Backup Cars: PRN Radio reported that three drivers will need to use backup cars on the Texas race: #02-Ryan Newman, #55-Mark Green and #27-Jamie McMurray(3-31-2001)
Mike Wallace to run in the BGN: Mike Wallace is expanding his 2001 race schedule to include the BGN beginning with the Auto Club 300 at California Speedway on April 28th. Wallace will drive the Biagi Bros. Racing Chevy in seven BGN races. “This is a new program we.re excited about doing,” said Wallace. “Fred Biagi, who has become a good friend of mine, wants to get more involved in this sport. So, we’re going to run seven competitive races that will hopefully enhance our Winston Cup program and possibly grow into something more in the future.” Wallace, who is competing full-time in Cup for the #7 Ultra Motorsports team , has known California businessman and race enthusiast Fred Biagi for more than four years through Biagi’s associate sponsorship on his CTS team. “My association with racing began as a fan and grew into an associate sponsorship of the Ultra Motorsports Truck Team for two years,” said Biagi. “We wanted to get more involved, so we decided to put something like this together. We’re going to start with a limited Busch Series schedule and hopefully build that into a full-time Busch program followed by a full-time Winston Cup program.” In addition to the event at California, the Biagi Bros. Racing Team plans to compete in the races at Chicagoland, Michigan, Homestead Miami, Phoenix and both events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The Biagi Bros. Racing Chevys will be prepared in a shop located in Mooresville, N.C. with the engines supplied by Gasoline Alley Engines. The team does not have a sponsor for their limited BGN program, but that will not interfere with their plans to run these seven races in any event(Motorsports Decision PR)(3-30-2001)
Kenseth wins pole at Texas: Matt Kenseth won the pole Thursday for the Jani-King 300 at Texas Motor Speedway ran 189.880mph to earn the top starting spot for Saturday’s race breaking the track record. Defending series champion Jeff Green was second fastest at 189.009 mph. #99-Shawna Robinson was 18th at 186.130.(That’s Racin’) and see That’s Racin’ for Jani-King 300 qualifying results. (3-30-2001)
Petty to be Remembered: Hearing some folks and the AdamPetty.com are planing to do somehting to remember him on May 12th. They are plaing to set free red and black balloons on this day. Their are plans are talk to NASCAR and other sites to get the word out. Folks who would like info can email [email protected] (3-29-2001)
Skinner in the #21 at Texas – Dillon too sore: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) named Mike Skinner as the driver for its BGN #21 Rockwell Automation team this weekend at Texas while fulltime driver Mike Dillon recuperates from injuries sustained from a March 24 crash at Bristol. “Mike (Dillon) took a hard lick at Bristol so he’s pretty sore and stiff,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc. “He also took a hard lick a couple of weeks ago testing in Nashville. Everyone knows racing at Texas Motor Speedway can be very tough. So, to do what’s best for our team and for Rockwell Automation, we’ve asked Skinner to step in for now to get the job done.” Skinner, the fulltime driver for the RCR #31 Lowe’s team in Cup, has earned one win (3/13/99 at Atlanta Motor Speedway), two poles, and two top-five and five top-10 finishes in 28 BGN starts since 1987. “Mike Dillon has been a part of the Rockwell Automation family for four years now and, more than anything, we want him to be 100 percent healthy,” said Ryan Kurek, NASCAR/sports marketing manager for Rockwell Automation. “We are excited that Mike Skinner has volunteered to help the Rockwell Automation Racing team during this situation. We know it means a lot to Dillon and the No. 21 team to have a RCR driver in the seat at Texas, and believe that this is the best solution for everyone involved.” None of Dillon’s injuries were serious and a CT scan proved negative. His status will be reevaluated after this weekend.(RCR PR)(3-27-2001)
A Baby Green: Diane Green, wife of NASCAR Busch driver David Green gave birth to a baby boy on Monday night at 9:29pm. Austin Green, 8 lbs. – 9 oz., 21 inches DOB 3-26-01(PR)(3-27-2001)
Jones out of the #1 – UPDATE 2 Spencer in for companion events: hearing reports that P.J. Jones and the #1 Phoenix Racing team have parted ways, one rumor floating around has Dale Earnahrdt Jr in the car UPDATE: .J. Jones was released as the driver of James Finch’s Phoenix Racing following Atlanta, and the owner was trying March 12 to finalize plans with Bill Davis to put Dave Blaney in his car beginning at Darlington. Finch also had talked with Davis about fielding a car for Scott Wimmer in a few races later this season. Davis’ Jani-King’s sponsorship for Wimmer’s car covers only a few more races. Finch would like to have Blaney’s experience behind the wheel. But using a Winston Cup regular like Blaney would drop Finch off the Busch Series Winner’s Circle and owner programs, worth a total of $9,500 per race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Sterling Marlin were also contacted about driving Finch’s car. Earnhardt Jr. might’ve been interested in running a couple of Busch Series races, but not much more, and felt Finch probably wouldn’t be interested in such a limited program(Winston Cup Scene need to be a subscriber to read online) AND For the next two races – at Darlington and Bristol – Finch will turn to “Mr. Excitement” himself, Jimmy Spencer, to drive the #1 Pontiac while Finch negotiates to bring in another driver to finish out the year. Finch added that Yellow Freight would continue as Phoenix’s primary sponsor, a deal that hinges on the team competing over the entire 30-plus race schedule. (News Herald)(3-15-2001) UPDATE 2: Jimmy Spencer will remain with the Phoenix #1 Yellow Frieght team for the remaining 17 BGN events this season that are companion races – same track, same weekend – to Winston Cup races. As for the seven other Busch dates on the schedule, Phoenix owner James Finch said that he has a commitment from Bobby Hamilton Sr. to drive at Nashville. Finch said he might contract with other drivers in a sort of musical seats for the remaining six races. Finch said he had flirtations with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dave Blaney and Joe Ruttman to replace driver P.J. Jones, but instead will maintain a steady relationship with the driver known as “Mr. Excitement.” Spencer has generated sufficient excitement at Yellow Freight that it will continue as primary sponsor for the Phoenix Busch entry for the bulk of the season. Phoenix might still attempt to run the other six Busch dates not linked to Winston Cup events, for instance New Hampshire, Nazareth, Pa., Pikes Peak and Memphis, but that will depend on securing a driver who Finch prefers. Additionally, the team remains committed to running the remaining Winston Cup restrictor plate races – two at Talladega and one at Daytona – with Jeff Purvis in the seat.(News Herald)(3-27-2001)
former BGN driver updates: Former Busch Grand National drivers Brandon Butler and Wayne Grubb dominated last Saturday’s Late Model Twin 75s at South Boston Speedway. Butler won the opening race, and Grubb finished second. In the nightcap, the pair reversed the finishing order with Grubb capturing the checkered flag and Butler coming in second(Richmond Times Dispacth)(3-27-2001)
Kenseth Wins at Bristol: #17-Matt Kenseth captured his 12th career BGN win today. The rest of the Top 5: #66-Tim Fedewa, #1-Randy Lajoie, #92-Jimmie Johnson(career best finish), and #48-Kenny Wallace. See the BGN Racing site for the Cheez-It 250 Results(3-24-2001)
Pardus to run the BGN: Management of The Outdoor Channel, Inc. announced the signing of an eight race agreement with Jim and Judie Motorsports to compete in the BGN. Dan Pardus, who ran The Outdoor Channel Chevy at the ARCA event in Daytona this February, will continue on as driver of the #32 Monte Carlo. His first race will be April 14th in Nashville, TN. The tentative schedule for the remainder of the season includes: Charlotte on May 26th, Chicago on July 14th, Michigan on August 18th, Darlington on September 1st, Charlotte on October 6th, Phoenix on October 27th, and Homestead-Miami on November 10th. All of the events are companion events to NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series, with the exception of Nashville(Outdoor Channel PR) AND The team bought three GN-ready Monte Carlos from Bill Amick, father of GN and Truck Series driver Lyndon Amick. The team will abandon the ARCA Series in favor of competing in the BGN(Daytona Beach News Journal), Pardus run in a Winston Cup race at Daytona in 1999 and attempted a few in 2000 but didn’t make the field(3-24-2001)
Dillon ok: #21-Mike Dillon was involved in one of the many accidents at Bristol and was taken to the hospital for a CAT scan and x-rays, but they were negative and Dillon was released(3-24-2001)
English Driver to debut UPDATE: Steve Hodgson will attempt to qualify at Bristol Motorspeedway this weekend, for the Cheez-it 250, Busch race. He is driving for the #6 Whelen/Woodway Chevrolet. Steve Hodgson resides in Mirfield England and is twice Eurocar champion(3-22-2001) UPDATE: Wood Way is a sponsor along with Whelen. Stevie Hodgson has been racing since he was 12 and has won championships in every division he has entered. He is the first driver in Eurocar history to win back-to-back championships, three national championships, four regional championships, three rookie of the year titles and over 200 victories. In 1999 he was the guest commentator on Sky Sports NASCAR boradcasts in England and Ireland five times. He has won races and championships on oval and road courses and is excited about “showing his stuff” on the Busch circuit. Whelen, in conjunction with Joe Bessey, will give Hodgson that chance this weekend at Bristol. See an image of the car at my BGN Paint Sceheme page(PR). Hodgson will start 43rd and used the last provisional to make the race and the car is black not white like the image sent me(3-24-2001)
Ribbs to test at Martinsville but….:NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Willy Ribbs will test at Martinsville on Monday, Mar 26th, but he ’ll be in a Busch car. There is no testing in the Craftsman Truck Series (I didn’t know that, I guess unless NASCAR Mandated), and the only way he could get seat time there was in a BGN car(which do not run at Martinsville). The Busch car is owned by Ribbs’ truck owner Bobby Hamilton(Martinsville Speedway PR)(3-24-2001)
Robinson to run some BGN UPDATE 3 and Earnhardt: Aaron’s and Michael Waltrip Racing announced a new member to the #99 Aaron’s “Dream Machine” team, NASCAR driver, Shawna Robinson. Robinson will take the wheel of the #99 Aaron’s “Dream Machine” Chevrolet for three Busch Series events this year: Texas(3-31), Nashville(4-14) and Talladega(4-21). Robinson will continue her driving duties for Michael Kranefuss in the ARCA RE/MAX series(and the Cup series) as well as the three races for Michael Waltrip Racing’s #99 Aaron’s “Dream Machine” team(Cox Marketing Group)(3-10-2001) UPDATE: Robinson is the only woman to win a pole in Busch Series history, capturing the top spot in Atlanta in 1994. She has been racing for over 10 years and had hoped to run a limited Winston Cup schedule this season, but could never line up the necessary sponsorship(Sporting News/AP)(3-11-2001) UPDATE 2: it was mentioned on FX’s BGN race coverage that Michael Waltrip may put Kerry Earnahrdt in the #99 BGN car for a few races in 2001, as thanks for Dale Earnhardt setting up the #15 NAPA Cup ride for him(3-13-2001) UPDATE 3: Kerry Earnhardt, the son of the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr., has agreed to drive in the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series race June 16th. Earnhardt will drive the #99 Aaron’s Rent Chevy owned by Michael Waltrip Racing(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-24-2001)
Hillenburg BGN and Cup plans: Andy Hillenburg will attempt to qualify for the March 31 BGN race at Texas in a car owned by Wisconsin businessman Tom Mohrhauser. The car will be fielded out of Hillenburg’s Fast Track High Performance Driving School shop in Harrisburg, NC. Its sponsor, Quail Unlimited, a non-profit wildlife organization, also backed the driver during last year’s Indianapolis 500. Hillenburg’s also got a seven-race Winston Cup deal with BAM Racing, set to begin at Talladega next month(Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to read online)(3-22-2001)
#0 Closed Up? UPDATE nope: hearing the #0 Ohio State Alumni Motorpsorts team has closed up and will auction off it’s equipment in the near future. Johnny Rumley was the last driver of the #0 Chevy(1-19-2001) UPDATE: Having failed to interest sponsors in an Ohio State University race car, the owners of Alumni Motorsports are turning to a tie-in with broader appeal: professional athletes. Alumni Motorsports, owned in part by former Ohio State football standouts Mike Tomczak and Jim Lachey, has so far sat out this season of BGN racing after a disappointing inaugural effort. The team last year was unable to find a paying sponsor and struggled with spotty race qualifying and driver changes. Drew West, Alumni Motorsports’ general manager, said the team is in what he called an “operational pause” while the owners continue looking for a primary, paying sponsor. The team has kept some key personnel on the payroll and still has up to a dozen race cars in various stages of readiness at its garage in Ronda, N.C., the former headquarters of NASCAR legend Junior Johnson.(in part from Business First thanks to Catchfence for the heads up)(3-21-2001)
Wasson gets sick: Flu takes toll on Wasson at Darlington. Chris Hoiles Motorsports driver Gus Wasson finished 35th at the Suncom 200. According to crew chief Tony Burgess, Wasson was lucky to start the race at all. ” I figured we might be in trouble when I walked out of the hauler two hours before the race and Gus had his head in a trash can making really bad noises” Wasson was told he didn’t have to start the race but strapped in anyway. Owner Chris Hoiles was impressed with his driver’s tenacity. ” Darlington’s tough enough to get around when you’re healthy, but to race here with the stomach flu, that’s got to be miserable.” The driver of the # 96 Chevy was taken to the infield care center after the race and treated for dehydration. The team will be at Bristol for the Cheez-It 250 with sponsor Bell Motor Company of Leonardtown, MD(The Motorsports Group)(3-21-2001)
Newman/Fedawa Penalized: NASCAR officials announced today they have penalized NASCAR Busch Series driver Ryan Newman(#02 Alltel) for driving into another competitor’s car(#66-Tim Fedawa) after the completion of Saturday’s SunCom 300 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Newman, driver of the #02 NASCAR Busch Series team, was fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2001. Newman was penalized under Section 12-4-A in the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series rule book: “Actions detrimental to stock car racing…” AND NASCAR officials announced today they have penalized NASCAR Busch Series driver Tim Fedewa for driving into another competitor’s car after the completion of Saturday’s SunCom 300 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Fedewa, driver of the No. 66 NASCAR Busch Series team, was fined $5,000. Fedewa was penalized under Section 12-4-A in the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series rule book: “Actions detrimental to stock car racing…”(NASCAR PR)(3-19-2001)
Newman on the pole at Darlington: Ryan Newman won his second consecutive pole in the BGN after winning the pole at Darlington with a speed of 170.301mph, breaking the track record as did 16 other drivers. Todd Bodine, who has two series wins this season with Buckshot Racing, qualified second, while Matt Kenseth was third. Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Kevin Harvick, last weekend’s Winston Cup race winner at Altanta, round out the top five. The old record was set by Ward Burton in 1999 with a lap at 167.676mph(That’s Racin’) and see the starting lineup, only 40 cars this week, at That’s Racin’: SunCom 200 lineup(3-16-2001)
Alexander Leaves #8 UPDATE:: Blaise Alexander has announced the termination of his affiliation with Highline Performance Group racing team. Alexander had qualified the # 8 Highline Performance Group Chevy for every BGN event thus far in 2001. Lack of sponsorship and financial backing of the team were the primary influences on his decision. The relationship between Alexander and Highline was relatively new and still in the development stage; this being the first season that Blaise has been running under new team owner, Armando Fitz. Upon further analysis, Blaise decided it would be in the best interest of his racing future to consider other opportunities.(SportsONE PR), no replacement named(3-14-2001) UPDATE: hearing that Alexander will concentrate on racing for LJ racing(#91) in the ARCA series(3-16-2001)
Wasson News: Former Baltimore Oriole Chris Hoiles has announced a two race deal with the Bell Motor Company, Inc. of Leonardtown, Maryland as primary sponsor of the #96 Chris Hoiles Motorsports Chevy. The team, which runs out of shops in Simpsonville, SC, will compete in the Suncom 200 at Darlington Raceway and the Cheez-it 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Former USAC National Sprint Car Series rookie of the year Gus Wasson will handle the driving duties. Says crew chief Tony Burgess ” We’re very excited to be associated with one of the oldest Chevrolet dealerships in the country. We’ve spent a lot of time preparing for these races. We can’t wait to get the track and shown’em what we can do.” The team is currently in talks with several different sponsors and hopes to make an announcement shortly regarding upcoming races(Chris Hoiles Motorsports PR)(3-15-2001)
Rules Change: NASCAR officials announced that a 1/4-inch height modification to the rear spoiler for the NASCAR Busch Series 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix will go into effect beginning with this weekend’s NASCAR Busch Series event at Darlington Raceway. Prior to the addition of the 1/4-inch, the Pontiac’s rear spoiler height was 6 1/2 inches.(NASCAR PR)(3-15-2001)
Wind Tunnel: NASCAR is sending cars to the wind tunnel in Marietta, GA, for testing following this weekend’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The cars of#87-Joe Nemechek, Chevy; #10-Jeff Green, Ford; and #18-Jeff Purvis, Pontiac will be tested Monday(That’s Racin’)(3-12-2001)
Sauter Hurt: On Lap 104, Marty Houston slid across the track and was hit by Tim Sauter. As Sauter came to a stop, he was slammed by Elton Sawyer. Kevin Grubb also slid into the accident. Sauter was knocked unconscious and cracked his helmet. Sawyer said his restraint system kept him from sustaining injuries in what he labeled one of the hardest hits of his career(Richmond Times Dispatch)(3-11-2001)
Atlanta BGN Results atThat’s Racin’‘. The Aaron’s Rent 312 was won by #87-Joe Nemechek(3-10-2001)
Newman wins Atlanta Pole with a BGN track record of 191.661mph. See Starting lineup at That’s Racin’: Aaron’s 312 Grand National lineup (3-10-2001)
BGN and Cup – double duty: Six drivers will run both the Cup and BGN races at Atlanta:
Kevin Harvick, #2 Chevy in the BGN starts 2nd, #29 Chevy in Cup starts 5th
Joe Nemeck, #87 Chevy in the BGN starts 3rd, #33 Chevy in Cup starts 11th
Michael Waltrip, #99 Chevy in BGN starts 9th, #15 Chevy in Cup 10th
Todd Bodine, #00 Chevy in BGN starts 11th, #66 Ford in Cup starts 3rd
Matt Kenseth, #17 Chevy in BGN starts 18th, #17 Ford in Cup starts 38th
Kenny Wallace, #48 Chevy in BGN starts 34th, #27 Pontiac in Cup starts 42nd
Carl Long will run the #49 Chevy in the BGN but failed to make the Cup race in the #85 Ford AND Todd Bodine has developed flu-like symptoms. Buckshot Jones, whose father owns Bodine’s #00 Busch car, is a stand-by driver for today’s race(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(3-10-2001)
Buckshot to do double duty at Atlanta UPDATE 2 no Bodine again: When the BGN series swings through Atlanta, just miles from where Buckshot Jones grew up in Tucker(GA), Jones will race in both next Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 Busch Series and Sunday’s Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500 Winston Cup race, an exciting double dose of action. Jones has never won at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but he’s performed well in his Busch car, recording two top-5 finishes in three races. He has struggled more in his four Winston Cup races, earning a best finish of 26th, but still boasts a seventh-place start. He will try to reverse that trend next weekend as he brings his new Cup ride to Atlanta for the first time. Just two races into the year, the #00 Buckshot Racing machine has proven to be both fast and extremely competitive, with Bodine winning at Rockingham and running as high as second at Daytona before getting caught in a late-race wreck.(AMS PR)(3-1-2001) UPDATE: Winston Cup driver Buckshot Jones, a native of Georgia, was planning to drive his Buckshot Racing’s #00 entry in next weekend’s BGN race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but is having second thoughts. Jones has been impressed with the success of his BGN team with driver Todd Bodine – Bodine has qualified in the top three the past two races and won at Rockingham and Las Vegas – and doesn’t want to disrupt team chemistry(That’s Racin’)(3-3-2001) UPDATE 2: Buckshot Racing today announced that when it attempts to make history this Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway by winning its third NASCAR Busch Series race in a row, Charter Communications will appear on the car’s hood and rear quarter panels. The deal, crafted by team owner Billy Jones, is in appreciation of his business relationship with Charter. During the past two races, both wins for the team and driver Todd Bodine, Buckshot Racing’s #00 Chevrolet has featured Motor Racing Outreach (North Carolina Speedway) and the Shasta soft drink company (Las Vegas) on the car. With nearly 6.4 million customers, Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR), a Wired World(tm) company, is among the nation’s largest broadband communications companies. Bodine has driven all three Busch Series races for Buckshot Racing this year and has won the last two races leading into Atlanta — North Carolina Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Last Saturday at Las Vegas, the team became the 38th to win consecutive Busch Series races since its inception in 1983. This weekend, it looks to join the teams of Sam Ard (1984), Larry Pearson (1987), Harry Gant (1991), Mark Martin (1997) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1999) as one of six teams to win three straight races. The all-time series record is four consecutive victories, accomplished by Ard during a different streak in 1984.(Buckshot Racing PR)(3-8-2001)
Penalties #2: NASCAR officials announced today they have penalized NASCAR Busch Series crew chief Todd Berrier for rules violations (oversized fuel cell container) discovered in inspection prior to last Saturday’s Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev. Berrier, crew chief of the # 2 NASCAR Busch Series team, was fined $5,000 and suspended for the next two NASCAR Busch Series races. Berrier was penalized under Section 12-4-U in the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series rule book: “Any violation of fuel cell or fuel cell container specifications…”(NASCAR PR)(3-8-2001)
3 Wins in a row: Only five drivers in BGN history have won three consecutive races. The last to do it was Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 1999 (Dover, South Boston and Watkins Glen).(AP)(3-8-2001)
Bird Fly’s? UPDATE: hearing that #34 Crew Chief, Steve Bird and the team have parted ways. David Green drives the #34 AGF Chevy(3-7-2000) UPDATE: Cicci-Welliver and Steve Bird have come to a mutual agreement to part ways. Bird, the crew chief on the No. 34 AFG Chevrolet driven by David Green, had been with the team since September of last season(MRN Radio Site)(3-8-2001)
Burton Sponsor in the BGN: Another of the Roush organization’s cars picked up a sponsorship this week. Jeff Burton’s Busch Series entry is now sponsored by the Gain detergent brand, meaning that the Ford Taurus was painted a garish neon green(Gaston Gazette). Not sure if this was a one race deal or for the rest of the BGN races Burton plans to run(3-4-2001)
#48 Driver(s) UPDATE 4: Local driver Philip Morris finally landed the kind of ride he’s been looking for over the past three years. Friday, he was asked by BGB car owner George deBidart to drive his #48 Goulds Pumps Chevy for the upcoming season. “This came out of the blue. I’m real optimistic about it.” said Morris. “They have good people there.” Morris will share driving duties with Cup driver Ward Burton who will drive the super speedways and road course ace Butch Leitzinger will drive at Watkins Glen. This position became open when Mike McLaughlin left the Innovative Motorsports team in favor of a ride with the second Joe Gibbs Busch team #20 Pontiac. Morris had been working on pulling double duty in the local Late Model ranks at New River Valley and Southampton, but those deals will be put on the shelf unless “off weekends” allow him to do so.(Racin’ with Russ)(2-6-2001) UPDATE: also hearing that Dick Trickle is talking to Innovative about the #48 ride(2-8-2001) UPDATE 2: hearing Kenny Wallace will drive the #48 Goulds Chevy at Daytona. Phil Morris is slated to start driving the car at Atlanta in March(2-12-2001) UPDATE 3: Kenny Wallace will drive the #48 in 25 BGN events in 2001(Kenny Wallace Racing Site)(2-23-2001) UPDATE 4: been told that Butch Leitzinger will not drive the car at Watkins Glen due to a scheduling conflict(3-3-2001)
