NASCAR Past News July 12 - 16 2005

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July 16, 2005

• Testing changes in 2006: NASCAR is planning a major change in Nextel Cup testing for next season, limiting teams to six designated manufacturers tests. That means that all three carmakers - Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge - would each have to specify which six tracks they want their own teams to test at, and no other testing at any NASCAR track would be allowed. The Nextel Cup tour runs at 23 different track.  Such a rule would keep multicar teams from testing at numerous different tracks. For example, Rick Hendrick's four primary teams can each test at seven different tracks, giving that operation a total of 28 tests, while in contrast, single-car team owners like Cal Wells can only test at seven tracks.  Under the proposed new rule, which is still being debated, each manufacturer would have to pick six tracks and its teams could test at those six tracks on those six dates. NASCAR also wants to bar any testing during the final 10 races of the season. (Salem-Journal)

• Nadeau to retire: Doctors told Jerry Nadeau a few weeks ago to find something else to do besides driving a race car. But that cold reality doesn't preclude looking for work at a racetrack, and a new opportunity brought Nadeau back to New Hampshire International Speedway. "I'd say my career is pretty much over," Nadeau said yesterday, sitting inside the hauler of the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet he drove until May 2, 2003 at Richmond International Raceway. "My whole life I've been racing, so all I know how to do is that. My goal now is to be in the business of racing." Nadeau might have discovered an industry niche this weekend. The Danbury, Conn., native returned to his home track to serve as a driver coach for Boston Reid, a 23-year-old prospect with Hendrick Motorsports in the Busch Series. (Times-Dispatch)

• Gordon-Bliss not talking about incident: Jeff Gordon apparently didn't take lightly his on-track run-in with Mike Bliss during Sunday's USG Sheetrock 400 that sent Gordon into the wall. Gordon, according to sources, confronted Bliss at the airport that night over the issue. But neither man wanted to discuss that yesterday. "I've been racing with Mike for a long time, I've known Mike since I was 7 years old," Gordon said. "We had our instance on the track, and if it's not already settled - which I think it is - I've got way too much at stake to try to get back into the top 10 than to worry about what happened." (Salem-Journal)

• Danica Patrick not a fan of NASCAR's 36 races: Danica Patrick is enjoying life very well right now. And no, she isn't thinking about leaving the Indy Racing League for some other series like say, NASCAR's Nextel Cup. "I saw (reigning cup champion) Kurt Busch at the ESPYs. I said, `I don't know how you do it. How do you do that many races?' He said, `It's hard. You don't have a life,' " Patrick said Friday after earning the outside spot on the front row when rain washed out qualifying for the Firestone Indy 200 tonight. Patrick said she enjoys the 17-race schedule for the IRL's IndyCar Series as opposed to the 36-race schedule for Nextel Cup. That leaves her time for the other part of her life. (Charlotte Observer)

• Mears safe? Casey Mears appears to be safe in Chip Ganassi's Dodges for another season, according to sources familiar with the situation. Mears has been anxiously awaiting official word from Ganassi about his future. Word that rival team owner Roger Penske is interested in Mears as Rusty Wallace's replacement may be spurring Ganassi to exercise his option to keep Mears. (Salem-Journal)

• Craven will not replace Martin Roush says: Newburgh's Ricky Craven won't replace Mark Martin in the No. 6 Viagra Ford for Roush Racing next year. Team owner Jack Roush indicated Friday that Craven will be back in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next season and that he is hopeful he can convince Martin to return for one more season in the No. 6 car before Jamie McMurray assumes the ride for 2007. Craven is in the first year of a two-year deal. The 46-year-old Martin had announced his intention to retire from the Nextel Cup series to run in the truck series next year. "Ricky's future is and really has been in the truck series in my world," said Roush. "Mark has agreed to come back in 2006 if I need him for the 6 car. Ricky was on the short list but he wasn't the only choice I had for the 6 car for 2006. I had to look at Ricky's progress and had to look at a number of things to make that final decision. (Bangor News)

• Waltrip and Eury Jr. to Toyota? Waltrip is headed eventually to the Toyota camp - along with Eury Jr., according to one Detroit source very close to the situation - in what is reported to be a top-dollar project. "Toyota has offered Michael and Tony Jr. so much money they can't turn it down," the source said. Waltrip has been eyed for a Toyota ride for more than a year, in part because older brother Darrell runs a Toyota team on the Craftsman Truck Series. NASCAR has been pushing Toyota to step up its presence in the sport, for the added marketing punch that would provide. And Waltrip could give Toyota quick credibility. Toyota isn't expected to field a Cup team until 2007, although a Busch team is a possibility in 2006. Toyota does have a formidable presence in the truck series. The Toyota option? (Salem-Journal)

• Evernham and Wimmer helps N.H. Gov. raise 50k for CHaD: Gov. John Lynch joined several big names in auto racing at New Hampshire International Speedway on Friday morning in a charity event that helped raise more than $50,000 to support treatment and care for sick children. More than 300 people showed up to the sold-out 13th Annual Governor's Breakfast, which benefited the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and David's House, a non-profit home away from home for families of ill children. The hospital in Lebanon was the big winner at the breakfast, which featured appearances by NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Scott Wimmer and NASCAR pit legend and race team owner Ray Evernham. (Citizen Online)

• Dodge Top Numbers in Wind Tunnel: Dodge teams won NASCAR's wind-tunnel testing of Chicago's top finishers, and Jimmie Johnson's Chevy, to everyone's surprise, pulled the weakest numbers, according to NASCAR sources. Dodge's Ernie Elliott won NASCAR's engine dyno testing of Michigan's top finishers, according to other NASCAR sources. (Salem-Journal)

• Labonte to leave Gibbs? to Evernham, Penske? Bobby Labonte and team manager Jimmy Makar were noncommittal about reports that Labonte may be leaving car owner Joe Gibbs at the end of the season after 11 years, including the 2000 championship run. Labonte, according to other team owners, has been checking out the marketplace, and he is being mentioned for three possible rides: with Roger Penske, replacing retiring Rusty Wallace; with Ray Evernham, as a teammate with Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield; and with Nelson Bowers, if Scott Riggs leaves. (Salem-Journal)

• Sorenson and Gibbs? Car owner Joe Gibbs is interested in hiring Busch series hotshot Reed Sorensen for a Nextel Cup ride next season, according to sources close to the situation. While Tony Stewart is Gibbs' hot driver at the moment, teammates Bobby Labonte and Jason Leffler have had disappointing results. (Salem-Journal)

July 15, 2005

• Loomis's job secured with Gordon: Ask Jeff Gordon if he has lost any faith in his crew chief and he'll grin. Chuckle, even. Robbie Loomis' job is not in jeopardy and never has been, Gordon says. "There is not going to be any other crew chief with me than Robbie Loomis," Gordon said Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway. "He's the guy. As long as he wants to be the crew chief, he's going to be the crew chief."  Gordon's recent struggles have raised questions about Loomis' job stability. Gordon maintains the problem isn't Loomis or his team. He cites lack of testing preparation as the primary culprit. "You guys always ask me, 'Have you panicked?' and I say 'No, we haven't." Gordon said. "Well, now we have (panicked), and we're going to react. Rick Hendrick is classic at overreacting when there's a situation. (NASCAR.com)

• Waltrip to Hass CNC? NAPA with him? Sources in the NASCAR garage indicate that Waltrip is working on a deal to drive for Hass CNC Racing next year. That team fields the No. 0 Chevrolets that Mike Bliss now drives. Sources say NAPA, which has been Waltrip's sponsor, could go with him, leaving DEI with the No. 8 Chevrolets driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 1 Chevrolets driven by Martin Truex Jr., who will move up from Busch to Nextel Cup in 2006. (ThatsRacin)

• Martin back in 2006, Unless Replacement is found: Unless Jack Roush finds a replacement, Mark Martin will race one more full NASCAR Nextel Cup season in the No. 6 Ford in 2006, Roush confirmed Thursday after a press conference to unveil the new Ford Fusion. Martin was originally planning to retire from full-time Nextel Cup competition after this year, running a "Salute to You" tour to honor fans. But last week, car owner Roush began leaning on Martin to come back for one more year. Roush signed Jamie McMurray to take over the No. 6, but that contract won't begin until 2007 because McMurray is signed with Chip Ganassi Racing. "Mark Martin has agreed to drive the 6 car in 2006," Roush said. "I've got an honorable list of three or four other established guys that are out of rides or at the end of their terms who have expressed interest. There are at least four strong horses ready for the 6 car, and we've got sponsorship ready for the 6 car for any of those scenarios." But there is a qualifier. If Roush can find someone else, Martin won't drive it. "He will drive it for a championship in 2006 if I need for him to," Roush said. (Daytona News Journal)

• Mark Martin fastest in NHIS practice: 1. Mark Martin 129.472 (29.418) 2. Ryan Newman 129.252 (29.468) 3. Joe Nemechek 128.780 (29.576) 4. Jeremy Mayfield 128.433 (29.656) 5. 128.381 (29.668) 6. Scott Riggs 128.178 (29.715) 7. Jeff Gordon 128.113 (29.730) 8. Kyle Busch 127.949 (29.768) 9. Robby Gordon 127.846 (29.792) 10. Brian Vickers 11. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 127.607 (29.848) (NASCAR.com)

• Waltrip and DEI to part ways in 2006: Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) and Michael Waltrip announced today they will no longer be together beginning in 2006. The DEI No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet has been driven by Michael Waltrip, a fan-favorite, in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for the past five seasons where he earned four victories; including two Daytona 500 wins in 2001 and 2003. "All of us at DEI want to thank Michael for all his contributions to our organization and wish him well as he moves on in his career," said Richie Gilmore, DEI's Vice President of Motorsports. "Dale and Teresa gave me an opportunity with a winning organization that I have been proud to be an integral part of for the last five years," Waltrip said. "My professional relationship with DEI is ending, but my personal relationships have ties that are deep-rooted. Therefore, my decision to leave DEI is a difficult one. Our individual visions for the future are taking different courses, but our goals are the same- to be successful in the premier division of NASCAR." Gilmore added, "DEI's NASCAR Nextel Cup focus for 2006 will be to sharpen every entity of our race teams by preparing the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, driven by Martin Truex Jr., and the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., for the championship. Additionally, we are working diligently with our current partner, NAPA, on returning to the No. 15 car."  (DEI PR)

• Storms hit NHIS, Damages occur: An afternoon thunderstorm that swept across New Hamsphire Thursday left at least a dozen communities without power and caused some damage at New Hampshire International Speedway, where fans were waiting for qualifying races.  The races, the preliminary for this weekend's big NASCAR race, were canceled as fans and track employees ran for cover from pounding rain, hail and strong winds. Several vendor pavilions were damaged and one blew over. No one was hurt. Public Service Company reported power outages caused by falling tree limbs in Manchester, Alton, Alexandria, Canterbury, Strafford and other communities. (WCSH6)

• Suit could stop WA track: A Kitsap County citizens group has challenged the Kitsap County Commission's April vote to allow racetracks on property a Florida speedway developer is considering for a NASCAR track. The 100-member group filed a lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court and an appeal before the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board on Wednesday. It wants the April decision overturned and the council's vote ruled illegal. County officials say the commission voted in November 2003 to allow racetracks near the Bremerton National Airport, well before the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) had expressed interest in building an 80,000-seat NASCAR track on the property. But because of a clerical error, racetracks never made it into the county code. The residents who sued - Kitsap Citizens for Responsible Planning - say the county violated state laws requiring a chance for public comment. They say the commission never made it clear in the November 2003 meeting that they were discussing racetracks. "There was no public process whatsoever about this zoning-code amendment," said Charlie Burrow, president of the citizens group. At the April meeting, residents who showed up to testify against allowing racetracks on the land were told their comments were "beyond the scope" of what was being considered that day, said Tom Donnelly, a member of the citizens group. (Seattle Times)

• Eury Sr. helps DEI developmental driver: Ryan Moore, the 21-year-old newcomer to Dale Earnhardt Inc., will make his Busch debut this weekend, with veteran crew chief Tony Eury Sr. running the show. Moore, son of NASCAR North fixture Kelly Moore, was signed by DEI last year as a development driver. (Salem-Journal)

• Former Driver Irvan gains support: One prominent NASCAR team's drivers will be doing more than running laps around the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon July 17 as part of the New England 300; they'll be helping to promote the August 17 LAPS Walk, an inaugural event at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) that will help NASCAR legend Ernie Irvan and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan combat the silent national epidemic of traumatic brain injury. Team MB2 Motorsports (with affiliate teams MBV and MBSutton) has agreed to carry the LAPS Walk logo underneath the "B" Pillar of each of the cars (driver side panel) during NASCAR races leading up to and including the GFS Marketplace 400 at MIS on August 21, 2005. Teammates Joe Nemechek, who drives #01, a Chevrolet (sponsored by U.S. Army) and Scott Riggs, driving #10, also a Chevrolet (sponsored by Valvoline) will feature the logo on their cars beginning this weekend at Loudon. The third team member, Boris Said, driving #36, again a Chevrolet (sponsored by CENTRIX Financial), will join Nemechek and Riggs in featuring the LAPS Walk logo when he joins the field in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. All three will be drawing attention to the LAPS (Leadership and Promotion of Safety) event, to be held the Wednesday of GFS 400 race week at MIS. The LAPS Walk is a joint effort between Ernie Irvan's Race2Safety Foundation and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan that will become an annual event to raise awareness for traumatic brain injury. For a minimum $100 registration fee, participants can walk the racetrack with Ernie and other current and former NASCAR drivers by registering online at http://www.lapswalk.org or by calling 1-888-LAP-4-R2S (527-4727). (Brain Injury Association of Michigan PR)

July 14, 2005

• Ford Introduces the Fusion: Ford Motor Co. unveiled a prototype Thursday of the model that will replace its Taurus on the NASCAR circuit.  The Fusion, a model debuting for Ford in 2006, will make its first start in next season's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. Ford plans to phase out production of the Taurus over the next few years.  Driver Dale Jarrett is expected to test the Fusion at Atlanta Motor Speedway next month as NASCAR completes its approval process for the car.  "We've worked hand-in-hand with NASCAR on the development of this car, and we can't thank them enough for helping us bring the Fusion forward," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "Our guys did a terrific job of getting the NASCAR Fusion to where it needed to be, and we actually were ahead of schedule in getting it to NASCAR." The Fusion is Ford's first all-new nameplate car for NASCAR racing in 38 years. The last was the 1968 Ford Torino. The Taurus already was in production when it debuted in NASCAR competition in 1998. (Detroit Free Press)

• Roush doesn't like "Car of the Future": Roush Racing team owner Jack Roush had some harsh comments for NASCAR's planned "car of the future" on Thursday.  The car design, which is supposed to incorporate new safety innovations and have a bigger driver cockpit area, is still not likely to see track action anytime soon, Roush said. "NASCAR wants to trash everything we got, start with an all-new chassis, with all new construction techniques and every component being new ... I think that's wrong and very much resistant to that," he said. (ThatsRacin)

• More on Ky./NASCAR suit worth $400 million: The Kentucky Speedway hopes a multi-million dollar lawsuit against NASCAR is a fast track way to land a race. But could it spin off course and wreck in court? Owner Jerry Carroll's suit seeks $400 million in damages and a Nextel race date. Will NASCAR owners, the France family, give in? Is this a business or personal dispute? The green flag has dropped on this legal battle which could be decided at federal court in Covington. Attorney Stan Chesley says that's not illegal unless the monopoly is abused.  "They have abused their power and the federal law is right there and they have abused the fans," said Chesley. Last month, retired NASCAR president Bill France said this about Jerry Carroll: "You've got the guy whining over there who was told years ago when he built the place there wasn't a cup race in his future." This is what Chesley says France meant: "How dare you build a track without us telling us whether you can or cannot. Pardon me. This is America. Last time I looked they don't own the free enterprise system. (WCPO)

• Vote the Goodwrench 2006 paint scheme: GM Goodwrench, has announced that for the first time in our history of NASCAR involvement, fans will have the opportunity to pick the standard paint scheme for the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. "On behalf of all our GM Goodwrench dealers across the country, who provide expert vehicle service and parts to their customers and fans alike, we wanted to give something back to them for all their support during our 20 years with Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR," stated Sue Christophersen, Manager Event Marketing with GMSPO. "In appreciation of their loyalty, we want to give our fans a chance to vote on which No. 29 GM Goodwrench standard paint scheme they want to see in 2006." NASCAR and GM Goodwrench fans will be able to log onto Goodwrench.com between July 15 and the end of August, to vote between two paint schemes - the current "Flame" design and the "20th Anniversary" design run in this year's Daytona 500. The "Flame" design first made an appearance on the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 2003. It has been part of two wins (Brickyard 400 and Food City 500) with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel. The "20th Anniversary" layout combines several classic looks, from the Dale Earnhardt era to current. The front is from Harvick's first No. 29 Chevy that ran at North Carolina Motor Speedway in 2001 and the back is representative of the black GM Goodwrench No. 3. "I can't wait to see which GM Goodwrench paint scheme the fans pick," said Harvick. "We have had a lot of a big wins in the current car but the car we ran at Daytona Beach (Fla.) brings together the entire history of GM Goodwrench. It makes for a tough choice." "Rarely do the fans get a chance to have this much say in what the paint scheme looks like for the coming season," added Harvick. "I hope they get online to vote. It's all in their hands. You can't complain that your car didn't win unless you log onto Goodwrench.com and vote!" The winning No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo paint scheme will be announced in October. (GM Goodwrench PR)

• Martinsville and Darlington to host Roush Reality show: Roush Racing announced that Martinsville Speedway and Darlington Raceway will host the two rounds of competition which will determine the next driver to join the Roush stable for 2006. The first round of testing with 25 drivers will take place at Martinsville Speedway on August 2-4. The field will be narrowed down to 12 drivers before the second and final rounds at Darlington Raceway on August 15-17. Roush Racing is teaming up with Discovery Channel to capture all of the excitement and drama of the competition on film, with unprecedented access to the gong show. Candidates will compete on and off the track, testing their skills behind the wheel as well as their marketability and fan appeal. This high-energy 13-part series will debut on the Discovery Channel this fall. "We're honored that Martinsville Speedway was picked to be part of this project," said Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway. "We think it's fitting because so many drivers who went on to become NASCAR stars enjoyed their first success here at Martinsville. It should also be a thrill for these youngsters to try and make their mark at a track where so many of the sport's legends have competed." "Darlington Raceway has been a proving ground for drivers since the day the gates opened in 1950. Every superstar in our sport has raced here," said Chris Browning, president of Darlington Raceway. "We are thrilled at the prospect of having Roush Racing and the Discovery Channel come to Darlington, and delighted to have the opportunity to combine our long racing tradition with this exciting new driving competition. I can't imagine a more fitting, and more potentially exciting, combination than Roush's talent search and the track 'Too Tough To Tame.'" "I can't think of two more challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit than Martinsville and Darlington," said Jack Roush. "They are both very unique and even seasoned veterans can run into trouble at both tracks. Any driver who is able to conquer both of these tracks deserves a ride with the Roush organization." "The show really will take the best elements from all of the current reality shows and adapt them into a racing theme," said Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing. "The format will be a cross between 'Survivor,' 'American Idol' and 'The Apprentice' --- but packed with action and intensity coming at you at 180 mph." (Roush Racing PR)

• Clark expects a few thousand seats less at AMS: It may have fewer seats when NASCAR comes back around in October, but the race will go on, Atlanta Motor Speedway's president and general manager said Thursday. Structures around the 1.54-mile speedway west of Hampton were heavily damaged by a July 6 tornado spawned in the remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy. Condos and suites were blown apart, lights were thrown off their stands, poles were snapped in half, vertical scoreboards were toppled and debris was strewn across the track's 870 acres. "Pretty much everything but the track surface has been damaged," said AMS President and General Manager Ed Clark. The Weaver Grandstands, some of the oldest around the track, were heavily damaged when suites around the upper levels were blown apart. Thursday, crews were still working around the track to assess damage and remove debris. Clark said that while he hopes to replace all of the grandstand seats before the fall race, some sections of seats in the middle of Weaver, along the back straight-away, may have to remain closed. "We may not build back that section, but if there are areas where two rows are damaged and the next 10 are good, we'll probably try to go in and repair those two rows," he said. More than 9,000 seats will need to be replaced in the Weaver grandstand, about 1,000 in the Earnhardt grandstands along the front stretch. The damage may take up to a year or more to completely repair, but Clark said that over the next three months leading up to the NASCAR Nextel Cup weekend Oct. 28-30, crews will be able to make significant headway in getting things back in shape. He said race weekend should go off with little or no inconvenience to fans, but cleanup and rebuilding may be further rushed by the NOPI Nationals, an import tuner car show, scheduled for the middle of September. (Daily Herald)

• Hutchens passes NASCAR safety test: Safety Solutions announced the new Hutchens II which has passed the NASCAR mandated SFI 38.1 Specification. NASCAR officials were present and set-up the testing done at Delphi. The official request for approval to NASCAR will be submitted by the end of this week, although copies of the test data have been received by there officials. The Hutchens II combines a small carbon fiber spacer used to change the helmet tether pivot points to better control the occupant head motion early in the event. A single 3 inch Kevlar back strap drapes over the carbon spacer and anchors to the seat belt buckle, like a traditional Hutchens Device. The carbon spacer and strap harness combine to provide an all around better performing restraint with major benefits not only in frontal and angular frontal impacts tested in the stringent SFI 38.1 standard, but also in side and multiple impacts where some current restraints fail. For more information on the Hutchens II visit the website www.hutchensdevice.com.(Safety Solutions)

• Wheldon takes NASCAR with XM: In an interview with XM Satellite's Claire B. Lang, Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon said he has been in serious talks with some stock-car teams and a decision on his future could be made within the next month. Is he just blowing smoke? It seems odd that -- if these talks are as serious as he says they have been -- nothing has been leaked earlier than this, including who he might be talking to. NASCAR teams usually aren't this good at keeping secrets. He's been a pretty vocal supporter of the IRL in its battle to gain ground on NASCAR. This seems more likely to be a way to pump up his next contract in the IRL. (CBS Sportsline)

• Jarrett and Kahne makes UPS a Amazon 10 year delivery: To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Amazon.com, NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne (left) and Dale Jarret makes surprise personal delivery to Amanda Pierce (not shown) at her office in Charlotte, NC., Tues., July 12, 2005. Celebrities from different entertainment fields are participating in Amazon.com's Special Delivery program from July 7 - 16. Kahne and Jarret accompanied UPS driver Jeff Starnes (not pictured) for the delivery of the "NASCAR Chronicle". (Davis Turner/U.S. Newswire) (Photo)

• More on Will Ferrrell NASCAR Movie: You know who's funny? Will Ferrell. Especially when he's yelling. And given the fact that the cockpit of a race car is probably one of the noisiest places in the world, he'll have plenty of opportunity for just that as he stars as a NASCAR driver in Talladega Nights. The film will once again team Ferrell with Adam McKay, his director and co-writer for Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Given the popularity of NASCAR, a comedy about the rivalries and camaraderie that results between the drivers in the sport should be a huge hit amongst potential audiences. For those unfamiliar with this brand of auto racing, Talladega is one of the major tracks used for racing. Located in Alabama, it's a perfect location to capture the atmosphere that makes the sport so exciting to so many. (Kim Hollis/BOP) (Box Office Prophet)

• NASCAR Statement on Suit: NASCAR has issued a statement regarding the lawsuit by Kentucky Speedway, LLC: NASCAR has not had an opportunity to review the lawsuit. As a matter of corporate policy NASCAR does not comment on pending litigation issues  (NASCAR PR)

• Extra Security at NHIS: The recent terrorist attacks in London will mean an even greater level of vigilance for police working this weekend's Nextel Cup series of races at the N.H. International Speedway. "All law enforcement is feeling the pressure from the London bombings," said Capt. Allen Welch, the N.H. State Police field commander, on Wednesday. "So we've reached out for other New England state police agencies and local police and you're going to see them at the track and around the track" in Loudon. The July 7 London bombings killed more than 50 people. Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine and Connecticut state police, and from various area departments will be on hand at the speedway - "some in uniform and some not in uniform," said Welch - for the races which culminate Sunday with the running of the "New England 300." (Citizen Online)

• Alcohol and Smoke Free Family Seating: Lowe's Motor Speedway officials have designated a portion of the massive Diamond Tower Terrace grandstand for family seating, offering a smoke- and alcohol-free environment for the UAW-GM Quality 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event on Saturday night, Oct. 15. This is the first time in its 46-year history that the speedway has offered an outdoor non-smoking and non-alcoholic seating option for a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event. The Diamond Tower Terrace grandstand overlooks turn two, offering a breath-taking view of drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson as they battle door-to-door in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. Tickets in the new family seating area are just $10 for children ages 12 and under while adult tickets start at $65. Tickets in this new family seating area can only be purchased through the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS. They are not available online. Family priced seating in a non-alcoholic environment is also available for the Dollar General 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday night, Oct. 14. The 300-mile event will feature Busch Series regulars such as Martin Truex Jr., Reed Sorensen and Clint Bowyer going head-to-head with more than a dozen NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series stars. Located in the Charlotte Observer Family Grandstand overlooking turn four, these seats are priced at $10 for children ages 12 and under and $25 for adults. (LMS PR)

July 13, 2005

• More on NASCAR NYC Ferry Controversy: That's the message Staten Island officials are sending to NASCAR, which wants to develop an 80,000-seat racing track on the West Shore - and use the Staten Island ferry to shuttle people there. "This is not the love boat and it's not a cruise ship," fumed City Councilman Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) who accused NASCAR of trying to "hijack" the boats. "This is the boat that people depend on to get to work ... get your own ferries," he said. To keep cars off the clogged roadways, NASCAR is talking to city Transportation Department officials about shuttling in 30,000 ticketholders on the Staten Island ferry from Manhattan to a new stop the developers would build near the racetrack. The boats would only be used on the three racing weekends per year. "We thought it would be a great way to move a mass amount of people," said International Speedway Corp. project manager Michael Printup, who added the idea was Mayor Bloomberg's. "Bloomberg suggested, 'Why don't you look at the ferries?' We didn't think about it until they mentioned it," he said. That news came as a slap in the face to some elected officials. "I think [the mayor's] out of touch with reality and what's involved with the ferry," charged Councilman Michael McMahon (D-North Shore). (NY Newsday)

• NASCAR Fines for Chicagoland: NASCAR announced today that Larry Hyder, crew chief for the #49 Dodge driven by Ken Schrader in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, has been fined $1,000 for an infraction last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Hyder was fined for unapproved body modifications after inspection, a violation of Section 12-4-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used in the event do not conform to NASCAR Rules) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rulebook. (NASCAR PR)

• Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy: Wacky comedian Will Ferrell is roaring toward Charlotte to film a NASCAR comedy here this fall.  Now, you might automatically imagine Ferrell exploring how fast he can go through a fast-food drive-through, and there will be plenty of Ferrell's silly screen antics. But experts say the movie represents something significant: This will be the first major studio project made in the state in three years.  The reason? The state is poised to get back in the race for film projects by offering more competitive funding incentives for filmmakers. According to sources close to the Columbia Studios project, Ferrell will be here from about September to December, filming at a Charlotte studio and at racetracks and nearby towns.  The project was formerly titled "Talladega Nights," but that name has been dropped. It is now being referred to as "The Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy." (Expect that to change.) Sources close to the project could not say where the film is set, or if that issue has been decided. Beth Petty, director of the film division of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, says the project is still very much in flux. Few other details - such as other cast members or the plot - are solidly in place. But respected Web site the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com) lists Adam McKay as the film's director and Judd Apatow as its producer. Both worked with Ferrell on the 2004 movie "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." The NASCAR comedy is slated for release sometime next year. (ThatsRacin)

• Newton stops track spending: Iowa Newton has put the brakes on 16 (m) million dollars in new roads and financing for the Iowa Speedway for now.  That's until the group building the 70 (m) million dollar track proves it has the money to complete the project.   Newton plans to raise its share of the money by selling government bonds. Officials have put those plans on hold until U-S Motorsports assures them it has the necessary financing. A company spokesman, Dennis Chalupa, says U-S Motorsports has the financing in a loan, which has closed, and they're waiting for the money to be transferred to their bank account. He expects a letter of proof from the bank as soon as Friday. (WhoTV)

• Riggs fastest in Indy testing: Scott Riggs and the MBV Motorsports team led testing on a rain-shortened day July 12 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a speed of 181.244 mph in the No. 10 Valvoline Chevrolet. Riggs' top lap ranks him as seventh-fastest to date in 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series private testing at the 2.5-mile oval. Greg Biffle remains the fastest of 2005 testing so far, thanks to the lap of 181.963 he posted July 10. The top five overall in 2005 testing at Indianapolis, which includes test days on July 5-6 and 11-12, are Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Ken Schrader, Robby Gordon and Elliott Sadler. Riggs and his competitors are trying to get a handle on the combination of the newly repaved track surface at IMS and a new Goodyear tire compound, which will make finding the right setup difficult when teams return for the 12th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Aug. 7. (Speeds and more at IMS)

• 2006 Daytona test dates set: NASCAR announced the 2006 dates for Daytona preseason testing Sunday. Teams in the odd-number rankings in the car owner points after Sunday's race will test at Daytona on Jan. 9-11 with Jan. 12 as the rain date. Teams in the even-number rankings in the car owner points standings will test at Daytona on Jan. 16-18 with a rain date of Jan. 19. Of course, NASCAR allows some teams to switch test dates if needed. (News and Record)

• WA. Attorney General to start Investigation: The Washington State Attorney General's office will dispatch two detectives from the State Patrol to investigate charges that a Kitsap County employee violated public records law and failed to retain copies of certain documents while working to recruit the proposed NASCAR track. While Kitsap County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Tim Drury said everything surrounding the case is "complete conjecture," the investigation could be completed in a few weeks. The investigation results from an alleged incident that occurred 18 months ago, in which county employees purportedly failed to keep a copy of a map that was requested by Kitsap Economic Development Council Executive Director David Porter. Additionally, a record of the request was not properly submitted, violating certain requirements.  At the time, Porter was assembling transportation data for a proposal designed to lure the International Speedway Corp. (ISC) to Kitsap County. The completed proposal was at first unsuccessful, as ISC selected a Snohomish County site over Kitsap. (Tacoma Daily)

• Dave Despain to replace Bestwick on INC: Dave Despain, host of Speed Channel's "Wind Tunnel" talk show, will take over hosting duties for "Inside Nextel Cup" beginning Sept. 12, Speed Channel officials confirmed Tuesday night. Despain replaces Allen Bestwick, former Motor Racing Network announcer and currently lead pit reporter for NBC/TNT. Bestwick has worked with the program for 10 years.  In addition, Speed Channel officials are working to add Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick to the show as well. Harvick would replace current panelist Johnny Benson.  (ThatsRacin)

• Pettys in Newsweek: Kyle and Pattie Petty are featured in the national news magazine Newsweek this week as part of a new series, "Red, White and Proud." The series "honors those who make helping others their priority." The Pettys are noted in the prestigious national news weekly for founding the Victory Junction Gang Camp. (Williams Co., Of America)

• HOF visitation dates set: Charlotte will get its chance to impress NASCAR with its plans for a hall of fame for stock-car racing during a visit on Aug. 17. That's Charlotte's date on a tour of the five cities that submitted proposals before May 31. NASCAR officials also will go to Daytona Beach, Fla., on Aug. 9, to Atlanta on Aug. 16, to Kansas City on Aug. 18 and to Richmond on Aug. 23. In each city, member of the NASCAR delegation will meet with local organizing officials, tour the prospective site location and discuss each proposal in detail. (ThatsRacin)

• NBC's Finals Ratings Up: NBC's coverage of Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race from Chicagoland Speedway delivered a 5.7 national rating and 13 share, up 4% from the same race last year (5.5/13 in 2004). The rating peaked between 6:30-7 p.m. ET with a 6.7/14 as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. took the checkered flag for the first time this season. The top rated markets for NBC's coverage of Sunday's race were: Greensboro (12.6), Charlotte (12.1), Knoxville (11.9), Greenville/Spartanburg, SC (11.8), Columbus (10.4), Indianapolis (10.1), Nashville (9.8), Jacksonville (9.6), Raleigh-Durham (9.2), Orlando (9.2), Atlanta (9.2).(NBC PR)

July 12, 2005

• NASCAR announces Daytona Penalties: NASCAR announced Monday that fines have been issued to five NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series crew chiefs resulting from rule violations leading up to the July 2 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Joel Shear, crew chief of the #09 Dodge driven by Johnny Sauter and Dan Kolanda, crew chief for the #89 Dodge driven by Morgan Shepherd, were each fined $10,000 due to unapproved upper rear coil spring mounts, a violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rule book. The infractions were found during opening day inspection June 30. Shear was fined an additional $5,000 for violating NASCAR probation, a breach of Section 12-4-A. Harold Holly, [former] crew chief of the #32 Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton Jr., was also fined $10,000 when post-qualifying inspection revealed violations of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (unapproved lubrication oil reservoir tank cover). Additionally, Glenn Darrow, crew chief for the #37 Dodge of Kevin Lepage, was fined $2,500 after being found in violation of 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (unapproved fuel cell foam) following opening-day inspection. Also, Tony Eury Jr., crew chief of the #15 Chevrolet driven by Michael Waltrip, was fined $500 because he missed the pre-race driver's meeting, a violation of 12-4-A and 12-4-I (failure to attend driver's meeting). (NASCAR PR)

• NASCAR Studying Changes in fuel: There is growing frustration that in the decades since the Clean Air Act of 1970 required a switch from leaded to unleaded gasoline for automobiles, NASCAR has not found a way to make that change, too. When the EPA began working with NASCAR in 2000 toward a voluntary solution, there was a three- to five-year plan to make the changeover. It has been five years since those discussions. NASCAR did test unleaded fuel in its racecars in the late 1990s, but found that the lead provided better lubrication for the valves of the engines. Without that lubrication, the engines would fail. A fuel additive, methyl tertiary-butyl ether, or MTBE, appeared to work but was found to contaminate ground water. It is currently banned in many states. Nelson said NASCAR was looking at an ethanol mix, but the latest research showed the mix destroyed the fuel cells that hold it. Meanwhile, there is no penalty for NASCAR to continue using leaded fuel while it seeks an alternative. "NASCAR is such a behemoth that if it decides it wants to stonewall, it may well get away with it," O'Donnell said in a telephone interview. "It's not for lack of technology, it's inertia on NASCAR's part in part because the government is asleep at the switch." (Kentucky)

• Memphis Heisman hopeful uses Die cast Promotion: The University of Memphis is revving up a $38,000 promotional effort for DeAngelo Williams that uses toy cars to link a Heisman Trophy campaign for the senior tailback to the popularity of NASCAR. The school's athletics media relations department has mailed 850 die-cast race cars to sports media and former winners who'll select the 2005 Heisman winner. The 1:24 scale cars, sporting a paint scheme in the same colors as Williams' Memphis Tigers team, declare: "The Race is On." Athletics media relations director Jennifer Rodrigues dreamed up the idea while watching her husband fiddle with his collectible Dale Earnhardt cars. The school presold another 2,400 cars to boosters and season ticketholders at $35 a pop in April, another novel approach that needed NCAA approval. The racing theme continues at www.racefortheheisman.com. "We had to come up with something with a 'wow' factor that people wouldn't toss in the garbage," Rodrigues says. "If a few people pay more attention to DeAngelo's (candidacy), that's good enough for me." (USA Today For more College Football Checkout College Football Top25 www.gnextinc.com/cfb/)

• SI names Bristol one of Summers top events: The Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is "horsepower heaven" and one of the summer's 25 essential sporting events, according to Sports Illustrated magazine. The magazine, which claims a weekly circulation of more than 3 million readers, included the track's August Nextel Cup race among 25 events or locations that sports fans should experience this summer. The article appears in the magazine's July 11 issue. BMS is the only motorsports venue on a list that also includes horse racing at Saratoga, N.Y., the U.S. rowing championships in Indianapolis, training camp for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, New York and Los Angeles playground basketball featuring NBA professionals and a New England running event that attracts 10,000 participants and 60,000 spectators. "To have the summer's most roaring time, head to a little Appalachian valley off Highway 11 in northeastern Tennessee," magazine staff writer Lars Anderson wrote. "There, rising out of a grass field, is NASCAR's most spectacular short track, Bristol Motor Speedway, site of the Sharpie 500 on Aug. 27." (TriCities)

• Cars head to wind tunnel: NASCAR officials plan to take six cars from Sunday's race to the Lockheed wind tunnel in Marietta to determine how the various manufacturers stack up on aerodynamic issues: the Chevrolets driven by Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart, the Fords of Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin, and the Dodges driven by Jeremy Mayfield and Rusty Wallace. (AJC)

• Chicago Overnight Ratings Down: NBC's broadcast of Sunday's USG Sheetrock 400 Nextel Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway earned a 4.9 overnight rating and an 11 market share from Nielsen Media Research, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports. The rating is 5.8 percent lower than the 5.2 overnight figure NBC drew for the Chicago race last year.  (Scene Plus)

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