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There was enough going on that it was worth-while to do a Wednesday edition of the Stock Car Gazette for you. Here it is…
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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

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The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:

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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Welcome to Wednesday. The MotorSportsNews.Net website underwent a behind-the-scenes major upgrade overnight last night. Hopefully this upgrade will be transparent to everyone, but after nearly 30 years in information technology, I can just about guarantee that WON’T be the case :).
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Web site exclusives
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The “Perfect” Tree
Searching through row upon row of Christmas trees, my husband Norm and I finally picked one we liked.
motorsportsnews.net/archives/146

Stock Car Gazette, Tuesday, 12/19/2006
motorsportsnews.net/archives/145
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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 Catchfence.Com
www.catchfence.com

Ingle Out, Barker In As Crew Chief For #70 Haas CNC Racing Entry: Haas CNC Racing no longer employs Bill Ingle. Robert “Bootie” Barker is currently the crew chief for the #70 Nextel Cup entry. Derick Jennings is currently the car chief under Barker.
- Hass CNC Racing, Press Release

Dates for January testing at DIS are as follows:
# Jan. 4-6 Grand American Rolex 24 At Daytona testing (all cars)
# Jan. 8-10: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, first session
# Jan. 12-14: NASCAR Craftsman Truck (all trucks)
# Jan. 15-17: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, second session
# Jan. 19-21: NASCAR Busch Series first session
# Jan. 21-23: NASCAR Busch Series second session
# Jan. 31-Feb. 1: IRL IndyCar Series testing

NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fan Fest Dates are as follows:
# Jan. 9: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Fan Fest
# Jan. 13: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Fan Fest
# Jan. 16: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Fan Fest
# Jan. 20 and 21: NASCAR Busch Series Fan Fest
- Daytona International Speedway, Press Release
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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

Toyota To Build North Carolina Shop
Toyota plans to build an engineering and chassis facility in close proximity to its NASCAR teams. The facility would employ about 40 people and sit on part of an 89-acre site in Salisbury, N.C., said Toyota Racing Development CEO Jim Aust. The company unveiled its plan to Rowan County (N.C.) leaders on Monday night. The Salisbury facility will not be completed for a couple of years, Aust said.

Rose Promoted At Infineon
Diana Rose has been promoted to the position of Senior Manager of Media Relations at Infineon Raceway, raceway officials announced. Rose has been working full-time in the media relations department at Infineon Raceway since 2001, first in a coordinator role, and then as Manager of Media Relations (2002-2006). Rose was first hired as a media relations intern at Infineon Raceway in 2000 while attending the University of Pacific in Stockton.

‘Dega Bake Sale Raises $13,000
The coordinated efforts of Talladega Superspeedway, local radio station WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM and generous individuals throughout the community raised more than $13,000 during Bake A Christmas 2006 held Friday, Dec. 15, exceeding last year’s total by more than $1,000. This was the tenth consecutive year for Bake A Christmas, an annual radio auction that generates money used to provide Christmas gifts to less fortunate children throughout the track’s surrounding region. Talladega Superspeedway management joined WTDR 92.7 FM Owner and Producer Jim Jacobs and his staff on-air throughout the day to chat with listeners and keep the auctions rolling while donations of baked goods, racing memorabilia and other items such as gift certificates from local merchants flowed in throughout the day. These items were paired with items donated by the track in advance of the event for truly unique auction packages offered to the listening public.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

Toyota Looking for Land near Charlotte: Toyota Racing Development officials met with Rowan County commissioners Monday night about the potential purchase of an 89-acre parcel of land near Salisbury, N.C., about 43 miles north of Charlotte, NC. TRD president Jim Aust said Toyota plans to build an engineering facility to support its NASCAR teams. The manufacturer, which will enter the Nextel Cup Series in 2007, would use about half the site’s land for the building. The sale wouldn’t be complete until next year after a follow-up meeting with the county.(USA Today)(12-20-2006)

Barnes & Reese to prepare engines for Shepherd: #89-Faith Motorsports announced that Barnes & Reese Racing Engines will supply the power for the #89 Dodge Chargers and Avengers in the 2007 season. Morgan Shepherd, team co-owner and driver of the Racing With Jesus Dodge, said the team began experimenting with Barnes & Reese at the very end of the 2006 season and were impressed with the builder’s program. “After trying a few different options during the end of last season we got the engine where we felt good about it,” Shepherd said.(Faith Motorsports)

4th MWR show to air on ESPN2 Sunday: The fourth episode of Michael Waltrip Racing: A New Era, part of ESPN2 Garage, will be televised Sunday, Dec. 24, at 11:00pm/et, on ESPN2. It will feature a father and son car builder team from Michael Waltrip Racing, as they install the first Toyota Racing Development engines into the brand new NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Toyotas.� Once the car and engine are assembled, Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann take the new engine and chassis combination to the race track for its first crucial test drive. Michael Waltrip Racing: A New Era is an 11-episode, documentary series that chronicles Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota�s new partnership in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.(ESPN PR)(12-20-2006)

Rudd/Yates announcement today [Monday]? UPDATE 2 not until after holidays?. been told there will be no announcement until after the holidays….also the RYR website is down and has been down for a few weeks, no idea why or what it means.(12-20-2006)

2006 Auto Racing All-American Team Selected: The 2006 All-America Auto Racing Team has been chosen, and now the question turns to: Who will win the Jerry Titus Award? The Titus, given in remembrance of the late racer/journalist, signifies the top vote-getter on the All-America team regardless of category, and is not announced until the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association’s banquet Jan. 13 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. For the past two years the Titus winner has been the Indy Racing League champion and this year’s IRL champion, Indy-winner Sam Hornish Jr. is among the contenders. Also in contention are NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson and Todd Bodine, NHRA’s John Force (already a 4-time Titus winner) and Tony Schumacher, and ARCA’s Frank Kimmel. Hornish led the vote in the Open Wheel category, joined by Champ Car champion and 7-time winner Sebastien Bourdais on the First Team. Not far behind Bourdais was A.J. Allmendinger, five-time winner on the Champ Car circuit, joined by IRL runner-up Dan Wheldon on the Second Team. Nextel Cup champion Johnson easily led the Stock Car category, but the other First Team slot turned into a four-driver battle, eventually taken by Tony Stewart whose five Cup wins included three during the Chase for the Championship, even through he did not qualify for the Chase. Second Team honors went to rookie Denny Hamlin and Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick, separated by just one vote. In Touring Series it was NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine and eight-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel who dominated the category. Far behind but taking Second Team honors were USAR Pro Cup champion Clay Rogers and NASCAR East titlist Mike Olsen.
FIRST TEAM
OPEN WHEEL: S�bastien Bourdais, Sam Hornish Jr
STOCK CAR: Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart
ROAD RACING: Jorg Bergmeister, Rinaldo Capello/Allan McNish and Scott Pruett/Luis Diaz (tie)
DRAG RACING: John Force, Tony Schumacher
SHORT TRACK: Donny Schatz, Josh Wise
TOURING SERIES: Todd Bodine, Frank Kimmel
AT LARGE: J.R. Hildebrand, Travis Pastrana.(AARWBA PR), see full PR, driver list and other teams on my Awards Page.(12-20-2006)
www.jayski.com/pages/awards.htm

Tickets for Sept. races at Dover on sale Dec 20th: on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2007, tickets go on sale for the September 21-23, 2007 NASCAR tripleheader at Dover International Speedway. Tickets for the June 1-3, 2007 race weekend are currently on sale. Race fans can gain an advantage over the competition with even more choices by purchasing early. Improved seat selection, ticket availability in most price ranges, and the ability to purchase blocks of tickets to keep your group together are among the best reasons to order your tickets now. Tickets will be available at www.DoverSpeedway.com, and by calling the Dover International Speedway ticket office at 800-441-RACE, beginning at 8:00am/et on Wednesday, Dec. 20.(Dover International Speedway PR)(12-20-2006)
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Kent D. - thanks!

Guardsman may earn NASCAR immortality
SunHerald.com - Biloxi,MS,USA
By LEIGH COLEMAN. For the first time, a non-celebrity’s image will be featured on a NASCAR race car that will be raced in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. …
snipurl.com/15dyw-stockc

NASCAR : MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING :
RacingOne on One: Josh Wise noticias.info (press release) - Spain
… USAC National Sprint Car champion Josh Wise is ready to make the move to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and ARCA RE/MAX Series with Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007. …
snipurl.com/15dyy-stockc

Toyota bringing out new “big” model to go right after the “Big Three” truck market.
America’s Line In The Sand - Forbes.com
snipurl.com/15dyz-stockc

Nascar Gets a Catcher’s Mitt
Popular Science - New York,NY,USA
During a race on Virgina’s Richmond International Raceway in 2003, Nascar driver Robby Gordon lost control of his car as he roared into the pit at 55mph. …
snipurl.com/15dz3-stockc

“Driving With The Devil”
“Moonshiners put more time, energy, thought, and love into their cars than any racer ever will. Lose on the track, and you go home. Lose with a load of whiskey, and you go to jail.” — Junior Johnson, NASCAR legend, and one time whiskey runner…
snipurl.com/15dz7-stockc

Toyota Limiting Busch Series Effort To Just Four Fulltime Entries
All Headline News - USA
… Toyota entered NASCAR racing three years ago in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and nearly won its first race of competition when Travis Kvapil ran second in …
www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005903753

Point/Counterpoint -The debate continues: Is NASCAR a sport, or …
New Bern Sun Journal - New Bern,NC,USA
Granted, probably the most athletic thing I’ve seen during (or after) a NASCAR race is Tony Stewart climb the fence after a win. …
snipurl.com/15dz9-stockc

Tony’s gift of THANKS
Hardin County Index - Lumberton,TX,USA
… She showed up for Tony Stewart’s holiday season appearance last week and left with the autograph she came for - and then some. …
www.thehardincountynews.com/news/2006/1220/Sports/031.html
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
www.scenedaily.com

Former PR executive agrees to guilty pleas
Former NASCAR publicist Richard “Chip” Williams has agreed to plead guilty to three criminal charges, including one of engaging in sexual acts with a 12-year-old, as part of plea agreement with federal prosecutors in North Carolina.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22591646

Toyota to build shop in North Carolina
Toyota plans to build an engineering and chassis facility in close proximity to its NASCAR teams.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22591648

Top 10 stories of 2006: No. 10
When the five finalists for the NASCAR Hall of Fame - Atlanta, Charlotte, Daytona Beach, Kansas and Richmond - were announced, Charlotte seemed like the overwhelming and logical choice.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22591649

Top 30: Casey Mears, 14th
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22591650

Gordon helps open new children’s hospital
Jeff Gordon has helped cut the ribbon to officially open the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital at NorthEast Medical Center in Concord, N.C.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22591651
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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

Tim Sauter in the #07 at Daytona: Greenlight Racing has Tim Sauter listed as the driver for the #07 Chevy at the season opener at Daytona. Sponsorship is listed as Lester Builders, a previous sponsor of Sauter in the Busch Series.(Greenlight Racing)(12-19-2006)
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com

Todd Bowsher Profile…….
Todd Bowsher just completed his 6th fulltime season on the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour. The 2006 year was full of sad and glad….from the passing of his famous father Jack in April, to tying his career-best points finish of 6th.

But for so many years, Todd’s father was the backbone of Jack Bowsher & Associates. What’s ahead for JB&A? We cannot know. We know that Todd would very much like to carry on the proud family tradition that reaches back to the late 1940s, but like everything in life, much easier said than done. For now, we settle for Todd’s personal profile….enjoy………..

Read more… - www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4202/2/
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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RBR Enterprises and Shelby Howard Team Up For 2007
Whiteville, N.C.—Ricky Benton Racing announced today that they will team up with driver, Shelby Howard for the 2007 Hooters Pro Cup season.

Howard, who resides in Greenwood, Ind., will move to the Southern Division after running in the North the past two seasons.

In 2006, the 21-year-old Howard finished second in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Championship Standings.

As part of the deal, veteran crew chief, Chris Rice will be joining the team to help coordinate all the race related activities. Rice, over the past few years, has worked in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series. The plans for 2007 include running for the USAR Championship as well as running in select NASCAR Busch Series events.
For more: usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2001
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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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Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/CA/122006.html
Wednesday Wranglings..Teresa Earnhardt Has Difficult Job
by Chuck Abrams

DEI Without Dale Junior Would be a Disaster
www.stockcarpitpass.com/inside20061220.html
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motorsportsnews.net/RomanRoad.html
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