|
Stock Car Gazette for Saturday, March 8, 2008by Mike Irwin ~ March 8th, 2008. Filed under: Stock Car Gazette. |
Good morning, and welcome to a rare (from me) Saturday edition of the Stock Car Gazette. We’ve got about 8 inches of snow, and all of our usual Saturday visitation activities are disrupted as a result. So… here’s your Stock Car Gazette!
____________________________________________________________
T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by MotorSportsNews.Net
Do you know for sure?
motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
____________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
www.hascodiecastcars.com
www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR NEW IN-STOCK SITE: www.hascodiecastcars.com
CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR PRE-ORDER STORE: www.diecastcars.net
We Now Have Bud Shootout Win T’s In Stock At www.hascodiecastcars.com.
HASCO Collectibles Is Finally Clearing Out Dale Jr. Bud Merchandise.
All Jr. Bud Items Are Discounted From 25 To 50 Per Cent Off.
Also, All Drivers Clothing Items Are Discounted 40 Per Cent Off.
www.hascodiecastcars.com.
We Also Have Pre-Orders For Most Of The Cup Drivers On Our Pre-Order
Site www.diecastcars.net.
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
www.hascodiecastcars.com
www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
___________________________________________________________
E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
___________________________________________________________
Good morning, and welcome to a rare (from me) Saturday edition of the Stock Car Gazette. We’ve got about 8 inches of snow, and all of our usual Saturday visitation activities are disrupted as a result. So… here’s your Stock Car Gazette!
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
Penalty Parade for NASCAR Officials
by: Doug Turnbull
NASCAR has been busy since Daytona, levying penalties and fines upon several teams. Robby Gordon and his team did not go unscathed, receiving 100 point owner’s and driver’s points penalties, a hefty fine, and a suspension of his crew chief, Gene Nead. The National Stock Car Racing Commission reversed NASCAR’s decision of taking Gordon’s points away, but increased crew chief Gene Nead’s fine.
MORE motorsportsnews.net/archives/1126
__________
Bonfire! The Move
by: Lonnie Bernarde
Nice move by Jeffy to take himself out (fortunately) and at the same time spin Kenseth back a number of spots with only a few laps to go. How often does it happen when the driver who makes the mistake actually ends up in the tool shed while the one he kinda wrecks keeps going?
MORE: motorsportsnews.net/archives/1125
___________________________________________________________
MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette for Friday, March 7, 2008
motorsportsnews.net/archives/1124
Stock Car Gazette for Thursday, March 6, 2008
motorsportsnews.net/archives/1123
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Report: T-Mobile may acquire Sprint
Sprint Nextel may be a takeover target, according to one of the nation’s largest investment banking firms. Deutsche Telekom, owner of T-Mobile and the world’s sixth largest phone company, may consider acquiring Overland Park-based Sprint to block a price war in the mobile phone industry, analysts for Merrill Lynch said today. The Wall Street firm said [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/247559302/
Sprint Cup Practice Times: Atlanta-Earnhardt leads 1st session
Practice 1 (Friday): FIN, CAR, DRIVER, MAKE, SPONSOR, SPEED, TIME, BEHIND 1 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet AMP Energy / National Guard 180.863 30.653 Leader 2 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil 180.533 30.709 -0.056 3 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe’s / Kobalt Tools 180.152 30.774 -0.121 4 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet DIRECTV 179.971 30.805 -0.152 5 16 Greg Biffle Ford Jackson Hewitt 179.936 30.811 -0.158 6 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Cheerios / Betty Crocker 179.924 30.813 -0.160 7 66 Scott Riggs Chevrolet State Water Heaters 179.400 30.903 -0.250 8 20 Tony Stewart Toyota Home [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/247620235/
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of www.Catchfence.com
Jeff Gordon Shares The Kobalt Tools 500 Front Row With Teammate Earnhardt
www.catchfence.com/Speeds/08KOBALT500Lineup.html
2008 KOBALT TOOLS 500 STARTING LINEUP
Pos.No.Driver Make Time Speed
1 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 29.927 185.251
2 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr Chevrolet 29.990 184.862
3 1 Martin Truex Jr Chevrolet 30.162 183.807
4 99 Carl Edwards Ford 30.246 183.297
5 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge 30.254 183.248
6 18 Kyle Busch Toyota 30.310 182.910
7 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet 30.336 182.753
8 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 30.357 182.627
9 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge 30.404 182.344
10 8 Mark Martin Chevrolet 30.406 182.332
11 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 30.427 182.207
12 12 Ryan Newman Dodge 30.439 182.135
13 16 Greg Biffle Ford 30.475 181.920
14 6 David Ragan Ford 30.484 181.866
15 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet 30.491 181.824
16 22 Dave Blaney Toyota 30.499 181.776
17 78 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet 30.504 181.747
18 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge 30.506 181.735
19 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Dodge 30.543 181.515
20 15 Paul Menard Chevrolet 30.553 181.455
21 10 Patrick Carpentier# Dodge 30.574 181.331
22 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota 30.578 181.307
23 40 Dario Franchitti# Dodge 30.582 181.283
24 26 Jamie McMurray Ford 30.628 181.011
25 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge 30.636 180.964
26 7 Robby Gordon Dodge 30.651 180.875
27 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota 30.699 180.592
28 66 Scott Riggs Chevrolet 30.710 180.528
29 2 Kurt Busch Dodge 30.712 180.516
30 00 David Reutimann Toyota 30.732 180.398
31 38 David Gilliland Ford 30.738 180.363
32 20 Tony Stewart Toyota 30.761 180.228
33 77 Sam Hornish Jr# Dodge 30.792 180.047
34 84 Mike Skinner Toyota 30.792 180.047
35 83 Brian Vickers Toyota 30.804 179.977
36 70 Jeremy Mayfield Chevrolet 30.848 179.720
37 96 JJ Yeley Toyota 30.883 179.516
38 17 Matt Kenseth Ford 30.910 179.359
39 5 Casey Mears Chevrolet 31.028 178.677
40 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Owner Points
41 01 Regan Smith# Chevrolet Owner Points
42 28 Travis Kvapil Ford Owner Points
43 44 Dale Jarrett Toyota Past Champion
Did Not Qualify:
49 Ken Schrader
21 Bill Elliott
27 Johnny Benson
08 Burney Lamar
34 John Andretti
* Denotes Rookie
Atlanta Motor Speedway Pit Notes: Kitty Allison Dies At 101: Kitty Allison, mother of legendary NASCAR drivers Bobby and Donnie Allison, died Thursday at the age of 101.
Scouts To Race At AMS: Saturday is Atlanta Motor Speedway’s biannual Scout Day at the Races, when all Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in uniform are admitted free for the day’s festivities, including the Nicorette 300 Nationwide Series race.
By The Numbers: Levy Restaurants Regional Chef Jim Abbey helped put his staff’s job in perspective before this weekend’s Kobalt Tools 500, estimating that his team would through 33,000 nachos, 15,000 hamburgers and 12,000 hot dogs before the checkered flag falls.
Dedicated Worker: When longtime Atlanta Motor Speedway press box worker Patti Young was diagnosed with lung cancer last fall, she was devastated. Not necessarily because she had cancer, but because the timing was terrible: she had the SEC Championship, the Pep Boys Auto 500 and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl all coming up. “I left the doctors and said, ‘Let me go check my calendar,’” said Young, who is also an executive assistant for the Atlanta Sports Council. “I pushed it back a couple of weeks so that I could work the race.” Young had her surgery on Nov. 14, and doctors removed a mass from her lungs, her lymph nodes and the upper lobe of her left lung. She is thrilled to be back working this weekend’s race cancer-free.
AFLAC, Carl Edwards Debut New Duck Commerical: Carl Edwards and sponsor Aflac debuted their new television commercial Friday for the media assembled. The comical spot featured a screaming duck driving alongside Edwards in the race car. Once they “win”, the duck does a backflip and gets the girls, while Edwards is left muttering that he taught the duck those tricks. - Atlanta Motor Speedway, Press Release
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. - thanks!
Analysts say T-Mobile may acquire Sprint
By DAVID HAYES
Sprint Nextel may be a takeover target, according to one of the nation’s largest investment banking firms.
Deutsche Telekom, owner of T-Mobile and the world’s sixth largest phone company, may consider acquiring Overland Park-based Sprint to block a price war in the mobile phone industry, analysts for Merrill Lynch said today.
The Wall Street firm said Sprint’s operational problems and shaky position in the U.S. wireless industry may force the company to cut prices even further to attract customers.
www.kansascity.com/382/story/519407.html
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Google Alerts
Grandpa NASCAR
Nascar - USA
He is not only the oldest, living NASCAR winner, he is also the oldest, living ARCA winner, and he was 95 on June 8th. His name is Lloyd Moore, …
community.nascar.com/blogs/24805
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com
Jeff Gordon On Atlanta Pole
Jeff Gordon put his Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet on the pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race. Battered and still sore from last weeks wreck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Gordon turned a lap of 29.927 seconds around the 1.5-mile speedway. That translated to a speed of 185.251 mph. It was Gordon’s 64th career Sprint Cup pole. Gordon’s teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start on the outside of the front row, he turned a lap of 29.990 seconds for a speed of 184.862 mph. Martin Truex Jr. will roll off in the third spot and last weeks winner Carl Edwards will start fourth. Rounding out the top ten were Bobby Labonte followed by points leader Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin. Five drivers failed to qulalify, Ken Schrader, Bill Elliott, Johnny Benson, Burney Lamar and John Andretti.
Toyota Accuses Roush Of Cheating
The general manager of Toyota’s Sprint Cup program said Carl Edwards’ team knowingly caused a lid to come loose on an oil tank in his Ford because it increased the car’s speed during Sunday’s victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Edwards was penalized 100 points by NASCAR for the missing cover. Roush Fenway Racing has denied the infraction was intentional, saying a bolt broke because of a vibration. The team said it wasn’t certain it achieved a gain in performance. Lee White, GM for Toyota Racing Development, said the manufacturer’s testing at wind tunnels in Germany revealed removing the cover on the oil tank (located in a steel box behind the driver’s seat) resulted in 170 extra pounds of downforce, the aerodynamic measurement of keeping a car glued to the track.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Slowest pole speed at Atlanta since 1995: the 185.215mph pole speed run by #24-Jeff Gordon on Friday, March 7, 2008 for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway is the slowest pole speed since Darrell Waltrip won the pole at Atlanta on November 12, 1995 with the speed of 185.046 mph. The current track record is 197.478mph held by Geoff Bodine and set in Nov 1997, the first race after the track was reconfigured and repaved. The March 2007 pole speed was 193.124mph set by #12-Ryan Newman.(3-7-2008)
Fastest Qualifier by Manufacturer::
Chevy: #24-Gordon, 185.251, starts 1st
Dodge: #43-Labonte, 183.248, starts 5th
Ford: #99-Edwards, 183.297, starts 4th
Toyota: #18-Busch, 182.910,starts 6th
Many Driver comments about the #99 oil tank lid controversy: posted comments from many Sprint Cup drivers about the #99 Roush Racing oil tank cover issue and penalties issued by NASCAR, most seem to think it is intentional, see some of the comments on my #99 Team News and Links page. The post was too large to put on the main pages.(3-8-2008)
www.jayski.com/teams/99.htm
Edwards, Roush respond to NASCAR Penalty: Despite being blasted from nearly every angle by competitors for the loose oil tank lid that allegedly gave them an on-track advantage, Carl Edwards and Jack Roush defended their innocence while fielding questions from the media Friday afternoon. “I swear it was not an intentional thing,” Edwards said. “It doesn’t change what I’m gonna do; I just drive the race car as fast as I can. It’s not my responsibility to tighten that bolt.” Earlier in the day, nearly every fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup driver or owner who was asked about the penalty condemned Edwards and his Roush Fenway team for intentionally loosening the lid. “You can tell a lot about people by the way they act,” Edwards said. “People get worked up about it; we’ve got ‘em where we want ‘em. It’s not a big deal to me personally; it’s almost comical.” For owner Jack Roush, it’s certainly not a laughing matter. While he wouldn’t rule out appealing the decision, he did say he’d made a certain peace with what had transpired. “If NASCAR’s decided that your car is out of variance, regardless if you’re culpable or did it with intent, and then there’s a penalty … that’s fine, just do it every time,” Roush said.(AMS Pit Note)(3-8-2008)
Article about the oil tank controversy and how leaving the cover off can create an advantage:
Stock Car Science:
The Science of …Missing Oil Tank Covers by Diandra Leslie-Pelecky
stockcarscience.com/blog/index.php/2008/03/05/oil_tank_covers
UPS, Toys for Tots announce program: UPS and Toys For Tots will launch a new Literacy Program, officials from both announced Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The mission of this new program is to give books to lower-income children in order to help them succeed in life. David Reutimann, who will take over the #44 UPS Toyota later this month [at Martinsville], will also pilot a special Toys For Tots paint scheme at the California race on Labor Day weekend [8/31]. “Women like to buy shoes; I like to buy helmets,” Reutimann said. “We get a new paint scheme and I get to buy a new helmet.” As a father, though, Reutimann also recognizes the importance of the new Literacy Program. “I think about the simple pleasure of sitting and reading to my daughter, and it’s said to think that some children don’t have that,” Reutimann said. “I’m glad we’re going to be able to give that to them and glad to be able to get a new helmet.”(AMS Pit Notes)(3-8-2008)
Scouts to Race at AMS: Saturday is Atlanta Motor Speedway’s biannual Scout Day at the Races, when all Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in uniform are admitted free for the day’s festivities, including the Nicorette 300 Nationwide Series race. New for this year will be a Pinewood Derby demonstration in front of the Petty Grandstand after the conclusion of the Nicorette 300. Sprint Cup owner Ray Everham and broadcaster Mike Joy will host the event, and all scouts participating will receive a commemorative certificate and a T-shirt that says “I raced at Atlanta Motor Speedway.” To get prepared for the big day, there was a special media flight of the Pinewood Derby held Friday morning in the media center, which was won by five-year-old Will Lanford, son of Atlanta Fox 5 sportscaster Buck Lanford. He clutched the winning Fox-5 “sponsored” car long after the end of the contest, and later had his carved wooden trophy autographed by Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards. The beautifully carved trophy was actually created by Atlanta Motor Speedway’s own Grandstand Supervisor, Shaun Kelley, an accomplished woodworker.(AMS PR)(3-8-2008)
No Indy 500 this year for Robby: DOES THIS MEAN [winning the appeal] YOU [#7-Robby Gordon] WON’T ATTEMPT THE INDIANAPOLIS 500 THIS YEAR? “It was more of a fact if we’re on the outside of the top 35, we really weren’t going to have a shot at making the Chase in 2008, we needed to do something big. Let’s go try to win Indy or something. That’s the pure racer coming out in me that wants to succeed. That deal is off.”(Dodge Motorsports PR)(3-8-2008)
Sad New - Kitty Allison: Kitty Allison, mother of legendary NASCAR drivers Bobby and Donnie Allison, died Thursday at the age of 101. From BobbyAllison.com: The Matriarch of the Allison Family, Kittie (Mom) Allison passed away on Thursday evening, March 6, 2008. She and Ed (Pop) had 13 children, 8 of whom are still living, 25 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. Mom was a devout Catholic and an inspiration to everyone she knew. Born and raised in New Jersey, Mom lived in Miami, Florida most of her life and raised her children there. She and Pop moved to Hueytown, Alabama to be near their family and racing in the 1970’s. A Lifetime Member of the Winston Cup Ladies Auxiliary in Racing (WAM) Mom was always on the racing scene and flew to many tracks with her son Bobby to watch him and Donnie race. For the last few years, she made her home at the Little Flower Catholic Assisted Living Community in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mom will be greatly missed by her family and all who met her over the 101 years of her life.
There will be a Viewing and Rosary Service at Browns Service Funeral Home-West at 2885 Allison-Bonnett Memorial Parkway in Hueytown, Alabama on Tuesday, March 11th — Viewing at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the Rosary being said at 7:30 pm. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Aloysious Catholic Church in Bessemer, Alabama at 751 Academy Drive, Bessemer, Alabama at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 12th with burial following at Highland Memorial Gardens in Bessemer, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to: Little Flower Assisted Living, 8700 Lawyers Rd., Charlotte, NC 28227 or
St. Aloysious Catholic Church, 751 Academy Dr., Bessemer, Alabama 35022 or
Victory Junction Gang Camp.(Bobbyallison.com)(3-7-2008)
www.victoryjunction.org/
Petty’s Donate Atlanta Race Sponsorship to Paralyzed Veterans of America: Petty Enterprises will donate the primary sponsorship of their #45 Dodge at this weekend’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway to Paralyzed Veterans of America. “I would like to express my thanks to Richard and Kyle Petty for doing something good for America’s paralyzed veterans, not just one day a year but year-round. We really appreciate the fact that you guys care,” said Paralyzed Veterans’ National President Randy L. Pleva, Sr. Petty Enterprises announced in November 2007 that Paralyzed Veterans will serve as a primary sponsor on the #45 Dodge Avenger for two races during the 2008 Sprint Cup season at the Richmond in May and Pocono in June. The organization will be an associate sponsor on the #45 Dodge for the remaining 34 races of the season. “I’m honored to have the Paralyzed Veterans of America on board with us for this weekend’s race in Atlanta,” said Kyle Petty, driver of the #45 PVA Dodge. “We need to take care of those who sacrifice so much for us. Paralyzed Veterans is a leading advocate for the improvement in the quality of health care for our veterans. Everyone knows that I care deeply about charitable work, so this is a natural partnership.” “The King” Richard Petty sees Paralyzed Veterans as a great way to give back to those who do so much for our way of life. “From helping our vets get the benefits they deserve to promoting buildings that are wheelchair accessible, Paralyzed Veterans sets a great example of how we should treat our service men and women,” said Petty. “People say that racecar drivers are heroes, but these guys are the real heroes.” For more information visit www.pva.org/petty. Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease.(Petty Enterprises PR), see images of the car on my #45 Team Schemes page.(3-7-2008)
www.jayski.com/schemes/2008/45cup.htm
What began as a debate over whether the infraction was intentional — which is the overwhelming opinion of the Sprint Cup garage — has turned into personal warfare between Jack Roush and Toyota’s Lee White. Roush has badgered White repeatedly since Toyota came into the sport last season, complaining about how the foreign manufacturer stole away crew members by doubling salaries and drove up the overall cost it takes to compete. He even referenced the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. So when NASCAR hammered Edwards with the penalty, which included the loss of 10 bonus points he would get should he makes the championship chase and a six-race suspension for crew chief Bob Osborne, White didn’t hesitate to fire back at his former boss. White, the general manager of Toyota Racing Development, told USA Today on Thursday that Roush Fenway Racing knowingly caused the lid to come off to increase the car’s speed. Roush fired back with claims that White basically cheated during his days as the manager of his road-racing team and that was the reason he didn’t bring him to North Carolina when he moved into NASCAR. He also questioned why White would test a car without the lid or with the side panel pulled out when both are illegal. And then to throw fuel on the fire, Roush said Michael Waltrip’s car wasn’t the only Toyota at the 2007 Daytona 500 that had “jet fuel” in the engine. NASCAR never has revealed what the foreign substance was. Roush and White actually were once friends. White often tells how in 1986 his wife picked out Roush’s first fedora that has become synonymous with the man known as the “Cat in the Hat.” NASCAR officials declined to comment on that topic, but got a kick out of the way Roush and White were attacking each other. Maybe the two simply are following the edict of chairman Brian France and showing more of their personalities.(see full story and many quotes at ESPN.com) snipurl.com/21a89-gazete
___________________________________________________________
Your ad here could be seen by hundreds of dedicated racing fans! Or not.
Contact Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net for rates and information.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of That’s Racin’
www.thatsracin.com
Jack Roush strongly denies claims about team’s intent
Argument isn’t flying with everyone in the garage at Atlanta Motor Speedway
HAMPTON, Ga. – Jack Roush provided show-and-tell Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway to protest his team’s lack of “complicity” in violations found on Carl Edwards’ race-winning car last week at Las Vegas. The rest of the garage, however, seemed far from convinced.
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/11872.html
David Poole’s blog | Where’s the truth?
turn-lane.blogspot.com/
Jarrett, understanding ‘the opportunities I’ve had,’ will race Sunday
www.thatsracin.com/116/story/11903.html
___________________________________________________________
P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
IRWIN Industrial Tools® and NASCAR Driver Jamie McMurray Launch 2008 Search for Ultimate Tradesman
Professional Tradesmen across U.S. and Australia to Vie for Multiple Prizes Including Merchandise, Custom Truck, Garage and $1.26 Million
Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 26 IRWIN Industrial Tools Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing, has again teamed with IRWIN Industrial Tools, a Newell Rubbermaid® company, in a search for the top construction tradesman, now spanning two continents.
The program was launched in Atlanta, GA today and spans from March to November 2008. At 200 local competitions including those held at local retailers and industrial distributors, the fastest and most accurate competitor will take home a Dickies jobsite jacket and either two NASCAR race tickets or a deluxe tool bag full of IRWIN Industrial Tools.
On November 2nd, some 20 Semi-Finalists will compete to win $10,000 and along with a guest will enjoy an all-expense-paid VIP race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.
One week later, November 9th, five finalists will advance from Texas to the Ultimate Championship in Phoenix, AZ. Among the five finalists will be one contestant drawn from similar qualifying events held in Australia. The finalists will compete for a Roush Performance Supercharged Stage III Ford F-150 valued at over $60,000, a 600 square-foot IRWIN Ultimate Garage by Allied Steel Buildings, a year’s supply of Dickies work gear, and a chance to win $1.26 million.
In order to win this year’s IRWIN Ultimate Tradesman Challenge, contestants compete in a timed event in which they utilize an IRWIN chalk reel, tape measure and Speedbor MAX wood boring bit to mark, measure and drill. Contest organizers predict that the fastest contestants will successfully complete their tasks in less than 20 seconds.
For each Challenge participant that competes over the program’s length, it will make a charitable contribution to the Jamie McMurray Foundation, a non-profit organization existing to raise funding for research, education and support of individuals and families afflicted with autism. “IRWIN’s tools and accessories are synonymous with speed and precision,” said McMurray. “This year’s Ultimate Tradesman Challenge will again allow tradesmen to experience those qualities while at the same time helping apply speed and precision to the fight against autism.”
For more details on the IRWIN Industrial Tools Ultimate Tradesman Challenge, visit www.irwinchallenge.com.
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Qualifying Snowed Out: Snow at the track Saturday morning forced NASCAR to cancel Nationwide qualifying. The starting lineup will be set according to last year’s points. Weather should move out of the area in time for the race today.(3-8-2008)
Busch Leads Only Nationwide Practice in Atlanta: Due to morning rain at the track, the Nationwide Series held only one practice session at Atlanta Friday afternoon. #20-Kyle Busch led the session with a top speed of 179.406mph. He was followed by #2-Clint Bowyer, #29-Jeff Burton, #38-Jason Leffler, and #5-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. #41-Bryan Clauson suffered some right front damage from contact with the wall late in the session but the team will make repairs to the car. There are only 43 cars at the track so everyone will make the race. Complete results are posted on the Atlanta Race Page.(3-7-2008)
www.jayski.com/nationwide/2008/next/04atlanta.htm#practice
Fans to Serve as Grand Marshals at Atlanta: This weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the “Gentlemen, start your engines” command may be as loud as the 800-horsepower racecars. That’s because 300 NASCAR fans that are part of Nicorette’s race fan QUIT Crew will proclaim the most famous words in motorsports. They’ll serve as Grand Marshals for Saturday’s Nicorette 300 Nationwide Series race.(NASCAR.com)(3-8-2008)
Reno Takes Over as Crew Chief for Sauter: Phoenix Racing General Manager Marc Reno said Friday at Atlanta that he has taken over as crew chief for Nationwide Series driver Johnny Sauter, replacing Newt Moore. Moore is no longer with the team, sources close to the team said Friday. “We don’t really talk about internal stuff too much,” Reno said when asked about the personnel moves. “If somebody else wants to, that’s fine. We’re over it, we’re on to our next program.” Reno said he would remain as crew chief for “a little while.”(SceneDaily.com)(3-7-2008)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of The Hot Lap
www.TheHotLap.com
Two Atlanta Drivers To Watch - Jeff Burton is the defending NNS winner of last years 2007 Nicorette 300 and also won the Atlanta race in 2006. Jeff is looking to be the first “three-time consecutive” NNS winner in Atlanta and if todays practice is any indication - he’s right where he wants to be. Jeff posted the third fastest practice speeds this afternoon and only -0.301 behind Kyle Busch’s first place speed of 179.406. Jeff Burton will be driving the #29 RCR Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express Chevrolet in Saturday’s event. Kyle Busch is also looking for a win this weekend and based on the momentum Kyle has experienced in the last three NNS races, Atlanta might be his best opportunity to get his first NNS win of the 2008 season. Kyle placed second in Daytona, another second in California and had he not been involved in an accident in Las Vegas, which put him in 31st after the checkered, he may have placed very close to second again if not first after qualifying in third -0.308 behind Jeff Burton who qualified second. Kyle Busch currently holds first place in the NSCS and NCTS driver points standings and only second to Tony Stewart’s first place standings in the NNS. Ironically - Kyle Busch is driving the Joe Gibbs #20 Toyota that normally Tony would be driving - but is sitting out this weekends NNS race. If anyone wants this race it has to be Kyle - who would not only take over the lead in the NNS driver points standings and also become the first driver to ever lead the driver points standings for all three series at the same time. And of course Jeff Burton who is looking for his third consecutive NNS Atlanta win. (TheHotLap) (03-07-08)
___________________________________________________________
C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com
Back to back wins for Kyle Busch: With just nineteen laps to go, rain brought out the caution. #51-Kyle Busch opted to pit forcing many, including then race leader, #33-Ron Hornaday to also pit. When racing resumed, Busch quickly overtook those trucks that stayed out to take over the lead. A second round of rain forced a red flag condition with seven laps still remaining. Busch restarted in first place, and maintained the lead to win the American Commercial Lines 200 at AMS over second place finisher #33-Ron Hornaday Jr. This was Kyle Busch’s third series win at Atlanta; his eighth overall in 39 starts. This was also the third Craftsman Truck Series win for truck owner Billy Ballew at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. set a new track record at Atlanta leading 81 Laps, the previous record was held by Mike Skinner at 67 Laps. Rounding out the top ten were #33-Ron Hornaday Jr. second, # 5-Mike Skinner third, #88-Matt Crafton fourth, #8-Chad McCumbee fifth, #2-Jack Sprague sixth, #59-Ted Musgrave seventh, #60-Terry Cook eighth, #30-Todd Bodine ninth, #21-Jon Wood tenth. There were 18 lead changes among 7 drivers with 4 cautions for 21 laps.
Busch leads driver point standings: #51-Kyle Busch leads the driver point standings following Atlanta with 555; 72 points ahead #30-Todd Bodine in second place. Rounding out the top ten are; #33 Ron Hornaday Jr. third, #8-Chad McCumbee fourth, #23-Johnny Benson fifth, #14-Rick Crawford sixth, #5-Mike Skinner seventh, #11-David Starr eighth, #18-Dennis Setzer ninth, #22-Phillip McGilton tenth.
www.jayski.com/cts/next/2008/3atlanta2008.htm#standings
NASCAR Race Number 3
Unofficial Race Results for the American Commercial Lines 200 - Friday, March 7, 2008
Atlanta Motor Speedway - Hampton, GA - 1.54 Mile Paved
Total Race Length - 130 Laps - 200.2 Miles - Purse: $552,521
Finish Start Trk # Driver Team Laps Points Bonus Award Status
1 3 51 Kyle Busch Miccosukee Resorts Toyota 130 190 5 $56,550 Running
2 1 33 Ron Hornaday Camping World Chevy 130 180 10 $40,575 Running
3 12 5 Mike Skinner Toyota Tundra Toyota 130 170 5 $26,145 Running
4 15 88 Matt Crafton Menards/Energizer Chevy 130 160 ? $17,335 Running
5 2 8 Chad McCumbee Malcolmson Construction Chevy 130 160 5 $15,960 Running
6 5 2 Jack Sprague American Commercial Lines Chevy 130 155 5 $10,660 Running
7 4 59 Ted Musgrave Team ASE/Harris Trucking Toyota 130 146 ? $12,390 Running
8 6 60 Terry Cook Wyler.com Toyota 130 142 ? $12,290 Running
9 7 30 Todd Bodine Lumber Liquidators Toyota 130 138 ? $12,160 Running
10 16 21 Jon Wood The Barnhill Group Ford 129 134 ? $15,610 Running
11 19 14 Rick Crawford Power Stroke Diesel by Int’l? 129 130 ? $11,635 Running
12 14 99 Erik Darnell Northern Tool + Equipment Ford 129 132 5 $11,435 Running
13 8 18 Dennis Setzer Melling Engine Parts Dodge 129 129 5 $11,335 Running
14 11 9 Justin Marks # Crocs Toyota 129 121 ? $12,235 Running
15 24 10 Brendan Gaughan Int’l MAXXFORCE Diesel 129 118 ? $12,485 Running
16 17 22 Phillip McGilton # Three Wide Life Toyota 129 115 ? $11,035 Running
17 20 16 Brian Scott # Shark Energy Drink/Albertsons? 129 112 ? $10,985 Running
18 22 09 Travis Kvapil Zaxby’s Ford 129 109 ? $10,860 Running
19 10 4 Stacy Compton Landmark Dodge Dodge 129 106 ? $10,810 Running
20 25 71 Donny Lia # TRG Motorsports Chevy 128 103 ? $9,010 Running
21 21 11 David Starr Red Horse Racing Toyota 128 100 ? $10,910 Running
22 23 7 Andy Lally # TRG Motorsports/Adobe Road Winery? 128 97 ? $9,410 Running
23 29 15 Marc Mitchell # Hyprene Ergon Chevy 128 94 ? $8,360 Running
24 31 08 Jason White GunBroker.com Dodge 128 91 ? $9,335 Running
25 26 40 Chad Chaffin Key Motorsports Chevy 128 88 ? $8,310 Running
26 18 13 Shelby Howard ThorSport Racing Chevy 128 85 ? $8,260 Running
27 28 46 Scott Speed Red Bull Chevy 127 82 ? $8,235 Running
28 9 6 Colin Braun # Con-way Freight Ford 126 79 ? $8,210 Running
29 27 20 Scott Lagasse Jr Nicholson Group Ford 125 76 ? $8,185 Running
30 13 23 Johnny Benson Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota 110 73 ? $8,160 Running
31 30 07 Shane Sieg ASI Limited Chevy 76 70 ? $8,135 Engine
32 32 0 Butch Miller GunBroker.com Chevy 3 67 ? $8,110 Overheating
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
www.truckseries.com
Busch Nabs Atlanta Victory
03-08-2008 | Tom Jensen, TruckSeries.com
Busch Nabs Atlanta Victory Kyle Busch and his crew chief Richie Wauters used strategy instead of mere brute speed Friday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as Busch stole a victory in the American Commercial Lines 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race. Busch used a late-race pit stop for four tires to propel him to his second consecutive series victory and eighth overall for truck owner Billy Ballew. Crew chief Wauters made the call and Busch knew immediately it was the right one. “How many times have I done that here already and won the race? Twice,” said Busch of Wauters’s decision to call him in to get tires near the end of the race. “We knew that it was going to be the deal. I was kind of surprised when nobody followed me.” The strategic advantage proved key, because while Busch’s Miccosukee Resorts Toyota Tundra was fast, for the first 115 of the scheduled 130 laps, he played second fiddle to three-time and defending NCTS Champion Ron Hornaday Jr., who dominated the night’s proceedings. Starting from the pole, Hornaday and his Kevin Harvick Inc.-owned Camping World Chevrolet Silverado led 81 of the first 115 laps around the 1.54-mile AMS oval.
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000003/000343.htm
___________________________________________________________
Going Through Life With a Yellow Stripe
TruckSeries.com - Dallas,PA,USA
Well I’m going to be here all season sharing with you my experiences as I go though the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Season and my quest for the 2008 …
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000003/000334.htm
___________________________________________________________
A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com
Rookie Kelley, Hixson Pair-Up for Remainder of 08
SODDY DAISY TN (3-8-08) - Coming off of a successful run at Daytona In February, Rookie of the Year contender Brandon Kelley and long time ARCA RE/MAX Series car owner Wayne Hixson have reached an agreement that will put Kelley behind the wheel of the Hixson Motorsports #23 Chevrolets for the remainder of the 2008 season. See Homepage Video
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6207
Owens Getting Ahead of the Roadcourse Curve
DAYTONA BEACH FL (3-7-08) - ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie driver Alli Owens is never one to just sit around waiting for the next race.
The driver of the No. 12 ElectrifyingCareers.com Chevrolet spent last week testing a V8 StockCar Road Racing Series car at the historic Sebring International Raceway. Owens used the chance to turn her career-first laps on a road course.
www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6206
___________________________________________________________
ARCA: Alli Owens Tests V8 StockCar at Sebring, Instructed by ex-F1 …
PaddockTalk - USA
Kennedy competes regularly in a variety of road racing series including the Grand Am Rolex Series, KONI Challenge and V8 Stock Car Road Racing Series. …
snipurl.com/21a7w-gazete
___________________________________________________________
U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of USAR
usarprocup.com
Greased Lightning Takes Title Rights to Southern Division
Friday, March 07, 2008 2:12:00 PM
Myrtle Beach, S.C.-The Hooters Pro Cup Series and Greased Lightning announced today that the Southern Division will be titled the “Hooters Pro Cup Greased Lightning Southern Division” in 2008.
Greased Lightning will join Sears Auto Center, the Northern Division title sponsor, as division sponsors for the upcoming season.
“We are certainly happy to have Greased Lightning back for another year, but we’re extremely pleased about the increased involvement,” said Gene Cox, USAR President. “Having a company like Greased Lightning help grow our racing brand is exciting. Over the years, they have been a great partner both on and off the track, whether it is through at-track displays or setting up visits with underprivileged children. We’re thrilled to have them become the 2008 Southern Division sponsor.”
As part of the agreement, Greased Lightning will remain the “Official Cleaning Product” of the Hooters Pro Cup Series and have on-site sampling at all USAR events, including Northern Division races throughout the 2008 season.
Read more - usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2607
___________________________________________________________
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
History Lesson: Japanese Stock Car Racing
By Mike Garrett
Stock car racing is probably the most polarizing motorsport in the modern world. People either love it or absolutely hate it. Personally I am not a huge fan of present-day NASCAR although I do follow it from time to time and I think …
www.auto-otaku.com/home/2008/03/history-lesson.html
Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BB/030808.html
Subject of Cheating Generates Readers and Mail
by Brenda Benedict
___________________________________________________________
T V * L I S T I N G S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Race Fan TV
snipurl.com/llya-stockc
SATURDAY, MARCH 8
1:30A-2:30 SPEED Trackside at Atlanta Motor Speedway, R
2:30A-4:30 SPEED AMA Supercross by Honda, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, FL, Mar 7/08, R
9:00A-11:00 SPEED NASCAR Nationwide Series QUALIFYING, Nicorette 300, Atlanta Motor
Speedway, Hampton, GA, HD, L
11:00A-12:00n SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup PRACTICE, Kobalt Tools 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway,
Hampton, GA, HD, L
12:00n-1:30P SPEED NASCAR Sprint Cup FINAL PRACTICE, Kobalt Tools 500, Atlanta Motor
Speedway, Hampton, GA, HD, L
1:30P-4:30 SPEED AMA Formula Xtreme Motorcycles, Daytona 200, Daytona International
Speedway, Daytona, FL, L
1:30P-2:00 espn2 NASCAR Nationwide Series COUNTDOWN, Nicorette 300, Atlanta Motor
Speedway
2:00P-5:00 espn2 NASCAR Nationwide Series Nicorette 300, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton,
GA, HD, L (expect green at 2:15P)
4:30P-7:00 SPEED AMA Superbike race, includes an encore of the Supercross and Supercross
Lites from Friday night, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, FL
7:00P-8:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross LITES Series. RCA Dome, Indianapolis, IN, Mar 1/08,
HD, N
9:00P-12:00m espn2 NASCAR Nationwide Series Nicorette 300, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA, HD,
SDD, R
9:00P-9:30 SPEED NASCAR Performance from Atlanta Motor Speedway, N
9:30P-10:00 SPEED Tradin’ Paint from Atlanta Motor Speedway, N
10:00P-11:00 SPEED Acura Project LMP, Part #1, As Acura sets out on its second season competing in the
ALMS, viewers are given a look at its first season ups and downs and testing for year
two.
11:00P-12:00m SPEED IHRA Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam drag racing, recap of the 2007 season, Part #1, N
SUNDAY, MARCH 9 – DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME STARTS (MOVE CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR AT 2:00 A.M.)
1:00A EST- 5:00A EDT SPEED NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series American Commercial Lines 200, Atlanta Motor
Speedway, Hampton, GA, Mar 7/08, HD, R
2:00A EST *** DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME STARTS (MOVE CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR)
3:00A-5:00 EDT espn2 NASCAR Nationwide Series Nicorette 300, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA, HD,
Mar 8/08, R
9:30A-10:00 SPEED My Classic Car, Vintage Grand Prix, Watkins Glen, NY, Sept/08
10:00A-11:00 espn2 NASCAR Now, Nicole Manske, HD, L
10:00A-10:30 SPEED Tradin’ Paint from Atlanta Motor Speedway, R
10:30A-11:00 SPEED NASCAR Performance from Atlanta Motor Speedway, R
11:00A-11:30 SPEED NASCAR in a Hurry, N
11:30A-1:30P SPEED NASCAR RaceDay, a preview of today’s Kobalt Tools 500 from Atlanta Motor
Speedway, L
1:30P-6:00 FOX NASCAR Sprint Cup Kobalt Tools 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA,
HD, L (expect green at 2:15P)
3:00P-4:00 SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP OFF ROAD RACING: Rounds 13 & 14 of the Pro Lite class from Las
Vegas International Off Road Raceway, Primm, Nevada, N
4:00P-5:00 SPEED Summer Shootout, Legends Car, Bandolero and Thunder Roadster racing, Round #10,
Lowes Motor Speedway, Concord, NC, Aug 7/07, N
5:00P-6:00 SPEED National Arenacross Series, Metro Center, Rockford, IL, Dec 2/07
6:00P-7:00 SPEED FIM MotoGP World Championship CommercialBank Grand Prix of Qatar, Losail
International Racetrack, Doha, Qatar, SDD, N
7:00P-8:00 SPEED SPEED Report, N
8:00P-9:00 SPEED NASCAR Victory Lane, Kobalt Tools 500 from Atlanta Motor Speedway, SDD, N
9:00P-10:00 SPEED Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, L
Race Fan TV does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, www.speedtv.com/schedule/
DISC-HDT = Discovery HD Theatre
ESPN-CL = ESPN Classic, US
HDNet = High Definition Network available on DirecTV (Channel 79) and DISH, etc.
Outdoor = Outdoor Channel (US)
VS = Versus (formerly known as OLN, Outdoor Life Network)
Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
___________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2008 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
lists.motorsportsnews.net/mailman/listinfo/stockcargazette
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR PASSWORD, you can have it e-mailed to you from the above SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE link.
Miss an edition of the Stock Car Gazette? Visit the E-ZINE ARCHIVE:
motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/stock-car-gazette/
IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE: The Stock Car Gazette mailing list is maintained completely by MotorSportsNews.Net. Therefore, we can tell you we have not and will not ever share your e-mail address with anyone for any reason.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED without PRIOR written permission from the editor. However, you MAY manually forward an issue by e-mail to your friends IF 1.) The text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY including all subscription and web page information, and 2.) NO FEE is charged. We ALWAYS appreciate readers who report violations of the copyright to webmaster@motorsportsnews.net.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mike Irwin, Owner/Webmaster
E-mail: Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
AIM: motorsportsnews7
www.MotorSportsNews.Net
P. O. Box 668
Nicholasville, KY 40340-0668
859-750-1973
By the way, do YOU know for sure? You can. Click the link.
motorsportsnews.net/you-can-know-for-sure
___________________________________________________________
