Marine’s Re-up with Rensi: The United States Marine Corps is pleased to announce that it is renewing its marketing partnership with Team Rensi Motorsports and the #25 Ford in the BGN for the 2003 season. The United States Marine Corps’ main objective of their NASCAR marketing partnership with Team Rensi Motorsports is to establish one-on-one contact with recruiters and young adults between the ages of 17 and 24, which may lead to possible recruitment. Each year, The United States Marine Corps strives to recruit 40,000 young men and women. Currently, there are approximately 172,000 active duty Marines. The 2003 season will mark the Marine Corps’ third year of involvement in the BGN and their second year with Team Rensi Motorsports. Driver Bobby Hamilton, Jr., currently ninth in the BGN championship standings, has one win, five top five and fourteen top-ten finishes.(Team Rensi PR)(10-31-2002)
Renshaw healing: Doctors removed the cast from the broken left foot of Deborah Renshaw last week, examined the injury, and said she is recovering on schedule. Another cast was placed on her foot and will remain in place four weeks. Renshaw, injured in a crash earlier this month at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, is recuperating at her parents’ home in Bowling Green, Ky. Dan Renshaw said his daughter last week was able to drive a passenger car for the first time since the crash.(Tennessean)(10-31-2002)
The Elizabeth Dole #44 car at the Rock: Throughout her campaign, Elizabeth Dole repeatedly asks her campaign staff “when do we go back to the track?” Dole loves NASCAR racing and is proud and supportive of the positive economic impact the sport has on her home state. In 1996, NASCAR had a statewide economic impact of $392 million, supporting 4,240 North Carolina jobs. Today, those numbers are estimated to have doubled. Dole has already attended three races this year. “North Carolina is racing country. The headquarters of NASCAR may be in Florida, but the state of North Carolina is the NASCAR capital of the world,” Dole said. As her bus tour winds down and her campaign enters its final stretch, Elizabeth Dole finally gets her chance to be a part of NASCAR racing. Dole’s name and campaign logo will adorn the #44 Busch Series car driven by Mike Harmon, who has also just inked a deal for two Winston Cup races. Hailing from Salisbury, North Carolina, a stone’s throw from “Race City USA,” Dole will be excited to see her name racing around the track at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. While she’d love to be trackside when the command to start engines is uttered, she’ll be in her hometown, Salisbury, concluding her bus tour. Certainly she’ll catch the action on the live broadcast. Dole’s campaign is one that certainly aims to please many in the NASCAR community-from the garage to the grandstands, even the suites. Dole wants to create jobs and economic security for North Carolina. She has longstanding history in supporting the state’s economy and transportation infrastructure in her previous positions, completing the I-40 corridor to Wilmington and the Blue Ridge Parkway, where she worked to complete the section with the smallest possible environmental footprint. Driver Mike Harmon is looking forward to the weekend, “I’m excited about Rockingham. I went over there and tested the Cup car. I love Rockingham. We can run there and we’re looking forward to this weekend.” Mike Harmon will attend Elizabeth Dole’s campaign stop in Shelby, North Carolina, on Thursday, October 31st.(Mike Harmon PR)(10-31-2002)
Fedawa Out? Bodine Back in? the #92: Tim Fedewa was released from the #92 Excedrin Herzog Jackson Motorsports team following Saturday’s race in Atlanta. Todd Bodine is expected to be back in the car this weekend at Rockingham.(BGNRacing.com)(10-29-2002)
Congrats to Santerre: Former BGN Rookie of Year Andy Santerre captured his first Busch North championship by a mere nine points last weekend, the third closest margin on series history.(NOL via BGNRacing.com)(10-29-2002)
Barrett in for Biffle in the #60 BGN car in 2003? UPDATE: Stanton Barrett is the first choice to replace Greg Biffle in the #60 Rosuh Racing Ford in 2003. Biffle will move up to full time Cup in 2003, running the #16 Grainger Ford. Barrett met with team owner Jack Roush at Dover in September.(Winston Cup Scene – need sub to read)(10-4-2002) UPDATE: Roush Racing announced that Stanton Barrett will drive for the BGN championship-probable #60 Ford beginning in 2003. OdoBan, a product of Clean Control Corporation of Warner Robins, Ga., will sponsor Barrett and the team. “This is a tremendous opportunity for me, and I’m grateful to Roush Racing and Clean Control for it,” said Barrett, who has driven in NASCAR Busch Grand National and NASCAR Winston Cup during his career. But this is something that I have worked so hard for, and something that I have given everything I know how to give to achieve,” he said. “The nights I have spent on planes going from one job to another, those days and nights that were spent on the movie set earning enough money so I could race, then working endlessly at night on proposals, all of that is paying off. My goal all along was to get recognition for what I could do as a race car driver and, today, we’re announcing it all has paid off.”
“We’re excited with the prospect of Stanton Barrett carrying on the winning tradition of the Roush Racing Busch Series program,” said Jack Roush. “We’ve had our eye on him, and he’s proven that with the right equipment he can get the job done. Stanton is a very determined individual, and we feel confident that he will give 110 percent, not only behind the wheel, but representing Clean Control Corporation and Roush Racing.” Barrett is one of the best-known and most respected stunt men in Hollywood. Yet the 30-year-old winner of a World Stunt Award this Spring has had his eyes on the top echelon of NASCAR racing since his father, Stan, ran as the first “Skoal Bandit” in the Winston Cup ranks. While appearing in such films as Jurassic Park III, The Patriot and Spiderman, Barrett would often jet from coast to coast through the week, racing on weekends, and “working the phone” virtually every second he could. While filming Batman, for example, Barrett worked nights doing stunt work, then left the set to develop and send self-made proposals, make telephone calls to car owners and potential sponsors on the East Coast before sleeping for a few hours and returning to the set. It was that type of hard work and dedication, which stretched for 14 years, that led to his “overnight success.” Barrett’s first race in the #60 Roush Racing-owned OdoBan Ford will be February’s season opening 300-mile race at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.(Williams Company PR)(10-29-2002)
Sawyer replaces Lepage in the #37: Brewco Motorsports President Todd Wilkerson says Elton Sawyer will drive the team’s #37 Timber Wolf Chevy in Saturday’s Sam’s Club 200 BGN race at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham. Kevin Lepage, who competed in 19 races for the team as a replacement for the injured Jeff Purvis, announced he was leaving so the team could try out new drivers for next year.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(10-28-2002)
Amick back in the #15 for AMS UPDATE now Homestead…maybe: Lyndon Amick will again drive a third entry for ppc Racing this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In his previous start for the team in the #15 Ford, he finished ninth at Kansas. Unless circumstances change, this will be Amick’s last start for the team.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-23-2002) UPDATE: Lyndon Amick’s plans to start his second race of the season for ppc Racing in Saturday’s BGN race were abandoned with the cancellation of Friday’s qualifying. Since Amick had only one previous start this season, he did not get in the race when the field was set by car-owner points. However, team officials said Saturday that Amick could be in a third ppc Racing entry at the season finale, Nov. 16 at Homestead, FL. In his other start with the team this season, Amick was ninth at Kansas.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-26-2002)
McLaughlin with a new team in 2003: Mike McLaughlin will drive in 2003 for a new BGN team, Angela’s Motorsports, who announced their formation Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The team, formed by 26-year-old racing enthusiast Angela Harkness and business partner Gary Jones, will field their #02 Fords during the final two races of the 2002 BGN season, at Phoenix and Homestead, with driver Jay Sauter. In 2003, they’ll switch to #03 and enter McLaughlin in all 34 events on the slate. No crew chief has been named. The team will have Robert Yates Racing engines and multi-year sponsorship from WiredFlyer.com, an Austin,TX.-based website that offers vacation packages.(full story and a picture at NASCAR.com)(10-26-2002)
Purvis at Atlanta: Busch series driver Jeff Purvis, who nearly lost his life in a crash at Nazareth Speedway on May 19, was at AMS on Friday, his first trip to a track since the crash. “It’s good to be back,” Purvis said. “You don’t realize how much you miss something until you lose it.” Purvis did not say when or if he expects to be back behind the wheel of a race car.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(10-26-2002)
McMurray wins at Atlanta: Jamie McMurray’s resume grows more impressive as the race weeks tick off. McMurray, who won his first Winston Cup race two weeks ago at Charlotte in his second start while substituting for the injured Sterling Marlin, picked up his first win in the BGN on Saturday. McMurray’s #27 Brewco Motorsports team gambled on fuel mileage and McMurray covered the final 76 of 203 laps without stopping to claim victory in the Aaron’s 312 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 10.796 seconds ahead of #99-Michael Waltrip. Finishing 3rd was #18-Mike McLaughlin, 4th was #10-Scott Riggs and series points leader #60-Greg Biffle was fifth. McMurray only led one lap, the most important one, the last one. (ThatsRacin.com)
For Results see ThatsRacin.com or BGNRacing.com.(10-26-2002)
Qualifying rained out: and the field was set by Owner’s Points (top 35) then Race Attepmts (36-43). #60-Greg Biffle will start first, followed by #57-Jason Keller, #21-Jeff Green, #23-Scott Wimmer and #24-Jack Sprague. (why is the #21 3rd, it is OWNERS points NOT drivers points).
For lineup see ThatsRacin.com or BGNRacing.com.(10-25-2002)
#33 gets a part-time 2003 sponsor – Outdoor Channel: Management of The Outdoor Channel, a subsidiary of Global Outdoors announced today that they will sponsor the #33 Chevy fielded by BACE Motorsports for 10 BGN races during the 2003 season. Tony Raines will kick off the partnership between BACE and The Outdoor Channel when he fires up the #33 Outdoor Channel Chevy at Atlanta for the Aaron’s 312 Busch Series event.(BACE PR via BGNRacing.com) (10-25-2002)
Fultz adds a race: JCR3 Racing announced that they would attempt the BGN race at Rockingham NC with 2002 NASCAR All-Pro Series Champion Jeff Fultz will once again be behind the wheel of the #86 C&C Boiler/Cleaver Brooks Chevy. “This is really great.” Exclaims Fultz. “With the NASCAR All-Pro Series Championship wrapped up, we are able to head to Rockingham with total confidence in not only doing a good job for our sponsors, but for our Busch organization as well.” Rockingham Motor Speedway will mark JCR3 Racing seventh attempt to compete in a BGN race this season. “The goal is going to be simple, we want to qualify, race well, and have fun too.” States Fultz. “This will be JCR3 Racing second attempt at the “Rock” and we want to make it memorable.” JCR3 Racing has enjoyed much success in the racing industry this season. The team scored their first NASCAR All-Pro Series Championship this year, scoring three victories along the way. Fultz competed in two ARCA Series races at Lowes Motor Speedway in 2002. Fultz received his first experience on a restrictor plate track competing at the season opener from Daytona International Speedway. The team would make a twist and head to Nashville Superspeedway, and while running in the top five for the majority of the race, circumstances would keep Fultz from showing a better finish.(JCR3 Racing PR)(10-25-2002)
Baldwin Fined UPDATE: NASCAR Busch Series crew chief Tommy Baldwin was fined $25,000 for a rules violation found following Saturday’s race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Baldwin, crew chief of the #6 Dodge driven by Wally Dallenbach, was penalized under Section 12-4-T (“Any car that is found to be under the specified height requirement after the race”). The #6 car was approximately a quarter inch too low.(NASCAR PR)(10-17-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR has upheld a $25,000 fine levied by NASCAR against crew chief Tommy Baldwin for a rule violation following the BGN race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The penalty was announced after NASCAR inspectors found the #6 Dodge, driven by Wally Dallenbach to a seventh-place finish Oct. 12, did not meet the rule pertaining to minimum roof height. Baldwin appealed the ruling. He did not contest the fact that the car was in violation of the rules, but argued the infraction was inadvertent and the size of the fine was too big, especially considering the possible effects of race-related damage to the left front of the car.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(10-25-2002)
David Green to make start #250: 1994 BGN Champ, David Green, will make his 250th NASCAR Busch Series start at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. Green is currently driving the #5 GMAC Chevy for the rest of 2002, replacing Ricky Hendrick who recently retired.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(10-25-2002)
Mears a candidate for the #5 in 2003: BGN driver Casey Mears is a candidate to drive Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 Chevy in the BGN series next season. Mears, 24, is under contract with Team Jesel and the #66 Dodge through next season, but the team has been unable to secure sponsorship. The team had hoped to have its sponsorship situation settled by mid-October. “I have a commitment with Team Jesel through next season and unless that changes, there is nothing to discuss,” Mears said. Ricky Hendrick drove the #5 until he stepped out of the car this month and retired from full-time competition citing lingering affects from an accident he had in March. Former series champion David Green is finishing the season in the car and has scored two top-10 finishes in his first two starts with the team.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-25-2002)
Sadler gets a sponsor for AMS: Officials from NWA-Total Non-Stop Action will sponsor Hermie Sadler in the Aaron’s 312 this Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Sadler will drive the #43 Curb-Agajanian Motorsports Chevy. Sadler most recently teamed up with NWA-TNA and Curb Agajanian Motorsports for the Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. According to Sadler, “I’ve been involved with NWA-TNA for the past few months and their viewing audience has grown leaps and bounds.. We noticed a rise in attendance and subscriptions following the Busch race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. NWA-TNA will rely on the race at Atlanta to gain additional exposure for the pay-per-view wrestling series.” Jerry Jarrett, NWA-TNA Series Director stated, “We are thrilled with the amount of exposure we have received through our involvement in NASCAR. It is an important part of our plan to increase our brand awareness and NASCAR fans are a large part of our target audience. Hermie has been to several of our shows and the fans have been very involved with Hermie’s interaction in the matches.” Curb-Agajanian Motorsports co-owner Cary Agajanian feels this is an important step for the team as it continues to search for a full time sponsor for 2003. “It speaks volumes about the type of team we have when a sponsor is pleased with our relationship and wants to continue to develop their curriculum around our race team,” stated Agajanian. “We look forward to working with the NWA-TNA in Atlanta and hope this will aid our search for a full time sponsor in 2003.” NWA-Total Non-Stop Action airs every Wednesday night at 8:00pm eastern and is available only on Pay-Per View for a cost of $9.95.. For more information, visit www.nwatna.com.. For more information on Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, please call 704-933-4009.(Elliott Sadler Enterprises PR)(10-24-2002)
GEICO to back Wallace for remaining 2002 races: #4-Biagi Bros. Racing and NASCAR driver Mike Wallace have teamed up with GEICO Direct for the four remaining races on the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series schedule(Atlanta, Rockingham, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami).(Biagi Bros. Racing PR)(10-24-2002)
Wimmer has a sponsor for Atlanta:AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) has signed a one-race deal to sponsor Scott Wimmer’s #23 Pontiac for the BGN race in Atlanta this weekend. “We are proud of the relationships we enjoy with global car manufacturers and automotive suppliers and we chose to use this NASCAR sponsorship to highlight our commitment to the automotive industry,” said Chris King, president and CEO of AMI Semiconductor. Despite their strong performance this season, marked with two wins, nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes, Wimmer’s team has been without sponsorship for over half the year and are very happy to have AMIS on board for the event. “We’re very happy to have AMI Semiconductor sponsor us this weekend at Atlanta,” said Wimmer.. “I’m glad we are able to help meet their marketing goals with this sponsorship and I hope we can get this car into victory lane this weekend for them.. Atlanta has been a good track for me and I know we’ll have a strong race package there.. Hopefully, we can achieve success together both on and off the track.”(Bill Davis Racing PR)(10-23-2002)
Guerrero debuts The #09 Chevrolet entered in Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 BGN race at AMS is believed to be the first NASCAR team comprising a Hispanic owner, sponsor and driver. Veteran open-wheel driver Roberto Guerrero will make his stock-car debut in the Ciclon Energy Drink-sponsored car for HRT Motorsports, which is owned by Rudy Rodriguez and Mike Vazquez. “NASCAR is so big, and the Hispanic market is so big in the U.S. and it’s continuing to grow, so it’s only natural for NASCAR to have Hispanic representation,” Guerrero said. “Actually, most of the other series have so many Latin-American drivers, and NASCAR really hasn’t had any.”(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(10-23-2002)
Wimmer wins at Memphis: #23-Scott Wimmer held off #26-Ron Hornaday on a restart with seven laps left Sunday and won the rain-delayed Busch Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park for his second victory in four races. Wimmer led 83 of the 250 laps and passed Hornaday for the final time on the 218th. He averaged 79.337 mph in his Pontiac on the three-quarter-mile oval and had to avoid three cautions in the final 30 laps for his second career victory. #59-Stacy Compton was second, followed by #27-Jamie McMurray, who needed a provisional and started 37th, #36-Hank Parker was fourth and #12-Kerry Earnhardt was fifth. Series leader #60-Greg Biffle didn’t finish the race and now leads #57-Jason Keller, who was 10th Sunday, by 105 points with four races left. Wimmer is third, 357 points back.(ThatsRacin.com).
For results see ThatsRacin.com or BGNRacing.com and see Points Standings at BGNRacing.com. TV: The race will be televised on TNT tape delay on Monday, Oct 21st at 1:00pm/et.(10-21-2002)
BGN Race at Memphis Postponed until Sunday: Nonstop rain in Memphis postponed the race until Sunday, Oct 20th. Rain started early Saturday morning and never stopped, keeping drivers, crew members and fans sloshing through ankle-deep water in some areas. Some die-hard fans stayed in their seats despite the weather. The race is scheduled to start at 12:50pm/et and and will be televised on TNT tape delay on Monday at 1:00pm/et.(ThatsRacin.com/AP).(10-19-2002)
Biffle on the pole at Memphis: BGN Points leader #60-Greg Biffle grabbed his fourth pole this season Friday with a lap of 116.817mph in qualifying for the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park. #2-Johnny Sauter was 2nd at 116.792, followed by #7-Randy LaJoie at 116.792, #47-Shane Hmiel at 116.460 and #87-David Reutimann at 116.424. 2nd in points, #57-Jason Keller qualified 14th. #27-Jamie McMurray, who became the quickest first-time winner in NASCAR’s modern era last week by winning his second Winston Cup start, will start 37th Saturday after honoring his commitment to race at Memphis.(ThatsRacin.com)
See lineup at ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com.(10-18-2002)
Hubert has sponsor, needs team: Tom Hubert, considered a road course specialist, has plans to step up his driving career in 2003 in the BGN. The 33-year-old is a team member for Bill Davis Racing and has substituted on several occasions in both the Winston Cup and BGN. “I’ve got funding in place,” said Hubert, “right now I am just looking for the right situation.” Hubert said that he would entertain a full or limited schedule with the right team.(PR)(10-17-2002)
#9 Needs a Sponsor for 2003: the #9 Gain Ford with driver Jeff Burton, is seeking primary sponsorship for the 2003 BGN season. Roush Racing recently learned that Gain will not be backing this season’s only five-time winners next year, and they are actively searching for a replacement to run a limited 14-race schedule. Roush Racing plans to run both the #9 and #60 (currently with Greg Biffle, Stanton Barrett rumored in 2003) teams in 2003.(Amercian Race Fan)(10-17-2002)
#6 to run at Atlanta with Lusk: Making his second BGN start, Rookie Damon Lusk will once again be behind the wheel of the #6 Tommy Baldwin Racing Dodge at Atlanta. STA-RITE Industries, a Delavan, WI based company, which manufactures pumps and water processing equipment for residential, industrial and agricultural markets worldwide, will be the co-primary sponsor on the TBR Dodge for the “Aaron’s 312”. “Damon is a skilled young driver and we’re really excited about NASCAR racing,” said STA-RITE’s Dan Mansfield, Marketing Leader for the professional water systems division. “Our partnership with Damon and the entire Tommy Baldwin Racing Team makes this great sport even more fun to watch. Most of the dealers and distributors in the STA-RITE nation-wide network are also racing enthusiasts. The race exposure continues to be beneficial not only for the company’s professional brand channel which sponsors Damon, but also for its pool / spa and water filtration products.” “Cow Tails”, a brand of the Maryland-based Goetzes’ Candy Company, will grace the hood of the TBR Dodge for the Atlanta event. Wally Dallenbach, who also drives for TBR and commentates for NBC/TNT is a celebrity spokesperson for “Cow Tails.” He will be on hand during the weekend in a “mentor’s role” for the teams development program with Lusk. Eddie D’Hondt, co-owner of TBR commented, “We are excited to have STA-RITE Industries step up their sponsorship position to a primary level. We’re also grateful that Wally has been able to help the team by bringing “Cow Tails” on board. Additionally, his influence and knowledge during the race weekend will prove to be a valuable asset to Damon and our team. Damon already has proven success by winning the ARCA race at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this year. We’re confident that STA-RITE and “Cow Tails” will be pleased with our results.” “Cow Tails” also joined TBR in Charlotte as an associate sponsor and will complete their 2002 sponsorship at Phoenix International Raceway. This will be STA-RITE Industries’ second venture into the NASCAR Busch Series with TBR. They were on board as an associate sponsor with Lusk behind the wheel last month at Richmond International Raceway. The “Aaron’s 312” at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be the fourth entry this season for Tommy Baldwin Racing. They came home with an impressive seventh-place finish this past week at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with Driver and NBC/TNT commentator Wally Dallenbach(Tommy Baldwin Racing PR)(10-17-2002)
Harrah’s leaves Foyt’s IRL team but stays in BGN: A.J. Foyt learned last week that Harrah’s Casino is ending its deal as his primary IRL sponsor. Harrah’s will continue to sponsor the #14 BGN team of Larry Foyt, A.J.’s son. Had Harrah’s continued in the IRL, it probably would have had one driver who couldn’t walk in a casino: A.J. Foyt IV, who turns 19 next May. Even if he doesn’t get major sponsorship, the elder Foyt still plans to run two cars with Airton Dare and probably Foyt IV, his grandson.(Dallas Morning News)(10-17-2002)
Vickers Presents Commemorative Hood to Pentagon Renovation Program: Brian Vickers will honor American Heroes of the Pentagon Renovation Project when he makes a special presentation at the Association of the United States Army Convention in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2002. The 18-year-old Thomasville, NC native will present a hood autographed by all of his NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series driving peers to Mr. Michael Sullivan, the new Program Manager of the Pentagon Renovation Program (Phoenix Project). The presentation will be made in remembrance and recognition of the sacrifice of those who lost their lives and the resilience shown by those who rebuilt the military icon, following the events of September 11, 2001. The Phoenix Project was most recently managed by Mr. Lee Evey who attended the Busch Series event in Richmond on September 6th, 2002, as a guest of BLV Motorsports as honorary crew chief of the Phoenix Project tribute in conjunction with the event. “It is an honor to be invited by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) to make this presentation to Mr. Sullivan and his Phoenix Project team at the convention,” Vickers said. “The AUSA has been incredibly gracious in supportive of this event, and the US Army, TACOM, and National Automotive Center, co-partners of our race team, have been a huge part of our success this year. “It’s a tremendous honor to be the spokesperson for the hundreds of family members in the NASCAR garage that have come together to show their support for the courageous men and women of the Phoenix Project and our Armed Forces as a whole,” he added.(BLV Motorsports PR)(10-15-2002)
#19 to carry colors of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Memphis: Tim Sauter announced his #19 AP Performance Racing Chevrolet will carry the colors of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the “Sam’s Town 250 Benefiting St. Jude” race at Memphis Motorsports Park, Saturday, October 19. Sauter’s red, white, and blue Chevy will carry the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital logo on the hood and a St. Jude patient’s artwork will be displayed on the car’s rear decklid. St. Jude’s website address [www.stjude.org] will be displayed on the car providing race fans with an internet site where they can learn more about how to support St. Jude’s mission to find cures for children with catastrophic illnesses through research and treatment. Helping children in need is a familiar cause for Sauter. In the early stages of their 20-year marriage, Sauter and his wife, Chris, have donated time and resources to care for foster children in their native state of Wisconsin. In much the same spirit, St. Jude Children’s Research center has provided cutting edge treatment more than 19,000 children covering all costs of care beyond those reimbursable by third party payments and total costs when no insurance is available. For More information on Tim Sauter and the AP Performance Racing team visit www.timsauter.com. More info at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of Memphis site.(Motorsports Management Group PR)(10-15-2002)
Reutimann to run the #87 at Memphis: NEMCO Motorsports announced a one-race sponsorship deal with innovative camouflage company, NaturalGear(tm), to run NASCAR All Pro Series Driver David Reutimann in this weekend’s Sam’s Town 250 BGN race at Memphis. While this is NaturalGear’s first time on a racecar, they are not newcomers to the sport. They are currently endorsed by Winston Cup Series Driver Ward Burton – an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. Reutimann will be attempting to make his second official start in BGN competition this weekend. Earlier this season he teamed up with NEMCO Motorsports for the May event at Richmond where he finished 17th. Immediately following the Sam’s Town 250, Reutimann will compete in the All Pro Series season finale. With a five-point lead in the championship point standings going into the event, he’s hoping for a smooth transition from the BGN cars to the lighter All Pro cars as he races for his first-ever NASCAR Series championship. NaturalGear is based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The company’s name comes from its unique camouflage patterning – broad-based and open, utilizing neutral colors and shades for universal blending with virtually any type of terrain and cover. NaturalGear markets its own line of hunting clothing and accessories, and also licenses its patterns for use to other makers of quality products. For more information on the company and its products, visit www.naturalgear.com.(NEMCO PR)(10-15-2002)
Bainey, Jr to run at Memphis for special cause: DRT Enterprises has recently announced that it will field driver Tim Bainey, Jr. in the BGN Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis on October 19. In an effort to help raise money for cancer research, the album One Less Tear will be promoted on the #15 DRT Enterprises’ Ford for the race. One of the main beneficiaries of One Less Tear is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of Memphis, which is also the beneficiary of a percentage of ticket sales for the BGN race at the Memphis Motorsports Park. This will be Bainey’s second attempt in the BGN this season. Bainey attempted the Food City 250 in Bristol, TN, on August 21, but failed to make the field. The 3/4th mile, banked track is well suited to Bainey’s driving style. The Busch Series hopeful spent a year in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series, which boasts many tracks similar to Memphis.(Tim Bainey, Jr Site)(10-15-2002)
Fontaine gets help from Fuller: Chris Fontaine will attempt to make the Memphis BGN race in the #41 Advance/Discount Auto Parts Chevy with help from Jeff Fuller, who has driven in BGN and Cup and is currently looking for a 2003 ride. Fuller has been testing with Fontaine to get him prepared for the step up to the BGN. The car was purchased from Nemco Motorsports. Fuller has recently done testing for the Cup Teams of Joe Gibbs Racing this season(Jeff Fuller Site)(10-15-2002)
Parker injured but plans to race at Memphis: #36-Hank Parker Jr. suffered a sprained left shoulder during Saturday’s Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The injury occurred during a restart around lap 99 of the 200-lap event. As the field came to the green flag, it appeared that a competitor might have missed a shift, causing his car to drastically slow down. Those drivers directly behind the competitor were unable to check up in time, setting off a multi-car accident that Parker was unable to avoid. Parker hit another car in the side, causing the steering wheel on his #36 GNC Live Well Dodge Intrepid to jerk violently. Parker’s left hand slipped and got caught in one of the spokes of the wheel as it came around. The motion dislocated Parker’s left shoulder, leaving him unable to shut off the motor on his wounded race machine. After being examined and released from the infield care center, Parker was driven by private vehicle to nearby University Hospital. X-Rays taken at the hospital showed no damage to the shoulder, and Parker was diagnosed with a shoulder sprain. The driver was outfitted with an arm sling and released. He will be reevaluated by an orthopedic doctor on Monday afternoon. “I plan on racing at Memphis,” Parker said after his release from the hospital. “The doctor said I’ll be sore for awhile, just because I probably pulled the muscles around my shoulder in the accident. We’ll know more on Monday, but right now, I have every intention of being behind the wheel next weekend.”(Keystone Marketing PR)(10-14-2002)
Grubb out this week UPDATE back at Memphis: #54-Kevin Grubb will miss his second consecutive BGN race this weekend, but Grubb said he has been cleared by NASCAR to compete after a round of medical tests. Grubb underwent a CT scan on Monday and an MRI at MCV Hospitals yesterday. “Everything’s clear,” he said. “I had the doctor in touch with NASCAR, and they’ve cleared me.” With his status uncertain until yesterday, Team Bristol Motorsports told Grubb to use the weekend to rest at home. Winston Cup veteran Jerry Nadeau will drive Grubb’s #54 Toys-R-Us Chevy in Saturday’s Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. NASCAR modified its medical policy in the wake of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s revelation he had raced while suffering the effects of a concussion from an April 29 wreck. Drivers now are required to undergo testing if a track doctor suspects a concussion. Grubb said he didn’t realize the MRI was needed until a call from Denise Meeks, NASCAR’s medical liaison for the Busch series. Grubb spent much of last week recovering from flu, which left him feeling dizzy in his car during practice at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 27. After visiting the care center, Grubb, who crashed the previous week at Dover International Speedway, was told to skip the race and returned home. Grubb is looking forward to being healthy for the Oct. 19 Busch race at Memphis Motorsports Park.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-10-2002) UPDATE: team owner Rich Goodwin confirmed that Kevin Grubb will return for the BGN race at Memphis Motorsports Park next week. Grubb, who drives the #54 Chevrolet for Goodwin, sat out this weekend on Goodwin’s orders after missing the Kansas Speedway race with flu.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-13-2002)
National Guard Announcement: Officials of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) took the first step toward creating a marketing program/sponsorship in the BGN for 2003. Winston Cup owners Travis Carter, Bill Davis, Richard Childress and Ray Evernham were among the luminaries signing a Statement of Support. The purpose was to encourage civilian employers to support the National Guard members who work for them. Forty-seven percent of the country’s active fighting force is derived from the Guard and Reserves, according to Lt. Col. Michael Lovitt, director of marketing for ESGR. An announcement of team sponsorship is expected to follow within a few weeks.(Gaston Gazette)(10-13-2002)
Another Rudd and a new team UPDATE: Rick Glenn of Glenn Racing and Jim Edwards of JE Performance announced that they have officially combined operations to form JAGER Motorsports. This newly formed group will compete in both NASCAR’s BGN and Winston Cup Series. The team will be headquartered in Stuart, Florida with Race facilities located in Forest City, NC, just 1.5 hours from Charlotte, NC. Ricky Pearson, son of NASCAR legend David Pearson will assume Crew Chief duties and manage day-to-day operations of the race team. Jason Rudd, nephew of #28 Cup Driver Ricky Rudd will join JAGER Motorsports to run a limited schedule for the 2002 and 2003 seasons.(JAGER Motorsports PR)(10-7-2002) UPDATE: Veteran NASCAR Busch Series crew chief Ricky Pearson denied Friday that he was crew chief for the new JAGER Motorsports team. It was reported that the team would compete on a limited basis in both the BGN and Cup Series in 2002 and 2003 with driver Jason Rudd, nephew of Winston Cup regular Ricky Rudd. “I am looking at many opportunities,” said Pearson, who was in Charlotte this week. “I don’t know how this came out but I am not with this team. I have been in the garage talking to a lot of people and I hope to have something nailed down in the upcoming weeks. I want to be back in NASCAR in 2003, but nothing is concrete yet.”(Pro Sports Management and Marketing PR)(10-12-2002)
Jeff Burton wins at Lowe’s: #9-Jeff Burton put all but two of the 42 other cars at least a lap down in winning Saturday’s Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in dominating fashion, his fifth BGN victory in 12 starts this season. 2nd place went to #99-Michael Waltrip and 3rd to #87-Joe Nemechek, the only other drivers on the lead lap. #21-Jeff Green finished 4th and #5-David Green, in his first race driving for Hendrick Motorsports’ was fifth. #60-Greg Biffle, the series points leader, was sixth and extended his advantage to 168 points over second-place #57-Jason Keller. Keller, who changed engines Friday and started at the rear of the field, finished 18th. #36-Hank Parker Jr., one of nine drivers involved in a wreck on Lap 99, was taken to University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a sprained left shoulder. He was treated and released.(ThatsRacin.com)
For results see ThatsRacin.com or BGNRacing.com.(10-12-2002)
Waltrip on the pole at Lowe’s: #99-Michael Waltrip won the pole for the Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with a speed of 180.343mph. The rest of the top five are: #8-Jeff Burton at 180.337, #1-Jimmy Spencer at 180.282, #87-Joe Nemechek at 180.150 and #10-Scott Riggs at 180.000.
For lineup, see ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com.(10-11-2002)
Bennett to race at Memphis: Bennett Motorsports will field a car for the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park on October 19th. Lowell Bennett will, again, drive the #22 car for the team.. After an impressive 21st place finish in the Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park the team is hopeful for another successful run. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the remaining 2002 races as well as the 2003 season.(Bennett Motorsports PR)(10-10-2002)
#19 gets sponsor for Lowe’s: The West Virginia Division of Tourism has announced they will be the primary sponsor for Tim Sauter and AP Performance Racing in the Little Trees 300 BGN race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The one race partnership came as an early birthday present for Sauter, whose birthday is this Sunday, as well as a needed relief for his team AP Performance Racing. “We are really excited to have West Virginia Division of Tourism on board with AP Performance Racing for Charlotte,” said Tim Sauter, driver of the #19 West Virginia “Wild and Wonderful” Chevy. “I have been to West Virginia before, it is a beautiful state and I am proud to promote it. I look forward to giving them a great run and at the same time showing AP Performance Racing’s value to a sponsor.” In an effort to inform NASCAR fans on to the numerous vacation destinations in West Virginia, the West Virginia Division of Tourism has formed several partnerships for the Charlotte race weekend in addition to being the primary on Sauter’s car. West Virginia Division of Tourism will be the associate sponsor on Richard Mitchell’s #54 entry in Thursday’s EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 150 ARCA race, as well as the associate sponsor on Wally Dallenbach’s #6 Dodge also racing in the Little Trees 300 with Sauter. For more information on Tim Sauter and AP Performance Racing, please team visit www.timsauter.com. The team is searching for a sponsor in 2003 to keep running.(Motorsports Management Group PR)(10-10-2002)
Jim Kelly to announce affiliation with BGN team UPDATE 2: A News Conference will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 11, in the Infield Media Center at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC to officially welcome recently inducted NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly to NASCAR. Kelly will announce his new affiliation with a touted, BGN race organization and will detail his level of involvement. The owner of the race team will also be present. Kelly, a 4-time Super Bowl participant during his long and successful football career with the Buffalo Bills, will be available for one-on-one interviews and photo opportunities.(On Track Marketing PR)(10-8-2002) UPDATE: rumor has it that this could be the new Frank Cicci team (see next story), another New Yorker, driver Mike McLaughlin is available and could be the driver. UPDATE 2: been told Mike McLaughlin has not talked to this team but has some other things working and is still looking for a 2003 ride.(10-10-2002) UPDATE 3: veteran NASCAR Busch Series team owner Frank Cicci announced that NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly has signed a partnership agreement with the team. The team will return to the Busch Series full-time in 2003. Kelly will help the team search for and promote sponsorships. Kelly has long been a NASCAR fan and grew up watching racing as a youngster. Cicci has been a Busch Series team owner for the past 17 seasons and holds a series record of 702 starts. “These days you have to do things a little differently,” said Cicci. “We have brought Jim Kelly in as a partner to offer his services to a sponsor and help promote their product. The sponsors are out there. Our team is a marketing team.”
“This had been an ongoing process for Kelly Enterprises,” said Kelly. “Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve thought about racing. Everything that I’ve always done, I’ve given it 100 percent, and this will be the same. I wanted to find a way to get into racing. I believe this will be a win-win situation for everybody.” The team recently purchased a 10,000-square-foot shop in the Mooresville, N.C., area that was the former shop for Blaise Alexander. No driver has yet been named for the team.(LMS Site)(10-11-2002)
RCR announces #21 plans for 2003: Kevin Harvick will lead Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) charge for the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series Championship in the PayDay Chevrolet Monte Carlo, announced Wynn Willard, a senior vice president and the chief marketing officer at Hershey Foods Corp., maker of PayDay candy bars. Harvick will compete in 15 of the 34 events on the schedule. Current RCR BGN driver Johnny Sauter will compete in the remainder of the events. The events each driver competes in will be determined in the weeks ahead. “I’m glad to be staying with RCR next year and I look forward to working with Kevin Harvick in the #21 PayDay car,” Sauter said. “Obviously, Kevin knows what it takes to win a Busch Series championship and I’m sure I can learn a few things from him along the way. We won’t be running for a driver’s championship but there’s every reason to believe we can win the owner’s championship.”(RCR PR)(10-10-2002)
RCR BGN Changes, could include Hornaday or Raines UPDATE Hornaday in the #2: Richard Childress Racing is evaluating its BGN program and will likely make some driver changes for next season. Jeff Green, who drives RCR’s #30 Chevy in the Cup series, said Friday he if he does compete in the BGN for RCR next season, it would be on a more-limited basis. This season, Green is splitting time with Jay Sauter in the #21. “We’re working on stuff. My main focus is my (Cup team),” Green said. “I love Busch races. I want to do it for RCR if they want me to do it. They are trying to put some stuff together with sponsorship. If I do, it will 10 to 15 and not 24 like I did this year.” Kevin Harvick, who drives the #29 Chevy for RCR in Cup, will run a more-ambitious BGN schedule in 2003, likely splitting time with another driver much like Green did this season, sources said. Harvick may work with rookie Johnny Sauter, who is driving RCR’s #2 Chevy, or another driver. Childress is committed to running one team with a full-time driver next season and said a decision would come soon. BGN drivers #26-Ron Hornaday and #33-Tony Raines are being considered for that ride, sources said.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-20-2002) UPDATE Hornaday in the #2 AC Delco car: Richard Childress Racing announced that two-time NASCAR Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday will be at the helm of the #2 ACDelco Chevy in 2003. In addition, ACDelco announced a renewed four-year partnership with the RCR organization, and unveiled a new paint scheme for their famous blue and white racing machine next season. After a brief Winston Cup stint in 2001, the California-native returned to the BGN full-time in Loudon, N.H., in 2002 as the pilot of the #26 Carroll Racing Dr Pepper Chevy. ACDelco’s partnership with RCR began in 2000, when the six-time Winston Cup owner opened up his stable to the Busch Series. Both found success together with last year’s championship, and the renewed four-year relationship solidifies both companies’ dedication to the sport of NASCAR and each other. The new paint scheme for the 2003 season, designed by legendary NASCAR artist Sam Bass, is one that embodies the company’s exciting transformation in the automotive market place. The #2 ACDelco Chevy’s familiar blue and white tones acquire a radical red stripe down the sides, creating a dazzling look for the fans watching at home and at the track.(RCR PR)(10-10-2002)
Renshaw to debut at Memphis UPDATE: Deborah Renshaw has signed to drive in the BGN next season for Rick Goodwin to drive his #54 BGN car said she plans to make her BGN debut at Memphis on October 19th and will test there next week.(Speed Channel’s Trackside)(10-5-2002) UPDATE: with Renshaw’s ARCA wreck at Lowe’s and her injury and surgery she will race at Memphis.(10-10-2002)
Ricky Hendrick getting out of race car effective immediately: Ricky Hendrick, the son of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, will step out of the #5 GMAC Chevy he’s driven in the BGN series effective immediately and retire from full-time competition. Hendrick, 22, cited lingering effects form a shoulder injury suffered March 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the reason for stepping out of the car. Extensive surgery and recovery forced the driver to miss six races. “This was an incredibly hard decision to make,” the younger Hendrick said. “I have an obligation to give my sponsors and my team the best possible chance at success on the race track and I’ve come to the conclusion that I am not able to deliver that.” The driver said his decision was not a result of Wednesday’s fatal accident at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hendrick said an inability to drive hard into corners was the most-prominent of the lingering effects of his accident, which occurred as he drove into a corner in the Las Vegas race. David Green, 44, the 1994 BGN champion, will drive the #5 Chevy for the remainder of the 2002 season, including Saturday’s Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of Ricky,” said Rick Hendrick. “He wants to give his team the tools to be successful, and when he realized he wasn’t physically able to do that, he showed a lot of character by making a tough choice.” Ricky Hendrick will take a position at Hendrick Motorsports and will keep working with the #5 team for the rest of the season. Team officials said the team will remain intact through the 2004 season with a new driver to be determined later.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-10-2002)
Hamilton Jr’s wife to race UPDATE injured and no more racing: Stephanie Hamilton, wife of BGN driver, Bobby Hamilton, Jr. who drives the #25 Team Marines Ford Taurus, will make her racing debut on Saturday, October 5, 2002 at Riverview Speedway in Carthage, TN in the Junior Late Model Division event. Just like her husband, Hamilton will sport the #25 as well as carry the colors of the United States Marine Corps. Hamilton’s racing debut has quickly become a family affair. “The whole family has gotten pretty excited over it.. Bobby will be the crew chief and “Big Bobby” (Bobby Hamilton, Sr., driver of the No. 55 Square D Chevrolet in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series), if he can make it, will be kind of like the assistant crew chief.. However, I have a feeling he’ll end up as “the” crew chief because I may have to fire my husband,” she laughs.. “I don’t know if I can take him calling.the shots.”(Team Rensi Motorsports PR)(10-3-2002) UPDATE: Stephanie Hamilton, wife of Bobby Hamilton, Jr., was to make her racing debut last Saturday in the Jr. Latemodel Division event at Riverview Speedway in Carthage, TN. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Stephanie tested the car for the first time last Thursday. She ran ten laps before hitting the wall head on. As a result she broke her knee cap and is on crutches. Bobby Jr immediately told her that her short-lived racing career was now over. When Stephanie crashed she was not poking along and had the pedal to the metal.(Team Rensi Motorsports PR)(10-9-2002)
Carlos Contreras to jump to the BGN? UPDATE 2: hearing Petty CTS driver, #43-Carlos Contreras could be making the move up to the BGN, with Petty Enterprises and sponsor Hot Wheels.(7-20-2002) UPDATE: With Carlos Contreras reportedly considering a move to the Busch Series with another organization, Petty Enterprises is considering leaving the truck series at the end of this season. “We don’t know yet,” Richard Petty said July 19. “We’re not really aiming (at returning to the series), but we don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ve still got a month or two to make up our mind as to what we’re going to do.” There’s speculation that Petty Enterprises could field a full-time Busch Series team with a driver to be determined, but nothing is definite. “Right now, we’ve got three or four scenarios,” Petty said. “We’ll see which one comes out.” (Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to read)(7-25-2002) UPDATE 2: The Hispanic Racing Team (HRT Motorsports) has signed truck series veteran Carlos Contreras to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Contreras will drive a full schedule of races, starting in 2003, in the #41 with a yet-to-be announced sponsor. Contreras comes to HRT after competing in the CTS with Petty Enterprises. HRT Motorsports, the first and only Hispanic-owned, -sponsored, and -driven team in NASCAR, will expand to a two-car team with the addition of Contreras.. The team is currently running a limited BGN schedule this year for the #09 CICLON Energy Drink entry. Former BGN champion David Green and open wheel veteran Roberto Guerrero have been sharing driving duties thus far this season. Green took the #09 CICLON entry to 14th and 19th place finishes at Charlotte and Chicago, respectively. Guerrero is slated to take over driving duties of the CICLON Racing entry at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 26. Contreras and the #41 team are scheduled to run next season’s full 34-race schedule. HRT also plans to field a car for Contreras at the NASCAR Winston Cup Series events at Watkins Glen and Sears Point, both road courses. Contreras started his racing career in Mexico. After his 1999 debut in the CTS, he ran a full season in 2000 and finished second in the Rookie of the Year standings. In 2001 Contreras headed to Petty Enterprises, where he drove the #43 Dodge to a 14th-place finish overall. He is currently 16th in the 2002 driver’s standings.(The Motorsports Decisions Group PR)(10-8-2002)
Special October Scheme for the #36: GNC Live Well, “The Official Vitamin Store of NASCAR” and primary sponsor of Parker’s #36 Dodge Intrepid, is celebrating the redesign and grand reopening of its 4,200 stores in the United States. To help raise awareness of the GNC stores’ new look, Parker’s car will sport a special paint design at BGN races throughout the month of October (Lowe’s, Memphis, Atlanta). Beginning at this weekend’s Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Parker’s GNC Live Well Dodge will be painted blue with green trim. A sunflower motif is featured on the hood, bumper, and sides of the car, while the tag line on the hood states, “New look. New attitude. New GNC.” On Wednesday, Oct. 9, race fans will have a chance not only to see a revamped GNC location, but also to meet Parker and fellow BGN driver Kenny Wallace. On that date, both drivers will be appearing at the GNC Live Well store located in the Northcross Shopping Center on Sam Furr Road in Huntersville, N.C. from 12noon-2:00pm/et. To find out more about GNC Live Well and the many health and fitness-related products they offer, or to find one of GNC’s 4,200-plus U.S. retail locations near you, log on to www.gnc.com. For more information on the GNC Live Well Racing program, visit www.gncracing.com.(Keystone Marketing PR)(10-8-2002)
Carl Long to run BGN: Carl Long and Creech Motorsports will team up a run a limited BGN schedule for the remainder of the 2002 Season. Starting with the ‘Little Trees’ 300 at Lowes Motor Speedway, Carl Long will drive the #22 Creech Motorsports Dodge sponsored by Wesco Electrical. The team also plans to run Rockingham, and possibly some other races later this season.(Carl Long Site)(10-7-2002)
No Petty Truck in 2003? Contreras with Hispanic team? It’s highly unlikely that the Petty Enterprise’s #43 Dodge will return. Kyle Petty told ESPN [Ray Dunlap] the Truck program does not help his organization improve the Winston Cup cars. Current driver Carlos Contreras hopes to compete in the BGN with the Hispanic Racing Team.(ESPN)(10-4-2002)
Fedawa to sub for Grubb UPDATE 2: #54-Kevin Grubb is feeling the effect of his crash at Dover and will be replaced by Tim Fedewa in today’s race at Kansas. Grubb was in the car for practice and qualifying, but stepped out before Happy Hour on doctor’s advice as he was getting dizzier as the day went on. Fedawa will have to fall to the rear of the field before the green flag.(BGNRacing.com)(9-28-2002) UPDATE: Kevin Grubb sat out the race Saturday because of dizziness brought on by the flu and aching wisdom teeth. Grubb told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he was not suffering effects from a wreck a week earlier at Dover.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(10-2-2002) UPDATE 2: Jerry Nadeau may drive the #54 Toys-R-Us Chevy for Team Bristol at the upcoming Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Oct. 12th. Kevin Grubb, who took over the ride at the Las Vegas race, suffered a hard hit at the Dover event last month and was still experiencing dizzy spells while practicing at Kansas Speedway last week. Tim Fedewa took over for Grubb after the green flag. Grubb has two top-five and six top-10 finishes this year and is 24th in points. Nadeau, who also drives the #44 Dodge for Petty Enterprises in the Winston Cup Series, was tapped to drive because it was announced earlier this week that Fedewa will take over the #92 Chevrolet of Herzog Jackson Motorsports after driver Todd Bodine and the team parted ways.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(10-4-2002)
Hermie leads testing at Lowe’s: Hermie Sadler, now behind the wheel of the Curb-Agajanian Motorsports #43 Chevy, led the speed parade Wednesday as 23 BGN teams made final preparations for the Oct. 12 “Little Trees” 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Sadler circled the 1.5-mile oval at 175.615 mph, to record the fastest speed caught by the unofficial stopwatches. After running laps in the middle of the pack Tuesday, Mark Green picked up the pace considerably in the #38 Ford. He claimed the second spot on the unofficial rundown with a lap at 175.518mph. Justin Labonte, son of two-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte, was third quickest at 175.410 mph in the bright red #04 Dodge. The unofficial top-10 speeds:
#43-Hermie Sadler, 175.615
#38-Mark Green, 175.518
#04-Justin Labonte, 175.410
#87-Joe Nemechek, 174.904
#11-Josh Richeson, 174.593
#40-Brian Vickers, 173.773
#57-Jason Keller, 173.728
#86-Jeff Fultz, 173.321
#28-Brad Baker, 173.143
#26-Ron Hornaday Jr., 172.458.(LMS PR)(10-3-2002)
Fedawa in the #92 at Lowe’s: Tim Fedewa will drive the #92 Excedrin QuickTabs Chevy for Herzog Jackson Motorsports in the upcoming BGN race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.(NASCAR.com)(10-3-2002)
Marlin out of the #95: Steadman Marlin has stepped out of the #95 Sadler Racing Ford for the remainder of the season to prepare for his new ride —Todd Braun motorsports. Jason White will be in the #95 car at Charlotte for the Sadler team.(10-3-2002)
Park to run a BGN car in 2003? UPDATE: hearing Steve Park will run a Teresa/Dale Earnhardt Jr owned #8 Maxwell House Chevy at Las Vegas for the 2003 BGN race there and will run another BGN race in a yet un-named sponsored #8.(9-27-2002) UPDATE: Steve Park will return to the BGN on a limited basis next season in a car owned by Winston Cup teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt Jr. said Tuesday that Park will drive about five races next season in the Busch car, co-owned by Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother Teresa. Earnhardt Jr. will drive in the three events on restrictor-plate tracks, while another driver will compete in about seven races. Earnhardt Jr. said he’d like to see the team go full-time for 2004. After that? “I don’t see that team becoming a Winston Cup team in the near future, but it’s a good possibility down the road,” said Earnhardt Jr., who has won twice in the car already. “It just depends. At this point, it’s just a start-up to bring drivers and crew chiefs and crew members in and work with them and move them up the company into the Winston Cup programs.”(Charleston Post and Courier)(10-2-2002)
Lowe’s Testing Tuesday: #87-Joe Nemechek set the pace Tuesday as 20 BGN drivers and teams opened a two-day testing session for the Oct. 12 “Little Trees” 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Nemechek ran a lap of 174.249mph, with #37-Kevin Lepage was unofficially second fastest at 173.555mph while #12-Kerry Earnhardt was third at 172.966mph. Jerry Nadeau, subbing for the injured Kevin Grubb in the #54 Chevy, was fourth fastest at 172.661 while #33-Tony Raines completed the top-five at 172.628. The only incident of the day came early in the session when #81-Dwayne Leik backed Dave Marcis’ Chevy into the outside wall. Leik was able to drive the car back to the garage area, but heavy rear-end damage ended the team’s day. Testing continues Wednesday and fans will be able to view the action free of charge from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Spectators should enter the grandstand through gate 5A next to the main ticket office entrance in Smith Tower. Other speeds: #57-Jason Keller, 172.358; #11-Josh Richeson, 172.331; #43-Hermie Sadler, 172.221; #?-Cam Strader, 171.783; #26-Ron Hornaday Jr., 171.728.(LMS PR)(10-1-2002)
Atlanta Testing Tuesday: #2-Jay Sauter was the fastest of the BGN cars testing for the Oct. 25-27 NAPA 500 weekend.. Speeds:
#2-Johnny Sauter, 180.645
#21-Jeff Green, 180.413
#1-Jimmy Spencer, 180.117
#99-Michael Waltrip, 178.608
#66-Casey Mears, 177.749 (AMS PR)(10-1-2002)
Hermie Sadler teams up with Curb-Agajanian Motorsports: Hermie Sadler will drive the #43 Curb-Agajanian Motorsports Chevy in the BGN races at Charlotte, Atlanta, Rockingham, and Homestead. The Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway will be the first race of the 2002 season for Curb-Agajanian Motorsports and they are excited to get back into action. According to co-owner Cary Agajanian, “We are continuing our sponsor search and feel the next step to make a full time return in 2003 is to run some races now.. We are pleased to have Hermie Sadler driving our car and look forward to a successful return.” Hermie Sadler, the 1993 BGN Rookie of the Year, has made three BGN starts in 2002 and feels this is a great opportunity to return to the BGN on a regular basis. “Mike Curb and Cary Agajanian are good people that have given a great deal to NASCAR and in particular the Busch Series,” stated Sadler.. “They have enjoyed a great deal of success over the years and.I am proud to be driving for them.. Hopefully some good performances will help us land a sponsor for these races and 2003.” The #43 will carry the colors of NWA-Total Non-Stop Action at Charlotte. NWA-Total Non-Stop Action is a weekly Pay-Per-View wrestling series that airs on Wednesday nights at 8:00pm/et. Hermie Sadler has made several appearances on the show and will appear on October 9 and October 16. The NWA is a supporter of the Faison School for Autism, the school attended by Sadler’s youngest daughter, Halie Dru. For more information on the NWA, visit www.nwatna.com.. For more information on sponsorship opportunities at Curb-Agajanian Motorsports, please call 704-933-4009.(Sadler Enterprises PR)(10-1-2002)
Bodine out? UPDATE: hearing Todd Bodine has left the #92 Herzog Motorsports team effective immediately, no word on another driver. UPDATE: Herzog Jackson Motorsports announced today that driver Todd Bodine has left the #92 Excedrin QuickTabs BGN team to concentrate on his Winston Cup Series efforts [#26 DiscoverCard Ford]. Herzog Jackson Motorsports, a third-year BGN team, has posted nine top-10 and six top-5 finishes during the 2002 season. The team won the event at Kentucky Speedway in June before earning the pole position at Chicagoland Speedway in July. Herzog Jackson Motorsports plans to compete in the remainder of the events on the 2002 BGN schedule and is currently in the process of hiring a replacement driver for the final six races of the season.(Excedrin Racing Team PR)[The team is also looking for a sponsor for 2003](10-1-2002)
Earnhardt sponsor for Lowe’s: FitzBradshaw Racing has secured Car-Fresher Corporation, makers of the “Little Tree” air fresheners, as a primary sponsor for the “Little Trees” 300 on October 12, 2002 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The #12 “Little Trees” Chevy will be driven by Kerry Earnhardt. This is Earnhardt’s first full season in the BGN. He is also slated to field the #83 RacingUSA.com Chevy in the Talladega Winston Cup Series race, and the #83 Aaron’s Dream Machine in the Charlotte and Atlanta Winston Cup Series races. “Little Trees” has been an associate sponsor on the FitzBradshaw #12 Chevy for the entire 2002 BGN season.(www.FitzBradshawRacing.com)(10-1-2002)
Testing at Lowe’s: More than 20 BGN drivers and teams will participate in a testing session Tuesday and Wednesday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in preparation for the Oct. 12 “Little Trees” 300. #12-Kerry Earnhardt, #33-Tony Raines, #38-Mark Green, #59-Stacy Compton, #87-Joe Nemechek, #37-Kevin Lepage and #26-Ron Hornaday are among the drivers expected to be on hand. There will also be a FitzBradshaw Racing announcement on Oct 1st at the track(LMS PR)(10-1-2002)
Driver killed in ARCA practice at Lowe’s UPDATEs: ARCA competitor Eric Martin (no relation to Mark Martin) was killed in a violent crash at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Wednesday in a practice session leading up to Thursday night’s EasyCare 150. Martin, driving the #2 Hixson Construction Chevy, spun coming off Turn 4 and backed the car into the wall. While stopped, driver Deborah Renshaw’s #75 Ford slammed into the driver’s-side door area. Emergency workers covered Martin’s car with a tarp minutes after the accident. Renshaw, 25, of Bowling Green, Ky., was being taken to a hospital nearby after being treated at the infield care center. Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Martin, a rookie in the ARCA series, was from Hixson, TN, in the Chattanooga area. His best finish in the series was 21st at Kansas Speedway and he was 20th in the season standings. He is survived by his wife, Tammy, and two children. Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler spoke to Martin’s widow, Tammy, about 4 p.m. after Martin, a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, was located on her ship, the Gettysburg, in port in Jacksonville, Fla. A Navy chaplain told Martin of the accident. The Martins also have two children. ARCA competitor Blaise Alexander was killed in a race wreck at the track a year ago this week.(ThatsRacin.com). NOTE: been told Both drivers were wearing HANS devices. UPDATE on Renshaw: Deborah Renshaw was taken to Carolinas Medical Center where she is listed in Fair condition. She may be kept overnight for observation. Reportedly she was awake and talking with doctors after first being taken to the Lowes Motor Speedway infield care center.(10-9-2002) AND no firsthand account was available, but supposedly there was oil on the track that probably caused Martin’s car to hit the wall and, after the car had come to rest, it was the same oil through which Renshawcar skidded into Martin.(Gaston Gazette) HANS in ARCA and Renshaw surgery: After Blaise Alexander was killed in a crash during an ARCA race on Oct. 4, 2001, the series mandated that its drivers begin wearing a head-and-neck restraint device. Martin was wearing the HANS device at the time of Wednesday’s crash, as was driver Deborah Renshaw, whose car hit Martin’s after Martin’s car had come to rest on the track. Renshaw was admitted to University Hospital after being examined for an ankle injury, and a hospital spokesperson said Renshaw would be scheduled for orthopedic surgery Thursday.(ThatsRacin.com) AND Renshaw’s father, Dan Renshaw, told The Tennessean last night that his daughter had not yet been informed of Martin’s death. ”Deborah’s already in pretty bad shape and the minister on hand thought it would be best not to break the news to her until after she gets through the surgery,” he said. Dan Renshaw said his daughter suffered ”seven or eight” broken bones in her right foot and ankle, sustained a cut over her nose, and was still dazed from the concussion. She will undergo surgery on her foot at 7:30 this morning at University Medical Center in Charlotte. Afterward, she will be informed of Martin’s death. Martin’s team owner and step-father, Wayne Hixson, said Martin either hit some oil on the track or blew a tire as his car exited the fourth turn of the 1.5-mile track. ”I did not see the accident happen,” Hixson said. ”He hit the wall and came over the radio and said, ‘I’m all right.’ He was sitting there and about four or five seconds later, [Renshaw] just broadsided him. … It’s just a wreck. It’s just something that happened.” Dan Renshaw was at trackside and witnessed the crash. ”There was oil everywhere on the track,” he said. ”There wasn’t much left of either car, and I knew it was bad. I ran straight to Deborah’s car, and she was dazed and bloody from the cut over her nose. The emergency workers got her out and transported her straight to the hospital.” Renshaw’s family issued a statement through hospital spokesman Scott White: ”The Renshaw family would like to express their condolences to the Martin family. They hold Eric and his family in their hearts and prayers at this time of tragedy.”(Tennessean)(10-10-2002)
Fund: The Eric Martin Fund has been established in an effort to raise money for his 2 children. Please send contributions to……. Eric Martin Fund, PO Box 1327, Soddy Daisy Tennessee 37384.(ARCA Racing Site)(10-10-2002)
Renshaw Update: Deborah Renshaw, injured in a crash Wednesday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway during ARCA RE/MAX Series practice, underwent orthopedic surgery on her left foot/ankle area Thursday morning at Carolinas Medical Center – University. According to hospital spokesperson Scott White, she is in fair condition and will be held overnight for further evaluation. Renshaw may be released Friday.(ARCA Racing Site)(10-10-2002)
Funeral services will be held at the Bradley Funeral Home, 938 N. Main St., Marion, Virginia 24354 on Saturday, October 12 at 2 PM local time. Visitation will be on Friday from 7 PM – 9 PM local time.(ARCA Racing Site)(10-10-2002)
Investigation Starts: Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Automobile Racing Club of America officials began a review of Wednesday’s fatal crash during practice at the track, but made no immediate rules changes Thursday following the death of ARCA rookie Eric Martin. “We still don’t know the full story of what happened and we are investigating that,” Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler said. “We’re going to be looking into some things as soon as we know a little more about what happened.” Martin, 33, of Hixson, Tenn., spun in his Chevrolet as he came out of Turn 4 during a practice session. Seconds later, his stationary car was hit in the driver’s-side door by a car driven by Deborah Renshaw. Martin suffered massive internal injuries, Wheeler said. Renshaw, 25, of Bowling Green, Ky., had multiple foot and ankle fractures and had surgery Thursday. She was listed in fair condition late Thursday, will have an evaluation today and could be released afterward, said a University Hospital spokesperson. While the injuries suffered in the high-speed impact were cited as the cause of death, there was no way to immediately determine if the accident could have been avoided. Renshaw has not yet been able to talk to track or sanctioning body officials. Questions were raised about the role of drivers’ spotters, who watch the track and their assigned cars and have two-way radio communication with their drivers. ARCA requires all cars on the track to have a spotter, either atop a team’s transporter or in a stand on the roof above the press box and main grandstand. NASCAR has no such rule, though almost all Winston Cup teams use one or two spotters per car, for both safety and competitive reasons. Bob Schacht was Renshaw’s spotter Wednesday. He has not been available for comment. ARCA president Ron Drager said Wednesday that Schacht was on top of a truck in the garage area. Bob Jeffrey, spotter for Winston Cup driver Dale Jarrett, and Mike Calinoff, spotter for Matt Kenseth, said they also work from the roof. “I watch the whole race track and the other cars, too,” Jeffrey said. “I let (Jarrett) know where the other cars are so he won’t crowd anybody or get crowded himself. “I spotted in the late ’80s from on top of the truck in practice. Then we started going to the roof. You can see so much more from there.” Calinoff said he goes to the roof “whether (Kenseth) is on the track for one lap or 20 laps. “I’m a second set of eyes for Matt. I tell him when it’s clear to pass. And on wrecks, instead of telling him where to go on the track, I’ll tell him where the (wrecked) cars are and let him decide where to go.”(ThatsRacin.com)(10-11-2002)
Renshaw Statement: “I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Eric Martin’s family.. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well as with his race team at this tragic time.. Eric was a great competitor and my family and I will always keep the Martin family close to our hearts and in our prayers. I am heading down a long road to recovery.. I truly appreciate all of the well wishes that have been sent from fellow drivers, officials, friends and family.. I expect a full come back and I am looking forward to the opportunity to get back in a race car.”(LM Motorsports Marketing/Camp & Associates PR)(10-12-2002)
More on Renshaw and the accident: Deborah Renshaw, still recovering from Wednesday’s crash that killed fellow race driver Eric Martin, yesterday told The Tennessean she remembers only a few things about the final seconds before the crash. In her hospital room at University Medical Center, Renshaw said she remembered her team owner Bob Schacht, who was serving as her spotter during the ARCA Series practice session at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, radioing, ”Caution on the track!” Simultaneously, she said, her car — traveling about 160 mph as it exited turn four — struck oil and other fluids that had apparently been deposited on the track from Martin’s crash into the wall seconds earlier. Renshaw said she immediately hit the brakes but was unable to stop her car before it collided with Martin’s stalled vehicle. She said she recalls nothing after that. Rick Goodwin, who signed Renshaw to drive in the Busch Series next season, said the car will be waiting for Renshaw if and when she wants it. ”This doesn’t change anything,” Goodwin said yesterday. ”We’re behind Deborah 100%.”(more at the Tennessean)(10-12-2002)
