Bristol Adds 50 Laps To Spring Busch Race: The best racing the Busch Series has to offer just got better as the spring event at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Sharpie MINI 300, has been increased to 300 laps in length. Due to the popularity of the Busch events at BMS, which have drawn in excess of 100,000 fans in 10 of the last 12 Bristol races, Speedway officials received NASCAR’s approval to increase the race, which will be held next year on March 25, from 250 laps in length to 300 laps. This is the first time in the Speedway’s history that a 300-lap Busch event has taken place. The Sharpie MINI 300 supports the launch of the new Sharpie MINI marker, a 12-color marker series half the size of regular Sharpie markers with a clip cap that can be attached to just about anything. While the race will be longer next year, ticket prices will not increase. Tickets for the Sharpie Mini 500 will range from $47 to 70 and may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900.(BMS Site)(9-29-2005)
Busch Series Testing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway OVER – Speeds: More than a dozen NASCAR Busch Series teams, including those fielding cars for NEXTEL Cup title contenders Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, are scheduled to test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and Wednesday, Sept. 28 in preparation for the Dollar General 300 on Friday night, Oct. 14. Cars/drivers are scheduled to be on the track 3:00pm to 6:00pm & 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Drivers scheduled:
Tuesday, Sept 27: #0-Kertus Davis; #00-Mike Bliss; #4-Kevin Hamlin; #5-Adrian Fernandez; #6-Erin Crocker; #10-Brent Sherman; #17-Matt Kenseth; #19-Tony Stewart; #21-Brandon Miller; #23-Mark Green; #25-Ashton Lewis Jr.; #35-Jason Keller; #43-Aaron Fike; #47-Jon Wood; #48-Jimmie Johnson; #57-Kyle Busch; #64-Jamie McMurray; #79-Jeremy Mayfield.
Wednesday, Sept 28: all the above but #47-Wood and add #39-Ryan Newman.
Fans can attend both of the NASCAR Busch Series testing sessions free of charge. Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s frontstretch grandstand will be open both days and fans should enter through Gate 5A, located next to the main ticket office. Testing Tuesday: Race teams continued to assemble the pieces of the puzzle that is Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s levigated racing surface Tuesday night and by the end of the NASCAR Busch Series testing session the pieces were falling into place to form a clear picture. #48-Jimmie Johnson’s fastest lap on the unofficial stopwatches was 28.906 seconds, 186.812 mph, which is just a tick slower than Tony Stewart’s fastest lap last week during NASCAR NEXTEL Cup testing. “I definitely think the track’s better,” said Stewart who was testing the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet. “‘They drug some tires around here which is something we mentioned last week. There’s not really much they can do, but what they did do seemed to help quite a bit. We all give ‘Humpy’ a hard time for changing the track because we all liked it the way it was, but since he learned there is a problem he hasn’t stopped trying to make it better so we can at least go out there and do our job.”
“Race tracks have personalities,” said H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “And this track certainly got a new one in May when we ended up with 22 caution flags during the Coca-Cola 600. “But we’ve done a lot of things to the track since then. We’velevigated the front straightaway to smooth it out and we did some work in Turn 2,” Wheeler continued. “I think what happened last week during the NEXTEL Cup test was that there wasn’t enough rubber on the race track. Two drivers crashed during the six-hour session but the track surface was not a factor in either, and both were able to drive their cars back to the garage area. Early in the session, rookie Adrian Fernandez backed the #5 Lowe’s Chevrolet into the Turn 2 wall. “All of a sudden it just snapped around,” said the Mexico City native. “I was taking my time and not pushing it at all. It really took me by surprise. I don’t know what happened.” Late in the evening, a flat right-front tire sent Jeremy Mayfield’s #79 Dodge into the outside wall.
NASCAR Busch Series testing for the Oct. 14 Dollar General 300 continues Wednesday evening. Cars will be on the track from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday’s top-10 unofficial speeds: #48-Jimmie Johnson 186.812
#57-Kyle Busch 185.573
#79-Jeremy Mayfield 184.313
#64-Jamie McMurray 183.817
#47-Jon Wood 183.655
#19-Tony Stewart 183.511
#35-Jason Keller 181.421
#25-Ashton Lewis Jr., 181.105
#10-Brent Sherman 180.542
#33-Tony Raines 179.253.(LMS PR)(9-22/28-2005) UPDATE – Wednesday Speeds:
#39-Ryan Newman shot to the top of the speed chart Wednesday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway as 11 Busch Series teams made final preparations for the Dollar General 300 on Friday night, Oct. 14. Newman, who has won four consecutive NASCAR Busch Series races, established the #39 Alltel Dodge as the car to beat in the only remaining nighttime race on the Busch Series schedule. He was caught on the unofficial stopwatches with a best lap of 28.903 seconds for an average speed of 186.832 mph around the 1.5-mile track. Kyle Busch was second fastest at 186.367 mph but his best lap came just before he backed the #57 Lowe’s Chevrolet into the Turn 4 wall. Third quickest was NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series point leader Jimmie Johnson at 186.001 mph in the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet. Like Newman, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup title contender Matt Kenseth opted to participate in only the final day of the two-day session and was quickly up to speed in the #17 Waste Management Ford. He was fourth fastest at 185.599 mph. #5-Adrian Fernandez, who crashed hard on Tuesday, rebounded in a second #5 Lowe’s Chevrolet and posted the fifth-fastest lap at 184.036 mph. In addition to Busch’s wreck, Brent Sherman and Robby Gordon also hit the wall. Sherman slapped the Turn 2 SAFER barrier early in the session but was able to return later in the same car. Gordon smacked the outside wall just after 5 p.m. He drove back to the garage but he was finished for the evening. Showing driver, car number and speed: #39-Ryan Newman 186.832
#57-Kyle Busch 186.367
#48-Jimmie Johnson 186.001
#17-Matt Kenseth 185.599
#5-Adrian Fernandez 184.036
#10-Brent Sherman 182.654
#35-Jason Keller 181.928
#55-Robby Gordon 180.234
#0-Kertus Davis 180.216
#43-Aaron Fike 180.174.(LMS)(9-29-2005)
New Crew Chief for the #38: Disappointed with its 21st position in the Busch Series owner point standings, Akins Motorsports has announced that Gere Kennon will replace crew chief Jon Wolfe on the #38 Great Clips Dodge. “Due to the ever changing level of competition in the Busch Series and the need for team chemistry, we are forced to do some restructuring, which comes with the release of crew chief Jon Wolfe and car chief Roger Johnson,” said Akins Motorsports owner and general manager, Doug Stringer. “Their efforts and assistance have been greatly appreciated by Akins Motorsports. We feel that the addition of Kennon will have a positive impact on our performance.” Kennon, a Memphis, Tenn., native, was recently crew chief on the #99 Busch team with Michael Waltrip Racing. Prior to working at MWR, Kennon was the competition director at Innovative Motorsports for five years. To his credits, he has recorded two Busch Series Championships and 31 victories in NASCAR’s top-three series. For more information on Akins Motorsports, please visit www.akinsmotorsports.com.(Performance PR Plus PR)(9-29-2005)
Crew Chief leaves KCR: been told that J.J. Porter has resigned as Team Manager/Crew Chief of the #23 Busch Series Entry fielded by Keith Coleman Racing [I had him as the #26 crew chief, the 2nd KCR team]. No word on his plans or who the new crew chief will be for the next race…at Kansas.(9-29-2005)
NASCAR cuts Busch tests for 2006: NASCAR will cut the number of Busch Series testing dates from nine to four and will require drivers to test at four specified tracks in 2006, this week’s NASCAR Scene reports. Bob Pockrass reports that drivers will be required to test at Daytona, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Richmond.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(9-28-2005)
#25 Crew Chief Fined: NASCAR announced Tuesday that Charlie Lewis, crew chief of the #25 Ford driven by Ashton Lewis Jr. in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been penalized due to rule violations at Dover International Speedway. Charlie Lewis was fined $1,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series rule book (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules – unapproved steering idler arm; not solid). The infraction was discovered during opening day inspection on Sept. 22.(NASCAR PR)(9-28-2005)
Timberland Pro scheme for Bowyer at Kansas: #2-Clint Bowyer will be driving a special Timberland PRO paint scheme on his #2 RCR Chevy during the upcoming United Way 300 presented by Yellow Transportation and Sprint at Kansas Speedway on October 8, 2005. The Timberland PRO paint scheme will also run at the O’Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway on November 5, 2005.
For Timberland PRO, having the gray, orange and black colors of the Timberland PRO brand appear on the hard-charging #2 RCR machine is an extension of their existing integrated marketing partnership with Richard Childress Racing. “We are very proud of our relationship with Richard Childress Racing and Clint Bowyer and our special Timberland PRO paint scheme. We’re excited about the two upcoming races and the team’s chances to win the Busch Series championship and the exposure the team and Clint will bring our brand. The paint scheme will hopefully draw the attention of our team’s fans and highlight our sponsorship of one the most storied teams in NASCAR history,” stated Jim O’Connor, Director of Marketing for Timberland PRO. Having Bowyer and the #2 RCR Chevrolet cloaked in Timberland PRO colors is yet another step in bringing greater awareness of Timberland PRO products to consumers. “Our sponsorship of Clint and the #2 RCR Chevy can hopefully further fuel the passion of the awesome fans that follow our great sport,” added O’Connor.Timberland PRO footwear and apparel are made for the working professional who demand only the best in comfort, durability and protection and are found at thousands of retail locations around the world. For information about Timberland PRO, go to www.timberlandpro.com.(PR)(9-26-2005)
Martin Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award at Dover: Clint Boyer drove his # 2 A C Delco Chevrolet to an impressive second-place finish in this weekend’s Dover 200. After a lackluster 19th place finish in Dover’s June event, Boyer and crew chief Gil Martin put all the pieces together for a solid top-five run. Their rebound earned Martin the Wypall Wipers Crew chief of the race award. Martin received Crew Chief of the Race honors after Wypall Wipers spokesman Robbie Resier voted for him as the crew chief that did the most impressive job. “It says a lot about a team when they can come back to a track that they didn’t run well at earlier in the season and get a top-five,” said Reiser. “Gil (Martin) must have done some homework in between the races and made some changes to their setup. I’m sure he worked with Clint (Boyer) and helped coach his driving style and got him ready as well. They probably used to dread going there, now I’ll bet they can’t wait to get back.”
“He (Boyer) did a solid job all day for us,” said Martin. “The car was good, just a real good day for us. The car was strong all day. We didn’t have to make too many adjustments, only air pressure. He stayed up front and kept out of trouble.”
For winning the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award, Martin received $500. He’s now tied for second-place with Rick Viers and Dan Stillman in the Crew Chief of the Year standings, each crew chief having one win. Brad Parrott, Bono Manion and Newt Moore are tied for first-place, with two wins apiece. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $3,000 and Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year accolades.Fans can also vote for their choice at wypall.com.(SMC 500)(9-26-2005)
#52 Team done for 2005 unless: The #52 team owned by Jimmy Means is attempting their last race of the season this weekend at Dover due to a lack of sponsorship. 26-year-old Eric McClure has been their primary driver this season, running 7 out of 11 races for the part-time team.(BGNRacing.com)(9-24-2005)
Newman wins at Dover: #39-Ryan Newman won the Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway, dominating the race by leading 193 of 200 laps. It is Newman’s 4th win in a row and of the season, in 6 races run this year Newman has four wins and two 3rds. #8-Martin Truex Jr. was running 2nd until a flat tire with 5 laps to go sent him to pit road, finiahing 12th. #2-Clint Bowyer finished 2nd, followed by #32-Jason Leffler, #41-Reed Sorenson and #66-Greg Biffle. Truex’s points lead is now down to 26 over Bowyer. #6-Erin Crocker, who started 9th, got tagged by #44-Justin Labonte and hit the wall and was done early. 13 car wreck with 2 laps to go took many contenders out of the race and saw #52-Donnie Neuenberger flip down the backstretch, but he walked away ok.
Race results at: ESPN.com BGNRacing.com Motorsports One NASCAR.com.(9-24-2005)
Honorary Starter: Fred Tull, Director of Sales of Pepsi Bottling Ventures of Delmarva Invocation: Dan Schafer, Calvary Assembly of God in Heightstown, N.J. National Anthem: Devin Riley; BreakOut Entertainment Artist Grand Marshal and command: Kent Methven, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, NKS Distributors
(NFL’s Ray Lewis cancelled…no reason) Flyover: The 512th Airlift Wing’s 709th Airlift Squadron is performing the ceremonial flyover. This is the first time an all-reserve crew will conduct the C-5 Galaxy flyover in Dover. The aircraft belongs to the Air Mobility Command’s 436th Airlift Wing [where Jayski used to be stationed], the active-duty host unit at Dover Air Force Base.(9-24-2005)
Memphis Testing: In advance of the NASCAR Busch Series Sam’s Town 250 on Oct. 21-22, an unprecedented number of race teams will be testing at Memphis Motorsports Park’s ¾-mile oval this month and next: Sept. 26-27 – Michael Waltrip Racing (# 99 – Kerry Earnhardt), Sept. 27-28 – Roush Racing (# 60 – Carl Edwards), Oct. 3-4 – Glynn Motorsports (# 58 – Regan Smith), Oct. 4-5 – Rusty Wallace Inc. (# 64 – Stephen Wallace), Oct. 4-5 – RB1 Motorsports (# 71 – Ron Young), Oct. 10-11 – Hendrick Motorsports (# 5 – Kyle Krisiloff), Oct. 11 – Chip Ganassi Racing (# 41 – Reed Sorenson), Oct. 11-12 – ST Motorsports (# 46 – Bobby East; # 47 – Jon Wood) The track has also received inquiries about open testing dates from Evernham Motorsports (# 6 – Bill Elliott) and MacDonald Motorsports (# 72 – Kevin Lepage) – all as testament to the fact that Memphis and this race play a pivotal role in the stretch run for the Busch Series championship. Fans can watch testing sessions from Grandstand G at no charge. The garage and infield are not open to the public, and no concessions are available. Schedules subject to change daily. Test times vary (8am-5pm).(MMP PR via BGNRacing.com)(9-24-2005)
ML Motorsports debuts at Kansas: ML Motorsports has made the decision to resign all entries and will no longer be present in the remaining 2005 ARCA RE/ MAX Series schedule. “This decision was not based solely on one race, it was based on a whole season of gregarious bias calls towards our team in races throughout the season,” states Mary Louise Miller. ML Motorsports to date sits third in driver and owner point standings. With 4 wins, Chad Blount holds the title thus far with the most victories in the 2005 ARCA RE/ MAX season with an additional 8 top five, and 10 top ten finishes. This week plans will be set in motion to move into the NASCAR Busch Series. A limited schedule will be run for the 2005 season with a possible full schedule planned for 2006. (ML Motorsports) (7-18-2005) UPDATE: Barring a test last week at Kansas Speedway, the 26-year-old ML Motorsports driver [Blount] hasn’t been in a stock car since July 16. “I had a lot of fun last week,” Blount said of the team’s NASCAR Busch Series test at the 1.5-mile track in Kansas City, Kan. “We had a real good test. I’m just excited about getting back to racing.” The team, which walked away from the ARCA RE/MAX Series after five full seasons of competition at the conclusion of the July 16 [ARCA] race will attempt to make its first Busch Series race Oct. 8 at Kansas Speedway. ML Motorsports also has plans to compete in Busch Series races at Texas Motor Speedway Nov. 5, at Phoenix International Speedway Nov. 12 and Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 19.(Warsaw Times-Union via BGNRacing.com)(9-24-2005)
Newman wins pole at Dover: #39-Ryan Newman won the pole Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway with a speed of 156.420mph, followed by #8-Martin Truex Jr., #41-Reed Sorenson, #18-J.J. Yeley and #2-Clint Bowyer. #6-Erin Crocker qualified 6th. Missing the race were: #71-Dale Quarterley; #10-Brent Sherman; #94-Derrike Cope; #67-Bryan Reffner; #76-Jerick Johnson.
See Starting lineups: ESPN.com BGNRacing.com – Starting Lineup BGNRacing.com – Qualifying Results NASCAR.com.(9-23-2005)
Neuenberger in #52 at Dover and more: DGN Racing, Busch Series driver Donnie Neuenberger, and M&J Motorsports contimue a 3 race deal with the upcoming Dover events. Neuenberger will have a busy Dover schedule competing in both Busch series events in Dover this week. The Busch North series race in the #14 Silvertop Manaufacturing / RV Two-way car competing in the MBNA 150 on Friday and the MBNA RacePoints 200 on Saturday in the #52 Plan B Technologies car. Race three will be next week in the #18 car competing in the ARCA Series race in Talladega. DGN Racing and Donnie continue to participate in our Charity Program for Children diagnosed with terminally ill diseases and Cancer. The “Fear The Turtle” and BG Products 1/24 scale die cast cars are purchased by sponsors to support distribution to children in the hospital. Donnie spends the day with the children and their parents to share racing, a smile, and a few minutes of not focusing on their health challenges. Donnie knows the challenge of managing cancer and wants to give back to those who face the same experiences he had. Donnie returned to Busch racing in 2005 after competing in 6 races in 2004 then taking a medical leave of absence due to his diagnosis and treatment for Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Sponsors include Arby’s, Austin Cox Mechanical, BG Products, Bull on The Beach, Commerce First Bank, Mona Electric, Plan B Technologies, and RV Two-Way / Silvertop Manufacturing. M&J Motorsports is a Forestville, NC based race team owned and operated by Jimmy Means and Bob Jenkins. For more information about Donnie Neuenberger, DGN Racing, and how to contribute to our Charity Campaign visit our website at www.dgnracing.com.(PR)(9-23-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Dover
Green prepares for 350th start … David Green (#27 Kleenex Ford), the 1994 NASCAR Busch Series champion, is set for his milestone 350th career series start Saturday at Dover. Green is fourth on the all-time list in that category, behind Tommy Houston (417), Elton Sawyer (392) and Jason Keller (#35 McDonald’s Ford – 384). Green made his first series start on July 22, 1989 at Hickory. Since then, he has amassed nine wins – most recently this past July at Pikes Peak – 22 Busch Poles, 71 top fives and 140 top 10s in addition to his title. Green has finished in the NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 six times in his eight fulltime seasons. He has raced in the series for 15 years. He is currently eighth in the standings, 70 points behind Paul Menard (#11 Menard’s Chevrolet), who’s seventh. “The whole process means so much to me,” Green said of his career. “All the sacrifices I had to make when I had to move to North Carolina. I slept in hotels and on the floors of friends’ apartments as I figured out my future in the NASCAR Busch Series. After dealing with the fact that I didn’t have a ride in 1992, I got a chance to go work with the Labontes. I took over for Bobby in the Slim Jim car. It meant so much to me to get Bobby his first championship as an owner. It seems like yesterday when I think back on my championship.”
Newman goes for four in a row … Ryan Newman (#39 Alltel Dodge) is entered in the Dover 200 and will attempt to become only the second driver to win four NASCAR Busch Series races in succession. Two-time series champion Sam Ard set the mark in 1983 with wins at South Boston, Martinsville, Orange County and Charlotte. Newman has made five starts this season and has posted consecutive wins at Watkins Glen, Michigan and Bristol. He did not compete in the series race at Richmond. Newman has five top-five and five top-10 finishes in those five starts, bringing his 20-race NASCAR Busch Series career total to four wins, seven poles, seven top fives and 13 top 10s. In his only other appearance in this race at Dover in 2001, he captured the Busch Pole and led 141 laps before finishing 21st. Newman has won three races and one pole in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition at Dover.
Crocker sets sights on Dover … Erin Crocker (#6 Hellman’s Mayonnaise Dodge) is scheduled to make her second start in the NASCAR Busch Series this weekend at Dover. Crocker became the 12th female driver to compete in the series since its 1982 inception and the fourth this season – a series record – when she finished 39th at Richmond. She joined Shawna Robinson, Kim Crosby (#26 Vassarette Chevrolet) and Mara Reyes among the female drivers who have raced this year. “I’m anxious to get the first practice underway [at Dover] and see what we can do,” Crocker said. “I’m glad Richmond is behind us. I had so much going on that day, I may not have had enough time to get a hold of everything that needed to be done. This weekend is a new slate and I’m more focused on the job at hand and that’s racing. I’m ready to learn and get some more seat time.” Crocker’s appearance at Dover is somewhat of a home track opportunity. The 24-year-old will race about five hours from her hometown in Wilbraham, Mass. Crocker’s team owner, Ray Evernham, is from Hazlet, N.J., just over two hours from Dover International Speedway.
Half of “Chase” drivers in field … In addition to the tighter race between Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Bowyer and the points battles through the rest of the Top 10, another group of drivers brings their own “chase” to Saturday’s race. Five drivers involved in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup – Carl Edwards (#60 Charter Communications Ford), Greg Biffle (#60 U.S. Postal Service Ford), Matt Kenseth (#17 Waster Management Ford), Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace (#64 Top Flite Dodge) – are entered. “I can see where some teams might be concerned with the spots the [NASCAR NEXTEL] Cup guys take in a pretty tight field, but for somebody working to learn as much as they can and build a career as a race car driver, it’s a pretty neat deal,” said T.J. Bell (#36 DCT Motorsports Chevrolet), who will be making his third career start Saturday after becoming his team’s permanent driver a few weeks ago. “If you want to be the best, you have to compete against the best and nobody is better than the drivers in the Cup series. Racing against them can’t do anything but make me better as a driver and make us better as a race team.”
Charity event follows Dover 200 … The Tyson Fun Walk/NASCAR On Track for Charity fundraising event will take place following the NASCAR Busch Series Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway. NASCAR fans participating in the event will have the opportunity to walk on the track while contributing to the benefit of thousands of children. Together with Tyson, the National Title Sponsor of NASCAR “On Track for Charity,” NASCAR is continuing to pledge its support for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Speedway Children’s Charities. The Victory Junction Gang Camp, a non-profit organization founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their late son, Adam, provides extraordinary race-themed camp experiences to children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions. Speedway Children’s Charities, also a non-profit organization, aids children in need of medical, educational or social services by supporting hundreds of non-profit charities that provide those services. The online pre-registration fee for the Tyson Fun Walk is $20 until Thursday and $25 at the track. Children under 16 can participate for free, but must be accompanied by a paid adult. All registered participants will receive a t-shirt. Fans can register online at www.speedwaycharities.org or by calling (704) 455-4396 for more information. Registration will also be held at the Tyson Fun Walk Tent located on Plaza Drive across from Gate 4 at Dover International Speedway. This Week’s Series Leaders … Through 28 races of the 35-race NASCAR Busch Series season:
• Points leader – Martin Truex Jr. 3,931
• Money won – Martin Truex Jr. $1,327,894
• Laps led – Martin Truex Jr. 612
• Miles led – Martin Truex Jr. 894.63
• Victories –Martin Truex Jr. (6)
• Poles – Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne. (3)
• Top-five finishes – Martin Truex Jr. (14)
• Top-10 finishes –Martin Truex Jr. (18)
• Races led – Martin Truex Jr. (15)
• Weeks in Top 10 – Carl Edwards, Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr. (28) ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Randy LaJoie (#34 Dollar General Chevrolet) can tie Tommy Houston for the most starts at Dover (25). LaJoie is one of five drivers entered at Dover who have two wins at the Monster Mile. Greg Biffle (#66 U.S. Postal Service Ford) won in the ‘02 and ’04 spring event. Matt Kenseth (#17 Waste Management Ford) won the fall races in 1998 and 2000. Martin Truex Jr. has won the last two races at the track and Michael Waltrip (#99 State Fair Corn Dogs Chevrolet) won in the fall of 1988 and the spring of 1990. Jason Keller (spring 2000) and Brian Vickers (#57 Pizza Hut Chevrolet – fall 2003) also have won at Dover. … Kenseth is tied for third among all drivers with six top-five finishes at Dover. LaJoie, Keller and David Green are tied for fifth with five top fives. … LaJoie is tied for first with 11 top-10 finishes; Keller’s nine top 10s are tied for fifth all-time at Dover with three other drivers. … Biffle’s 8.2 average finish is best among drivers entered in the race. ETC.
A different manufacturer has won the last three races. Dodge won at Bristol – the most recent of Ryan Newman’s three consecutive series wins – followed by Ford’s win at California behind Carl Edwards (#60 Charter Communications Ford). Chevrolet picked up its first win in four races thanks to Kevin Harvick’s victory two weeks ago at Richmond. Chevy leads the Bill France Performance Cup standings with 12 wins and 190 points; Ford is second with nine wins and 181 points and Dodge is third with seven wins and 161 points.
… Jeff Burton will drive the #21 Reese’s Chevrolet at Dover; Brandon Miller was originally entered in the car.
… Carl Edwards leads Reed Sorenson by nine points – 310 to 301 – in the NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year race.
… After scoring top-10 finishes in five of six events from New Hampshire to Michigan, J.J. Yeley’s (#18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevrolet) team has struggled in the three races since. Yeley’s most recent finishes have been 30th (Bristol), 43rd (California, engine), and 19th (Richmond). Yeley will be joined by Kenny Wallace (#22 AutoZone Ford) in an attempt to run in Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event.
… Several Cottman Transmission franchisees and executives are scheduled to travel to the Mooresville, N.C.-based FitzBradshaw Racing shop via motorcycles from Philadelphia. The group will tour the shop, then head to Asheville, N.C. for some whitewater rafting before driving to Dover for Saturday’s race. Sterling Marlin will drive the #40 Dodge sponsored by the company. FROM THE ARCHIVES
Michael Waltrip is one of 13 drivers who have won their first career NASCAR Busch Series race at Dover International Speedway. Waltrip’s first series victory took place on Sept. 17, 1988 and was known as the Grand National 200. Waltrip out-qualified such stars as Davey Allison, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader and Bobby Labonte to start fifth behind the wheel of a Chevrolet owned by his older brother, Darrell Waltrip. At the start, pole-sitter Harry Gant dropped in behind Brad Teague, who led the first 25 laps. The two drivers swapped the lead through Lap 144 with Waltrip leading for the first time on Lap 145. After giving the front spot back to Teague one lap later, Waltrip moved to the front again on Lap 148. He and Tommy Ellis traded the lead until Lap 171. Waltrip then took the lead for the third time on Lap 189 and held it for his first NASCAR Busch Series win in only his fourth series start. He picked up the second of his two NASCAR Busch Series wins at Dover in 1990. FAST FACTS
Next Race: Dover 200 (Race #29 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE.
When: 1:10pm/et, Saturday, Sept. 24.
Track Layout: 1-mile oval.
Race Length: 200 miles/200 laps.
Posted Awards: $1,043,792.
TV: TNT, 1:00pm/et.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 Winner: Martin Truex Jr.
2004 Polesitter: Kasey Kahne.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Thurs., Sept. 22: Practice – 2 – 3:00 p.m.; 4 – 5 p.m. Fri., Qualifying – 1:35 p.m.(NASCAR PR)(9-22-2005)
CNN Scheme at Dover for Edwards: Starting with this weekend’s Busch Series event at Dover International Speedway, the #60 Ford driven by Carl Edwards will be sporting a different look. For the Dover Race weekend (September 24), Charter Communications will take an associate role on the car with CNN’s red & white logo appearing along with the car’s usual purple and yellow colors. CNN will be the primary sponsor on the car for this event, featuring a dedicated paint scheme with prominent CNN branding. “We are thrilled to serve as the primary sponsor of Charter’s #60 car to show our support of an important affiliate partner and NASCAR,” says Scot Safon, senior vice president of marketing and promotion for CNN. In addition, CNN is premiering a Dr. Sanjay Gupta prime-time special on Sunday, October 16 at 10 p.m. (ET) entitled “Driven to Extremes,” in which CNN’s senior medical correspondent examines safety and athletic performance in America’s #1 spectator sport.(Roush Racing PR)(9-21-2005)
Parrott splitting with RYR? or reassigned? UPDATE reassigned: hearing Todd Parrott crew chief for the Robert Yates Racing #38 M&M’s team/Elliott Sadler are parting ways or Parrott may be reassigned with the organization, expect an announcement sometime this week.(9-18-2005) UPDATE:Robert Yates Racing announced personnel changes for both NEXTEL Cup Series teams, as well as their Busch Series program. Effective immediately, veteran crew chief Todd Parrott will assume the role of crew chief for Dale Jarrett and the #88 UPS Racing Team, while Kevin Buskirk, engineer for the #38 M&M’S® Racing Team, will assume the role of interim crew chief for Elliott Sadler. Additionally, Raymond Fox, III, will serve as crew chief for the #90 CitiFinancial Team.
With both teams sitting outside the top 10 and having just missed the Chase for the Championship, RYR management decided to make immediate personnel changes for the remainder of this season in preparation for the 2006 NASCAR season. “In the business of NASCAR racing the responsibility to perform both to ourselves and our sponsors is and has, become increasingly more important,” said Eddie D’Hondt, general manager of RYR. “We are making this change in an effort to spark both of our teams to the performance level expected of us.” For more than two years, Parrott has served as crew chief with Jarrett teammate Elliott Sadler and the #38 M&M’S Racing Team. During that period, Parrott led Sadler to two wins (Texas in 2004 and the fall race at California in 2004), as well as a non-points victory with their win in one of the Daytona 500 qualifying races in 2004. Additionally, Parrott guided Sadler to the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship last season with Sadler finishing the year in ninth place. It marked Sadler’s first time finishing in the top 10 in the point standings.
“We felt to improve the performance of the 88 team it was important to establish a leadership that has been lacking for the last few months,” said car owner Robert Yates. “Billy (Wilburn) did a great job of coming in here and working with the 88 and 38 teams to get them on the same page. Todd (Parrott) has a record that speaks for itself both with preparing race cars and making decisions in the pits. Todd has the skills, ability and talent to lead a race team, and he is committed to winning races.” Buskirk has served as the engineer for the #38 M&M’S Team since November 2003 and has been instrumental in preparing the cars Sadler has raced during the last two seasons. Buskirk will work in the interim crew chief capacity while the team actively searches for a permanent replacement for that position. “Kevin is an important part of not only the M&M’S Team but for all of RYR,” Yates said. “He has a lot of knowledge about race cars and what needs to happen to make them perform. He’s been on top of the pit box for the last two years helping call adjustments so he is the ideal person to fill this interim role for us.” Fox, who has been with RYR since the organization opened for business in 1987, will take over the race day crew chief duties for the #90 CitiFinancial car throughout the remainder of the season. Fox will also continue in his current position with the #38 M&M’S Team.
All of the principal players involved in this announcement will be available for questions from the media at 9:00am/et this Friday in the infield media center at Dover International Speedway. This is the only time that members of Robert Yates Racing will be made available to discuss this subject.(RYR/Elevation Group PR), no word on Billy Wilburn fate or plans.(9-20-2005)
#76 American Legion team to debut at Dover: The #76 American Legion Freedom Car, driven by Jerick Johnson in the NASCAR Busch Series, will make its debut in the Saturday, Sept. 24, Dover 200. The Team Johnson Legion Racing Team plans to compete in a few NASCAR Busch Series races for the remainder of the 2005 season, with hopes of running a full Busch schedule in 2006. Jerick Johnson and the #76 team tested at Dover International Speedway on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005. “These are exciting times for the American Legion,” said Department of Delaware American Legion First Vice Commander Donald White. White has been appointed as the Delaware Director and liaison for Team Johnson and owner Jack Johnson. Mr. Thomas Bock, National Commander of the American Legion, will also be in attendance for the Dover 200 race on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005. “We hope that many Delaware Legionnaires will attend the Dover 200 Busch series race, and support the debut efforts of the #76 Freedom Car and Team Johnson.”(PR)(9-20-2005)
Kluever to the Busch Series in 2006: On Thursday [Sept 15], rookie truck driver Todd Kluever, currently 15th in the Truck Series points standings, became the latest driver in NASCAR’s youth movement to continue an upward trajectory, as Roush Racing promoted him to a full-time Busch Series ride next season. The 27-year-old said he did not have a car number or sponsor yet. ”I’m ready,” Kluever said yesterday. ”I’ll go there and get more experience.” Kluever is following in the footsteps of Roush employees Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, and Carl Edwards, all former truck drivers who have since graduated to Nextel Cup — and qualified for this year’s Chase. If plans don’t change, Busch will leave the #97 at the end of 2006 for Penske Racing South’s #2 car, perhaps making Kluever a candidate to become Roush’s fifth Cup driver.(Boston Globe)(9-20-2005)
Congrats to Pat and Elena Smith of the K9 Cabins in Troutman, NC on the birth of their daughter, Skyler Rae, born Monday, Sept 19th, weighing in at 7lbs, 6 ozs. The NASCAR connection? 1) my pooches Sandy and Barnee make their 2nd home at the K9 Cabins; 2) Pat Smith is the crew chief for Jason Keller and the #35 McDonalds Ford that is fielded by Team Rensi Racing in the Busch Series.(9-19-2005)
RYR Busch team back in 2006: Robert Yates Racing plans to continue its Busch team next season, with Elliott Sadler driving in about 16 races and a young driver — who has not yet been selected — participating in another 16 races.(Roanoke Times)(9-17-2005)
#38 Team looking for a driver: Akins Motorsports must find a driver for 2006 after its primary driver the last three years, Kasey Kahne, committed to drive for Ray Evernham next season. Team owner Doug Stringer said he could not discuss candidates for the seat, but Evernham indicated that he would like to put open wheel driver A.J. Foyt IV in a car with a team for which he supplies engines. Akins is the only current Busch team that uses Evernham engines. (NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing.com)(9-16-2005)
DEI/Chance2 get Dollar General? hearing that Dollar General, who are leaving the #34 Team as a sponsor, could be the new sponsor for the DEI/Chance2 #8/#81 team in 2006 with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., and Ryan Moore sharing the driving duties.(9-16-2005)
Crosby post story and pics about Katrina: See a story and pics in a short article by Kim Crosby concerning her life since Hurricane Katrina. Several photos that Kim took in Slidell are available at the end of article on the Keith Coleman Racing site.(9-15-2005)
Dale Jr. buys Busch shop? Dale Earnhardt Jr is rumored to have purchased a building in the South Iredell Industrial Park in Mooresville, NC for Jr. Motorsports. The building used to be owned by a financial securities company (and a race shop before that) is down the street from Joe Nemechek’s NEMCO Motorsports. The building is not extremely large, but is a comfortable size to house a Busch Series team, which is what Dale Earnhardt Jr is apparantly going to use it for. The South Iredell Industrial Park is located a few miles north of the Hwy 150 and 115 intersection in Mooresville, NC.(Motorsports Lounge PR)(9-15-2005)
Nemechek looking for 2006 Busch Sponsor: Joe Nemechek today announced that primary sponsorship on his #87 Busch Series entry is available beginning with the 2006 season. Long-time sponsor, Cellular One from Dobson Cellular Systems, recently informed Nemechek of their decision to pursue other strategic marketing interests. “Naturally we’re disappointed that Cellular One has decided to move in a different direction, but we’ve had a very successful six years together and have built friendships that will continue,” said Nemechek. “NEMCO Motorsports has been winning races and competing for wins every year we have been involved in the Busch Series,” continued Nemechek. “That kind of performance and attention to our sponsors has always been the cornerstone of our organization. We look forward to continuing our winning tradition and sponsor excellence for years to come.” For more information on sponsorship opportunities with NEMCO Motorsports, please contact Peter Roe at (704) 664-4287 and more info at joenemechek.com.(NEMCO PR)(9-15-2005)
#6 to #9 in 2006…drivers: Ray Evernham announced a new driver lineup in the #6 Dodge for 2006. The car number will be changed to the #9 with drivers Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs and Jeremy Mayfield splitting duties. Kahne will drive the majority of the companion events. As far as the standalone Busch races, Evernham says he is unsure who the driver may be and added, “What we’d like to do is add another developement driver.” One of those names popping up for consideration is the fourth generation, AJ Foyt IV.(BGNRacing.com)(9-9-2005) MORE – Unilever Signs Multi-Year Busch Series Deal with Evernham Motorsports: Unilever United States announced the signing of a multi-year agreement with Evernham Motorsports starting with the upcoming 2006 Busch Series season. The new program, named the Ultimate Chargers will replace the highly successful Hungry Drivers program that began during the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series. Under terms of the agreement, Evernham Motorsports’ Busch Series team will feature an expanded group of Unilever brands, all sharing the sponsorship starting in 2006. Unilever Home and Personal Care Products (HPC) Snuggle Fabric Softener and Wisk Laundry Detergent and Unilever food brands Wish-Bone Salad Dressings and Slim-Fast weight control products, will join current sponsoring brands Ragu pasta sauce, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, Country Crock chilled sides and meals, Lipton Tea and Lawry’s Spices and Marinades as the sponsors of the Ultimate ChargersT team. Fans will see the Evernham family of NEXTEL Cup drivers, including standouts Kasey Kahne, Jeremy Mayfield, and Scott Riggs behind the wheel of the Ultimate Chargers #9 Dodge Charger. Trip Bruce will remain crew chief of the team. The #9 will feature a new primarily red paint scheme featuring the various sponsoring brands. The Ultimate Chargers team will race the 23 companion races in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series.
Mooresville, NC based Bulldawg Marketing will continue as the NASCAR agency of record for Unilever in the United States. Bulldawg will execute retail, trackside and hospitality programs as well as coordinate the sponsorships with NASCAR, various tracks and Evernham Motorsports. For more information visit www.unileverusa.com.(9-15-2005)
Congrats Casey: Laura Atwood, Casey Atwood’s wife, gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Tuesday (9/13). Both mother and baby Kaylee child are doing well. Congratulations!(9-15-2005)
Fisher Tests RCR Busch Car at Caraway: Richard Childress Racing development driver and Drive for Diversity participant Sarah Fisher completed her second test of a Busch Series car yesterday at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC. The Indiana native drives the #20 NASCAR Select by NAPA Filters/Domino’s/Office Depot Chevy in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series for Bill McAnnally Racing (BMR)/Richard Childress Racing (RCR). She is currently 12th in the season’s point standings, third in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings and is qualified for the Toyota All Star Showdown, Nov. 10-12 at Irwindale Speedway. “I think if you compare this test to the one in St. Louis in July, I think I’ve come a long way,” said Fisher. “We were real good with consistency and for a while were running consistently in the 17.5-second range. I definitely took in everyone’s input and felt that I was very responsive to everything. So, I think I’ve come a long way from the last time we tested together. The biggest difference between driving the Busch car and the West Series car is the tires, radials to bias-ply tires. The radials are a lot stiffer and are not as forgiving. They don’t give a nice cushy feel like the bias-ply tires so I haven’t found my limit yet on these.” Fisher previously tested a Busch Series car for RCR in July at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis. “We ran 242 laps, which is a lot for a one-day test at a track like Caraway,” said crew chief Bobby Leslie. “We ran a lot of 25-lap runs and she was really smooth and consistent in her times. This is the second time we’ve tested with Sarah and you can see that she’s getting a better knowledge of the race car, what it needs and how it’s supposed to act. She did fine today. As always, you wish you had a second day to test but we didn’t so we tried to cram as much as we could into one day. I think she did a great job.” Fisher is scheduled to make her next NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series start this Saturday, Sept. 17, at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Ore.(RCR PR)(9-15-2005)
Duncan Tests RCR Busch Car at Caraway, Fisher next: Allison Duncan, part of Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) driver development program and the first Drive for Diversity participant to win a race, looked toward the future when she tested a NASCAR Busch Series car for the first time yesterday [Tues] at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro. The Northern California native has two victories this season in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Western Late Model Division at Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway driving for the Bill McAnally Racing (BMR)/RCR team. She became the first Drive for Diversity participant to win a race when she took the #20 Miller Lite Chevrolet Monte Carlo to the winner’s circle June 11. She earned her second win July 9 and is second in the point standings with one race remaining (a double-points race Sept. 17). “I think she was really smooth,” said Bobby Leslie, who won numerous Busch races as a crew chief for Mark Martin and who oversaw Duncan’s test. “The telemetry showed she was very consistent on the 40-lap run we made at the end of the day, getting on and off the gas about the same every lap. She has a better knowledge of these cars now. Just like everybody, she spent the first half of the day learning about the race car and then the second half of the day doing something with it.” Leslie is conducting a similar test today [Wed] at Caraway Speedway with Sarah Fisher, another RCR developmental driver who races fulltime in the NASCAR West Series for BMR/RCR.(RCR)(9-15-2005)
#34 Team looking for 2006 sponsor: Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly is now seeking new sponsorship for the 2006 Busch Series season. Owner Frank Cicci was informed that its primary sponsor this season, the Dollar General Corporation, has elected not to renew its sponsorship with his organization. The team’s current driver is 2-time Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie. “We enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Dollar General this season, and we will continue representing the company in the most professional manner during the remaining races on the 2005 schedule”, Cicci stated. “We are grateful for the opportunity that we had to represent the company in its very first sports sponsorship of any type, and we wish Dollar General the best of luck in its move forward in NASCAR and in giving us the time we will need to find new sponsorship for 2006”, Cicci added. NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, a marketing partner with the Frank Cicci Racing operation, will continue his relationship with the Mooresville, North Carolina-based race organization next season.(PR)(9-14-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Off-Week
The key numbers as the NASCAR Busch Series settles into its third off-week of the season are these; the #8 leads the #2 by 69 points. Defending series champion and points leader Martin Truex Jr. (#8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) still holds an advantage over second-place Clint Bowyer (#2 ACDelco Chevrolet), just as he has for the past 11 weeks. However, Truex’s lead has dwindled during the last six races. Leading Bowyer by 204 points following a fourth-place finish at Michigan four races ago, Truex has lost 135 points, 25 of those due to a penalty at Richmond last Friday night. One historical stat is in Truex’s favor – the driver who was the championship points leader following the fall race at Richmond has gone on to win the series title 15 times in the last 21 years. The 69-point separation between Truex and Bowyer ranks sixth among the tightest point battles at this stage of the season since the NASCAR Busch Series’ 1982 inception. The top five closest point clashes with seven races left are as follows: 1. 1992 – Joe Nemechek led Todd Bodine by one point. Nemechek went on to win the championship by three points over Bobby Labonte in the closest series title finish ever.
2. 1991 – Kenny Wallace led Labonte by two points. Labonte was the eventual champion, winning by 74 points over Wallace.
3. 1988 – Tommy Ellis led Tommy Houston by nine points. Ellis pulled away from the field, winning the crown by 239 points over Rob Moroso. Houston finished fifth, 268 points behind Ellis.
4. 2003 – Veteran David Green (#27 Kleenex Ford), the 1994 NASCAR Busch Series champion, led 20-year-old Brian Vickers by 48 points. Vickers would bypass Green in the season’s final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to become the youngest champion in series history. He claimed the title by 14 points over Green.
5. 1985 – Jimmy Hensley led the series’ first champion, Jack Ingram, by 53 points. Ingram would come back to his second championship by just 29 points over Hensley. NEWS & NOTES, PART II
McMurray, Autism Society team up for Katrina relief … Jamie McMurray, who has split time with Jeremy Mayfield in the Rusty Wallace owned #64 Top Flite / Miller High Life Dodge, has joined with the Autism Society of America (ASA) to provide help for the families of individuals with autism affected by Hurricane Katrina. McMurray, who has a niece with autism, is making a $50,000 donation to the ASA’s relief fund and is pledging a long-term, active commitment in the coming months to the cause. For its part, the ASA is aiding the relief effort with members actively on the ground in Louisiana and Texas. It also is setting up donation and awareness information pertaining to hurricane assistance on its website (www.autism-society.org). “I keep thinking about if it was my sister and niece that were being housed in one of the numerous shelters set up, and my niece did not have all her special food and medicine that she requires on a daily basis and was unable to follow her daily routine,” McMurray said. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure my family’s safety and comfort. So for all the people who have lost everything, this is the least I can do.”
Team owners Biagi, Stringer pitching in, too … A few NASCAR Busch Series teams are using this week to join the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Fred Biagi, owner of the #4 GEICO Dodge, has worked to send numerous truckloads of water and other necessities from his Houston, Texas-based trucking and warehouse operation. Additionally, the #38 Great Clips Dodge team has headed up collection efforts throughout the NASCAR community. Duane “Pops” Stringer, father of team owner Doug Stringer, will drive his own truck to Louisiana on Wednesday to deliver over $1,000 and other items to NASCAR coach drivers who were affected by the storm. Steve Carter, the coach driver for Reed Sorenson (#41 Discount Tire Dodge) will join Stringer on the trip. NASCAR and the American Red Cross have united to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Log on to “Race to Help” at www.nascar.com for more information.
Richmond posts second TV increase this season … The Emerson Radio 250 held last Friday night at Richmond International Raceway broadcast on TNT posted an increase of 22% in both households and viewers over the same event one year ago that also aired on TNT. Households were up 1,470,000 versus 1,205,000 for last season’s event while viewers rose 2,054,000, up from the 1,681,000 of one year ago. It marked the second time this season the NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond showed significant increases in those categories – the FUNAI 250 in May posted jumps of 35% and 24% in households and viewers, respectively. Figures are provided by Nielsen Media Research.
Newman looks to tie series consecutive win mark at Dover … Ryan Newman (#39 alltel Dodge) is entered at Dover next week and will attempt to tie the NASCAR Busch Series record for consecutive wins. Two-time series champion Sam Ard set the standard in 1983 with fall wins at South Boston, Martinsville, Orange County and Charlotte. Newman has reeled off wins in his last three races at Watkins Glen, Michigan and Bristol. He also collected a Busch Pole at Chicagoland earlier this summer. Newman has made 20 NASCAR Busch Series starts and has one other win, at Michigan in 2001; he also has seven career Busch Poles. He has one previous series start at Dover, capturing the pole there in 2001. Newman led 141 laps, but ended up 21st following an accident on Lap 186. His luck has been much better at the Monster Mile in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition. In seven career races, he has three wins – two straight in the fall race – plus, four top fives, six top 10s and one pole. This Week’s Series Leaders … Through 28 races of the 35-race NASCAR Busch Series season:
• Points leader – Martin Truex Jr. 3,931
• Money won – Martin Truex Jr. $1,327,894
• Laps led – Martin Truex Jr. 612
• Miles led – Martin Truex Jr. 894.63
• Victories –Martin Truex Jr. (6)
• Poles – Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne. (3)
• Top-five finishes – Martin Truex Jr. (14)
• Top-10 finishes –Martin Truex Jr. (18)
• Races led – Martin Truex Jr. (15)
• Weeks in Top 10 – Carl Edwards, Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr. (28) ETC.
Kevin Harvick’s (#21 Reese’s Chevrolet) victory at Richmond last Friday night allowed Chevrolet to return to Victory Lane for the first time in the last five races. The win also gave Chevy a bit of breathing room in the Bill France Performance Cup standings. Chevrolet enters the off week with 12 NASCAR Busch Series wins for a total of 190 points. Ford is second with nine wins and 181 points while Dodge is third with seven victories and 161 points. … Reed Sorenson is scheduled to make his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series debut for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates at his home track in Atlanta Oct. 31, driving the #39 Discount Tire Co. Dodge. In addition, he will also attempt to qualify for the premier series race at Texas on Nov. 6. … Kevin Hamlin (#4 GEICO Dodge) is scheduled to test at Dover this week before heading to his home state of Washington, where he’ll race Saturday night at Monroe’s Evergreen Speedway in NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model competition. Hamlin hasn’t been home since December. … J.J. Yeley (#18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevrolet) has a busy week planned. He flew back to his home in Indianapolis following the Richmond race, and is gathering up wife Kristen and baby daughter, Faith, as the family moves to Charlotte. Yeley then will head to New Hampshire, where he will drive the #11 FedEx Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race on Sunday. Yeley has three other NASCAR NEXTEL Cup starts to his credit, the last coming at California earlier this month where he started a career-best eighth and finished 39th. Yeley is scheduled to share time in the #11 Chevy with his Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Busch Series teammate Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet) the rest of the season. … Mark Martin, the all-time leader in NASCAR Busch Series victories (47), tied Tommy Ellis for the series lead in poles last week at Richmond, where he captured #28. FROM THE ARCHIVES
After the fall event at Richmond International Raceway the NASCAR Busch Series championship points leader has gone on to win the season title 15 times since 1984. The longest streak was six consecutive years, starting with Randy LaJoie in 1997, and ending with Greg Biffle in 2002. The largest lead for an eventual NASCAR Busch Series champion coming out of Richmond was Jeff Green’s 649- point margin over Jason Keller in 2000. The tightest battle was Joe Nemechek’s one-point lead over Todd Bodine in 1992; Nemechek went on to win the crown. The deepest position in the standings post-Richmond by the eventual series champion was fourth place by Rob Moroso in 1989. This season, defending NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. leads second-place Clint Bowyer by 69 points coming out of Richmond. One year ago, Truex had a 105-point lead over Kyle Busch after the Richmond event. ON DECK: DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Martin Truex Jr., a native of Mayetta, N.J., returns to the facility he considers his home track when the NASCAR Busch Series arrives at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 24. Truex is the defending winner of this race, and also won at Dover in June. He will attempt to become the first driver to win three straight NASCAR Busch Series races at the Monster Mile, and the first since two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie (#34 Dollar General Chevrolet) to sweep a season series there. LaJoie did it in 1996. Robert Pressley in 1992 and Todd Bodine (1993) are the other drivers to record series sweeps at Dover. Bodine is the only driver to have three NASCAR Busch Series wins at Dover, also posting a victory in 1991. FAST FACTS
Next Race: Dover 200 (Race #29 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE.
When: 1:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 24.
Track Layout: 1-mile oval.
Race Length: 200 miles/200 laps.
Posted Awards: $1,043,792.
TV: TNT, 1:10 p.m., ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 Winner: Martin Truex Jr.
2004 Polesitter: Kasey Kahne.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Thurs., Sept. 22: Practice – 2 – 3:00 p.m.; 4 – 5 p.m. Fri., Qualifying – 1:35 p.m.(NASCAR PR)(9-14-2005)
Testing at Dover: Many drivers are scheduled to be testing Tuesday and Wednesday [Sept 13-14th] at Dover International Speedway. The test is closed to the public, the drivers on Tuesday, 9/13/05: #4-Kevin Hamlin, #20-Denny Hamlin, #10-Brent Sherman, #76-Jerick Johnson and #71-Dale Quarterley. On Wednesday, 9/14/05: #4-Kevin Hamlin, #20-Denny Hamlin, #10-Brent Sherman, #11-Paul Menard, #21-Brandon Miller and #64-Rusty Wallace(Dover Intl Speedway PR)(9-13-2005)
Truex to be penalized points and fined UPDATE: just before TNT’s race coverage of the Nextel Cup race at Richmond, it was mentioned by Bill Webber, that #8-Marin Truex Jr. would be fined and docked 25 points for his one-fingered salute to Mike Wallace after the two tangled Friday night in the Busch Series race.(9-11-2005) UPDATE: NASCAR announced today that Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #8 Chevrolet, has been penalized, fined and placed on probation after a rule violation during the NASCAR Busch Series race last Friday night at Richmond International Raceway. Truex was penalized 25 NASCAR Busch Series driver championship points and fined $10,000 for an inappropriate gesture, violating Section 12-4-A of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series rule book (actions detrimental to stock car racing). He has also been placed on probation until December 31, 2005. In addition, Truex’s car owner, Teresa Earnhardt, was penalized 25 NASCAR Busch Series championship owner points also for violating 12-4-A. The deductions reduce both Truex’s driver point total and Earnhardt’s owner point total from 3,956 to 3,931.(NASCAR)(9-13-2005)
Crew Chiefs Penalized: NASCAR announced that three NASCAR Busch Series crew chiefs were penalized for rule infractions at Richmond. Eddie Buffington, crew chief for the #12 Dodge driven by Paul Wolfe and Chad Beahr, crew chief for the #94 Ford driven by Eddie Beahr, were each fined $500 for violating Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules – steering idler arm was not solid) during opening day inspection on Sept. 8. And Ricky Viers, crew chief for the #21 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, was fined $500 after being found in violation of 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (lug nuts too thin). The infraction was discovered during qualifying on Sept. 9.(NASCAR)(9-13-2005)
Erin Crocker Driver; Betty Crocker sponsor: Evernham Motorsports and General Mills will announce this Friday that the leading food manufacturer will serve as primary sponsor of driver Erin Crocker in the NASCAR Busch Series fulltime in 2006. Next February, General Mills and its Cheerios and Betty Crocker brands will become the season-long primary sponsor of Erin Crocker in her fulltime 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year campaign with Evernham Motorsports. General Mills will also serve as the primary sponsor of Crocker’s NASCAR Busch Series team at three race tracks this year. Details of the sponsorship will be announced Friday, September 9, at 12:30 p.m. in the media center at Richmond International Raceway.(Clear!Blue PR)(9-7-2005) UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports and General Mills announced today that the leading food manufacturer will serve as primary sponsor of driver Erin Crocker in the NASCAR Busch Series fulltime in 2006. Starting in Daytona Beach, Fla., next February, General Mills and its Cheerios and Betty Crocker brands will become the season-long primary sponsor of Erin Crocker in her fulltime 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year campaign with Evernham Motorsports. As part of today’s announcement at Richmond International Speedway, General Mills unveiled the #98 Dodge Charger racecar to be driven by Crocker next season. General Mills will also serve as the primary sponsor of Crocker’s NASCAR Busch Series team at three race tracks this year – Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway where she will drive the #40 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge racecar. “I’m thrilled to begin this stage of my racing career with the support of General Mills, whose brands I’ve literally grown up on,” said Crocker. “I’ve always been hungry to further my motorsports career and to have General Mills and Evernham Motorsports give me that opportunity is what makes this deal especially fulfilling. I’m very thankful for the opportunity, and I can’t wait to go Busch Series racing with them.” Crocker is the 11th female driver to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series, and with 36 races scheduled on her 2006 calendar she could be the first female driver to make more than 24 starts in a single Busch Series season.
This year also marked Crocker’s debut in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, whereshe earned two poles, three top fives and four top 10s in just five races this season for Evernham Motorsports. Evernham Motorsports Team Director, Chris Andrews, who called the shots from Crocker’s pit box in her ARCA events this season, will also assume those duties for the Busch Series team this season.
Cheerios and Betty Crocker will continue to be the primary sponsors of Petty Enterprises legendary #43 Dodge for the 2006 season. The 2006 season marks the tenth year that General Mills’ brands have been part of NASCAR and the seventh season of sponsorship with Petty Enterprises. For more information about Cheerios Racing, visit www.cheerios.com/racing.(Clear!Blue PR)(9-9-2005)
New #10 Crew Chief: Tim Shutt has taken over crew chief duties on the #10 Brent Sherman, ppc Racing entry. Todd Gordon, who had the responsibilities through Bristol, says the change was an equal agreement.(BGNRacing.com)(no idea if Gordon is still with the ppc Racing)(9-9-2005)
Harvick wins at Richmond: #21-Kevin Harvick won the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond International Raceway for his 3rd win of the season and 16th of his Busch Series career [126 races] and 2nd Busch win at Richmond. #11-Paul Menard was 2nd for his career best, followed by #17-Matt Kenseth, #9-Mark Martin and #32-Jason Leffler. The race was extended three laps under a green-white-checkered for a late caution. Points leader #8-Martin Truex Jr. was involved in a few odd incidents, the 1st, he ran into the rear of the #17, knocking a few hood pins out and getting black flagged by NASCAR and finally had to come in to get them put in, then late in the race, Truex was on the outside of #38-Mike Wallace who moved up the track [said he has no idea Truex was there], squeezing Truex against the wall, causing the call to ride the wall and turn on it’s side, sliding along the track until it righted itself, but in pretty bad shape. Truex got out of the car and ran out onto the track to confront Wallace and gave him ‘the bird’…guess we’ll see Tuesday if he will be fined/penalized. Anyhow, the team got Truex back out and he was able to finish 27th, 16 laps down since there was a lot of cars out. #6-Erin Croker got tangled with #35-Jason Keller and ended up finishing 39th. Truex’s point lead has gone from 204 points three races ago to 94 over #2-Clint Bowyer, who finished 11th. There were 11 cautions for 63 laps and 9 lead changes among 6 drivers. Harvick led 149 of 253 laps.
Race results at: ESPN.com BGNRacing.com Motorsports One NASCAR.com.(9-9-2005)
Martin wins pole at RIR: #9-Mark Martin won the pole for the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond International Raceway with a speed of 127.239mph. #60-Carl Edwards is 2nd, followed by #90-Elliott Sadler, #17-Matt Kenseth and #32-Jason Leffler. Points leader, #8-Martin Truex Jr. starts 10th. #6-Erin Crocker wrecked on her lap, but made the field on owners points and will make her Busch Series debut starting 42nd. Missing the race were: #23-Mark Green; #85-Kevin Lepage; #56-Tim Sauter; #0-Kertus Davis; #10-Brent Sherman; #72-Jason York; #88-Brian Sockwell; #94-Eddie Beahr and #78-Jerry Robertson.
See Starting lineups: ESPN.com BGNRacing.com – Starting Lineup BGNRacing.com – Qualifying Results NASCAR.com.(9-9-2005)
Sad News: FitzBradshaw Racing and the NASCAR community send condolences to the Warniment family, which is grieving the loss of young Griffin Warniment. Griffin was a special guest of the No.12 team several times this season and was well known throughout the Busch Series garage. St. Jude Racing to Save Lives bracelets can be purchased online through a link at www.fitzbradshaw.com or www.stjude.org. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.(BGNRacing.com)(9-9-2005)
Moore to attempt Richmond: Ryan Moore will attempt his second Busch Series race for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. Moore, 22, from Scarborough, Maine had a successful run his first time out in the #81 Oreo/Ritz Chevrolet. After qualifying 17th at New Hampshire International Raceway, he ran in the top-10 and top-20 before being taken out by another competitor. Since then, Moore has won another NASCAR Busch North Series race giving him two for the season. He has finished in the top-five three other times for a total of six top-fives and eight top-10s. With three races left in the Busch North season, he stands fourth in points. In preparation for the Emerson 250 at Richmond, the #81 Oreo/Ritz team tested the .75-mile track for two days last week. Tony Eury, Sr. will be the crew chief, just as he was at NHIS.(DEI PR)(9-8-2005)
#300 for Grissom: Steve Grissom, driver of the #49 Advil Ford for Jay Robinson Racing is scheduled to make his 300th Busch Series start at Richmond.(9-8-2005)
Crew chief fined for California Infraction: NASCAR announced today that Teddy Brown, crew chief for the #43 Dodge driven by Aaron Fike in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined $500 for an infraction during last weekend’s event at California Speedway. Brown was fined for an unapproved upper A-frame that was too thin, a violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used in the event do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the NASCAR Busch Series rulebook.(NASCAR)(9-7-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Richmond
Clint Bowyer’s (#2 ACDelco Chevrolet) goal is a simple one – put as many points as possible between he and NASCAR Busch Series championship points leader Martin Truex Jr. (#8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) in the season’s remaining eight races. Bowyer attained that goal in a big way last Saturday at California with his third-place finish. Truex, meanwhile, was 15th, his worst finish in five races. Bowyer, who has been second to Truex since the July race at Daytona, was able to gain 52 points on the defending series champion. He enters Friday night’s Emerson 250 at Richmond International Raceway 142 points behind the leader – 3,874 to 3,732, respectively. “It was a good points night for us, as we closed the gap a little on Truex,” Bowyer said. “We sure aren’t giving up on our title hopes. I can promise you that.” Bowyer has kept Truex in sight by posting two top-five finishes in his last two races, four in his last seven outings. The native of Emporia, Kan., hopes a similar scenario plays out this week as it did in June at Richmond, when Bowyer finished ninth while Truex stumbled to a 38th-place finish.
The duel between Bowyer and Truex isn’t the only one in the NASCAR Busch Series top 10.
Carl Edwards (#60 Charter Communications Ford), who won his fourth race of the year at California, moved up to third, his highest ranking since losing his points lead following the June race at Dover. Edwards, who also will be trying to secure a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup at Richmond, is 22 points ahead of fourth-place Reed Sorenson (#41 Discount Tire Co. Dodge). The latter fell from third for the first time in nine weeks following California.
Only seven points separates fifth-place Chesterfield, Va., native Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet) from sixth-place Kenny Wallace (#22 AutoZone Ford). Wallace has a strong series history at Richmond, having won three races – two fall events – and posting nine top fives and 17 top 10s in 23 races at the .75-mile track.
David Stremme (#14 U.S. Navy Dodge) and Paul Menard (#11 Menard’s Chevrolet) are looking at a nine-point deficit between their respective seventh and eighth-place standings. But 1994 NASCAR Busch Series champion David Green (#27 Kleenex Ford) is closing in, just four points behind Menard in ninth – (3,021 to 3,017), respectively. Green, a former Busch Pole winner at Richmond, can’t just look ahead of him. Just 48 points behind in 10th is Jason Keller (#35 McDonald’s Ford), the series’ all-time earnings leader with over $10 million in prize money. Keller is a former winner at Richmond, having captured the June 2002 event. NEWS & NOTES, PART II
Hamlin hopes to make mark at Richmond … Denny Hamlin comes to his home track at Richmond International Raceway ranked fifth in the NASCAR Busch Series standings, his highest mark of the season. The native of Chesterfield, Va., who is a product of NASCAR’s ladder system from the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, has been in the top 10 in points since the fourth race. He is one of three Raybestos Rookies in the top 10 along with Carl Edwards and Reed Sorenson. After starting 30th, Hamlin finished 13th at Richmond in June, a race won by Edwards. “I’m really looking forward to returning to Richmond,” Hamlin said. “This has been a grueling summer schedule and with an off-weekend around the corner, the team seems to have a little extra energy. We’ve been running well lately and getting in the top five was a big hurdle. We still have an outside chance of finishing in the top three, but I don’t think that eight races is enough time to make up 200 points. Stranger things have happened and a couple of those teams in front of us have a chance at having some major distractions coming down to the end. Our team seems to be getting better each week and we’re ready to roll off several good finishes in a row.”
Crocker set for series debut … The much-anticipated NASCAR Busch Series debut of Erin Crocker (#6 Country Crock Dodge) is set for Friday at Richmond. The 24-year-old Crocker began making headlines after winning the pole and leading 28 laps in her first career stock car race – an ARCA event – at Nashville Superspeedway this past March. In five ARCA starts this season, the native of Wilbraham, Mass., earned two pole awards with three top fives and four top 10s. In addition, she led a total of 86 laps. “This weekend is what I have been waiting for, working for and striving for so many years,” Crocker said. “It is almost hard to believe that the hard work and years of dedication have finally paid off. The fact that I am able to begin my NASCAR career [with] such a successful and experienced team (Evernham Motorsports) behind me is an amazing opportunity that I intend to make the most out of.” Crocker’s crew chief, Trip Bruce, believes the young driver is well-prepared for her debut. “We tested at Richmond with Erin last Monday and the entire team left feeling really good about it,” he said. “It was a lot for Erin to take on in just one day but she is a quick learner and a great race car driver. She displayed a lot of car control, which is essential at a short track like Richmond. Our goals for this weekend are to help Erin stay on a pace she can maintain, to complete every lap, to have good pit stops and to have a good, clean race. If we can do those things we should have a pretty good night.”
Sauter hopes to celebrate NASCAR anniversary at Richmond … Johnny Sauter (#1 Miccosukee Dodge) will celebrate his fourth year of participation in NASCAR national series competition on Wednesday, and he has three opportunities to get back to Victory Lane at Richmond. The 27-year-old native of Necedah, Wis., is in the midst of his best sustained performances of the season, having posted top fives in his last two NASCAR Busch Series races, and top-10 finishes in five of his last six outings. Sauter made his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Richmond on Sept. 7, 2001, finishing a surprising fifth. He also captured his second series win at this track in the fall 2003 race in an exciting last-lap jostle with Matt Kenseth. “Riding a wave of recent success into a place like Richmond definitely helps,” Sauter said. “I mean, it’s a track where [the team and I have won] before and we looked like we could’ve won in the spring, so we definitely know where Victory Lane is.” Sauter is entered in all three events at Richmond, starting with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Thursday night (#43 Menard’s/Curb Records Chevrolet), Friday night’s NASCAR Busch Series event and ending with Saturday’s penultimate NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race where he will drive the #09 Miccosukee Dodge for his NASCAR Busch Series owner, James Finch.
Ford tightens Bill France Performance Cup race … Carl Edwards gave Ford its first win in five races last Saturday night at California and moved the manufacturer within six points of Chevrolet in the 2005 Bill France Performance Cup standings. Edwards’ victory – his fourth of the season – gives Ford nine wins on the year, two behind Chevrolet’s 11. Chevrolet has 181 points while Ford has 175. Dodge, which had won four of the five races prior to California – three in succession compliments of Ryan Newman – is still in the hunt with seven wins and 157 points. Chevrolet leads with 14 wins overall in NASCAR Busch Series competition at Richmond, and Chevy or Ford has won the last 25 races at the .75-mile track. Edwards’ victory there this past May snapped a five-race winning streak by Chevrolet at Richmond. This Week’s Series Leaders … Through 27 races of the 35-race NASCAR Busch Series season: • Points leader – Martin Truex Jr. 3,874
• Money won – Martin Truex Jr. $1,303,324
• Laps led – Martin Truex Jr. 612
• Miles led – Martin Truex Jr. 894.63
• Victories – Martin Truex Jr. (6)
• Poles – Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne (3)
• Top-five finishes – Martin Truex Jr. (14)
• Top-10 finishes – Martin Truex Jr. (18)
• Races led – Martin Truex Jr. (15)
• Weeks in Top 10 – Carl Edwards, Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr. (27) ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Mark Martin (#9 Red Apple Ford) is the all-time leader in NASCAR Busch Series wins at Richmond with five. He is also the all-time leader in top fives (13) and top 10s (18), races led (15) and laps led (1,196) at the track. … Michael Waltrip (#99 Domino’s Pizza Chevrolet) is the leading active driver with five Busch Poles at Richmond. … By starting the race, Kenny Wallace and Jason Keller would tie for second in all-time starts at the track with 24. Wallace, with three wins, is the only driver entered other than Martin who has more than one series victory at Richmond. … Matt Kenseth (#17 Waste Management Ford) has an average finish of 7.4 in his NASCAR Busch Series events at Richmond, best among drivers entered. ETC.
Denny Hamlin will be joined by fellow Virginia natives Stacy Compton (#59 Kingsford/Busch’s Baked Beans Ford – Grit), Ashton Lewis Jr. (#25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford – Chesapeake) and Jon Wood (#49 Clorox/Wisk Ford – Stuart) in a “home track” scenario at Richmond. … In addition to Johnny Sauter, Kevin Harvick (#21 Reese’s Chevrolet), Tony Stewart (#83 Old Spice Chevrolet) and Mike Wallace (#38 Great Clips Dodge) are entered in all three NASCAR races at Richmond this weekend. … Eight former Richmond winners are entered in Friday’s race while seven previous Busch Pole winners at RIR are in the field. … David Stremme will attempt to qualify for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Saturday night. … Three former NASCAR Busch Series champions – Bobby Labonte (#19 Banquet Chevrolet – 1991), Kevin Harvick (2001), Greg Biffle (#66 Duraflame Ford – 2002) – and the all-time leader in NASCAR Busch Series wins (Mark Martin – 47) are among the 14 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series regulars entered in Friday night’s race. … Richmond International Raceway is one of seven tracks to hold at least one NASCAR Busch Series race each year since the series was established in 1982. … NASCAR Busch North Series standout Ryan Moore (#81 Kraft/Oreo Chevrolet) will attempt to make his second series start this season for Dale Earnhardt Inc. … Andy Houston, the spotter for Brent Sherman’s #10 Serta Ford, is entered in Thursday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. Houston has three wins, 27 top fives and 51 top-10 finishes in that series. FROM THE ARCHIVES
One year ago, Mike Bliss and Mike Wallace posted the best-ever finishes among two NASCAR Busch Series regulars in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Richmond. The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 was the 26th and final event for premier series drivers to secure a spot in the inaugural 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.” Bliss, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, finished fourth, to date his career-best NASCAR NEXTEL Cup finish and at the time, the best finish by a NASCAR Busch Series regular in a premier series event in 22 years. Since then, Carl Edwards, who is running a full schedule in both series, has two wins in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition. Wallace, driving for James Finch, was seventh, his best NASCAR NEXTEL Cup finish since a 10th-place effort at Talladega in the fall 2003 race. Both Bliss and Wallace are now regulars on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. ON DECK: DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Following next week’s off-week, the NASCAR Busch Series returns to Dover International Speedway on Sept. 24 for the Dover 200. Martin Truex Jr., a native of Mayetta, N.J., considers Dover his home track, and has won two consecutive races there. He is the defending winner of this event, and also won at Dover this past June. Only one other driver – Todd Bodine – has three NASCAR Busch Series wins at Dover. Three drivers have posted season sweeps, with two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie the last to accomplish the feat in his initial championship season in 1996. Truex is attempting to become the first back-to-back series champion since his Chance 2 Motorsports owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., in 1998-99. FAST FACTS
What: Emerson Radio 250 (Race #28 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, Va.
When: 7:50 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 9.
Track Layout: .75-mile oval.
Race Length: 250 laps/187.5 miles.
Posted Awards: $1,039,339.
TV: TNT, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 Winner: Robby Gordon.
2004 Polesitter: Kasey Kahne.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Fri., Sept. 9: Practice – 9:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Qualifying – 4:35 p.m. (impound)(NASCAR PR)(9-7-2005)
Braun Racing Enters Into Marketing Partnership with UltimateBet.net: Braun Racing is proud to announce their new marketing partnership with Ultimatebet.net, one of the world¹s largest free and fun online poker rooms. Ultimatebet.net will give a new look to the #32 Chevy as the primary sponsor, this past weekend in the Ameriquest 300 California as well as next weekend¹s Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond. Ultimatebet.net is looking at the possibility of becoming a fulltime marketing partner with Braun Racing and to be featured throughout the remainder of the season as part of a new innovative online marketing strategy.
In order to accelerate the new partnership, Ultimatebet.net and Braun Racing is launching a promotion that will allow fans to interact directly with the Jason Leffler, the driver of the #32 Ultimatebet.net Chevy, in free online tournaments that start on Tuesday, September 6th. Fans will play poker against each other, vying for the chance to win one of 5 seats available at the online final table with Jason Leffler. This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to not only test their poker skills against Jason, but to also ask him all their racing questions.
Race fans will also find details posted soon about additional free tournaments and for a chance to win race tickets and more! Visit www.ultimatebet.net for complete details off all their free events.(Braun Racing/CM2 Concepts)(9-4-2005)
Crocker Debut at Richmond; Full-time in 2006 UPDATE: Erin Crocker confirmed yesterday she will make her Busch Series debut at Richmond International Raceway in the FUNAI 250 on Sept. 9. Regardless of the result, it appears she will make big news at RIR. During the Sept. 8-10 NASCAR weekend, Evernham Motorsports is expected to announce a full-time Busch sponsor for Crocker in 2006.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(8-30-2005) UPDATE: Unilever Foods has announced that Erin Crocker will make her long-anticipated Busch Series debut under the lights of Richmond International Raceway on September 9, 2005, driving the #6 Country Crock Dodge Charger. The 24-year old Crocker, who some have coined as NASCAR’s answer to rising IRL female star Danica Patrick, has received a great deal of media attention over the last couple of months. As Patrick made headlines after finishing fourth in the Indianapolis 500, Crocker began making headlines of her own after winning the pole and leading 28 laps in her first ARCA RE/MAX Series race and first career stock car race at Nashville Superspeedway in March. In addition to running five ARCA races this season, where she earned two pole awards and posted three top-fives and four top-10’s with 86 laps led, Crocker drove a partial schedule in the Silver Crown Series in a car from Kasey Kahne Motorsports. Crocker is scheduled to run three NASCAR Busch Series races in the #6 Hungry DriversT Dodge this season with Unilever Foods primary sponsoring brands, Ragu, Hellmann’s and Country Crock including events at Richmond, Dover International Speedway and Kansas Speedway.(919 Marketing/Hungry Drivers Program PR)(9-3-2005)
Edwards wins at California: #60-Carl Edwards won Ameriquest 300 at the California Speedway for his 4th wins of the season and his career. #66-Greg Biffle was 2nd, followed by #2-Clint Bowyer, #1-Johnny Sauter and #6-Kasey Kahne. Points leader #8-Martin Truex Jr. finished 15th and 52 of his points lead to Bowyer. Biffle led the most laps with 59, Edwards had 52. There were only 5 cautions for 22 laps. There were 12 lead changes among 8 drivers.
Race results at: ESPN.com BGNRacing.com Motorsports One NASCAR.com.(9-3-2005)
Bowyer wins pole at California: #2-Clint Bowyer won the pole for the Ameriquest 300 at the California Speedway with a lap of 181.333mph for his 2nd pole of the season. #6-Kasey Kahne is 2nd, followed by #41-Reed Sorenson, #60-Carl Edwards and #35-Jason Keller. Points leader #8-Martin Truex Jr. will start 9th. Missing the race are: #72-Kevin Lepage; #28-Derrike Cope; #7-Jeff Fuller; #99-Michael Waltrip; #23-Mark Green; #26-Kim Crosby.
See Starting lineups: ESPN.com BGNRacing.com – Starting Lineup BGNRacing.com – Qualifying Results NASCAR.com.(9-3-2005)
Crosby weathers Katrina, will race: Kim Crosby [driver of the Keith Coleman #26 Chevy in the Busch Series] has spent the last few days doing what everyone else who lives in the New Orleans area has been doing, surviving. Crosby lives in Slidell, La., on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain. She and her husband Chris evacuated on Sunday and rode out Hurricane Katrina in Vicksburg, Miss. on Monday. She was able to return to the area on Tuesday and verify that her house had survived the storm. But even so, it will be at least a month before the area is habitable again. “I’m one of the lucky ones,” said Crosby. “We were able to get out of the path of the storm and we’ll have something to come home to. So many people didn’t have a way to leave and now are being forced to evacuate as their homes are being destroyed by the flood. I cannot fathom what they have had to endure, what they are still enduring. My heart goes out to all of those people who are still stuck in New Orleans.” Even with the trials of the past few days, Crosby said she wants to race this weekend. “I thought about it long and hard over the past few days but in the end it was pretty clear to me,” Crosby said. “There is nothing we could do at home, even if they didn’t want everyone to leave the area.”(Keith Coleman Racing)(9-1-2005)
