September 2007 Busch Series Archive

Busch’s Car Fails Post Race Inspection: UPDATE: #5-Kyle Busch’s race-winning car in the Yellow Transportation 300 failed postrace inspection at Kansas Speedway, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Saturday night. Although NASCAR originally indicated the Hendrick Motorsports car passed but the intake manifold was being taken back to its Research and Development Center for further evaluation, NASCAR later determined that the intake manifold did indeed fail for not meeting NASCAR specifications. NASCAR still will confiscate the manifold for further evaluation. Any penalties will be announced next week.(SceneDaily.com)(9-29-2007)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports has used the same or a similar intake manifolds in other Busch Series events – and they have been inspected and passed – compared to the one that failed inspection following Kyle Busch’s win in the Yellow Transportation 300 on Saturday, HMS Vice President Doug Duchardt said. Duchardt said the issue is internal modifications – a “fluff and buff” of the manifold. He said that an intake manifold that should have been a twin of the one used Saturday at Kansas Speedway had been inspected for two days at the NASCAR Research and Development Center earlier in the week as NASCAR did research to tweak the manifold rules for next season.(SceneDaily.com)(9-30-2007)
Busch Series ponders move to COT-type car in 2009: The Busch Series will be going to a NASCAR-approved chassis, at least a brother if not a twin to the current “car of tomorrow” in the future, likely as early as 2009. Busch Series Director Joe Balash said Saturday that there are too many factors undecided on what or when the series will make the change. NASCAR has floated the idea of using pony car bodies – Mustangs, Camaros, etc. – with the manufacturers. Among the other things that could change is the wheelbase to be consistent with Cup at 110 inches (from 105 in the Busch Series). Teams have been going to the NASCAR Research and Development Center looking at proposed chassis. Busch Series teams are bracing for the change to occur for the start of the 2009 season. Mike Dillon, Richard Childress Racing’s Vice President of Competition, predicted the car would have a smaller splitter to go with the new body and also will have a spoiler instead of a wing. Balash said the hope would be that the teams will have fewer cars. Teams are estimating being able to go from about 12-15 cars to about five to eight cars. There will be no body changes for the Busch Series next season, but the series will go to the smaller fuel cell. The series was still using the 22-gallon fuel cell and will go to the current Cup cell that holds 17-18 gallons. The engine rules will change slightly, which Balash estimates will lower RPM by about 500 RPM, down to about 8000 RPM. Certain components will have different weight requirements with the idea that, combined with the lower RPM using a different gear rule, they will last longer.(SceneDaily.com)(9-29-2007)
Wallace & GEICO Moving? During SPEED’s coverage of Busch Series Qualifying at Kansas, Larry McReynolds mentioned that rumors have #7-Mike Wallace and sponsor GEICO looking to move to another team in 2008. Phoenix Racing would likely continue with one team [#1] and run some additional Cup race next season.(SPEED TV Coverage)(9-29-2007)
FreeCreditReport.com Will Not Return to Rensi: UPDATE: Team Rensi Motorsports is announcing they are beginning the search for a new sponsor for their #25 Busch Series entry in 2008.(Team Rensi Motorsports PR)(9-18-2007)
UPDATE: Team Rensi Motorsports, which challenged for the Busch Series title in 2003 with Bobby Hamilton Jr., is looking for sponsors for both of its cars for 2008. Team president Ronnie Russell confirmed Friday that the team will lose McDonald’s and FreeCreditReport.com as sponsors of its cars. Russell said the team is actively looking for sponsorship for the #35 car and driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. and also looking for sponsorship and a driver for the #25 car (driven this year by David Gilliland and Richard Johns). The team had a partnership with Robert Yates Racing this year that allowed it to use Gilliland, but that relationship is not continuing in 2008.(SceneDaily.com)(9-29-2007)
Busch Series Racing from Kansas on ESPN2: On Saturday afternoon, ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the Busch Series with live racing from Kansas Speedway. The telecast of the 300-mile race is presented by Principal Financial and begins at 3 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown, hosted by Allen Bestwick, with analyst Brad Daugherty in the ESPN Pit Studio. The race telecast begins at 3:30 p.m. ET. Some NASCAR Countdown highlights:
Iron Man Keller: Jason Keller, a veteran of the Busch Series, will tie Tommy Houston’s record for series starts this weekend at Kansas if he qualifies for and starts the race. ESPN’s Dave Burns will report on Keller’s race to his 417th Busch Series green flag.
Championship Battle: Carl Edwards has helped team owner Jack Roush regain the lead in the nip-and-tuck battle for the Busch Series team owner’s title in 2007, but Richard Childress Racing continues to apply pressure as the season nears its conclusion. ESPN’s Mike Massaro will examine the competition.(ESPN PR)(9-27-2007)
A-B wanted to move sponsorship money: An Anheuser-Busch executive says the brewer decided to end its sponsorship of the Busch Series and its role as official beer of NASCAR so it could devote more money to the entertainment and digital world, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports/entertainment marketing for Anheuser-Busch, said in delivering the keynote speech Tuesday at the Online Media, Marketing & Advertising Conference & Expo that the company would increase its online media spending by 2 to 5 percent. That would amount to around $500 million, the Hollywood Reporter estimated. Also, while Ponturo said Anheuser-Busch wanted to end its official NASCAR sponsorships to spend money on advertising elsewhere, the Reporter said, “The company did not want to pay the higher sponsorship fees NASCAR was seeking.” The Reporter estimated Anheuser-Busch was spending around $15 million on its officials sponsorships, which it said is the same amount on its sponsorship of Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Kasey Kahne in 2008.(SceneDaily.com)(9-26-2007)
Reutimann Considering MWR Offer; Busch Series Could be Sticking Point: David Reutimann has been stressing over his future, wondering whether he has done well enough as a rookie in NASCAR’s major-league level to earn a shot back next year. Now that Michael Waltrip Racing has presented him with a contract offer for next year, he’s trying to puts himself in the best situation he can for a long-term future in NASCAR. One of the sticking points in closing the deal, Reutimann said Tuesday, is that MWR wants to develop a young driver in its full-time Busch Series car. Reutimann wants to continue racing full-time in Busch. “I know they have to plan for the future,” Reutimann said. “Michael [Waltrip] is not going to drive forever, and neither is D.J. [Dale Jarrett]. They need to bring somebody into the company they can develop. But at this point, I’m not ready to step out of the Busch car.”(Tampa Tribune)(9-26-2007)
Slim Jim on the #20 at Kansas: Denny Hamlin will be in the #20 Slim Jim Monster Stick Chevy at Kansas. Hamlin will be carrying the red and yellow colors of long-time JGR sponsor ConAgra Foods and its Slim Jim Monster Stick brand for the very first time.(True Speed Communications PR)(9-26-2007)
Casey Atwood in the #27 at Kansas With Special Paint Scheme: Casey Atwood will be making his first 2007 Busch Series start in the #27 VIVA / Breast Cancer Research Foundation Ford at Kansas. Atwood drove the #37 Brewco Ford at Dover last week. Beginning with the Yellow Transportation 300 at Kansas, VIVA brand towels will partner with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to help raise awareness and funds to combat breast cancer. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for the second consecutive year, VIVA will drive attention to this serious issue by showcasing a pink paint scheme and a pink ribbon symbolizing breast cancer awareness. The #27 Brewco Ford will run the pink paint scheme at Lowes and Memphis as well as Kansas. Casey Atwood and the Brewco pit crew will wear the color pink for these three races. Also, the Kimberly-Clark trackside marketing display will have a special pink BCRF section.(Brewco PR)(9-26-2007)
Conway in Final Race of 2007; Looks to Return in 2008: The curtain falls on the 2007 Busch Series season for Kevin Conway and the #18 Z-Line Designs/Wal-Mart Chevy for Joe Gibbs Racing at Saturday’s Yellow Transportation 300 at Kansas. “We’re looking forward to another great year in the Busch Series in 2008. More than likely it’ll be a limited schedule again. But I’m hoping to come back and be in the car a little bit more frequently so we can show really what we’re capable of.” Conway said.(True Speed Communications / JGR PR)(9-25-2007)
Raines Penalized: Tony Raines, driver of the #33 Chevy in the Busch Series, has been fined and penalized due to rule violations this past weekend at Dover International Speedway. Raines was fined $15,000 and penalized 25 driver championship points for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing – entered the race track surface without authorization; throwing helmet at competitor’s car) of the 2007 Busch Series Rule Book. Additionally, the driver’s infractions have resulted in team owner DeLana Harvick being penalized 25 owner championship points. The infractions took place during the race on Sept. 22.(NASCAR PR)(9-25-2007)
Leffler to Drive for Red Horse Racing in CTS: Red Horse Racing announced Jason Leffler will race the #1 RFMS/Red Horse Racing Toyota in the Craftsman Truck Series in five of the six remaining events on the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series schedule. Leffler will hand the wheel over to Brandon Whitt when the Series’ hits Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 27th due to a scheduling conflict and his commitments in the NASCAR Busch Series.(Integrity Sports Marketing PR)(9-25-2007)
Keller to Tie Houston at Kansas: #11-Jason Keller will tie a milestone record this weekend as he is set to make Busch Series career start 417. Tommy Houston currently holds the 417 record.(CJM Racing PR)(9-25-2007)
Bodine, Germain to Kansas for Busch race: Todd Bodine and Germain Racing have entered the #03 Toyota in this weekend’s Busch Series event at Kansas Speedway. “We get to go to Kansas with no pressure. We can go there and just race,” said Bodine, who will be looking for fun competition in the Yellow Transportation 300. “Of course we want the best performance so we can help our cause in lining up our sponsorship for next season, but with the coil binding in these cars, the front ends are so similar from race track to race track that we are pretty comfortable heading into the weekend. We feel we’ve got a handle on the set up and we’re looking forward to just having some fun in Kansas.” Bodine has a total of 11 starts at Kansas Speedway. He’s run four Cup Series races, three Busch Series races and four Truck Series races. His worst finish in the Truck Series was 15th, the only race of his four when he wasn’t driving for Germain Racing. Germain Racing plans to run in Busch Series races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway this season.(Germain Racing PR)(9-25-2007)
Chicago Installing Lights; 2008 Races Will Run at Night: Chicagoland Speedway announced the installation of lights for the 2008 season. With this new addition to the 1.5-mile, D-shaped oval, Chicagoland Speedway becomes only the 10th Nextel Cup facility able to hold night racing. The NASCAR race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in 2008 will feature two night races – the Busch Series race on Friday, July 11, followed by the Nextel Cup Series race on Saturday, July 12.(Chicagoland Speedway PR)(9-25-2007)
Busch, Trucks Will Not Run at Iowa Next Year: Stock car racing fans will have to wait until at least 2009 for a chance to see a Busch Series or Craftsman Truck Series event at Iowa Speedway in Newton. The track’s 2008 slate will include return visits by the IndyCar Series and NASCAR’s Grand National Division, but the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series will not expand next season, Iowa Speedway’s vice president and general manager Craig Armstrong said Monday. “They are certainly looking at us as a prospect for 2009 and beyond,” said Armstrong.(Des Moines Register)(9-25-2007)
Jennifer Jo Cobb to Attempt Kansas Race: When Jennifer Jo Cobb takes the wheel of the #44 Driver Boutique Chevy this weekend, it´ll not only serve as her first Busch Series start of 2007, but the first of any female driver in the series this season. The race will mark Cobb´s third Busch Series race, her second at her home track, Kansas Speedway. “It´s great to be racing in the NASCAR Busch Series again at Kansas Speedway, with Richardson-Netzloff Racing.”(Jennifer Jo Cobb PR)(9-24-2007)
Busch Series Action Live on ESPN2 Saturday From Kansas: On Saturday afternoon, ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the Busch Series with live racing from Kansas Speedway. The telecast of the 300-mile race is presented by Principal Financial Group and begins at 3 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. Dr. Jerry Punch will anchor ESPN2’s coverage from Kansas, with analysis by Andy Petree and Brad Daugherty. Pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake, while Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN DISH Tech Center. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown.(ESPN PR)(9-24-2007)
Rookie Notes for Kansas: Brad Keselowski was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the RoadLoans.com 200 at Dover. Keselowski finished seventh, his third top-10 finish of the 2007 season and took top rookie honors for the fourth time. David Ragan leads Marcos Ambrose by 24 points (214-190) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the 29 Yellow Transportation 300 at Kansas. Ragan is fifth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 157 points behind fourth-place Jason Leffler and leads sixth-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. by 42. Ambrose is eighth in the standings, 21 points behind seventh-place Greg Biffle.(Raybestos PR)(9-24-2007)
Harick in the #77 at Kansas: Harvick will make his fourth and final NBS start in the #77 Chevy. Harvick has raced the #77 Dollar General stores Chevy at Phoenix, Richmond and Dover in the spring. Harvick will sport the Dollar General colors for the final time of the 2007 season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, piloting the #33 KHI Chevy.(KHI PR)(9-24-2007)
Baby Girl for Ambrose: Marcos Ambrose’s decision to pass up an opportunity to make his Nextel Cup debut at Dover Sunday was justified when his wife Sonja gave birth to their second child in Charlotte. Sonja went into labor at 8am this morning and was driven to hospital where Adelaide Elizabeth Ambrose arrived at 3:04pm weighting 7lbs 11 ounces. Adelaide is a sister for two-year-old Tabitha.(Marcos Ambros PR)(9-24-2007)
Keselowski Has Offer to Drive #88 Next Year: Interviewed Monday afternoon on Sirius Speedway, #88-Brad Keselowski said he has been offered a multi-year contract to drive for JR Motorsports.(Sirius Speedway)(9-24-2007)
Franchitti in the #42 Beginning at Memphis: It was mentioned during the Busch Series event at Dover that 2007 Indy Racing League champion Dario Franchitti will take the reins of the #42 Dodge for Chip Ganassi at Memphis. Franchitti will utilize the time in the #42 to prepare for his expected full time Sprint Cup tenure in 2008.(Catchfence.com)(9-24-2007)
McGilton to Make Busch Debut at Memphis: ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Phillip McGilton will attempt to make his Busch Series debut at Memphis Motorsports Park next month behind the wheel of an entry owned by fellow ARCA car owner Doug Stringer. It’s thought that McGilton will drive the #10 Toyota a joint effort with former ARCA team Braun Racing but that has not yet been confirmed.(Catchfence.com)(9-24-2007)
Wimmer Finalizes Deal with RCR: Scott Wimmer has finalized a deal with Richard Childress Racing that will put him in at least 23 Busch Series races in 2008 and position himself for a fulltime Nextel Cup ride. Wimmer will drive 23 races in the #29 Holiday Inn car and there’s potential to put him in the #2 driven by Clint Bowyer for the remaining 12 Busch events so he can compete for a championship. He also could run five to 10 Nextel Cup events if the organization doesn’t go fulltime with a fourth team in NASCAR’s premier series.(ESPN.com)(9-23-2007)
Logano Wins Busch East Title; Will Run Busch Series Next Year: All Joey Logano had to do was start Friday’s season-ending Sunoco 150 Busch East Series race at Dover to clinch the 2007 Busch East championship. He did that and more by leading three times for a race-high 79 laps before finishing second in the 150-lap race on the 1-mile oval. “I’ll get in a Busch car next year. I’ve got to wait until I turn 18, which is May 24. I’ll probably get some Busch East Series races in at the beginning of the year, and then we’ll see what we have when I turn 18. I’m just learning all I can right now so that when I turn 18 I’m ready to go Busch racing.”(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(9-21-2007)
Five Drivers in the #5 in 2008: UPDATE: Dr. Jerry Punch announced during TV coverage of the Busch race that five drivers – Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Casey Mears, Jimmie Johnson, and Landon Cassil – would share driving duties of the #5 Chevy next year. The team will operate out of JR Motorsports facilities.(8-18-2007)
UPDATE: Next season’s driver lineup for the #5 Busch Series entry will include a revolving door of Nextel Cup superstars, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, sources close to Hendrick Motorsports confirmed Friday. Mark Martin, who has driven two races for HMS in the #5 this season and is slated for a third, is also a possibility, sources said. Young Landon Cassill will run the majority of the events.(ESPN.com)(9-21-2007)
JR Motorsports development driver McGrath leaves team: JR Motorsports development driver Jeremy McGrath has left the team and has joined a Late Model team on the West Coast, closer to his home. JR Motorsports Vice President of Competition Steve Crisp confirmed Friday the departure of the motorcycle supercross star. “He’s got a little girl, and he’s got another on the way,” Crisp said. “Looking at what he’s done, he’s had a full career, a very successful career – and a career that’s every bit as taxing as a Nextel Cup driver. He traveled all the time, had to go all over the world. He wanted to drive a stock car, but he didn’t want to get into the traveling. “And he didn’t want to relocate his family. Looking at those two components, that mean he probably needed to do it on the West Coast.”(SceneDaily.com)(9-21-2007)
After weekend off, Busch Series Returns to Racing on ESPN2: On Saturday afternoon, ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the Busch Series with live racing from Dover International Speedway. The telecast of the 200-mile race begins at 3 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown, hosted by Allen Bestwick, with analyst Brad Daugherty, in the ESPN Pit Studio. The race telecast begins at 3 p.m. ET. Some NASCAR Countdown highlights:
A Repeat for Edwards? Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards will talk with ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little on his chances to defend at the Monster Mile, where he won in the spring. Edwards has won four Busch Series races in 2007, all on concrete racetracks. That designation has earned him the nickname “Concrete Carl.”
Ambrose a Daddy-to-be: Marcos Ambrose will be on baby alert this weekend, with his wife expecting their second child at any time. Ambrose is scheduled to drive in Saturday’s Busch Series race, but passed up the opportunity for a Cup ride with Robby Gordon on Sunday to be home with his wife. The big question – what will happen if Ambrose is notified mid-race? ESPN’s Mike Massaro will talk with Ambrose.
Driver Development: Landon Cassill: A new face in the NASCAR Busch Series, Landon Cassill, a developmental driver for Hendrick Motorsports, is slated to compete in four Busch Series races this year; his first was at Richmond. ESPN’s Shannon Spake will report on Cassill’s career and his development as a driver, with input from team owner Rick Hendrick.(ESPN PR)(9-20-2007)
Where is Mike McLaughlin? Mike McLaughlin is content. Hear McLaughlin talk about his life today, and he really and truly seems to be in a good place. He’s happy with the way things turned out in his racing career, despite a bump or two along the way. He’s satisfied being a husband to wife Katie and a dad to eight-year-old son Max, as well as to Katie’s twins, Hannah and Manny, from a previous marriage. McLaughlin stays busy juggling daily responsibilities with Katie, who is helping market a nearby indoor karting facility. He also tests for Joe Gibbs Racing and serves as something of a driver coach for young stars Joey Logano and Marc Davis. Heck, when the team has gotten in a bind, McLaughlin has even helped hang sheet metal.(NASCAR.com)(9-20-2007)
Daugherty In ESPN Booth for Busch Series Races at Dover, Kansas: Brad Daugherty will serve as booth analyst for two upcoming Busch Series races. Daugherty will make his booth debut in Saturday’s Busch Series race at Dover. He also will be in the booth for the Busch Series race Saturday, Sept. 29, at Kansas Speedway. Both races air live at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2. At Dover, Daugherty will join play-by-play announcer Dr. Jerry Punch and Rusty Wallace. At Kansas, Daugherty will work with Punch and Andy Petree. Daugherty will continue his role as analyst on NASCAR Countdown for ESPN on ABC’s coverage of the Nextel Cup Series races at Dover and Kansas and as analyst on NASCAR Now, ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program. During the Dover and Kansas races, Petree and Wallace will take turns sitting in the ESPN production truck to observe the process of producing a race telecast from a new perspective.(ESPN PR)(9-20-2007)
Ric Flair to Start Engines at Dover: The RoadLoans.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race will take its starting command from a wrestling icon. Ric Flair, former WWE wrestler and former champion will deliver the five most famous words in motorsports. As a guest of RoadLoans, Flair will be Saturday’s Honorary Starter for the Busch race.(Dover International Speedway PR)(9-20-2007)
Kansas National Anthem Singer Announced: Kansas Speedway announced that Warner Brothers recording artist James Otto will perform the national anthem for the Yellow Transportation 300 on Sept. 29. Otto is a member of the Muzik Mafia, along with Big & Rich, and is one the group’s most respected musicians and performers.(Kansas Speedway PR)(9-20-2007)
Robby Gordon Driving for Brewco at Dover: Robby Gordon will be making his first career Busch Series start for Brewco Motorsports this weekend driving the #27 Depends®/Rite Aid Ford at Dover.(Brewco PR)(9-19-2007)
NOS Energy Drink Sponsoring SKI at Dover: NOS Energy Drink will be primary sponsor of the #30 Chevy for this weekend’s Busch Series race at Dover. NOS Energy Drink, one of the fastest growing players in the energy drink market, joined the SKI Motorsports organization this season as a major associate sponsor with Dover marking the first primary race for the brand. Both SKI Motorsports and NOS Energy Drink plan to announce future plans in the coming weeks.(SKI Motorsports PR)(9-19-2007)
Sherman Out of #36 after Kansas: As the season begins to wind down, McGill Motorsports has decided to make a change in the #36 Chevy, as they have parted ways with Brent Sherman in hopes of securing a driver that is accompanied by funding that will help the team gear up for the 2008 season. Sherman’s last race in the #36 McGill Motorsports Chevy will be Kansas, leaving open the following five races for a driver that has reasonable sponsorship dollars(Player Management International PR)(9-18-2007)
InvestLinc Joins CJM Racing at Dover, Kansas: InvestLinc has signed as a primary sponsor for two of #11-CJM Racing’s remaining Busch Series events this season. The announcement comes as the team continues to build sponsor relationships in preparation for its first full-time Busch Series season in 2008. InvestLinc provides private capital, wealth services and life services for a unique community of high net work individuals, businesses and institutions.(CJM Racing PR)(9-18-2007)
See an image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Schemes page.(9-19-2007)

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Montreal Penalies Announced: UPDATE: Robert Yates, owner of the #90 Ford, was penalized with the loss of 25 Busch Series championship owner points, while Leicht was penalized with the loss of 25 Busch Series championship driver points. The infractions were discovered during post-race inspection on Aug. 4.(NASCAR PR)(8-7-2007)
UPDATE: On September 18, 2007, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Robert Yates Racing. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following post-race inspection on August 4, 2007 for the Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules”; Section 20A-12.3C (3): Divider pistons in both front shock absorbers were not installed to the manufacturer’s specifications”, and Section 12A-12.3l: “Oil volume did not meet the minimum one (1) inch specification”. The penalties assessed were: Loss of 25 Busch Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Robert Yates, Loss of 25 Busch Series Championship Driver Points for driver Stephen Leicht, $10,000.00 fine for crew chief Charles Barraclough. In deciding the Appeal, the Commission considered several factors: Although the divider piston positioning was similar in both front shock absorbers, the oil volume measurements differed, a similar circumstance of a divider piston “dropping” in an excessively hot shock during post-race inspection has not otherwise occurred in the Busch Series, even on other road courses or circuits that are notoriously tough on brakes, none of the other cars inspected following the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve experienced a similar condition, both shocks passed other post-race inspection procedures including compression testing and parts verification, and the inspection procedure at that time did not call for retention of the oil volume. Nonetheless, the Appellants presented a compelling argument that excessive heat in the shocks from being adjacent to the front brakes may have affected divider piston positioning when gas pressure in the shock was released during post-race inspection, as well as a corresponding movement of the oil column. While this provided a plausible explanation of the measured divider piston placement and corresponding oil volume in the left front shock, it did not satisfactorily explain the infraction in the right front shock. NASCAR officials testified that fines for shock infractions of this nature are generally assessed at $5,000 per shock.Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to amend the original penalties assessed by NASCAR to the following: $5,000 fine for crew chief Charles Barraclough.(NASCAR PR)(9-19-2007)
Mitchell in #72 at Dover: Marc Mitchell will make his Dover Speedway debut this weekend in the #72 MacDonald Motorsports Dodge. Mitchell, 24, has been competing on a limited basis in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2007 [and ran a couple Busch races for CJM earlier in the season].(MacDonald Motorsports PR)(9-19-2007)
Earnhardt Likely to Drive 7 Busch Races in 2008: Dale Earnhardt Jr. likely will run seven Busch Series races next season. Which races he runs in the #5 car is still to be determined, said his sister Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, general manager for JR Motorsports.(SceneDaily.com)(9-19-2007)
Penske Not Running Busch Team in 2008? Question: You mentioned scaling down or possibly even doing away with your Busch Series operation, which was a one-car deal this year. Why?
Penske: I think we have elected from our perspective, at least under the current circumstances, to focus on the Cup — because the cars are so different (with the Car of Tomorrow coming on line full time on the Cup side next season). Now if you’re trying to bring up a driver or you’ve got a sponsor that wants to start with a lower budget, then obviously Busch becomes a real good option.(NASCAR.com)(9-19-2007)
RWI Hires Huffman, As Car Chief: RWI Racing, LLC announced the hiring of former Busch Series driver and USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series National Champion, Shane Huffman, as car chief for the team’s # 66 Dodge, driven by Steve Wallace. Huffman will begin working with the organization immediately and will travel with the #66 team to this weekend’s Busch Series event in Dover, DE. (RWI PR), Huffman previously drove for JR Motorsports in the Busch Series. (9-19-2007)
100th Busch Start for Edwards: Carl Edwards, driver of the #60 World Financial Group Ford, will make his 100th Busch Series start this weekend at Dover. Edwards made his Busch debut at Gateway International Raceway in July 2002.(Roush Fenway PR)(9-18-2007)
Casey Atwood in the #37 at Dover: Casey Atwood will be making his first start of the 2007 season for Brewco Motorsports this weekend at Dover.(Brewco PR)(9-18-2007)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Dover: Marcos Ambrose was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond. Ambrose posted a 15th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the fifth time this season. David Ragan leads Ambrose by 25 points (213-188) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the RoadLoans.com 200 at Dover . Ragan is fifth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 151 points behind fourth-place Jason Leffler and leads sixth-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. by 102. Ambrose is seventh in the standings, 124 points behind sixth-place Hamilton Jr.(Raybestos PR)(9-18-2007)
Busch exec: NASCAR should lower price of sponsorship: NASCAR might be better off requiring less media advertising from a potential sponsor to replace Busch for NASCAR’s main support series, Anheuser-Busch Vice President Tony Ponturo said Tuesday. Speaking following the announcement that Budweiser would sponsor Kasey Kahne next year in the Sprint Cup Series, Ponturo said his company has no interest in reconsidering its decision to not renew its sponsorship contract of the Busch Series – a sponsorship that has lasted 26 seasons. NASCAR had originally been asking a reported $30 million to $40 million in sponsorship and activation costs. It is still looking for a sponsor to replace Busch with just five months before the 2008 season begins.(SceneDaily.com)(9-18-2007)
Liberati Out at RWI? UPDATE: Hearing that Tony Liberati and the #66 Rusty Wallace Inc team have parted ways.(9-11-2007)
UPDATE: Rusty Wallace Inc. officials confirmed that recently hired crew chief Tony Liberati has left the #66 Busch Series team of Steve Wallace. Liberati joined the team in early August, replacing Bryant Frazier. Steve Darne was named as the interim crew chief for the remainder of the season.(SceneDaily.com)(9-17-2007)
Richard Johns in #25 the Rest of the Year: Team Rensi Motorsports announced that Richard Johns, who has co-driven the team’s #25 entry in the Busch Series with David Gilliland, will drive the car in the remaining events of the 2007 season, starting with this weekend’s event in Dover, DE. “David Gilliland told us he needed to focus his efforts on the #38 Nextel Cup Series car” said Team Rensi Motorsports President Ronnie Russell.(FreeCreditReport.com PR)(9-17-2007)
NASCAR still needs replacement sponsor for Busch Series: The Busch Series still needs a new sponsor for next season and NASCAR remains focused on finding a financial benefactor for not just 2008 but well beyond. “One of the keys is to get the right sponsor in a long-term situation,” NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said Sept. 16. “[We’ve] got some prospects and we’re in the process. … Today, with a national series like that and going into different race tracks all around the country who have contractual agreements, you have to get somebody that fits. That’s important. And you also want to get someone who is committed to a multi-year presence.” The series is not in danger of going away, but NASCAR obviously would like to have a sponsor when Busch bows out after this season. “We’ll have that series regardless of whether there is a sponsor attached to it or not,” Hunter said. “We’ll have to come up for a name.” Teams are also working on sponsorship for next season, and NASCAR apparently is telling them to sign the deals and then NASCAR will work with the new sponsor to grandfather them in. Subway, which was considered the front-runner earlier this year, still could wind up as the sponsor, but obviously NASCAR is looking at all options. Rusty Wallace said Sept. 11 that he has signed Jimmy John’s sandwich store for at least 10 races next season. (SceneDaily.com)(9-16-2007)
Pony Cars Coming To Series: NASCAR hopes to inject new life into its Busch Series by changing the types of cars raced, beginning as early as 2009, according to multiple sources familiar with the project. If plans go according to schedule, the next-generation Busch Series cars will be Chevy Camaros, Dodge Challengers, Ford Mustangs and an as-yet-to-be named Toyota model, sources said. Ford overhauled the Mustang as a 1960s-retro model in 2005, to positive critical and commercial results. Chevrolet and Dodge will release similarly retro-themed Camaros and Challengers, respectively, by the 2009 model year. The Mustang, Camaro and Challenger all are two-door coupes with rear-wheel drive and available V-8 engines, a hugely popular combination in the halcyon days of 1960s muscle cars. A switch to these cars – plus whichever model Toyota chooses to campaign – would make a huge amount of sense, as it would help the Busch Series have its own distinct identity apart from Nextel Cup and help remove the stigma of the series as “Cup Lite,” as some call it now. Sources familiar with the project said NASCAR has discussed the idea of switching cars with the manufacturers and has received a positive reception for the idea.(SPEEDtv.com)(9-15-2007)
Brewco Sold? UPDATE 4: It’s been a tough year for owners that focus primarily on the Busch Series. Three-quarters into the season, some longtime teams have either closed up shop or are standing idle due to lack of sponsorship. Looks like Brewco Motorsports is next in line for a drastic change. Two reliable sources have told Frontstretch.com that a deal was made to sell Brewco to a financial partner on Wednesday afternoon. When reached for comment, Todd Wilkerson of Brewco denied the sale, but did admit the organization has been working with one potential partner for awhile now and that “Hopefully, they’d have something to announce pretty quick.” Speculation from a source claims that “partner” is Joe Gibbs Racing.(Fronstretch.com Newsletter)(9-13-2007)
UPDATE: Hearing that Gary Baker, former owner of Nashville Motor Raceway and Bristol International Raceway, has invested in the team in some capacity.(9-14-2007)
UPDATE 2: Brewco has confirmed that Gary Baker has invested in Brewco Motorsports. He is a stock holder and partner in the team as is Clarence Brewer.(9-14-2007)
UPDATE 3: Brewco Motorsports Inc. announced that Gary Baker has joined Brewco Motorsports Inc. ownership group. Gary Baker’s extensive NASCAR experience has included that of a driver, team owner, and the one time owner of the Bristol Motor Speedway & the Nashville Speedway.(Brewco PR)(9-14-2007)
UPDATE 4: Former track owner Gary Baker has purchased controlling interest in Brewco Motorsports and intends to move the team to Nashville, Tenn., possibly by the end of the year. The team announced Friday that Baker had joined the team’s ownership group, but a source said Baker would have control of the team. Team president Todd Wilkerson, who said he will remain with the team as a consultant, said the deal was necessitated by the increased cost and competition in the Busch Series. The team’s name could eventually change as part of the deal, perhaps to Baker Brewco Motorsports or something similar.(SceneDaily.com)(9-15-2007)
Brewco, Kimberly-Clark Announce Contract Extension: Brewco Motorsports Inc. announced that Kimberly-Clark has signed a two-year contract extension to be the primary sponsor of their #27 Fords in the Busch Series. The extension will continue the relationship that began in 2004 between Brewco Motorsports Inc. and Kimberly-Clark. Kimberly-Clark is currently the longest continuous primary sponsor in the Busch Series.(Brewco PR)(9-14-2007)
Pollex Leaves CJM Racing: CJM Racing officials announced that team consultant Greg Pollex has “completed his mission” and has left the Busch Series team for “new challenges.” Pollex, the former owner of ppc Racing, helped #11-CJM transition from a Nextel Cup team to the Busch Series this season. Pollex helped bring driver Jason Keller and some former ppc employees to CJM.(SceneDaily.com)(9-12-2007)
Raines Back in the #33 at Dover: Tony Raines will be behind the wheel of the #33 RoadLoans.com Chevy for the RoadLoans.com 200 at Dover.(Kevin Harvick Inc PR)(9-10-2007)
Kvapil Planning Some Busch Races in 2008: As for next year, Travis Kvapil hopes to run a Busch Series slate to supplement this Cup schedule. “In the past month or so, in conversations with Jack Roush and Geoff Smith, we’ve been talking about doing a Busch deal next year for me, so I think that’s something we’re still working on,” Kvapil said. “Part time? Full time? Not sure.(ESPN.com)(9-10-2007)
Bliss to Finish Season in #22: UPDATE: Fitz Motorsports will have Mike Bliss finish out the season for them in the #22-Supercuts/Family Dollar Dodge.(Fitz Motorsports PR)(9-10-2007)
UPDATE: It is expected that Bliss will be in the car the remainder of the year, but not finalized yet.(9-10-2007)
O’Quinn still waiting for answers Danny O’Quinn Jr., a Coeburn native, has spent this season in limbo from Roush Fenway Racing following his Busch Series rookie of the year season last year. Answers are no more forthcoming now, as O’Quinn has run three races for Roush, five for Mac Hill Motorsports and one for Stanton Barrett. “I’m still kind of waiting to see what’s going on with Roush right now and running part time at Mac Hill,” O’Quinn said. “We’re trying to get some stuff where we can run some more here. We’re definitely kind of anxious to find out what’s going on at Roush. They still haven’t told me what I’m going to be doing, or if I’ll even be doing anything.” That’s because Jack Roush said he doesn’t know anything to tell O’Quinn. “He’s in the inventory of people that would like to drive the cars,” Roush said. “I don’t have a sponsor that is ready to be on his car. I don’t have clear definition from how many programs Ford will support us on next year. It’s too early to say that there will or will not be something for Danny. I just don’t know what it is today.”(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-9-2007)
Busch Series: Live at Richmond International Raceway on ESPN2 On Friday, ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the Busch Series with live coverage at Richmond International Raceway. The telecast begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown, hosted by Allen Bestwick, joined by analyst Brad Daugherty. Highlights include:
Keselowski Returns After ‘Wreck of the Year’ Announced this week as the driver of the #88 Chevy for JR Motorsports for the remainder of 2007, Busch Series driver Brad Keselowski will speak with NASCAR Countdown about his horrific wreck in California and his thoughts on returning to racing.
RIR Busch Series Spring Race Winner Clint Bowyer Clint Bowyer returns to Richmond International Raceway after winning the spring Busch Series race at the track. ESPN NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little will talk with Bowyer about his chances for another win and whether thoughts of making the Chase for the Nextel Cup will break his concentration.(ESPN PR)(9-6-2007)
Where is Hank Parker, Jr.: Hank Parker Jr. is at peace with himself and the way his racing career turned out. A sponsor that would’ve landed him a ride with Roush Racing at the last minute — maybe for all intents and purposes, after the last minute — turned to another program at a cheaper price. Who knows where he might’ve wound up had it not been for the ol’ switcheroo that ultimately placed him on the sidelines for good? He is happy away from the sport, content that his racing career is a thing of the past. Just last week, he got a call asking if he was available to drive. He wasn’t. Parker is still involved in the sport, at least in small part, by helping Motor Racing Outreach with a number of Bible studies conducted at shops in and around the Charlotte area. Parker and wife Wendy have three children — daughters Alex, 4, and Madison, who will celebrate her third birthday Sept. 11, and nine-month-old Andrew. Also keeping Parker busy is Hank Parker 3D, a hunting show on The Outdoor Channel in which he appears with his father, noted television outdoorsman Hank Sr., and brother Billy, whom they call “Catfish.”(NASCAR.com)(9-6-2007)
Crew Chiefs Fined: Scott Zipadelli, crew chief of the #47 Ford driven by Kelly Bires and Stewart Cooper, crew chief of the #37 Ford driven by Bobby East in the Busch Series, have been fined due to rule violations at California Speedway. Zipadelli was fined $2,500 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A – 16.3 (unapproved fuel cell installation: spacers (washers) in bottom of recessed well) of the 2007 Busch Series Rule Book. Cooper was fined $1,000 for violating 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20A – 12.4B (unapproved slots in lower A-frame spring bucket). The infractions were discovered during opening day inspection on Aug. 30. (NASCAR PR)(9-6-2007)
O’Quinn Back with Mac Hill; Smith Transport Will be Primary Sponsor: Danny O’Quinn Jr. returns to the state where he’s received so much support over the years, and he’ll be backed by a sponsor that’s helped Mac Hill Motorsports all season long. Smith Transport Inc. will be the primary sponsor of Mac Hill’s #56 Chevy in the Emerson Radio 250. The Roaring Spring, Pa.-based company has been a major associate sponsor of the 56 car in the Busch Series this year as well as a sponsor of Mac Hill’s USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series teams. However, Friday’s race at Richmond International Raceway will be the first in which Smith Transport has been the primary sponsor of the #56.(Mac Hill Motorsports)(9-5-2007)
Germain Racing headed to Richmond; plans for 2008 still undecided: Todd Bodine and the #03-Germain Racing Toyota are entered in this Friday’s Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond Int’l Raceway. “Richmond was the first big stepping stone for Germain to get to the point where they could win a Truck Series championship. Now running the limited Busch Series schedule this year is one of the next stepping stones to get us ready for the future. We need to keep improving our Busch Series finishes, and, after the team’s performance with the Lumber Liquidators Tundra at Gateway this past weekend, we are very excited to go to Richmond with the GERMAIN Toyota Camry,” said Mike Hillman Jr. Germain Racing plans to run in Busch Series races at Kansas Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway this season. The team is gearing up for what could be a full season of Busch Series racing in 2008. “We’re either going to run two NASCAR Busch Series teams and one Craftsman Truck Series team, or one Busch team and two Truck teams,” said Mike Hillman Sr., general manager for Germain Racing. “We definitely will be expanding to three teams next season. Sponsorship and drivers will be determined. We’d like to run two Busch Series teams and one Truck Series team and contend for the championships in both series. What we’ll be doing hasn’t been absolutely determined yet.”(Germain Racing PR)(9-5-2007)
RoadLoans shares its NASCAR ride with PTG Studios in Richmond: RoadLoans announced it would share its sponsorship on the #33 Chevy RoadLoans Busch Series car with PTG Studios, an educational programming company, for the Emerson Radio 250 Busch Series Race at Richmond [to be driven by Kevin Harvick]. The companies announced earlier this year a partnership between the two to jointly produce new programming designed to educate consumers on auto finance. The new programming began airing the second quarter of 2007.(Road Loans PR)(9-5-2007)
Clauson Making Busch Debut at RIR: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) development driver #41-Bryan Clauson will make his Busch Series debut this Friday at Richmond. Clauson, who just graduated from Noblesville (Ind.) High School and turned 18 this past June, has been racing since he was five-years old. During his relatively short career to date, Clauson has tallied multiple championships, wins, rookie of the year honors, podium finishes and has been the youngest driver to achieve and receive some of the most prestigious awards in USAC Midget and Sprint Car racing history, including the 2002 HARF First Year Driver Award; 2004 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Wildcard Award; and the 2006 USAC National Midget Rookie of the Year. His NBS schedule will start at RIR and then he will compete in the remaining six NBS races after Dover.(CGRFS PR)(9-5-2007)
Garcia Tring to Make Oval Debut: This weekend marks an important turning point for Transnet Racing as driver #98-Alex Garcia will attempt to make his first Busch Series start on an oval track. Garcia, who made his Busch Series debut at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico earlier this year, has competed in all three road course events on the 2007 schedule.(Transnet Racing PR)(9-5-2007)
John Graham Making Debut with Brewco: This weekend’s race marks #37-John Graham’s first start for Brewco Motorsports. He has six previous Busch Series starts. This weekend’s race marks Fun Energy Foods [Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz] first time to sponsor a Brewco Motorsports entry.(Brewco PR)(9-5-2007)
Donnie Neuenberger and Royal Farms Team Up for Five Races: Royal Farms joins Donnie Neuenberger to announce a program that includes five Busch series races, a show car program, and merchandising program. The five race schedule in the Busch series will include in 2007 the final season race at Homestead-Miami. In 2008 races included will be at Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, and Dover. Co-Branding associate sponsors: Coinstar and Haagen Dazs will also be on board the Royal Farms race car. Royal Farms owns and operates 120 convenience food stores in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.(Donnie Neuenberger Racing PR), see an image of the car on my Paint Schemes page.(9-5-2007)
#90 Team Carrying Special Logo for “Shakes”: Shane “Shakes” Hakes, who served as a tire specialist on the #90 crew was critically injured in a motorcycle accident on July 15. As Shakes continues to recover at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., the CitiFinancial Racing Crew and the #90 CitiFinancial Ford will carry the special “Racing for Shakes” logo.(CitiFinancial Racing PR)(9-5-2007)
Keselowski Signed for Remainder of Year: JR Motorsports has signed Brad Keselowski to drive the #88 Navy Chevy for the remainder of the 2007 season. The 23-year-old driver took over the wheel of the JR Motorsports Busch entry prior to the July 14 race at Chicagoland Speedway and has competed in six races since, earning two top 10s along with finishes of 13th and 14th. Keselowski also scored top-rookie honors in three of those six events.(JR Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
Chase Austin Tests at Dover: Chase Austin, driver of the #66 HomeLife Communities Dodge, is testing today at Dover International Speedway. Austin drives for Rusty Wallace, Inc. in the NASCAR Busch East Series, and will make his first start at the Monster Mile on Friday, Sept. 21, 2007. Austin is expected to return tomorrow, Sept. 5, as well.(Dover Speedway PR), Austin will attempt his Busch Series debut at Memphis in October.(9-4-2007)
Leicht to Make 50th Busch Start: #90-Stephen Leicht, the youngest of the drivers ranked in the top 10 in the point standings at age 20, is set to make his 50th start in the Busch Series Friday night at Richmond.(NASCAR PR)(9-4-2007)
Shepherd Announces Sponsors for Richmond: Morgan Shepherd’s #89 Dodge will “go green” during Friday’s Busch Series race at Richmond, thanks to a combination of environmentally-friendly sponsors. Shepherd’s green Charger will be carry associate sponsorship from Richmond-based Strange’s Florist, as well as associate sponsorship from two Ohio companies, team general manager Dana Tomes said. In addition to logos for Strange’s, which will be displayed on the car’s rear quarter panels, Warrior Earth LLC, a land preservation firm based in Columbus, OH, will display their logos on the car’s rear TV panel, and Capital City Oil, a used oil recycler based in Mount Vernon, OH, will display their logos on the car’s C posts. Other associate sponsorship for the race will come from White Tiger Digital of Springboro, OH and Kingdom Winners.com of Erie, PA.(MorganShepherd.com)(9-4-2007)
Conscious Keselowski airlifted to hospital after accident: UPDATE 2: Cleared to Drive at RIR: #88-Brad Keselowski was transported to a local hospital after a vicious wreck during Saturday night’s Camping World 300 Busch Series race at California Speedway. Keselowski was awake and alert when he was taken by helicopter to a medical center, complaining of foot pain. Keselowski was on the bottom of a four-wide situation and was the third car hit in a chain reaction, which sent him into the wall at 140 mph on impact, according to television telemetry. The violent collision resulted in Keselowski’s #88 JR Motorsports Chevy spinning around and landing on AJ Allmendinger’s hood before skating along the top of the wall with a trail of fire behind it. He was removed from the car but appeared to be in pain, and he was placed into an ambulance on a backboard. After evaluation at the infield medical center, he was airlifted to a local hospital.(SceneDaily.com)(9-2-2007)
UPDATE: Brad Keselowski was examined and released from Loma Linda University Medical Center Saturday night after a crash in the Camping World 300 at California Speedway. Keselowski was airlifted to the hospital, where he underwent CT Scanning and x-rays on his left ankle and chest. As standard procedure, he will have further evaluation by Dr. Jerry Petty upon his return to North Carolina.(JR Motorsports PR)(9-2-2007)
UPDATE 2: Brad Keselowski has been cleared by Dr. Jerry Petty for NASCAR competition and will drive the #88 Navy Chevy in Friday’s Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond.(JR Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
Busch Series Action Live in Prime Time on ESPN2 Friday Night from Richmond: On Friday night, ESPN2 continues its season-long coverage of the Busch Series with live, prime-time racing from Richmond International Raceway. The telecast of the 250-lap race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown. Dr. Jerry Punch will anchor ESPN2’s coverage from Richmond, with analysis by Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Pit reporters will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro and Shannon Spake, while Tim Brewer will report from the ESPN DISH Tech Center. Allen Bestwick will host NASCAR Countdown, joined by analyst Brad Daugherty in the ESPN Pit Studio. A simulcast of the race can be seen on ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s domestic Spanish-language network. In addition, the race can be seen live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband service.(ESPN PR)(9-4-2007)
Raybestos Rookie Notes for Richmond: David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Camping World 300 at California. Ragan scored a 10th-place finish, his seventh top-10 of the 2007 season. He grabbed top rookie honors for the ninth time this season and for the second consecutive race. Ragan stretched his lead to 27 points (212-185) over Marcos Ambrose in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond. Ragan is fifth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 67 points behind fourth-place Jason Leffler and leads sixth-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. by 171. Ambrose is eighth in the standings, 14 points behind seventh-place Stephen Leicht.(Raybestos PR)(9-4-2007)
Ambrose to Make 50th Busch Start: #59-Marcos Ambrose has his mind firmly focused on improvement and results as he makes his 50th NASCAR start at Richmond International Raceway this weekend.(Wood Brothers / JTG Racing PR)(9-4-2007)
Could AT&T Sponsor the Busch Series? NASCAR’s search for a sponsor for its Busch series seems to have hit some snags, and it’s unclear if that has anything to do with the NASCAR battle with AT&T over its Nextel Cup sponsorship and NASCAR’s claims of exclusivity, which AT&T is challenging. NASCAR has a $30 million price tag on its Busch tour. One possibility – that NASCAR might persuade AT&T to take that Busch series sponsorship. AT&T’s annual media ad budget is $3.4 billion.(Winston-Salem Journal)(9-3-2007)