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June 2005 Busch Series Archive
News regarding Shane Hmiel's suspension can be found on the Hmiel Suspension page.
Kerry Earnhardt at in the #73 at Chicago and Watkins Glen: Kerry Earnhardt has been selected to drive the #73 CU National Mortgage Chevrolet for Red Cactus Racing during the NASCAR Busch Series race at Watkins Glen on August 12. CU National Mortgage is a subsidiary of US Mortgage Corp. based in Pine Brook, NJ. Despite being a former full-time driver in the series, this will be Earnhardt's first attempt to compete in a road course race. CU National Mortgage and US Mortgage Corp. are making their debuts in NASCAR as sponsors this year. Earnhardt will also drive the #73 Red Cactus Salsa Chevrolet for Red Cactus Racing during the Busch Series event at Chicagoland Speedway on July 9. Red Cactus Racing owner Dan Griffin says he expects the driver and team to be a great fit. Red Cactus Racing enters its second season running limited NASCAR Busch Series races. Red Cactus is scheduled to compete in 15 NBS events in 2005, as well as one NEXTEL Cup event [Watkins Glen]. Red Cactus Salsa is the primary sponsor of Red Cactus Racing. To learn more about both please visit www.redcactus-usa.com. To learn more about CU National Mortgage, visit at www.cunational.com.(Kelly MarCom PR)(6-30-2005)
Mike in the #64 at IRP: Mike Wallace will drive the #64 Dodge for brother Rusty at Indianapolis Raceway Park in August.(NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing.com)(6-30-2005)
Moore to debut in the #81 at NHIS: Ryan Moore is scheduled to make his first start in the Busch Series July 16 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Since signing a driver development deal with DEI in 2004, Moore has been targeted for a handful of Busch Series starts this season in addition to racing the full Busch North Series. Moore will get his first seat time in the Busch car July 5-6 at NHIS test sessions. Tony Eury Sr., will be in charge of the #81 Busch Series car. A sponsor hasn't been announced. Moore said an announcement about future Busch Series starts will come "at Loudon or right after Loudon." Possible locations and dates for future races include Indianapolis Raceway Park (Aug. 6), Richmond International Speedway (Sept. 9), Dover International Speedway (Sept. 24), and Memphis Motorsports Park (Oct. 22). Bristol Speedway, where a former DEI development driver, Martin Truex Jr., made his first Busch start, is a possibility. The race is the day before the Aug. 27 Busch North event at Oxford Plains Speedway.(Portland Press Herald via BGNRacing.com)(6-30-2005)
Brown #43 crew chief: Teddy Brown, who began this season as crew chief for Randy LaJoie, has been selected to fill the same position with the #43 Curb-Agajanian team. He took over last week at Milwaukee. Brown replaces Dan Glauz, who moved to Jim Smith's #2 truck team with Jimmy Spencer. After leaving LaJoie, Brown temporarily worked for the #85 Busch team with Damon Lusk, but wanted to race more than their limited schedule allowed.(BGNRacing.com).
UPDATE: Brown is working with the team on an interim basis.(6-30-2005)
New GM for Roush's Busch and Truck programs: Max Jones has been named the general manager for Roush Racing's Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series teams based in Mooresville, N.C. Roush fields one full-time Busch team with #60-Carl Edwards and two full-time truck teams with #99-Ricky Craven and #50-Todd Kluever out of its Mooresville operation. Jones is no stranger to Roush Racing. He was the general manager for Roush's truck and road racing teams based in Michigan for several years before leaving to pursue other interests at the end of 2002.(Roush Racing PR)(6-30-2005)
Fernandez To Drive 4 more Busch Races In the #5: Lowe's and Hendrick Motorsports announced that open-wheel racing star Adrian Fernandez will drive the #5 Lowe's Chevrolet in four additional Busch Series races in 2005. Fernandez made his NASCAR debut March 6, leading four laps and finishing 10th on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course in his native Mexico City. The 42-year-old is Mexico's most popular driver and one of the country's most popular athletes. Fernandez will drive the #5 car on Sept. 3 at California, Nov. 5 at Texas, Nov. 12 at Phoenix and Nov. 19 at Homestead.
"I am honored by this opportunity to be part of Lowe's, Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR," said Fernandez who plans to test in the coming weeks. "I had such a good time with Jim Long and the Hendrick team in Mexico that I wanted to do this again. I am really excited about getting a chance to race on an oval in NASCAR. I understand I have a huge learning curve ahead of me, but I think we can run respectably and have a lot of fun." Fernandez is a familiar name to racing fans with a successful career that spans over 12 years at the top levels of open-wheel racing. He most recently competed in the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, and also owns the cars driven by Scott Sharp and Kosuke Matsuura in the Indy Racing League. Fernandez is Mexico's premier driver. He was nominated for Mexico's National Sports Award – the 2004 Premio Nacional del Deporte – for his career achievements in auto racing. Fernandez has been the past recipient of numerous awards including "Athlete of the Year" in Mexico. He was most recently recognized at the Premios Fox Sports Awards for his contributions to Latin American auto racing. Fernandez joins Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Blake Feese, Boston Reid and Kyle Krisiloff as drivers of the #5 Lowe's Busch car in 2005. Jim Long serves as the team's crew chief. The #5 team won the NASCAR Busch Series championship with driver Brian Vickers in 2003 and finished second in points with driver Busch last season. This team won the Busch race at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte in May [with Busch].(Team Lowe's Racing/Hendrick Motorsports PR)(6-29-2005)
Mike and Ike scheme for Fedawa at Daytona: Tim Fedewa, driver of the #12 Dodge Charger, will make a splash this week in Daytona Beach as he runs a special Mike and Ike Tangy Twister paint scheme for the Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo at Daytona International Speedway. "Last summer we ran the neon green Mike and Ike Original Fruits candy paint scheme on the #12 car and received a lot of attention," said driver Tim Fedewa. "Everyone liked that paint scheme and will hopefully be delighted to see yet another bright Mike and Ike car once again in Daytona." Mike and Ike Original Fruits candies were introduced in 1940 and have expanded over the years with different flavor varieties. Exciting new Mike and Ike Tangy Twister features cherry, raspberry, citrus punch, pineapple, and apple with a high intensity flavor twist.
"Just Born, Inc. has been involved in NASCAR racing for many years," commented team owner Armando Fitz. "We are honored to be a part of its continued involvement in the sport. The unique and eye-catching Mike and Ike paint schemes have become a fun and exciting tradition for our race team and fans."(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(6-29-2005)
Congrats to Ryan and Anita Crellin who recently got married in Hawaii, Ryan is a front tire carrier and fabricator for Robert Yates racings #90 Busch Series Ford.(6-29-2005)
Cosby back with Coleman: Keith Coleman Racing is still working on sponsorship but has confirmed that the second car, the #26, will be driven by Kim Crosby. Wayne Hatfield is the listed crew chief on the team.(BGNRacing.com) As a 'Salute to Our Troops', BMAR has announced a primary sponsorship agreement with Keith Coleman Racing for the #26 Chevrolet. The car will feature the insignias of the U. S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard on the hood and lower-rear quarter panels. A Hopkinsville, Ky.-based company, BMAR derives the bulk of their business from military construction projects and employs more than 1,400 people worldwide.(KCR PR)(6-29-2005)
Bliss in the #30 at Daytona: Mike Bliss has been named to drive the #30 Smith & Wesson Chevrolet of SKI Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway.(SKI Motorsports PR)(6-29-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Daytona
Second half Top 10 ramped up, too … The 79 points separating the first four positions in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings is also reflective throughout the remainder of top 10. Kenny Wallace has accumulated five top-10 finishes in his last seven races – including two runner-up results – en route to his current fifth place in the standings. He is 187 points out of first, and is looking to put more distance between him and rookie Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet), who is sixth, 101 points behind Wallace. Sixth through tenth places are separated by a total of 144 points. Seventh-place Ashton Lewis Jr. (#25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) is working to fend off David Stremme (#14 U.S. NAVY Dodge), who is 19 points back in eighth. Lewis' teammate, Jason Keller, is in ninth, but 1994 NASCAR Busch Series champion David Green, has completed a 14-week odyssey and is in the top 10 for the first time since the second race of the season. Green has moved to within 38 points of Keller.
Mike Wallace relishes Daytona, chance to defend … Mike Wallace (#6 Country Crock Dodge) has only three starts in the NASCAR Busch Series this year, having moved over to the #4 Lucas Oil Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series this season. However, the middle sibling of the three racing Wallace brothers is the defending champion of the Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona, and will attempt to defend his exciting 2004 last-lap win for Evernham Motorsports' Hungry Drivers program. The victory was the first for Wallace in the NASCAR Busch Series in 10 years and the first for Biagi Bros. Racing for whom he drove. "I love racing at Daytona," Wallace said. "I love the track, the speed and the challenge of being in the draft. It is just fun to race there. I look forward to going back this weekend and defending my title as last year's race winner." Wallace has won in three different series at Daytona – ARCA (1994), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2000) and NASCAR Busch Series.
Former series champion Earnhardt Jr. looks for jump-start … The last driver to win consecutive NASCAR Busch Series championships – Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#81 Menard's Chevrolet) – is looking to find some momentum in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, and Friday night's race may be the opportunity for him to do just that. He is 143 points out of the 400-point cutoff behind the leader needed to advance to the 10-race "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup." Earnhardt won back-to-back titles in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1998-99, and owns four series wins at Daytona. He won at the famed 2.5-mile tri-oval three times in succession in NASCAR Busch Series competition in 2003-04 before Mike Wallace snapped the streak last summer. Earnhardt finished third in the season-opening NASCAR Busch Series race in February, the only other series race he has participated in this season. "The last time I drove the Menard's car was at Bristol last summer and we won both races that weekend," Earnhardt said. "Hopefully, we can have the same kind of weekend here in Daytona. Our record at this track is pretty good."
Rain doesn't dampen Milwaukee broadcast results … Despite a rain delay that ultimately caused the race to be shortened by 50 laps (200 of 250 laps completed), the SBC 250 at The Milwaukee Mile – the final FX telecast of the 2005 season – showed increases in households and viewers over the 2004 race, also broadcast on FX. Households increased 50% over last year (1,281,000 – 852,000) while viewers increased 32% versus the 2004 race (1,746,000 – 1,322,000). The race aired directly against Game 1 of the Men's College World Series, the IRL and Major League Soccer. Figures are provided by Nielsen Media Research. This Week's Series Leaders … Through 17 races of the 35-race NASCAR Busch Series season:
• Points leader – Martin Truex Jr. Total: 2,320
• Money won – Martin Truex Jr. Total: $817,658
• Laps led – Martin Truex Jr. Total: 396
• Miles led – Martin Truex Jr. Total: 591.39
• Victories – Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr. (3)
• Poles – Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne. (3)
• Top-five finishes – Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr. (8)
• Top-10 finishes – Carl Edwards. (11)
• Races led – Martin Truex Jr. (9)
• Weeks in Top 10 – Carl Edwards, Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr. (17)
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has the most NASCAR Busch Series wins at Daytona among active drivers with four; his father, Dale Earnhardt is the all-time series win leader with seven. Randy LaJoie (#34 Dollar General Chevroelt) is tied for third with three wins while Joe Nemechek (#87 Cellular One Chevrolet) is tied for fifth with two series wins. … There have been three different race winners and three different Busch Pole winners in the summer race. Nemechek has won four Busch Poles at Daytona, overall, best among all NASCAR Busch Series drivers. Martin Truex Jr. won the pole for this event last year. … Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick (#21 TAKE 5 Chevrolet) have five top-five finishes at Daytona, best among active drivers; Kenny Wallace's seven top-10 finishes are tied for fourth all-time at Daytona. … Harvick's 4.0 average finish in six NASCAR Busch Series races at Daytona is third all-time, first among drivers entered in the event.
The second half of the NASCAR Busch Series season switches from FOX and FX to NBC and TNT beginning with Friday night's broadcast on TNT. TNT will broadcast 14 of the final 18 series races while NBC will air four beginning with next week's race at Chicago. Other NBC broadcasts include Watkins Glen on Aug. 13, California on Sept. 3 and Kansas on Oct. 8. … Paul Menard (#11 Menard's/Turtle Wax Chevrolet) has had his two best career finishes in the NASCAR Busch Series in the last two races – fifth at Kentucky and third at his home track at Milwaukee. Menard has moved from 22nd to 12th in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings in the last five weeks. … J.J. Yeley (#18 VIGORO/Home Depot Chevrolet) has three top-10 finishes in his last three races, including a career-best fourth at Milwaukee last Saturday night. … Jason Leffler will drive the #32 WINFuel Dodge for Braun Racing at Daytona. Leffler drove in 27 NASCAR Busch Series races last season for Haas CNC Racing and was third in the point standings after his 27th and final race for the team. … Kerry Earnhardt will drive the #99 Aaron's Sales & Lease Chevrolet at Daytona for Michael Waltrip Racing.
Daytona International Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Busch Series event each February since 1982, the inaugural season of the division. The series made its summer debut at the "World Center of Racing" in July, 2002 with an event which is held in conjunction with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Pepsi 400.
The NASCAR Busch Series summer race at Daytona has proven to be very competitive. In the event's three-race history, there have been three different winners – Joe Nemechek, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Wallace – in three different makes of cars – Pontiac, Chevrolet and Ford – from three different teams.
There have also been three different pole winners – Nemechek, Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Bliss – and the total margin of victory for the three races combined is a mere .467 seconds.
ON DECK: CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY
Chicago is the destination for the NASCAR Busch Series next week. The USG DUROCK 300 is scheduled on Saturday, July 9 at 2:05 p.m. Last year, Justin Labonte won his first career NASCAR Busch Series race when Mike Wallace, bidding to win his second consecutive event, ran out of gas on the last lap. There have been four different race winners and four different Busch Pole winners at Chicago since the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series race in 2001 at the 1.5-mile track.
What: Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo (Race #18 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
When: 8 p.m. ET, Friday, July 1.
Track Layout: 2.5-mile tri-oval.
Race Length: 250 miles/100 laps.
Posted Awards: $1,441,600.
TV: TNT, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 Winner: Mike Wallace.
2004 Polesitter: Mike Bliss.
Pre-race schedule (all times local)(REVISED): Fri., July 1: Practice – 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.; Qualifying – 2:15 p.m. Cars impounded following qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(6-28-2005)
Sauter wins a Milwaukee: #1-Johnny Sauter won the rain shortened SBC 250 at the The Milwaukee Mile, the race was cut short ny 50 laps to 2000. It is Sauter's first win of 2005 and third of his career. The rest of the top five were #8-Martin Truex Jr., #11-Paul Menard [best career finish and 2nd top-5 in a row], #18-J.J. Yeley and #14-David Stremme. #8-Martin Truex Jr. took the Busch Series championship points lead by 7 points over #41-Reed Sorenson, who finished 12th. There 5 cautions for 20 laps and 4 lead changes among 3 drivers [Sauter, LaJoie and Hornaday wiht Sauter leading the most, 162].
Race results at:
BGNRacing.com
Motorsports One
NASCAR.com.(6-25-2005)
Sauter wins pole at Milwakee: Johnny Sauter won the pole for the SBC 250 at the The Milwaukee Mile, his first of 2005 and 3rd of his career, with a speed of 122.595mph. Rounding out the top-5 are: #20-Denny Hamlin, #11-Paul Menard, #32-Ron Hornaday and #27-David Green. Points leader, #41-Reed Sorenson will start 23rd. Missing the race were #94-Chad Beahr and #91-Todd Shafer.
See Starting lineups:
BGNRacing.com – Starting Lineup
Sherman to run for third ppc Racing team: ppc Racing officials announced it will form a third NASCAR Busch Series race team with driver Brent Sherman. Serta Mattress, Hickory Farms and Consort for Men hair products will sponsor Sherman's efforts with the #15 ppc Racing Ford Taurus beginning with the July 9th race at Chicagoland Speedway. A 10-race schedule has been set for the remainder of the 2005 racing season with a full time effort slated in 2006. PPC Racing is in the process of interviewing crew chief candidates and assembling a crew.(ppc Racing PR via BGNRacing.com)(6-24-2005)
New Crew Chief for LaJoie: In its continuing effort to build a more competitive race team in NASCAR Busch Series competition, Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly announced today the hiring of a permanent Crew Chief and new Car Chief for the #34 Dollar General Chevrolets driven by Randy LaJoie. Dan Gibbs, hired as a Team Manager four weeks ago at the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team, will now add the title of Crew Chief to his responsibilities while Kurt Binkley will assume the role of Car Chief beginning with this weekend's race in Milwaukee. The 48-year-old Gibbs had served as the Technical Director at Team Rensi Motorsports for the last four years, overseeing set ups for the race cars driven by Bobby Hamilton, Jr. in the past and more recently with the machines of Jason Keller and Ashton Lewis, Jr. All three of these drivers have been top 10 mainstays while driving for Team Rensi. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Gibbs is a 25-year professional motorsports veteran who has specialized in race car suspension and set-up. Gibbs is married and now makes his home in Mooresville. Gibbs succeeds Wayne Carroll, who served as the interim Crew Chief for the Dollar General Racing Team for three races. The 39-year-old Binkley, who hails from Toledo, OH, is also a suspension specialist who most recently worked in that capacity for the Wood Brothers Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup Series organization. He also has over-the-wall experience in NASCAR competition as a tire changer. Now residing in Troutman, NC, Binkley also worked for four years at NEMCO Motorsports and was involved in the preparation of the Busch Series cars of team owner/driver Joe Nemechek that were prepared for many years under the tutelage of highly successful Crew Chief Brian Pattie. Pattie is now serving in that same capacity at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates for the team of current Series point's leader and rookie Reed Sorenson. Binkley also worked for a half dozen years at Roush Racing.(On Track Marketing/Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly)(6-23-2005)
Trans Global Waste Starts Busch Sponsorship with Cope and the #28: One of the country's top waste and recycling service companies will begin sponsoring driver Derrike Cope and the #28 Jay Robinson Ford in NASCAR's Busch Series beginning with Saturday night's race at the Milwaukee Mile. Trans Global Waste Services, which helps businesses find the best value for waste collection and recycling services, will sponsor the #28 Trans Global Waste Services Ford of Cope and Robinson beginning this week but with long-range plans for the NASCAR Busch Series. "We're really excited to have a company that is considered the best quality in its field join Jay Robinson Racing," said Cope, a two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race winner, including the Daytona 500. "Jay Robinson has a solid race team here with this #28 car and we feel we can produce positive results both on and off the track for Trans Global Waste Services' support," Cope added. Trans Global Waste Services is a national waste and recycling service company. The company's goal is to help businesses find the best value for waste collection and services by specializing in cost savings, customer service, equipment and product knowledge. Trans Global assesses current waste systems at no charge, and helps develop more cost efficient plans. By utilizing their products and services, Trans Global customers can expect substantial savings on their waste and recycling expenses. The company, national in scope, is headquartered in Granbury, Tex., just outside of Fort Worth.(Williams Company)(6-23-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Milwaukee
Keller strong at The Mile … Jason Keller (#35 McDonald's Ford) isn't one to show much emotion, but the NASCAR Busch Series iron man has to be excited to arrive at Milwaukee. Keller, currently 10th in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings, carries the best record among drivers at The Mile. Keller has the most top fives and top 10s (seven each) of any driver, and was third at this race one year ago. The series' all-time earnings winner with (over $9.7 million) won at Milwaukee in 2003, setting a race record in the process at 103.093 mph. The win was the 10th – and most recent – of his 372-race career. Keller has also led four races at the track. "Milwaukee has been very good to me the last few years," Keller said, "[and] we've been running really well the last month or so. My car has always handled well through the big, sweeping turns and then [has] been able to use its horsepower to drive up off the turns." Keller has started 252 consecutive series races, second only to Tommy Houston's record of 360.
Wisconsin natives Sauter, Menard home at Milwaukee … Paul Menard (#11 Menard's Chevrolet) and Johnny Sauter (#1 Yellow Transportation Dodge) are Wisconsin natives looking at this visit to their home track in different ways. Menard's hometown is Eau Claire, some 240 miles from Milwaukee. He comes to The Mile following the best finish of his NASCAR Busch Series career – fifth last week at Kentucky. He also gained four places in the standings, bringing him to 14th, his best ranking since Las Vegas when he was ninth. Sauter, the youngest of three racing brothers whose father, Jim, is a Wisconsin racing legend, is a two-time winner on the NASCAR Busch Series, but has struggled with consistency this year. He does have two top-10 finishes in his last five races, including a season-best third at Richmond, and hopes a trip home will turn his season around. The Sauter clan hails from Necedah, 150 miles from the track. Sauter and his brother Tim (#56 Lester Buildings Chevrolet) are scheduled to be joined by Menard for a press conference at The Milwaukee Mile Infield Media Center on Saturday, immediately following final practice.
Defending race winner Hornaday, others pull double duty at Milwaukee … Ron Hornaday Jr., who won last year's NASCAR Busch Series race at Milwaukee, is back to defend his victory driving the #32 WINFuel Dodge for Braun Racing. But first he'll compete in Friday night's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. Hornaday is currently fourth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck point standings; he won at Atlanta in March. Martin Truex Jr. will attempt to make his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck start, while Johnny Sauter plans to pull double duty at The Mile as well. Regan Smith (#58 Glynn Motorsports Dodge) is also entered in both events. Smith has made five starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this year, Sauter one.
Meijer 300 most-watched NASCAR Busch Series race ever at Kentucky … Viewers tuned to last Saturday night's Meijer 300 presented by Oreo at Kentucky Speedway watched yet another exciting NASCAR Busch Series finish as Carl Edwards cleared three cars in the closing laps, including leader Martin Truex Jr., to capture his third win of the year. The event, broadcast on FX, was the most-watched series race ever at Kentucky and showed increases in households and viewers over the 2004 event, also broadcast on FX. Households increased 18% over last year (1,373,000 – 1,168,000) while viewers were up 6% versus the 2004 race (1,834,000 – 1,726,000). Figures are provided by Nielsen Media Research.
This Week's Series Leaders … Through 16 races of the 35-race NASCAR Busch Series season:
• Points leader – Reed Sorenson. Total: 2,186
• Top-five finishes – Reed Sorenson. (8)
In addition to Jason Keller's dominance at Milwaukee in 12 starts, David Green (#27 Kleenex Ford), the 1994 NASCAR Busch Series champion, Randy LaJoie (#34 Dollar General Chevrolet), who won consecutive series titles in 1996-97 and defending race winner Ron Hornaday Jr. are tied for second among all drivers with three top-five finishes; the trio is also tied for second behind Keller with five top-10 finishes. … Green has led the most races at Milwaukee (five). … There has not been a multiple Busch Pole winner at Milwaukee, but three drivers in the field have an opportunity to become the first. Defending pole winner David Stremme (#14 U.S. NAVY Dodge) set a qualifying record last year at 122.533 mph. Green (1994) and Timmy Fedewa (#12 Supercuts Dodge), who claimed the pole in 1997, are the others. The pole was the first of Stremme's NASCAR Busch Series career.
ETC. The 66-point separation between first and fourth place in the NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 is only one example of the tight standings. Kenny Wallace (#22 Stacker 2 Ford) is solidly in fifth with 1,991 points, but the drivers in positions sixth through eighth, – Raybestos rookie Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet), Ashton Lewis Jr. (#25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) and David Stremme – are 73 points apart. Jason Keller is poised to overtake ninth place from Greg Biffle; Keller is only 11 points in back of the 2002 series champion, who is not running in this event. Meanwhile, David Green is 11th, just 44 points out of 10th. … Carl Edwards' win at Kentucky moved Ford into a tie with Chevrolet in the Bill France Performance Cup standings. Both manufacturers have seven wins this season, to go along with 109 points. Dodge has two victories and 86 points. … Edwards' third win of the season not only tied him with Martin Truex Jr. for the series lead, but also moved him to within three points of Reed Sorenson in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings, 225 points to 221. Denny Hamlin is third (161), Jon Wood (#47 Clorox/Wisk Ford) is fourth and Michel Jourdain Jr. (#10 ppc Racing Ford) is fifth (102). … Hendrick Motorsports developmental driver Kyle Krisiloff (#5 Lowe's Chevrolet) is scheduled to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut this weekend at Milwaukee. The 19-year-old Indiana native is the youngest driver ever to have a podium finish in the CART Toyota Atlantic Series when he placed second at Milwaukee in 2003 at 17 years, two months. … For the second time in their NASCAR Busch Series racing careers, brothers Aaron and A.J. Fike will compete in the same event. Aaron, who shares time in the #66 Duraflame Ford with Biffle, looks to make his eighth start of the year at Milwaukee, while A.J. will attempt his fourth start of the season in the #43 Curb Records Dodge. The Fikes have run head-to-head once this year, two weeks ago at Nashville, where A.J. had the better finish, 28th to Aaron's 38th.
The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest race track on which the NASCAR Busch Series competes. It opened in 1903 with NASCAR making its first appearance in 1984. The track, known as Wisconsin State Fair Park at the time, hosted the inaugural NASCAR's Busch Series race – a 200-mile event – on May 13. Many of NASCAR's brightest stars, including Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip, turned out to compete. Future stars Dale Jarrett, Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison also were there, along with short-track legend Dick Trickle.
Defending NASCAR Busch Series champion Sam Ard bested the field of 26 cars for his fourth victory of the season, defeating runner-up Kulwicki, who hailed from Greenfield, Wis. Ard went on to win his second consecutive series title later that year despite missing the season's final event due to an accident at Rockingham. Ard is the only driver to win a NASCAR Busch Series championship without participating in every race of a season.
ON DECK: DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
The second half of the NASCAR Busch Series season takes place under the lights at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, July 1. Four lead changes in the last 10 laps resulted in an exciting victory last year for Mike Wallace, who led only one lap – the final one. Wallace is scheduled to return and defend his win driving the #6 Hungry Drivers Dodge for Evernham Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr., who won three straight races prior to Wallace's stunning victory, is also entered in the event.
What: SBC 250 (Race #17 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: The Milwaukee Mile, Milwaukee, Wisc.
When: 9:05 p.m. ET, Saturday, June 25.
Track Layout: 1-mile oval.
TV: FX, 8:30 p.m. ET.
2004 Winner: Ron Hornaday Jr.
2004 Polesitter: David Stremme.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Sat., June 25: Practice – 10 – 11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Qualifying – 5:05 p.m.(NASCAR PR)(6-23-2005)
Krisiloff in the #5 at Milwaukee: Team Lowe's Racing and Hendrick Motorsports announced that Kyle Krisiloff will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut at The Milwaukee Mile on June 25, driving the #5 Lowe's / Briggs & Stratton Chevrolet. Since joining Hendrick Motorsports' last year, the 19 year-old Indiana native has competed in the American Speed Association (ASA), and is currently running a limited Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) schedule for Bobby Gerhart Racing, in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. Krisiloff and the Team Lowe's Racing crew spent two days testing in Milwaukee earlier this month, but the young driver was already very familiar with "The Mile." In addition to racing there in the ARCA Series earlier this season, Krisiloff became the youngest driver to ever have a podium finish in the CART Toyota Atlantic Series when he finished second at "The Mile" in 2003 at the age of 17 years, two months.(Team Lowe's Racing)(6-21-2005)
#67 team to field cars for Reffner and Benson:: The #67 Smith Brothers Motorsports team ran into some misfortune early in 2005, but with renewed dedication they're anxious to get back to the track in June. After missing the Daytona and Las Vegas races, the Pennsylvania-based team made major changes to their fleet. A switch to Dodge and Mike Ege Racing Engines required quite a bit of time in the shop over the past two months. After a test at Daytona for driver/owner C.W. Smith, the team will put 41-year-old Wisconsin native Bryan Reffner behind the wheel for the June 25Milwaukee race. Reffner will also drive at Gateway. NASCAR veteran Johnny Benson will take over for the Michigan, Lowe's, Texas, and Homestead races while the seat remains unfilled at this time for Dover.(bryanreffner.com)(6-21-2005)
Three drivers at the wheel of the #6: Unilever Foods and Evernham Motorsports announced that Casey Atwood, Tracy Hines and Mike Wallace will join the Hungry Drivers Racing program. Each will get time behind the wheel of the #6 Dodge Charger in upcoming events, beginning with the June 18, 2005 NASCAR Busch Series event at Kentucky Speedway. Nashville, TN native, Casey Atwood, who competed in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for Evernham Motorsports from 2001-2002, will join his former team to pilot the #6 Dodge Hungry Drivers Dodge Charger in the Busch Series event at Kentucky Speedway and in the July event at New Hampshire International Raceway. In 2004, Atwood drove 29 of 34 NASCAR Busch Series races in the #14 entry owned by FitzBradshaw Racing, posting one top-five and seven top-10 finishes. This season, Atwood has been seen in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he competed in three events for Bobby Hamilton Racing, posting one top-10 and two top-15 finishes.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular and open wheel stand out, Tracy Hines, who drove the #6 Dodge in three races in last season's Hungry Drivers program, will take over the reins at The Milwaukee Mile on June 25, 2005 and in August at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Hines competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series [#13] and runs limited schedules in the Sprint car series as well as the Silver Crown Series, where he is currently the point's leader.
Veteran Mike Wallace, drove the #6 Dodge earlier this season in Bristol and will join the Hungry Drivers team again for NASCAR Busch Series events at Daytona International Speedway and Gateway International Raceway. Wallace is the defending race winner of the July event at Daytona and has high hopes to repeat this year driving for Evernham Motorsports and Unilever Foods. Wallace competes full time in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series #4 entry owned by Morgan-McClure Motorsports.(Hungry Drivers program)(6-19-2005)
Daytona Testing: Testing on Monday, June 20 in preparation for the 47th annual Pepsi 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race and the fourth annual Winn Dixie 250 presented by Pepsico NASCAR Busch Series race. Joe Ruttman will test the #09 Phoenix Racing CHEVY [not Dodge?] along with the Busch Series teams of #81-Kerry Earnhardt [testing for Dale Jr.], #30-Scott Riggs, #2-Clint Bowyer and #76-Chad Blount testing a 2nd Braun Racing Chevrolet. The test sessions are free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(DIS PR)(6-18-2005)
Edwards wins at Kentucky: #60-Carl Edwards won the Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway with a powerful 2-car pass to 2nd, then on the final restart, blew by #8-Martin Truex Jr. to win by about 10 car lenghts. Edwards dominated the race and led 150 of 200 laps. #2-Clint Bowyer was third, followed by #41-Reed Sorenson and #11-Paul Menard [his best career finish].
Edwards chopped off 30 points and is now 66 behind leader #41-Sorenson, despite missing last week's NASCAR Busch Series race at Nashville Superspeedway; a one-day rain delay at Nashville moved that event to last Sunday, conflicting with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event at Pocono Raceway. Edwards raced at Pocono and won, but his absence cost him the lead in the NASCAR Busch Series standings. … Only one driver has won the NASCAR Busch Series championship without running a full schedule: Sam Ard in 1984, who ran 28 of 29 events.
Besides Edwards, four other Nextel Cup regulars ran the race with the following results: #40-Sterling Marlin, 6th; #64-Rusty Wallace, 24th; #66-Greg Biffle, 30th; #99-Michael Waltrip, 42nd.
Edwards wins pole at Kentucky: #99-Carl Edwards returned to the site of his first NASCAR-sanctioned [Trucks] win and set a new NASCAR Busch Series track qualifying record with a fast lap of 181.287mph. The lap is 1.185 mph better than then #8-Martin Truex Jr. set last year. Edwards will be the fifth different driver to start a NASCAR Busch Series event from the pole at Kentucky Speedway and starts from the pole for the first time at the track through three career starts. The rest of the top five: #47-Jon Wood, #8-Martin Truex, Jr., #18-J.J. Yeley and #20-Denny Hamlin.
The five Cup drivers who made the race: #64-Rusty Wallace will start seventh, #66-Greg Biffle will start 21st, #40-Sterling Marlin, 27th and #99-Michael Waltrip will start 31st. Qualifying was delayed after #5-Blake Feese went out 14th and turned the then sixth-fastest qualifying lap of 178.036 mph on his first attempt, but spun his #5 touched the wall in Turn 2 on his second qualifying attempt. He was evaluated and released from the infield care center. He will move to his backup car for the race.
Three teams will go to the rear: #10-Michel Jourdain Jr. [unapproved changes], #5-Blake Feese [backup car], #25-Ashton Lewis [Engine Change]. #03-Kenny Hendrick; #83-John Borneman III; #85-Damon Lusk; #78-Jerry Robertson; #52-Brad Teague.
National City, Barrett, DCT Team At Kentucky: With National City Bank sponsoring the team this week, #36 DCT Motorsports and driver Stanton Barrett are looking to continue their momentum in the NASCAR Busch Series points standings. The series heads to the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway this week for Saturday night's Meijer 300. Twentieth in the tight points standings, Barrett is still less than 100 points out of 13th position. A strong run with the National City Bank Chevrolet Saturday night could certainly propel him a long way in the standings. This is the first of five races National City will sponsor Barrett and DCT Motorsports this season.(Williams Company)(6-17-2005)
#23 Crew Chief change: in is Mike Byrd as crew chief for the #23 and driver Mark Green, out is Kenneth Campbell.(KCR)(6-17-2005)
Keith Coleman Racing Announces Imminent Expansion: Keith Coleman Racing will soon begin fielding a second NASCAR Busch Series entry, the team announced. "It is something that has been in the works for quite some time," said team owner Keith Coleman. "We are not quite ready to let the cat completely out of the bag yet, but our plans are to run the #26 car beginning in Daytona and through the rest of the season." According to Coleman, the team currently has enough equipment to easily field two teams. "We've got enough cars in the shop right now for both teams to finish the season and our engine program with Bill Davis was entered into with two teams in mind," he explained. "We'll need to bring on a Crew Chief and Shock Specialist but the bulk of the team is already in place." An announcement concerning the driver and primary sponsor is expected in the next few weeks.(Keith Coleman Racing)(6-17-2005)
Crew chief change at the #33: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and Butch Hylton, crew chief of the #33 Chevrolet, have mutually parted ways effective immediately. Hylton, who was an important part of KHI's early success in the Busch Series, has opted to pursue other career opportunities. Veteran NASCAR crew chief Lance Deiters will take over as crew chief of the #33 Chevrolet this weekend at the Kentucky Speedway. Deiters currently serves several different capacities at KHI, most notably as crew chief of the #33 NASCAR West Series entry, in which the team has one win and a sixth-place finish in two starts this season. "Butch (Hylton) has helped KHI grow exponentially this season, and helped build our Busch program to the highest level of competition. I wish Butch all the luck in his new endeavors, and thank him for his contributions to KHI," commented Kevin Harvick, owner of KHI. "Lance Deiters is a veteran crew chief with all the talent in the world. He has been outstanding for KHI so far this season with our West program. He'll (Deiters) do a great job of stepping in as crew chief in the middle of the season and continuing to grow the #33 Busch team."(KHI PR)(6-16-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Kentucky
Green, Wallace brothers look to compete at Kentucky … A little sibling rivalry will be added to Saturday night's race at Kentucky Speedway as two sets of brothers will compete against each other in addition to the field. Two of the three racing Green brothers who hail from Owensboro – David and Mark – will battle on their home track while Kenny (#22 Stacker 2 Ford) and Rusty Wallace (#64 Top Flite Dodge), also two of three brothers involved in NASCAR racing, are ready to meet in a family feud. David and Mark have raced against each other nine times this season, with David, the 1994 series champion, coming out ahead in seven races. Mark has finished better twice, at Talladega and Charlotte. The Wallace brothers have run against each other once this year, the first time at the historic race in Mexico City. Both Rusty (sixth) and Kenny (eighth) garnered top-10 finishes, their best results when racing together. However, the Wallaces are split evenly when it comes to head-to-head competition in the NASCAR Busch Series – each has finished higher than the other five times. Kenny is currently fifth in the series point standings; David Green is 11th and Mark stands 37th.
Big mover: Yeley could make solid bid at Kentucky … The 2005 season hasn't gone quite the way J.J. Yeley and the #18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevrolet team expected, but signs are pointing to an upswing. Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet), Yeley's teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, has become a staple in the NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 as a rookie for 12 of the season's 15 weeks. Yeley, meanwhile, has posted only two top-10 finishes this year. However, the second of those came last weekend at Nashville, a season-best eighth-place that resulted in the biggest move among drivers in the Top 20. Yeley jumped six places in the standings, from 22nd to 16th, his best ranking since California when he was 14th. The Phoenix, Ariz., native also led his first laps of the year at Nashville. Yeley finished 11th at Kentucky last year, while his crew chief, Jason Ratcliff, has excelled at the facility. While with Brewco Motorsports, Ratcliff produced two top-10 finishes with Jamie McMurray in 2001-02, and led David Green to finishes of eighth and 13th, respectively, in the last two NASCAR Busch Series races at the venue. "We were able to bounce back and overcome some self-inflicted adversity [at Nashville], and that's what good race teams are supposed to do," Yeley said. "We performed well [at Kentucky] last year, and nearly left with a top-10 finish. Jason has always prepared good cars at Kentucky, and I'm certain he'll have [one] capable of running up front on Saturday."
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup regulars pull double duty … In addition to 1989 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Rusty Wallace, four other premier series regulars plan to race at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday night in addition to competing in the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan on Sunday afternoon. Greg Biffle (#66 Duraflame Ford), Carl Edwards, Sterling Marlin (#40 Ferris Industries Dodge) and Michael Waltrip (#99 State Fair Corn Dogs Chevrolet) – another Owensboro native – are entered in the field. Wallace plans to be at the first practice at Kentucky on Saturday, return to Michigan for qualifying, then make it back to Kentucky for qualifying later that afternoon. Jay Sauter, who won the Busch Pole for the inaugural race at Kentucky in 2001, is in line to practice and qualify if necessary for Biffle. Kerry Earnhardt will do the same for Waltrip, while Hank Parker Jr., who ran in place of Edwards at Nashville last week, will be on call once again.
List of first-time race winners growing … Clint Bowyer's victory at Nashville marked the fourth time this season the NASCAR Busch Series has produced a first-time winner. The series record is six, and has been accomplished six times, most recently last year. Three drivers had collected their first career wins after 14 races one year ago. Tony Stewart won his first NASCAR Busch Series race to open the season at Daytona, Carl Edwards claimed his first series win at Atlanta after only seven starts and Reed Sorenson won for the first time – also at Nashville – in the spring race this year. Three drivers currently in the NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 – Ashton Lewis Jr. (#25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford), Denny Hamlin and David Stremme (#14 U.S. Navy Dodge) are seeking their first series wins. Drive for Diversity milestone … Allison Duncan made history last Saturday night in Stockton, Calif., by winning her first feature event in the Western Late Model Class at Stockton 99 Speedway. Duncan, who competes in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, is based at the track as part of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, which is run by Access Marketing and Communications. Her victory marked the program's first win since its 2004 debut. Duncan drives for California-based owner Bill McAnally, as part of Richard Childress Racing's driver development program. She currently leads the point standings in the Western Late Model Class at Stockton and is ranked eighth in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II point standings. Drive for Diversity seeks to develop diverse and female drivers and crew members. This season, Duncan is one of eight Drive for Diversity drivers competing in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series or the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series. Twelve Drive for Diversity crew members are working with teams in the NASCAR Busch Series or the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
There have been four different race winners in each of the previous NASCAR Busch Series races at Kentucky Speedway; the 2005 event will produce the fifth different victor. … Stacy Compton (#59 Kingsford/Bush's Baked Beans Ford) in 2003 and Martin Truex Jr. last year have won Busch Poles at Kentucky. Jay Sauter, who will practice and possibly qualify the #66 Duraflame Ford for Greg Biffle, won the inaugural pole at the track in 2001. … Biffle has the most top fives (three) of any driver at Kentucky while he and Ashton Lewis Jr. have three top-10 finishes each. … Biffle and Jason Keller (#35 McDonald's Ford) have each led a series-high two races. Lewis has completed all but one lap at Kentucky; no driver has finished on the lead lap in all four races.
Clint Bowyer's win at Nashville enabled Chevrolet to re-take the lead in the Bill France Performance Cup standings for the first time in eight races. Chevy has seven wins and 103 points while Ford has six wins and 100 points in the see-saw battle between the two manufacturers. Dodge is in third place with two wins and 82 points. … In addition to taking over the NASCAR Busch Series points lead, Reed Sorenson has also pulled ahead of Carl Edwards in the the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings for the first time since the California race. … Martin Truex Jr. has scored 905 points in the last six races, the most of any driver, to catapult to second place in the NASCAR Busch Series standings. Truex was in seventh place, 344 points out of the lead, following Texas. … Chad Blount will drive the #32 WINFuel Chevrolet for Braun Racing at Kentucky, while Regan Smith will be back in the #58 Serta Racing Dodge for the second week in succession. … Casey Atwood, Tracy Hines and Mike Wallace are scheduled to drive the #6 Hungry Drivers Dodge for Evernham Motorsports in the next three races, respectively, starting with Atwood at Kentucky. Atwood, who competed for Evernham in the NASCAR Busch Series from 2001-02 became the youngest driver in series history (18 years, 10 months) to win a race when he was victorious at Milwaukee in 1999. … Two teams make their shop homes in Kentucky: Brewco Motorsports, the team for which David Green and Greg Biffle drive, is headquartered in Central City, while Keith Coleman Racing, Mark Green's team, has its shop and offices in Eddyville. … Ferris Industries and Supercuts, sponsors of the #40 Dodge driven by Sterling Marlin and the #12 Dodge of Tim Fedewa, will host a lawnmower race as part of the grand finale in Supercuts' Father's Day Lawn Mower Giveaway immediately following Saturday's final practice. Participants in the race include Fedewa, select members of the media, and executives from Ferris Industries.
The NASCAR Busch Series first competed in Kentucky at the Louisville Motor Speedway in 1988. The speedway was one of the smallest tracks on which the series competed and possessed one of the oddest shapes of any speedway. The track was only .354-mile in length and was shaped like a tight triangle. A lap around the tiny speedway was comparable to being on a merry-go-round.
The first race was a 200-lap affair held on June 25, 1988. Bobby Dotter won the pole with a speed of 96.058 mph and a lap time of 14.054 seconds. Virginian Tommy Ellis won the event, beating L.D. Ottinger by just over four seconds.
The second and final race took place on June 24, 1989. Rookie Kenny Wallace won the pole with Michael Waltrip taking the outside front row spot. Another "Tommy" won the event, but this time it was Tommy Houston. He held off runner-up Waltrip by one second. The NASCAR Busch Series returned to the Blue Grass state in 2001 with the opening of the Kentucky Speedway.
ON DECK: THE MILWAUKEE MILE
The NASCAR Busch Series travels north to Wisconsin and an appearance at The Milwaukee Mile on Saturday, June 25. The event will be the series' third consecutive night race and will feature homecomings for Johnny Sauter (#1 Yellow Transportation Dodge) who is from Necedah, and Paul Menard (#11 Menard's Chevrolet), who is a native of Eau Claire. Ron Hornaday Jr. is the defending race champion and is scheduled to driver the #32 WINFuel Chevrolet in the event, while David Stremme won the Busch Pole one year ago.
What: Meijer 300 presented by Oreo (Race #16 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, Ky.
Track Layout: 1.5-mile oval.
2004 Winner: Kyle Busch.
2004 Polesitter: Martin Truex Jr.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Sat., June 18: Practice – 10 – 11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Qualifying – 5:05 p.m. Cars impounded on pit road following qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(6-15-2005)
NASCAR Considers Buschwacker Rules: NASCAR officials are considering a plan for 2006 that would either handicap Nextel Cup teams appearing sporadically in Busch Series races or reward the Busch regulars, this week's NASCAR Scene reports. NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter says the sanctioning body is looking at the possibility of a system that gives more points or money to the Busch-only teams on a weekly basis. NASCAR is trying to find a way to reward the Busch regulars without eliminating the Cup competitors, who are popular with track owners who want to draw as many spectators as possible. "We're going to try to target more of the prize money to the teams that are running all of the Busch races, which should help them," Hunter said. "I think we'll have [some] form of a program like that in place for next year."(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-15-2005)
Five Cup drivers to attempt Kentucky Busch race: Kentucky Speedway says five Nextel Cup regulars are expected to compete in Saturday's Meijer 300 Busch Series race. #99-Carl Edwards, who is attempting to drive complete Busch and Cup schedules this season, is expected to be joined by Cup regulars #16-Greg Biffle, #40-Sterling Marlin, #2-Rusty Wallace and #15-Michael Waltrip.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-14-2005)
AND NASCAR says backup drivers have been lined up for three Nextel Cup regulars planning to take part in Saturday night's Meijer 300 Busch Series race at Kentucky Speedway and Sunday's Batman Begins 400 Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. Jay Sauter is lined up to practice and qualify the #66 Ford of Greg Biffle if necessary. Kerry Earnhardt will do the same for Michael Waltrip in his #99 Chevrolet and Hank Parker Jr. will be available to help Carl Edwards in the #60 Ford. Nextel Cup regulars Rusty Wallace and Sterling Marlin are also scheduled to take part in both races.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(6-15-2005)
Truex Jr. in the #15 truck at Milwaukee: Reigning NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex, Jr. will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut on June 24 at The Milwaukee Mile driving the #15 Chevrolet for Billy Ballew Motorsports. Truex gets the call for the Milwaukee weekend since the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series cars are racing at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.(Truckseries.com)(6-15-2005)
Kerry Earnhardt to drive the #99 at Daytona: Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership (Aaron's) of Atlanta, GA, the primary sponsor of the Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc (MWR) NASCAR Busch Series #99 Aaron's Dream Machine, has announced a driver change for the Winn-Dixie 250 at the Daytona International Speedway. Kerry Earnhardt will take Michael Waltrip's seat behind the wheel of the NASCAR Busch Series #99 Dream Machine. The Busch race will mark Earnhardt's second start of the season in the 2005 Busch Series. Earnhardt has a history with Aaron's and MWR. He ran three races in the #99 Aaron's Dream Machine at Kentucky, Pikes Peak and Michigan during the 2001 season. More recently, Earnhardt drove the #98 MWR Bryan Foods car in the Aaron's 312 Busch race at Talladega Superspeedway this past spring. Earnhardt started 34th and finished fifth. His impressive run opened the door for this opportunity at Daytona International Speedway. "I think it's great having Kerry back in the Dream Machine." Said Ken Butler, President of Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership. "He did an excellent job at Talladega earlier this year and since Aaron's is in the business of making dreams come true, Michael and I want to give Kerry the opportunity to make his dream of racing at the top levels of NASCAR happen."(Aaron's PR)(6-15-2005)
Bowyer wins at Nashville: #2-Clint Bowyer won the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway for his first career Busch Series win. The rain was rain-delayed a day. Points leader, #60-Carl Edwards missed the race as he was busy winning the Nextel Cup race at Pocono Raceway, Hank Parker Jr. brought the #60 Ford home in 20th spot. Johnny Benson flew from Charlotte early Sunday to run the #40 Dodge in place of Sterling Marlin who was also at Poco# #8-Martin Truex Jr. led the most laps [105 of 225] and finished 5th. #22-Kenny Wallace was 2nd at Nashville for the 2nd time in a rwo, followed by #41-Sorenson [the new points leader], #33-Tony Raines and Truex Jr. With Edwards not in the race, he fell to 4th in the points and is now 96 points behind the new points leader, Reed Sorenson, who is 51 points ahead of #8-Truex Jr. and #2-Bowyer. There were 8 caution laps for 37 laps and 14 lead changes among 7 drivers.
RAIN update for Sunday: doubt there will be a 1:00pm/et start as their is a big dark grren blob over Nashville on weather.com's radar [as of 10:45am/et], BUT after that blob, it looks clear, so good chance the race will get in on Sunday sometime.
UPDATE 12:45pm/et: BGNRacing.com is reporting "The race is expected to start on or near the original start time of 1:00pm/et today. Jet driers are currently on track and the rain has stopped. BGNRacing.com will post live updates about the race since TV coverage will be delayed and there will be no National Radio coverage of the race.(6-12-2005)
Postponed at Nashville until Sunday: rain all day in Nashville cancelled qualifying Saturday, then postponed the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway, scheduled for 8:00pm/et on Saturday. The race is now scheduled to start at 1:00pm/et on Sunday, June 12th and be televised on FX following the conclusion of the Pocono 500 [approx 5-6:00pm/et] on Sunday. However, there is an 80% chance of rain in Nashville on Sunday…so the race could end up being run Monday, June 13th.(6-11-2005)
Double Duty at Pocono-Nashville WHO are the subs?: two drivers are planning on running the Nextel Cup race at Pocono and the Busch Series race in Nashville:
#40-Sterling Marlin will be running the Busch Series race at his home track of Nashville Superspeedway. He will be piloting the #40 for FitzBradshaw Racing.(Ganassi PR)
AND This will be #99-Carl Edwards' first double duty weekend in two separate cities. Edwards will practice and qualify the #99 Stonebridge Insurance Ford in Pocono on Friday and Saturday morning then head to Nashville to race the #60 Charter Ford in the Busch race. Edwards will then return late Saturday night to race the #99 Ford in Sunday's 500-mile event.(Roush Racing)(6-10-2005)
SUBS: if the race runs on Sunday, Hank Parker Jr. will run the #60 Ford for Carl Edwards and Johnny Benson will drive the #40 Dodge for Sterling Marlin.(6-12-2005)
Smith back in the #58 UPDATE Sherman leaves…takes sponsors?: Regan Smith will be behind the wheel of the Glynn Motorsports #58 Dodge Charger for the second straight week. Smith has four previous starts at Nashville with a best finish of 17th place two years ago. Nashville will be the fifth event for Regan Smith driving for Glynn Motorsports in three events in the #65 CTS Dodge, and his second in the #58 Busch Series Dodge.(Glynn Motorsports PR)(6-9-2005)
UPDATE: Busch Series rookie Brent Sherman has parted ways with Glynn Motorsports citing that the goals of the newly formed team are not in line with his or that of his sponsors, Serta Mattress, Hickory Farms and Consort for Men hair products. "We have been disappointed that we haven't been able to find a solid situation in the Busch Series which really supports my sponsors and my efforts as a rookie," said Sherman. "We are pursuing relationships with well-established teams and feel very confident that we'll have a new home that will give us the right combination in the next couple of weeks." Sherman's sponsors will continue to back his racing efforts in 2005 and beyond. (Sherman PR via BGNRacing.com)
AND Busch Series rookie Brent Sherman has split with Glynn Motorsports but may take his sponsors – Serta, Hickory Farms and Consort — with him to another team.(Gaston Gazette)(6-11-2005)
Brown to crew chief Lusk? Teddy Brown, who started the season as the crew chief for Randy LaJoie at #34-Frank Cicci Racing, is soon expected to be named the crew chief for Damon Lusk.(BGNRacing.com)(6-11-2005)
Qualifying rained out at Nashville: Qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway has been rained out with the lineup set by owners points/NASCAR Rules book [top 35 owners points, past winners, series champs, race attempt's, qual order]. So #60-Carl Edwards starts 1st [no pole awarded] followed by #21-Brandon Miller [owners points NOT drivers points], #8-Martin Truex Jr., #66-Aaron Fike and #2-Clint Bowyer. Six drivers failed to make the race: #16-Justin Ashburn [with 9 attempts, not sure why this team didn't get in, unless the entry blank was late], #94-Eddie Beahr, #83-John Borneman, #68-Travis Kittleson, #83-Burney Lamar and #53-Brad Teague.
Sports Clips on the #87 at Daytona: Sport Clips announced on Wednesday that their paint scheme would be adorning the NASCAR Busch Series' #87 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek at Daytona. Sport Clips, who is an associate sponsor on the #87 car, will be the primary sponsor on Nemechek's car for the Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night, July 1, 2005.(Sport Clips PR via BGNRacing.com)(6-11-2005)
No Toyota car in 2006? The rumors of an earlier than expected entry by Toyota into the Nextel Cup Series appear to be unfounded. There had been speculation that Toyota already had built and tested cars, but no one seems to have seen the car. Most insiders say Toyota, which competes in the Craftsman Truck Series, won't move up before 2007.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(6-10-2005)
Testing at Daytona: Testing in preparation for the 47th annual Pepsi 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race and the fourth annual Winn Dixie 250 presented by Pepsico NASCAR Busch Series race will be held Monday, June 13 and Tuesday, June 14, 9:00am to 5:00pm/et. Drivers scheduled to test: #33-Kerry Earnhardt [both days], #0-Mike Bliss [on Tuesday if recovered from hernia operation] and Busch driver #67-C.W. Smith [Tuesday]. The test sessions are free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(DIS)(6-10-2005)
UPDATE: the #33-Earnhardt team has cancelled.(DIS)(6-10-2005)
Drivers for the #32 Chevy UPDATEs: Ron Hornaday will fly to Nashville on Friday night after competing in the Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and has also been confirmed to drive the #32 WINFUEL Chevy in two weeks at Milwaukee. Chad Blount, currently 3rd in ARCA points – 2 wins in 7 races, will drive the #32 next week at Kentucky.(Braun Racing site)(6-8-2005)
UPDATE:on Speed Channel's NASCAR Nation, NASCAR.com's Maty Smith said that the team will probably use a revolving door of Nextel Cup drivers in the car for the rest of the 2005 season.
AND hearing that KB Home will be the featured sponsor on the #32 for a few races.(6-9-2005)
Keller to field Hendrick: Kenny Hendrick [no relation to the Hendrick Motorsports folks], who competed in seven Busch Series races in 2004, will drive the #03 car for Gary Keller Motorsports at Kentucky, Pikes Peak and Gateway.(NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing)(6-9-2005)
Double duty for Hamilton: Bobby Hamilton, reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, will be racking up some frequent flyer miles this weekend! Not only will the Nashville, TN. native be racing in the Truck Series at the lightning-fast Texas Motor Speedway, he'll be piloting a NASCAR Busch Series car for Sadler Racing on Nashville Superspeedway's unique 1.33 mile concrete oval. Hamilton will attempt to make the flights back and forth between Texas and Tennessee in order to practice, qualify and race in the Federated Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series event on Saturday, June 11, under the Nashville lights. On Friday night you can catch a glimpse of Hamilton as he attempts to retake the championship points lead in the Truck Series in Texas and then again on Saturday as he hopes to win a second Gibson guitar trophy at the Nashville Superspeedway.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(6-9-2005)
Atwood back with Evernham UPDATE: Casey Atwood is scheduled to compete in upcoming NASCAR Busch Series races at Kentucky Speedway (June 18) and Pikes Peak International Raceway near Colorado Springs, Colo., (July 23). Atwood will drive a car fielded by Evernham Motorsports, for whom he once drove in the Nextel Cup Series. The 24-year-old racer lost his Busch ride with Fitz-Bradshaw Racing late last season and has not landed another full-time ride. He drove a few NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Bobby Hamilton Racing [#4 truck] earlier in the year. Atwood said recently that he was pursuing some opportunities and was confident that he eventually would race again.(Tennessean)(6-7-2005)
UPDATE: Atwood will drive the #6 Dodge at Kentucky and possibly again at New Hampshire and Pikes Peak. He is one of four drivers over the next four weeks – Wolfe at Nashville, Hines at Milwaukee, and Mike Wallace at Daytona. Hines will also drive the #6 at IRP. Eventually, Erin Crocker will drive the #6 or #79 for Evernham. Her original debut was set for IRP in August but has now been moved to September. Her tentative schedule has Richmond, Dover, Kansas, Phoenix, and Homestead. (NASCAR Scene via BGNRacing)(6-9-2005)
DCT Motorsports Not For Sale, Owner Says: John McGill is flattered by the attention but wants to make it plain he and his co-owner, wife Nancy McGill, have long-term plans for DCT Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch Series. Rumors of the team's possible sale are untrue [not at Jayski, no idea where the rumor was], he said, and have no basis. "Being in the rumor mill in this sport is almost a badge of honor. NASCAR racing was pretty much built on rumors," McGill laughed, "but this one has no foundation at all. We haven't talked with anyone at any level about selling DC Motorsports, and we don't have any interest whatsoever in selling DCT Motorsports." As far as McGill is concerned, the team is moving in the right direction. In its first full year of operation, it has picked up momentum over the past several weeks and has begun making something of a charge in the points standings. Driver Stanton Barrett, who has 1259 points, is 17th in the NASCAR Busch Series standings, just 24 points out of the top 15 and just over 100 out of the top 13. In fact, if you take Barrett's points average over the past six races, he is running at a pace that would place him in the top 10 of the standings for the season. The team was first nationally noticed with Barrett's strong run on the road course at Mexico City, where he was at the front of the field most of the last part of the race before being tagged by a car behind him. His three top-19 finishes in the last six races have helped the team tremendously, giving them solid runs and lead-lap finishes, a string broken only when he was caught up in a large crash immediately in front of him at Talladega. "We're working hard on sponsorship for the team and I want all of those companies we have talked with to know Nancy and I are here for the long haul," McGill said. "We've come up with some unique and cost-efficient ways for sponsorship to work for companies on a regional and national level, and we want to continue making headway in that direction."(Williams Company)(6-8-2005)
New Assoc for Hamlin: Rockwell Automation announced that Trailer Bridge has signed on as an associate sponsor of the Rockwell Automation #20 NASCAR Busch Series entry [driver is Denny Hamilin…they kind of forgot to mention the driver in the PR] for the 2005 season. This sponsorship marks the first ever sports marketing program for the company. "We are proud to have Trailer Bridge on board," said John Strizzi, Sports Marketing Manager for Rockwell Automation Power Systems. "A NASCAR sponsorship allows them to touch many of their customers in different geographic regions. We look forward in helping them utilize this sponsorship as a marketing tool in 2005." Rockwell Automation offers unique NASCAR Busch Series sponsorship opportunities, supported by their internal sports marketing team, known as Matrix Sports Marketing. Since 2001, Rockwell Automation and Matrix have helped more than 40 companies develop and activate successful sports marketing initiatives. Trailer Bridge provides integrated trucking and marine freight service to and from all points in the lower 48 states and Puerto Rico, bringing efficiency, environmental and safety benefits to domestic cargo in that traffic lane. This total transportation system utilizes its own trucks, drivers, trailers, containers and U.S. flag vessels to link the mainland with Puerto Rico via marine facilities in Jacksonville and San Juan. Additional information on Trailer Bridge is available at the www.trailerbridge.com website.(JGR PR)(6-8-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Nashville
Nashville hub of Tennessee racing tradition … Nashville has a rich racing heritage, starting with the horse track that became the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and ultimately led to the construction of the Nashville Superspeedway. The Music City Motorplex, the re-named Fairgrounds track, is home to the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. The 5/8-mile track has had the likes of 2003 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth and 1994 NASCAR Busch Series champion David Green (#27 Kleenex Ford) race there early in their careers. More recent NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series alumni hoping to make Saturday night's field include three-time series regional champion Jerry Robertson (#72 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet); Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet), currently eighth in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings and Justin Labonte (#44 U.S. Coast Guard Chevrolet), who won the NASCAR Busch Series race at Chicago last year. Tennessee has the most active NASCAR Busch Series tracks with three – Bristol, Memphis and Nashville. Nashville weekend supplies plenty of events
In addition to the second race of the season at Nashville Superspeedway, other key events surround Saturday night's race. On Thursday, NASCAR Busch Series drivers Clint Bowyer, Brandon Miller (#21 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Chevrolet), Boston Reid (#5 Lowe's Chevrolet) and Tony Raines (#33 Yardman Chevrolet) are scheduled to participate in an autograph session at the CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville from 2:45 – 5:30 p.m. Later that evening, Martin Truex Jr. will be serving as co-host of a star-studded country music concert at Adelphia Coliseum, home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans. The show features the likes of LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Dolly Parton and others. Friday, the Nashville Sports Council will host a luncheon at the Nashville Airport Marriott from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. that is scheduled to include Frank Cicci and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, owners of the #34 Dollar General Chevrolet team along with driver Randy LaJoie, the 1996 and '97 NASCAR Busch Series champion. Additionally, Armando Fitz, co-owner of FitzBradshaw Racing and Jim Hunter, NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications, will also be in attendance. Also on Friday beginning at 12:55 p.m., Raybestos rookies Reed Sorenson, Denny Hamlin, Jon Wood (#47 Clorox/Wisk Ford) and Michel Jourdain Jr. (#10 ppc Racing Ford) – arguably the best-ever crop of NASCAR Busch Series drivers – will be available in the Nashville Superspeedway infield media center for a press conference.
MBNA RacePoints 200 most-viewed series race at Dover … Last Saturday's event at Dover broadcast on FX was the most-viewed NASCAR Busch Series race in the history of the track. The race also registered a 27% increase in households (1,355,000) over the 2003 event (1,063,000), which also aired on FX. The 2004 race was postponed due to rain after 29 laps, with the remainder televised the following Monday on FOX. Viewers of the MBNA RacePoints 200 increased 20% (1,625,000) over 2003 (1,357,000). Compared to the 2004 season to date, an average of 2.2 million households – an increase of 37% over 2004 – and 3.1 million viewers – up 39% – have tuned in to each series event.
Chevrolet evens score in manufacturer's standings … Martin Truex Jr.'s third win of the season last Saturday at Dover brought Chevrolet even with Ford with six NASCAR Busch Series wins this year in the race for the Bill France Performance Cup. Both manufacturers have 94 points to go along with their six victories thus far in 2005. Dodge has two wins and 78 points, but has momentum after winning this event in March when Reed Sorenson collected Dodge's first win in the Charger in either NASCAR Busch Series or NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition. Chevy and Ford each have three wins at Nashville.
Reed Sorenson and David Green are the only drivers in the field who can join Scott Riggs (April, 2002 and June, '03) as multiple race-winners at Nashville, each will be seeking their second victory at the track. … Martin Truex Jr. is the only driver to have secured more than one Busch Pole at Nashville, doing so for both races last season. Randy LaJoie won the pole for the April race in 2003. … The Team Rensi Motorsports duo of Jason Keller (#35 McDonald's Ford) and Ashton Lewis Jr. (#25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) have run the most series races at Nashville Superspeedway with eight. … Keller and Clint Bowyer are tied for the lead with three top-five finishes at the venue while Keller is among the all-time leaders at Nashville with four top 10s. … Sorenson led the most laps by a winner at Nashville (197) in March, while Bowyer has led the most laps by a non-winner (104 in April, 2004).
Bill Elliott (#64 Top Flite Dodge), the 1988 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion, looks to make his first start in the NASCAR Busch Series since last October at Memphis this weekend while Sterling Marlin (#40 Ferris Industries Dodge), a Tennessee native who resides in Franklin, is scheduled to run at Nashville while also pulling NASCAR NEXTEL Cup duty at Pocono….NASCAR Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards is also scheduled to do the double. … Paul Menard (#11 Menard's Chevrolet) in June, 2003, David Stremme in April of that season and Jerry Robertson this past March made their NASCAR Busch Series debuts at Nashville Superspeedway. Stremme finished seventh, Menard 12th and Robertson 33rd in their inaugural series races. … Stremme is scheduled to play in the 15th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Greer Stadium in Nashville. Many Sony Music artists will be playing in the game. City of Hope National is a Comprehensive Cancer Center providing help to millions battling life-threatening diseases. Last year, the event raised more than $75,000. … Aaron Fike looks to make his second start of the season in the #66 Duraflame Dodge. Fike started his first race of the year back in March at Nashville, finishing 35th. The team owned by Clarence Brewer is in fourth place in the owners point standings having raced with three drivers this year, Fike, Greg Biffle and Jorge Goeters. Jack Roush leads the owner rankings with 1,930 points. Richard Childress is second with 1,862 while Teresa Earnhardt is third with 1,810; the latter three owners have won three of the last four owner championships. … Burney Lamar (#83 HPS/Groeniger Chevrolet), the 2001 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series Rookie of the Year and currently in second place in that series' point standings with one win and four top fives in five events, will attempt to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut for Kevin Harvick Inc. at Nashville. … Kenny Wallace (#22 Stacker 2 Ford) is scheduled to play a round of golf with Albert Pujols and other members of his beloved St. Louis Cardinals as part of Pujols' charity event.
NASCAR has a long, rich history in the Nashville area dating back to 1958 when Joe Weatherly won at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Three-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip cut his racing teeth at the Nashville Fairgrounds track and won the May 21, 1988 NASCAR Busch Series race there. Qualifying 12th out of 26 cars, Waltrip was forced to maneuver through traffic before moving to the lead on Lap 89 of the CarQuest 200. Tommy Houston took the lead on Lap 135 before Waltrip passed him on Lap 159 and continued on to the checkered flag, beating second-place finisher Jack Ingram by more than one lap. Jimmy Spencer finished third with pole-sitter Larry Pearson and Ed Berrier rounding out the top five. The victory was the 12th of 13 NASCAR Busch Series wins for Waltrip, whose younger brother, Michael, would go on to win his first NASCAR Busch Series event later that season at Dover.
ON DECK: KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY
The NASCAR Busch Series travels to Kentucky Speedway next Saturday for its second consecutive "stand-alone" race and the fourth of eight such events on the 2005 schedule. Kyle Busch is the defending race winner, the fourth different winner in each of the four races held at the 1.5-mile venue. Reigning NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. won the pole at Kentucky last year; he is also the fourth different driver to start first on the grid since the series began racing at the track in 2001.(NASCAR PR)(6-7-2005)
Moore to test for DEI: Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s Tony Eury Sr. is building two new cars for Ryan Moore to test July 4 and 5 at New Hampshire International Speedway. If all goes well, Moore will make his Busch debut in July.(Sporting News)(6-7-2005)
Lamar to debut in a 2nd Harvick car at Nashville: Burney Lamar, the 2001 NASCAR Southwest Series Rookie of the Year, was signed by Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), in January of this year to participate in its driver development program. Lamar is slated to compete for KHI in select NASCAR West, Craftsman Truck and Busch Series events in 2005. Lamar will also run the full NASCAR Southwest Series schedule this season for Victory Circle Racing. Lamar is currently second in the Southwest Series points standings after five events with one win and four top-fives. Lamar's career will take the next big step this weekend in Nashville, as he attempts to qualify for the Federated Auto Parts 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway. Lamar will be driving the #83 HPS/Groeniger Chevy alongside his KHI teammate Tony Raines in the #33 Yard-Man Chevrolet. Lamar tested for the event one week ago, and adapted to the track well. Lamar will receive plenty of support this weekend at Nashville, his crew chief, Lance Dieters, is a veteran of the series, as well as his teammate Tony Raines and KHI General Manager Rick Carelli, who will serve has Lamar's spotter. Lamar has wasted no time making the most of his new job at KHI. In just his second NASCAR West Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, Lamar put his #33 HPS/Groeniger Chevrolet in victory lane. Lamar won the event in a thrilling fashion, passing two cars in turn four on the last lap for the win.(KHI PR)(6-6-2005)
Lewis not happy with 'Buschwackers': Busch Series regular #25-Ashton Lewis Jr. had some harsh words for the Cup drivers who race semi-regularly in the support series. "Every incident that I've had this year, except for one of them, has been with a Cup guy," said Lewis. "They always say that they're coming down here to have fun and learn, but it's not fun and learning for us. It's us trying to make careers and run for a championship, and I think they take some chances they wouldn't take in the Cup car and that's unfortunate." (Gaston Gazette)(6-6-2005)
Qualifying Rained out at Dover: for the MBNA Racepoints 200 at Dover International Speedway, and the field was set by top 30 in Owners Points and race attempts for the other 13, so points leader #60-Carl Edwards starts 1st, followed by #21 Kevin Harvick [remember it is owners points NOT drivers points], #2-Clint Bowyer, #66-Greg Biffle and #8-Martin Truex Jr. With 44 cars at the track to make an attempt, only one driver missed the race, #17-Matt Kenseth.
NASCAR.com.(6-3-2005)
AAA on the #20: Denny Hamlin's #20 Chevrolet will be sporting a AAA Mid-Atlantic logo on its deck lid in today's MBNA RacePoints 200 for the second of four races this year. The company, which is opening new corporate offices this weekend in nearby Wilmington, has sponsored the 24-year-old from Chesterfield in Late Models. Hamlin's mother, Mary Lou, has worked for AAA for more than 30 years. "There's two things that are very important to me in life: family and racing," said Hamlin, whose car will carry AAA again at Richmond and Dover in the fall. "AAA has been a big part of both of those."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(6-4-2005)
A new Pattie: Brian and Adriene Pattie welcomed a new addition to the family on June 1st as son Brennan Paul Pattie was born, mother and son are doing well…congrats. Pattie is the crew chief for #41-Reed Sorenson.(6-4-2005)
Truex Jr. wins at Dover: Defending Busch Series Champ, #8-Martin Truex Jr. won the MBNA Racepoints 200 at Dover International Speedway for his 2nd win of 2005 and 9th of his career. #41-Reed Sorenson finished 2nd two seconds back, followed by #64-Jamie McMurray, #90-Dale Jarrett and #5-Jimmie Johnson. Points leader #60-Carl Edwards lost an engine late in the race and finished 31st, bunching up the points chase. There were 9 cautions for 47 laps and 10 lead changes among 6 drivers with #21-Kevin Harvick leading the most laps with 86 [finished 29th caught up in a wreck on lap 147]
Why no Kenseth? #17-Matt Kenseth was the only driver not to make the race, why? when he had more race attempts them #31-Dave Blaney [7 to 3] and higher in Owenrs Points [34th]? Kenseth was a Post Entry, which means the team entered the car after the entry blank deadline [usually 13 days before the race] so Kenseth was not eligible for a spot due to points, attempts, past winner unless there were spots open, but there was not.(6-3-2005)
1st Major Children's Sponsor In Years Moves Into NASCAR: For a sport that saw sponsorship founded on fried chicken, cigarettes and beer, Stanton Barrett realizes his #36 DCT Motorsports team is breaking new ground in the upcoming NASCAR Busch Series races at Dover, Del., Saturday and at New Hampshire International Raceway in July. A children's Internet web site – www.snowfrog.us – will sponsor the #36 Chevrolet owned by John and Nancy McGill of Cleveland, Ohio, in those two races. The site offers games, stories and adventures for children. www.snowfrog.us was developed by Tamara Kocey, a native Croatian living in Stuttgart, Germany. Ms. Kocey, 23, created the site after spending nearly one year following the NASCAR Busch Series and traveling extensively throughout the U.S. The website became a reality in the mountains of California. Her lifelong love of children, coupled with her new love of stock car racing, was the catalyst. She is also working on a children's book which will be released next year. "I guess it is a step away from what some people would consider your traditional stock car racing sponsors," said Barrett, who began running with DCT Motorsports late last season before putting together a full schedule for 2005. A show car will appear in the Dover International Speedway Kids Zone, and Barrett will make autograph appearances there as well. Barrett said www.snowfrog.us is also developing a show car program that not only will be the most comprehensive in NASCAR history for young fans, but will offer the show car at rates well below those of other entities.(Williams Company)(6-3-2005)
WIX to Partner with Evernham Motorsports: WIX Filters has signed on as an associate sponsor of Evernham Motorsports' #91 NEXTEL Cup Series and #79 Busch Series race teams for four races in 2005. WIX's associate sponsorship will be in effect during the four races in which the #91 and #79 cars display the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper paint scheme. Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper,units of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. (the Alliance), are longtime WIX Filters customers. The Alliance has contracted with Evernham Motorsports to provide primary sponsorship of the #91 car during two NEXTEL Cup Series races and the #79 car for two Busch Series races. The Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper paint scheme will be on the #91 Dodge Charger driven by NASCAR legend Bill Elliott in the NEXTEL Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 21 and at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 6. Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper also will sponsor the #79 Dodge Charger during two Busch Series races. Kasey Kahne, last year's NEXTEL Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year, will drive the #79 car at New Hampshire International Speedway on July 16. Jeremy Mayfield, a contender in the inaugural Chase for the NEXTEL Cup Championship, will drive the #79 car on Oct. 14 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. As part of the sponsorship agreement with WIX, the #1 Filter in NASCAR, the #91 and #79 Evernham race teams will display the WIX Filters logo decal in a highly visible location just in front of the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper cars' rear tires. For more information about Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper visit www.800autotalk.com. WIX Filters' Internet address is www.wixfilters.com.(WIX Filters PR)(6-3-2005)
Contreras looking at Cup and Busch Opportunities: Carlos Contreras, NASCAR's first Hispanic driver and only one to complete a full season in one of NASCAR's major series, is working to schedule additional races this year. In addition to his individual efforts, Contreras has been approached about both the Busch and Cup races at the Glen, as well as the Cup race at Sonoma, but as of yet has not committed. Contreras says, "I need to be in a competitive ride so I can show everyone that I can compete at this level, and not just run for running's sake. That's been done." Contreras ran amongst the leaders all day in Mexico City, steady in the top 5. He also ran 3 full seasons in the Truck series (2000, 2001, 2002), finishing in the top 20 each season and 2nd in Rookie of the year to Kurt Busch (2000).(VMG PR)(6-3-2005)
#25 Crew Chief penalized: NASCAR announced today that Charlie Lewis, crew chief for the #25 Team Marines Ford driven by Ashton Lewis Jr. in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined $500 for a rule infraction that occurred last week at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. During the race weekend's first inspection process, on May 26, the No. 25 was found to have an unapproved fuel filler. That violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the NASCAR Busch Series rule book.(NASCAR)(6-2-2005)
Smith to run the #58 at Dover: Regan Smith will drive the #58 Dodge in the MBNA RacePoints 200 at Dover on Saturday. Smith, who will be making his 30th Busch Series start, is replacing regular driver Brent Sherman for this event. "In an effort to get our team back into the top 30 in points, we are going to put Regan Smith in the #58 car," stated Glynn Motorsports owner Scott Glynn. "Regan drives the #65 Craftsman Truck for us, and we decided to put in a driver that we are all familiar with for this event. This is not a reflection of the effort that Brent Sherman has given us this season," added Glynn, "but like many teams we are faced with the pressure of staying in the top 30 in points. We feel that we need to improve our team's position in the standings in order to give driver Brent Sherman, and the sponsors, a chance to compete in upcoming events.(Glynn Motorsports PR)(6-1-2005)
NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes: Dover
With a nickname like "The Monster Mile," one wouldn't think Dover International Speedway has a soft spot for any of its competitors. But it does. Of the 111 different winners in NASCAR Busch Series history, Dover – site of Saturday's MBNA RacePoints 200 – holds the record for the track with the most first-time winners, with 13. Ashton Lewis Jr. (#25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford) would like to add his name to that list and seems poised to do so. In his first year with Team Rensi Motorsports, Lewis is enjoying a breakthrough season. The Virginia native has been in the Top 10 for all but one race in 2005 and after 13 races, is fifth in points with one top five and four top-10 finishes. Contrast that with his 19th-place standing and just one top 10 at this point last year. "We are really happy about our season to date," Lewis said. "I don't think many people were expecting us to be standing in the top five at this point. With this being a team full of new people and a new team for me to race for, we are really pleased with where we stand." Lewis is 278 points behind leader Carl Edwards (#60 Charter Communications Ford) and 48 points behind fourth-place Martin Truex Jr. (#8 Bass Pro Shops Chevy). However, one of the items still missing from his racing resume is a win and Dover might be the perfect place to get it. "We set a goal at the start of the year not to put ourselves in a hole the first seven races," Lewis said. "Once we accomplished that goal, we started to focus on staying in the top five and working our way to Victory Lane. I would have liked to have won a race already." Lewis is coming off a 10th-place finish in last Saturday's CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 where he ran his series best streak of running at the finish to 25 races. His best finish in 11 races at Dover is seventh in September of 2003. "We feel like we run well in Dover," Lewis said. "It's a concrete track and I really like the challenge that it brings. We will have to be on our game if we want to make this our first win. My pit crew continues to work hard and get better, so if we qualify up front, I think we will have a chance for success this weekend."
NEWS & NOTES, PART II
Truex looking to make a move at Dover … 2004 NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. has had more than his fair share of lumps while trying to defend his title this season. In 2004, his worst finish was 30th and he did not suffer a single DNF. In 2005, although he has not fallen out of the Top 10, he has suffered four finishes of 30th or worse and has posted three DNFs through the first 13 races. He jumped to fourth in the standings following his win at Talladega four races ago, and is hoping to make up more ground this weekend at what is essentially his home track. Truex, from Mayetta, N.J., won last September at Dover and scored a runner-up finish in May of 2004. Truex is currently 230 points behind leader Carl Edwards and 56 behind third-place Reed Sorenson (#41 Discount Tire Co. Dodge). "I feel confident that we can gain some points this weekend," said Truex, who made his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Dover in September of 2001. "Last weekend we gained close to 80 points on the leader. Last year we were very consistent in the summer races and that really took the pressure off of us toward the end of the season. Currently we are pretty far back in the points, but we are not out of it by any means."
Green looking for a boost on Dover's concrete … Considering David Green's (#27 Kleenex Ford) success at Dover and his struggles this season, Dover's white concrete surface should be a comforting sight. Green finished 31st last Saturday at Charlotte – his third finish of 30th or worse this season – but has been knocking on the door of the Top 10. While his latest setback put him back one spot to 12th in the point standings, Green will be hoping to make up ground at Dover, where he finished in the top 10 in both races in 2004. In this race last year he scored a season-best third-place finish after setting the track record in qualifying. He came back in September to finish 10th and was one of only three drivers to post top 10s in both races. Green has eight top-10 finishes, including three of the last four races, in 22 career starts at Dover.
Keller set to reach milestone at Dover … Jason Keller (#35 McDonald's Ford) will be attempting his 250th consecutive start in Saturday's MBNA RacePoints 200 at Dover. Keller began his streak at Richmond International Raceway in September of 1997. Keller remains in second place in the record books to Tommy Houston, who had 360 consecutive starts in the series. Houston's streak included the first 360 NASCAR Busch Series races from Daytona in February of 1982 through the 1994 Daytona race. Keller, who won the first race at Dover in 2000, has nine top 10s in 22 starts at Dover. "It's hard to believe it's been 250 straight starts," Keller said. "I think that's a testament to the great team owners and crews that I have worked with. They always gave me the equipment it takes to be successful. I thought back in December that my streak would come to an end, and then I got the phone call from Sam Rensi to drive the McDonald's Ford. I really am thankful that Sam, and everyone at Team Rensi Motorsports believed in my abilities and gave me the chance to continue the streak."
Greg Biffle (#66 Duraflame Ford) and Randy LaJoie (#34 Dollar General Chevy) are tied for the most wins at Dover among drivers entered in the MBNA RacePoints 200. Biffle also has the best average finish (8.2) of any driver with four or more starts. Dale Jarrett (#90 citifinancial Ford) has six top fives, the most among drivers entered, while LaJoie, Jason Keller and David Green each have five. Kasey Kahne (#38 Great Clips Dodge) has four consecutive top 10s at Dover. Kevin Harvick (#21 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Chevy) has recorded three consecutive top 10s and five top 10s in his seven career starts at Dover.
J.J. Yeley (#18 Vigoro/Home Depot Chevy) and his wife, Kristen, are the proud parents of a new baby girl. Faith Anne Yeley was born May 31 in Indianapolis. … Tim Fedewa (#12 Hot Tamales Dodge), who finished ninth at Dover in last year's MBNA RacePoints 200, should have high hopes for Dover. His new crew chief, Mike Greci, was the car chief for Martin Truex Jr. when Truex won the fall race last year. This will be Greci's second race with the team. … David Stremme (#14 U.S. NAVY Dodge) has recorded two top fives and four top-10 finishes in his last six starts. … Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender Reed Sorenson finished fifth last Saturday at Charlotte and was the top finishing rookie for the seventh time this season. He gained 12 points on rookie leader Carl Edwards and now trails 193-169 in the rookie standings.
Of the 13 first-time NASCAR Busch Series winners at Dover, the spring event has produced seven. Joe Ruttman grabbed his only series win in 1982, Dover's inaugural series race. Ricky Rudd won in 1984 for his only series win. The series' winningest driver, Mark Martin, began his march into racing history with a spring win at Dover in 1987. Bobby Hillin took his first career win in 1988 and Todd Bodine won for the first time in the 1991 edition of this race. Mike Wallace first visited Victory Lane here in 1994 and that was backed up by Mike McLaughlin's first win in the 1995 race.
ON DECK: NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY
The NASCAR Busch Series heads back to Nashville Superspeedway for the second time this season next Saturday, June 11, for the Federated Auto Parts 300. Raybestos Rookie Reed Sorenson dominated in March, leading 197 of 225 laps before scoring his first career win.
What: MBNA RacePoints 200 (Race #14 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del.
When: 1:35pm/et, Saturday, June 4.
TV: FX, 1:00pm/et
2004 Winner: Greg Biffle.
2004 Polesitter: David Green.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Thu., June 2: Practice – 2 – 3 p.m. and 4 – 5 p.m. Fri., June 3: Qualifying – 1:35 p.m. Cars impounded after qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(6-1-2005)