 Kleenex Ford – 1994), Steve Grissom (#49 Advil Ford – 1993) and Joe Nemechek (#87 NEMCO Chevrolet – 1992) are also in the field. Biffle is the only winner at California among the defending NASCAR Busch Series champions entered in the event. ON THE RIGHT TRACK Jason Keller (#35 McDonald’s Ford) is the only driver to have run in all nine NASCAR Busch Series races at California Speedway. … There have been seven different Busch Pole winners at the track. … Matt Kenseth leads all drivers with six top fives and six top 10s; he has run in eight series events at California. … Greg Biffle has led the most laps (241) and has the best average finish (4.5) among those who have run three or more races at California Speedway. ETC. Mark Martin (#9 Pennzoil Ford), the all-time leader in NASCAR Busch Series wins (45) will attempt his first series start at California. Martin plans to run in eight NASCAR Busch Series races this season. … Adrian Fernandez (#5 Lowe’s Chevrolet) conducted his only test prior to the Mexico City race at Virginia International Raceway on Tuesday. His test consisted of practice laps on the road course as well as pit stops with his crew. … Dan Glaus takes over as crew chief of Kim Crosby’s #24 Bodreaux’s Butt Paste Chevrolet at California replacing Greg Guarry, who will remain as team manger. … David Green will arrive at practice Friday morning on a chopper along with a group from the nearby Vengance Motorcycle plant. … Chris Knight, who portrayed Peter on the 1970s sitcom “The Brady Bunch” and currently appears on “The Surreal Life” on VH1, will be a guest of Joe Nemechek at California. … Michel Jourdain Jr. and his wife, Nora, became parents for the first time last Sunday when son Michel III was born at 5:45 p.m. … Brent Sherman (#58 Serta Mattress Dodge), who spent six years in the United States Air Force before turning to NASCAR racing, is scheduled to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on March 9. Sherman has logged more than 3,000 hours among combat, surveillance and instructing missions all over the world. FROM THE ARCHIVES Native Californians seem to have a handle on NASCAR Busch Series qualifying at California Speedway, winning the last three Busch poles, setting a track record in the process. Jason Leffler, who hails from Long Beach, won the pole last May with Bakerfield’s Casey Mears taking the pole for the second series race this past September. In 2003, Kevin Harvick, also from Bakersfield, set the qualifying record for this event with a speed of 183.941 mph. Californians have been successful qualifiers in the NASCAR Busch Series throughout the years as well. Harvick and Vallejo’s Jeff Gordon are tied among all California natives, having won 12 career Busch poles. Modesto’s Ernie Irvan has five, while Leffler and Susanville’s Mike Skinner have both captured three career NASCAR Busch Series poles. Harvick, Tyler Walker (#38 Great Clips Dodge – Los Angeles) and Stanton Barrett (#36 DCT Motorsports Chevrolet – Bishop) are Californians who will try to make it four straight poles here for Golden State drivers. FAST FACTS:
What: Stater Bros. 300 (Race #2 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: California Speedway, Los Angeles, CA.
When: 6:05 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 26.
Track Layout: 2-mile oval.
Race Length: 300 miles/150 laps.
Posted Awards: $1,509,876.
TV: FX, 5:30 p.m., ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 Winner: Greg Biffle.
2004 Polesitter: Jason Leffler
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday: Practice – Noon – 1:10 p.m.; Final practice – 2:50 – 3:50 p.m. Saturday: Qualifying, 10 a.m.; cars impounded following qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(2-25-2005)
Team Rensi Names Charlies Lewis Director: Team Rensi Motorsports President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Rensi has named Charlie Lewis to the position of Director of Competition for Team Rensi Motorsports. Lewis, 30, joined Team Rensi Motorsports at the end of the 2004 season as Crew Chief for the #25 Team Marines Ford. In his new position, the Chesapeake, VA, native will oversee all areas of competition for the two-car NASCAR Busch Series operation owned by Ed Rensi, Sam Rensi and Gary Weisbaum. In addition to serving as Director of Competition, Lewis will continue to in the role of Crew Chief for his brother Ashton in the #25 Team Marines Ford. Lewis will oversee the transfer of data between the #25 Team Marines Ford and the #35 McDonald’s Ford. With two cars running the full 35 race Busch Series schedule, Team Rensi Motorsports will now have twice the information and knowledge to distribute among the teams.(Team Rensi Motorsports PR)(2-25-2005)
Fines Announced for Daytona Infractions: NASCAR announced Wednesday that fines have been issued to three NASCAR Busch Series teams resulting from rule violations during opening day inspection at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15.
Trip Bruce, crew chief of the #20 Chevrolet driven by Denny Hamlin and Stephen Yeagle, crew chief for the #67 Chevrolet driven by C.W. Smith, were each fined $2,500 after being found in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-CC (unapproved third gear transmission ratio).
Ricky Pearson, crew chief on the #36 Chevrolet driven by Stanton Barrett, was fined $500 in violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-U (fuel cell neck exceeded maximum specified diameter).(NASCAR PR)(2-23-2005)
New VP for Team Rensi: Team Rensi Motorsports President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Rensi announced the promotion of Ronnie Russell to Vice President of Operations for Team Rensi Motorsports. Russell, 51, has been a key component of Team Rensi Motorsports since its inception in 1998. In his new position, the Clarksville, TN native will oversee all areas of operations for the two car NASCAR Busch Series operation owned by Ed Rensi, Sam Rensi and Gary Weisbaum. Team Rensi Motorsports operates two cars in the NASCAR Busch Series, the #25 Team Marines Ford driven by Ashton Lewis, Jr. and the #35 Team McDonalds’s Ford driven by Jason Keller.(Team Rensi PR)(2-23-2005)
Stewart wins at Daytona: #33-Tony Stewart won the Hershey’s Take 5 300 at Daytona International Speedway Busch Series race, his first ever Busch Series win, beatig his car owner, #21-Kevin Harvick as the yellow came out after the white flag was thrown for a wreck, Harvick finished 2nd, followed by #81-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #8-Martin Truex Jr. and #55-Robby Gordon.
See race results at: NASCAR.com BGNRacing.com MotorsportsOne.(2-19-2005)
RadioShack Sponsors Cope, Jay Robinson Racing at Daytona: The #28 NASCAR Busch Series entry of Jay Robinson Racing is giving RadioShack Corporation a ride in Saturday’s Hershey’s Take 5 300 at the Daytona International Speedway. Derrike Cope, who won the 1990 Daytona 500, will drive the RadioShack Ford in Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series race. Co-owner Mark Bailey was instrumental in helping develop the Daytona race sponsorship with RadioShack.(Williams Company PR)(2-19-2005)
Marlin to race at Nashville: For the first time since the opening of the Nashville Superspeedway, local NEXTEL Cup Driver and two-time winner of the Daytona 500, Sterling Marlin will run in the fifth annual Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday, March 26. Marlin, a back to back Daytona 500 Champion, will be driving for Fitz-Bradshaw Cottman Transmission Dodge #40. “I’m excited to be racing in my own back yard,” Marlin said, who lives in the Middle Tennessee area. “I’ve tested many times at the Nashville Superspeedway and I’m looking forward to competing for the first time.” Tickets for the PFG Lester 150 ARCA RE/MAX Series race and the Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday, March 26 are on sale now by calling toll-free 1-866-RACE-TIX or online at www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com. All race tickets include two races, all the pre race festivities, and the post race Capitol Concert Series.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(2-19-2005)
Telcel To Sponsor Jourdain Jr. in Mexico: ppc Racing officials announced Telcel, the leading telecommunications organization in Mexico, will sponsor Michel Jourdain Jr. at the Daytona Beach, Fla. and Mexico City, Mexico NASCAR Busch Series races in 2005. Jourdain, driver of the #10 Telcel Ford Taurus, is the first Mexican driver to compete full time in the series. Telcel will continue its presence with ppc Racing throughout the racing season as an associate sponsor, garnering its logo on the c-pillar of the #10 Telcel Ford Taurus. The March 6th race marks the first race to be held outside the United States in the series 20-plus-year history. Jourdain, born and raised in Mexico City, is very pleased to be able to race in his home country and to have sponsorship from a Mexican-based organization.(ppc Racing PR)(2-19-2005)
#72 Busch Team Promotes Prayers For Our Troops: The P4OT.com message on the side of Donnie Neuenberger’s MacDonald Motorsports #72 Chevrolet left some people guessing as to it’s meaning Friday at Daytona International Speedway. More than one in the Busch Series garage would try to decipher the message like they would a vanity license plate. “Pray For Our Troops” is the message. Pray 4 Our Troops is a grassroots organization dedicated to praying for U.S. troops. What began as an outreach focused on encouraging and praying for troops and their families has quickly become a nationwide movement. First launched through the Internet, P4OT has now become a household name. In addition to supporting nationwide prayer for U.S. troops, P4OT offers encouragement and support to both troops and their families in a variety of ways, the most prevalent being car packages and phone services. “I’m proud we can promote P4OT,” Neuenberger said. “It was created to support nationwide prayer for our troops home and abroad. It doesn’t matter your feelings about the war because everyone has been affected, directly or indirectly. We’re proud that this race team can help spread this message as powerfully and quickly as possible, and keep it going until our troops return home safely,” he added.(Williams Company PR)(2-19-2005)
Timberland PRO to be an associate sponsor on the #2: Timberland PRO announced a strategic partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), which fields the #2 Chevy. Throughout the 2005 racing season, Timberland PRO will promote its line of work boots, work wear and accessories for working professionals via associate sponsorship of the #2 NASCAR Busch Series entry, owned and operated by Richard Childress Racing and driven by Clint Bowyer. The primary sponsor of the #2 car is AC Delco. In addition to generating valuable exposure on the race car, driver and pit crew uniforms, this partnership with RCR and AC Delco presents a host of promotional opportunities to help build awareness and drive preference for Timberland PRO among target consumers. Also, it will strengthen relationships with existing and potential retail partners.
Key elements of the Timberland PRO / RCR partnership include:
Timberland PRO logo will appear on the lower rear quarter panels of the # 2 car, as well as the driver and pit crew uniforms and helmets
All pit crew and garage members of the #2 and #21 cars will be outfitted with Timberland PRO work boots and work wear
One special Timberland PRO series paint scheme during the calendar year, which will be run at the Texas Motor Speedway in November.(RCR PR)(2-19-2005)
Riggs and Hornaday to drive #30 Chevy: Scott Riggs and Ron Hornaday will share driving duties behind the wheel of the #30 Smith & Wesson Chevrolet to be campaigned by SKI Motorsports at eight NASCAR Busch Series events in 2005. Riggs and Hornaday will wear the colors of Smith & Wesson the legendary 153-year old firearms manufacturer, at seven of the eight Busch events beginning with the March 12 Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 34-year-old Riggs, regular driver of the #10 Valvoline Chevrolet in the Nextel Cup Series, gets the honor of debuting the red, white and blue Smith & Wesson racing machine in the Busch race at Las Vegas. He’s also slated to handle the driving duties at Charlotte (May 28), Bristol (Aug. 26) and Texas (Nov. 5). Hornaday, 46, is a two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and has four Busch series wins to his credit. He joins the Smith & Wesson team for Busch races this season at Atlanta (March 19), California (Sept. 3) and Phoenix (Nov. 12). The team will name a driver for this summer’s Busch race at Daytona (July 1) at a later date. The #30 Smith & Wesson Chevrolet will feature several paint schemes during the course of its inaugural season. The red, white and blue design that will debut at Las Vegas will be complemented at later races by dramatic schemes representing tributes to America’s public servants. Smith & Wesson plans to aggressively support its NASCAR involvement by way of high-profile marketing programs featuring fan and customer promotions, as well as at-the-track activities including safety educational initiatives.(Ski Motorsports PR). No crew chief was named.(2-19-2005)
Front Row Joe takes the pole at Daytona; #87-Joe Nemechek won the pole for Saturday’s Hershey’s Take 5 300 at Daytona International Speedway with a speed of 182.452. Starting on the outside pole is #5-Kyle Busch, making one of his few 2005 Busch Series starts. #6-Paul Wolfe, #11-Paul Menard and #41-Reed Sorenson round out the top five.
Missing the race were: #67-C.W. Smith; #58-Brent Sherman; #62-Larry Hollenbeck; #56-Tim Sauter; #26-Mark Green; #03-Kevin Conway; #16-Justin Ashburn; #79-Keith Murt; #17-Matt Kenseth; #70-Jeff Kendall; #52-Shane Hall; #24-Kim Crosby.
For starting lineup/qualifying results: NASCAR.com BGNRacing.com – starting lineup BGNRacing.com – qualifying results.(2-18-2005)
In past seasons, the fact Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 81 Ritz/Oreo Chevrolet) is seeking his fourth straight NASCAR Busch Series season-opening win – and his fourth straight series win at Daytona International Speedway – would dominate all headlines. Indeed, Earnhardt is vying to reach a Daytona plateau achieved only by his father, Dale Earnhardt, who won five consecutive NASCAR Busch Series season-openers at the famed venue. But as the 24th season of NASCAR Busch Series competition prepares to begin with Saturday’s Hershey’s Take 5 “300”. Earnhardt Jr. is just one of many intriguing storylines in what is arguably the most anticipated year in series history. To start, the season begins with the most lucrative race purse ever in the NASCAR Busch Series – over $2.4 million. Next, Martin Truex Jr. (No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) – whose team is owned by Earnhardt Jr. – returns as the defending NASCAR Busch Series champion. Truex made a stunning debut in his first series visit to Daytona last year when he won the pole for this event. Now, he’ll attempt to become the first series champion to repeat since Earnhardt in 1998-99.
Truex, 24, headlines a talented group of young drivers who will compete fulltime in the NASCAR Busch Series this season. Clint Bowyer (No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet), Ryan Hemphill (No. 4 GEICO/Pet Brands Dodge), Justin Labonte (No. 44 U.S. Coast Guard Chevrolet), Paul Menard (No. 11 Menard’s Chevrolet), Reed Sorenson (No. 41 Discount Tire Co. Dodge), Jon Wood (No. 47 Clorox/Wisk Ford) and J.J. Yeley (No. 18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevrolet) are just a few of the drivers prepared for this next step.
Team and manufacturer changes have reinvigorated key NASCAR Busch Series veterans. David Green (No. 27 Kleenex/Scott Brand Ford), the 1994 series champion, switches from Chevrolet to Ford while remaining in the BREWCO Motorsports camp. Kenny Wallace takes his Stacker 2 sponsorship to a new team – ppc Racing – and also switches to Ford. Jason Keller (No. 35 McDonalds Ford) joins with Ashton Lewis Jr. (No. 25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) to give Team Rensi Motorsports a viable duo.
Green, Wallace, Keller and Lewis all return after posting Top 10 finishes in the 2004 point standings. Another top-10 finisher David Stremme (No. 14 U.S. NAVY Dodge), also returns along with 2001 series champion Greg Biffle, who will split time in the No. 66 Duraflame Ford with Aaron Fike.
The NASCAR Busch Series will make history this year when it travels to Mexico City’s famed Autodromo Hermanos Rodgriguez for the March 6 Telcel Motorola 200 presented by Banamex. It’s a road-course event that marks the series’ first points race held outside the United States and also the return of the series to road-course racing for the first time since 2001 at Watkins Glen.
The NASCAR Busch Series will hold its second road-course event at The Glen in August.
International stars such as Adrian Fernandez, who will drive Hendricks Motorsports’ No. 5 Lowe’s Chevrolet in the race, and Michel Jourdain Jr. (No. 10 ppc Racing Ford), who comes to the NASCAR Busch Series from Champ Car competition, will compete against NASCAR Busch Series regulars and select drivers from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Jourdain Jr. will compete fulltime for ppc Racing in 2005, becoming the first Hispanic driver to run a full schedule in the NASCAR Busch Series.
Last season, the NASCAR Busch Series produced 15 different winners, 18 different races with finishes under one second and an average of 11 lead changes per event. Some 2.5 million fans attended NASCAR Busch Series events in 2004, while 70 million viewers tuned in to series races on television. NEWS & NOTES, PART II Daytona entries number 55 … The first race of 2005 – along with its record purse – has lured 55 entrants for Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series opener. Defending race champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns as a favorite while last year’s NASCAR Busch Series champion, Martin Truex Jr., wants to improve on his 28th-place finish in 2004 after starting on the pole. In addition to Earnhardt, four other former winners of the season-opening Daytona race are entered – Randy LaJoie (No. 34 Dollar General Chevrolet), a three-time event winner and the last driver to win other than Earnhardt back in 2001; Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Waste Management Ford), the 2000 winner; Joe Nemechek (No. 87 Cellular One Chevrolet), the 1992 NASCAR Busch Series champion, who won the 1998 season-opener and Steve Grissom (No. 49 Advil Ford), the 1993 NASCAR Busch Series champion, who won in 1996. Michael Waltrip (No. 99 Aaron’s Chevrolet), a three-time Daytona winner in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition, is seeking his first NASCAR Busch Series win at the track. Shawna Robinson (No. 23 Vassarette Chevrolet) makes her return to the NASCAR Busch Series at Daytona while Kim Crosby (No. 24 Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Chevrolet) will attempt to join Robinson as one of only three female drivers to run a fulltime schedule in the series. Michel Jourdain Jr. moves from a 10-year career on the Champ Car circuit to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Daytona.
Fernandez, Jourdain Jr. meet the media Thursday … The March 6 Telcel Motorola 200 presented by Banamex in Mexico City has already become one of the NASCAR Busch Series’ top events of the season, as evidenced by its $2.3 million purse and drivers outside of the series who will challenge for the win. Open-wheel star and Mexico City native Adrian Fernandez, who will drive for Hendrick Motorsports in the event, will meet the media in the DIS Infield Media Center Press Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday to discuss his participation in the race. Also scheduled to attend are Michel Jourdain Jr., another Mexico City native, David Green and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Jeff Burton. The latter served as the test driver at the reconfigured 2.518-mile road course in January, while Green visited Mexico City later in that month to take part in media events.
NASCAR Busch Series competition changes for 2005 … The NASCAR Busch Series will see a few key competition changes in 2005. The highest-ranked 30 positions in the owner championship points will be assured a starting position in each race, while the remaining 12 spots will be assigned to drivers with the fastest qualifying speeds. The 43rd position remains for a former champion. The season’s first five races, including Daytona, will utilize the 2004 owner point standings; beginning with the sixth race, the current highest-ranked 30 positions in the owners points will be used. The NASCAR Busch Series also will impound cars after each events qualifying. Unless authorized by NASCAR, teams will not be permitted to work on their cars until race day. NASCAR also has implemented a gear rule where gear ratios will limit RPMs (revolutions per minute). The rule will be in effect at all tracks except Daytona and Talladega, where limits already exist due to restrictor plates. Finally, NASCAR Busch Series teams will be allotted five sets of tires to be used for practice, qualifying and the race during each event. The latter three changes are designed to assist in cost-containment as well as enhance competition. ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Michael Waltrip looks to start his series-leading 20th race at Daytona. … Matt Kenseth (six) and Waltrip (five) have the most top-five finishes among active drivers at Daytona while Waltrip and Kenny Wallace leads all active drivers with seven top-10 finishes. … Wallace (1989), David Green (1991) and Martin Truex Jr. (2004) all won their first NASCAR Busch Series poles in the season-opener at Daytona. … Chevrolet leads all manufacturers, with 16 in NASCAR Busch Series wins at Daytona. ETC.
SPEED Channel’s reality show, “NBS 24/7,” will return for the 2005 season. The show will once again focus on the drivers, owners, crew chiefs and team members from FitzBradshaw Racing and Braun Racing. Check listings for broadcast day/time. … Michel Jourdain Jr. will depart Daytona International Speedway following Saturday’s race in order to return home for the birth of his first child. He and his wife, Nora, are expecting a son. … David Stremme and Tim Fedewa (No. 12 Supercuts Dodge) are scheduled to spend an hour flying with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels precision flying team on Feb. 28 prior to the California race. … The Dodge Charger returns to the NASCAR Busch Series this season with 12 teams entered to run a Charger at Daytona. FROM THE ARCHIVES Joe Nemechek won four consecutive poles at Daytona International Speedway – from February, 2001, through both 2002 races and again in February, 2003. He is the only NASCAR Busch Series driver to have captured four straight poles on a superspeedway and his mark ties David Green for the all-time series record for consecutive poles at one track. Green won four straight poles at Hickory Motor Speedway 1994-96. FAST FACTS
What: Hershey’s Take 5 “300” (Race No. 1 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL.
When: 1:20 p.m. ET, Saturday, Feb. 19.
Track Layout: 2.5-mile tri-oval.
Race Length: 300 miles/120 laps.
Posted Awards: $2,412,152.
TV: FOX, 1:00 p.m., ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2004 Polesitter: Martin Truex Jr.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Thursday – Practice, 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m. ; Final practice 4:00 p.m. Friday – Qualifying, 3:05 p.m.; cars impounded following qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(2-16-2005)
Edwards allowed to run for ROTY: on Speed Channel’s NASCAR Live on Tuesday, it was reported b Ken Squire that Carl Edwards, the Roush Racing driver in the Cup Series #99 and Busch Series #60, will be allowed to run for the 2005 Busch Series Rookie of the Year award.(2-15-2005)
Rusty gets a sponsor for the Mexico race: Officials of RWI Racing, LLC and Bell Helicopter Textron, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron, Inc., announced today that Bell Helicopter will be the primary sponsor for RWI Racing’s entry in the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series Telcel Motorola 200 presented by Banamex. The race is set to be held March 6, 2005 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, in Mexico City, Mexico. Team owner Rusty Wallace, one of NASCAR’s top-ten winningest drivers of all-time and a former NASCAR Premier Series champion, will pilot the team’s #64 Dodge Chargers in the event.
Said Wallace, “I’m really excited about this expansion of our relationship with Bell. It’s just such a natural fit for me. I’m a total aviation enthusiast and have thousands of flight hours in airplanes. I own a Bell 427 and couldn’t imagine life without it. With all of the demands on my time, the speed, comfort and reliability of my Bell Helicopter allow me to get more hours out of my day. This race is going to be a really big one, both for our team and for Bell. A lot of great drivers from all types of series are going to be aiming to win that event. It’s going to be tough, but I’m confident that our Bell Helicopter Dodge can end up in victory lane. Mexico is an important market for Bell and I’d really be honored to give them a win down there. You can bet we’re going to give it our best shot. More on Bell Helicopter Textron can be found at www.bellhelicopter.textron.com.(RWI PR)(2-12-2005)
Shawna Robinson has a ride: Vassarette has entered into a partnership with Keith Coleman Racing (KCR) to sponsor Shawna Robinson on the NASCAR Busch Series in 2005. Vassarette, a brand of VF Intimates, Inc., a division of VF Corporation, will be the primary sponsor on the #23 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the upcoming season. Robinson will serve as product spokesperson for the Vassarette brand, a leader in providing sexy, fun, fashionable intimate apparel. She will make in-store, media and promotional event appearances on behalf of the Vassarette brand, and will appear on various promotional materials during the course of the year. Robinson is a veteran driver who has competed on all three of the NASCAR’s major series. She has eight career starts on the former Winston Cup Series, now Nextel Cup, 53 career starts on the Busch Series and three career starts on the Craftsman Truck Series. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Robinson is a mother of two who enjoys spending time with her young children as well as mixing it up with the bigger kids on the race track. She currently resides in Charlotte, N. C. where she operates her own interior design business and she said she is excited about her upcoming return to the track. “I am very grateful to Vassarette for their support of my racing career and am proud to represent a sexy, fun, brand like Vassarette that I feel so comfortable wearing,” said Robinson. “I’m honored and proud to represent this brand and I’m looking forward to an exciting year.” Robinson will join with Mark Green, the driver of the #26 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, as a driver at KCR. The two will both run full schedules on the Nascar Busch Series this season. KCR has enjoyed almost unprecedented success on the NASCAR Busch Series. As a new organization, the company was successful in qualifying in each race it attempted at the end of the season. The team is poised to run the full slate of Busch Series races in 2005. VF Corporation’s press releases, annual reports and other information can be accessed through the Company’s home page, www.vfc.com.(KCR)(2-12-2005)
Neuenberger back to racing: DGN Racing announces return of Busch Series driver Donnie Neuenberger to the 2005 Daytona Speedweeks events competing in the Hershey’s TAKE 5 300. Neuenberger returns to the Daytona events after taking a medical leave of absence in 2004 due to his diagnose and treatment for Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A Charity Program for Children diagnosed with terminally ill diseases and Cancer was developed by Donnie to provide support to children while they are undergoing treatment. As a cancer patient himself it will enable Donnie to give support to children for a memorable special day. An upcoming sponsored event will support 250 children at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. with an autographed 1/24 scale die cast car, time to talk with Donnie and where possible have the children actually sit in a racecar.
“I am currently in partial remission and will continue a maintenance program over the next two years. I like a challenge and will continue to compete in a limited schedule while promoting and working with our Charity Program. It’s exciting to join the #72 MacDonald MotorSports program for the Daytona race. We bring our associate sponsors to join Pray for Our Troops.”
“I would like to send out a special thank you for all the support and prayers I received during my break. I look forward to getting back to the race track, my race family, fans, and driving.” said Neuenberger.
The Pray Four Our Troops program is a grassroots organization dedicated to praying for U.S. Troops. P4OT was created to support nation-wide prayer for our troops both home and abroad. It is the organizations desire to spread this message as powerfully and quickly as possible keeping it going until our troops return home safely. If you would like to learn more about P4OT visit www.p4ot.com. MacDonald MotorSports is a Thomasville, NC based race team owned and operated by Doc and Randy MacDonald. MacDonald Motorsports is a Christian valued based company dedicated to operate and display Christian values. The Pray for Our Troops program is one of many programs the race team is supporting. To learn more about MacDonald MotorSports visit www.businessdriver.com. For more information about Donnie Neuenberger, DGN Racing and how to contribute to our Charity Campaign visit our website at www.dgnracing.com.(PR)(2-12-2005)
Braun Racing gets new primary sponsor – Winfuel: Winfuel, is proud to announce its multi-year primary sponsorship of Braun Racing’s #32 Chevrolet in the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series and the #08 Chevrolet NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car for seven races. Shane Hmiel will be the driver in both NASCAR series. Braun Racing announced that Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will be providing the power plants under the hood of all Braun Racing’s Chevrolets. Winfuel will soon be available at fine retail locations, at every race in the Winfuel merchandise trailer, and at www.winfuel.com. The product launch will be supported by national television advertising campaign.(Braun Racing via BGNRacing.com)(2-12-2005)
Lusk’s plans UPDATE 2: Damon Lusk is in the final stages of putting together his plans for the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series season. Look for an announcement next week regarding his plans.(Damon Lusk site)(2-3-2005) UPDATE: An announcement is expected this coming Monday or Tuesday. The team’s first race will be Las Vegas and they expect to test at Kentucky in a couple of weeks. A sponsor will be on board and the race schedule will include around 22 races in 2005.(BGNRacing.com)(2-5-2005) UPDATE 2: NASCAR Busch Series team owner Dan Kinney of Premier Motorsports has tabbed Damon Lusk as driver of the Premier Motorsports #85 Chevrolet in 2005. Both Kinney and Lusk are looking forward to building Premier Motorsports into a successful and winning race team. The #85 team will be making its’ debut during the March 12 Sam’s Town 300 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with one race sponsorship from House Hunter America, Inc. Kinney remarks that “The combination of Damon’s talent and ability both on and off the track are going to be an excellent recipe for success in the Busch Series. Lusk’s past success in the ARCA Re/Max Series with our crew chief Keith Strunk is certainly exciting. We are looking forward to building this team into one of the most competitive NASCAR Busch Series teams out there.” The Kentucky based team is planning a limited schedule of 20 races in 2005 and building to a full-time schedule in 2006. For more information on House Hunter, visit www.househunter.com. Premier Motorsports is a comprehensive motorsports organization that has been fielding competitive race teams in the NASCAR Busch Series, ARCA Re/Max Series, NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series and WKA Kart Racing since 1997. Primary and Associate NASCAR Busch Series sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the season.(Hawk Sports Management PR)(2-11-2005)
Rain tires at Mexico: Rain or shine, NASCAR expects to run its Busch Series race March 6 in Mexico City. Returning to Mexico on another weekend is not feasible, and trying to put on a race in the middle of a bustling city on a Monday would be difficult at best. So even though NASCAR abandoned the idea of rain tires at its two Cup road races last season, Goodyear will have sets of rain tires ready for the Mexico City race. Teams have been instructed to put a windshield wiper, a defogger and a rear brake light on their cars(NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing.com)(2-10-2005)
McMurray to run Mexico UPDATE: Jamie McMurray will be driving a #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge entry [owned by Chip Ganassi] in the Mexico City Busch race.(JamieMcMurray.com via BGNRacing.com)(2-8-2005) UPDATE: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will venture south-of-the-border this season when Jamie McMurray pilots the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge at the Telcel-Motorola 200 in Mexico City on March 6. The 80-lap event heralds not only the historic return of road course racing for the NASCAR Busch Series but a notable event for team and sponsor as well: the inaugural Busch Series entry for the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(2-10-2005)
Adrian Fernandez to run Busch race in Mexico? #5 Hendrick? Confirmed II: NASCAR is believed to be working at securing Mexico’s biggest auto racing star, Adrian Fernandez, a one-off ride for the upcoming Busch Series race at Mexico City. Fernandez, who was shut out of an IndyCar ride this year due to lack of sponsorship dollars – he preferred to focus on his ownership role at Fernandez Racing, which will campaign cars for Scott Sharp and Kosuke Matsuura – could join his former Champ Car colleague Michel Jourdain Jr, so far event’s biggest fan-drawer. Jourdain has signed a deal with [#10 Ford] ppc Racing to contest the full 2005 Busch Series season. Mexican touring car standouts Carlos Contreras [#13 FBR] and Jorge Goeters have already been confirmed to race at the inaugural Telcel-Motorola 200 at the famed Autodromo.(Speed Channel)(1-28-2005) UPDATE: hearing it could be in a Hendrick Motorsports car, the #5.(1-29-2005) UPDATE 2: Adrian Fernandez doesn’t have funding to drive in the IRL, but he will drive Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 Chevrolet in the Busch Series’ debut race in Mexico City on March 6.(Indy Star)(2-5-2005) UPDATE 3: Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that Mexican open-wheel racing star Adrian Fernandez will drive the #5 Lowe’s/Hitachi Power Tools Chevrolet at the March 6 NASCAR Busch Series race in Mexico City. This marks the debut of Fernandez, 41, in NASCAR. The Mexico City native is the country’s most popular driver and one of its most popular athletes. Hendrick Motorsports General Manager Marshall Carlson said Fernandez has already visited the race shop to acclimate himself with a full-bodied car for this one-race effort. Lowe’s officials said sponsorship of Fernandez in the Mexico City race is an opportunity to align the world’s second largest home improvement retailer with a local hero. Lowe’s also has special promotional plans surrounding Fernandez in several markets. Fernandez joins Kyle Busch, Blake Feese and Boston Reid as drivers of the #5 Lowe’s Busch car in 2005. Jim Long serves as the team’s crew chief. This team won the NASCAR Busch Series championship with driver Brian Vickers in 2003 and finished second in points with driver Kyle Busch last season. Fernandez, Hendrick Motorsports officials, and Lowe’s representatives will unveil the #5 Lowe’s / Hitachi Power Tools Chevrolet and meet with the media in Daytona on Thurs., Feb. 17.(Team Lowe’s Racing PR)(2-10-2005)
Kirby and Schacht to team up: K Automotive Motorsports today announced that SUBcrews.com, a Web site linking subcontractors with builders, general contractors, remodelers and homeowners, will sponsor the team’s #29 Ford for Brad Keselowski in the Craftsman Truck Series. Financial terms were not announced. SUBcrews.com will also back a Busch Series team fielded by Bob Schacht Motorsports for driver Stuart Kirby.(NASCAR Scene)(2-10-2005)
Some Notes UPDATE Mike Wallace and the #61: Mike Wallace is planning to run the #61 Busch Series car of Jenkins Racing for 3-6 races this year. Carlos Contreras hopes to run at least 14 races this season in the #13 FitzBradshaw car. He will drive the #40 car for the race in Mexico City. John Kendall practiced the #70 car owned by Ed Shell at Daytona and hopes to run 13 races this season.(NASCAR Scene)(1-28-2005) UPDATE: Mike Wallace will be driving the #61 car for Francis Engineering racing, and Great Lakes Motorsports in 2005. The team is planning on running six races. All three restricter plate races and three short tracks. Car owners are Dale Francis, Darren Martens, and Eddie Sachs Jr. Crew chief is Dale Francis. Engine was built by Francis Engineering Racing Engines in Leroy OH.(2-10-2005)
Jimmie Johnson to run some races: Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports announced that Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, will run select races in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2005. Johnson will bring his #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to the series with additional sponsorship from Kobalt, a line of tools and accessories available exclusively at Lowe’s. Johnson is scheduled to run six races in the #48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Chevrolet with unique paint schemes that represent the breadth and depth of the enhanced Kobalt line. Chad Knaus, Johnson’s crew chief in the Nextel Cup Series, will also lead the team in the Busch Series events. Johnson is scheduled to begin his limited Busch Series run at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19, followed by runs at Chicagoland Speedway on July 9, California Speedway on September 3, Texas Motor Speedway on November 5, as well as both events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. For more information on Team Lowe’s Racing, visit Lowesracing.com.(GMR Marketing PR)(2-10-2005)
Dallenbach to run some races for Harvick: Wally Dallenbach, who has two years remaining on his contract as color commentator on NBC’s NASCAR telecasts, will still dabble in the Busch Series this year. He said tentative plans have him running a second car Kevin Harvick Inc. car in about six races for sponsor Mr. Clean.(NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing.com)(2-10-2005)
Passmore to run full season UPDATE Passmore passes on ride: A former ARCA campaigner and Pryor, Okla., native, Christi Passmore will drive a full Busch Series schedule for Keith Coleman Racing. Passmore finished eighth in ARCA points in 2003 and 2004. In 52 career series starts, she scored five top-5 finishes and 17 top-10s. She began racing at age 12 and by age 16 was competing around the world against some of the top sprint car racers. She became the first female to compete in sprint cars at Tulsa, Okla., Sedalia, Mo., and Little Rock, Ark. She raced in the World of Outlaws division where she qualified for the Knoxville Nationals twice and finished 10th out of 104 cars in 2001. Throughout her five years of sprint car racing, Passmore accumulated 17 wins in both the United States and New Zealand.(Florida Today)(2-9-2005) UPDATE: Saying that it was not the right situation at the right time, ARCA Series veteran Christi Passmore decided Wednesday not to drive the #50 Busch Series effort of Keith Coleman Racing this season. Passmore was to replace driver Jennifer Jo Cobb, who was not approved for all tracks, and run a full Busch Series schedule this season. But when her schedule recently was reduced to 19 races she decided it was in her best interest to stay in the ARCA Series. Passmore said team owner Keith Coleman faxed her a contract to run 19 races for team sponsor Vassarette and Cobb, who started at Homestead for the team last season, was to run the other 16 races. Because she was unsure about her future with the team, Passmore opted for a third full season in the ARCA Series, where she will begin practice for the season-opening Advance Auto Parts 200 today at Daytona International Speedway. The 22-year-old ARCA veteran has finished eighth in ARCA points each of the past two seasons, and she has scored five top-5 finishes and 17 top-10 finishes in 52 career starts. It is believed Cobb, who has five ARCA starts, will be retained by KCR, but there was no word from the team on Wednesday.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-10-2005)
Yard Man partners with #33 Harvick car: YARD-MAN by MTD is teaming up with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and its veteran driver Tony Raines to become one of this season’s primary sponsors in NASCAR’s premier Busch series. YARD-MAN, a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden tractors and walk-behind mowers, will sponsor the car for 10 races, including stops at famed tracks such as Bristol, Michigan and Homestead. To kick-off its entrance into America’s fastest growing sport, YARD-MAN will introduce a new paint scheme at the highly anticipated Busch Series race in Mexico City in conjunction with an array of marketing activities that will captivate race fans nationwide. The trio of marketing activities include: I Can’t Believe Kevin Harvick Is Mowing My Lawn!; Racing Mowers Take Lawn Care to New Heights; and YARD-MAN Garage Houses Tools for Fun.(Edelman PR)(2-10-2005)
Contact Dispute with Keith Coleman Racing: A contract dispute between Keith Coleman Racing, LLC, and the owner of the Eddyville building that houses the race team’s operation looks to end up in court. A complaint filed in Lyon Circuit Court Monday pits Robert D. White, owner of the plant and acreage at 50 Industrial Park Road, against the race team, which signed a contract for the property in late June 2004. According to the complaint, filed by White’s attorney, Marvin Lee Wilson of Eddyville, the parties entered into a lease/purchase agreement on June 26, 2004, for the building, the former site of White’s Suncatcher Products company. A copy of the handwritten agreement included with the complaint indicates the race team was to pay $2,000 a month for 6 months, beginning July 1, 2004. The lease payments would go toward the total purchase price of $400,000, according to the contract. On Jan. 1, at the end of the 6-month period, the race team was scheduled to purchase the building for the remainder of its cost, $388,000, the contract states. White’s complaint accuses the race team of failing and refusing to perform under the terms of that agreement. On Thursday, Wilson said the company refused to close on the building, citing problems with the property that should be corrected before closing. The complaint asks the court that the race team remove itself from the property or be ordered to perform under the terms and provisions of the contract by completing the purchase. The case was originally filed in Lyon District Court, but District Judge William McCaslin ruled that since the case involved more than $4,000 and breach of contract allegations, it be filed in circuit court. A review before McCaslin is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 14. Wilson said Thursday that the race team’s registered agent, Hopkinsville attorney Stephen E. Underwood, had not filed a response to the complaint.(Times Leader)(2-10-2005)
#56 gets sponsor for 2005, Tim Sauter back driving: Mac Hill Motorsports announced that Lester Buildings, one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of engineered buildings, has joined the team as the primary sponsor on their #56 NASCAR Busch Series entry for the 2005 season. The sponsorship includes 19 races, starting with the Hershey’s TAKE 5 300 on February 19, 2005 at Daytona International Speedway. NBS veteran Tim Sauter has been chosen to drive the Lester Buildings Chevrolet, with Todd Myers assuming Crew Chief duties. The sponsorship will bring three efforts under one roof. Lester Buildings sponsored Sauter’s 2004 ASA efforts, which included a 6th place finish in the overall standings and a victory at Madison International Raceway in July. In addition to his ASA duties, Sauter has made 16 Busch Series starts with Mac Hill Motorsports over the past two seasons. So, when the ASA circuit fell upon hard times after the 2004 season, Lester Buildings, Tim Sauter and Mac Hill Motorsports made the perfect combination for 2005. Sauter, who has 71 NASCAR Busch Series starts in his career, will return to the NBS, where he finished 13th in the overall standings in 2002, driving the AP Performance #19 Chevrolet. Last season, he competed full-time on the ASA circuit with sponsorship from Lester Buildings, finishing 6th in the final season standings as well as taking the victory at Madison International Speedway in July. Lester Buildings and Mac Hill Motorsports are confirming sponsorship activation plans which currently include a Busch series-exclusive building sweepstakes in which one lucky fan will win a 1,200 square foot Lester hobby/storage building, valued at approximately $30,000 in a season-end drawing. An exclusive Racing Community rebate offer of 50 cents per square foot, which can, as an example, save $2,000 on a 50′ x 80′ building, will also be an ongoing facet of the sponsorship. Activation will be through track/event advertising and the internet, including the team’s recently unveiled website: www.machillmotorsports.com. Mac Hill Motorsports & Lester Buildings Racing 2005 NBS Schedule:
Daytona (2/19), Nashville (3/26), Bristol (4/2), Talladega (4/30), Richmond (5/13), Nashville (6/11), Kentucky (6/18), Milwaukee (6/25), Chicago (7/9), Pikes Peak (7/23), Gateway (7/30), IRP (8/6), Michigan (8/20), Bristol (8/26), Richmond (9/9), Dover (9/24), Kansas (10/8), Memphis (10/22), Homestead (11/19)
For more information on Mac Hill Motorsports or Lester Buildings, visitwww.machillmotorsports.com.(PR’s)(2-10-2005)
So what is up with Cobb? Jennifer Jo Cobb will run at least 16 Busch races for Keith Coleman Racing, starting about Midseason, and also a partial ARCA schedule for Keith Murt. Cobb ran the Busch race at Homestead for Coleman in 2004, starting 28th and finishing 43rd. In five career ARCA starts since 2002, Cobb has three top-10 finishes including a career-best seventh at Nashville in 2004. Also finished ninth at Kansas and 10th at Chicago in 2004. She is a veteran of late models, sportsman late models and pony stock divisions.(Florida Today)(2-9-2005)
Edwards tests at VIR: #60-Carl Edwards is testing a Busch Car [#60 Ford] at the VIR (Virginia International Raceway) road course inpreparation for the Busch Series races at Mexico nd Watkins Glen and the two Cup road course races at Infineon Raceway and Watkins Glen.(Roush Racing)(2-9-2005)
Vicker to run limited Busch schedule: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick announced that 21-year-old Brian Vickers will return to the NASCAR Busch Series for four races in 2005 with support from primary sponsor Ore-Ida and its Extra Crispy French-fry brand. As part of the agreement, Vickers will drive his four Busch Series races in Ore-Ida-wrapped #57 Chevrolets. In addition to its support of Vickers’ Busch Series appearances, Ore-Ida will become a major associate partner of the #25 NEXTEL Cup Series team with Vickers as driver. Vickers, the 2003 Busch Series champion is scheduled to make his first Busch Series start of 2005 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway May 28, followed by events at Daytona International Speedway in July, Michigan International Speedway in August and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(2-8-2005)
Jourdain Cleared to Compete at Daytona: ppc Racing officials announced today driver Michel Jourdain Jr. has been cleared by NASCAR to compete in next week’s NASCAR Busch Series event at Daytona International Speedway. Jourdain, driver of the #10 ppc Racing Ford Taurus, is the first Mexican driver to compete in the series full time after years of racing in the open-wheel ranks. Ford Racing Technology announced last month Jourdain’s arrival into stock car auto racing with ppc Racing. He immediately began testing at Daytona International, California and Las Vegas Motor Speedways all of which have secured confidence in Jourdain as he prepares for his first race at Daytona. Jourdain competed in his first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Phoenix International Raceway last month, finishing sixth in the Grand National Division, West Series season opener after starting 16th.(ppc Racing PR)(2-8-2005)
Bear Creek Soups To Step Up Sponsorship at ppc Racing: ppc Racing officials announced associate sponsor Bear Creek Soups will return with an expanded 2005 motorsports marketing program. Under the sponsorship agreement, Bear Creek Soups will be the “Official Soup Product” at ppc Racing and have a strong presence on all four race teams with drivers #14-John Andretti [Cup], #22-Kenny Wallace [Busch], #10-Michel Jourdain Jr.[Busch] and #10-Terry Cook [Trucks]. Bear Creek Soups has sponsored ppc Racing since 2001 and was a primary sponsor with the team’s NASCAR Busch Series efforts last year at select events. The Bear Creek Soups logos will be displayed in various locations on all four of ppc Racing’s race vehicles; the #14 VB / APlus at Sunoco Ford Taurus in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with driver John Andretti; the #22 Stacker 2 Ford Taurus in the NASCAR Busch Series with driver Kenny Wallace; the #10 ppc Racing Ford Taurus with driver Michel Jourdain Jr.; and the #10 Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International race truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with driver Terry Cook. For more information, please visit www.bearcreekfoods.com.(ppc Racing PR)(2-8-2005)
Wolfe to run 22 races in the #6 Hungry Driver Dodge: Paul Wolfe is preparing for a 22-race NASCAR Busch Series season driving the #6 Hungry Drivers Dodge, owned by Evernham Motorsports, and you can bet that he has set high expectations for his break-out season. At the top of the list – the 2005 Rookie of the Year honors. In the recent test session at Daytona International Speedway, Wolfe and his Hungry Drivers team posted the third quickest lap time overall during the three-day test. Elton Sawyer was hand picked by Ray Evernham to lead Wolfe and the Hungry Drivers team, Evernham Motorsports’ first full time Busch Series effort. Sawyer competed successfully in the NASCAR Busch Series for over twenty years. To date, he is ranked second in all time starts among past and present NASCAR Busch Series drivers with 392 starts. Last season, Wolfe was one of four young drivers in the Hungry Drivers Racing program, sponsored by Unilever Foods brands Ragu, Hellmann’s and Country Crock. The program was designed to give four drivers from various racing backgrounds the opportunity to compete in three races each on the NASCAR Busch Series circuit and prove themselves worthy of being named as primary driver of the #6 Hungry Drivers Dodge for the 2005 season. In three starts, Wolfe posted two top-20 finishes, including 18th place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a team high 12th place at New Hampshire International Raceway. Impressed with his performance, Wolfe was named the primary driver of the #6 Dodge for the 2005 season. In its second year, the Hungry Drivers program has partnered with Evernham Motorsports for the 2005 NASCAR season. The program gives up and coming “hungry drivers” the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to get behind the wheel of the NASCAR Busch Series #6 Dodge and prove their talent to the racing world.(919 Marketing/Hungry Drivers PR), more info on the program at hungrydrivers.com.(2-8-2005)
Northeastern Supply returns to ppc Racing: The Northeastern Supply Company is commemorating its 12th consecutive season of NASCAR Busch Series race team sponsorship in 2005 by returning to ppc Racing and maintaining its support of veteran driver Kenny Wallace. The hugely successful, Baltimore, Maryland-based distributor of heating, air conditioning, plumbing and hardware supplies was an associate sponsor of Jason Keller at ppc Racing in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The company moved its support over to Bill Davis Racing, Kenny Wallace and the Stacker 2 race team last season and decided to maintain the alliances they had formed in 2004 by following Wallace and Stacker 2 over to ppc Racing for the upcoming campaign.(PR)(2-8-2005)
Mexican Female Driver to run at Mexico UPDATE and more?: The best female racer in Mexico will compete in NASCAR’s Busch Series road-racing event in Mexico City next month. Mara Reyes will drive a Jay Robinson Racing Ford [#28,#39,#49] in the first NASCAR points race south of the border. The 27-year-old has been racing for 14 years, including the Mustang Series. Last season she won a pole and finished sixth in the Corona Challenge Series, the top stock car series in Mexico and a series backed by NASCAR. ”I’m very nervous to race against people like Jeff Gordon,” she said [hadn’t heard Gordon was gonna race?]. But she has the confidence to do so. Last month in California she received her license to compete in NASCAR events on road courses and short ovals. Reyes, who is sponsored by AMD, Sun Microsystem and Advil, will probably also compete in about seven other Busch races this season. Countryman Michel Jourdain will compete in the entire Busch schedule [for ppc Racing in the #10].(Miami Herald)(2-7-2005)
Mexico race gets a title sponsor: NASCAR is now calling the March 6 Busch Series race in Mexico City the Telcel Motorola 200 presented by Banamex.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-7-2005)
Stevie Reeves back racing: Former USAC midget champion Stevie Reeves competed in the Copper World’s Silver Crown race, his first race of any kind since three Indy-car races at the end of the 2000 season. “I didn’t know how bad I wanted to drive again until I got the car sideways the first time,” the Speedway, Ind., native said Reeves, a machinist at Dale Earnhardt Inc., will compete in the five Silver Crown pavement races this season. He also will be the spotter for DEI’s Paul Menard in the Busch Series.(Indy Star)(2-5-2005)
Labonte gets an assoc. sponsor: Labonte-Haas Motorsports announced Barr-Nunn Transportation of Granger, Iowa, as an associate sponsor on their #44 United States Coast Guard Chevys driven by Justin Labonte for 2005. Barr-Nunn Transportation plans to use the program to emphasize their driver recruiting slogan, “The Difference IS Real.” This campaign is designed to create awareness among their current and prospective drivers and owner operators of their top-notch compensation, cost containment programs and dedicated tours to accommodate driver needs for more at home time. (Labonte-Haas PR)(2-5-2005)
Hemphill testing, team looking for team to share track: #4 Biagi Brothers Racing and driver Ryan Hemphillwill be testing at Talladega Superspeedway on Wednesday, February 9th and Thursday, February 10th and is looking for teams who would be interested in sharing the track for those days. To join in on the test session, please contact Mark Tutor at (704) 663-4450 x12.(BGNRacing.com)(2-5-2005)
Final Day of testing at Vegas: Even though Martin Truex Jr.’s stiffest competition during last year’s run to the NASCAR Busch Series title has moved on, the protégé of Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not going to take it easy in his quest for a second straight championship. “We lost one of our competitors (Kyle Busch) but we gained five so I think it’s going to be tough,” Truex said. “There’s new guys coming in and some guys were running really good at the end of last year that are going to be tough. I think with this new tire they’ve got, they really leveled the playing field back out and we’ve got our work cut out for us for sure. It’s not going to be easy but I think we’re up to it. We need to get to work and figure this thing out.” Truex was one of 15 Busch Series teams who tested Thursday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in preparation for the March 12 Sam’s Town 300. “I think we’ve tried about everything we can think of so far,” Truex said. “We’re pretty decent. I think there are two or three cars here that are better than us and obviously we want to be better than everybody else. We’re just working really hard and trying to figure out this tire. I think we’ll get it. It’s just going to take some time. Other than that, it’s been going good. The track is real slick and that’s how it usually gets during the race so it’s a good judge of how it’s going to be on the track.” Truex is trying to be the first repeat Busch Series champion since his car owner and friend Earnhardt Jr. captured the 1998 and 1999 Busch titles. “Obviously we want to back up our championship,” Truex said. “I think we want to do better; we want to win more races. Overall, we want to be better as a race team and try to prepare ourselves for the next step. The seven (Nextel) Cup races we’re going to do is a big part of that and we’re looking forward to the challenge.” Thursday’s test concluded the four-day NASCAR Preseason Thunder Las Vegas. A total of 65 cars in the Nextel Cup and Busch Series participated in the test sessions. Thursday’s only incident came in the final five minutes when Denny Hamlin spun his #20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet in Turn 3. Hamlin managed to keep the car off the wall and did no damage to the car.(LVMS)(2-5-2005)
Munter to possible ARCA ride: There is a top quality upper level NASCAR team ready to field an ARCA car for Leilani Munter. “I still have plans to race in some speedway NASCAR Elite Division races this year,” said Munter, “We plan to make an announcement regarding those races soon. My focus, however, is on giving the most exposure I can possibly give to a company on the level of racing which I feel prepared for. That is in the ARCA Re/Max Series.” All speedway events will be televised on SPEED Channel. Munter will be in top quality equipment and will have all the resources to run up front in ARCA. Additional national television coverage beyond the ARCA races is included. Sponsors on Munter’s ARCA car will also have opportunities to get additional exposure as an associate sponsor in NASCAR Busch and Nextel Cup Series.(leilanimunter.com)(2-3-2005)
Yeley to run Daytona ARCA Race: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Shaver Motorsports will field an ARCA Remax Series entry at Daytona International Speedway for J.J. Yeley, driver of the #18 Vigoro / Home Depot Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series. The Daytona ARCA event will mark the second time Shaver Motorsports has fielded a car for a Joe Gibbs Racing developmental driver. Denny Hamlin, driver of the #20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series, piloted his Shaver Motorsports ride to an impressive third place finish in the 2004 ARCA Remax Series finale at Talladega. “Shaver Motorsports did a great job working with Denny Hamlin at Talladega, and we wanted to give J.J. Yeley the same opportunity to get some more seat time at a restrictor plate track,” said Steve DeSouza, Vice President of Busch Operations for Joe Gibbs Racing. Yeley will drive the #2 Shaver Motorsports entry, and the car will be adorned with the insignia of the new Joe Gibbs Performance Synthetic Racing Oil. Joe Gibbs Performance Vehicles will also be displayed on the #2 Shaver Motorsports entry.(JGR PR)(2-3-2005)
Curb Agajanian Motorsports to run 12 races: Mike Curb and Cary Agajanian, owners of #43 Curb Agajanian Motorsports Dodge, announced today that a twelve-race schedule with Busch Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Contender A.J. Fike, NASCAR Busch Series Champion Jeff Green, and Channellock, Inc. has been finalized for the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series season. Fike will begin his campaign for the 2005 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award in a Channellock backed Dodge at Daytona. Jeff Green will pilot the Channellock entry for both Busch Series events at Bristol Motor Speedway. The #43 will sport the familiar Channellock Blue at the Busch Series events held at Daytona, California, Bristol, Texas, Lowe’s, Talladega and Chicago. Curb Agajanian Motorsports will be making further announcements on their additional partners for the remainder of the year.(Curb/Agajanian PR via BGNRacing.com)(2-3-2005)
Las Vegas Testing: Four months ago, Michel Jourdain Jr. was turning laps in excess of 210 miles per hour at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wednesday, during a test session at LVMS, Jourdain was about 50 miles per hour slower, but things were no less challenging. The nine-year veteran of the Champ Car World Series, who finished 11th in the Bridgestone 400 at LVMS in September, is trying to make the adjustment from the light, quick Champ Cars to the heavier and slower cars of the NASCAR Busch Series. “This is a whole new experience,” Jourdain said. “The only thing that is similar is that you go left all the time. When we ran the Champ Cars here, you would just run wide-open all the time. Here, I have to brake. I feel like a first-timer. Everything is so different. The cars are so heavy, there’s no downforce. “I feel like a first timer. It’s like (a NASCAR driver) coming here in a Champ Car. It would be completely different.” Jourdain, who is teaming with Kenny Wallace at ppc Racing, is leaning on his veteran teammate as well as spotter and former driver Andy Houston for help. “They have been great with me,” Jourdain said. “There is so much more to learn. Just the difference from sitting in the middle of the car to sitting on the left side of the car is an adjustment.” Jourdain was one of 22 NASCAR Busch Series drivers taking part in Wednesday’s session of NASCAR Preseason Thunder Las Vegas. The drivers will conclude their testing on Thursday as they prepare for the March 12 Sam’s Town 300. The only incident of the day occurred during the morning session. David Reutimann, who was subbing for Joe Nemechek, blew an engine in turn 3. Carl Edwards and Johnny Sauter hit the oil and spun. Edwards’ car made significant contact with the outside wall. Edwards tested his backup car for the remainder of the day.(LVMS PR)(2-3-2005)
Driver moves south: Charles Lewandowski announced this week that his shop has hired a full time crew chief and will move from Stafford Springs, CT to Concord, NC. Charles will be running for rookie of the year honors [in the Busch North Series] and feel the move puts him in a position to take advantage of the expertise of his equipment manufacturers.(OpenWheelRacing.com), don’t have anymore info…yet.(2-2-2005) UPDATE: Charles Lewandoski, driver of the #01 NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series entry, has announced today his intentions to compete in the full 2005 BNS schedule with a goal of capturing the Auto Meter Rookie of the Year title. In order to assure that Charles Lewandoski Racing has all the necessary tools and equipment for success, the team is currently relocating to Concord, North Carolina and has named David Hirsch Crew Chief of the #01 Chevrolets for the 2005 season. “Everything about our team has improved this off-season,” Lewandoski said. “A ton of opportunities like our move to North Carolina and our solid personnel and equipment improvements have come together in a way that will only help me and the team in 2005 and beyond. With the experience we gained in our races last season and all the things we’ve done to strengthen our team this winter, I’m anticipating only great things to come.” After competing in a partial Busch North Series schedule in 2004, Charles Lewandoski will make the step into competing full-time in 2005 with an eye towards earning Rookie of the Year honors.(www.chalew.com/)(2-3-2005)
Elliott to run three Busch races? for Rusty? and Gaughan? been told that Bill Elliott will race three Busch Series races for Rusty Wallace Inc., including Nashville Superspeedway, Pikes Peak and Milwaukee.(1-28-2005) AND Rusty Wallace said on Tuesday that he has some unresolved slots on his Busch Series roster this year, and he hopes Brendan Gaughan can fill the gaps. Gaughan was Wallace’s teammate at Penske Racing last year. Wallace, who fielded Busch cars under the Rusty Wallace Inc. banner in 2004, says he is trying to add Gaughan to a long list of drivers of the #64, including Jamie McMurray, Jeremy Mayfield and himself. “I’ve got some races I’ve got to get filled in yet and I plan on calling Brendan and ask him to do it. I’ve got that much confidence in him,” Wallace said.(NASCAR.com)(2-2-2005)
Barrett gets a sponsor for Daytona Cup and Busch races: First Trust Portfolios, L.P., a Chicagoland firm specializing in Asset Management, Financial Advisory and Defined Portfolio supervision, will be primary sponsor for Stanton Barrett’s #92 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car in the season-opening Daytona 500. Master Spas will serve as associate sponsor. The car is fielded by Front Row Motorsports, owned by restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins. For Barrett’s NASCAR Busch Series car, the #36 Chevrolet fielded by DCT Motorsports, will have primary sponsorship divided between Master Spas and First Trust Portfolios.(Williams Company PR)(2-2-2005)
Brewer to debut at MacDonald Motorsports: Zach Brewer will compete in several Busch Series events piloting the #72 Chevy owned by racing veteran, Randy MacDonald. MacDonald’s “Business Driver” Development Program is sure to get extra attention in 2005 with MacDonald’s innovative marketing plans and an exciting young driver like Zach Brewer. Brewer started racing in WKA at the age of five. By the time Brewer was fifteen, he had 85 wins and over 250 top five finishes. The Dash series event at Bristol in 1999 was Brewer’s first NASCAR victory at age 19. An instructor with the Richard Petty Driving Experience, Brewer is very experienced working with race fans and the media. The April 2nd Busch series event at Bristol Motor Speedway will be the first project for MacDonald and Brewer. RVUSA.com will be on board as a sponsor with Brewer again in 2005. Low cost sponsorship packages are still available for that event and other 2005 race dates. For more information, contact Jeff Leonard at 336-969-0944 ext. 109 and check out www.zachbrewer.com and www.rvusa.com.(Pipeline PR)(2-1-2005)
