Harvick Can Clinch Championship at Lowes: Harvick has a 729-point lead on Carl Edwards with five races remaining. He will clinch his second series title if he has a 761-point lead after the next race in two weeks at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.(SceneDaily.com)(9-30-2006)
Lamar Out of #77 for Remainder of Companion Races; Bobby Labonte In: UPDATES: Kevin Harvick Inc. announced today that Bobby Labonte will assume driving duties of the #77 Dollar General stores Chevy at the remaining companion events for the 2006 season. “KHI and Dollar General had high expectations for the #77 when the season started,” said Kevin Harvick. “Both Dollar General and KHI have been very patient throughout the season. This is a performance-based business and unfortunately we have not seen the level of improvement or the results we had hoped for. In an effort to evaluate the performance of the #77 team and get a jump start on the 2007 season, a change had to be made.” Burney Lamar will be back in the #77 Dollar General Stores Chevy in the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis.(KHI PR)(9-25-2006) UPDATE: Harvick doesn’t yet know what the plan for the team next season and whether KHI will focus on one driver or hire multiple drivers. “We’re still trying to decide what we’re going to do on the driving situation, whether it is two drivers or three drivers or one driver, whatever the case may be, and go from there,” he said.(SceneDaily.com)(9-29-2006) UPDATE 2: Burney Lamar says he has nothing negative to say about Kevin Harvick Inc., which announced earlier this week he would drive one more race in 2006 and it would not pick up his option in 2007. “There’s no hard feelings,” Lamar said Friday while at Kansas Speedway. “They have done a lot for my career. They gave me an opportunity to make a name for myself. With that, I will go on.”(SceneDaily.com)(9-30-2006) UPDATE 3: The pulse in the garage says that sponsor Dollar General would prefer to have Nextel Cup drivers in the car in hopes of producing better results than this season with rookie Burney Lamar.(SceneDaily.com)(9-30-2006)
Airplus Joins Evernham for 2007: Airplus Footcare will team with Evernham Motorsports as an associate sponsor on the #9 Ultimate Chargers Busch Series team for the 2007 season. The car will be driven throughout the year by Evernham Motorsports drivers including Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler.(Airplus PR)(9-29-2006)
New Series Sponsor in 2008?: UPDATE: The NASCAR Busch Series is expected to have a new title sponsor in 2008, multiple sources close to ongoing negotiations told NASCAR.COM on Saturday at Dover. Potential replacement candidates were not disclosed. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter confirmed that 2007 is the final year of the existing contract between Anheuser-Busch and NASCAR, while stressing that discussions about the future are ongoing. “All I can tell you is we’re working on 2007, and Busch is certainly a part of that,” Hunter said. “We’re in discussions about the future.” The sources, each of whom spoke on condition of anonymity, all agreed that Anheuser-Busch is re-evaluating the Busch brand’s status as title sponsor of NASCAR’s second-highest series, and where it fits in the company’s overall marketing strategy. Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch vice president of global media and sports marketing, said nothing of the sort. “We haven’t even begun negotiations,” Ponturo said Saturday. “Renewal negotiations begin next spring.”(NASCAR.com)(9-23-2006) UPDATE: Hearing the Monster Energy drink, which is distributed [not owned] by Anheuser-Busch, will be the new sponsor of the ‘Busch’ Series. So the Monster Series or the Monster Energy Drink Series?.(9-28-2006)
Condolences to Jeff Witherell: Jeff Witherell, president of Witherell Racing Promotions & Marketing received devastating news Tuesday; his stepfather and lifelong mentor Rodney Norton took his own life. Rodney suffered a stroke back in April, in which he was revived from a coma. Jeff is the marketing representative for ML Motorsports, #70 Busch Series team.(9-28-2006)
Harvick closer but not able to clinch Busch Series title yet: Kevin Harvick can’t clinch the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series championship this weekend at Kansas Speedway, but he can take a giant step toward wrapping up the title. Harvick leads by 699 points over Carl Edwards and can win the championship by finishing 29th or better in the remaining six races. Even if Harvick leads the most laps and wins at Kansas, the largest number of points he can lead by after the race is 855, which is not enough to mathematically eliminate Edwards. If Harvick merely starts the next six races, earning 34 points in each, Edwards would have to finish fifth or better in every race to pass Harvick.(SceneDaily.com)(9-28-2006)
John Andretti Honored by American Legion: John Andretti was recognized by leaders of the nation’s largest wartime veterans organization recently during the 88th National Convention of The American Legion. Andretti received the 2006 James V. Day “Good Guy” Award from The American Legion Past Department (state) Commanders Club at a luncheon in his honor. Citing his charitable work with children, PDCC President Todd E. White noted, “He is a man who truly represents America’s core values of God, country and family. He is no stranger to The American Legion, having testified before Congress in support of the flag amendment.”(Andretti/MCG PR)(9-28-2006)
Indiana Law Enforcement Hero is Honorary Crew Chief for #30 Team: Smith & Wesson Corp. continues its tribute to America’s law enforcement heroes during this weekend’s ‘Busch Series Yellow Transportation 300 at Kansas’ with Detective Lt. Ronald Johnson of the Hammond (Indiana) Police Department acting as honorary crew chief of the #30 Smith & Wesson Chevy team of SKI Motorsports and driver Mike Bliss. Johnson is the sixth law enforcement hero to serve as honorary crew chief in Smith & Wesson’s ongoing tribute program run in partnership with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Grand Lodge national headquarters. A 33-year veteran who retired from the Hammond Police Department this past April, Johnson was recognized for personally embarking on an exhaustive investigative effort that led to the conviction of a serial killer, whose victims included three missing Hammond teens.(SKI Motorsports PR)(9-28-2006)
No Busch Sched Announcement Tuesday? hearing that there will be NO announcement made on Tuesday, September 26,2006 regarding the 2007 Busch Series Schedule or the rumored race in Montreal, no word yet when the schedule will be announced.(9-25-2006) UPDATE: NASCAR has delayed its Busch Series schedule announcement, which was scheduled for today in Montreal, Canada. NASCAR spokesman Tracey Judd said Tuesday that with the complexities of holding an international event, some final details needed to be completed but added, “Nothing is in danger. We’re hopeful the schedule can be released sometime next week,” she said.(SceneDaily.com)(9-26-2006)
9 Lives To Sponsor Vidovich at Lowes: Auggie Vidovich has a new fan and it’s none other Morris the Cat. Morris and 9Lives cat food announced on Friday that the company will sponsor Vidovich and the Biagi DenBeste #4 team in the Dollar General 300 at Lowe´s. The sponsorship is part of 9Lives effort to rescue one million homeless cats known as the Morris´ Million Cat Rescue campaign.(Biagi DenBeste PR)(9-22-2006) Images: See a couple images of the car on my Paint Schemes Page.(9-26-2006)
Another Special Scheme this weekend for Sorenson: UPDATE: The #41 CGRFS Busch entry will take on a new look this weekend at Kansas to represent NicoDerm CQ Smart Control—which is a GlaxoSmithKline nicotine patch that helps smokers, who wish to quit smoking, work through their withdrawal from nicotine. The special paint scheme is the fifth and final run of the 2006 five-race partnership between GSK and the CGRFS Busch team.(CGWFSR PR)(9-26-2006) Image: See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Page.(9-27-2006)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Kansas: Todd Kluever was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Dover 200, posting a 13th-place finish. Kluever took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the sixth time this season. John Andretti leads Burney Lamar by five points (194-189) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Yellow Transportation 300 at Kansas. Andretti is 13th in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.(Raybestos PR)(9-26-2006)
Hy-Vee an Associate Sponsor on the #27 at Kansas: This week’s associate Sponsor is Hy-Vee, Inc., an employee-owned corporation headquartered in West Des Moines, operating 222 retail stores in seven Midwestern states. For 2005, the company recorded total sales of $4.9 billion, ranking it among the top 20 supermarket chains and the top 35 private companies in the United States.(Brewco PR)(9-26-2006)
Hershey Recognizing Delana Harvick: The Hershey Company, with support of three of its brands; York Peppermint Patties, Hershey’s Kisses and Hershey’s Nuggets chocolates will have limited edition pink products on the shelves this fall to help raise breast cancer awareness. In addition to the limited edition products, Hershey will make a $250,000 contribution to the Young Survival Coalition. The York brand is recognizing “Sensational Women” and their support of Breast Cancer Awareness. The Hershey Company will recognize KHI team owner DeLana Harvick as a “Sensational Woman.” DeLana is one of four women who will be recognized this year by The Hershey Company and will be given the award this weekend at the Kansas Speedway.(KHI PR)(9-26-2006)
Stewart in Final Race of Year for KHI: Tony Stewart will make his 10th and final Busch Series start of the 2006 season for KHI on Saturday at Kansas.(KHI PR)(9-26-2006) NOTE: Stewart is expected to run some Busch races for Joe Gibbs Racing next season.(9-26-2006)
Dick Trickle to Receive Bobby Isaac Memorial Award Prior to Dollar General 300: Short-track racing legend Dick Trickle will receive the Bobby Isaac Memorial Award during pre-race ceremonies for the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Busch Series race Friday night, Oct. 13, at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The Bobby Isaac Memorial Award is presented annually by Lowe’s Motor Speedway to an individual or group in recognition of outstanding contribution to short-track racing. Isaac, one of the sport’s outstanding racers, was well known for his short-track exploits and commitment, and it is in his honor the award is named. While detailed records were not kept, some estimates put Trickle’s career win total at nearly 1,200. The native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., was a dominant force in late model stock car racing throughout the Midwest for decades.(LMS PR)(9-25-2006)
Petty to Continue Working TV Booth for Busch Races: Turner Sports announced today that NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge will make select appearances as an analyst on TNT’s 2006 Busch Series racing coverage this season. Petty, who appeared in the booth on Saturday’s Busch Series race from Dover, will work alongside play-by-play announcer Bill Weber and fellow analyst Wally Dallenbach for TNT’s Busch Series coverage at Kansas, Lowe’s, Texas and Homestead. Last month TNT allowed analyst Benny Parsons to concentrate on TNT/NBC’s NEXTEL Cup Series coverage while he recovers from cancer.(Petty/MCG PR)(9-25-2006)
Montoya May Run Kansas Busch Race: UPDATE – NO: Juan Pablo Montoya could be in a NASCAR event as soon as next weekend’s Busch Series race at Kansas. Montoya, who was released from his Formula One contract earlier this week, will test an ARCA car for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates on Monday at Talladega. He also will test an ARCA car in Iowa on Thursday. Ganassi plans to get Montoya into an ARCA or Busch Series race as soon as possible, and hopefully at least one Cup race before the end of the season. He wants to get through the two tests this week before making a decision on Kansas. NASCAR officials said Montoya would have no problem getting certified for that race with his history in F-1.(NASCAR.com)(9-24-2006) UPDATE: Hopes that Juan Pablo Montoya would begin his stock-car racing career at Kansas Speedway have apparently ended. There just wasn’t enough time to get Montoya, who has been driving Formula One cars since leaving the CART series in 2001, ready for the coming weekend of racing at Kansas. Montoya spent Monday testing ARCA cars for team owner Chip Ganassi at Talladega Superspeedway. He will also practice in ARCA cars Friday at the new Iowa Speedway, which means he will not be able to participate in Busch series practice at Kansas that day.(Kansas City Star)(9-26-2006)
David Green speaks about recent release from Brewco: UPDATE 2: Brewco Motorsports replaced former Busch Series champion David Green in its #27 Fords prior to the race at Richmond, but the driver says he wanted to finish the season with the team. Green was replaced by Casey Atwood at Richmond, and Atwood will drive the car at Dover, Kansas and Charlotte in what amounts to a tryout for the rest of 2006 and ’07. Green said Sept. 8 he had made up his mind not to return to Brewco for 2007 but wanted to finish out his contract with the team. His deal with Brewco was through 2006. Both Green and team owner Clarence Brewer said the relationship between driver and team had gotten “stale,” but they disagreed on why. One of the reasons Green cited was similar to Mayfield’s belief about why his #19 Evernham Motorsports team struggled: The owner wasn’t around. Brewer pointed out that Brewco President Todd Wilkerson runs the race team and is at every race. Green will continue to run NASCAR’s rookie meetings and has gotten some interest from other Busch teams about driving. Green had wanted to retire after 2007, but he has no desire to stop driving now. “I’m not a quitter,” Green said. “They’re not going to run me off. … I’ve still got some unfinished business.”(SceneDaily.com)(9-13-2006) UPDATE: Former Brewco Motorsports driver David Green told Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody recently that he was stunned by his sudden release from the team, but is not yet ready to retire from the sport. “I was shocked,” he said. “I obviously knew our season wasn´t going the way it was supposed to be, but I knew I had the support of Kleenex, Ford Racing, and most of my team. But it´s a tough business. I was very confused on why we couldn´t be competitive this year. We showed some signs of turning the corner at times, but something always popped up. “I got a call from (team owner) Clarence Brewer, and we talked for about an hour. It wasn´t like I was trying to save my job, because it was obvious that he was the owner of the team, and he was going to make a change. He sort of made it seem like I was okay with finishing 25th, though, which was not the case. I was confused on why we hadn´t gotten a car chief to support (crew chief) Stuart Cooper, and search for talent that could help us understand tire data and everything that goes on with our cars. Stuart showed last year that he was a winning crew chief when we won at Pikes Peak, but this year, we never gave him the supporting cast he needed. September 30th was the date that Brewco had to either renew my contract, or decide to go our separate ways. In years past, we´ve had discussions well prior to that date on what we wanted to do the following year, and how we wanted to position our team. I tried to talk to Clarence a couple of months ago, and it was clear that somehing was up. I’m sure they have an agenda they need to keep to, and that’s fine. Clarence said he needed to make a change to pepare for `07. I don´t quit in the middle of a season, and for my team owner to give up with eight races to go sends the wrong signal.”(MRN/Sirius Satellite Radio)(9-18-2006) UPDATE 2: For the second time in his career, former Busch Series champion David Green is using the NASCAR spotter’s stand as a way back into the driver’s seat, the same way he did in 2002 when he spotted for Dale Jarrett at Robert Yates Racing. At Dover this past weekend Green worked for Yates again, spotting for Stephen Leicht in the Busch Series’ Dover 200 and David Gilliland in Sunday’s Nextel Cup Dover 400. The previous weekend, thanks to a call from Ford Motor Company, he also worked with Craftsman Truck Series rookie Bobby East from Wood Brothers/JTG Racing at New Hampshire. Green was released from his ride in the #27 Brewco Motorsports Ford following Race 27 at California Speedway. He wasn’t off the scene for long. And while he’s anxious to get back behind the wheel, he appreciates the opportunity to be at the racetracks. And he said there’s no question he’s looking for another driving job. “Absolutely,” Green said. “Looking back at ’02, when I spotted for D.J. in those 13 or 15 races, and then when little Ricky [Hendrick] retired from his car, the rest was history.” Green stepped into Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 Busch car for the balance of 2002 and went to work for Clarence Brewer in 2003, where he won two poles, three races and finished second in the championship that season. Now, Green doesn’t want to be forgotten.(NASCAR.com)(9-25-2006)
Peters to RCR? UPDATE 3: Dodge released Timothy Peters as driver of the Craftsman Series #4 truck, Bobby Hamilton Racing announced Tuesday. However, Peters shouldn’t be without a ride for long. After racing for two seasons with Bobby Hamilton Racing, Peters is expected to sign with Richard Childress Racing as early as this weekend in New Hampshire. Phone messages left with Richard Childress Racing were not immediately returned, and Peters said he couldn’t comment on his future. “I’m not at liberty to say anything,” he said. In 17 Truck Series races this season, Peters has one top-10 finish – placing sixth on June 23 at Milwaukee. He has three career top-10 finishes in 33 Truck Series starts, and is currently 19th in the points standings. “We brought Timothy Peters in as a rookie, and with some seat time under his belt he has proven to be a hot commodity,” team owner Bobby Hamilton said in a release. A potential deal with RCR would join Peters with Danville native Peyton Sellers, who is in RCR’s development program, and South Boston native Jeff Burton. For now the plan is to team back up with his Bailey’s South Boston team for the Bailey’s 300 late model race at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 1.(Danville Register Bee)(9-15-2006) UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing has signed Timothy Peters as a driver for its 2007 NASCAR Busch Series program. Peters raced the past two seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Bobby Hamilton Racing. A determination is forthcoming as to which of RCR’s Busch teams he will drive for. RCR is also scheduled to field a car for Peters in the Oct. 7 ARCA race at Talladega.(RCRRacing.com)(9-19-2006) UPDATE 2: Richard Childress Racing hopes to enter Timothy Peters in its #29 Chevy in Busch Series races at Memphis and Homestead later this year. Peters recently signed with RCR to compete in a part-time schedule in 2007 as the team moves to split schedules with its three Nextel Cup drivers next season. RCR doesn’t want to affect preparations for its Nextel Cup teams, two of which are in the Chase For The Nextel Cup, but it does want to get Peters additional seat time in preparation for 2007. Peters will also drive in the ARCA race at Talladega next month for Childress.(SceneDaily.com)(9-23-2006) UPDATE 3: Richard Childress Racing plans to run recently acquired youngster Timothy Peters in a third Busch car at three races this fall, at Charlotte, Memphis and Homestead. He’ll also run an RCR car in the ARCA race at Talladega. Peters recently was hired away from Bobby Hamilton Racing after Dodge terminated its development agreement with Peters.(Speedtv.com)(9-25-2006)
Musgrave Back in the #12 at Kansas: Ted Musgrave will take the reigns of the #12 Supercuts Dodge when the Series heads to Kansas this weekend.(FBR PR)(9-25-2006)
Deeringhoff Wins Wypall Crew Chief Award at Dover: Dan Deeringhoff guided Clint Bowyer to his third-career Busch Series victory in this weekend’s Dover 200. After starting in 16th-place, his worst start at the Monster Mile, Bowyer came back to lead 24 laps before taking the checkered flag. The win marked the #2 team’s first of the season. Deeringhoff’s winning day earned him the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award.(Wywall PR)(9-25-2006)
Kluever Wins Raybestos Rookie Award at Dover: Kluever finished 13th and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the sixth time this season. Kluever was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 3 stonebridgeracing.com 200 at Dover, logging an 18th-place finish. John Andretti is unofficially 13th in the Busch Series standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.(Raybestos PR)(9-24-2006)
Park hopes to have full-time ride in 2007..possibly Busch: Steve Park, a former NASCAR Cup competitor, has dabbled in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch Series this year. He placed second in the Sunoco 150 Busch East Series race at Dover on Friday. “We’re looking to get back full time in ’07 or ’08 and hopefully we’ll be able to make an announcement in a month,” said Park, who has 181 Cup starts in his career. “We’re not looking at Cup because of the money factor. “Trucks is what we originally looked at but now they’re contemplating going to the Busch Series.” Park has run in only 10 truck events and six Busch events this year. “I have kind of enjoyed the time off,” he said.(SceneDaily.com)(9-24-2006)
NASCAR to Announce 2007 Schedule Tuesday in Canada: NASCAR will announce its 2007 Busch Series schedule at a news conference Tuesday in Montreal, site of a road-course race there next Aug. 4, sources confirmed today at Dover. The race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will take the place of this year’s Martinsville Speedway event and will join Mexico and Watkins Glen as road-course races. NASCAR is in the process of giving Busch teams the ’07 schedule, a copy of which was obtained by NASCAR Scene. No other new events are on the schedule, though there are a couple of date switches. The first Nashville and Texas races swap race weekends, with Nashville’s first race held the day before Easter, April 7, and Texas taking the April 14 date. The switch could also help smaller teams who can now simply travel from Nashville to Texas to Phoenix (April 20). Also, since the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard changed weekends, the companion race at O’Reilly Raceway Park will move to July 28, with the race at Gateway taking Martinsville’s spot, July 21. The Busch Series has a 16-week stretch without a weekend off, beginning with the Lowe’s May 26 and ending with the Richmond race Sept. 7. That stretch includes Montreal and a cross-country trip to California on Sept. 1. The season opens Feb. 17 at Daytona and ends Nov. 17 at Homestead.(SceneDaily.com)(9-23-2006) AND: View the complete schedule on my 2007 Schedule page.(9-23-2006)
Krug Not Approved for Kansas; LaJoie to Drive: After a failed attempt to qualify for the Busch series race at Richmond [in the #37 Chevy], Josh Krug has been denied approval for the upcoming Yellow 300 at Kansas. Vision Racing will put Randy LaJoie in the car for the Kansas race. Hearing Krug’s next attempt to qualify will be for the Busch race at Phoenix.(RacingBoys.com)(9-21-2006)
Mac Hill Motorsports #56 Team Done for the Year? From a NASCAR Scene article about Kevin Grubb: Grubb’s five race deal with Mac Hill ended with the Richmond race, and the team might not run any Busch races the rest of the season because an arrangement with Kevin Lepage has ended, too.(NASCAR Scene)(9-21-2006)
Fitz and Bradshaw to Part Ways at the End of Season: After a five-year joint-venture, NASCAR Busch Series team owner Armando Fitz and Pro-Football Hall of Fame Quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, have agreed to end their business relationship at the end of the 2006 season. “It’s been a really great experience working with Terry, said Fitz, “but with his increasing obligations in broadcasting and film, he would be unable to fulfill his role in promoting our sponsors. We will continue our friendship and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors”. Fitz, gearing up for the 2007 race season, has some new affiliations and plans in the works that will soon be announced. Bradshaw, while having an affinity for NASCAR, regrets having to end his involvement. A four-time Superbowl quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bradshaw also ventured into movies, commercials, and most recently, television sitcoms. He’s also a popular public speaker, and famed Fox pre-game NFL host. Bradshaw’s most recent screen endeavors have been the 2006 movie “Failure to Launch” and newly produced television sitcom “Relative Chaos”.(FBR PR#2), the team, Currently known as FitzBradsahw Racing, fields two cars in the Busch Series, the #12 Dodge and #14 Dodge teams, using different drivers.(9-21-2006)
Coast Guard will not return to RCR #21 Busch car in 2007: The United States Coast Guard will not return in 2007 as the primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing´s (RCR) #21 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series. Budget restructuring allocated the proposed funding for the team sponsorship to other areas of the Coast Guard. “It´s been an honor for RCR to have the Coast Guard sponsor the #21 team Busch team this season,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO. “We have been fortunate to spend some time with the brave men and women of the Coast Guard who are serving their country by keeping its maritime borders safe. While we hoped they would return in 2007, we understand the Coast Guard´s decision and will do all we can to win them the NASCAR Busch Series championship.” Team Coast Guard, with drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton, currently leads the Busch Series point standings with seven wins (six with Harvick; one with Burton), and 19 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes in 28 races. Harvick has a 619-point lead in the driver standings with seven races remaining and is on track to have the largest season-ending point margin in series history. “Richard Childress Racing has been a terrific partner. They have represented the Coast Guard extremely well both on and off the track, with numerous promotional events and an unprecedented level of success in the Busch Series this year,” said Adm. Thad W. Allen, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, “We thank Richard, Kevin and Jeff for all they´ve done to raise the awareness of the Coast Guard with the legions of NASCAR fans everywhere. I congratulate the entire organization for what has truly been an unforgettable year.”(RCR PR)(9-20-2006)
Special Scheme for Sorenson at Dover: Reed Sorenson will run the #41 Commit Cherry Dodge this weekend at Dover. The special red paint scheme will represent the only cherry flavored stop-smoking aid that is a new line of the well-known GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Commit nicotine lozenges. The special paint scheme is the fourth run of a five-race partnership between GSK and the CGRFS Busch team.(CGWFSR PR)(9-19-2006) Note: See an image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Schemes Page.(9-20-2006)
Park to Run Busch East Race at Dover: When Busch East Series race action gets underway at Dover September 22, Steve Park will be ready to pilot the NDS/Waste Management Recycle America/Jasper Ford to the front of the field.(NDS Motorsprts PR)(9-19-2006)
Schrader Returns to #66: Ken Schrader is making his last appearance of 2006 in the Yard-Man Ford. Schrader will finish the year with eight starts for Brewco Motorsports.(Brewco PR)(9-19-2006)
Shoppers Food Warehouse on the #27 at Dover: This week’s Associate Sponsor is Shoppers Food Warehouse, which offers large-scale one-stop shopping to customers in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia under the Shoppers Food Warehouse and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy banners.(Brewco PR)(9-19-2006)
Charlie Wilson to Crew Chief for Caisse: KHI’s Charlie Wilson will be making his debut in the Busch Series as a crew chief. Wilson was Scott Lynch’s crew chief during the 2003 NASCAR West Series season when Lynch was crowned champion and earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Wilson then served as crew chief at Orleans Racing for Steve Park’s NASCAR Truck Series entry in 2004 and 2005. Wilson joined KHI in June of this year. Wally Rogers, who has served as crew chief of the #33 this season, will serve as crew chief for Ron Hornaday and the #33 AES Chevrolet Silverado CTS team this weekend in Las Vegas.(KHI PR)(9-19-2006)
Hamilton Jr. Busch deal for ’07? UPDATE: Back to Rensi next year, Smith to Ginn?: It was reported during pre-race activites at NHIS that Bobby Hamilton Jr. is working on a Busch Series deal for the 2007 season. The report also said there would be an announcement some time next week.(SpeedTV)(9-17-2006) UPDATE: “You can come home again.” Those five words ring true for Bobby Hamilton, Jr. as Team Rensi Motorsports proudly announces his return home. Hamilton will climb behind the wheel of the #35 McDonald’s Ford in 2007. Hamilton piloted the #25 Ford for Team Rensi Motorsports from 2002 until late in the 2004 season. Hamilton will replace current McDonald’s driver Regan Smith following the completion of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season. Smith recently informed Team Rensi Motorsports of his intention to accept a new driving opportunity for the 2007 season.(Rensi PR)(9-19-2006) AND: Hearing that Regan Smith is moving to Ginn Motorsports in 2007 to run a Cup/Busch schedule.(9-19-2006)
New Crew Chief for #90; David Green Hired as Spotter: Cully Barraclough has been named crew chief of the #90 CitiFinancial Ford. He replaces interim crew chief, Skip Eyler, who returns to his original position in RYR’s engineering development program. Barraclough previously served as a crew chief in the NASCAR Busch Series for Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin. He most recently worked as a consultant for Clay Andrews Racing with David Gilliland prior to joining RYR in July. David Green has been hired by RYR to serve as a driver mentor and spotter for Stephen Leicht.(RYR PR)(9-19-2006)
Dodge Motorsports to Sponsor Wallace: RWI Racing announces Dodge Motorsports as the primary sponsor of Steve Wallace’s #61 entry in the NASCAR Busch Series. Wallace will pilot the Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger at Dover, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.(RWI PR)(9-18-2006)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Dover: Danny O’Quinn Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond, posting a 14th-place finish. O’Quinn Jr. took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the sixth time this season. John Andretti leads Burney Lamar by five points (193-188) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Dover 200 at Dover. Andretti is 13th in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.(Raybestos PR)(9-18-2006)
NASCAR Sticking to decision on Grubb Suspension: Although Kevin Grubb told the Richmond Times-Dispatch he does not recall being asked to submit to a drug test after his crash at Richmond last week, a NASCAR spokesman says series officials remain firm about his suspension. NASCAR suspended Grubb indefinitely after he refused to submit to a drug test. NASCAR suspended Grubb in 2004 for violating the series’ substance abuse policy. Part of his reinstatement earlier this year was that he had to take random drug tests. Grubb told the Times-Dispatch he was “foggy” after his accident last week and that he doesn’t “remember most of being at the track.” Asked if Grubb’s comments might change NASCAR’s stance, spokesperson Kerry Tharp said: “NASCAR made multiple requests for him to submit to a test and we’re comfortable on our position with that.”(Roanoke Times)(9-16-2006)
Harvick hires Busch East driver to run #33 at Dover UPDATE: Sean Caisse, second in the Busch East standings and last year’s rookie of the year in that division, will drive the #33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevy in the Busch Series event next week at Dover International Speedway. The 20-year-old Caisse drives for Andy Santerre Motorsports in the Busch East Series.(SceneDaily.com)(9-15-2006) UPDATE: Caisse will drive 15 races for Harvick next season in the Busch Series (plans are for Caisse to also compete in the full Busch East season, too). “We were in a position where we needed to try to find somebody that’ll stand on the gas to make the car go forward. (Caisse’s) got the opportunity and ability to do that and I think as he gets a little bit of experience he’s going to get better and better,” said Harvick. “Hopefully it’ll all work out and we’ll see next week (at Dover). He’s done awesome . . and I like kinda going out on a limb and giving people chances. He’s got a good attitude,to be good is to know you’re good. I think he has that. He has that swagger.”(Union Leader)(9-16-2006)
Coleman to Drive for Brewco at Kansas: Brewco Motorsports said it will run Brad Coleman in its #66 Ford at Kansas next month, team owner Clarence Brewer said. Calling Coleman “the real deal,” Brewer wants to run Coleman full time next season, perhaps expanding to a three car team.(NASCAR Scene)(9-14-2006)
David Green Out? Casey Atwood In? UPDATE 2: Hearing that David Green will be replaced by Casey Atwood in Brewco’s #27 Kleenex Ford for at least the next couple Busch races.(9-5-2006) UPDATE: Brewco Motorsports Inc. today announced that Casey Atwood, the original driver of Brewco’s #27 NASCAR Busch Series entry, will once again take over driving duties of the car for a few races, beginning with the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond. Atwood takes over for former Busch Series Champion David Green, who joined Brewco in 2003 and has served as the driver of the #27 Kleenex Ford 2005. “We thank David for his commitment to Brewco for the last few years and wish him well for the future.” said Clarence Brewer Jr., team owner and Brewco founder.(Brewco PR)(9-5-2006) UPDATE 2: Team owner Clarence Brewer, who picked Atwood to replace David Green, said his plans are indefinite. “We’ll run Casey in the next few races and see how things go,” Brewer said. Indications are that if Atwood can do well on and off the track — dealing with media and sponsors — he could get the ride full-time next year.(Tennessean.com)(9-13-2006)
Huffman has busy off week planned: During the NASCAR Busch Series’ first off weekend in 16 weeks, Shane Huffman, driver of the No. 88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will not kick back and relax like many of his fellow drivers. Instead, Huffman will use his downtime to make the first of several upcoming trips to acclimate him to the life of a sailor in the U.S. Navy. On Wednesday, Huffman and several of his #88 team members, including crew chief Wes Ward, will fly up to Norfolk, Va., where they will board a Navy transport plane that will take them to land on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. They will spend the next day and a half touring the carrier to get a feel for what life is like for sailors at sea.(JR Motorsports PR)(9-12-2006)
Kevin Grubb Suspended Indefinitely Again: UPDATE 2: NASCAR today suspended Busch Series driver Kevin Grubb indefinitely for failing to comply with the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. Grubb, 28 and driver of the #56 Chevy in the series, was suspended for failure to comply with the substance abuse policy and a refusal to submit to required testing. NASCAR’s statement did not say when the refusal to submit to a test took place. This is Grubb’s second offense and the second time he has been suspended indefinitely.(SceneDaily.com)(9-12-2006) UPDATE: NASCAR suspended Kevin Grubb indefinitely on Tuesday because he refused to submit to a random drug test following the Busch Series race at Richmond. Grubb was suspended in March 2004 for failing a drug test, but agreed as part of his reinstatement this June to random testing. But when NASCAR officials approached him after Friday night’s Busch race, he twice refused to submit a sample, spokesman Jim Hunter said. “He did not give any reason Friday night, he just refused twice to submit to a test and part of his reinstatement was that he would agree,” Hunter said. “Our medical liaisons have experience and know what they are doing, and they explained the consequences to him several times.” Although Grubb wrecked on the first lap of the Busch race and finished last, Hunter said the test was random and NASCAR was not accusing him of being under the influence of any illegal substances.(Associated Press)(9-12-2006) UPDATE 2: Grubb said the force of the accident, which came on Lap 2 in the Busch Series race, made things “foggy” shortly thereafter. He was treated and released from the infield care center after the crash. “I don’t remember most of being at the track,” Grubb said. “I had people pulling me in 20 different directions. I ended up leaving, from what I understand.” Grubb said he woke up Sunday morning, still feeling “terrible” and unable to remember what day it was. He went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a concussion. “I’m guessing that explains me acting crazy at the track,” Grubb said. “I didn’t know what was going on.” Grubb said he called NASCAR officials Monday morning when he heard of the suspension. He was directed to talk to Dr. David L. Black, who is in charge of NASCAR’s substance-abuse program. He set up the program for reinstatement that Grubb was on, and will be the person to set up a program if he were to try to be reinstated again. “I’ve been clean the whole time,” Grubb said. “The next day, once I found out all the things that happened, I offered to take it. I’m ready to put the ball in action. “I’m sure we’ll get something situated out of that. I worked very hard to get my life back to where it was. I don’t see it being thrown away in one night.”(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(9-12-2006)
Wilson Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Racing his Shane Wilson-prepared Chevrolet, Kevin Harvick annihilated the field in the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond. Harvick’s #29 Coast Guard Chevy showed the way for 154 laps before taking the checkered flag, picking up his sixth win of the season. The team’s performance made Wilson the easy pick for this week’s WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.(WYPALL PR)(9-11-2006)
Steve Wallace Wins ARCA Race at Chicago: In only his sixth ARCA RE/MAX Series race, Steve Wallace scored his second win of the season after capturing the checkered flag at the SK Hand Tool 200 at the Chicagoland Speedway Saturday afternoon.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(9-10-2006)
Viva Towels, Brewco to Unviel Pick BCRF Breast Cancer Paint Scheme: Viva Towels and Brewco Motorsports will unveil a special pink paint scheme for Brewco’s #27 Ford on Friday, September 8. The paint scheme is one element of a partnership between VIVA Towels, Brewco, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, that will work to raise awareness and dollars to help combat breast cancer. Brewco will field the pink car during the Yellow 300 at Kansas and the Dollar General 200 at Lowe’s. The paint scheme will feature the pink ribbon that has come to symbolize breast cancer and the crew and driver will wear special fire suits for the two races.(Brewco PR)(9-6-2006) UPDATE: See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Page.(9-9-2006)
Ted Musgrave WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race at Richmond: Ted Musgrave was the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race in the Emerson Radio 250. Musgrave led the race once for 11 laps and captured the award for the first time this season. Musgrave claimed a 21st-place finish on the lead lap.(Wix PR)(9-9-2006)
Skinner and Musgrave Back for FitzBradshaw at Richmond: UPDATE: Mike Skinner will pilot the #12 Bluegreen Resorts Dodge in the Emerson Radio 250 Friday night at Richmond. The Book of Fate, a Brad Meltzer novel, is set to become the first novel ever to adorn a NASCAR racecar as it shares space on the #12 with primary sponsor Bluegreen Resorts. The book has a strong NASCAR presence in the first chapter of the newly released novel. Ted Musgrave will make his second start in the #14 Family Dollar entry in the Emerson Radio 250 Friday night.(FBR PR)(9-5-2006) UPDATE: See some images of the #12 Book of Fate car on my Paint Schemes Page.(9-8-2006)
The Peanut Shop on Lewis’ #25 at Richmond: For the second consecutive race at Richmond, Virginia native, Ashton Lewis, Jr. will proudly display the logo of The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg. The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, owned by fellow Team Rensi Motorsports marketing partner, Smithfield Foods will serve as an associate sponsor for Friday Night’s Emerson 250 Busch Series race.(Rensi PR)(9-8-2006)
Wood’s Cup Plans on Hold: Very few things have gone according to plan for Jon Wood this year. The Stuart VA native went into this season expecting to be competitive in the Busch Series, run seven Nextel Cup races and prepare to go full time into a Cup car for next year. The intended car was the #21 Wood Brothers Ford owned by his family and currently being driven by Ken Schrader. That’s still the eventual plan, but the situation has changed. Wood hasn’t seen the results he was hoping for in the Busch Series. It’s unlikely now that Wood will make his Nextel Cup debut this season. Both he and his father, Eddie, say it’s more likely that Wood will run a partial schedule. Jon Wood says he knows what he’d like to see happen. “For example, say Schrader and I split the 21 car,” he said. “He did the races, say, I wasn’t comfortable with, or did the races one particular sponsor wanted, then I did the others. That’s kind of a way of not having to be thrown to the wolves and learn so fast. That would be my ideal scenario.” Eddie Wood said nothing is set in stone but that he still has every intention of getting Jon into a Cup car for next year. Jon said he will drive a full Busch schedule next year.(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(9-8-2008)
Beam Fined by NASCAR: NASCAR announced today that Mike Beam, crew chief of the #6 Ford driven by Mark Martin in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined due to rule violations at California Speedway. Beam was fined $2,500 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and Section 20A-16.1D (4) (fuel cell vent pipe neck, including the check ball seat, exceeded the maximum size) of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. The violations were discovered during Opening Day inspection on Sept. 1.(NASCAR PR)(9-7-2006)
Steadman Marlin Could Drive for Brewco Next Year: Steadman Marlin might run some Busch races for Brewco Motorsports next season. Marlin could bring a sponsor and run 10-15 ARCA and / or Busch events for the team, Brewco President Todd Wilkerson confirmed September 2. Brewco is also awaiting work on whether #66 car sponsor Duraflame will be back. Duraflame has an option to leave but would not be allowed to sponsor a different team in 2007.(NASCAR Scene)(9-7-2006)
Ragan To Run Busch Next Season: David Ragan, who ran his first Busch race for Roush Racing in California, will run the entire Busch schedule next season. “He will be in the Busch Series again this year,” team owner Jack Roush said September 2. “Our plan is to bring him full time into the Busch Series. We’ve got a sponsor all lined up for that, but it hasn’t been announced yet.”(NASCAR Scene)(9-7-2006)
Keselowski Back in the #23 at Richmond: Brad Keselowski will attempt to make his second consecutive start on the NASCAR Busch Series behind the wheel of the #23 LoveFiFi.com Chevy at Richmond on Friday.(Keith Coleman Racing)(9-7-2006)
Pitts is New Crew Chief for Wood: UPDATE: Jerry Pitts has been named crew chief for Jon Wood’s Wood Brothers/JTG Racing #47 Busch Series team, the team announced today. Pitts has most recently been with RYR’s #90 Busch Series team and driver Stephen Leicht. Crew chief David Hyder left the team to rejoin BAM Racing’s Cup operation.(SceneDaily.com)(9-6-2006) UPDATE: Effective immediately Jerry Pitts will take over the crew chief duties on Jon Wood’s #47 Clorox/American Red Cross NASCAR Busch team. The announcement was made today by Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Competition Director Michael “Fatback” McSwain.(JTG Motorsports PR)(9-6-2006)
Racing Limos Joins ppc: Racing Limos has announced their new partnership with ppc Racing and will serve as an associate sponsor on the #22 AutoZone Ford. The Racing Limos logo will be on the lower quarter panels of the car.(ppc PR)(9-6-2006)
Tony Eury, Sr. Taking Over as Menard’s Crew Chief: Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced today the promotion of Tony Eury, Sr. to a senior management role in the company’s #11 Menards Busch Series operation driven by Paul Menard. Eury will take over crew chief duties, replacing Dan Stillman, who will remain with company in another role.(DEI PR)(9-6-2006)
Gilliland to run #25 Busch car in 2007? hearing that David Gilliland, driver of the #38 M&M’s Ford of Robert Yates Racing, will drive either a part or full-time 2007 Busch Series schedule in the #25 Team Rensi Ford. The team recently announced that current driver Aston Lewis would not return in 2007 and it supposedly the team is looking for a sponsor. The team is currently sponsored by the US Marines.(9-6-2006)
Bowyer Running with the Red Hot Chili Peppers this week: UPDATE: The #2 ACDelco Chevy driven by Clint Bowyer will carry the colors of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and their new album during the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond.(Wasserman Media Group PR)(9-5-2006) UPDATE: See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Page.(9-6-2006)
Hermie Sadler in the #28 at Richmond: This weekend, Hemie Sadler, the 1993 Busch Series Rookie of the Year, will attempt to make his first Busch Series start of the season in the #28 Chevy owned by Troy Stafford [Jay Robinson Racing].(Sadler PR)(9-6-2006)
Gilliland to Replace Leicht in #90 at Richmond: Robert Yates Racing announced today that David Gilliland will replace Stephen Leicht in the #90 CitiFinancial Ford for this Friday’s Emerson 250 at Richmond. “In an effort to improve the chassis setups at Robert Yates Racing in both the Busch and Cup cars, we felt by having one driver run both races we would get the most consistent feedback,” said Robert Yates. “Stephen has done a great job for us this season and this change is not a reflection of Stephen’s performance. He will be back in the #90 CitiFinancial Ford at Dover.”(Yates PR)(9-6-2006)
U.S. Postal Service Primary Sponsor for Wimmer and #66 Brewco Ford at Richmond: The #66 Ford is running a United States Postal Service paint scheme for the first time this season. The last time the #66 Ford flew the United States Postal Service colors was at last season’s September Dover event. Scott Wimmer is back in the car this weekend.(Brewco PR)(9-6-2006)
Menard Wins WIX Filters Lap Leader Award at California: Paul Menard earned his fourth WIX Filter Lap Leader Award of the season by leading seven laps en route to a fourth place finish in the Ameriquest 300. With this week’s win, Menard moved ahead of Jason Leffler at the top of the Busch Series Lap Leader standings.(WIX PR)(9-6-2006)
Bruce Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award at California: The actual retail value of gas may be $3.00 per gallon, but for Trip Bruce, crew chief of the #9 Dodge, fuel is truly priceless. Using fuel mileage to his advantage, Bruce outsmarted the competition to the checkered flag in Saturday’s AmeriQuest 200, giving his team its second win of the season. Bruce’s winning strategy earned him the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award.(Wypall PR)(9-6-2006)
Chris Cook Returns to #43 at Richmond: Veteran driving instructor and road course racing specialist Chris Cook is back behind the wheel of the #43 VisitPA.com/CAPG Dodge for his third career NASCAR Busch Series oval-track event at Friday night’s Emerson Radio 250 on Richmond.(CAPG PR)(9-5-2006)
Rookie News & Notes for Richmond: Burney Lamar was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Ameriquest 300 at California, grabbing a 14th-place finish. Lamar took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the eighth time this season and was the only first-year driver to finish on the lead lap. John Andretti leads Lamar by six points (191-187) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond. Andretti is 13th in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.(Raybestos PR)(9-5-2006)
Harvick to Run Coast Guard Reserve Scheme at Richmond: Kevin Harvick will drive a specially painted #21 Chevy in the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond on Friday. Harvick’s car will feature Coast Guard Reserve graphics to salute the 8,100 men and women that serve as Reservists across the United States. The Coast Guard Reserve logo will adorn the hood and rear quarter-panels on the #21 Chevy.(RCR PR) [See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Page].(9-5-2006)
A.J. Foyt IV to Drive IndyCar Series Finale: Andretti Green Racing announced that A.J. Foyt IV will drive the #27 Klein Tools/Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone in the final race of the 2006 IndyCar Series season Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. Foyt IV will replace Dario Franchitti, who sustained a concussion Friday during a qualifying session for the Goodwood Revival at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in Goodwood, England.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(9-5-2006)
Grubb Back in the #56; Western Sizzlin’ Co-primary at Richmond: Western Sizzlin will be the co-primary sponsor with TEREX for the #56 Chevy driven by Kevin Grubb for the upcoming Busch Series race at Richmond.(Mac Hill Motorsports)(9-4-2006)
Paul Menard WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race in Ameriquest 300: Paul Menard was the WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race in the Ameriquest 300. Menard led the race twice for seven laps and captured the award for the fourth time this season. Menard took the lead in the overall WIX Filters Lap Leader standings over Jason Leffler (4-3). Menard raced Kasey Kahne for the win in the closing laps of tonight’s race before running out of gas on the final lap. He was able to coast him with a fourth-place finish, his fifth top-five of the season. Menard was the highest finishing Busch Series regular in the 43-car field.(Wix PR)(9-3-2006)
Ashton Lewis Looking for Ride for 2007: Ashton Lewis is shopping for a ride next year. He said Saturday that he likely won’t be back with the #25-Team Rensi next season. “I’m entertaining all options,” Lewis said. Lewis, who has 218 career starts, is 15th in points this year but said he would like to be in a more competitive situation. “Anything I feel like I can win in or be competitive in is what I want to do,” Lewis said. A replacement for Lewis likely will come with a new sponsor for Rensi.(SceneDaily.com)(9-3-2006)
Key Motorsports [CTS Team] Forms Alliance with Clay Andrews: Key Motorsports founder and owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. has become the first of several independent race team owners to join forces with Clay Andrews and commit to his team´s participation in the Clay Andrews´ Alliance Partners organization. “Clay was very emotional when he explained to me why he decided to shut down his race team,” Key stated. “He believed that he was betrayed somewhat, and felt the best way to handle the situation was to shut his doors. But this new project has re-invigorated him, and I like his determination and drive. I believe that he is on to something really beneficial for the independent race teams, and Key Motorsports has committed to the project,” Key added. The Clay Andrews´ Alliance Partners project has been designed to give independent, single car or truck teams competing full-time in NASCAR´s Busch or Craftsman Truck Series the very things needed to find success at this level of racing. Sharing testing and practice data, utilizing a unified engine program, sharing technology and sometimes personnel and sponsorship money are some of them. At least four teams will actively support the Alliance at this time. Key Motorsports is the first Craftsman Truck Series team in the stable and has already purchased two of Andrews´ Hype Manufacturing motors for competition this year.(Key Motorsports PR)(9-2-2006)
Tracy to Run final Busch Race of Season at California; Will Announce 2007 Plans: UPDATE 3: Although Paul Tracy holds Champ Car records with 30 wins and over 4000 laps led, he will switch gears this weekend when he arrives at California Speedway, where he will return to rookie status in the NASCAR Busch Series. This will be Tracy’s final 2006 appearance in the NASCAR Busch Series [in the #34 for Frank Cicci Racing] and on Friday Tracy will be making an announcement on SPEED’s Trackside Live as to his NASCAR plans for 2007.(Player Management International PR)(8-30-2006) UPDATE: Paul Tracy will drive for Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports in the Busch series next season with the possibility of running a handful of Nextel Cup events. “Yes, I will be running six to eight races for them,” said Tracy.(Motorsport.com)(9-1-2006) UPDATE 2: Paul Tracy is set to drive at least six NASCAR Busch Series races for new Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports team in 2007, with the possibility of a race or two in the Cup series in the new Car of Tomorrow. “We don’t know next year’s schedule yet, but I would imagine we would start at Daytona and run the first part of the season, before Champ Car gets going,” Tracy said. “It’s a Toyota deal and I’m sure it’s going to be better than the car I’ve been driving. Bill Riley is in it with Eddie D’Hondt and he has been in it a long time. I’m sure it will be a good chassis.” NASCAR will begin phasing in the Car of Tomorrow next year, starting with 16 races. Tracy said Riley-D’Hondt will run all the CoT races and “I could get to do some of them, the way things look now.”(FoxSports.com)(9-1-2006) UPDATE 3: Bill Riley and Eddie D’Hondt announce that Sport Clips has agreed to be the primary sponsor of one of their new teams in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series. Fielded out of their new shops located in Mooresville, NC, Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports will run a yet-to-be-determined limited schedule with champion open-wheel driver Paul Tracy in the driver’s seat.(Riley-D’Hondt PR)(9-1-2006)
What’s Mark Green Up To?: Since June, Mark has been a consultant and spotter for Joe Gibbs Racing. Mark works Aric Almirola in the Craftsman Truck Series and in the Busch Series. During the Nextel Cup races, Mark continues to spot for Kyle Petty, as he has in the past 2 seasons.(Mark-Green.com)(9-1-2006)
Vision Racing Team to Run Some Busch Races? UPDATE 3: Hearing that ARCA RE/MAX competitor Vision Racing will soon announce that Josh Krug will drive some Busch races for the team later this year.(8-21-2006) UPDATE: Vision Racing confirms they will enter the NASCAR Busch Series with rookie driver Josh Krug beginning with the Busch event at Memphis. The team plans to run at least three races in 2006 with a heavier schedule in 2007. All of the team’s ARCA equipment is up for sale, as the team plans to concentrate on their move into the NASCAR ranks.(Vision Racing PR)(8-23-2006) UDPATE 2: The team’s schedule has changed and they now plan to attempt the Richmond Busch race next weekend.(8-31-2006) UPDATE 3: In addition to competing at Richmond, Vision Racing will also compete in two more NASCAR Busch Series events at Kansas and Texas. The team will utilize the three events to prepare for a more intense NASCAR Busch Series schedule in 2007. Owner Adrain Berryhill also announced the signing of ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie driver Josh Krug to pilot his Chevrolet Monte Carlo at RIR. Guiding Vision Racing and rookie Krug will be veteran NASCAR crew chief Billy Wilburn. Backing the team’s primary effort is AmericashAdvance.com.(Vision Racing PR)(9-1-2006)
Russell Named President of Team Rensi: Team Rensi Motorsports announced the promotion of Ronnie Russell to President of Team Rensi Motorsports effective immediately. Russell, 53, a Clarksville, TN native has been with Team Rensi Motorsports since its inception in 1998. Prior to being named President, Russell served as Vice President of Operations for Team Rensi Motorsports.(Team Rensi PR)(9-1-2006)
Carpentier To Make Stock Car Debut; Still Looking for NASCAR Ride: Patrick Carpentier will make his stock car debut this weekend as part of the CASCAR series event at Cayuga Speedway located near Hamilton, Ontario. The former open-wheel racer will drive David Jacombs’ #88 Ford Taurus after track owner Jerry Santucci made an offer to sponsor Carpentier’s inaugural stock car race. Carpentier hopes to parlay this experience into a Busch ride for 2007 with a goal of eventually racing on the NASCAR Nextel Cup series. (TSN.ca)(9-1-2006)
