NASCAR News Sept. 5 - Sept. 13, 2005

The News Below

Sep. 13, 2005:

• Schrader and Edwards racing: The third annual American Short Track Nationals, with special appearances by NASCAR Nextel Cup Drivers Carl Edwards and Ken Schrader, is Tuesday at Lee County Speedway. Special guests include Kenny Edwards, who will be competing in the 4-cylinder Wild Things and Ramo Stott, the 1976 Daytona 500 pole sitter. Hospitality tickets are available. The price of the hospitality ticket includes a meet and greet with Edwards and Scrader, dinner, drinks, race ticket, pit tour, autographs and photo session and more. Racing includes Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things. Tickets are $15 general admission and $13 for seniors and students. Children 10-and-under get in free. VIP tickets are $55, and a pit pass is $25. (Daily Gate)

• Vegas first day sales up: A high volume of telephone ticket orders and an equally heavy dosage of Internet orders kept Las Vegas Motor Speedway's ticket office working at maximum capacity Monday as tickets went on sale for the 2006 NASCAR Weekend. "This was one of the busiest and most successful first days of ticket sales since the inaugural event," said Chris Powell, LVMS general manager. "We are very pleased with our first-day results. This also is our first year using Ticketmaster, and we believe that has helped us fill orders more efficiently." LVMS also has processed a record number of renewals from last year's event. "Today's tremendous number of ticket sales is a direct result of the appeal of our facility and our great city," Powell said. "Combine that with the momentum NASCAR is carrying nationwide and it should come as no surprise that ticket sales are way ahead of any previous pace. We also have seen an increased amount of interest in the now-under-construction Richard Petty Terrace. Those seats, as well as the seats in the Dale Earnhardt Terrace, have proven to be the most popular seats in the facility." First-day sales of weekend pit passes and pre-race activities passes also saw increases over last year. Race fans can purchase tickets to the March 12 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and March 11 Sam's Town 300 by calling 1-800-644-4444 or by logging on to www.lvms.com. (LVMS PR)

Sep. 12, 2005:

• Dale Jr. and Eury Jr. back together this week:  Dale Earnhardt Jr. and former crew chief Tony Eury Jr. will be reunited in time for Sunday's race at New Hampshire. Eury has been Michael Waltrip's crew chief this season. Tony Gibson, Waltrip's car chief, is likely to succeed Eury as crew chief and stay with the No. 15 team for the remainder of the season. Waltrip is leaving with NAPA at the end of the year to drive the No. 23 car for Bill Davis Racing. (Sporting News/Lee Spencer)

• Stewart to appear on Late Show with David Lettermen: CBS says Nextel Cup points leader Tony Stewart is scheduled to appear on the "Late Show With David Letterman" Wednesday. The show airs at 11:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time.  (Scene Daily Newsletter)

• Fennig Wins Wypall Crew Chief of the Race Award

• Lane expected to be named driver of Team Wayans: In Living Color meets NASCAR -- that's the race plan for Star Motorsports' partnership with the entertainment world's Wayans brothers. The Star-Team Wayans car will run in the Nextel Cup Series next season. The Wayanses have pledged their support of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program and plan to eventually field entries in Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. Evernham Motorsports' Tommy Lane, who is black, tops the list of potential Star-Team Wayans drivers. (Yahoo!)

• Imus to air from New Hampshire: New Hampshire International Speedway says Don Imus' nationally syndicated "Imus In the Morning" radio show will air from the track on Friday.  The show, which runs from 5:30 to 10 a.m., is also carried on the MSNBC cable television station.  Tickets, which are $20 each, are available through NHIS Guest Services at (603) 783-4931 or through The Wolf 93.3 FM radio station at (603) 228-9036. All proceeds go to the Imus Ranch in New Mexico for children with serious illnesses. (Scene Daily Newsletter)

• Hmiel to work on car of tomorrow: With Tony Eury Jr. moving back to the No. 8 team, Steve Hmiel will return to his previous post as head of DEI's research-and-development operation and concentrate on building the intermediate-track version of "the car of tomorrow (COT)" for 2007. Hmiel says that several organizations are participating in the process, but it was important for DEI to get a head start, "since this will be the biggest change to come along in Cup since NASCAR moved to smaller cars in '81." (Sporting News/Lee Spencer)

• 32 team not in trouble: Bobby Hamilton Jr. yesterday denied reports that his Nextel Cup team is about to fold. "I know that's been going around but there's nothing to it," Hamilton said of reports that began circulating during last week's race at California and continued in the days leading up to last night's race at Richmond International Raceway. "We've been hiring some new people and making plans and I expect to be back next year." Hamilton, a Nashville native and fourth-generation racer, joined Cal Wells' PPI Motorsports team around mid-season last year, replacing Ricky Craven. He signed a three-year contract. (The Tennessean)

• Team Cap on Chase? NASCAR is looking at putting a cap on the number of Nextel Cup teams that can be owned by one organization, chairman Brian France said Saturday. France said the consideration was not prompted by the fact Roush Racing has five drivers inside the top 10 heading into Saturday night's race at Richmond International Raceway. France said he is more concerned new owners won't be able to break into the sport if they feel it's impossible to compete without a minimum of three teams. "If it gets to that situation, we'll have to do something," France said. "We'll have to cap. We'll have to look at ways to phase in a cap rule." France did not indicate what the cap number might be, but he said existing teams would not be penalized "for operating within the rules." (The State)

• Raabe Racing in Daytona? Edward Raabe won't say yet who his race car driver will be, but Raabe Racing Enterprises is speeding ahead with an $8 million Nextel Cup race team in Daytona Beach. It's a venture local business planners hope will lead to other teams moving here. The team is based out of a 6,000 square-foot facility at 1870 Mason Ave., formerly home to a plastics manufacturing company. The building has been refitted with everything from fabrication equipment for sheet metal and heavy steel, to a chassis dynamometer for engine tuning, to tooling needed for engine modifying. The facility also is home to a graphics operation that can wrap a race car or an 18-wheeler with race-team logos. Raabe Enterprises has a lease with the option to buy the building "but everything else is debt free. We have $8 million invested. It takes in the neighborhood of $10 million to $15 million a year to operate," the owner said. (More at Daytona News Journal)

Sep. 11, 2005:

• Ince in Charge at Cal Wells? James Ince, the irascible crew chief whose energy sometimes seems boundless and whose intensity can be frightening, is back on the NASCAR Cup tour. Car owner Cal Wells has put him in charge of repairing and rebuilding a team that has been struggling mightily this season.  And Ince has a new running buddy on the job site - Eddie Dickerson, a veteran car builder and shop foreman whose behind-the-scenes work at Hendrick Motorsports for the past decade has made him a legend. "Cal told me, 'Fix it,'" Ince said. "So I asked him again, just to make sure: 'When you tell me to 'fix it,' you know what that means?' I've only got one speed." So Ince is Wells' new general manager, on the job observing for 10 days now. How driver Bobby Hamilton Jr. might fit into all this is unclear. Hamilton hasn't said much about his plans for 2006, and has been dodging questions on the issue for the past month.  (Salem-Journal)

• Wallace honored, Rusty Wallace day yesterday: Gov. Mark Warner proclaimed yesterday Rusty Wallace Day, surprising Wallace with the news in the pre-race drivers' meeting. Wallace has won six races at RIR, more than any other driver. "I think I took him a little bit by surprise in the meeting," Warner said. "He said, 'Boy, that's pretty cool. It's not real often you get a day named after you.'" Warner also used the meeting to make another push for Richmond to be awarded the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He was introduced and welcomed everyone to the state of Virginia, "hopefully the future home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame." (Times-Dispatch)

• Dale Jr. leads most popular driver award: With voting now well past 3 million for the Chex NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award, smashing the record for total votes in a season appears to be a foregone conclusion. A total of 3,119,000 votes have been cast, and the record of 3.8 million votes set last year should fall before fan voting ends in 10 weeks. Race fans have been voting at www.mostpopulardriver.com, the official voting site, since February 1. Since General Mills began sponsoring the Chex NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award at the beginning of the 2002 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season, well over 13 million votes have been cast by fans throughout the world. Fans vote at www.mostpopulardriver.com for the only fan-based official award in motorsports. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. continues to lead in the voting. Behind him in the current balloting are second-place Jeff Gordon, followed by Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Rusty Wallace, Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, and Jimmie Johnson. Voting for the more than 40 drivers eligible for the Chex NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award, the only fan-based award in motorsports, began Tuesday, Feb. 1, at www.mostpopulardriver.com and continues through 11:59 a.m. CST, Monday, Nov. 21. Fans may vote once each day at the site. - (Williams Co., Of America, Inc.)

• Chase is set, Busch Wins, Gordon Out, Roush All in: At the end of 400 harried laps under the lights at Richmond International Raceway, nerves were frayed, egos were bruised, Kurt Busch's car was in Victory Lane and the lineup for the "Chase for the Nextel Cup" was set. But the whole evening will be remembered as much for who did not squeeze into the Chase as for who did. Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman, in order, secured the final three spots in NASCAR's equivalent of a postseason, while Jeff Gordon, stock car racing's most recognizable driver and four-time Cup champion, battled a poor-handling car for most of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 and wound up 30th, 83 points out of the Chase. Gordon started sixth, but slipped to 28th after pitting on Lap 115 for a loose lug nut. He continued to run in the rear of the field until Lap 214, when he was forced up too far up the track by Johnny Sauter in Turn 2 and smacked the wall.  "That's it; we're done," Gordon yelled over the radio. (Washington Post - Results - Points)

• R. Gordon and Marlin okay after wreck:  Just 90 laps into the race, Marlin crashed in Turn 2. He had help from Gordon's No. 7 Chevrolet.  Gordon, running behind Marlin and Scott Wimmer, went hard into Turn 1 and cut down in front of Wimmer, but Gordon was carrying too much speed and went up the track into Marlin, which resulted in a trip to the wall. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Marlin let it cool off before returning the favor on Lap 313 by turning dead right into the side of Gordon's car in Turn 2. NASCAR responded by bringing Marlin to pit road for a five-lap penalty. Gordon got his car fixed in the pits. Then, as the caution waved for Wimmer's spin, he charged up through the field to Marlin's car and rubbed up against it. Gordon was brought to pit road for his own five-lap penalty for rough driving.  Soon after that incident, NASCAR made the announcement that both drivers and their crew chiefs were expected in the NASCAR hauler forthwith following the race. On his way out of the NASCAR transporter, Marlin said "We're cool, everything is OK." Gordon, back at his team transporter, was a little more vocal. "I definitely got into him (on Lap 90), and I apologize for that," he said. "I don't know if it was payback for something else I did, but everything's cool. We're good." (NASCAR.com)

• Warning to drivers that may try affect the outcomes: With concerns throughout the garage for rough driving in last night's race having an impact on the Chase, NASCAR President Mike Helton made sure drivers knew it wouldn't be tolerated. "Anyone who chooses to do anything that alters the outcome of the positions in this race or in the Chase, we will act quickly and severely," Helton said. "If we see anyone attempting to manipulate the outcome of this race, the Chase, or any race from here on out, we will handle it. You've never seen that here, and you never will." (Times-Dispatch)

Sep. 10, 2005

• Brian France to open restaurant: Brian France, chairman and chief executive officer of NASCAR, has teamed up with Concentrics Hospitality of Atlanta to launch an upscale but casual restaurant in downtown Winter Park, at the corner of Park and New England avenues. Luma will open to the public Sept. 19 on the ground floor of the recently remodeled Bank of America building, with restaurant entrances on both streets. "We saw a terrific opportunity for us to be part of the revitalization of downtown Winter Park," France said in a written statement about the restaurant, which will seat more than 170 inside, with another 50 in the bar and 50 on the wraparound patio. It will also have space for 50 in a private dining area. Concentrics is a restaurant consulting and management company headed by Robert Amick, who has a track record of success in Atlanta with restaurants such as One Midtown Kitchen and Two Urban Licks. Amick said Luma will be a "neighborhood restaurant with citywide appeal," headed by executive chef Todd Immel. During his career, Immel has worked with top chefs including Guenter Seeger of Seeger's in Atlanta and Daniel Boulud of Restaurant Daniel in New York. (Orlando Sentinel)

• Eury and Earnhardt back together sooner then later? Richie Gilmore, vice president of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., hinted Friday that Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. could be reunited as soon as next week at New Hampshire International Speedway. "If me and Tony Jr. are going to work together next year, that'd be a good idea to begin working on that relationship,'' Earnhardt said. Gilmore said the team announced all its changes for next year to its employees but is waiting to make those decisions public. "We don't really feel like we need to take away from anybody in the chase,'' Gilmore said. "Maybe at Loudon, we'll go there and we'll announce our plans there.'' Gilmore said the team plans to use the last 10 races preparing for next season. (Roanoke)

• Marlin Signs with MB2 motorsports: (Sterling) Marlin confirmed yesterday that he will race the next two seasons for MB2 Motorsports as a teammate of Joe Nemechek. I've got a deal," Marlin said, "and it's a good one." The 48-year-old racer from Columbia will replace Scott Riggs, who is jumping to Evernham Motorsports next year. MB2, based in Concord, N.C., could have followed the recent trend in NASCAR and picked one of a dozen young drivers with a more polished image than Marlin, a self-described "country boy." But team official Jay Frye said "age equates to experience," and that Marlin's lack of pretension is appealing. (Tennessean)

Sep. 9, 2005

• Loomis will not return in 2006: Robbie Loomis doesn't know what he'll do next season, but he does know he'll do something other than serve as crew chief for four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon. "I know that I am getting ready for a change," Loomis said Friday at Richmond International Raceway. "We have been preparing for that for a year, and it could be within Hendrick Motorsports and it might be something completely different." Gordon touched off speculation about Loomis' future this week when he said on NASCAR's teleconference he didn't know if Loomis would be back in his current job. "I'm ready for like a change of season, like winter, fall, spring and summer," Loomis said. "That's been brought on more by the emotions I went through last year with my mom." Loomis' mother, Sally, went through a serious illness last year. "I probably grew more as a person last year throughout the season with what I experienced with my mom than I have all my life," said Loomis, 41. "I know I changed more as a person. Then with what we had happen last October, that helped make me a better person." (Kentucky.com)

• Earnhardt, Jr., Brian France, Helton, among those visiting Walter Reed: With the late afternoon sun glistening off of polished car hoods and new prosthetic limbs, wounded troops recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here gathered to take a peek at a row of NASCAR racecars parked in front of the hospital's Mologne House hotel. The cars were lined up at Walter Reed on Sept. 7 as part of a daylong NASCAR tribute to American servicemembers, many who sacrificed body parts in service to their country. Several NASCAR drivers and executives were on hand to show just how much they appreciated this sacrifice. "They defend everything we believe in. It's very important that the troops know that all Americans support them. And although their job may be difficult, they've got a lot of people behind them," driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. hroughout the day, the drivers and executives visited wounded troops in the hospital wards and hosted a dinner and evening of entertainment for servicemembers and their families. "We live in a great country, and one reason is because of the armed forces," driver Terry Labonte said. "It is nice for us to be able to come here and in a very small way say thank you." Joe Nemechek, driver of the U.S. Army No. 01 car, echoed this sentiment. "All the men and women in uniform who serve this country give us our freedom, and we shouldn't take that freedom for granted," he said. Army Staff Sgt. Justin Shellhammer, 26, who lost his left leg when he stepped on a land mine in Afghanistan on April 5 returned the appreciation. "It's awesome that the NASCAR guys have come out to support the men and women who got hurt. The support is important because it shows that what we're doing is not going unnoticed," he said. Army Staff Sgt. Troy Barns said the NASCAR visit was a good way to lift the "spirits of the guys in the hospital." The drivers attending the dinner, at the Karen Wagner Sports Center on the Walter Reed campus included Labonte, Justin Labonte, Earnhardt, Nemechek, Jamie McMurray, Travis Kvapil, Martin Truex Jr., Ashton Lewis Jr., Carl Edwards and Jon Wood. NASCAR executives in attendance were Brian France, NASCAR chairman and chief executive officer; Mike Helton, NASCAR president; Bill France Jr., NASCAR vice chairman; and Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications. (Lincoln Tribune)

• Martin to be in #6 car in 2006: The only thing that brought a frown to Mark Martin's face after his victory in the International Race of Champions event was a question about his future. Martin has said this would be his final season in Jack Roush's No. 6 Cup car, and a reporter asked him if he still might consider racing in IROC again next year if invited to take part in the four-race all-star series as the defending champion. The 46-year-old Martin acknowledged that was a possibility, then added, "It really looks like I'm going to be in the 6 car next year. It's looking more and more like that all the time." Martin beat Kurt Busch, his teammate at Roush Racing and the reigning Nextel Cup champion, by 2 feet on Thursday night. Shortly after, he was informed all he needs to do to wrap up his fifth IROC championship -- breaking a tie for the record with the late Dale Earnhardt -- is start the final race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 29. Martin said he had planned to spend next season driving a handful of Busch Series races, as well as racing for his own new team in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. But things got complicated recently when team owner Jack Roush signed Jamie McMurray away from Chip Ganassi Racing. (Orlando Sentinel)

• Get your NASCAR AZ. Lottery Tickets: In its continuing quest to take over the world, NASCAR is moving in on the Arizona Lottery. The Lottery has issued new Scratchers tickets that feature images of race car drivers Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth and Jeremy Mayfield. It is all part of the agency's partnership with Phoenix International Raceway to sponsor a race Nov. 10 during the four-day NASCAR Nextel Cup weekend at the raceway. The name of the race is a mouthful: the Arizona Lottery 125 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Series Race.  Whew. Now back to those lottery tickets. They cost $3 each and offer prizes of up to $10,000 and trips to NASCAR races. (AZ Central)

• Earnhardt, Jr. attends fan event talks about team, fans and more: "I'm pretty disappointed that we didn't make the Chase," he said (Earnhardt, Jr.) at a pre-shindig press conference. "But we've got to look forward to what we can do these [closing] 10-11 races to make next year a better year." What went wrong? Got a week? Earnhardt says his engines have been deficient ("I need for my motors not to blow up -- but I don't do motors"). He believes his team has personnel issues ("We'll make some changes"). He concedes he isn't blameless ("I made a lot of mistakes"). He indicated he'll reunite with cousin and 2004 crew chief Tony Eury Jr., whom he scuttled between seasons. He was asked if he thought the partnership would fix what's ailed No. 8 this year. "I damn sure hope so," he replied. He wasn't being testy. Not at all. In fact, for a guy coming off a California-screaming Sunday when he started 41st and wound up 38th after his engine went poof, Earnhardt was in good spirits. He carried that mood on stage a half-hour later. Man's a trouper. Plus, he knows devotion when he sees it. "My fans have been real loyal to me whether we're in the Chase or not," he said. "That's one thing you learn at an early age. If you crash on the first lap, you're not going to look in the stands and see 'em swapping T-shirts." (Times Dispatch)

• VA. Governor Candidate sponsoring #92:  Jerry Kilgore is running two races this fall: one as a Republican for governor of Virginia and another as sponsor in a NASCAR race in Martinsville. Yesterday Kilgore showed off the No. 92 Jerry Kilgore for Governor Chevrolet that he'll enter in the Oct. 23 Nextel Cup race at Martinsville. The car, emblazoned on its hood with an oval orange and blue "Kilgore" insignia, will be part of Hermie Sadler's Virginia-based racing team. (Salem-Journal)

• B. Labonte helping build playground: NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte came to Richmond yesterday and helped build a racing-themed playground in just one day at St. Joseph's Villa. Others from the NASCAR multi-car team owned by Joe Gibbs -- including driver J.J. Yeley and team crew members -- also pitched in, helping more than 200 local volunteers, mostly from The Home Depot. "We envision that every child will have a place to play within walking distance in America," said Jane Duket of Chicago, a representative of KaBoom!, a national nonprofit organization founded by the chain of home-improvement stores. The chain is a sponsor of Gibbs' NASCAR operations. "Over 600 kids will be able to enjoy this playground," Duket said. "The design is based on drawings by the children at St. Joseph's Villa, and their parents and teachers selected the components." Play is vital for every child's development, she said. (Times-Dispatch)

• Bourdais unhappy looking at NASCAR: Champ Car World Series champion Sebastien Bourdais could join Paul Tracy trying to get a job driving a NASCAR Nextel Cup car next season. Bourdais, who finished 10th last night in the International Race of Champions, told Sun Media before the race that he is always on the lookout for a new challenge. The 26-year-old native of Le Mans, France, said that he is not unhappy at Newman-Haas Racing, but that NASCAR certainly would interest him from a racer's point of view. "I don't even know if I would be very good at it," Bourdais said. "But if I could get a test (in a Cup car) I would certainly be interested in trying."  Bourdais proved, however, that he is good at it by winning the IROC race at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this season. (Edmonton Sun)

• NASCAR signs Enterprise as official Rent-A-Car company: NASCAR has signed a deal to see Enterprise Rent-A-Car become the organisation's official rental car company. The deal extends a pre-existing relationship with the sport. Explains Barry Dvoracek, director of marketing communications at Enterprise: "For many years, we have maintained a strong relationship with NASCAR, through sponsorship of such racing greats as Dale Earnhardt Jr. "We're excited to see our relationship with this sport grow. It's a partnership of two industry leaders that makes perfect sense." In addition, Enterprise has become a charter and exclusive rental car sponsor of the NASCAR RacePoints programme which allows fans to earn points toward rewards every time they rent a vehicle from Enterprise.  Under the multi-year agreement, Enterprise will maintain its strong advertising presence, airing television commercials during NASCAR events and related auto racing programming. (Sports Business)

• Martin Wins IROC race at Richmond: Kurt Busch dominated Round Three of the Crown Royal International Race of Champions (IROC) at Richmond International Raceway on Thursday night, but it was Mark Martin - aided by three cautions in the final five laps - that provided him with enough to edge out Busch in one of the closest finishes in the series' 115-race history. On a restart with two laps remaining, Busch, the 2003 IROC titlist, tried valiantly to hold his Roush Racing teammate, before Martin coaxed the nose of his IROC car through the start/finish line a mere .021 seconds ahead of him. Martin's series' best 13th-career victory clinches the 2005 series points title when he starts the last race of the season at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 29, giving him a record-breaking fifth IROC Series crown and the $1 million first-place purse. Matt Kenseth, who started in the eighth position and was in the middle of the pack for much of the race, made a late charge to finish third. IRL IndyCar driver Buddy Rice turned in a strong performance and claimed fourth, followed by NASCAR Busch Series driver Martin Truex Jr. Pole-sitter Scott Pruett rebounded from on track incidents in the first two races registering a solid sixth, followed by World of Outlaws drivers Danny Lasoski (seventh) and Steve Kinser (eighth). Rounding out positions nine through 12 were: Max Papis, Sebastien Bourdais, Helio Castroneves, and Bobby Hamilton. (IROC PR)

Sep. 8, 2005

• Record NASCAR ratings in LA: The Los Angeles market rating for last Sunday's SONY HD 500 rose 47 percent compared to last year's Labor Day race weekend event at California Speedway, according to data released today by NBC. The NBC broadcast of the SONY HD 500 drew a 2.5 rating in Los Angeles, compared to last year's Labor Day race, which finished with a 1.7 rating, and early indications are that the national rating may also rise. Preliminary national ratings show a 5.2 rating and 10 share, up from last year's final 5.1 rating, for race 25 on the "Race to the Chase" for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. "I'm ecstatic to hear of the increased television numbers in Los Angeles. We had tremendous attendance at the speedway, just missing a sellout, but we also had strong viewership in our market, which speaks to the long-term growth of NASCAR in Los Angeles," speedway President Gillian Zucker said. "People in Los Angeles are excited about the sport. They get it. They follow it. Everyday, more and more people are hearing the NASCAR message in Los Angeles, and we are building more fans for the future. We will continue to be aggressive in our outreach throughout the Los Angeles market. "I've heard from so many fans already about how much they enjoyed the atmosphere at the speedway last weekend, from skydivers to concerts, more celebrities in attendance than ever before, improved food options and easy access into and out of the race. Positive experiences like this are infectious, and I'm sure the word will spread about the big-event atmosphere at California Speedway," Zucker continued. "We are committed to bring more new and innovative amenities in an effort to increase the fan experience even further at California Speedway." Earlier this year, California Speedway's Auto Club 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race drew a 4.0 rating in the Los Angeles market, which was a 33 percent increase over the 2004 Auto Club 500 rating of 3.0. National ratings topped out at 7.9, the highest ever for a non-Daytona 500 NASCAR event. (California Speedway PR)

• Final Ratings Up: NBC says its broadcast of Sunday's Sony HD 500 Nextel Cup race at California earned a final 5.2 rating and a 10 share from Nielsen Media Research, a 2% increase over the 5.1/10 in 2004. NBC also says the eight races carried by NBC and TNT so far this season have averaged a 5.0/11, up 11% over last year's 4.5/10 average. (NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)

• NASCAR Fines: NASCAR announced today that Glenn Darrow, crew chief for the No. 37 Dodge driven by Tony Raines in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, has been fined $2,500 for an infraction during last weekend's event at California Speedway. Darrow was fined for an unapproved rear end gear ratio, a violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-CC (Unapproved rear end gear ratio) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rulebook. (NASCAR PR)

• Kansas Speedway announces 2006 Schedule: Next year's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Kansas Speedway will continue to be one of the "Chase Races." The event is the third race in NASCAR's Chase for the Championship, the 10-race stretch that will eventually determine the series champion.  The 2006 schedule comprises the track's RPM Ticket package. Tickets for the six races in 2006 are priced from $200 for the season, continuing the trend that Kansas Speedway is the best buy for a race fan's entertainment dollar, Boerger added. Qualifying dates, still to be determined, will be sold separately from the RPM Ticket. Kansas Speedway will mail ticket renewal forms for 2006 to current season ticket holders in the coming weeks. Once renewals for current ticket holders are processed, remaining seats, if any, will be sold to the general public. Kansas Speedway has sold out every season for the last five seasons. "We always encourage our guests and race fans to purchase tickets to Kansas Speedway early," he said. "Kansas Speedway is quickly becoming one of the hottest tickets in motorsports." For more information, please call, click or come by Kansas Speedway at 913.328.RACE (7223), toll free at 866.460.RACE, www.kansasspeedway.com or 400 Speedway Blvd., in Kansas City, Kan. (Kansas Speedway PR)

• ISC, SMI to buy team Caliber: Motorsports Authentics, the new joint venture of International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc., has bought the Team Caliber collectible company, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.  Team Caliber was owned by Roush Racing owner Jack Roush, and the purchase means Motorsports Authentics will now add Roush drivers Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards to its lineup. The company also would get merchandise rights to Ryan Newman, Joe Nemechek and Brian Vickers, among others.  (NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)

• Crown Royal Program to Benefit Hurricane Katrina Victims: To help aid relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims in the Gulf Coast region, Crown Royal will be auctioning off a custom-built, award-winning Crown Royal Chopper motorcycle, including a helmet signed by the last two NASCAR Cup champions, Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth. Dubbed the "Crown Royal Relief" program, the auction for this one-of-its-kind motorcycle will be live from Sept. 19-29 on eBay, with proceeds going towards Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. For more information on the auction, go to www.crownroyal.com/relief. (Alan Taylor Communications)