Stock Car Gazette for Wednesday, October 24, 2007

The MotorSportsNews.Net website is back in business after taking a hit today for about 9 hours… here’s today’s Stock Car Gazette…

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T H E * S T O C K * C A R * G A Z E T T E
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E d i t o r ‘ s * N o t e s
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Our website appears to be down right now… at least all “I” get is a blank page, so hopefully the tech guys will get that resolved quickly. Unfortunately, the tech website is also down…. (deep sigh).
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MotorSportsNews.Net(work) web site features
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Ilmor Engineering Quietly Brings Open Wheel Technology to Stock Car Auto Racing via ARCA RE/MAX Series
by: Jackie L. Franzil

Although names like Franchitti, Speed and Villenueve attracted most of the attention, a newcomer to ARCA with more open wheel wins than those drivers have combined has quietly made its way into the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

Ilmor Engineering, which has developed winning racing engines for the IndyCar Series and Formula One, made a successful return to stock car auto racing in 2007 using the ARCA RE/MAX Series as a platform.

For more, visit http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/822
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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 Stock Car Gazette subscriber Ed B. – thanks!

Pollock confirms intersest in NASCAR team

Craig Pollock admits he is interested in buying into a Nextel Cup team and that he has held talks with Bill Davis Racing, which will field a car for long-time client Jacques Villeneuve next season.

“I’m interested in having an active participation in a NASCAR team, preferably the one where Jacques drives,” Pollock tells the Journal de Montreal. “It’s the best way to make sure that my driver has access to the best equipment available.”

For more, visit http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/
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5 drivers need rides

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/10/23/free.agents/index.html

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F1, Indycar Drivers Migrate to Nascar
Sarah Rothschild — The Miami Herald

Dario Franchitti had his welcome-to-NASCAR moment this month while waiting to take his first laps in a stock car in Talladega, Ala. An official peered into his window and asked, “You speak English?”

Franchitti, the reigning IndyCar and Indy 500 champion, is a native of Scotland. He lives outside Nashville, Tenn., with wife and actress Ashley Judd, and yes, Franchitti is learning a new lingo as he transitions from open-wheel racing to NASCAR.

But there is not a language barrier.

More: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=79935
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video-carl-edwards-and-matt-kenseth-in-heated-exchange-after-martinsville

http://snipurl.com/1smyq-stockc

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Lamar to attempt Atlanta Cup race
Burney Lamar, former Kevin Harvick Inc. Busch driver, was at Martinsville. He revealed that he plans to attempt to make the Nextel Cup field at Atlanta next week with an independent team. Lamar’s most memorable achievement to date was his second-place finish at for KHI at Daytona in 2006.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/173686899/

Report: Brian France to step down as NASCAR CEO
If rumblings are to be believed NASCAR may soon have a new CEO. According to some there is speculation inside International Speedway Corporation that current NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France will step down from his post ‘in days’ to make room for his uncle, Jim France.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/autoracingsport/~3/173686897/

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Courtesy of Google Alerts

AMS track walk to benefit NASCAR Foundation
Nascar – USA
Race fans will get the opportunity to “track and treat” at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday as part of The NASCAR Foundation Track …

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/official/10/23/ams.walk/

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Courtesy of Insider Racing News

http://www.insiderracingnews.com

Doug Richert Fired
NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Brian Vickers and crew chief Doug Richert have parted company, according to an item on the Team Red Bull Web site. Richert and Vickers have worked together all season on the No. 83. The team’s research and development manager, Randy Cox, will take over the crew chief role with the team starting this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Cox has worked with drivers Kenny Wallace and David Stremme in the Busch Series in the past. The No. 83 team is outside the top 35 in owners points and has been forced to make each race based on qualifying speed this season. Vickers has made the field for 19 of the 32 races.

Carl Edwards Apologizes
Carl Edwards apologized Tuesday for his actions following Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway, saying he was wrong to show his anger toward Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth. Edwards was caught on videotape confronting his teammate in a heated exchange and raising his arm and making a fist, after the two banged fenders in the Subway 500. Edwards said on a NASCAR teleconference that trouble has been brewing between the pair for a while and that it’s probably been six months since they’ve had a conversation. Now, he wants to change all of that. Edwards is hoping that he and his Roush Fenway teammates can do a better job of having a “team spirit,” and he says he plans to do his best to communicate better not only with Kenseth, but with all his Roush Fenway teammates.

Race Honors Adam Petty
Music City Motorplex president Joe Mattioli has designated the 25th annual race, Nov. 2-4, the Adam Petty Memorial All-American 400. The event will pay tribute to Adam, who lost his life in May of 2000 at age 19 in a crash at New Hampshire Speedway. The race also will promote the Victory Junction Gang Camp which Adam’s family established in his memory. The camp is free and available to youngsters who are battling life-threatening ailments. The Adam Petty Memorial All-American 400 promises to provide a dramatic finish to what has been a successful 49th season at the Motorplex. Started in 1981 by the late Bob Harmon, the race quickly gained a national reputation as the “Super Bowl of Short-Track Racing.” Over the years it has lived up to its billing, with such celebrated champions as Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, Butch Lindley, Jeff Purvis, and many other prominent racers.

Ford Crew Chief of the Race Award
Martinsville Speedway, referred to by many as the “Paperclip” for it’s unique shape, was a wreck-fest to say the least during the running of the Subway 500. Stop seven of the chase for the Nextel Cup saw beaten and battered cars battle it out for track position. Through the mayhem, Mike Ford, crew chief for the No. 11 FedEx Freight Chevrolet team, played out a patient race strategy, waiting for the prime opportunity to strike. When the opportunity came, Ford lead his young driver, Denny Hamlin, through a calculated race strategy, gaining valuable track position when it counted, guiding Hamlin to a deserving sixth place finish. For his patient strategy and calculated race calls, Ford was awarded the WYPALL* Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Sauter to RGM with Yellow? Johnny Sauter is still, as far as he knows, the driver of the #70 Yellow Transportation Chevy for the same team, but Scott Riggs has been signed by the team for 2008. That leaves Sauter in an interesting position: Does he have a job or not? He has a sponsor in Yellow Transportation that is committed to the series, and they seem happy with Sauter. Latest is that Sauter will go to a second team with Robby Gordon, taking Yellow with him.(NASCAR.com)(10-24-2007)

Furniture Row Racing finalizing contract with Nemechek: Furniture Row Racing officials say the team is working on the final details of a three-year contract with driver Joe Nemechek. Nemechek took over the team’s #78 at California Speedway in September. With the team outside the top 35 in owners points, Nemechek qualified his way into six consecutive races before failing to make the field for the last two. The organization is also seeking sponsorship to start a second team to run at least a limited schedule in the series.(SceneDaily.com)(10-24-2007)

Kenseth/Edwards altercation: UPDATES:
Carl Edwards apologized Tuesday for his actions following Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway, saying he was wrong to show his anger toward Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth. Edwards said on a NASCAR teleconference that trouble has been brewing between the pair for a while and that it’s probably been six months since they’ve had a conversation. Now, he wants to change all of that. Edwards is hoping that he and his Roush Fenway teammates can do a better job of having a “team spirit,” and he says he plans to do his best to communicate better not only with Kenseth, but with all his Roush Fenway teammates. Edwards took full blame for his actions, pledged to get to know his teammates better and analyzed what could have brought on this type of display. He added that he would take the first step toward mending fences.(SceneDaily.com)(10-23-2007)
Kenseth Comments: Kenseth wasn’t very surprised when Edwards accosted him shortly after the race. “His behavior has been real erratic lately, honestly,” Kenseth said of his Roush Fenway Racing teammate. “You don’t know what to expect with him. That’s the thing that’s a little bit troublesome. One minute, he has so much respect for you, and he’s real friendly and everything’s so much fun. The next minute he wants to kick your butt and he’s swearing at you. It’s a little scary. You never know what you’re going to get. I thought it was good in a way that the cameras were there because a lot of us see that, and nobody else does because he kind of puts on a different front.”(USA Today)(10-24-2007)

Sad News: Ryan Bard: A dirt track racer died after a crash during weekend qualifying at the Abilene Speedway. Ryan Bard of Farmington, N.M., died early Monday at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, where he was being treated for burns, according to the International Motor Contest Association. The 23-year-old Bard, a competitor in the association’s Southern SportMod division, was injured Sunday when his car rolled over and caught fire during a qualifying race for the Southern Challenge.(Associated Press / Yahoo Sports)(10-23-2007)

Labbe Takes Over as #36 Crew Chief: Richard �Slugger� Labbe will take over duties as crew chief of the #36 team for at least the next two races. Labbe, a 39-year-old native of Saco, Maine, has been busy for the last several months working with Bill Davis Racing newcomer Jacques Villeneuve.(BDR PR)(10-23-2007)

#83 Crew Chief Doug Richert Departs Red Bull Racing Team: Red Bull Racing Team Competition Director Elton Sawyer on the Departure of #83 Crew Chief Doug Richert: Red Bull Racing Team R & D Manager, Randy Cox, will replace Doug Richert as the #83 Red Bull Racing Team crew chief starting this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Cox’s past crew chief roles were in the Busch Series with Kenny Wallace, and also with David Stremme. “In any Nextel Cup Series organization, the crew chief and driver are the two key forces that make a race team competitive, and there must be a balance in both personalities and methods for achieving goals,” Sawyer said. “Individually, each person can be strong at their job, but if they aren’t efficient collectively, then changes must be made so both sides can reach their optimum potential. The formula we’d put together to try and make the #83 team successful was no longer working, so it was an amicable decision to part ways. Doug Richert made many contributions in helping this team grow in our first year of competition and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”Red Bull Racing PR)(10-23-2007)

NANO scheme for Kenseth at Atlanta: For the second time this season Matt Kenseth�s #17 Ford will carry the DeWalt NANO Technology paint scheme. The predominantly black car will run twice more, at Phoenix and Homestead.(Roush Racing PR) The scheme first ran at Dover in Sept, see images of the car on the #17 Team Schemes page.(10-23-2007) http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007/17cup.htm

#40 Coors Light Dodge to feature St. Jude Paint Scheme at Atlanta: Coors Light, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced the #40 Coors Light Dodge driven by David Stremme will be wrapped with a special St. Jude paint scheme for this weekend’s Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The purpose of the paint scheme is to increase awareness of the hospital and its work as well as to support Coors Light’s yearly pumpkin-themed “Halloween Pinups” fundraiser. During the month-long “Halloween Pinups” promotion, Coors and its distributors will focus on raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the Atlanta area, employees at participating retail locations will ask patrons to make a $1 donation to St. Jude’s to join in the fight against catastrophic childhood diseases. In return for the contribution, the donors will have the opportunity to write their names on pumpkin-themed pinups which will be displayed in each location through Halloween. In addition to its annual “Halloween Pinup” promotion, Coors Light will make a $10,000 base donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on race weekend, with an incremental donation for every lap Stremme completes in the race. Since 1997, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc. has raised more than $440,000 for St. Jude Hospital and Target House by donating $5,000 for each victory, $1,000 for each pole position and $25 for each lap led.(Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)(10-23-2007)

Pollack talks about interest of buying BDR: Jacques Villeneuve’s manager Craig Pollock says he is interested in buying a Nextel Cup team while admitting he has held talks with Bill Davis Racing, the team for which his driver is currently competing in NASCAR. The former Formula One team principal and Champ Car team owner said in an interview with Le Journal de Montreal that he has held talks with a number of Nextel Cup teams, evaluating different options to become involved as a team owner. Pollock is understood to be in serious talks with Bill Davis to buy equity in his NASCAR squad, which currently fields two cars in Cup and three in the Craftsman Truck Series. Jacques Villeneuve is expected to race for the team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup next year.”I’m interested in having an active participation in a NASCAR team, preferably the one where Jacques drives,” said Pollock. “It’s the best way to make sure that my driver has access to the best equipment available.” It had been reported during the weekend at Martinsville and on Canadian radio that Jacques Villeneuve was the one actually buying BDR, something that Pollock categorically denies. “Jacques has never spoken with a team with the intention to invest in it,” he added. Bill Davis would not confirm that he has already sold his team to Pollock, but has admitted openly that he is looking for the right partner to buy into his team in a time when funded investors have shown massive interest for getting involved in NASCAR.(Autosport.com), see the #22 Team News and links page for past news and rumors on the possible sale of BDR.(10-23-2007) http://www.jayski.com/teams/22.htm

Crew chief Hylton gets a new gig: Accelerating Developments International, LLC (ADI) announced that Butch Hylton, veteran crew chief/car chief [recently #88 RYR crew chief] has joined the ADI team as Technical Sales Director. Butch helped win a Nextel Cup with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2000 as car chief on Bobby Labonte’s #18 car and won the car owner’s championship with Richard Childress Racing in 2003 with Kevin Harvick and Johnny Sauter. Accelerating Developments International is a leading provider of technology, product innovation, engineering solutions and strategic consulting to the automotive, OEM and Motorsports industries. ADI designs and builds the K-RIG and the KD-RIG, the newest kinematics diagnostic chassis and suspension testing available today. With the acquisition of APR, Accelerating Developments International is now able to provide the most up-to-date full service line of chassis and suspension testing available in the Motorsports industry today. ADI’s state-of-the-art R&D facility located in Concord, NC provides full service sales and rental time for all their rigs.(ADI PR)(10-23-2007)

New record for Dickies 500 purse: The purse for next week�s Dickies 500 will be the largest in the history of Texas Motor Speedway and rank third overall for the 36-race Nextel Cup Series season, Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage announced. The Dickies 500 purse is set at $7,255,977 to topple the previous track record of $7,253,642 for the Samsung 500 in April, and the total ranks among the most prestigious speedways in the country. The Dickies 500 purse only trails that of Daytona International Speedway�s Daytona 500 ($18,386,023) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway�s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard ($9,449,587). The purse for next Sunday�s [Nov 4th] race at �The Great American Speedway!� also will be the largest in the 10-race Chase for the Nextel Cup championship for the third consecutive year. The Dickies 500 purse has increased nearly $400,000 since the inaugural event in 2005. The 2005 purse was $6,880,880 and topped the $7 million mark for the first time last season at $7,139,515. The combined purses for next week�s NASCAR triple-header weekend at Texas Motor Speedway will exceed $9 million. In addition to the Dickies 500, the O�Reilly Challenge Busch Series race will have a purse of $1,244,106 and the Silverado 350k Craftsman Truck Series race will be at $588,064 for an overall total of $9,088,147. Tickets still are available for the Dickies 500, O�Reilly Challenge, Silverado 350k as well as the 7-Eleven Qualifying Days. For ticket information, call (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS PR)(10-24-2007)
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Courtesy of www.motorsport.com

Edwards regrets altercation with teammate

Carl Edwards issued an apology Tuesday for his actions following Sunday’s Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway. The Columbia, Missouri-native was caught on camera in an altercation with Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth after the race.

“I was definitely wrong for showing my anger and putting on an …

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=273674

NASCAR Foundation Track Walk At Atlanta Motor Speedway Promises To Be A ‘Spooktacular’ Time For Fans
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 23, 2007) — Race fans will get the opportunity to “track and treat” at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, as …

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=273673

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Courtesy of NASCAR

Conversation: Chip Ganassi
Chip Ganassi is one of those guys who keeps an eye peeled for the next big thing.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/features/conversation/10/23/cganassi.conversation/index.html

Drought shouldn’t affect race weekend, AMS says
Water restrictions forced upon metro Atlanta by an extreme drought shouldn’t have any impact on the upcoming race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, track president Ed Clark said Tuesday.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/23/atlanta.drought.race/index.html

Immediate changes way for some to get start on ’08
For the next four weeks, you’d better pay pretty close attention to the entry list at Atlanta, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/business/10/23/teams.drivers.changes/index.html

Inside the Garage: Thomas
At only 33 years of age, with a background steeped in the engineering field and a resume that already includes employment stints at Petty Enterprises, Joe Gibbs Racing and Penske Racing South, it appears that Brandon Thomas has a bright future in NASCAR.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/features/10/23/traines.jyeley.bthomas.inside.garage/index.html

Richert out as crew chief for Vickers’ No. 83 Toyota
Team Red Bull has parted ways with Doug Richert, crew chief for Brian Vickers’ No. 83 Toyota, the team announced Tuesday.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/23/bvickers.drichert.change/index.html

‘Race for the Cups’ makes breast cancer statement
Jenn Powell walked until her calves balled up like rocks inside her legs; she walked until blisters the size of quarters bubbled on the backs of her heels and tops of her toes, she walked herself right into the emergency room

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/10/23/breast.cancer.walk/index.html

Sometimes, teamwork isn’t everything it appears
Who was that guy?

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/opinion/10/23/cedwards.mkenseth.scuffle/index.html

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Courtesy of Scene Daily

http://www.scenedaily.com

Edwards takes blame, vows to be a better teammate
Carl Edwards apologized Tuesday for his actions following Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway, saying he was wrong to show his anger toward Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth.

http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/23122140

Mayfield ‘excited’ with new opportunity
Jeremy Mayfield says he is excited to have an opportunity to drive for Haas CNC Racing for the remainder of this season and in 2008.

http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/23121172

Labbe to serve as crew chief for BDR’s No. 36
Richard “Slugger” Labbe is taking over as crew chief for the Bill Davis Racing’s No. 36 team for at least the next two races, according to a team release

http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/23122103

Furniture Row finalizing contract with Nemechek
Furniture Row Racing officials say the team is working on the final details of a three-year contract with driver Joe Nemechek

http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/23122102

Vickers’ crew chief Richert parts ways with Team Red Bull
NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Brian Vickers and crew chief Doug Richert have parted company, according to an item on the Team Red Bull Web site

http://www.scenedaily.com/ct/c/23122141

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P R E S S * R E L E A S E S
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Keep on Rolling … Kevin Harvick has yet to record a DNF (did not finish) in 2007. He and fellow teammate Clint Bowyer are the only two Chase drivers to have finished every race this season. Harvick has been running at the end of every race dating back to Dover last September, a steak of 40 races.
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A Little Taste of Lynchburg … Clint Bowyer will appear at the Jack Daniel’s Experience Sunday, October 28 from 10:50 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. The Jack Daniel’s Experience is a 42-foot tractor- trailer filled with artifacts, state-of-the art video monitors, sound system and graphics to give race fans a taste of Lynchburg and the Distillery. The Jack Daniel’s Experience will be located in the display area, outside the front straightaway, and will be open on Friday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Dodge NASCAR Drivers Rev-up for the Georgia 500 Weekend at Landmark Dodge

Georgia Native Reed Sorenson, David Stremme, Sam Hornish Jr. and Rusty Wallace will visit Landmark Dodge on Thursday October 25
NASCAR cars, drivers, interactive games and other activities let families kick off the race weekend with an evening of fun

WHAT:
Landmark Dodge in Morrow, Georgia hosts an evening of racing fun to rev up for the Georgia 500 race weekend. Activities include appearances by current NASCAR drivers Reed Sorenson, driver of the no. 41 Target Dodge, David Stremme, driver of the no. 40 Coors Light Dodge, Sam Hornish Jr. driver of the no. 06 Penske Dodge and retired NASCAR champion and current TV analyst Rusty Wallace; the UAW-Dodge interactive racing display that includes interactive games and photo opportunities; and the no. 9 Dodge Dealers Dodge and no. 41 Target Dodge race cars will be on display

WHO:
Reed Sorenson, driver of the no. 41 Target Dodge
David Stremme, driver of the no. 40 Coors Light Dodge
Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the no. 06 Penske Dodge
Rusty Wallace, retired NASCAR champion and current TV analyst
Mike Brillanti, Landmark Dodge

WHEN:
Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007
Reed Sorenson and David Stremme from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Rusty Wallace and Sam Hornish Jr. from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
UAW-Dodge interactive display and games from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Mike Brillanti, Landmark Dodge from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Landmark Dodge
6850 Mount Zion Boulevard
Morrow, Georgia 30260
770-968-4900
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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 Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Raybestos Rookie Notes for Memphis: David Ragan was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Ragan posted a sixth-place finish, his eighth top-10 finish this season and claimed Rookie of the Race honors for the ninth time in 31 races. He scored the fourth consecutive top-10 finish by a Rookie in the fall race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and is the fourth different driver to claim top rookie honors in the last four races. Ragan leads Marcos Ambrose by 24 points (215-191) in the Rookie standings entering the Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis. Ragan is fifth in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Rookie. He is 152 points behind fourth-place Jason Leffler and 35 ahead of sixth-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. Ambrose is ninth in the standings, 59 points behind eighth-place Stephen Leicht and six ahead of 10th-place Matt Kenseth.(Raybestos PR)(10-23-2007)

150 Starts for Leffler: #38-Jason Leffler, currently fourth in the series driver standings, looks to make his 150th start in the Busch Series at Memphis.(NASCAR PR)(10-23-2007)

Kenny Wallace to Practice & Qualify #26 for McMurray: Jamie McMurray will drive the #26 Dish Network Ford in Saturday’s Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis. McMurray will be in Atlanta for the Nextel Cup Series event which will cause him to miss Busch practice and qualifying, but he will fly to Memphis in time for the race. Kenny Wallace will fill in for McMurray for Friday’s practice sessions and qualifying on Saturday morning.(Roush Fenway PR)(10-23-2007)

Images More St. Jude images for Memphis added including #10-Fan1st.com Toyota, #11 InvestLinc Chevy, #28 Checkers Chevy, #35 McDonalds Ford, and #90 Citi Ford to the Busch Series Paint Schemes page.(10-23-2007) http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007busch.htm

Marc Mitchell at Memphis as Teammate to Keller: Marc Mitchell will be making his second Busch Series start of the season with CJM Racing. He finished 20th in the #11 Ergon Chevy at the Milwaukee Mile. This weekend, however, Mitchell will be piloting the #12 Ergon Chevy as a teammate to Jason Keller.(CJM Racing PR)(10-23-2007)

BB&T Extends with Childress; Bowyer to Run for Nationwide Championship: BB&T Corporation and Richard Childress Racing have extended their sponsorship agreement through 2009. BB&T will continue its role as the official bank of RCR and the primary sponsor of Clint Bowyer’s #2 BB&T Chevy in 25 Nationwide Series races as Bowyer competes for the 2008 Nationwide Series Championship. BB&T will be a major associate on the #2 car for the remaining 10 races on the Nationwide schedule and will be featured on the car’s lower rear-quarter panels. BB&T also will strengthen its position within the RCR family of sponsors and serve as the primary sponsor on Bowyer’s #07 Chevy for Cup Series races next spring at Martinsville and Richmond.(RCR PR)(10-23-2007)

RWI to Announce Driver Lineup: Rusty Wallace, Inc. will hold a press conference Sunday morning in Atlanta to announce its 2008 driver and sponsor lineup. The team is expected to run 2 cars, one with Steve Wallace and the second with Chase Austin splitting driving duties with a Cup veteran. Both team are likely to be sponsored by Homelife Communities.(10-23-2007)

Petty Enterprises said that they are trying to put together a deal to run Chad McCumbee on the 2008 Nationwide Series, but that the deal is in no way linked to a manufacturer change. Sources say McCumbee would land in the Carl Haas-owned #14 Fords currently driven by Kyle Krisiloff.(Motorsports Soapbox)(10-22-2007)
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‘GOIN’ ALL IN’ AT THE SAM’S TOWN 250

Memphis Motorsports Park Pulls Out All the Stops for NASCAR Week Oct. 25-27

MEMPHIS, TN (October 23, 2007) – Goin’ All In. The term is synonymous with high-stakes poker – one of the staples of Sam’s Town Tunica. And Sam’s Town – synonymous with NASCAR in Memphis since 1999 – celebrates nine years on Oct. 27 as the first and only title sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series Sam’s Town 250.

Sam’s Town and Memphis Motorsports Park are also “Goin’ All In” again in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – the race’s charitable partner since 2002. In addition to the annual driver visit to the hospital and the auction of racing memorabilia at Fanfest on Oct. 25, many of this year’s race teams are also participating in the “Design A Dream” campaign – a first-time initiative to give the children at the hospital a chance to design the paint schemes for the cars in this race.

The teams will be “Goin’ All In” for the kids, and for the coveted ‘Elvis’ trophy, too, that awaits the race winner of this final stand-alone event – race number 800 under the Busch Series banner – with six NEXTEL Cup drivers in the lineup, three rookies including Dario Franchitti making their debut, and a championship that could be clinched with a back flip. It’s only the biggest race of the year for the NASCAR Busch Series!

Memphis moviemaker Craig Brewer has been bitten by the NASCAR bug and will preside as race Grand Marshal to “start your engines.” And country super group Diamond Rio headlines the post-race party and concert as soon as the smoke clears from victory lane and the fireworks.

Following is the race weekend schedule for the NASCAR Busch Series Sam’s Town 250:

Thursday, Oct. 25
5:00 p.m. Show Car Parade on Beale Street, followed by Fanfest at Peabody Place

Friday, Oct. 26
1:00 p.m. Spectator Gates Open
2:00-5:00 p.m. Practice

Saturday, Oct. 27
8:00 a.m. Spectator Gates Open
9:35 a.m. Qualifying (Two Laps, All Positions)
2:00 p.m. Driver Introductions
2:30 p.m. Sam’s Town 250 (250 Laps, 187.5 Miles)
Post-race Fireworks & Concert – Diamond Rio

For Sam’s Town 250 tickets or more information, call 866-40-SPEED or visit MemphisMotorsportsPark.com.
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*Debut City: Memphis Becoming Synonymous With First Rides In Series *St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Patients Design Memphis Paint Schemes *In The Loop: Data Likes Edwards’ Clinch Chances On Saturday
Franchitti, Austin Among Group Keeping In Step With Memphis Debuts …

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=273671

Franchitti to Make NASCAR Busch Series Debut this Weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park
CONCORD, N.C. (October 22, 2007)-Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) announced today driver Dario Franchitti will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut Saturday, October 27th at Memphis Motorsports Park in …

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=273591

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Courtesy of The Hot Lap

http://www.TheHotLap.com

Wimmer’s Memphis Record Strong, Seeking First Win Of 2007 – http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Features&op=view&rid=398

Crew Profile – http://thehotlap.com/modules.php?name=Features&op=view&rid=397

JHP Direct Corporation, an Erie, Pennsylvania business advisory firm, has announced its partnership with a NASCAR Busch Series race team by launching the KingdomWinners.com commerce website. The site will provide expanded merchandising and marketing alliance opportunities for Faith Motorsports, a faith-based NASCAR race team that features veteran driver Morgan Shepherd and the #89 Dodge Charger. Under a licensing agreement, KingdomWinners.com becomes the exclusive source for official race team merchandise. The site was also developed to generate financial support for the team through partnerships that offer Christian books, music, and videos; travel; and identity theft protection services. Driver Morgan Shepherd, a 40-year veteran of the sport who continues to seek primary and associate sponsorship for the race team, welcomes the new website to its family. “I’m excited to have KingdomWinners.com supporting us. They share our passion for reaching souls at high speed! By supporting this site, you’re supporting the true mission of the 89 team,” states Shepherd. (JHP PR) (10-23-07)

Jamie McMurray will drive the No. 26 Dish Network Ford Fusion in Saturday’s Sam’s Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park. McMurray will be in Atlanta for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event which will cause him to miss Busch practice and qualifying, but he will fly to Memphis in time for the race. Kenny Wallace will fill in for McMurray for Friday’s practice sessions and qualifying on Saturday morning. “I am really looking forward to working with the No. 26 Dish Network team this weekend,” Wallace said. I do not take this opportunity lightly. I am not at the point in my career where I am content being a fill-in driver. I look at this as an audition because I would really like to drive for Jack (Roush) one day in the Busch Series.” The No. 26, being a part-time team, needs to qualify for the race based on time, leaving added pressure on Wallace to make sure the Dish Network Ford Fusion makes the race. Qualifying position is not as crucial since McMurray will have to drop to the back of the field at the start of the race for the driver change. (RFR PR) Other subs: Five double-duty drivers will venture to and from Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Sam’s Town 250 and Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Pep Boys Auto 500. Each has a substitute driver ready at Memphis who will be available to practice and qualify their car if necessary – Kenny Wallace will sub for Jamie McMurray; Matt McCall is in for Carl Edwards; Auggie Vidovich is on standby for David Ragan (No. 6 Discount Tire Ford); Mark Green is on call for David Reutimann and Casey Atwood will sub for J.J. Yeley. (NASCAR PR) (10-23-07)

CitiFinancial sponsored a fundraiser on Monday, October 22 for Shane “Shakes” Hakes at Victory Lane Karting in Charlotte, N.C. The event raised more than $7,000 for the Hakes’ family. Hakes, who served as a tire specialist on the No. 90 crew was critically injured in a motorcycle accident on July 15. Shakes was transferred to WakeMed in Raleigh, N.C. As he continues to recover, the CitiFinancial Racing Crew and the No. 90 CitiFinancial Ford will continue to carry the special “Racing for Shakes” logo. (RYR PR) (10-23-07)
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It’s a Wrap … It is becoming increasingly popular for teams to use vinyl wraps to “paint” a car instead of actually sending it to the paint booth and that is exactly what the No. 21 AutoZone team did for this weekends special paint scheme. Two people can apply a vinyl wrap in just over 2.5 hours. The best part of a wrap is that it can be applied directly over a car that is already painted and when you remove the wrap, chances are, the paint will be completely intact.
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C R A F T S M A N * T R U C K * S E R I E S
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Courtesy of Jayski

http://www.jayski.com

Furr no longer crew chief for #60; to Haas CNC Racing? Hearing #60 crew chief, Tony Furr, has left the team effective immediately. Supposedly he is headed back to the Nextel Cup Series with Haas CNC Racing.(10-23-2007)

Waltrip truck team gone in ’08? Hearing the Darrell Waltrip Motorsports truck team, which is co-owned and run by DW’s brother, Michael, will either close its doors at the end of the season or be sold. The team has had multiple drivers in 2007 and a sponsor for 2008 has not been secured.(10-23-2007)

Martinsville Truck Series ratings up 18 percent on SPEED: Ratings for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville last weekend were up 18 percent, according to Nielsen Media Research. The increase continues a trend on SPEED, as the last three NCTS races all have enjoyed ratings increases, with the most noteworthy growth among younger audiences. The Martinsville race earned a .73 (534,000 households), peaking at .82 (598,000 HH). Both numbers were improvements from a .62 average and .72 peak in 2006. The Men 18-49 saw the most dramatic growth, up 92 percent from a year ago. At Talladega, the 2007 Nielsen rating was .94 (886,000 HH), up four percent from .90 (611,000 HH) in 2006. And at Las Vegas, the race earned a .49, up 11 percent from the .44 in 2006.(Speedtv.com)(10-23-2007

Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – Atlanta: #13-Willie Allen was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the October 20 Kroger 200 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Allen scored a 14th-place finish and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth time this season. Allen holds a six-point advantage (149-143) over Tim Sauter in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the October 27 EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Allen is 15th in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 63 points ahead of 16th-place Sauter. Joey Clanton was the top Raybestos Rookie in the March race at Atlanta, claiming a ninth-place finish. Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 at Atlanta, scoring a third-place finish. (Raybestos PR)(10-23-2007)

Pollack talks about interest in buying BDR: Jacques Villeneuve’s manager Craig Pollock says he is interested in buying a Nextel Cup team while admitting he has held talks with Bill Davis Racing, the team for which his driver is currently competing in NASCAR. The former Formula One team principal and Champ Car team owner said in an interview with Le Journal de Montreal that he has held talks with a number of Nextel Cup teams, evaluating different options to become involved as a team owner. Pollock is understood to be in serious talks with Bill Davis to buy equity in his NASCAR squad, which currently fields two cars in Cup and three in the Craftsman Truck Series. Jacques Villeneuve is expected to race for the team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup next year.”I’m interested in having an active participation in a NASCAR team, preferably the one where Jacques drives,” said Pollock. “It’s the best way to make sure that my driver has access to the best equipment available.” It had been reported during the weekend at Martinsville and on Canadian radio that Jacques Villeneuve was the one actually buying BDR, something that Pollock categorically denies. “Jacques has never spoken with a team with the intention to invest in it,” he added. Bill Davis would not confirm that he has already sold his team to Pollock, but has admitted openly that he is looking for the right partner to buy into his team in a time when funded investors have shown massive interest for getting involved in NASCAR.(Autosport.com)(10-23-2007)

Images added: A few images added from Martinsville; #5-Mike Skinner, #41-Dario Franchitti, #9-Ted Musgrave, #17-Michael McDowell. Photos can be viewed at the 2007 Paint Scheme Gallery page.(10-23-2007) http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2007trucks.htm

Sieg back in the #15 for Atlanta race: UPDATE: Sponsor for #15 The Craftsman Truck Series heads to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the running of the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 Saturday, October, 27. Atlanta owner Billy Ballew will enter fellow Georgian Shane Sieg in the #15 and Kyle Busch in the #51 RedTop Auto Auction Chevy Craftsman Trucks.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(10-22-2007)
UPDATE: The #15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Truck Series entry is being sponsored by Terry Reid Chevrolet [Cartersville, GA] at Atlanta.(BBM PR)(10-23-2007)
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Courtesy of TruckSeries.Com

http://www.truckseries.com

Martinsville Ratings Up 18 Percent On SPEED
TV Ratings for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville last weekend were up 18 percent, according to Nielsen Media Research. The increase continues a trend on SPEED, as the last three NCTS races all have enjoyed ratings increases, with the most noteworthy growth among younger audiences. “These numbers are encouraging,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “To be able to deliver consistent ratings increases in this challenging environment is significant.”

http://www.truckseries.com/cgi-script/NCTS_07/articles/000129/012969.htm

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A R C A (Automobile Racing Club of America)
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Courtesy of ARCA

http://www.arcaracing.com

ARCA Community Loses Three Former Drivers
read more http://www.arcaracing.com/content/view/5865/2/
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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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Cross’ Words: Martinsville
Martinsville was a microcosm of what has become a year-long Silly Season. Jeff Green finished par for the course, but less than 24 hours later Davie Bowie was warming up the vocals — Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes — and Jeremy Mayfield was warming up the driver’s seat for the No. 66.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/opinion/10/23/cross.words.martinsville/index.html

Insider Racing News

http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/CA/102407.html

Cautions Breed Cautions and Commercials
by Chuck Abrams
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T V * L I S T I N G S
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Courtesy of Race Fan TV

http://snipurl.com/llya-stockc

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24
12:00m-12:30A espn2 NASCAR Now, HD
3:00A-4:00 SPEED FIM 250 World Championship Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, Oct 21/07, R
4:00A-5:00 SPEED FIM MotoGP World Championship Polini Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, Oct 21/07, R
11:00A-12:00n ESPN-CL 2003 Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals, Phoenix, AZ, Feb 23/03
12:00n-2:30P SPEED Formula One World Championship, Grande Prêmio do Brasil, Autodromo Carlos Pace, Interlagos, São Paulo, Brasil, Oct 21/07, R
2:30P-3:30 SPEED 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans, highlights of this year’s race, Le Mans, France, June 16-17/07, R
5:30P-6:00 espn2 NASCAR: Chasing Glory, #5, a behind-the-scenes look at the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, HD
6:00P-6:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, Eric Kuselias, HD, L

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25
12:00m-12:30A espn2 NASCAR Now, HD
3:00A-4:00 SPEED 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans, highlights of this year’s race, Le Mans, France, June 16-17/07, R
4:00A-4:30 SPEED Ferrari Challenge, Virginia Intl. Raceway, Danville, VA, May 20/07, R
4:30A-5:00 SPEED Ferrari Challenge from California Speedway, Fontana, CA, Aug 12/07, R
11:00A-12:00n ESPN-CL 2003 MAC Tools NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, FL, mar 16/03
12:00n-3:00 SPEED NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown: The top teams in NASCAR’s Grand National division compete for national recognition, Irvindale, CA, Oct 20/07, R
3:00P-6:00 SPEED NASCAR Nextel Cup Replay: Subway 500, Martinsville, VA, Oct 21/07, R-ABC
6:00P-6:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, Eric Kuselias, HD, L
8:00P-8:30 SPEED The Chase is On, Atlanta preview, N
8:30P-9:00 SPEED Survival of the Fastest, #33, Martinsville, N
10:30P-12:30A HDNet NASCAR Nextel Cup Subway 500, Martinsville, VA, Oct 21/07, HD, R-ABC

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26
12:00m-12:30A espn2 NASCAR Now, HD
12:00m-12:30A SPEED The Chase is On, Atlanta preview, R
12:30A-1:00 SPEED Survival of the Fastest, #33, Martinsville, R
3:00A-5:00 SPEED Knoxville Nationals: Top drivers from the National Sprint Tour and World of Outlaws, Knoxville, IA, Aug 11/07, R
11:00A-12:00n ESPN-CL 2003 NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals, Las Vegas, NV
1:00P-1:30 SPEED Survival of the Fastest, #33, Martinsville, R
1:30P-2:00 SPEED NASCAR Live
2:00P-3:30 SPEED NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series PRACTICE, Easycare 200, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA, L
3:30P-4:00 SPEED NASCAR Live
4:00P-6:00 SPEED Nextel Pit Crew Challenge. Charlotte Bobcats Arena, May 16/07, R
6:00P-7:00 SPEED Trackside at Atlanta Motor Speedway, N
6:00P-6:30 espn2 NASCAR Now, Eric Kuselias, HD, L
7:00P-9:00 espn2 NASCAR Nextel Cup QUALIFYING, Pep Boys Auto 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA, HD, L
10:00P-11:00 Outdoor FIM Motocross

Race Fan TV does not list all the programming offered by SPEED; for complete listings go to their website, http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/

DISC-HDT = Discovery HD Theatre
ESPN-CL = ESPN Classic, US
HDNet = High Definition Network available on DirecTV (Channel 79) and DISH, etc.
Outdoor = Outdoor Channel (US)
VS = Versus (formerly known as OLN, Outdoor Life Network)

Always CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS!
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Copyright 2002-2007 by MotorSportsNews.Net
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