Markham to run final two races: Curtis Markin is running the #29 Hot Rod Magazine Pontiac for Joe Gibbs Racing in the last two BGN races this year. Markham is currently talking to several car owners about rides for 2001 and is available(10-31-2000)
The Greens: When Jeff Green clinched the BGN championship, he and his brother David became the first brothers to win the Busch Series Championship(10-26/30-2000)
Sauter Rumor: hearing that 1999 ASA Champion Tim Sauter will be driving in 10 BGN races next season. Supposedly, the team will be owned by his ASA team owner Alec Pinsonneault. Sauter is also rumored for the #61 car next year(StockCarFans BGN Newsletter)(10-28-2000)
New Rule UPDATE what?: NASCAR officials notified BGN teams Wednesday that their carburetor boosters must be secured by a steel wire not less than 0.025 inch in diameter. The wire must be installed in such a manner that in the case of a carburetor booster failure, the carburetor booster would remain suspended in the carburetor without any interference to the operation of the throttle shaft and the throttle plates. The wire must loop through a hole in the booster barrel and then be tied to the respective float bowl vent tube. This modification will go into effect beginning with this weekend’s race at Memphis(NASCAR PR)(10-26-2000) UPDATE: what are carburetor boosters? See an image and explanation at Speedway Illustrated(10-28-2000)
Weekly Racing Series Award: usually do not post much on the Weekly Racing Series but thought this was interesting: NASCAR and True Value, have announced the 2000 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series True Value Mechanics of the Year. Darrell Poe of Bear Creek, N.C., was voted by his peers the 2000 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series True Value Mechanic of the Year. In addition to winning the national award, Poe was the Blue Ridge Region champion. A region-by-region breakdown of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series True Value Mechanic of the Year Award winners follow: Atlantic Seaboard Region: Lane Godwin, 48, of Benson, NC; Great West Region: Terry Meads, 56, of Boise, ID; Heartland Region: Bob Korn of Miamisburg, OH; Mid-America Region: Richard Bowers, 46, of Stillman Valley, IL; Midwest Region: Scott Koraleski, 36, of Omaha, NE; New England Region: Jim Crowell, 38, of Hartland Four Corners, VT; Northeast Region: Ralph Werley, 46, of Hamburg, PA; Pacific Coast Region: Timothy Evans, 32, of Long Beach, CA; Sunbelt Region: Debbie Bedard, 37, of Tucson, AZ. True Value provides travel and accommodations for all 10 regional award winners to share $20,000 in cash awards at the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series banquet(NASCAR PR story at NOL)(10-27-2000)
Driver Debut: Sammy Ragan, 20, will participate in Saturday’s qualifying for the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park. It will be his first attempt at making a BGN field. Ragan, who graduated from Evangelical Christian School last year, went from watching his first BMX race to participating in bicycle racing. From there, he jumped to go-carts, then modifieds and finally sprint cars. All week long, the Ragans have been getting their red #78-Chevrolet Monte Carlo prepared for Saturday. After racing all season at Nashville Speedway USA in the late model and super trucks series, Ragan looks forward to seeing how he stacks up against the likes of Busch series points leader Jeff Green, Todd Bodine and all of the other drivers he has looked up to over the years. Ragan’s goals are modest. First, he hopes to qualify for Sunday’s race. Second, he would like to come away from the race without tearing up his car. Anything after that is gravy(GoMemphis)(10-27-2000)
Other Drivers: other drivers we do not usually see in BGN will attempt to make the Memphis race: #13-Brad Baker/Bristol, TN; #16 Sammy Sanders/Mt. Juliet, TN; #71-Ron Young/Conyers, GA(a 2nd #71); #77-Kieran Dynes/Co. Tyrone, Ireland(see story below); #81-Richard Jarvis Jr/Ocean City, MD; #93-Wayman Wittman/Appleton, WI(NOL Entry List)(10-27-2000)
New NEMCO chief: #33 Oakwood Homes car chief Wally Rogers is moving to the brand-new Busch Series team owned by Joe Nemechek, NEMCO Motorsports, at the end of the season with driver Randy LaJoie(Hendersonville Times-News)(10-26-2000)
Hillin selling, looking to drive: Bobby Hillin is putting his BGN team on auction. His inventory of cars, engines, parts, shop and pit equipment will be auctioned Oct 30th at 9:00am/et at Hillin’s shop. A preview is set for Oct 29th from 1:00 – 4:00pm/et. The Hillin’s shop is located within the Stavola Brothers complex on Highway 49 just north of Harrisburg, NC. For more information, call auction sale manager R.A. Benson at (309) 343-6464.(Winston Cup Scene and Hillin Racing). Hillin is focusing on pursuing a ride in either Cup or BGN(10-26-2000)
Two APR cars: Andy Petree Racing will have two entries at Phoenix. Mike Skinner will be behind the wheel of the #15 Albertsons Chevy, and Elliot Sadler will drive the #51 Hot Tamales Chevy(Hendersonville Times-News)(10-26-2000)
McMurray debut: Jamie McMurray will make his BGN debut at the Memphis Motorsports Park on October 29th. McMurray will drive the #71 Southern Pride Ford Taurus owned by Matrix Motorsports. Matrix is owned by Cup driiver Kevin Lepage and Steve Plattenburger. Lepage has driven the Red Man-sponsored entry in selected Busch Series events during the past two seasons. Lepage drove the Southern Pride Ford at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 7th(BGN Racing)(10-25-2000)
AT&T to leave the #20: In preparation for a landmark 2001 season with their overall program, Bill Davis Racing has begun an ambitious expansion of its NASCAR Busch Series engine facility, announcing plans to restructure its 12,000-foot BGN raceshop to house Head Busch Engine builder Brad Thrower and his growing operation. The remodeling of the original BDR racing facility-in which Car Owner Davis began his full-time NASCAR involvement in 1991 with then-Busch Series rookie Jeff Gordon-comes as Davis starts the process to identify a new primary sponsor for his #20 BGN entry. AT&T, in the midst of a company-wide restructuring, announced last week that they would not return as sponsor of the #20 BDR Pontiac for the 2001 season. When Davis completed work in mid-summer on a new 65,000-square foot race shop to house the #22 Caterpillar/Polaris Winston Cup team for Burton and Blaney’s #93 Amoco/Siemens team, the #20 Busch team moved into the 40,000-square foot building that previously housed the two WC teams, freeing up Davis’ original race shop for the planned motor-room expansion. Equipped with engines from Thrower’s now-expanding motor department, BDR Busch Series teams have also won seven pole positions at six different tracks since 1998, all but one at Winston Cup facilities and all but one establishing new track records(Bill Davis Racing PR)(10-24-2000)
Count Hornaday: NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Ron Hornaday will be sporting a special Halloween paint scheme at Memphis this weekend. Hornaday’s familiar blue and gold #3 NAPA Chevy has been transformed into a dark and spooky graveyard haunted by Count Dracula(Champions Sports Group)(10-24-2000)
Marlin 2nd start: Steadman Marlin plans to celebrate his 20th birthday this weekend in a way unlike most anyone his age. The third-generation driver will attempt to qualify for his second-career NASCAR Busch Series race behind the wheel of the #01 BellSouth Mobility/Ericsson Chevrolet at Memphis Motorsports Park. Sunday’s Sam’s Town 250 marks Steadman’s second appearance in the driver’s seat of the Team SABCO Busch Series entry. Last April, he piloted the BellSouth Mobility/Ericsson Chevy in the BellSouth Mobility 320 Presented by Ericsson at Nashville Speedway USA. Son of NASCAR Winston Cup standout Sterling Marlin and grandson of Grand National legend “Coo Coo” Marlin, the Columbia, Tenn.-native continues to find ways to follow in his father’s footsteps. Sterling Marlin initially took the reins of the BellSouth Mobility/Ericsson Chevy in the August event at Bristol.(SABCO PR)(10-23-2000)
Wallace Hurt UPDATE: from Total Sports/AP: Mike Wallace injures shoulder in Busch Series crash(10-21-2000) UPDATE: Mike Wallace has a broken right shoulder blade from the wreck, Wallace was treated at a nearby hospital and released Friday evening. He was replaced in the car for Saturday’s race by Ed Berrier(AP)(10-22-2000)
Fedawa Injured UPDATE 2 to the #66: hearing that Tim Fedawa will be driving the #66 Phillips 66 Chevy in 2001 that Todd Bodine will vacate to move up to Cup. Also hearing Fedawa injured his back in a motorcycle accident and will miss Rockingham. Geoffrey Bodine will drive the #36 Stanley Tools Chevy this weekend(Phillips BGN 66 page) UPDATE: Tim Fedewa, driver of the #36 Stanley car in the BGN Series, is recovering at home today after being injured late Wednesday afternoon in a motorcycle accident in Concord near the Cicci-Welliver race shop. Fedewa, 33, cracked three vertebrate in his back and has several cuts and abrasions. The accident happened at about 4 p.m. near the intersection of Pitts School Road and U.S. 29 South when a car pulled out in front of Fedewa’s 2000 Springer Softtail Harley Davidson motorcycle. Fedewa was kept overnight at North East Medical Center in Concord for observation. He was released late Thursday morning and will visit an orthopedist next week. Fedewa, who is currently 16th in points, does not plan to drive this weekend in Rockingham, and he is race-by-race for the final three races of the season pending medical evaluation. Team co-owner Frank Cicci said veteran Winston Cup driver Geoffrey Bodine has been chosen to fill-in in Fedewa’s absence(IMG Motorsports PR)(10-19-2000) UPDATE 2: Phillips Petroleum Company and Cicci-Welliver Racing announced that Tim Fedewa will drive the #66 Phillips 66 Chevy during the 2001 BGN season. This announcement comes on the heels of driver Todd Bodine’s departure from the team to pursue a NASCAR Winston Cup career. Fedewa’s first full season of competition in the BGN was in 1993. In his nine-year career Fedewa has four wins and four poles. The Holt, Mich. – native spent the last two BGN seasons driving the #36 entry also fielded by Cicci-Welliver Racing.(IMG Motorsports PR)(10-20-2000) UPDATE 3: After making several laps in Friday morning’s BGN practice at Rockingham, Tim Fedewa decided against driving the #36 Stanley Chevy in Saturday’s race. Geoffrey Bodine qualified the car 6th and will fill-in for Fedewa on Saturday(IMG Motorsports PR)(10-21-2000)
Sadler News: Hermie Sadler will be in the #30 Little Trees Chevy for the three remaining Busch races: Memphis, Phoenix and Homestead(Sadler Bros Site)(10-21-2000)
Little to BACE for a race? UPDATE 4 Announcement: hearing that Chad Little will drive Bace Motorsports #74 BGN Chevy at Charlotte with Winston Cup Veteran Crew Chief Terry Wooten(9-22-2000) UPDATE:Winston Cup Scene reports that Clarence Brewer, owner of the #27 BGN tream is interested in signing Chad Little or Ron Hornaday to replace Casey Atwood(going to Evernham’s Cup team in 2001). Brewer hopes to have a driver signed for 2001 within the next few weeks(9-23-2000) UPDATE 2: Chad Little will drive the #74 BACE Motorsports Chevrolet at both Busch Series events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and at Homestead. Terry Wooten will stand in as crew chief for both races. Little tested the #74 yesterday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and will continue testing today(Champion Sports Group)(9-27-2000) UPDATE 3: Bace Motorsports will make an announcement concerning their plans for the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series season on Saturday, Oct 21st at 10:00am/et at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NC, hearing it’ll be to announce Chad Little as their driver for 2001(10-18-2000) UPDATE 4: Bace Motorsports announced at Rockingham Saturday morning that Chad Little will drive the #74 Chevy starting in 2001. The multi-year deal includes the possibility of running some Winston Cup races(NOL), no sponsor mentioned(10-21-2000)
ASA Driver Injured UPDATE 2: ASA Driver David Anspaugh of Michigan was badly injured in a wreck during practice last weekend at the Milwaukee Mile. All i have heard is that he is in critical condition but stable with a closed head injuy. The ASA site has no info I could find on him but SpeedVision has an update on Anspaugh: David Anspaugh remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital with critical closed head injuries he suffered in a crash early in practice. In addition to the head trauma, Anspaugh, the superintendent for the Waldron, Michigan area schools, suffered a fractured left arm in the wreck(SpeedVision)(8-29-2000) UPDATE: Veteran ASA driver David Anspaugh’s condition has not changed from initial reports, and the Michigan native remains listed in critical condition, but has stabilized. He remains in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital following a practice crash on Saturday, August 26 at the Milwaukee Mile. Tests show his vital signs are stable, although his condition may remain the same for the next several days. Those interested in sending David and his family cards or letters may send them to the hospital at the following address: Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, C/O Patient David Anspaugh, SICU, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue,Milwaukee WI 53226(Speedway Illustrated)(9-1-2000) UPDATE 2: A fund has been recently established for the family of veteran American Speed Association ACDelco Series(ASA) driver Dr. David Anspaugh following his August 27 crash at The Milwaukee Mile during practice for the Time Warner Cable 200. The “Raising the Sup. 37: Ready, Set, Go” fund has been established by Ginny Houlton, Anspaugh’s niece. Houlton’s father and David’s brother, Frank, was a big part of the number 37 team. Checks and monies can be sent to, made payable to “Raising the Sup.,” to: First National Bank of Fremont, Attn: Ginny Houlton, P.O. Box 357, Angola IN 46703. Houlton said the funds raised for the Anspaugh family will go to help pay for all the medical bills and other expenses the family has occurred. Any funds raised above and beyond the total medical bills will go toward a scholarship in Dave’s name or will be donated to head injury research. Anspaugh has been showing signs on improvement ever since the accident. Anspaugh has been reported by his doctors as no longer in a coma, but now listed as “minimally responsive.” He is now consistently responding to pain stimuli by facial expressions or slight body movements. David’s wife, Charlotte, also reports that he is now opening his eyes, although at this point, he does not focus on or follow objects. The doctors have downsized the tracheotomy tube and capped it, allowing Dave to freely breather though his mouth and nose. He also continues to receive physical therapy. Cards and letters can still reach Dave at the hospital at the following address: David Anspaugh, c/o Vencor Hospital, 207 N. Town Line Rd., LaGrange, IN, 46761. Anspaugh, 51, has competed on a full- or part-time basis in ASA since 1991. He is the superintendent of the Waldron Area Schools in Waldron, Mich., and holds a doctorate degree in education administration. The school district is distributing yellow ribbons around the town of Sturgis in support of David’s recovery(Stock Car Fans Newsletter)(10-1-2000) UPDATE 3: David Anspaugh, the driver who suffered critical head injuries in ASA practice in August at the Milwaukee Mile, has begun responding to simple commands and appears to focus on moving objects. He recently was moved to a nursing home in LaGrange, IN(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(10-20-2000)
Roper Decals: The Busch Series Ladies Association (BSLA) will coordinate the distribution of Tony Roper memorial decals to be placed on all cars competing in the NASCAR Busch Series’ “Sam’s Club 200” at North Carolina Speedway this weekend. The memorial decals will also be distributed to teams at the final NASCAR Craftsman Truck race held next weekend at California Speedway. The decals will not be made available to the public. The BSLA has also worked with North Carolina Speedway to incorporate a moment of silence as part of Saturday’s pre-race ceremonies. This will allow teams and fans to honor Tony Roper and show support for his family and friends. On a separate note, the BSLA will distribute another decal to all Busch teams this weekend, this one offering “get-well wishes” to Tim Fedewa, driver of the #36 Stanley Chevrolet. Fedewa suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident Wednesday and is unable to compete in this weekend’s event. Both sets of decals have been generously donated by The Decal Source (336) 574-3141. Both decals are located on the BSLA website at: www.buschladies.com (10-20-2000)
Houston to try BGN: #75 CTS driver Marty Houston(Andy’s brother) is set to attempt his BGN debut at North Carolina Speedway (Rockingham, NC) in the #82 Channellock Chevy as SABCO enter’s the first of the final four events on the 2000 Busch Series schedule. The middle son of NASCAR Busch Series legend Tommy Houston has spent the past two seasons competing in the Craftsman Truck Series. During that time, he has recorded 42 starts with one top-five and 10 top-10 finishes — with one event remaining on the 2000 schedule. Marty’s younger brother, Andy, drove the #82 Channellock Chevy in the July 2 running of the Sears Diehard 250 at The Milwaukee Mile(SABCO PR)(10-19-2000)
Rockingham not Martin’s final BGN race: getting asked by many readers about a report on That’s Racin’ that Rockingham being Mark Martin’s final BGN (Busch Series) race. The Homestead-Miami site is reporting (and as far as I know) that the BGN race at Homestead-Miami Speedway WILL be Martin’s final BGN race, supposdly he will even have a special paint scheme there honoring the event. Homestead will also be Jeff Gordon’s last planned BGN race(10-19-2000)
#27 Candidates UPDATE 4 official new driver AND sponsor: hearing two drivers being considered for the #27 Brewco ride that Casey Atwood will leave at the end of the 2000 season are David Green and CTS driver Andy Houston. Houston is also considering Cup rides(7-25-2000) UPDATE: hearing Chad Little may be a candidate to replace Atwood in the #27 car. Houston took the #96 Cup ride and Green said he is staying at the #34(9-13-2000) UPDATE 2: CTS driver Jamie McMurray is expected to join the Busch series in 2001 as the replacement for Casey Atwood, who is moving to Winston Cup. McMurray and sponsor Williams Travel Center are expected to join the Clarence Brewer-owned team next year(Times-Dispatch)(10-6-2000) UPDATE 3: Brewco motorsports will announce thursday morning that Jamie McMurray will drive the #27 car next season. Williams Travel Centers has signed a three year agreement to sponsor the #27 team as Castrol will not be returning as the sponsor. Williams Travel Centers is a division of Williams of Tulsa, OK, a $25 billion company with 22,000 employees UPDATE 4: Williams TravelCenters announced today that it and Jamie McMurray have signed an agreement with Brewco Motorsports to race in the BGN next year. McMurray will drive the #27 Chevy with Williams TravelCenters as the primary sponsor. McMurray, 24, will succeed Casey Atwood in the #27 Brewco Motorsports Chevy. Atwood, who won two BGN races with Brewco, will drive for Ray Evernham and Dodge in the Winston Cup Series in 2001. McMurray, from Joplin, Mo., comes to Brewco from the CTS where he has 20 career starts. He won the Bud Pole Award in the CTS this year at the Michigan Speedway and Nashville Speedway USA. McMurray has one top five and three top 10 finishes this season in 15 events. His best finish was third at Indianapolis Raceway Park on August 3. Williams TravelCenters and Brewco Motorsports have raced a limited schedule this season, but look forward to a full race schedule next year(Brewco Motorsports PR)(10-19-2000)
Shelmerdine looking at Cup: Kirk Shelmerdine, a crew chief on four Winston Cup championship teams, a driver in the ARCA series now, is now trying to break into Winston Cup as a driver. He applied for the job as Jimmy Spencer’s teammate on the Travis Carter team(#66 Ford, went to Todd Bodine), and he’s been trying to wrangle a driving job with Roush(PitNow)(10-18-2000)
#77 News? hearing that the Lear/UAW BGN #77 will have a driver from Ireland, Kieran Dynes driving the #77 Ford at the Memphis race on Oct 29. Dynes ran the ARCA race at Kentucky, driving the #06 Dungannon Ireland TPR Chevrolet to a 26th place finish(10-17-2000)
ARCA Race: David Keith earned his second ARCA stock car victory of the season by winning the Winn-Dixie 300 on Saturday. Three drivers were injured in an eight-car crash midway through the race. Randal Ritter and Cavin Councilor were both flown by helicopter to Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, about 40 miles from Talladega Superspeedway, after the violent accident on lap 58 of the 113-lap event. Mark Gibson, also injured in the crash, was transported to the same hospital by ambulance. All three were awake and alert when they left the track. They were all admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit. Track officials said Councilor had a possible spleen injury, Ritter was diagnosed with a sternal hematoma and Gibson was being kept overnight for observation(Gaston Gazette) for full results see the Official ARCA Racing Site(10-15-2000)
Biffle to BGN UPDATE: Roush is planning to bring Craftsman Truck Series runner-up Greg Biffle into the Busch Grand National series in 2001. Roush doesn’t plan to leave the series when Biffle moves up to the Busch cars. Biffle dominated the series this year before a costly penalty for an unapproved part dealt his title hopes a serious blow(Times-Dispatch)(11-7-1999) UPDATE: During ESPN2’s CUP. BGN and CTS practice coverage, Ray Dunlap mentioned that Greg Biffle will move up to the BGN series in 2001(not 2000) with a Jack Roush team and sponsor Granger(2-15-2000) UPDATE 2: 2000 CTS Champ, Biffle may run a BGN race or two before the end of the 2000 BGN season if Roush Racing can get a car ready(TNN’s Raceday)(10-15-2000)
Hut to drive at Homestead? Winston Cup veteran Hut Stricklin tested the #88 Pontiac for Jarrett/Favre Motorsports and said there’s a good possibility he’ll be pulling double duty when he returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Nov. 11-12 Pennzoil 400 weekend. Jarrett/Favre Motorsports, which fields the #11 Pontiac in a full schedule for Jason Jarrett, will field a second car for Stricklin if sponsorship is secured(Speed Magazine)(10-15-2000)
ARCA gets new Series Sponsor: Officials of the ARCA racing sanctioning body and global real estate franchiser RE/MAX International have announced a three-year agreement in which RE/MAX will hold exclusive title sponsorship of ARCA’s premier racing series, to be known as the ARCA RE/MAX Series. The series will have its events shown on five different networks next season including Speedvision, but will not be on ESPN in 2001(ARCA Site and SpeedVision) ANDARCA Releases it 2001 Schedule(10-14-2000)
#63 Sponsor: Beginning at Memphis on Oct. 29, HMV Motorsports will have Ocean Sun Travel, Inc. as an associate sponsor of the #63 Superflo Chevy, driven by Mark Green. Ocean Sun Travel, Inc. is an online travel agency specializing in “Do It Yourself Travel” that allows members to become their own travel agents(National Speed Sport News), this is for the rest of the 200 season and all of the 2001 season(10-13-2000)
Marlin at Memphis: Steadman Marlin, who debuted at Nashville in the #42 BellSouth Chevy in April, is scheduled to make his second Busch start at Memphis in the #01 BellSouth Chevy(Tennessean)(10-13-2000)
Parker at Homestead and a double Parker? Hank Parker Jr will run a special paint scheme at Homestead in the BGN season finale honoring the 225th ‘birthday’ of the U.S. Marine Corp. See it on my BGN Paint Schemes page. Also hearing that the Parker team will run a 2nd car at Memphis for Hank’s brother Billy fielded by Rick Rathbun Racing not Parker Racing(10-12-2000)
Nemechek’s 2001 Plans: Cellular One announced it will once again sponsor Joe Nemechek during the 2001 NASCAR BGN season. Nemechek’s familiar #87 will carry the Cellular One colors in 14 BGN events beginning in Daytona on Feb. 17. This is the second year Cellular One will sponsor Nemechek’s Busch entry that is owned by the racing veteran’s family-run NEMCO Motorsports. Other 2001 BGN races in which Nemechek will pilot the Cellular One car are: Las Vegas (3/3); Atlanta (3/10); Texas (3/31); Talladega (4/21); California (4/28); Charlotte (5/26); Dover (6/2); Chicago (7/14); Dover (9/22); Kansas (9/29); Charlotte (10/6) Phoenix (10/27); and Homestead (11/10). Nortel Networks and Nokia phones will provide associate sponsorship on the car(NEMCO PR)(10-12-2000)
Bird goes to the #34 NOT to the #3 and Foyt: The Cicci-Welliver Racing team announced today that Steve Bird has replaced Wes Ward as crew chief of its #34 AFG Glass entry in the BGN with driver David Green. The first event for Bird is the October 21 race at North Carolina Speedway. Bird most recently worked with Bill Davis Racing as crew chief of its #20 BGN entry with drivers Tom Hubert and Dave Blaney. In thirteen seasons, the Lawrence, MA native has racked up eight top five finishes in the Busch Series point standings, including four Busch Series titles (1989, 1995, 1996, 1997), two second place finishes (1988, 1991), one third place (1990) and one fourth place finish (1998). To add to his accomplishments, Bird is credited with being the first crew chief to win three consecutive Busch Series Championships (1995-1997), and the first to guide his team to more than $1 million single season earnings (1997). The Cicci-Welliver Racing three-car team currently consists of drivers David Green (#34), Tim Fedewa (#36) and Todd Bodine (#66)(Vertical Horizons PR)(10-11-2000)
Penalties: NASCAR officials announced today they have levied penalties against the following NASCAR Busch Series team members of the No. 66 and the No. 35 teams for an altercation in the pit area last Saturday during the Bumper to Bumper All Pro 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.: Tim Boatwright, Scotty Pease and Alan Tully, all crew members for the No. 66 have been fined $2,000; Donnie Richeson, crew chief of the No. 66 received a fine of $500; Ralph D. Bryant, crew member of the No. 35 team was fined $1,500 and Ricky Pearson, crew chief of the No. 35 received a fine of $500. In addition to the fines, all of the above mentioned have been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2000. Boatwright, Pease, Tully and Bryant were all deemed in violation of Section 12-4 A in the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book: “…actions deemed detrimental to stock car racing – involved in an altercation in the pit area.” Richeson and Pearson were deemed in violation of Section 12-4 A in the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book: “…actions deemed detrimental to stock car racing…” and Section 9-4 A: “…the crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his… team members…”(NASCAR PR)(10-11-2000)
Kentucky Testing: #21-Mike Dillion and #2-Kevin Harvick have been and are testing at Kentucky Speedway, Oct 9th thru 11th(10-11-2000)
Little to run at the Rock: BACE Motorsports will field the #74 RaceFansWin.com Chevy at the BGN race at North Carolina Speedway and as previously announced, at Homestead. Chad Little will pilot the car. Both Little and teammate Tony Raines tested at North Carolina Speedway on Tuesday. RaceFansWin.com is a venture created by Universal Data Publishing(UDP), a long standing software company based in Charlotte, N.C. The website molds itself around upcoming NASCAR events; as any web user can register for no cost and check out the weather, travel availability, ticket sales, trivia, and register to win weekly prizes. The #33 Bayer BACE Motorsports Chevrolet, piloted by Tony Raines, will carry RaceFansWin.com as an associate sponsor at the BGN Phoenix event in November(Champion Sports Group)(10-11-2000)
Amick News: The accident in the BGN race at Lowes in which Lyndon Amick took responsibility for, was actually caused by a broken shock that caused Amick to lost control of the #35 car and that Team Amick thinks a broken shock was the cause of the spin. Also, Amicks BGN co-primary sponsors, POWERTEL and Mitsubishi Wireless Communications, will sponsor Amick in the final two ARCA races of the season at Talladega and Atlanta when Amick drives the #99, owned by Ken Schrader(Amick PR)(10-11-2000)
Petty BGN: Virtually everything is now in place for Petty Enterprises in 2001, just a NASCAR Busch Grand National sponsorship remaining to be placed. Former Busch Grand National champion Steve Grissom of Gadsden, Ala., will be driving the car next season. “The Busch program is really important to us, and we’re looking for a good sponsorship partner to join Petty Enterprises,” said CEO Kyle Petty. “There have been some changes this season but we’re really excited with what’s going to happen next year – from our Winston Cup teams to our Busch team to our truck team. Whoever sponsors the Busch car is going to find a unique and exciting situation, especially from a marketing standpoint,” Petty said(Williams Company)(10-11-2000)
Homestead Testing: Kyle Petty tested the #45 Sprint Chevrolet on Tuesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the beginning of a two-day Busch Grand National Series test session. On Wednesday, Petty will be joined by more Busch Series teams, including drivers #66-Todd Bodine, #98-Elton Sawyer, #34-David Green, #29-Curtis Markham, #18-Jason Leffler, #90-Mike Stefanik, #57-Jason Keller, #92-Jimmie Johnson and #53-Hank Parker Jr.(HMS PR)(10-10-2000)
AJ BGN Team? UPDATE Yep: A.J. Foyt is considering a Busch team for his son Larry, 23, who has been running ASA and ARCA this season(PitNow)(10-8-2000) UPDATE: Foyt announced Sunday he had has purchased the BGN team from Winston Cup driver Dale Earnhardt, which currently fields the #3 Chevrolets for Ron Hornaday, and will put his son, Larry Foyt, in the car next season to run a full schedule. Larry Foyt, 23, will drive a General Motors entry with a multiyear sponsorship deal with Harrah’s. A.J. Foyt has also hired veteran crew chief Steve Bird to lead the team(That’s Racin’)(NOTE: Bird will not be with Foyt but go to the #34 team, see story above)(10-9-2000)
Kennseth’s Engine too Big UPDATE no, it’s legal: Matt Kenseth won the BGN rave at Lowes Motor Speedway. Or at least it seemed as if Kenseth had won the race. After a post-race inspection, officials revealed that the cubic inch displacement in Kenseth’s engine was outside the NASCAR requirements. No decision on Kenseth’s apparent victory was made, however, until new measurements could be taken this morning after the engine had cooled. Race officials also called in second-place Mark Martin’s car for inspection, but no determination was made on its status. Both Kenseth and Martin drive for Rousch Racing(in Cup), although Kenseth drives a Chevy in the Busch series(for Robby Reiser his Cup crew chief)(Gaston Gazette) and story at That’s Racin’ UPDATE: Routine post-race inspection of winner Matt Kenseth’s engine uncovered what NASCAR officials described as ‘irregularities’ in several of the measurements taken on Saturday, but the confiscated engine was taken to an impound area to cool down and when the same measurements were taken Sunday morning, the engine was found to meet rulebook tolerances(SpeedVision)(10-8-2000)
Fire Scare: A fire on pit lane involving Jimmie Johnson’s #92 Chevrolet resulted in six injuries, none of them serious. Four of the injured are affiliated with Johnson’s team, including crewman Dave Rang who went to University Medical Center for treatment after inhaling a good dose of fire retardant chemicals. The rest of the injured were treated in the infield care center. Gasman Bryan Smith was treated for first- and second-degree burns to his hands and face, but was able to return to work. Smith’s wife Deanna and crewman Jonathan Sherman also were treated for inhaling fire retardant chemicals. Buddy Parks, who works for Hank Parker Jr’s #53 Chevrolet, and track firefighter Rick Jones also were treated for inhaling fire retardant chemicals. The fire was caused when the gas was spilled when Johnson backed his car up after overshooting his pit area(Gaston Gazette)(10-8-2000)
New #33 Crew Chief: Lance Dieters debuted Saturday as the new crew chief for Tony Raines and his #33 Chevrolets owned by BACE Motorsports. Dieters steps in for Alan Russell, who left the team this week(That’s Racin’)(10-8-2000)
ppc News UPDATE 2: besides possibly switching to Ford, I hear that the #57 car driven by Jason Keller will get Albertson’s as a sponsor in 2001, replacing Excedirin, who is going over to the #92 Herzog Motorsports team and driver Jimmire Johnson. Albertson’s currently sponsors the #15 APR Chevy that runs in the series in a part time mode and will not run in 2001(9-30-2000) UPDATE: there will be an announcement by ppc Racing on Saturday, Oct 7th. It could one of or all three of the following: 1) Sponsorship for the #57 – Albertson’s(?); 2) the team is switching to Fords? 3) Jeff Green to run some Cup races for ppc Racing in 2001?(10-5-2000) UPDATE 2: ppc Racing, which includes Greenville(SC) driver Jason Keller and Jeff Green, will switch from Chevrolets to Fords next season. In addition to the switch to Fords, Keller’s #57 team also will have a new sponsor — Albertson’s, a Boise, Idaho-based retail grocery chain. Excedrin, Keller’s sponsor this season, is moving to Jimmie Johnson’s car(Greenville News)(10-6-2000)
#92 Sponsor UPDATE 2: the #92 Herzog Motorsports team with Jimmie Johnson as the driver, has obtained a sponsor to run a full BGN schedule in 2001. Excedrin, which sponsors the #57 Chevys driven by Jason Keller this season, will move to Herzog next year. Excedrin decals showed up for the first time on Johnson’s car during Saturday’s MBNA.com 200 at Dover(That’s Racin’)(9-23-2000) UPDATE: the official announcement will be made Thursday, Oct 5th(10-5-2000) UPDATE 2: Jimmie Johnson is carrying Excedrin sponsorship on his car for his final BGN season in 2001. The sponsor announced yesterday that it is moving from Jason Keller’s car to support Johnson. The driver is planning to compete in the Winston Cup series for Hendrick Motorsports in 2002(Times-Dispatch)(10-6-2000)
Elton Returns in a Late Model: Three-time Langley Speedway(VA) champion and current BGN driver of the #98 Lysol Ford, Elton Sawyer is coming back Oct. 14 to drive in the Late Model 100. The Chesapeake native won the 1983, 1984 and 1985 track titles and the 1984 and 1985 NASCAR Mid-Atlantic Region championships. Sawyer will drive a Lamb & Robinson-prepared Ford as Phil Warren’s teammate(Daily Press)(10-4-2000)
ChannelLock Contest Winner: Stephen M Scro of Louisville, KY has been named chief graphic designer for the Channellock entry at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Scro earned this designation by being selected as the winner in Channellock’s Paint the Race Car Contest. This national consumer promotion encouraged race fans to visit the company’s interactive web site at www.channellock.com, where they could download and print a blank facsimile of the #82 Channellock Monte Carlo and then design a graphics package as they would like the car to appear. Scro’s entry was selected from hundreds of entries that were judged based upon creativity, neatness/attention to detail and use of the Channellock trademarks. As a result of being selected the winner, Stephen will be the guest of Channellock for an exciting, expense-paid weekend in Charlotte, where he will see the actual racecar bearing his winning paint design compete in the Charlotte BGN event. An avid race fan, Stephen has chosen his dad, Stephen R. Scro of Charleston, SC to join him. See an image of the car on my BGN Paint Schemes page(10-4-2000)
New BGN Team: Great Clips today announced it will team with driver Christian Elder and Akins Motorsports to enter a car(#38 Ford) in the 2001 BGN. Great Clips, which currently serves as Elder’s sponsor in the ARCA series, is excited for the challenge of competing in one of America’s elite racing circuits. The 31-year-old Elder, who currently races in the ARCA, Goody’s Dash and NASCAR Winston West Series, kicks off his Busch Series career at the Daytona on February 17th. Among his career highlights are victories in the 1999 Daytona Discount Auto 200 and the 1998 Motorola Cup. Great Clips began its motorsports program in 1998, sponsoring Elder in the ARCA series. Elder and Great Clips continue their partnership, teaming with Akins Motorsports in the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series, where Elder will compete in 15 of the series’ 34 events. Great Clips will participate in another partial Busch Series season in 2002, while gearing up for the 2003 circuit, when it will run a full season. Great Clips, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is one of the nation’s largest franchisers in the $38 billion haircare industry(Elder Racing PR)(10-4-2000)
#83 takes a week off: hearing that the #83 Link-Belt Chevy will not attempt to qualify for the Charlotte BGN race as they crashed what would have been their primary while testing last week at Lowes. The team will take the time to prepare five cars for the remainder of the season and test at Rockingham and Memphis. Brandon Butler will run the last four races(10-4-2000)
BGN Sched UPDATE 2 Schedule Out: hearing the 2001 Busch Series schedule could be released within the next week or so(9-30-2000) UPDATE: hearing the 2001 BGN Sched will be announced on Tuesday, October 3rd(10-2-2000) UPDATE 2 IT’s UP: NASCAR Tuesday announced a 33-race 2001 schedule for the BGN. Included on the schedule are inaugural events at Chicagoland Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway. The 2001 schedule has been expanded to 33 races from 32 races in 2000. While four superspeedways of more than a mile were added, three traditional short tracks: Nashville Speedway USA, South Boston (Va.) Speedway and Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway dropped off the schedule. See the full schedule at NASCAR Online – 2001 BGN Schedule(10-3-2000)
75 news: 75 News: Kelly Denton, driver of the Henderson Motorsports BGN entry asked to be released today. Denton said, “I was starting to get some calls about looking at other rides and I have too much respect for Charlie Henderson to shop for another deal behind his back”. After advancing through the ARCA and Craftsman Truck Series, Denton (27) was selected in 1998 to drive the Henderson owned Food Country USA Chevrolet in the Busch Series. The team has run a limited schedule for the past several years.(KDR)(10-3-2000)
Two Labontes: Terry Labonte has entered two cars in Saturday’s BGN race at Lowes Motor Speedway – the #44 Chevrolet driven by his son, Justin, and the #04 Chevrolet, which Terry is scheduled to drive. Justin Labonte is also entered in Wednesday night’s ARCA race(That’s Racin’)(10-3-2000)
Marlin at Lowes: The Team SABCO #01 BGN Chevrolet will sport a slightly different look in Saturday’s race. In keeping with its partnership with BellSouth Mobility, Ericsson will be featured as the primary sponsor on the #01 entry and BellSouth Mobility will assume the role of associate sponsor for this weekend’s race(SABCO PR)(10-3-2000)
Craven to run BGN at Lowes: David Ridling, team owner for Emerald Performance Group, has made a decision to place Ricky Craven in the #19 Yellow Freight/Pameco Chevy at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in the BGN race. Ridling has also purchased one of Craven’s Busch cars and a PCCW motor for this weekend’s event(Emerald Performance Group PR)(10-2-2000)
Lepage Increases BGN sched: Swedish Match North America Inc. announced that they will sponsor Matrix Motorsports and driver Kevin Lepage with their Southern Pride brand of chewing tobacco in the All Pro Bumper-to-Bumper 300 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 7th. Matrix Motorsports is owned by Lepage and Steve Plattenberger. The announcement continues the relationship between Swedish Match and Lepage that began in 1999. In the past two years, Kevin Lepage has driven a Red Man sponsored car in selected NASCAR Busch Series races. In 1999, Lepage drove the #99 Red Man Chevrolet for Brewco Motorsports/J&J Racing in thirteen races. However, the relationship with Lepage does not end at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Matrix Motorsports will enter the #71 Southern Pride Ford Taurus in the Sam’s Town 300 at the Memphis Motorsports Park on October 29th(Southern Pride PR)(10-1-2000)
Another Rensi Driver? Preparing to fly to Charlotte, NC to sign contracts, Gary Lewis confirms he has been verbally offered a 2-Year+ contract with Team Rensi to drive one of their BGN cars in 2001 and 2002(RacingWest)(10-1-2000) – looks like this didn’t happen
