Joe Gibbs Racing News Page 2

So where does Labonte go? Bobby Labonte might be the most popular driver in the garage right now when it comes to teams that need drivers. What team wouldn't want to tease potential sponsors with a former champion? He has been mentioned as a candidate to drive the Nos. 43, 42 and 22. If Labonte drives the No. 43 for Petty Enterprises, Shell looks good as the sponsor. If Labonte jumps into the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing ride, that opens the door for Jamie McMurray to move to Roush Racing to drive the No. 97 (which could switch numbers and become the 28). Kurt Busch could in turn take over the No. 2 Penske Racing car after Rusty Wallace retires. Roger Penske admitted in Atlanta that he had spoken to Ricky Rudd about possibly doing a one-year deal if Busch were not released, but the surest bet in the driver's roulette would be on Busch in the No. 2 at Daytona. (Sporting News)

Hamlin to be named to #11: Denny Hamlin will be named as the driver for the No. 11 Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin, who is fifth in Busch Series points, has been auditioning for the ride in the past four races. He has two eighth-place finishes in that time. (Sporting News)

B. Labonte on rumors: Native Texan Bobby Labonte laughed off a rumor that he is being considered for the driver's job with Hall of Fame Racing, the start-up Cup team co-owned by former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion, has driven for Joe Gibbs Racing since 1995. Interestingly, Hall of Fame Racing's 2006 Chevrolets will be supplied by Gibbs, making the team a satellite operation of Joe Gibbs Racing. Labonte declined to divulge the duration of his current contract with Gibbs. "That's my business, not yours," Labonte said. "As far as I know, I'm driving their car." (Star-Telegeam)

Addington Wins Crew Chief of the Race Award at Martinsville: #18-Bobby Labonte may have received two speeding tickets in this week's Subway 500, but they never slowed him down. With help from crew chief Steve Addington, Labonte overcame his pit road infractions to land a top-five finish, his best since the Coca-Cola 600. For leading his driver from the back to the front, Addington was voted the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. "We had a really good car today," said Addington after the race. "Bobby (Labonte) knows how important track position is here (Martinsville) and was trying to get as much as he could on pit road. It ended up costing us twice. Fortunately our car was strong enough to get it back. We had the longest green flag run of the day after one of our penalties and that was a huge help. Our car was great on long runs and that allowed us to make up a lot of distance. If we didn't have to start in the back, we probably could have been battling the leader." The panel of voters, including Mike Mulhern of the Winston-Salem Journal, a Wypall Wipers representative and Robbie Reiser, split their votes on the crew chief of the race. Mulhern cast his vote for Pat Tryson, who overcame a brake problem on the #6 Ford. The Wypall representative and Reiser both voted for Addington. Doug Richert leads the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year standings with five wins. Alan Gustafson and Greg Zipadelli are tied for second-place with three wins. Bob Osborne, Jimmy Fennig, Robbie Reiser, Chad Knaus, Steve Addington and Robbie Loomis are tied for third-place with two wins. Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Fatback McSwain, Steve Hmiel, Greg Erwin, Slugger Labbe, Pat Tryson and Pete Rondeau are tied for fourth place, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. Fans can also vote for their choice at wypall.com. (SMC 500)

Bliss out? Green in? Mike Bliss is the latest driver to learn he's out after the season finale at Homestead. Jeff Green appears to be the top candidate for Bliss' Haas CNC ride. If he gets it, the dominoes really would start to fall. The most curious possible replacement? Bobby Labonte for the Petty Enterprises ride Green would vacate. Labonte, who drives the No. 18 for Joe Gibbs Racing, has been less than thrilled lately, and his name was mentioned earlier as a candidate for the Penske Racing No. 2 and Richard Childress Racing No. 29. Gibbs is auditioning Busch drivers Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley for the No. 11 Chevrolet. Hamlin finished eighth in Saturday night's crashfest at Charlotte, so give him the nod. But should Labonte leave, it would open the door for both drivers to move up to Cup in 2006. (Sporting News/Lee Spencer)

J.D. Gibbs likes team cap move: Joe Gibbs Racing team president J.D. Gibbs said Thursday he believes at least part of the reason for NASCAR's planned limits to the number of teams a car owner can operate is a concern powerful team owners could overly influence the direction of the sport. "You don't want the owners running this thing," Gibbs said. "It might be part of (the new limitation). Also, I think just from a healthy, competitive environment, you would rather have more guys out there than six guys with eight teams apiece."Gibbs said whatever the final number of teams owners are limited to, JGR would "play within those rules." "You do it for what's best for the future of the sport," he said. (Star-Telegram)

Labonte to Hall of Fame Racing? The race team started by Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman has cars and a crew chief. Now it needs a driver. The team hired Philippe Lopez Tuesday as its first crew chief. The team will use cars and engines built at Joe Gibbs Racing. The next step is to hire a driver. Several have talked with the team, and current Gibbs driver Bobby Labonte is considered one of the favorites. (In part from Florida Times Union)

B. Labonte helping build playground: NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte came to Richmond yesterday and helped build a racing-themed playground in just one day at St. Joseph's Villa. Others from the NASCAR multi-car team owned by Joe Gibbs -- including driver J.J. Yeley and team crew members -- also pitched in, helping more than 200 local volunteers, mostly from The Home Depot. "We envision that every child will have a place to play within walking distance in America," said Jane Duket of Chicago, a representative of KaBoom!, a national nonprofit organization founded by the chain of home-improvement stores. The chain is a sponsor of Gibbs' NASCAR operations. "Over 600 kids will be able to enjoy this playground," Duket said. "The design is based on drawings by the children at St. Joseph's Villa, and their parents and teachers selected the components." Play is vital for every child's development, she said. (Times-Dispatch)

Yeley and FedEx raise money for Boys and Girls Club: FedEx Corporation hosted a special "racing camp" at the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor on Thursday to share the NASCAR racing experience with area youth. While there, FedEx presented the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Clubs with a $25,000 contribution to advance the non-profit organization's on-going mission to inspire and empower young people in the Los Angeles area. "FedEx actively supports the fabric of the local community where we live and work," said Tom Suchevits, vice president of Human Resources at FedEx Freight in Los Angeles. "We're committed to Los Angeles and hope that our support for the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Clubs will provide more opportunities for the city's young people." At the event, more than 100 young fans saw the FedEx No. 11 Chevrolet up close and met NASCAR driver, J. J. Yeley. In addition, the children were able to challenge Yeley to radio-controlled car races. FedEx and its nearly 5,300 Los Angeles employees, contractors and team members have a long heritage of support for charitable causes in the local community. Last December, FedEx teamed up with the California Highway Patrol to collect and deliver toys for disadvantaged Los Angeles youth during the annual holiday CHiPS for KIDS toy drive. (JGR PR)

Yeley visits boys and girls club: J.J. Yeley and Fed Ex Racing will visit Los Angeles Boy and Girls Club on Thursday, Sept, 1. FedEx is hosting a special “racing camp” at the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Clubs to share the NASCAR racing experience with area youth. While there, FedEx will present the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Clubs (LABGC) with a $25,000 contribution to advance the non-profit organization’s on-going mission to inspire and empower young people in the Los Angeles area. During the event, more than 100 participating youth will have the opportunity to meet NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley, see the FedEx # 11 Chevrolet up-close and race radio-controlled cars against Yeley. (JGR PR)

No decision on 3rd Gibbs driver, FedEx will return to #11: Joe Gibbs Racing Team Manager Jimmy Makar said no decision has been made yet on a driver for the team’s No. 11 FedEx-sponsored Chevrolet for next season. Makar said the team’s Busch drivers, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley, will each get seat time in the Cup car before the end of the year and are both in contention for the ride “if they show promise.” Makar also said the team definitely will run three cars in 2006, adding there was no truth to the rumors that FedEx could move to Bobby Labonte’s No. 18. (SPEED)

Hamlin to make debut: Chesterfield's Denny Hamlin will make his Nextel Cup debut at Kansas Speedway on Oct. 9. The 24-year-old Busch Series rookie, one of three drivers replacing Jason Leffler in the No. 11 Chevy the rest of the year, also will run the next three races on the schedule - at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway. (Times-Dispatch)

Kenseth considering Gibbs #11 ride? When it rains, sometimes it storms. And car owner Jack Roush has been awash the past few weeks. Now comes word that Matt Kenseth, whose contract with Roush is up at the end of 2006, may be under consideration for a ride with Joe Gibbs in Gibbs' new third team, which has struggled this season, despite hefty sponsorship from FedEx. (Salem-Journal)

Lebron James/Powerade on Bobby Labonte car at Bristol: Coca-Cola will test LeBron James' crossover appeal when the company puts the Cleveland Cavaliers guard on Bobby Labonte's hood next Saturday night. A comic book character resembling the 20-year-old NBA marketing icon will be plastered on the hood of the No. 18 car for the Sharpie 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway to promote POWERade's new James-inspired flavor, SourMelon. Coca-Cola officials say that recent data shows that 74 percent of all NBA fans are also NASCAR watchers. "We're about doing things differently and changing the way sports and entertainment are combined to better connect with our consumers," said Michael La Kier, Coca-Cola's senior brand manager of sports drinks. Coca-Cola will be flying in James to see his first live NASCAR race. "I really like the look of the race car," James said in a statement. "But I'm thinking we need to add some new rims." Coca-Cola will hand out commemorative comic books, with James and Labonte as characters, to fans at the track. The flavor, which is scheduled to hit shelves in 32-ounce bottles on Oct. 1, is the second in the line called FLAVA23. Sourberry, which matched the colors of his Cleveland Cavaliers jersey, hit supermarket and convenience store shelves last September. James helped chose the flavor, which is colored an emerald green, the color of his jersey at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. (ESPN.com)

Waltrip to Gibbs in #11? Sources close to Michael Waltrip say he is in the running to take a full-time ride with Joe Gibbs, after the departure of Jason Leffler. Gibbs may move the FedEx sponsorship from his new third team to Bobby Labonte's team next season, and that would open up a quarterpanel for NAPA, Waltrip's long-time sponsor at DEI. (Salem-Journal)

J. Leffler Fired by Gibbs: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has released driver Jason Leffler from his driving duties with the #11 car in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Terry Labonte will compete in several of the upcoming Nextel Cup races in the #11, beginning this weekend at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. JGR will also turn to its NASCAR Busch Series drivers – J.J. Yeley and Denny Hamlin – to split driving duties in the #11 in the remaining Nextel Cup races where Terry Labonte is not scheduled to drive. “This was a difficult decision,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “Everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing had high hopes for Jason and the #11 team, but our performance wasn’t meeting the expectations all of us set forth at the beginning of the year. “It hasn’t been for lack of effort, as Jason is a talented race car driver who worked incredibly hard and was terrific with our sponsor. “With an experienced veteran in Terry Labonte, the #11 will benefit from his 25 years of Nextel Cup racing, and ideally, climb higher in points. In looking toward next year, J.J. Yeley and Denny Hamlin will get some valuable seat time at the Nextel Cup level that will allow us to build the #11 into a race-winning contender for 2006 and beyond.” Terry Labonte’s addition to JGR is a natural, as Terry’s younger brother, Bobby, is a 10-year veteran of JGR, having piloted the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet since 1995. The Labonte brothers are the only brothers in NASCAR history to win NASCAR Cup Series championships. Terry won the title in 1984 and 1996, while Bobby won in 2000. “We want to thank Hendrick Motorsports for allowing Terry to assist us with the #11 team,” said Gibbs, whose team now features three NASCAR Cup Series champions in Bobby, Terry and 2002 series champion Tony Stewart. “In planning the future of the #11 team, we looked around the Cup and Busch Series garages and decided that the two best talents were already driving for us. J.J. and Denny are exceptional race car drivers, and we felt it was important to give each of them a shot at Nextel Cup.” (JGR Racing PR)

Gibbs, Labonte and Evernham: And what might happen next at Gibbs' is uncertain. While Bobby Labonte insists he has no plans to leave Gibbs, that has not quieted the NASCAR garage, with the talk continuing, focused on the possibility car owner Ray Evernham would like to hire Labonte for his new third team next season. Gibbs may be moving his FedEx sponsorship from his new third team, with Jason Leffler, to the team for which Labonte currently drives, which has been sponsored for years by Interstate Batteries, according to sources close to the team. And there could be more to the change, though it's not at all clear just what. And it's not clear just how Gibbs' Interstate Batteries sponsorship might be aligned next season. Interstate boss Norm Miller is a close friend of Gibbs and is the man whose sponsorship helped launch Gibbs in NASCAR more than a decade ago. But over the years, the Texas battery maker has watched bigger and bigger companies join NASCAR as sponsors. (Salem-Journal)

Waltrip to Gibbs? Speculation has arisen that Michael Waltrip may vacate his seat in the No. 15 DEI Chevy prior to the end of the 2005 season. Rumors are swirling around the garage that Waltrip has been offered to drive the No. 11 Chevy at Joe Gibbs Racing for the last ten races of the season and next year. Both teams have denied the report. (Motorsports.com)

Childress adds another Engine Builder, Gibbs to add another team? Richard Childress has added another key player to his engine program, hiring Tony Corrente from the Joe Gibbs camp to help run his rapidly expanding R&D program. Chip Ganassi may not be the only Nextel Cup team owner contemplating an expansion to a four-car effort next season. So is Joe Gibbs, according to team sources. However, J. D. Gibbs, who runs the team for his NFL coaching father, insists the company isn't looking at hiring Busch hotshot Reed Sorensen, despite reports. (Salem-Journal)

Labonte denies Gibbs departure: Bobby Labonte said Saturday that it bothers him when people put his name in the rumor mill without even asking him whether anything's going on. So, Bobby, is there anything going on? "The real deal is there is no real deal," Labonte said at New Hampshire International Speedway, where he'll start 10th in Sunday's New England 300. "I have got a contract and I am driving the snot out of our car." Labonte's name first appeared in the NASCAR rumor mill during the Nextel Cup weekend at Infineon Raceway, with Labonte supposedly looking to leave the No. 18 Chevrolets despite having a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing that goes through 2008. (Miami Herald)

And now Labonte to switch series? Rumors flying! Even though Bobby Labonte has a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2008 Nextel Cup season, CBS Sportsline reports Labonte might not be back in the No. 18 car he's driven since the beginning of the 1995 season and in which he won the 2000 Cup Championship. What didn't get reported by CBS is a persistent rumor that Labonte, tired of the Nextel Cup grind but enamored with his Rolex Series Daytona Prototype ride, will swap to that series with Gibbs in 2006. (Daytona News-Journal)

Labonte to leave Gibbs? to Evernham, Penske? Bobby Labonte and team manager Jimmy Makar were noncommittal about reports that Labonte may be leaving car owner Joe Gibbs at the end of the season after 11 years, including the 2000 championship run. Labonte, according to other team owners, has been checking out the marketplace, and he is being mentioned for three possible rides: with Roger Penske, replacing retiring Rusty Wallace; with Ray Evernham, as a teammate with Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield; and with Nelson Bowers, if Scott Riggs leaves. (Salem-Journal)

Sorenson and Gibbs? Car owner Joe Gibbs is interested in hiring Busch series hotshot Reed Sorensen for a Nextel Cup ride next season, according to sources close to the situation. While Tony Stewart is Gibbs' hot driver at the moment, teammates Bobby Labonte and Jason Leffler have had disappointing results. (Salem-Journal)

Addington Wins WYPALL Crew Chief of the Race: The Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR's longest and most exhausting race, lived up to the hype this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. On a record setting night of cautions, a seemingly endless streak of wrecks and blown motors finally climaxed with Jimmie Johnson crossing the finish line inches over Bobby Labonte. Although Labonte didn't leave with the victory, his performance earned his crew chief, Steve Addington, the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Labonte, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, started the race in 34th place. In the initial sages of the event, he didn't appear to have a car capable of climbing into the top-five, but Addington took advantage of the numerous caution periods to adjust on the car and improve its handling. "We struggled early on with the handling of our car," said Addington. "We made some pretty big changes to get it back in the race track and where it was competitive at the end. Our pit strategy played out and we were right where we needed to be at the end of the race. Bobby (Labonte) did an awesome job for us. He could have driven Jimmie's (Johnson) line on the final lap and probably kept him behind us, but he's not that kind of driver. He raced him clean. I'm real proud of his effort and the whole crew's too." The panel of voters selecting the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race; including Jim Utter of the Charlotte Observer, a WYPALL® Wipers representative and Tony Eury Sr; all cast their vote for Addington. "In a very bizarre night, Steve Addington helped Bobby Labonte stay out of trouble, which appeared to be the most important factor in bringing him a top-five finish," said Utter.

"A lot can go wrong in six hundred miles," said Eury Sr. "Motors can blow; the track temperature changes so much from start to finish that your car's handling can drop off towards the end. Steve (Addington) made all of the right calls, though. He was one of the few crew chiefs whose car got better and better throughout the race. He was battling for the win before it was over. He may have come up a little short, but he did an awesome job tonight." Addington received $1,000 for winning the WYPALL(r) Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. He now joins Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Bob Osborne, Alan Gustafson and Pete Rondeau in a tie for third place in the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Year standings. Doug Richert stays in first place with three wins. Robbie Loomis is in second place with two wins. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. (WYPALL/JGR PR)

FedEx on Labonte's Interstate Battery: Due to Joe Gibbs Racing’s #11 race car failing to qualify for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Charlotte, officials from Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx and Interstate Batteries agreed that FedEx would become the primary sponsor of the #18 Chevrolet for the Coca-Cola 600, replacing Interstate Batteries. Bobby Labonte will remain as the driver of the #18. Crew chief Steve Addington and the entire #18 crew will also retain their normal duties. The #18 Chevrolet was to have run a Madagascar paint scheme in the Coca-Cola 600. However, DreamWorks and Action Performance Co. have graciously agreed to postpone the Madagascar promotion until the June 12 Pocono 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. “We can’t thank Interstate Batteries and FedEx enough for enabling us to deal with this setback in the most positive manner possible,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. “We stress teamwork throughout Joe Gibbs Racing. To have Interstate Batteries, who has been with us since day one, and FedEx, our newest sponsor, and Bobby Labonte and the #18 crew work through this bit of adversity so seamlessly speaks volumes about the quality of our sponsors and the character of our team.” (Joe Gibbs Racing site)

Gibbs Underwent heart procedure, Fine Now: Joe Gibbs Racing owner [#11,#18,#20] Joe Gibbs was hospitalized for a heart procedure to open a clogged artery last month, The Washington Post reports. Gibbs, who is 64 and who coaches the Washington Redskins football team, said doctors placed a small, spring-like wire tube known as a stent in the artery at a Washington hospital in mid-April. Gibbs said he remained overnight but returned to work the next day and was back to his regular workout routine, which includes a 45-minute run, within several days. "I understand the public interest, but it has no effect on my work, or my tenure with the Redskins," he said. "I considered it a private matter."(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)

Labonte Wins Martinsville Truck Race: The No.47 Chevrolet crossed the finish line 0.257 ahead of runner-up Ricky Craven. The victory was the first of Labonte's five-race Craftsman career and he became the 12th driver to win in all three of NASCAR's national series'. "The guys in the Chevrolet Silverado truck did a great job," said Labonte. "I've got to run twice this year and finished second and first, that's awesome." As usual, the race on the tight oval was filled with bumping and banging. With so many cars on the tiny circuit, track position was everything and that as much as a fast race car won it for Labonte. (TSN)

Labonte Golf Tourney: Yesterday Bobby Labonte hosted the second annual Bobby Labonte Celebrity Golf Classic Presented by ConAgra Foods. The event, which raised money for the Bobby Labonte Foundation, was conducted at the Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte, N.C. Fellow NASCAR drivers Terry Labonte, Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler and Johnny Benson participated in the event. Other celebrities included: J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, Steve Addington, Labonte's crew chief and Greg Zipadelli, Stewart's crew chief, Allen Bestwick from the NASCAR on NBC broadcast team, Larry McReynolds from the NASCAR on FOX broadcast crew, Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel, Marty Roe, lead-singer for Diamond Rio and Larry Ziegler from the PGA Champions Tour.

Women killed at JGR shop Identified: Huntersville police on Monday released the identity of the woman killed last week while helping finish construction on an addition to a race team's facility. Asia Mena Diez, 42, of Charlotte died Wednesday afternoon when the platform lift she was in slammed her into the rafters in a Joe Gibbs Racing building in the Huntersville Business Park, Lt. Ken Richardson said.She worked for Queen Drywall, a subcontractor under general contractor Shelco Inc., he said. There were no signs of foul play, Richardson said. It appeared she had hit a button on the lift, he said. (ThatsRacin)

Stewart Back on Dirt and Wins: NASCAR race car driver Tony Stewart dished out some country-style heat Saturday as he helped roast retiring Eldora Speedway race track owners Earl and Bernice Baltes. Stewart, the new owner of the track, led the retirement roast as racing personalities and the Baltes' friends served up hot, spicy and sweet stories of the couple who have owned the track for more than 40 years. Larry Boos, the speedway's spokesman, started the roast with a gentle sauté of Stewart, who was late for the luncheon. (Daily News)

Stewart Racing Busch in Indy: NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion, Tony Stewart will race in this year's Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Stewart will run in a car owned by Kevin Harvick and will carry a special edition James Dean 50th anniversary paint scheme that will race only at IRP. "I've raced at IRP so much in my career, but since I've been in NASCAR, not so much. I really like that track, and to have an opportunity to get back there in a Busch car was something I couldn't pass up,” said Stewart. “I had a lot of success there when I raced in USAC, and with the success I've already had this year in the Busch Series, I'm hoping the two kind of coincide for a really good run when I get there in August." Stewart has had tremendous success at IRP during his years as a USAC star. He has six Midget wins, tied for second in IRP track history, three Sprint Car wins, one Silver Crown win and one Silver Crown win as a car owner. (Tony Stewart Motorsports PR)

Home Depot and Tony Stewart Ad Campaign: The Home Depot will launch a new ad campaign centered on its sponsorship of Nascar driver Tony Stewart and the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet, the company said. The first 30-second television commercial will air March 13 during the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in Las Vegas and will play throughout the racing season. Independent Dallas shop The Richards Group created the ad. The spot, titled "Port-o-Pot," features Stewart, his crew chief, Greg Zipadelli, and other members of the race team. The owner of the team, Joe Gibbs, also appears in the ad. The work depicts Stewart using a trackside portable toilet and finding that it has been remodeled into a luxurious bathroom with a shower, two sinks, decorative light fixtures and tile floor. The ad ends with the statement, "Whether it's Nascar or home improvement, the difference is know-how." (AD Week)

Stewart Busch Post Race Inspection: NASCAR's post-race inspection of Tony Stewart's winning Busch car Saturday has provoked considerable complaint in the NASCAR garage. Stewart's car was lower than legal when it rolled through the inspection station after the race, but NASCAR brushed aside the issue, saying the car was low because of damage received during Stewart's romp through the grass. Joe Balash, the Busch tour director, said, "After reviewing the car thoroughly, the right rear height was good, but the left rear was slightly under tolerance and also had body damage to the left-rear quarter panel and rear bumper area. Everything else on the car checked out fine." (Winston Salem)

Tony Stewart to drive Mr. Clean: Tony Stewart plans to "clean up" in this year's 2005 NASCAR Busch Series racing season with a little help from America's favorite cleaning icon, Mr. Clean. Procter & Gamble announced today that it has entered into a six-race agreement with Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), with Stewart piloting the No. 33 Mr. Clean AutoDry Pro-Series Carwash Chevrolet in a limited Busch Series schedule. "I am thrilled to become a part of the Mr. Clean and KHI racing family," said Stewart, who in 25 years of racing has scored nine driving titles, the most recent one being the 2002 NASCAR Cup Series championship. "Thanks to Mr. Clean and the Mr. Clean AutoDry(TM) Pro-Series Carwash system, not only will I be cleaning my car, but I plan to 'clean-up' at Daytona as well." (Yahoo!)

Stewart Comes Up Short in Daytona... Again. Johnson Finishes Second A Pontiac-powered Riley prototype co-driven by sports car aces Max Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Emmanuel Collard coasted to victory Sunday in the Rolex 24 sports car endurance race. It wasn't supposed to be so easy in a race that saw a record 44 lead changes among eight cars and was up for grabs for 22 of the 24 hours. NASCAR's Tony Stewart, who lost the lead and the race a year ago when his suspension failed with less than 25 minutes remaining, had another heartbreak this time when the Pontiac Crawford he shared with former race winners Andy Wallace and Jan Lammers had a gearbox failure with two hours and three minutes to go. "It just popped out of second gear," said three-time Daytona 24 Hours winner Wallace. "There was no warning." It was sweet for the winners, though. A year ago, they lost the lead because of a fuel pressure problem, giving the win to a Pontiac Doran co-driven by Terry Borcheller, Christian Fittipaldi, Andy Pilgrim and Forest Barber. (USA Today)

Stewart Wins Celebrity Poker: Tony Stewart doesn't know if he has a winning car for the upcoming NASCAR season, but he had plenty of winning hands this week in Las Vegas. Stewart, NASCAR's 2002 champion, won a celebrity poker tournament for charity Tuesday night involving past and current Nextel Cup drivers. Stewart beat fellow Indiana driver Ryan Newman in the final round of the two-night event at The Palms Casino Resort. Stewart eliminated Jeff Gordon in the final hand of Monday's preliminaries. The other participants included Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Michael Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Elliott Sadler, Brian Vickers, Kyle Petty, Casey Mears and 1973 NASCAR champion Benny Parsons. (IndyStar)

Gibbs Back Tracks Comments, 5 Years with Skins: Joe Gibbs emphatically reiterated his commitment to the Redskins on Monday, quashing speculation that began with a misinterpretation of remarks he made at a NASCAR media day last week. "I signed a five-year contract when I came here," Gibbs told a news conference. "Most people sign three-year contracts. My commitment to the Redskins, I want to do every single thing I can to restore the Redskins to winning football games. "I'd say that my commitment is a minimum of five years. I want to get the Redskins back to winning, and that's first." (St. Petersburg Times)

Stewart not Happy: Tony Stewart said he is ''not comfortable'' wearing the HANS device, but has no choice. NASCAR made the head-and-neck support system mandatory this season. Stewart had been wearing the less-restrictive Hutchens device, but it's no longer allowed. Stewart initially balked at using even the Hutchens device, but was forced to do it two years ago when NASCAR ordered drivers to use either the Hutchens or the HANS. After further study NASCAR decided the HANS afforded greater protection and announced that starting with next month's Daytona 500 only the HANS can be used. (Tennessean)

Multiple sponsors for Bobby Labonte in '05: Bobby Labonte’s Nextel Cup primary sponsor, Interstate Batteries, is one of the smallest companies to be a Cup primary. To help defray the rising cost of sponsorship, Interstate will sell some of its races to other sponsors, as it did last year when the car carried the purple Wellbutrin colors on several occasions. (Speed Channel Media)

Gibbs Back in Control, Two Roles Owner and NFL Coach: On Tuesday Joe Gibbs found himself switching gears, donning the hat of NASCAR team owner to promote his burgeoning stock-car racing empire, which is adding a third Nextel Cup team for the 2005 season. Rookie Jason Leffler will make his debut in the No. 11 Federal Express Chevrolet in the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 20 alongside Gibbs's veteran drivers, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart. Though the subject was racing, Gibbs was bombarded with questions about the NFL: Had he underestimated the difficulty of winning in today's NFL? Had the players changed? Did he regret returning to the sidelines? How was his health holding up? (Washington Post)

Gibbs to Keep White Diversity Program: Joe Gibbs Racing's Late Model diversity program will keep its Reggie White Motorsports name in honor of the defensive end who died unexpectedly last month. One of the cars will carry White's No. 92. "Reggie White was somebody who changed the people around him in a great way," Gibbs said. "He did chapel services for us [at the shop]. I wish I had a chance to coach him."

Tony Stewart Wins, 60 lap dash: Tony Stewart fought off the advances of Dave Darland Wednesday night to win the Midget feature event in the "Rumble in Fort Wayne" at the Fort Wayne, Indiana - Memorial Coliseum Expo Center. Stewart started second in the 60 lap race, took the lead on the 14th lap and never looked back. The top-ten finishers were: 1. Tony Stewart, 2. Dave Darland, 3. Rich Corson, 4. Tony Elliott, 5. Mel Kenyon (Insider Racing News)

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