Well, you apparently survived the sea of green yesterday, and are ready for another dose of Stock Car Gazette, containing all the latest NASCAR Sprint Cup news? We’re happy to oblige.

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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
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The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:

Hasco Collectibles
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We Now Have Dale Jr.’s Mountain Dew Retro Scheme For Pre-Order,
Including The 1/64th Scale In A Mountain Dew Soda Can. We Also
Have The Kyle Busch 1st Toyota Win, J. Force Castrol 40th, And
Mark Martin Principal 700th Start Impala SS For Pre-Order.
Plus We Have Pre-Orders For Most Of The Cup Drivers On Our Pre-
Order Web Site At: www.diecastcars.net.

We Have 2008 AMP/NG/Dupont/Lowes/Cheerios/Home Depot, Bud,
Jack Daniels, Wells Fargo, Bass Pro, Fed-Ex, Nicorette, And
More At Our In-Stock Web Store www.hascodiecastcars.com.

HASCO Collectibles Is Still Clearing Out Dale Jr. Bud Merchandise.
All Jr. Bud Items Are Discounted From 25 To 50 Per Cent Off.
All Drivers Clothing Items Also Are Discounted 40 Per Cent Off.
www.hascodiecastcars.com.

Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
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Lufkin, TX 75904
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hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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TV Times - Atlanta Sprint Cup Race Viewer Ratings Up Over 19 Percent
by: Lou Modestino

The overnight ratings went up! Fox’s broadcast of that Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway earned a 5.6 overnight Nielsen Media Research rating and a 12 market share, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reports. The rating is 19.1 percent higher than the 4.7/10 the race earned overnight last year.

MORE: motorsportsnews.net/archives/1148
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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Bowyer Wins Rain-Shortened Sharpie Mini 300
motorsportsnews.net/archives/1144

I Will Miss You, Dale
motorsportsnews.net/archives/1145

Track Trash – Bristolized
motorsportsnews.net/archives/1146

Stock Car Gazette for Monday, March 17, 2008
motorsportsnews.net/archives/1147
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N A S C A R * S P R I N T * C U P * S E R I E S
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Harvick irked by Stewart’s spotter
There were fireworks late in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, but they weren’t between Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart. Yes, Harvick dumped Stewart in Turn 1 with two laps remaining, but the two friends weren’t exactly fighting mad at each other after the race. Their spotters? That’s another story. While Harvick said he and [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/252722261/

Jarrett honored as he ends NASCAR career
Dale Jarrett received a standing ovation in the drivers’ meeting in honor of his final points race. He then told the drivers to enjoy their careers “because we all have one time in this, and mine has been fantastic.” The 1999 Cup champion also was honored during prerace introductions, receiving a “Tennessee Volunteer” rifle similar [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/253071906/

NASCAR to add practice day to Darlington race weekend
Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition, says that Darlington Raceway will host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice on the Thursday prior to the May 10 Dodge Challenger, so drivers will have more time on the tires being used there. Pemberton said that Goodyear officials want to return to “reverify” the results from a recent [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/253210223/

NASCAR shoots down test team idea
Could a dedicated NASCAR test team and driver help the tire situation in NASCAR which sees drivers unhappy with Goodyear tires year in and year out? “You’ve got to have the best drivers and teams you can test tires,” Pemberton said. “You can’t have guys that don’t stand on the gas test tires. You can’t have [...]
feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/253221757/
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. - thanks!

NASCAR cracks down
NASCAR is racing to clamp down on counterfeit merchandise in the Carolinas and beyond.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23668619/from/ET/

Sunday’s Cup race was a sellout, so why were there some empty seats? It’s the economy, stupid, says Lee Spencer in the Scorecard.
snipurl.com/220bn-gazete

The “McGee: Who doesn’t love a little team beatdown?” story is located at
snipurl.com/220bp-gazete
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Courtesy of Becky’s Fast Tracks Racing Newsletter
www.nascarnutscanada.com/

Toyota not invited to 2nd Darlington test
Quote selected text Published March 16th, 2008 in NASCAR News
Goodyear is going back to Darlington Raceway for another test on the newly paved surface, and once again a Toyota won’t be involved. Greg Biffle (Ford), Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet) and Ryan Newman (Dodge) will all return to Darlington in two weeks to help Goodyear find a suitable tire for when the series races there in May.
autoracingsport.com/nascar/toyota-not-invited-to-2nd-darlington-test/
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Courtesy of Google Alerts

Speedway concerts unveiled
Cincinnati Enquirer - Cincinnati,OH,USA
Emerging country artist Palmer will perform prior to the season-opening ARCA RE/MAX Series Buckle-Up! Kentucky 150. Smashmouth will take the prerace concert …
news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080317/SPT/803170417
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com

Labbe Leaves Bill Davis Racing
Richard “Slugger” Labbe, who was crew chief of the No. 27 Bill Davis Racing car, has parted ways with the team, a BDR spokesman confirmed Monday. The team, which had Jacques Villeneuve penciled in to drive before sponsorship fell through, skipped the race last week at Bristol. Labbe has been a crew chief at several race teams, including Dale Earnhardt Inc., MB2 Motorsports/Ginn Racing, Robert Yates Racing and Evernham Motorsports. He was the Daytona 500 winning crew chief in 2003 with driver Michael Waltrip.

Bristol Ratings Up
Fox’s broadcast of Sunday’s Food City 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race earned an overnight Nielsen Media Research rating of 5.0 and an 11 market share, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reports. The rating is 2 percent higher than the 4.9/11 the race earned overnight for Fox in 2007.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

batch of images added from Las Vegas, Atlanta and Bristol…..
#17 USG Sheetrock, #22 CAT Paving, #01 Coors Light, #19 Stanley, #24 Nicorette, #88 National Guard, #10 Valvoline, #5 Pop Tarts, #99 Dish Network from Las Vegas;
#28 Zaxby’s, #10 Cintas, #77 Penske Truck Rental, #16 Jackson Hewitt, #18 Snickers, #20 Home Depot Anniversary, #40 Fastenal from Atlanta;
#10 Charter, #21 Motorcraft, #17 DISH Network, #44 UPS, #19 Stanley Tool, #7 RVs.com, #16 Jackson Hewitt, #49 Qtrax, #01 DEI/Principal, #40 the Hartford, #28 11 Million from Bristol all added to my Paint Schemes Gallery.(3-18-2008) www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm

Jayski on radio: will do a short interview today [March 18th] On Pit Row at 5:10pm/et, the show airs Tuesday’s 5:00 - 7:00pm/et - streaming live at www.OnPitRow.com.

Terry Labonte could return to racing? Two-time Cup champion Terry Labonte has enjoyed his cameo appearances at the track and would do so again. “A couple of years ago I ran some races for a team and they called me about this race and that race,” Labonte said Monday, chuckling while recalling the story. “I said, ‘Man, I’ve already got a fishing trip planned, and invited a bunch of my friends and stuff. They’ve already made their plans. I can’t change them.’” Labonte and his past champion provisional would be available, under the right circumstances. Labonte subbed three times for Michael Waltrip in 2007 to help guarantee the #55 Camry a spot in the field, and told the Richmond Times-Dispatch last year he would’ve helped old boss Rick Hendrick had Casey Mears fallen out of the top 35. But Labonte made it clear that an appearance would be less about a past relationship and more about running at tracks that he enjoys. He admitted that he’d love to compete at the road races, where his proficiency is well-noted, and he also mentioned short tracks like Richmond as a preference. More than anything, he doesn’t want to have a negative effect wherever he goes. “Like I told one guy, the only way I’d be interested in doing it is if everybody’s onboard with it,” Labonte said. “‘Cause I don’t want this [driver] to think I’m trying to take his job, because the last thing I want is his job. If I could help them, I would.” With Dale Jarrett’s retirement from points competition, his provisional is out of play. Labonte’s past champion provisional from his 1996 title would take precedence over Bill Elliott’s crown from 1988. Teams are considering switching owner points with past champions to guarantee spots in the field-Matt Kenseth/Jamie McMurray and Terry’s brother Bobby Labonte/Kyle Petty serving as examples-but the champs are running well enough that racing their way in on speed is likely, giving Terry Labonte’s provisional value.(Long Island Press)
AND [Petty Racing] Team officials planned to meet Monday afternoon to discuss options for the #45 car, including the possibility of putting another driver temporarily behind the wheel. Petty Enterprises could switch points between Petty and Bobby Labonte, who could get in on a past champion’s provisional if he failed to make it on speed. But their obligations to sponsor General Mills, which backs Labonte’s car, make that a long shot. A more viable option might be calling on another Labonte — Bobby’s brother Terry, also a past champion, who Petty Enterprises was thinking of putting in the #45 car for road course events anyway. “We could do the Bobby thing, but we don’t want to do that because of the sponsor thing,” team vice president Robbie Loomis said Sunday. “We could call on brother Terry. He might be willing to help us out a little bit. We could use him to start the race. He’s got the championship status like they have with Bill [Elliott] and with Dale Jarrett. So that’s an option for us, too. But ultimately, we’d like to leave Kyle in there as the driver of the car, and have him make the race.”(NASCAR.com)(3-18-2008)

MWR Installs Jet Edge Waterjet Cutting System: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) has installed a Jet Edge precision waterjet cutting system at its fabrication shop in Cornelius, N.C. MWR plans to use its Jet Edge system to cut parts for its three Sprint Cup Series teams and Nationwide Series team. MWR and Jet Edge also announced their new technical partnership, which will give MWR access to Jet Edge’s latest waterjet-cutting technology and position Jet Edge as a leading waterjet technology supplier to the $19.5 billion performance racing industry. With construction of its new fabrication shop completed, MWR has begun increasing its in-house manufacturing capabilities, explained Dr. Eric Warren, MWR’s vice president and technical director. One of its first steps was to acquire waterjet-cutting capabilities that have become essential to NASCAR teams as they race to fabricate parts under extremely tight deadlines.(MWR PR)(3-18-2008)

Trickle skipping races this season: Dick Trickle had plans to run select races in the Midwest this summer, but those plans will be put on a hold. Wirphotos.net has been told Dick Trickle had to have heart surgery in which 2 stints/shunts were put in. Trickle won’t be able to wheel a car this season per doctor orders. Trickle has drove a car prepared by Tim Rothe over the last couple a seasons and has told Tim Rothe not to prepare a car for him as he will be taking this year off.(Wirphotos.net)(3-18-2008)

Race and Commercial Breakdown of the Food City 500 at Bristol
Total number of commercials: 127
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 63
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 42
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 4 min. 30 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 2:01pm/et
End time to record race/commercial periods: 5:17pm/et
Total minutes: 196
Minutes of race broadcast: 138
Minutes of commercials: 58
Number of missed restarts: 1 (and one near miss)
Total race brdcst time 138 Total comm. brdcst time 58
See full report at CawsnJaws.com.(3-17-2008)

DW presented #11 Mountain Dew Buick Regal: Three-time Cup champion Darrell Waltrip, who leads all drivers with 12 wins at Bristol Motor Speedway, received a surprise gift from Ralph Santana of PCNA VP Sports , Media and IMG, on behalf of the Mountain Dew Racing. Waltrip, who is currently a television analyst form FOX, was presented the #11 Mountain Dew Regal he drove during back-to-back championship seasons in 1981-1982. During those two years, he captured 24 captured flags, 12 in 1981 and another dozen in 1982. His streak of seven consecutive victories at Bristol Motor Speedway began with a sweep of both Cup events in 1981 along with both Bristol events in 1982 and 1983 along with the spring race in 1984. The Owensboro, Kentucky native garnered 84 career wins in 809 starts and he sat on the pole 59 times with career winnings of $19,416,618. Waltrip’s 84 victories ties him with Bobby Allison for third in series wins. He has also been named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers.(TriCitiesSports)(3-17-2008)

NNS driver changes: Johnny Sauter and Phoenix Racing have parted ways…as did Kenny Wallace and Fitz Motorsports..
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Courtesy of www.motorsport.com

Week 6: Top 12 - and beyond
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 17, 2008) — Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 along with other notable drivers, going into the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30.
1 — Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)
* Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 119.6 …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=282574
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
www.scenedaily.com

Does Bristol sweep mean RCR is back on top?
Jeff Burton’s win at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday may have been greeted with teasing from his teammates, who finished second and third, but it appears to be a signal that Richard Childress Racing is back in top form.
snipurl.com/220b5-gazete

Burton not too old to shine in NASCAR
BRISTOL, Tenn. Jeff Burton turned 40 last year, but the Richard Childress Racing driver is far from done in his NASCAR career, and his victory in Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway earned him still more respect from his RCR teammates.
snipurl.com/220b8-gazete

Lee Montgomery: NASCAR isn’t easy to predict
You know what the best part of covering this wacky sport we call NASCAR is? The complete unpredictability.
snipurl.com/220b9-gazete

Jarrett closes out career with disappointing finish
BRISTOL, Tenn. Dale Jarrett made his Cup series debut in 1984 with a 14th-place finish. He ended his career Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway with a less-than-desirable 37th in the Food City 500.
snipurl.com/220bb-gazete

With ‘elbows up,’ Almirola grabs career-best finish
BRISTOL, Tenn. The best finish veteran Mark Martin could get in four starts this season in Dale Earnhardt Inc.s No. 8 Chevrolet was a 10th at Las Vegas. But rookie Aric Almirola drove the No. 8 to an eighth-place finish in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday.
snipurl.com/220bc-gazete
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Contact Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net for rates and information.
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
www.thatsracin.com

Biffle bumps Edwards out of No. 2 spot
Kyle Busch maintains hold on top of ThatsRacin.com rankings
Only Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have three top fives in first five races
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/12269.html

Door opens and Burton leaps through for Bristol win
www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/12219.html
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Courtesy of www.Valvoline.com

Yes, He REALLY Said That
Dale Jarrett, on his NASCAR career. “If you gave me a chance to go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t have changed a thing about it.”
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N A S C A R * N A T I O N W I D E * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com

Phoenix Releases Johnny Sauter
Johnny Sauter was released today by Phoenix Racing just five races into the 2008 Nationwide Series season. Sauter was 17th in the standings, and the team is already on its third crew chief. “I got a call this morning from [general manager] Steve Barkdoll and he just said that pretty much my driving services weren’t needed anymore,” Sauter said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “I understand that race teams have to do from time to time … what they have to do to try to improve their program. … It’s a tough deal, I’m sure, and it’s a tough call to make. “As far as me losing my job, it stinks. What are you going to do?” Phoenix Racing officials opted not to comment on the driver change Monday. The 29-year-old Sauter drove in Cup last year for Haas CNC Racing with the team’s start-up second car. He put that car in the top 35 in points and finished 30th overall in the driver standings. He posted one top-five and also was second in the Nextel Open. “I am proud of the fact that we set out with a new team to get established in the top 35,” said Sauter, who put his team in the top 35 after five races (missing one) and was locked in the rest of the season. “A lot of people would say that’s old news, but there are a lot of teams right now in Sprint Cup that would relish the fact to be in the top 35. “It wasn’t all me. I had good stuff. We had Hendrick power, a good team and good equipment.” With Haas CNC Racing making a change after last season and putting Jeremy Mayfield in the No. 70 car, Sauter had hoped to rebound at Phoenix Racing, where he had finished 12th in points and collected one victory in what was then the Busch Series in 2005.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

#36 Team Cutting Back Schedule; Wallace to the #28: Fitz Motorsports’ Shark Energy Drink #36 Nationwide Series team will temporarily slow operations, effective immediately. Kenny Wallace drove the car in the first five Nationwide Series events this season. A number of different factors led to the decision. “Sponsor money for the #36 Dodge was based on distribution of Shark Energy Drink,” said team owner Armando Fitz. “While the initial response was terrific, it’s taking longer than anticipated to generate enough funding to run the #36 car competitively in the Nationwide Series. “We’re going to scale the #36 team back and put a full effort toward our #22 Supercuts Dodge,” Fitz added. “Kenny Wallace has an opportunity to drive for another Nationwide Series team and we certainly don’t want to hold him back. Kenny has been a great friend and supporter of our program, and he deserves to be racing full time.” Fitz Motorsports will customize a race program for Shark Energy Drink as more distribution outlets are found and product is sold.(Fitz Motorsports PR)(3-17-2008)
AND: Rusty Wallace said on NASCAR Now tonight that Kenny will drive the #28-Jay Robinson Border Patrol car.(3-17-2008)

Sauter and Phoenix Racing Part Ways: UPDATE: After a challenging start to the Nationwide Series season and several key personnel changes including the release of both newly hired crew chiefs, Jon Wolfe and Newt Moore, #1 Phoenix Racing and Johnny Sauter have amicably parted ways. Sauter who just last year brought a brand new team into the top-35 in Sprint Cup points, is available to another organization effective immediately.(3-17-2008)
UPDATE: Johnny Sauter was released today by Phoenix Racing just five races into the 2008 Nationwide Series season. Sauter was 17th in the standings, and the team is already on its third crew chief. “I got a call this morning from [general manager] Steve Barkdoll and he just said that pretty much my driving services weren’t needed anymore,” Sauter said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “I understand that race teams have to do from time to time … what they have to do to try to improve their program. … It’s a tough deal, I’m sure, and it’s a tough call to make. As far as me losing my job, it stinks. What are you going to do?” Phoenix Racing officials opted not to comment on the driver change Monday.(SceneDaily.com)(3-17-2008)

Chase Miller Making 2008 Debut at Nashville: Chase Miller makes his 2008 Nationwide Series debut Saturday driving the #9 Valvoline Dodge at Nashville Superspeedway. The 21-year-old Georgia finished 22nd at the 1.3-mile tri-oval in June – his first race with the Gillett Evernham Motorsports team.(GEM PR)(3-17-2008)
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Courtesy of The Hot Lap
www.TheHotLap.com

Johnny Sauter was released today by Phoenix Racing just five races into the 2008 Nationwide Series season. Sauter was 17th in the standings, and the team is already on its third crew chief.“I got a call this morning from [general manager] Steve Barkdoll and he just said that pretty much my driving services weren’t needed anymore,” Sauter said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “I understand that race teams have to do from time to time … what they have to do to try to improve their program. … It’s a tough deal, I’m sure, and it’s a tough call to make.“As far as me losing my job, it stinks. What are you going to do?”Phoenix Racing officials opted not to comment on the driver change Monday. The 29-year-old Sauter drove in Cup last year for Haas CNC Racing with the team’s start-up second car. He put that car in the top 35 in points and finished 30th overall in the driver standings. He posted one top-five and also was second in the Nextel Open.“I am proud of the fact that we set out with a new team to get established in the top 35,” said Sauter, who put his team in the top 35 after five races (missing one) and was locked in the rest of the season. “A lot of people would say that’s old news, but there are a lot of teams right now in Sprint Cup that would relish the fact to be in the top 35. “It wasn’t all me. I had good stuff. We had Hendrick power, a good team and good equipment.” With Haas CNC Racing making a change after last season and putting Jeremy Mayfield in the No. 70 car, Sauter had hoped to rebound at Phoenix Racing, where he had finished 12th in points and collected one victory in what was then the Busch Series in 2005. But 2008 has been just as frustrating for the Phoenix team as last year was when its teams were 22nd and 26th in the standings.“They probably came off a pretty tough season last year, and they felt like they went out and got Hendrick motors and felt like that was going to fix their program,” Sauter said. “It was a step in the right direction, but you’re not going to fix your program overnight.”Sauter also has spent time with Richard Childress Racing, where he teamed with Kevin Harvick to win the 2003 Busch Series owners title.“It’s going to be hard to find a ride, especially at this point of the season, but all you can do is call [teams],” said Sauter, who has three career Nationwide victories. “All I’m asking for is to be competitive, whether it’s truck, Busch, Cup whatever. Late Models. You just want to run well. … I just want to be team player and feel like I can make a difference.” Phoenix Racing has a history of making driver changes early in a season. It released Johnny Benson after 10 races in 2004 and released Jason Keller after eight races in 2006. (Scene Daily) (03-17-08)
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C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

Images added: Added photos taken at Atlanta Motor Speedway; #71-Donny Lia, #60-Terry Cook, #59-Ted Musgrave, #51-Kyle Busch, #46-Scott Speed, #18-Dennis Setzer, #7-Andy Lally, #5-Mike Skinner, #4-Stacy Compton. To view, visit the 2008 Paint Scheme Gallery.(3-17-2008) www.jayski.com/schemes/2008trucks.htm

Key Motorsports working on development program for Dustin Skinner: Key Motorsports has established a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver development program for 22-year-old son Dustin Skinner - the youngest son of former NCTS driving champion Mike Skinner. That project entered the action phase recently whenthe parties tested for two days at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida - Dustin’s home track. The game plan is to raise enough money from sponsors to continue the testing process and to run Dustin in a maximum of six NCTS races in 2008 beginning with half-mile venues. Upcoming NCTS races at the Mansfield Motorsports Park in Ohio, the Milwaukee Mile; Kentucky Speedway; the O’Reilly Motorsports Park in Indianapolis; the Gateway International Raceway outside of St. Louis, and the Texas Motor Speedway are the target venues. Key is committed to the program but needs sponsorship support to maintain it.The first priority for the program is to secure financial support for the program and Key’s #44 race truck and to allow for more testing opportunities. As more money is secured, more races will be added to the schedule that will provide Dustin with the experience that will ultimately have NASCAR approving him for all tracks up to 2 miles in length.(Key Motorsports PR)(3-17-2008)

Blood, Sweat & Tears 40th Anniversary Tour prerace concert at Kentucky: The Blood, Sweat & Tears 40th Anniversary Tour will make a Kentucky Speedway stop July 19 to set the stage for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers. While traversing the world, the band has generated album sales in the millions and a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Vocalist Rob Paparozzi, will join bassist Gary Foote, trumpeters Steve Janikowski and Teddy Mullet, keyboardist Glenn McClelland, drummer Andrea Valenti and trombonist Jens Wendelboe to perform favorites such as “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “More and More,” “God Bless the Child” and many more.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-16-2008)

Sprague most consistent at Martinsville test: Jack Sprague in the #2 KHI Chevy, was the most consistent atop the speed charts at the Martinsville two-day test session. After having the fourth-fastest speed in the first session Wednesday, Sprague topped the evening session at 94.387 (20.062) and the morning session Thursday at 95.675 (19.792). Sprague was second-fastest at 94.106 (20.122) in the final session.(nascar.com)(3-14-2008)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
www.truckseries.com

Martinsville Test Bolsters Team Confidence
03-17-2008 | TruckSeries.com Report
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series held their final NASCAR-scheduled test for the season last week at Martinsville Speedway. The test at the .526-mile oval is the only NASCAR-scheduled test done on a short track. Two of the next four races on the series’ schedule will take place on short tracks beginning with a return to Martinsville on March 29. Testing at the track also provided teams the opportunity to gather information beneficial for not only short tracks, but some of the flat tracks on the 25-race schedule. Drivers and teams left the test satisfied with the results.
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_08/articles/000003/000392.htm
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com

Logano, Venturini Motorsports ‘Rock’ Ready
CONCORD NC (3-17-08) – Venturini Motorsports has announced that it has teamed with ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Joey Logano for the upcoming Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway.

Logano, 17, is a development driver under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner.

“Since the Toledo race last year, we’ve been working with J.D. Gibbs from Joe Gibbs Racing to try and help their new, up and coming drivers gain some experience in the bigger ARCA RE/MAX Series cars,” said series veteran driver Billy Venturini.

[Read More] - www.arcaracing.com/news.cfm?contentid=6235
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Travis Kittleson Takes Sixth In First Pro Cup Outing of 2008
Young Driver Wastes Little Time Getting Up to Speed with JCR3 Team at Lakeland
MOORESVILLE, NC (March 17, 2008) — Usually it takes a little bit of time for a new combination of driver and race team to mesh with each …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=282572

Matt Hawkins Starts Out Pro Cup Season With Second at Lakeland
20-Year-Old Competitor Leads Southern Competition in Point Standings
CANTON, GA (March 17, 2008) — There’s no shame in finishing second to a worthy competitor on occasion and when that competitor is …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=282571

Engine Woes Stop McFarland Short Of USAR Hooters Pro Cup Victory
Mooresville, NC (March 17, 2008) — Mark McFarland had the fastest car and the lead in the late stages of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup season-opening race at USA International Speedway Saturday. Unfortunately, the driver of the No. 81 Sears Auto …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=282563
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Courtesy of USAR
usarprocup.com

Gordon Conquers Nemesis, Almost
By Paul Warner
Monday, March 17, 2008 10:16:00 AM

Northern Division driver takes Southern Division opener

Lakeland, Fla.-Benny Gordon has always said that USA Int’l Speedway was the one Hooters Pro Cup track that he struggled with. So after Gordon won the Sears Auto Center 200 presented by All Pro U-Pull-It, one would think his opinion had changed. Well, guess again.

“I still can’t drive here,” said Gordon, driver of the No. 66n Samuel Metals Ford. “On 90% percent of the tracks we go to, I know where to pick up the throttle, and I can be spot-on and dial my car in. I’m still kind of erratic here, but I’m getting better.”

Gordon, a Sears Auto Center Northern Division competitor, used an unorthodox pitting strategy to get the lead in the Greased Lightning Southern Division opener. While most leaders waited to pit on Lap 64, Gordon elected to take his BFGoodrich Tires g-Force radials on Lap 26 and cycled into the lead on Lap 88.

Gordon held the lead until Lap 152, when Mark McFarland, driver of the No. 81s Sears Auto Center Chevrolet, moved to the point. McFarland inched away from Gordon over the next 20 laps, but smoke began to billow from underneath his machine at Lap 175.

“When Mark started smoking, I knew I was racing for the win,” said Gordon. “And I knew if I could get out front, we’d be tough to beat.”

But Gordon almost didn’t make it out front.

Read more - usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2617

See the Race Results
usarprocup.com/Event/2008-03-15/2008-03-15-RaceResults.asp
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C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
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1 for 31 Today: Jeff Burton takes home a win in the Bullring of Bristol Motor Speedway in the Food City 500. It was a shootout finish with Burton leading one lap, the last one. www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/031608Finnegan_Cup.asp

Mini-Rain Out: Clint Bowyer leads 124 of 171 laps to win the rain shortened Sharpie-Mini 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/031508Finnegan_Nationwide.asp

The Atlanta Show: I tried something new and wanted to share an experience with all of you. I actually decided to buy tickets to the Atlanta race! For the first time in many years, I wanted to watch a race with the many who keep NASCAR alive. www.speedwaymedia.com/Articles/08/031508Campbell.asp

Terry Labonte Would Consider Return To Track
by Josh Stewart
snipurl.com/220bo-gazete

What’s Your 20? Press Sprint Cup Rankings
by Josh Stewart
snipurl.com/220bz-gazete

Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BW/031808.html
It’s an Even Season
by Brian Watkins

Parity alive and well in NASCAR’s top division
By David Exum
Carl Edwards - After posting consecutive victories in the second and third race of the season, Edwards was busted by NASCAR for cheating and is now out of the top-12 in the series standings. It’s going to be interesting to see if …
snipurl.com/220bx-gazete

Thanks Dale! Part I
By checkersorwreckers83
Fans who started to watch NASCAR from 2001 on will probably remember Jarrett as the grey haired ambassador of the sport who was the voice of the veterans and also the perennial spokesperson who was reluctant to drive The Big Brown UPS …
checkersorwreckers.wordpress.com/2008/03/18/thanks-dale-part-i/

Monday’s “NASCAR Now” Ready For Primetime
By Daly Planet Editor(Daly Planet Editor)
In following the Childress interview, the panel launched into exactly the type of open and flowing conversation that has attracted NASCAR fans to this program. Bestwick floated all kinds of topics, and let each panelist contribute …
snipurl.com/220by-gazete
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV
snipurl.com/llya-stockc

TUESDAY, MARCH 18

12:00m-1:00A SPEED This Week in NASCAR, R
1:00A-2:00 espn2 NASCAR Now, HD
8:00A-9:00 SPEED This Week in NASCAR, R
11:00A-12:00 ESPN-CL 2004 AC Delco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 31/04
12:00n-1:00P SPEED FIM 125 World Championship CommercialBank Grand Prix of Qatar, Losail International
Racetrack in Doha, Qatar, Mar 9/08, N
1:00P-2:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series. RCA Dome, Indianapolis, IN, Mar 1/08, HD, R
2:00P-3:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series. Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN, Mar 15/08, HD, R
6:00P-6:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, Ryan Burr, HD, L

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

1:00A-1:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, HD
1:30A-3:30 espn2 ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals Finals, Gainesville Raceway Gainesville, FL, Mar 16/08,
HD, R
3:00A-4:00 SPEED FIM 125 World Championship CommercialBank Grand Prix of Qatar, Losail International
Racetrack in Doha, Qatar, Mar 9/08, R
4:00A-5:00 SPEED AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series. Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN, Mar 15/08, R
11:00A-12:00 ESPN-CL 2004 Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Pomona, CA, Nov 14/04
12:00n-12:30P SPEED Inside Grand Prix, preview of the Australian GP
12:30P-3:00 SPEED FIA Formula One ING Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, Australia, Mar 16/08, R
6:00P-6:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, Nicole Manske, HD, 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!
___________________________________________________________

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