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TOYOTA MAKES IT OFFICIAL: ANNOUNCES ENTRY INTO NASCAR
Toyota made its long-expected entry into NASCAR's upper echelon official today as Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A announced at the Chicago Auto Show that it would enter as many as six of its Tundra trucks in the Craftsman Truck Series next year. The Japanese automaker noted that it has assembled the full-size Tundra exclusively at its Princeton, Ind., plant since its debut in 1999. "Everyone at NASCAR is looking forward to Toyota's participation in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series," said Mike Helton, president of NASCAR. "We feel their integrated approach to this series is going to provide our drivers, teams, tracks and fans many benefits." Toyota Racing Development U.S.A. will design, develop and build the Craftsman Truck Tundra V8 engine in its Costa Mesa, Calif., facility. Toyota said team affiliations will be announced later. Ford said it looks forward to Toyta's entry. "We welcome the competition in NASCAR from any manufacturer," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology.
SMI NET INCOME DROPS
Speedway Motorsports Inc. today reported fourth-quarter net income of nearly $8.5 million, or 20 cents per share, a drop of about 20 percent from $10.6 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, earned in the fourth quarter of 2001. Revenue fell to $72.9 million from $80.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2001. SMI officials, however, say the results are not directly comparable because of a one-time gain in the fourth quarter of 2001, changes in racing schedules and a new food and beverage agreement whose profits are now reported as other operating revenue. The announcement met analysts' consensus estimates. For the year just ended, Speedway had net income of $56.2 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, on revenue of nearly $376 million. In 2001, the company had earnings of $57.6 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, on revenue of $375.2 million. The company, which operates Lowe's Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and other tracks, says it expects to earn between $66 mil lion and $70 million this year, with earnings per share ranging from $1.55 to $1.65.
CALIFORNIA SIGNS RACE SPONSOR
California Motor Speedway says the Automobile Club of Southern California has signed a multiyear agreement to be the title sponsor for the track's Winston Cup race, which will now be known as the Auto Club 500. The sponsorship takes effect with this year's race, which is scheduled for April 27. The Auto Club replaces NAPA as the title sponsor. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
MAN DIES WHILE AT PETTY RACING EXPERIENCE
A man in Las Vegas for a business convention died of natural causes while driving at a racing school. Philip Jerome Malarkey's death at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was attributed to coronary atherosclerosis, a common cause of heart attacks, the coroner's office said Tuesday. Malarkey, 58, of Arnold, Md., paid several thousand dollars to participate in the Richard Petty Driving Experience. After classroom instruction, Malarkey became unconscious while driving a race car similar to those used in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, said Brad Mark, driving school general manager. Mark called Malarkey's death the first in 13 years at the race driving school.
ATLANTA LANDS RACE SPONSORS
Atlanta Motor Speedway officials announced today that MBNA America and Bass Pro Shops will
be the title sponsors of its March 9 Winston Cup race, which now will be known as the MBNA Bass Pro Shops 500.
MCLAUGHIN GETS RIDE
Mike McLaughlin, whose Angela's Motorsports team closed its doors earlier this week, will attempt to qualify for the Busch Series opener at DIS.
Jay Robinson Racing bought the team's assets, and McLauglin has secured the use of the car and some team members for the Koolerz 300.
"This has been a very rough week," McLaughlin said. "I am not going to let this defeat me."
RACES TO AIR LIVE IN UK
NASCAR and the North American Sports Network have announced plans to broadcast all Winston Cup and Craftsman Truck Series races in 2003 on the new American sports television channel serving the United Kingdom and Ireland. It will be the first time that all Winston Cup races will be broadcast live in the UK. Subscribers will pay about $15 a month to have the digital service added to their existing service. The service will be available in more than 7.5 million homes on Sky (satellite) and ntl:home (cable). Financial terms were not announced
NASCAR CREATES NEW DIVISIONS
NASCAR has announced the creation of two new racing divisions: NASCAR Elite Division and NASCAR Grand National Division.
"This represents a bold new direction for NASCAR's regional racing programs," said Chris Boals, NASCAR's director of regional touring. "These new divisions are a model for the sustained growth of our sport, and offer excellent opportunities for driver development at each level."
The NASCAR Elite Division will consist of four NASCAR-sanctioned series: the Featherlite Southwest Series, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series and the newly renamed International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series (formerly the RE/MAX Challenge Series) and Kodak Southeast Series (formerly the Hills Bros. All Pro Series).
The Elite Division will accommodate drivers who have recently been competing in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge or at other local short tracks. At this level, competitors will compete on a variety of tracks before progressing to other NASCAR divisions.
Once a competitor has gained experience in the Elite Division, the next logical step is the NASCAR Grand National Division, which will now consist of the Busch North Series and the NASCAR Winston West Series
HENDRICK ADDS SPONSOR FOR ITS NO. 5
Hendrick Motorsports says the American Dairy Association is becoming an associate sponsor on its No. 5 Chevrolet driven by Terry Labonte in the Winston Cup Series. The team says the Got Milk logo from the association will be displayed on the hood, side panels and television panel of the car, which has primary sponsorship from Kellogg's Corn Flakes. The dairy association will also be featured in special paint schemes for races at Richmond International Raceway in May and Chicagoland Speedway in July.
MOPAR PLANS
John Fernandez, the new director of Dodge Motorsports Operations, says the game plan for NASCAR in 2003 is to make all of its teams more consistent.
The 2002 awards ceremony in New York "was pretty painful," Fernandez said.
"I sat in the balcony of the theater and watched Pontiac, Ford and Chevy parade across the stage. I don't want to be in that position again," he said.
The highest-finishing Dodge driver was Bill Elliott in 13th. Sterling Marlin, who led the standings most of the season missed the last six races because of injury and wound up 18th.
CREW CHANGES AT RCR
Richard Childress Racing is freeing car chief Scott Naset of catch-can work with Kevin Harvick's No. 29 car so he can concentrate on managerial duties. That seems to be a trend among teams. Keeping a car chief off pit duty allows them to focus completely on race strategy. Kirk Almquist will move to the catch-can job, and Kenny Barber will take his place as the rear tire carrier
HARRAH'S TO SPONSOR LARRY FOYT
Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has announced plans to serve as the primary sponsor of driver Larry Foyt in A.J. Foyt's No. 14 Dodge in the 2003 Winston Cup Series. The casino company said it had reached a two-year sponsorship deal with the team. No financial terms were announced. Larry Foyt, the 25-year-old son of team owner A.J. Foyt, is scheduled to make his Winston Cup debut in the Daytona 500, a race his father won in 1972. Separately, NASCAR.com reports that Mike Hillman has left the team and says team engineer Craig "Butch" Lamoreux is becoming the car's crew chief.
LARRY/WALLY LOOKING TO FORM TEAM
Fox Sports analyst and former crew chief Larry McReynolds is in discussions with NBC analyst and driver Wally Dallenbach to start up a new Busch Series team for the second half of the season. "We'd like to find an existing team and see if they're interested," McReynolds says. He says his ability to work on cars will enhance his value on the broadcasts.
BODINE LOOKING FOR PARTNER
Brett Bodine, among the last drivers who own their cars, is working on a partnership with Bob Brooks of Hooters Restaurants. Bodine, 44, says the move should give him a better outlook. "We just haven't been able to get ahead of things," Bodine says. "The last few years, we were going backward." He missed four races last season and finished 36th in points.
BACE, RAINES PLAN FULL CUP SCHEDULE
BACE Motorsports has announced plans to run the entire 2003 Winston Cup schedule with Tony Raines driving the team's No. 74 Chevrolet. The team, which has won three Busch Series championships, says Larry Carter, who was crew chief for Todd Bodine at Haas/Carter Motorsports last year, will be the crew chief for the car. "We're excited to make the transition to the Winston Cup level with the No. 74 team," owner Bill Baumgardner says. Raines, who joined BACE in 1999 as driver of its No. 33 Busch Series entry and won rookie-of-the-year honors in that series, competed in seven Winston Cup races for the team last year and will compete for rookie honors in the series this season. He will be competing against Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears, Larry Foyt, Jack Sprague and Greg Biffle for the rookie title. Michael "Dover" Kadlecik, who was crew chief for the team's Busch Series entry last season, will be the head engineer for the Winston Cup effort.
7 NASCAR DRIVERS LINED UP FOR IROC
Seven NASCAR drivers have been named to the 12-man field to compete in this year's True Value International Race of Champions Series. Winston Cup drivers scheduled to participate include Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Ryan Newman. Greg Biffle, who will drive in the Winston Cup Series this year, was named to the field as last year's NASCAR Busch Series champion, along with reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Mike Bliss
MARIAH CAREY TO SING ANTHEM AT DAYTONA
Daytona International Speedway announced Thursday that Mariah Carey will sing the national anthem prior to the running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16. Carey is a two-time Grammy Award winner who has recorded 15 No. 1 singles.
NADEAU STILL ACHES
Jerry Nadeau, who injured his ribs and right shoulder in a go-kart accident late last season, said he feels nearly 100 percent but may one day still require surgery.
"It's one of those things that I'm going to have to live with. The only way I can get it back normal is if I had an operation."
Nadeau, who will drive the No. 01 Pontiac for MB2 Motorsports this season, said he would re-evaluate the need for surgery at the end of the season.
TONY FURR JOINS MORGAN-MCLURE
Morgan-McClure Motorsports has hired a new competition director to prepare for the 2003 season. Tony Furr, who began his Winston Cup career in 1989, joins the Abingdon, Va.-based team to assist team manager Tim Weiss and crew chief Chris Carrier.
"I feel like he can help make a difference. We are looking forward to the Daytona test session and Speedweeks with an invigorated attitude."
Furr, 46, is native of Concord, N.C
2 CHANGES ANNOUNCED FOR KENSETH CREW
Robbie Reiser, crew chief for Roush Racing's No. 17 Ford driven by Matt Kenseth, has named two new pit crew members for the 2003 Winston Cup season. Reiser has named Justin Nottestad and Jeremy West to the squad that has won the last two Unocal 76/Rockingham World Pit Crew Competitions. Nottestad moves up from front tire carrier to the tire changer position with the team, while West, who is new to Roush Racing, will be the rear tire changer. They replace Phil Drye, front tire changer, and Dave Smith, rear tire changer. "We hated to see those guys go," said Reiser. "But we understand that they made the decision to move to another team because they felt like that was what was best for them personally. I can appreciate and respect that. I knew it wasn't going to be easy to replace those two -- they're both really talented -- but we have filled the positions, and we're excited about next year."
SMALLER SPOILERS, SOFTER TIRES IN WORKS
There are published reports this week that NASCAR officials are moving toward smaller spoilers and working with Goodyear to use softer tire compounds, but the officials aren't ready to say when the changes will be made. While drivers such as Rusty Wallace are urging the change as early as the season's second race, the Subway 400 at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, Winston Cup Director John Darby said that the changes may not come that quickly. He also said Goodyear has agreed to produce softer tires if NASCAR can reduce downforce, which Darby said the sanctioning body intends to do. The changes would make cars less dependent on aerodynamics and might make for more competitive racing by reducing the aero-push and increasing passing. "It's going to take some time, and it's hard to pinpoint how long that will be," Darby said.
KEVIN GRUBB LEAVES TEAM BRISTOL
Kevin Grubb and Team Bristol Motorsports owner Rick Goodwin are parting ways, freeing Grubb to take a ride in Carroll Racing's No. 26 entry sponsored by Dr Pepper. Goodwin has a short list of potential replacements for Grubb, but he may hold off on making a decision. Grubb will replace Ron Hornaday at Carroll Racing, which is also making the switch to Dodges for 2003.
CHEVY ANNOUNCES 2003 DAYTONA FANFEST
The 18th Annual Stock Car Racing Fan Fest presented by Chevrolet and co-sponsored by Sierra Entertainment, will be February 12-14, 2003 at the Ocean Center (101 N. Atlantic Ave.) in Daytona Beach, FL. the event was formerly known as the Circle Track Racing Expo.
More than 30,000 expected attendees can peruse 60,000+ sq. ft. of exhibitor space featuring the latest product innovations, racing parts, and participate in daily pit crew challenges with more than $10,000 in cash prizes. The 3-day show will also feature driver appearances including autograph sessions with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and more than 10 other NASCAR drivers, an engine building contest, on-site 4x4 truck build up, a fishing "cast-off" contest sponsored by Pure Fishing and seminars on a host of racing-related topics. Fan Fest 2003 also includes activities for the whole family including a slot car racing area, video and interactive family games, as well as racing collectibles and souvenirs for sale at the show.
IMG MOTORSPORTS MANAGMENT GROUP SELLS
Sports management firm IMG is selling its motorsports business to Elevation Motorsports, a newly formed IMG-affiliated company.
IMG will continue to promote CART's Cleveland Grand Prix and a CART race in Australia and will represent NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon.
Elevation will take with it the marketing and management services for drivers Dale Jarrett, Steve Park, Gil de Ferran and Jason Leffler, Mo Nunn Racing and clients such as Albertson's, General Mills, UPS, AT&T Broadband and Pioneer Electronics.
Elevation Motorsports will be launched Jan. 2 with 20 employees, some from IMG. It will be based in Cleveland and have offices in Charlotte, N.C., and Fort Lauderdale
STEWART GOES NORTH
Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart will compete in four International Stockcar Alliance races during the 2003 season. The events include two at the new Kawartha Speedway in Frasierville, Ontario.
Other Winston Cup drivers scheduled to race include Dave Blaney, Kurt Busch, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth. They will compete in the ISA's June 28-29 Canada Day Million Dollar Shootout and a Sept. 9 race. The two events are part of the ISA's "Super 6," which showcases top racing personalities at select venues across Canada.
EARNHARDT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
A sponsorship program will allow race fans to help fund a Dale Earnhardt Tribute plaza surrounding a statue of Earnhardt in Kannapolis. Programs are available from $75 for bricks in the perimeter garden up to $5,000 for steps leading the statue. For information, check the city's OFFICAL WEBSITE or call the City of Kannapolis at (704) 938-5133 or the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (704) 782-4340.
RANDOLPH JOINS PPC RACING
Doug Randolph has been named Crew Chief of the No. 10 Nestlé Nesquik Ford Taurus Team at ppc Racing. Randolph comes to ppc Racing from the No. 41 Winston Cup Team of Chip Ganassi. Randolph will assume crew chief duties effective immediately to prepare for the upcoming 2003 NASCAR Busch Series season
DAVID GREEN LANDS BREWCO RIDE
Brewco Motorsports owner Clarence Brewer Jr. says veteran David Green will drive a Pontiac for the team in the 2003 Busch Series. Green, a 44-year-old native of Owensboro, Ky., won the series championship in 1994 and finished second in 1996. He drove a partial schedule this year and finished out the season in Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolet after Ricky Hendrick retired. In 12 starts this season, he had three top-five finishes.
STEADMAN MARLIN TO DRIVE FOR BRAUN
Braun Racing has announced plans for Steadman Marlin to drive for the team in the 2003 Busch Series. The team says Keystone Light will sponsor a Dodge in 15 races for Marlin, the son of Winston Cup driver Sterling Marlin and grandson of NASCAR pioneer Coo-Coo Marlin. The 22-year-old native of Columbia, Tenn., has made 15 starts in the series. Team owner Todd Braun said additional sponsorship is being sought to expand beyond the 15 races. Braun Racing also named veteran Kevin Caldwell to be the crew chief for Marlin. Braun Racing, which has been competing in ARCA's Re/Max Series, will be making its first entry into the Busch Series.
PPM RACING TAPS BRIAN WINTERS
PPM Racing says it has picked Brian Winters to drive the team's Chevrolet in the 2003 Busch Series. Winters, who has raced in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series, has also driven in off-road and open-wheel competition.
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JEFF BURTON RETURNS TO IROC BROADCAST TEAM
Roush Racing driver Jeff Burton will join Bob Jenkins and Scott Goodyear in the announcers' booth for the 2003 IROC Race Series. Burton, who made his broadcasting debut with the series last year, will return to help call the 27th season of the series, which is to be aired on ESPN.
ISC EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE ANNOUNCED
International Speedway Corp. Chairman Bill France yesterday announced new titles and responsibilities for several executives. France, 69, will remain chairman but will give up the chief executive officer title to his brother, James C. France, 58, who has been president and chief operating officer since 1987. Lesa D. Kennedy, 41, the daughter of Bill France and formerly executive vice president, will become president, while John R. Saunders, senior vice president of operations, will become senior vice president and chief operating officer. ISC owns and/or operates 12 tracks, including Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
TOYOTA ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK
Toyota officials are set to announce their entry in to NASCAR's Truck tour next season, and that announcement could come this week, according to Detroit executives who have been following the Toyota-NASCAR gambit extremely closely. The announcement could come in conjunction with the truck race here Friday.
Toyota's Robert Huffman won yesterday's Goody's Dash 150 for 4-cylinder compacts, in what was probably the last such "Baby Grand" race at this track.
SHOOTOUT RATINGS JUMP
Nielsen Media Research says overnight ratings for Saturday night's Fox broadcast of the Budweiser Shootout jumped 62 percent over the 2002 broadcast on TNT. This year's airing of the all-star race had a 5.5 rating and 10 share, well ahead of the 3.4/8 last year.
DOMINO'S BECOMES NASCAR SPONSOR
Domino's has signed a five-year deal to become the first official pizza of NASCAR. Domino's will support the sponsorship "with at least $30 million in media, promotions and rights fees over the life of the deal, with additional marketing support anticipated from local Domino's franchises." Domino's first TV ad, which was produced by J. Walter Thompson and features driver Michael Waltrip and his family, will air this week.
ROUSH ADDS SMIRNOFF ICE SPONSORSHIP
Diageo has announced that its Smirnoff Ice Triple Black beverage will be the primary sponsor for Roush Racing's No. 17 Ford driven by Matt Kenseth for eight Winston Cup races. The flavored malt beverage will be an associate sponsor for the remainder of the season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
KENSETH LANDS BUSCH SPONSORSHIP
Exide Technologies announced today that its Exide Batteries division will provide associate sponsorship for Reiser Enterprises and driver Matt Kenseth for the No. 17 Ford in 15 Busch Series races this year. Financial terms were not disclosed.
BLANEY PLANS 10 BUSCH RACES
Winston Cup driver Dave Blaney plans to drive Marsh Racing's No. 31 Ford in 10 Busch Series races this year. Blaney, a native of Sharon, Pa., competed in the Busch Series in 1998 and 1999, finishing seventh in 1999 with five top-fives, 12 top-10s and four poles in 31 races. In 2000, he moved to the Winston Cup Series, where he drives for Jasper Motorsports. Blaney's first Busch Series race is scheduled to be May 2 at Richmond International Raceway
MCLAUGHLIN LAUNCHES FUND CAMPAIGN
Busch Series driver Mike McLaughlin has announced what he's calling a "Hopes and Dreams 2003" campaign to raise funds to compete in the season-opening Koolerz 300 at Daytona International Speedway. McLaughlin, who was to have driven for the Angela's Motorsports team with crew chief Harold Holly and team manager Clyde McLeod before it dissolved last week, says he will drive Jay Robinson Racing's No. 39 Ford in the event. Robinson purchased the assets of McLaughlin's former team from Robert Yates Racing. The driver says his effort will be funded by fan donations, which may be mailed to the Mike McLaughlin Fan Club, P.O. Box 45, Waterloo, NY 13165 or sent online by using www.paypal.com to katermclaughlin@aol.com.
TIM SAUTER LANDS PARTIAL BUSCH SCHEDULE
Busch Series team owner Jack McNelly announced Monday that veteran Tim Sauter will drive the team's Chevrolet in eight to 12 races, starting with the Feb. 22 Rockingham 200 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. The team will be based in the York, S.C., shop of veteran crew chief David Ifft. Neader Sports Management of St. Petersburg, Fla., is looking for additional sponsorship that could lead to an expansion of the schedule.
NEW HAMPSHIRE TO GET SPONSOR, LIGHTS?
New Hampshire International Speedway has scheduled an announcement Thursday that the Boston Globe is predicting will be for the Sylvania light company to say that it has reached a multiyear sponsorship deal. Michael Vega of the Globe writes that it "would make sense for NHIS officials to hammer out a quid pro quo deal with Sylvania to outfit the track with lights" in the wake of NASCAR's revelation last week that more tracks would be encouraged to add lighting to start their races later in the day.
KANSAS GETTING SECOND CUP DATE?
NASCAR executives have told Kansas Speedway officials that "that track would likely" get a second Winston Cup race in the future. Chicagoland Speedway, located in the third-biggest market in the U.S., appears to be the more logical choice for the second date, but Kansas City is more likely because it is wholly owned by International Speedway Corp., which is controlled by NASCAR's France family. Chicagoland, on the other hand, is a joint venture between ISC and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George. NASCAR officials last week indicated that a realignment that would see races move out of the Southeast and into larger markets across the country may happen as early as next year.
KERRY EARNHARDT TO PILOT PEEPS CAR
FitzBradshaw Racing will field the No. 12 Marshmallow Peeps Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the Busch Series Rockingham 200 on February 22, 2003. This one-race running of the Peeps® car is in celebration of the candy's 50th anniversary.
Just Born, Inc., the parent company of the Marshmallow Peepsâ and Hot Tamales brands, is in its second year of sponsorship with FitzBradshaw Racing.
SHELL TO SPONSOR YATES
Shell Lubricants has announced a multiyear sponsorship deal with Robert Yates Racing. As part of the agreement, Shell will be the exclusive lubricant supplier for Robert Yates Racing, which is entering drivers Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler in this year's Winston Cup Series. Terms of the deal, which will kick off with the Daytona 500, were not disclosed
MBNA DROPS ONE WEEKEND SPONSORSHIP
MBNA is dropping its sponsorship of the September NASCAR weekend at Dover International Speedway, according to a report in the Delaware News Journal. The Wilmington, Del.-based credit card bank, however, is extending its sponsorship of the track's June race weekend. MBNA's sponsorship of the September event is worth between $1 million and $1.75 million, Denis McGlynn, president and chief executive of Dover Motorsports Inc., which owns the track, told the newspaper. He said the track will seek a new sponsor for the September events
LAS VEGAS PLANNING EXPANSION?
Las Vegas Review Journal reporter Jeff Wolf says sources expect Las Vegas Motor Speedway to begin construction to add 20,000 seats to its existing 120,000 seats after this year's March 2 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Winston Cup race.
BUSCH CAR SPONSOR RENEWS
Sta-Rite, a pump manufacturer based in Wisconsin, says it is renewing its limited sponsorship of Tommy Baldwin Racing's Busch Series program as driver Damon Lusk seeks the rookie-of-the-year title. In two races in the car last year, Lusk finished 42nd at Richmond after an accident and 22nd at Atlanta
HAMILTON TO STICK TO TRUCKS
Veteran Winston Cup driver Bobby Hamilton announced yesterday that he would focus on his Bobby Hamilton Racing team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this year. Hamilton said he would drive his No. 4 Dodge for the entire Truck Series season with sponsorship from Square D, which had sponsored the Andy Petree Racing car Hamilton drove in the Winston Cup Series last year. Hamilton also intends to enter Chad Chaffin in his No. 18 Dodge, replacing Robert Pressley, for the entire season, and he will enter a truck for Bill Lester in the season-opening race at Daytona. Newt Moore, who was crew chief for MB2 Motorsports' entry for Ken Schrader in the Winston Cup Series, will be Hamilton's crew chief for the No. 4 truck. Hamilton, 45, has started 368 Winston Cup races since he first entered the series in 1989 and collected four wins and 20 top-five finishes. He has also run the truck team for the past five seasons
NASCAR IMPLEMENTS NEW RULE FOR SUPERSPEEDWAYS
NASCAR has implemented a new rule effective for the four superspeedway races at Daytona and Talladega this season requiring the total rear weight of the right rear and the left rear to not exceed 50-percent of a car's minimum weight.
For example, a car required to weigh 3400 pounds must not weigh more than 1700 pounds across the rear wheels.
Winston Cup series director John Darby said Tuesday the rule was adapted to prevent teams from circumventing the rear shock and spring requirements at Daytona and Talladega.
"Teams were starting to add more and more weight to the rear of the cars, which was sitting on a specified spring," he said.
"Part of the direction teams were using to beginning to head in was actually changing some of the tubing sizes which could affect the crushability of the rear of the car."
Darby said NASCAR did not want to allow teams to chance compromising the safety advantage in rear crushability.
MARTINSVILLE BUILDING NEW FACILITIES
Martinsville Speedway owner Clay Campbell says the Virginia track will have a new infield care center and victory lane for the April 13 Virginia 500 Winston Cup race. "We took a look at some of the other care centers at other tracks and tried to incorporate all of the good things that we saw at those tracks into our new center," says Campbell. The new infield care center will include a four-bed examination area, a two-bed trauma area, a waiting room, a family waiting room, a lounge and a reception area. The former infield care center is being converted into a work area for team public relations representatives and will also have two radio production and transmission booths.
FITTIPALDI TO DRIVE FOR PETREE AT DAYTONA
Andy Petree Racing announced Monday it will enter the Daytona 500 with open-wheel star Christian Fittipaldi and sponsor Monaco Coach.
Monaco will also sponsor APR in four NASCAR Truck series races this season. The team continues to search for a sponsor to run the entire Winston Cup schedule as well as additional Truck events.
Petree will be borrowing the services of Fittipaldi from Petty Enterprises, who is entering Fittipaldi in several Cup, Grand National and Automobile Racing Club of America races this season.
"We feel Christian Fittipaldi will add a lot to our effort. He is a rookie at the big ovals but with his Formula One and Indy car background, he is no stranger to going fast," Petree said.
"We're looking for a very strong Speed Weeks."
APR has scaled back its staff since the conclusion of the 2002 season. The team lost its sponsor on the No. 55 Chevrolet.
NO BULL NO MORE
R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. announced on Monday its Winston brand will not continue the Winston No Bull 5 program in 2003.
The No Bull 5, a bonus program for both drivers and fans, was introduced in 1998 in celebration of NASCAR's 50th anniversary.
Five races were picked prior to the start of each season in which one of five drivers was eligible to win $1 million if he won the race. In recent seasons, fans were paired with the drivers, allowing a fan to win $1 million as well if one of the eligible drivers won the event.
"The Winston No Bull 5 program was a very successful program for the Winston brand," said Ned Leary, president of RJR's Sports Marketing Enterprises. "However, we are constantly evaluating the allocation of resources.
"For 2003, the decision has been made to deploy those resources in other areas."
Leary said the decision to end the bonus program did not affect the company's sponsorship of NASCAR's Winston Cup series, which RJR has sponsored the past 32 years.
PEMBERTON LEAVES PETTY
Petty Enterprises announced today that Robin Pemberton will not return in 2003 after spending the past year as the team manager. "We really appreciate the knowledge and experience Robin brought to our race teams and wi sh him nothing but the best as he continues his career," said Petty Enterprises CEO Kyle Petty. No announcement was made about what the veteran crew chief who has worked in the past with Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace, among other drivers, might do next.
NASCAR GETS NEW CEO
George Pyne has been promoted to chief operating officer of NASCAR and has been named to the stock-car racing sanctioning body's board of directors, joining four members of the France family and NASCAR president Mike Helton.
Pyne's title has been senior vice president of NASCAR. The change does little to change his job -- he will continue to lead day-to-day operations of all of NASCAR's departments.
Brian France, the son of NASCAR chairman William C. France Jr., also has a new title. He was executive vice president, and now will share the title of vice chairman with his uncle, Jim France
SPORTSCAR DRIVER BINGHAM ENTERS NASCAR
Grand-Am GTS Series Champion Chris Bingham and Jay Robinson Racing will join forces for the 2003 NASCAR Busch Grand National season.
Bingham, in Daytona testing last week for the upcoming ARCA 200, has signed to drive the Jay Robinson No. 49 NASCAR BGN Ford for the 2003 season.
Winston Cup driver and TV analyst Derrick Cope will serve as a driver consultant for Bingham in 2003.
JASPER ADDS CREWMEMBERS
The #77 Jasper Motorsports team has added six new team members for the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, including four crew members who will augment the team's existing pit-stop unit for it's over-the-wall efforts in support of driver Dave Blaney.
NASCAR TO SPELL OUT RED-FLAG POLICIES
Fox television analyst Jeff Hammond says NASCAR expects to do a better job next year of letting fans know when the sanctioning body might red-flag a race. "There's going to be a better and clearer definition of a red-flag situation, so the fans should know what to expect if track conditions warrant a red flag near the end of a race," Hammond writes today on the Fox Sports Web site. "I'm really excited about NASCAR's new approach to let fans know that their decisions aren't pulled out of their hats at the last second." Hammond says that the Fox broadcast team learned of the intention when they met with NASCAR President Mike Helton and Vice Presidents George Pyne and Jim Hunter last week.
BILL DAVIS NAMES BUSCH CREW CHIEF
Bill Davis Racing has named Chris Rice to be the crew chief for Scott Wimmer in the 2003 Busch Series. Rice, a 28-year-old native of South Boston, Va., joined Bill Davis Racing this year as the shock specialist for the team's No. 23 Winston Cup car.
CREW MEMBER PASSES
Don Stiteler, gas man for Ed Rensi's No. 25 Grand National team, died Sunday. He had been with the team since 1999
PPI HIRES NEW CREW CHIEF
PPI Motorsports has announced the hiring of Scott Miller to be the crew chief for the No. 32 Pontiac to be driven by Ricky Craven in the 2003 Winston Cup Series. Miller, who has worked at PPI in the past, is returning to the team from Richard Childress Racing, where he had been a shock and chassis specialist. Roy McCauley was to have been the crew chief for the Cal Wells-owned team for next year, but reports have said that he has left the team.
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NASCAR WILL TEST SAFER BARRIER
NASCAR managing director of competition Gary Nelson plans to visit the University of Nebraska this week to test a modified version of the impact-absorbing SAFER barrier that is designed to fit short tracks.
Dean Sicking, the barrier's designer, and his staff have built a mock-up of the high-banked, short-radius turns at Richmond International Raceway and will hit the modified SAFER barrier with an unoccupied race car. If it achieves impact-absorbing results similar to those from the barrier's first deployment at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, SAFER could be installed at more tracks next season.
The barrier was used on the inside retaining walls at Talladega Superspeedway in October. |
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