NASCAR News Feb. 4 - Feb. 12, 2006

Feb. 11, 2006:

• Daytona 500 Practice 1 Complete: 1st practice of the 2006 NEXTEL Cup season is complete, with the following top 5 drivers the fastest. Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Petty, Elliott Sadler, and Jimmie Johnson

• Dodge looking for better nose:  Dodge teams are expected to test later this month or early next month at Kentucky Speedway to find a more effective nose configuration after bad weather canceled a planned test session. The nose of the Dodge Charger hurts the car's aerodynamics, and teams are searching for a solution NASCAR will approve. Ryan Newman said Penske Racing South has decided to run the 2004 Intrepid at California and Las Vegas - the next two races after the Daytona 500. Other Dodge teams plan to use the Charger. So, why can't these teams work together? "You have a bunch of guys there that think they know exactly what the cars need," Newman said of dueling Dodge teams. "That's a tough situation because you mix in opinions and knowledge or lack of knowledge and you end up spinning your wheels.'' John Fernandez, director of Dodge Motorsports operations, said Dodge has allowed its teams to try different solutions so that everyone is not doing the same thing. (Virginian Pilot)

• BDR release on Daimler-Chrysler suit, plans to appeal:  Bill Davis Racing is disappointed with the decision of a federal court jury in Detroit that Bill Davis Racing breached its Motorsports Agreement with DaimlerChrysler's Dodge division to race vehicles in NASCAR's Cup Series. Bill Davis, President of Bill Davis Racing, stated, "We disagree with the jury verdict. We fully intend to exercise the opportunity extended by US District Court Judge George Steeh and ask the Court to set aside this verdict. If necessary, we intend to appeal the verdict to the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Our racing sponsors and business partners have remained supportive during the legal process and our full effort remains focused on bringing success to their NASCAR programs." Bill Davis Racing will not have any comment on this issue as the appeal process moves forward. (BDR)

• DirecTV signs with RCR: NASCAR partner DIRECTV has announced an official partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), one of NASCAR's premier racing teams. Through the partnership, DIRECTV will be an associate sponsor of the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevy and its driver, Clint Bowyer, during the 2006 Nextel Cup Series season. The association with RCR aligns DIRECTV with one of the sport's most well-respected racing programs and one of the sport's most exciting young drivers. DIRECTV also will be primary sponsor of the #07 Chevy at three Nextel Cup Series races this season at Martinsville (April 2), Pocono (June 11) and Talladega (October 8). As the nation's leading digital TV service, DIRECTV has a long history with NASCAR, though this announcement marks the company's first official sponsorship of a Nextel Cup team. The service has become an integral part of the sport by providing millions of fans the opportunity for the most enhanced, unique NASCAR viewing experience at home and trackside. DIRECTV has also become a critical piece of racing equipment for crew chiefs, as teams up and down pit road rely on the digital picture and sound to aid spotters and monitor car performance throughout the entire race. The partnership with RCR and Clint Bowyer will enable DIRECTV to create consumer marketing and retail promotions targeting NASCAR's loyal fan base. In addition, the relationship will provide DIRECTV the opportunity to increase awareness of its new DIRECTV Plus ® DVR among race fans and emphasize current and future features that will enhance their race viewing experience. (RCR Site)

• Will Farrell NASCAR movie gets a title: The city will be the namesake of an upcoming comedy feature film starring Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby, a NASCAR racing sensation, Columbia Pictures announced Friday. "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is currently in post-production, and will be released in theaters nationwide Aug. 4. Talladega Superspeedway officials expressed excitement about the film in a release Friday. "We have enjoyed being part of this project and are thrilled to have our facility figuring so prominently in the film," said Rick Humphrey, Talladega Superspeedway vice president. "A lot of buzz has been generated about this movie, and we are as excited as everyone else about the final product. We know it will bring a lot of exposure to our facility and hope it will encourage new fans to visit us for what is going to be one of the most exciting years to date at Talladega Superspeedway." With Ferrell playing the lead, the race track will most likely be background to the comedian's outrageous slapstick style. The film, written by Ferrell and director Adam McKay, details the experiences of Bobby and his childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), who create a racing phenomenon as they fearlessly finish most races in the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, with Naughton always coming in behind Bobby. (Daily Home)

• PPI signs Yakety Yak Wireless as associate sponsor: PPI Motorsports that fields the No. 32 Tide/Downy Chevrolet driven by Travis Kvapil in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series is proud to announce its one-race associate sponsorship with Yakety Yak Wireless Inc. (YYWI). The partnership spans throughout the upcoming Daytona Speedweeks which culminates in the sport's season opener, The Daytona 500 on Feb. 19 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Yakety Yak is excited to embark on this partnership which will help launch YYWI's national marketing campaign for 2006. Yakety Yak Wireless Superstores will have its Franchisees across the nation participate in a marketing campaign counting down to the Daytona 500 with special in-store promotions. "This will be one of the biggest events of the year and I want to make sure that the Yakety Yak presence at the Daytona race is as big as the race itself. We want to give fans a name to remember and something to talk about," said Jimmy Kindred, the co-founder and chief marketing officer of Yakety Yak Wireless. "PPI Motorsports is pleased to have the opportunity to bring Yakety Yak on board one of the most recognizable racecars in NASCAR," added Cal Wells III, owner of PPI Motorsports. "What better way to introduce the fastest growing chain of independently owned wireless stores to the fastest growing sport in America? NASCAR boasts the most brand-loyal fans and PPI Motorsports and our driver Travis Kvapil are excited to provide Yakety Yak with an exciting marketing vehicle to grow its business. It is my hope that this opportunity will develop into a long-standing partnership." Yakety Yak Wireless has grown dramatically in the seven years since its creation and has always recognized the importance of exciting sports sponsorship. Their presence at this year's Daytona 500 will create the type of exciting buzz that has fueled its brand growth since opening their first store in 1999. (PPI Motorsports PR)

• Home Depot new NASCAR commercials: The Home Depot will debut a new NASCAR-themed television ad during the broadcast of the Daytona 500 featuring Stewart and members of the #20 Home Depot Racing Team. The spot accentuates The Home Depot's brand promise of "know-how" by linking Stewart's on-track success and, ultimately, his 2005 Nextel Cup championship, to his recent spate of home improvement projects. The 60-second spot, "Zippy's Link," features Stewart giving crew chief Greg Zipadelli a tour of his home highlighting the various home improvement projects he completed over the course of the season. Starting with a kitchen renovation, Stewart impresses Zipadelli with the installation of a new garbage disposal and hardwood floors, replacing a ceiling fan, repairing a toilet, painting the living room and finally, building a new outdoor brick patio in honor of winning the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, his lifelong dream. During the ad, Stewart tours a skeptical Zipadelli through the house showing him each completed project and how it relates back to a specific race success during the 2005 season in order to convince his crew chief of the direct link between home improvement and racing. The ads underline that the secret to success is know-how, whether you are a do-it-yourselfer conducting a home improvement project or a racing superstar. (True Speed Communications)

• Deese passes away: Bill Deese slipped quietly and peacefully away to Heaven after fighting cancer for nearly three years, on February 6, 2006. Bill was born January 21, 1954, in Charlotte to parents William Curtis Deese, Sr., and Ruth Parker Deese. Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Sheila Thompson Deese, and their beautiful daughter, Mandy Lee Deese, of Charlotte. Other survivors include his mother, Ruth P. Deese, of Mt. Holly, and three sisters, Jan (Wayne) Beaty, Linda Capps, both of Mt. Holly, and Sherry Deese, of Charlotte. Niece Dana Capps and nephews Kevin Capps, Chad Beaty, Brent Thompson and Travis Thompson also survive. Mother-in-law, Hazel Thompson Hagler, and brother-in-law, Dan Thompson and wife, Brenda, are also left to keep him close in heart. Bill was preceded in death by his father, William "Curtis" Deese (2000), father-in-law, Lat H. Thompson (1985), and step father-in-law, Bruce Hagler (2006). Bill was a 1972 graduate of South Iredell High School, and a man of many self-taught talents. He was an accomplished metal fabricator, a skill at which he made a successful career. He is known for the custom street rods that he built, but is better remembered for his work in the racing industry where he worked for great teams owned by Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, and most recently with Ray Evernham, where he was instrumental in the Research and Development department of Dodge Motorsports upon their return to NASCAR. His hands and mind were always busy as he designed tools to make life easier for the racing industry. In his pleasure time, he enjoyed flying remote controlled planes, going to car shows in his Chevy truck, and most recently fishing on Lake Norman with his family. Bill was a member of Wiggins Road Baptist Church in Mooresville, where he had served on the treasury committee, and assisted with grounds maintenance. (Charlotte Observer)