Jon Wood to Return at Daytona: UPDATE 2: Wood not returning yet: ESPN pit reporter Dave Burns will have the first sit-down interview [Saturday on the pre-race show] with Jon Wood, son of legendary owner Ed Wood, who is set to return to the #47 next Friday at Daytona. Wood has been absent from the Busch Series for more than a month, after dealing with a misdiagnosis for ADD.(ESPN PR)(6-28-2007) UPDATE: Wood Brothers/JTG Racing wishes to clarify that Jon Wood will not be behind the wheel of the #47 Clorox Ford at Daytona International Speedway next week and that an announcement on his return to racing schedule for the team will be forthcoming.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(6-29-07) UPDATE 2: Dave Burns announced during Busch race TV coverage that Jon Wood will likely return to racing July 14 in the Craftsman Truck Series race. Kelly Bires will remain in the #47.(6-30-2007)
Hamlin, Almirola Still Haven’t Talked: Denny Hamlin said Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway that he has yet to speak with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Aric Almirola about replacing him in last Saturday’s Busch Series victory at Milwaukee.”I still haven’t talked to Aric yet. I think J.D. [Gibbs, JGR president] just now got to talk to him. So, I’ve got to wait in line.” Hamlin added of Almirola: “I think he’s come to feel OK about it. I was put in a situation where I was told to get in the race car, and that’s what my job is.”(SceneDaily.com)(6-29-2007)
Jeffrey Earnhardt Could Run Some Busch Race in 2008: Jeffrey Earnhardt, the 18-year-old grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt and son of Kerry, could be in a Busch car next season for a limited number of races. Earnhardt currently is competing in the Busch East series that ran on Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway and will do so again next season. John Story, vice president and general manager of Dale Earnhardt Inc., said the company plans to run him in seven Busch series races in 2008. “That way we maintain his rookie status,” Story said. Story said that if Earnhardt continues to progress DEI expects to back him for a full Busch season in 2009.(ESPN.com)(6-29-2007)
Hockey Star to Join Brewco Pit Crew in Montreal: Hockey icon Martin Brodeur will be donning a different uniform this summer when the Busch Series Montreal 200 races into town August 3-4, 2007. Joining forces with Cub Cadet and Greg Biffle, Brodeur will become a member of the # 37 Cub Cadet Pit Crew for Brewco Motorsports during the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. To celebrate their partnership, Brodeur and Biffle are raising money for The Quebec Breakfast Club, which will appear on the hood of the Cub Cadet #37 Ford throughout race weekend. As part of the multi-tiered fundraising effort, Cub Cadet will donate $15,000 to the charity via cash and in-kind contributions including a 4×4 Cub Cadet utility vehicle to be auctioned off during Brodeur’s annual charity golf event, benefiting the same philanthropy.(Edelman PR)(6-29-2007)
NASCAR Countdown: ESPN on ABC Busch Series Highlights from New Hampshire International Speedway: ESPN on ABC’s NASCAR Countdown will have a live preview at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday of the Busch Series Camping World 200 presented by RV.com at New Hampshire International Speedway. Brent Musburger will host NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN Pit Studio, while Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Chevy Cutaway Car. Dale Jarrett will work in the ESPN booth as analyst for the telecast, joined by Andy Petree. Dr. Jerry Punch will handle play-by-play. NASCAR Countdown will include segments from pit reporters Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Mike Massaro as the Busch Series makes its only appearance of 2007 at the 1.058-mile New England oval. NASCAR Countdown will originate from the ESPN Pit Studio at New Hampshire International Speedway as it sets the stage for ESPN2’s coverage of the Busch Series race Saturday. Highlights include: Juan Pablo Montoya: Has he arrived? Juan Pablo Montoya won his first Nextel Cup Race at Sonoma on June 24 – his second road course win of the season after taking the checkered flag in the NASCAR Busch Series race in March in Mexico City. ESPN pit reporter Mike Massaro will report on Montoya’s accomplishments this year and his return to the NASCAR Busch Series after a three-week break. Massaro will ask the questions, “What do these wins mean?” and “Has he ‘officially arrived’ or does he still need an ‘oval win’ to show he will be a NASCAR force?” Aric Almirola and Denny Hamlin’s win at Milwaukee: Last week’s Busch Series come-from-behind win for the #20 car officially was designated as Aric Almirola’s first Busch Series win in the record books, but Denny Hamlin was behind the wheel at the finish. ESPN’s Allen Bestwick will report on Hamlin’s “unofficial win” in Milwaukee when he arrived late by helicopter to replace Almirola. Hamlin managed to come from a lap down to bring the No. 20 car to victory lane. The feature will include thoughts from Almirola on being pulled from the car even after leading a majority of the race to that point. Companion Weekend: Busch Series and Nextel Cup Races at New Hampshire: After three straight weeks of stand-alone Busch Series racing, the series rejoins Nextel Cup at New Hampshire International Speedway. NASCAR Countdown reporters and analysts will report on the chances for a win for Busch Series regulars Stephen Leicht, Steven Wallace, Jason Leffler, Marcos Ambrose and others while many of the Nextel Cup drivers will pull double duty at the track, including Cup driver Tony Stewart, who had a win at New Hampshire in 2005.(ESPN PR)(6-28-2007)
Almirola Comments on Being Pulled from Milwaukee Race: Disappointment, frustration and anger have given way to acceptance, understanding and even a little bit of humor for Aric Almirola in the days since his hollow first victory in the Busch Series. The 22-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing development driver started the AT&T 250 Saturday night at the Milwaukee Mile, only to be yanked after 59 laps once Nextel Cup regular Denny Hamlin arrived. “When he first asked me to get out, my first response was, ‘Are you kidding?’ ” Almirola said. “That’s when he got pretty emotional, and he was like, ‘No, man, I wish I was kidding you, but I’m not.’ ” Almirola spoke briefly with Rogers, and the team and said he was not upset with them but with the “crappy situation.” He then left the track to avoid doing or saying something he would regret. “I feel like I was a part of it [the win], but by no way, shape or form do I feel like that was my first victory,” Almirola said. “I feel like my first victory is still to come, and I’ll get that, and I’ll actually be in the car when it crosses the start-finish line.”(Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)(6-28-2007)
Kerry Earnhardt to Run Daytona Busch Race: Jeff Spraker Racing Enterprises will field an entry for Kerry Earnhardt at Daytona International Speedway. Earnhardt will drive Spraker’s #63. The car, a Chevy, will come from the Jeff Spraker Racing Enterprises stable with the engine provided by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Spraker who has been running a full Busch East Series schedule with Michelle Theriault will head the effort and is expected to take the role of crew chief for the double-header weekend. A formal announcement is expected soon.(Catchfence.com)(6-28-2007)
Wanke & #7 Team Part Ways?: UPDATE 2: Hearing that Fred Wanke and the #7 Phoenix Racing team have parted ways. Supposedly Marc Reno will fill in as crew chief for Mike Wallace until they find a replacement.(4-12-2007) UPDATE: Marc Reno had taken over the [crew] chief role for the race. Marc is the General Manager for Phoenix racing. Marc had been Mike’s crew chief before on the #1 Busch car and the #09 Cup car in previous years.(MikeWallace.com)(4-14-2007) UPDATE 2: Gere Kennon is the new crew chief for Mike Wallace and the #7 team. Gere most recently served as Director of Competition for Front Row Motorsports #37 Nextel Cup team.(6-28-2007)
Eury Sr. leaving DEI…to JR Motorsports? UPDATE confirmed: Claire B. Lang reported on XM Radio Tuesday that Tony Eury Sr. [former #8 and #15 crew chief] has resigned from Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s research and development team and will be named Director of Competition at JR Motorsports today.(XM Radio) AND David Poole reported on Sirius’ Morning Drive that Tony Eury Sr is expected to announce this afternoon that he is leaving DEI to become the team director at #88-JR Motorsports. Early in June, Eury reportedly accepted a Research and Development position with DEI after stepping down as Paul Menard’s Nextel Cup crew chief.(6-27-2007) UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has turned to a familiar face and proven winner to help lead the competition efforts of his race team, announcing today that his uncle and longtime NASCAR crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., has been named Director of Competition at JR Motorsports. Commonly referred to as “Pops” around the NASCAR garage, Eury Sr. will oversee competition and technical support for all of JR Motorsports, which includes a full-time Busch Series program, a USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series entry, and three late model teams. His new role at JRM will begin immediately, as he will work closely with crew chief Wes Ward, motorsports director Steve Crisp, and driver Shane Huffman in preparation for Saturday’s Camping World 200 Busch Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway. “Tony Sr. brings wins, championships, and an immeasurable amount of knowledge to JR Motorsports,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He also brings a sense of trust that you only have in family. This company needs his expertise, and I’m glad he sees the potential at JR Motorsports to want to work here. I hope I can provide him the same amount of success here that he has achieved over the years, and I hope he enjoys working here as much as I know he enjoyed working at DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc.).”(JR Motorsports PR)(6-27-2007)
Ganassi Busch Team Changes? UPDATE 3: hearing that Ganassi Racing Busch Series crew chiefs Brad Parrott [#42] and Brian Pattie [#41] are switching teams. Parrott will handle the crew chief duties for Reed Sorenson/David Stremme/Clauson (#41) and Pattie will move to the (#42) team with Juan Pablo Montoya and Kevin Hamlin.(5-17-2007) UPDATE: Brad Parrott, interviewed on Sirius Speedway by Dave Moody, said that he remains Juan Pablo Montoya’s crew chief.(5-23-2007) UPDATE 2: Possible performance issues are calling for team officials at Chip Ganassi Racing to make a crew chief swap in its Busch Series operation this weekend at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Ganassi officials met Tuesday and will make an official announcement Wednesday. Crew chief Brad Parrott will move to the #41 of Reed Sorenson. Brian Pattie will crew chief Montoya’s #42.(NASCAR.com)(6-26-2007) UPDATE 3: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is making crew changes to its #41 Wrigley’s and #42 Texaco/Havoline Busch teams. Crew chief Brad Parrott and his crew will move over to work on the #41 Dodge with drivers Reed Sorenson, David Stremme, Scott Pruett, Scott Lagasse Jr., and Bryan Clauson, while crew chief Brian Pattie and his team will now work with drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kevin Hamlin on the #42 Dodge effective this weekend at New Hampshire.(CGRFS PR)(6-27-2007)
Bires Still in for Wood: Kelly Bires doesn’t mind his race-by-race schedule as the relief driver in the #47 Clorox Ford. As long as he’s needed, he will show up with helmet – and enthusiasm – in hand. Bires will continue his supporting role at this Saturday’s Camping World 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway. He will drive in place of Jon Wood, who continues his recovery from an adverse reaction to prescribed medication. It will be Bires’ fourth appearance in the Busch Series for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.(Wood Bros./JTG Racing PR)(6-27-2007)
F.W. Webb Sponsoring Kenseth at New Hampshire: Matt Kenseth will be sporting a new paint scheme this weekend in New Hampshire. Combining Roush’s new relationship with Fenway Sports Group and being in the Boston area, the #17 Busch Series entry with Matt Kenseth will be the Roush Fenway/F.W. Webb Ford. The F.W. Webb Company is the largest distributor of plumbing, heating, cooling and piping products in the northeast.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(6-27-2007)
Conway back in the #18 at New Hampshire: Kevin Conway has watched the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevy score Busch Series finishes of second and fourth over the past two weekends, and now he’s ready to get himself and sponsor Z-Line Designs a piece of the action as the series heads to New Hampshire for Saturday’s Camping World 200. Conway will be back behind the wheel of the #18 Z-Line Designs/Staples Chevy for the fourth time this season as he makes his first career trip to the 1.058-mile oval.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(6-27-2007)
Racing Against Cancer on #11 This Weekend: Racing Against Cancer (RAC) will partner with CJM Racing this weekend in effort to bring awareness and help raise money for the American Cancer Society. The RAC decal will be displayed as an associate sponsor on the #11 of Jason Keller.(CJM PR)(6-26-2007)
Driver Standings a Blowout, but Owner Points Much Closer: Last weekend’s second-place finish at The Milwaukee Mile was Wimmer’s season best behind the wheel of the #29 Holiday Inn Chevy and advanced the team 23 points in the NASCAR Busch Series owners’ championship point standings. The team sits second and is now just 188 markers behind Jack Roush’s #60. This is the second straight week that the Richard Childress Racing team has advanced in the owners’ point standings.(RCR PR)(6-26-2007)
Eckrich to Sponsor Rensi & Hamilton Jr. in 3 Races: The Eckrich brand announced the launch of their Feed Your Need for Speed campaign which will be supported by a multi-race Busch Series sponsor partnership with Team Rensi Motorsports. At each 2007 Team Eckrich race event, the Feed Your Need for Speed campaign will feature the logos of Eckrich and a select Eckrich retail partner on a specially-designed #35 Team Rensi Ford Fusion driven by Bobby Hamilton, Jr. Eckrich and their select retail partners will serve as primary sponsors during the USG Sheetrock 300 at Chicago, the Kroger 200 at Indanapolis’ O’Reilly Raceway Park and the O’Reilly Challenge at Texas.(Eckrich PR), see an image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Schemes page.(6-26-2007)
Camping World Sponsoring Busch Race and 2 cars at New Hamphire: Camping World and RVs.com have joined together to sponsor the Busch Series race at New Hampshire on Saturday, June 30. The Camping World 200 will be broadcast live on ABC beginning Saturday at 2:30pm/et. Camping World colors will be carried by Clint Bowyer in the #2 Camping World Chevy as well as the #10 Toyota with Dave Blaney aboard.(Camping World PR)(6-26-2007)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for New Hamphshire: Brad Coleman was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the AT&T 250 at The Milwaukee Mile. Coleman finished fourth, his second top-five and third top-10 finish in 10 Busch Series starts. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time in 2007. David Ragan leads Marcos Ambrose by 12 points (172-160) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Camping World 200 at New Hampshire. Ragan is third in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 70 points behind second-place David Reutimann and leads fourth-place Dave Blaney by seven.(Raybestos PR)(6-26-2007)
Kluever Charity Ride Nets Nearly $20K: Sunday, June 24, was the first annual “Todd Kluever Ride To Cure Diabetes,” and a day he will never forget. The inaugural ride raised $19,500 which will be split between the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.. Just over 100 bikes and 150 riders joined the 75-mile ride on the country roads outside Madison, Wisc.(Roush-Fenway Racing PR)(6-26-2007)
Daytona Announces July Race Purse: The posted awards for the Winn-Dixie 250 Busch Series race presented by PepsiCo on Friday, July 6th will be $1,552,701.(Daytona International Speedway PR)(6-25-2007)
Almirola to Ginn in 2008? Hearing Aric Almirola, who was credited with the Milwaukee Busch Series race win Saturday night, will join Ginn Racing in 2008 as a protege to #01-Mark Martin. Supposedly the plan is for Almirola to run part-time Cup, Busch and Trucks in 2008 and take over the #01 Chevy full-time in 2009. However: in a press conference at Sonoma, JGR president J.D. Gibbs said of Almirola: “Really, for us, he [Almirola] is a huge part of our future. We have invested a lot in him both time wise and financially but more importantly, just getting to know him. No one wants him to succeed more than us. He is a perfect fit all the way around to race here for JGR and will be in this sport for years to come.” and “He’ll run another race for them [Rockwell, sponsor of JGR Busch team] here down the road this year and they’ll line up and do a full deal with him next year. That’s what I hope.” and “Rockwell has been a great partner for many years. For us, they are kind of evaluating where they go next year.”(GM Racing PR)(6-25-2007)
Busch Series Live on ABC From New Hampshire: ESPN on ABC will feature Busch Series racing live Saturday, June 30, from New Hampshire International Speedway as the series makes its only appearance of 2007 at the 1.058-mile New England oval for the Camping World 200 presented by RV.com. The telecast begins with NASCAR Countdown at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday; the 200-lap race starts at 3 p.m. Remarkably, in the 20 NASCAR Busch Series races that have been contested at NHIS since the track opened in 1990, there has never been a repeat winner. The first race held at NHIS was a 300-lap NASCAR Busch Series race in 1990 that was won by Tommy Ellis, and current series points leader Carl Edwards won last year’s event. Dale Jarrett will work in the ESPN booth as analyst for the telecast, joined by Andy Petree. Dr. Jerry Punch will handle play-by-play. Pit reporters will be Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Jamie Little and Mike Massaro. Brent Musburger will host NASCAR Countdown from the ESPN Pit Studio, while two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN Chevy Cutaway Car.(ESPN PR)(6-25-2007)
Gibbs Comments on Decision to Pull Almirola from Car; Almirola Could Run Full Season in 2008: The decision to take Aric Almirola out of the Joe Gibbs Racing Busch Series car on Saturday night at Milwaukee was purely a business decision. JGR president J.D. Gibbs said it then became a group decision to put Hamlin into the car. “What I said to those guys as a group was, ‘If you think Denny can get in the car and win the race let’s go, let’s do that. If you don’t think he can do that, let Aric run it out,'” Gibbs said before Sunday’s Cup race. Hamlin, after falling a lap down, won the race that officially will go in the record books as a victory for Almirola. Almirola wasn’t around to enjoy it, having left the track without talking to reporters. “He’s upset,” Gibbs said. “I left a message for him last night. I know he’s upset. Hey, I understand that. I would be too if I were in his shoes.” Gibbs said long term the decision may benefit Almirola. He’s hoping to put the young driver into a full-time Busch program next season with Rockwell as the primary sponsor. Gibbs said Almirola will receive his full share of winnings and possibly pick up one of Hamlin’s Busch races later in the year.(ESPN.com)(6-24-2007)
Bodine to fill-in for Dave Blaney: Braun Racing is pleased to announce reigning Craftsman Truck Series Champion, Todd Bodine, will be filling in for Dave Blaney this weekend at The Milwaukee Mile. Bodine will practice, qualify, and race the #10 Camping World Camry in tonight’s AT&T 250. Dave Blaney will be back in the #10 at New Hampshire International Speedway next weekend.(Braun Racing PR)(6-23-2007)
Ryan Foster Could Run Some Busch Races This Year: Things have been going well as of late for Ryan Foster. The 26-year-old from Anderson [California] is in the midst of his first full season on the NASCAR Grand National West Series tour, driving the #21 car of the Golden Gate Meat Company, which is part of the driver development program for Richard Childress Racing. Now, it is possible that Foster can get behind the wheel of a Busch Series ride sometime later this year. Foster recently has been sanctioned by NASCAR to race on 1-mile tracks in Busch. “It isn’t set in stone yet, but it looks likely that I’ll get in a couple of Busch races later this year,” Foster said on Thursday.(Redding Record Searchlight)(6-22-2007)
Braun Racing & Dave Blaney to honor fallen firefighters: Braun Racing’s #10 Toyota will honor the nine firefighters who died June 19 in a Charleston, S.C. furniture warehouse fire. Primary sponsor Fan1st.com is paying tribute by featuring the firefighters’ names on the entry driven by Dave Blaney in Saturday’s AT&T 250 Busch Series race at the Milwaukee Mile. “We are so pleased to be able to honor these nine men who so heroically gave their lives to save people inside the building,” said Fan1st.com founder Edward Collins, a former battalion chief of the Kansas City Fire Department. “This is a great loss, not only for their families and friends, but for the community of firefighters across the country.”(SceneDaily.com)(6-22-2007)
Eli Lilly and Company and Walgreens Sponsoring Krisiloff for Remainder of Year: After nearly a half-season of attempting to secure full-time sponsorship for Busch Series rookie Kyle Krisiloff, Carl A. Haas Motorsports LLC has announced Eli Lilly and Company and Walgreens will be co-primary sponsors of the team’s #14 Fords for the remainder of the 2007 season.(NASCAR.com)(6-21-2007)
Mark Green in for Diercks at Milwaukee: After evaluating the #70 car’s handling at Kentucky, ML Motorsports has decided to put Mark Green in the car this weekend at Milwaukee to get some veteran feedback. Justin Diercks has driven in 7 races for the team this year with a best finish of 22nd at Las Vegas. He is expected to return to the car at Daytona, the team’s next scheduled race.(6-21-2007)
Crew chief leaves #98 team and is looking: Immediate changes happened for Crew Chief Jason Roche’ and the #98 Transnet Racing team based out of Atlanta, GA. After a quick start with the Mexico Busch Race earlier this year and a solid run in the Michigan ARCA Race last weekend, they have decided to part ways. Roche’ says, “I really believed in the young team and thought it was heading in the right direction.” He also said that “Driver Alex Garcia, was gaining valuable experience, but regretfully we were unable to come to an agreement and have chosen to go in different directions.” Roche’ is looking at general manager and crew chief opportunities at this point.(info at Speedcraft site), the team is also looking for a new crew chief, that info can be found on my Racing Schools/Jobs page.(6-21-2007)
Bires remains in the #47 Busch car for Wood: Though Jon Wood is on the preliminary entry list in Wood Brothers/JTG Racing’s #47 Ford for the AT&T 250 Busch Series race at the Milwaukee Mile, a team spokesman confirmed Kelly Bires would race the car. Wood has missed two races to deal with what the team is calling a negative reaction to prescription medication given to Wood for a misdiagnosis of attention-deficit disorder. Bires was 15th at Nashville and seventh at Kentucky last weekend. Milwaukee will be his third Busch Series start, and he’ll also compete in the Craftsman Truck Series there this weekend for the team. The spokesman said Wood is feeling better and should be back in the car soon.(SceneDaily.com)(6-20-2007)
Justin Labonte Still Working to Get Back to NASCAR: Less than three years ago, [Justin] Labonte was in victory lane at Chicagoland Speedway. Little has gone right since for the native of Trinity. Driving for a different Busch Series team was a nightmare. Sponsorship couldn’t be found to get him back in a Busch or Craftsman Truck ride. Now he’s taken an entirely different course. He’s traded Daytona for Dublin, Fontana for Fayetteville, learning the ropes of Super Late Model racing on a pair of Cape Fear region dirt tracks. Dean Bowen of Whiteville, the 2006 Super Late Model champion at Dublin Motor Speedway and its current points leader, said Labonte has already shown 100% improvement in the three months they’ve raced each other. “If he runs this whole season and starts next season, he’ll be a contender to run with the rest of us,” Bowen said. That’s not the long-term goal, though. The Labontes are building an asphalt car for the Taco Bell 300 at Martinsville, Va., later this year, and Justin said he has “some things we’re working on” on the sponsorship front to get him back into NASCAR. “If I had a sponsor, I feel like we could go to a decent team now and run well,” Justin said. “Hopefully I’ll get it going again.”(Fayetteville Observer)(6-20-2007)
Seymour Paint to Sponsor Braun/Blaney at Daytona: Seymour of Sycamore, inventor of aerosol spray paint, will rejoin the Braun Racing team on the #10 Seymour Paint Toyota driven by Dave Blaney in the July 6th Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona. Seymour Paint made its NASCAR debut with Braun Racing and Bill Elliott at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May in the #32 Camry [and did not make the race].(Braun Racing PR)(6-19-2007)
Vickers to drive two races for Braun: Brian Vickers will pilot the #32 Braun Racing Toyota Camry in two Busch Series races this season at Daytona and Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Vickers will drive the #32 at Daytona and Lowe’s with sponsorship from Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation of Arizona.(Braun Racing PR)(6-19-2007)
Hornaday in for Kertus Davis at Milwaukee: UPDATE: Ron Hornaday will drive the #77 Dollar General Chevy for Kevin Harvick Inc Saturday night at Milwaukee. Kertus Davis was scheduled to drive the car and was on the preliminary entry list.(6-19-2007) UPDATE: The status of Davis, a part-time driver for KHI, was not addressed in a news release. “Right now, it’s best for me not to say nothing at all,” Davis said when contacted by phone. “I’m just going to leave it at that.”(SceneDaily.com)(6-19-2007)
Clauson Wins at ORP: After turning 18 Friday, which made it officially legal for the teenager to go NASCAR racing later this year, Bryan Clauson headed to the O’Reilly Raceway Park, to win the 30-lap Toyota USAC Racing Classic National Midget race Saturday. He also finished third in the USAC Sprint car race that same day at ORP.(CGRFS PR) Note: Clauson is scheduled to make his Busch debut in the #41 Dodge later this year and run the last 7 races of the year for Ganassi.(6-19-2007)
Kreyer Making Busch Debut at Milwaukee: Wisconsin native and veteran short-track specialist Frank Kreyer drives the Culver’s Racing #56 Chevy into his initial NASCAR Busch Series race June 23 at his “hometown” track, the renowned Milwaukee Mile. The 37-year-old from Wisconsin Dells drove super-late models the past six years under the Culver’s Restaurant banner throughout the state and the upper Midwest.(Mac Hill Motorsports PR)(6-19-2007)
McCreadie to Make Busch Debut at Milwaukee: RCR development driver Tim McCreadie will make his first NASCAR Busch Series start this weekend at The Milwaukee Mile behind the wheel of RCR’s #21 Chevy. McCreadie, 33, of Watertown, N.Y. has only three career asphalt starts to his credit and finished fourth in his ARCA Series debut last weekend Michigan. Prior to last Friday, McCreadie finished 11th in his NASCAR West Series debut in April at Phoenix and followed that up with a 10th-place run on May 20 at Iowa Speedway. McCreadie is the 2006 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals winner and the defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion.(RCR PR)(6-19-2007)
Lagasse Making 2007 Busch Debut at Milwaukee: After helping David Stremme and the #41 Wrigley’s Winterfresh team prepare to go racing throughout the last two weeks at Nashville and Kentucky, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates development driver Scott Lagasse Jr. will not only shake down the #41 Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge this weekend at The Milwaukee Mile but he will also pilot the CGRFS Dodge in Saturday night’s race. It will mark Lagasse’s first NASCAR Busch Series start of the year.(CGRFS PR)(6-19-2007)
Wimmer Throwing out First Pitch at Brewers Game: Wisconsin native and Richard Childress Racing driver #29-Scott Wimmer will throw out the first pitch at Miller Park when the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Kansas City Royals on Friday, June 22.(RCR PR)(6-19-2007)
Brewco to Swap Crews on Teams? There could be changes coming to two Busch Series teams over the coming weeks. Brewco Motorsports’ teams are said to be swapping positions next weekend in Milwaukee. Stewart Cooper, crew chief on the #27 driven by Jason Keller, will move over to the #37 next weekend. Newt Moore, crew chief on the #37, will move over to the 27. The crews will also transition with their respective crew chiefs. Things will flip back to normal for New Hampshire and Daytona. Next weekend Jason Keller and Bobby East are in line to pilot the Brewco entries.(BGNRacing.com)(6-18-2007)
Rapid Industrial Cleaning Sponsoring Wallace in 5 Races: RWI Racing, LLC and Rapid Rig Wash, Inc. (Rapid Industrial Cleaning) announced an agreement that will see Rapid Industrial Cleaning serve as primary sponsor of RWI Racing’s #66 Dodge, driven by Steve Wallace, in five 2007 NASCAR Busch Series races. Wallace’s car will sport Rapid Industrial Cleaning livery beginning with this weekend’s event in Milwaukee, followed by the New Hampshire, Chicagoland and Michigan rounds of the championship, as well as another event to be determined. The #66 Dodge will also carry from time to time, the branding of Rapid Industrial Cleaning’s various strategic partners. Current RWI Racing partner HomeLife Communities will remain on the #66 Dodge in a major associate sponsor role for the five events and will return as primary sponsor for the remaining 2007 Busch Series races.(RWI PR)(6-18-2007)
Johnny Benson in the #1 at Milwaukee: Johnny Benson is scheduled to compete at Milwaukee in the Busch race Saturday. He will be driving the #1 James Finch / Phoenix Racing machine sponsored by Miccosukee Resort Gaming.(JohnnyBenson.com)(6-18-2007)
Double Duty Drivers at Milwaukee: UPDATE: The distance between The Milwaukee Mile and Infineon Raceway will keep #1-J.J. Yeley from maintaining his full-time status in the NASCAR Busch Series. Instead, Ron Hornaday Jr. will drive the #1 Miccosukee Resorts Chevy at Milwaukee. Additionally, #99-David Reutimann and #22-Mike Bliss will pull duty at Milwaukee only. P.J. Jones will drive Reutimann’s #00 Toyota and Klaus Graf is scheduled to drive Bliss’ #49 Chevy at Infineon this weekend. #60-Carl Edwards will have Travis Kvapil on hand to practice his #60 Ford while Erik Darnell will do the same for #6-David Ragan. Last year’s Busch Pole winner, Aric Almirola, will shake down the #20 Rockwell Automation Chevy for Denny Hamlin. The sub for Dave Blaney will be announced later this week.(NASCAR PR)(6-18-2007) UPDATE: Johnny Benson is scheduled to be in the #1 rather than Hornaday.(6-18-2007)
Marc Mitchell to Run for CJM at Milwaukee: UPDATE: Marc Mitchell will make one more ARCA start before fulfilling an agreement he recently reached with #11-CMJ Racing to make his first Busch Series start on June 23 in Milwaukee. Mitchell plans to run seven more ARCA races after Pocono and Milwaukee, where he’s hoping to impress the CMJ team even more. Mitchell said he’s also optimistic because Jason Keller, who has been racing the Busch Series for 16 years, will be working with his crew.(Tallahassee Democrat)(6-4-2007) UPDATE: CJM Racing is proud to announce the signing of developmental driver Marc Mitchell for the upcoming AT&T 250 at the Milwaukee Mile. Mitchell, an up-and-coming driver in the racing ranks, will fill-in for veteran driver Jason Keller [who will drive the #27 for Brewco at Milwaukee] and assist the team in building on the solid foundation developed around Keller.(CJM Racing PR)(6-18-2007)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Milwaukee: Brad Coleman was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Meijer 300 at Kentucky. Coleman finished second his best finish in nine Busch Series starts and grabbed his first top-five effort in the NASCAR Busch Series. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the second time in 2007. Coleman led 36 laps and captured WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors for the second time this season. He is the only Raybestos Rookie to capture the honor more than once. David Ragan leads Marcos Ambrose by 11 points (167-156) entering the June 23 AT&T 250 at The Milwaukee Mile. Ragan is sixth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 31 points behind fifth-place Regan Smith and leads seventh-place Greg Biffle by 66.(Raybestos PR)(6-18-2007)
Post race show set for Sam’s Town 350 at Memphis: Country music super group Diamond Rio will add their distinctive sounds to the roar of NASCAR at Memphis Motorsports Park this season, headlining the post-race concert following the Sam’s Town 250. Diamond Rio members Jimmy Olander, Dana Williams, Dan Truman, Gene Johnson, Brian Prout and Marty Roe have also created a remarkable track record of awards, chart-topping hits and critical acclaim, along the way selling more than 10 million albums, with each release certified Gold or Platinum. Collectively earning Vocal Group of the Year honors six times from the CMA and ACM, they recently received their 14th consecutive CMA Vocal Group of the Year nomination. The concerts are included as part of Memphis Motorsports Park’s season ticket package.(Memphis Motorsports Park PR)(6-15-2007)
Jerick Johnson Walks Away from Firey Crash at Kentucky: Jerick Johnson escaped injury after his car erupted in flames after a crash in Busch Series final practice at Kentucky Speedway. Johnson, driving Team Johnson Motorsports’ #76 Chevy, spun in Turn 4 and backed his car into the wall. As his car stopped on the apron, the rear burst into flames. The car burned for several seconds before track workers could get it, but once they did, the fire was so intense that extinguishers did little. Finally, as the car was engulfed in smoke, Johnson crawled out, and the flames were eventually snuffed out. Johnson’s team withdrew from the Meijer 300 because it does not have a backup car. That leaves 43 cars to qualify for Saturday’s race.(SceneDaily.com)(6-15-2007)
A.J. Frank Driving for Mac Hill at Kentucky: A.J. Frank, who drives full-time for Mac Hill in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, will make his first Busch Series start for the team in the Meijer 300, and the #56 Chevy will be sponsored for the first time by Louisville, Ky.-based Brandeis Machinery & Supply Company. The race will be Frank’s fourth career Busch Series start and first since 2001.(Mac Hill PR)(6-15-2007)
Aflac to Sponsor Roush-Fenway? UPDATE: Aflac is on the verge of securing a multiyear team sponsorship deal with Roush Fenway Racing, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal reports. Aflac’s sponsorship with Roush Fenway is expected to include four Nextel Cup races this year as the primary sponsor on Greg Biffle’s #16 car. Aflac also will be featured as a primary sponsor for four Busch Series races this year, the story says, and to settle into a full-time Busch Series sponsorship with Roush Fenway for 2008.(SceneDaily.com)(6-4-2007) UPDATE: Aflac Incorporated announced that it is partnering with Roush Fenway Racing to sponsor eight Nextel Cup and Busch Series races in the 2007 season. Greg Biffle will drive the #16 Aflac Ford for its debut at the Nextel Cup race on July 1 at New Hampshire International Speedway for a total of four races. Aflac is also sponsoring four Busch Series races with drivers #60-Carl Edwards, #17-Matt Kenseth and #26-Jamie McMurray.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(6-15-2007)
NASCAR Countdown: ESPN2 Busch Series Highlights From Kentucky Speedway: ESPN2’s NASCAR Countdown will have a live prime-time preview of the NASCAR Busch Series race at 8 p.m. ET Saturday from Kentucky Speedway. Mike Massaro will host NASCAR Countdown at Kentucky, joined in the ESPN Pit Studio by Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty. Tim Brewer will be at the ESPN Chevy Cutaway Car. Wallace and anchor announcer Marty Reid will call the race from the booth. Additionally, NASCAR Countdown will include segments from pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch as NASCAR Busch Series drivers strive for a win in the Bluegrass state. NASCAR Countdown will originate from Kentucky Speedway and will be telecast from ESPN’s state-of-the-art mobile Pit Studio as it sets the stage for ESPN2’s coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday, June 16. Highlights include: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Move to Hendrick Motorsports: The hot topic in the NASCAR garage this week is Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s announcement to join Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. NASCAR Countdown will report on the latest reaction from the garage, including reports from Dale Earnhardt Jr., odd man out Kyle Busch and team owner Rick Hendrick. Racing to Wakeboarding? Ever wonder what some NASCAR drivers do in their downtime away from the track? NASCAR Countdown caught up with NASCAR Busch Series drivers Aric Almirola and Kevin Conway as they traded asphalt for water in some wakeboarding action. From the Pits: NASCAR Countdown pit reporters will speak with NASCAR Busch Series driver Marcus Ambrose about his fiery ride at Nashville Superspeedway in the NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday, June 9. Who will lead the pack in the start of Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series race? NASCAR Countdown will report with the polesitter after Saturday’s 5 p.m. qualifying session.(ESPN PR)(6-14-2007)
Another Motorcycler to try racing cars? UPDATE: A source close to Canada’s Miguel Duhamel, AMA Super Bikes series driver, told Sun Media at the Canadian Grand Prix that Duhamel will be in a stock car built especially for him by Dave Jacombs. Jacombs is the same chassis builder who put former Champ Car World Series stars Patrick Carpentier and Andrew Ranger in races, with both finishing in the top 10 in their first efforts. Duhamel, 39, who now lives in Las Vegas, has conquered just about all there is to conquer on two wheels, owning the records for most wins and most championships in the Super Bikes Series. He will team up with 20-year-old Ranger in Fords sponsored by Wal-Mart, Proctor and Gamble and the Children’s Miracle Network. Ranger, who looked to be destined for superstardom in Champ Car before his sponsorship dried up this season, was right at home in his first NCATS race last month at Cayuga Speedway Park where he finished fourth in the season opener. Duhamel, however, may just practice in his Jacombs prepared Ford at Mosport’s Father’s Day Double Header weekend and get behind the wheel for real at the Busch Series NAPA 200 at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Aug. 4 where the NCATS will run as a support race. It is also expected at the NBS race that current Champ Car driver Alex Tagliani will drive a third Jacombs prepared car.(Toronto Sun)(6-12-2007) UPDATE: Miguel the son of Canadian Motorsport Hall of Famer Yvon Duhamel, who ran one Cup race at North Wilkesboro for Junie Donlavey in 1973 and finished 10th.(6-14-2007)
Regan Smith to Skip Kentucky Race: UPDATE: #4-Regan Smith has run every Busch Series race this season and sits fifth in points. But that will end next week when he runs a truck at Michigan Superspeedway. Smith’s team, which is 10th in the owner points, also won’t show up at Kentucky, meaning it will give up a guaranteed starting position for the remainder of the season. The Busch team will run as a fourth Ginn Racing Nextel Cup team at various events.(SceneDaily.com)(6-10-2007) UPDATE: After a re-evaluation, Ginn Racing driver Regan Smith will compete in this weekend’s NASCAR Busch Series race at Kentucky Speedway. As stated by Ginn Racing last week, Smith’s performance has excelled and his flexible schedule is being reworked to continue his preparation for a full-time Nextel Cup ride in 2008. Smith is slated to compete in a variety of racing series during the remaining weekends of the NASCAR season.(Ginn Racing PR)(6-13-2007)
Rusty Wallace: Trucks, Busch ‘possible’ in Iowa: Rusty Wallace is hopeful, but not certain. The former NASCAR star turned TV broadcaster and Iowa Speedway 10-percent owner rests most of his local aspirations on the Newton track’s June 24 Iowa Corn Indy 250 IndyCar Series race. But that’s not all. Wallace said in a Teleconference Wednesday that he believes the Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series could be possibilities for Iowa Speedway’s future schedules. “We’ve talked to them,” said Wallace, a motorsports analyst for ABC and ESPN. “It’s in their hands now, but they do love everything they’ve seen about Iowa. All the drivers. In fact, I was listening to an interview this morning from Kevin Harvick, and (he) said, ‘(Iowa Speedway) was one of the nicest tracks I’ve ever drove my entire life.’ He said, ‘I highly recommend NASCAR gets a Busch or a Truck race there.'” Whether NASCAR agrees is unknown.(Des Moines Register)(6-13-2007)
Kluever Throwing out First Pitch: It’s not quite Fenway Park, but the Duck Pond at Warner Park in Madison, Wisc., is where #16-Todd Kluever will be throwing out the first pitch when he returns home next week. Kluever will throw the first pitch and sign autographs before the Madison Mallards game on Wednesday, June 20.(Roush-Fenway Racing PR)(6-13-2007)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Kentucky: David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville. Ragan finished seventh, his third top-10 effort of the 2007 season, and took top rookie honors for the fifth time in 2007. Ragan grabbed the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings with his good finish at Nashville. He leads Marcos Ambrose by six points (154-148) entering the Meijer 300 at Kentucky. Raybestos Rookie David Gilliland won the 2006 Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Gilliland led just once, covering the final 11 laps, and crossed the finish line .306 seconds ahead of J.J. Yeley. Ragan is eighth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is three points behind seventh-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. and leads ninth-place Clint Bowyer by 42.(Raybestos PR)(6-12-2007)
Test Session Set for Montreal Race: UPDATE In preparation for its second international event of the season — and its inaugural race in Canada — the Busch Series will conduct a test on Tuesday, June 12, at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course in Montreal, Quebec, site of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 on Aug. 4. Richard Childress Racing and Terry Labonte will serve as the test team. The one-day test has two sessions, scheduled from 9 a.m. until noon ET and 1- 5 p.m. on the 2.709-mile course.(NASCAR.com)(5-18-2007) UPDATE: Terry Labonte turned the first laps in a NASCAR stock car Tuesday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course in preparation for the Busch Series’ foray into Canada on Aug. 4. Labonte drove equipment provided by Richard Childress Racing’s No. 21 Chevrolet team. “There are some good passing places on this track,” Labonte said following his last run. “Everything went really well (with the test). This will be a good show come August. The fans up here will love it.” The RCR team, which included all three Busch Series crew chiefs – Shane Wilson, Dan Deeringhoff and Pat Smith – was so prepared for the test that the second session, scheduled to run until 5 p.m., was complete by 2:30. Labonte drove 21 laps for 57 miles, turning in a fast lap of 109.860 mph (1:49.86 seconds). He averaged 105.602 during his day’s work.(NASCAR PR)(6-12-2007)
Platenberger is New Crew Chief for Keith Coleman Racing: Beginning at Nashville Superspeedway, Steve Platenberger, NASCAR crew veteran, will take over the role of crew chief for the #23 MACtac Chevy.(KCR PR)(6-11-2007)
Wood’s Headaches Could Be Result of Prescription: UPDATE 2: Eddie Wood said son Jon Wood might be experiencing adverse reactions to prescribed medications, resulting in the headaches that forced him out of the car for the Dover 200 Busch Series event Saturday. “Jon Wood got out of his car on Friday following Busch Series practice by his own choice due to headaches and not feeling well,” Eddie Wood said in a statement released by the team. “He is presently being evaluated by doctors for these symptoms. “It is believed at this time that he has been misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder and is experiencing adverse reactions to the prescribed medications.”(SceneDaily.com)(6-3-2007) UPDATE: While Jon Wood recovers, team development driver Kelly Bires will be behind the wheel of the Clorox/American Red Cross Ford. Bires has been driving the team’s Craftsman Truck Series Entry. According to crew chief Scott Zippadelli, ““The important thing for Jon is to feel better. There’s no timetable, no hurry to make that happen. We’ll take it race-by-race and go from there.”(Wood Bros. / JTG Racing PR)(6-4-2007) UPDATE 2: Wood’s status remains race-by-race. Bires will continue to fill in as needed.(Wood Brothers / JTP Racing PR)(6-10-2007)
Miller Filling in for Bowyer at Nashville: UPDATE 5: Brandon Miller will be on hand in Nashville to get the #2-BB&T Chevy dialed in before Clint Bowyer makes the trip Friday night. If weather in Pocono becomes a hindrance, Miller will qualify the car as well.(RCR PR)(6-5-2007) UPDATE: The second Nashville race kicks off the portion of the stand-alone season where double-duty drivers will have subs for practice and qualifying. Nine drivers are scheduled for double duty in Nashville and at Pocono Raceway this weekend. Matt McCall will sub for points leader #60-Carl Edwards while Auggie Vidovich does the same for Edwards’ teammate #6-David Ragan. Brandon Miller stands in for #2-Clint Bowyer; Chad Blount for #10-Dave Blaney; Scott Lagasse Jr. for #41-David Stremme; Jay Sauter for #1-J.J. Yeley and Mark Green for #99-David Reutimann. Subs for #37-Greg Biffle and #22-Mike Bliss are to be announced.(NASCAR PR)(6-5-2007) UPDATE 2: Burney Lamar will fill in for [Greg Biffle] in Busch Series competition as needed at Nasvhille.(Brewco PR)(6-6-2007) UPDATE 3: Carlos Contreras will fill in for #22-Mike Bliss.(SceneDaily.com)(6-7-2007) UDPATE 4: Chad Chaffin will be practicing the #1 Miccosukee Resort Chevy this weekend for Driver J.J. Yeley(Mountain Empire Sports Marketing Group PR)(6-8-2007) UPDATE 5: Casey Atwood was in the #37 instead of Burney Lamar. Lamar is still under contract with Kevin Harvick Inc. and was not allowed to drive for Brewco. Lamar said Friday he hoped to resolve the issue with the team for which he drove last year but was not in a drivers uniform at Nashville.(SceneDaily.com)(6-8-2007)
Subway the new sponsor? Hearing that Subway is the leading contender to be the new ‘Busch’ Series sponsor in 2008.(6-7-2007)
Morgan Shepherd Celebrating 40 Years of Racing: There are many NASCAR racers who have enjoyed longevity in America’s top touring race series, but not many can say they have been strapping on a helmet nearly every week for four decades. Sixty-five-year-old Morgan Shepherd will be celebrating his 40th anniversary in the sport when he competes in Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. From his first late model start at Hickory Motor Speedway in June 1967, Shepherd’s journey has taken him through nearly every level of stock car racing and has seen him at the top and bottom of the sport at various times throughout his storied career.(Faith Motorsports PR)(6-7-2007)
Power Equipment Company Sponsoring Mac Hill Motorsports: Power Equipment Company, with offices in Tennessee and Mississippi, will be making laps around the track on the hood of the Mac Hill Motorsports’ #56 Chevy at Nashville. Behind the wheel will be reigning Busch Series Rookie of the Year Danny O’Quinn Jr. This week’s Federated AutoParts 300 isn’t the first time Power has been involved with NASCAR. Last year, the company sponsored cars at the Memphis and Bristol races, and will be the primary sponsor of the #56 car at Memphis and Bristol later in the year.(Ackermann PR)(6-7-2007)
NASCAR Countdown: ESPN2 Nashville Superspeedway Highlights: ESPN2’s NASCAR Countdown will have a live prime-time preview of the NASCAR Busch Series race at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday from Nashville Superspeedway. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown at Nashville, joined in the ESPN Pit Studio by ESPN’s lead auto racing analyst Rusty Wallace. Also in the Pit Studio will be Andy Petree and analyst Brad Daugherty. Tim Brewer will be at the ESPN Chevy Cutaway Car. In addition to Wallace and Petree, the race telecast team will include lead announcer Dr. Jerry Punch. NASCAR Countdown will include segments from pit reporters Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake as drivers and teams get ready for a shot at the race trophy: the famed Nashville Superspeedway guitar.
NASCAR Countdown will originate from Nashville Superspeedway and will be telecast from ESPN’s state-of-the-art mobile Pit Studio as it sets the stage for ESPN2’s coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday, June 9. Highlights include: A NASCAR Legend: Remembering Bill France Jr.
The man responsible for bringing NASCAR to national prominence, Bill France Jr. will be featured in a tribute on his life and impact in motorsports. ESPN NASCAR play-by-play analyst Dr. Jerry Punch, who had a long, personal relationship with France and his family, will lead the feature, which includes reaction from NASCAR Nation, drivers and owners – current and past, sponsors and executives. Nashville Superspeedway: Who and what to watch for
· Double Duty: Eight drivers will pull double duty this weekend, taking flights between Nashville Superspeedway and Pocono Raceway to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series and NEXTEL Cup races. The drivers are Carl Edwards, J.J. Yeley, Clint Bowyer, David Ragan, Dave Blaney, Greg Biffle, David Stremme and David Reutimann. ESPN pit reporter Mike Massaro will speak with NASCAR Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards about the demands of racing both series.
· NASCAR Busch Series drivers will shine: With the NASCAR Busch Series Nashville Superspeedway race being a stand-alone event, NASCAR fans get to watch their favorite Busch Series drivers take the lead. New faces will include Bobby East, Cale Gale, Bobby Santos and Richard Johns to name a few. Edwards’ second career? If Carl Edwards wasn’t a NASCAR driver, would he be a musician? NASCAR Countdown will feature Edwards’ continued desire to become a better guitar player. Note: Edwards won the Nashville guitar, the race’s coveted trophy, in the April 2007 race. We’ll see if he can do it again.(ESPN PR)(6-7-2007)
Chase Miller Making Busch Debut at Nashville: Chase Miller will be behind the wheel of the #9 Lipton Dodge this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. Miller, who most recently drove the #4 for Bobby Hamilton Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series, will making his NASCAR Busch Series debut(Evernham PR)(6-6-2007)
#72 Team Crew Chief Fined: NASCAR announced that Robbie Wethington, crew chief of the #72 Dodge driven by D.J. Kennington in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined due to rule violations this past weekend at Dover International Speedway. Wethington was fined $1,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A–12.5D: offset hubs will not be permitted (rear) of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. The infraction was discovered during pre-race inspection on May 31.(NASCAR PR)(6-5-2007)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Nashville: Marcos Ambrose was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Dover 200 at Dover. Ambrose finished sixth, his best finish in 14 Busch Series races and racked up his third top-10 finish of the season. His best finish prior to the race at Dover was an eighth-place effort at Mexico City. Ambrose took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth time this season and for the second consecutive race. Ambrose and David Ragan are tied for the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings (139-139) entering the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville. Ambrose is eighth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is nine points behind seventh-place Casey Mears and leads ninth-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. by three.(Raybestos PR)(6-5-2007)
Bobby East Making Busch Debut at Nashville: Bobby East will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut for Brewco Motorsports, Inc. in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, June 9th. The 2004 United States Auto Club National Midget Series Champion will drive the #27 Federated Car Care Ford in the 300-mile event. The Nashville race will be the first of a minimum ten scheduled Busch Series races for East in 2007 driving the #27and #37.(Brewco PR)(6-4-2007)
ESPN2 To Have Live NASCAR Busch Series Practice, Qualifying Coverage from Nashville: ESPN2 will have live coverage of qualifying from Nashville Superspeedway as well as the series’ final practice session as it prepares for Saturday’s 300-mile race. Practice coverage will air at 6 p.m. ET Friday, with the live qualifying show airing at 3 p.m. Saturday. Dr. Jerry Punch will be the lead announcer for ESPN2’s coverage of practice and qualifying, joined in the booth by analysts Andy Petree and Rusty Wallace. Pit reporters Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake will contribute to the telecasts. Allen Bestwick will host the qualifying show, joined in the ESPN Pit Studio by analyst Brad Daugherty. Tim Brewer will be at the ESPN Chevy Cutaway Car.(ESPN PR)(6-4-2007)
NASCAR Busch Series Live From Nashville on ESPN2: ESPN2 will feature NASCAR Busch Series racing live Saturday, June 9, from Nashville Superspeedway as the series makes its second and final appearance of 2007 at the 1.33-mile, concrete-surfaced track. The telecast begins with NASCAR Countdown at 6:30 p.m. ET, and the 300-mile race starts at 7 p.m. ESPN’s lead auto racing analyst, Rusty Wallace, will return to the booth for the Nashville telecast. Wallace took a brief hiatus from ESPN’s NASCAR coverage to work the telecast of the Indianapolis 500 by ESPN on ABC. Dale Jarrett filled in for Wallace. Joining Wallace in the booth at Nashville will be lead announcer Dr. Jerry Punch and Andy Petree. Pit reporters will be Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown at Nashville, joined in the ESPN Pit Studio by analyst Brad Daugherty. Tim Brewer will be at the ESPN Chevy Cutaway Car. A Spanish-language version of the race will be televised on ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s domestic Spanish-language network.(ESPN PR)(6-4-2007)
Kvapil Could Fill in for Wood at Dover: UPDATE: Travis Kvapil likely will replace the ailing Jon Wood in the #47 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing car for the Dover 200 Busch Series race Saturday at Dover International Speedway. Wood, suffering from severe headaches, missed the second practice session Friday. Mark Martin practiced the car, but having already run the truck race Friday, he didn’t want to pull triple-duty.(SceneDaily.com)(6-1-2007) UPDATE: Wood Brothers/JTG Racing team officials confirmed that Travis Kvapil will substitute the driving duties for Jon Wood in the #47 Clorox Ford for the Busch Series Dover 200. After completing the first Busch Series practice session Friday morning, Jon Wood complained of a severe headache. “We respect Jon’s decision to step aside while he’s not feeling well and look forward to having him back as soon as possible,” said team owner Tad Geschickter.(Wood Brothers/JTG Racing PR)(6-2-2007)
Hamlin to Drive at Milwaukee: Denny Hamlin isn’t running the full schedule in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series this season, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been doing a lot of running from one garage to another. And Hamlin still plans to run races in both series on the same weekend three weeks from now. That’s when the Busch cars run at the Milwaukee Mile, while Nextel Cup is racing in Sonoma, Calif. Though Hamlin isn’t running the full Busch schedule, his sponsor wanted him to drive the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing car in the AT&T 250 at Milwaukee. Milwaukee is the world headquarters for Rockwell Automation, so Hamlin will fly across country to qualify the Cup car, race the Busch race and race the Cup race.(SceneDaily.com)(6-2-2007)
NASCAR to Make Busch Series Announcement Friday Morning: UPDATE 2: From Jerry Bonkowski’s Trading Paint column at Yahoo! Sports: “NASCAR is expected to make a major announcement Friday morning at Dover that either will reveal the new series sponsor or announce plans on what types of body styles the Busch cars will have next season. I’ve been hearing various reports that the COT may become the primary chassis in the Busch circuit next season. That would be contrary to other reports that NASCAR is planning to introduce cars like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro as the series’ primary vehicles.”(Yahoo! Sports)(5-31-2007) UPDATE: Being told that the announcement will be to name a sponsor for the Dover Busch race.(6-1-2007) UDPATE 2: RoadLoans, a leading internet direct-to-consumer auto finance company specializing in new and used vehicles, will sponsor the 200-mile NASCAR Busch Series race at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, September 22, 2007.(PRNewswire)(6-1-2007)
#72 Team Crew Chief Fined: NASCAR announced that Robbie Wethington, crew chief of the #72 Dodge driven by D.J. Kennington in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined due to rule violations this past weekend at Dover International Speedway. Wethington was fined $1,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A–12.5D: offset hubs will not be permitted (rear) of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. The infraction was discovered during pre-race inspection on May 31.(NASCAR PR)(6-5-2007)
Paul Tracy Wants to Run Montreal Busch Race: UPDATE 3: Paul Tracy said [Friday] he’s closing in on a deal that would put him in a car for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 Busch Series race on Aug. 4, elite stock-car racing’s first foray into Canada. “I’m 90-percent sure I’ll be racing NASCAR in Montreal,” said Tracy, with 30 career victories the winningest active driver in Champ Car competition. “I’m pretty close to putting a deal together, (which) should come together in the next couple of weeks.” Tracy wouldn’t specify for whom he’d race, but did say “it’s a top team, and a top-level car that’s won races this year.” That’s “races” – plural.(Montreal Gazette)(5-26-2007) UPDATE: Sources have told Sun Media that Tracy was contacted by his old buddy Richard Childress about the possibility of driving one of his Richard Childress Racing Chevys at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. “There was some pressure put on NASCAR by Montreal race promoter Normand Legault to get Tracy a good ride and that’s how RCR got involved,” the source said. Most likely it will be the #21 Chevy — that already has been to victory lane this season with defending champion Kevin Harvick behind the wheel. It would make it the best car Tracy has had in his brief NASCAR career that started and ended last season with a series of back-of-the-pack teams with no real chance of competing with the likes of RCR. Adding Tracy to the line-up in Montreal will bring the Canadian content to five — the most ever to start a top NASCAR series race. The other four are Ron Fellows, who will drive a [#33] Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet; [#72] D.J. Kennington, who will drive the MacDonald Motorsports Dodge; J.R. Fitzpatrick in a Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet; and Andrew Ranger, who still is looking for a ride, but is said to be close to a deal.(Toronto Sun)(5-29-2007) UPDATE 2: According to Doug Barnette of Player Management International, who handles Paul Tracy’s NASCAR endeavors, Paul is interested in running Montreal, however they have not had any conversations with the promoter of the Montreal race or anyone at NASCAR or anyone at RCR. Barnette has had contact with a high level Busch Series team (not RCR) and they are exploring opportunities, but that is as far as it has gotten at this point.(5-29-2007) UPDATE 3: Paul Tracy says he likely won’t be at this summer’s Busch race in Montreal. The former Champ Car champion tells the Speed TV program “WindTunnel” that plans for him to drive the #77 car for Kevin Harvick Inc. simply fell through due to sponsorship conflicts. Tracy says he was contacted about a month ago by Kevin Harvick who offered him a competitive ride in his Busch Series car alongside fellow Canadian Ron Fellows. Tracy says both sides could not find a suitable compromise between one of his primary sponsors and Harvick’s sponsor, so the deal fell apart.(TSN.ca)(6-4-2007)
#90 Team Donates to the Shelton-Clark Memorial Fund: Following the lead of Robert Yates Racing co-owner Doug Yates, the #90 CitiFinancial pit crew donated their portion of $1600 from the Checker’s/Rally Double Drive Thru award from the Busch Series event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway to the memorial fund honoring two fallen Charlotte-Mecklenburg police heroes. The fund will assist in the re-building of two Charlotte-area parks, which will be dedicated as memorials to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark, who lost their lives in the line of duty.(RYR / Drivers Choice PR)(6-1-2007)
