NASCAR News March 13 - March 22, 2006

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March 22, 2006:

• NASCAR rained out Sunday Coverage, out duels NBA's King James & Kobe: Fox is crowing about the ratings of Sunday afternoon's rainout coverage of the Nascar race from Atlanta Motor Speedway. According to the Nielsen Media Research overnight ratings, the March 19 Nascar telecast, which consisted of interviews, commentary, and clips of last year's Atlanta race, generated a 3.3 household rating and 7 share from 1:30-4 p.m., which head-to-head topped ABC's NBA telecast of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (2.0/4) by 39 percent and the final round of the PGA Bay Hill Invitational on NBC (2.7/6) by 18 percent. (Media Week)

• Charlotte Council approves NASCAR tax hike: The NASCAR Hall of Fame deal rounded the last lap Tuesday night. In an 8-1 vote, Mecklenburg commissioners agreed to raise the county's hotel tax by 2 percentage points, from 6 to 8 percent. The money to be raised by the increase was a financial cornerstone of Charlotte's bid to host the motorsports shrine. Commissioners held a public hearing on the increase, the public's only chance to weigh in since the deal was announced. But no one came to object. Instead, half a dozen speakers -- sporting buttons from the campaign to win the hall -- stood up to praise it, saying the Hall of Fame will draw hundreds of thousands of tourists, and solidify the region's status as home to the booming racing industry and the accompanying jobs. Mohammed Jenatian, president of the Greater Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance, said the tourism industry was involved in the decision to increase the tax, and believes the project is worth it. "I know what NASCAR has done for our industry," he said. "I know what NASCAR has done for our region." (Charlotte Observer)

• Congrats Sherman Family: Congratulations to Brent and Kathleen Sherman who welcomed their son, Brent Cooper Sherman, on March 21, 2006. Baby Cooper weighs eight pounds, five ounces and is 20.5 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing well.  (BAM Racing PR)

• H. Sadler lands TNA sponsorship: TNA Wrestling, the new face in professional wrestling, will partner with Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership for Less in sponsoring MBA Motorsports and driver Hermie Sadler in the Virginia 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race on April 2 at Martinsville Speedway. The car will feature a special paint scheme that will promote the kick off of Autism Awareness month. Sadler has a daughter with Autism. TNA joins Aarons on the "Dream Machine" for Martinsville as they move their weekly show, "IMPACT" to Thursday nights on Spike TV beginning April 13. (MBA Motorsports PR)

• Kt Busch does NYC Media tour: In support of the Gillette Young Guns program, Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch will be doing a "media blitz" in New York City on Wednesday, March 22. KB is scheduled to appear on "Live with Regis & Kelly," ESPN's "Cold Pizza" and FOX News Channel's "Dayside with Linda Vestor." (Alan Taylor Communications)

• Home Depot Crew wins Checker/Rally's Drive-Thru Challenge: Tony Stewart's pit crew captured the Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition in Monday's rain-delayed NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season of rewarding pit crews, the unsung heroes in the Nextel Cup Series. The program awards $10,500 per week to the top pit crew. In addition, the pit crew with the most wins will be awarded a $105,000 bonus at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Stewart's #20 Home Depot Chevrolet spent the least amount of time on pit road (322.141 seconds) during Monday's 500-mile race. The winning performance by the #20 crew lifted Stewart to a fifth-place finish. Stewart's over-the-wall crew consists of: Jason Lee (jackman), Tom Dean (front-tire carrier), Ira-Jo Hussey (front-tire changer), Jody Fortson (rear-tire carrier), Todd Foster (rear-tire changer), Jeff Patterson (gasman), Brian Larson (catch can) and Scott Geerts (windshield). The team's crew chief is Greg Zipadelli and the pit stop coordinator is Paul Alepa. The #20 crew, part of the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, snapped a three-race win streak by Hendrick Motorsports teams. The first two Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge wins of the season went to Jimmie Johnson's #48 crew. The round-three winner was the #5 crew for Kyle Busch. Daytona (2/19) Jimmie Johnson Team; California (2/26) Jimmie Johnson Team; Las Vegas (3/12) Kyle Busch Team; Atlanta (3/20) Tony Stewart Team.(DMF Communications PR), more at checkers.com. (Checkers/Rally's)

• New Bowyer/DIRECTV scheme:  RCR, along with DIRECTV, will unveil a new look for the #07 Chevy Friday, March 24 at 10a.m. in Victory Lane at Bristol Motor Speedway. The #07 DIRECTV Chevrolet will make its debut the following weekend in the DIRECTV 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Driver Clint Bowyer, crew chief Gil Martin and senior vice president of advertising and public relations, Jon Gieselman, from DIRECTV will be on hand for the unveiling. (RCR PR)

March 21, 2006:

• Frances take pay cut: France family members holding the top jobs at International Speedway Corp. took 4 percent cuts in salary and bonuses last year, but received hefty increases in their stock options. In contrast, chief operating officer John R. Saunders, the top-ranking nonfamily member in Speedway's top echelon, received a 10 percent pay raise. The pay figures were disclosed in ISC's annual proxy statement as required by federal law. While salaries for 2005 were set about 3 percent above 2004 levels, performance bonuses were reduced, leaving most senior executives with lower compensation overall. The figures were approved by a compensation committee of ISC's board of directors, headed by hotelier Thomas Staed. The committee said it endorsed the pay proposals that had been drafted by vice chairman and chief executive officer Jim France, and then set his own pay. Chairman Bill France was paid a salary of $533,496, up from $516,028, but his bonus was cut to $293,925, down from $347,281 the year before. His stock options were valued at $448,480 up from $325,350. (Daytona News-Journal)

• Pit Crew members OK: Two pit crew members were struck on pit road during Monday's race. John Slusher, catch can man for Robby Gordon's team, was hit on pit road by Reed Sorenson's car on lap 193. Slusher was evaluated at the infield care center and returned to work. Joe Kruschek, a rear tire changer for Jamie McMurray, was struck on pit road. He broke his left thumb and ripped open his right forefinger in the incident. He received stitches at local hospital and will require surgery on the forefinger today. He will be out for an undetermined amount of time. (News-Record)

• Newman raises Prostate Awareness: NASCAR driver Ryan Newman will serve as spokesman for the Gillette Prostate Cancer Challenge, a program designed to raise awareness of the risks and symptoms of prostate cancer and the benefits of early detection. The campaign will feature screening vans at select venues across the country. For more information, visit www.gillettepcc.org.(Gillette PCC)

• Francis Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: The only person that Kasey Kahne couldn't outrun this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway was Mother Nature. Sunday afternoon's rain showers forced NASCAR to postpone the Golden Corral 500 until the following day, but Kahne had no problem leaving the field in his #9 Dodge Charger's wake once the race went green. Kahne's day earned his crew chief, Kenny Francis, the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters; including Tony Eury Sr., a member of the local media and a Wypall Wipers representative; all agreed that Francis deserved Crew Chief of the Race honors for putting Kahne in position to collect the win. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, Francis was presented $1,000. At the end of the season the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Francis' first Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Darian Grubb for second-place in the standings. Robbie Reiser is in the lead with two wins. (Wypall PR)

• Dodge tells teams only Charger after Texas: Don Miller, the president of Penske Racing South, said that corporate headquarters informed his organization that the Intrepid can't be used after the April 9 Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.  At least one of Penske Racing's two drivers -- Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch -- has used the Intrepid since the Daytona 500. There were plans to use the car on most 1.5- mile and 2-mile tracks the remainder of the season. "Texas will be the last time we race them,'' Miller said of the Intrepid. "They said this is what we're advertising, so this is what we're running. That's OK. We're learning something all along the way.'' (NASCAR.com)

March 20, 2006:

• Talladega RV overnight spots sold-out: All RV overnight parking spots have been sold, and only a limited amount of spots for automobiles/tents remain for the upcoming Aaron's Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway April 28-30, Talladega Superspeedway officials announced today. The track's hundreds of acres of reserved overnight parks outside the track are completely filled, and the only spots remaining in the 212-acre infield are within the Yellow and Blue Zones which are specifically designated for those planning to park overnight with automobiles and tents. Talladega Superspeedway welcomes fans back for another year of the most competitive racing on the NASCAR circuit! Get your tickets now for Aaron's Dream Weekend, set for April 28 - 30, 2006. To order tickets, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA (1-877-462-3342). For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available online at www.racetickets.com, or in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CDT, Monday - Friday. (Talladega SuperSpeedway PR)

• Kahne Wins, Lester Completes Race: Top 5 rundown 1) Kasey Kahne 2) Mark Martin 3) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 4) Jeff Gordon 5) Tony Stewart Complete Un-official Rundown

• Harvick wants GM support for Truck/Busch/Cup: Kevin Harvick has set too high a price tag in his contract renegotiations with General Motors, and it now seems unlikely that car owner Richard Childress will renew the deal, according to sources. The two have set an early April deadline. Harvick drives Nextel Cup cars for Childress, and also fields a Truck for Ron Hornaday and two Busch cars, for Burney Lamar, Ron Fellows, Tony Stewart and himself, all under Kevin Harvick Inc. Toyota would likely be willing to support Harvick with a full Nextel Cup-Busch-Truck package, but it is unclear if GM is willing to match that. (Salem-Journal)

• More on COT testing; Hendrick/Childress/Roush to test:  NASCAR will conduct its first test of its "Car of Tomorrow" on a short track next week when at least four teams are expected to test cars March 27 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. NASCAR officials expect at least one car from Roush Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing to participate. NASCAR will also test its own car. In 2007 and 2008, the car will be gradually introduced in the Nextel Cup Series, first on short tracks and road courses, then on 2-mile and longer tracks. The final tracks added in 2009 are 1.5-mile tracks like Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway. (The State)

• Crowd favorite Lester: Lester drew a big cheer during Sunday's introductions and spent much of the morning surrounded by photographers and well-wishers. "This is really exciting," said Lester, a regular in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. "I can hardly wait to get started racing." (News-Record)

• ESPN unclear about broadcasters: ABC-ESPN executives are trying to line up an on-camera crew for their return to the NASCAR tour. But it doesn't look like NBC's crew - Bill Weber, Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach - will be at the top of the list. But Krista Voda could get a nod. The highly polished Weber is easily the sport's top broadcaster, but it's unclear where his future might be. Questions about who will be in front of the cameras aren't the only TV questions being raised. The production crews may also be in some doubt. (Salem-Journal)

March 19, 2006:

• NASCAR Most Popular Driver Voting underway: Internet voting for the NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver begins this weekend at www.mostpopulardriver.com. Under the Chex® banner for the second year, the Most Popular Driver Award has become the largest fan-based award in motorsports. Since General Mills started sponsoring the award in 2002 more than 13.4 million votes have been cast. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award the past three years. This year more than 40 Nextel Cup Series drivers are eligible for the esteemed NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). It has been awarded annually since 1956 and is one of the oldest awards in racing. What started as a simple poll of the drivers has grown to include NASCAR members and has now become a completely fan-driven award. Today, fans determine who receives the most popular driver award by voting on the General Mills' Web site, www.mostpopulardriver.com. Fans may vote on the site once each day beginning this weekend. Voting ends at11:59 a.m. CST, Monday, November 20, 2006. (ATC Communications)

• R. Wallace to test COT: Rusty Wallace has been asked by NASCAR officials to help with the development of the new car. Wallace is scheduled to drive one at an upcoming Bristol test session scheduled for March 27, the day after the Nextel Cup race. (Yahoo! Sports)

March 18, 2006:

• Jarrett plans to drive through 2008: Before the Daytona 500, #88-Dale Jarrett described the 2006 Nextel Cup season as critical to determining how long he would extend his career. After three races of evaluating his team, he has a timetable. "I'm pretty sure now I'm going to drive through 2008," he said Friday afternoon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. "I feel like if we can stay on pace with what we're trying to do, that would be sufficient time to leave it in a good situation." (USA Today)

• Toyota Red Bull team hiring crew members: Toyota's other team, Red Bull Racing, is hiring crew members and working to build a team for next season, Toyota officials say. (NewsRecord)

• Hamilton to exit truck ride, after cancer diagnoses: 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Bobby Hamilton regretfully is stepping out of his #18 Fastenal Dodge for the 2006 season effective after the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway due to health reasons. Hamilton has been diagnosed with cancer in the right side of his neck and will be replaced for the season by his son Bobby Hamilton Jr. "Nobody wants to go through this and the word cancer is a stout word to hear," Hamilton said. "But I will be starting my treatment right after the race in Atlanta so I have to take care of me for awhile. The hardest thing I've done is stepping out of this truck, but I will be back by Homestead or by Daytona bext year. When I told Dodge and Fastenal that I had to do this, they were right on board with me. It says a lot for companies of this magnitude to stay with our program during such a difficult time. We have a huge family at BHR and their support will enable our program to continue to be a success." (NASCAR PR)

March 17, 2006:

• Kahne wins Pole, Lester makes field: - Bill Lester stole the show from pole-winner Kasey Kahne on Friday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway, earning a spot in the Golden Corral 500 to become the first black driver to qualify for a race in NASCAR's top series in nearly 20 years. Driving a Dodge fielded by Bill Davis Racing and facing enormous pressure, Lester put up a lap of 190.502 mph early in the Nextel Cup series qualifying session on the 1.5-mile oval. Lester still had to wait for more than an hour to see if he would make it into the 43-car field for Sunday's race. "I'm just glad I was able to realize my dream and get this opportunity," said Lester, who qualified 19th overall. The top 35 cars from last season's owners points are guaranteed starting spots at every race, leaving only eight places to the other entries like the 45-year-old Lester, trying to make a Cup race for the first time. (Washington Post - Starting Line up)

• Waltrip/Elliott Burger King: Michael Waltrip Racing announced Friday that it will team with Burger King and NASCAR champion Bill Elliott for a five-race schedule this season. Elliott will pilot the #00 Burger King Chevrolet at Chicago, New Hampshire, Indianapolis, California and Homestead. Waltrip said the team plans to expand to a full-time NEXTEL Cup venture next season, running Toyotas. Waltrip said sponsorship and driver plans for next year were still up in the air. But for now, he's thrilled to have a veteran like Elliott behind the wheel. Burger King also announced donations to both the Speedway Children's Charities and the National Motorsports Press Association. Waltrip quotes of the day: (On fielding Chevrolets for his team despite driving Dodges himself) "I'm like Switzerland, I can drive anything. Chevrolet is the car to beat. They've won two of the first three races. When we were planning this project, in order to lure Mr. Elliott, we wanted to get the best car he could drive. Right now that appears to be Chevrolet. I'll stay in a Dodge, I suppose, but I am going to be in a Toyota truck later this year, and I've got a call in to Ford." (AMS Pit Notes)

• Lester & BDR plans several 2006 races and full 2007 Cup schedule: Bill Lester's #23 Waste Management Team is scheduled to compete at Atlanta Motor Speedway, at Michigan Speedway in June and at California Speedway in September. More races are expected to be added to the 2006 schedule as additional sponsorship and Lester's commitments in the Craftsman Truck Series permits, with an eye on the entire NEXTEL Cup schedule in 2007. Atlanta's Championship Group handles program management and business development, and is expected to announce additional program details over the coming months.  Other companies followed (in addition to Waste Management, Championship Group and BDR) as Precision Tune Auto Care, SponsorTRAK.com, Valvoline lubricants, Race Day on Fox Sports Radio, and AJCcars.com have all added their support to Lester's debut in the Golden Corral 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19th, and Championship Group's phone lines continue to ring with inquiries for future races. Bill Lester, as you might imagine, is ecstatic. "Ever since I joined Bill Davis Racing to drive in the Truck Series I had hoped we would move up to the NEXTEL Cup Series together," commented Lester. "Working with the folks at Waste Management and getting to know their employees and values has made me feel like a part of their family too. When BDR and Championship Group told me they were putting together a program focusing on racing in NEXTEL Cup, I never imagined Waste Management would make the jump with me. To say I am proud and honored to have this company behind me is an understatement. We are all committed to bringing out the best in this program, and I can't wait to flip the starter switch and hit the race track in a Waste Management NEXTEL Cup race car." (In part from Bill Davis Racing)

• Atlanta traffic trouble: This weekend's Golden Corral 500 race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway is expected to make for lots of traffic on the south side of Atlanta. Officials say especially heavy traffic flow will take place throughout the weekend. More than 120,000 race fans are expected at the event. Traffic is expected to be heaviest during the Friday evening rush hour, as fans head to the track for Georgia Power Qualifying Night and after 8 a.m. on Sunday for the actual race. Fans are encouraged to leave early to avoid the rush of traffic expected to reach the race track around 8 a.m. Officials say all racetrack-bound roads, especially Highway 19/41 and Highway 20 (Bruton Smith Parkway) will be affected. (WSBTV)

• Ferrell named Grand Marshall of Aaron's 499: Talladega Superspeedway officials announced today that actor Will Ferrell, star of the upcoming Columbia Pictures comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Aaron's 499 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race set for Sunday, April 30 (1:30 pm ET on Fox). "With all of the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of the movie this summer, it made perfect sense to ask Will Ferrell back to participate in our Aaron's Dream Weekend," said Talladega Superspeedway Vice President and General Manager Rick Humphrey. "We were very happy when he agreed to return for the Aaron's 499, and look forward to his participation in our pre-race festivities." (Talladega Super Speedway PR)

March 16, 2006:

• DW to race Dream Machine in Busch Series race in Martinsville: Aaron Rents, Inc., the nation's leader in the rental, sales and lease ownership, specialty retailing and rental of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, today announced that for the first time ever, Darrell Waltrip will take the wheel from younger brother Michael Waltrip to race the No. 99 Aaron's Dream Machine at the upcoming NASCAR Busch Series race at Martinsville Speedway on the evening of July 22, 2006. NASCAR fans familiar with the Waltrip brothers and their long-standing relationship with Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership know that for years, Michael Waltrip has famously and repeatedly turned down older brother Darrell's requests to drive the Aaron's Dream Machine. However, in a surprise announcement made during the final moments of a Darrell Waltrip Roast benefiting the Boys' and Girls' Club of Tennessee, Darrell's wife Stevie dramatically handed the three-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion one of Michael's racing helmets along with her permission to drive the No. 99 Aaron's Dream Machine during the Martinsville race. (MichaelWaltrip.com)

• R. Gordon opens Casino: Iowa's newest casino opens Wednesday night in Council Bluffs. The Horseshoe Casino, owned by Harrah's, is opening in the spot where Bluffs Run used to be. The $85 million facility is 68,000 square feet, which is the state's largest. Harrah's estimates a $50 million addition to the tax base by 2010. The casino will feature live poker, video poker, slots, blackjack, roulette and craps. It will also house three restaurants. Actor Jim Belushi and NASCAR driver Robby Gordon will be part of Wednesday evening's activities. (KCCI)

• Paving complete at Lowe's, tire test set: Contractors have finished repaving the racing surface of the 1.5-mile oval at Lowe's Motor Speedway and Jeff Black, the Speedway Motorsports, Inc., paving engineer overseeing the project, says the result is "the best of any track we've ever done." Sunmount Corp., of Roanoke, Texas, completed work on the racing surface Monday night and Goodyear is scheduled to conduct a tire test March 28-29. With paving crews now working on the aprons and pit road, workers have begun re-installing the SAFER barriers which were removed when the $3.5-million project started in early January. The repaving of the racing surface required in excess of 10,000 tons (20 million pounds) of asphalt which included a special polymer that increases the material's softening point. The new surface was applied in two layers, a two-inch "binder" went down first followed by a 1.5-inch "finish" layer. An additional 4,000 to 6,000 tons of asphalt will be used to repave the aprons and pit road. Nearly 100 NASCAR teams are expected to participate in six days of testing on the new surface during early May. NEXTEL Cup cars will be on track May 1-3 with Busch Series teams slated to test May 8-10. Tickets for each of Lowe's Motor Speedway's 2006 NASCAR events, including the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on Saturday night, May 20, and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday evening, May 28, can be obtained online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS.(LMS PR)

• Frances sell stock: NASCAR Chairman Brian France has sold most of his stock in International Speedway Corp., the publicly traded track operating company controlled by his family, but an ISC spokesman said March 9 there is nothing unusual about the action. France didn't own much of the stock, relatively speaking, in the first place. According to its annual filing of stockholders to the Securities and Exchange Commission, ISC reported March 6 that Brian France had 8,930 shares of Class A stock and 8,033 of Class B stock (.03% of the total voting power). In last year's report, he had 237,078 shares of Class A and 235,181 of Class B (0.78% voting power). The stock sales happened sometime before Jan. 31. His sister, ISC President Lesa France Kennedy, also has given up some of her stock. She had 417,404 shares of Class A and 391,718 shares of Class B (1.34% of the total). At the end of last year, she owned 888,812 of Class A and 867,407 shares of Class B (2.9% in voting power). None of the sales were to anyone outside of the France Family Group (made up of 35 members), which collectively owns 62.95% of the ISC stock and votes as one entity. Members of the France family own stock as part of the France Family Group and also can own shares outside of it. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

March 15, 2006:

• NASCAR testing continues: Two tests for NASCAR's car of tomorrow, which will make its debut next spring at Bristol, are scheduled in the next month. The car will test at Bristol on March 27, the day after the Cup race there later this month. The Martinsville test is set for the day after the Cup race there next month. (News-Record)

• NASCAR ratings steady: Fox says its broadcast of Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler earned a 6.2 national rating from Nielsen Media Research and a 12 share, drawing 10.3 million viewers. Fox says final Nielsen figures are expected to show that the race was the weekend's top-rated sports program, easily topping CBS's NCAA basketball tournament selection show, which earned national figures of 4.6/9. The 6.2/12 for this year's race, however, is 3.1 percent lower than last year's 6.4/14 for the race. (NASCAR SceneDaily.com) NASCAR wins coveted 18-49 Demographic: A 7 o'clock installment of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" was a very strong second in its hour to Fox's NASCAR overrun among Adults 18-49 (4.0/11 vs. 4.4/13). (Nielsen Media Research)

• McMurray to drive Irwin tools scheme at Atlanta: Atlanta will mark #26-Jamie McMurray's first run in the IRWIN Industrial Tools Ford. The weekend will showcase a special IRWIN paint scheme featuring the IRWIN Vise-Grip. (Roush Racing PR)

• Who's Your Daddy and Sacks makes debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway: Who's Your Daddy, Inc. is pleased to announce it has entered into a sponsorship agreement to be the exclusive primary sponsor of Sacks Motorsports for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES. Greg Sacks will drive the Who's Your Daddy Car # 13 during the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP season, debuting at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Golden Coral 500, this Sunday, March 19, 2006. Starting time for the race will be 1:00 EST. The race will be televised by Fox Sports and the TNT channel. Check your local listings. Greg Sacks began his racing career in 1980 and has been a consistent winner. In 1994 Sacks set the track record at the Atlanta Motor Speedway when he won the pole position. Edon Moyal, CEO of Who's Your Daddy, Inc. says, "We are extremely proud to be associated with Greg Sacks, who is one of the finest drivers on the circuit. We are looking forward to the debut of the Who's Your Daddy Car at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend." Mr. Moyal continued, "We are looking forward to a long term relationship in which Who's Your Daddy will become a formidable presence at NASCAR. Moving from the BUSCH SERIES to the NEXTEL CUP SERIES this year is a major step in the Company's overall progress and places Who's Your Daddy amongst some of the greatest racing teams, NASCAR fans and global brands across the country." Sacks responded to the Who's Your Daddy sponsorship by saying, "I cannot remember a time when I have been as enthused about a sponsor as I am about Who's Your Daddy. The company is young, vibrant and exciting, and has a tremendous product in the Who's Your Daddy 'King of Energy' Drink, which is a product destined for stardom."  Who's Your Daddy is also pleased to announce the launch of the new "King of Energy" website (www.kingofenergy.com) in conjunction with the Atlanta race. (Who's Your Daddy, Inc. PR)

• Georgia Motorsports Day tomorrow: The 4th annual Georgia Motorsports Day at the Georgia State Capitol will be held on Thursday, March 16th outside the State Capitol on Mitchell Street in Atlanta at 10:100am/et. Scheduled to attend: Governor Sonny Perdue, Georgia House Representative Mike Barnes, Georgia State Senator John Douglas, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Chairman and CEO O. Bruton Smith, AMS President Ed Clark, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver - Reed Sorenson (Peachtree City, Ga. Native), NASCAR Busch Series driver - John Andretti (owner of Andretti Indoor Karting Center in Roswell, Ga.), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers - Bill Lester (Atlanta, Ga. resident) and David Ragan (Unadilla, Ga. native). If it rains, the location will be inside the Capitol in the North Wing. This will be the fourth annual racing rally in Georgia; for the last three years, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue passed a resolution supporting the racing industry in Georgia. (AMS PR)

March 14, 2006:

• Lester to attempt NEXTEL Cup start: Racing never has been about race for Bill Lester. "I've always said I don't consider myself, nor do I want to be considered, a black race car driver," he said. "I want to be a race car driver who happens to be black." He concedes, though, the focus on him Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be much more about history than horsepower. Lester will attempt to qualify for Sunday's Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500 in a Bill Davis Racing car sponsored by Waste Management. At stake is a chance to become the first African-American in NASCAR's premier series since Willy T. Ribbs finished 37th at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 1986. Despite huge growth in attendance and TV ratings the last two decades, NASCAR has lagged in attracting minority fans and competitors. Lester believes he could help change that. "I've been given a very significant opportunity to be a catalyst for change," Lester said. "If NASCAR wants to be America's sport, it has to be more inclusive of color and more reflective of the shade of people across the country. For me to be front and center on the greatest stage NASCAR has will be significant. There are a lot of people of color who don't follow this sport because there's nobody they can identify with." (More at USAToday.com)

• J. Gordon spends day in Texas: Critics who suggest Jeff Gordon is too restrained or corporately polished for his own good should see the man go all giddy as he bombs and strafes Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a fighter jet simulator. The prosperous race car driver spent Monday in North Texas on a quick promotional stop for the upcoming Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Gordon flew in via private jet directly from Las Vegas, where he finished fifth in Sunday's UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400. His stop here was built around a visit to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, where the 73-time winner got an up-close look at an F-16, then spent some quality time inside Lockheed Martin's elaborate F-35 fighter jet simulator. Gordon crashed on one simulated run while trying to bomb the desert speedway. "It was fun," he said a few minutes later. "I could have stayed there all day." He gave it a shot; officials finally had to coax him out of the simulator to continue making the day's media rounds. (Dallas Morning News)

• Menard to attempt Atlanta: Dale Earnhardt Inc. will enter a  car for Busch Series driver Paul Menard in this weekend's Golden Corral 500 Nextel Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Menard was scheduled to drive in seven Cup races in 2006 but failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 after blowing a tire in his Gatorade Duel event. If Menard makes the field, it will be his first oval race in Nextel Cup. Menard's previous two Cup races were at Watkins Glen. Menard is 17th in the Busch Series points standings. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

March 13, 2006:

• Reiser Wins WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award: The tag team of Matt Kenseth and Robbie Reiser had a near-perfect afternoon this Sunday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Unfortunately for the No. 17 DEWALT team, a late-race caution allowed Jimmy Johnson to pass Kenseth on the final lap and kept them from sealing their day with a win. Reiser may not have brought his driver a victory, but he still performed in award winning fashion, as he was voted the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters; including Tony Eury Sr., a member of the local media and a WYPALL® Wipers representative; all agreed that Reiser deserved Crew Chief of the Race accolades for keeping Kenseth up front nearly all race long. As the current record holder of laps led at the track, Kenseth added to his total this weekend, leading a race-high 146 laps of the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400. "Robbie (Reiser) did everything right today," said Eury Sr. "His car was the class of the field. Matt (Kenseth) was driving away from everybody. If it hadn't been for the last caution, they would have won for sure." "It was a good race for us today," said Reiser following the event. "When you have that good of a car, you hate to finish second. Everything was falling into place, but the last caution let Jimmy (Johnson) catch up with us and get by us there at the end. The crew did an awesome job today and Matt drove a great race. If we keep preparing cars like that, we'll definitely win some more races." For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, Reiser was presented with $1,000. At the end of the season the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Reiser's second win, which puts him ahead of Darian Grubb, who has one win, in the standings. (SMC 500)

• Dodge to lobby NASCAR for rules change: Dodge plans to lobby NASCAR officials for help with its cars by the Texas race in April, said John Fernandez, director of Dodge Motorsports Operations. The Dodge Charger has struggled since its 2005 debut. Teams and drivers complain that it doesn't handle well in traffic and prevents them from getting to the front. NASCAR rejected Dodge's request for a rule change last season to help the Charger. Dodge won three races last year with only one victory at a track larger than a mile and that came on a fuel-mileage gamble. Unsatisfied with the new cars, Penske Racing South put Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch in 2004 Intrepids at California last month and Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Fernandez said Sunday morning before the race that Las Vegas was a critical test for his teams. He says that he and other Dodge officials are trying to figure which front end is better, the Charger or the Intrepid. The key area is between where the headlights would be. "Inherently, the [Charger] is what we thought it was,'' Fernandez said. "The question is we've got a little aerodynamic imbalance ... in traffic in the Cup conditions. We've come a long way. If we got a little bit of help from NASCAR, I think we'd get over the hump on that.'' Fernandez said that he could lobby NASCAR for a rule change to help the Dodge before the Texas race if officials know what they want to request. (Roanoke Times)

• Evernham not moving team to Indy: Team owner Ray Evernham said Sunday morning that there was absolutely no truth to the rumors that he was considering relocating his team from Statesville, N.C., to the Indianapolis area. The state of Indiana has been trying to lure teams to the Hoosier state, but Evernham said he wouldn't even consider leaving his current location, which abuts an airport and houses the rapidly growing Evernham Motorsports operation. "I have not talked to anybody at Indy," Evernham said Sunday morning. "We have no intention of moving Evernham Motorsports. We're more than happy where we're at. And actually, it's been distracting to the team because I had a lot of people coming up and asking me about it. I have no idea where that even came from." (SPEEDTV)

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