Richard Childress Racing News Rumors Page 2

Fill in crew chief for Harvick: Chris Hussey will be unable to serve as Kevin Harvick's interim crew chief this weekend because of a family obligation. Car owner Richard Childress said that Rick Viers, a crew chief for one of Childress' teams, might make the pit calls for Harvick today. (Roanoke)

Blaney plans for 2006: Dave Blaney, who will be replaced by Clint Bowyer in the #07 RCR car in 2006, has spoken with team owner Cal Wells [#32 Tide Chevy] but is waiting to see how Silly Season shakes out before committing to a ride. (Sporting News)

Bowyer in, Blaney out Jack Daniels renews: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the Jack Daniel Distillery announced today that Jack Daniel’s has extended its primary sponsorship of RCR’s No. 07 Chevrolet through 2009. At the same time, both organizations announced that Clint Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, will drive the No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series campaign. Bowyer, currently second in the NASCAR Busch Series championship chase, will be accompanied by crew chief Gil Martin as the proven duo pursue the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award. Bowyer will also race for the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series title returning to the seat of RCR’s No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet. “RCR is very pleased to take our partnership with Jack Daniel’s to the next level,” commented Richard Childress, President and CEO of RCR. “Clint Bowyer has done an exceptional job driving the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet in the Busch Series and has certainly proven himself worthy of this opportunity. I have no doubt he’s ready to take the next step and move to the NEXTEL Cup Series. Clint and Gil (Martin) have great chemistry and have demonstrated they are a winning combination. We have very high expectations for this program and are confident that both Clint and Gil will be excellent representatives for Jack Daniel’s both on and off the track.” “I would also like to thank Dave Blaney for everything he’s done, not only for RCR but for all he’s done for Jack Daniel’s as well,” added Childress. “Dave is a first class driver and I’m proud to say he drove for RCR. We were lucky to have him and wish him nothing but the best.” (RCR PR)

Tracy, RCR deal not likely: If Champ car driver Paul Tracy gets a shot in NASCAR, it doesn't look like it will be with the Childress operation. Childress gave Tracy a two-day test at Michigan in August and said he would let him race at that track if the session went well. The two ultimately decided not to enter the race. Now Childress says there have been no further discussions. "Paul and I haven't talked in about a month," Childress said. "We're just trying to get our in-house program put together for next year." (USA Today)

RCR Bowyer announcement Saturday: Richard Childress Racing Busch Series driver Clint Bowyer will move full-time to the Nextel Cup series next season and drive RCR's No. 07 Chevrolet. An official announcement of the Bowyer move is scheduled Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Bowyer will replace current driver Dave Blaney, while Jack Daniel's will remain as sponsor. Bowyer, 26, currently drives RCR's No. 2 Chevrolet and will continue to drive that car next season as well, sources said. (That's Racin')

Tracy's Cup debut not likely till '06: Paul Tracy's NASCAR debut will likely have to wait until 2006. With six races left in the season, Richard Childress says he is focused on helping Kevin Harvick secure 11th place in the Nextel Cup standings which comes with a $1-million bonus. As well, should Clint Bowyer wrap up the Busch Series title before the NASCAR season ends, he would like to give him - and not Tracy - a chace at racing in a Cup event, according to the Indianapolis Star. Tracy tested with Childress back in August with a goal of competing at the Nextel Cup event in Michigan. But Childress said there was not enough time to properly prepare the former Champ Car champion for his debut. It was speculated that Tracy might make his NASCAR debut at the Nextel Cup event in Atlanta on October 30, but that is unlikely to happen according to the Star. (TSN)

Blaney Out, Bowyer In? Richard Childress Racing has a press conference scheduled this Friday afternoon at Lowe's Motor Speedway and speculation is the team will announce current Busch Series driver Clint Bowyer as the new pilot for the team's Jack Daniels No. 07 NEXTEL Cup ride next year. (Racing One)

Childress likes Bowyer over Tracy: The Paul Tracy experiment in NASCAR is on hold, according to team owner Richard Childress. Childress, who tested the Champ Car driver in August, is focused on helping Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick win the $1 million bonus for finishing 11th (his current position) and Clint Bowyer win his first Busch Series title. Bowyer is 49 points behind Martin Truex Jr. following Saturday's United Way 300 at Kansas. Childress said he would rather give Bowyer -- and not Tracy -- a chance in a Cup race before the season ends. "I think he's ready," he said. (Indy Star)

Jeff Burton speaks about NASCAR: Burton was the keynote speaker Thursday evening at the Richmond Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) fall conference in Richmond, Va. The 17- time NASCAR Cup winner will discuss the business of NASCAR. The ACG Richmond Chapter is part of an international organization of over 9,000 members representing Fortune 500, Fortune 1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 48 chapters in North America, Europe and soon Asia. ACG Richmond, established in 1996, has the reputation of being known as the premier organization for the best speakers and networking opportunities in the Central Virginia region. (RCR Weekly PR)

Fan becomes honorary crew member: As the Cup Series prepares to head to Kansas for the first and only time this year, Cingular Wireless is providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a local race fan to experience the excitement of stock car racing up close and personal. Richard Garrett of Pleasant Hill, Mo., was randomly selected as the grand prize winner during a special Cingular sweepstakes and is being rewarded with a chance to serve as an honorary pit crew member for Jeff Burton and TEAM Cingular during Sunday's big event. As an honorary pit crew member, Garrett will get the opportunity to meet Burton, driver of the Richard Childress Racing #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet and a 17-time Cup Series winner, and team owner Richard Childress on Sunday, October 9, before the green flag drops. Garrett will truly be a part of TEAM Cingular the entire day, from helping the team set up the pit stop and to attending pre-race team meetings. The weekend package also includes hotel accommodations for Garrett and a guest. (Career Sports & Entertainment)

Richard Childress Statement Regarding NASCAR Penalty: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding NASCAR’s penalty to RCR crew chief Todd Berrier for a rules infraction Sept. 30 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway: “After several discussions with the crew of the No. 29 team, we have decided to appeal NASCAR’s ruling. We feel we have a responsibility to GM Goodwrench and all of our sponsors, as well as all of our fans, to stand up for what we think is right. Regardless of the outcome, we can’t let it get in the way of what the No. 29 team is trying to accomplish this season. The goal is to finish 11th in the point standings. That’s where they are now and that will remain their focus.” (Richard Childress Racing PR)

Berrier appeals suspension, will be in pits Sunday: Crew chief Todd Berrier plans to appeal his two-race suspension and will be in Kevin Harvick's pit for Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Kansas Speedway. The appeal is expected to be a heard early next week by a National Stock Car Racing Commission panel. Berrier announced his plans Wednesday and will be allowed to work with the team. "We feel we have a responsibility to GM Goodwrench and all of our sponsors, as well as all of our fans, to stand up for what we think is right," team owner Richard Childress said. Berrier was sent home and Harvick's Chevrolet was disqualified last Friday after NASCAR found several violations in the trunk of Harvick's car after he qualified second at Talladega Superspeedway. (Sporting News)

Berrier suspension extended: The suspension of Todd Berrier, the Nextel Cup crew chief for Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Goodwrench Chevrolet, was extended two more races by NASCAR. Berrier also was fined $10,000 for unapproved fuel cell modifications at Talladega last weekend. He was ejected from the speedway Saturday. (Dallas Morning News)

Blaney to carry special Texas paint scheme voted by the fans: When driver Dave Blaney, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the Jack Daniel’s Racing Team hit the track at Texas Motor Speedway on November 6, the No. 07 Chevrolet Monte Carlo will be sporting a “Pride of Texas” paint scheme chosen by race fans in the Lone Star State. Beginning October 3, race fans and consumers can visit the Jack Daniel’s racing website (www.jackracing.com/texas) and choose from three different paint schemes for the car – all specially designed to honor the great state of Texas. At the end of the month, folks at the Jack Daniel Distillery will tally all the on-line votes and host a special unveiling of the car in the Dallas/Fort Worth area prior to the Dickies 500. In addition to the new Texas-themed paint scheme, the No. 07 car will, as always, carry the RCR/Jack Daniel’s sponsorship message of “Pace Yourself. Drink Responsibly.” (RCR PR)

RCR joins the Motorsport Industry Association: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has been accepted as the newest international member of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), and the UK association’s first US-based NASCAR stock car racing team organization. The North Carolina team has earned more than 125 victories and nine NASCAR championships, including six Winston Cup Series (now known as the NEXTEL Cup) titles with the legendary driver Dale Earnhardt. It is also the first organization to win championships in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series. The MIA works tirelessly to strengthen its network of contacts within the worldwide motorsport industry, including the NASCAR sector, and the membership for RCR will open up the world market through the MIA’s membership on all continents. Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA, said “North Carolina, USA and Motorsport Valley in the UK are far closer than geography suggests. The culture of the motorsport businesses in both of these highly successful business communities is based on success. RCR’s decision to join the MIA and become the first NASCAR team to do so cements the closeness of those relationships. The MIA will offer access to a truly global motorsport business network from which RCR will gain commercial and competitive advantage. I am delighted that this outstanding company has chosen to join our membership, and we look forward to helping them succeed in whatever way we can.” (RCR PR)

Lopez to HOF racing? Philippe Lopez, a veteran crew chief who worked with the Richard Childress-Dave Blaney team until last month when Childress decided to bring in Scott Miller to run that operation, has apparently moved to the new Roger Staubach-Troy Aikman team, which has been searching for sponsorship and a driver for a planned Nextel Cup effort in 2006. (Salem-Journal)

Harvick back in 06 with RCR: Kevin Harvick will be back behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. Speculation has fueled rumors that the 2001 NEXTEL Cup Series Rookie of the Year would move to another team at the end of this season. RCR President and CEO Richard Childress hopes to put that speculation to rest. “Kevin will be the driver of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevy next season,” said Childress. “He and I have committed to moving forward together in fulfilling our current agreement, which runs through 2006, and we anticipate being together for many years beyond that. Our focus is on continuing to improve our performance this year and being a championship contender in 2006.” Harvick is in his fifth year of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition, all with RCR, and has five victories, 30 top-five and 63 top-10 finishes, and four poles. He is currently 14th in this season’s point standings with one victory, three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. In his sixth season of driving in the NASCAR Busch Series for RCR, he has 16 victories, 60 top-five and 85 top-10 finishes, and 13 poles. “Richard has made key additions to RCR that will benefit the organization,” said Harvick. We are both committed to make 2006 a successful season. I’ve always intended to fulfill my obligations to Richard, RCR and all of our sponsors.” (Richard Childress Racing PR)

DEI and RCR merger? A merger between RCR and Dale Earnhardt Inc. is rumored to be in the works. Although DEI vice president Richie Gilmore says the partnership will involve nothing more than promotional plans, the two organizations enjoyed a beneficial aerodynamic alliance several years ago. Considering the strength of powerhouses Roush and Hendrick Motorsports, a marriage between RCR and DEI would move their programs up a level. Another benefit? Dale Earnhardt Jr. could follow in his late father's footsteps in an RCR car. (Sporting News/Lee Spencer)

RCR cars to test at Milwaukee: Dave Blaney and the #07 Team and Jeff Burton and #31 team are scheduled to test at The Milwaukee Mile on Wednesday, August 31 in preparation for the upcoming Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. (RCR PR) Harvick tested Monday at Milwaukee: Harvick and the No. 29 team tested at The Milwaukee Mile on Monday. While missing the Chase might have been a good reason to cancel the test, GM Goodwrench crew chief Todd Berrier continues to work to improve the team’s program for the final races and get a head start on next years season. (RCR PR)

Blaney gets new Crew Chief, Scott Miler: Scott Miller will assume the crew chief duties for Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet and driver Dave Blaney effective immediately. Miller moves over to the No. 07 camp after being team manager/engineer for RCR’s No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevy and driver Kevin Harvick. He boasts two career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series wins as a crew chief, most recently in April at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway where he led Harvick to Victory Lane in Todd Berrier’s absence. The Bardstown, Ky., native also won in March of 2003 at the famed Darlington (S.C.) Raceway while calling the shots for Ricky Craven. "The performance of the Jack Daniel's team was not where we expected it to be so we decided to make this change and bring Scott Miller over from the Goodwrench team to be the crew chief for the (No.) 07 team," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Scott brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the Jack Daniel's team. He called the GM Goodwrench team's victory this year at Bristol when Todd was out so he knows how to win races as a crew chief at the NEXTEL Cup level. We want to give Dave Blaney the best opportunity we can and I think moving Scott in as crew chief for him is a step in the right direction." Former crew chief Philippe Lopez has been offered a position in RCR’s research and development department. Andy Street will fill Miller’s former role with the GM Goodwrench Team. (Richard Childress Racing PR)

Tracy test Childress Car: A new chapter of Paul Tracy’s hugely successful career began this Monday at Michigan International Speedway, where the 2003 Champ Car champion began preparing for his first-ever attempt at qualifying for a NASCAR Nextel Cup race, the GFS Marketplace 400 at MIS on August 21. Long courted by Richard Childress's organization, PT had the company of RCR’s Kevin Harvick and nine other drivers as he tried to get to grips with hustling a 3,400-pound stock car around the 2-mile, D-shaped oval, instead of the 1,500-pound Indy-style cars he’s raced 11 times at MIS. In spite of still holding Michigan’s official track record with a lap of 234.949mph that put him on the pole for the 2000 Champ Car race, Tracy reckoned the test posted a steep learning curve. "It's a lot different from what I do,” he admitted. “To go out on fresh tires and really lean on it hard, sometimes to the point where I don't know exactly how far I can push it, is still an area to learn." (SPEED)

Richard Childress Pork: Richard Childress, best known as a nine-time NASCAR championship team owner and the proprietor of Childress Vineyards, has branched out into the food industry. Richard Childress Signature Series Foods debuts with three types of premium sausage products: Premium Pork & Beef Smoked Sausage; Premium Pork Smoked Sausage; and Premium Hot and Spicy Pork & Beef Smoked Sausage. The packaging of the sausage rings will feature a photo of Childress on the front with the familiar "RC" logo currently used on the labels of Childress Vineyards' wine bottles. "The Richard Childress Signature Series started out by me just wanting to have some sausage produced for Childress Vineyards," says Richard Childress, president and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing and head of Childress Vineyards. J Bar B Foods will manufacture Richard Childress Signature Series Foods products in a USDA inspected plant. J Bar B Foods will produce the sausage on its new co-extrusion system, which cooks sausage in the package with no possibility of post-cook contamination. This process also increases the shelf life of the sausage. (Pork Magazine)

Champ Car's Tracey to test Childress Car: Open wheel star Paul Tracy will test August 8-9 at Michigan International Speedway in Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) No. 33 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Chevrolet in preparation for the Aug. 21 GFS Marketplace 400. The Ontario, Canada native is the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion and has 30 victories, ranking him first among the series' active drivers and third all-time. Tracy is currently second in the 2005 point standings with two victories (Milwaukee, June 4; Cleveland, June 26), six top-five finishes and two pole positions after eight of 14 races. He finished second in the July 31 Taylor Woodrow Grand Prix of San Jose (Calif.).Tracy is looking forward to testing his driving skills again at the MIS oval. He competed in Champ Cars there 10 times (1992-2001), earning four top-five and seven top-10 finishes and a pole position (2000). The 2000 pole speed set the track qualifying record at 234.949 mph (30.645 seconds). "I'm very excited about this opportunity especially at Michigan where I have a lot of experience," said Tracy. "Driving a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup car will be totally new to me but my focus is to develop a package that will help Kevin (Harvick), Jeff (Burton) and Dave (Blaney) and their teams for the race weekend. I want to do whatever I can to help." (Richard Childress Racing PR)

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)

RCR Fab Shop Manager dies: Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) fabrication shop manager Paul Wise passed away Tuesday morning after a brief illness. He was 58. Wise was employed by RCR since January 2003 after spending two-and-a-half years in a similar position with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. All six RCR cars competing this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series, will carry “In Memory of Paul Wise” decals. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at Charity Baptist Church, 2420 Brantley Road in Kannapolis, N.C. The Rev. R.J. Hammond and the Rev. Gene Beaver will officiate. Born Jan. 6, 1947, in Cabarrus (N.C.) County, Wise was the son of C. Winfred Wise and Ethel Howell Wise of Kannapolis. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and was a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. He worked with many NASCAR teams during his career. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Dancers for Cancer, c/o Carolina Dance, 2353 Concord Lake Road, Suite 110, Concord, N.C. 28025. (RCR)

Earnhardt denies RCR rumors: DEI, founded by Earnhardt Sr. when he was driving for Richard Childress, is now run by Earnhardt's widow, Teresa. Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother have had a rocky relationship. In an interview in Saturday's Orlando Sentinel, Earnhardt reiterated the notion that he might someday leave DEI. Reached Saturday at the track, Earnhardt said he was simply restating his desire to drive for Childress "years and years" down the road. "Nothing's going on, I promise you that," he said. Childress noted that Earnhardt was under contract to DEI through 2007. But should Earnhardt ever choose to leave DEI, Childress said, "He knows he's always got somewhere he can come and drive." (USA Today)

Jr. on Childress and Teresa: "Yeah. Richard and I haven't really sat down at a desk to talk about it, but he owns the number '3' and I want to drive the No. 3 race car before I retire. I've told Richard I want to finish my career in his race car, or in a No. 3 car if he and Teresa [Earnhardt] can come to some agreement or whatever." He means a transfer of ownership of the number. His stepmother, Dale's widow Teresa, owns Dale Earnhardt Inc. and has the ultimate say, although Richie Gilmore runs the company for her. She rarely comes to races or appears in public and doesn't speak with the media. Earnhardt Jr. is under contract to her through 2007. But could something be worked out? And how long would it take? "Oh, if everybody was for it, less than 24 hours, I would assume," Earnhardt said. "But I don't see that happening. I mean, not everybody's going to be cool about it. I don't think Teresa would want me to leave, in the first place." (Fl. Sun-Sentinel)

Childress open door if Earnhardt, Jr. chooses to leave DEI: Richard Childress does not see Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., after the season, but if that happens, his door is open. “Junior has his own deal working good at DEI, and I hope it all works out for him,” said Childress, who won six Nextel Cup championship with the late Dale Earnhardt. “I think it will (work out), ’cause it’s a really good organization. I also would say if he ever left there, I’d sure hope he’d come this way.” (The State)

Earnhardt Insurer and RCR reach agreement: The race team of the late Dale Earnhardt said Monday it reached a settlement with an insurer who had refused to pay the stock-car driver's life-insurance policy, ending a nearly monthlong trial. Richard Childress Racing had sought $3.7 million from United of Omaha Life Insurance Co., the amount for which the team had insured the popular driver. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. "I'm smiling, aren't I?" Childress attorney John Morrow said as he left court. Morrow told Taylor before jurors were seated Monday the parties had settled the case. Rich Anderl, a United of Omaha attorney, said some of the company's customers had complained about their handling of the case after the death of one of the best-known drivers in NASCAR history. (CNNSI)

Childress Winery getting some neighbors: Charlotte-based Eastwood Development Corp. will soon begin construction on a 274-home residential development in Lexington that will have a total project value of around $44 million. Grading and preparation work for the 75-acre site, located across from Childress Vineyards at the junction of US 64 and US 52, will begin in July, and the first of the homes will be available early next year. The plan for the development, dubbed Vineyard Estates, calls for 204 single-family homes priced between $140,000 and $150,000 and 70 town homes priced from $110,000 to $120,000. The new subdivision comes amid a flurry of recent development around Childress Vineyards, the 65-acre winemaking operation owned by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress. (MSNBC)

Childress Wins Engine Builder Showdown: Danny Lawrence and Greg Gunnell of Richard Childress Racing walked away with top honors Tuesday night after the final round of the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. The winners earned $20,000 and will have their names on the new Randy Dorton Memorial Trophy. Dorton was director of engine development at Hendrick Motorsports. He was killed along with nine others in the crash of a team-owned plane that was en route to a race at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 24. A scholarship fund in Dorton's name has also been established, and an eBay charity to raise money for it continues through Friday. For more information about the fund or the auction, go to www.randydorton.com. (ThatsRacin)

Jury Selection Begins in Earnhardt Trial: Potential jurors were packed like sardines inside a Davidson County courtroom Tuesday, and Nic Matthews whisked quickly by them on his way out of the building. “Thank God,” said Matthews, pleased that he was rejected as a juror in a high profile civil case expected to last between one and two weeks. Matthews was relieved not to serve, even though the case he was summoned to hear involved names he knew well and admired. In Davidson County, few names are more recognizable or carry more cachet than those of Earnhardt and Childress. So about 125 potential jurors, three times the normal number, were called to court Monday and asked to fill out a nine-page questionnaire designed to give attorneys on both sides assistance in screening out undesirable jurors. On Tuesday, attorneys began questioning the jurors. Matthews, who was approved by attorneys representing Childress, was eventually rejected by representatives of United of Omaha. His answers to the questionnaire may have been a reason. Question 24: Do you have a favorite driver? Yes, Dale Earnhardt and Richard Childress Racing is my favorite team, Matthews said he answered. Question 27: What do you think of insurance companies? Thieves, Matthews answered. (News-Record)

Childress on the #29 box at Bristol: #29 team owner, Richard Childress is reasserting himself to the team. He will be on Kevin Harvick's pit box tomorrow for the Food City 500, helping interim crew chief Scott Miller, the first time Childress has been on a pit box for a race since the 2001 season.(Richmond Times Dispatch)

RCR Response to Appeal: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding NASCAR’s decision to uphold its penalty to RCR’s No. 29 team for a rules infraction March 11 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: It is impossible for me to describe how disappointed I am with NASCAR’s penalty and appeal process. First of all, what Todd Berrier did was wrong and we deserve to be penalized. But I think suspending him for four weeks, in light of everything else that has happened in the past several weeks, is wrong. The infraction took place during qualifying and we were sent to the back of the field to start the race. Penalizing Kevin Harvick, who knew nothing about the infraction before the fact, is also wrong. NASCAR’s decision to deduct driver points, whether it’s Kevin Harvick or any other driver, does an injustice to the sponsors and everyone involved with the racing organization. There is no consistency in NASCAR’s penalty and appeal process. It’s black and white. You’re either legal or you’re not. (RCR PR)

Commission Upholds Berrier Penalty: Todd Berrier's appeal of his four-race suspension has been denied by the National Stock Car Racing Commission, ThatsRacin.com has learned. A three-member panel of the commission met Tuesday at NASCAR's research and development center in Concord, N.C., to hear Berrier's appeal. NASCAR fined Berrier, crew chief for Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick, $25,000, docked Harvick and car owner Richard Childress 25 points apiece and suspended Berrier for four races. Berrier altered the fuel cell of Harvick's No. 29 Chevy prior to qualifying at Las Vegas to make it appear full, when in fact it wasn't. Berrier sat out the March 20 race at Atlanta in hopes his suspension would at least be reduced by the commission to two races. However, Berrier and his team were informed the commission upheld the entire penalty, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday night. A formal announcement of the commission's decision is expected later Wednesday. Berrier is not eligible to return until the April 23 race at Phoenix. (ThatsRacin)

KF to sponsor RCR Blaney: SKF, the world's leading manufacturer of bearings, seals and related products dedicated to improving today's automobiles, trucks and machinery, will sponsor driver Dave Blaney and Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) No. 07 Chevrolet in the April 10 Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. Jack Daniel's, the team's primary sponsor, will be prominently displayed on the car's rear quarter-panels and deck lid in the one-race program highlighting RCR and SKF's technical partnership. "It's extremely exciting to ride with the No. 07 Team as its primary sponsor at Martinsville Speedway," said Per Jacobsson, director of marketing communications, SKF. "We are proud to be a team sponsor and a technical partner with the Richard Childress Racing organization, and we look forward to our continued contributions to the No. 07, No. 29 and No. 31 teams throughout 2005 and beyond." Together, SKF and RCR engineers research and develop products designed to perform under the harsh conditions of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in an effort to improve the quality and reliability of every day vehicles. (RCR PR)

Childress Latest to join Wine Business: As reported in Wine Lines recent issues, North Carolina boasts a burgeoning wine industry, and the latest to join the fraternity is NASCAR driver Richard Childress. Of his venture, Childress says: "We'll probably become the swine and wine capital of the world. We'll definitely make a wine that will go with barbecue." (WineLines)

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