September 2004 Busch Series Archive

Truex Jr. wins at Dover when Wallace runs out of gas: #8-Martin Truex Jr. didn’t so much win Saturday’s Stacker2 200 at Dover International Speedway as the lead was passed to him. #23-Kenny Wallace, whose team thought he could run the 200-mile race with one gas stop, instead lost the lead and the race when he ran out of gas with 12 of 200 laps remaining, handing the lead to Truex, who was running second at the time. Truex secured the victory under caution as #60-Greg Biffle, who was running second, also ran out of gas, and #9-Mark Martin, who was fourth, spun on the final lap. “This was a great day for the home team,” said Truex, who hails from nearby New Jersey [45 minutes North of where Jayski is from]. “We had a really good car to start, we worked on it and never gave up. I’m real proud of these guys. We’ve had the best car a lot of times in the past 10 weeks and haven’t had a chance to show it. We got to show it today.” The win was Truex’s fifth Busch Series victory of the season, but his first since May 23 at Nazareth. He extended his lead in the championship standings to 152 over rookie #5-Kyle Busch. #25-Mike McLaughlin finished second, pole winner #38-Kasey Kahne third, #00-Jason Leffler was fourth and #27-Johnny Sauter completed the top five. The race was slowed five times by caution for 18 laps. There were seven lead changes among four drivers.(ThatsRacin.com)
For race results, see:
ThatsRacin.com
BGNRacing.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com.(9-25-2004)
US Navy not back with the #14 in 2005? UPDATE: The Navy isn’t expected to return to Fitz-Bradshaw with Busch driver Casey Atwood.(Daily Press)(9-11-2004)
UPDATE: The Spin Out Zone from RacinDeals.com, has learned that the NAVY is currently reviewing their NASCAR sponsorship options and should have a decision shortly. A Navy representative told the Spin Out Zone the following: The Navy appreciates the opportunity to continue its relationship with NASCAR and looks forward to a full racing year in 2005. A decision about a Navy sponsorship of a NASCAR racing team for the 2005 season is undetermined at this point. We are looking at a number of options and will have a plan soon.
When asked if NASCAR will be a part of the NAVY’s marketing plan over the next few years, the representative provided the following statement: The Navy realizes that NASCAR motorsports is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sporting events in the country today. Partnership with NASCAR helps increase Navy’s recruiting efforts by leveraging national television exposure of the Navy racing team, while the show car program will capitalize on person-to-person contacts. NASCAR is a great American sport, a strong supporter of the military, and has a strong Navy fan base. As mentioned above, though, a decision has not been made about the Navy’s sponsorship of a NASCAR racing team for the 2005 season. The Navy’s exposure in NASCAR also produces outstanding public outreach, reaching a broad cross-section of the American public and harnessing NASCAR’s brand image strengths to improve consideration of Naval service.(RacinDeals)(9-25=2004)
Mexico Busch race ‘rain or shine’? The NASCAR Busch venture to Mexico City next March will be run rain or shine, and Busch teams will have to be prepared to race in the rain on rain tires, according to NASCAR sources, and their cars will have to be rain-equipped with windshield wipers and defoggers and brake lights. NASCAR this year abandoned its rain-contingency plans for Cup racing. Busch teams haven’t raced on road courses in several years so they will have to build new cars. One question that many Cup teams are interested in is if NASCAR will eventually rebadge the Mexico City race as a Nextel Cup race. A number of Nextel crew chiefs have been invited by NASCAR executives to attend the Busch race, heightening speculation.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-25-2004)
USPS on the #37: The United States Postal Service is the primary sponsor on the #37 Chevy of David Green and Brewco Racing. Also was the sponsor at Dover in June and has been rumored to be a full sponsor or a larger associate sponsor in 2005.(9-24-2004)
Toll house on the #22: Nestle’s Toll House cookies is the sponsor on the #22 Ford for driver Jason Keller at Dover.(9-24-2004)
Szegedy to Yates Busch team? Todd Szegedy has made two Busch starts for Joe Nemechek this season. He will attempt one more Busch race for Nemechek Oct. 23 at Memphis. Szegedy is still in the process of solidifying a deal for the Busch Series next season. Rumors this past weekend had Szegedy driving a Busch car for Nextel Cup Series owner Robert Yates next year.(Hartford Courant), it was mentioned during Busch Series qualifying that Rick Ren, who will be the crew chief for the Robert Yates Racing Busch team, will also be working with the #4 Mike Wallace team at Dover.(9-24-2004)
Todd Barrott to help out Mike Wallace: #4-Mike Wallace is going to receive a little help from his friends this weekend, and he believes that will lead to a good finish at one of his favorite race tracks, Dover International Speedway. With crew chief Tony Lambert sidelined after some nasal surgery last week, Todd Parrott of Robert Yates Racing will “call the race (the Stacker 200 on Saturday) for us,” says Wallace. “I really want to thank Todd and everyone at Robert Yates Racing for helping us out this weekend, adds Wallace. “With Tony not being at the race track, three of our regular crew guys, Blair Betts, Bob Meese and John Lach, will be acting co-crew chiefs this weekend on the GEICO/Sport Clips Ford, and Todd will come over on Saturday and be the one on top of the pit box. He is one of the best in the business at calling races so we couldn’t be in better hands.” While Parrott will be quite busy with his regular job, crew chief for Elliott Sadler on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, on Friday at Dover, Parrott has agreed to ‘loan’ a crew member to Wallace’s team during practice, qualifying and happy hour.(Moore On Motorsports PR), it was mentioned during Busch Series qualifying that Rick Ren, who will be the crew chief for the Robert Yates Racing Busch team, will also be working with the #4 Mike Wallace team at Dover.(9-24-2004)
New colors this week? With Delaware being the home of MBNA’s headquarters, J.J. Yeley will display logos of MBNA on his #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo this week at Dover. MBNA, the issuer of the official NASCAR credit card, also is the title sponsor of Dover’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday, entitled the MBNA America 400. In addition, MBNA will be the primary sponsor of Bobby Labonte’s #18 Chevy on Sunday.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(9-22-2004)
Plattenberger to be #12 crew chief for rest of 2004: Steve Plattenberger will be the crew chief for FitzBradshaw Racing’s Tim Fedewa and the #12 Supercuts/Hot Tamales team for the duration of the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season. Team co-owner Armando Fitz announced the hiring today and noted Plattenberger’s duties will begin this weekend in Dover.(FitzBradshaw PR)(9-22-2004)
Smith to sub for Biffle at Memphis: Busch Series driver Regan Smith has accepted the task of practicing and qualifying the #60 Charter Communications Ford at Memphis Motorsports Park for the Sam’s Town 250 on Oct. 23. Greg Biffle will be unable to attend Friday’s activities at the .75-mile track because his NEXTEL Cup responsibilities require him to be in Martinsville preparing his #16 National Guard Ford for the Subway 500 on Oct. 24. Biffle will be on hand for Happy Hour and the race, but if scheduling conflicts arise due to weather, Smith will compete in the 250-lap event at Memphis. Smith, a 20-year old driver originally from Cato, N.Y., has spent the last two seasons competing on a limited basis in the NASCAR Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. Most recently he drove the #50 Holigan Racing entry that closed its doors, affording Smith the opportunity to drive for the winningest team in Busch Series history. In addition, Smith has run a handful of Busch events in the #56 Mac Hill Motorsports car along with running an event in the #1 Yellow car where he scored his career best finish of 15th at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Earlier in the season at Nazareth, Smith participated in a similar substitution role for Kasey Kahne in the #38 car. Unlike the Memphis weekend where he will get a full practice session prior to qualifying the #60, Smith qualified the #38 on the outside pole for Nazareth after having just six laps of practice.(Roush Racing PR)(9-22-2004)
BACE, Raines and the NASDAQ at Dover: After starting and finishing 12th in the spring Dover event, Tony Raines returns to the “Monster Mile” looking to claim his fourth Top-10 and eclipse his best Dover finish (4th – Fall of 1999). BACE Motorsports will salute The Outdoor Channel’s appearance on the “big board” of NASDAQ by displaying the The Outdoor Channel’s listed symbol (OUTD) on the decklid and TV Panel of the #74 entry. The move from the NASDAQ bulletin board to the National Market System is a huge milestone for The Outdoor Channel and Raines looks to rally the stock as soon as the green flag signifies the start of trading (paint, that is). It’s the second consecutive season that BACE Motorsports has been associated with NASDAQ. In 2003, Raines and team owner Bill Baumgardner joined Robert Forney, President and CEO of America’s Second Harvest, in presiding over the NASDAQ Market Open in recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day, spotlighting BACE’s association with America’s Second Harvest and the commitment to end hunger.(BACE Motorsports)(9-22-2004)
Kahne wins pole at Dover: #38-Kasey Kahne won the pole for the second consecutive race, winning the pole for the Stacker2 200 at Dover International Speedway with a lap of 157.350mph, beating out points leader #8-Martin Truex Jr. and #25-Mike McLaughlin. Rookie #5-Kyle Busch, who trails leader Martin Truex Jr. by 105 points in the standings, qualified fourth and #23-Kenny Wallace completed the top five.(ThatsRacin.com)
For speeds/starting lineup:
ThatsRacin.com
BGNRacing.com
NASCAR.com.(9-24-2004)
Kimmel Captures 6th ARCA Championship: Frank Kimmel is officially the 2004 ARCA RE/MAX Championship, even with one race remaining in the season. Kimmel’s insurmountable 740 point lead assures him of his 6th career and 5th consecutive championship as he continues to dominate the ARCA RE/MAX Series in his #46 Advance Auto Parts/Pork Ford Taurus. Ironically, Kimmel celebrated the championship not from victory lane, but while standing next to a heavily damaged car that was forced out of Saturday night’s race at Salem Speedway. After winning the Pork Pole Award, Kimmel dominated most of the race, but was caught up in a collision between two lapped cars that forced him out of the race.(Frank Kimmel Site)(9-22-2004)
Clemons to move to Busch in 2005: Josh Clemons To Finish Out Year In ARCA; Prepares For Busch In 2005: ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Josh Clemons who has impressed this season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series will compete in the final two ARCA events from Salem, and Talladega gathering seat time before heading to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2005. While the team has not yet announced their NASCAR number, they will carry sponsorship from United States of Mind. Clemons is expected to run Ford Taurses. His father Larry Clemons is expected to move over to Busch as the crew chief.(Catchfence)(9-22-2004)
KCR to be powered by Wegner and has a sponsor: When Mark Green stomps on the accelerator for #26 Keith Coleman Racing, the horsepower will be provided by Wegner Motorsports. The team announced a partnership with the veteran engine builder today. Wegner Motorsports has been in racing for 30 years. The team employees more than 50 people at two different locations and has won a number of engine builder championships at several levels. Located in Markesan, Wis., Wegner Motorsports has supplied engines for the NASCAR Busch Series for the past 10 years. Three full-time and two part-time Busch Series teams are powered by Wegner this year and the manufacturer also supplies engines for the Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA and several other series.
AND a SPONSOR: LoveFifi Racing, a division of LoveFifi.com, is pleased to announce the Primary Sponsorship program with the Keith Coleman Racing (KCR) team #26 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Veteran NASCAR driver Mark Green has committed to represent KCR in the NASCAR Busch Series (NBS). The sponsorship features impressive signage, giveaways, announcements and other exciting sponsorship involvement throughout the coming weeks. LoveFifi.com will participate in the following NBS races: Mr. Goodcents 300 in Kansas City on October 9; Sam’s Town 250 in Memphis on October 23; Aaron’s 312 in Atlanta on October 30; Basha’s Supermarkets 200 in Phoenix on November 6; and Ford 300 in Miami on November 20. QEO, Fifi, and CEO, Gary Landry, will be present at the races. For additional LoveFifi.com product or company information, visit their company website at www.LoveFifi.com.(KRC PR)(9-22-2004)
Dover News and Notes:
Atwood has extra confidence heading to Dover … Casey Atwood (No. 14 U.S. NAVY Chevrolet) is perhaps a bit more excited about his chances heading into Saturday’s race at Dover. Atwood, who won his first NASCAR Busch Series race at Dover in the fall 1999 event, comes off a second-place finish at Richmond two weeks ago – a result that could have easily shown him as the winner instead of Robby Gordon (No. 55 Fruit of the Loom Chevrolet). Gordon took the lead with 15 laps to go when Martin Truex Jr. pushed into Atwood, allowing Gordon the room to pass underneath both drivers for the lead. Atwood posted his best showing for FitzBradshaw Racing, and led 83 of the final 98 laps. “I’m happy we ran the way we did [at Richmond],” Atwood said. “I’m disappointed because we didn’t win. We had the car to beat. It was just so good to have a run like that. It’s a great confidence builder, especially coming here where I’ve won before.”

Regan Smith to step in for Biffle at Memphis … Regan Smith, who has run on a limited basis in the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season, has agreed to practice and qualify – and drive if scheduling conflicts arise – the No. 60 Charter Communication Ford for Greg Biffle in the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park Oct. 23. Biffle will be unable to attend NASCAR Busch Series practice and qualifying on Oct. 22 due to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series scheduling conflicts preparing his No. 16 National Guard Ford for the Subway 400 at Martinsville on Oct. 24. Biffle, the only fulltime NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver also running a full schedule in the NASCAR Busch Series, enters Saturday’s race at Dover fourth in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings. The 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion won the June race at Dover and also has a victory in the 2002 spring race at the Monster Mile. Smith substituted for Kasey Kahne (No. 38 Great Clips Dodge) earlier this season at Nazareth where he qualified on the outside pole after only six laps of practice.

Mike Wallace gets some help from his friends … Mike Wallace and the crew of the No. 4 GEICO Ford will get some friendly assistance at Dover this weekend. Crew chief Tony Lambert is being forced to stay home following nasal surgery, but Todd Parrott has offered to lend a hand. Parrott, crew chief for Elliott Sadler and the No. 38 M&M’s Ford in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, will be atop the pit box for Wallace. Another member of Sadler’s crew will assist the No. 4 team during practice and qualifying. “With Tony not being at the race track, three of our regular crew guys – Blair Betts, Bob Meese and John Lach – will be acting as co-crew chiefs this weekend and Todd will come on Saturday and be on top of the pit box,” Wallace said. “He is one of the best in the business at calling races, so we couldn’t be in better hands.” Parrott, Sadler and the No. 38 team are one of the 10 teams involved in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup; Round 2 of “The Chase” will be run at Dover on Sunday. Chevy’s lead doubled in manufacturers’ standings … Chevrolet’s win two weeks ago at Richmond – Robby Gordon’s first in the NASCAR Busch Series – doubled its lead in the Bill France Performance Cup standings over second-place Ford. Chevy has accumulated 16 wins and 198 points heading into Dover while Ford has eight wins and 162 points. Dodge is third, with two wins and 121 points. Chevrolet has won 18 of the last 22 NASCAR Busch Series races at Dover. Greg Biffle won in June, giving Ford the edge at the track this season.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Nine drivers who have won at Dover, including three who have won the fall race – Robert Pressley (No. 46 Clorox/Wisk Ford), Morgan Shepherd (No. 71 MacDonald Motorsports Chevrolet) and Michael Waltrip (No. 99 State Fair Corn Dogs Chevrolet) – are entered for Saturday’s event. … Mike McLaughlin (No. 25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) is tied for third all-time in top-10 finishes at Dover (10); Mark Martin (No. 9 Cottman Transmissions Ford), Jason Keller (No. 22 Nestle Toll House Ford) and David Green (No. 37 Timber Wolf Pontiac) are tied for fifth all-time at Dover with five top-five finishes in their careers. … Greg Biffle, the winner this spring at Dover, is second all-time in average finishes at the track (7.3).

ETC.
Despite his fifth-place finish at Dover this spring, Kyle Busch will drive the car in which 2003 NASCAR Busch Series champion Brian Vickers won at the track last fall. … Steve Plattenberger will take over as crew chief for the No. 12 Supercuts/Hot Tamales Chevrolet team and driver Tim Fedewa for the remainder of the season starting at Dover. Plattenberger comes to FitzBradshaw Racing after serving as crew chief for Stacy Compton (No. 59 Kingsford Bush’s Baked Beans Chevrolet) in 2003. … Jason Leffler has a victory at Dover, winning last spring in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. … Jason Keller’s current streak of 228 consecutive NASCAR Busch Series races started began at Dover in the fall 1997 race; the next top-10 finish for Keller will mark the 150th of his career (he has nine at Dover). … Kerry Earnhardt (No. 29 ESGR Chevrolet) joins in the five-race salute to America’s supportive employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists at Dover. Others who have driven the Richard Childress Racing entry in the NASCAR Busch Series this season are Bobby Labonte (11th at Texas), Tony Stewart (second at California) and Ricky Craven (11th at Chicago). Kevin Harvick (No. 21 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Chevrolet) is scheduled to carry the sponsorship in the fifth and final race at Homestead Nov. 20.

QUOTEBOOK
“It has been [15 races] since we’ve gone to Victory Lane; what better place to break a winless streak than at your home track.” – Martin Truex Jr. “It’s real easy to love Dover when your car is right. It’s real easy to hate it when your car isn’t right. We had it hooked up in 1992 when we won both of the races there.” – Robert Pressley (No. 47 Clorox/Wisk Ford).

FROM THE ARCHIVES
Dover International Speedway seems to favor first-time NASCAR Busch Series winners. Mark Martin, the series’ most successful driver, scored the first of his 45 NASCAR Busch Series wins in Dover’s 1987 spring race. Rick Mast also won for the first time at Dover in the1987 fall event. Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip got his first career NASCAR Busch Series win at Dover in 1988. Ricky Rudd’s sole series victory came at Dover in 1983 and Joe Ruttman’s only NASCAR Busch Series win was at the venue in 1982. Popular Ken Schrader got his first NASCAR Busch Series checkered flag at Dover in 1989 while series Mike “Magic Shoes” McLaughlin scored his first career win in Dover’s 1995 spring race. Johnny Benson, Todd Bodine (the series leader with three wins at Dover), Mike Wallace, Scott Wimmer and Bobby Hillin also tasted victory for the first time at Dover International Speedway NASCAR Busch Series events. In all, 13 NASCAR Busch Series drivers have scored their first career series win at Dover.

Fast Facts
What: Stacker 2 Hundred presented by YJ Stinger (Race No. 27 of 34 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del.
When: 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25.
Track layout: 1-mile concrete oval.
Race length: 200 miles/200 laps.
Posted awards: $1,001,251.
TV: TNT, 1 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2003 winner: Brian Vickers.
2003 polesitter: Kevin Harvick.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday — Practice, 9 – 10:55 a.m.; Qualifying, 1:10 p.m.; Final Practice (one hour, time permitting) following NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch North Series (scheduled for 4:15 p.m.).(NASCAR PR)(9-22-2004)
K. Earnhardt and ESGR team up for RCR: Kerry Earnhardt will return to the NASCAR Busch Series this weekend at Dover to race the No. 29 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) Chevrolet for RCR in the Stacker 200 presented by YJ Stinger Saturday, Sept. 25. Earnhardt will race the same car Tony Stewart raced to a second-place finish at California Speedway and Ricky Craven also drove to 11th-place at Chicagoland. Earnhardt will be driving the No. 29 ESGR Chevrolet as part of a joint venture between ESGR and RCR to bring together some of NASCAR’s biggest stars for a five-race salute to America’s supportive employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists. In addition to Earnhardt, Stewart and Craven, other drivers who have piloted or have yet to pilot the No. 29 ESGR car include Bobby Labonte (11th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway) and Kevin Harvick is scheduled to run the No. 29 ESGR November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(RCR PR)(9-21-2004)
Kyle Busch expected to compete at the Bullring Saturday: Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR Busch Series driver Kyle Busch is expected to return to his hometown to compete in the Super Late Model division at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday night. Busch is expected to pilot the #60 Quality Motorsports Super Late Model joining the regular three-car team of points leader Mike Ray, Mike Cofer and Jerry Spilsbury. Busch competed in the Super Late Model and Legends Cars divisions at the Bullring on a regular basis prior to moving to the Hendrick Motorsports camp in 2003. In 2001 Busch won 10 of the15 Super Late Model races he competed in. Saturday is the final NASCAR points night for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. Ray leads Thane Alderman by 16 points and holds a 29-point lead over Cofer. Spectator gates open at 6 p.m. Qualifying is set for 6:15 with racing at 7:15. General admission is $11 for adults, $9 for senior citizens/ military personnel and $4 for children 6-12. Children five and under are free. A Family Four Pack can be purchased for $24. Admission to the Stockyard is $36 per vehicle (up to four people). Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $20 for NASCAR members and $25 for non-members.(LVMS PR)(9-15-2004)
Mark Green comes home to join KCR: NASCAR veteran Mark Green will soon be the driving force behind the wheel of Keith Coleman Racing (KCR). A native of Owensboro, Ky., Green has signed on for the remainder of the 2004 season, starting in Kansas Speedway, and will pilot the car through 2007. “I am very excited to be involved with KCR,” said Green. “This is an up and coming organization and I wouldn’t be with them if I wasn’t sure we had the ability to run at the front of the pack.” Green has run in 13 races on the Busch Series this season, with his best finish being 21st at the Goulds Pumps ITT Industries 200. He has been competing on the Busch Series since 1995 when he competed in two races for Brewco Racing. Green promptly stepped up to ten races in 1996, scoring one top ten finish and qualifying second fastest at Myrtle Beach Speedway. “As a new organization, we felt it was important to find a veteran driver who can put us in front early,” said Ruben Houser, team manager. “Mark has the knowledge and experience of having done it before and we couldn’t get that from a rookie.”
“We are very excited to be involved with a Kentucky team,” Cathy Green said. “Mark’s career has come full-circle and we are very thankful for the opportunity. We may live in North Carolina now, but Kentucky is home.”(KCR PR) KCR bought the team from #50 Holigan Racing, who closed shop a few months ago.(9-15-2004)
#14 Team to visit Norfolk Area Shipyards: NASCAR Busch Series driver Casey Atwood and his crew from the #14 FitzBradshaw Racing team will utilize their off-weekend to visit sailors and tour the Naval Station in Norfolk, Va. September 15-17. The U.S. Navy is the primary sponsor of the #14 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The Navy uses its sponsorship to promote its recruiting program, “Accelerate your life,” and to reward sailors for their service with opportunities to meet the driver, crew and owners. Wednesday’s tour stop will include a visit on the USS Donald Cook, a destroyer involved in the first Tomahawk strike against Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as the USS Scranton, a submarine. Thursday the team will visit Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek and will embark on a harbor ride. The group will return to NS Norfolk and tour the USS Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Later in the afternoon, Atwood will sign autographs for a large number of sailors at the Navy Exchange outside the Norfolk Naval Station main gate. Friday the group will see Naval Air Station Oceana.(PSE-3/FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(9-14-2004)
New DEI Busch driver? UPDATE 2: hearing that Chance 2 [Dale Earnhardt Jr./Tersa Earnahrdt’s Busch team] has signed Busch north standout Ryan Moore, for seven Busch Series races in 2005, and full time in 2006.(6-5-2004)
UPDATE 1: hearing the deal was signed on Friday, June 4th, a 5-year deal, it would be a DEI deal, not Chance2 and would be the #1 DEI team [for Cup] with the first few years in the Busch Series.(6-7-2004)
UPDATE 2: Twenty-one year old Ryan Moore, of Scarborough, Maine, has signed a driver development contract with NASCAR powerhouse Dale Earnhardt, Inc. [DEI] which will take him from the Busch North Series to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2005. The driver development program that Moore signed on to will have him testing NASCAR Busch Series cars for DEI over the winter, and entered into seven Busch Series races – the most he can run without jeopardizing his Rookie Of The Year eligibility for future seasons – during the 2005 season.(Ryan Moore PR via BGNRacing.com)(9-13-2004)
#23 Crewman Injured: Phillip Norris, a crew member on the No. 23 Chevrolet of Kenny Wallace, was transported to the Medical College of Virginia for further evaluation. Norris burned his hands while changing a tire.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-10-2004)
Wasson renews Acexenterprises.com Sponsorship for Richmond: After a solid performance and successful promotion at California, Gus Wasson and Davis Motorsports #10 NASCAR Busch Series team announce acexenterprises.com is promoting two of their companies: www.virtualstockcar.com (the only NASCAR simulation game on the internet) and www.oilimages.com (where artists create hand painted original oil paintings directly from images or photos) in the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond International Raceway Friday night.(hufcopromotion.com PR)(9-10-2004)
Robby Gordon wins at Richmond: #14-Casey Atwood saw it. #55-Robby Gordon wanted it. #8-Martin Truex Jr. decided it. While racing for the lead on Lap 236 of 250, Truex Jr. slid up into Atwood, then the leader, through Turns 3 and 4, and as they moved up the track, Gordon dashed below and into the lead. Gordon then spent the final 15 laps of Friday night’s Emerson 250 at Richmond International Raceway holding off repeated charges by Atwood to retake the lead. Gordon crossed the finish line .177 seconds ahead of Atwood, who remained right on his rear bumper. The win is Gordon’s first in the NASCAR Busch Series [24 starts]. He has been running a partial schedule this season with the #55 Fruit of the Loom Chevrolets he owns. Atwood was looking for his first NASCAR win since the 1999 season, when he won two Busch events. He took control on Lap 153 and led 83 laps before the incident with Truex and the pass by Gordon. Truex, whose third place finish helped extend his series points lead to 105 over nearest rival #5-Kyle Busch, felt bad about the incident with Atwood after the race. “I kind of cost him the win and I kind of feel like an idiot,” said Truex. “But with 10 laps to go, you got to race for the lead.” #00-Jason Leffler finished fourth and Busch completed the top-five. Pole winner #38-Kasey Kahne led the first 152 laps but fell behind after a four-time pit stop on Lap 153 that put him back in 14th on the restart. The race was slowed 10 times by caution for 67 laps. There were two lead changes among three different drivers.(ThatsRacin.com), the 2nd place was also Atwood’s first top five sine he won at Dover in 1999.
For race results, see:
ThatsRacin.com
BGNRacing.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com.(9-10-2004)
McLaughlin to finish out season in the #25: Team Rensi Motorsports President and Co-Owner Sam Rensi announced today that Mike McLaughlin will pilot the #25 Team Marines Ford for the remaining nine races of the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season. McLaughlin a veteran of 304 Busch Series races stepped into the seat of the # 25 Ford two races ago and has recorded two consecutive strong finishes. (Rensi PR via BGNRacing.com)(9-9-2004)
New Driver for the #39? UPDATE 2: hearing that ARCA Series Driver Jennifer Jo Cobb (coming off back-to-back top-10 finishes at Nashville and Kansas) has been in discussions with Busch Team Owner Jay Robinson about replacing Tina Gordon in the #39 Yahoo! sponsored Ford Taurus, after the California Busch Race this weekend. Supposedly Robinson plans to part company with Tina Gordon after California anyway. Cobb could be in the car as soon as Dover.
UPDATE: Team sources deny that Gordon will be replaced.(BGNRacing.com)
AND from Jay Robinson Racing: “We have no comment concerning Tina’s future with the team. She will be driving at California. As for Jennifer Jo Cobb, we have had no conversation with her and as of now, no future plans with her.”(9-1-2004)
UPDATE: Gordon is still in the #39 and will run the race at Richmond.(9-9-2004)
Kahne wins pole at Richmond: #38-Kasey Kahne denied #5-Kyle Busch the chance Thursday to repeat his dominant weekend performance in May at Richmond International Raceway. Busch, 19, won the pole and the NASCAR Busch Series race in May, and tried to kick off a repeat performance this weekend but Kahne’s lap at 127.678 mph in the #38 Dodge slid Busch into the second starting position. #55-Robby Gordon was third, #46-Ashton Lewis Jr. fourth and #21-Kevin Harvick completed the top five. Series points leader #8-Martin Truex Jr. will start seventh. The pole is Kahne’s first of the season and second of his Busch career. His first came in August of last year at Michigan. Busch teams lost their final practice session Thursday night because of a compacted schedule. Rain delayed the start of Thursday’s on-track activity. Teams were allowed to work on their cars overnight.(ThatsRacin.com), failing to make the race, were 11 drivers, including: #31-Todd Bodine, #44-Justin Labonte, #75-Jay Sauter, #71-Kevin Lepage, #39-Tina Gordon.
For qualifying results/starting lineup, see:
ThatsRacing.com
NASCAR.com.(9-9-2004)
Smith Brothers Motorsports & GIC Mixon Motorsports Team Up: After sustaining severe damage to his primary Richmond car in a test late last week, part-time Busch Series competitor, C.W. Smith was faced with a difficult situation. Lacking sufficient time to make needed repairs to the chassis, the Panasonic-sponsored team sought assistance from fellow Busch competitors, and found they didn’t have to look very far. The damaged car was returned to the Jeff Spraker shop in Mooresville, NC where the Smith Brothers Motorsports cars are prepared. When neighbor Gregg Mixon, of GIC Mixon Motorsports, became aware of the circumstances, he offered to combine forces with the Smith Brothers team for the Richmond race with #24 driver Steve Grissom carrying the Panasonic colors. An appreciative Smith stated: “Our primary concern was for our sponsor. The Richmond race is slated to be a pivotal marketing event for Panasonic and Circuit City, and we wanted to be sure and provide the best possible effort on their behalf. I’m very grateful to Gregg Mixon and Steve Grissom for stepping up to assist with this program and provide Panasonic the exposure that they deserve.” Smith, a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper who runs a limited schedule in the Busch Series, has posted some strong qualifying efforts and a top-15 finish at Talladega earlier this year.(Spraker PR)(9-9-2004)
Sadler/Score split with FanZCar, have new sponsors for RIR races FanZCar response: #02 SCORE Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler and former NBA Star Bryant Stith, has terminated its sponsorship agreement with SSRacing, Inc. and The FanZCar program for lack of payment. “We worked very hard to make this program work, including re-structuring the contract three different times, but it became evident that they are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations,” stated [driver] Hermie Sadler. “It is in our best interest to move forward and find new sponsors and partners for our team.” Even though SCORE Motorsports will have no relationship with SSRacing, Inc., they will allow current members of the program to request pit and garage passes on a first come, first serve basis. Members can make their requests through the Sadler Fan Club [www.sadlerfanclub.com]. “We want to try and take care of the Hermie Sadler fans that joined this program,” Sadler concluded.
AND SCORE Motorsports and driver Hermie Sadler announced today their sponsors for this weekends races at Richmond International Raceway. Jenkins, Jenkins, & Jenkins, P.A. Attorneys at Law, located in LaPlata, Maryland, will be sponsoring their NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series car and Slip-in Food Marts will be sponsoring their NASCAR Busch Series car. Jenkins, Jenkins, & Jenkins has been involved in sponsorship in all three of NASCAR’s top divisions this year, including the SCORE Motorsports Chevrolet that Sadler drove in the spring NEXTEL Cup race at RIR. They are the first law firm to use major NASCAR sponsorship to create awareness for their firm, something that Frank Jenkins says has worked for them. “We know that NASCAR fans are very loyal,” Jenkins said. “They pay attention to who sponsors and supports the teams and drivers. We have found NASCAR racing to be a great way to get exposure and entertain guests.”
The Busch Series car will be exciting for Sadler, as well as the team, as it puts Sadler back in the familiar yellow paint scheme that both he and brother Elliott Sadler ran successfully on Virginia’s Late Model Stock Car tracks in the early to mid 1990s. Both brothers carried sponsorship for Slip-in Food Marts on their late model cars and the Busch Series paint scheme will be a direct replica of those cars. Slip-in Food Marts operates 24 convenience stores in Southside Virginia, as well as two truckstops, one in Emporia, Va. and the other in Dunn, N.C. For more information on Jenkins, Jenkins, & Jenkins, visit www.racinglaw.com.(SCORE Motorsports PR)
AND II The FanZCar will release a statement either Tuesday night or Wednesday regarding the announcement in which Hermie Sadler has terminated his contact with SS Racing, Inc. and The FanZCar.(FanZCar PR)(9-7-2004)
UPDATE: SS Racing Inc., founding company of The FanZCar has parted ways with SCORE Motorsports. “I regret the separation between SCORE and The FanZCar. NASCAR is a performance sport and very competitive. The FanZCar believed the level of performance committed to us, while luring our sponsorship, would have provided us with the exposure necessary to continue the strong growth of our members,” said Scott Stricker, President and Co-CEO of The FanZCar. “The FanZCar and all of our members have provided SCORE with a great deal of support this year. We will continue to honor any and all agreements with SCORE and wish the team success. Our primary focus will be to ensure the highest level of satisfaction for our current and future members while we continue to execute the goals and strategies of The FanZCar. The FanZCar and our members are bigger than a single driver or team. We are very excited about our future plans that will continue the growth of our organization,” added Stricker. Media inquiries should be directed to Scott Stricker and/or Eric Say. Contact information is available at www.TheFanZCar.com.(FanZCar PR)(9-7-2004)
Richmond News and Notes:
Martin makes another NASCAR Busch Series run … Mark Martin (No. 9 Pennzoil Ford) has his second NASCAR Busch Series start of the season planned Friday night at Richmond, a track where he holds the record for wins (five). Of Martin’s series-record 45 victories, nine have come on short tracks; over half of those at RIR. Martin finished second three weeks ago at Michigan to Kyle Busch in his first series start since 2000. Six other NASCAR NEXTEL Cup regulars – Casey Mears (No. 1 Yellow Transportation Dodge), Kevin Harvick (No. 21 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Chevrolet), Kasey Kahne (No. 38 Great Clips Dodge), Robby Gordon (No. 55 Fruit of the Loom Chevrolet), Greg Biffle and Michael Waltrip (No. 99 Aaron’s Sales & Lease Chevrolet) are entered from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup side. “It brings a lot of credibility to the win when you beat guys like Mark Martin.” Jason Keller (No. 22 Miller High Life Ford).

KISS rocks Hornaday, Hylton at Richmond … The rock band “KISS,” complete with its wild makeup, was big in the 70s, and Butch Hylton, crew chief of the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet, still claims to be one of the band’s biggest fans. KISS will be in attendance at Richmond Friday night, and the car driven by Ron Hornaday Jr. will feature the band in its paint scheme. Hylton, who owns every album the band has released – including some rare imports – is practically beside himself when talking about the band, their appearance, and the Emerson 250. “I joined the ‘KISS Army’ and bought all of the collectibles, from action figures to lunch boxes,” Hylton said. “To have them on the side of our car, to meet them and to see how big of racing fans they are is super cool. It’s hard to put into words the excitement they have given to this race.” Hornaday, according to those close to him, might not be a big fan of the band’s music, but believes he and KISS do have something in common. “They rock just as hard on their first song as they do their last. I like to think that I race that same way,” he said.

Ford gets back in manufacturer’s race … Greg Biffle’s win at California last Saturday not only broke Chevrolet’s three-race winning streak, but helped move Ford a bit closer in the Bill France Performance Cup standings as the season draws to a close. Biffle’s fifth win of the season – tied with Kyle Busch for most in the series this year – gives Ford eight wins and 158 points on the year, second to Chevrolet’s 15 wins and 189 points. Dodge has 115 points and two victories. Biffle has been behind the wheel of Ford’s last two wins. Chevy leads with 13 NASCAR Busch Series wins at Richmond

ON THE RIGHT TRACK
In addition to leading all drivers in NASCAR Busch Series wins at Richmond, Mark Martin is also first all-time at the track in top fives (13), laps led (1,196) and races led (15) in 21 starts. He is tied with Kenny Wallace (No. 23 Stacker 2 Chevrolet) in all-time top 10s with 17. … Wallace is second to Martin in top-five finishes at Richmond (nine), and three of his nine NASCAR Busch Series wins have come at RIR. … Michael Waltrip is tied with Tommy Ellis for first all-time in Busch Poles at Richmond (five). … Seven former winners at Richmond are in the field – Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jason Keller, Martin, Johnny Sauter, Wallace and Waltrip.

ETC.
David Green (No. 37 Timber Wolf Pontiac) will attempt to qualify for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Saturday night at Richmond, driving BREWCO Motorsports’ first-ever entry in the premier series, the No. 27 Timber Wolf/Victory Junction Gang Chevrolet. … Johnny Sauter will attempt to run in all three NASCAR races at Richmond this week. Sauter, the defending NASCAR Busch Series event champion, hopes to be joined Friday night by his brothers Jay (No. 75 Food Country USA/Deer Park Water Chevrolet) and Tim (No. 56 Ford). Johnny will attempt to qualify a Richard Childress Racing entry for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 runs Thursday night. … Mike Bliss (No. 20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet), Jeff Fuller (No. 88 Chevrolet) and Mike Wallace (No. 4 GEICO Ford) are also entered in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Saturday. … Ashton Lewis, Jr. (No. 46 Towne Bank Ford) is a native of Chesapeake, Va., and had his best NASCAR Busch Series finish at Richmond in May, 2002 (second). He has yet to lead a lap in nine series races at his home track … Team Rensi Motorsports will field two entries for the Emerson 250 – 19-year-old Shelby Howard will drive the No. 35 Volvo/Snap-On Ford, joining Mike McLaughlin (No. 25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford). Howard will be seeking his third career NASCAR Busch Series start and his second this season; he was 24th for Team Rensi at Indianapolis Raceway Park in August.

QUOTEBOOK
“You have rough racing at Richmond, whether it’s nighttime or not. Short-track racing is up-on-the-wheel, in-your-face racing. You have to rout and gouge. You have to use the ‘chrome horn.’ It’s part of that style of racing.” – Ron Hornaday Jr. “We may not be able to catch the top two very easily, but we have to make sure the guys behind us don’t catch us, either. They’re breathing down our necks and we need to make sure we step up to the plate every weekend. The Busch Series is really competitive this year and we’re really having a good time being part of it.” – Jason Leffler (No. 00 Haas Automation Chevrolet). “It just hurts that much more if you don’t run well … you just want to run well and finish strong in front of your family and friends. It makes it that much more rewarding when you do.” – Chesapeake, Va., native Ashton Lewis Jr.

FROM THE ARCHIVES
Dale Earnhardt won 23 NASCAR Busch Series races, good for fourth place on the all-time list. His lone series victory at Richmond came in the 1986 Freedlander 200, which was held on Richmond Raceway’s old half-mile configuration which was perfectly suited to the “take no prisoners” driving style Earnhardt learned from his legendary father, 1956 NASCAR Sportsman Division champion Ralph Earnhardt, who drove the No. 8.
Dale Earnhardt, who used the No. 8 on his NASCAR Busch Series cars in honor of his father, qualified fourth behind pole-sitter Brett Bodine, who set a track record of 98.218 mph.
Earnhardt made his way to the front of the field on Lap 34 and led through Lap 98, relinquishing the lead to L.D. Ottinger. He took the lead for good on Lap 150 and held it through the remainder of the event for his ninth career series win. He took home $7,000 of the $54,765 purse.
In later years, Earnhardt’s son, Dale Jr., has continued No. 8’s winning tradition as the third-generation driver has won three Richmond International Raceway NASCAR Busch Series races.

Fast Facts:
What: Emerson Radio 250 (Race No. 26 of 34 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
When: 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 10.
Track layout: .75-mile oval.
Race length: 250 laps/187.5 miles.
Posted awards: $989.998.
TV: TNT, 8 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2003 winner: Johnny Sauter.
2003 polesitter: Kevin Harvick, qualifying set by NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. Pre-race schedule (all times local):
Thursday—Practice, Noon–1:55 p.m.
Qualifying, 3:35 p.m. [LIVE SPEED CHANNEL];
Final Practice, 6:15–7:15 p.m.(NASCAR PR)(9-8-2004)
Teri MacDonald Returns At Memphis: Teri MacDonald, sister of Randy MacDonald will be running a Busch Series Chevrolet out of the MacDonald Motorsports stable for the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, Tennessee on October 23rd. Teri who was at California Speedway, stated there was sponsorship available for her car but was hoping additional would come along by race date.(Insider Racing News)(9-5-2004)
Biffle wins at California…..again: Five times over the final 10 laps of Saturday’s Target House 300 at California Speedway, #60-Greg Biffle and #41-Casey Mears swapped the lead, with Biffle finally going ahead on Lap 148 of 150 and holding off Mears by .356 seconds for the win. It’s Biffle’s fifth victory of the season and 16th of his career. He remains fourth in series points, 483 behind leader Martin Truex Jr. Mears’ second-place finish is his best in 108 career starts. #21-Kevin Harvick rallied to finish third, #38-Kasey Kahne was fourth and #66-Jamie McMurray completed the top five. #8-Truex Jr. finished eighth and extended his points lead over second-place #5-Kyle Busch to 95. The race was slowed four times by caution for 13 laps. There were 18 lead changes among seven different drivers. Biffle (72) led the most laps.(race report at ThatsRacin.com), Biffle also won the May race at California Speedway.
For race results, see:
ThatsRacin.com
BGNRacing.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com.(9-4-2004)
Coast Guard to sponsor Labonte full time in 2005: The United States Coast Guard announced today that it intends to extend its partnership with Labonte Motorsports and driver Justin Labonte to encompass a full 35-race schedule in the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series season. Justin, 23, is currently running the “Shield of Freedom” #44 car in a 15-race schedule under Coast Guard sponsorship this season. “The Coast Guard entered into this year’s partnership as a unique opportunity to showcase the Coast Guard and tell our story to an unprecedented audience of potential recruits and those that influence them,” said Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the Coast Guard. “Justin, Terry, Bobby and the entire Labonte Motorsports organization have been true class acts throughout the season. It’s clear that we made the right choice in partnering with a family and team whose values and traditions mirror those of the Coast Guard family. We are looking forward to extending our partnership into the 2005 season.”
Justin Labonte said that he couldn’t be more thrilled with his Coast Guard association. “I’ve visited a lot of Coast Guard units and there’s still a lot of neat stuff that I haven’t seen, so I’m looking forward to more visits. I couldn’t ask for a better sponsor. It’s been a lot of fun.,” he said. “And being able to race a full schedule is so important to being a successful team,” he added. “You just can’t make the same progress running a limited schedule, so we’re very excited about racing every week and making a run at the championship with the Shield of Freedom #44.”
Justin’s father Terry Labonte and his uncle Bobby Labonte have been full participants in the partnership which is aimed at enhancing the Coast Guard’s recruiting and outreach missions. The three Labonte drivers also serve as spokesmen in TV and print public service announcements for the Coast Guard’s 2004 National Boating Safety Campaign. The Coast Guard has also been impressed with the race team’s talent and dedication which resulted in Justin putting the Shield of Freedon #44 in Victory Lane at Chicagoland Speedway July 10. “With only eight full-time employees working in excess of 12-hour days getting the car ready to race, it’s reminiscent of our Coast Guard crews and the hours they work in service to America,” Collins said.(Labonte Motorsports PR)(9-3-2004)
Mears wins the pole at California: #41-Casey Mears and #38-Kasey Kahne on Friday unintentionally spoiled what looked to be a front row in Saturday’s Target House 300 at California Speedway featuring the drivers first and second in the NASCAR Busch Series points race. For much of Friday’s qualifying session, series leader #8-Martin Truex Jr. and rookie #5-Kyle Busch, second in points, filled the front row. As the session wound to a close, Mears jumped to the pole, knocking off Truex. Then Kahne jumped to third, separating Truex and Busch. #87-Joe Nemechek completed the top five. The pole is the second for Mears in the series. He is running a limited schedule in the #41 Dodge, sharing the ride with fellow Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Jamie McMurray and Reed Sorenson.(ThatsRacin.com). Missing the race was one driver: #57-Morgan Shepherd.
Qualifying Results/Lineup at:
ThatsRacin.com
BGNRacing.com
NASCAR.com.(9-3-2004)
Wasson gets a sponsor for California: American Card Exchange, Inc (www.acexenterprises.com ) of Billings, Montana announced a marketing partnership with the #10 Davis Motorsports Team and driver Gus Wasson for the Target House 300 on NBC this weekend at the California Speedway. They will be promoting two of their companies: virtualstockcar.com, (an on-line racecar competition) and oilimages.com (a service that hand paints reproductions of photos, etc.) “We are excited to become involved in the brand building power of a NASCAR team sponsorship for our investors and customers, says Tom Pederson, President and CEO, and Davis Motorsports is one of the least-funded teams in the NASCAR BUSCH Series but has shown tremendous consistency in competition with strong values and goals of success that align with the NASCAR Fans and ACEX Enterprises”.(hufcopromotion.com PR)(9-3-2004)
California News and Notes:
NASCAR Busch Series booms in Los Angeles market … The move of the Labor Day weekend events from Darlington to California this year was designed to bring the excitement of NASCAR to a broader fan base as a result of “Realignment 2004 and Beyond,” and the year-to-date network television results for the NASCAR Busch Series reinforce that move. Los Angeles – the second-largest television market in the country – is No. 1 among NASCAR Busch Series Top-10 markets, according to Nielsen Media Research. To date in 2004, Los Angeles averages 86,000 households tuning in to each NASCAR Busch Series race – an increase of 39% over 2003. Also, the West Coast viewership overall has seen gains as California’s surrounding markets (Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City) have experienced increases in NASCAR Busch Series viewership as well.

Hornaday hoping for good show at “home” … Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet), a native Californian from Palmdale, would relish the opportunity to turn around his recent performances at his “home” track – Palmdale is located some 60 miles from Fontana. After reaching as high as third in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings following Pikes Peak, Hornaday has slipped to seventh place. Following seven top 10s in an eight-race stretch from Charlotte to New Hampshire – including his first win of the season at Milwaukee – Hornaday has fallen on hard times with finishes ranging from 11th to 35th in his last four outings. “That’s all part of racing,” he said. “There are very few years when everything goes your way. That’s why when you have a year like that, you treasure it. Winning at this level is not easy; the competition is so tight. But we try not to get too high or too low. There are still 10 races left and that means 10 possible wins. We are focused on the goal of winning races.” Hornaday has one top-10 finish (10th, 2003) in five California Speedway appearances in the NASCAR Busch Series. He was 11th in the spring race this season.

Drivers, crews participate on “Family Feud” … NASCAR Busch Series drivers David Green (No. 37 Timber Wolf Pontiac) and Kenny Wallace will lead four of their team members against other NASCAR drivers and crew/team members on the popular game show, “Family Feud.” Green’s group will challenge NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Bill Lester and his Toyota Tundra crew during taping today for broadcast during the show’s “NASCAR Week” segments scheduled for Nov. 8-12. Wallace and his Stacker 2 mates will meet NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Ward Burton’s quintet. Others scheduled to compete are the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams of Kevin Harvick versus Jeremy Mayfield, Scott Wimmer against Casey Mears and Sterling Marlin taking on Elliott Sadler. All proceeds will be donated to various charities of the driver’s choices, including the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Chevy builds on manufacturer’s standings lead … The victory at Bristol by Dale Earnhardt Jr. last Saturday night gave Chevrolet its third consecutive win and increased its lead in the Bill France Performance Cup standings over Ford. Chevy has 15 wins and 185 points; Ford has seven wins and 149 points while Dodge, seeking its first win since Chicago, has 109 points and two victories. Ford has won the last three races at California Speedway.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Express Personnel Ford) has the most NASCAR Busch Series wins at California Speedway with three. He is the only driver with multiple victories at Fontana. … Kenseth has the most top fives (six) and is tied with Michael Waltrip (No. 99 Aaron’s Sales & Lease Chevrolet) in all-time top-10 finishes (six). … Jason Keller (No. 22 Miller High Life Ford) is the only active driver in the field who has participated in all eight previous NASCAR Busch Series races at California.

ETC.
FitzBradshaw Racing co-owners Armando Fitz and Terry Bradshaw will travel to Hawaii this week to visit the USS Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the surrender of Japan to end World War II. The formal surrender procedures took place on the deckplates of the Missouri. … J.J. Yeley will seek his first career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start at California, so NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series star and 2000 series champion Bobby Labonte will drive Yeley’s NASCAR Busch Series No. 18 Chevrolet entry under the sponsorship of Banquet. … Wally Dallenbach will step out of the NBC broadcast booth this weekend to drive the No. 35 Mr. Clean AutoDry Ford for Team Rensi Motorsports. It will be his first NASCAR Busch Series race since Daytona in February where he finished 42nd. … This week, Sterling Marlin (No. 1 FleetPride Dodge) will look to make his first NASCAR Busch Series start since Sept. 8, 2000 at Richmond. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup veteran has 53 career starts and two wins in the NASCAR Busch Series. … Kevin Harvick (No. 21 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Chevrolet), the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series champion from Bakersfield, Calif., has eight top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 14 series races this year.

QUOTEBOOK
“I think it’s like home-field advantage in other sports. It feels awesome to hear the cheers and see so many of your friends.” – Ron Hornaday, a native of Palmdale, on racing at California Speedway.
“California is just what it looks like on TV: A big, wide, really fast race track. You build up some serious speed there. You come off the corners and fly down the frontstretch, probably before you have to get out of the gas. Yeah, you’re holding onto the wheel pretty tight. – Johnny Sauter (No. 27 Kleenex/Scott Chevrolet).
“The rookies now are with better race teams than they used to be with, so I think they’re expected to run good, but I didn’t think they would run as consistently and really make such a big splash.” – Jason Keller.

FROM THE ARCHIVES
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was on his way to the first of consecutive NASCAR Busch Series championships when he came to California Speedway for the 19th race of the 1998 season. The event was known as the Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 with 150 laps being run over the 2-mile speedway.
Robert Pressley won the pole in his Kingsford/Matchlight Chevrolet with Earnhardt Jr. qualifying second, also in a Chevrolet. Female driver Patty Moise along with premier series stars Dale Jarrett and Michael Waltrip helped make up the 43-car field.
As the green flag waved, Earnhardt Jr. took the lead, holding it for the first 32 laps. There were seven lead changes among five drivers including Hermie Sadler, Kevin Lepage, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Purvis. Only 17 laps were run under caution as Earnhardt Jr. dominated the race, leading 141 of 150 laps and setting an event average speed record of 148.576 mph. It was the fourth victory of the year for the Dale Earnhardt-owned, ACDelco-sponsored team. The combination would win three more races and the championship before the end of the year.

Fast Facts
What: Target House 300 (Race No. 25 of 34 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: California Speedway, Fontana, Calif.
When: 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4. (ET).
Track layout: 2-mile banked, paved tri-oval.
Race length: 300 miles/150 laps.
Posted awards: $1,443,769.
TV: NBC, 3 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2003 winner: N/A, inaugural event.
2003 polesitter: N/A, inaugural event.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday — Practice, 8:30 – 10:50 a.m.; Qualifying, 1 p.m.; Final Practice (one hour, time permitting) following NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series qualifying (scheduled for 3:10 p.m.)(NASCAR PR)(9-2-2004)
Kahne to run some races in the #38 in 2005 UPDATE Walker in the rest: From a Dodge Motorsports Teleconference – Kasey Kahne:
Q) DO YOU THINK CUP DRIVERS WILL BACK OFF ON THE BUSCH SERIES NEXT SEASON?
A) “By the sounds of it, they might back off of it a little bit. They’re still going to be really good odds for a lot of races that the Cup drivers will come over and race. I know I will do 15-20 next year and do a lot of the tracks where we race together. It’s good to get those extra laps in. I know I’m not going to run full time. I’ll definitely run some races for Great Clips and Akins Motorsports, but how many I don’t know yet and who’s going to drive the other races we’re not sure of, either.”(ClearBlue PR)(8-24-2004)
UPDATE: World of Outlaws star Tyler Walker will split duties with Kasey Kahne in the No. 38 Dodge for Akins Motorsports beginning next season.(FoxSports)(9-2-2004)
McMurray and Mayfield in RWI’s #66 in 2005? during Tuesday’s Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on Speed Channel, Rusty Wallace, owner of the #66 Duraflame Dodge, said he hopes to have Nextel Cup drivers, Jamie McMurray and Jeremy Mayfield in the #66 Dodge in 2005.(9-1-2004)
BANG to Busch? during Tuesday’s Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on Speed Channel, Speed’s Truck Series broadcaster, Ray Dunlap was discussing BANG Racing’s split with Toyota, and mentioned BANG Racing and driver Travis Kvapil could end up in the Busch Series driving a Chevy. BANG Racing’s other driver, Mike Skinner would probably stay in the Truck Series with Toyota and another team.(9-1-2004)
Jani-King on the #12 at California: FitzBradshaw Racing will have a Jani-King car for the September 4th Target House 300 at California Speedway, and it will be the #12 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Jani-King has been a primary on the #82 FitzBradshaw car for races at Las Vegas, Texas, Daytona and Chicago already in the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season. Tim Fedewa, driver of the #12 will be making his fifth career start at California Speedway where he already has a Top-5 finish. Through 23 races in the 2004 Busch season, Fedewa has captured five Top-10 and one Top-5 finish. Jani-King had its best finish in Las Vegas when it came in 13th after starting 29th on the #82 FitzBradshaw Chevrolet Monte Carlo. FitzBradshaw Racing is featured on the SPEED Channel reality show NBS 24/7. The show airs every Monday night at 8:00 p.m. and re-airs Mondays at midnight, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(9-1-2004)