NASCAR News Feb. 13 - Feb. 20, 2006

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Feb. 20, 2006:

• Johnson car inducted into Daytona USA: Jimmie Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team were reunited with their Daytona 500-winning No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet Monte Carlo at DAYTONA USA on Monday morning for the Eckrich Champion's Breakfast. After celebrating his first Daytona 500 victory on Sunday night, Johnson, owner Rick Hendrick and substitute crew chief Darian Grubb were up bright and early to induct the winning racing machine into DAYTONA USA. The No. 48 car will rest inside Gatorade Victory Lane at DAYTONA USA for the next 364 days and will be returned to the team before the start of the 49th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 18, 2007. "It's slowing sinking in," said Johnson, who earned $1,505,124 in winnings. "Last night, I had the pleasure of hanging out with all of my guys. Channy and I were reminiscing on a few things. It's just amazing to me to be in this position to win this race and how much it means to my career. I think over the next couple of days and really the next couple of years, it'll really sink in what this race means to me and how big it is and what it means for my career. (DIS)

• Hendrick won't appeal suspension: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said Monday morning that barring unforeseen circumstances, the organization would not appeal what they feel is a certain NASCAR suspension of crew chief Chad Knaus. Knaus was sent away from Daytona International Speedway and Speedweeks 2006 two Sundays ago after Hendrick's No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet failed its post-qualifying inspection.  NASCAR officials said they would not issue any further penalties until this week, following last Sunday's Daytona 500 -- which Knaus' driver Jimmie Johnson won, giving Hendrick his sixth career Daytona 500 victory. "We don't plan to appeal anything," Hendrick said during a media gathering following the induction of the No. 48 Chevrolet into Gatorade Victory Lane at Daytona USA. "We're leaving the door open [because] if [the penalty] is something wild and crazy, we would surely be open for [an appeal]. "We want to get on with life. It was hard on the team and the sponsors, so [moving on] is the way we'd rather do it." (NASCAR.com)

• Daytona cracks down on scalpers: Scalpers hovering around Daytona International Speedway found themselves to be the target of a sting conducted by Daytona Beach police this past weekend, authorities said. Undercover officers arrested 14 people for peddling tickets along International Speedway Boulevard said Sgt. James Newcomb, of the Daytona Beach Police Department. The ticket hawkers were arrested and brought to the county jail after they sold tickets to undercover officers who posed as race fans looking for a good seat. The most expensive ticket bought was $150 more than the retail value, Newcomb said. Anyone who offers or sells a ticket for more than $1 above the retail price is charged with the resale of an amusement ticket, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 in fines or 60 days in jail. Buyers don't face any penalties because it isn't illegal to purchase a scalped ticket. (News-Journal)

Feb. 19, 2006:

• Jimmie Johnson wins Daytona 500: Maybe Jimmie Johnson didn't need to cheat to win his first Daytona 500. Johnson won a two-lap shootout Sunday to claim the victory, capping a roller-coaster week that saw NASCAR kick his crew chief out of competition for cheating. Johnson had a strong car when he arrived at Daytona International Speedway 10 days ago, and posted the fifth-fastest time in time trials. But when NASCAR gave his Chevrolet a careful once-over, inspectors discovered that Chad Knaus had made an illegal modification. Knaus was sent home, seemingly spoiling Johnson's shot to win The Great American Race. Not on this Sunday. "I knew deep down inside my heart that this team could still win this race," Johnson said in Victory Lane. "There's no doubt that not having Chad here was a huge handicap, but everybody stepped up. I am just so proud of this team." (ABC News - Results - Points)

• France comments on Helton remarks: NASCAR chairman Brian France said he has not talked to series president Mike Helton about recent comments Helton made that referred to NASCAR's "Southeastern redneck heritage." NASCAR announced Feb. 8 in Washington, D.C., a plan to boost diversity by working with historically black universities. Helton was among those who spoke that day. The Associated Press quoted Helton as saying: "We believe strongly that the old Southeastern redneck heritage that we had is no longer in existence. But we also realize that there's going to have to be an effort on our part to convince others to understand that." France met with reporters Friday for the first time during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway and was asked about Helton's comments. France defended Helton. "I didn't hear Mike's comment in any context, how he said it," France said. "I haven't even talked to him about it. I know what he meant. I've been meeting with him every week. I know exactly what he means when he talks about the regional stereotype and how he's like all of us working to get past that. (News-Record)

• Suspended Knaus keeps in contact with #48 team:  Since Knaus went home, NASCAR has approved the Hendrick Motorsports crew chief's post-practice telephone and e-mail communication with his team and Johnson in preparation for the 500. Johnson's interim crew chief at the speedway is Darian Grubbs. The No. 48 Chevy was 18th on the list of fast times during Saturday's final practice, at 190.670 mph or 47.202 seconds -.555 seconds slower than Ken Schrader's top lap of 46.708 seconds. "He's been a No. 48 guy from the beginning," Johnson said of Grubbs. "When we can talk to Chad at night on the telephone, we're all talking the same language. I know the big challenge is going to be the races following - once we figure out how many races Chad is suspended for. We definitely anticipate Fontana (next weekend's race in California) being that way." The team has adjusted to communicating with Knaus from four states away. Johnson, though, would prefer his 500 didn't play out this way. "We talk at night and work on a game plan for the next day and work on that test matrix, if you will," Johnson said, "and come back and have a conference call the next evening and talk about what worked and what didn't. It's definitely a different way of working on a race car. I've never been through it and certainly hope we're never in this position again." (Palm Beach Post)

• Shelmerdine no sponsors or crew sign yet: {Kirk} Shelmerdine is staying in a rented motor coach in the Turn 2 area of the track and not in the secured area where the other drivers' high-dollar mansions on wheels are parked. "I am always optimistic even though I probably shouldn't be," Shelmerdine said. "Sometimes when you go through the long dry spells you kind of forget what it is that brings you here. It's nice to get refreshed and remember why we're here." He said he hadn't been approached by anyone trying to buy his slot in the field. "I've sacrificed an awful lot and put up with an awful lot," he said. "There's not a very long list of names of the people who've raced in the 500. I am not really sure that's for sale." (Mercury News)

• B. Labonte in Intrepid for Cali. race: Bobby Labonte will drive the 2004 Dodge Intrepid instead of the Charger in next week's Nextel Cup race at California. "Bobby came straight out of the Chevy into the Dodge camp,'' said Labonte's teammate/owner Kyle Petty. "He's not run a downforce Dodge car. So he's going to give us an honest assessment of where the Intrepid is compared to where the Monte Carlo is.  "For us, we feel it's a great opportunity for us to be able to use a driver of his caliber and say this is what it is.'' The Charger has been the topic of controversy since it was re-introduced to NASCAR last season. Dodge owners contend the nose creates an aerodynamic disadvantage on intermediate tracks such as California. (NASCAR.com)

• Lester couple Cup attempts in 2006? Car owner Bill Davis said his team might have a sponsor in place to give Bill Lester a ride in selected Cup races this season. Lester could make his first career Cup start at Atlanta next month. If so, he would become the first African American to start a Cup race since Willy T. Ribbs started three races in 1986. (News-Record)

• Nadeau update: Jerry Nadeau, who's been largely absent since the crash at Richmond in May of 2003 that ended his driving career, has been hired as a consultant for the new Clay Andrews Racing team and driver David Gilliland in the Busch Series. (Mercury News)

Feb. 18, 2006:

We remember #3 Dale Earnhardt Forever... 5 Years Ago today we lost the Intimidator.

• Dale Earnhardt Candle-light Tribute Ceremony: Teresa Earnhardt, President and CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. is once again asking fans to remember Dale Earnhardt on Saturday, February 18. Tribute plans are set for both Mooresville  and Daytona. A beautiful candle-light tribute will be held outside DEI's headquarters in Mooresville, NC from 6-8 pm on Saturday, February 18. That evening, DEI's building will be closed and illuminated with candles. Commemorative decals will be distributed to all in attendance. DEI's gates will remain open until midnight for those that cannot attend between 6 and 8 pm, but still want to pay tribute to the legendary Dale Earnhardt. Fans that cannot attend the ceremony at DEI are encouraged to light a candle in remembrance at home that evening. In Daytona, all NASCAR Busch Series cars will carry a commemorative decal during their race on Saturday. Additionally, on lap three of Saturday's Busch race, fans will be encouraged to stand and proudly display three fingers. (Dale Earnhardt Inc.)

• Childress on #3: NASCAR team owner Richard Childress said he agrees with Teresa Earnhardt and hopes NASCAR will retire Dale Earnhardt's No. 3. NASCAR never has retired a number. (Dallas Morning News)

• Yates wants cheaters banned: Veteran NASCAR car owner Robert Yates said Friday that if Jimmie Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus was found guilty of deliberate and flagrant cheating by NASCAR that he should be banished from the sport for life. If Knaus merely skirted the rules, Yates added, than probation would be the appropriate punishment. "If what he did, there was language in the rules about not doing that particular thing, then he ought to go race the Talladega Short Track the rest of his life," Yates said of Knaus. "If the (NASCAR rule book) language covered that area . gone. Just gone forever, because that's just stealing." "If (what Knaus was caught with) was a hydraulic system, or a little winch that pulls a cable so the rear-end housing . pulls his body down, outta here, outta from now on. That's a device. That's clear," Yates said. "If it was a creation that was not covered by the language or intent, then I think he needs to be on probation for a while." (SPEED)

• Hendrick wants Knuas to sign long-term deal: Run-ins between crew chief Chad Knaus and NASCAR, including his ejection from Sunday's Daytona 500, haven't interrupted plans to renegotiate a long-term deal with Hendrick Motorsports.  Team owner Rick Hendrick said he hopes to have a new deal with Knaus, who has two years left on his current contract, before the end of the season. "We want him. He wants us. Lowe's is happy. Life is good,'' Hendrick said. "He's been a big influence in our whole organization. This has been a little bump in the road, but we're putting it behind us and moving on.'' NASCAR ejected Knaus from Speedweeks on Monday for illegally rigging a device to create an aerodynamic advantage in the rear window of Jimmie Johnson's car during qualifying. Officials told NASCAR.COM that Knaus likely will be suspended for one or two more races. "This hasn't influenced either one of us,'' Hendrick said. "We're right where we were. This has been a hiccup, but we haven't lost our focus and we're ready to move on.'' (NASCAR.com)

• Miller Awaits Budweiser's answer to Challenge: Miller Brewing Company is offering Anheuser-Busch one last chance to show that it is up to the NASCAR challenge Miller issued Friday morning. Budweiser still has until noon (Eastern) tomorrow to change its decision to back away from the friendly wager. Comments and polls on a variety of racing web sites show an overwhelming interest by NASCAR fans in this challenge. "We're surprised that A-B doesn't seem as certain about their team's success, but we hope they'll reconsider because there are so many NASCAR fans who would enjoy watching this wager unfold," said Miller's chief marketing officer Tom Long. "We assumed the folks at Budweiser would have more confidence in their driver's performance, especially given that so many experts and fans expect Dale Junior and his team to be so strong this season." The challenge from Miller is simple: Kurt will finish ahead of Earnhardt Jr. in the final 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season standings. The terms of the friendly wager: The losing sponsor must change the paint scheme on its car to match the winning brand's car for one Nextel Cup Series points-paying race next year. Budweiser has until the start of Sunday's season-opening race to accept the Miller challenge. "My team and I definitely appreciate this great show of support from Miller Lite," Kurt said. "We thought this challenge would give the fans a little something extra to get excited about this year. Both teams are focused on doing everything they can to win races and win the championship this year, and that's what this wager is all about. I hope Dale's sponsor will rethink their decision before the race tomorrow. This would be great for the sport and its fans." (Tom Roberts/Miller PR)

• France looking at tweaking points system, more points for winner: NASCAR chairman Brian France said that NASCAR is considering changing the points system to allow more points for winning. (Dallas Morning News)