What’s Up with Danny O’Quinn?: UPDATE: Danny O’Quinn Jr. is in racing purgatory. The reigning Busch Series rookie of the year has a deal with Roush Racing. What he doesn’t have is a sponsor. As a result, O’Quinn is scheduled to run only one Busch race this season (at Kentucky). The rest of his time will be spent working the garage on NASCAR race weekends, trying to get a sponsor, or driving some car, somewhere, anywhere.(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(1-25-2007) UPDATE: hearing that former Roush Racing Busch driver, 2006 Busch Series Rookie of the Year Danny Q’Quinn has a four race deal to run the #56 Mac Hill Motorsports car, no idea which four races, but one is supposedly not Daytona in Feb.(1-31-2007)
Winegard will sponsor Andretti for 2 races: Winegard Co., winegard.com will get some major television time during the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series schedule as a sponsor on the hood of John Andretti’s #10 Toyota for two races – April 20 at Phoenix and July 14 at Chicagoland Speedway. Winegard officials were approached by officials from Camping World, Andretti’s primary sponsor. Winegard supplies a number of its mobile entertainment products to Camping World, a supplier of RV and camping equipment. Andretti will be racing a Toyota Camry in the Busch Series this year as a part of the Braun Racing team. The Winegard sponsorship will extend beyond the two hood appearances. The logo will appear on a decal on the bar next to the driver’s side window on Andretti’s car for the season, as well as on Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick for 10 races. Part of the sponsorship agreement includes a visit by Andretti to the Winegard facility in Burlington [Iowa].(HawkEye)(1-31-2007)
Oreo to sponsor Biffle? looks like Greg Biffle will drive the #26 Oreo Ford in at least one race in the Busch Series as the have been commercials on TV showing Biffle and the #26 Ford with a Busch decal on the car. Jamie McMurray is scheduled to run the #26 Ford in the Busch Series with the Dish Network as the sponsor for a few races. Biffle will also run some Busch races in the #16 Ford, sharing the ride with Todd Kluever; and the #37 Ford of Brewco Motorsports for some races.(1-30-2007)
ESPN to Use Sportsvision Transmitters for Busch Series Races: UPDATE: ESPN2 will be the home of the NASCAR Busch Series all season, with six selected events to be televised by ESPN on ABC. As part of ESPN’s commitment to the series, the network will utilize the same standards of production for the NASCAR Busch Series as it will for telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races of 2007. In addition to 100 percent use of HD cameras, ESPN will also produce NASCAR’s top two series with Sportvision technology, which Feinberg said no TV network has ever used in NASCAR Busch Series coverage. Sportvision utilizes satellite technology to create on-screen “pointers” to designate specific cars within a pack, helping viewers distinguish their favorite driver’s car, lead-lap cars and produces telemetry from the race cars to show speeds, braking and other compelling information to viewers. All cars in the races will carry Sportvision transmitters.(ESPN PR)(1-23-2007) UPDATE: Six races named: The six ABC races, which will broadcast with the ESPN2 crew, will be Las Vegas (March 10), Atlanta (March 17), Bristol (March 24), Talladega (April 28), New Hampshire (June 30) and Chicago (July 14).(Scene Daily)(1-30-2007)
Carpentier still hoping to land Busch ride: Former Indy Racing League driver Patrick Carpentier says he believes he will be able to land a ride for the Busch Series race in his home country later this year. The Canadian, who was the lead driver on the team that finished second in the Rolex 24 At Daytona last weekend and will drive a sports car for the entire 2007 season, has been pursuing at least a part-time Busch ride. The 35-year-old Carpentier, who was 10th in the IRL standings in 2005, has competed in a CASCAR race, Canada’s stock-car series. “We’ve been working very hard trying to get a Busch ride,” Carpentier said last week. “Things look pretty good for Montreal [in August], so I could do the road course in the Busch car.”(Scene Daily)(1-30-2007)
NASCAR looking for $30 million from new ‘Busch’ Series sponsor: NASCAR is seeking approximately $30 million annually to sponsor its second series, multiple sources close to ongoing negotiations told ESPN.com on Monday. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that is roughly twice the annual investment Anheuser-Busch forked out to sponsor the series with its Busch brand for the past several years. Sources say there is no clear front-runner at this point, but did admit that previously-speculated suitors Subway, Samsung and Wal-Mart are accurate. Sources also said Dunkin Donuts is a player, and that NASCAR met with Allstate last week. One key issue, though, is potential conflicts with existing sponsors. Sources said NASCAR went through all sponsors that would present conflicts with NASCAR’s official partners, the race teams and tracks — which is where Allstate presents an issue; all six Speedway Motorsports tracks are sponsored by Nationwide — and created a short list before approaching existing partners to gauge interest. One source said the best-case scenario is to close the deal within the next three months. Asked for worst case, the source said “it doesn’t sell.” Asked for comment on the matter, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston didn’t deny the accuracy of the speculation and did say there is plenty of interest from corporate America. “I can confirm that there has been great interest from a number of multinational companies that are interested in this sponsorship,” Poston said. “The entitlement would provide the eventual sponsor over $100 million annually in brand exposure, and that, along with the partnership with ESPN2, makes this a very desirable position in sports.”(ESPN.com)(1-30-2007)
14-year-old Rensi development driver; Chad Finley set to run for ASA Championship: Team Rensi Motorsports Development Driver; Chad Finley and his Team Rensi Motorsports/Team Finley Racing Crew will focus their efforts on the complete 2007 ASALMS Northern Division Schedule with hopes of capturing the 2007 Rookie of the Year Championship. In addition, Finley will also make select appearances in the crown jewel of the ASALMS, the Challenge Division as well as the ASALMS Southern Division. The Team Rensi Motorsports/Team Finley Racing Crew is hard at work in the DeWitt, Michigan Race Shop as the team will be led by new Co-Crew Chief, Jon Reasoner.(ASA Late Models)(1-30-2007)
Keith Coleman Racing to showcase Oklahoma Centennial Celebration: Keith Coleman Racing has announced that the State of Oklahoma, through the Oklahoma Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission, will be associated with the race team throughout the 2007 Busch Series season in conjunction with Oklahoma’s Centennial Celebration anniversary. Oklahoma celebrates its 100th anniversary of statehood on November 16, 2007. Keith Coleman Racing is entering its fourth year in the Busch Series and its driver, Brad Keselowski, will be competing for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors this season.(Keith Coleman Racing PR)(1-30-3007)
Mitchell to run a couple of Busch races: Ergon, Inc., a producer of high-quality, petroleum products, has agreed to sponsor Marc Mitchell for select races during the2007 ARCA Series season. Tony Clements Racing will field the #93 Ergon Chevy for Mitchell. The team will also enter two Busch Series events in 2007 [no word which Busch races or car number, ran two Busch races in 2005]. The first ARCA race for Marc Mitchell and the #93 Ergon Chevy will be at Daytona on February 10th.(Moore Consulting Group PR)(1-29-2007)
Montoya on Sirius weekly: Sirius Satellite Radio, has announced that Juan Pablo Montoya, who will drive the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in the Nextel Cup and Busch Series in 2007 for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, will participate weekly in an exclusive interview spot heard only on Sirius Radio. Starting January 29, Montoya will be heard every Monday on Sirius Speedway, the exclusive talk show hosted by Dave Moody that airs weekdays (3:00-7:00pm/et) on Sirius NASCAR Radio/ch. 128. Montoya will provide updates on the #42 team and comment weekly on his experiences in NASCAR as he transitions from open-wheel racing to stock car racing.(Sirius Radio PR)(1-29-2007)
ESPN signs Compton as lead analyst: Stacy Compton has agreed to terms on a contract that will make him ESPN’s “lead analyst,” the driver confirmed Thursday. He said the contract is for one year with a two-year option for 2008 and 09. ESPN will make a formal announcement of Compton’s hiring next Tuesday. Compton made his first ESPN appearance on Thursday night’s 6 p.m. SportsCenter. He will be a regular contributor to the ultra-popular sports news show, and he will share his racing expertise on three racing-exclusive programs a week during the season. He and host Erik Kuselias will do a Monday “NASCAR Now” program, and Compton will also appear on two Sunday “RaceDay” shows. Most of the programs will air from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios, but Compton expects to do some work from NASCAR tracks. Official airdates of “NASCAR Now” [Feb 5th at 6:30pm/et and weekdays at that time] and “RaceDay” will be announced next week. Compton’s only regret about his budding television career is it will cut into his racing slate. He recently signed to drive an abbreviated Craftsman Truck Series schedule for 2007 with Wood Brothers/JTG Motorsports, the team he drove for in the Busch Series from 2001-06. Compton will share the driving duties of the #09 Ford F-150 with Georgia driver Joey Clanton. Compton is signed to pilot the truck for nine races, and Clanton is scheduled to drive the other 16. There also are plans for Compton to drive some Busch Series races for Wood Brothers Racing. Compton is talking with other teams about possible race dates, too.(News and Advance)(1-27-2007)
Yellow Transportation Sponsorsing Kansas and Canada Races: [In addition to sponsoring Johnny Sauter and Jeff Green in Cup for 14 total races] plans include primary sponsorship for two Busch Series events as well – the inaugural event in Montreal and the Yellow Transportation 300 at Kansas.(Team Yellow Racing PR)(1-26-2007)
Hornish to Run 11 Races for Penske: UPDATE: Sam Hornish Jr. will compete in 11 Busch Series races this season in a schedule released by Penske Racing. Hornish will start the season at Daytona and will also drive at California, Atlanta, Nashville (April 7), Richmond, Michigan, Dover, Charlotte, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. Penske Racing will field a Busch Series car in 23 races, with Ryan Newman competing in seven races and Kurt Busch five races in the #12 Dodge.(SceneDaily.com)(1-25-2007) UPDATE: Hornish Jr. will drive the #12 Mobil 1 Dodge in seven Busch races during 2007 – Daytona, California, Richmond, Michigan, Dover, Phoenix, and Homestead.(BusinessWire.com)(1-26-2007)
Said to Run at Least 5 Busch Races for Evernham: Boris Said says he will run at least seven Nextel Cup races for his No Fear Racing team and plans to drive five Busch Series events for Evernham Motorsports. Said also will continue his work as a road-racing driver/coach for Evernham Motorsports. He will compete in all three road-course events and likely at least two other non-companion events, he said. “He hasn’t quite nailed it down,” Said said of team owner Ray Evernham’s Busch Series plans. “He said it’s for sure five and could be as many as 10.”(SceneDaily.com)(1-25-2007)
Kahne to Drive Wrigley’s Doublemint Dodge at Phoenix: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company announced a partnership with Evernham Motorsports and driver Kasey Kahne, in which Kahne will drive the #9 Wrigley’s Doublemint Dodge during the Busch Series race at Phoenix on November 10. Kasey joins Juan Pablo Montoya, Reed Sorenson and David Stremme to create the Wrigley’s racing team.(Evernham PR)(1-25-2007) IMAGE: See an image on the Paint Scheme Gallery.
J.R. Norris to Test with Fitz Racing at Vegas: J.R. Norris, who won the season finale and the Championship on NASCAR’s AutoZone Elite Series, will participate in Busch Series pre-season test at the Las Vegas. He will share those testing duties with David Stremme in the #22-Fitz Motorsports Dodge.(Driver Development Services PR)(1-25-2007)
Gibbs Finalize #18 & #20 Team Schedules; Kevin Conway to Run 7 Races in #18: Two new additions to Joe Gibbs Racing are Kevin Conway and Brad Coleman. The two drivers will split duties behind the wheel of the #18 Chevy in the Busch Series. Conway will drive eight races for sponsor Z-Line Designs, the nation’s leading import manufacturer of home office, home entertainment and home décor ready-to-assemble furniture. The #18 team will run the full Busch Series schedule, with Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Tony Stewart and Aric Almirola completing the driver lineup. Stewart will drive the #18 in three races – one for Z-Line Designs, one for ConAgra and one for Goody’s – while Almirola will represent ConAgra in six races. The #20 team will also run the full Busch Series schedule, with Denny Hamlin returning to the Rockwell Automation Chevy for 23 races while Almirola drives the Rockwell Automation machine in seven races. Z-Line Designs will sponsor the #20 car at Richmond in May with Hamlin at the wheel. And FedEx will sponsor the #20 at Memphis Tenn. There, Almirola will practice and qualify the car while Hamlin will run it in the race. Stewart’s one drive in the #20 will come at the spring Atlanta race, where he’ll carry Goody’s sponsorship. Almirola will pilot the #20 in two additional races. Sponsorship announcements for those events will come later this season.(Joe Gibbs PR)(1-24-2007)
Carino’s Italian Grill to Sponsor Coleman: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Carino’s Italian Grill will sponsor ARCA standout Brad Coleman and the #18 Chevy for at least 10 of the rookie’s 17 races in 2007. (Joe Gibbs PR)(1-24-2007)
Richardson to Test for Jay Robinson: UPDATE: JRR teaming with Haas: Robert Richardson Jr will test at Daytona January 19 and 20. He will be driving the #28 Jay Robinson Racing Chevy. This will be Robert’s debut run with the team. Look for an announcement regarding 2007 plans for this team in the coming weeks.(BGNRacing.com)(1-19-2007) UPDATE: Robert Richardson has signed with the #28 team of Jay Robinson Racing, formally the #00 car of Johnny Sauter. Robert Richardson will be driving a Hendrick Chassis with technical support from Haas CNC Racing. He is teaming with Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter for the 2007 season. Steve Plattenburg is the crew chief for the season. Robert will run in eleven races this year and possibly more.(Champion Motorsports Marketing PR)(1-24-2007)
ML Motorsports Back in Busch: #70 ML Motorsports plans to run 19 Busch races this season with Justin Diercks back behind the wheel. The team will switch from Ford to Chevy for the season.(ML Motorsports PR)(1-23-2007)
AutoZone to Sponsor RCR’s #21 Team: Richard Childress Racing and AutoZone have agreed to terms on a partnership for sponsorship of the #21 AutoZone Chevy team for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. Kevin Harvick and Timothy Peters will share the driving duties for the #21.(RCR PR)(1-23-2007)
Jason Keller to Run 5 Races for Brewco: Brewco Motorsports announced that Jason Keller will be behind the wheel of the #27 Kleenex Ford for five races in the 2007 season. Keller will team up with #27 Crew Chief Stewart Cooper for Busch Series races at Nashville (April), Milwaukee, O’Reilly Raceway Park, Gateway, and Kentucky.(Brewco PR)(1-23-2007)
Indy 500 Champ Dan Wheldon to Test for Ganassi: The 2005 Indy Racing League champion, an Englishman who lives in St. Petersburg [FL], will have his first test in a stock car, perhaps as early as next week in Las Vegas. If all goes well, he said, he might eventually follow [Juan Pablo] Montoya to NASCAR’s highest level. “I look to have a good IndyCar season,” said Wheldon. “But I definitely want to start looking very seriously at the NASCAR stuff.” Wheldon was unable to conduct his first scheduled Busch test last week on the road course at Virginia International Raceway because of rain. He insists he needs to feel he can be as good in stock cars as in Ganassi’s open-wheel machines to make a full-time switch.(St. Petersburg Times)(1-23-2007)
NASCAR awarding more points for wins: NASCAR officials have announced that winners in all three of its major touring series will be awarded five additional bonus points for a win beginning this season. The change applies to victories in the Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series.(NASCAR PR)(1-23-2007)
Memorex to Sponsor #41 Team: Imation Corp, a leader in removable data storage, announced that it has signed an agreement with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates to become a primary sponsor of the #41 Memorex Dodge in the Busch Series starting in August 2007. Imation’s Memorex brand will be an associate team sponsor of the #41 Wrigley’s Dodge during the first 25 Busch Series races, starting with the season-opening run at Daytona. In August, Imation will become the car’s primary sponsor with its Memorex-branded #41 Dodge, which will make its debut at Bristol. The car will be driven by 18-year-old Bryan Clauson for the majority of the remaining races.(CGRFS PR)(1-22-2007)
Sharpie Signs Dale Jr.; Will run Spring Bristol Race: Sharpie, a Newell Rubbermaid brand, announced it has inked an agreement with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2007. The first time associate sponsorship will feature Dale Jr. driving the #8 Sharpie car in the Sharpie MINI 300 at Bristol March. In celebration of the partnership, a line of #8 Sharpie markers also will debut in stores nationwide in April.(DEI PR)(1-19-2007) UPDATE: Check out some images of the car on the Busch Series Paint Schemes Page.(1-22-2007)
Brewco names Parker Motorsports Director: Brewco Motorsports has named Shawn Parker the team’s Motorsports Director. In this newly-created role, Parker will act as the liaison between Brewco’s #27 Kleenex Ford and #37 Cub Cadet/Yard-Man Ford, to increase the communication and information sharing between the two teams. Parker has previously served as car chief on Mark Martin’s #6 Ford, and as crew chief for Dale Jarrett’s #88 Ford. He joined Brewco in 2006 as competition director and also served as co-crew chief on the team’s #27.(Brewco PR)(1-22-2007)
Billy Tanner to Run Some Busch Races?: Jim Hobbs is supporting Tanner’s move to the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Veteran racer Bob Schacht is providing the race car and Hobbs is providing the sponsorship with Tanner scheduled to race in the ARCA 200 at Daytona. He did so well in the test sessions that he was given super speedway approval on the second day.At present the team is looking at 10 ARCA races in 2007. They will all be combination events with the Nextel Cup Series. If all goes well there is a tentative plan for Schacht to field a Busch Series entry with Tanner doing the driving near the end of the season.(PhillyBurbs.com)(1-22-2007)
National Guard Sponsoring Mears in Busch: The Army National Guard announced it will expand its new partnership with Hendrick Motorsports by supporting driver Casey Mears in the 2007 Busch Series. Mears is scheduled to make 22 starts in Chevy branded with the #24, which has not been campaigned by Hendrick Motorsports in the Busch Series since 2002. All races will be companion events with the Nextel Cup Series, beginning with the season-opening race at Daytona. At each event, a different National Guard brigade or division will be represented through recognition on the car, identification on team uniforms and other elements. The Busch Series program will focus on the National Guard’s local recruiting efforts.(Hendrick PR)(1-20-2007)
Roush Crew Chief Kelley Honors ‘BP’: Mike Kelley, crew chief for the #6 Discount Tire Ford of David Ragan, is honoring his good friend Benny Parsons during testing. Kelley had decals created for the rear bumper panels of the #6 and on Todd Kluever’s #16 3M Ford that read “We’re Gonna Miss You BP,” in reference to the former NASCAR champion who died Tuesday following a lengthy battle with cancer.(NASCAR PR)(1-19-2007)
ppc Not Shutting Down; Still Looking for Sponsors: “ppc Racing is not closing its doors, and is not shutting down,” said ppc owner Greg Pollex. “2005 and 2006 were difficult years for ppc Racing and I need to take some time to address some issues and sponsorship needs of the company. ppc Racing is not merging its company with any other team. In continuance of working with our sponsors and exploring opportunities for ppc Racing in 2008, I have decided to align with other Busch Series owners to operate cars in the 2007 season. In the case of Braun Racing, Braun had a partial season sponsorship and ppc had a partial season partnership with Camping World. It made much more sense for us to run a full season together than to run two partial seasons separately,” explained Pollex. In addition to an alliance with Braun on the #10 car, ppc Racing is also considering a joint venture to keep operating its team that competed under the #22 in 2006. “We’re working with a new team that will be racing some of our ppc cars. I’m going to participate in the management on a consulting basis and help develop that team to be competitive. This team will likely operate under the #14. ppc has agreed to exchange the #22 for the #14 with Fitz Racing, pending NASCAR approval.(Global Performance Group/ppc PR)(1-19-2007)
David Green Spots for Vickers at Daytona; Still Planning to Drive for Riley-D’Hondt: UPDATE: Both former NASCAR Busch Series champions Brian Vickers and David Green have worked in tandem during this week’s testing at Daytona. Thursday marked the final day of the first preseason session, with Green providing the soundtrack to Vickers’ endless laps. It’s a role the former enjoys, even as he yearns for the driver’s seat. “That’s something I look at for when I hang my helmet up,” Green said of spotting. Green hopes to be back in a Busch Series seat soon. He’s working on a program with the new Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports, and was happy to assist Vickers this week. Former fellow Busch Series competitor Elton Sawyer, now Team Red Bull’s competition director, made the request, an assignment that includes the preseason test at Las Vegas. After leaving Brewco Motorsports near the end of last season, Green spotted for David Gilliland for eight races. He’s also spotted for Dale Jarrett and Hendrick Motorsports’ Busch Series team during his career.(NASCAR PR)(1-11-2007) UPDATE: When the Orbitz 300 season-opening event comes around at DIS, Green hopes to be in a Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports car and hopes that his schedule for 2007 will be settled by then. “We’re pretty confident we’ll be here for the race,” Green said Friday. “Our main goal is to make sure all our I’s and T’s are crossed and dotted. I feel comfortable where we’re at right now.”(SceneDaily.com)(1-19-2007)
Almirola Expects to Drive 20 Busch Races: Aric Almirola estimates he will run 20 Busch Series races and possibly a few Nextel Cup events in 2007. Almirola, testing the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevy at Daytona, said Friday his 20 races will be split between the #18 and #20 JGR entries. “It changes week to week,” said Almirola, who added he is working on a truck deal for four or five races. “We’re still trying to lock in sponsors and what not. Right now, it’s about 20 races.”(SceneDaily.com)(1-19-2007)
Braun and Biagi Bros. Merging? ppc? UPDATE 3: Hearing that Braun Racing has merged with Biagi-BenDeste Racing team. All assets and sponsorships will move to the #32 Braun Racing car with Dave Blaney as the driver. This move would also lock the #32 team into the first five races of 2007 in owner points, as Blaney competes for the 2007 Busch Series championship for Toyota.(1-9-2006) UPDATE: Hearing that in addition to the recently closed Biagi-DenBeste team, ppc is also a possibility for a merge with Braun Racing, possibly to share the #32 sponsors and the #10’s primary sponsor, to operate out of Braun’s shop. As previously announced, Dave Blaney will drive the #32 this season and with the rumored merge, would continue to do so under the races in which Braun has already secured sponsorship – with Andretti sliding in to drive the #10 with his already-secured sponsorship in the remaining events.(BGNRacing.com)(1-12-2007) UPDATE 2: Being told that ppc Racing and Braun Racing have merged for the 2007 season. The #10 car sponsored by Camping World and RVs.com with John Andretti driving, will operate out of Braun Racing for the 2007 season. Employees from ppc have been hired by Braun Racing. ppc will continue working on sponsorship for 2007 and 2008.(1-16-2007) UPDATE 3: Braun Racing has announced the alliance of its organization with two long-standing Busch Series teams, Biagi Bros. Racing and ppc Racing. As a result of the partnership, Braun Racing will field three Toyota entries in the 2007 season. Jason Leffler (#38) and Dave Blaney (#32) will be joined by John Andretti who will drive the #10 Toyota during the 2007 season. The #10 will once again carry sponsorship from Camping World and its vendors.(Braun Racing PR)(1-18-2007)
HomeLife Communities Joins RWI as Sponsor: HomeLife Communities Inc. has signed on as a sponsor with Rusy Wallace, Inc.for the 2007 season. The #66 HomeLife Communities Dodge will make its debut Feb. 17 at Daytona. Key races in the Busch Series include races at Atlanta, Texas, Talladega, Lowe’s Motor Speedway (both races), Daytona (July), Phoenix and Homestead-Miami.(RWI PR)(1-17-2007)
Bobby Hamilton, Jr. Buys Restaurant: Bobby Hamilton Jr. has purchased Coach’s Sports Bar in the Rivergate Mall area [of Nashville] and will change the name to “Jr’s.” “We’re going to add some live country music performances,” said Hamilton, who owns a restaurant in Springfield. “We’ve got a couple of big names already lined up. It’s going to be great. We’ll emphasize the Titans and Predators and our Tennessee college teams. And of course we’ll have a bunch of really cool racing stuff.”(Tennessean)(1-17-2007)
Spectrum to Sponsor Kyle Busch in 13 Busch Races: Hendrick Motorsports today announced a primary sponsorship for 2007 that will showcase Spectrum Brands lawn and garden products on the #5 Chevys driven by Kyle Busch in 13 Busch Series races. The program, which includes two events in conjunction with Spectrum Brands partner Busch Gardens, will include only companion dates with the Nextel Cup Series. Busch will kick off 2007 by competing in the Feb. 17 Daytona 300 at Daytona. Hendrick Motorsports has named Mike Bumgarner crew chief of its #5 Busch Series effort, which also includes five previously announced events with sponsor Delphi.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(1-17-2007)
RoadLoans.com Sponsoring KHI’s #33: Kevin Harvick Inc. announced a partnership with RoadLoans for the 2007 season. The internet direct-to-consumer auto lender will sponsor the #33 Chevy for 14 Busch Series races. In 2007, the #33 RoadLoans.com Chevy will produce an all star line-up of drivers. Kevin Harvick will team up with Tony Raines and Ron Fellows.(KHI PR)(1-17-2007)
Orbitz to Sponsor Daytona Race: Orbitz will serve as the title sponsor of the 49th annual NASCAR Busch Series race at Daytona on Saturday, Feb. 17.(Daytona Intl Speedway PR)(1-17-2007)
Sherman and McGill Looking Forward to 2007: McGill Motorsports announced that Brent Sherman will pilot the team’s #36 Chevy for the 2007 season. Sherman, who previously has raced in the NASCAR Busch Series and most recently in the ARCA Series and Nextel Cup Series, is optimistic about the upcoming season and his new home at McGill Motorsports. Sherman’s crew chief will be Ricky Pearson. Sponsorship opportunities are available with Sherman and the #36.(McGill/Player Management PR)(1-17-2007)
Phoenix Racing to Field 2 Full time Teams; Crew Chiefs Named: Phoenix Racing will enter two full-time drivers in 2007. J.J. Yeley, who competes for Joe Gibbs Racing on the Nextel Cup side, will join the team as the driver of the #1 car with sponsorship from Miccosukee Resort & Gaming. Mike Wallace will drive the #7 car with sponsorship from Geico insurance. Fred Wanke will crew chief for Wallace, and Marc Reno will crew chief for Yeley.(SceneDaily.com)(1-16-2007)
DEI signs development driver? hearing that Jeff Earnhardt, son of Kerry Earnhardt, has signed a development deal with DEI that will have him driving a second car owned by Andy Santerre to team up with Sean Caisse in the NASCAR Busch East Series, with a few potential Busch Series races with DEI.(1-14-2007)
Roush Announces Biffle/Kluever’s Schedule in the #16: This season Greg Biffle and Todd Kluever will share the driving duties of the #16 3M Ford in the Busch Series. Biffle will compete in 19 races, while Kluever will take the wheel in 16 events beginning with the season-opener in Daytona. Eddie Pardue will lead the team as crew chief for both drivers.(Roush PR)(1-12-2007)
Circuit City and FUNAI to Sponsor May Race at Richmond: Richmond International Raceway will announce Tuesday that Circuit City and FUNAI will team up to sponsor the May Busch Series race for the second year. The Circuit City 250 presented by FUNAI will run Friday, May 4.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(1-12-2007)
Congrats to Ashton & Meredith Lewis: William Ashton Lewis III was born at 7:26 a.m. Thursday, January 11. He weighed in at 7lb 9oz and was 22in long. Mother and baby are doing well.(1-12-2007)
All Busch Races to be Shown in Canada: TSN and RDS will be the home of NASCAR Busch Series races in 2007 after the networks agreed to a new multi-year deal to become the exclusive Canadian broadcasters of the stock car series. Under the agreement, TSN and RDS have secured the Canadian broadcast rights to all 35 NASCAR Busch Series races. The NASCAR Busch Series complements TSN’s extensive auto racing broadcast package, which will see TSN televise 28 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races in 2007, up from 21 races last season.(TSN.ca)(1-11-2007)
Fitz Racing Partners with Hyper Sport; Supercuts Continues Sponsorship; Team Will Switch to #22: UPDATE 2: A new marketing and technical partnership hits the track at Daytona this January as the Busch Series team Fitz Motorsports and Grand Am Koni Challenge team, Hyper Sport, announced today a joint marketing program for long time Fitz Motorsports partner Supercuts. Fitz Motorsports and Hyper Sport will provide a multi-faceted brand marketing entity for Supercuts both in the NASCAR and Grand Am arenas. The teams also announced their primary driver line ups today. The newly-numbered #22 [was #12] Supercuts Dodge for Fitz Motorsports will be piloted in 2007 by David Stremme. Supercuts ventures into the Grand Am series as co-primary sponsor for Hyper Sport’s Mustang GT #54, which will again be wheeled by Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey. The second Hyper Sport Mustang GT #55 will also bear co-primary Supercuts colors.(Fitz Racing PR)(1-3-2007) UPDATE: Fitz Motorsports will field a #22 Dodge full time in the Busch Series in 2007 after acquiring the number from ppc Racing. The team obtained the number, but not the owner points that come with it, Fitz said. Fitz ran the #12 Dodge in recent years while partnered with Terry Bradshaw, who wore the #12 as a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bradshaw and Fitz ended their partnership late in 2006. Fitz’s newly numbered Dodge will be driven by David Stremme on a limited basis, and Fitz said he will hire additional drivers — likely veterans — to fill the remainder of the schedule. He also plans on running a second car on a limited basis, as he did in 2006.(NASCAR.com)(1-4-2007) UPDATE 2: David Stremme will compete in at least 12 races for the team owned by Armando Fitz. Fitz said January 4 that his team will either be known as Fitz Motorsports or Armando Fitz Racing.(NASCAR Scene)(1-11-2007)
Iowa Speedway to Ask for Busch or Truck Race? Craig Armstrong, vice president and general manager, of Iowa Speedway said the economic model of Iowa Speedway is not based on having a Nextel Cup race, though leaders expect to ask NASCAR for a Craftsman Truck or Busch Series event after handling their historic first-ever clash of NASCAR Grand National divisions.(Marshalltown, IA Times Republican)(1-11-2007)
Kerry Earnhardt to work at DEI, maybe run a few Busch races: Kerry Earnhardt will join Dale Earnhardt Inc. as a full-time employee next week, serving as a liaison between the Nextel Cup and Busch programs and driving in a handful of races. “Teresa and Richie have been talking to me about coming there for several years,” Kerry said of team owner/stepmother Teresa Earnhardt and director of motorsports Richie Gilmore. “I’ve been thinking about the company a lot in my head. It’s hard to give up driving. Now I’ve come to a point where I realize that doing the things I’m doing is not doing me any good, just riding around and not having any decent finishes.” Kerry, 37, has asked to drive in at least five Busch races and a couple of Cup races for DEI, but said his future with the company doesn’t hinge on that. “I always wish I had the opportunity to be in equipment like this,” said Kerry, who was 20th-fastest in the morning practice while Earnhardt Jr. honored previous commitments. “Now if I run three to five Busch races and can be successful with that maybe more things can come to me.” Kerry hopes to fill part of the role of Tony Eury Sr., who has moved from team liaison to crew chief for DEI’s third Cup team with Paul Menard.(ESPN.com)(1-11-2007)
McMurray and Biffle to Split Brewco Ride: Nashville’s Casey Atwood will not return to Brewco Motorsports this season, at least not as a full-time driver. The race team has announced that Cup drivers Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray and Ward Burton will share time in its two Busch Series cars. They also will continue their full-time Cup duties. Team manager Todd Wilkerson said Biffle will run 11 races and McMurray 12 in the #37 [was the #66 last year]. Burton will run at least 20 in the #27. “It’s all sponsor-driven,” Wilkerson said. “Sponsors want to see Cup drivers in the cars.” He said there is a chance a Busch driver or drivers could run some of the remaining races and Atwood could be in that mix.(Tennessean)(1-10-2007)
Sadler Racing looking to run five Busch races: #95- Sadler Racing of Nashville, TN. has announced their racing plans for 2007. Ronnie Smith has returned to the team as General Manager with a new crew and new cars. The team plans to run at least five Busch Series events and at least twelve ARCA Series events (with the option of a full season). The team is looking for sponsors and drivers.(Sadler Racing PR), to contact the team, see the Busch Series Team Address page.(1-8-2007)
Hendrick’s Busch Plans for 2007 Coming Together: UPDATE 2: Kyle Busch, while discussing his prospective NASCAR Busch Series exploits for 2007, said the #57 Chevrolet will become the #24 and will be driven by a trio of drivers: Casey Mears, Jimmie Johnson and Adrian Fernandez. Busch will pilot the #5. Neither team will run on a full-time basis, he said.(ESPN.com)(12-5-2006) UPDATE: Kyle Busch likely will not do the full Busch Series schedule this year, team spokesman Jesse Essex said Monday. Busch, who did the full schedule in both series last year, is expected to do a partial schedule in the Busch Series this season. The schedule and sponsorship will be announced next week.(SceneDaily.com)(1-8-2007) UPDATE 2: Delphi Product & Service Solutions announced that it will continue its major associate sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports during the 2007 NASCAR season. An associate sponsor of all 2007 Hendrick Motorsports entries, Delphi will also be the primary sponsor of Busch’s #5 Chevy in the Busch Series for five races. Delphi sponsored events will include Las Vegas, Talladega, Daytona, Chicago, and Texas.(Delphi PR)(1-8-2007)
Villeneuve’s sponsorship drive stalls: UPDATE: Former Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve’s road to NASCAR continues to hit speed bumps. After weeks of searching for a sponsor to come up with the roughly $18-million (U.S.) he needs to secure a ride in the NASCAR Busch Series [plans were to team up with Roush Racing], the 1997 world champion driver has apparently set his sights a bit lower. A source close to the 35-year-old native of Iberville, Que., said he is now looking into other ways of getting into a stock car. “He’s even talking about doing the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series now and then, do some Busch, to try to get into it,” the source said. On his official website, Villeneuve’s Christmas message alluded to a forthcoming deal, but did not specify where he might land. (Globe and Mail)(1-3-2007) UPDATE: Jacques Villeneuve could have a deal to race in NASCAR for the 2007 season by the end of the month. Craig Pollock, Villeneuve’s manager, said Friday that talks are ongoing with several NASCAR teams to secure a drive for the 35-year-old former Formula One champion in the coming weeks, despite published reports to the contrary.(Canada.com)(1-6-2007)
Frank Cicci to Announce Sponsor: UPDATE 3: Frank Cicci Racing will hold a press conference in Washington DC on January 6th to announce a sponsor for its #34 car for the full 2007 season with driver Brian Conz of Livonia, Michigan.(Frank Cicci Racing PR)(12-28-2006) UPDATE: hearing the Cicci team will be sponsored by Scottish Rite. The Scottish Rite racecar will be driven by veteran driver Brian Conz, who himself is a 32° Scottish Rite Mason. Conz will be in the running for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors, driving the the Scottish Rite #34 Chevrolet for Frank Cicci Racing,(1-5-2007) UPDATE 2: The #34 Chevy fielded by the team of Frank Cicci Racing will be competing in the 2007 Busch Series on behalf of the Scottish Rite Masons. Veteran Brian Conz will become the car’s driver and become part of the oldest running team in Busch Series history. The announcement will be made official January 6 at the Scottish Rite House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.(Scottish Rite Masons PR)(1-5-2007) UPDATE 3: The Scottish Rite Racing Team announced its partnership with Brian Conz and the Frank Cicci Racing team at the Scottish Rite House of the Temple on Saturday. Scottish Rite Racing will compete in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series commencing at Daytona for the full 35 race schedule.(Brian Conz PR) see an image of the car on my 2007 Paint Schemes page.(1-6-2006)
Biagi-BenDeste Shutting Down?: UPDATE: Hearing that the #4 team of Biagi-DenBeste will shut down Friday. The team had announced a switch to Toyota for the upcoming season and limited sponsorship from Kibbles ‘n Bits, but apparently were not able to secure enough funding to continue.(1-4-2007) UPDATE: The Biagi DenBeste Racing Busch Series team has shut down, sources told NASCAR Scene. The team, which was to field Toyotas for Auggie Vidovich in 2007, laid off all its employees Thursday, a team source said.(SceneDaily.com)(1-5-2007)
Montoya/Hamlin to run Busch for Chip Ganassi; Brad Parrott to Crew Chief: Chip Ganassi on Friday said veteran mechanic Brad Parrott would be crew chief for a full-season Busch Series program [#42] fielding Dodge Chargers for Juan Montoya and Kevin Hamlin. “Along with his duties as vice president of enthusiasm he’s crew chief on the #42 Busch car,” Ganassi said after announcing that Montoya would be part of his two-car team for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. “Oh, sure, it’s a full season. JPM [Juan Pablo Montoya] will run all of the companion races and Kevin Hamlin will be in for all the non-companion races.” Thus, Montoya will compete in 26 events, including three on superspeedways and one on the Watkins Glen International road course.(NASCAR.com)(1-5-2007)
Townley Signs Driver Development Deal with WBJTG: John Wes Townley has signed a developmental driver contract with the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Organization. Townley will continue his late model campaign in 2007 with backing from long-time sponsor Zaxby’s, as well as BB&T Bank, Coca-Cola and Lang Signs. He intends to run the entire 2007 ASA Late Model South schedule in addition to five selected USAR Hooters Pro Cup events.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(1-5-2007)
ppc to Chevy? Crafton Driving? UPDATE 3: ppc Racing is leaving Ford and appears to be moving to Chevy next season, a source close to the team confirmed. ppc Director of Sponsor Relations Andy O’Hara said the team is still searching for a driver and sponsor for its #22 for 2007. Kenny Wallace is still in the mix, though Craftsman Truck Series driver Matt Crafton has been linked to ppc.(NASCAR Scene)(10-19-2006) UPDATE: A photo taken during a commercial shoot for ESPN shows John Andretti in a driver suit with a Chevy emblem.(12-8-2006) UPDATE 2: One source close to the sport indicated that ppc was attempting to sell one of its car numbers for 2007, likely the #22. With AutoZone gone and [Kenny] Wallace focusing on a full-time Cup career with Furniture Row Racing, the #22 is in a state of limbo. Matt Crafton is rumored to be in the mix as the driver, should a sponsor be found. Andretti, who finished right behind Wallace in the series points, appears to be set for 2007, with sponsors Freedom Road RVs and Camping World, though that could not be confirmed.(NASCAR.com)(12-29-2006) UPDATE 3: ppc Racing owner Greg Pollex has confirmed that his team will switch from Ford to Chevrolet this season, running a single car in NASCAR Busch Series competition. Speaking on Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway, Pollex said, “We are still working on a sponsorship deal for our second car, and we had hoped to announce everything at the same time,” he said. “But at this point, there’s no sense in waiting any longer to annunce it. We have Chevrolets in the wind tunnel already, including a really good superspeedway car for John Andretti to drive at Daytona.” Pollex said his former #22 team — now #14 after a “number swap” with Fitz Racing earlier this week — will likely not return in 2007, unless a last-minute backer can be found. He admitted talking to Craftsman Truck Series driver Matt Crafton about driving for him next season, but said contractual concerns and a lack of sponsorship prevented it from happening. “Matt has one year left on his truck contract, which we didn’t know about,” he said. “He will fulfill the terms of that contract. If we had been able to land a full-time sponsor, we may have talked to his Truck team about buying out the contract. But as it stands right now, he will probably be racing for them.”(1-4-2007)
Whelen ends sponsorship of #31 team: UPDATE: Whelen Engineering will no longer sponsor the #31 Marsh Racing Busch Series program, as Whelen has stepped up its sponsorship in NASCAR, sponsoring the All American Series [NASCAR’s weekly racing program]. The #31 typically ran approximately ten Busch Series races for the past 10 years with Whelen as the sponsor. No word if Marsh Racing will attempt any 2007 Busch Series races.(12-27-2006) UPDATE: Marsh Racing is seeking sponsorship for the 2007 season. They plan to have Peyton Sellers behind the wheel if sponsorship is secured.(1-3-2007)
Leffler to Compete in Chili Bowl: UPDATE: #32-Jason Leffler, the three-time Midget National Champion in 1997-1999, has captured victories in almost every prestigious midget event over the years with the exception of one – the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Coined the Superbowl of midget racing, the Chili Bowl is the one victory that Leffler has yet to capture but he will set out to change that once again in this year’s 21st edition of the event, held January 11-13, 2007 at the Tulsa Expo Raceway.(Braun Racing PR)(1-3-2007) UPDATE: Other drivers participating in the Chili Bowl include Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, J.J. Yeley, Aaron Fike, A.J. Foyt, IV, A.J. Fike, P.J. Jones, Bobby East and Justin Allgaier.(1-3-2007)
Ward Burton to Drive for Brewco in Busch Series: Brewco Motorsports Inc. announced that Ward Burton will drive the #27 Kleenex Ford in the Busch Series in 2007. Burton will drive 20 races for Brewco and Kleenex Racing, beginning with the Daytona 300. The driver of the remaining 2007 races in the #27 Kleenex Ford will be named in the coming weeks.(Brewco PR), David Green started the 2006 season in the #27 and Casey Atwood finished the season, no word on Atwood’s 2007 plans.(1-2-2007)
Sad News: William B. Coleman, Jr: Keith Coleman Racing is sad to announce the passing of owner Keith Coleman’s father, Mr. William B. Coleman, Jr., of New Orleans, LA on December 29th.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NASCAR Foundation.(KCR PR)(1-2-2007)
