Hermie Looking for sponsor to race HMS: Want to sponsor a Busch car for NASCAR’s Ford Championship weekend in two weeks at Homestead-Miami Speedway? Hermie Sadler, the brother of Winston Cup driver Elliott Sadler, is hoping a business or individual in South Florida might come to his late rescue with $35,000. ”Most people think, and most of the time it does, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to sponsor a car for a race like this,” he said. “But I can offer a great opportunity because I have manufacturers, etc., who are helping to pay the bills because I am doing some R&D work.” Sadler’s daughter, Halie, is autistic, and he would like to put together an ”Autism Awareness” car for the race that will be broadcast on NBC. For information, call 804-586-8215 (Miami Herald)(10-31-2003)
Cope to field ARCA or Busch car for niece’s? Derrike Cope’s nieces, twins Amber and Angela Cope, 20, of Puyallup, may benefit from Cope’s good turn of fortune, getting a Winston Cup sponsor. Cope is hoping to send them to North Carolina for some testing in a Busch Grand National or Cup car. They currently race late models around the Northwest — both recording pole positions this year — and Cope is eager to help them to the next level. He’d like to enter them in a couple ARCA or Busch series short-track races in late 2004.(Seattle Post-Intelligencer)(10-30-2003)
Stinger back on the #23: Scott Wimmer’s #23 NASCAR Busch Series car will sport a special paint scheme featuring Stacker 2’s newest product, YJ Stinger. This is the same car the team ran at the Dover fall race and the car is painted three different colors to promote the three different flavors of YJ Stinger. YJ Stinger is Stacker 2’s extreme energy drink, totally ephedra-free and available in three lightly carbonated flavors: Sinful Citrus, Pounding Punch and Enraged Raspberry. Enraged Raspberry is also available in a Sugar Free formula. YJ Stinger is Stacker 2’s extreme energy drink, totally ephedra-free and available in three lightly carbonated flavors: Sinful Citrus, Pounding Punch and Enraged Raspberry. Enraged Raspberry is also available in a Sugar Free formula. This product is not intended to be a meal replacement nor a dietary supplement. NVE Pharmaceuticals of Newton, N.J., exclusively manufactures, distributes and markets the entire Stacker 2 line of products (“The Worlds Strongest Fat Burner”) and YJ Stinger.(BDR RP)(10-30-2003)
Harvick Wins Pole at Phoenix: #21-Kevin Harvick won the pole for Saturday’s Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway (3:00pm/et TNT) with a track record speed of 132.930mph, Harvick’s fifth pole of the season and 11th of his Busch career. The rest of the top five is #7-Greg Biffle, #1-David Stremme, #35-Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Busch series points leader #37-David Green. The other Busch Championship contenders will start as follows: #10-Scott Riggs 12th; #57-Jason Keller 22nd; #2-Ron Hornaday 15th; #5-Brian Vickers 6th.(Thatsracin.com)
For starting lineups/qualifying results, see Thatsracin.com, BGNRacing.com or NASCAR.com.(10-30-2003)
Earnhardt in the #48 UPDATE: Kerry Earnhardt will be in the #48 car of Innovative Motorsports for a one race deal at Phoenix.(BGNRacing.com)(10-17-2003) UPDATE: Kerry Earnhardt will be driving the Innovative Motorsports #48 Chevy at Phoenix International Raceway in the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 on November 1, 2003. The car will be honoring 76 Racing Gasoline’s involvement and commitment to NASCAR for more than 50 years. 76 Racing began its association in NASCAR as the Pure Oil brand in 1948 and it’s no coincidence that Kerry will be driving the #48 Chevy. The 76 brand has been the official racing fuel provider of NASCAR since 1948 and has gained a tremendous amount of brand recognition with NASCAR fans through its involvement in the sport. Kerry’s father, the late Dale Earnhardt, a 7-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion was believed to have won more 76 Bonus awards over his career than any other driver.
Don Hawk, the President of Hawk Sports Management, comments that “putting a deal like this together is what I enjoy – Kerry deserves to drive, 76 deserves to be thanked and people like George deBidart, Racing Reflections and Snap-On tools all made this possible.”
Eanrhardt will be enthusiastically returning to the NASCAR Busch Series. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel again with an established team like Innovative Motorsports. I am thankful to have this opportunity to honor 76, drive the 48 and work with this team.”
The car will carry the familiar 76 Ball logo on the Hood and Quarter Panels with the words “Thanks for more than 50 years.” Associate Sponsors will be Racing Reflections, Snap-On and Coca-Cola. Racing Reflections (www.racingreflections.com) has stepped up to help sponsor Kerry, Kelley and Dale Jr. over the past 10 years on numerous occasions. For More information on Hawk Sports Management, visit www.hawk-sports.com.(10-28-2003)
#57 Team Helping Out: Racing for a Cure… As Jason Keller and his Albertsons Ford fight for position at Phoenix International Raceway, he’ll have more than the NASCAR Busch Series Championship on his mind. A trip to victory lane on November 1 will reap a much higher reward that helps fight against Breast Cancer. With a win at Phoenix, Yoplait Yogurt will donate $100,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on behalf of Keller’s sponsor Albertsons. Yoplait will donate $75,000 if Keller finishes second, $50,000 for third, $35,000 for fourth and $25,000 for fifth. The Albertsons team has three consecutive top-10 finishes at Phoenix International Raceway including a fourth-place effort last year. The team will be taking the car they ran earlier this season at Rockingham, Dover and Bristol.(Elevation Group PR)(10-28-2003)
#46 Gets some help: Robert “Bootie” Barker worked with he #46 Civil Air Patrol team last weekend in Atlanta as consultant. Bootie and Ashton became friends during their days at Old Dominion University, where they were both obtaining an engineering degree. Bootie has offered to help the Lewis Motorsports team again this weekend in Phoenix.(Civil Air Patrol Racing PR)(10-28-2003)
Reese’s to Sponsor #21 car in 2004: Hershey Foods announced that Kevin Harvick and Reese’s peanut butter cups will be teaming up in 2004 on the #21 Reese’s Chevy in 2004 in the Busch Series. “Kevin Harvick and Reese’s will continue the winning tradition of Richard Childress Racing in 2004,” said Alex Corcoran, Marketing Manager, Reese’s brand. “What could be better – one of the best drivers in NASCAR and one of the best tasting candies of all time, Reese’s peanut butter cups. We look forward to an exciting year with Kevin driving the #21 Reese’s Chevrolet during the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season.”(Hershey Foods PR)(10-28-2003)
Hmiel back in 2004? Shane Hmiel appears to be on the road back into NASCAR racing, and people close to him believe he will be back in a NASCAR machine – truck or Busch car – or an ARCA car at Daytona next February. Hmiel was parked by NASCAR officials last month for violating the sport’s substance-abuse policy.(Winston Salem Journal)(10-28-2003)
Roush Back in Busch: According to garage sources Roush Racing will announce, at Phoenix, new NASCAR Busch Series team effort for 2004. Roush Racing’s three senior members will drive the car on Saturdays next year with Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth all taking turns behind the wheel. Sponsorship will come from oil company Pennzoil/Quaker State for the program. Additionally, Roush Racing will soon announce a fulltime NBS effort for “The Biffinator,” aka Greg Biffle. He is expecting to make the show in all but two of the races when the #60 returns to the track fulltime in 2004. A suitable replacement will handle the car in the two races Biffle can’t drive. No word on who will sponsor the Biffle package.(Ford Racing)(10-26-2003)
Akins to Dodge? Busch Series car owner [#38] Brad Akins is considering a switch to Dodge for his team in 2004, which seems odd in light of the fact that his driver is Kasey Kahne. Kahne, you may remember, has a contract with Ford Motor Company that prevents him from driving other makes, or so Ford Racing’s Greg Specht declared in widely circulated comments a few weeks back. Specht, by the way, made himself unavailable for comment on Saturday, although he was present at the track.(Gaston Gazette)(10-26-2003)
Lester to Busch? Craftsman Truck Series driver Bill Lester, the only black driver in any of NASCAR’s top three divisions, hinted that he may be in line for a Busch Series car. He is losing his ride in the truck series because his sponsor, Dodge, is dropping the diversity program that has funded his No. 8 truck for the past two seasons. “I’m here beating the pavement,” Lester said Friday at AMS. “I’m optimistic that I may be able to find a quality ride, and it may not necessarily be in the truck. It might be in Busch. “I’m just looking at the best opportunity to be competitive and successful, and I’ve had some good discussions.” Lester’s ultimate goal is to race in the Winston Cup Series, and he knows that at age 42 his time is running short. “I hope to be there in 2005, but it is very much a function of how successful I am on the track next year,” he said.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(10-25-2003)
Evernham to field a Busch car? It was mentioned during qualifying when #9 and #19 team owner, Ray Evernham was congratulating Bill Elliott on his top five qualifying run, that Evernham was asking Elliott to sponsor his Busch car at Rockingham [the sponsorship thing was a joke] but seemed the running a Busch car was the real thing.(10-25-2003)
GEICO, Wallace and Biagi Bros to return for 2004 season: Biagi Bros. Racing owner Fred Biagi was overheard discussing the upcoming 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season with driver Mike Wallace. Biagi was heard telling Wallace, “I’ve got good news. We’ve only destroyed one car, two motors and lost the brakes this season,” “I thought you said you had good news,” said Wallace. “I do, GEICO and the Gecko just agreed to let us race again next season!” Friday morning, Biagi Bros. Racing owner Fred Biagi announced that GEICO has agreed to extend their sponsorship of the No. 4 GEICO Chevrolet with driver Mike Wallace in the NASCAR Busch Series for at least half of the series 34 events. The 2004 season marks GEICO’s third year of involvement with the Concord, North Carolina based team. GEICO began supporting Mike Wallace and the Biagi Bros. Racing team in the summer of 2002 when the company sponsored the team in 10 events. The partnership proved successful leading GEICO to sponsor the team for 29 races in 2003. GEICO’s used their relationship with Biagi Bros. Racing to launch racing related marketing initiatives such as www.geicoracing.com. The site was created to give fans an insider’s viewpoint of current racing developments and results of the Gecko led GEICO Racing team. The website features current and archived press releases, team information, statistics, downloadable images for your desktop, and links to the GEICO Racing store – your one-stop spot for all the latest GEICO Racing gear!(Biagi Bros. Racing PR)(10-25-2003)
Be A Part Of Jay Robinson Racing With FANS Motorsports: FANS Motorsports and Speedway Media made the formal announcement today that race fans from around the world can log on to FANSMotorsports.com and have a shot to be a part of Jay Robinson Racing’s NASCAR Busch Series effort driven by female competitor Tammy Jo Kirk. “This contest is easy and fair,” states FANS Motorsports owner Mark Westrick. “All the fans have to do is log on to our website and click the contest section and fill out the information needed and we’ll draw a name before the Busch race at Homestead.” The winner will seen their name plastered on the decklid of the #49 Ford Taurus. The lucky fan will also seen their name on the team’s press release prior to the season finale and shortly after the event be sent a digital photo of their name on the car. “At FANS Motorsports, we’re trying to give the fans what they want, and by having this contest, we believe that we are taking a step in the right direction,” continued Mark. FANS Motorsports based in Pennsylvania have yet to announce their 2004 racing plans but are closing in on an announcement date. “We’re still talking to some teams, but things are progressing well, I think we’ll make a decision in the next two weeks,” continued Westrick. Fans have to hurry and log on to the site as the contest ends next Friday, October 31st, 2003. For more information on FANS Motorsports please visit http://www.fansmotorsports.com and for more input on Speedway Media please log on to http://www.speedwaymedia.com (FANS Motorsports PR)(10-24-2003)
Biffle wins at Atlanta: #7-Greg Biffle won the Aaron’s 312 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his 3nd of 2003. Following a pit stop under caution on Lap 185 of 203, Biffle lined up fourth on the restart, but his Chevrolet was the second car with four fresh tires. Within four laps he passed leader #99-Michael Waltrip, who had not pitted, and held on for a 0.961-second victory over #17-Matt Kenseth. #35-Bobby Hamilton Jr. was third, Waltrip fourth and #8-Hank Parker Jr. completed the top five. #37-David Green, with an eighth-place finish, moved into the series points lead and holds a 13-point advantage over #10-Scott Riggs, who finished sixth. The race for the series’ driver championship took a wild turn when then-points leader Brian Vickers suffered damage to the left- and right-front of his #5 GMAC Chevrolet following a three-wide run with Parker and #19-Casey Mears on the second lap. Vickers pitted during a caution on Lap 4, but eventually fell several laps down after undergoing repairs and then spinning out on Lap 47. He was credited with a 31st-place finish. Of the five drivers in the hunt for the title, Green and Riggs were the only ones to finish on the lead lap. #2-Ron Hornaday and #57-Jason Keller, who are tied in third, 49 points behind Green, both finished a lap down. Kevin Harvick finished ninth in Richard Childress Racing’s #21 Chevrolet, which now leads the car owner standings by a commanding 216-point margin with three of 34 races remaining.(ThatsRacin.com)
For race results see ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com, Motorsports One or NASCAR.com.(10-24-2003)
Special USA Flag in Team Rensi Pit Area: Race fans can always spot the Team Marines pit area by looking for the United States flag and the United States Marine Corps flag. This weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, the regular United States flag will be replaced by a special flag recently presented to the Team Marines Racing Team. When co-team owner Sam Rensi opened his mail earlier this week, he was welcomed with a great surprise; a United States Flag that had been flown on September 11, 2003 at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan in honor of Team Rensi Motorsports. Captain Sandy Gaspar, a friend of the racing team had arranged for the flag to be flown in honor of Team Rensi Motorsports. An enclosed note from Gaspar spoke of how many of the Marines were able to catch some of the races in Afghanistan. According to Gaspar, watching the # 25 Team Marines Ford dominate on the track was a great motivator for the troops. The flag will wave proudly over the Team Marines Racing Team during Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Busch Series race and Sunday’s Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500.(Team Rensi PR)(10-25-2003)
Biffle on the pole at Atlanta: #7-Greg Biffle won the pole for the Aaron’s 312 at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a new track record speed of 192.300mph [the old record was Ryan Newman in 2001 at 191.661]. Rounding out the top five are #21-Kevin Harvick [who had sat on the pole most of the session, with a new track record], #37-David Green, #19-Casey Mears, and #5-Brian Vickers. Other championship contenders start: #10-Scott Riggs starts 16th, #2-Ron Hornaday starts 21st and #57-Jason Keller starts 26th.
For starting lineup see ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com or NASCAR.com.(10-24-2003)
Keller to the #21 in 2004? Jason Keller is the preferred candidate to run with Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick in Richard Childress Racing’s #21 Chevrolet in the Busch Series next season, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Harvick shared the #21 this season with Johnny Sauter and the team currently leads the Busch car owners’ standings, prompting the possibly of a split championship in the series. Brian Vickers currently leads the drivers’ standings. Keller’s future has been the subject of a lot of speculation this season. He remains in the hunt for the drivers title and has also talked with several Winston Cup teams. His ppc Racing team does not currently have a sponsor to run next season. Asked Friday if he would run in the #21 with Harvick in 2004, Keller said:
“I haven’t decided about next year because I haven’t been presented with a contract from (ppc Racing) or anyone else. It’s really, really late in the game and I’m really worried about it,” he said. “I’ll consider anything with a good race team and, naturally, RCR is a good race team. That scenario is not the perfect scenario. I’ve tried to battle for this championship for almost 10 years and … you want to continue to chase your dreams.” During a Friday news conference, team owner Richard Childress said he was “very excited” about the possibility of a certain series veteran running with Harvick in the #21. He declined to name the driver. If Keller’s Busch team cannot find a sponsor and Keller can secure a release from that team, he is the preferred candidate to join Harvick in the #21, sources said.(ThatsRacin.com), no word on if Keller would run for another Busch team or end up in the #30 AOL RCR car.(10-24-2003)
Three drivers top $1 million mark: Three of the top-five drivers in the standings have already earned more than $1 million in winnings this season, including David Green ($1,025,635), Jason Keller ($1,019,895) and Scott Riggs ($1,013,275). Brian Vickers ($990,400) and Bobby Hamilton Jr. (No. 25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford – ($949,705)) could reach the plateau before the end of the season. In 2002, eight drivers won more than $1 million. Greg Biffle, the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion became the first driver in the series’history to collect more than $2 million in a single season.(NASCAR PR)(10-24-2003)
LaJoie to run for FitzBradshaw? UPDATE at Phoenix: Randy LaJoie might run races at Phoenix and Homestead in a third FitzBradshaw car this season with JaniKing as the primary sponsor.. Fitz said LaJoie would be considered as a driver if they find a sponsor for a third team for 2004.(Winston Cup Scene via BGNRacing.com)(10-23-2003) UPDATE: Randy LaJoie will pilot the #82 Jani-King Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the NASCAR Busch Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 1, 2003. This will be the first race in which LaJoie will represent FitzBradshaw Racing. Jani-King has been a primary sponsor of FitzBradshaw Racing since 2002 and the company has renewed its primary sponsorship with the team for the 2004 season. “We are thrilled to have a veteran driver like Randy drive one of our cars,” stated FitzBradshaw Racing co-owner Armando Fitz. “FitzBradshaw Racing will be fielding three cars in Phoenix and by having such an experienced driver mix with Tim Fedewa and Casey Atwood we should prove to be very competitive.” LaJoie has competed at Phoenix International Raceway four times in his Busch Series career. All four have resulted in top-twenty finishes. Last November, LaJoie sat on the outside pole.(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(10-24-2003)
Keller still looking: Jason Keller is waiting for that knock on the door…the knock that tells him there will be sponsorship for the #57 ppc Racing team next year. But in the meantime, he must wait for another knock…one from another team that says it wants him to drive.(Winston Cup Scene via BGNRacing.com)(10-23-2003)
Roush Truck Drivers to Busch? [Jack] Roush, whose two trucks have raced most of this season unsponsored, has been pressuring Ford to increase its financial support of his truck program, enabling the team to stay in teh truck series and compete next season against well-funded Dodge and Toyota teams. If that doesn’t happen, Roush says, he plans to move two of the series’ top young stars to the Busch Series.(Winston Cup Scene via BGNRacing.com)(10-23-2003)
AMW Motorsports Video: America’s Most Wanted Motorsports has received a lot of additional attention over the last few weeks thanks to FoxSports’ Totally NASCAR, Foxsports.com and Jayski.com and their efforts to bring the Fan’s That Care Program to the racing family of supporting fans. Now Foxsports.com has gone one step further by placing the video link to the story of the America’s Most Wanted motorsports Fan’s That Care program on their site. “The team at Totally NASCAR, Foxsports.com and Jay from Jayski.com has been very supportive of our program”, stated Scott Davis, of AMW motorsports, “Now the fans that missed the airing of our story can go online and see what we are about through the video link on Foxsports.com. We are excited and we have received a great deal of support from the fans!”For more visit www.bodydynamicsracing.com and click on the Totally NASCAR link.(10-23-2003)
Henderson Motorsports Lock Sponsors For Atlanta: Henderson Motorsports announced today that they have secured sponsorship from M&M Mortgage Corporation, Pro-Clean Products, and Rodgers Metal Craft for the upcoming NASCAR Busch Series event from Atlanta Motor Speedway. Jimmy Henderson, who made his NASCAR Busch debut last weekend at Memphis Motorsports Parkway, will hope to make his second start of the season for Saturday’s running of the Aaron’s 312. In addition to M&M Mortgage Corporation, the Conyers, Ga NASCAR Busch Series team will be co-sponsored by Pro-Clean Products LLC, based in Tucker, GA. The team was also able to net local sponsor Rodgers Metal Craft for the 31st event on the tour. “Rodgers Metal Craft have been a long time supporter of my racing career I’m hoping that we do not fail them this weekend, and give them something to smile about by the end of the weekend,” explained Jimmy. The Henderson Motorsports team heads to the Hampton, Ga track despite a rough outing in the team’s debut last weekend in Tennessee. While the team was able to qualify for the event, the results were mixed as an accident approaching the halfway mark destroying any chances of a good run. “We were happy with the way that we were running, we were consistent, and turning respectable lap times, but the wall got us in the end,” said the driver, Jimmy Henderson. “I still am not 100% what happened, but I know that we came back home with a tore up Pontiac Grand Prix.” The team had hoped to use that car for this weekend’s event, but the table has been turned, and the team has purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo from Herzog-Jackson Motorsports, which was driven by NASCAR standout Todd Bodine earlier this year. “I am sending a huge thanks out to everyone at HJM,” smiled Henderson. “I know that Tony Liberati has given us a great racecar and I’m confident in our motor program with Morgan-McClure Motorsports. I feel that we will be very competitive this weekend.” In addition to purchasing a car from the team that led the NASCAR Busch Series point standings at the beginning of the season, Liberati, also known as “Rambo,” will be heading to the track this weekend to support and guide the rookie team. For more information on M&M Mortgage Corporation please visit http://www.mmmortgagecorporation.com and for more input on Pro-Clean Products please log onto http://www.procleanproducts.com.(Henderson Motorsports PR)(10-23-2003)
Kenseth Sponsor at Atlanta: Express Personnel Services and Reiser Enterprises are pleased to announce the signing of a one-race sponsorship agreement for the October 25th Aaron’s 312 Busch Series event at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Under terms of the agreement, Express Personnel will serve as the primary sponsor of the #17 Busch Series entry driven by current Winston Cup point’s leader, Matt Kenseth. Kenseth has competed in either a full or part-time driving role for Reiser Enterprises on the NASCAR Busch Series circuit since 1997. Over this span, Kenseth and Reiser have combined to produce 14 wins, seven Bud Pole Awards, 62 top-five and 92 top-ten finishes in 142 events. In addition to the one-race agreement with Express Personnel, Kenseth has already competed in 11 of 15 Busch Series events he is slated to run during the 2003 season for his regular Busch Series sponsor, Bayer HealthCare-the makers of Bayer Aspirin, Alka-Seltzer, Alka-Seltzer Plus and Aleve. Through 11 events, Kenseth and his mates at Reiser Enterprises have delivered two wins (California Speedway & Lowe’s Motor Speedway), six top-five and eight top-ten finishes. Express Personnel Services, which specialize in temporary staffing solutions, is in its first year as a partnering sponsor in the NASCAR Busch Series. With 410 franchise locations nationwide, Express Personnel is easily the largest temporary staffing franchising group in the industry and is seeking to grow its franchises to nearly double that number in five years by activating a strong NASCAR based marketing program. Prior to teaming with Kenseth and Reiser Enterprises for the Atlanta event, the Oklahoma City based company served as a primary sponsor for four Busch Series events earlier this year as well as two full seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on entries driven by Oklahoma City native Lance Norick.(PR)(10-22-2003)
NASCAR Levies Fines: NASCAR has issued the following penalties for various infractions that occurred during last weekend’s NASCAR Busch Series event at Memphis Motorsports Park, NASCAR officials announced today.
The following were fined accordingly:
Bobby Hamilton Jr., driver of the #25 NASCAR Busch Series car, was fined $3,000. He was in violation of 12-4-A: Actions detrimental to stock car racing. Use of improper language. Infraction occurred during post-race.
Mike Harmon, driver of the #44 NASCAR Busch Series car, was fined $3,000. He was in violation of Section 12-4-A: Actions detrimental to stock car racing. Throwing restraint device at another competitor’s car. Infraction occurred during race.(NASCAR PR)(10-21-2003)
Kahne, Baldwin to Debut at Homestead? hearing Tommy Baldwin [current crew chief on the #7 car] will crew chief a third Evernham Motorsports Dodge [#91?] at Homestead with Kasey Kahne driving. Kahne supposedly will drive the #9 full time in 2004. Bill Elliott will supposedly run a select number of Cup races in 2004, expect that announcement to come next week in Atlanta. Akins Motorsports, Kahne’s current Busch Team [#38] and currently a Ford will work with Evernham Motorsports and Kahne will drive at most companion races in a Dodge.(source)(10-19-2003)
Hamilton Jr. wins at Memphis: #25 Bobby Hamilton Jr. won the Sam’s Town 250 benefiting St. Jude at Memphis Motorsports with #57-Jason Keller finishing 2nd, followed by #21-Johnny Sauter, #2-Ron Hornaday and new points leader #5-Brian Vickers. Five drivers are within 44 points of the lead. With Hamilton Jr. winning, there still has not been a repeat winner [Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Randy LaJoie and Scott Wimmer] at the track in Busch Series racing. The points leader coming into the race was #37-David Green who finished 19th and #10-Scott Riggs finished 12th.
See results at BGNRacing.com or NASCAR.com.(10-18-2003)
Special Sticker on the #4: This weekend the #4 GEICO car driven by Mike Wallace will feature a decal honoring Marine Corporal Adam Wagner who served with the Marine Corps in Iraq for 6 months and shortly after his return he was killed in a single car accident.(BGNRacing.com)(10-17-2003)
Tina Gordon looking at options for 2004: Tina Gordon is no longer affiliated with #31 Brevak Racing. “I appreciate the chance Bob and Shelly Brevak gave me to run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this year and I wish them the best of luck in the future,” said Gordon. Tina Gordon is currently looking at several options for the 2004 season and will be making an announcement as soon as her plans are finalized. She would also like to thank her fans for their support all year as well, and is looking forward to her return to the track.(Victory Lane Motorsports Management), BGNRacing.com reports that Gordon is looking at a new Busch team as a possibility.(10-16-2003) UPDATE: actually looks like Gordon will end up in the #88 Truck in 2004.(Speed Channel)(10-17-2003)
Trim Spa in trouble: No idea what this means for the part time sponsorhip of the #27 in 2003 [as the team already has a new full sponsorship package with Kleenex in 2004], but the owner TrimSpa, who has sponsored the #27 Brewco Pontiac at various races in 2003, seems to be having some legal problems:
The founder of a weight-loss company based in Cedar Knolls, NJ has been sued by the state attorney general’s office for allegedly pushing ephedra-based supplements on consumers who signed up for seminars. The lawsuit filed Thursday against Alex Szynalski, founder of Goen Seminars Institute Inc., said the company used a bait-and-switch advertising scheme that claimed hypnosis could help people lose weight or stop smoking without gaining weight. Consumers who signed up were instead bombarded pitches for the ephedra-based supplement TrimSpa and another called Lipo Spa touted as “liposuction in a bottle,” Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said. “The seminars were just a veiled attempt to sell Goen supplements,” Harvey said. “What’s even more troubling is that the defendants hawked these supplements without clearly warning consumers about the potentially life-threatening side effects of products containing ephedra, such as TrimSpa.” Jason Stephans, assistant general counsel at Goen, declined to comment on the lawsuit Thursday because the company had not received a copy. Harvey said Goen’s warnings about ephedra, an herbal-based stimulant that has been associated with strokes, high blood pressure and heart attacks, were buried in the fine print of information given to clients. Szynalski and others also made deceptive claims about the effectiveness of the products, the lawsuit said. Those who attended Goen seminars were urged to buy one bottle of supplements for $44.95 or a 16-pack for $459.99, according to Harvey. The complaint filed in state Superior Court in Morris County said there is no scientific evidence to support Goen’s claims that TrimSpa metabolizes fat or regulates blood sugar. In addition, the state claims Goen often refused to make payments to those who sought refunds despite having offered a 110 percent money back guarantee.(wcbs880.com)(10-17-2003)
Reutimann wins pole at Memphis, Biffle will run car: #7-David Reutimann, filling in for Greg Biffle, captured the pole for the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park. The rest of the top five were #87-Kyle Busch, #5-Brian Vickers, #25-Bobby Hamilton Jr., and #2-Ron Hornaday. Greg Biffle will start the race in the #7 and will have to fall to the back of the field.
Qualifying Results/Lineups at ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com or NASCAR.com.(10-17-2003)
Billy Boat at Phoenix: Billy Boat, who until a few days ago never had driven a stock car, plans to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut in the Nov. 1 race at Phoenix International Raceway. Boat, a recipient of primary sponsorship help from the Arizona Department of Health Services, will drive a Dodge Intrepid for Braun Racing, whose other driver is Casey Mears. “It’s definitely an opportunity to maybe open up a new direction for me,” said Boat, an open wheel veteran who captured the pole position in the 1998 Indianapolis 500. “I like the cars. They feel comfortable. But there’s a lot to learn. They drive substantially different than an Indy car.” Boat, a Valley native, learned how different early on in testing, which included several Winston Cup and Busch Series drivers this week at PIR. Boat spun in Turn 3 in a morning practice session and backed the car into the wall. “The car got loose,” Boat said. “It’s definitely a learning curve. These are 3,500-pound cars, and the way they react is different than most anything I’ve ever driven. They feel most like a (U.S. Auto Club) Silver Crown car.” Boat, 37, still is hoping to land a full-time Indy Racing League ride next season, and Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes said he is being considered for a possible opening with the team. Panther already has hired Tomas Scheckter to replace departing Sam Hornish Jr. but said the team could field as many as three drivers in 2004. “I’d still like to do something in the IRL, and I’m still talking to Panther,” Boat said. “Unfortunately, there’s very limited opportunities.”(Arizona Republic)(10-16-2003)
Debut for Hobgood: NASCAR Dash series driver Justin Hobgood, 24, is set to make his Busch Series debut in Tennessee. He will drive the #43 Brewco Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian Pontiac. Brewco and Curb-Agajanian are currently exploring options to work together in the 2004 season.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-15-2003)
#100 for Wimmer: #23-Scott Wimmer will make his 100th Busch Series start this weekend. His first start came almost three years ago, on Oct. 29, 2000, also at Memphis.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-15-2003)
Close…but been closer: David Green’s 36-point cushion over Vickers is close, but amazingly enough, four others have been closer with five races to go in the season. Todd Bodine led Joe Nemechek by one point with five races left in 1992, before Nemechek was able to come back and capture the title by three points over Bobby Labonte. That was the slimmest margin in series history. The year before, in 1991, Kenny Wallace held a two-point advantage over Bobby Labonte with five events remaining. Labonte wound up the champion. In 1989, Tommy Ellis led fellow veteran Tommy Houston by nine points with five races to go, before Rob Moroso overtook Houston in the season’s final race at Martinsville Speedway to lay claim to the championship. Finally, Brett Bodine led Larry Pearson by 19 points with five races to go in 1986, but Pearson was able to overcome the deficit and clinch his first of two consecutive NASCAR Busch Series championships. With only five races to go in the season, the 80-point margin between Green and Keller is the closest first to fifth-place margin in the history of the NASCAR Busch Series.(NASCAR PR)(10-15-2003)
Third Childress Car fielded for Lewis: Sprint car racing standout Michael Lewis will drive a third Richard Childress Racing (RCR) entry in the Oct. 18 Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park. The 24-year-old Indianapolis native will drive the #29 America Online 9.0® Optimized/Special Operations Warrior Foundation Chevrolet Monte Carlo for RCR. He tested with RCR in September at Carroway (N.C.) Speedway and again earlier this month at Memphis Motorsports Park, his first laps in a stock car. “Michael is a good young talent in open-wheel racing and, from what I was told about his tests at Memphis and Carroway, he should do a great job for us,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “I just want him to go out there, relax and have some fun. That’s the only way he’s going to perform at his best so there’s no reason to put any extra pressure on him or for him to put any extra on himself.” Lewis has built a solid career in USAC Midget and Sprint Car competition. He is a six-time USAC National Midget Series feature race winner, a five-time USAC Western States Sprint Car Series feature race winner and a three-time USAC National Sprint Car Series feature race winner. He is a three-time USAC Quarter Midget champion, the 1996 USAC Midget Series Rookie of the Year and the 1998 USAC National Midget Series Rookie of the Year.
“It is a huge opportunity for me, coming out of open-wheel racing, to run for a team like Richard Childress Racing,” said Lewis. “We had a good test at Memphis Motorsports Park so, hopefully, we’ll go back and do all right come race day. I have been running in USAC Midgets and Sprint cars in the Silver Crown divisions since 1996 so this will be my first stock car race. I want to thank everyone at RCR and AOL for giving me this opportunity and we’ll see what happens next.”
The No. 29 AOL 9.0® Optimized/SOWF car will have the same paint scheme, though with a different number, that the fourth [#90] RCR NASCAR Winston Cup entry driven by John Andretti (he finished 15th) had at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for the Sept. 28 EA Sports 500.
“We appreciate the chance to again team up with RCR, this time to give a promising young driver like Michael Lewis a great opportunity as well as to continue to help raise awareness for the SOWF,” said Richard Taylor, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing, America Online. “It also provides a great opportunity to promote AOL in both the NASCAR Winston Cup and NASCAR Busch Series races this weekend.”
The SOWF began in 1980 as the Col. Arthur D. “Bull” Simons Scholarship Fund and was created after the Iranian hostage rescue attempt to provide college educations for the 17 children that survived the nine men killed or incapacitated at Desert One. A tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, SOWF is dedicated to providing college scholarships and educational counseling to the children surviving Special Operations personnel killed as a result of an operational mission or training accident. These services are provided throughout the United States, or overseas, depending upon where the surviving children reside. To date, 455 children of fallen Special Operations personnel are involved in the program, of which 65 are currently attending college.(RCR PR)(10-15-2003)
Bingham Looking for a Gig: After a long wait and some contractual issues, two time sports car champion Chris Bingham is looking at his options for next year. “I’ve been off since May I’m looking at my options next year in either Busch or Truck. It was a bit of a transition moving from Road racing to Stock cars, but after running 11 races and getting comfortable I feel with the right program I can run very competitively. I will go back to sportscar if nothing becomes available but would really like to stay in NASCAR and build a relationship with a team.” Any teams interested please go to chrisbingham.com. (CB Motorsports PR bia BGN Racing.com)(10-15-2003)
An Earnhardt in the Trucks? UPDATE: Kerry Earnhardt, who spent most of the Busch Series season with Fitz-Bradshaw Racing, said he recently reached a settlement with the team, which released him from his driving duties in the #12 Chevrolet in July. Earnhardt said he is exploring several options for next season, with the most likely one a move to the NASCAR Truck series. “I have gotten a few opportunities in the Trucks and if I jump into it, it will be some competitive equipment,” he said. “There have been a few things in Busch, too.” Earnhardt said his hands were tied somewhat in looking for a new job while he waited for his settlement to be completed with Fitz-Bradshaw. “I wasn’t going to do anything to mess things up. I decided when things were finally settled, I would start looking again.”(ThatsRacin.com)(10-9-2003) UPDATE: FitzBradshaw Racing and driver Kerry Earnhardt say they have mutually agreed to end their contract. The team replaced Earnhardt, the eldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt, as the driver of its #12 Chevrolet following the Chicago race in July.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(10-15-2003)
FBR Continues to Develop Upcoming Driver Feese in ARCA RE/MAX Series Event: FitzBradshaw Racing will be fielding driver, Blake Feese, this weekend in the Big Daddy’s Liberty 200 presented by Bank of America. Feese will be piloting the No. 14 Chevrolet sponsored by US Drywall and Materials. As FitzBradshaw Racing’s penetration continues to grow within the NASCAR Busch Series, the young team is working to test and scout driving talent. Last Month, FitzBradshaw Racing tested Feese’s skills in the Hooter’s Pro Cup Race in Hickory, NC. “Scouting young talent is essential to the successful development of a multi-car NASCAR operation,” sated co-owner Armando Fitz. “Blake is a terrific young man and we want to give him every opportunity to show us what he can consistently do out on the race track.” Associate sponsors on the No. 14 US Drywall and Materials Chevrolet include: The Decal Source; Supercuts; Navy; Hot Tamales; Jani-King; 5 off 5 on; LLUMAR; Knights Inn; Ferris and Snap-on-Tools. FitzBradshaw Racing is owned by NASCAR veteran Armando Fitz and Pro Football Hall of Fame member and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw. The team fields three cars in the NASCAR Busch Series: the No. 12 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, sponsored by Supercuts and Hot Tamales; the No. 14 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, sponsored by the Navy; and the No. 82 car, sponsored by Jani-King. The team also fields the No. 83 Winston Cup Series car for select races. PSE-3 is the exclusive public relations and sponsorship sales firm for FitzBradshaw Racing.(PR)(10-15-2003)
LaJoie in the #48 at Memphis: Innovative Motorsports, Inc. (IMI) has reached an agreement with Randy LaJoie to drive IMI’s #48 NASCAR Busch Series Chevrolet Monte Carlo at Memphis Motorsports Park for the running of the Sam’s Town 250 on Saturday, October 18. “We are excited about Randy driving our car at Memphis,” said IMI team owner George deBidart. “He has a very good track record, especially at Memphis, and I am confident he will work well with Gere Kennon and the rest of our crew. The combination will give our team and Goulds Pumps something to be proud of.”(Innovative Motorsports PR)(10-14-2003)
Gibbs to retire? Barring a catastrophe in the final five races, #18-Coy Gibbs will be the series’ top rookie, but the honor will be hollow. Gibbs will win the title by default, thanks to the enormous resources behind him. What’s more, the title could be the final chapter in his driving career. Gibbs was the only racer to enter his freshman year with solid backing and the support of one of NASCAR’s pre-eminent organizations: Joe Gibbs Racing. Yes, Joe Gibbs — the three-time Super Bowl champion coach and two-time Winston Cup champion owner — is Coy’s father, but the rookie had to earn his ride. Now, it’s a question of whether he wants to continue beating himself up emotionally and physically. “I’ve spent the whole year here and haven’t figured out much,” says Gibbs, who’s 15th in points and has two top 10 finishes. “It’s not really clicking when it comes to figuring out Busch cars, and I’m probably not going to, which is really frustrating.” Joe Gibbs says his son’s performance has suffered because the series reduced the number of tests it allowed, and rain has cut further into practice time. The Gibbs organization met last week, and an announcement about Coy’s future was expected early this week. Retirement, Coy says, is one option. His dad is emphatic about one thing: Coy will be the one to make that choice.(FoxSports)(10-14-2003)
Derek Hayes to make Busch Series Debut at Memphis: Team Moy racing will have a new driver in the #77 this weekend as Derek Hayes will make his Busch Series debut in the Sams Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park. The 25 year old is a star in open wheel racing in Europe were he has won multiple championships and in doing so has beaten many on today’s Current F1, CART and IRL drivers and to this day is the current Lap record holder around the Prestigious Macau Street Circuit (far east) in an F3 car. Hayes, who was offered a drive in F1 and the start of the 2002 is a current front runner in the Days of Thunder series in Europe which competes on the Rockingham oval (UK),as well as the Eurospeedway in Germany.(Kieran Dynes Motorsport Management)(10-13-2003)
Sauter in the #27? UPDATE: hearing Johnny Sauter could be headed to the #27 Brewco Motorsports team in 2004 with Kleenex as the sponsor?.(10-10-2003) UPDATE: Johnny Sauter will join Brewco Motorsports and drive its #27 Pontiacs next season, the team announced Monday. In addition, the team announced the addition of Kleenex as its full-time sponsor for 2004. Kleenex currently sponsors Evans Motorsports’ #7 Chevrolets. Sauter, who won the 2001 ASA championship, has three poles and two wins in the Busch Series. He currently shares driving duties with Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick in Richard Childress Racing’s #21 PayDay Chevrolet, which leads the car owner standings in the Busch series [and runs the other races in the #43 Curb Agajanian Chevy]. “I can hardly wait for next year. I’ll be able to focus on one team and work with just one crew. That consistency is what I’m looking for to develop as a driver”, Sauter said. “Brewco obviously has great equipment. They’re in the thick of the championship run right now (with driver David Green), and I think we’ll have what it takes to put them in a similar spot again next year.” Brewco Motorsports owner, Clarence Brewer Jr., said he is confident in Sauter’s abilities. “Johnny is really a veteran,” said Brewer. “He may only have a couple years of experience, but he drives like a veteran. He’s young and aggressive, but he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Johnny always gets the most out of a car. Most importantly, he’s got a winning attitude. I expect to see him bring a lot of determination and passion to our organization.” Sauter will be a teammate for Green, who drives the team’s #37 Timberwolf Pontiacs. “We’ve never had a combination of two veteran drivers in our operation until now. We’ve always had a pair of rookies, or one rookie and one veteran,” Brewer said. “When you’ve got two rookies, they both have a lot of learning to do. When you’ve got a rookie and a veteran, there’s not a whole lot that the rookie can contribute to the veteran. Both Johnny (Sauter) and David (Green) will have a lot that they can share on testing, practice and race setups.”(ThatsRacin.com)(10-13-2003)
Biffle wins rained postponed race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway: #7-Greg Biffle won Saturday’s rain-delayed Little Trees 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, beating second-place #99-Michael Waltrip by 12.628 seconds. It was the defending series champion’s first Busch win of the season and first since his win at Indianapolis in August of last year and 10th career Busch Series win. The rest of the top 10: #20-Bliss, #5-Vickers, #40-McMurray, #37-Green, #25-Hamilton Jr., #38-Kahne, #21-Harvick, #57-Keller. #17-Jeff Burton lost an engine early in the race.The race was scheduled for Friday night, but was posponed after by persistent rainfall.(ThatsRacin.com)
See race results at ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com, NASCAR.com or Motorsports One.(10-11-2003)
Hermie Sadler to run full Busch Series in 2004: Gaining a new co-owner in former U.Va. star Bryant Stith, Hermie Sadler will run a full Busch season in 2004 with the newly-formed Score Motorsports. The Emporia native has dabbled in Busch and Cup the past three years with his own team. He also is moving his shop from South Hill to the Charlotte, N.C., area. Zapf Creation, a doll company, has signed on as primary sponsor for four races and an associate sponsor for the remainder of the season. Sadler will announce more specifics, such his car model, crew chief, engine supplier and other sponsors, at Homestead, Fla., next month. Stith was drafted by the Denver Nuggets and also played for the Boston Celtics before retiring from the NBA. The Lawrenceville resident was approached by Sadler, a childhood friend, about team ownership this summer. “I’ve always been a big Hermie and Elliott Sadler fan, but I’ve gotten more caught up in NASCAR mania the last couple of years,” Stith said.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(10-11-2003)
Burton in for Kenseth – Busch Race: Matt Kesneth will sit out the Busch Series race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Jeff Burton will race the #17 Busch car. Kevin Harvick will run the Busch race.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio – Subscription Required)(10-11-2003)
Postponed: the Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been postponed until 11:00am/et on Saturday, October 11th, for a unique double headers, a Busch and a Cup race on the same day. Wonder if a the drivers running both races will do so, eleven drivers are scheduled to run both races: Jason Leffler, Brian Vickers, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Casey Mears, Kevin Harvick, Dave Blaney, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Green, Joe Nemechek and Michael Waltrip. No idea if they will still televise the race at 12:00noon/et tape delay or if it will be live at 11:00am/et. It can be heard on PRN Radio and XM Radio which will start airing coverage at 10:30am/et. IF the track officials and NASCAR think the weather is still not good enough to run the race at 11:00am/et, it will then run on Sunday, October 12th at 12:30pm/et.(10-10-2003)
TNT, which was originally scheduled to show the race tape-delayed, will pick up live coverage on Saturday.(10-11-2003)
Contreras gearing up for 2004: NASCAR Busch Series driver, Carlos Contreras, signed autographs and entertained eager NASCAR fans as part of the Third Annual Holland Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival. Contreras, 33, has recently joined the Hispanic Racing Team and Team Selica Racing to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series. Contreras joined HTR Motorsports and the Busch Series this season, signing a two-year contract. HTR Motorsports was established in 1999 in order to add diversity and create a new fan base within NASCAR. “I am working hard with HTR to build company support here in the United States and in Mexico,” Contreras said. “We have very good drivers in Mexico and it is my goal to bring some of them into NASCAR.” Contreras is racing in six Busch Series races this season, and will race the full schedule in 2004. Contreras is already thinking ahead to next season. “I want to be the rookie of the year in 2004. If you race more than six races in a year, it is considered a full season. That is why I am only racing six this year,” Contreras said. “Next year watch out, because Carlos Contreras is going to be there.”(Holland Sentinel)(10-10-2003)
Some Old Stuff: Prior to the formation of the NASCAR Busch Series in 1982, Late Model Sportsman races were held on the day prior to Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Winston Cup Series events. Winners included Bobby Allison (3 times), Darrell Waltrip (3), Morgan Shepherd (2), Ray Hendrick (2), David Pearson (1), Bill DeCoster (1), Wally Dallenbach Sr. (1), Dave Marcis (1) and Gary Balough (1). Sam Ard was the first NASCAR Busch Series regular to score a win at Charlotte, in the fall of 1983. He beat Dale Earnhardt to the checkered flag by 7.5 seconds.(NASCAR PR)(10-10-2003)
#12 and #14 Feature Sam Bass Design: FitzBradshaw Racing’s #12 and #14 Chevrolets will have a new look for this weekend’s Little Trees 300 Busch Series race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The #12 driven by Tim Fedewa will feature a Sam Bass design promoting the Sam Bass Gallery in Concord, N.C. The #14 driven by Casey Atwood will feature a design that Bass created to celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Navy, which will be 228 years old on Monday.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(10-10-2003)
Chance 2 pays tribute to Modified Legend Richie Evans at Lowe’s Motor Speedway: When Chance 2 driver Martin Truex, Jr. fires up the #8 Chevrolet for the Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Friday night, it will rekindle the memories of Evans via the paint scheme. The #8 will be carrying the same color, known as honey mud orange, and scheme that Evens utilized during his 1983 championship campaign. Kevin “Bono” Manion, crew chief, Truex, Jr. and many of the Chance 2 crew members thought it would a fitting tribute to the driver recently voted as the Greatest NASCAR Modified Driver of all time. Evans was an inspiration to many on the team because they also got their starts in racing via the Northeast Modified Series. Evans amazing career included nine NASCAR Modified championships (eight consecutively from 1978 to 1985), three-time track champion at Fulton Speedway and Spencer/Williamson Speedway. The year of 1983 was one of Evan’s most successful in his illustrious career. He started 68 NASCAR races, won 31 and garnered 57 top-fives. His career was tragically cut short trying to earn his 10th championship on October 24, 1985 during a practice session at Martinsville Speedway. He was 44 years old. In 1998, NASCAR named him one of the sport’s 50 Greatest Drivers during their 50th anniversary celebration. Martin Truex Jr. will be making his fourth start for Chance 2 this season, and his first at the 1.5-mile oval of Lowe’s. Manion decided that Truex Jr. needed to test before racing so the team took part in the recent session. After seeing how well the test went and how comfortable Truex, Jr. became with the track, the team decided to put him in the car for this race.(Chance 2 PR)(10-10-2003)
Shelmerdine wins when rain ends ARCA race: When rain fell at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Thursday night, Kirk Shelmerdine took a chance it would last. It did, long enough for Shelmerdine, who decided not to pit when the shower started, to win the EasyCare 150 when ARCA officials called the race after 66 of the scheduled 100 laps. It’s Shelmerdine’s first win of the season and third series victory. “Had the whole race gone green, we would have been in trouble with fuel and tires. It was tough to pass and I wanted to see how we would run up front, so I stayed out,” the driver said. “I thought I would get to run with (Kyle Busch), but he pitted, too. I’m glad he did.” Frank Kimmel, who clinched his fifth ARCA championship, and Busch far outpaced their competition early in the race, but both elected to pit when the caution first came out for the rain. “We didn’t have the fastest car and didn’t out-run anybody, but we were out front when it counted,” Shelmerdine said. Shelmerdine is best-known as the crew chief in four of the late Dale Earnhardt’s seven Winston Cup Championships. At age 25, he became the youngest crew chief to ever win a Cup race and three years later went on to become the youngest crew chief to win the championship. A.J. Henriksen finished second Thursday night, Jeremy Clements third, Andy Ponstein fourth and David Boggs completed the top five. Kimmel ended up 21st and Busch, 17th.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-10-2003)
Harvick wins pole at Lowe’s: #21-Kevin Harvick won the pole Thursday for Friday night’s Little Trees 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (noon Saturday, TNT, tape-delayed). It’s Harvick’s fourth pole in the car this season and 10th of his career. The #21 continues to hold a 168-point advantage in the owner standings, while driver #37-David Green leads the driver standings. #5-Brian Vickers, third in series points, matched his career-best qualifying effort and will start second. #20-Mike Bliss was third, #7-Greg Biffle fourth and #2-Ron Hornaday completed the top five. Green, the series points leader, will line up seventh. Bliss, last season’s NASCAR Truck series champion, will make his best start of the season.(ThatsRacin.com)
For starting lineups see ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com or NASCAR.com.(10-9-2003)
Hall in 3rd ppc car: Shane Hall, idle most of this racing season, is scheduled to return in Friday night’s Little Trees 300 NASCAR Busch race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hall is entered in a Ford owned by ppc Racing, which also fields the cars driven by series point contenders Jason Keller and Scott Riggs. Team general manager Keith Barnwell said the car is being prepared by ppc shop personnel. Scott Beam will be the crew chief. Barnwell said Hall might drive for the team in other races if this week’s venture is a positive one. “First, we’ve always been Shane Hall fans at ppc,” Barnwell said. “He has qualities that a lot of other drivers don’t have. And he’s a good qualifier. That’s important because we have to get in the top 36.” Since the third ppc team hasn’t raced this year, it has no provisional starting spots in case Hall doesn’t qualify in the top 36.(Greenville News)(10-8-2003)
#39 looking for a driver and sponsor: Jamie Mosley and Jay Robinson Racing will be parting ways after the Charlotte Busch Series Race. Mark Karnes of Karnes Dyno-Rev ended what was to be a season long deal following the Kansas race. The team will be seeking a new deal for the 39 car immediately.(Jay Robinson Racing PR)(10-8-2003)
Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly Seeking Sponsor: Frank Cicci has announced that his limited sponsorship program with LesCare Kitchens has ended and that the team is now seeking sponsorship. ” I have waited a couple of months now for the officials at Lescare to provide the funding that would have enabled us to complete the 11 race obligation that we had agreed to back in the spring, but nothing has developed. Thus,our commitment to Lescare Kitchens has ended, and we are now looking for some 1- race deals for the balance of 2003 and a full program for 2004. It’s real disappointing that we are not running Charlotte this weekend because we had a great car built for Mike Mclaughlin that was capable of contending for the win. Jim Kelly and I have been working hard on several sponsorship opportunities and we believe strongly that we will be racing in 2004 with some solid backing. We are hard workers and we don’t give up easily. We will find something” Cicci stated. Companies interested in talking to Frank Cicci can reach him at his Mooresville N.C. race shop at 704-7996734 (Frank Cicci PR)(10-8-2003)
Double Duty for McMurray: Jamie McMurray will be pulling double duty this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway as he will run in both the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series events. McMurray will pilot a #40 Havoline Dodge in Friday night’s Little Trees 300 before climbing behind the wheel of the #42 Havoline Dodge for Saturday’s UAW-GM Quality 500. Braun Racing is fielding McMurray’s #40 Havoline Dodge entry in Friday night’s Busch Series race. Patrick Donahue will serve as the crew chief.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(10-8-2003)
not NASCAR but – Sorenson claims Rookie of The Year honors with third place run: 17-year-old Reed Sorenson locked up the 2003 American Speed Association’s Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of The Year honors Saturday night under the lights at the Salem Speedway in the Pep Boys 300 and along the way, finished a strong and extremely hard fought third. Sorenson won $50,000. Sorenson’s trek up the racing ladder on his way to ASA began when he was only six years old. While racing Quarter Midgets he won nine Southeastern championships and in 1997, he was crowned the National Champ. During his time in midgets, he earned over 250 checkered flags and scored 15 different track records throughout the country. By the time he turned 12 Sorenson was ready for Legends Cars and in doing so, he became the youngest driver to win a race in that series. At the same time, he became the only Legends competitor to ever score a record $12,000 purse in consecutive Superbowl events in 1999 and 2000. After four seasons in legends, the hot shoe racked up 78 wins, five track championships and a National Title at the age of 13. If you didn’t know then that the young Sorenson was talented, you sure know now. With his ASA rookie title, he becomes the youngest competitor in the ASA Racing Series history to hold that honor. For more information on Reed Sorenson and the entire ACDelco racing team, visit www.reedsorenson.com.(Reed Sorenson Racing PR)(10-8-2003)
Yeley tests car for Gibbs: J.J. Yeley, 27, will test a NASCAR Busch Grand National car for Joe Gibbs Racing today in what should be a step toward signing a multiyear contract with the team. Yeley is on his way to becoming the second driver in U.S. Auto Club history to win all three major divisions in the same season, following Tony Stewart in 1995. He has clinched the Silver Crown and sprint-car titles and leads in midgets by 75. Stewart drove for Joe Gibbs’ team in 1998 before moving to Winston Cup the next year.(Indianapolis Star), hearing the test will be at Lakeland – USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL where Bobby Labonte is testing the #18 Cup car.(10-7-2003)
Mr October Shows up at the Track: Baseball Hall of Famer and NASCAR Busch Series owner Reggie Jackson made a surprise visit to Kansas Speedway on Saturday morning. Well, it was surprising to one speedway security guard, at least. “He entered the Busch Series garage area without a credential and a female security guard wasn’t pleased. She stood outside the Herzog Jackson Motorsports hauler, waiting for Jackson to emerge. I’m giving him 5 minutes,” she said. “If he doesn’t come out, I’m turning him in. I don’t care who he is.” Nothing came of the incident. Jackson wasn’t staying, anyway. He just wanted to meet briefly with team co-owner Randy Herzog, before departing for the Twins-Yankees playoff game in Minneapolis. “We’ve got some very interested sponsors we’re entertaining this weekend, and obviously I felt it was very important to be here,” Jackson said. “I’m getting ready to leave here in 30 minutes to go to Minnesota. I’m going to root on my good friend Roger Clemens.”(St Joseph News-Press)(10-5-2003)
Green wins race at Kansas: #37-David Green won the Mr. Goodcents 300 at Kansas Speedway after leader #25-Bobby Hamilton Jr. sputtered on the last lap restart. Hamilton Jr. got tapped in the rear from #7-Biffle when the #25 sputtered and backed into the wall in turn 1. It is Green’s 3rd win of the season. #99-Michael Waltrip led 140 laps but blew a tire with only five laps to go while leading, bringing out the final caution. #29-Harvick got past Biffle for 2nd, Biffle ended up 3rd with #57-Keller 4th and 8-Parker Jr. rounding out the top 5. Green also takes over the points lead by 21 over #10-Riggs. #5-Vickers, the leader coming into the race, wrecked early and finished 32nd.(ThatsRacin.com)
Results at ThatsRacin.com, BGNRacing.com, NASCAR.com or Motorsports One.(10-4-2003)
the finishing order was changed about an hour after the race at Kansas. The story from ThatsRacin.com: NASCAR’s new rule regarding racing back to the caution underwent its sternest test yet in Saturday’s Mr. Goodcents 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at Kansas Speedway. Following a wreck on Lap 197 of 200, NASCAR placed the field under caution and elected to restart the race with one green-flag lap remaining. However, as the race leaders made their way into Turn 1, Bobby Hamilton Jr. was hit by Greg Biffle and plowed into the wall. David Green, running second before the wreck, immediately inherited the lead but it wasn’t until he was between Turns 1 and 2 that he was informed there was a wreck and caution. Green took both the checkered and caution flags at the finish. Several cars behind Green saw the caution as they exited Turn 4 and slowed, as the new rule requires. Many others, however, continued to race to the flag. Immediately after the race, Scott Riggs was listed as the new points leader, holding a two-point advantage over Green, the race winner. Green was also credited with a 1.139-second win over Kevin Harvick. Jason Keller, who was running fourth before slowing when he saw the caution, was listed as 18th. Several teams protested the results and several members of the media watching from the press box questioned how a margin of victory could exist if the race ended under caution. After about half an hour, NASCAR adjusted the scoring. Keller was given back his fourth-place finish and Green was listed as the points leader, ahead of Riggs by 21 points. “That’s what we’ve been told in every meeting since they made this rule … when the caution comes out you hold your position,” Keller said. “When I saw the caution off of Turn 4 I rolled off of the gas like I was told to in the drivers’ meeting. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Green said his crew chief, Jason Ratcliff, informed him of the wreck and the caution while he was between Turns 3 and 4 and completing the final lap. “I was just glad I just had all daylight in front of me,” Green said. “As drivers, it has been our instinct to go after it whenever you could on the last lap.”(ThatsRacin.com)(10-4-2003)
Waltrip wins pole at Kansas: #99-Michael Waltrip won the pole for Saturday’s Mr. Goodcents 300 at Kansas Speedway with a new track record with his lap at 178.365 mph, earning his second Busch Series pole of the season (his last was at Richmond, Va., in May) and the 15th of his career. #38-Kasey Kahne was second fastest and #37-David Green was third. Among the five drivers still in the hunt for the series championship, Green, fourth in points, was the top qualifier. Series points leader #5-Brian Vickers will line up 17th; second place #10-Scott Riggs, eighth; third-place #2-Ron Hornaday Jr., ninth; and fifth-place #57-Jason Keller, 23rd. #20-Mike Bliss qualified fourth and #59-Stacy Compton rounded out the top-five. ARCA driver #43-Shelby Howard, 18, qualified 34th and will make his first series start Saturday.(ThatsRacin.com) Lineups at ThatsRacin.com or BGNRacing.com and NASCAR.com – Busch Series.(10-3-2003)
New #19 Crew Chief: Todd Lohse has left the #26 to join Braun Racing as the crew chief on the #19 car of Casey Mears. The #26 machine, piloted by Chad Blount will now be lead by Tim Weiss. Weiss worked with Blount in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.(BGNRacing.com)(10-3-2003)
Clanton and Brewco split: Brewco Motorsports and driver Joey Clanton have mutually decided to part ways and both will be exploring options to finish out the 2003 season. 2002 ASA National Champion Joey Clanton, current driver of the #27 entry and second in 2003 Rookie of the Year standings, leaves the team on good terms and will pursue a number of other opportunities for the balance of this season as well as next. (Brewco PR) UPDATE: Todd Wilkerson, President and General Manager of Brewco Motorsports, announced today that Chase Montgomery will drive the #27 TrimSpa Pontiac for the remainder of the 2003 season and that the team is actively seeking sponsorship that would keep Chase in a Brewco Motorsports Inc. car for the entire 2004 season.(Brewco PR via BGNRacing.com)(10-2-2003)
Sanders to attempt Busch race at Kansas: Kansas City driver Ryck Sanders will try to qualify for this weekend’s Busch series race at Kansas Speedway. Sanders, a regular driver at the I-70 Speedway short track in Odessa, will be driving a Taurus sponsored by the Midwest Ford Dealers Association.(Kansas City Star)(10-2-2003)
Testing at Lowe’s this week UPDATE: Nearly 25 NASCAR Busch Series drivers and teams are expected to participate in a testing session Monday and Tuesday [Sept 29-30] at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in preparation for the inaugural nighttime running of the “Little Trees” 300 on Friday, Oct. 10. Testing will run from 3:00 to 10:00pm/et. Drivers/Team expecting to participate: #4-Mike Wallace, #59-Stacy Compton, #5-Brian Vickers, #0-Jason White, #?-Wayne Anderson, #25-Bobby Hamilton Jr., #1-David Stremme, #57-Jason Keller, #10-Scott Wimmer, #31-Dave Blaney, #28-Brad Baker, #87-Joe Nemechek, #61-Steve Grissom, #?-Jeff Streeter, #?-Butch Jarvis, #2-Ron Hornaday, #86-Jeff Fultz, #81-Martin Truex Jr., #?-Jeremy Clements, #70-Morgan Shepherd, #38-Kasey Kahne, #98-Mark Green and #02-Hermie Sadler.(LMS PR)(9-28-3003) UPDATE: Brian Vickers shook off the effects of a hard crash the previous night to lead the speed parade Tuesday evening at Lowe’s Motor Speedway as 22 teams made final preparations for the inaugural nighttime running of the “Little Trees” 300 on Friday, Oct. 10. Driving a back-up #5 GMAC/CARQUEST Auto Parts Chevy after crashing his primary car on the first night of testing, Vickers was caught on the unofficial stopwatches with a lap of 181.537 mph around the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Two-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday, who was fastest on the unofficial stopwatches Monday evening, was second fastest at 180.168mph in the #2 Chevrolet. 1992 NASCAR Busch Series champion Joe Nemechek was third fastest at 180.168mph with David Stremme next at 180.132 mph in the #1 Dodge. The caution flag was never unfurled as the six-hour testing session was run without incident. The top-10 unofficial speeds:
1. Brian Vickers, 181.537; 2. Ron Hornaday, 180.409; 3. Joe Nemechek, 180.168; 4. David Stremme, 180.132; 5. Mike Wallace, 179.736; 6. Jason Keller, 179.718; 7. Scott Wimmer, 178.442; 8. Tim Fedewa, 176.754; 9. Casey Atwood, 176.638; 10. Kasey Kahne, 176.442.(LMS PR)(10-1-2003)
Harvick in the #29: Harvick will be back participating on the NASCAR Busch Series circuit this Saturday in Kansas City, but not in his usual ride. Instead, he’ll be piloting the #29 Sonic Chevrolet outfitted by Richard Childress Racing Enterprises, Inc.(RCR PR)(10-1-2003)
