We check in here with the latest stock car racing news for Saturday.
____________________________________________________________
T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
by http://MotorSportsNews.Net
Do you know for sure?
http://motorsportsnews.net/RomanRoad.html
____________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette is sponsored by:
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
FOR 2007 ITEMS:
CLICK HERE: http://www.diecastcars.net/cbsearch.asp?Description=2007
FOR 2006 RELEASE AND PRE-ORDER ITEMS:
CLICK HERE: http://www.diecastcars.net/cbsearch.asp?Description=2006
NEWEST IN STOCK:
2007 Release J. Johnson 2006 Cup Champ MC, K. Harvick 2006 Busch Champ MC,
2007 Release D. Hamlin 2006 Rookie Of The Year Fed Ex Express Monte Carlo,
2007 D. Jarrett UPS Toyota Camry, Juan P Montoya Havoline Dodge Charger,
2006 Jimmie Johnson Brickyard Winner MC, 2007 P. Menard Menard’s,
2007 D. Blaney Caterpillar Toyota, M. Martin Army 1/64, K. Harvick Shell MC,
2007 D. Hamlin Fed Ex Ground Monte Carlo, M. Kenseth Dewalt Ford Fusion,
2007 M. Waltrip NAPA Toyota Camry, M. Kenseth R&L Carriers Ford Fusion,
2007 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Monte Carlo, D. Hamlin Fed-Ex Freight MC,
2007 J. Gordon Pepsi MC, D. Ragan AAA Ford Fusion, K. Kahne Dodge Dealers,
2007 D. Hamlin Fed Ex Express MC, 2007 T. Stewart Home Depot Monte Carlo,
2007 J. Gordon Dupont Monte Carlo, 2007 J. Johnson Lowes Monte Carlo,
PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE FOR:
K Harvick BN Ladies MC
CLICK HERE: http://www.diecastcars.net/cbsearch.asp?Description=pre-order
View Our Online Catalog By Following The Link Below:
http://www.diecastcars.net/product.html
Hasco Collectibles
Div. Hasco Services, LLC
701 Mantooth Ave.
Lufkin, TX 75904
http://www.diecastcars.net
hasco@diecastcars.net
866-66-HASCO (866-664-2726)
___________________________________________________________
E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
___________________________________________________________
Good morning and welcome to the rare Saturday edition from me. Our Internet connection started working again last night, so I thought I’d try to catch you up on what’s going on in the world of stock car racing.
We want to also wish everyone a very blessed Easter. Jesus is the reason for “this” season, too.
___________________________________________________________
Stock Car Gazette Columnists Speak Out!
___________________________________________________________
Falling Flat
by: Sadie Dyer
Last weekend, the TV race announcers repeatedly reminded us how much they loved Martinsville. The history, the community, the hotdogs… it’s the best there is. And I love it too. Don’t I?
For more, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/407
Nextel Cup Drivers On Spring Break Too
By: Capt. Herb Emory
The Nextel Cup and Craftsman Truck Series drivers get sort of a Spring Break this week from the normal routine.
For more, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/410
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * N E X T E L * C U P * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Catchfence.Com
http://www.catchfence.com
Track Repaving, New Tunnel Top List of Projects at Darlington Raceway – Track Receives Largest One-time Capital Investment in Its 58-year History: Track officials have announced that the Board of Directors of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has approved more than $10 million in funding for capital projects at Darlington Raceway. Total estimated spending for the projects represents the largest one-time capital investment in the 58-year history of the storied facility. Scheduled projects include repaving of the racing surface and aprons, and the addition of concrete pit stalls. A new infield access tunnel, large enough to accommodate race car haulers as well as motorcoaches, will be constructed at the west end of the track. Projects also include suite renovations and the creation of additional fan parking areas. “We are extremely pleased at our company’s outstanding show of support for Darlington Raceway,” said track president Chris Browning. “The repaving and tunnel projects, in particular, are the continuation of a major renovation and upgrade plan that began last year with the construction of the new Brasington Tower grandstand in Turn 1. Many great things lie ahead for Darlington Raceway, and we are tremendously excited about what the future holds in store.” Construction on Darlington Raceway began in 1949 and the track hosted the first-ever NASCAR-sanctioned race on a paved speedway on Labor Day 1950. Darlington was last repaved in the fall of 1995. The first race run on the new pavement was in the spring of 1996. Ward Burton won the pole with a speed of 173.797 mph — a record run that stands to this day. The track solicited input on the upcoming repaving project from several current drivers, along with team owners and engineers and representatives from NASCAR and the Goodyear Tire Company. Work will begin in the summer of 2007, following the Dodge Avenger 500 weekend May 10-12.
- Darlington Raceway, Press Release
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Insider Racing News
http://www.insiderracingnews.com
Cale Gale On ARCA Pole
When pressed, Cale Gale told members of the local Nashville media Friday afternoon that his daddy named him after NASCAR great Cale Yarborough, and that he was destined to be a racer. The 22-year-old Mobile, Alabama native is off to a pretty good start. Gale earned his career first ARCA RE/MAX Series pole award Friday afternoon at Nashville Superspeedway, circling the 1.33-mile concrete oval in 29.268 seconds (163.961 mph). The Kevin Harvick Racing developmental driver will sit on the pole for tomorrow’s ARCA 150 alongside Rocklin, California’s Justin Marks.
Rudd To Hall Of Fame
Ricky Rudd will be inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame during an April 28 ceremony in Portsmouth, Va. The hall of fame annually inducts Virginia natives who have made a lasting contribution to Virginia and national sports. “It’s an awful big honor to be able to be inducted and [I'm] really looking forward to it and [it's] something I hold in high regard,” Rudd said. Rudd, a Chesapeake native, has won 23 races in his NASCAR career and ranks among the top 50 NASCAR drivers of all time.
Kenseth Flies 737 Simulator
As part of his NASCAR Winner’s Circle appearance with Texas Motor Speedway Kenseth spent the day at the American Airlines Training Academy in Fort Worth learning the ropes of piloting a Boeing 737 aircraft. Kenseth, who is a pilot himself and owns a Learjet, was in awe with the simulated experience. After receiving some initial training, Kenseth was handed over the controls of the 737 simulator as he took off from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and ascended through the clouds. Once airborne, Kenseth was faced with the challenges of simulated weather conditions such as thunderstorms and cloudy skies as he took the helm of the aircraft simulator.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Villeneuve Confident of NASCAR Future: Former Canadian Formula One star Jacques Villeneuve leans over and coos to his infant son, who is parked close beside him in the mother of all strollers. Since this time last year, Villeneuve has a new wife, a new baby and a new home. He’s still waiting on word about the new career on the NASCAR circuit. “I’m confident it will happen,” says the former Indy Car, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One champ. So confident that he and his wife have moved from Switzerland to Montreal, where he is within easy travelling distance of the weekend races throughout NASCAR season.(Toronto Star)(4-7-2007)
Dale Jr. Say DEI Exceeding Expectations in COT: Dale Earnhardt Jr. never doubted whether or not his team could rally back into championship form. But he does recognize that some other organizations are ahead of his when it comes to the car of tomorrow – and that could be key this season. Earnhardt Jr. quickly points out that a lot of teams suffered setbacks at some point in the opening series of six races. He had DNFs in the first two, but has since rallied back to 11th in the standings. The top 12 qualify for the Chase For The Nextel Cup 10-race title-determining segment of the season. Even when his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team endured setbacks, Earnhardt Jr. felt confident with their strength and ability to come back into the elite group. Still, he looks at the Hendrick Motorsports cars and sees a group that will be tough. “They’re at the top of the charts right now, winning every week and running up front every week, and they’ll be hard to challenge going into the Chase at this point,” he said. “But if we can just continue to finish good and take good cars to the race track, we should be able to make that top 12.”(SceneDaily.com)(4-7-2007)
Kyle Petty to host Sirius show from NY Auto Show: #45-Kyle Petty will host a special two-hour program live, with Jack Arute, from the SIRIUS Satellite Radio display at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, channel 128, Saturday, April 7, 2007 from 1:00 to 3:00pm/et. Following the live two-hour broadcast, there will be a two-hour autograph session with Petty at the SIRIUS display. The 2007 New York International Auto Show is being held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC, NY.(Sirius Radio PR)(4-6-2007)
Purple scheme at Texas for Jeff Burton: Richard Childress Racing rolls out its #31 Prilosec OTC Chevy Monte Carlo SS on April 15th, complete with a purple lightning paint scheme, for the first time this season at Texas. A good luck charm for the #31 team will be the addition of Prilosec OTC Victory of a Lifetime Sweepstakes Grand Prize winner Jim Farina as the team’s Honorary Pit Crew member. The Pittsfield, Mass., native will spend the weekend with Burton and his crew helping with pre-race preparations as he proudly sports his purple #31 team uniform and firesuit. Prilosec OTC is a Major Associate sponsor of RCR’s #31 Chevy. In addition to this week’s purple paint scheme, Prilosec OTC supports Team Cingular throughout the year on the lower rear quarter panel of the #31 Chevy and on Jeff Burton’s firesuit.(RCR PR), see an image of the scheme on the #31 Team Schemes page.(4-6-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007/31cup.htm
Arrest Made in Murder of Team Red Bull member: A Taylorsville man was charged with the Saturday slaying of James Sprinkle, a NASCAR mechanic for Team Red Bull, according to the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office. Earl Wayne Flowers, 51, of Gravel Hill Court, was arrested at about 3 p.m. Thursday. He received no bond and was in the Alexander County Detention Center Thursday, charged with one count of murder.(Charlotte Observer)(4-5-2007), for more information on this story see my #83 Team Page.
http://www.jayski.com/teams/83.htm
John Andretti, Jon Wood and Ken Schrader have emerged as possible candidates to fill in for Kyle Petty in June and July when he takes a break from driving to be an analyst for TNT’s Nextel Cup broadcasts. Petty, whose previous television work has been widely praised, plans to work with the TNT crew for five races. Petty Enterprises Vice President Robbie Loomis said the team continues to evaluate choices. “A lot of questions come into play,” he said. “Do you go with a guy like Bill Elliott or a guy who’s been in Busch or truck? He [Jon Wood] is somebody we’ve talked about. Our relationship with the Wood guys has always been good, but the bottom line is we have to see some results on the track from these guys.”(SceneDaily.com)(4-5-2007)
Dale Jr. happy TMS fixed dip: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that he’s excited that Texas Motor Speedway has repaired the dip that Earnhardt complained about in the week leading up to the Dickies 500 in November. Earnhardt won’t know how that area between Turns 1 and 2 feels until he practices next Friday in preparation for the Samsung 500. “I told them if they could fix that they’d have a better racetrack,” said Earnhardt, on a conference call after testing the Car of Tomorrow in Richmond. “[TMS president Eddie Gossage] was upset I used the media to tell him that, but sometimes you guys got the loudest microphone.”(Dallas Morning News)(4-5-2007)
RV Spots available for Nov. Phoenix race: Starting Friday, April 6, NASCAR fans can call the Phoenix International Raceway Ticket Office at 1-866-408-RACE (7223) to reserve their motorhome spots for NASCAR’s Semi-Final Weekend, held November 8-11 at PIR and highlighted by the 20th running of the November NASCAR classic, the Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil. Phoenix International Raceway recently extended its ticket office hours to Saturdays, beginning March 31. Weekday ticket office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The PIR Ticket Office will also open for business on Sunday, April 15, again from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Outside reserved RV spots are available at $160 for the week, and unreserved spots can be purchased for just $50. Race tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223)(PIR PR)(4-6-2007)
Kansas Speedway Presents Tickets to Kansas National Guard: At a Capitol ceremony on Wednesday, Kansas National Guard members and their families were presented with 2,500 tickets to opening weekend races at the Kansas Speedway by Speedway President Jeff Boerger and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. The donation was made possible by O’Reilly Auto Parts and the Kansas Lottery. Accepting the donation was Major General Tod Bunting, the Kansas Adjutant General, and several members of the Kansas National Guard. The Kansas Speedway’s seventh season of racing kicks off the weekend of April 27 with the IndyCar Series Kansas Lottery 300, Craftsman Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 and the ARCA Re/Max Series Kansas Lottery $150 Grand. Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans may bring 6x6x12-inch soft-sided coolers with their favorite food and beverage into the grandstands.(Kansas Speedway PR)(4-6-2007)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Kent D. – thanks!
Commerce City election may put brakes on NASCAR Rocky Mountain News – Denver,CO,USA
A group of homeowners thinks it may have successfully wrecked plans for a NASCAR super speedway in Commerce City by electing a new anti-track mayor and …
http://snipurl.com/1fj8b-stockc
Speedway Lands Notable NASCAR Drivers
April 5, 2007–Race fans are already impatient for the Iowa Speedway’s season to get underway, and now they have something more to be excited about. Some big-name NASCAR drivers will be making their way to the track. The speedway lands the top two finishers at Daytona, Kevin Harvick and Mark Martin. Harvick will compete in the May 20th NASCAR Grand National East-West series, and Mark Martin will wind through the track’s road course during the July 13th Grand-Am series. All content © Copyright 2001 – 2007 WorldNow and WHO-TV, a division of NYT Broadcast Holdings, LLC.
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Scene Daily
http://www.scenedaily.com
Benson: COT doesn’t perform like a truck
RICHMOND, Va. – Since it’s debut at Bristol Motor Speedway March 25, the car of tomorrow has drawn comparisons to the Craftsman Truck Series entries.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22778358
Toyota teams focusing on day-to-day improvements
RICHMOND, Va. – Andy Graves says the Toyota teams were targeting specific areas of study during the car of tomorrow test at Richmond International Raceway this week.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22778359
Busch race now has full field
LEBANON, Tenn. – Fitz Motorsports has entered Ruben Pardo in Saturday’s Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway, meaning the stand-alone Busch Series race will have a full 43-car field.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22780256
Mayfield, Blaney working together to improve
What does a team do when one car is faster than the other? They start moving setups over from the car of the driver who is posting the best times.
http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22780255
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Sports Illustrated & Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B.
http://www.SI.com
Dale Earnhardt Jr. says his sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, continues to recuperate from recent surgery and should be back to form soon. Earnhardt Jr. has put his contract negotiations on hold until his sister is once more well enough to participate in the process. She underwent surgery March 23. — SceneDaily.com
Team owner/driver Michael Waltrip had three of the eight Toyota teams present for the Car of Tomorrow test at Richmond International Raceway this week. Waltrip’s group wasn’t necessarily focusing on the speed chart, but rather on learning different aspects of the car and trying a variety of changes in an effort to understand how NASCAR’s new model reacts. — SceneDaily.com
Darlington Raceway will be repaved and have concrete pit stalls added to pit road as part of $10 million in capital improvements approved for the South Carolina track by the International Speedway Corporation’s board of directors. The total amount approved represents the largest one-time capital investment in the track’s 58-year history. — Charlotte Observer
The last thing Casey Mears’ team needs is an engine failure. His team already sits 33rd in owner points. So the fact that Mears will have a new Chevrolet R07 engine in his car next week at Texas Motor Speedway is a sign Hendrick Motorsports has confidence in the new motor. Mears will be one of at least six Chevrolets with the new engine, which was in Scott Wimmer’s Richard Childress Racing car that failed to qualify at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month. — SceneDaily.com
Matt Kenseth tested the Car of Tomorrow in Richmond on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, Kenseth will pilot a commercial airline flight simulator as a guest of American Airlines and Texas Motor Speedway in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Kenseth has his multi-engine rating and flies his own planes regularly. — USA Today
Some of Nextel Cup’s top crew chiefs will compete in “thunder roadster” cars May 19 on the quarter-mile on Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s frontstretch before the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge. The 30-minute racing program, including two qualifying heats and a feature, will be part of the pre-race program before the all-star race. — Charlotte Observer
Students from Virginia State University got a taste Tuesday of what goes on behind the scenes of NASCAR. The tour was part of a new class at VSU called the Business and Marketing of NASCAR. Taught by Keith Green, director of public relations for RIR, the intent is to attract minorities to the sport. — Richmond Times-Dispatch
___________________________________________________________
Mike Mulhern/Winston-Salem Journal
Hendrick Hitting On All Cylinders
Car owner Rick Hendrick is sitting on top of the NASCAR world: Jimmie Johnson has three wins, Jeff Gordon leads the Nextel Cup standings, and Kyle Busch already has a win, too. That leaves only Casey Mears to pick up speed.
http://snipurl.com/1fj86-stockc
Jill Erwin/Richmond Times-Dispatch
Lasting Legacy
Kyle Petty hasn’t won a NASCAR race since 1995. He’s not a hot, young driver with his face plastered all over commercials and young girls’ dreams. He is, however, possibly the last generation of one of racing’s royal families, at least in terms of on-track action.
http://snipurl.com/1fj87-stockc
WHO’S HOT: Hendrick Motorsports has won the last four Nextel Cup races – defending series champion Jimmie Johnson has three of those wins – and is 2-0 with the ”car or tomorrow.” Johnson and Jeff Gordon finishing 1-2 on Sunday at Martinsville was hardly a surprise. The two have combined to win five of the last six races on the ”paperclip.” … Jamie McMurray is starting to show some punch with Roush Racing. He has finished 10th, 14th, ninth and ninth in the last four races and, at 12th in the points, would make the Chase if it started now.
WHO’S NOT: Kasey Kahne has broken inside the top 35 and has an automatic starting berth, but last year’s leading winner in Nextel Cup is only 33rd in the points with no finish better than 19th in the last five races. … Toyota still doesn’t have a driver in the top 35 of the Cup points. The seven Toyota drivers are ranked 37th (Dale Jarrett), 38th (Dave Blaney), 40th (Brian Vickers), 43rd (Zephyrhills’ David Reutimann), 49th (Jeremy Mayfield, 50th (A.J. Allmendinger) and 54th (Michael Waltrip, still with minus 27 points for the season).
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of That’s Racin’
http://www.thatsracin.com
Tough times for Michael Waltrip and Toyota
Cup season has been a struggle
There is no delusion for Michael Waltrip. He knows how bad things have been for him and his race team this Nextel Cup season.
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/3647.html
Q&A With Rick Hendrick
Heading into the first off week of the Nextel Cup season, Hendrick Motorsports has three drivers in the top five in points and has won the past four races.
http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/3648.html
___________________________________________________________
P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
___________________________________________________________
JOE GIBBS RACING, HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SCHEDULED FOR KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY TESTS
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Tony Stewart and Hendrick Motorsports driver Casey Mears are scheduled to test at Kentucky Speedway April 10. Stewart won NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championships in 2002 and 2005. He ranks eighth in the current series standings with one top-five and four top-10 finishes through six events this season. He finished seventh at Martinsville Speedway April 1. Mears finished 42nd in his No. 25 machine in Martinsville, Va. He ranks 33rd in the series standings. He took his first top-10 finish of the season with a 10th-place performance at Bristol Motor Speedway March 25. Test sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at approximately 5:00 p.m. The recommended interview window for drivers is noon to 1:00 p.m. Drivers may chose not to participate in media interviews. Session times may vary based on team goals and driver schedules. Contact: Mike Schmaltz, 859-578-2692 (office) / 859-991-0988 (mobile) or Tim Bray, 859-578-2694 (office) or 859-991-1005 (mobile) for more information.
FRANK KIMMEL ENDURO NATIONALS TEST SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 15
Media will have the opportunity to preview the May 26 “Frank Kimmel Enduro Nationals” during an April 15 open test at Kentucky Speedway. The Memorial Day Weekend 100-lap, 150-mile endurance test is a joint promotional venture between Kentucky Speedway and eight-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel. Kimmel, a Clarksville, Ind., native, created the event to provide local track drivers the chance to race late model cars at a major race venue such as Kentucky Speedway. Cars will be required to comply with a universal set of rules to be approved for competition. The “Frank Kimmel Enduro Nationals” will be a first-of-its kind event at the speedway. Contact: Mike Schmaltz, 859-578-2692 (office) / 859-991-0988 (mobile) or Tim Bray, 859-578-2694 (office) or 859-991-1005 (mobile) for more information.
KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY “DRIVE THE TRACK SALE” SLATED FOR APRIL 21
Race fans will have the opportunity to drive their vehicles on the Kentucky Speedway 1.5-mile tri-oval track April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., during the “Drive the Track Sale.” Visitors making a minimum $40 merchandise and/or race ticket purchase in the speedway Fan Center Gift Shop or Ticket Office will be able to turn three paced laps on the track at approximately 70 mph in their personal vehicles. Past sales have attracted vintage and high-end sports cars, family sedans, cars with classic NASCAR paint schemes and race-themed school busses. The event is open to media. Contact: Mike Schmaltz, 859-578-2692 (office) / 859-991-0988 (mobile) or Tim Bray, 859-578-2694 (office) or 859-991-1005 (mobile) for more information.
Tony Stewart to Visit Arlington Texas GM Assembly Plant April 11, 2007
Two-Time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion to Take Trial Run in New Chevy Tahoe Police Package Vehicle
Arlington, TX – Two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion, Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet, is scheduled to visit the Arlington Texas GM Assembly Plant on Wednesday, April 11, 2007. The focus of the plant visit is to showcase the introduction of the new Chevy Tahoe Police Package Vehicle (PPV) and for Stewart to meet and greet the 2,700 UAW Local 276 employees who build the Tahoe in Arlington.
Stewart will have the opportunity to take a trial run in the newly released Chevy Tahoe PPV and “ticket” violators he finds on the grounds of the plant. His “citations” will be 10 pair of tickets to the O’Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Busch Series on Saturday, April 14, 2007 or an autographed PPV badge.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is one of the first law enforcement entities to take delivery of the Tahoe PPV, which was designed from its inception as a law enforcement vehicle. Escorts from the DPS will accompany Stewart on his patrol of plant property.
Stewart will begin “patrolling” the premises in a Tahoe PPV on the lookout for violators to cite with his special “tickets” at 1:30 p.m. Media members will be invited to film Stewart as he performs his “duties”. An short interview period from 2:20 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. will give the media an opportunity to talk to Stewart about his impressions of the Tahoe PPV and the day’s events.
A pep rally with plant employees, UAW leadership and invited VIP guests will be the final event on Stewart’s schedule.
___________________________________________________________
N A S C A R * B U S C H * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
BUSCH SERIES: Nashville Superspeedway
Qualifying: Saturday, (ESPN2, 11 a.m.)
Race: Saturday, (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of BGNRacing.Com
http://www.bgnracing.com
Federated Auto Parts Distributors has announced a multi-faceted sponsorship agreement with Brewco Motorsports Inc. for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series seasons. Federated Auto Parts Distributors will team with Brewco to serve as the following: Primary Sponsor of Brewco’s No. 27 Ford Fusion for the Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on June 9, 2007 with Bobby East driving. -Associate Sponsor on the No. 27 NBS Ford Fusion, with NASCAR veterans Ward Burton and Jason Keller behind the wheel, for the remaining NASCAR Busch Series races in 2007. -Associate Sponsor on Brewco’s No. 47 SI Performance Ford Fusion during the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series season, with Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Phillip McGilton behind the wheel. (BM PR) (04-05-07)
Braun Racing is looking for an experienced engineer and two shop mechanics. All interested parties please fax your resume and references to 704.799.0907. No walk-ins please. (04-05-07)
GET WELL GARY! Those three words will ride along with the No. 25 FreeCreditReport.com Ford and the No. 35 McDonald’s Ford this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. Team Rensi Motorsports Co-owner Gary Weisbaum is recuperating from a surgical procedure back in his hometown of Long Grove, IL. Weisbaum, along with Ed Rensi own the two-car NASCAR Busch Series team. “We are all thinking of Gary and we know nothing would make him happier than to see our cars up front and on television in Nashville,” Team Rensi Motorsports President Ronnie Russell said. “Gary is a vital part of our operation and we want to send out our best wishes for a speedy recovery.” Get Well Gary decals will be present on both Team Rensi Motorsports cars in Saturday’s Pepsi 300 NASCAR Busch Series race. (TRM PR) (04-04-07)
S+S Mack Records is proud to announce that they are joining forces with Mac Hill Motorsports for the NASCAR Busch Series’ Pepsi 300. The race will be on Saturday, April 7, at Nashville Superspeedway. S+S Mack Records will sponsor the #56 race car, driven by 2006Busch Series Rookie of the Year Danny O’Quinn Jr. The hood of the #56 Mac Hill Motorsports Chevrolet will feature the album cover of Keith Bryant’s new album “Live It Slow,” which was released in stores earlier this month, and the logos for label and sister company Sixth Degree Entertainment will be visible, too. (MHM PR) (04-04-07)
LIVE qualifying from Nashville begins at 11:05 AM EST Saturday. WATCH COVERAGE HERE.
http://www.bgnracing.com/modules.php?name=Qualify
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
ESPN2 To Have Live NASCAR Busch Series Qualifying Coverage From Nashville: ESPN2 will have live coverage of qualifying for this weekend’s Busch Series event in Nashville Saturday, April 7. Qualifying will be televised from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET on Saturday. Calling the action from the booth will be Marty Reid with analysts Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree. Allen Bestwick, Jamie Little and Vince Welch will report from the pits and garage, while analyst Stacy Compton will be in the ESPN Pit Studio with host Erik Kuselias.(ESPN PR)(4-2-2007)
Leicht Tops Happy Hour: #90-Stephen Leicht was fastest in Happy Hour for the Pepsi 300. His top speed was 164.956mph. The rest of the top five were #22-Mike Bliss, #60-Carl Edwards, #41-David Stremme, and #35-Bobby Hamilton, Jr. The only caution during the session was brought out when #7-Mike Wallace hit the outside wall. The team will repair the damage. Speeds are posted on my Nashville Race Page.(4-6-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/busch/next/2007/07nashville.htm#practice
Edwards Fastest in Practice: #60 Carl Edwards paced the opening practice session in Nashville. His top speed was 164.947mph. The remainder of the top ten were #41-David Stremme, #16-Todd Kluever, #99-David Reutimann, #88-Shane Huffman, #38-Jason Leffler, #35-Bobby Hamilton, Jr., #22-Mike Bliss, #29-Scott Wimmer and #4-Regan Smith. The session was incident free. Complete results are posted on the Nashville Race Page.(4-6-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/busch/next/2007/07nashville.htm#practice
Nashville Entry List: UPDATE: There are 42 cars in the tentative entry list for Saturday’s Pepsi 300. The only Cup regulars in the field will be #1-J.J Yeley, #6-David Ragan, #10-Dave Blaney, #37-Johnny Sauter (driving for Brewco), #41-David Stremme, #60-Carl Edwards, and #99-David Reutimann. Also of note, Jason Keller will make his 2007 debut in the #27 of Brewco, Mike Harmon returns to the series in the #44, Richard Johns makes his Busch debut in the #25 for Rensi, and Kraig Kinser makes his debut in the #4 for Ginn Racing. Also, #73-Brett Rowe and Revelocity Racing will make their first Busch attempt. The complete list is posted on the Nashville Race Page.(4-2-2007)
UPDATE: Fitz Racing entered Ruben Pardo in the #44 to bring the Busch race to a full field. Regan Smith will drive the #4 instead of Kraig Kinser.(4-6-2007)
Mike Harmon Considering Limited Busch Schedule: Last week Mike Harmon announced that he, with the support of new co-owners Donnie Richardson and Eddie Netzloff, is considering a limited Busch schedule for 2007. Harmon is a regular on the ARCA RE/MAX Series and has not competed in the Busch Series since Daytona 2004. “There’s a chance we might run the Busch race at Nashville if everything goes well.” said Harmon. “If we don’t make Nashville we will attempt New Hampshire, Memphis, Milwaukee and the Busch races that do not conflict with the ARCA schedule. Our Busch car will be painted black and silver like the ARCA car and I have my old Busch number back, so, it will be the #44. However, for the Nashville race only, we will run the #48.”(Catchfence.com)(4-4-2007)
Special Scheme for Hamlin at Nashville: The #42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge will carry some very special colors this weekend in Tennessee, ones that are very reminiscent of the late Davey Allison’s #28 Texaco/Havoline Ford.(KevinHamlin.com), see an image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Schemes Page.(4-4-2007)
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007busch.htm
Kinser making Busch Series debut at Nashville: Kraig Kinser will be making his Busch Series debut in the #4-Ginn Clubs & Resorts Chevy in the Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, April 7th. Kinser currently drives the #47-Chevy truck for Ginn in partnership with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, and is also splitting the driving duties in Ginn’s #4 Chevy in the Busch Series with Cup driver, Regan Smith.(4-4-2007)
___________________________________________________________
Revelocity Racing to represent West Virginia in NASCAR Busch series race on Saturday
West Virginia race fans will have more reason to tune in and cheer this Saturday for the NASCAR Busch series race as Revelocity Racing will be heading to the track for the very first time. The debut race marks the first of a 10-race NASCAR Busch series schedule the West Virginia-based team has for the 2007 race season.
WHO: Revelocity Racing, the South Charleston, West Virginia-based, NASCAR Busch Series team #73, featuring West Virginia-based driver and former ARCA champ Brett Rowe.
WHAT: Revelocity Racing will make its series debut on Saturday during the NASCAR Busch series Pepsi 300
WHERE: Nashville Superspeedway
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. on ESPN 2
WHY: Started in 2006 by a group of West Virginia business owners who shared a common goal of brining NASCAR to West Virginia due to the state’s overwhelming fan-base for the sports.
For more information about Revelocity Racing, log onto www.revelocityracing.com
___________________________________________________________
C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of Jayski
http://www.jayski.com
Crocker gets four race sponsor for ARCA Series: Evernham Motorsports has announced that Mac Tools will be the primary sponsor of the #98 Mac Tools/Mac Card Dodge Charger driven by Erin Crocker in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for four races. The four race primary sponsorship will begin with the April 27th race at Kansas Speedway and continue at Kentucky Speedway on May 12th, Pocono Raceway on June 9th and Michigan International Speedway on June 15th.(Evernham Motorsports PR)(4-5-2007)
# Benson testing at Richmond: UPDATE 3: Day Two Test: 2nd fastest in am Johnny Benson is listed among the 51-drivers scheduled to participate in the Nextel Cup Series test on April 3-4, 2007 at Richmond Int’l Raceway. Benson will be testing the COT #46-Toyota owned by Wyler Racing. Which races Benson will run have yet to be determined, but hearing if they run well, it may be either one or both Richmond races.(4-3-2007)
UPDATE: “Johnny right now is strictly our test driver,” team president David Wyler said Tuesday afternoon. “He drove our COT down at Homestead this past year. [Team manager] Tony [Furr] is real comfortable with the feedback Johnny gave him at Homestead, so that’s why we’re bringing him here.” Wyler Racing currently fields a truck for Jack Sprague. Benson also drives for Toyota in trucks as part of the Bill Davis Racing stable. “There’s a lot of guys in the Toyota camp that would be a possibility [as a driver],” Wyler said. “We haven’t really focused on that. yet. Until we focus on our debut, then we’ll make that determination.” That debut date is still to be determined. “We haven’t determined when our [debut] is going to be,” Wyler said. “This is one of the steps to prepare us. We’ll know a lot more come tomorrow evening. Our main focus is running competitive. “We could go out there and run the next COT race, but I’m not going to do that unless we can be competitive. Until we get to that point, we’ll continue to test.” (Scene Daily)(4-3-2007)
UPDATE 2: Benson was 17th fastest in Day 1 testing at Richmond with a speed of 120.719.(4-4-2007)
UPDATE 3: On the final day of testing at Richmond, Johnny Benson ran the second fastest speed in the am session at 123.136 in the #46A-Wyler Racing Toyota. PM session – 42nd fastest with a speed of 119.745.(4-5-2007)
Haas CNC Racing announce sponsor for Texas races: Haas CNC Racing has announced a sponsorship agreement with Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce. Sweet Baby Ray’s will serve as the primary sponsor on the #08 Chevy driven by Blake Bjorklund in the Truck Series event at Texas Motor Speedway on June 8th. They will also be an associate sponsor on the #66 Monte Carlo driven by Jeff Green for the Nextel Cup event on April 15th.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(4-4-2007)
Kinser making Busch Series debut at Nashville: Kraig Kinser will be making his Busch Series debut in the #4-Ginn Clubs & Resorts Chevy in the Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, April 7th. Kinser currently drives the #47-Chevy truck for Ginn in partnership with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, and is also splitting the driving duties in Ginn’s #4 Chevy in the Busch Series with Cup driver, Regan Smith.(4-4-2007)
Pope mistakenly skipped for “Operation Big Chance” Ride: UPDATE: Motorplex officials attempting to make it right: The driver earning the most points at the Music City Motorplex in 2006 in either the Late Model or Super Truck divisions was to be given the opportunity to attempt to enter and qualify for the March 31st Craftsman Truck Series race in Martinsville. In the Points battle, Mark Day scored the highest, followed by Willie Allen, Daniel Pope, and Nicholas Formosa. Day could not make this opportunity fit his current schedule, and Allen currently has a full-time ride in the Truck Series. Motorplex management mistakenly skipped over Pope and gave the opportunity to Nicolas Formosa who finished fourth in points for 2006. Subsequent meetings with Music City Motorplex owner, Joe Mattioli, admitted there was a mistake made in determining the third place points driver; Daniel Pope had finished third. However, no change has been made and Formosa is still set to drive the Harvick truck at Mansfield. For more of this story, visit Daniel Pope’s website at (drpmotorsports.com).(4-4-2007)
UPDATE: Motorplex officials realize they’d made a mistake – Daniel Pope, not Formosa, was supposed to be third in line for the ride according to last year’s standings. We messed up,” Mattioli said. “There was one race that we hadn’t accounted for. Daniel, not Nicholas, should have gotten the ride.” Mattioli said it’s too late to swap drivers because arrangements have already been completed with sponsor Dollar General and Kevin Harvick Racing. “We’ve met with Daniel and we’re going to make it right with him,” Mattioli said. “Right now we’re exploring several options.” (Tennessean)(4-4-2007)
___________________________________________________________
A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
___________________________________________________________
Courtesy of ARCA
http://www.arcaracing.com
Cale Gale Earns ARCA RE/MAX Series Pole at Nashville
LEBANON TN (4-6-07) – When pressed, Cale Gale told members of the local Nashville media Friday afternoon that his daddy named him after NASCAR great Cale Yarbrough, and that he was destined to be a racer. The 22-year-old Mobile, Alabama native is off to a pretty good start. Gale earned his career first ARCA RE/MAX Series pole award Friday afternoon at Nashville Superspeedway, circling the 1.33-mile concrete oval in 29.268 seconds (163.961 mph). The Kevin Harvick Racing developmental driver will sit on the pole for Saturday’s ARCA 150 alongside Rocklin, California’s Justin Marks.
http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4612/2/
STARTING LINEUP
POS NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR TIME SPEED
1 33 Cale Gale/Mobile AL Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 29.268 163.961
2 65 Justin Marks/Rocklin CA Construct Corps Dodge 29.337 163.575
3 4 Tim Andrews/Mooresville NC Dodge Motorsports Dodge 29.395 163.252
4 22 Josh Wise/Mira Loma CA ESR Development Team-Dominos Pizza Dodge 29.484 162.759
5 2 Michael McDowell/Phoenix AZ Z-Line Design/Make A Wish Dodge 29.489 162.732
6 62 Chad McCumbee/Supply NC Nortrax-Holland Pump Chevrolet 29.569 162.292
7 02 Bobby Santos III/Franklin MA Bill Davis Racing Toyota 29.601 162.116
8 98 Erin Crocker/Wilbraham MA Evernham Motorsports Dodge 29.655 161.821
9 93 Marc Mitchell/Tallahassee FL Ergon Chevrolet 29.722 161.456
10 13 Scott Lagasse/St. Augustine FL Juicy Fruit Dodge 29.764 161.228
11 60 Patrick Sheltra/Indiantown FL Brady Ranch-Floraganics Chevrolet 29.788 161.098
12 3 Jeremy Clements/Spartanburg SC 1 Stop Convenience Stores Chevrolet 29.791 161.082
13 5 Bobby Gerhart/Lebanon PA Eagle Warranty Chevrolet 29.795 161.061
14 30 Chad Blount/Walkerton IN Jones Group Dodge 29.821 160.920
15 32 Joey Miller/Farmington MN Country Joe Racing Dodge 29.861 160.705
16 12 Mario Gosselin/Lake Wales FL DGM Racing Chevrolet 29.890 160.549
17 39 Richard Johns/Lawrenceville GA FreeCreditReport.com-Smithfield-Reliance Tool Ford 29.935 160.307
18 46 Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN Tri-State Motorsports Ford 29.946 160.248
19 50 JR Norris/Mooresville NC Bobby Jones Racing Dodge 29.998 159.971
20 1 Dominick Casola/Wall Twp NJ NOS Energy Drink-A. Casola Farms Ford 30.010 159.907
21 47 Phillip McGilton/Marion IL SIPerformance Ford 30.050 159.694
22 64 Josh Allison/Martinsville IN Allison Motorsports Dodge 30.055 159.667
23 91 Mike Duncan/Bakersfield CA Duncan Racing Chevrolet 30.147 159.180
24 6 Dexter Bean/Westby WI Five Star Telecom Chevrolet 30.163 159.096
25 11 Bryan Silas/Stuart FL Nortrax-Holland Pump Ford 30.244 158.669
26 59 Justin South/Hueytown AL HD Supply Lumber & Building Materials Dodge 30.262 158.575
27 16 Justin Allgaier/Springfield IL AG Tech-Trashman-Hoosier Midwest-USAF Chevrolet 30.298 158.387
28 25 Billy Venturini/Chicago IL Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 30.316 158.293
29 23 Josh Krug/Omaha NE Bigford Enterprises Chevrolet 30.360 158.063
30 49 Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN Sequoyah High School-Shaver Motorsports Pontiac 30.502 157.327
31 08 Jason Hedlesky/Clinton MI Hardcore Motorsports Ford 30.601 156.818
32 9 Chris Cockrum/Conyers GA Corning-AccuTech-Berktek-Linc-Ortronics Chevrolet 30.644 156.598
33 21 Todd Bowsher/Springfield OH Jack Bowsher & Associates Ford Provisional
34 90 Gabi DiCarlo/Phoenix AZ Great Clips Chevrolet Provisional
35 84 Norm Benning/Pittsburgh PA Benning Motorsports Chevrolet Provisional
36 34 Darrell Basham/Henryville IN Anti Monkey Butt Powder Pontiac Provisional
37 26 Brad Smith/Belleville MI Koolmat Ford Provisional
38 38 Mike Harmon/Birmingport AL All Sports Armour Chevrolet Provisional
39 48 Nick Tucker/Kannapolis NC FreeFeds.org Dodge Provisional
40 79 Mike Koch/Mountain Home AR K&K Racing-Karl’s Plumbing Pontiac Provisional
Crocker Quickest in Nashville Practice
LEBANON TN (4-6-07) – 2005 Nashville Superspeedway pole award winner Erin Crocker topped the speed charts during ARCA RE/MAX Series practice Friday afternoon at Nashville Superspeedway. The Evernham Motorsports driver, competing this weekend in a No. 98 Dodge Charger, posted a top speed of 163.972 mph (29.266-seconds) around the 1.33-mile concrete superspeedway.
“We have a really good car and it felt really balanced,” said Crocker. “I’m looking forward very much to tomorrow. Obviously qualifying is important but I really want that guitar. We’ve run a lot of ARCA races and we’ve had a lot of success but we haven’t gotten that win. I got to thank the guys for giving me a good car. Hopefully, we’ll get that win tomorrow.”
Read more… – http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4609/2/
Kimmel, Allgaier Top Dogs Tied in Points to Nashville
LEBANON TN (4-6-07) – With two shows in the books, it may be too early to crow about a tight championship points battle but that’s exactly where it’s at for the ARCA RE/MAX Series headed to Nashville Superspeedway on April 7 for the third event on the 23-race schedule.
Read more… – http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4601/2/
___________________________________________________________
Final practice drivers quotes
Friday, April 6, 2007 — The ARCA RE/MAX Series hosted their first practice session of the season at Nashville Superspeedway Friday afternoon. Friday’s session under brisk temperatures served as the first and only practice sessions leading up to ARCA pole qualifying set for later this afternoon (6:40pm Eastern …
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=247863
___________________________________________________________
C O L U M N S / C O M M E N T A R I E S
___________________________________________________________
Burning Questions: How About More Air?
by Carol Einarsson
Kyle Petty is still looking for someone to drive his car while he goes and plays in the broadcast booth. I wonder if he’s considered Michael Waltrip.
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=260
Rocket Fuel, Teammates, Toyota, and COT
by Carol Einarsson
Wow, what a year so far! We start off in a year that includes the introduction of Toyota and the much ballyhooed “Car of Tomorrow”, and before we even leave Daytona, there’s talk of rocket fuel!
http://www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=259
On a very blustery cold day, the ARCA series rolled into town at Nashville Superspeedway. Thursday morning was busy with teams unloading haulers and getting their cars ready for inspection.
Full story at http://stevesracingnews.blogspot.com/2007/04/arca-teams-arrive-at-nashville.html
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/CB/040607.html
Johnson and Gordon, Jeff and Dale, and The COT, Oh My!
by Carol Bell
Insider Racing News
http://insiderracingnews.com/RF/040707.html
This Week In NASCAR: Lawsuits and Lost Opportunities
by Ron Felix
___________________________________________________________
The Stock Car Gazette
Copyright 2002-2007 by MotorSportsNews.Net
All Rights Reserved
SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION
http://lists.motorsportsnews.net/mailman/listinfo/stockcargazette
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR PASSWORD, you can have it e-mailed to you from the above SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE link.
Miss an edition of the Stock Car Gazette? Visit the E-ZINE ARCHIVE:
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/category/stock-car-gazette/
IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE: The Stock Car Gazette mailing list is maintained completely by MotorSportsNews.Net. Therefore, we can tell you we have not and will not ever share your e-mail address with anyone for any reason.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: ALL broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, WWW or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED without PRIOR written permission from the editor. However, you MAY manually forward an issue by e-mail to your friends IF 1.) The text is forwarded IN ITS ENTIRETY including all subscription and web page information, and 2.) NO FEE is charged. We ALWAYS appreciate readers who report violations of the copyright to webmaster@motorsportsnews.net.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mike Irwin, Owner/Webmaster
E-mail: Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net
AOL IM: motorsportsnews7
www.MotorSportsNews.Net
P. O. Box 668
Nicholasville, KY 40340-0668
859-750-1973
By the way, do YOU know for sure?
http://motorsportsnews.net/RomanRoad.html
___________________________________________________________
