Von Hall <von@...> wrote:From: "Von Hall" <von@...>
To: <nextelcup@...>
Date: Fri, 13 May 2005 06:12:25 -0500
Subject: Stockcarfans.com (Nextel Cup) Newsletter - Friday May 13, 2005

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StockCarFans.com (Nextel Cup) Newsletter - Friday May 13, 2005

Good morning and welcome to FINALLY FRIDAY! NASCAR rolls into Virgina this
weekend for another taste of night racing. The locale is Richmond
International Raceway. It's also short track racin so you can bet that
tempers will be flaring. With all the action we've seen up to this point
with mini-fueds you can just imaging what Richmond will be like. I don't
want to miss this one. Qualifying cranks up today as well, it begins at 4:00
eastern. We'll be along a bit later with the results.

Have a great Friday!

--Von

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Courtesy of http://www.racinnews.com/tv.htm

Friday, May 13 (1961-Rich Bickle)
12:00AM Michael Waltrip Celebrity Poker Tournament Semi-Final
Showdown SPEED
1:00AM NASCAR Nation SPEED
2:00AM American Muscle Car SPEED
3:00AM Michael Waltrip Celebrity Poker Tournament Semi-Final Showdown
SPEED
9:00AM NASCAR Nation SPEED
12:00PM NASCAR Nextel Cup HAPPY HOUR Richmond Live! SPEED
2:00PM NASCAR Beyond the Wheel SPEED
2:30PM NASCAR West Series SPEED
4:00PM NASCAR Live! Richmond Live! SPEED
4:30PM NASCAR Busch Qualifying Richmond Live! SPEED
6:00PM NASCAR Nextel Cup Qualifying Richmond Live! SPEED
8:00PM NASCAR Busch Series, Richmond Live! FX

Saturday, May 14, 2005
2:30AM NASCAR Beyond the Wheel SPEED
3:00AM NASCAR Fast Forward SPEED
12:00PM NASCAR Live! Richmond Live! SPEED
4:00PM NASCAR Performance SPEED
5:30PM NASCAR This Morning Richmond - Special Edition Live! SPEED
7:00PM NASCAR Nextel Cup Chevy American Revolution 400, Richmond Live!
FX
11:00PM NASCAR Victory Lane ~ Richmond SPEED

Sunday, May 15 (1980-Shane Hmiel, 1958-Randy Baker)
1:30AM NASCAR Performance SPEED
8:30AM NASCAR Performance SPEED
11:30AM NASCAR Beyond the Wheel SPEED
2:00PM NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ~ Mansfield Live! SPEED
7:00PM NASCAR Speed News SPEED
8:00PM NASCAR Victory Lane ~ Richmond SPEED
9:00PM Wind Tunnel w/ Dave Despain Live! SPEED

----------------------------------
Courtesy of http://www.jayski.com

# Cup Race-Preview Press Releases: many Nextel Cup team/driver pre-race
press release links (and Marketing and Sponsorship links) at the Press
Release Page, links posted on 5-13-2005: Greg Biffle, Dave Blaney, Mike
Bliss, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Robby
Gordon, Jeff Green, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Matt
Kenseth, Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, Jason Leffler, Kevin Lepage, Mark
Martin, Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Kyle Petty,
Scott Riggs, Ricky Rudd, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart, Rusty
Wallace, Michael Waltrip, Scott Wimmer on the Press Release Page.

# Air Freshner in a race car, less anger: With short-track Richmond
International Raceway being the next stop on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit,
don't be surprised to see Scott Riggs piloting his race machine around the
0.75-mile track with an AroMetrics air freshener hanging from the roll cage.
In a recently released study, drivers were found to be more alert and
experienced less fatigue when the scent of pine was added to the car
interior. The study also revealed that drivers demonstrated a decreased
level of anger [hmm.. maybe Kurt Busch, Michael Waltrip and Jeff Green can
get some air freshners] and improved overall driving performance when
exposed to strawberry and pine scents. "It's amazing that something as
simple as a smell can make a difference while you're driving," offered
Riggs, who will be behind the wheel of a specially designed
AroMetrics/Valvoline Chevrolet in this weekend's Chevy American Revolution
400. "Imagine what a nice clean race we could have if everyone had
AroMetrics in the car." The researchers at Wheeling Jesuit University
(Wheeling, W.Va.) who conducted the study, used a car simulator, exposing
participants to pine and strawberry scents, and monitoring driving
tendencies, including lane tracking, speed, collisions, and reaction times,
as well as behavioral factors such as alertness, fatigue, anger and overall
performance. The study used AroMetrics' new Auto Fragrance System air
fresheners as the method of dispensing the scent in the simulated car
environment.(MB2/MBV Motorsports)(5-13-2005)

# Bass Pro Shops to sponsor #07 at Richmond; #31 at Chicago IMAGE: Bass Pro
Shops will be the primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) #07
Chevrolet in this weekend's Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond
International Raceway (RIR) and its #31 Chevrolet in the July 10 Chicagoland
400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Driver Dave Blaney's full-time sponsor, Jack
Daniel's, will be prominently featured on the #07 car's lower quarter panels
and deck lid this weekend. In turn, Cingular Wireless, Jeff Burton's primary
sponsor, will receive prominent placement on the #31 car highlighting Bass
Pro Shops ongoing involvement with RCR. The outdoor retail giant is also the
primary sponsor of RCR's #33 Chevrolet four-race superspeedway program with
driver Kerry Earnhardt. For more information go to
www.basspro.com.(RCR)(5-10-2005)
IMAGES: see a few images on my #07 Team Schemes page.(5-13-2005)

# France says he will not leave NASCAR: NASCAR chairman Brian France
continues to deny any plans to leave NASCAR any time soon, but the
speculation is hotter than ever this week that once France finishes the new
TV negotiations, sometime over the next year, he will, indeed, be moving on.
France won't discuss the family business in any detail, and NASCAR is a
private family venture, unlike the publicly-traded International Speedway
Corp. However, insiders say that France has sold, or is selling, or plans to
sell his shares in NASCAR to the rest of the family. Some of the sport's
biggest and most important figures are wondering who the France family might
pick to succeed Brian if he leaves. There are indications that Jim France,
Brian's uncle and the brother of long-time NASCAR boss Bill Jr., and Lesa
France Kennedy, Bill Jr.'s daughter and the woman running the family's ISC
track operations, are heading the search for candidates.(Winston Salem
Journal)(5-13-2005)

# Rudd to decide by mid-summer whether to retire: #21-Ricky Rudd knows what
he'll do, or at least not do, when he retires. It's just that he doesn't
know if this will be his last NASCAR Nextel Cup season. A season besieged by
accidents and mechanical woes have pinned him deep into the points standings
heading into Saturday night's Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond
International Raceway. That's raised the question of the 48-year-old
Chesapeake native's status. When asked about retirement in January, he said
that if he doesn't run well this year, "then you probably won't see me the
next year." So, is this Rudd's last ride? He says he'll decide sometime this
summer if he'll join Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin in making this his final
Cup season. Both, who announced their retirements last year, are having
solid farewells. Martin is sixth in the points and Wallace 14th but only 42
points behind Martin. When Rudd decides to retire, he says he won't follow
the paths other veterans have taken. He doesn't want to do a full-season
farewell tour just to sell special souvenir items as many have done. Rudd
also says he won't run a partial schedule as Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte
are doing. While Martin has hinted at running a full season on the Craftsman
Truck series next year, Rudd won't. "I see myself not traveling so much,
going off and seeing family that I've neglected for years," said Rudd, who
made his Cup debut at age 18 in 1975 at Rockingham. "I've got a lot of
catching up to do in my personal life." Although Rudd says that he'll spend
a year away from racing once he retires, he admits there's one thing that
could draw him back. "Something in the back of my mind that I wanted to do
was LeMans," he says of the world famous 24-hour race. "I would drive there.
That race has probably lost a lot of prestige over the years in this
country, but as a kid growing up and being into go-kart road racing, that
was a race I used to dream about."(Roanoke Times)(5-13-2005)

# INC to be cut back to 60 minutes? UPDATE yep: hearing that Speed Channel
is considering moving the Inside Nextel Cup show, currently at 90 minutes,
back to the one-hour format later this summer.(5-10-2005)
UPDATE 2: from a Speed Channel interview with new VP of Studio Production
Chris Long
SPEED: Let's talk about some of the other studio shows - any changes coming
for Inside NEXTEL Cup?
LONG: I want that show to be all about letting the viewer feel what it was
like to have been in that week's race -- like a driver or crew chief is
sitting right there with them explaining all of the decisions made during
the heat of battle. INC will return to the 60-minute format, we will utilize
our access to in-car communication much more and I think it is fair to say
you will see some talent adjustments there as well. See full
article/interview at Speed Channel site: New Speed Channel VP of Studio
Production Wastes No Time Getting to Work.(5-13-2005)

# Chevy Rock and Roll Schemes to be unveiled UPDATE - IMAGES: Chevrolet will
give race fans a taste of what they will see when they return to Richmond
International Raceway in September for the Crown Royal IROC, NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series 200, Emerson Radio 250 NASCAR Busch Series and Chevy
Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races. As an official partner and
longtime race sponsor at Richmond International Raceway, Chevrolet plans to
unveil three Rock & Roll themed stockcars on Friday afternoon.(RIR Fact
Sheet)(5-10-2005)
UPDATE: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have 3 Doors Down on his car. Others:
#31-Jeff Burton / Big & Rich; #29 Kevin Harvick / e Gretchen Wilson;
#10-Scott Riggs / Nickelback and #07-Dave Blaney / Drive by
Truckers.(5-11-2005)
IMAGE added the #10 Nickelback and #29 Gretchen Wilson images to the #10
Team Schemes and #29 Team Schemes pages.(5-13-2005)

# Changes at Speed, NASCAR Nation down to 30 minutes? UPDATE 2 Yep: A
shake-up at the top of Fox's Speed Channel is the latest TV shock for
NASCAR, and Fox's decision to let Jim Liberatore go as head of the cable
channel leaves considerable uncertainty about just what's going on.
Liberatore has been running Speed Channel, based in Charlotte, since Fox
bought it four years ago. He cites "a difference in philosophies" for his
departure. According to one source, Liberatore wanted to diversify Speed
Channel again, to include a good mix of all racing. It has become
predominantly NASCAR-oriented. There are also reports that the Speed Channel
's NASCAR Nation show will soon be dramatically revamped, in light of
generally poor ratings. The show is likely to be cut from an hour to 30
minutes, and its focus is to change from hard racing reports to more soft
entertainment features.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-3-2005)
MORE If speed doesn't sell on Speed, then maybe sex will. What else is there
to make of the news from the cable channel that Leeann Tweeden, a one-time
spokesman/lingerie model for Frederick's of Hollywood, a layout model in
Playboy, a Hooters calendar girl, and cover girl for men's magazine FHM,
could be replacing Krista Voda, a veteran sports reporter, on its NASCAR
shows?(Winston Salem Journal)(5-7-2005)
UPDATE: been told that NASCAR Nation will go to a 30 minute [instead of the
current 60 minute] show the last week in June. Krista Voda will be leaving
the show to take a job in Pittsburgh, PA, no replacement yet named and not
sure when she is leaving. The show will concentrate more on the pop culture
and drop the news segment [my favorite part]. The Beyond the Wheel segment
will become its own shown and air on Thursday night.(5-10-2005)
UPDATE 2: from a Speed Channel interview with new VP of Studio Production
Chris Long
SPEED: Any specific changes to the NASCAR Nation format you are ready to
announce?
LONG: It will drop from an hour to a half hour beginning June 27 because it
will no longer have a news element. The show's hosts will change. Krista
Voda made the decision before I arrived to move to Pittsburgh and continue
her career with Fox Sports Net in that area. Ralph Sheheen will return to
Speed News. New hires are pending. I am still looking at tapes. The show's
graphics and set will change. I'm looking for more of a nighttime feel.
Later in the interview it was mentioned: We may add a weekday edition of
SPEED News. See full article/interview at Speed Channel site: New Speed
Channel VP of Studio Production Wastes No Time Getting to Work.(5-13-2005)

# New management for Robby, engine update, Jim Beam news: A new crew chief
and new team manager/car chief have joined the #7 team at RGM. Greg Erwin
and Frank Kerr will assume these roles and make their debut this weekend in
Richmond. The team is confident that Menard Engine Group has solved its
early season engine issues, and is pleased with tests recently conducted at
Lowe's Motor Speedway as well as a number of dyno tests conducted in both
Charlotte and Indianapolis. Sponsor Jim Beam will unveil a public service
announcement on Friday, May 13, at 4:00pm/et in the pressroom at Richmond
International Raceway. Robby Gordon teamed up with IRL driver Dan Wheldon of
the Andretti Green Racing Team to tape a PSA about making sensible decisions
relating to alcohol consumption. The PSA was produced to raise awareness of
Jim Beam's social responsibility platform, drink smart. As part of the drink
smart campaign, Robby Gordon Motorsports will donate $10,000 from a $100,000
fund provided by Jim Beam bourbon, the "Official Spirit of Racing," to
officials from Virginia State University. The check presentation will take
place in the pressroom at Richmond International Raceway, Friday at
4:00pm/et. The donation will fund the University's implementation of The
Century Council's Alcohol 101 PlusTM education program and related alcohol
education activities.(Robby Gordon Motorsports)(5-12-2005)

# Gibbs undergoes heart procedure...last month - back to work and fine: Joe
Gibbs Racing owner [#11,#18,#20] Joe Gibbs was hospitalized for a heart
procedure to open a clogged artery last month, The Washington Post reports.
Gibbs, who is 64 and who coaches the Washington Redskins football team, said
doctors placed a small, spring-like wire tube known as a stent in the artery
at a Washington hospital in mid-April. Gibbs said he remained overnight but
returned to work the next day and was back to his regular workout routine,
which includes a 45-minute run, within several days. "I understand the
public interest, but it has no effect on my work, or my tenure with the
Redskins," he said. "I considered it a private matter."(NASCAR Scene Daily
Newsletter)(5-12-2005)
# Michigan Drops of of NASCAR HOL Bidding: Michigan officials say they won't
submit a pitch for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, narrowing the field to Daytona
Beach and four competitors. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. was
spearheading the effort to put the hall of fame in the Detroit area, but its
vice president, Michael Shore, said Wednesday it has decided not to submit a
proposal. "We really aren't pursuing it," he said. "The governor gave us the
green light to explore it. But when we reviewed the financial commitment it
would take to make one of these really work -- and given the state's
economic situation -- we were talking a lot of money and a long-term
commitment." Michigan's move leaves five cities in the race: Daytona Beach;
Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Kansas City, Kan.; and Richmond, Va. Talladega,
Ala. pulled out of the competition in March.(Daytona Beach News
Journal/AP)(5-12-2005)

Dale Jr. on why he runs well at Richmond today on Rowdy, the racing radio
show you get on your cell phone. With 4 top 5s in his last five races at The
Action Track, Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks for his first win of the year this
Saturday night, and today he talks about why he may well get it. Also on the
show Jimmie Johnson, Robbie Loomis, Charlotte Observer reporter David Poole,
and the ornery "Perfesser" with his wacky look at the points. To check out
Rowdy for free call 1-800-95-ROWDY, or listen to samples of the show and
find out more at www.rowdy.com.(5-12-2005)

----------------------------------
Courtesy of http://www.nascar.com

Friday the 13th won't foil Busch's Busch plans
By Mark Aumann, NASCAR.COM
Because the Funai 250 will be run on Friday the 13th, Kyle Busch may take a
few extra precautions before he climbs into the No. 57 Chevrolet at Richmond
International Raceway. "I can't say I've ever had anything bad happen on a
Friday the 13th when I was growing up, so I'm not too worried about that,"
Busch said. "I am a little superstitious, though. I don't know of many
drivers who aren't. "Mine are the same superstitions you usually hear about.
I've never driven a car with the number 13 on it, and I've never driven a
green car." In addition, Busch doesn't like to count his victories in
advance. "One little superstition I have is I don't like for people to use
the words 'win' or 'Victory Lane' around me on race day," he said. "A couple
of years ago, we won a few races and the crew guys started saying stuff
like, 'See you in the winner's circle,' or 'See you in Victory Lane.' Guess
what? We didn't win another race that year." And one thing you probably
won't see in Busch's wardrobe again: Blue shoes. "Jeff Green wore some one
time in a Busch race at Daytona and ended up flipping down the front
stretch, so he refuses to wear blue shoes," Busch said. "I had a pair last
year and wrecked a couple of times when I was wearing them, so I got rid of
them. "Come to think of it, I've worn blue shoes in my last two Cup races
and wrecked both times. Don't be surprised if you don't see me in them this
weekend." Busch wasn't supposed to defend last year's victory, but when he
missed the field at Texas after a crash in qualifying, the team gave
Spectracide a make-good this weekend.
http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/bg/05/12/kybusch_rich/index.html

Around the Track: Richmond
By Dave Rodman, NASCAR.COM
Richmond International Raceway, a high-speed three-quarter-mile short track,
is one of the NASCAR fraternity's favorite facilities, according to a poll
of drivers, owners and crew chiefs done earlier this year. Richmond's four
turns are banked 14 degrees, with eight-degree banking on the 1,290-foot,
curved frontstretch, which has the start/finish line closer to the Turn 4
end. The backstretch is 860 feet long, with tricky Turns 2 and 3 at either
end. Jeff Burton: Richmond, I think, is one of the best racetracks in the
country, not only for the spectators, but also for the competitors. I just
don't know that there's a racetrack anywhere that has the passing, the
side-by-side action, the speed. I think it's the best facility in the
country. Obviously, being from Virginia, I take a lot of pride in running
well there and at Martinsville. If you ask me what my hometown tracks are,
Richmond certainly has to be one of them. I went to Richmond when it used to
be the Fairgrounds and watched races. I actually ran one Late Model race at
the Fairgrounds, when it was the guard-railed racetrack. I just think that
this racetrack is one of the best in the country -- if not the best in the
country. It's a lot of fun to run on. I think it's fun, it's fast, and it's
a lot of grooves.
http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/cup/05/12/jburton.att.richmond/ind
ex.html

Viewer's Guide: Richmond
By Mark Spoor, NASCAR.COM
Despite being winless so far in 2005, life is pretty good these days for
Dale Earnhardt Jr. He finished eighth at Darlington last week, and Saturday
he heads to Richmond as the defending winner of the prime-time Chevy
American Revolution 400 on FX. To say he's garnering more attention since
his team's turnaround is an understatement. "We're working real hard trying
to get the finishes we know we can get at the tracks we feel confident at,"
Junior said "I'm looking forward to the race this week at Richmond and the
next couple of races after that. Should be exciting." He said his love for
Richmond International Raceway started long before he won last year's race,
his second victory at the .750-mile track. "It was one of the first places I
went to as a kid to watch my dad race," he said. "It was a really neat place
before it was reconfigured, but it's just as cool now. "They did a great job
paving the track last year. We were able to run side by side without any
problems. I really like the line you run there to be competitive, because it
really suits my style."
http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/features/viewers_guide/05/12/richmond.guide/
index.html

Fantasy Preview: Richmond
By Dan Beaver, Special to NASCAR.COM
Richmond is the short track that believes it is a speedway. Its D-shaped
front stretch leans more toward Fontana's 2-mile track rather than
Martinsville's half-mile track, with three-abreast racing on the
straightaways and two-wide in the corners. Make no mistake, Richmond
International Raceway is a short track, and drivers who traditionally do
well on the tracks less than a mile in length will dominate on Saturday
night. Those drivers who perform equally well on the high-grip, high-torque
tracks and the short tracks deserve special attention. It is fitting that
Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned his first two Cup victories at Texas Motor
Speedway and Richmond, and that after posting these successes has never
failed to run strong on the little track in Virginia. Ryan Newman, Jeff
Gordon and Tony Stewart likewise have highlight reels on both types of
racecourses and require more than a cursory look as the weekend progresses,
but Richmond is also kind to dark horses, offering up top-10 finishes to 12
drivers for the first time in the last three years. Fans will see democracy
in action at the "action track." Saturday night under the lights will give
every fan some reason to cheer.
http://www.nascar.com/2005/games/05/12/rir.preview/index.html

Old DW's gift of gab reaches new generation
By Mike Harris, The associated Press
When Cale Yarborough dubbed Darrell Waltrip "Jaws," it certainly was not
meant as a compliment. Yarborough, who often battled bumper-to-bumper with
Waltrip on the racetrack and jaw-to-jaw off it, liked to say: "That guy just
never shuts up." Waltrip, who often refers to himself as "Old DW," chuckles
when reminded of those long-ago run-ins with his fellow three-time NASCAR
champion, and his reputation as one of the most outspoken drivers in the
sport's history. "It's funny if you think about it," Waltrip said. "Now I
make a pretty decent living talking." That he does. Waltrip, who retired
from NASCAR's top stock car series following the 2000 season, is a color
analyst on Fox Sports TV's coverage of Nextel Cup racing. Combined with the
latest in high-tech electronics and cutting-edge graphics, Fox commentators'
"down home" style of humor and their relaxed approach in the booth -- they
often sound like race fans sitting and jawing about their favorite sport in
a sports bar -- has reinvented TV race coverage. Waltrip, who went from a
hated villain in his early driving days to a revered elder statesman before
he retired, has been a big part of that. His inventive "Boogity, boogity,
boogity!" -- shouted as the field takes the green flag for the start of the
race -- has become a signature line.
http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/cup/05/12/bc.car.nascar.olddw.ap/i
ndex.html

FitzBradshaw race team has football mentality
By John Zenor, The Associated Press
The FitzBradshaw Racing team draws from the quarterback's calm-under-fire
presence and the linebacker's fiery emotion. Terry Bradshaw and Armando Fitz
are ex-football players who partner on the Busch racing team, with
management styles that mesh with each other -- and their former positions.
Fitz was a four-year starting linebacker for Vanderbilt. "If something
happens on the track, he's throwing stuff," FitzBradshaw driver Tim Fedewa
said. Bradshaw is a folksy ex-quarterback who won four Super Bowls with the
Pittsburgh Steelers. "Terry, believe it or not, he takes a step back and
looks at the whole thing and keeps Armando calm," Fedewa said. "They balance
each other out real well." Together, Fitz and Bradshaw are nurturing the
up-and-coming racing team toward a move up to Nextel Cup competition. In the
meantime, Fitz and his Pro Football Hall of Fame partner have had to learn
that losing is a big part of NASCAR. "That's probably been the hardest thing
for him with this sport," Fitz said. "Both of us grew up playing football.
When we both showed up on game day, we had a 50 percent chance of winning.
With this sport, there's only one winner and 42 losers.
http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/bg/05/12/tfedewa_fitzbradshaw.ap/i
ndex.html

----------------------------------
Courtesy of http://www.thatsracin.com/

Charlotte's NASCAR hall bid faces tough competition
By SCOTT DODD AND MICHAEL GORDON
Three cities appear to be leading the race for the NASCAR Hall of Fame:
Atlanta, Kansas City and Charlotte. That's what racing insiders and sports
experts tell the Observer. And some say Charlotte - despite being home to 90
percent of NASCAR's race teams and launching a high-profile push to win the
hall - isn't necessarily the favorite. Charlotte has racing history on its
side, but Atlanta has big money, big tourist numbers and big corporate
support. Kansas City, Kan., in the center of the country, may appeal to
NASCAR executives who want to keep pushing the sport westward. Of the other
locations that expressed interest, Michigan dropped out of the race this
week, saying it would cost too much; Florida lawmakers refused to provide
the Daytona Beach effort with $30 million in public money; and Richmond,
Va., is considered a long shot. NASCAR has said nothing about its
preferences, much less who will make the decision and how it will be made.
"It's almost like going to a job interview and you think they're looking for
somebody strong in certain areas, but they may be looking for something
entirely different," said Ed Clark, president of Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"You won't know until you get there."
http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/11638033.htm

Rusty Wallace leads all active Cup drivers at Richmond
Rusty Wallace leads all active Nextel Cup drivers at Richmond International
Raceway with six victories, the last of which came in March 1997. That last
win was part of a string of 14 consecutive top-10 finishes by Wallace on the
0.75-mile Richmond track. Wallace, who has three top 10s in his last four
starts at Richmond, also leads all active drivers with 21 top fives, 29 top
10s and 3,023 laps led.

Bitter feud now a partnership
Mayfield drives the No. 64 for former teammate Wallace
There was a time when Jeremy Mayfield and Rusty Wallace traded verbal barbs,
argued incessantly and couldn't agree on the time of day, let alone a race
car setup. And that was when they were teammates. Now, four years removed
from their pairing at Penske Racing South, the two Nextel Cup drivers -
Mayfield at the prime of his career, Wallace in his final season - are
enjoying the kind of friendship they wish they had as teammates. The
relationship now is one of owner and driver. Wallace has enlisted Mayfield
to drive for his team in several NASCAR Busch Series races this season.
Mayfield's next appearance in Wallace's No. 64 Dodge is the May 28 Carquest
300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord. Jamie McMurray, who splits time in
the car with Mayfield, is entered this weekend at Richmond, Va.
http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/sports/motorsports/nascar/series/ne
xtel_cup/11629478.htm

-----------------------------------
Courtesy of http://insiderracingnews.com/

Ticket Sales Off For Coca-Cola 600
At a time when Charlotte is trying to woo a NASCAR Hall of Fame, ticket
sales for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway aren't keeping pace.
The track has sold just over 100,000 seats for the May 29 race, speedway
President Humpy Wheeler told the Observer on Wednesday. That's a "few
thousand" behind last year's sales at this time, he said, declining to be
more specific. The track is one of the largest in racing, with about 170,000
seats. The 600 is traditionally on Memorial Day weekend, capping off almost
two weeks of racing. Wheeler attributed the drop to high gas prices, the
economy and bad memories of a rain-shortened race two years ago. Officials
are expected to update ticket sales sometime this week. The track in Concord
had an off year in 2004, too, with a 10 percent drop in overall sales
throughout the year. The loss was offset some, though, by corporate sales
and sponsorships.
To read more...(That's Racin')

Michigan Drops Out Of HOF Race
Michigan officials say they won't submit a pitch for the NASCAR Hall of
Fame, narrowing the field to Daytona Beach and four competitors. The
Michigan Economic Development Corp. was spearheading the effort to put the
hall of fame in the Detroit area, but its vice president, Michael Shore,
said Wednesday it has decided not to submit a proposal. "We really aren't
pursuing it," he said. "The governor gave us the green light to explore it.
But when we reviewed the financial commitment it would take to make one of
these really work -- and given the state's economic situation -- we were
talking a lot of money and a long-term commitment." Michigan's move leaves
five cities in the race: Daytona Beach; Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Kansas
City, Kan.; and Richmond, Va. Talladega, Ala. pulled out of the competition
in March.(Speed News)

Darlington TV Ratings Soar
An estimated 75,000 pairs of eyes witnessed the 2005 Dodge Charger 500 at
Darlington Raceway from the infield and the sold-out grandstands. More than
100 times that number watched the race on television. According to figures
released by the FOX network, the Dodge Charger 500 was the highest-rated
prime time NASCAR event ever broadcast by the network. The race had an
average viewership of 9.3 million, up 10 percent over FOX's one previous
primetime race broadcast so far this season. The 5.6 rating and 11 share
easily won the Saturday evening ratings war for the network over CBS (4.7),
ABC (4.7) and NBC (4.5). The race also posted a 3.6 rating (13 share) among
the critical prime time demographic of Adults 18-49, placing FOX first for
the night by a wide margin. ABC was second in that demographic with a 2.4
rating, and CBS was third with a 1.9.(Darlington Raceway)

N.C. Governor Nearly Wrecks Racecar
Gov. Mike Easley, making a loop around two blocks on streets cleared of
traffic, nearly crashed another race car Tuesday but still managed to launch
the state's efforts to keep hold of NASCAR. Easley fired up the No. 48
Lowe's car, once driven by Jimmie Johnson, in front of the Executive
Mansion. He roared out of the gates and attempted a "burnout," gunning the
engine to spin the back tires and produce squeals and smoke, but the car
spun too far around. The car nearly smacked a Mercedes and a utility pole
before stopping against the curb, according to witnesses. The mishap came
two years and a day after Easley smashed into the wall at Lowe's Motor
Speedway while driving the same car at about 120 mph for charity. It was
later repaired. Staff from Hendrick Motorsports, which owns the car, helped
push it back from the curb Tuesday, and Easley was on his way. The close
calls, however, were not over. Police had blocked off the streets on his
route but apparently forgot about the exit from the state science museum
parking deck, where a van started to pull out. Easley swerved and recounted
the incident later. "I didn't `tap' him," Easley joked, "but I gave him one
of those waves people don't like to see."
To read more...(That's Racin')

----------------------------------
Courtesy of http://www.catchfence.com/index1.html

World WaterSki Pros Towed Back To Daytona International Speedway For 2005
Pepsi 400: What do stock cars speeding around the track at more than 180
miles per hour, and ski jumpers soaring through the air in excess of 200
feet have in common? They will both be featured at the Pepsi 400. World
WaterSki Pros, LLC (WWSP) announced today, together with Daytona
International Speedway, they will bring the highest level of professional
waterskiing back to the "World Center of Racing" during the Pepsi 400
weekend June 30-July 2, 2005. - More

NASCAR Team Owner Felix Sabates Honored With The Carolinas' 2005 Fathers of
the Year Award: On Wednesday, NASCAR team owner Felix Sabates (along with
five other fathers) was named the Carolinas' 2005 Fathers of the Year. The
well-known Charlotte/Metrolina Area businessmen were selected by the
National Father's Day Council, which honors fathers for their outstanding
commitment to their children and the values of fatherhood. They will be
honored at the Carolinas' 5th Annual National Father of the Year Awards
fund-raiser on June 3, 2005, benefiting the American Diabetes Association
(ADA).
- American Diabetes Association PR Contributed

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