// MotorSportsNews.Net(work)

Due to our construction efforts yesterday, we didn’t get a Stock Car Gazette out then. To make up for it, here’s a Saturday edition for you!
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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/RomanRoad.html
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The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:

Hasco Collectibles
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936-569-7776
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Hasco Collectibles
7786 US Highway 59 S
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936-569-7776
www.diecastcars.net
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866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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We’ve made a few fine-tuning changes to the website, so if you haven’t checked it out lately, visit www.motorsportsnews.net.

We’re also looking for new writers/columnists/photographers for next year. As far as I know, everyone will be back, but we’d like to get it to a point where we have a new column every weekday to try to drive more traffic to the site.

If you’re interested, visit motorsportsnews.net/aspiring/ for more info.
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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High Spots Of An Otherwise Low Spot Season
By: Mike Irwin

It’s getting to be time for all those “recap-the-previous-year’s-racing”-type columns. Here’s ours.

For more: motorsportsnews.net/archives/134

Mention “Alabama Gang”, and the Memories Flow.
by: Capt. Herb Emory

For more: motorsportsnews.net/archives/140
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Web site exclusives
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Which Happy Holiday Movie?
motorsportsnews.net/archives/138

Pi R Squared?
motorsportsnews.net/archives/136

Daytonian Lapsody - 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Song
motorsportsnews.net/archives/135
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N A S C A R * N E X T E L * C U P * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Fast Tracks Racing
www.fasttracksracing.com

Keep Becky in your prayers as she recovers from a stroke.
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com

Parsons Has Lung Damage
NASCAR television analyst Benny Parsons has lost the use of his left lung as a result of his battle with cancer earlier this year. Parsons’ right lung is healthy, however, and doctors believe his body will eventually adjust to having just one healthy lung. Until then, the former Cup champion is usong oxygen to assist his breathing. “I had some scans done on Tuesday and there was good news and bad news,” Parsons said. “There is still no sign of cancer, but the radiation we used to treat it has burned the lung up.”

New Bakersfield Track Approved
The Kern County Planning Commission gave the green flag to a long anticipated race track west of Bakersfield, which means NASCAR is coming to Bakersfield. It’s been over a year since Kern County lost its only paved raceway to new development. Now the men responsible for 30 plus years of racing at that track have a green light to move forward with the future of racing in Kern County.(California)

Speed Also Bows Out Of ROC
Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Scott Speed has been forced to pull out of tomorrow’s Race of Champions event in Paris following his Formula One testing accident at Jerez yesterday. Although Speed did not suffer any significant injury in the accident, he has been forced to withdraw from the event at the eleventh hour on medical advice. Organizers of the Race of Champions are working on a plan to bring 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch to the Stade de France for the event, where he is being lined up to compete both in the individual event and the Nations Cup alongside American Rally Champion Travis Pastrana.

Trouble at DEI?
Dale Earnhardt Inc. team owner Teresa Earnhardt appears to be questioning stepson Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s commitment to racing in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. The story in Thursday’s edition says Earnhardt Jr.’s contract with the team founded by his father, the late Dale Earnhardt, expires after the 2007 season, but Teresa Earnhardt expressed uncertainty about his future.

Heydenreich Escapes Serious Injury in Fiery Crash
Johnny Heydenreich hopes to be discharged from Lakeland Regional Medical Center Friday. The popular driver from Bloomsburg, Pa. and Indianapolis, Ind. was admitted there Wednesday night following a fiery crash in the Premier Racing Association (PRA) Big Car 100-lap season finale at USA International Speedway in Lakeland. On Thursday afternoon Heydenreich’s car owner, Sharon Bank, said that Heydenreich was being held at the hospital primarily as a precaution after inhaling a small amount of methanol fumes in the accident. She said he suffered no broken bones and only minor burns, primarily to his left ankle. The accident occurred with 40 laps down while Heydenreich was running eighth in the race, which had 28 starters. While he was holding off three other cars, Heydenreich’s Coolfitwear.com Beast Brannan No. 90 was hit from behind by one of his rivals in turn one, sending it barreling into the track’s outer wall. The impact of the crash was very hard, rupturing the car’s fuel cell, and the fuel ignited. Heydenreich exited the car under his own power but on fire. He fell to the ground and rolled to try to extinguish the flames, but spilled fuel ignited around him and traveled down the track, where it erupted into another tall fireball. The race was red-flagged while emergency crews put the fire out and transferred Heydenreich to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. The event was restarted and eventually won by Bobby Santos III.

Indy Auction Aids Humane Society
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has donated VIP race packages for its three 2007 events for auctions that benefit the horse rescue efforts of the Humane Society of the United States. Proceeds from the auctions will help feed starving horses at sanctuaries that have been impacted by severe drought and wildfires and other factors that have caused a shortage of hay and alfalfa in the Midwest and West. The sanctuaries need several thousand dollars to feed the horses throughout the winter months. The auctions, now in progress, will run through Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006. Interested parties may bid by visiting (www.ebay.com) and entering the item number for their desired trip. The Indianapolis 500 trip item number is 200058950194. The United States Grand Prix trip item number is 200058932428, and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard trip item number is 200058892490.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

MRN considering moving to Charlotte: Motor Racing Network Inc. is considering moving its offices from Daytona Beach, Fla., to the Charlotte area, and the transition could come as early as next summer, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. MRN Radio, which employs about 40 people, is owned by International Speedway Corp. and broadcasts all of NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series races as well as the majority of Nextel Cup and Busch series events. The story states that the company could move into the NASCAR Hall of Fame complex in the recently approved office tower, though that facility isn’t scheduled to be completed until 2010. “We’ve done an analysis, and we’re interested,” MRN Radio President David Hyatt said of a potential move to the area, declining to comment further to the Business Journal.(SceneDaily.com)(12-16-2006)

Staying out of Wrecks Helps Chase Chances: It’s Motor Sports 101 that avoiding wrecks keeps a car in the race. But NASCAR teams are learning that staying out of crashes also puts a driver in the Chase. USA TODAY database research of the 2006 season found of the drivers with the five lowest crash percentages, four qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. #9-Kasey Kahne and #29-Kevin Harvick tied with a series-low accident rate of 13.9% (five wrecks in 36 races) among drivers to compete in 30 or more races. Series champion #48-Jimmie Johnson tied for third at 16.7%, and Chase runner-up #17-Matt Kenseth (19.4%) was tied for sixth. Rookie #11-Denny Hamlin, who finished third in points, had a 16.7% crash rating that tied with Johnson and #22-Dave Blaney, who missed the Chase. #6-Mark Martin, who wrapped his final full Cup season in the Chase, also finished sixth with a rate of 19.4%. Martin, Johnson and Kenseth are the only three drivers to make all three editions of the Chase and also rank in the top 10 in crash avoidance each season since 2004.(USA Today)(12-16-2006), drivers with the highest crash percentage included #18-J.J. Yeley (47.2%), #01-Joe Nemechek (44.4%), #12-Ryan Newman (41.7%), #42-Casey Mears(41.7%), and #7-Robby Gordon(41.7%).

JEGS enters contingency program with NASCAR; will sponsor 60 local tracks: Just days after announcing its sponsorship of veteran NASCAR racer #78-Kenny Wallace, JEGS Mail Order has unveiled a comprehensive contingency program for the country’s most popular form of auto racing. The Delaware, Ohio-based, high-performance parts company will also sponsor 60 local NASCAR-sanctioned racetracks across the country. Beginning in 2007, NEXTEL Cup teams displaying a JEGS sticker on their cars will be eligible for contingency money depending on where they finish on the 43-car grid. Each race winner will receive contingency as will other drivers finishing in random positions in the final order.(The Auto Channel)(12-16-2006)

Changes at Hass CNC Racing? been told that Team Manager Bill Ingle and Haas CNC Racing have parted ways and that #70 Crew Chief, Robert ‘Bootie’ Barker will take over as the Team Manager and #70 Car Chief Derick Jennings will be the new crew chief for the new #70 Haas CNC Racing Nextel Cup team and driver Johnny Sauter. Yellow Transportation is the rumored sponsor for the team.(12-15-2006)

Benny Parsons Battling Lung Damage, Breathing Difficuly: Benny Parsons is dealing with a complication stemming from his battle with cancer earlier this year. Parsons missed NASCAR�s postseason activities in New York after having breathing difficulty. His doctors performed a scan of Parson�s entire body and found no cancer. However, the original tumor found in his left lung was large and the radiation used to treat it was so extensive that the lung is now damaged and not functioning properly. Parsons� right lung is healthy and strong, and doctors believe Parsons� body will eventually adjust to having just one healthy lung. But until then, the former Winston Cup Series champion driver will need to use oxygen to assist his breathing.(Charlotte Observer)(12-15-2006)

Teresa Earnhardt questioning Earnhardt Jr.’s commitment?: Dale Earnhardt Inc. team owner Teresa Earnhardt appears to be questioning stepson #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s commitment to racing in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. The story in Thursday’s edition [subscription only] says Earnhardt Jr.’s contract with the team founded by his father expires after the 2007 season, but Teresa Earnhardt expressed uncertainty about his future. “Right now the ball’s in his court to decided on whether he wants to be a NASCAR driver or whether he wants to be a public personality.” Earnhardt Jr. “was not available for comment” on the statement, the story said.(SceneDaily.com)(12-15-2006)

Hendrick team testing COT: Hendrick Motorsports has been testing the Chevy Impala SS COT [Car of Tomorrow] most this week at Greenville Pickens Speedway. David Green has been the driver during the test.(12-15-2006)

France admits he was drinking night of accident: NASCAR CEO Brian France admitted to officers he had been drinking the night a woman followed him to his condominium after she observed him driving erratically on U.S. 1. But because police never interviewed France until he was inside his residence, they could not arrest him for DUI, an internal affairs investigation released Thursday shows. Regardless, Police Chief Mike Chitwood said that once his officers knew who was involved in the incident, they went the extra mile to make sure they followed the law and gave France no special treatment. The investigation also shows that when a sergeant who was called to the scene learned the driver of the car was France, he in turn called a lieutenant. The sergeant then relayed to one of the officers: “We’re just here to do our job, OK, we do what we always do under these circumstances.” The chief said officers were somewhat rattled when they learned the incident involved France. France crashed his Lexus sedan into a tree just outside his condominium on Marina Point Drive around 9 p.m., a police report states. When several officers responded to the scene at 9:51 p.m., the man had already gone upstairs to his apartment, Chitwood said. Roughly 20 minutes later, the officers knocked on France’s door. France came downstairs with them, dressed in fresh clothes. ”I think that when everyone found out this was Brian France, they knew they had better dot their I’s and cross their T’s,” Chitwood said Thursday. Nonetheless, a police report prepared on the call witness Shirley Hill made to 911 as she followed France south on U.S.1, east on Orange Avenue then onto Beach Street on Nov. 6, does not mention that France had admitted to having “a few (alcoholic beverages) over at the Chart House” earlier that night. That detail was not included in the paperwork, Chitwood said, because the officer was investigating a crash, not a DUI. ”That information of course came out in detail in the internal affairs investigation,” the chief said. “I believe everything Ms. Hill told us and you can draw your own conclusions from that. The bottom line is, he (France) was out of his car, he was inside his apartment and he could have had the alcohol there and hours before. But since we didn’t stop him in his car, we can’t touch him.” The matter , however, led to two policy changes within the Daytona Beach Police Department: Whenever there is a DUI incident, the highest-ranking supervisor on the shift will be called to the scene and take control of the investigation; and no officer will report off-duty until all of his or her reports are complete.(more at the Daytona Beach News Journal), past info on the NASCAR Personnel News page)(12-15-2006)
snipurl.com/152mv-stockc
www.jayski.com/teams/personnel.htm

Mike Bliss has settled his breach-of-contract lawsuit with Haas CNC Racing, Bliss’ attorney confirmed Thursday. The case was scheduled to go to trial this week in North Carolina Superior Court in Charlotte. “We amicably resolved the case,” Bliss attorney Robert Muckenfuss said. The terms of the settlement are confidential.(SceneDaily.com)(12-14-2006)
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Kent D. - thanks!

DA: No special treatment given to NASCAR chief after complaint
Lexington Dispatch - Lexington,NC,USA
Police officers who responded to NASCAR chairman Brian France’s condominium in response to a report of an erratic driver did not give him special treatment, a …
snipurl.com/152k0-stockc

Prosecutor: No special treatment given to NASCAR chief after …
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL,USA
AP. DAYTONA BEACH — Police officers who responded to NASCAR chairman Brian France’s condominium in response to a report of an erratic driver did not give him …
snipurl.com/152k3-stockc

Rising stars, busts, breakups in NASCAR’s dramatic season CBS News - New
York City,NY,USA
By Jeff Owens. The 2006 season was not as wild and wacky as many seasons in NASCAR, but it certainly had its share of surprising and bizarre developments. …
cbs.sportsline.com/autoracing/story/9868849

NASCAR offseason filled with intriguing questions SI.com - USA
The short NASCAR offseason is already dwindling down, with less than 70 days until the 2007 Daytona 500. There are plenty of questions …
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/mark_zeske/12/13/questions/

Struggling Ford Motor Company has pledged substantially all of its assets, including factories, equipment, and its highly profitable Ford Motor Credit arm to obtain $18Billion in badly needed cash to help finance its turnaround effort.
snipurl.com/152k6-stockc

Stewart causes work stoppage at GM
Dayton Daily News (subscription) - Dayton,OH,USA By Sean McClelland.
MORAINE - Tony Stewart hit the line running. The General … it. One woman even brandished a Tony Stewart phone. “I …
snipurl.com/152k9-stockc

TNA: NASCAR STAR TO APPEAR AT THIS WEEKEND’S UWF/TNA SHOW
Wrestlemag - Austin,TX,USA
by Phil Lowe. NASCAR STAR ELLIOTT SADLER TO JOIN TNA STARS AT UWF EVENT THIS SATURDAY NIGHT IN SOUTH HILL, VIRGINIA!! Fans who purchase …
www.wrestlemag.com/news/index.php?p=3981

NASCAR offers booty of yuletide gifts, but often at a stiff price
Kingsport Times News - Kingsport,TN,USA
… For baby’s aching gums we’ve got the Tony Stewart Pacifier at the very reasonable price of $4.99. This brings a whole new meaning …
www.timesnews.net/community_article.php?id=1090

Sports In Brief
Indianapolis Star - United States
… The Indiana Ice will have Tony Stewart Night on Jan. 3. … Proceeds from the $75 admission will go to the Tony Stewart Foundation. …
www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061214/SPORTS/612140373/1004

Racing trade show returns to Orlando
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL,USA
Tony Stewart to be keynote speaker at event starting today. Including Daytona schedule…
snipurl.com/152kf-stockc

Cingular Enhances Coverage in Western Virginia, Jeff Burton to …
WhoWon.com - Lincoln,NE,USA
… 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet Jeff Burton is returning to his hometown for a special event to celebrate Cingular’s network expansion in Virginia and to help …
www.whowon.com/sresults.asp?SanctionID=230&StoryID=209791

Burton hiring popular call
By Steve Waid
For three races in 2006, McClure’s driver was Ward Burton. Burton is unquestionably one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers. He had been out of racing since being dismissed from Haas CNC Racing with two races to go in 2004. …
blog.scenedaily.com/index.php/2006/12/14/burton-hiring-popular-call/

(KENT’S NOTE: It all started sixty years ago today, Dec.14th. Not only should you read this article, you should probably save it for future reference…)

How NASCAR Conquered America
American Heritage - USA
… Today stock car racing is the fastest growing sport in America, and NASCAR is a fixture of our national culture. … But NASCAR itself wasn’t to be democratic. …
snipurl.com/152kw-stockc

KC Planning Commission to vote Thursday night on Nascar track … KGET 17 - Bakersfield,CA,USA
BAKERSFIELD - The Kern County Planning Commission will vote on the next move to build a Nascar Auto Racing track just west of Bakersfield. …
snipurl.com/152ky-stockc

FIRST SERIOUS MOVE BY NASCAR
BlackAthlete.net - USA
He is about to become the highest ranking executive ever associated with NASCAR. Make that the ONLY African American ever in an executive position at NASCAR. …
www.blackathlete.net/Blackbox/article_02670.shtml

2007 Baja 1000 plans announced
Motorsport.com - Canada
… Celebrities James Garner, Ted Nugent and the late Steve McQueen all battled the Baja in the early 1970s and many racers from other forms of motorsports crossed …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=240181&FS=

Stewart likes owning sprint car teams
Indianapolis Star - United States
The owner of Tony Stewart Racing didn’t start a team five years ago to ensure himself of having a car available anytime he wanted to race, but that is …
snipurl.com/152l2-stockc
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
www.scenedaily.com

Top 30: Ryan Newman, 18th
During the offseason, SceneDaily is taking a look at the top 30 in 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup driver points. Today’s driver is Ryan Newman, who finished 18th in the final standings.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22582174

Top 30: Clint Bowyer, 17th
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22584286

Top 30: Kurt Busch, 16th
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22586479

Sirius beginning ‘Morning Drive’ NASCAR program
Officials with Sirius Satellite Radio announced today that NASCAR reporter and columnist David Poole and veteran NASCAR broadcaster Marty Snider will host a daily talk show, “The Morning Drive” on Sirius
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22582177

Bliss, Haas settle breach-of-contract suit
Mike Bliss has settled his breach-of-contract lawsuit with Haas CNC Racing, Bliss’ attorney confirmed Thursday
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22584285

Report states NASCAR crashes down in 2006
J.J. Yeley, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Casey Mears and Robby Gordon were involved in the most accidents in NASCAR Nextel Cup races in 2006, USA Today reported Thursday in its annual look at on-track incidents in the series.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22584291

Teresa Earnhardt questioning Earnhardt Jr.’s commitment?
Dale Earnhardt Inc. team owner Teresa Earnhardt appears to be questioning stepson Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s commitment to racing in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22586485

MRN considering moving to Charlotte
Motor Racing Network Inc. is considering moving its offices from Daytona Beach, Fla., to the Charlotte area, and the transition could come as early as next summer, the Charlotte Business Journal reports.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22586478

Stewart competes in Florida race
Two-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart was a surprise competitor in the Premier Racing Association’s Big Car Championship 100 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla., Wednesday night, according to a story in The Lakeland Ledger.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22586481

Stolen Earnhardt firesuit returned to Texas track
Fort Worth Police Dept. officials have recovered the Dale Earnhardt firesuit recently stolen from Texas Motor Speedway.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22586476

Earnhardt track to be built in Mobile County, Ala.
Gulf Coast Entertainment LLC officials announced today that Alabama Motorports Park, a Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway, will be built in Alabama’s Mobile County.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22586480
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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FOOD CITY’S “15 YEARS – 15 WINNERS” PROMOTION GIVES
FANS CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO 2007 FOOD CITY 500

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006) – Next year Food City celebrates its 15th anniversary of sponsoring the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and to mark the occasion, some lucky fan – and a bunch of his or her friends – will be having a spring fling like no other during the March event.

Food City and Bristol Motor Speedway are teaming up to give one person the chance to have a party to remember at the Food City 500 for a group of 15 with its “15 Years – 15 Winners” promotion. That’s right. The winner gets to invite 14 of his nearest and dearest friends and/or family members to the Food City 500 on March 25.

To enter the contest, simply visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com and click on the 15 Years – 15 Winners banner. Complete the information and then answer the trivia question. A new trivia question will appear each week leading up to the Food City 500. Each week a winner will be randomly selected and he or she will receive a Food City and Bristol Motor Speedway Prize Pack. That person also qualifies for the Grand Prize of 15 grandstand tickets to the Food City 500. And that’s not all. Those lucky 15 will also receive Food City 500 Hospitality Chalet Passes good for admission on March 25.

The 15 Years – 15 Winners giveaway is open to legal United States residents 21 years of age or older. The first weekly winner will be selected Dec. 18 and the final winner will be named March 19.

The March race weekend at BMS kicks off with Qualifying Day on March 23, followed by the Sharpie MINI 300 Busch Series race on Saturday, March 24 and the Food City 500 on Sunday, March 25. (BMS PR)

Fans gobbling up “Sit With Jimmy” tickets

Second Superstretch section opened to satisfy overwhelming ticket demand

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2006) – Jimmy Spencer was right – he is in touch with the fans. And judging from “Sit With Jimmy” ticket sales, he’s as popular as ever.

In response to Kenny Wallace’s accusation in September that Jimmy Spencer is out of touch with race fans, “Mr. Excitement” unveiled his own Daytona 500 special ticket package for the 49th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 18. Since his announcement, “Sit With Jimmy” tickets have been a popular item, already selling out the original Superstretch Lund Section seats. Because of its popularity, seats in the Allison grandstand have been added.

“Jimmy is definitely a fan favorite and he’s setting himself and his fans up for a great Superstretch party,” said Speedway President Robin Braig. “Jimmy said it best when he said ‘What’s the next best thing to driving in ‘The Great American Race’? it’s sitting on the famed Daytona Superstretch with me.”

Two different “Sit With Jimmy” packages are still available:

“Mr. Excitement” package ($155) which includes:

DAYTONA 300 NASCAR Busch Series Superstretch grandstand seat
DAYTONA 500 grandstand seat in the Sit With Jimmy sections on DAYTONA’s Superstretch
DAYTONA USA admission and exclusive “Sit With Jimmy” t-shirt
And the “Jimmy Special” ($99) which includes:

DAYTONA 500 grandstand seat in the Sit With Jimmy sections on DAYTONA’s Superstretch
DAYTONA USA admission and exclusive “Sit With Jimmy” t-shirt
Fans hoping to experience NASCAR’s premier motorsports event with a NASCAR legend, should call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit www.sitwithjimmy.com. (Daytona PR)
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N A S C A R * B U S C H * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of BGNRacing.Com
www.bgnracing.com

2006 NASCAR Busch Series Highlights:

* Jason Keller made his 401st NBS start at Memphis, since April, 1991. He is second all-time, behind Tommy Houston’s 417 NBS starts (from 1982 - 1996).

* Kevin Harvick established records for largest Championship margin (824); most top 10 finishes in a season (32); and most races in first place in a season (34) which were consecutive, also a Series record. Harvick completed all but one lap in 2006, 6758 of the 6759 laps.

* There were 11 Green-White-Checker finishes in 2006. The most laps run beyond scheduled was eight at Milwaukee.

* One race in 2006 was won by a last lap pass. At Lowe’s, October, Dave Blaney passed Matt Kenseth on the last lap to score his first NBS victory.

* The most laps led by an NBS winner was by Denny Hamlin at Gateway, leading 160 of 200 laps.

* Kevin Harvick’s nine wins in 2006 vaulted him from 11th to third place all-time at 26, behind Mark Martin (47) and Jack Ingram (31) — (NASCAR PR)

Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. today announced Mobile County as the future home of Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Speedway. The investor group controls approximately 3,000 acres in Mobile County, much of it located in the city of Prichard near Saraland and Chickasaw. Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway is a property of Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. The entertainment complex is planned to house four racing venues, retail shopping, hotels, restaurants, an RV resort, and other venues such as music theaters. The investors plan to open the complex for racing in the fall of 2009 and to be fully operational in 2010. For more information visit www.alabamamotorsportspark.com (PSE-3 PR) (12-15-06)
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

JR Motorsports and Key Motorsports Form Alliance: UPDATE 2: Two of NASCAR’s newest race organizations, the Key Motorsports Craftsman Truck Series team owned by Curtis W. Key, Sr., and JR Motorsports, the Dale Earnhardt, Jr.-owned Busch Series company, have formed a marketing alliance. The new union enables the two companies to include the other organization in its marketing and sponsorship processes. It will give corporations the opportunity to establish their branding and customer-related support and activation activities in two of NASCAR’s three leading touring series and with multiple teams and drivers. The two organizations worked together in a driver development format of sorts late last year when rookie driver Shane Huffman, driver of the JR Motorsports #88 Navy Chevy, was hired to run four races in the NCTS for Key Motorsports.(Key Motorsports PR)(12-14-2006)
UPDATE: JR Motorsports denies any formal alliance with Key Motorsports.(12-14-2006)
UPDATE 2: A statement from Key Motorsports owner, Curtis Key: “Yesterday, our organization released information to the media pertaining to a marketing alliance that we had established with JR Motorsports – one that would have helped both of our racing organizations. Nothing in this release was inaccurate, but we did neglect to gain approval from JR Motorsports’ officials first before releasing it. For that, we apologize to JR Motorsports for any problems or misconceptions that this action may have caused, but I must emphasize that nothing inappropriate was ever intended. It was simply an overzealous reaction to a program that we all believed in and were very excited about building.”(Key Motorsports PR)(12-15-2006)

Harvick Hires Stillman for #33 Team: Kevin Harvick confirmed December 7 that he has hired Dan Stillman to crew chief the #33 Chevy for Kevin Harvick, Inc. in 2007. Stillman replaced Wally Rogers, whom Harvick said would be crew chief of KHI’s #77 entry. Stillman was last employed at Dale Earnhardt Inc. as Paul Menard’s crew chief.(NASCAR Scene)(12-14-2006)

J.R. Fitzpatrick Expected to Drive Some Busch Races: The 2006 CASCAR Super Series champion, 18-year-old J.R. Fitzpatrick, will jump to the Busch Series for a minimum of three races in 2007, his long-time crew chief hinted yesterday. The Cambridge, Ontario, high schooler became the youngest driver in history to win Canada’s top stock car racing series crown on the final race ever for CASCAR - the series will morph into the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2007 - Sept. 18 at Kawartha Speedway. But the Fitzpatrick Motorsports team has its sights firmly set on the Busch series for J.R. - particularly the inaugural race at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on July 22. “John Fitzpatrick [J.R.'s dad] and I were down in North Carolina a few weeks ago and we made a deal for a Busch car,” Don Thomson Jr., a five-time CASCAR champion and Fitzpatrick Motorsports crew chief, said yesterday. “I have a pretty good idea - although I can’t announce it officially - that we’ll be in Montreal and we are also looking at Watkins Glen.” The team will also target one of the Busch series short-track races - likely Martinsville or Bristol - that would allow J.R. to show off his skills.(24 Hours Vancouver)(12-14-2006)
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Kenny Wallace Voted NASCAR Busch Series Most Popular Driver

Backstretch Motorsports - Greensboro,NC,USA The votes are in and Kenny Wallace has been named the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Most Popular Driver. Wallace is the only three-time winner of the award. …
snipurl.com/152kj-stockc
(thanks, Kent)
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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

Bill Lester,whose contract wasn’t renewed by Bill Davis Racing, will drive Billy Ballew Motorsports’ #15 Chevy for the 2007 Truck Series season, Ballew crew chief Richie Wauters said Friday. “Bill Lester’s going to run the #15 truck right now,” Wauters said. Sponsorship for the team should be announced soon, Wauters said. Ballew will also field the #51 truck in selected races, with Kyle Busch, Steve Wallace and J.R. Norris likely sharing driving duties. (Scene Daily)(12-15-2006)

Woodard Racing officials say they have indefinitely suspended Craftsman Truck Series crew member Derek Lusk, who was indefinitely suspended by the sanctioning body earlier this week after failing a substance abuse test in November.(Woodard Racing PR)(12-15-2006)

Benson/Hornaday/Parsons part of new Sirius radio show: Sirius Satellite Radio announced that it will debut The Driver’s Seat, an exclusive daily talk show hosted by veteran broadcaster John Kernan and a roster of current and former NASCAR drivers, on January 1. The Driver’s Seat will air every weekday (11am-3pm/et) only on SIRIUS Radio. The Driver’s Seat will feature Kernan and a different driver taking calls from listeners, interviewing special guests and discussing the latest news from the world of NASCAR. Featured co-hosts will include legendary Hall of Famer Buddy Baker; 1995 Busch Series Champion & Truck Series driver Johnny Benson; two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie; two-time Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday; former Busch and Cup Series Rookie of the Year Ricky Craven; former Cup and Busch Series driver Phil Parsons, who is now the color commentator for Speed Channel’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race broadcasts; and John Andretti, one of the sport’s most versatile drivers who has made his mark racing USAC Midgets, Indy cars, NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and NASCAR stock cars. The Driver’s Seat, produced in conjunction with Performance Racing Network (PRN), will air exclusively on SIRIUS. (Sirius.com)(12-14-2006)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
www.truckseries.com

2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Review
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_06/articles/000093/009382.htm

SIRIUS to Put Listeners in ‘The Driver’s Seat’
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_06/articles/000093/009381.htm
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com

Family Ties Strong In ARCA 200 Testing

– Steve Wallace, Kevin Wood Take First Laps; Toyota Stock Car Fastest At DIS –

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., — Two legendary racing names – Wood and Wallace – were inside historic Daytona International Speedway on Friday for the beginning of a three-day ARCA RE/MAX Series race.

Steve Wallace, son of 1989 NASCAR Champion Rusty Wallace, is testing the No. 61 Dodge for Rusty Wallace Inc. while Kevin Wood, son of Wood Brothers Racing co-owner Len Wood, was shaking down the No. 19 Wood Brothers Racing Ford.

“I’ve never run here,” Wallace said. “This is for sure my first laps around this place. I’m real excited. My dad has run here a lot. With me just starting out in Busch and ARCA, it’s very cool to be here. It’s a great opportunity and I’m glad that I’m here.

“I’ve been racing since I was seven years old. I’ve worked hard all my life to get to this point. This is pretty cool to be able to get on Daytona today.”

Rusty Wallace has two victories at “The World Center of Racing,” capturing an IROC race in 1989 and a Budweiser Shootout in 1998. But the retired driver turned ESPN analyst never was able to win a Daytona 500 or a Pepsi 400.

Steve Wallace is hoping he’ll have better fortunes when he competes in the ARCA 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener and the Daytona 300 NASCAR Busch Series season opener in February during Speedweeks 2007.

“Dad was always running good,” Wallace said. “In the 500 he led a bunch of laps and had a bunch of chances to win but blown motors, wrecking and all kinds of stuff would always happen to him and put him out of contention.

“I’d like to (make it up). That’s everybody’s goal in life is to win the Daytona 500. I’d really like to do it. That’s what everybody comes here for – to be a champion of the sport and win as many races as you can. That’s what I’m going to try to do.”

The Wood Brothers, who have a long successful history at DIS winning four Daytona 500s and eight Pepsi 400s, are using this weekend’s ARCA test to help their NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series program and get some experience for Kevin Wood.

“We’re down here kind of doing a pre-Cup test,” Len Wood said. “It’s so crowded and time consuming trying to get out on the race track when we come back with the Cup car, we decided to do an ARCA test and try some tail pipes and stuff like that.”

The 22-year-old Kevin Wood is an aspiring racer who hasn’t competed on a track bigger than a half mile. His experience consists of racing Legends cars and Late Model stock cars.

“I think the word Daytona says it all,” Kevin Wood said. “It’s as big as it gets. I’ve tried to look at it as another race track and just get in the race car and do what you do in the race car.”

To help Kevin Wood at the test was veteran NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Ken Schrader, who gave Wood a quick tour of the high banks in a passenger car and took the first testing laps in the No. 19 car.

Len Wood says if the three-day test goes well and a sponsor comes forward, he might enter Kevin in the ARCA 200.

“I’m doing stuff like this to get him ready for the first opening to stick him in,” Len Wood said.

Toyota’s first laps: USAC open-wheel driver Josh Wise had the honor of being the first driver to tour DIS in a Toyota Camry stock car and ended up the fastest of the day. Wise is testing a No. 22 car with Eddie Sharp Racing, which has an alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing, posted the fastest lap of the day with a speed of 180.905 mph.

The Riverside, Calif., driver will compete in a Toyota Camry in the Feb. 10 ARCA 200 at Daytona.

“It’s exciting,” said the 23-year-old Wise. “I’m just excited to come out here and make some laps and run at a place like this. It’s pretty cool. It’s not quite sinking in for me yet. It’ll be good. I think the car will be good and it’s good for me to get some laps and race here in February.”

Wise, who has raced for Tony Stewart in USAC the past three years, will run a limited ARCA schedule in 2007 with Eddie Sharp Racing and a limited schedule with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Testing to continue: The start of Friday’s test session was delayed until shortly after noon because of morning mist and light showers.

The Saturday and Sunday ARCA test sessions are open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand available through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

Top 10 speeds

1. Josh Wise, Toyota, 180.905 mph
2. Ed Kennedy, Chevy, 180.897
3. Bobby Gerhart, Chevy, 180.054
4. Brad Coleman, Chevy, 179.126
5. Michael McDowell, Dodge, 179.090
6. Chase Pistone, Dodge, 179.058
7. Bryan Silas, Chevy, 178.759
8. JR Heffner, Chevy, 178.717
9. Joey McCarthy, Ford, 178.703
10. AJ Henriksen, Chevy, 178.699

Tickets for Speedweeks 2007 are available online at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
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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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Superman in the Off-Season
by Carol Einarsson
I was thinking of Superman this week. Not a bird, not a plane, but Superman, the number one superhero in my book.
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=199

Celebrate the Manger
by Carol Einarsson
Welcome back! Oh, wait, you didn’t go anywhere. It was ME that was missing. But thanks to a way cool guy on eBay, I’m back!
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=198

Quotes Of The Week
racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?PageName=quotes

Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/RG/121406.html
Disgruntled NASCAR Fans Speak Out
by Rebecca Gladden

Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/LC/121506.html
The Intimidator’s Finest Symphony
by Larry Cottrill

Is Jeff Gordon done at four?
By Mike Harper - Spin Out Zone
www.spinoutzone.com/id21.htm

Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/RF/121606.html
This Week In NASCAR: Old Friends Rudd and Burton Return In 2007
by Ron Felix

Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/AM/121606.html
Racer Profile: Joe Ruttman
by Allen Madding

Stock Car Ticker
Spotting on NASCAR’s Team Red Bull
teamredbull.blogspot.com/
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