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Did You Know
In 1978, Dale Earnhardt replaced African-American driver Willy T. Ribbs at the last minute after Ribbs didn’t show up for practice due to receiving a ticket for driving the wrong way down a one-way street a few days before a race. This turned out to be a 5 race deal driving for Will Cronkite.
from Jeff
Momma,
This shouldn't be a suprise to you. But I say way to go Bill France!!!!!!!!!!
NASCAR is realizing that there are other AMERICAN made cars and trucks,
worthy to be involved in NASCAR. Like I have said before several of the
cars are manufactured here, and now all of the trucks will be, since the
annoucement of the new plant in San Antonio. By the way the Tundra was
fought for and developed right here in the great old USA. Why should
NASCAR deny another AMERICAN manufacture the right? If they have the technoligy
and money to get involved. Are the big 3 afraid and their fans too!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Roberts, Sealy Texas
Not afraid Jeff, just most of the viewers feel that Toyota isn’t a “true” American made car. Now don’t go getting mad at me, I just report what I read here!
ELLIOTT
PULLS OUT OF POPULARITY BALLOT
After being voted NASCAR's most popular driver 16 times, Bill Elliott
has announced that he is removing his name from the ballot this year to
let other drivers have an opportunity to enjoy the same level of fan support.
"I've had such a loyal fan base for so many years, it's been incredible,"
said Elliott, who edged Dale Earnhardt Jr. in last year's voting. Grands!
Biscuits will again sponsor the voting on the Web site, www.mostpopulardriver.com.
Balloting will begin Thursday and run through Nov. 17. The National Motorsports
Press Association, which runs the contest, has said that whenever Elliott
retires, the award will be renamed the Bill Elliott Trophy.
Look for a NASCAR blitz Saturday in more than 2,800 Wal-Mart stores across the United States, this week's Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports. Senior writer Bill King says that the event is scheduled to be the highlight of a 20-day "NASCAR Fan Days" promotion. The event scheduled the day before the Daytona 500 will feature in-store radio and TV featuring NASCAR drivers and premium product placement and point-of-sale support for participating sponsors and licensees. As part of a Kodak promotion, for instance, fans can have their pictures taken alongside cutouts of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte and Mike Skinner. Other sponsors include Coca-Cola, Kellogg, Energizer, Solo and Kraft-Nabisco's Oreo and Planters products. Gee….can you guess where I’m gonna be on Saturday?
James Finch has bought Buckshot Jones' shop in Spartanburg, S.C., and plans to move his full-time Busch Series and part-time Winston Cup operations from their present location in Lynn Haven, Fla., in the next few months. Finch, who is teaming with Chip Ganassi to field Dodges for Jamie McMurray and David Stremme this year, says he will go for the Busch Series championship in 2004.
Mike McLaughlin will drive a Dodge owned by Tommy Baldwin in the Feb. 22 Rockingham 200 Busch Series race at North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham, Winston Cup Scene reporter Rick Houston has learned. The entry will be funded by donations from friends and fans, which also got the New York native to this week's season-opening Busch Series race at Daytona. McLaughlin and his wife, Katie, had received $80,000 as of Feb. 11, and had more promised. Winston Cup drivers Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte donated uniforms to be auctioned off, while Greg Zipadelli and Todd Bodine have each chipped in.
Richmond International Raceway and General Motors today announced a three-year contract under which GM's Pontiac and Chevrolet divisions will continue to sponsor the track's NASCAR Winston Cup races. Pontiac will also continue to serve as the official car and official pace car, and Chevrolet will continue to serve as official truck and official pace truck for the track. This will be the 16th consecutive year Pontiac has sponsored the May race and the fourth straight season Chevrolet has sponsored the September race.
Kentucky Speedway says Budweiser has extended its marketing agreement as the "Official Beer of Kentucky Speedway" through 2005. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the track says Budweiser will receive a luxury suite, race event tickets and facility signs as well as advertising and promotional considerations.
By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski, two drivers who compete on dirt tracks in the World of Outlaws series, drew the front-row starting spots for Friday's 2003 International Race of Champions series opener.
Lasoski had never raced on a paved oval or on a track even half as big as the 2.5-mile Daytona track before running in the IROC series a year ago. Kinser has raced in the IROC series three times before and won a race at Talladega in 1994.
IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish and Winston Cup's Jimmie Johnson got the Row 2 starting spots.
Johnson was saddled with the pink-colored IROC car when Mike Bliss drew it along with the sixth starting spot and was allowed to swap colors with anyone ahead of him in the starting order. Bliss took the red car from Johnson and will start in it on Row 3 alongside Felipe Giaffone from the IndyCar series.
Winston Cup's Ryan Newman, Mark Martin and Kurt Busch and IndyCar's Helio Castorneves round out the top 10. Defending IROC champion Kevin Harvick starts 11th with Greg Biffle starting last.
Also... Penske Driver Did A Little Damage: Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace, both in a Dodge for Penske South Racing, also required repairs on crumpled fenders following yesterday's session. - Florida Times-Union
There's some good, some bad and some ugly in Twin 125s
By DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - There is lot more to lose than there is to gain
for most
drivers in Thursday's Gatorade 125s at Daytona International Speedway.
Winning one of the 125-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500 will get a driver on the evening highlights shows, but it certainly provides no guarantee for success in Sunday's main event.
Rain washed out the qualifying races in 1968, but in the 43 years they've been run and used to set starting positions for the 500 only seven times has a driver won his qualifying race and then gone on to win the 500 in the same year. The last to do it was Dale Earnhardt in 1998.
"We're going to go and try to win the race," Kevin Harvick said. "I think that's what we have to do. I think that's the only way to approach it. Otherwise, I think you're going to get yourself in trouble and lose a lot of spots from where we qualified."
Harvick was sixth fastest in Monday's time trials, but all that assures him of is starting third in the second of Thursday's 50-lap races.
While Jeff Green and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have the front-row starting spots for Sunday locked up, nobody else yet knows where - or, in some cases, if - they'll start the 500. The top-14 finishers in Thursday's first race, aside from Green, get the inside starting spots on rows 2 through 15 on Sunday's grid. The top 14 aside from Earnhardt Jr. in the second race will line up in the outside spots on those rows.
If something should happen to Harvick's car Thursday, he's assured of a starting spot for Sunday by the speed he ran on Monday - spots 31 through 36 on the grid are filled by the six-fastest cars from qualifying that don't finish in one of the transfer spots in the 125s.
The final seven spots are saved for provisionals and will be doled out to the remaining cars entered based on last year's car owner points standings.
If a team didn't have a good qualifying day on Monday and didn't do well in the points last year, Thursday will be a very stressful day.
"The 125s mean different things to different teams," said Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 21 Ford. "There are a lot of guys here who that race is the only race they're thinking about. They're not even thinking about the Daytona 500 because ... if they don't do well in the 125s, they won't have a Daytona 500."
Rudd's not in that boat. He was fifth fastest on Monday so the worst he could start on Sunday would be 33rd.
"Our goal is to get through it in one piece," Rudd said. "The biggest thing we want to do is have a car to run in the 500 and come out of it with a good starting position. If you go into it and end up three- or four-wide and have the attitude of going out to win the race or knock the wall down, that doesn't make sense for us in our position."
Kurt Busch knows the other side of the equation. In each of his first two seasons in Winston Cup the driver of the No. 97 Ford knew he needed to race his way into the 500 on Thursday.
“It has been tremendously nerve-wracking because we were so far back in the points and we qualified so poorly," Busch said. "We finished 12th and 11th and barely squeaked by the number. There's a different feeling going into this year's race."
That's because Busch finished third in the points last year, locking him in the safety zone no matter what transpires Thursday afternoon.
Greg Biffle, Busch's rookie teammate at Roush Racing, has a little more to worry about. His team can't count on a provisional, and while his 21st-fastest qualifying lap is likely to be enough to get him into the 500 on speed if need be, nothing's assured until the smoke clears Thursday.
"Hopefully, the racing in the top 10 won't be as frantic as the race from about 13th to 17th," said Biffle, who starts 11th in the first race Thursday. "That's where they're fighting for that transfer spot. "I'm starting near the top 10 so, hopefully, I can stay there and not get in that rat race."
Dave Blaney was only 44th fastest Monday in his No. 77 Ford, but he's 16th in line to get a provisional when the racing starts Thursday.
"It would be a pretty freakish deal to get us knocked out of the 500," he said. "There would have to be a big wreck in front of the pack or maybe both races. You can think and worry about that all you want, but if we race like we should we ought to be able to make it easy. We'll go after that first and then, if it doesn't happen, worry about the rest."
ThatsRacin.com Report
It just seems there are a million ways to make Sunday's Daytona 500. The Charlotte Observer's David Poole breaks it down for us:
Step 1: The Front Row
Jeff Green and Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned the front-row starting spots in qualifying on Monday.
1. Jeff Green
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Step 2: Gatorade 125s
The top 14 finishers from today's first 125-mile qualifying race other than Green get the inside get the inside (odd-numbered) spots on rows 2 through 15. The top 14 other than Earnhardt Jr. from the second race get the outside starting spots on those rows.
Odd-numbered starting spots are filled in Thursday's first race; even-numbered spots are determined in the second.
Step 3: Qualifying speeds
Drivers with the fastest speeds from Monday's qualifying who didn't earn their way in through the 125s fill positions 31 through 36. (On the list below, cross out the 28 cars qualified through the 125s, then put the next six in spots 31-36): 31, 15, 21, 29, 88, 18, 40, 45, 42, 9, 25, 6, 32, 48, 1, 19, 22, 38, 16, 74, 41, 33, 17, 09, 23, 0, 24, 97, 10, 12, 14, 01, 7, 43, 5, 54, 60, 49, 11, 2, 4, 77, 99, 02, 37, 90, 78, 20.
The remaining spots go to teams highest in the 2002 car owner points standings not otherwise qualified. (On the list below, cross out cars already in the field, then put the top seven in the remaining spots): 20, 6, 97, 24, 48, 12, 2, 40, 17, 38, 8, 99, 9, 32, 30, 77, 10, 45, 5, 22, 41, 19, 33, 43, 1, 23, 01, 25, 4, 54, 14, 7, 11, 49, 90, 02, 09, 74, 0, 37, 16. Confused? LOL…I’ll send out the starting lineup on Friday.
1. (30) Jeff Green, Chevrolet.
2. (31) Robby Gordon, Chevrolet.
3. (21) Ricky Rudd, Ford.
4. (88) Dale Jarrett, Ford.
5. (40) Sterling Marlin, Dodge.
6. (42) Jamie McMurray, Dodge.
7. (25) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet.
8. (32) Ricky Craven, Pontiac.
9. (1) Steve Park, Chevrolet.
10. (22) Ward Burton, Dodge.
11. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford.
12. (41) Casey Mears, Dodge.
13. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford.
14. (23) Kenny Wallace, Dodge.
15. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet.
16. (10) Johnny Benson, Pontiac.
17. (14) Larry Foyt, Dodge.
18. (7) Jimmy Spencer, Satellite Radio Dodge.
19. (5) Terry Labonte, Chevrolet.
20. (60) David Green, Chevrolet.
21. (11) Brett Bodine, Ford.
22. (4) Mike Skinner, Pontiac.
23. (99) Jeff Burton, Ford.
24. (37) Derrike Cope, Chevrolet.
25. (78) Mike Harmon, Chevrolet.
1. (8) Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Chevrolet.
2. (15) Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet.
3. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet.
4. (18) Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet.
5. (45) Kyle Petty, Dodge.
6. (9) Bill Elliott, Dodge.
7. (6) Mark Martin, Ford.
8. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet.
9. (19) Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge.
10. (38) Elliott Sadler, Ford.
11. (74) Tony Raines, Chevrolet.
12. (33) Christian Fittipaldi, Chevrolet.
13. (09) Mike Wallace, Dodge.
14. (0) Jack Sprague, Pontiac.
15. (97) Kurt Busch, Ford.
16. (12) Ryan Newman, Dodge.
17. (01) Jerry Nadeau, Pontiac.
18. (43) John Andretti, Dodge.
19. (54) Todd Bodine, Ford.
20. (49) Ken Schrader, Dodge.
21. (2) Rusty Wallace, Dodge.
22. (77) Dave Blaney, Ford.
23. (02) Hermie Sadler, Pontiac.
24. (90) Kirk Shelmerdine, Ford.
25. (20) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet.
By BOB POCKRASS Staff Writer
A lawyer for Brooke Gordon said Wednesday the goal in serving subpoenas to NASCAR team owners at Daytona International Speedway is not to disrupt their preparations for the Daytona 500.
Ray Evernham was served at the track Tuesday and asked to appear in Daytona Beach for a deposition Friday concerning Brooke's divorce with four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon.
"Mr. Evernham spoke at length with Gordon's lawyers and experts, and we want to find out what he told them and what he provided them," said Brooke Gordon attorney Terry Young. "It's only fair." A lawyer talking about fair? Isn't that like a blind man talking about the blue sky?
Young said he would be open to discussions to postpone the deposition. If they do not come to a resolution and Evernham does not appear for the deposition on Friday, a judge could find him in contempt of court.
"We're just trying to get facts," Young said. "We're not trying to harass anybody."
Volusia County deputies attempted to serve five subpoenas at the Speedway on Wednesday, but both times the people they were looking for could not be located.
"NASCAR officials have been cooperative," sheriff department spokesman Gary Davidson said. "They looked for the individuals we're seeking to serve and both times they were not there."
Evernham went outside the track to receive his papers Tuesday. The car owner for Jeremy Mayfield and Bill Elliott, Evernham has been frustrated with how his cars have been doing in addition to the legal wrangling he was going through Wednesday to possibly challenge the subpoena.
"How can you not let it affect you?" Evernham said. "My cars aren't running as good as I'd like and I'm trying to keep my own troops' morale up. I'm getting pulled outside to meet with sheriffs and I'm on the phone with attorneys when I should be on the phone with carburetor tuners, engine guys and body guys.
"It's been a distraction but what goes around and comes around."
Gordon's wife, Brooke, filed for divorce last March. Brooke's attorneys have been seeking information on how much teams pay their drivers.
Evernham was the crew chief for three of Jeff Gordon's Winston Cup titles.
"He's got to stick his guns," Evernham said. "I'm one of his friends in the garage area and support him. It's just not fair."
bob.pockrass@...
Reasons for Toyota's acceptance into the NASCAR community...
1. Toyotas are made in America as much as Detroit iron is made in Canada and Mexico.
2. It's fun watching newcomers flounder around at the back of the pack.
3. Be wary! This Toyota invasion may be revenge for George Sr.'s indiscretion at the dinner table several years ago in Japan.
4. First salsa and, now, teriyaki!
5. In light of recent events, we might need to see Asahi and Kirin alongside Bud and Miller.
6. To borrow a phrase from Will Rogers, NASCAR's never met a solvent corporation it didn't like.
7. During the development years, some fans will have fun reading the Toyota TRD stickers.
8. Why not a Japanese truck! Several NCTS stock drivers are sumo-sized anyway!
9. YUM! Grits and sushi!
10. The picture we all want to see: Mike Helton in a kimono sitting on the floor trying to eat nachos with chopsticks.
Author Unknown
We witnessed carnage of an unbelievable sort on Wednesday in Daytona, the death of one of our own. Not many people know our plight, but maybe now with the national exposure that the NASCAR has brought to us, people will understand. This is the story of Sammy the Seagull. He lived a fairly normal life, as far as seagulls go. But he was always plagued by the NASCAR nemesis. The circle of life has befallen Sammy the seagull, in the 90's his father Sammy Sr. lost his life when he flew into the #3 car driven by Dale Earnhardt. He gave his life to keep Dale from winning.
Sammy got up on the morning of February 12, 2003 like any other morning. I know because I spend the day foraging food from the beach and the parking lot of the mall across the lake. Everything was going good. It was a morning just like any other, we knew they were back. The loud beasts were there. They circle the lake like vultures, only so much faster and all different shapes and sizes.
Sammy had learned from prior experiences of his father in when he took on Dale Earnhardt and the rest of the 43 beast pack and his cousin Ernie took on Dale Jarrett in 1996 that he was no match for the 43 beast pack. Sammy's plan was fool proof or so he thought. It was a simple plan. Wait until the right beast came along by himself and jump him. Two wing power was no match for one of them. But Sammy had one too many fish at the lake and he wasn't as fast as he thought. Wonder what these beasts eat, Sammy thought, because it doesn't slow them down. Too many fish and Budweiser cans from the infield proved to be his demise. He saw the beast with two 9's coming out of the turn. His heart raced and his anticipation grew. This was his moment. Now was his time. He had to seize the day. He took off and began his quest for revenge. Don Quixote made his final charge. Less than a second later, it was over. This was no ordinary windmill. Sammy has gone to be with his father and cousin at that great landfill in the sky. All that remained were a few feathers and a dent on the beast with nines. Rumors are circulating that it was actually suicide after hearing of Toyota's announcement entering the NASCAR CTS. Sammy always wanted to be cremated and his ashes thrown over Lake Loyd, well he got part of his wish granted.
Let this be a reminder to all of us this weekend, those beasts on the track aren't the only warriors in town. That is my story. It's sad but true. Hey is that a leftover Big Mac in the parking lot. Gotta go!
Note: It has been rumored that NASCAR is now looking into their policy of fans in the infeild due to Sammy's death.
Your
Momma
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