NASCAR Past News Dec 20 - Dec. 29 2004

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December 29, 2004:

Football Players Start your Engines: UPDATE:  Virginia's players went snowmobiling in Idaho in the days leading up their game against Fresno State in the MPC Computers Bowl. UAB's players took part in a luau in Hawaii.   So what side trip is uniquely Charlotte for players at the Continental Tire Bowl? NASCAR, of course.  Today, the teams will delay their practices a few hours to take part in the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Each player will get a lap around the track at 160 mph -- as a passenger, not a driver. Several Boston College players weren't so geared up for it. One wasn't even sure what it was. But several Tar Heels, especially the NASCAR fans among them, are ready. One is fullback Madison Hedgecock, whose father went to high school with car owner Richard Childress. Hedgecock grew up in Davidson County, the home base of several racing teams. He almost took offense at a question about his NASCAR interest. (Herald Sun) UPDATE Football Players gain respect for NASCAR Speed: If the football players for Boston College and North Carolina woke up Tuesday holding on to the notion that NASCAR wasn't a sport, they let go of it pretty quickly by around noon. The players, along with coaches and administrators, got to ride at speeds of 160 mph in a real, roaring stock car at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The looks on their faces, other than outright exhilaration, said one other thing: How do those guys do it? "It was very, very intense," said UNC coach John Bunting, a passenger for three laps in a replica of the No. 9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne. "I don't know how they figure out where they're at. Everything's flying around so fast. "That's amazing to me. Their focus has got to be incredible. We get to go back in our huddle and figure out what we're going to do next. This guy's under pressure [hours] at a time. That's absolutely incredible. I have a newfound appreciation for this sport."  (Herald Sun)

CADCA's Open Letter to NASCAR: In response to a recent decision by NASCAR to allow liquor company sponsorships, CADCA Chairman and CEO Arthur T. Dean sent a letter to NASCAR executives opposing the decision. As the Chairman and CEO of CADCA, a national organization that represents the interests of more than 5,000 community anti-drug coalitions, I am writing to express my dismay with your decision to allow liquor companies to sponsor NASCAR vehicles.  Mr. Helton has made the case that such sponsorship will only target adults with messages that include information about responsible alcohol use but this is a false claim. Messages about one sponsor, Crown Royal Whisky, are already being displayed on toy cars for sale on the NASCAR website. Furthermore, there is no way to prevent the development of brand awareness among young NASCAR fans who will see liquor sponsors’ names on vehicles during every race. (CADCA)

Carquest sponsors #5 2005: Hendrick Motorsports today announced a multi-year agreement that will feature CARQUEST Auto Parts as a major associate sponsor of the #5 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team with driver Kyle Busch. Along with associate-sponsorship status on the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolets throughout the schedule, the pact will showcase primary CARQUEST color-schemes on the car in 10 NEXTEL Cup events, divided equally between the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Raleigh-based CARQUEST, the Official Auto Parts Supplier of Hendrick Motorsports since 2002, began its association with Busch this past season as primary sponsor of Hendrick's #84 NEXTEL Cup effort. The six-race initiative marked the series debut of Busch at his hometown track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, along with additional events at Lowe's Motor Speedway, California Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway. (Hendrick Racing Press Release)

NASCAR's 3D: The IMAX Experience surpasses 20 Million: Warner Bros. Pictures' "NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience" has achieved a box office milestone, surpassing $20 million in total gross receipts, IMAX Corporation announced today. The high-octane film is the second highest grossing documentary of the year, set box office records for an original IMAX production when it was released in March 2004, and has played in more than 100 IMAX theatres around the world - including engagements in Japan, Australia, and Poland. The movie is the first original Warner Bros. Pictures' IMAX 3D production and has been well received in both commercial and institutional venues, helping to increase awareness of NASCAR (The National Association of Stock Car Racing), as well as lead-sponsor America Online.  "We have been thrilled with the performance of 'NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience' and believe it demonstrates the long-term earning potential of IMAX releases," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "IMAX offers us an attractive platform to release both digitally re-mastered and original IMAX movies, and based on our past success, we're underway on another IMAX 3D production, 'Denizens of the Deep' (working title). We look forward to releasing this and other great films in IMAX's unique format." (ComingSoon)

Mike Wallace Looking for ride: On the day after Thanksgiving, Mike Wallace was released from his Busch Series ride with Biagi Brothers Racing, despite being a minority owner of the team. He finds himself out of work on the verge of New Year's Eve and the 2005 NASCAR season. "Only six days before we had announced our sponsorship program for 2005 with Pet Brands, continued support from Ford Motor Company and GEICO, with me being the driver." He has a deal to drive fellow Missourian Ken Schrader's #52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opener in Daytona, but beyond that he's rideless. "We're very open for other opportunities," Wallace said. "I'm definitely looking for something in the Truck Series, the Busch Series or of course, the Cup Series." Wallace said his best possible opportunity in the short term might be with Florida car owner James Finch, who entered vehicles in all three of NASCAR's national touring series last season, including the full Busch Series and virtually the entire Cup schedule. Johnny Sauter has already signed with Finch to drive his 2005 Busch Series  entry, which is co-sponsored by Yellow Transportation and the Florida Miccosukee tribe. But Wallace said Finch might have opportunities in both Nextel Cup and Busch. "James has kind of left everything open right now, but he and Marc (Reno, Phoenix Racing's general manager) were going to make a decision some time before New Year's about what they're doing," Wallace said. (NASCAR.com)

Charlotte Interested in a NASCAR Museum: Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory's arts task force is nearing the finish line, and he's waving the checkered flag -- literally -- as he calls for adding a NASCAR museum to the list of possible new projects. In early 2005, when the Charlotte City Council starts talking about public money for new museums and theaters, it should discuss the NASCAR idea, too, McCrory said. Since late summer, NASCAR reportedly has been shopping the proposal around to several cities, including Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla. McCrory said an uptown NASCAR museum could be the hub of what he's been calling NASCAR Valley, racing's version of the California wine country. "You come to Charlotte, spend a couple days, go to the NASCAR museum and other cultural facilities and from there, go visit the incredible racing team exhibits throughout the museum," McCrory said. NASCAR will tell cities more about the project in early 2005, said Tim Newman, president of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. NASCAR officials could not be reached for comment. (ThatsRacin.com)

Kyle Petty to speak at conference: The High Desert Opportunity Committee, comprised of local business people interested in promoting business growth in the high desert region has recently announced that the 2005 keynote speaker for their annual business conference will be NASCAR's Kyle Petty. The conference, to be held on Thursday October 20 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds targets business owners, site locators and real estate brokers who are instrumental in business site decision-making. The annual High Desert conference is a day-long event that includes exhibits from many local cities, chambers of commerce, business organizations, local businesses and services. The attendees of the conference have the ability to gather information about the local business climate and opportunities. The goal is to increase interest in the high desert region and to enhance local business growth. The High Desert Opportunity Committee believes that Petty will enhance the conference and will offer visitors another compelling reason to attend the event and learn more about local opportunities. (Hesperia Star)

December 28, 2004:

Delphi and #5 car four races in '05: In 2005, Delphi will continue its partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and will be an associate sponsor of the Kellogg #5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. At the CES media briefing [Jan 5th], Delphi will introduce Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 car, who will be available for autographs. "Delphi is proud to continue its associate sponsorship of the #5 Chevy with Kellogg's and Hendrick Motorsports for the 2005 NASCAR season," said Francisco A. (Frank) Ordonez, president, Delphi Product & Service Solutions and vice president, Delphi Corporation. "We look forward to supporting Kyle Busch and his quest for the NASCAR championship." Delphi will be prominently featured on the #5 Chevy in all Nextel races in 2005. In addition, Delphi will be the primary sponsor of the car at four races of the 2005 season, including races at Texas Motor Speedway (April 17), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Aug. 7), Richmond International Raceway (Sept. 10) and Lowe's Motor Speedway (Oct. 15).(PR Newswire)

NASCAR IMAX Experience Soundtrack: LeAnn Rimes contributes a new song and the "Star Spangled Banner," on the upcoming "NASCAR 3-D: The IMAX Experience" film soundtrack. The release from Shout! Factory will also include tracks from Sheryl Crow, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band.  Billboard reports the soundtrack audio disc and the auto-racing documentary Warner Home Video DVD will be available exclusively through Wal-Mart beginning on February 1, and from most retailers after March 14.  Rimes' song "I Got It Bad" also appears on her next album "This Woman," due in stores on January 14. (FoxSports)

Washington kicks off Campaign: NASCAR Rookie of the Year Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw is featured in state patrol safe driving T-V commercials.  NASCAR sponsor Nextel says the campaign will highlight the dangers of drinking and driving, aggressive driving and distracted driving.  Nextel will be unveiling the commercials today at the Washington Motorsports Racing Celebration of Champions in Everett, starting at two at the Everett Events Center. (Fox 12)

NASCAR is Hot with Consumers in 2004; Wait till 2005: Consumers are fickle about picking people and products they consider "hot" — or not. Hollywood and Madison Avenue hire and fire famous faces based on their "Q" score appeal with consumers. Newsweek rates presidents, politicians and pop princesses according to the latest "conventional wisdom." The ineffable traits that make someone, or something, a hit with consumers are a constant source of debate. In 2005, consumers predict the biggest winner will be BlackBerry, the popular e-mail pager that's become must-have equipment for movers in Hollywood and Washington and on Wall Street. Addicted users refer to it as "CrackBerry."  BlackBerry is followed in the top five by NASCAR, Google, iPod and ABC's racy Desperate Housewives, according to the Newsmaker Brands survey coming this week from image consultant Landor Associates and pollster Penn Schoen and Berland. (NASCAR Ranked 6 in 2004; Predicted 2 in 2005) (USA TODAY)

NASCAR #8 in Yahoo searches in'04: American Idol was the most popular item for search engine Yahoo! in 2004, Billboard reported Monday. The Fox network's talent competition also topped the Internet giant's list of top TV reality show searches. Another Fox reality star, Paris Hilton, held second-place honors. Coming in third was Jessica Simpson, with previous list-topper Britney Spears taking fourth. Rounding out the top 10 were fictional wizard Harry Potter, wrestling franchise WWE, recording artist Usher, NASCAR, the NBA and the NFL. (Yahoo)

December 27, 2004:

Bill France NASCAR Championship Trophy; Its All Waltrip: We were Winston. Now we're Nextel, and there's a possibility we could be Sprint. NASCAR should come up with a more generic name for the title prize that would never change. Football has the Lombardi Trophy, and my suggestion would be the Bill France NASCAR Championship Trophy. It would be a great way for us to pay tribute to the founding father and the founding family of our sport, and it's a name that we would never have to change again. I would be proud to have one of those trophies, and I can't think of any driver that wouldn't. (More at AllWaltrip.com)

Guy Leaves FitzBradshaw Racing: Crew Chief for the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series No. 14 Navy Chevrolet Monte Carlo car, Jay Guy, has parted ways with FitzBradshaw Racing. The amicable departure was finalized last Wednesday.  "Crew chiefing the No. 14 Navy car for its first year of full-season Busch Series sponsorship was a challenging opportunity that was enjoyable," noted Guy.  "The entire 14 crew proved to be determined and resourceful, and posted some consistently strong runs. I wish FitzBradshaw Racing success in 2005."  Casey Atwood drove the No. 14 car for the first 29 races of the year. Then, veteran driver Dave Blaney took the wheel for the Memphis race with David Stremme completing the final four races of the year. (ThatsRacin)

December 26, 2004:

Sad news, NFL Great NASCAR Owner:  All to often there's sad news to report, ESPN NFL Countdown reports that Reggie White NFL Great and NASCAR owner has passed away.  White, suffered from sleep apnea.  White was part team owner with Joe Gibbs Racing late model Drive for Diversity.  White and Gibbs won there first race this last June, with Chris Bristol. Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to White's Family and Friends........  Reggie White, a former defensive star in the NFL and a partner in the Joe Gibbs Racing Diversity Program, passed away Sunday. He was 43.  The cause of death was not immediately known, however White had a respiratory ailment for several years that affected his sleep, according to Keith Johnson, a pastor serving as family spokesman. An autopsy was scheduled.  White, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers in his 15-year NFL career, partnered with JGR to form a diversity program in 2003. White was instrumental in the successful beginning of the program.  In 2004, under the leadership of White and Gibbs, Chris Bristol, an African-American competed in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series at Caraway Speedway in Ashboro, N.C., while Aric Almirola, a Hispanic, competed in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C.

Joe Gibbs Racing Statement:  "On behalf my dad and the entire Joe Gibbs Racing family, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Sara and the White family for their loss," said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. "He was much more than a great football player. He excelled as a husband and father and he honored the Lord with his life."It was a true pleasure to collaborate with him on the Joe Gibbs Racing Diversity Program. I know that my father and I, as well as all the employees of JGR, were looking forward to a long relationship with Reggie through this program. All of us at Joe Gibbs Racing will ensure that his vision to cultivate a diversity program within NASCAR will continue. Our thoughts and our prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

NASCAR Statement:  "The passing of Reggie White is a loss for the NASCAR community.  "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the White family, Joe Gibbs Racing, and everyone who had the pleasure of working with Reggie. "The Reggie White/Joe Gibbs Racing team helped to further diversify NASCAR by providing opportunities to drivers such as Chris Bristol and Aric Almirola."

Sara Lee Donates to VJGC: The Victory Junction Gang Camp, which provides year-round camp sessions for children aged 7-15 with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, today announced a donation of $10,000 from the Sara Lee Corporation. The donation will sponsor camperships for children from the Triad attending camp in Summer 2005. Of the over 500 campers served in 2004, Victory Junction served fifty-six children from the Triad area. The Victory Junction Gang Camp charges no fees to parents and children to attend camp. The Sara Lee Corporation will make it possible for six children to experience what it is to laugh, play and explore the full range of fun and pleasure that "healthy" kids might experience at camp. "We are so grateful for the Sara Lee Corporation's generosity to Victory Junction," says co-founder Pattie Petty. "With their support, more children will be able to experience the magic of camp!"(Victory Junction Gang Camp)

IRL to take a rule out of NASCAR's Book: In the wake of several incidents in the pits last year, the Indy Racing League is seriously considering only allowing two tire changers, instead of four, over the wall in 2005.  IRL tire changers and fuelers were endangered species in 2004 and IRL boss Brian Barnhart may follow NASCAR's lead and go with two men changing all four tires. Besides putting two less people over the wall, this tactic could eliminate the fuelers being hit since it only takes approximately eight seconds to fuel the cars and it would take at least twice that time frame to change four tires. (SpeedChannel Robin Miller)

NASCAR now uses Electronic Timing: Instead of Mike Helton & Company using a stopwatch to determine if a driver is speeding on pit road, NASCAR is finally joining the 20th century in 2005.  Electronic scoring sensors will be installed at all NASCAR tracks for '05 which should eliminate any doubts or "favoritism" from this equation.(SpeedChannel Robin Miller)

Crosby to Race all BUSCH races: Ex-drag racer Kim Crosby will run all 35 Busch Series races next year, making her the third woman to compete full-time in NASCAR’s top auxiliary series.  Crosby, from Slidell, La., competed in five races last year and has also competed in four ARCA races. Her sponsor will be Beaudreaux’s Butt Paste, a baby product.  Shawna Robinson and Patty Moise are the only other woman drivers who have competed full-time in the Busch Series.  “She is not only a terrific driver, but is a model spokesperson for our product,” noted Dr. George Boudreaux, representing the sponsor. “She is intelligent, attractive and has high moral standards, all qualities that align well with the Boudreaux’s Butt Paste brand.” (StarOnline)

December 25, 2004:

No Current News to Report

Merry Christmas To Everyone and their Families. 

December 24, 2004:

DEWALT Crowns Pit Crew Champions: DEWALT, a leading manufacturer of power tools, recently announced the results of its 1st annual Pit Crew Challenge Championship, Wayne Laliberte from San Jose, California and his son, Tommy Laliberte from San Jose, California, took a page from the Tortoise and Hair fable to successfully change the front and rear tires on a modified DEWALT racecar to beat their competitors Brian Timmins and Tim Christ both from Millersvale, PA, with a time of 26.29 second and 10 tight lug nuts. Timmons and Christ posted a 21.00 second time, but one of the 10 lugnuts was not tightend to the required minimum of 20 foot pounds of torque. The Laliberte team each took home a $55,000 Roush Stage 3 Mustang, $2,000 in DEWALT tools and a trip to the 2005 Daytona 500 in yesterday's competition.The nine teams were chosen from previous Pit Crew competitions held at eight locations across the country, begining in August 2004. (Dewalt PR)

Christmas Break News Slow

December 23, 2004:

RJ Reynolds Winston To Be Honored:  Another stock-car racing museum is moving closer to reality. This one, to be located in Winston-Salem [NC], will chronicle R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.'s 33-year Winston cigarette sponsorship of NASCAR's premier series. The run ended at the end of 2003 when Reynolds withdrew and was replaced by Nextel. The museum is the undertaking of Winston-Salem businessman Will Spencer, whose company produced show cars, banners and other Winston Cup promotional material for RJR and now is doing the same for Cup sponsor Nextel. Spencer has been working on the project for two years. (High Point)

Hermie Sadler Finds Cup Sponsorship:  Peak Fitness has announced that they have acquired the assets of the SCORE Motorsports Nextel Cup Team and will be the primary sponsor of the "Cup" car for the full 2005 and 2006 seasons. Hermie Sadler will be the driver and James Ince has been hired as the crew chief. "We have been searching for the right vehicle in order to move our corporation into a multi-national franchise and I believe that the powerful branding associated with NASCAR marketing affords us that opportunity," said Jeff Stec, CEO of Peak Fitness. "It makes a lot of sense to partner with a talented, professional driver, top engine builder, championship car manufacturer and Nextel Cup crew chief James Ince." (SportsNetwork)

Texas Gets Second Date: Among Motorsports Top Stories of 2004: Texas Motor Speedway ranks at the top of the list as some of the nation's most influential motorsports media outlets release their "Top 10" story rankings of the 2004 racing season.  It was announced in May that Texas Motor Speedway had received a second NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event annually, starting in November 2005. The announcement was part of a resolution of a lawsuit filed by shareholders of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., parent company of Texas Motor Speedway.  The December 16 issue of NASCAR Scene, a leading national racing publication, named the Texas story second on its list, following only NASCAR's new Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. A recent ranking by The Charlotte Observer, considered by many to be the sport's newspaper of record, ranked the second date for Texas the third-biggest story of the season.  (WhoWon)

Not much news for December 23.

December 22, 2004:

NASCAR has final Say in Cup name:  NASCAR has a right to approve any name change for its top series that might result from a merger between Nextel and Sprint, and the 10-year deal Nextel signed also limits the number of times such a change could happen, a senior Nextel official said Tuesday.  Mark Schweitzer, senior vice president of marketing for Nextel and one of the architects of the deal that changed the name of the top series to Nextel Cup, said "veto" would be "too strong of a word" to describe NASCAR's ability to stop another change.  "There have to be reasonable reasons for us to request a change and the same for them not to agree," Schweitzer said. "But it would be hard for me to imagine a circumstance where we could not all get comfortable."  Schweitzer reiterated that nothing will change for 2005. Approval of the "merger of equals" between Nextel and Sprint is expected to take several months, and until that process is complete, he said, no discussions about marketing and branding decisions will be held. (That'sRacin)

California to Saturday Qualifying: California Speedway, taking advantage of a new NASCAR Nextel Cup rule allowing for the change of qualifying, will hold the series' first Saturday qualifying session.  Qualifying for the Auto Club 500 will be held Feb. 26 at 12:10 p.m. It will be sandwiched between Busch Series qualifying, scheduled for 10 a.m., and the Busch 300 race, scheduled to start at 3 p.m.  "With NASCAR looking to consolidate, to manage time better, save some money and work, we thought it was something we could do,' track president Bill Miller said. "For us, it was a good fit. It makes good sense.'   After qualifying, cars will be impounded until Sunday, meaning teams cannot make work on their cars between qualifying and the 250- lap race, eliminating the need to have a car set up for qualifying and then changed to a race setup. (DailyBulletin)

Wallace's all to Compete in St, Louis Busch Race: Since he became general manager at Gateway International Raceway in 2001, Matt Strelo has been trying to find a good selling point for the NASCAR Busch Series race there. Now he's confident he has one. Since St. Louis native Rusty Wallace has said the 2005 Nextel Cup season will be his last and he has named his farewell tour "Rusty's Last Call," Strelo has scored a coup for Gateway's July 30 Busch race. He announced Tuesday that brothers Rusty, Mike and Kenny Wallace will race against one another at the 1.25-mile oval in Madison in the Wallace Family Tribute 250. (STLtoday)

Craven Gets Sponsorship:  Roush Racing announced today that Superchips will return as the primary sponsor of its No. 99 Ford F-150 entry in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driven by Ricky Craven for 2005. In addition to the primary sponsorship, Superchips has formed a "Superteam" of Roush drivers with Mark Martin, Carl Edwards and Todd Kluever to help promote their automotive tuners.  "We are pleased to have Superchips not only return as a primary sponsor, but expand their marketing to include Mark, Carl and Todd," Jack Roush said.  "Their participation allows us to help Ricky run for the 2005 Craftsman Truck Series championship. We gave it a good shot in 2004, but we intend to get it done in 2005." (NASCAR)

December 21, 2004:

New Crew Chief  for Sterling:  Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that race engineer Steve Boyer will take over crew chief duties on the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge for the 2005 season. "It is a top priority for both Felix and myself to get the Coors Light 40 team back into championship form," team owner Chip Ganassi said. "Over the last six races of the 2004 season we asked Steve to assume a leadership role with team manager Tony Glover and the 40 team and he proved he could get the job done. Steve has the confidence of Team management, Sterling and the 40 crew and we look forward to seeing the 40 car up front in 2005." "I greatly appreciate the opportunity from Chip and Felix to become the crew chief of the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge for the 2005 season," Boyer said. "After working with Sterling and the No. 40 team for the last three seasons, I believe that I can help this team return to the forefront of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition. We hope to continue the quality races that we had over the last six races of 2004 into the beginning of 2005, and get Sterling back to the form he has shown in years' past." (Motorsport.com)

Harvick Gets Early Start:  Nextel Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick will get an early start to his 2005 NASCAR season.  Harvick and his Kevin Harvick Inc. organization have entered the Jan. 30 NASCAR Grand National West division race at Phoenix International Raceway.  Harvick is using the race to help prepare his Busch Series team for the 2005 season. KHI is fielding a full-time Truck team with driver Ron Hornaday and a full-time Busch team with drivers Tony Stewart and Tony Raines.  "I wanted to give all the guys that are going to be on the Busch car a chance to work together before we get to Daytona in February," Harvick said.  "I was going to be on the West coast for some Cup testing around the time of the West race, so we looked at what we had in the shop, and figured out a way to get here. We're doing it without any sponsorship right now, but hopefully we can find something before we get out there to help us out." (Charlotte.com)

Couple Roush Drivers Enters Rolex 24hrs.:The new Crown Royal Special Reserve/Multimatic Ford entry in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the twice-around-the-clock road racing classic Feb. 5-6, 2005, will feature three NASCAR champion drivers from Ford and Roush Racing: 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch, 2003 NASCAR Cup Champion Matt Kenseth, and NASCAR Busch (2002) and Craftsman Truck (2000) Champion Greg Biffle. The three Roush Racing Ford pilots will be joined by Multimatic Ford driver Scott Maxwell, who has won six professional road racing championships in his career, but may be best known for his victories in both the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The potent foursome will look to capture an overall victory in the 2005 season-opener of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, it was announced today. "It's a dream team, that's for sure," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "We started talking last summer about getting a chance to put this type of team together for the Rolex 24, and because of the cooperation of Roush Racing, Multimatic, and Crown Royal Special Reserve, we have an effort and a class of drivers that will be able to make a run for the overall win."(Ford Racing PR)

Davis-Dodge Lawsuit on hold: The start date for the trial in the Daimler-Chrysler/Bill Davis Racing lawsuit has been postponed once again. The trial, which was set to begin May 3, will now start June 21 at 9 a.m. in federal district court in Detroit. Judge George Steeh granted the delay Friday after attorneys for both sides requested it. The deadline for filing depositions is now Feb. 1. Final pre-trial orders are to be filed by June 6 with the final pre-trial conference slated June 13. The new trial date is 25 months after Daimler-Chrysler sued BDR in Michigan district court in May 2003. The suit alleges BDR breached its contract for Dodge support for its Cup team for helping Toyota with development work as it prepared for entry in the NASCAR truck series this year. Daimler-Chrysler terminated its Dodge support of BDR's Cup team and is requesting return of over $1 million in factory support for the balance of 2003. BDR succeeded in moving the trial to federal court in June 2003 and later that month counter-sued, alleging Daimler-Chrysler had no basis to terminate the contract because Toyota is not a rival of Dodge in the Cup series. Toyota is a rival of Dodge in the truck series. The trial was first scheduled for August 17 of this year, originally delayed to Dec. 20 and then moved to May 3 of 2005.(High Point Enterprise)

Windtunnel Cut Short in 05':  SPEED Channel is making several changes to its popular call-in show Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain for the 2005 race season.  Beginning in February, Wind Tunnel will be expanded to two hours, anchoring the Sunday night Prime Time lineup at 9 p.m. ET.  “We want to hear from the fans when they’re still excited, still angry and still eager to talk about what they’ve just watched,” said Rick Miner, SPEED Channel’s Sr. VP of Programming/Production and Executive Producer. “It’s no secret that the only thing more passionate than a race fan is a race fan on race day.  “In addition, we’d like to get Dave out from behind the desk during the week, letting him expand on opportunities to do exclusive SPEED Channel interviews with some of the biggest names in racing,” Miner added. “Wind Tunnel originally was designed as a show for the fans and we believe this new format will allow us to be even more aggressive in that mission.” (Speed PR)

December 20, 2004:

Pennsylvania to get NASCAR Plates: Pennsylvania NASCAR fans will soon have license to support their favorite drivers in a brand new way. PennDOT's SpCharlotte.comecialty Plate Program will make available Pennsylvania license plates featuring as many as 33 NASCAR drivers, according to a news release from Rep. Keith McCall (D-Carbon). "Not only are (NASCAR races) a favorite spectator sport for many Pennsylvanians, but they also play an important part in the region's economy," stated McCall, the minority chariman of the House Transportation Committee. Each plate features a NASCAR driver's number, signature and team logo on the left side, with the NASCAR logo across the bottom. According to a sample plate released by PennDOT, a Dale Earnhardt Sr. plate will be available. Plates will cost $54 each. Of that, $34 will go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a charitable organization that enriches the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. The camp was founded, in part, by driver Kyle Petty as a way to honor his son Adam, who died in a 2000 crash. The plates will be available for purchase in January. At that time, customers may fill out a plate application form  online at www.dmv.state.pa.us.(York Daily)

Testing at Kentucky: Kentucky Motor Speedway was host to 10 teams, including Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart and Jason Leffler. Evernham Motorsports was testing its new Chargers at Kentucky with Bill Elliott, Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne. Evernham was instrumental in the development of the new Charger, which is expected to have less drag and be considerably stronger on superspeedways. (FoxSports)

Shelmerdine hopes to run full 2005 Cup schedule: Kirk Shelmerdine has announced that his independent NASCAR Nextel Cup team, #72 Kirk Shelmerdine Racing, will attempt to run the full NASCAR Nextel up Schedule in 2005. Currently, the team is looking for primary and associate sponsors to offset the escalating costs of running in the Nextel Cup series. Kirk Shelmerdine earned his reputation powering Dale Earnhardt to four Winston Cup titles from 1984-1992, before retiring to form his own team in 1993. With the rising operating costs in NASCAR, it is imperative for Kirk Shelmerdine Racing to have sponsors to compete. Full sponsorship and associate sponsorship packages are available and very affordable. (Kirk Shelmerdine Racing)

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