NASCAR News April 9 - April 18, 2006

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April 18, 2006:

• Louise Smith Female/Racing Pioneer dies at 89: Louise Smith, a pioneer of stock-car racing and the first woman inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, has died. She was 89. Smith died Saturday and a memorial service was held Monday in Greenville, S.C., where she spent most of her life, according to the Westville Funeral Home in Greenville. She suffered from cancer and had been in hospice care in Anderson, S.C., one of her nieces, Dora Owens, told The Greenville News. Known as a fearless, hard-charging driver, Smith competed in the 1940s and '50s alongside the men who were the early stars of NASCAR, the National Assn. for Stock Car Auto Racing. She won 38 races in various classes of modified cars over an 11-year stretch while barnstorming tracks from Florida to Canada, and survived a spree of crashes as well. Smith was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Ala., in 1999 as "one of the true pioneers of early stock-car racing." "She was one of the most excited inductees we've ever had," said Jim Freeman, the facility's executive director. "It just thrilled her." (Los Angeles Times)

• Petty's visit Orange County Choppers: King Richard, son Kyle, and grandson Austin Petty made the trip to Montgomery to OC Choppers shop, find out what charity will benefit from the Petty visit: (Record-Online)

April 17, 2006:

• Stremme Crew Chief changes: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that Steven Lane will take over crew chief duties on the #40 Coors Light/Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Dodge starting this weekend in Phoenix. "Everyone is excited about the experience that Steve will bring to the #40 team," Team Manager Andy Graves said. "This is Steve's third year with the organization and has been instrumental in the success of this year's #41 car. We are committed to getting all three teams running up front and Steve brings with him the necessary experience to help both David Stremme and the entire team. This is a great opportunity for him and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates." Lane has been the car chief on the #41 Dodge since joining the CGRFS team in 2004. Before coming on board at CGRFS, Lane was crew chief of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge for two seasons. He also served as Jeremy Mayfield's car chief at Penske from 1997 through 2001. Jeff Vandermoss will assume the car chief duties on the #41 Dodge. Vandermoss began the season as crew chief on the #40 car after a successful seven-year career at Roush Racing, four of those years as the car chief for Matt Kenseth. (Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates PR)

• Crown Royal to sponsor Richmond Cup races: In its continuing efforts to engage race fans, Crown Royal Championship Racing today announced that the world-famous whisky brand has reached a multi-year, entitlement agreement for the annual spring NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series race at Richmond International Raceway, beginning with the May 6 event this season. The race, which will now be called The Crown Royal 400, will be broadcast live on the F/X network “under the lights.” "We are honored and proud to have such a significant presence during a race at one of NASCAR’s most entertaining and popular tracks," said Jim Lorenz, Senior Brand Manager, Crown Royal. "Richmond International Raceway will always be special to Crown Royal and our consumers as it was the site of our first-ever victory. The promotional agreement for the race name provides us with yet another platform to advance our ‘Be a Champion. Drink Responsibly.’ message.” The benefits of the promotional relationship with Richmond International Raceway offer Crown Royal a highly visible national medium to engage race fans with its "Be a Champion. Drink Responsibly." message, which serves as the foundation for all of Crown Royal’s motorsports initiatives. (RIR PR)

April 16, 2006:

Happy Easter

-No News-

April 15, 2006:

• Kyle Busch talks about citation: The 20-year-old NASCAR Nextel Cup driver was issued a summons for reckless driving about 10 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the KFC restaurant on Williamsburg Road near Richmond International Airport. Busch met with the media yesterday after practice for today's Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway, and he said the ticket has been blown out of proportion. The driver was on his way back to the airport after spending two days in town for testing at Richmond International Raceway. Busch said he was leaving a gas station next to the restaurant in a Buick Rendezvous and saw traffic starting to advance. He said he stepped on the gas while turning right, admitting it might have been too hard, then "went about 20 feet at less than 10 miles an hour" and turned into the KFC. There, he says, he paused to let pedestrians cross the parking lot before entering the drive-through lane. After ordering his food, he noticed the police lights. It was then he said he found out he was being ticketed for reckless driving. "There was no smoke," Busch said. "Nothing. I pulled off the curb, and as you pull off the curb there's a little dip. I planted my foot into the throttle, maybe a little too heavy, in order to beat traffic so I could pull into the KFC before anyone would have a chance to rear-end me." (Times-Dispatch)

• Daytona Mayor's flight raises question: Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden took a private NASCAR airplane to Miami last week on personal business, raising questions about whether she violated state ethics laws. NASCAR spokesman Ramsay Poston acknowledged that the racing sanctioning body, whose officers donated thousands to the mayor's re-election campaign last November, provided her and a city police officer escort with air transportation from Daytona International Airport to Miami on April 7. But he said the offer was under the condition that she would pay back all expenses under Florida law. He didn't disclose an amount. A state Ethics Commission representative said no complaints had been filed regarding the daylong trip. Scarlett-Golden said Thursday it was a personal flight and would not confirm widespread speculation that it was for a doctor's appointment. She asked City Attorney Bob Brown to research whether the trip violated any laws. "It was a personal issue and I don't want to share it with the newspaper," she said. The 80-year-old mayor has been ill with a bile-duct condition since January, when she spent 15 days in the hospital with a police officer guarding her door for privacy. (Daytona News-Journal)

• Edwards on Crew Chief shake-up:  Edwards said Friday that he was told by Roush that if the switch did not work Osborne would be back. Another meeting was scheduled in 90 days to "discuss how it's going." "It has to do with getting Jamie going," Edwards said while practicing at the Nashville Superspeedway for Saturday's Busch Series Pepsi 300. "That's all this is. That's something I want to make real clear because Bob is doing an unbelievable job. ... This is a compliment to Bob, if anything." He said the change has "nothing to do with" either Osborne or the team's performance. Edwards is 22nd in points after seven starts this season, averaging a 24th-place finish with two top-five finishes. (AP/CNNSI)

April 14, 2006:

• Younger Busch, Kyle ticketed for Reckless Driving: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was ticketed for reckless driving in a Richmond suburb Wednesday night. The misdemeanor charge carries up to a year in jail, a $2,500 fine and a driver's license suspension, said Sgt. Don Lambert, with Henrico County police. The charge also calls for a mandatory court appearance; Busch will appear in Henrico County General District Court on May 23. Lambert said the incident happened at 10 p.m. near Richmond International Airport, a few minutes outside the city. Neither speed nor alcohol was a factor, though Lambert would not provide further details. "The officer observed his driving behavior consistent with reckless driving," he told The Associated Press late Thursday night. (AP/CNNSI)

• Hendrick Family places cross at crash site: Members of NASCAR's Hendrick family have erected a 14-foot cross on Bull Mountain in memory of the 10 people who died when a team plane crashed there in 2004. The 8-foot-wide polished metal cross was placed at the private site about two weeks ago, according to Jesse Essex, manager of media relations for Hendrick Motorsports. He did not know what company completed the project. The cross replaces smaller versions placed at the site soon after the Oct. 25, 2004, crash, which occurred as the group was en route to a Nextel Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Federal investigators concluded that the flight crew improperly read instruments and missed a landing approach to Blue Ridge Airport, resulting in the Beech King Air 200 crashing into the fog-shrouded mountain.  (ThatsRacin)

• DEI Foundation logos placed on all DEI cars: The logo of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation is making the rounds, literally, at NASCAR races this season one lap at a time. The familiar "victory" silhouette of racing legend Dale Earnhardt is now part of the official paint scheme on all Dale Earnhardt, Inc. race cars in both the Busch and Nextel Cup series races. The logo made its debut this past week during races at Texas Motor Speedway. The Dale Earnhardt Foundation logo will be visible on the right rear "taillight" of all DEI cars, just above the car number decal. "We're very pleased that the DEI race teams are showing their support for the Foundation and its charitable efforts in such a visible manner," said Dick Baker, Executive Director of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation. "This is a creative idea that will help us to expand awareness and recognition for the Foundation with race fans and the general public alike." Dale Earnhardt, Inc. races the #11 Menard's Chevrolet driven by Paul Menard in the Busch Series. In the Nextel Cup Series, the team races the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet driven by Martin Truex, Jr. and the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Founded in 2002 by Teresa Earnhardt, The Dale Earnhardt Foundation was established to carry on Dale's name and good works through charitable causes that support Children, Education and Wildlife Preservation. For more information please visit thedaleearnhardfoundation.org. (DEI PR)

• Roush shakes up Cup teams: In an effort to help strengthen overall racing operations and position the organization for long-term success, Roush Racing announced today that several personnel changes would be made. The crew chief and engineering changes will take effect immediately. Veteran crew chief Jimmy Fennig will oversee Roush Racing’s Busch program in its entirety taking on the job of senior crew chief. Fennig will also assume crew chief duties for the No. 17 Ameriquest/Pennzoil Ford Fusion driven by Matt Kenseth. Fennig brings 36 years of racing experience to Roush’s Busch programs. Fennig has led teams and drivers to victory lane plenty of times and in 2004, that experience culminated in a NEXTEL Cup Championship with the No. 97 team. “Jimmy Fennig will provide unparalleled knowledge, expertise and leadership for all six of our Busch teams both on and off the track,” said owner Jack Roush. “He will also help to mentor our young drivers.” Bob Osborne will assume the crew chief position for the No. 26 Crown Royal/Irwin Industrial Tools team with Jamie McMurray behind the wheel. Osborne has been with Roush Racing since 1998 working as the engineer for the No. 6 Ford piloted by Mark Martin. Osborne then moved to head of engineering before taking over as crew chief of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford in 2004. Wally Brown will take over as crew chief of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion driven by Carl Edwards. Brown began his career at Roush Racing as the engineer on the No. 6 team then moved into the role of head engineer when Osborne moved to the No. 99 crew chief position. “Bob Osborne and Wally Brown are both very talented engineers and crew chiefs.” Roush continued, “Bob has certainly proven his ability to win and I have no doubt that Wally will do the same.” Jim Ryder will take over as head engineer while Mark Catania moves to head engineer for the Busch and Truck teams. Alex Lenxmeier will assume the engineering role for the No. 26 team under Osborne. (Roush Racing PR)

• Kvapil fastest in Thursday testing: Travis Kvapil recorded the fastest lap during the final session of the third and final day of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing at Richmond International Raceway on Thursday, April 13. The three-day test was in preparation for the Richmond 400 set for Saturday, May 6, "under the lights" at America's Premier Short Track. 1 32 Travis Kvapil Chevy 21.368 126.357, 2 78 Kenny Wallace Chevy 21.513 125.506, 3 49 Brent Sherman Dodge 21.661 124.648, 4 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge 21.823 123.723 (RIR PR)

April 13, 2006:

• Martin museum to open this weekend: Mark Martin will hold the grand opening for his all new Ford dealership, Mark Martin Ford-Mercury, and museum this weekend (Friday and Saturday) in Batesville, Arkansas. The dealership and museum officially opened on Feb. 27th. The grand opening is being officially presented by Coke. In addition to the normal artifacts on display in the museum, other items of interest that will be on display at this weekend’s grand opening are the Nextel Experience that travels to each NASCAR Nextel Cup race, The winning Scotts Ford F-150 from the Daytona Truck race direct from Victory Lane, the #6 AAA Nextel Cup Ford Fusion, AAA simulators where fans can race each other, the AAA booth and tent display and Coca-Cola booths as well. Martin’s #6 Ameriquest Busch car and hauler will also be on display and there will be live remotes with radio stations as well. The state-of-the art museum features several of Martin’s past cars, including the #6 Viagra Coca-Cola 600 win car, the ’90 Folgers Thunderbird, the #60 Win Dixie Busch car, Martin’s 2005 IROC car that he used to win his record fifth championship, and the ’89 Strohs Thunderbird. Each car is a part of a display that includes hi-tech mantrons that tell the story of each piece of history. (Roush Racing)

• General Motors committed to NASCAR, dispute layoffs: The news that General Motors plans to trim 30,000 workers and close nine plants left some people in NASCAR unsettled. They wondered if GM's business problems would affect the company's commitment to NASCAR. "I get asked that quite often," Mark Kent, GM's director of racing, said Wednesday from his Detroit office. "What I tell everybody is, although racing is a sport, companies engage in motor sports for business reasons. At GM, all our racing programs give us tremendous marketing value. It's a very cost-effective way to put our products and brands in front of automotive enthusiasts." To clear up any doubt, Kent said, "We're committed to racing." Chevy almost has to be in NASCAR. If GM withdrew its Chevy brand, its absence would give Ford and Dodge a huge marketing advantage. According to Kent, more than 40 percent of NASCAR fans own GM products. "Of NASCAR's 75 million fans, 13 million attend races," he said. "At many of these races, we are able to display our whole lineup of Chevrolet products. NASCAR fans buy new cars at a higher rate than the national average." (Mercury News)

• Mears fastest on 2nd day of testing at RIR: Day two of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing at Richmond International Raceway ended with Casey Mears at the top of the speed charts. For the second day in a row, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers tested from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in preparation for the May 6 race “under the lights.” Kevin Harvick, who thinks the 12 hour test sessions are a bit long, clocked the fastest time in the morning session (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) at 21.343 seconds (126.505 mph). “The testing is way to long first off, we should start it about noon. It’s the 24 hours of Richmond. The test is going good, we’ve run through a lot of stuff. They won’t sell us anymore tires. We only have one more set of tires so that’s what we’re gonna do for the rest of the night is burn up one more set of tires and go home.” Kyle Busch had the two best times in the afternoon session (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at 21.331 seconds (126.576 mph) and 21.401 seconds (126.162 mph). Teams bring two cars to a test session so they can prepare a primary and back up car for the upcoming race. Casey Mears ended the final session of the night (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) with a 21.293 second run (126.802 mph). The top 10 fastest drivers of the day on Richmond International Raceway’s ¾-mile oval, regardless of morning, afternoon or evening session were:* 1. No. 42 Casey Mears - E 21.293 seconds 126.802 mph, 2. No. 5b Kyle Busch - A 21.331 seconds 126.576 mph, 3. No. 29 Kevin Harvick - M 21.343 seconds 126.505 mph, 4. No. 12b Ryan Newman – E 21.360 seconds 126.404 mph, 5. No. 5 Kyle Busch – A 21.401 seconds 126.162 mph, 6. No. 21 Ken Schrader – M 21.418 seconds 126.062 mph, 7. No. 66 Jeff Green – E 21.443 seconds 125.915 mph, 8. No. 40 David Stremme – E 21.447 seconds 125.892 mph, 9. No. 6b Mark Martin – A 21.492 seconds 125.628 mph, 10. No. 1b Martin Truex, Jr. – E 21.507 seconds 125.541 mph  (RIR)

• Jarrett to drive Crayon/UPS paint scheme: Dale Jarrett's No. 88 Ford will be sporting a paint scheme created by Crayola for the Nov. 5 race at Texas Motor Speedway. The "Design Dale's Ride" contest will give children 5-12 a chance at coloring in a template of Jarrett's car. The winning entry will be unveiled at Daytona International Speedway in July, and sales from die-cast replicas of the car will benefit Toys for Tots. Entries are available at UPS Store locations or by logging on to www.theupsstore.com. Jarrett expects a large turnout because the fan base has trended younger during his 29 years in NASCAR. "The interest among kids has increased tremendously," Jarrett said. "And that's really what we need because we're growing NASCAR fans for life there." (USA Today)

• Biffle's girlfriend to be reprimanded by NASCAR: Greg Biffle's girlfriend earned a chat with NASCAR because of her pit-road confrontation with Kurt Busch's fiancee after the two drivers wrecked at Texas Motor Speedway. Moments after the wreck, TV cameras caught Nicole Lunders, Biffle's longtime girlfriend, slamming a water bottle on Biffle's pit box. She then marched down pit road and climbed halfway up Busch's box and had a heated exchange with Eva Bryan. The brief confrontation created a buzz in NASCAR, and the sanctioning body wants to cool down the emotions. "There will be some conversations that will be had with the people that participated, and we'll make sure that this doesn't carry on and into the garage or anywhere else," Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition, said Wednesday. "You've got to remember, most everybody in the garage area is friends, and those two girls in particular have a close relationship. "Tempers flare, and we'll look at that and we'll make sure it doesn't carry on any further than that." (In part from News-Record)

• Edwards named an Ambassador for Youth for National PTA: National PTA has teamed up with Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Office Depot Ford Fusion, to boost family nutrition and wellness and help kids excel in school. Edwards, a former substitute teacher, has been named an Ambassador for Youth for National PTA. He joins businesswoman and designer Kathy Ireland in encouraging parents to make time and get involved in their kid's school and PTA. Office Depot is Edwards' primary sponsor in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and a Proud Community Partner of National PTA. Edwards is committed to helping parents create healthy lifestyles for their children both at home and in school. Leading by example, Edwards exercises everyday, doesn't drink or smoke, and eats healthy. Edwards and the National PTA note that children are more likely to excel in the classroom with meaningful parent involvement and that healthy kids consistently outperform their peers. In his new role as a National Ambassador for Youth, Edwards will join millions of parents and educators to work toward improving the lives of children, as well as urging parents and families to be more involved. Edwards follows in the footsteps of dozens of community leaders, celebrities, legislators, and U.S. Presidents, all of whom have lent their voices and support to National PTA to make a difference in the lives of children. Edwards, who is in front of millions of fans each week on the racetrack, will also lend his support by speaking directly with kids, working with National PTA to provide relevant information to parents, and being a strong advocate for public education. For more information about National PTA, visit www.pta.org.(Roush Racing PR)

April 12, 2006:

• Martin fastest at Richmond testing: More than 35 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers took their first laps “under the lights” at Richmond International Raceway tonight, to end the first of three days of testing. Through NASCAR’s new testing rules, teams are allowed two days of testing from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at America’s Premier Short Track, the only short track on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series test schedules. Kurt Busch topped the morning session (9:00 a.m. to Noon) with a fast lap of 21.583 seconds (125.360 mph), while former teammate Mark Martin clocked the fastest lap in the afternoon session (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at 21.705 seconds (124.395 mph). Martin topped the charts again in the evening session (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and was fastest overall for the day with a lap of 21.505 seconds (125.532 mph). Tonight’s testing will help the drivers prepare for the upcoming NASCAR Busch and NEXTEL Cup Series races at Richmond International Raceway on Friday and Saturday nights, May 5 – 6, as well as the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 weekend September 8 – 9, which will mark the 26th race of the season and set the stage for the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.  The top 10 fastest drivers of the day on Richmond International Raceway’s ¾-mile oval, regardless of morning, afternoon or evening session were:*  1. Mark Martin (E) 21.505 125.552, 2. Kurt Busch (M) 21.538 125.360,. 3. Casey Mears (M) 21.548 125.302, 4. Greg Biffle (E) 21.554 125.267, 5. Greg Biffle (E) 21.568 125.185, 6. Kurt Busch (M) 21.573 125.156, Mark Martin (M) 21.573 125.156, 8. Matt Kenseth (E) 21.589 125.064, 9. Kyle Busch (M) 21.595 125.029, 10. Kurt Busch (E) 21.598 125.012 (M=Morning, E=Evening) None fastest in Afternoon (RIR)

• NASCAR fines, penalizes #74 team: NASCAR announced that one fine and two penalties have been issued to the #74 Dodge team competing in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, as a result of rule violations last week at Texas Motor Speedway. Due to violations of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20-5.9G(1) (external modifications to the intake manifold deemed impermissible unless authorized by the Series Director) of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book, crew chief Domenick Turse was fined $50,000; driver Derrike Cope was penalized with the loss of 25 driver championship points; and car owner Ray McGlynn was penalized 25 owner championship points. The infraction was discovered during opening day inspection. (NASCAR PR)

• Hamlin's FedEx team wins Texas Drive-Thru Challenge: Denny Hamlin’s pit crew became the fifth team of the season to secure the weekly Checkers®/Rally’s® Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition by spending the least amount of time on pit road in Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. "The No. 11 FedEx Racing crew was unbelievable and those guys deserve all the credit in the world for the finish we had," said Hamlin, who posted a career best fourth-place result. "From the start of the race they were pulling off quick stops and making good changes. It seemed that every time we needed a lift the guys stepped it up.” Hamlin’s pit crew, part of the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, spent 253.611 seconds on pit lane during the Samsung/RadioShack 500. The team earned $10,500 for the win. The No. 11 over-the-wall team consists of: Chris Webb (jackman), Blake Haughland (front-tire carrier), Donnie Brown (front-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Barry Cook (rear-tire changer), Scott Wood (gasman), John Eicher (catch can), Bobby “Spike” Christenson (windshield) and John Furino (pit support). The team’s crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coordinator is Paul Alepa. Along with the No. 11 team win, the pit crews of Kyle Busch and Elliott Sadler have one win apiece in the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge, while Jimmie Johnson’s and Tony Stewart’s pit crews are tied for first in the standings with two victories each. The season champion will receive a $105,000 bonus. (DMF Communications)

April 11, 2006:

• ISC to decide in coming months on Kitsap track plans: The company proposing a NASCAR racetrack in Kitsap County could decide in the next few months whether to drop out or continue. International Speedway Corporation Vice President Grant Lynch said it will reassess its chance of state support after a legislative work session on the speedway on May 31 in Olympia. The ISC has proposed building a racetrack near the Bremerton airport along Highway 3 between Gorst and Belfair. (KIRO 7)

• NEXTEL Cup testing today at RIR: After more than 40 NASCAR Busch Series drivers tested at Richmond International Raceway last week, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers will take their turn for three consecutive days starting next Tuesday, April 11. Below is the tentative schedule of when the drivers expect to test at Richmond International Raceway. Testing each day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the grandstands will be open for fans each day. Admission and parking are free and concessions will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day. Breaks in on-track activity are scheduled from Noon to 1:00 p.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.  Scheduled to test April 11-12: #01-Joe Nemechek, #09-Mike Wallace, #1-Martin Truex, Jr., #2-Kurt Busch, #6-Mark Martin, #7-Robby Gordon, #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #9-Kasey Kahne, #11-Denny Hamlin, #12-Ryan Newman, #14-Sterling Marlin, #16-Greg Biffle, #17-Matt Kenseth, #18-J.J. Yeley, #19-Jeremy Mayfield, #20-Tony Stewart, #21-Ken Schrader, #22-Dave Blaney, #24-Jeff Gordon, #26-Jamie McMurray, #40-David Stremme, #41-Reed Sorenson, #42-Casey Mears, #45-Kyle Petty, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #66-Jeff Green, #89-Morgan Shepherd, #96-Tony Raines, #99-Carl Edwards;
  Scheduled to test April 12-13: #07-Clint Bowyer, #4-Scott Wimmer, #5-Kyle Busch, #10-Scott Riggs, #25-Brian Vickers, #29-Kevin Harvick, #31-Jeff Burton, #38-Elliott Sadler, #43-Bobby Labonte, #49-Brent Sherman, #51-Mike Garvey, #61-Kevin Lepage, #78-Kenny Wallace, #88-Dale Jarrett, #92-Chad Blount. (RIR PR)

• Bruton looking at Pocono: There is another report that Bruton Smith is making a play for Pocono Raceway, one of the few tour tracks that is still privately owned and not under the control of either the France family or Smith. The Mattioli family have faced such reports occasionally for years, and each time they have vigorously insisted that their track - 90 minutes from Manhattan - isn't for sale. And they say they have put the track into a trust fund, which would make it difficult to sell anyway. Three weeks ago, Smith said he was very interested in buying a track in order to get a second Cup date for Las Vegas. (Salem-Journal)

• Talladega schedule change: Talladega Superspeedway officials issued a scheduling reminder today to race fans planning on attending the upcoming Aaron’s Dream Weekend here April 28-30. Guests should make note of the following information: * Grandstands and Day Parking lots will not be open on Thursday, April 27. (Members of the media covering the weekend’s events will be admitted into the facility.) * The Infield will open at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 27. * Day Parking lots open Friday, April 28 at 7 a.m., then at 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30. * Grandstands will open at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, then 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30. The scheduling changes have been made to better accommodate the new 3-day race weekend format this season at Talladega Superspeedway. Another result of the new format is that two-day tickets to NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track for Saturday & Sunday have become an even greater value. Two-day Talladega Tower seats offering a spectacular view of the start/finish line are $135 and Allison Grandstand Seats are only $60. (Talladega SuperSpeedway)

April 10, 2006:

• Texas Overnight ratings slightly off:  Fox's broadcast of Sunday's Samsung/RadioShack 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway earned an overnight Nielsen Media Research rating of 4.8 and an 11 market share, Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports. The rating is 4 percent lower than the 5.0/11 Fox earned for the 2005 Texas race, but last year's race was a week later and was not broadcast opposite the Masters golf tournament, which typically draws strong ratings. CBS earned a 9.0/19 overnight for this year's final round of the Masters, making it the weekend's highest-rated sports event. (In part from NASCAR Scene Daily) Note: Full ratings will be in by week's end for national broadcast ratings, usually NASCAR scores higher ratings outside the top 50 markets.

• FOX Mock car goes upside down:  Fox didn't get to use its mock car during the telecast because it fell off its jack stands and turned over on its roof early in the race. NASCAR officials covered it with a black tarp. Fortunately, no one was standing close to the mock car when it fell. Fox broadcaster Jeff Hammond uses the car to illustrate situations that happen with the racecars during the event.  (Dallas Morning News)

• NFL head official likes NASCAR's state-of-the-art system: Mike Pereira, the NFL's supervisor of officiating, watched Sunday's Samsung/RadioShack 500 from NASCAR control. The NFL, seeking to upgrade its replay system in the future, sent Pereira to study NASCAR's state-of-the-art replay system. "It was very impressive," Pereira said. "They have touch-screen technology like we do. The high-definition is something we're clearly going to go to. It was interesting to see, from a race standpoint, how they use it and what they use it for. The whole process was really educational for me." NASCAR has had its replay system for three years. NASCAR president Mike Helton has nine high-definition televisions in race control, with 18 different shots available for review. Helton uses the system for scoring, to assess penalties and to locate debris on the track, among other things. Every scrape with the wall, every pass, every pit stop -- just about every move at the speedway -- is monitored in race control. "It's become a staple in the officiating part," Helton said. "Our form of sport is, in a lot of ways, more difficult to officiate because it's not as uniform [as other sports]. The playing field is certainly different every week, and we've got 43 vehicles up there and 43 times seven crew members involved [on pit stops]. In order to try to be as complete and thorough as we are in officiating and scoring, we're more dependent on that than most other sports might be, as it's developed." (Star-Telegram)

• Francis Wins Wypall Crew Chief of the Race: Kenny Francis and Kasey Kahne teamed up to capture another win this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. For the second time this season, Kahne started on the pole and held on to take the checkers, this time out-dueling Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth in the final stages of the Samsung / Radio Shack 500. Francis' dominant weekend earned him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters; including Tony Eury Sr., a member of the local media and a Wypall Wipers representative; all cast their vote for Francis as the Crew Chief of the Race. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, Wypall Wipers gave Francis $1,000. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Francis' second Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Robbie Reiser for the lead. Darian Grubb and Roy McCauley are tied for second-place in the standings, each with one win. (Wypall PR)

• Body found mile away from Speedway:  Police believe a body found alongside Interstate 35W might be that of a Wise County man who attended the NASCAR races at Texas Motor Speedway over the weekend. The body was found early Monday near the southbound lanes about a mile south of Texas Motor Speedway. Police aren't yet sure whether he died at the scene or was dumped there. Investigators believe that the man was lying down when his head was run over by a vehicle. ``There are no injuries to his lower extremities,'' said Sgt. Rodney Bangs, supervisor of the traffic investigation unit. "There's no other evidence on his body that he was knocked, like skidding across the pavement.'' No driver's license was found on the body, Bangs said. (Star-Telegram)

• NASCAR still important for automakers: The news that Ford Motor Company is looking to the NASCAR race series to give sales of its highly praised new Fusion sedan a boost is an indication that despite substantial costs, automakers are still very anxious to go racing. Ford executive vice-president Anne Stevens reportedly underlined that NASCAR was important to Ford marketing because the TV viewership continues to grow and the series was only edged out by NFL football in the television ratings for major sports events in North America. Motor sport is very expensive, regardless of series, as technology gains and intense competition have pushed costs to super-high levels. Even so, there is a clear indication that racing does sell cars and the old adage "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" still holds true. (Montreal Gazette)

• Said helping Evernham on Road Courses: Evernham Motorsports owner Ray Evernham has an ace in the hole to get red-hot Kasey Kahne ready for the upcoming NASCAR Nextel Cup road course races: Boris Said. Said, a veteran road racer and occasional NASCAR Cup competitor, is working as a consultant to help Evernham's drivers - Kahne, Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs - get ready for those winding tracks that can be tough on younger drivers. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

• Toyota trying to lure Gibbs, no comment from Roush on  Harvick? Toyota continues to make headlines - and waves in the NASCAR garage - as the Japanese auto maker rolls toward its Daytona 500 Nextel Cup debut next February. There is still no word on which drivers Toyota might back, but Toyota may be making a run at car owner Joe Gibbs, with hopes of persuading the veteran Chevy man, and his three-man team of Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J. J. Yeley, to jump to the Camry brigade, according to sources. Chevy's Kevin Harvick continues to be a focal point of Toyota speculation. However, there is word that Harvick may be under consideration by Ford's Jack Roush for a driving job next season, though Harvick insists "I've not talked with Jack Roush, and I don't know Geoff Smith (Roush's contract attorney)." Smith was not here to discuss the situation, and Roush demurred: "I hear Toyota goes with Kevin Harvick, and there's not a Toyota in my future." (Salem-Journal)

April 9, 2006:

• Yates head engineer leaves RYR: Kevin Buskirk, formerly head engineer at Robert Yates Racing and Elliott Sadler's interim crew chief at the end of 2005, has gone to work at Richard Childress Racing as the engineer for driver Kevin Harvick's No. 29 Chevrolet.  "Kevin joined the organization a couple of weeks ago, and he's a great talent and a great find," Richard Childress said Saturday. "Him and [crew chief] Todd Berrier think and work a lot alike, and I think he'll do a lot of things. "I'm excited to see how that will work out." (NASCAR.com)

• UT Coach Mack Brown waves give flag:  University of Texas football coach Mack Brown, whose team won the national championship, dropped the green flag. He received a mixture of cheers and boos during introductions. (AP/ESPN.com)

• The President gives the command:  Texas Motor Speedway closely guarded the identity of the person for the start command.   The reveal came at 1 p.m. via a videotape from the White House: President Bush, who as Texas governor threw the green flag to start the 1999 race. He praised the speedway and executives Bruton Smith and Eddie Gossage, as well as Speedway Children's Charities. "It gives hope and opportunity to children in Texas," Bush said. (Dallas Morning News)

• ESPN plans big NASCAR return: ESPN plans to pull out all the bells and whistles when NASCAR returns to the cable sports network in 2007. "ESPN has really morphed or grown since we were last in the sport," said ESPN president George Bodenheimer, who was at Texas on Sunday. "We're really considered a multimedia network now. We're looking to take this property and blow it out, if you will." The network will offer plenty of coverage in studio shows, analysis and a heavy online presence. Much of it has yet to be formalized, said Bodenheimer, also president of ABC Sports. ESPN and ABC will broadcast 17 Cup races beginning in 2007, the first year of an eight-year contract the networks signed with NASCAR. (AP/ESPN.com)

• Smallest crowd in Texas history Sunday:  The race was viewed by an estimated crowd of 189,000, one of the largest in the series but the smallest to watch a Sunday Cup race at the track. (Dallas Morning News)

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