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by MotorSportsNews.Net

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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Happy Tuesday!
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N A S C A R * N E X T E L * C U P * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Insider Racing News
www.insiderracingnews.com

Johnson Favored To Win Sunday
Even though he ended up second in the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, Station Casinos in Las Vegas has listed Jimmie Johnson as a 4 to 1 favorite to win the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday evening at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “In the Coca-Cola 600, most of the drivers will be using different cars than what they used in the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge,” said Micah Roberts, director of race and sports for Station Casinos-Las Vegas. “Despite the chassis being different, those who were top performers in the non-points race should fare equally well in the longest race of the Cup season.” Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, Johnson will be chasing his fourth Coca-Cola 600 victory in five years when the green flag is waved Sunday evening at 5:40 p.m. Jeff Gordon, Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, is second on the odds chart at 5 to 1. Gordon ran upfront for much of the Challenge, but slipped back in the closing laps and ended up 11th. Matt Kenseth, who saw his hopes for a $1 million victory dashed by a pit road speeding penalty, is listed at 9 to 1 for the Coca-Cola 600.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

#66 to sport special scheme at LMS to promote Fisher House: Best Buy Racing is assisting the families of military personnel receiving medical care at US military and VA medical centers by promoting Fisher House during the Coca-Cola 600 Nextel Cup Series race weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. To raise awareness for these “homes away from home,” Jeff Green’s #66 Best Buy Haas CNC Racing Chevy will carry a special paint design to raise awareness for Fisher House. In addition, Best Buy is helping raise funds for the Fisher House Foundation by allowing customers to donate monies at any Best Buy retail location and online from Memorial weekend through Independence Day. Members of the military and their families often must travel great distances for specialized medical care. Fisher House Foundation establishes “comfort homes,” facilities built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers, to provide lodging for families of hospitalized military members. In addition to the fundraising efforts, Best Buy is supporting Fisher House through hands-on volunteer opportunities for Best Buy employees at Fisher House locations, and other activities. Several Best Buy vendor partners are making in-kind donations of products needed by current and future Fisher House locations, including laptop computers, television and other electronics. Best Buy employees will volunteer their time to install these products. Donations to Fisher House can be made at any cash register at all Best Buy retail locations, or any time from the Best Buy website, www.bestbuy.com, beginning on Memorial Day Weekend and continuing through the week of July 4th. For more information on the work of Fisher House Foundation, go to www.fisherhouse.org.(GMR PR)(5-22-2007)

DEI looking for #8 replacement, sponsor, may keep Bud: Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) is working on finding a replacement to Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the #8 Nextel Cup car. “It’s hard to say how far along we are,” DEI executive board member John Story said Saturday prior to the Nextel All-Star Challenge. “We’ve had a lot of interest. We’ve obviously made a few phone calls ourselves. We’ve had a lot of unsolicited phone calls from some top athletes that are interested in it, but clearly I can’t discuss any names. We don’t have a template in mind for a driver other than we need a winner, we need another driver to complement our group, somebody that is capable of winning championships, winning races. Whether he’s young or old is less important than making sure he’s a top athlete that is a winner.” DEI would likely need to either extend its current deal with Budweiser (which said it is reviewing its options in light of Earnhardt Jr.’s departure) or find a new sponsor to lock in a top-tier driver. “There will be a sponsor of that car, that’s no doubt,” Story said. “We won’t be able to get a top-name, championship-caliber driver without a solid commitment from a sponsor.”(SceneDaily.com)(5-21-2007)

COT Pts: the top 10 in drivers pts in the five [of 16] COT races:
1) #24-Jeff Gordon 895 (2 wins)
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 825 (2)
3) #11-Denny Hamlin 816
4) #5-Kyle Busch 728 (1)
5) #17-Matt Kenseth 714
6) #20-Tony Stewart 696
7) #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 683
#99-Carl Edwards 656
9) #07-Clint Bowyer 650
10) #31-Jeff Burton 612
the lowest pts pos for a driver who made all 5 races:
34) #7-Robby Gordon 326
35) #40-David Stremme 326
41) #38-David Gilliland 254
(5-21-2007)

IMAGES added: #1 Bass Pro 35th Anniversary, #31 AT&T, #14 Pep Boys, #88 Dark Snickers, #19 Fantastic Four, #00 Domino’s/Burger King special, #29 Pennzoil Platinum, #13 Haier America, #40 Coors Banquet, #18 Interstate Batteries Black to the Paint Scheme Gallery and added 2007 Nextel Open schemes and a 2007 Nextel Challenge Schemes pages
www.jayski.com/schemes/paintschemes.htm
www.jayski.com/schemes/2007/2007open.htm
www.jayski.com/schemes/2007/2007allstar.htm

Sad News: Shepherd’s Mother: Bettie Allen Poovey, mother of NASCAR veteran racer Morgan Shepherd, passed away Sunday at her home in Conover, NC. She was 82. Ms. Poovey was with a family friend at her Conover home when she became ill and collapsed Sunday morning. She was rushed to a local hospital and was pronounced dead. Ms. Poovey was born on August 30, 1924 in Benton County, Washington, and had a special love for flowers and antiques. She was a longtime member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hickory. In addition to her son, Morgan, and his wife, Cindy, Ms. Poovey is also survived by three daughters, Barbara Earnhardt of Hickory, NC; Joan Moore and her husband, Bill, of Stow, Ohio; and Edna Winston, and her husband, Winslow, of Shelby, NC. Ms. Poovey had 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Her visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Drum Funeral Home in Conover. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hickory, NC. She will be buried in Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory.(Faith Motorsports PR)(5-21-2007)

Ganassi Racing testing COT at Gateway: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and driver Reed Sorenson is scheduled for a two day test at Gateway International Raceway Monday May 21 and Tuesday May 22nd. This will be the first NASCAR COT test done at the 1.25-mile oval. Sorenson is no stranger to Gateway as he picked up his second career win in the Busch Series back in 2005. The Busch Series will return to Gateway International Raceway July 21st for tickets go to gatewayraceway.com or you can call 866-35-SPEED.(GIR PR)(5-21-2007)

Coca-Cola 600 Pre-Race Spectacular to Celebrate the U.S. Military: Continuing a Memorial Day weekend tradition that started 30 years ago, Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s pre-race spectacular for the Coca-Cola 600 Nextel Cup Series race on Sunday, May 27, will celebrate the men and women of the U.S. Military and pay tribute to those who have served their country. The program begins with performances by the 82nd Airborne Division Chorus and the U.S. Army Drill Team, followed by the arrival of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. The U.S. Army will then “secure” the frontstretch during a demonstration that will include troops in full combat gear, military ground vehicles, helicopters and the firing of an M109 Howitzer gun. Once the frontstretch is “secured,” 1,500 uniformed troops from Fort Bragg will march into the track and assemble at the start/finish line. Following driver introductions, the Fort Bragg Honor Guard will present the colors prior to the playing of Amazing Grace and the firing of a 21-gun salute. Taps will then be played and country music star LeAnn Rimes will sing the national anthem. The flyover will feature four F-22 fighter jets from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be among the military personnel and their families on hand for the race. Pace became the 16th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Sept. 30, 2005. He serves as the principal military advisory to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council. Pace is the first Marine to serve in this capacity. The Coca-Cola 600 military pre-race spectacular starts at 3:15pm/et and continues until the green flag is waved to start the 600-mile classic at 5:40pm/et. Tickets for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 27, are still available and can be purchased by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS PR)(5-22-2007)

Richmond Cup Tix on sale: Tickets for the Saturday, September 8, Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Nextel Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway are now on sale to the general public. Tickets can be purchased at www.rir.com or by calling 1-866-455-7223 or 1-888-472-2849 or in person at the Richmond International Raceway ticket office located at 600 East Laburnum Avenue; Richmond, VA 23222. Additionally, tickets are available for the Friday, September 7, Emerson Radio 250 Busch Series race.(RIR PR)(5-22-2007)

Coca Cola 600 Grand Marshal and Stater named: Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has been named grand marshal for the May 27 Coca-Cola 600 Nextel Cup Series event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Coca-Cola and speedway officials also announced that Senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain will serve as the honorary starter, waving the green flag to send the 43 drivers on their 600-mile journey. In his role as grand marshal, Bredesen will preside over pre-race ceremonies and give the command, “gentlemen, start your engines.” Now in his second term as governor, Bredesen is focused on raising high school and college graduation rates, boosting the economies of Tennessee’s smaller and mid-sized communities, strengthening public education and promoting access to health care and healthier lifestyles for all state residents. Tickets for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 27, are still available and can be purchased by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS PR)(5-21-2007)
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Kent D. - thanks!

Stewart back to IRL? Stay Tuned.
Peru Tribune - Peru,IN,USA
For three years, Indiana-native Tony Stewart was the king of the Indy Racing League. Between 1996 and 1998, Stewart was the main attraction among a mass of …
www.miamicountylife.com/articles/2007/05/21/sports/sports26.txt
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ON YOUR MARK.GET SET.GO! NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES DRIVER JEFF GORDON HELPS KIDS RACE TO THE FINISH LINE WITH NASCAR® POWER WHEELS BY FISHER-PRICE®
EAST AURORA, N.Y. - May 19, 2007 - Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series points leader, led kids to the finish …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=253868

Budweiser Desert Camo Car To Honor Troops This Weekend
You may need to look a little closer to find the No. 8 Budweiser machine during the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this Sunday. The iconic red paint scheme is being replaced this Memorial Day weekend with a …
www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=253853
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Advertise your product or service here - reasonable rates!

Contact Mike@MotorSportsNews.Net for all the details….

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Courtesy of Scene Daily
www.scenedaily.com

DEI working to find Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s replacement
Dale Earnhardt Inc. is working on finding a replacement to Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the No. 8 Nextel Cup car.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22859449

All-star win has Harvick’s team wanting more
Crew chief Todd Berrier said that Kevin Harvick’s victory in Saturday’s NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway gave his Richard Childress Racing team a boost, especially since the victory came on a mile-and-a-half track. Now, that has the team thinking about adding to that win in this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at the same venue.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22859448

Earnhardt Jr.: Team will be ‘all right’ without Eury Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is confident his No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. team can overcome the loss of crew chief Tony Eury Jr. beginning with this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway - assuming the suspension is not overturned.
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22859453

Martin makes the most of his Nextel All-Star Challenge
CONCORD, N.C. - Mark Martin said the four 20-lap segments of the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge were hardly his cup of tea, but with the checkered flag in sight, who was challenging for the victory?
www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/22859441
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B.

Nascar Names Lead Dog To Market Champions Week
NEW YORK—Nascar said today that it has named Lead Dog Marketing, New York, as the agency of record for Champions Week, a week-long event that takes place a few weeks after the conclusion of the Nascar Nextel Cup Series.
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Courtesy of That’s Racin’
www.thatsracin.com

Harvick comes out swinging, but there’s no all-star brawl
THATSRACIN.COM OPINION
CONCORD – Kevin Harvick had his No. 29 Chevrolet lined up on the outside of Row 2 for the start of Saturday night’s final 20-lap segment of the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge.
www.thatsracin.com/247/story/4398.html

Busch Bros. wreck
media.charlotteobserver.com/images/sports/slideshows/busch_brothers/
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Courtesy of www.Valvoline.com

Yes, He REALLY Said That
Denny Hamlin, after slow stops by his pit crew likely cost him the Nextel Cup race win at Darlington. “The immediate reaction is to get rid of people and get new people, but that’s not the answer. Really it’s just a head aspect . . . their head gets in the way of their hands.”
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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Due to the NASCAR suspension of crew chief Tony Eury Jr. for technical infractions at Darlington, the crew chief for the No. 8 team will be Tony Gibson until Eury’s return. Gibson, a native of Daytona, joined Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2003. He was crew chief for Steve Park and Michael Waltrip at DEI before becoming the car chief for the No. 8 Bud team in 2005. He spent six seasons and won two championships as the car chief for Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports before coming to DEI. In his long NASCAR career, he also won a Cup title with driver/owner Alan Kulwicki and has worked with drivers including Bill Elliott, Cale Yarborough, Lake Speed and Rob Moroso. His goal is to win a fourth championship with a third organization. (Budweiser PR)

A Heartfelt Thank You
Furniture Row Racing,#78 in the NEXTEL Cup series,and their driver Kenny Wallace were elated to discover that they won the fan vote to advance into the field for the NASCAR NEXTEL ALL-Star Challenge last Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

A heartfelt thank you to all of the Kenny fans, and supporters of the #78 team. The organization greatly appreciates your time and effort to make this opportunity to race in the CHALLENGE a reality.

Wallace and crew finished 18th in the NEXTEL OPEN, however after winning the fan vote, the team was automatically granted a 21st starting position in the ALL-STAR CHALLENGE. Kenny fought his way up through the field and dodged wrecks to finish sixteenth.

General Manager, Joe Garone was notified shortly before the CHALLENGE that the team would be racing in the epic event. It made for an exciting, action packed weekend where Colorado’s Cup team gained more than just exposure, but also the opportunity to test.

Garone states,”We had a fun weekend. We were really excited that Kenny and Furniture Row Racing’s fans voted Kenny into the CHALLENGE. This allowed us the opportunity to bring a car we had never run, and use the races as a test session. The car didn’t run as well as the car we have slated for the 600 race, but we achieved good direction as to what to so to make it a better handling car. The 600 test went well and we look forward to the challenfe facing us this weekend.”

Once again Furniture Row Racing and Kenny Wallace would like to thank the fans for making this year’s ALL-STAR CHALLENGE an awesome event for our organization.

Happy Birthday to Crew Chief Jay Guy!!!!

For more on Furniture Row Racing or Kenny Wallace: www.furniturerowracing.com / www.kennywallace.com
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N A S C A R * B U S C H * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of BGNRacing.Com
www.bgnracing.com

Green Back On Track With Riley-D’Hondt Team
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 21, 2007) – In the first of a series of forthcoming announcements, Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports proudly announced today that Your Residential Technology Team (YRT2) will sponsor the #91 Toyota Camry in both 2007 NASCAR Busch Series events at The Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Former NASCAR Busch Series Champion, David Green, will drive the YRT2 #91.

For Green, it is an opportunity to get back on the track and in front of the fans that have supported him for so many years. “I am excited about the opportunity to represent Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports and YRT2,” said Green. “I know this is the beginning of some very good things for all of us.”

Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports is in their first year of operation with famed motorsports engineers Bob and Bill Riley and NASCAR veteran Eddie D’Hondt serving as owners of the team. They will run the #91 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Busch Series; in addition to a limited number of 2007 NEXTEL Cup ‘Car of Tomorrow’ events. (RDM PR)

Memorial Day Tributes: Four cars will carry paint schemes as part of the American Heroes Memorial Day Salute to the Armed Forces, kicking off a nationwide effort to raise funds for military families in need. Shane Huffman (No. 88 U.S. NAVY Chevrolet), Johnny Sauter (No. 28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet) and the Roush Fenway duo of Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M/Coast Guard Ford) and Casey Mears (No. 24 National Guard Ford) are carrying the special schemes in the NASCAR Busch Series this weekend. Biffle is the top threat among the group with two wins, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 12 races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. (NASCAR PR) (05-21-07)

Todd Kluever will have a different paint scheme this weekend, and a different number. Kluever will attempt his first start in the No. 26 Dish Network Ford Fusion this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. This will be the first of two races Kluever will run for Dish Network. He will also compete at Chicagoland Speedway on July 14. Kluever tested the No. 26 Ford last week at Lowe’s. Kluever is currently scheduled to run 16 races in the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion and three in the No. 26 with sponsorship from Dish Network and World Financial Group. (RFR PR) (05-21-07)

Kevin Harvick is already a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series star. Chances are Joey Logano will be one someday. Especially if the 16-year-old continues on his current torrid pace. Logano won his third Grand National Division race in four career starts in Sunday’s Featherlite Coaches 200. And his latest win came over runner-up Kevin Harvick by nearly two and a half seconds – a day after Harvick won the NEXTEL Cup All-Star Challenge and three months after he won the Daytona 500. Logano, a development driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, and Harvick, the 1998 West Series champion, nearly turned into a two-man show. The two swapped the lead 15 times, with Logano moving into first for the final time following on a lap 194 restart.Jesus Hernandez, a development driver for Ginn Racing and a member of the Drive for Diversity program, finished third. (NASCAR PR) (05-21-07)
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

Charlotte Entry List: There are 49 entries on the preliminary entry list for Saturday night’s CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The complete list is posted on the Lowes Race Page.(5-22-2007)
www.jayski.com/busch/next/2007/13lowes.htm#entry

Dollar General to be Pesenting Sponsor of Nashville Race: Nashville-based Dollar General has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series race, scheduled for Saturday Evening, June 9. The partnership between Nashville Superspeedway and Dollar General will ensure the second Busch Series race in Nashville will receive more local promotional opportunities and see the addition of higher ticket sales.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(5-22-2007)

Riley-D’Hondt Announces Sponsor: Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports announced that Your Residential Technology Team (YRT2) will sponsor the #91 Toyota in both 2007 Busch Series events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. David Green will drive the YRT2 #91. YRT2 are pioneers in bringing fiber to the home connectivity to residential customers across the Carolinas.(Riley-D’Hondt PR)(5-22-2007)

Raybestos Rookie Notes for the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300: David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington. Ragan finished 13th and took top rookie honors for the fourth time this season. Ragan holds a two-point edge over Juan Pablo Montoya (122-120) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Ragan is sixth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 10 points behind fifth-place Matt Kenseth and leads seventh-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. by 18. Montoya is ninth in the Busch Series championship standings, 11 points behind eighth-place Regan Smith.(Raybestos PR)(5-22-2007)

Kluever Driving Dish Network Ford at Lowe’s: Todd Kluever will have a different paint scheme this weekend, and a different number. Kluever will attempt his first start in the #26 Dish Network Ford this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. This will be the first of two races Kluever will run for Dish Network. He will also compete at Chicagoland.(Roush-Fenway PR)(5-21-2007)
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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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Operation Big Chance: Daniel Pope II, the recipient of Dollar General’s Operation Big Chance program, has earned the opportunity to drive the No. 2 truck fielded by Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Speedway. Pope was deemed eligible to participate after Mark Day, the 2006 Fairground’s Music City Motorplex Super Truck Champion, was unable to compete due to scheduling conflicts.

The 411 on Daniel Pope II: Daniel Pope II is an engineering major at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Pope began racing go-karts at Nashville (Tenn.) Fairgrounds Speedway in 1994. The next season Pope raced at tracks across the East Coast from New York to Alabama. Daniel won the National Karting Championship in the Bandit Racing Chassis Speedway Pavement Series in 2001. In 2002, he moved up to the Legends Semi-Pro Division at Nashville (Tenn.) Fairgrounds Speedway. Pope made his way to the Pro Division in 2003, winning his first Legends race and finishing the season third in the points championship. By 2004, Pope had begun the transition into Late Model Stock Cars, running the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville (Tenn.). He finished his rookie year in Late Models fifth in the points championship at the Music City Motorplex, along with finishing in the top fifty nationally in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. Pope continued to race in the Late Model Series in 2005, and finished third in 2006. Pope currently races in the UARA Series, and is hoping that his race for KHI in the Truck Series will be a prelude to even larger things.
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Courtesy of Jayski
www.jayski.com

New Ford motor at Lowes? Hearing that a couple of Fords were trying out a new Ford engine during the Truck Series race at Lowes. The new motor is supposedly due to be released some time in June.(5-21-2007)

Showalter to Key Motorsports? Hearing that Gary Showalter [just released from Pennington Motorsports] has been hired to be the crew chief for the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy.(5-21-2007)

Dodson/new crew for Pennington Motorsports? Hearing that owner J Pennington fired the entire Hooters Energy Drink truck series #7 team Sunday after failing to qualify at Charlotte. Also hearing that Barry Dodson has been hired as the new crew chief and that a new crew has already been hired for the race in Mansfield.(5-21-2007)

Raybestos Rookie News & Notes: Aaron Fike was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the May 18 Quaker Steak & Lube 200. Fike was credited with a 14th-place finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth time this season. Fike leads Tyler Walker by 19 points (70-51) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the May 26 Ohio 250 at Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park. Fike is ninth in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 17 points behind eighth-place Travis Kvapil and holds a 30-point advantage over 10th-place Johnny Benson. Joey Miller was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 City of Mansfield 250, scoring a fifth-place finish.(Raybestos PR)(5-21-2007)

Operation Big Chance recipient, Pope to start at MMF: Daniel Pope II, the recipient of Dollar General’s Operation Big Chance program, has earned the opportunity to drive the #2-Dollar General Chevy fielded by Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), in the Truck Series race at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. Pope was deemed eligible to participate after Mark Day, the 2006 Fairground’s Music City Motorplex Super Truck Champion, was unable to compete due to scheduling conflicts. Crew Chief Charlie Wilson and KHI driver Ron Hornaday recently spent a day with Daniel Pope at Caraway (NC) testing. This was Pope’s first time in a NASCAR Truck.(KHI PR)(5-21-2007)

Gaughan takes on new role in front of camera: Brendan Gaughan is taking on a new role - television broadcaster for the World Series of Off-Road Racing. Gaughan, who started his racing career in the desert, is going back to his racing roots and what is familiar to him as he launches his broadcast career. Gaughan will be part of 18 one-hour programs for the series that will air later this fall on SPEED. He went to his first race in Minnesota last weekend following the Charlotte truck race. “This was a great opportunity for me,” Gaughan said. “I always say that my desert racing is my fun time. It’s my hobby. Now, not only do I get to do some off-road racing in my spare time this year but I also get to be part of the broadcast team calling the races.(South Point Racing PR)(5-21-2007)

Hornaday sets new series record for most wins: Ron Hornaday in the #33-Camping World Chevy held off AJ Allmendinger with 36 laps to go in the Quaker Steak and Lube 200 on Friday night. Hornaday, known as the “master of restarts,” held off Allmendinger on two more restarts, including a green-white-checkered finish. This is his first win at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hornaday has now extended his career record of Truck Series wins to 30. Rick Ren also set a new record with his first win at Charlotte, for the crew chief in the Truck Series with the most wins with a different driver (five).This was also Chevy’s first win of the 2007 season in the Truck Series.(KHI PR)(5-21-2007)
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Courtesy of Stock Car Gazette Mansfield correspondent Michael Phipps

Mansfield Motorsports Park extending its reach around Ohio
By ROB MCCURDY
News Journal
tinyurl.com/yrncv4

Since Jimmy Johnson is involved as the spokesman for the All-American Soap box Derby, I thought I’d add a car building article to give a local flavor leading up to the local event on June 23, racing down the hill on Main Street.

Building Soap Box race cars a local tradition
By JAMI KINTON
News Journal

tinyurl.com/3bk4fd
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com
www.truckseries.com

Hornaday Red-Hot at Lowe’s Motor Speedway\
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000110/011090.htm

Kreyer Returns to Truck Series Action at Mansfield
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000111/011114.htm

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Preview: Mansfield
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000111/011111.htm

Daniel Pope II to Pilot the No. 2 Chevy Silverado
www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000111/011106.htm
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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA
www.arcaracing.com

Toledo Action Aplenty; 8 Races, 8 Different Winners in ‘07
TOLEDO OH (5-21-07) - Ken Butler III earned his career first ARCA RE/MAX Series victory in his fourth series start on Sunday afternoon at Toledo Speedway, nudging through teammate Michael McDowell in the late stages of the race to become the eighth different series winner in as many events in 2007. The win also made Butler the sixth different first time series winner this season. Other 2007 race winners include Bobby Gerhart (Daytona), James Buescher (Lakeland), Chad McCumbee (Nashville), Brian Keselowski (Salem), Scott Lagasse, Jr. (Kansas), Billy Leslie (Winchester) and Erik Darnell (Kentucky).
Read more… - www.arcaracing.com/content/view/4927/2/
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U S A R (United Speed Alliance Racing)
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Courtesy of USAR
www.usarracing.com

St. Amant looking for memorable Memorial Day weekend

Veteran atop standings heading into Sears Auto Center 200 at Madison Int’l Speedway

Longs, S.C.-There isn’t much the Gary St. Amant hasn’t seen or done in his racing career. In a career spanning nearly 25 years, the Delaware, Ohio, driver has won the All-American 400, the Snowball Derby and two championships on the ASA National Tour.

But heading into the Sears Auto Center 200 at Madison Int’l Speedway on Saturday, May 26, St. Amant is in uncharted waters. For the first time since moving into the Hooters Pro Cup Series, St. Amant is tied with Clay Rogers atop the point standings in the Sears Auto Center Northern Division. While it may seem a little early for accolades, St. Amant’s early-season momentum should cause concern for his Northern Division counterparts.

“It took us about six or seven races last season to get rolling,” said St. Amant, driver of the No. 7n JEGS.com/Speedco Chevrolet. “To come out and get two top-five finishes right off the bat just tickles me to death. We’ve got a lot of new guys on the team, and we’ve still got some work to do, but we’ve had a good car in both races.”

More: usarprocup.com/view_article.asp?id=2190
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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
www.nascarlocalracing.com/content.php?Series_ID=28
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Andrew Ranger Video
www.torontosun.com/Video/2007/05/15/4182664.html

Brown Geared To Go for Series Opener at Cayuga
Veteran driver Doug Brown can hardly wait to get the 2007 racing season underway as he and his teammates head to Cayuga Speedway on Saturday, May 26th for the inaugural race in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
content.nascarregionalracing.com/story.asp?News_ID=12871&Series_ID=28

Dodge and Mark Dilley Set for Canada’s NASCAR Era
Last September, Mark Dilley wrote his name into Canadian racing history when he won the last-ever CASCAR Super Series race, at Kawartha Speedway. The driver of the #9 Dodge-sponsored stock car is looking forward to competing in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) and the opportunity to create a few new records.
content.nascarregionalracing.com/story.asp?News_ID=12866&Series_ID=28

Thanks to Sean for this information.
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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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Cheers & Jeers
Saturday Night at the Theatre
by Carol Einarsson
Act I: Crew Chiefs as Drivers — Six Minutes Only.
www.racejournalonline.com/index.cfm?Pagename=column&id=291

NASCAR: Why Have it? ; By Madison H.
By Madison
Although the movie was fun to watch NASCAR is a serious environmental problem. I think NASCAR should be illegal. NASCAR should be illegal because they waste gas, burn rubber tires, and waste natural resources. …
Mr. Verbeck’s Class Writing Page - mrverbeck.com/blog3

NASCAR to Shorten Races Surging Gas Prices Spur Changes
By info@associatedcontent.com (Jenny Corvette)
NASCAR officials declared today that due to the current increases in gasoline prices several races later this season will be shortened to save costs.
Most Recent Humor - Associated Content - www.associatedcontent.com/humor/

Johnson in moonshine business
by Steve Waid
Junior Johnson is back in the moonshine business.
The legendary NASCAR driver and team owner who spent much of his early years
– starting at age 14 – hauling illegal whiskey, made from one of his father’s many stills that dotted Wilkes County in North Carolina, has bought into Piedmont Distillers to market a product called “Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon.” blog.scenedaily.com/index.php/2007/05/21/johnson-working-with-legal-liquor/

ESPN And NASCAR On A Collision Course
This year, with much fanfare, ESPN announced its return to NASCAR. The press releases detailed a commitment to televise the entire Busch Series, including a high-profile pre-race show. In addition, ESPN would step-in and take the “Chase for the Cup” down the stretch by covering the last seventeen NEXTEL Cup events.
dalyplanet.blogspot.com/2007/05/espn-and-nascar-on-collision-course.html

Insider Racing News
insiderracingnews.com/Writers/BW/052207.html
Same News, Different Week
by Brian Watkins
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