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By Beth Kassab ,
Orlando Sentinal,June 26, 2002

She started one of its races, now she's starring in its first movie.

Britney Spears and NASCAR.

It's like Elizabeth Taylor and Jed Clampett. Victoria's Secret and Wal-Mart. Emeril's and Sonny's.

The 20-year-old queen of pop music and the 55-year-old king of the track have formed an unlikely alliance to make the first official NASCAR movie.

It's a combination that racing executives in Daytona Beach hope will attract millions of non-racing fans -- mostly Britney-adoring teens and preteens -- to theaters throughout

the country, baptizing them into the NASCAR religion. But it's a partnership that has some people scratching their heads.

Spears' value as an icon has never been higher. She just claimed the No. 1 spot on Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Celebrities list, besting such luminaries as Orlando's Tiger Woods, Steven Spielberg, Madonna, even Oprah.

Britney and her navel brought in nearly $40 million last year. And her name produces more Web hits -- 997,000 to be almost exact -- than any other celebrity.

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"Gone With The Wind Tunnel" Starring Dale Jarrett

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"She's a cultural phenomenon who we think can introduce the sport to more and more people," said NASCAR Vice President Paul Brooks, who announced the deal last week from the company's Los Angeles office. "It's the perfect blend of two incredible brands to help grow our audience."

Sports executives say it's a perfect way to hook young audiences into a lifetime of fanaticism.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass says the basketball association receives hundreds of script offers a year. Like Mike, a film opening July 3 and starring 15-year-old rapper Lil' Bow Wow, is blessed and backed by the NBA, which wants to inject some youth into the league's fan base.

FULL STORY

--PETREE TO FIELD 2ND ENTRY AT DAYTONA

--3 TRUCK SERIES CHIEFS FINED

-- DARLINGTON SUES EX-SPONSOR

--KEVIN HARVICK TO APPEAR ON VH1

--IN-CAR VIEWS PAYING OFF?

--KEN SCHRADER TO PETTY?

--NEW CUP TEAM PLANNED

--ARCHITECT SUES KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY

Gordon disappointed in Sonoma finish
by Robby Gordon
June 26

Sunday's race at Sears Point Raceway was a classic example of Murphy's Law for the Cingular Wireless team. If it could go wrong, I almost think it did. We had a great car Saturday during Happy Hour.

FULL STORY

This Week in Ford Racing - Todd Bodine
Motorsport.com,June 26,2002

Todd Bodine, driver of the No. 26 Discover Card Taurus and car owner Travis Carter were this week's guests on the NASCAR Winston Cup teleconference. Both spoke about the second half of the season and the future prospects as far as sponsorships go for Haas-Carter Motorsports.

FULL STORY

RUDD WILL RETURN NEXT SEASON

By Greg Engle,
A&J Racing,June 25, 2002

I love to cook. But having not been blessed with a cook’s talent, I rely on my good old dog-eared recipe book. And when I find a recipe that works, I stick to it, because when it works there is no sense in even thinking about trying anything different. That’s an analogy I wanted to use to explain why Ricky Rudd will be back in a Robert Yates Racing Ford next season.

When Ricky first gave up ownership of his Tide team and went to work for RYR, the team, although much hyped, didn’t exactly set the NASCAR world on fire.

Until this season. Now Rudd has two wins, including this past weekend at Sears Point. He’s on top of the world, thick in the middle of the chase for the Winston Cup Championship. And that’s how Ricky will leave the sport: a Champion. And until that happens, Rudd will continue strapping into a race car every week.

“ I knew that the chemistry was there and it worked and it certainly speeded things along," Rudd said Sunday.. "That's the hard part, when you start thinking about retirement. Man, this thing clicks so well. It's a championship-caliber team. You hate to give that up after working for 27 years at a shot at it."

One trait that all NASCAR drivers have is a burning desire to be the best, number one, top of the game, a Winston Cup Champion. Something that Rudd has never been able to accomplish.

"I've told everybody, I want to sort through this retirement deal," Rudd said. "I want to go to the best place that Ricky Rudd can go and win races, and hopefully try to win a championship. A lot of people feel like that ride with Robert has already been signed by Elliott Sadler, and that's not an option for me.”

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Rudd Back in the Hunt

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“I don't know if the option of coming back with Robert Yates is there," Rudd said. "I truly don't know that. It's a little difficult because I really don't know what is going on there. I don't hold the cards there; Robert holds the cards. He purposely can talk in a circle better than anybody I've ever seen, so I'm not getting any answers out of him. I don't know if that seat is available or not."

And right now Robert Yates is having a ball knowing that the entire Winston Cup “silly season” hinges on what happens with his team, he’s loving the attention, but is entirely too smart to think for one instant that he would break up a championship caliber team. I’ve been told by a source close to the team that Elliot Sadler has not, nor will not be signed by Yate.And that makes perfect sense, why spoil the recipe?

Rudd has said that the official announcement will come during this off week. Expect that announcement to be that Ricky Rudd will continue to pilot the number 28 Ford, in the 2003 season.

Guest Columnist's From
Team Racin.com
-- Whiner of the Week / Yes, I am still alive!
Lenny Draper
-- LOOKING FOR MR. GOODWRENCH: THE SEQUEL
Pammy
-- - No Win For Daddy
Evelyn Adams
--The Rumor Mill Keeps Goin and Goin And Goin
Don Smith
-- Rankings for Sears Point
Tim Haddox
-- Should we keep road courses?
Ann Stacy

Geoffrey Bodine - darkhorse favorite
Motorsport.com,June 26, 2002

If you're looking for an upset pick in the 44th annual Pepsi 400 on July 6, then Geoffrey Bodine is the driver to watch.

Bodine, driving the No. 09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Ford, almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NASCAR Winston Cup Series history during February's Daytona 500 when he finished third behind winner Ward Burton and runner-up Elliott Sadler.

FULL STORY

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There's cool, and there's way cool Kenseth

BY Lee Spencer
TSN June 26, 2002

The rookie class of 2000 is a case study in cool -- different types of cool.

Two Gen-Xers, defending Busch champ Dale Earnhardt Jr. from powerhouse DEI and perennial runner-up Matt Kenseth from the mom-and-pop Reiser Enterprises, came to Winston Cup surrounded by their homeboys and hoping to establish themselves in NASCAR's top series.

They've done it, too. Little E has found success on the track and has established himself as the epitome of hip. Kenseth has found success on the track with a cool, composed approach and has established himself as the most sought-after driver in the garage.

This year, their seasons have been vivid contrasts.

Kenseth, 30, has won three times and is eighth in points.

Earnhardt, 27, won at Talladega, but three DNFs (two were unavoidable) have drained the momentum from a standout 2001 season. Earnhardt, once as high as fifth, finished 30th or worse in the four races after his victory and now ranks 16th in the standings.

FULL STORY

Winston Cup drivers more health conscious

By Cary
Estes Scripps Howard News Service, June 26, 2002

"I try not to drink any type of alcoholic beverages from Thursday on, just because I don't want to get dehydrated,"

Jeremy Mayfield does not believe in drinking before driving. About three days before, in fact.

Mayfield is one of an increasing number of Winston Cup racers who are becoming more careful about their health.

The days of fast cars, bad food and strong drinks are over. Now, when a driver talks about getting plenty of fluids, he means water and Gatorade, not beer and whiskey.

Because temperatures in race cars can soar well above 100 degrees, dehydration is a legitimate problem. And since alcohol can contribute to dehydration, Mayfield said he abstains in the days leading to a race.

FULL STORY

Winston Cup driver Kyle Petty is gearing up for a big week on the road. But instead of piloting his #45 Sprint Dodge, Petty will be on a Victory motorcycle leading a pack of 250 riders cross-country for the Sprint/Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America.

Day #4 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - Cheyenne, WY to Omaha, NE

Dale Earnhardt Auctions! Get these Hard to Find Items Now!

STORIES ELSEWHERE

-- Lack of sponsorship cash means Donleavy may be done
CNNSI.com
-- ASA driver Councilor killed in crash
ESPN.com
-- Childress hopes to reverse woeful showing
LapByLap
-- Wood Brothers' heritage runs deep at two-mile track
Monte Dutton,Gaston Gazzette

Hi everyone! Welcome to the new site!
I've been working hard on this site and this idea
And would REALLY love to have some feedback from you.
Would you PLEASE take just a moment to fill out a short survey concerning this site?
I want to make this YOUR site for NASCAR news so your help is vital to me!
CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY!
And thanks again!!
Greg
And a BIG thanks to everyone for all the
VERY postive response I've gotten so far!!

NOTES FROM THE TRACK AND AROUND THE WEB:

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DARLINGTON SUES EX-SPONSOR
Darlington Raceway is suing Dura Lube for more than $375,000 for what it says were unpaid sponsorship fees for Busch Series races, according to a story in the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier. The paper says the suit filed June 13 in Darlington, S.C., accuses Dura Lube of breach of contract after it allegedly paid its full sponsorship fee of $200,000 for 1999 but only $100,000 of $225,000 owed for 2000 and none of the $250,000 owed for 2001. The story notes that Dura Lube got out of racing after the Federal Trade Commission ordered the corporation to pay $2 million to consumers for making what it said were false and unsubstantiated advertising claims.
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PETREE TO FIELD 2ND ENTRY AT DAYTONA
The Hendersonville (N.C.) Times-News reports that Andy Petree Racing will have a press conference in Charlotte Thursday to announce plans to run two cars in the July 6 Pepsi 400 Winston Cup Race. The paper says Petree, who started the season with two cars before sponsorship woes forced him to trim back to one, plans to enter Mike Wallace in the No. 33 Chevrolet along with regular driver Bobby Hamilton in the No. 65 Chevy. Wallace had started the season in the car. *********************************
ARCHITECT SUES KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY
The architect who designed the $152 million Kentucky Speedway has filed a lawsuit against the track to collect more than $1 million he claims he was never paid, according to a story in today's Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader. The story says architect Bill Moss and his firm, The MP Group, filed the suit June 13 in U.S. District Court in Covington, Ky., claiming that he has been paid part of what he was scheduled to receive but is still owed $1.05 million. An attorney for the track said the speedway planned to file a counterclaim.
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NEW CUP TEAM PLANNED
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Atlanta businessman Gordon Whitener and Texas developer Lee Sanders are planning to field a Winston Cup team later this season. The paper says the organization to be known as SWI Motorsports will be based near Charlotte and expects to announce a driver, crew chief and sponsor soon. Whitener was identified as founder and president of the United States Cowboy Tour and as the former chief executive of a floor-covering company.
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ISC BUYING PIKES PEAK?
The Indianapolis Star says Pikes Peak International Raceway reportedly has a buyer and speculates that International Speedway Corp. could be acquiring the 1-mile oval.
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A SPECIAL INCENTIVE
Cingular Wireless says it will donate $100,000 to Special Olympics if Robby Gordon can drive Richard Childress Racing's No. 31 Chevrolet to victory in next Sunday's Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Sears Point Raceway. Cingular Wireless, which sponsors Gordon's car, is in the midst of a four-year campaign to raise $40 million for Special Olympics. Cingular Wireless will also donate $100 for each lap he leads and $50 for each lap he completes in the 112-lap event.
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Put Ken Schrader on the list of possible new drivers at Petty Enterprises, according to sources close to the situation. There have been questions in recent weeks about the M&Ms sponsorship on Schrader's current team.
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PETREE BUYING PENSKE FORDS
Andy Petree Racing has bought several Fords from the Penske Racing South team in preparation for switching from Chevrolets to Fords next season, the Dallas Morning News says. The team is making the change because Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who is expected to buy part of Petree's team, has a business relationship with Ford. The paper also says the willingness of team owner Roger Penske to sell some of his cars may lend credence to rumors that Penske may switch to Dodge next year. *********************************
MARTIN TO DRIVE ROUSH TRUCK
The Las Vegas Sun says Mark Martin will drive the No. 99 Roush Racing Ford in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next year until Kyle Busch turns 18 years old and becomes old enough to pick up the ride again. Busch, a Las Vegas teen, drove the truck in six races last season before NASCAR ruled that drivers in all of its touring series had to be at least 18. Busch, who turned 17 on May 2, has been driving in the American Speed Association this season. The story says Martin agreed to drive the truck to help the team gain owners points until Busch becomes eligible to take over.
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CREW CHIEF LEAVES HAMILTON TRUCK
Bobby Hamilton Racing says crew chief Danny Gill has left its No. 18 team of Robert Pressley in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Team owner Hamilton says Todd Myers, who has been with TKO Motorsports, will fill in as crew chief, starting this weekend with the O'Reilly 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Pressley is seventh in the championship after the first six races of the season.
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TEAM MANAGER LEAVES MORGAN-MCCLURE
Morgan-McClure Motorsports says that Scott Eggleston has left the team just one week after being named team manager for the No. 4 Chevrolet driven by Mike Skinner. The team did not announce a replacement.
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Brett Bodine says Buddy Sisco has taken over as the crew chief of Bodine's No. 11 Ford, following the departure of Doug Richert. Sisco, 40, has been shop manager. 3 TRUCK SERIES CHIEFS FINED
NASCAR has announced fines for three crew chiefs for rules violations in last Saturday's O'Reilly 200 Craftsman Truck Series race at Memphis Motorsports Park. John Monsam, crew chief for the No. 16 Chevrolet driven by Mike Bliss, was fined $750 for entering the service area without wearing required safety gear and for failing to follow a directive from a NASCAR official. Danny Gill, crew chief for the No. 46 Chevrolet driven by Dennis Setzer, and Todd Myers, crew chief for the No. 18 Dodge driven by Robert Pressley, were fined $250 each for unapproved weight jacking bolts.
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'MEN IN BLACK' PAINT FOR KYLE
Petty Enterprise's No. 45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty will sport a special paint scheme in the July 6 running of the Pepsi 400 Winston Cup race to coincide with the July 3 opening of "Men In Black II." The paint job, which was designed solely for the race at Daytona International Speedway, is part of a promotion involving the car's primary sponsor, Sprint, and the movie.

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IN-CAR VIEWS PAYING OFF?
A research firm that tracks television exposure for sponsors says UPS collected more than $120,000 in "bonus" exposure from in-car shots from Dale Jarrett's car in the debut of NASCAR's "In Demand" service. Joyce Julius and Associates Inc. says the shipping company collected almost 2 hours of exposure from Jarrett's in-car cameras during the June 16 Sirius Satellite Radio 400 Winston Cup race at Michigan. The digital service, which was offered for free during the Michigan race, is available for $99 for the remainder of the season. The package offers five in-car channels, the network broadcast and a statistics station.

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KEVIN HARVICK ON VH1
What better way to celebrate the Top Ten All Time Greatest Driving Songs than by taking a road trip to the beach? In her brand new convertible Chevrolet Corvette, VH1 host Rachel Perry, turns up the tunes and takes off down the highway. True to life, Rachel gets a little turned around and ends up at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park where she convinces NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick to join her on the journey. Kevin and Rachel crank the stereo and head to Ocean Grove, New Jersey. As they cruise to the beach, our hosts make typical road trip stops along the way. Aside from a pit stop at a diner and refueling at a gas station, Kevin and Rachel also take in sights at Springsteen's old stomping grounds, the Stone Pony, in Asbury Park, NJ. Sure to "get your motor runnin'" -- VH1's Top Ten All Time Greatest Driving Songs is the ultimate road trip soundtrack. (Premieres from 12:30-1:30p)

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HENDRICK NAMES NO. 25 CREW CHIEF
Hendrick Motorsports today named Brian Pattie to be the crew chief of its No. 25 Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek for the remainder of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Pattie, a 27-year-old Floridian who had worked as Nemechek's crew chief in the NASCAR Busch Series, replaces interim crew chief Ken Howes, who is returning to his role as Hendrick Motorsports' director of competition.
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BUCKSHOT PLANNING RETURN?
Buckshot Jones, who started the season as the driver of Petty Enterprises' No. 44 Dodge before losing the Winston Cup ride in April, has posted a very brief note on his Web site that says he will "make a big announcement by the end of June." Jones has told NASCAR Winston Cup Scene that he has a sponsor and has talked with seven or eight teams about driving but won't return unless it's with a competitive team.
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Jasper Motorsports signs Said for road courses
Jasper Motorsports announced today that road racing veteran Boris Said will drive the #67 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Ford at both road course races on the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series schedule, beginning with next weekend's event at Sears Point Raceway. Said joins #77 Jasper Ford driver Dave Blaney under the Jasper Motorsports banner.
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Much is being made of the current generation gap between NASCAR's 20-somethings and the 40-somethings. But Jon Wood, one of the promising up-and-comers on the truck tour, says that's nothing: last season Wood, at 19, was matched against legendary Herschell McGriff, 74, at California, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Kansas City. McGriff, who started the first Southern 500 and whose six decades of racing alone should make him a Hall of Fame candidate, finally retired earlier this year.

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LAST RACE

Dodge/Save Mart 350 | Infineon Raceway
Winner:Ricky Rudd
Average Speed: 81.007 mph
Time of Race: 2 hours, 42 minutes, 8 seconds
Margin of Victory: 2.487
Cautions: 3 for 9 laps
Lead Changes: 10 among 9 drivers

Race Results Dodge/Save Mart 350
Unofficial Race Results Sirius Satellite Radio 400
Pocono 500 results
MBNA Platinum 400 Results
Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 Results

POINTS:
(After Sonoma 16 of 36)

Rank/Movement since last race/Driver/ Behind
1 -- Sterling Marlin 2198 Leader 2 +2 Mark Martin 2136 -62
3 -- Jeff Gordon 2116 -82
4 -2 Jimmie Johnson* 2112 -86
5 +2 Tony Stewart 2110 -88
6 -- Rusty Wallace 2054 -144
7 +1 Ricky Rudd 2050 -148
8 -3 Matt Kenseth 2020 -178
9 -- Kurt Busch 2003 -195
10 -- Bill Elliott 1972 -226

NEXT:

Where:

When:July 6th
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Eastern)
TV:
7:30 p.m. (EDT) NBC
Radio: MRN
NASCAR ON TV THIS WEEKEND
CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES GNC LIVE WELL 200 2:30 p.m. (EDT) Saturday ESPN
BUSCH SERIES GNC LIVE WELL 250 1:30 p.m. (EDT) Sunday FX
Next Winston Cup race July 6
Times and stations are subject to change

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