Congrats to RCR and Kevin Harvick on their Daytona 500 victory…
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Based on what I’ve read, it sounds like it was a pretty exciting race yesterday. Congrats to RCR and Kevin Harvick!
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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(Last week’s) Quote(s) of the Week (Updated!)
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/270
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Courtesy of Catchfence.Com
http://www.catchfence.com
Kevin Harvick Edges Mark Martin In Wild Daytona 500 Finish: Kevin Harvick nipped Mark Martin at the start/finish line to capture the 49th annual Daytona 500 – the closest Daytona 500 finish since the advent of computer scoring. Harvick, who started seventh on the green-white-checkered finish, got drafting help on the outside from Matt Kenseth on the final lap and edged Martin at the start/finish line by less than a half a car length while a multi-car accident broke out behind. “This is the Daytona 500, can you believe it?” Harvick said in Gatorade Victory Lane. Martin, attempting to win his first Daytona 500 on his 23rd start, said the lack of drafting help coming off of Turn 4 proved the difference at the finish.
Kevin Harvick Third California Native In A Row To Win Daytona 500
http://www.catchfence.com/press/021807o.html
Daytona Denies Stewart 500 Glory
http://www.catchfence.com/press/021807m.html
Pos St Car Driver Make Sponsor Points/Bonus Laps/Status
1 34 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil 190/5 202 Running
2 26 01 Mark Martin Chevrolet U.S. Army 175/5 202 Running
3 7 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 165/0 202 Running
4 22 109 Mike Wallace Chevrolet Miccosukee Gaming 160/0 202 Running
5 35 6 David Ragan * Ford AAA 155/0 202 Running
6 30 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW 150/0 202 Running
7 28 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW 146/0 202 Running
8 1 38 David Gilliland Ford M&M’s 147/5 202 Running
9 18 13 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet CertainTeed 138/0 202 Running
10 42 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 134/0 202 Running
11 6 40 David Stremme Dodge Coors Light 130/0 202 Running
12 12 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Interstate Batteries 127/0 202 Running
13 33 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Target 124/0 202 Running
14 23 160 Boris Said Ford SOBE – No Fear 121/0 202 Running
15 39 7 Robby Gordon Ford Jim Beam 118/0 202 Running
16 41 70 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Yellow Trans. 115/0 202 Running
17 38 14 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet Waste Management 112/0 202 Running
18 11 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Jack Daniel’s 109/0 202 Running
19 36 42 Juan Montoya * Dodge Texaco / Havoline 106/0 202 Running
20 17 25 Casey Mears Chevrolet National Guard / GMAC 103/0 202 Running
21 27 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Cheerios / Betty Crocker 100/0 202 Running
22 43 44 Dale Jarrett Toyota UPS 97/0 202 Running
23 14 99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot 94/0 202 Running
24 8 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Kellogg’s / CARQUEST 96/5 202 Running
25 25 16 Greg Biffle Ford Ameriquest 88/0 202 Running
26 2 88 Ricky Rudd Ford Snickers 85/0 202 Running
27 10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT 87/5 202 Running
28 9 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet FedEx Express 79/0 201 Running
29 13 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker 81/5 201 Out
30 15 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 73/0 200 Running
31 24 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Crown Royal 70/0 196 Out
32 5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser 67/0 196 Out
33 20 96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV 64/0 195 Running
34 37 22 Dave Blaney Toyota Caterpillar 61/0 187 Running
35 19 21 Ken Schrader Ford Little Debbie 58/0 186 Out
36 31 66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy 55/0 181 Running
37 32 10 Scott Riggs Dodge Valvoline / Stanley Tools 52/0 179 Running
38 16 12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL 54/5 176 Out
39 21 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe’s 46/0 174 Out
40 40 00 David Reutimann * Toyota Domino’s Pizza 43/0 174 Out
41 4 2 Kurt Busch ** Dodge Miller Lite 50/10 166 Out
42 29 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Wells Fargo 37/0 160 Running
43 3 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 39/5 153 Out
* Rookies
** Led Most Laps
Results are unofficial
Goodwrench launches “Power of 3″ Web site – Fans can help continue legacy of Dale Earnhardt: As part of the successful premiers of the “DALE” documentary honoring racing legend Dale Earnhardt, Goodwrench has launched the “Power of 3″ Web site for fans to personally pay tribute and share their enthusiasm for the No. 3 Goodwrench team. From the home page of www.goodwrench.com , fans can click on the “Power of 3″ link to share their own memories and photos of Earnhardt for other fans to view and enjoy. The site will also feature a timeline of milestones, accomplishments, TV and print ads, and photos from Earnhardt’s impressive 27-year racing career. A link to a movie trailer and show times of the highly- anticipated, 100-minute documentary which is being screened in 40 markets across the Unites States mirroring the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, are also available. In addition, fans can opt in to receive regular e-mail updates as new material is added. “Given Dale’s place in NASCAR history, we wanted to give fans the opportunity to share some of their most significant memories of the racing legend,” said Jim Moloney, general director marketing, GM Service and Parts Operations. “The site will continue to grow with exclusive content throughout 2007 allowing for a truly memorable avenue to see and pay tribute to the man we all knew and admired.” Earnhardt earned more than $41 million in his career and collected seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, all behind the wheel of a Chevrolet. He tallied four of those championships in the famous black No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet while competing for team owner Richard Childress and scored all but three of his 76 career wins in a Chevy until his untimely death in 2001. “DALE”, produced by NASCAR Images and CMT Films, will air on CMT, following the 40-city tour. Participating Chevrolet GM Goodwrench dealers will make a special edition DVD set of “DALE” available to customers once it is released to the public this fall. – GM Racing Communications, Press Release
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Eury Jr. Will Leave If Junior Does
If Dale Earnhardt Jr. opts to leave Dale Earnhardt, Inc. at the conclusion of the 2007 Nextel Cup season, his crew chief will follow suit. Tony Eury Jr., Earnhardt’s crew chief and first cousin, told ESPN.com on Sunday that if Junior goes, he’ll go, too. — “Yes, [I'd go],” Eury responded when asked if he’d follow Earnhardt to a new race team. “That’s the way I based my feelings when I decided to stay there and sign a long-term contract. I made it very specific to them that if 2007 comes and Dale Jr. decided to do something else, I’d like to have my options open to do whatever I want to do.” Ultimately, though, Eury hopes Dale Jr. stays put.
“Race For Books” Program
The 2007 race season just got bigger for Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team. Today, Cheerios® announced a season-long Race For Books program that will begin this weekend during the 49th annual Daytona 500. The program will continue through the season-finale at the Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on November 18. Understanding the importance of getting new books into the hands of young children, Cheerios and nonprofit partner First Book® will donate 43 books for every lap that Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team complete during the entire 2007 race season. With a schedule that includes 36 races, Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team have the opportunity to earn more than 400,000 books for children in need.
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Harvick-Martin finish…yellow? NASCAR officials, reacting to the controversial slow yellow at the finish which denied #01-Mark Martin yesterday’s win, said they threw the yellow when #07-Clint Bowyer got sideways, and they said at that point #29-Kevin Harvick was just ahead of Martin.(Winston Salem Journal)
AND: NASCAR usually throws a caution immediately when there’s danger on the track, freezing the field in place. At least once recently � at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2005 � NASCAR threw a yellow on the last lap before the field reached the finish. That handed a win to Dale Jarrett, who was in first with a half-lap to go but trailed Tony Stewart at the finish. NASCAR allowed racing to the caution without freezing the field until September 2003, when it ruled drivers should slow down as soon as the yellow appeared for safety purposes. Sunday, NASCAR seemed to wait five seconds � until just after Harvick and Martin finished side by side � to throw the yellow. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Harvick was declared the winner because the caution came out when Clint Bowyer’s Chevrolet went sideways across the track after Harvick and Martin took the checkered flag. Poston said the yellow didn’t come out earlier because the cars involved in the crash had skidded off the track to that point.(USA Today)
AND II: Kyle Busch disappeared in the smoke just as Harvick pulled alongside Martin in the tri-oval. They both waited for the flagman, who leaned over the track and dropped the checkered with the 07 Chevy of Clint Bowyer tumbling and burning into the infield. At that moment, the outcome was in the hands of NASCAR. The message from the control center above the track to the flagman came as the cars reached the line. “Put it out,” David Hoots, NASCAR’s race director, radioed down. The yellow flag flew after Harvick passed under the flagstand. “When the 07 went sideways on the track, the yellow came out,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said afterward. “At that point the 29 was ahead of the 01 and declared the winner.” That was a good explanation and all, except that’s not what happened. Bowyer was upside down before the leaders took the checkered flag. The caution was thrown after that, technically, and according to NASCAR’s own rules, after the race ended. The fact that there was an official margin of victory (.020 seconds) proves it. There is no margin of victory in a race that ends under caution. And since no caution flew before the end, NASCAR had no official account of the crash. In effect, it never happened.(Roanoke Times)(2-19-2007)
News on the two injured crew members: It appears that Josh Yost, jack man for Jeff Burton’s #31 Chevy, suffered his second serious Achilles’ tendon injury in less than two years in Sunday’s Daytona 500. Richard Childress Racing team spokesman David Hart said Yost suffered an injury to his left Achilles’ tendon that doctors described as showing “classic signs of a rupture.” In May 2005, Yost suffered a laceration to his right Achilles tendon at Talladega Superspeedway when he was struck by Rusty Wallace’s Dodge on the pit lane. That took months to heal. Yost required a wheelchair and had to learn how to walk again. Hart said Yost flew home to North Carolina on Sunday in a splint and will see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible Monday. Yost wasn’t the only crewman injured Sunday. Jeremy Geiter, a crewmember on Mike Wallace’s #09 team, suffered an injury to his left foot and ankle after being struck by #26-Jamie McMurray during a pit stop on Lap 176. Geiter told ESPN.com that he and the #09 team were pushing Wallace from the pit stall when McMurray, pitting behind them, pulled out and ran over his left foot. Geiter said doctors informed him he might have a hairline fracture, but that a sprain and bruise was likely the extent of the injury.(ESPN.com)(2-19-2007)
Commercial breakdown for the 2007 Daytona 500:
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: 39
Total number of companies or entities advertised in brief promos or crawlers: 23
Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 3 min. 5 sec.
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 3:10 P.M.
End time to record race/commercial periods: 7:05 P.M.
Total minutes: 235
Minutes of race broadcast: 176
Minutes of commercials: 59
(See full reports at CawsnJaws.com)(2-19-2007)
www.CawsnJaws.com
Roush to appeal #17 penalty: Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith has filed an appeal of the points penalty given to driver #17-Matt Kenseth after his car failed post-qualifying inspection. Kenseth was docked 50 championship points, which Smith claims is too harsh based on precedence set last year with Jimmie Johnson. Johnson’s team was fined and crew chief Chad Knaus suspended for four races when his car failed post-qualifying inspection a year ago. Kenseth lost crew chief Robbie Reiser for four races and the points. “We’re not appealing the suspension,” Smith said. “But NASCAR said last year when they suspended Johnson’s crew chief that they want to be consistent with their penalties. There’s no precedence for 50 points.”(ESPN.com)(2-19-2007)
Teresa at Daytona: The start of the Daytona 500 was 20 minutes away when Teresa Earnhardt strolled down pit road toward the No. 8 Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr. She was laughing and smiling, enjoying the pageantry the way she always did before the last lap of this race in 2001. She had a glow about her as bright and warm as the Florida sunshine that kept this stock car racing shrine from feeling like Lambeau Field during the NFL playoffs. It didn’t fade as she made her way to the side of Earnhardt Jr., whose soap opera relationship with his stepmother and car owner has been the center of attention as NASCAR’s most popular driver attempts to negotiate a new deal. They posed for pictures. They hugged. See full story at ESPN.com.(2-19-2007)
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yvbvbj
Daytona 500 Fast Facts:
* Kevin Harvick won the Daytona 500, his 11th Nextel Cup victory in 179 races.
* Harvick’s best previous finish in the Daytona 500 was fourth in 2003 and 2004.
* Harvick’s starting position of 34th was the lowest starting position of a Daytona 500 winner ever.
* Harvick’s four laps led are tied for the fewest laps led by the Daytona 500 champion (Benny Parsons, 1975).
* Harvick is the first reigning Busch Series champion to win the Daytona 500 the following year.
* There are now four drivers who have won the NASCAR Busch Series race and the Daytona 500 in the same year: Bobby Allison (1988); Darrell Waltrip (1989); Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2004); Kevin Harvick (2007). LeeRoy Yarbrough won the Daytona 500 and the late model race at Daytona in 1969.
* This is the eighth closest Nextel Cup Series finish overall and the closest Daytona 500 since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993.
* This is Richard Childress Racing’s first Daytona 500 win since Dale Earnhardt in 1998.
* This is the first Nextel Cup-Busch Series sweep since Kevin Harvick in 2006 (Richmond, September).
* Jimmie Johnson ended a streak of 105 races in the Top 10 (sixth longest streak in Nextel Cup Series history).(NASCAR Statistics)(2-19-2007)
Maintaining a Top-10 Standard; Johnson’s streak ends: #48-Jimmie Johnson was ranked in the top 10 in the Nextel Cup point standings after every race since Atlanta in March 2004, 105 straight races, thru the 2007 Daytona 500 when he finished 39th after a wreck in the season opening race. The record is held by Dale Earnhardt with 174 races from Feb. 23, 1986 at Richmond to Mar 1, 1992 at Rockingham. Johnson’s streak is the 6th longest.(2-18-2007)
Manufacturer Fact: Toyota might be a foreign factory, but the Camry is the only NASCAR model produced in the United States. The Ford Fusion is produced in Mexico. The Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS are produced in Canada. Camrys are built in Kentucky.(San Diego Union Tribune)
NASCAR to announce #55 substance next week: NASCAR is expected to announce next week at California what exactly they found in the fuel system of Michael Waltrip�s #55 Toyota Camry after Daytona 500 qualifying last Sunday. Waltrip�s car was found to have an unidentified, gel-like performance additive, which NASCAR inspectors have sent out for laboratory analysis. Results of the lab tests aren�t complete yet, said a source familiar with the investigation. Those results will be disclosed next week, most likely during the race weekend at California Speedway in Fontana. So far, all NASCAR has said specifically about the substance is that they know what it isn�t [jet fuel], not what it is. That will change soon. NASCAR officials also confirmed that the examination of Waltrip�s confiscated car is continuing. In 2000, when Jeremy Mayfield�s car was found to have tainted fuel at Talladega, it was nearly two weeks after his car failed inspection before test results of his fuel were made public.(SpeedTV.com)(2-17-2007)
More on Gordon’s Infraction: -#24-Jeff Gordon didn’t sleep well on Thursday night. Not necessarily because his car failed inspection following the second of two 150-mile qualifying races, but because he was worried people might think his team deliberately cheated. That’s understandable in a week in which five crew chiefs and one vice president for competition have been suspended since Tuesday. “That’s what’s bothered me the most,” Gordon said. “It’s what kept me up all night. People are going to think we did something to circumvent the rules.” NASCAR determined that a parts failure resulted in the rear quarter panel of Gordon’s #24 Chevrolet being too low. Because it was deemed unintentional and gave Gordon no competitive advantage, the penalty was light. Gordon was forced to move from the second to last row — 42nd [his worst previous start in the 500 was 39th in 2004] in the 43-car field — for Sunday’s Daytona 500. “It’s easy if you just say the car was low,” said Gordon, a three-time Daytona 500 champion. “But the car wasn’t low on the racetrack. That’s why the penalty is what it is. If NASCAR felt like it was any more than that we’d be in the same position as those other guys. I wouldn’t have a crew chief right now. We’d have our points fined and a monetary fine.” Gordon had reason to be concerned others would question his team’s motives. #31-Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing was so concerned that he went to the NASCAR hauler to see what part was confiscated. “It’s my opinion what happened to the 24 is just a screwup,” Burton said. “The part was beat up pretty badly. It wasn’t machined to work that way. It was seen by me as an honest mistake. From what I’ve seen, it wasn’t a performance advantage. I think the punishment met the crime.” Gordon said it will be a challenge going from the back to the front, but not one he can’t overcome. “We’re going to have to have a real good handling race car and also a fast race car,” Gordon said before Friday’s practice. “We’re going to take not too much speed out of that car and really get the car to handling.” Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president for competition, said no further penalties would be levied against Gordon’s team.(ESPN.com)(2-17-2007)
GM to buy Chrysler? General Motors Corp. is in talks to buy the Chrysler Group in its entirety, Automotive News reported Friday, citing unnamed sources in Germany and the United States. The automotive trade publication reported on its Web site that high-level talks were talking place between GM and Chrysler Group parent DaimlerChrysler AG. The potential deal between the two automakers could go beyond cooperation on joint development of a large sport utility vehicle, the magazine said. A General Motors Corp. spokesman said the company routinely has discussions with other automakers but declined to comment on the Automotive News report. “We often have discussions with automakers routinely. We don’t comment on speculation regarding discussions,” GM spokesman Tony Cervone said. Meanwhile, various newspapers reported earlier Friday that Chrysler and GM have held discussions for about six months about a possible alliance related to large sport utility vehicles.(MSNBC)(2-16-2007)
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Kent D. – thanks!
NASCAR of tomorrow
St. Petersburg Times – St. Petersburg,FL,USA DAYTONA BEACH — Jeff Burton ponders NASCAR’s future with the twist of a plastic spoon in a cup of microwaveable oatmeal. It’s easy enough to swallow, …
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/02/16/Sports/NASCAR_of_tomorrow.shtml
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber pbred8 – thanks!
NASCAR May Be Cheating Itself
By Liz Clarke
As the Daytona 500 approaches, it has become an open question whether the current fixation on cheating is helping NASCAR or hurting it.
http://snipurl.com/1anpx-stockc
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
http://www.scenedaily.com
Waltrip’s crew chief on paid leave of absence
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – David Hyder, crew chief for Michael Waltrip, has been placed on a paid leave of absence as the team continues to investigate the rules violation that resulted in Waltrip absorbing a $100,000 fine and the loss of 100 series points
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22698421
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Harvick roars past Martin to win a Daytona 500 to remember
Winner comes from sixth place with one to go
DATYONA BEACH, Fla. – Kevin Harvick edged Mark Martin by less than half a car length with cars crashing behind them in a frantic green-white-checkered finish to a wild Daytona 500 on Sunday.
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/3034.html
Slideshow: Daytona action by Jeff Siner / The Charlotte Observer
http://www.realcities.com/multimedia/thatsracin/images/0207/0218jeffslides2/
Martin was looking for help, ‘but I didn’t see any back there’
Popular veteran finishes a strong second
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – They were wrecking behind him and Mark Martin’s chance at a Daytona 500 victory rested in the hands of the flagman several hundred feet ahead.
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/3039.html
Slideshow: More photos from Daytona
http://www.realcities.com/multimedia/thatsracin/images/0207/0218moeslides3/
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Kevin Harvick Edges Mark Martin In Wild Daytona 500 Finish
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kevin Harvick nipped Mark Martin at the start/finish line to capture the 49th annual Daytona 500 – the closest Daytona 500 finish since the advent of computer scoring.
Harvick, who started seventh on the green-white-checkered finish, got drafting help on the outside from Matt Kenseth on the final lap and edged Martin at the start/finish line by less than a half a car length while a multi-car accident broke out behind.
“This is the Daytona 500, can you believe it?” Harvick said in Gatorade Victory Lane.
Martin, attempting to win his first Daytona 500 on his 23rd start, said the lack of drafting help coming off of Turn 4 proved the difference at the finish.
“When I looked up there at the end, I was minus any pushers,” Martin said. “I didn’t have any help to get it done and that’s the way it goes.”
Martin, competing in a part-time NEXTEL Cup schedule with Bobby Ginn Racing, was thrilled with the effort of the team that gave him an opportunity to win the Daytona 500.
“I want to say that I didn’t ask for a win in the Daytona 500; I asked for a chance,” Martin said. “Those guys gave me exactly what I asked for, and I let it slip away, slip through my fingers and I’m fine with that. I did my best.”
Harvick, whose previous best finish in the Daytona 500 was fourth in 2003 and 2004, beat Martin by .020 seconds, the closest in Daytona 500 finish since the advent of computer scoring in 1993 and the eighth closest in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series overall.
Harvick’s victory was Richard Childress Racing’s first Daytona 500 win since Dale Earnhardt in 1998 and he also set a couple of Daytona 500 records in the process.
· His four laps led tied 1975 Daytona 500 champion Benny Parsons for the fewest laps led by a Daytona 500 winner.
· His starting position of 34th was the lowest starting position of a Daytona 500 winner.
· He became the fifth driver to win both the Daytona 500 and the Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series in the same year.
“It’s pretty incredible to be honest with you, to finally break that wall down and then win two days in a row, and then win the biggest race of the season,” Harvick said.
“We’ve won the Brickyard 400 but I don’t think there’s anything that can match a Daytona 500 in stock car racing,” Harvick continued. “This is what it is, and this is as big as it gets. I’m just glad that we’re able to accomplish that.”
With 47 laps to go, two cars that appeared to be top contenders to win the Daytona 500 crashed. Tony Stewart’s No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet got loose in Turn 4 and then was nudged by Kurt Busch’s No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge taking both cars out of the race.
Busch had led three times for 95 laps while Stewart led twice for 33 laps.
“It wasn’t meant to be today,” said an upbeat Stewart.
Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage served as Grand Marshal for the Daytona 500 and delivered the starting command, “Gentlemen, start your engines.”
Said Cage before the race: “I really want to enjoy each and every one of those words. I want to take my time with that. Those are probably my favorite words in all of sports.”
Performing the NEXTEL Tribute To America was Kelly Clarkson, singing the national anthem was Big & Rich and serving as the Honorary Starter was Phil Parsons, brother of the late Benny Parsons.
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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
http://www.bgnracing.com
Harvick Finally Gets Win At Daytona
http://www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=Features&op=view&rid=332
Six of the 19 investors of the Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway, are involved with motorsports racing. Gulf Coast Entertainment, L.L.C. has a solid foundation in racing with the involvement of investors Rick Skelton (Grand Am Pro Cup/Koni Challenge driver and owner), Armando and Mimi Fitz (NASCAR Busch Series team owners), Kelley Earnhardt Elledge (General Manager of JR Motorsports), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (JR Motorsports owner and Nextel Cup driver), and Kerry Earnhardt (consultant, driver and test driver).Fitz Motorsports, which is owned by Armando and Mimi Fitz, will field the No. 22 in the NASCAR Busch Series. “We are excited to continue our relationship with Supercuts and Family Dollar, which will split primary sponsorship in the NASCAR Busch Series this season,” noted Armando Fitz. “We welcome the experience and talent of Nextel Cup driver David Stremme, who will be driving a handful of races for us.” JR Motorsports is prepared to begin its season with the season-opening NASCAR Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway. The JR Motorsports team celebrated the new year by moving into a new, state-of-the-art 66,000-square foot facility in Mooresville, N.C. The new building houses all of JR Motorsports operations under one roof. In addition to fielding the Busch team, JR Motorsports operates the No. 88S Champion Chevrolet in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series with driver Richard Boswell, and the Nos. 71 and 73 R&B Chevrolet late model stock cars with drivers Scott Young and Curtis Truex Jr. (PSE-3 PR) (02-16-07)
Singer Sammy Hagar will serve as grand marshal for the Stater Bros. 300 Busch Series race at California Speedway on Feb. 24, track officials announced Thursday. Hagar will give the command to start engines and perform two concerts at the track that weekend. The first concert will be at the free “Fontana Racefest” on Feb. 22, and Hagar will also perform Feb. 25 before the Auto Club 500 Nextel Cup race. (Scene Daily) (02-16-07)
Affordable Band Instruments is proud to announce that we will be an associate sponsor of the Jay Robinson Racing #28 Chevrolet in at least two races in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. The #28 Chevrolet will carry the AffordableBand.com logo in February at the Daytona International Speedway and in May at the Darlington Raceway. (JRR PR) (02-16-07)
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Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Busch race on ESPN2 TV Ratings: NASCAR returned to the ESPN networks yesteday. ESPN2′s Busch Daytona 300 delivered a 2.42 HH coverage rating and 2,221,415 households (based on Cable Fast Nationals).
* Most-viewed auto race in ESPN2′s history
* 5th Highest-rated NASCAR Busch race on cable since 1996.
* 3rd most-viewed NASCAR Busch race on cable since 1996.
ESPN2′s race rated 26% lower than TNT’s 2006 race (2.42 vs. 3.28 HH cvg rtg). All key demos were down from last year as well. ESPN2′s race rated 27% lower than the 3.3 HH cvg estimate.(ESPN)(2-18-2007)
Goody’s Sponsoring Stewart in 2 Busch Races: Goody’s Headache Powders is introducing a revolutionary new flavor, Cool Orange. To celebrate the new flavor, Tony Stewart has been named spokesperson for Goody’s Cool Orange and will drive two special Goody’s Cool Orange paint schemes in the Busch Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. Stewart will drive the #18 Goody’s Cool Orange Chevy in Atlanta and the #20 Goody’s Cool Orange Chevyat Texas in November.(Goody’s PR)(2-17-2007). See an image of the car on my Paint Schemes Page.
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007busch.htm
Duesenberg-Leik Motorsports May Appear Again Later in the Year: The #0 team used to run under the Johnny Davis Motorsports banner. This season, JDM has merged with the Duesenberg-Leik team. The #0, driven by Eric McClure, will run under the #01 points from the of 2006. The #01 may also run some events later in the year. Yet to be determined would be sponsor and driver. The team will run as D.D.L. Motorsports, Inc.(BGNRacing.com)(2-17-2007)
Images: Over 50 images from Daytona added to the Paint Schemes Page.(2-16-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007busch.htm
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
NASCAR – Busch – Orbitz 300 Final Results
Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, FL
Fin Start No. Driver Points Car Laps Completed Status Earnings
1 31 21 Kevin Harvick 190 Chevrolet 120 running $116,200
2 11 32 Dave Blaney 170 Toyota 120 running $90,550
3 6 60 Carl Edwards 170 Ford 120 running $77,450
4 26 2 Clint Bowyer 165 Chevrolet 120 running $62,550
5 8 06 Mark Martin 155 Ford 120 running $58,000
6 4 11 Martin Truex, Jr. 155 Chevrolet 120 running $53,450
7 20 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 151 Chevrolet 120 running $56,575
8 38 33 Tony Stewart 142 Chevrolet 120 running $50,300
9 15 20 Denny Hamlin 138 Chevrolet 120 running $54,250
10 9 26 Greg Biffle 134 Ford 120 running $49,025
11 14 55 Robby Gordon 130 Ford 120 running $47,300
12 13 17 Matt Kenseth 132 Ford 120 running $51,825
13 36 29 Scott Wimmer 124 Chevrolet 120 running $62,965
14 18 16 Todd Kluever 121 Ford 120 running $55,770
15 3 47 Jon Wood 118 Ford 120 running $57,395
16 37 59 Marcos Ambrose 115 Ford 120 running $47,950
17 12 15 Paul Menard 112 Chevrolet 120 running $52,920
18 42 77 Bobby Labonte 109 Chevrolet 120 running $44,875
19 1 18 Aric Almirola 106 Chevrolet 120 running $51,950
20 35 25 David Gilliland 103 Ford 120 running $47,300
21 28 36 Brent Sherman 105 Chevrolet 120 running $48,200
22 2 38 Jason Leffler 102 Toyota 120 running $53,845
23 32 7 Mike Wallace 99 Chevrolet 120 running $49,495
24 33 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 91 Ford 119 running $45,775
25 43 34 Steve Grissom 88 Chevrolet 118 running $45,800
26 24 4 Regan Smith 85 Chevrolet 115 running $48,745
27 19 14 Kyle Krisiloff 82 Ford 114 running $45,425
28 39 28 Robert Richardson 79 Chevrolet 114 running $45,350
29 21 99 David Reutimann 76 Toyota 114 running $50,470
30 34 66 Steven Wallace 73 Dodge 114 running $45,375
31 27 12 Sam Hornish Jr. 70 Dodge 114 running $50,475
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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
http://www.jayski.com
Jack Sprague wins the Chevy Silverado HD 250 at Daytona: With a three-wide race to the finish line, Jack Sprague came out on top to win the season opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway. It was his 28th Truck Series career victory. Kvapil became sandwiched at the line, with Sprague passing on the outside and Benson’s Toyota on the inside with Sprague crossing the line first. Rounding out the top five; #23-Johnny Benson second, #6-Travis Kvapil third, #5-Mike Skinner fourth and #30-Todd Bodine in fifth. There were 7 cautions for 34 laps; 21 lead changes among 9 drivers.(2-16-2007)
Race Awards:
Budweiser Pole Award : Jack Sprague, #60 (179.508 mph)
Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive Through : Johnny Benson, #23
Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award : Ted Musgrave, #9 (12 Places)
Mobil1 Command Performance Driver of the Race : Johnny Benson, #23
Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award : Joey Clanton, #09
Sunoco Diamond Performance : Jack Sprague, #60
Wix Filters Lap Leader Award : Travis Kvapil, #6 (49 Laps)(NASCAR)(2-16-2007)
For complete race results visit the Daytona Race Page.(unofficial)(official results posted Monday)(2-16-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/cts/next/2007/1daytona2007.htm#results
BHR to hold press conference: UPDATE 2 : Bobby Jr. claims ownership: Bobby Hamilton Racing has scheduled a press conference on Thursday, February 15th at 10:00 am at Daytona International Speedway’s Infield Media Center to discuss the management team and operations.(BHR PR)(2-9-2007)
UPDATE: Despite saying he’d “washed and dried” his hands of BHR, the Craftsman Truck Series team founded by his father, Bobby Hamilton Jr. and his daughter, Haylie have an ownership stake in the team along with Hamilton’s widow, Lori. Lori Hamilton held a press conference on Thursday to introduce the management team leading BHR in the wake of Bobby Hamilton’s death last month due to cancer. Lois Vance, a longtime friend of Hamilton’s and the senior vice president of First Tennessee Bank, is the trustee of his will and is overseeing ownership operations of the team. While she wouldn’t disclose the ownership stake of the three principals, she said Hamilton Jr. can still have a role in the team if he so chooses. During preseason testing at Daytona last month, Hamilton Jr. said he wasn’t happy with BHR’s direction and that he had nothing to do with it. Vance said those comments were made out of emotion, coming just weeks after his father’s passing on Jan. 7. Hamilton Jr. was practicing his Busch Series car during the press conference and was not immediately available for comment. Lori Hamilton said she will remain in charge of sponsor relations, while Andy Dunlap will oversee the day-to-day operations of the team. Kip McCord will focus on the R&D and engineering aspects, while Jeff White, the crew chief for Ken Schrader’s team, will oversee the competition and on-track performance for both BHR teams. (Scene Daily)(2-15-2007)
UPDATE 2: A day after BHR held a press conference where it was stated that the team founded by the late Bobby Hamilton Sr. is owned by his widow, Lori, his son Bobby Hamilton Jr. and granddaughter Haylie, Hamilton Jr. said that isn’t the case. Lois Vance, trustee of Hamilton Sr.’s will, said on Thursday that she wouldn’t discuss how the ownership was structured among the three parties. Hamilton Jr., though, offered his take on Friday, following qualifying for the Orbitz 300 Busch Series race. “We got all ownership in BHR, I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Hamilton Jr. said. “BHR is mine and [daughter] Haylie’s. Everything that Bobby Hamilton had is mine and Haylie’s. … I saw that and I was kind of confused, but I guess they’re trying to give some people some hope. But it’s all laughable and jokeable because their 15 minutes of fame is up.” Hamilton Jr. said the trust names just he and Haylie. “Lois really went in there and I guess is running BHR because I don’t want to have anything to do with it, I just want to concentrate on my deal [driving].” He also reiterated his comments made during January testing that he currently has nothing to do with the team, leaving Vance to oversee things. Hamilton Jr. has no problems with Vance running the team. “She’s supposed to be middle ground,” he said. “I don’t talk to nobody else but Lois. I couldn’t even tell you nobody else’s phone number [with the team]. I talk to the guys in the shop, they bust their [butts] and they deserve better. “The way it’s being done, I couldn’t be a part of it. I don’t lie to myself and I’m not going to lie to other people.” (Scene Daily)(2-17-2007)
Images: Over 35 images from Daytona added to the 2007 Paint Scheme Gallery.(2-16-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007trucks.htm
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
NASCAR – Craftsman – Chevy Silverado HD 250 Final Results
Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, FL
Fin Start No. Driver Points Car Laps Completed Status Earnings
1 1 60 Jack Sprague 190 Toyota 100 running $93,375
2 10 23 Johnny Benson 175 Toyota 100 running $62,825
3 4 6 Travis Kvapil 175 Ford 100 running $46,175
4 9 5 Mike Skinner 165 Toyota 100 running $30,175
5 3 30 Todd Bodine 160 Toyota 100 running $27,075
6 18 09 Joey Clanton 150 Ford 100 running $23,525
7 16 33 Ron Hornaday Jr. 146 Chevrolet 100 running $21,325
8 26 88 Matt Crafton 142 Chevrolet 100 running $20,025
9 8 9 Ted Musgrave 143 Toyota 100 running $20,825
10 13 14 Rick Crawford 139 Ford 100 running $19,250
11 33 15 Bill Lester 130 Chevrolet 100 running $17,925
12 5 99 Erik Darnell 132 Ford 100 running $17,750
13 30 08 Chad McCumbee 124 Chevrolet 100 running $17,650
14 14 3 Cale Gale 121 Chevrolet 100 running $15,300
15 11 00 A.J. Allmendinger 118 Toyota 100 running $17,450
16 12 1 Aaron Fike 115 Toyota 100 running $17,925
17 20 16 Stacy Compton 112 Ford 100 running $14,895
18 34 28 Brandon Knupp 109 Chevrolet 100 running $14,975
19 31 75 Dennis Setzer 106 Chevrolet 99 running $16,925
20 19 10 David Starr 103 Ford 97 running $17,275
21 27 77 Brendan Gaughan 100 Dodge 88 accident $16,725
22 15 4 Chase Miller 97 Dodge 87 accident $15,375
23 32 40 Mike Bliss 94 Chevrolet 85 accident $14,250
24 2 50 Carl Edwards 91 Ford 73 running $14,125
25 28 8 Blake Bjorklund 93 Chevrolet 81 radiator $14,025
26 25 21 Kelly Bires 85 Ford 80 accident $14,925
27 7 59 Terry Cook 82 Toyota 61 accident $13,800
28 23 07 Tim Sauter 79 Chevrolet 56 accident $13,700
29 24 13 Willie Allen 76 Chevrolet 55 running $13,600
30 17 47 Kraig Kinser 73 Chevrolet 41 accident $13,500
31 6 36 Tyler Walker 70 Toyota 34 accident $13,450
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
ARCA’s Speedweeks Connection Continues into This Weekend
http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4412/2/
Like Father, Like Son
TOLEDO OH (2-16-07)–David Ragan finished fourth in this year’s ARCA 200 at Daytona in a No. 39 Roulo Brothers Ford. The Roush Racing driver, who is scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series full time in 2007, has a total of 29 career ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his name, including one win at Lanier Nat’l Speedway in 2005. He has recorded second-place finishes on both short tracks and superspeedways, including Toledo, Gateway, Chicagoland and Kentucky. In all, Ragan has 10 top-5 and 13 top-10 finishes in ARCA competition. But the Unadilla, Georgia native is not the only Ragan to find success in ARCA.
Read more… – http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4411/2/
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N A S C A R * C A N A D I A N * T I R E * S E R I E S
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BEAUCHAMP & TEAM MOPAR READY FOR 2007 SEASON
February 16, 2007. It’s still the middle of winter but Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts Team are already beginning preparations for the inaugural NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season.
Beauchamp Motorsports is always a busy place with new engines being produced for the #60 Mopar Parts Charger along with several other teams that use Beauchamp Motors for their cars. In addition both the oval and road course cars will get a work out this season and the team lead by Crew Chief Chris Couvillon is making sure no details go unchecked on those machines as they prepare for pre season testing sessions that will be here soon.
Beauchamp Motorsports is also pleased to welcome back all of their sponsors for another successful racing season. “We’ve had tremendous support from Mopar, Chrysler Jeep Dodge Service, Exide and Mobil One” said Ron Beauchamp Sr. the President and owner of Beauchamp Motorsports. “With the kind of backing that these great companies provide, and not just in terms of dollars, but their unwavering support over many years gives our team an edge over the competition. We’re very pleased to continue a relationship that has grown significantly over the years” he added.
You can get an up close look at the Mopar Parts Charger that Ron Beauchamp Jr. will campaign this season during the Canadian International Auto Show, running from February 16th thru the 25th at the Metro Toronto Convention Center and Rogers Center.
The #60 Mopar Parts Charger is part of the NASCAR Canada Display with interactive components and a huge video screen to enjoy racing action while at the show. For hours and other information about the show long onto www.autoshow.ca
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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
http://insiderracingnews.com/AM/021707.html
Desperate Times, Desperate Measures – Dark Days for Toyota
by Allen Madding
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/KR/021807.html
Back To Beach Racing, Stewart Says Yes
by Kim Roberson
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/RF/021907.html
Harvick Blasts Way To Daytona 500 Victory
by Ron Felix
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/DS/021907.html
Rules, We Don’t Need No Stinking Rules…Or Do We?
by Don Smith
February 18th, 2001 – Remembering Dale Earnhardt
by Carol Einarsson
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=235
Cheers & Jeers – CTS
Kvapil Sandwiched Out of a Win
by Carol Einarsson
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=234
2007: The Year of the Cheating Pig
by Carol Einarsson
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=233
Harvick Could Still Win Busch Championship…Do the Math
Bye Bye Busch Whackers-Daytona
MORE – http://www.stockcarpitpass.com/inside20070219.html
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The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2007 by MotorSportsNews.Net
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