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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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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Doe ray me fa so la tee doe!
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Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
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Go Get Good Guide to Great ‘gate Eatin’
by: Mike Irwin

I received a copy of “The Ultimate Tailgater’s Racing Guide”, by Stephen Linn recently. I have three words… Go get it.

For more, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/303
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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NASCAR Is Planning Global Expansion Based on “Car of Tomorrow”

In an article by Glenn Freeman on the Autosport.Com website, NASCAR is planning to use its Car of Tomorrow as a platform to create regional series around the world.

For more, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/304

#48 Hauler Involved In Wreck?

Stock Car Gazette editor Heather Meyer says that Claire B. Lang’s Dialed In show (XM Radio) reported that the #48 Lowe’s hauler of Jimmie Johnson was involved in an accident somewhere around the Amarillo, Texas area on Wednesday, 2/21/2007.

For more, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/305

Waltrip’s suspended crew chief maintains innocence

In a story on the www.abc7.com website, Michael Waltrip Racing vice president Ty Norris told ESPN.com Thursday that the company offered crew chief David Hyder an opportunity to come clean about the illegal additive found in the fuel system of Waltrip’s Toyota. Hyder says he’s innocent.

For more, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/306

Spring Bristol Race Tickets For Sale
For more, visit motorsportsnews.net/archives/307
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Gazette subscriber Joe dropped us this note…. thought it was worth passing on…

I wonder how many drivers are aware of this interpretation of the rule ??
This is from David Poole’s column… another of France’s Fuzzy Areas…..

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston was on “The Morning Drive” on Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 128, and Marty Snider and I asked about the finish of the truck race Friday.
Johnny Benson went below the yellow line and passed Travis Kvapil for second in the three-wide finish with winner Jack Sprague. Callers and e-mails had asked us about that, so we asked Poston.
He said the yellow line rule includes a caveat. “When the drivers can see the checkered flag, you can get all you can get,” he said.
That was news to me. He’s saying that once the flagman has the checkered flag in his hand and is waving it, the area below the yellow line is not out of bounds.
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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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The Race: Auto Club 500
The Place: California Speedway
The Date: Sunday, Feb. 25
The Time: 3:30 p.m. (ET)
TV: FOX, 3 p.m. (ET)
Track Layout: 2-mile oval
Distance: 500 miles (250 laps)
Purse: $6,065,926
2006 Winner: Matt Kenseth
2006 Pole: Kurt Busch
Pos. Driver Pts.
1 Harvick 190
2 Martin 175
3 J. Burton 165
4 M. Wallace 160
5 Ragan 155
6 Gilliland 147
7 Nemechek 138
8 J. Gordon 134
9 Stremme 130
10 Yeley 130
Pre-Race On-Track Schedule: Friday—Practice, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.; Qualifying, 3:10 p.m. Saturday—Practice, 11-11:50 a.m.; Final Practice, 2:20-3:20 p.m.

Courtesy of www.RaceDayWeather.com
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Courtesy of Catchfence.Com
www.catchfence.com

NASCAR Café, Las Vegas Announces Drivers Appearances: The NASCAR Café at the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada will, once again, offer race fans an exciting line up of NASCAR Drivers during the 2007 race week. Mark Martin, Regan Smith, Matt Kenseth and Todd Kluever will hold separate autograph sessions on Thursday March 8, 2007 and Friday March 9, 2007. Thursday March 8, 2007: Matt Kenseth - 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM & Todd Kluever - 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Friday March 9, 2007: Mark Martin - 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM & Regan Smith - 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM Wrist Bands will be distributed at the NASCAR Café Carzilla Bar as follows: Thursday Wrist bands for Matt Kenseth at 10:00 AM. Friday Wrist bands for Mark Martin at 10:00AM - RPG Events & PR For NASCAR Café, Press Release

Harvick’s helmet fuels backlash: It appears there was something that failed NASCAR’s post-race inspection after Sunday’s Daytona 500 — the uniform and helmet worn by race winner Kevin Harvick. Responding to complaints from Sunoco, the official fuel supplier of NASCAR, the sanctioning body has been in discussions with Harvick’s Richard Childress Racing team the past several days to address Sunoco’s concerns over the branding of Shell-Pennzoil’s sponsorship on Harvick’s uniform and helmet. In response to those complaints, Harvick can no longer wear the driver’s helmet used in Sunday’s race — which featured a prominent Shell logo — and his uniform had to be redone to include less prominent Shell logos, multiple sources confirmed. - That’s Racin’

Martinsville Offers Fan Suite Seating For Goody’s Cool Orange 500: The race track without a bad seat has even better seats available for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 weekend. For the first time Martinsville Speedway is offering luxury suite seating to fans for the March 30-April 1 events. Each suite pass includes suite seating for Carilion Pole Day on March 30, the Kroger 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on March 31 and the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race on April 1. Also included with each suite pass will be a pre-race pit pass for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500. There will be one South Lot Parking pass included for each two suite passes ordered. Lunch and snacks will be served on Saturday and Sunday and appetizers on Friday. Pepsi products will be served all weekend long. A cash bar will be available all three days. The cost of the luxury suite seating is $450 per seat. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or online at www.racetickets.com. - Martinsville Speedway, Press Release
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Courtesy of Fast Tracks Racing
www.fasttracksracing.com

Please keep Becky Davidson of Fast Tracks Racing and her family in your prayers right now. She and they are going through a kind of tough time.
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com

NASCAR Will Keep Fuel Additive Secret
An inside source has told Insider Racing News that the fuel additive found in Michael Waltrip’s No. 55 NAPA Toyota at Daytona, will remain a secret. NASCAR had planned to reveal the what the substance was this week at California Speedway but apparently now has decided to treat the case like a substance abuse episode. If and when a driver or competitor is caught with an illegal substance in their blood or system, NASCAR never reveals what that substance is. NASCAR confiscated Waltrip’s car and took it to their research and development facility for further analysis. Crew chief David Hyder and team manager Bobby Kennedy have been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR

Bill Elliott To Hall of Fame
NASCAR champion Bill Elliott headlines a class of eight racing names heading to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Novi, Michigan. Joining the 1988 stock car champion at the Aug. 15th, 2007 induction in Detroit will be Indy car mechanic/team manager Jim McGee, 1960 Indy 500 winner Jim Rathmann, Goodyear and IRL executive Leo Mehl, the drag-racing team of Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin, sports car champion John Fitch and motorcycle star Bubba Shobert.

79% Opposed To New Track Funding
Nearly eight out of 10 Washington voters are turning their thumbs down to spending public money on a NASCAR-ready racetrack — and that’s more than are opposed to taxpayer financing for other kinds of sports facilities. The Elway Poll, published Friday by independent pollster Stuart Elway, was taken among 405 registered voters statewide between Feb. 8 and 12, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent. It showed that public financing for a speedway such as the one proposed for South Kitsap was opposed by 79 percent and favored by 16 percent.

Childress Asked To Downplay Shell Logos
Kevin Harvick likely won’t be wearing his Shell sponsorship logos quite so prominently this weekend at California Speedway. Harvick’s team has been asked to utilize logos representing the Pennzoil automotive lubricant part of the company more prominently instead of the dominant Shell logo associated with the company’s gasoline in an effort to play down any perceived competition with Sunoco, the official fuel of NASCAR.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

Yeley tests at the Rock: on Wednesday, #18-J.J. Yeley tested his #18 Joe Gibbs racing Chevy, no word if it was a COT or a regualr car.(2-23-2007)

Harvick’s Shell Logos to be scaled down: #29-Kevin Harvick likely won’t be wearing his Shell sponsorship logos quite so prominently this weekend at California Speedway. Harvick’s team has been asked to utilize logos representing the Pennzoil automotive lubricant part of the company more prominently instead of the dominant Shell logo associated with the company’s gasoline in an effort to play down any perceived competition with Sunoco, the official fuel of NASCAR. Sunoco has exclusive rights to the fuel category at a NASCAR track, and company officials raised the logo matter after Harvick won both the Busch and Nextel Cup series races wearing prominent Shell logos at Daytona International Speedway. As a result, Harvick will apparently be sporting smaller Shell logos at this weekend’s events at California Speedway. “Obviously we’ve got a lot of partners and constituencies in the garage area that are important to the entire industry, and when these things come up we want to work through them as best we can,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Thursday morning.(SceneDaily.com)(2-22-2007)

Mears to run run Jackson Hewitt National Guard “Hero of the Year” scheme at California: This weekend at California Speedway, Staff Sgt. Quinton D. Martin of Gulfport, Miss., will have his image displayed on the hood of the #25 National Guard/GMAC Chevy as the winner of the first-ever National Guard “Hero of the Year” award sponsored by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. Martin served in Iraq with the 1,108th Aviation Support Detachment and has been a member of the National Guard for 24 years. For more information about the “Heroes of the Year” campaign, visit www.supporttheguard.com.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), see the full Jack Hewitt PR at jacksonhewitt.com(2-22-2007)

#96 to run Shrek III scheme: Tony Raines is scheduled to run a Shrek III [movie] on the #96 DLP HDTV Chevy at Richmond in May.(HOF Racing) See an image of the car on my #96 Team Schemes page.(2-22-2007) www.jayski.com/schemes/2007/96cup.htm

Sorenson to run Energizer e2 Lithium scheme at California: The #41 Dodge of Reed Sorenson will sport the Energizer e2 Lithium paint scheme this weekend in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. The dynamic silver and blue paint scheme will feature Energizer e2 Lithium, the World’s Longest Lasting Battery in High Tech Devices, alongside the famous Energizer Bunny, who will be on hand during pre-race ceremonies and in the pits on Sunday to give “long lasting” support to Sorenson and the Energizer/Target team.(Chip Ganassi Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #41 Team Schemes page.(2-22-2007) www.jayski.com/schemes/2007/41cup.htm

Entry List for the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway is up, 51 drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
these drivers who need to get in on speed and are NOT in a 2006 Top-35 Owners Points Position:
Not in top 35 of 2006 owners points (2007 race attempts in parens):
#00-David Reutimann (1/38th in 2007 owners pts)
#4-Ward Burton (1/56th)
#13-Joe Nemeck (1/7th)
#14-Sterlin Marling (1/16th)
#15-Paul Menard (1/45th)
#34-Kevin Lepage (1/47th)
#36-Jeremy Mayfield (1/43rd)
#37-Bill Elliott [Past Champ 1988] or John Andretti.(1/51st)
#44-Dale Jarrett [Past Champ 1999](1/21st)
#49-Mike Bliss (1/42nd)
#55-Michael Waltrip (1/61st)
#70-Johnny Sauter (1/15th)
#72-Brandon Whitt (1/60th)
#78-Kenny Wallace (1/46th)
#83-Brian Vickers (won in 2006)(1/57th)
#84-A.J. Allmendinger (1/59th)
withdrew from the race
#33-Scott Wimmer (0)
#39-Regan Smith (1/50th)
#74-Derrike Cope (1/48th)
In the event that qualifying is rained out:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 83,44,37,13,70,14,00,49
missing the race would be [9]: #’s 36,15,78,34,4,84,72,55
OR if Andretti is in the #37, it would be like this:
the eight who would make it [8]: #’s 83,44,13,70,14,00,49,36
missing the race would be [9]: #’s 15,78,34,37,4,84,72,55
See the full list at my Jayski’s California Entry List
www.jayski.com/stats/2007/entries/2007cal1-entry.htm
(2-19/21-2007)

Washington Stats Treasurer rips Sonics, NASCAR plans: State Treasurer Mike Murphy is blasting proposals to build a new Sonics arena in Renton and a NASCAR speedway near Bremerton, calling the plans bad deals for taxpayers. Murphy says state lawmakers need only look at the financial bottom line from Qwest Field to see how the state’s last “public-private partnership” with a professional sports team turned out. The state will pay about $600 million over 25 years to pay off $300 million it borrowed to build the stadium, Murphy said. The debt is being repaid with a mix of King County taxes and state lottery money approved by a public vote in 1997 � sources that brought in more than $16 million last year. “We might as well dispense with calling these things public-private partnerships, because they really aren’t,” Murphy told the House Finance Committee on Tuesday. In an interview Wednesday, Murphy was even more blunt in describing the proposed NASCAR and Sonics plans: “The private side gets rich. The public side gets screwed.” Sonics and NASCAR supporters say such criticisms focus narrowly on items such as rent payments and ignore other, more indirect benefits, such as increased tax collections, tourism and jobs created by the new venues. Murphy’s position puts him at odds with Gov. Christine Gregoire and Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, who have touted the Sonics and NASCAR proposals as potential economic boons.(more at Seattle Times)(2-22-2007) snipurl.com/1b1ly-stockc
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Kent D. - thanks!

NASCAR Has Decided Not To Name Additive Used In Waltrip’s Car All Headline News - USA
NASCAR impounded the machine at that moment and Michael Waltrip Racing has yet to have the car released back to them. NASCAR did say that the chemical …
www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006546263

Conspiracy Theory: Why did Waltrip race? FOXSports.com - USA
Whatever it takes, that is, unless “maintaining the integrity of the garage area” involves parking Michael Waltrip. Now, it may take longer to identify the …
msn.foxsports.com/other/story/6493164

Fox says TV ratings for Daytona 500 down Winston-Salem Journal
(subscription) - Winston-Salem,NC,USA Michael Waltrip has a lot to prove after his Daytona fiasco, with tricked-up gas, two suspensions, a 100-point penalty and a $100000 fine.
snipurl.com/1b1ld-stockc

Big NASCAR race will roar into Fontana
Fontana Herald-News - Fontana,CA,USA
The 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series began with a spectacular race in the Daytona 500 last weekend, and racing officials are hoping for another exciting day of …
snipurl.com/1b1lk-stockc

NASCAR’s latest sponsorship snafu is a gas Washington Times - Washington,DC,USA
We know NASCAR drivers are closely tied to their sponsors. Dale Jr. has Budweiser. Mark Martin has the US Army. Matt Kenseth might as well be known as Mr. …
snipurl.com/1b1ll-stockc

Petty, Waltrip make pitch to state lawmakers for NASCAR track KOMO - Seattle,WA,USA
(AP) - The NASCAR lobby revved into high gear Thursday with stars Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and current driver Greg Biffle trying to convince dubious …
www.komotv.com/news/5983001.html

Do you watch NASCAR?
Visalia Times-Delta - Visalia,CA,USA
The long NASCAR season is underway so the Times-Delta asked fans if they watch NASCAR, and why do they or don’t they watch? “Yeah, I watch NASCAR because it …
snipurl.com/1b1ln-stockc
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GOODYEAR TIRE NOTES
NASCAR Nextel Cup Series — Race No. 2 — Auto Club 500
NASCAR Busch Series — Race No. 2 — Stater Brothers 300
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series — Race No. 2 — San Bernardino County 200
California Speedway (2.0-mile oval) — Fontana, Calif. …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=244058

‘In The Loop’ At California Speedway
Loop Data Provides Insight To Scouting Sunday’s Auto Club 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2007) — Greg Biffle’s heartache at the end of last year’s Auto Club 500 was surpassed only by the brilliance he showed in …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=243977

Last Year’s Top 10 Drivers Facing Must-Rebound Race *Off And Running: RCR Teams The Early Barometer *Chevrolet Leads Manufacturer Standings *Star-Struck: California Speedway An Entertainment Magnet
Making Up Lost Ground: Top-10 Drivers Seek Important California Rebound …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=243885
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Courtesy of Scene Daily
www.scenedaily.com

Harvick’s Shell logos called into question
Kevin Harvick likely won’t be wearing his Shell sponsorship logos quite so prominently this weekend at California Speedway
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705748

Jarrett: Calif. race will be a good learning experience
Dale Jarrett says that this weekend not only gives the new Toyota teams a chance to test out their downforce program but also one to work together more than they could at Daytona International Speedway.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705750

Kahne looking for repeat win at California
Kasey Kahne won the race at California Speedway last fall, and the Evernham Motorsports driver is hoping that he can repeat that performance despite competing without team director Kenny Francis this weekend.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705743

Team hopes what it learned at testing will help Busch
Kurt Busch heads to California Superspeedway optimistic that he can repeat his 2006 feat of winning the pole for the Nextel Cup Auto Club 500 on Friday
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705744

Mears hoping for better fortune this weekend
At Daytona International Speedway, Casey Mears went through two cars before the Busch Series race even started and then failed to qualify for the race in a backup car on loan from teammate Kyle Busch.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705745

NASCAR Foundation donating funds for tornado relief
The NASCAR Foundation, with the help of the sanctioning body’s drivers and their respective charities, will donate money to the Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross to support victims of tornadoes that swept through Central Florida early this month.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705747

JR Motorsports creating demo cars for Speed show
Speed has partnered with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports team to create Speed 1, a fleet of race-ready demonstration cars created to allow viewers to peek inside the car.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705749

Museum unveiling Earnhardt Jr., Petty wax figures
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas will unveil wax figures of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22705795
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber pbred8 - thanks!

Caution: Roadwork ahead for Davis’ team
As bad as Sunday’s Daytona 500 turned out for Bill Davis Racing, the NASCAR team owner was philosophical about the experience because recent years have presented bigger challenges.
snipurl.com/1b1lb-stockc

Daytona 500 Race Fans Find Mean Message On Electronic Board
Special Keyboard, Password Needed To Change Sign
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona 500 race fans got a nasty greeting last weekend on one of those big, lighted message boards that are used on Florida’s highways to warn of such things as accidents. The message was: “NASCAR s****. Go home.”
www.news4jax.com/news/11083991/detail.html
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WFLA Video: Watch Channel 8’s recap of a wild Daytona 500, including the photo finish between Kevin Harvick and Mark Martin and Clint Bowyer’s unique approach to crossing the finish line.
whatcounts1.mediageneral.net/t?r=9&ctl=762EE:2615C

Sell, Sell, Sell: Bob Lipper of the Richmond Times-Dispatch offers thoughts on how modern NASCAR has come to mean at least as much about self-promotion as racing.
whatcounts1.mediageneral.net/t?r=9&ctl=762D1:2615C
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
www.thatsracin.com

Harvick’s helmet fuels backlash
It appears there was something that failed NASCAR’s post-race inspection after Sunday’s Daytona 500 — the uniform and helmet worn by race winner Kevin Harvick.
www.thatsracin.com/242/story/3097.html

Bill Lester races to catch the NASCAR money train
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It’s probably fitting that Bill Lester’s passion is not only rooted in the dream, but in the pursuit of it as well.
www.thatsracin.com/242/story/3107.html

NASCAR status report reflects a sport in flux
www.thatsracin.com/108/story/3115.html

TV ratings down for NASCAR races at Daytona
www.thatsracin.com/242/story/3106.html

ESPN’s ‘NASCAR Countdown’: Daytona wrap-up and California Speedwy highlights
www.thatsracin.com/119/story/3118.html

Pennzoil Congratulates Kevin Harvick for Daytona 500 Victory
www.thatsracin.com/119/story/3117.html
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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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FAST FACTS

The Race: Stater Bros. 300
The Place: California Speedway
The Date: Feb. 24, 20071
The Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
TV: ESPN2, 7 p.m. (ET)
Track Layout: 2-mile oval
Race Purse: $1,626,139
2005 Winner: Greg Biffle
2006 Pole: Carl Edwards
Schedule: Fri.– Practice, 8-9:15 a.m., Rooke Practice, 9:30-10 a.m. Sat.— Qualifying, 12:10 p.m. (Impound).

Courtesy www.RaceDayWeather.com
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Courtesy of BGNRacing.Com
www.bgnracing.com

Road racing veteran P.J. Jones will drive Richard Childress Racing’s No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the March 4 Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez near Mexico City.It was announced Jan. 23, 2007, that AutoZone, the nation’s leading retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories, would sponsor the No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet Monte Carlo team for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. Two-time and defending NASCAR Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick and Timothy Peters have been tapped to run the majority of the season’s races. (That’s Racin’) (02-22-07)

John Andretti told Sirius Satellite Radio’s The Driver’s Seat that he will run a limited schedule this year of approximately 15 races in the #10 Camping World Toyota for Braun Racing. He will drive the #37 in Cup this weekend and plans to be back in the #10 Busch car next week at Mexico. (Jayski) (02-22-07)

There are 41 entries for this weekend’s event in California…. Read More
www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=Race_Info&op=view&rid=1299

The first practice session begins at 11 AM EST this Friday at the California Speedway. We’ll have the usual speeds, photos and other news…. Read More
www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=Race_Info&op=view&rid=1298

Harvick Finally Gets Win At Daytona by Amanda Brahler
www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=Features&op=view&rid=332

Understanding The Teams by Amanda Brahler
www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=Features&op=view&rid=330
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

Stater Bros. 300 Entry List: UPDATE 2: There are just 41 cars entered in this weekend’s Calfornia race. See the complete list on the California Race Page.(2-19-2007) www.jayski.com/busch/next/2007/02california.htm#entry
Items of Interest: Dave Blaney is in the #10 for Braun Racing, while Chad Blount is in the #32. John Andretti is not entered. Tony Stewart is in the #18 for Joe Gibbs. Jeff Green is entered in the #28. The driver of the #34 is again listed at Steve Grissom. Kertus Davis make his first appearance in the #77. Harvick will be in his #33 Chevy.
UPDATE: Braun Racing confirmed the team would not run its #32 Toyota this weekend. Dave Blaney drove the #32 last Saturday but is moving to the #10 for California. John Andretti, who drove the #10 at Daytona, is not entered at California. Chad Blount was originally listed as the driver of the #32, but Braun is not running that car at California.(SceneDaily.com)(2-21-2007)
UPDATE 2: Morgan Shepherd will drive a second Davis Motorsports entry in Saturday’s Busch Series race at California, Faith Motorsports announced. The car number, sponsor name or details are not yet available.(Faith Motorsports)(2-22-2007)

Zoriki to Sponsor Yeley: Yeley Racing Corporation announced that David Zoriki Motorsports will sponsor J.J. Yeley’s Busch Series entry in 2007. Yeley will compete for Phoenix Racing by driving the #1 Miccosukee Resort Chevy, with associate sponsorship from Zoriki. With a background in ownership in the open-wheel ranks, Zoriki embarked on the NASCAR circuit in 2005 and 2006 in the Craftsman Truck Series as a team sponsor. The new partnership with Yeley marks his first venture in the Busch Series.(Yeley PR)(2-22-2007)

Cope Driving for Jay Robinson at Mexico: UPDATE: NO From the Derrike Cope web site: “I will be driving a Busch Series car in Mexico City for Jay Robinson in a couple of weeks”.(DerrikeCope.com)
UPDATE: “I will not be driving the Jay Robinson Racing Chevy next weekend as earlier noted. At the last minute there has been a Mexican driver that has come through with some sponsorship for the event.”(DerrikeCope.com)(2-22-2007)

What’s Up with Ashton Lewis Jr.? Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway interviewed Ashton Lewis Thursday afternoon. He spent part of the offseason working at his father’s engine dyno company, but is now selling cars for Rick Hendrick at the Toyota Scion dealership in Concord, NC. He said he would consider the right opportunity to drive in NASCAR again if the situation arose.(Sirius Radio)(2-22-2007)

Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway is citing unconfirmed reports than John Andretti has been released by Braun Racing, and that Dave Blaney will drive the #10 car for the remainder of the season with sponsorship from ABF U-Pack, Haas Avocados and Camping World. The team will also continue to field a car for Jason Leffler this season.(Sirius Radio)(2-22-2007)

Keith Coleman Racing Makes Pit Stop at Oklahoma State Capitol: The #23-Chevy made a pit stop at Oklahoma’s State Capitol Building and was greeted by eager NASCAR fans. Blake Wade, Oklahoma Centennial executive director worked with Edmond, Okla. resident Al Smith to bring the state’s 100th commemoration to NASCAR. Oklahoma Centennial’s NASCAR debut was made possible by Smith, a longtime NASCAR fixture and executive vice president of the Keith Coleman Racing Team, and team CEO Keith Coleman. The space on the racecar was donated by the racing team as a way to show its support for Oklahoma’s Centennial.(Oklahoma Centennial Commission PR)(2-22-2007)

Stewart Driving for Gibbs at California: Tony Stewart has front loaded his racing schedule with appearances in the first four Busch Series races of the season. After finishing a solid eighth in last Saturday’s season-opening race at Daytona, Stewart has set his sights on the Stater Bros. 300, where he’ll drive the #18 Z-Line Designs Chevy in the second race of his 12-race Busch Series schedule for 2007.(Joe Gibbs Racing PR)(2-22-2007)
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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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FAST FACTS

Next Race: San Bernardino County 200
The Place: California Speedway
The Date: Feb. 23
The Time: 9 p.m. (ET)
TV: SPEED 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Track Layout: 2-mile oval
Race Purse: $667,561
2006 Winner: Mark Martin
2006 Pole: David Reutimann
Schedule: Thursday—Practice, 2-3 p.m. & 4-5 p.m. Rookie Practice, 3:15-3:45 p.m. Friday: Qualifying, 1:10 p.m. (live on SPEED)

Courtesy www.RaceDayWeather.com
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

Martin fastest in final practice: #21-Mark Martin was the fastest in the final practice session at California Speedway with a speed of 176.492 followed by #60-Jack Sprague, 176.108; #5-Mike Skinner, 175.528; #9-Ted Musgrave, 175.410; #50-Carl Edwards; first Chevy (6th), #47-Kraig Kinser, 174.808; 1st Dodge (23rd), #18-Ken Schrader, 171.998; first rookie (9th), #1-Aaron Fike, 174.279. The final practice was shortened due rain. For complete final practice speeds visit the California Race Page.(2-22-2007) www.jayski.com/cts/next/2007/2california2007.htm#practice

Kinser fastest in first practice: #47-Kraig Kinser was the fastest in the first practice session at California Speedway with a speed of 176.173 followed by #50-Carl Edwards, 175.443; #60-Jack Sprague, 175.430; #33-Ron Hornaday Jr, 174.740 and #5-Mike Skinner-174.639; first Dodge (21st) #18-Ken Schrader, 171.838; first rookie (11th) #13-Willie Allen, 173.402. For complete practice speeds visit the California Race Page.(2-22-2007) www.jayski.com/cts/next/2007/2california2007.htm#practice

Shepherd scheduled to drive #44: Morgan Shepherd has been listed as the driver of the #44 Key Motorsports Chevy for the San Bernadino County 200 at California Speedway. Shane Huffman practiced the #44, however Morgan Shepherd reportedly will be the driver during the race.(2-22-2007)

Raybestos Rookie News & Notes - California: Joey Clanton was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 16 Chevy Silverado 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Clanton finished sixth and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in the first race of the 2007 season. Clanton has a six-point over Aaron Fike in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Feb. 23 San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway. Clanton is sixth in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 10 points behind fifth-place Todd Bodine and 40 behind leader Jack Sprague. Todd Kluever is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to post a top-five finish at California Speedway, grabbing a fourth-place finish in 2005. Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 San Bernardino County 200, posting an 11th-place finish. Rookie contender point standings: Joey Clanton, 16; Aaron Fike, 10; Blake Bjorlund, 9; Kelly Bires, 8; Tim Sauter, 7; Willie Allen, 6; Tyler Walker, 5; Jason White, 4.(Raybestos PR)(2-22-2007)
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AMERICAN IDOL STAR TAYLOR HICKS TO PERFORM AT KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY JULY 14
Soulful artist to entertain fans with exclusive prerace concert
SPARTA, KY. – Kentucky Speedway will become “Soul Patrol!” central July 14 when American Idol fifth-season champion and Arista recording artist Taylor Hicks entertains race fans with an exclusive concert before the green-flag start of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers.”

The soulful artist also will perform the National Anthem live on SPEED Channel.
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
www.truckseries.com

Life’s Good On and Off the Track for Sprague
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000104/010410.htm
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com

Workhorse Benning Soldiers On; Full-Ahead for ‘07
TOLEDO OH (2-22-07) - After running half the ARCA RE/MAX Series season in 1996, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Norm Benning started fulltime on the tour in 1997. 233 races later, the Quaker State workhorse hasn’t missed a show yet.

And it’s not like he’s had an abundant supply of dinero and/or sponsors to help keep him on the road. An independent from the start, Benning, who’s funded his own effort all along on the strength of all volunteer help, has done it the hard way.

“I can’t afford to race, and I can’t afford not to race,” Benning said after finishing 24th in the 44th annual ARCA 200 at Daytona.

Read more… - www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4436/2/
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Allgaier Motorsports suffers devastating loss
Springfield, IL (February 22, 2007)-Allgaier Motorsports suffers a devastating loss with the passing of longtime friend and mentor Leroy Donley this past week. Donley nicknamed “Trashman” raced in the ARCA RE/MAX Series at the Daytona International Speedway in 1973 and …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=244085
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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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I Was Just Wondering…
What Does HIPAA Know About Rocket Fuel?
by Carol Einarsson
A recent article says that only 4% of those polled say that racing is their favorite sport. I wonder if the question was only asked of those folks that attend the race in California.
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=238

Tony Fabrizio/The Tampa Tribune
Inconsistent NASCAR Got It Right At Finish
NASCAR held everyone else to the letter of the law before the Daytona 500 with penalties for illegal cars. Why didn’t it hold itself to its own guidelines and throw the yellow flag when the big wreck broke out on the last lap Sunday night? In fairness, it couldn’t.
whatcounts1.mediageneral.net/t?r=9&ctl=762EA:2615C

Mike Mulhern/Winston-Salem Journal
Drivers Say They’re Eager To Take Off Restrictor Plates
Richard Childress’ gang is off to a heck of a start, but Jeff Burton, who was third behind teammate and winner Kevin Harvick in the Daytona 500 on Sunday night, said that this weekend’s stop at the flat, two-mile California Speedway is “what we call the first real race.”
whatcounts1.mediageneral.net/t?r=9&ctl=762D2:2615C

Jill Erwin/Richmond Times-Dispatch
More Pressure, More Pleasure
A year after helping Jimmie Johnson claim the Nextel Cup points championship, Virginia native Daria Grubb has taken the reins of the No. 25 team, working with Johnson’s new teammate Casey Mears. He’s working with a new crew, a brand new driver and a new job.
whatcounts1.mediageneral.net/t?r=9&ctl=762D0:2615C

Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/AM/022307.html
Lessons Learned From Daytona
by Allen Madding

NASCAR News Rewind
Waltrip’s Car Headed to Betty Ford Clinic Edition
By Dennis Michelsen
www.stockcarpitpass.com/inside20070223.html
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