January 2006 Busch Series Archive

 

  • McFarland and Earnhardt, Jr. Visit Naval Base: On Thursday and Friday of last week, Mark McFarland and Dale Earnhardt Jr. received a crash-course in Navy basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Base located just north of Chicago, Ill. Rear Admiral Jeffrey Fowler and Senior Chief Jeff Priest accompanied the JR Motorsports crew around the base. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the trip was McFarland’s attempt to pass the preliminary test that one must take just to qualify for the NAVY Seal program.(JR Motorsports PR)(1-31-2006)
  • Jason White to Drive for New Team: Virginia businessmen Dwayne Gaulding, and Barry Tudor announced today the formation of Ashton Gray Racing, a professional based NASCAR Busch Series team set to debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March 2006. The team has selected NASCAR driver Jason White to pilot their Dodge Intrepids in a minimum of ten NBS (NASCAR Busch Series) events this season. The team’s car number, motor program and sponsors will be announced at a later date. In addition to Atlanta, the team plans to run at Nashville, Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas and Chicago to name a few. (Ashton Gray PR)(1-31-2006)
  • Ravenswood Wine to Sponsor Brewco: Ravenswood Winery announced their sponsorship of the #27 Brewco Motorsports car for 2006. This is Ravenswood Winery’s first NASCAR team sponsorship and they will act as primary sponsor of the #27 Brewco Ford at Phoenix in April, Watkins Glen and Bristol in August. Ravenswood will be an associate sponsor for the Brewco #66 car in the remaining Busch Series races.(Ravenswood PR)(1-30-2006)
  • Richard Tocado Companies Join RCR as Associate Sponsor: The Richard Tocado Companies has joined Richard Childress Racing as an associate sponsor of its #21 Busch Series team for the 2006 season. The Richard Tocado Companies specialize in home mortgage refinancing and interest-only mortgages.(RCR PR)(1-29-2006)
  • Newman/Busch split Busch duties: Penske Racing announced its two drivers, #12-Ryan Newman and #2-Kurt Busch, will split time in 14 Busch Series races this season [#39 Dodge](Florence Morning News)(1-27-2006)
  • CitiFinancial Renews with Yates: UPDATE: CitiFinancial, a leading community-based lender in North America, will return as the primary sponsor of the #90 CitiFinancial Ford in collaboration with Robert Yates Racing for a full season in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series. CitiFinancial first appeared on the NASCAR Busch scene in 2005, running a limited schedule with NASCAR veterans Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett. This season, Sadler will return to pilot the #90 Ford in an estimated 16 races, while newcomers Stephen Leicht and Matt McCall will also share seat time.(CitiFinancial PR)(1-24-2006)
    UPDATE: RYR team manager Eddie D’Hondt said that either Leicht or McCall likely would drive the car fulltime in the Busch Series in 2007, and then move with the team to Nextel Cup. During the winter, CitiFinancial signed a three-year contract extension with the team and will remain as the primary sponsor, D’Hondt said. (FordRacing.com)(1-26-2006)
  • Coast Guard with RCR in 2006? UPDATE: hearing there will be an announcement from the U.S. Coast Guard early next week regarding an agreement with Richard Childress Racing and drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton. Harvick is expected to compete in 30 races for the Coast Guard and Burton will compete in the other five races to complete the 2006 season. Harvick cannot compete in all 35 races due to obligations of his own Busch Series Sponsored entry by Dollar General.(12-9-2005)
    UPDATE Coast Guard to RCR: Richard Childress Racing announced today the United States Coast Guard will be the primary sponsor of its #21 Chevy driven by Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton for the 2006 Busch Series season. Harvick will compete in 30 races while Burton will compete in the remaining five events. (RCR PR)(1-26-2006)
  • Yates to Sign Diercks UPDATE to Drive for ML Motorsports: Davenport [Iowa] racer Justin Diercks has rounded a big turn in his bid to catch a Nextel Cup ride. The two-time defending NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Midwest point series champion, Diercks will sign a contract with Robert Yates Racing in the coming days, Yates team general manager Eddie D’Hondt said Thursday. The Yates team has three Nextel Cup cars, but D’Hondt said Diercks likely would spend the coming year driving on the ARCA circuit, the equivalent of Double-A baseball. D’Hondt said Diercks also could earn some starts in the Triple-A Busch Cup series, which is raced at NASCAR tracks in conjunction with Nextel Cup events.(Quad-City Times)(12-23-2005)
    UPDATE Diercks to Drive for ML Motorsports: ML Motorsports has collaborated with Robert Yates Racing, who signed Justin Diercks last month for the 2006 season. After entering in a few Busch Series races in the later part of the 2005 season, ML Motorsports began looking for opportunities of experienced support in the series to help them obtain the best possible information to improve their program. ML Motorsports is tentatively planning its 2006 season carefully, kicking the season of with an ARCA RE/MAX Series race with plans to ease into the NASCAR Busch Series.(MLM PR)(1-26-2006)
  • Mears to run 10 Busch Races: Casey Mears will run 10 races in the Busch Series this year in cars prepared in-house by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Mears will race in two events at California, Texas and Charlotte, the spring Busch race at Phoenix and single Busch races at Atlanta, Chicagoland and Michigan. (ThatsRacin/David Poole)(1-26-2006)
  • Wimmer to Brewco for 13 Races: Scott Wimmer has signed on to drive the #66 Duraflame Ford for Brewco Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch Series for 13 events in 2006. Duraflame returns as a primary sponsor with Brewco Motorsports for its second season after a very successful 2005. (Brewco PR)(1-24-2006)
  • Guerity Tests for Nemechek: Mike Guerity spent Saturday afternoon making single car runs for NEMCO Motosports during testing. Nemechek was forced to leave at lunchtime on Saturday due to a scheduled appearance in Michigan. Mike was 25th fastest out of 54 with a time almost identical to Joe’s time in the morning session. (Guerity PR)(1-23-2006)
  • Jay Robinson Racing to return in 2006: UPDATE: Jay Robinson Racing announced Advil is partnering with the #49 Ford Fusion for 18 races as The primary sponsor for the 2006 Busch Series Season. Although this is a limited schedule they are still looking to fill in the remaining 17 races. Driver is yet to be determined depending upon available sponsorship.(Jay Robinson Racing via BGNRacing.com)
    UPDATE: Derrike Cope in an interview with the Hunstville Times on this season’s plans, “Right now, I’m in the middle of trying to consummate everything I’ve got going on. I’m still going to be driving the Advil Busch car. ” (Huntsville [AL] Times)(1-21-2006)
  • New Team formed with Dion Ciccarelli: UPDATE 2: Larry and Beth Jamerson announce the formation of the racing division of Jamerson Motorsports with Busch Series driver, Dion Ciccarelli. Jamerson Motorsports intends to compete in a full 2006 Busch Grand National East Series schedule, as well as select Busch Series events in 2006. The team will run the #84 in BGNES and a car number will soon be announced for the NASCAR Busch Series. (Jamerson Motorsports PR)(1-8-2006)
    UPDATE:Jamerson Motorsports is excited to announce that CNHMUSCLECARS.com, and Monster Racing Excitement at Dover International Speedway have joined Jamerson Motorsports as Associate Sponsors for both its Busch Series and Busch East Series Division racing programs. The Team also announced that Shoreline Food Service Company, Capt’n Chucky’s Crabcake Company and GirlsGarage.com will also be joining both race programs with driver Dion Ciccarelli for 2006.(Jamerson PR)(1-19-2006)
    UPDATE 2: Jamerson Motorsports has announced that Larry T. Weiss Co., Inc. of Elkridge, MD. has joined the team as Associate Sponsor for both its Busch Series, and Busch Grand National East Division Series race programs. (Jamerson PR)(1-20-2005)
  • Bliss to Drive Four Races for SKI Motorsports: Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary, 154-year-old global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, will embark on its second season of NASCAR Busch Series competition with veteran driver Mike Bliss piloting the #30 Smith & Wesson/SKI Motorsports Chevrolet at four events in 2006. Bliss, will take to the track for the May 12 event at Darlington Raceway, followed by races at Indianapolis Raceway Park (Aug. 5), California Speedway (Sept. 2) and Kansas Speedway (Sept. 30).(Ski Motorsports PR)(1-20-2006)
  • Edwards Gets New Crew Chief: Pierre Kuettel has taken over as crew chief for Roush Racing’s #60 Busch Series Ford driven by Carl Edwards. Kuettel is replacing Brad Parrott. Kuettel, car chief for Edwards’ #99 Nextel Cup team, worked with the Busch team Monday during preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway. Bob Osborne, Edwards’ Nextel Cup crew chief, will also help with the Busch team for the first few races of 2006.(NASCAR Scene Daily)(1-20-2006)
  • Paul Tracy to race in Busch Series in 2006: UPDATE 5 Deal Announced: Paul Tracy will make the jump to the NASCAR Busch Series in selected races in 2006. Tracy, who was in Daytona testing an ARCA car for Andy HIllenburg, told MRN Radio’s “NASCAR Today” that he will run a second Busch car for Biagi Brothers [#4 team with Mark Green driving] racing next year. “I will be doing the 24 hours again and trying to get some experience in stock cars and make the transition into stock cars in the future. Andy Hillenburg, who I am driving for here, has been really helpful with trying to help me out make the transition. We’ve got a deal 99% done to run 4 or 5 Busch Series racing for Fred Biagi. We’ve got a sponsor package put together to run a second car. Really my timetable is to be up and running by 2007… maybe run 10 or 11 races and a Cup race or 2 next year.” MRN Radio’s “NASCAR Today” can be heard on 505 radio stations and XM Satellite Radio.(MRN’s NASCAR Today)(12-17-2005)
    UPDATE: ChampCar driver, Paul Tracy, has achieved tremendous success at every level of his racing career. On Friday, the 2003 ChampCar Series champion descended on Daytona International Speedway hoping that his past racing success would translate into success at his first stock car test at the 2.5-mile tri-oval. Tracy is close to securing a deal to run a limited number of Busch Series events with Biagi Bros. Racing as a teammate to Mark Green and the #4 GEICO Dodge. The events will coordinate with his ChampCar Schedule and his commitment to Forsythe Racing. In 2006, Paul will return to the ChampCar Series, but hopes to be running full-time in NASCAR in 2007. “My game plan was to make the transition in ’06, but it really didn’t come together,” said Tracy. “I’ve made another year commitment to Forsythe Racing. Jerry Forsythe has been gracious enough to let me do whatever I want to do and to try whatever I want to try. My timetable is to be in NASCAR full-time in 2007.”(Paul Tracy PR)(12-19-2005)
    UPDATE 2: Paul Tracy, the Canadian-born open wheel star who won the 2003 CART title, said he hopes to run in about five Busch Series races in 2006. Tracy had hoped to run select races this year with Biagi Bros. Racing, but sponsor negotiations are continuing and he will likely end up with another existing Busch team. (NASCAR Scene)(1-5-2006)
    UPDATE 3: Player Management International confirmed Friday that Paul Tracy will run a minimum of 4 races this season. The team, sponsor, and schedule will be announced during Busch testing. (1-7-2006)
    UPDATE 4: Tracy will drive 4-5 races for Frank Cicci Racing.(1-9-2006)
    UDPATE 5: [Tracy] has inked a 5-race deal that will see him behind the wheel of a stock car in the Busch Series. Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly will be fielding the #34 Chevy for Tracy’s 5-race NASCAR debut. Tracy will make his debut at Daytona and then follow up with appearances in Mexico City on March 5th, Las Vegas on March 11th, Indianapolis on August 5th, and Fontana on September 2nd. Sport Clips (All*Star Haircuts for Men & Boys) will be the primary sponsor at Daytona, IRP, and California, with American Crew (Quality Grooming Products for Men) taking over as a co-primary sponsor with Sport Clips at Las Vegas. American Crew will appear as an associate sponsor on all of Tracy’s races. (Player Management International PR)(1-20-2006)
  • Mountain Dew to Sponsor Vickers in 3 Busch Races: Brian Vickers will be “Fueled by Dew” beginning this season, with Mountain Dew today announcing a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports. Mountain Dew will be an associate sponsor of Vickers’ #25 GMAC Chevrolets throughout the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series campaign. Vickers will also pilot #57 Mountain Dew Chevrolets in three NASCAR Busch Series races in 2006: Feb. 25 at California Speedway, May 12 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, and Aug. 19 at Michigan International Speedway.(Hendrick PR)(1-19-2006)
  • Busch Testing at Daytona Begins Friday: The final test session of the preseason for NASCAR’s three national series at Daytona International Speedway takes place Friday – Sunday as NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder at Daytona culminates with the NASCAR Busch Series on the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Over 40 teams are scheduled to participate in the three-day session. Monday, Jan. 23 is a rain date if necessary. All sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m., weather permitting. Each session includes a lunch break from noon until 1:00 p.m. Drivers scheduled to attend the session include last year’s series runner-up Clint Bowyer (#2 ACDelco Chevrolet), along with seven other drivers who finished in the top 10 of the NASCAR Busch Series championship standings in 2005: Carl Edwards (#60 Ameriquest/Henkel Ford), Reed Sorenson (#41 Discount Tire Co. Dodge), Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet), Paul Menard (#11 Menard’s Chevrolet), Kenny Wallace (#22 AutoZone Chevrolet), David Green (#27 Kleenex Ford) and Jason Keller (#1 Miccosukee Resort Dodge), who will drive for Phoenix Racing this season. Other top 2006 title contenders scheduled to test are John Andretti (#10 FreedomRoads Racing Ford), who makes his fulltime series debut this season; Ashton Lewis Jr. (#25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) and his new Team Rensi Motorsports runningmate Regan Smith (#35 McDonald’s Ford); Jason Leffler (#32 Braun Racing Chevrolet), Jon Wood (#47 Clorox Ford) and Johnny Sauter (#00 Yellow Transportation Chevrolet). Three former NASCAR Busch Series champions are scheduled to test – Joe Nemechek (#87 NEMCO Chevrolet), who won in 1991; Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#8 Kraft Chevrolet), who captured consecutive titles in 1998-99 and Kevin Harvick (#29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet), the 2001 series champion. All three former champs are also NASCAR Busch Series team owners, too.An exciting Raybestos Rookie group will make its series testing debut at Daytona including A.J. Foyt IV (#38 Great Clips Dodge), Danny O’Quinn (#50 Ford) and Todd Kluever (#06 3M Ford) of Roush Racing, Burney Lamar (#77 Dollar General Chevrolet) and Mark McFarland (#88 U.S. NAVY Chevrolet). Although not a rookie, another first-year driver of interest will be Paul Tracy (#34 Cicci/Kelly Chevrolet), the veteran open-wheel star who plans to make his NASCAR debut this season in the NASCAR Busch Series. And along with Bowyer, Edwards, Hamlin and Sorenson and Harvick, Kyle Busch (#5 Lowe’s Chevrolet) and J.J. Yeley (#18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevrolet) are scheduled to test, joining the group that plans to run a full schedule this season in both the NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. The NASCAR Busch Series will continue preseason testing with a three-day session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb. 6-8. The 2006 season – the 25th anniversary for series sponsor Anheuser-Busch – begins Feb. 18 at Daytona with the Hershey’s Kissables 300 at 1:00pm/et. Fan Fest offers fans Q&As with drivers, entertainment … On Saturday, fans attending NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder at Daytona have a final opportunity for an evening of fun at Daytona International Speedway’s NEXTEL FANZONE. From 6 – 9:00 p.m., Fan Fest will feature NASCAR Busch Series driver question and answer sessions, bands, show cars, pit-stop demonstrations, a silent auction and displays. The cost is $10 for Fan Fest. Fans also can watch each day’s test session for free, beginning at 9am/et.(NASCAR PR)(1-19-2006)
  • Mike Wallace to test for Sadler at Daytona: NASCAR Busch Series testing will begin this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Due to previous commitments Elliott Sadler will utilize NASCAR veteran Mike Wallace as a substitute behind the wheel of the #90 CitiFinancial Ford during the test. (RYR PR)(1-19-2006)
  • Biagi Gets New Engine Supplier: Ilmor Engineering Inc., a company with more than two decades of success in open-wheel racing, will build engines for the #4 Biagi Bros. Racing GEICO / BryMak entry in the 2006 Busch Series. Mark Green is the driver.(Biagi Bros PR)(1-19-2006)
  • Fraternal Order of Eagles Return to Braun Racing: Braun Racing has announced their marketing partnership with the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) will continue throughout the 2006 season. FOE has agreed to be a major associate sponsor and will be featured on the #32 Braun Racing Chevy throughout the season. Jason Leffler is the driver of the #32.(Braun Racing PR)(1-19-2006)
  • Day Racing to Run Partial Schedule with Chaffin: Day Enterprise Racing intends to compete in up to 15 events in the Nascar Busch Series for the 2006 season with driver Chad Chaffin. Tom Perkins will continue to be the team crew chief. The car will change from #16 to #05. The primary sponsor will continue be 31W Insulation with associate sponsors of Certainteed, Owens Corning, Spectra Metals, FMI Fireplaces, Sign Source, and Fikes Automotive.(Day Racing PR)(1-19-2006)
  • Steadman Marlin gets a ride at Daytona..maybe more: UPDATE: Sadler Racing team owner Earl Sadler will field a car for Steadman Marlin [Sterling’s son] in the Feb. 18 Busch Series opener at Daytona International Speedway and hopes to enter some Nextel Cup races later in the season if funding permits. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m grateful to Mr. Sadler for it,” said Steadman, 25. “He’s got a pretty good race car. Bobby Hamilton had a good run in it last year at Daytona, and maybe I can do the same. Racing has always been a big part of our family. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I sat out seven or eight months. I’m anxious to get back.” While his father, Sterling, is a 30-year racing veteran, Steadman has struggled to get his racing career up to speed. “I’ve told Steadman he has to work at it,” Sterling said. “Nobody’s going to drop anything in his lap. He has to get out there and earn it.” The Sadler-Marlin racing relationship goes back to the early 1980s, when Sterling drove in some races for the team. Could Sadler give Steadman’s career a similar jump-start? “Well, things have changed a lot over the years,” said Sadler, 83, who has also assisted such drivers as Davey Allison, Michael Waltrip, Jeff Green and Jeremy Mayfield with their early careers. “Every year racing gets more expensive, which makes it harder for a small operation like ours to compete. We do the best we can with what we’ve got, but we’re limited.” Sadler said how many Busch races the team enters after Daytona depends on how much sponsorship funding can be generated. Said Steadman: “We’re working on some deals to bring in some funding. I feel like we’ve got a lot to offer sponsors.” Steadman was to share a Busch Series ride with his father for FitzBradshaw Racing. That team fields Dodges, however, and when Sterling signed to race Chevrolets for MB2 Motorsports the Busch deal fell through. “It’s been frustrating, but at least I have a ride for Daytona,” Steadman said. “If we can come out of there with a good run maybe it will lead to some other things.”(Tennessean)(1-17-2006)
    UPDATE: Nick Harrison will be the crew chief for the team. (1-19-2006)
  • Kevin Hamlin to Run Some Races: Chip Ganassi Racing’s Busch Series effort will include the full-time team of Reed Sorenson, with Kevin Hamlin likely to run several races too. (NASCAR Scene)(1-19-2006)

    Kluever Tests at VIR: Continuing his preparation for his first-ever road course race in March, Todd Kluever spent a day testing at Virginia International Raceway on Tuesday, January 17. Not only did Kluever gain the experience of time on the track, he also had a renowned road-racing veteran coaching him. Boris Said spent the day helping him learn the fine points of turning left and right. (Roush Racing PR)(1-18-2006)

  • College Students to Pit #01 Team in 2006: Blue Ridge Community College students will serve as the official pit crew to service the Busch Series Western Union race car (#01), owned by Keith Duesenberg & Leik Motorsports (Fletcher NC) and driven by Jay Sauter during the 2006 race season. The College’s Automotive Technology Program Instructor, Mr. Chris English, has begun training the selected students for this pit crew. The 17-member crew, including one female, will go over the wall for the entire race schedule.(Blue Ridge PR)(1-18-2006)
  • Northeastern Supply Company to Sponsor Keller: One of the NASCAR Busch Series’ oldest sponsors, the Northeastern Supply Company, has renewed an association with veteran driver Jason Keller for the 2006 season by announcing an associate sponsorship with Phoenix Racing and the #1 Miccosukee Gaming & Resort Dodge. (Northeastern Supply Company PR)(1-17-2006)
  • Busch team gets Cup experienced help: Former Hendrick chassis guru Eddie Dickerson is joining forces with crew chief Billy Wilburn at Clay Andrews Racing. Andrews will back David Gilliland, 29, who is the son of former Winston West champion Butch Gilliland, in Nextel Cup. The team will test with Chevrolets later this month at Las Vegas and plans to run 15 races, starting in March with Vegas.(Sporting News)(1-16-2006)
  • Yellow Transportation Prepares for 2006 UPDATE 2: As preparations for the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season amplify, team and driver discussions continue to circulate throughout the racing community. In effort to solidify our presence in the sport, Yellow Transportation is busy preparing for its eighth year of team sponsorship. As previously stated, their dedication to the continued success of our racing program is unyielding and an official announcement regarding their 2006 race team partner will be made public in the New Year.(Yellow PR), no word on the new team, but supposedly Yellow will NOT be back with the #1 Phoenix Racing team or new driver Jason Keller.(12-30-2005)
    UPDATE: hearing that Yellow Transportation will follow Johnny Sauter to the Haas Racing team in 2006, the team had Justin Labonte as the driver of the #44 Coast Guard [who goes to RCR in 2006] Chevy. Yellow Transportation was the sponsor for the #1 PhoenixRacing team in 2005 with Sauter driving. No word on Labonte’s 2006 plans.(1-4-2006)
    UPDATE 2: [Johnny] Sauter will drive this season’s Busch Series car, with Yellow Transportation, Inc. as the primary sponsor. Team Yellow Racing will retain the #00 for the newly-painted Monte Carlo. (Haas CNC Racing Site)(1-14-2006)
  • Labonte and Green Filling in for Vickers at Testing: “I hate having to miss any time, but given the timing of it all and making sure the impact was minimal, the conclusion was for me to have the surgery, skip Daytona testing and rest in order to be able to get back in the car for the Las Vegas test. I appreciate very much David Green, who agreed to go to Daytona a few days early to help out with the #25 Cup test, and Justin Labonte, who will drive the #57 car during Busch Series testing.”(BrianVickers.com)(1-14-2006)
  • Lewis & Smith with Marine Recruits UPDATE 3: Ashton Lewis, Regan Smith and members of the Team Rensi Motorsports organzation are spending time this week in Parris Island, SC at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot. The team members are witnessing the basic training of Marines first hand and participating in activities.(12-1-2005)
    UPDATE: A day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island proved more hazardous to NASCAR Busch Series driver Ashton Lewis Jr. than his high-speed day job. Lewis, who drives the #25 Marine Corps-sponsored Ford car, “stepped funny on a line” while touring Parris Island’s confidence course Thursday and was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with an ankle injury, said Louie Louchart, a staff engineer for the team. “Driving 180 mph, not a problem, but walking 2 mph is difficult,” said Regan Smith, who drives the #35 McDonald’s Big Mac Ford, for which the Marine Corps is an associate sponsor. (Beaufort Gazette via BGNRacing.com)(12-2-2005)
    UPDATE 2: If there is such a thing as good timing for an injury, Ashton Lewis, Jr. may have just found it. Within two weeks of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series season finale and nearly three months before the 2006 season opening race, Lewis suffered a broken right talus bone. The injury occurred during a three day visit to Parris Island Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, in Parris Island, SC last week. Lewis was participating in a training activity when his ankle landed on a large rope following a repel down the rope. The result; a broken talus bone and surgery to repair the bone. The surgery was performed on Monday by Dr. Bob Anderson at Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy.(Rensi PR)(12-6-2005)
    UPDATE 3: If anyone has been searching for Ashton Lewis, Jr. the last few weeks, the best place to find him may have been the Kannapolis (NC) YMCA. The driver of the Team Marines NASCAR Busch Series Ford has been spending numerous hours nearly each day at the YMCA rehabilitating his talus bone that he broke in early December. Surgery to repair the injury was performed by Dr. Bob Anderson of OrthoCarolina at Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy. Lewis began physical therapy one week ago and the bone is responding quite nicely. In addition to the physical therapy Lewis is participating in heavy work outs to regain his cardio and leg strength. (Team Rensi PR)(1-13-2006)
  • At Least 5 Mexican Drivers to Enter Mexico Race: At least five Mexican drivers will participate in the NASCAR Busch Series race scheduled for March 5 in Mexico City, something organizers called a sign of the U.S. circuit’s growing popularity south of the border. “This says a lot about the growth of auto racing in our country,” said Federico Alaman, director of sporting events for OCESA, which is organizing the event. “There are already five or six, and more names are being included all the time.” Alaman was accompanied at a news conference by some of the Mexican drivers likely to race in the Busch event, including Carlos Contreras, Michel Jourdain and Jose Luis Ramirez. Top Mexican driver Adrian Fernandez will also be present. He is planning to run in both the Busch race and the Grand Am contest to be held March 4.(CBS Sportsline/AP)(1-12-2006)
  • Hmiel Sues Braun: Shane Hmiel filed suit in December to obtain the money he earned as a driver for Braun Racing in 2005. The suit…asks for $135,513 in earnings for the season until his suspension June 2. It seeks another $135,513 in compensation for bad faith dealings by Braun. (NASCAR Scene)(1-12-2006)
  • Cameron Returning to Racing: Things couldn’t be better for Austin Cameron. After a three-year battle with cancer – that was capped by open heart surgery – Cameron last spring married the woman, Rachelle, who helped him through the ordeal. The couple is also awaiting the birth of their first child. And now, Cameron is ready to climb back into the cockpit of a stock car. Cameron, who turns 29 on Jan. 24, has signed to drive on NASCAR’s Grand National West tour this season. Cameron will be campaigning the car that David Gilliland drove to victory in the Toyota All-Star Challenge last fall after placing third in last season’s Grand National West standings. (San Diego Union-Tribune)(1-12-2006)
  • Foyt Team Owner Seeks Driver For 2006 Season: The Foyt Racing Team owned by David W. Tomasello is looking for a driver in the wake of the recent resignation of Larry Foyt. Tomasello’s team plans to operate in 2006 with two drivers, with a new up-and-coming driver in the fold. Both drivers will compete primarily in NASCAR’s Busch Series but will also enter selected NEXTEL Cup races, Tomasello said. “Larry recently got engaged and he’s ready to move on to other things,” Tomasello said. “I congratulate him on his decision about his personal life and we all wish him well. I’m optimistic we’ll have a first-rate driver in the fold by the start of the 2006 season,” adding that he’s currently interviewing prospects. “Besides looking for a driver, we are negotiating for major sponsors for both cars,” Tomasello said. He might change the team’s name to Zekko Racing, Tomasello added, after his line of extreme sportswear. Already, he has installed his brother Daniel Tomasello as team president. The team will continue to operate from its new shop in Mooresville, NC, Tomasello said. More info at www.foytracing.net.(1-12-2006)
  • Geisler now with Yates as Engineer: Travis Geisler, who drove the #36 for a partial schedule in 2004 is now working for Robert Yates Racing as the Race Engineer for the #90 Busch Series car.(1-9-2006)
  • #1 Team announcement coming: UPDATED Been told that the #1 Phoenix Racing team will be announcing their 2006 plans in the near future which will include a full time sponsor for the Busch Series with Jason Keller as the driver. Phoenix Racing and Jason Keller have a combined total of 21 wins in the Busch Series.(1-4-2006)
    UPDATE: Phoenix Racing has announced that Miccosukee Resort Gaming located in Miami, Florida will be their Primary Sponsor for the 2006 Busch Series. Miccosukee Resort Gaming has had an Associate Sponsorship with Phoenix Racing for several years.(Phoenix Racing PR)(1-9-2006)
  • Justin Labonte Still Looking: Justin Labonte currently has no set plans for 2006. He is looking for opportunities in the Busch or Truck Series with a credible team; full or limited schedule. (1-9-2006)
  • New Team with Gilliland?: UPDATE: Hearing a new team with David Gilliland as the driver will attempt a full Busch Series Season in 2006. The team, #03 Clay Andrews Racing, reportedly has a shop in North Carolina.(1-1-2006)
    UPDATE: Am now being told that the team will attempt 17 races this year out of California and move to N.C. in 2007 and run the full season pending sponsorship.(1-9-2006)
  • Wood and Compton to run at Daytona/California: Jon Wood will return to the Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona and California to help get the new Wood Brothers/JTG Racing program up to speed. He will be joined by Busch Series teammate Stacy Compton, whose crew chief on the #57 Ford is Robert Yates Racing crew chief Ernie Cope. Wood and Compton will hand off truck driving to rookies Bobby East and Marcus Ambrose later in the season.(Sporting News)(1-9-2006)
  • Rusty Gets #66 Back?: UPDATE Have just heard that Rusty Wallace stated during his annual cruise that RWI has gotten the #66 back [for 2006].(64car.com via BGNRacing.com)(12-18-2005)
    UPDATE: been told that Rusty Wallace Inc’s Busch #64 Busch Series team will retiain the #64 for 2006 season due to sponsor commitments with plans to change back to #66 for the the 2007 season. The team ran the 2004 season with #66 when Duraflame was the sponsor and let Brewco use the #66 when Duraflame went to that team.(1-9-2006)
  • Crew Chief for #77 team: Gene Nead, the 2005 championship crew chief, has accepted a position leading rookie Busch Series driver Burney Lamar’s #77 team at Kevin Harvick Inc.(NASCAR.com)(1-7-2006)
  • Glynn Motorsports sold? hearing form sources that #58 Glynn Motorsports has been sold and will run a team in the Truck Series, Busch Series and Cup Series in 2006. Supposedly Clay Rogers will run the #58 car in the Busch Series.(1-6-2006)
  • Busch Deal Falls Through for Guerity: Michael Guerity, of the ARCA series, is currently seeking a home for 2006 in the NASCAR Truck or Busch Series. “I had a ride for 2006 but unfortunately the team ran out of money and the sponsor did not materialize like the team had expected. It is unfortunate that they were not able to continue racing but everything happens for a reason. I just want an opportunity to be part of a program and build together with a team and sponsor. Hopefully I can do some testing with different teams and find the right fit. Most of this deal is chemistry and communications and I know that both of these have to be built.” stated Mike. (MikeGuerity.com)(1-6-2006)
  • Kenny Wallace gets St. Louis Radio Show: Kenny will have another activity to keep him busy this year. “Starting 2/17 at 7 o’clock (PM) Central Time in St. Louis I’ll be on the Kenny Wallace show for KMOX radio,” Kenny tells us. “That is one of the largest AM stations in the United States, in 44 states. This is a radio station I grew up with my whole life listening to. It’s real good talk and sports radio I’m excited about it. I’ll broadcast from my motorhome on Friday nights. Rusty or some other special guests will do the show when racing in the Busch Series on Friday nights.” (KennyWallace.com)(1-6-2006)
  • Kluever Goes to Road Racing School: Turning right is not something Todd Kluever has done before in his professional racing career. With a road course being the third race of the season on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule, Kluever decided to get some extra practice by attending the Bob Bondurant school in Phoenix, Ariz. Kluever spent two days working one-on-one with a Bondurant instructor to hone his road-racing skills. His first road course event in the #06 3M Ford Fusion will be at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City on March 5, followed by Watkins Glen on August 12. (Roush Racing PR)(1-6-2006)
  • Full-time Ride for Carl Long?: UPDATE: Nope Carl Long is in the process of working out a deal to run the full NASCAR Busch Series schedule in 2006. Plans are projected to be announced on January 1st.(Carl-Long.com)(12-22-2005)
    UPDATE: These plans have fallen through. Carl is still available for driving opportunities in 2006. (Carl-Long.com)(1-5-2006)
  • Mike Wallace Still Looking for Full Time Ride: Wallace is attempting to qualify the Phoenix Racing #09 of James Finsh for a few [Cup] races. Other than that he’s looking. “The biggest thing I can do is continue to work on trying to find a sponsor. I can go [with a sponsor] to Rusty [Wallace’s] Busch team, he wants to run a second car out of there pretty bad. …I’ll go back to the marketing side of things for a while instead of the driving side and see if we can make something happen.” (NASCAR Scene)(1-5-2006)
  • Larry Foyt Seeks NASCAR Ride for 2006: Larry Foyt, Dave Tomasello and Zekko Racing have ended their business relationship after two months. Foyt cited differences in business philosophy as the underlying reason for the termination of the relationship. Foyt, son of A.J. Foyt, is now looking for a ride in one of the NASCAR-sanctioned series for the 2006 season. (Foyt PR)(1-5-2006)
  • Smith to RCR: hearing Pat Smith, former crew chief of the #35 Team Rensi team, is now working at Richard Childress Racing, not sure in what capcity as RCR’s Busch teams have Shane Wilson as crew chief of the #21 team and Gil Martin at the #2 eam.(1-4-2006)
  • #01 Team plans full-season run: Leik Motorsports plans to run the full Busch Series season. Western Union will be the sponsor for the team with Jay Sauter driving 22 races and Dwayne Leik the rest. Crew chief is Fred Wanke.(1-4-2006)
  • MacDonald Motorsports Plans Full Season: MacDonald Motorsports with car #72 will again run a full Busch season in 2006 provided a funded driver, investor or partnership is established. MacDonald Motorsports is committed and ready to run at least 10 races and is proud to announce that Donny Neuenberger will again drive the #72 car at Daytona. Team owner Randy MacDonald is still looking for sponsorship and funded drivers for several other race events including the Mexico City race. Randy may be reached at 336-476-0100 or 336-491-8572.(BGNRacing.com)(1-3-2006)
  • Braun to Fords? Sponsor? UPDATE hearing #32 Braun Racing will switch from Chevy to Ford and hearing Monster.com will be a sponsor in some form, possibly the primary. Jason Leffler will be the driver of the #32.(1-1-2006)
    UPDATE: Team sources state that the team will continue to run Chevys in 2006.(1-2-2006)
  • Fellows to Drive for KHI (Mexico and Watkins Glen?): KHI is home to the #33 Craftsman Truck Series team and driver Ron Hornaday, the #33 Outdoor Channel/Old-Spice Busch Series team with drivers Tony Stewart, Ron Hornaday, Ron Fellows and Kevin Harvick and the #77 Dollar General Busch Series team with driver Burney Lamar. (KHI PR)(1-2-2006)