NASCAR Past News Feb. 20 - Feb. 25 2005

NEXT Race/RaceCast: Find NEXTEL Cup Next race information, including television, practice, qualifying times and more, also radio coverage information.. During the race find RacewayReport.com: RaceCast with running order, notes, and more..

Feb. 25, 2005

NEXT RACE: California Speedway Includes race information, news, times, Special Paint Schemes and More... Los Angeles Lodging and Dining and more! 

R. Gordon and Harrah's Casinos: NASCAR owner/driver Robby Gordon will hit the track this year sporting a lucky No. 7 and a casino logo on his car.  Harrah's Operating Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. , announced today that it has reached agreement in principle to sponsor Robby Gordon Motorsports throughout the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Subject to a definitive agreement, the arrangement calls for Harrah's to be the primary sponsor for 14 Cup races and an associate sponsor for 13 races.  The sponsorship includes a multi-faceted marking program and exposes several Harrah's-owned brands to the more than 75 million NASCAR fans in the United States. In addition to the Harrah's logo, Gordon's car hood will feature the World Series of Poker logo for select races.  Harrah's primary sponsorship begins with the February 27th Nextel Cup race at California Speedway and will include several races held at tracks in proximity to Harrah's casinos across the country, including Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Harrah's Las Vegas and the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino), Atlanta Motor Speedway (Harrah's Cherokee Casino), Phoenix International Raceway (Harrah's Phoenix Ak-Chin Casino), Dover International Speedway (Harrah's Atlantic City and Showboat Atlantic City) and Kansas Speedway (Harrah's North Kansas City). (Team/Harrah's PR)

No More Spoiler Cuts: Don't expect any more spoiler cuts this season, Nextel Cup Series director John Darby said. NASCAR considered making incremental changes to spoiler size throughout the season, but abandoned that idea last season for a 1-inch reduction in the off-season for non restrictor-plate tracks. Any additional changes will likely not take place until after this season, Darby said. "The teams came and asked if we would just roll it over and do it all at the end of the year so they could build their cars, wind tunnel them once," he said. (TheState)

Biffle and Riggs Fast in Practice: Judging by Friday's Nextel Cup Series practices at California Speedway, Greg Biffle and Scott Riggs aptly prepared their respective machines for competition under NASCAR's new spoiler/tire package.  Biffle and Riggs ranked second and third, respectively, in Friday's first practice, then improved to first and second in the evening session. Fastest Speeds: 1. Greg Biffle 186.809 2. Scott Riggs 186.800 3. Carl Edwards 186.417 4. Ryan Newman 186.229 5. Jeff Gordon 186.162 (NASCAR)

Fatback Calling the Shots from Home: Ricky Rudd's crew chief underwent surgery Friday in Charlotte, N.C., to repair a disc in his lower back. But McSwain and the Wood Brothers team, determined the procedure not disrupt their routine in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, have arranged to use cell phones and two-way radios to keep McSwain on the job. "What we're trying to do now is have it where he'll actually be able to call the race from his home in North Carolina," explained Eddie Wood, the team's co-owner. McSwain, who was on the phone with Wood and members of his No. 21 Ford crew less than four hours after the surgery, also will be able to keep on eye on real-time timing and scoring by computer as well as watching the action live on Fox from his living room. The crew chief initially underwent surgery on the same disc late last year, but it didn't fix the problem. (USA Today)

Homes123 Associate Sponsor: ChevronTexaco Products Company (CTPC), a division of Chevron USA Inc., announced today it has signed Home123 Corporation, a subsidiary of New Century Financial Corporation, as an associate sponsor of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in the 2005 National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) Nextel Cup season.  "Texaco/Havoline's 18-year racing heritage, as well as its recent success with Jamie McMurray behind the wheel, has generated strong interest from a variety of companies in co-sponsorship of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge," said Mark Nelson, President, ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants. "ChevronTexaco chose to join with Home123 as both companies share a commitment to the communities they serve and a desire to communicate more effectively with a specific customer target: NASCAR fans."  (ThatsRacin)

NASCAR's Drive For Diversity LA Youth: Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NXTL) today announced a program that brings the thrill and excitement of NASCAR to minority youth in the Los Angeles area. During the weekend of the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, Nextel, in partnership with Mauldin Brand Agency, is sponsoring the Nextel Youth Speed Rally as well as hosting 90 Los Angeles minority youth for a VIP trackside experience. The Nextel Youth Speed Rally, taking place on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the SPEEDZONE in the City of Industry, will be hosted by "100.3 The Beat" dee-jays Big Les, Spindarella and A-One, and will feature musical guests Bow Wow and 3on3, Wyclef Jean's latest endeavor. Morty Buckles, a member of NASCAR's inaugural class of the Drive for Diversity program and 24-year racing veteran will be on hand to sign autographs. Attendees will be able to visit The Nextel Racing Experience, Nextel's mobile fan exhibit that features two racing simulators and the latest in Nextel wireless technology. The event will begin at Noon and end at 4:00 pm.  (ThatsRacin)

Chevy SSR Pacing the Field: A Chevrolet SSR will perform pace duties for the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 27, and continue those duties for a total of 20 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races this season. This weekend will be the first time the Chevy SSR, a unique blend of an open-air roadster with pick-up truck functionality, will pace the field during the 2005 race season.  "The Chevrolet SSR pace vehicle makes a bold statement on the track-just like our Chevy NASCAR drivers," said Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager. "Pacing the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series provides a good opportunity to showcase the unique style and performance of the SSR, which now offers 390 horsepower." The 2005 Chevy SSR pace vehicle has a four-color paint scheme with a "Sling Shot Yellow" nose blending into hot orange and "Torch Red" racing flames throughout the body and ultimately transitioning to a "Kinetic Blue" truck bed. The event logo for each race will be featured on both door panels with a red Chevy bowtie displayed on the hood. (Chevy PR)

NO Honda Nissan NASCAR? As for talk of Honda and Nissan entering NASCAR: Won't happen, at least for a very long time. Several motor-sports journalists continue to insist that the new Honda Ridgeline pickup truck signals Honda's interest in the NASCAR Craftsman truck series: Not true. And Nissan -- as long as CEO Carlos Ghosn, king of the depression mentality is in charge -- has no interest in anything that doesn't immediately translate into profit. (OrlandoSentinel)

TMS everything is Bigger in Texas Including Big Screens: Everything is bigger and better in Texas, including the view for fans at Texas Motor Speedway's races in 2005.  Fans watching this season's two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from the grandstands will catch all of the racing action live on four big screens. And, what a view it will be from the backstretch!  Fans sitting in those seats will now have an up close view of all the action with a huge state-of-the-art big screen measuring 16 x 24 feet, allowing fans to see pit stop action along with racing coverage around the entire speedway.   Instant replays of critical portions of the races will be shown on the screens. In addition, Texas Motor Speedway will place screens measuring 13 ½ x 18 feet in Turn One and Turn Four as well as one on the front stretch at the start/finish line near Victory Lane measuring 20 x 27 feet. (TMS PR)

Politician to Pay Back Money: A Republican state senator whose campaign spending has been under a microscope since he broke GOP ranks has written a personal check to cover the cost of NASCAR season tickets.  The check for $790 is reimbursement to his campaign account for two season tickets to Bristol Motor Speedway given to Denise Davenport, a former girlfriend, state Sen. Micheal Williams said. Williams, a lawmaker from Maynardville since 1991, said he does not believe he did anything wrong by purchasing racing tickets for constituents, including Davenport.  ''I didn't use the tickets for personal gain,'' Williams said. ''But to remove any question, I personally paid it back.'' The affidavit claimed that Williams' campaign account paid for: Bristol tickets that he later scalped and kept the profits; NASCAR-related die-cast cars and framed photos that he kept for personal use; and trips to Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet in Newton, N.C., for routine maintenance on his vehicles. (Tennessean)

MRN to telecast Spanish NASCAR Races: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Radiovisa, a 24-hour Spanish-language radio network will partner to air three NASCAR races in 2005 beginning with this weekend's "Stater Bros. 300" NASCAR Busch Series race and the "Auto Club 500" NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race Feb. 26-27 from California Speedway in Fontana. Radiovisa will also travel to Mexico City for NASCAR's first ever Mexico-based race, the Telcel Motorola Mexico 200, from Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on March 6th, 2005.  "MRN Radio is excited to have the opportunity to work with Radiovisa in bringing coverage of America's fastest growing sport to America's fastest growing population segment," said David Hyatt, President of MRN Radio. (MRN PR)

Feb. 24, 2005

Earnhardt, Jr. launches E Eyewear: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Orange 21 Inc. (Nasdaq:ORNG) today announced the launch of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. signature sunglass series "E Eyewear." "Racing cars take you many places. Some days I'm in a suit, other days it's jeans and a t-shirt. When I designed my signature sunglass, the E 402, I wanted them to be versatile, and able to be worn anywhere. The E 402 blends `retro' McQueen style with class and confidence," said Dale Earnhardt Jr. "We put a lot of time in to designing and developing the E 402. I am very proud of the end result. I look forward to continuing to work with Orange 21 to further develop and distribute the `E Eyewear' collection." "E Eyewear" will be launched this weekend at the NASCAR Auto Club 500 race at California Motor Speedway in Fontana, California. E 402, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s signature style, will be sold through Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s trackside merchandising vehicle. A press conference will be held at California Motor Speedway at 12:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, February 25, to introduce Dale Jr.'s signature style, the E 402. (Orange 21 PR)

Chevron and McMurray Autism Week: ChevronTexaco Products Company (CTPC), a division of Chevron USA Inc., announced today it has renewed and broadened its commitment to raising public awareness and funding for autism education and advocacy through its racing sponsorship program. In cooperation with Jamie McMurray, driver of the #42 Texaco Havoline/Dodge, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and associate sponsor Home123, the company will continue to expand its national campaign to benefit the Autism Society of America (ASA) from the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Friday morning.  "With the continued success of Jamie McMurray behind the wheel of the #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge, the campaign's efforts will not only raise money, but will also generate greater public awareness of autism," said Craig Duncan, Vice President, ChevronTexaco Products Company, North America. "We encourage participation by the #42 fans to purchase 'Driving Autism Awareness' merchandise, learn more about autism and support so many people like Jamie and his family who are living with autism."  (Business News)

Martinsville Fan Favorite: Martinsville Speedway has been a fan-favorite for just about every minute of its almost 60-year existence. And some things never change. In NASCAR.COM's Third Annual 2004 Fan's Voice Awards, Martinsville Speedway was honored as the "Location You'd Hate to See Lose A Race." And this was not a poll of a handful of fans. Almost 600,000 votes were cast in the online voting, which lasted the last three weeks of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. "We never think in terms of losing an event, but we know that those types of rumors have been out there for years and years, and I guess they'll always be floating around," said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. "But this NASCAR.Com Fan's Voice Award speaks volumes about what race fans think about Martinsville Speedway.  ( NASCAR PR)

Mark Martin's Deal for you: The NASCAR racing star is offering a ride in the racer's No. 6 car to anyone who buys a new or used vehicle from his Ford dealership in Little Rock, Ark. Martin, who finished sixth in Sunday's Daytona 500, opened the business in his hometown last spring, and construction started this week on a new building that will include a museum to house his trophies and racing cars. The complex is to open in spring 2006. The museum and the experience of racing Martin's car are his ways to let local folks touch the racer's success, said Vic Davidson, in charge of new car sales. Buyers will go to the Memphis Motor Speedway, where they will take a short driver's course before driving around the track 10 times wearing a helmet and firesuit. They will be able to reach speeds of up to 130 mph. Afterward they will get to meet Martin, who has 34 victories, making him 17th on NASCAR's career list. (Mercury News)

NC Bill Introduced: A joint resolution filed by Rep. Karen Ray, R-Iredell, honors North Carolina's "great NASCAR legends," including Dale Earnhardt, Ralph Earnhardt, Lee Petty, Fireball Roberts and Wendell Scott. The resolution notes that the majority of current NASCAR teams are headquartered in North Carolina.(Winston Salem Journal)

Polaris Program to Benefit Victory Junction and Sponsor a Child: Polaris Industries Inc. today announced plans to sponsor a child for a week at the Victory Junction Gang Camp for each Nextel Cup finish in the top eight that Dale Earnhardt Jr. collects in Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s # 8 Budweiser Chevrolet in 2005.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)
 

Feb. 23, 2005

NASCAR & Mexican Media Mishap: Drivers who make their living weaving race cars through a crowded track at high speeds were stymied by the streets of the Mexican capital on Wednesday.  Traffic in Mexico City kept two featured guests away and delayed by more than an hour the start of a media event to promote a U.S. stock car event. Only one of the promised drivers eventually showed up. The media event was to be attended by Adrian Fernandez and Michel Jourdain Jr., the best known of 10 Mexican drivers who will compete in the March 6 race, an event on the NASCAR Busch Series. Local reporters began hissing and whistling when the event hadn't started nearly an hour after it was supposed to. Organizers said traffic had delayed the drivers. Only little-known driver Jorge Goeters appeared. The news conference ended abruptly when a local newspaper reporter took the microphone and demanded to know how professional racers could be so delayed by regular traffic. "Aren't they better drivers than all of us?" he asked, drawing a spattering of applause. (CBS Sportsline)

NASCAR hits drivers and teams with Fines, 11 total: NASCAR announced Wednesday that 15 penalties -- including 11 fines totaling $102,000 -- have been issued to Nextel Cup Series teams resulting from rule violations during the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 race weeks at Daytona International Speedway. Two of those penalties were issued to Robby Gordon Motorsports, including the most severe fine -- $50,000 for crew chief Bob Temple -- because of an unapproved intake manifold on the No. 7 Chevrolet discovered during the initial Daytona 500 inspection process on Feb. 11.Jim Smith, Robby Gordon's car owner, was penalized 25 car owner championship points. The No. 7 was in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components, and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules). List of fines

Smith and Weston Gets in NASCAR: Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. is gunning for an image boost, and the gun maker thinks it knows just where to get it. The 153-year-old company, which has sought to update its public persona in the recent past by diversifying into product lines such as pool cues and safety equipment, now has a NASCAR racing team in its cross hairs. Springfield-based Smith & Wesson (AMEX:SWB) said it had chosen the drivers for the upcoming NASCAR season, which will be the first to include a Smith & Wesson car. Scott Riggs, who placed fourth in last week's Daytona 500, and Ron Hornaday, will share the wheel of the Smith & Wesson Chevrolet, which will make its debut during a race next month in Las Vegas. (BizJournal)

 Newman and Crew Chief: On Thursday, #12-Ryan Newman and crew chief Matt Borland, will hit the skies in a jet refueling mission from March Air Force Base near the California Speedway. Neither ALLTEL team member has been involved in such a mission before. Both Newman and Borland, however, flew F-16 fighter jets last year at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix International Raceway.(Penske Racing)

XBOX And Busch: Some Video Gamers got in the game with Kurt Busch today.  In the latest Xbox Live "Game with Fame" event. Busch will challenge racing fans in Electronic Arts' racing game, NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, on Wednesday, March 2 from 2-3 p.m. EST. Players looking to chase the checkered flag with Kyle Busch, a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Rookie of the Year candidate, should watch for the Gamertag "KB5Grrreeat" and head to the official "Game with Fame" 

Atlanta Not Losing Date: Contrary to an internet report Jayski posted Wednesday, Speedway Motorsports Inc. has no plans to move a NASCAR race date from Atlanta Motor Speedway to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  "The report was completely unfounded and false," Clark said. "It's very disappointing that internet sites spread this kind of mistruth. Rumors like this, published without any respect for the truth or any attempt at verification, create confusion, and they hurt our fans, our competitors and the sport."  A Sports Illustrated survey published in the Feb. 21 issue also listed Atlanta Motor Speedway as the favorite track of 36 NASCAR drivers polled anonymously.  "There have been absolutely no discussions in our company about moving a NASCAR date from Atlanta," Clark said. "We will continue to host two NASCAR races well into the future, giving fans the 'Real Racing. Real Fast.' that they expect when visiting NASCAR's fastest track." (AMS PR)

Talladega Gets Sponsor for Fall Race: The fall NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway has signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with the United Auto Workers and Ford Motor Company. Track and company officials announced yesterday that the October 2 race will now be called the UAW-Ford 500. The length of the deal was not disclosed. E-A Sports had sponsored the Superspeedway's fall race during the past four years. (WHNT)

Magic Johnson Named Grand Marshall: Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson will join the excitement of the 2005 Auto Club 500 by serving as the Grand Marshal of the Feb. 27 Nextel Cup Series race at California Speedway. Johnson will lead the pre-race festivities when he ceremoniously commands the drivers to "Start Your Engines." "Magic Johnson is an icon in Los Angeles sports, and we are proud that he is serving as the Grand Marshal for the Auto Club 500," California Speedway President Bill Miller said. "The skills he displayed on the basketball court - intensity, determination and focus, along with an entertaining flair - will all be displayed by 43 of NASCAR's top drivers right after he gives the command. His accomplishments in business, including a position with NASCAR, are impressive and we applaud his efforts and welcome him to California Speedway." (NASCAR PR)

NASCAR Performance Trackside: NASCAR fans will once again get an all access pass to the latest strategy and technology inside the NASCAR garage when NASCAR Performance returns to SPEED Channel Feb. 26. This weekly program, which will broadcast trackside Saturdays, 6:30 - 7 p.m. EST, provides a sophisticated crew chiefs' perspective on the hottest NASCAR topics live from the SPEED stage each week. NASCAR crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Robert "Bootie" Barker will join the weekend's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup pole-winning crew chief to discuss the technical side and the team side of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing. In addition to originating trackside from the SPEED stage venue, also new to the show this year is veteran NASCAR analyst Dick Berggren. Berggren, who will serve as host for the show, brings over thirty years of motorsports experience as a driver, journalist and broadcaster. "We are excited about moving NASCAR Performance to the SPEED Channel stage live from every NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event this season," said Rick Miner, SPEED Channel Senior Vice President Programming/Production and Executive Producer. "We believe great talent from an energized location will make for a strong and fan friendly program in the 2005 NASCAR TV lineup on SPEED." (SPEED PR)

Feb. 22, 2005

NASCAR to Move Daytona 500 into Primetime: If NASCAR gets its way -- and as the No. 2 sport on television, it usually does -- next year's Daytona 500 will have a new time slot. Considered the Super Bowl of stock car racing, the Daytona 500 is likely to move to a 5 p.m. starting time so it can end during prime time to attract a bigger audience and higher advertising dollars, just like football's Super Bowl. (Florida Times-Union)

Craftsman Truck Draw Biggest Rating Ever: SPEED Channel's live coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday night from Daytona International Speedway scored a Nielsen Rating of 2.1 (1,330,000 households), the highest rating for any program in network history. "We're obviously very excited to start our 2005 NASCAR season like this," said SPEED Channel President Jim Liberatore. "SPEED enjoyed a strong offseason in the ratings and a lot of us had an expectation that this could be a breakout year for the network. (Nielson TV Ratings)

Safety-Kleen And NASCAR: Safety-Kleen Systems Inc., a Plano supplier of parts cleaning and oil refining services, has signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Nascar. The exact amount that Safety-Kleen will pay Nascar was not disclosed, but Nascar officials say it's "a seven-figure deal."  Under the deal, Safety-Kleen will use the Nascar name and sponsorship logo on uniforms worn by about 1,300 of its customer service representatives, who clean auto parts and dispose of industrial and hazardous waste.  Nascar branding also will appear on the sides of some 200 new trucks that Safety-Kleen will use on its routes. The company also has tentative plans to retrofit its existing fleet of 1,800 route trucks with the Nascar mark. (BizJournal)

Feb. 21, 2005

Jeff Gordon wins the Daytona 500  (Unofficial Results) (Unofficial Points) Daytona Race Page  

#24 Inducted into DAYTONA USA, Then Gordon TV Blitz: For the third time in his career, Jeff Gordon's #24 DuPont Automotive Finishes Chevrolet will spend a year inside DAYTONA USA, the official attraction of NASCAR. Following his third Daytona 500 victory on Sunday at historic Daytona International Speedway, Gordon's winning #24 Chevrolet was inducted into the attraction on Monday morning in the Eckrich Champion's Breakfast. The 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 48th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 19, 2006. Gordon and his crew chief Robbie Loomis participated in a fan forum as enthusiastic race fans huddled together in the motorsports attraction. Gordon and Loomis also received their winning Daytona 500 leather jackets from Speedway President Robin Braig and Gatorade presented the 2005 Daytona 500 champ with a framed photo from the Victory Lane celebration. Another Daytona 500 tradition continued with the signing of the car by Gordon and his crew. But the Hendrick Motorsports crew added a new twist. Last week, Hendrick Motorsports mechanics who worked on the #24 car back at the shop in North Carolina signed a white paneled sticker just in case the car won the Daytona 500. That sticker now rests on bumper of the car. Following his induction ceremonies, Gordon will handle media obligations that come with a Daytona 500 victory in both New York City and in California. Included in the many appearances he's expected to make are Live with Regis and Kelly and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In addition, to stops at ESPN headquarters in CT. (DIS PR)

Cars to Dyno: NASCAR took nine cars to the engine dyno following the race: the top five finishers - Gordon, Busch, Earnhardt Jr., Riggs and Johnson - along with Blaney, Kevin Lepage, Rusty Wallace and Martin. The engine dyno, which NASCAR uses to measure rpms to find out who is generating the most horsepower, is used a few times a year at bigger tracks such as Daytona, Talladega and Michigan. (FoxSports's Spence Lee)

No Deal in Washington, Oregon ISC? Names on the list include Troutdale mayor Paul Thalhofer, Wood Village mayor Dave Fuller and Mt. Hood Community College president Bob Silverman, as well as residents of Fairview, Gresham and Troutdale. Such community support is a primary component of any deal to lure a major speedway project to a region, say people familiar with motor sports development projects. "It's pure salesmanship," said Bill Hildick, a Lake Oswego resident who helped bring open-wheel racing to Portland more than 20 years ago and who worked with all levels of auto racing during his 44-year professional career. But just as important as the right community is the right piece of property. International Speedway Corp., a Daytona Beach, Fla., company that has built or bought more than a dozen major racetracks and is a sister company to NASCAR, is scouring the Interstate 5 corridor in the Portland and Seattle metropolitan areas to find a suitable site to build a speedway capable of staging a Nextel Cup stock car race. It has created a subsidiary company, Great Northwest Sports, for this purpose. Now 18 months into their search, ISC representatives travel to Oregon and Washington each month to continue their search for the ideal location. Grant Lynch, a senior vice president for Great Northwest, is scheduled to begin his next visit Tuesday.  (Oregon Live)

New Measurements: Nextel Cup teams were given a new "X-measurement" across the roof of the cars that lines up with the original X-measurement that stretches across the rear windows. Before the change, teams could lengthen the right side of the car, which would give the driver an aerodynamic advantage, especially in the corners. (FoxSports's Spence Lee)

Jim Beam donates $100,000 for responsible drinking: Jim Beam Bourbon has donated US$100,000 to 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup team Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM). The funds will be used to promote responsible drinking. Throughout the 2005 NASCAR season, RGM will make donations from this fund to local universities in various race markets for the purpose of alcohol education. The US$100,000 total will help to fund Alcohol 101 Plus educational programming produced by The Century Council, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to eliminating underage drinking. Gordon presented the first donation of US$10,000 to the University of Central Florida at the Daytona International Speedway on Friday (18 February). Throughout 2005, Robby Gordon Motorsports will present one local university in various NASCAR markets this season each with a US$10,000 cheque on behalf of his organization and Jim Beam. The donations will help fund each school's implementation of The Century Council's Alcohol 101 Plus education program and alcohol education activities. (Team PR)

Stewart Busch Post Race Inspection:  NASCAR's post-race inspection of Tony Stewart's winning Busch car Saturday has provoked considerable complaint in the NASCAR garage.  Stewart's car was lower than legal when it rolled through the inspection station after the race, but NASCAR brushed aside the issue, saying the car was low because of damage received during Stewart's romp through the grass. Joe Balash, the Busch tour director, said, "After reviewing the car thoroughly, the right rear height was good, but the left rear was slightly under tolerance and also had body damage to the left-rear quarter panel and rear bumper area. Everything else on the car checked out fine." (Winston Salem)

Speeding Patrol Nabs 11 in 500: NASCAR stepped up its policing of speed traps on pit road. The first 11 offenders were busted during pit stops on Lap 60 and included Jimmie Johnson, defending champ Kurt Busch, Casey Mears, Sterling Marlin, Elliott Sadler, Mark Martin, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Travis Kvapil and Ken Schrader. Repeat offenders included Jeremy Mayfield and Dave Blaney. The drive-through penalty - merely a pass through the pits at the regulation speed - is a costly one: Drivers lose nearly a half lap of track position.

Wallace Honored: Rusty Wallace was inducted into the Goodyear Legends of Daytona area inside Daytona International Speedway's FanZone and never took off his sunglasses during the presentation Saturday morning. "I was having a tough time up there on stage," Wallace said. "They were laying out my stats and all the things I've done. I'm glad I had on my sunglasses because my eyes filled up after all that." Wallace said today's Daytona 500 will be business as usual when he starts 36th on the grid and begins to grind his way through the field. This will be his last 500 start as he begins the "Rusty's Last Call" tour before he retires following the 2005 season. (Daytona News Journal)

Feb. 20, 2005

Nemechek Sick for 500:  Joe Nemechek skipped Saturday's final Daytona 500 practice, choosing instead to rest and try to shake a bug. His crew chief, Ryan Pemberton, said missing a few test laps won't hurt the No. 01 Chevrolet, which is the back-up car to the one wrecked in Thursday's qualifying race. "We feel we're as ready as you can possibly be for the Daytona 500," Pemberton said. "This car has logged a lot of miles here beginning with testing last month." (Wichita Eagle)

Fan Injured after race Friday Night: A race fan was injured late Friday night when a transporter ran over him as it was leaving the track.  The truck was leaving the infield after Friday night's race at Daytona International Speedway when a golf cart cut in front of it. The driver of the cart lost control, hit a bump and a passenger was ejected. The truck then ran over the male fan, Matthew Jensen of St. Petersburg, Daytona spokesman David Talley said.  Jensen was transported to Halifax Medical Center, where he underwent surgery Friday night and was in intensive care Saturday, Talley said.  Also, another unidentified male fan died of a heart attack in an offsite parking lot, Talley said. (JacksonSun)

Petty Rips Harvick: Count Kyle Petty as another driver who isn't ready to sing "Kumbaya" with Kevin Harvick, who instigated Thursday's big crash after "bump-drafting" Jimmie Johnson along a turn. The dicey strategy involves a trailing car bumping the car ahead of it. "It is absolutely, positively idiotic," Petty said. "At 180 mph, whether you're running in a straight line or you're running in the corner, you shouldn't be running into people. We should be better drivers than to run into each other. Let's go back 10-15-20 years; who heard of bump drafting? People raced each other clean." (Orlando Sentinel)

Biffle Close to Signing with Roush: Roush Racing officials said they are close to signing Greg Biffle to a contract extension. Biffle's deal is up at the end of this season, and his public criticism of the company last year gave strong indications that he was considering leaving. ... Kevin Harvick has denied he is under consideration to replace Rusty Wallace at Penske Motorsports when Wallace retires at the end of the season. (JacksonSun)

Checker to Sponsor Pit Road Weekly Competition: Checkers Drive-In Restaurant has signed with NASCAR and will run a pit road-service contingency program this year that will give $10,000 to the team with the best pit stop in every race. Checkers will give a $100,000 year-end bonus to the team that wins the most weeks.

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