NASCAR Past News Feb 12 - Feb 19 2005

Goodyear In negations for Tire Deal: Goodyear officials confirmed Friday that they are ready to begin negotiating an extension to their current NASCAR contract, which expires in 2007. Goodyear is the only tire supplier for NASCAR’s Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series. (Speed)

Richard Petty Honored: Seven-time Daytona 500 winner Richard Petty was the first driver inaugurated into the Goodyear Legends of Daytona, new attraction in the Nextel Fanzone that honors stock car, sports car and motorcycle racers for their accomplishments at Daytona. Petty said some of the aggressive driving of today can be attributed to the increasing pressure put on drivers to perform quickly or risk losing their rides. “You’ve got a lot of young drivers coming in and they’re getting a lot of pressure on them real, real, quick,” Petty said. “In their minds, they got to get the job done today. They get overaggressive just because of the pressure put on them. And a lot of times, if it’s not put on ‘em, they put it on themselves.”  (Speed)

Harvick Works Martins Crew Again: Hours of hard labor got Mark Martin's car back in shape to race in the Daytona 500. Then Kevin Harvick smacked the side of it during Saturday's final practice and it was back to work again. "I don't know what his problem is," crew chief Pat Tryson said as he pointed out the fresh paint scrapes on the right front fender. "But we'll get it fixed. We're probably at 90 percent right now, we've got some more work to do and we'll be ready for tomorrow." Martin believed he had a solid shot to win the Daytona 500 on Sunday, his final chance before he retires from full-time competition at the end of the year. But the No. 6 Ford was damaged in Thursday's qualifying race in a wreck that Harvick caused.  (TimesLeader)

It's Really in the Game, Drivers use EA Sports: Elliott Sadler has circled Daytona International Speedway thousands of times this week - most of the them while sitting in his motor home. He logged laps long before qualifying, right after practice and late into the night. He sharpened his drafting skills, worked the high side of the track and tried to find new ways to pass. He's not alone, either.  A growing number of drivers - including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan Newman and the rest of NASCAR's MTV generation - use video games to help them hone their skills at various tracks. It has become an integral part of their race preparation. "You'd be amazed what you learn from playing these games," Sadler said. "You can pick up little tidbits here and there. When you get to a track, you already feel like you've been there a week because you've been playing the video games." (Detnews)

Texas Not Likely to Lose Second Date: Texas Motor Speedway is likely to fill its seats and keep its coveted second Nextel Cup race, even without the requested $500,000 in marketing help from the city. Demand is already high for the Nov. 6 Dickies 500 NASCAR race, in part because it is one of the last 10 races in the run for the Nextel Cup championship, race and track officials said.  "I certainly expect a sellout," TMS President Eddie Gossage said. "That's what we're working to do 24 hours a day."  "It's an inaugural event with some novelty to it because it's new," he said. "And it comes in a critical junction in the Nextel Cup championship points race."The marketing campaign would target NASCAR fans outside the Metroplex and in other states and would include billboards, radio ads and direct mail campaigns. (StarTelegram)

Diversity Students Honored: Before tonight's truck race, two students from Philadelphia's Urban Youth Racing School will be involved in a presentation as part of NASCAR's diversity program. Leon Simmons is a freshman at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, studying engineering, and Jeremy Ortiz is an eighth-grader at the Ethan Allen School. The presentation is scheduled to air on the Speed Channel at 7:30 p.m.  Both will be honorary pit-crew members with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports; Simmons with David Reutimann's crew and Ortiz with Robert Huffman's team. (Philadelphia Daily News)

Mark Martin Wins the IROC in Daytona: Martin Martin became the all-time winner in IROC history. (IROCracing.com)

Feb. 17, 2005

NASCAR Threatens to Bench Harvick and Johnson: The year-long on-track feud between Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick officially came to a head Thursday, and NASCAR made it clear that they've officially had enough.  No penalties were levied for the multicar accident that took out Johnson, Harvick, Mark Martin, Joe Nemechek and Rusty Wallace, and also involved Scott Riggs and Dave Blaney.  But the drivers, crew chiefs and team owners were summoned to the NASCAR transporter for a stern talking-to from president Mike Helton. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said that if Johnson and Harvick don't resolve their differences immediately, they could be spectators for an upcoming event. "If they get into it again, there could be some severe penalties -- like missing a race," Hunter said. Hunter said the drivers opted to meet privately Thursday evening, rather than have NASCAR involved in the process. (NASCAR)

Red Sox and Roush to team up? Baseball's champion could be teaming up with NASCAR's.  Looking to tap into the popularity of the World Series-winning Boston Red Sox, Roush Racing has had preliminary talks with Boston owner John Henry about forming a possible partnership.  Rumors circulating around Daytona International Speedway on Thursday had Henry possibly buying a stake in the lucrative Roush organization. But Roush general manager Geoff Smith said any talks with the baseball owner concerned cross-promotion with the Red Sox.  "Jack Roush as long as he lives is going to want to control and operate these race teams," Smith said. "Not to rule out that there isn't a proposition that could be advanced for some sort of affiliation at some time, but right now we like the prospect of an affiliation from a marketing standpoint.  Henry did not immediately return an e-mail request for comment. Garage insiders have described Henry as a "racing junkie" who competes in a high-tech computerized NASCAR league on his own personal simulator. He attended last year's NASCAR race in New Hampshire, and was a guest of NASCAR at their December awards banquet in New York City. (NASCAR)

Mark Martin to Fix Primary Car: Mark Martin thought he had a good chance to win his final Daytona 500.  Then he was caught up in an accident in one of Thursday’s qualifying races that damaged his No. 6 Ford.  “I believe I could win the Daytona 500 with that car, but I don’t know if they can fix that,” Martin said.  Hands on his hips and a look of a disgust on his face, Martin watched helplessly as his Roush Racing team tried to repair the damage. Martin is retiring from full-time competition at the end of the season and wants badly to add a Daytona 500 win to his resume.  Crew chief Pat Tryson said the team would do everything possible to fix the damage because the car was far superior to the backup.  (MSNBC/AP)

Leffler and Fed Ex Donate to VJGC: The Victory Junction Gang Camp got off to a strong start at Daytona today, receiving a donation of $250,000 from NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Jason Leffler as well as a matching donation of $250,000 from Leffler's new sponsor, FedEx. "This is an incredibly generous show of support for Victory Junction by Jason and FedEx," said Victory Junction Gang Camp co-founder and NASCAR driver Kyle Petty. "Commitments like this allow us to expand the facilities at Victory Junction, to serve more children and offer more opportunity - for that, all of us thank Jason and FedEx and welcome them to the Victory Junction family." In addition to the donation, Leffler's No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet will carry a Victory Junction Gang Camp decal. The donations from Leffler and FedEx will be used to finance the construction of a new cabin at the camp and to help bring more children to the facility this year.  (Business Wire)

Daytona May not Receive Tax Break: Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday he's not sure whether Florida's sports teams or enterprises should receive tax breaks from the state. The Florida Marlins want $60 million to help build a new baseball stadium near downtown Miami, the Orlando Magic are looking for similar assistance to renovate their arena or build a new one and Daytona Beach is asking for $75 million for a NASCAR Hall of Fame complex. Bush said the requests create a dilemma because the teams spur economic development, but he wonders if they deserve tax dollars. (Polk Online)

Busch fans ID PLEASE: Young fans of Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch will be confronted with a new reality if they visit the team's souvenir trailer at the Daytona 500 this weekend.  If they want to purchase a piece of licensed merchandise featuring Busch's 2005 car, they'll have to flash identification proving they are 21 years of age. And if parents are looking to purchase Busch merchandise for their children, that's not going to happen either, as all outerwear will come in adult sizes only. Busch's young fans could be considered a casualty of the latest alliance in NASCAR, as alcohol sponsorship was expanded to include the hard liquor category this offseason. Jack Daniel's took Dave Blaney's car; Jim Beam scooped up Robby Gordon; and Diageo tabbed Busch to tout its Crown Royal and Smirnoff Ice brands. Although NASCAR is requiring each of the companies to spend 20 percent on alcohol responsibility campaigns, Diageo officials voluntarily decided to impose an age limit on who can buy logo gear at the track, as well as avoiding clothing in children's sizes. (ESPN)

Petty Honored: Richard Petty, who won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, will be inaugurated into the Goodyear Legends of Daytona on Friday. Legends of Daytona is a new attraction at Daytona International Speedway that honors stock car, sports car and motorcycle racers for their Daytona accomplishments.(NASCAR Scene)

Indy Doubles: A handful of NASCAR drivers took notice when the start of the Indianapolis 500 was moved back an hour, making it almost impossible for them to compete at the Brickyard and in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart and John Andretti have all attempted "The Double'' in recent years. It was a tough task even when the Indy race began at 11 a.m. (ET) because it was still a scramble to make it back to North Carolina in time for the NASCAR event. Now that the race will start at noon, Gordon said Indy will be hard-pressed to get any NASCAR drivers in the field. "That's the dumbest decision they could have made,'' Gordon said. "One of the draws of that race these days is seeing what NASCAR stars try to run the double, and I just don't understand why they would take that element out of it by moving the start time.'' (ESPN)

Police Station Used as NASCAR Gambling Ring: As reported by the Connecticut Day: "The president of the city police union filed a complaint Tuesday alleging that the police station was used Saturday for an illegal NASCAR gambling ring in which the on-duty shift commander and numerous off-duty police officers participated. "Officer Joseph T. Dolan said about 25 people — including six civilians — came to the station Saturday afternoon and were there for 90 minutes. Dolan did not attend the gathering but was told that participants paid money and 'bets were recorded,' he wrote in a two-page letter on union stationery to City Manager Richard Podurgiel. "The union chief alleged that the station was being used as a 'betting parlor' on taxpayers' time and money, and that Podurgiel and the City Council need to exercise tighter control over the department. (Gaming News)

Shootout Draws More than Pro Bowl: For only the second time, Fox's NASCAR Bud Shootout on Saturday night outrated the NFL's Pro Bowl. ESPN's Pro Bowl posted a 5.1 cable rating (4.2 broadcast network rating), a jump of 6% compared to last year's 4.8 cable rating (3.9 on broadcast network). But the football game was topped by Fox's 5.3 national rating. The only other occasion when the Bud Shootout prevailed was in 2001.(USA Today)

Kahne Back in the Dew Scheme: Kasey Kahne, the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Rookie of the Year, will take his partnership with Mountain Dew to new heights this season when his first national television commercial for the brand debuts this Sunday and his No. 9 Dodge Charger features a Mountain Dew paint scheme at next week's race at California Speedway. In the TV spot entitled "Change," not only does Kahne's Dodge Charger go through a number of "changes," but he must also vie for the seat behind the wheel of his own race car. The commercial will air during the FOX broadcast of the Daytona 500 this Sunday, February 20. Kahne's Dew allegiance will also show on the track when he competes in a Mountain Dew paint scheme at the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway on Sunday, February 27. Kahne's No. 9 Dodge Charger will showcase the new Mountain Dew graphics that will begin appearing on the brand's product packaging available in stores in March. The last time Kahne's car featured a special Mountain Dew paint scheme he finished second at Michigan International Speedway on June 20, 2004. (NASCAR)

BAM Giving Free Diecast to first 30,000: One of NASCAR’s top sponsors and most fan-friendly teams are offering free die-cast cars to fans. The die-cast of the #49 Schwan’s Home Service Dodge of driver Ken Schrader is being offered by BAM Racing and Schwan’s Home Service to fans calling 1-877-3RACE49. “This was just a way of saying ‘Thank you’ to all of the fans who have supported us,” said Beth Ann Morgenthau, BAM Racing’s namesake who owns the team with her husband, Tony. “BAM Racing and Schwan’s Home Service really appreciate the support we’ve received from so many people throughout the country,” she said. “We’re hoping these cars will be a way of showing that appreciation.”  Fans call 1-877-3RACE49 to ask for the cars, and will also receive a Schwan’s Home Service catalog. The first 30,000 addresses to call will receive the die-casts. Only one car per shipping address will be allowed. (BAM PR)

American Iraqi War Soldiers part of pre-race:  When driver John Andretti traveled to the Middle East for seven days in December, he met and spent time with sailors from a number of different U.S. Navy vessels.  Now, they are returning the favor. Over 50 crew and their families from the U.S.S. Hue-City will take part in holding American flags during pre-race ceremonies Sunday in the Daytona 500. Their attendance was arranged by Andretti through Daytona International Speedway and with the cooperation of Victory Brand, whose VB brand sponsors Andretti's #14 VB/APlus At Sunoco Ford. "I think it's great that these guys and their families will be with us Sunday," Andretti said. "They have given so much to us, I'm glad we can celebrate their return." (Thatsracin)

NASCAR Content to Wireless Users: Digital Orchid, the industry’s leading innovator in the development, management, and distribution of branded real-time wireless applications, today announced a partnership with NASCAR.COM, the premier destination for NASCAR fans and exclusive NASCAR application developer, to launch several new real-time wireless products for the 2005 NASCAR season. Together, NASCAR.COM and Digital Orchid will enable over 75 million NASCAR fans to gain access to the NASCAR.COM TO GO application via a broad suite of handsets. As a part of the wireless lineup, NASCAR.COM will provide access to its Emmy award-winning PitCommand application, produced in cooperation with Sportvision, which uses in-car telemetry to track the position of the entire field of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers in real-time as they compete during a race. Digital Orchid is forecasting as many as 20 million content downloads for 2005, with NASCAR.COM TO GO content currently available on over 100 handsets in the U.S. (Orchid PR)

Daytona Grandstands Sold-out, Infield still available: Grandstand seats for the 47th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20 at historic Daytona International Speedway are sold out, Speedway officials announced today. While the grandstand seats have been sold, fans can still purchase infield tickets for "The Great American Race" - the kickoff to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. "We're happy to announce that the Daytona 500 is sold out," Speedway President Robin Braig said. "The fans, those in attendance and the millions more watching on FOX or listening on MRN Radio Network, continue to validate the Daytona 500 as the premier motorsports event in the world." The Daytona 500, which boasts a purse of more than $17 million, is the biggest, richest and most prestigious race in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

NASCAR Day to Support Local Hospital: The second annual NASCAR Day will aim to assist the local community with the addition of Speediatrics, a NASCAR-themed pediatric unit located at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach and Homestead Hospital in Miami, as a beneficiary. NASCAR Day, NASCAR’s largest annual charity, will be held on Friday, May 20, the weekend of the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge. In exchange for a $5 donation to the 2005 NASCAR Day Designated Charities, fans, businesses and schools will be able to wear their favorite NASCAR gear to work that Friday. In addition, participants will receive a commemorative NASCAR Day 2005 lapel pin “I’m extremely excited about this relationship between two great initiatives,” said Betty Jane France, creator of the Speediatrics concept. “Everyone stands to win because of this relationship – starting with the children.” (Truck Series)

Drive for Diversity: As the 2005 NASCAR season begins, the Drive for Diversity program returns for its second year and is once again a key component of NASCAR's on-going diversity initiative. The Drive for Diversity program, which is run by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Access Marketing & Communications, promotes diversity within the sport of NASCAR by providing opportunities for minority and female drivers (and crewmembers) in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Corporate sponsors are paired with teams, which offer opportunities for participating drivers to compete in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, NASCAR's local racing division. In 2005, those drivers will include: Joe Henderson III,  Allison Duncan, and  Tommy Lane

Delphi Revs Up with Hendrick: One of the Dayton region's largest employers, Delphi Corp., said Tuesday it signed on for another year of sponsoring a driver in Nascar's Nextel Cup series. The company is co-sponsoring, with Kellogg's, the No. 5 Chevrolet being driven by Kyle Busch. Last year, Delphi co-sponsored Nascar driver Terry Labonte, also in the No. 5 car. Financial terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed. Delphi, of Troy, Mich., also will be the primary sponsor this year for four races in the Nextel series -- at Texas Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Lowe's Motor Speedway -- and supplies ignition wire sets, electrical connectors, steering pumps and steering gear to Nascar. (Delphi PR)

Exxon Launches New Oil Today: ExxonMobil today announced that it is rolling out one of the most aggressive fully-integrated marketing campaigns in the history of its Mobil(R) lubricants brand to increase its share of the $2 billion retail motor oil segment. The initiative was developed to support the new line of high-endurance Mobil motor oils, which meet the longer oil-change intervals being recommended by many of today's automobile manufacturers and to respond to the fact that drivers today are going longer between oil changes -- an average of 4,300 miles. It includes a major new ad campaign, with television ads debuting on Sunday, February 20, during the most high-profile racing event of the year, the Daytona 500. In addition to the placements during the race coverage, the ads will run more than 200 times that day on more than 30 networks. The campaign will be complemented by large-scale public relations and sales-promotion efforts to help raise awareness of the new motor oil line and drive sales. (Business Wire)

Michael Waltrip and Just For Men: For the third year in a row, racecar driver Michael Waltrip is giving men across the country a chance to drive up charitable donations.  This year, it's through the Just For Men(R) Haircolor "Hit Your Target" Sweepstakes.  By entering at http://www.justformen.com men will be eligible to win a trip to the 2005 Ford 400 race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and help drive funds for the Victory Junction Gang, an independent, not-for-profit organization that strives to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.  The organization creates camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound. (PRN Newswire)

Kodak NASCAR: NexPress Solutions, Inc., part of Kodak's Graphic Communications Group, is hitting the road for a 23-city tour to highlight the power of its digital printing solutions to print service providers across the United States. NexPress' "No Limits Express" -- a mobile digital solutions vehicle touring the U.S.-- will roll-out for the first time at Daytona International Speedway in Florida during the season-opening races for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, February 17-20. The Daytona 500, NASCAR's richest and most prestigious race, takes place on February 20 (Fox TV Network, 1 p.m. ET). In the mobile demonstration facility, the No Limits Express will showcase a KODAK NEXPRESS 2100 digital production color press, with its unique fifth imaging unit and a KODAK NEXGLOSSER glossing unit, demonstrated by digital experts with the assistance of the sales team in every tour city. (Business Wire/Kodak PR)

NASCAR EA Sports Computer Game On Sale: Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that NASCAR(R) SimRacing(TM) from the EA SPORTS(TM) brand is shipping for the PC. NASCAR SimRacing was developed by a dedicated PC production team for more than 18 months with the help of NASCAR(R) NEXTEL Cup Series(TM) drivers including Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The drivers' contribution to the game assisted the team in producing the most realistic NASCAR PC simulation game to date. NASCAR SimRacing is the perfect combination of realism, true racing 'feel', depth, and advanced EA SPORTS presentation. Race down the straightaway at Daytona International Speedway(R) alongside 42 other live drivers online as Voice Over IP talk mixes with the roar of V8 engines in surround sound. Computer driven cars ensure a full field of 43 cars when racing online, regardless of the number of live drivers. Broadband connection required for online play, microphone required for Voice Over IP. NASCAR SimRacing also features the first multiple series NASCAR PC Career Mode where gamers will battle through 25 authentic tracks in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Busch, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. While progressing through the career mode, enjoy full race replays and analyze in-depth telemetry data. Improve skills and refine car setups for each track and move up the ranks towards the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship. Pre-designed setups are available for less experienced drivers. (NASCAR Shop) (EA Sports PR)

Kansas Making a pitch for Hall of Fame:  An influential contingent from Kansas headed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius made a quick pit stop here Monday looking to take the lead in the race to land NASCAR's proposed Hall of Fame. The group that met with NASCAR executives for more than an hour included Sebelius; Kansas City, Kan., Mayor Carol Marinovich; and Bob Marcusse, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Developmental Council. "I think it was very productive, helpful in learning more about the vision for the NASCAR Hall of Fame," she said. "This is preliminary. A project design is not due until May 31." Daytona Beach, Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., and Richmond, Va., are the other cities competing for what proponents argue will be a tourism magnet, given the growing popularity of the sport nationwide. (Daytona Beach News)

NASCAR TV NEWS: Checkout Dave Despain at all new time on SPEED.  Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain kicks off its new season Sunday, Feb. 20 at 9 p.m. ET. For 2005, the new two-hour format will include a weekly rotating cast of in-studio guest "co-hosts," in addition to the popular featured guest interviews Despain has had in the past. (NASCAR TV)

Feb. 14, 2005

NASCAR Media Picks Jimmie Johnson: If media voters prove accurate prognosticators, look for the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship battle to mimic recent history.  The defending NASCAR Nextel Cup series champion, Kurt Busch (No. 97 IRWIN Industrial Tools/Sharpie Ford), won the 2004 title by eight points over Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet) -- the closest finish in NASCAR Nextel Cup history. And while both drivers remain title candidates, Johnson has been selected as the media favorite in the 2005 NASCAR Preseason Top 10. A total of 213 votes were cast in the balloting, which began Feb. 3 at www.nascarmedia.com and ended Feb. 13. Drivers received 10 points for first place, nine points for second place, eight points for third place, seven points for fourth place, six points for fifth place, five points for sixth place, four points for seventh place, three points for eighth place, two points for ninth place and one point for 10th place. Eight drivers in the 2005 NASCAR Preseason Top 10 competed in the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. (NASCAR)

Short Track Summit Opens In Daytona: With several hundred track operators from throughout North America taking part, the Short Track Racing Summit opened Monday afternoon in the Ocean Center Convention Center.  "We're here to help one another and to help our industry grow," said Don Hawk, NASCAR Director of Regional Racing Development. "We are all trying to become more effective at what we do, and to make positive changes that better our ability to perform. By sharing ideas, by working together and by utilizing this coalition, we can make short track and weekly racing the best it can possibly be."  NASCAR, the only sanctioning body to have fully supported weekly short track racing at a grassroots level throughout its 56 years, is among the many sponsors of the inaugural Short Track Racing Summit through Wednesday afternoon. A number of different sanctioning bodies and dozens of tracks from throughout the continent are taking part in the industry coalition."We must have people talking up the positive aspects of this sport," said Dick Berggren, a keynote speaker in Monday's session. The FOX television commentator, who has raced himself, also publishes the nationally-distributed Speedway Illustrated, which is considered a staple in the motorsports industry. (ThatsRacin)

Jarrett Battling Flu Symptoms: Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, Dale Jarrett signed up for this all-star version of sick call, capturing the pole for next Sunday's Daytona 500 despite fighting flu symptoms. "That certainly helps things," Jarrett said of winning the pole, his third for the 500 and first at Daytona since 2000, when he captured the pole for the 500 and Pepsi 400. He won his third Daytona 500 that year. "But I'm still a little bit under the weather. The biggest thing is my voice and coughing. I'm trying to get rest at night, but I'm doing all right. Things like this certainly make that healing process a lot better." (Palm Beach Post)

Burton Launches Site and Club: NASCAR Cup driver Jeff Burton has a new number, new colors and a new sponsor in 2005, but it doesn't end there. He's also raising the bar with a brand new state-of-the-art website and fan club. The re-designed jeffburton.com internet site was launched today just in time for the 2005 season-opening Daytona 500. As a part of the site, NASCAR fans can join the fully re-engineered Jeff Burton Fan Club. "The green flag is out and the site is up and running," said Burton, who pilots the orange, black and blue colors of the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). "This season marks a new beginning for me, so I wanted to offer my loyal fans, as well as all dedicated NASCAR fans, a chance to experience this innovative, fun website. "It's not only for Burton fans, but for anyone who wants to learn more about our sport and what it takes to compete at NASCAR's top level.  For additional information about the website and fan club, log onto jeffburton.com.(ThatsRacin)

 NASCAR Drives FOX to #1 On Saturday: Fox’s coverage of the season-opening Bud Shootout NASCAR race lifted the network to No. 1 among adults 18-49 Saturday. Fox had a 3.7 average 18-49 rating for the night. NBC finished second Saturday night at 2.4/8, while ABC and CBS tied for third, each at 2.0/6.  Fox led at 8 p.m. the race averaging a 3.7 among 18-49s. NBC was second with a 2.0 average for a repeat of “Law & Order” and ABC third with a 1.8 average for an hour of Peanuts and Winnie the Pooh Valentine’s Day specials.Fox led again at 9 p.m. with another 3.7 average. CBS was second with a 2.3 average for a “CSI” repeat, while NBC finished third with a 2.2 average for a repeat of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” (Nielson Ratings)

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

Charger Auctioned Off For 75K: In the midst of Daytona Speedweeks, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger took an early victory lap winning $75,100 in an eBay charity auction. The auction for the first volume production 2006 Dodge Charger to roll off the assembly line and the race car body used in the world reveal closed Friday. Proceeds from the winning bid will be shared between Victory Junction Gang Camp and The Salvation Army. The charity auction ran from Feb. 1-11 attracting 56 bidders. A total of 26,435 people visited the auction site "The overwhelming response to the auction is not surprising," said Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group President and CEO. "The auto show reveal of both the production Dodge Charger and the Charger race car struck an emotional chord with NASCAR fans and Charger enthusiasts alike." The winning bidder of the auction also will receive a Charger Experience package that features airfare, accommodations and two tickets to the Dodge Charger 500 race in Darlington, South Carolina on May 7 to receive theirvehicle keys from NASCAR legend Richard Petty. (PRN Wire)

Small Crowd on Hand for Sunday:  Qualifying for NASCAR's premier event drew a lackluster crowd of maybe 15,000 yesterday, but it didn't surprise pole-sitter Dale Jarrett. "Unless I missed something, watching those cars go around two laps at a time wasn't that exciting," he said. "As Speedweeks go on, we'll have plenty of people here. Just saying we'll have qualifying, there's a lot of other things people would rather do than just sit there, what, six or eight hours. I watched three basketball games and a golf tournament while it was going on." Jarrett was kidding; the pole session took about three hours to complete. (TimesDispatch)

New Cam on Fox: Cable Cam, a staple on TV football, made its debut this weekend in NASCAR. Fox brought its overhead camera and its crew straight from Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville to Saturday's Budweiser Shootout, an exhibition setting up next weekend's Daytona 500. The camera, rolling 30 feet above ground and capable of going 20 mph, rolled above pit row. It also rolled above the finish line to provide what Fox vice president Jerry Steinberg described Sunday as "a shot no one has seen before." After the Daytona 500, Steinberg said, Fox will "pick its spots" to use the camera since it costs "something like" $50,000 an event. (USA Today)

What Needs To Be Known: Dale Jarrett and Jimmie Johnson are the only two spots finalized.  Although, the top 35 owner points cars from the previous year are locked in.  That leaves 22 cars (list) fighting for the final 8 spots.  Four drivers Jason Leffler, Boris Said,  Mike Skinner and John Andretti not included in last years top 35 owner points but fastest among 22 teams.  Secured a invitation in the Daytona 500.

Qualifying Complete, Jarrett and Johnson Front Row: Dale Jarrett and Jimmie Johnson will share the front row for the start of next Sunday's Daytona 500, the NASCAR Nextel Cup's season-opener.  Jeff Gordon, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate, was fastest in Saturday practice at Daytona International Speedway and was the heavy favorite in the garage area to take the pole. It looked like a good prediction when the two-time 500 winner took the top spot early in Sunday's qualifying with a lap of 188.155 mph. (NASCAR)  Earnhardt, Jr. had the 39th fastest speed in time trials. (Driver Page)

Kenseth and Green Suffer Blown Engines: Jeff Green and Biffle's teammate, Matt Kenseth, didn't get what they were looking form either. Green's engine blew up on his first lap, while Kenseth's let go on his second. Kenseth said he burned a piston, but Green wasn't sure what happened.  "Something happened and the motor started tightening up," Green said. "I thought we hit a big gust of wind, but something must have broke. I thought we had a shot at the pole or at least a top five. We've got enough points for a provisional, so we don't have to work about Thursday anyway. (NASCAR)

Biffle Fire on Pit Road:  Sitting in his motorhome watching qualifying on television, Greg Biffle learned his shot at winning the pole had gone up in flames — literally.  Biffle’s No. 16 Ford caught fire while sitting on pit road because of a short circuit in an oil tank line. The fire was put out, but much of the cockpit was charred in a car Biffle considered strong. He still made his qualifying lap, ending up 14th, and a little nauseous from the experience.  “I knew that there was going to be some of the fire extinguisher chemical inside the car and it was the worst taste ever in my mouth,” Biffle said. “That was the most thing I was worried about making my qualifying laps was that it smelled so bad inside the car with all that chemical in there — under the seat and everywhere. That was probably the worst time I’ve ever been in a race car.” (AP)

Martin Best Man: Mark Martin spent his morning serving as the honorary best man in the wedding of "Survivor: Vanuatu" winner Chris Daugherty and Lorie Groves. Daugherty is a self-professed Martin fan and wanted to be married in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway. "You don't pass up an opportunity to get married at Daytona, especially in Victory Lane," said Daugherty. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Martin found the ceremony amusing, but said he doubted his own wife, Arlene, would have gone for it. "It would be fun for me, but I am not sure Arlene would have gone for it," Martin said. "It shows you the commitment that the fans have to the sport and the love they have for racing." (FoxSports)

Jimmie Johnson Wins Again in Daytona Checkout Unofficial Results

Petty Seeing Results With Evernham Engines: Petty, who has gone 362 races without a pole and 290 without a victory, had the third-fastest lap, at 188.312 mph, during the second practice session. Earnhardt, who has been dominant on restrictor-plate tracks at Daytona and Talladega, was 41st.  The Petty Enterprise car of Jeff Green was 17th fastest, giving the teams of seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty a much-needed morale boost.  “After four or five years, to come out after the first day and both cars be in the top 20 all day long, it’s a huge morale booster for the guys at the shop,” Kyle Petty said. Petty said Saturday’s success was a direct result of changes Petty Enterprises made after two of three Petty cars failed to make the field for the July Daytona race. Those changes included new crew chiefs, a revamping of the engineering staff and the return of the Dodge Charger. But the biggest change was the decision to purchase engines made by Ray Evernham Motorsports. Petty referred to the engines he used the past few years with Mike Ege as his builder as “junk.” (The State)

Goodyear Replaces over 300 problem tires: Complaints about tire problems during the first two practice sessions led Goodyear to pull about 300 tires from circulation Saturday. The tread from Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s tire split during the first practice session Friday, and Joe Nemechek had nearly the same thing happen in the second session. Goodyear engineers lined up all the serial numbers of the tires it had distributed to teams and discovered the ones that had problems came from the same batch. So the company pulled all the tires from that batch as a precaution. "You hope you don't have these types of things happening," said Nemechek, who has one of the fastest cars so far at Daytona. "If you've ever gone and seen how tires are made you'd wonder how in the world they ever last. There are so many variables in them and my hats are off to Goodyear." (USA Today)