Jan. 17 - Jan. 26, 2006

The News Below

• Hendrick to donate to Levine Children's Hospital

• Vegas NASCAR testing

• NASCAR fans breakout you IPODs, TMS going Podcasting

• Hendrick offers bonus to drivers that make the Chase

• More on Toyota

• Checkers Drive-In expands NASCAR presence

• NASCAR Washington track plan dead; NASCAR looking elsewhere

• Wallace joins the Disney Family of networks

• Three teams to field Toyota Camry in 2007

• Lowes Speedway repaving begins

• MB2 Motorsports #14 sponsorship

• Waltrip to field multi-car Toyota team

• Dale Jr., Bobby Labonte Texas Testing

• Roush Racing and NASCAR agree on downsizing plan

• Petty Driving Experience at Martinsville

• Edwards conflict of schedule removes himself from IROC series

• NASCAR releases Car of Tomorrow Information

• Toyota officially joins NEXTEL Cup series

• Toyota to join NEXTEL Cup with announcement today

• 2006 Drive for Diversity Lineup Announced

• NMPA names T. Stewart DOTY

• NASCAR Press Conference

• Allstate and Kahne in Nashville

• RCR Racing News

• Kurt Busch testing

• Larry Carter and Ty Norris joins Waltrip

• The stats of NASCAR about to change

• Wallace in Iowa to thank area people

• NASCAR executive Pyne to leave

• Waltrip and Jasper Racing teams up

• NASCAR to go unleaded

• Wallace to audition for Disney's networks

• Toyota to join Cup and Busch series

• Mountain Dew reups

• NASCAR press conference scheduled

• NASCAR highlights Detroit Auto Show on NBC

• Jack Beam resigns with R. Gordon

• Limited number Atlanta infield spots available

• Earnhardt Jr. new show on XM Radio

• NASCAR sets up the NASCAR Foundation

• Toyota announcement?

• SPEED covers Speedweeks with 70hrs of coverage

• N.C. Limo crash suit settled

• Dale Jr. new show

• Today Wednesday. - NASCAR Session 2 Day 3 Testing underway

• Dodge vs. BDR heads to court today

• Jarrett wants to see smaller engine

• J. Johnson guest stars in Las Vegas at AMS

• Today Tuesday. - NASCAR Session 2 Day 2 Testing underway

• Stewart OKd to race

• Crown Royal lineup announced

• Penske named Newsmaker of the year

• Labonte outbids McMurray for hat

• Vickers recovers after surgery

• Today Monday. - NASCAR Session 2 Day 1 Testing underway

• Parrott to return after illness

Find Updated NASCAR News 24hrs a day. at the GNEXT NASCAR Articles Section

Preseason Top 15: Checkout GNEXTINC.com's Gilbert's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup preseason top 15, including a former Champion's surge back to the top.

Jan. 26, 2006:

• Hendrick to donate to Levine Children's Hospital:  The Rick and Linda Hendrick family will give $3 million to benefit Levine Children's Hospital. In recognition of the gift, Levine Children's Hospital will name its pediatric intensive-care facilities in honor of the Hendricks' late son, Ricky Hendrick. The Ricky Hendrick Centers for Intensive Care, encompassing the sixth floor of the new hospital on the campus of Carolinas Medical Center, will house the facility's pediatric intensive-care unit and the region's first pediatric cardiovascular intensive-care unit. The area will feature a five-room sleeping area for parents, two private family waiting areas, a large open waiting space and a business lounge. "Our son placed a great importance on doing one's part to help others," says Rick Hendrick, chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports. "He had a passion for making a difference in people's lives, which is exactly what Levine Children's Hospital will do for families of this region." Born and raised in Charlotte, Ricky Hendrick began driving competitively in NASCAR's late-model and USAR ProCup events in the late 1990s.  (Biz Journal)

• Vegas NASCAR testing: Las Vegas Motor Speedway has received 41 entries for NASCAR Preseason Thunder Las Vegas. This test session, which many NASCAR drivers are calling the most important of the season, will take place Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1. Each team will be allowed to test for two of the three days.

• Here is a tentative list of test dates and drivers: Jan. 30-31: Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Robby Gordon, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Travis Kvapil, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Elliott Sadler, Hermie Sadler, Ken Schrader, Brent Sherman, Reed Sorenson, David Stremme, Martin Truex Jr., Michael Waltrip and Scott Wimmer. Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Greg Biffle, Dave Blaney, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Jeremy Mayfield, Casey Mears, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Kyle Petty, Scott Riggs and Brian Vickers. Jan. 30 and Feb. 1: Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley.

• NASCAR fans breakout you IPODs, TMS going Podcasting: Texas Motor Speedway will become the first major motorsports facility to provide audio podcasts to its fans as the free service is available today through multiple websites. The podcasts, which will feature interviews with some of racing's top stars as well as the latest speedway news, are available through Texas Motor Speedway's website (www.texasmotorspeedway.com), podcasting giant iTunes (www.apple.com/itunes) and Yahoo.com (e.my.yahoo.com). "The addition of Texas Motor Speedway podcasts on all three sites is a way to utilize some of the most popular technology to reach millions of racing fans across the country," Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. "Texas Motor Speedway already has its own weekly syndicated television show in 10 markets across the Southwest and our own weekly radio show on 28 stations ranging from Memphis to Albuquerque, New Mexico. We will add the podcasts to these resources to give fans the latest racing news about NASCAR, the Indy Racing League and all the happenings here at 'The Great American Speedway!'" There is a reason why we draw these Texas-sized crowds." The podcasts - titled Texas Motor Speedway's Total Access Today - will be available twice a week during the racing season and each is hosted by Brad Gillie of Texas Motor Speedway's Total Access Radio Network. The inaugural podcast currently available features rapidly rising NASCAR NEXTEL Cup star Carl Edwards, who finished third in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championship last season. The podcast is approximately 3½ minutes in length and also features comments from veteran star Mark Martin about his Roush Racing teammate. Texas Motor Speedway also is in the process of creating video podcasts for its fan base in the near future. (TMS PR)

• Hendrick offers bonus to drivers that make the Chase: Team owner Rick Hendrick said he will split a $1,248,525 bonus between his four full-time teams if they qualify, figuring to increase his odds of winning the title. Last season Roush Racing placed its five Fords in the 10-race playoff among the top 10 drivers. Hendrick's lone qualifier, Jimmie Johnson, finished fifth. "We're thankful for what we've done, but that doesn't count," Hendrick said Wednesday during the media tour of Nextel Cup garages. "We're hungry for another championship here. We want to win Busch and Cup titles, we want to all be in the Chase, we have bonuses, we have coins that say all four are in the Chase ..." (USA Today)

• More on Toyota: According to Toyota Racing Development officials, the newest manufacturer will field six Camrys when it debuts in 2007. Bill Davis Racing, Waltrip-Jasper Racing and Team Red Bull will each enter two apiece. The only driver sure to be racing a Toyota in 2007 is Michael Waltrip. Dave Blaney, who will drive a Dodge for Davis this year, is only under a one-year contract with the team. (Gaston Gazette)

• Checkers Drive-In expands NASCAR presence: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, the nation's largest chain of double drive-thru restaurants and the Official Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, announced that it is expanding its popular Double Drive-Thru Challenge Contingency program from the NEXTEL Cup Series to include the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series as well. Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge focuses on the team element of the race that is integral to successful performances each week. To win, teams were required to finish on the lead lap while spending the least amount of time in pit lane. For details on the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge, visit checkers.com. (Yahoo Biz)

Jan. 25, 2006:

• NASCAR Washington track plan dead; NASCAR looking elsewhere: A Florida-based racetrack developer has given up trying to get the state Legislature to help pay for a Kitsap County NASCAR track this session, a company official said Tuesday. Despite extensive lobbying and a well-publicized financial proposal, International Speedway Corp. (ISC) couldn't garner enough support this year to move forward with its efforts, said company vice president Grant Lynch. Even early supporters of the idea are balking. The company wasn't able to find a bill sponsor, and the chairwoman of a key committee branded the project as ridiculous. "We've talked to folks down in Olympia, but I don't think there's a lot of energy out there right now to consider the bill," said Lynch, who is leading the effort to build a track in the Northwest. A 2004 proposal to build a track in Snohomish County fell through after cost estimates skyrocketed. ISC was back within a year with plans to build the track in Kitsap County. Lynch now says lukewarm reception in Olympia has driven the company into talks with other Western states about other track locations. He wouldn't give specifics but said he still hopes to build a track in the Seattle area. (Seattle Times)

• Wallace joins the Disney Family of networks: Rusty Wallace will be lead NASCAR analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports beginning with work on "SportsCenter" coverage of this year's Daytona 500 activities, the networks announced Wednesday. Wallace, the 1989 Cup Series champion who retired from full-time competition at the end of the 2005 season, will be lead analyst for Nextel Cup and Busch series broadcasts when ESPN and ABC return to the sport in 2007. This year, Wallace will report for "SportsCenter" from at least 20 NASCAR events and also will serve as an analyst on broadcasts of Indy Racing League events, including this year's Indianapolis 500. He also will appear on an upcoming daily motorsports show that will air on ESPN2. (The State)

• Three teams to field Toyota Camry in 2007: One veteran race team with close to 20 years of stock car experience, another with an owner who has been driving race cars for more than 20 years, and a third totally new team will all be running the Toyota Camry in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Bill Davis Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and Team Red Bull will all utilize the "Most Popular Car in America" when the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season kicks-off next February with the Daytona 500, Toyota and teams announced today. Bill Davis Racing has been a regular competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series since 1993, while Michael Waltrip Racing has primarily been involved in the Busch Series. Team Red Bull is new to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, although the company has been heavily involved in worldwide motorsports. In addition to Red Bull, other primary sponsors that will be associated with the Toyota teams are Caterpillar (Bill Davis Racing) and NAPA (Michael Waltrip Racing). Caterpillar has been associated with Bill Davis Racing for nine years and NAPA has had a relationship with Michael Waltrip for five years. "Based on our motorsports experience, we know the importance of working with experienced teams and partners," said Jim Aust, vice president of Toyota Motorsports and president and CEO of TRD, U.S.A. "We have developed excellent relationships with Bill Davis and the Waltrip family --- and look forward to developing a similar relationship with the Red Bull team as Toyota joins one of the world's most competitive racing series." (Toyota Motorsports)

• Lowes Speedway repaving begins: A $3 million resurfacing project underway at Lowe's Motor Speedway will include work in the turns of the 1.5-mile oval that officials say will give the 46-year-old track an "attitude adjustment." Work started Jan. 16 and will be completed prior to the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on Saturday night, May 20, and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday evening, May 28. We are going to remold the track to take some of the meaness out of it," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "This is one of the meanest tracks on the NEXTEL Cup circuit and by that I mean it can bite you when you least expect it. "Meaness in a race track comes from a number of factors including: how rough the surface is; the difficulty of the entry and exit points in the turns; the ability of the drivers to look ahead; and spots where the racing groove narrows," Wheeler continued. "Although we've had a few exceptions, rookies don't normally do well here because the track is quite difficult and there's even a few seasoned veterans who have never really gotten the hang of it." Wheeler said track officials spent several months consulting with engineers and motorsports industry insiders before deciding on a resurfacing plan they believe will promote side-by-side racing and passing without completely reinventing the track's personality. (LMS PR)

• MB2 Motorsports #14 sponsorship: MB2 Motorsports CEO Jay Frye said Tuesday that the team right now has sponsorship commitments for only 14 of 36 races this season for Sterling Marlin's #14 Chevy [12 with Waste Managment, 2 with Centrix]. Frye said he expected to have another partial sponsor signed by week's end to take 12 additional races and has some good candidates to sponsor the car in the remaining 10 dates. As for the team's part-time #36 third car, which will be driven at Daytona by Bill Elliott, it only has sponsorship for two races at the moment. Frye said if he can find funding for it, Elliott, Boris Said or both could do some additional races behind the wheel. (Speed Channel)

• Waltrip to field multi-car Toyota team: Michael Waltrip announced that Michael Waltrip Racing will field multiple Toyota Camry entries in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series when the green flag waves for the 2007 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. "Toyota is a leader in the automotive industry and has quickly become a consistent winner in the NASCAR Truck Series," Waltrip said. "The logical step is for them to come into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and I am honored to be a part of their entrance into the sport." Driving the #55 NAPA Toyota Camry, Waltrip has support from all of his sponsors and he has the resources in place to chase the coveted NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship. In addition to NAPA supporting Waltrip's efforts, Best Western, Klaussner (Sofa Express and More) and Coca-Cola will be heavily involved in his racing endeavors during Toyota's inaugural year in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. To prepare for the future of Michael Waltrip Racing, Waltrip devised a plan to achieve his goal of becoming a successful owner in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Setting the stage in August of 2005, Waltrip announced his plans to design and create Waltrip Racing World, an interactive high-tech race shop designed for the ultimate fan experience. (Michael Waltrip Racing PR)

• Dale Jr., Bobby Labonte Texas Testing: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #43-Bobby Labonte had an early opportunity to gain some valuable track time at Texas Motor Speedway as they participated in a special two-day tire test session Tuesday. With NASCAR's new testing policy limiting NEXTEL Cup teams to six designated tracks (Daytona, Las Vegas, Lowe's in Charlotte, Richmond, Indianapolis, Homestead-Miami) at appointed dates during the season, Earnhardt Jr. and Labonte are getting dialed in for the two races at Texas Motor Speedway during the two-day test. Labonte and Earnhardt Jr. will close out their test session Wednesday with another full day before heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next week with their NEXTEL Cup competitors for one of the six NASCAR-sanctioned test sessions. (TMS PR)

• Roush Racing and NASCAR agree on downsizing plan: Five-Team Owner Jack Roush said he and NASCAR have agreed on the basics of how to get his Nextel Cup team down to four cars, which was mandated by the sanctioning body late last season. "We will go back to four teams, but it's not immediate," Roush said. "There is a cap of four [Cup teams]. I will comply with that when I'm past my commitments I have with drivers and sponsors. We've finally got an understanding of what is possible and what we can do." Roush would not speculate on when his team might go back to four cars, but said his existing commitments expire between 2009 and 2011.(Ford Racing)

• Petty Driving Experience at Martinsville: The Richard Petty Driving Experience will make its first visit to Martinsville Speedway this spring and offer race fans a chance to see the .526-mile speedway like never before. Richard Petty and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell made the announcement at Martinsville Speedway Tuesday afternoon. The 2006 dates will include March 18 and 19 and will offer the Ride Along Experience ($99) where customers ride shotgun with professional instructors for three high-speed laps and the "Martinsville Experience," a custom-driving program ($399) offered only at Martinsville Speedway. Participants in the "Martinsville Experience" will drive themselves for 12 laps after a brief orientation and instruction period. Reservations to drive can be made by calling 1-800-BE-PETTY. There is no reservation required for the Ride Along, which will be offered first-come, first-serve each day. "We are truly looking forward to offering our programs at this historic speedway" said seven-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Petty. "I have such great memories of this place and our shop is located right down the road, it only makes sense that we run here and give fans an opportunity to see what makes this place so special." "Richard Petty is still the King of Martinsville," said Campbell. "Nobody has ever come close to his 15 wins here. With all the history between Richard and Martinsville Speedway, it's going to give fans a chance to drive on a pretty challenging race track." For more information about the Richard Petty Driving Experience, call 1-800-BE-PETTY. To order tickets for Martinsville Speedway's spring NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race, the Virginia 500, call 1.877.RACE.TIX or visit www.racetickets.com on the web.(Martinsville Speedway PR)

Jan. 24, 2006:

• Edwards conflict of schedule removes himself from IROC series: Crown Royal International Race of Champions (IROC) officials announced today a change in the 2006 driver roster. Ryan Newman will replace Carl Edwards representing the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. A scheduling conflict remains unresolved involving Crown Royal IROC Race Four at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Busch Series race in Memphis, both taking place on Saturday, October 28. Edwards will be competing full-time in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2006. (Alan Taylor Communications)

• NASCAR releases Car of Tomorrow Information

Jan. 23, 2006:

• Checkout GNEXTINC.com: GIMAGES for a first look at the 2007 Toyota Camry to compete in NEXTEL Cup series.

• Toyota officially joins NEXTEL Cup series: Toyota Motor said Monday it will join NASCAR's Nextel Series racing circuit, marking another market long dominated by U.S. automakers where the Japanese manufacturer plans to compete.  Toyota, which has raced in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's Craftsman Truck Series since 2004, will join the Nextel and Busch Series beginning in 2007, the automaker and racing association said. Toyota's drivers will race with its Camry model. "If you want to compete against the best, in America that means NASCAR," Dave Illingworth, Toyota senior vice president, said in a statement. "We look forward to February 2007, when the green flag waves to start the Daytona 500 and the starting lineup features the Toyota Camry." The Nextel Series, which includes such well-known drivers as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, now consists of cars from General Motors' Chevrolet brand, Ford Motor and DaimlerChrysler's Dodge brand. (USA Today)

• Toyota to join NEXTEL Cup with announcement today: Toyota Motor Corp. will announce Monday that it will join NASCAR's Nextel Series racing circuit, according to a source close to the plans, marking another market long dominated by U.S. automakers that the Japanese manufacturer plans to invade. Toyota, which has raced in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's Craftsman Truck Series since 2004, will announce later Monday that it will join the Nextel and Busch Series beginning in 2007, the source said. Toyota's drivers will race with its Camry model. (San Diego Tribune)

• 2006 Drive for Diversity Lineup Announced

• NMPA names T. Stewart DOTY: #20-Tony Stewart, winner of the 2005 Nextel Cup title, added another award to his five-win season Sunday when he was named the National Motorsports Press Association's Richard Petty Driver of the Year. Stewart is the 11th driver to win the award, established in 1969, more than once. He also won it after his first Cup championship in 2002. Stewart did not attend Sunday's luncheon in the NMPA's annual convention in Charlotte, where the award was announced. He accepted via a videotaped message, saying he had a commitment at a charity snowmobile ride hosted by his crew chief, Greg Zipadelli. (ThatsRacin.com)

• NASCAR Press Conference: Speed Channel will break into its regularly scheduled programs on Monday, Jan. 23 at 12:15pm/et for coverage of an important NASCAR press conference from the 23rd Annual NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour, hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway. John Roberts will host the coverage from Speed Channel's Charlotte studios, with live reports from the press conference being held at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. Among the NASCAR Executives scheduled to appear: Chairman of the Board/CEO Brian France, President Mike Helton, Chief Operating Officer George Pyne, Vice President of Research & Development Gary Nelson. (Speed Channel PR)

• Allstate and Kahne in Nashville: On Wednesday, January 25, from 5:30 pm - 8:00pm NASCAR driver and 2004 Rookie of the Year, Kasey Kahne will make a pit stop at the Opryland Mills Mall with Allstate to promote the importance of being prepared both on and off the track. The stop in Nashville will allow fans of all ages to meet one of NASCAR's top drivers and People Magazine's, America's Top 50 Bachelors, Kasey Kahne as he takes part in a NASCAR 101 driver session, Q&A and an autograph session. The first 125 fans will receive (at 5:00pm) an Allstate wristband to guarantee a place in line for the autograph session. (Nashville Superspeedway PR)

• RCR Racing News: Mike Brown has been named director of licensing for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), replacing Chuck Spicer who has assumed the new position of director of competition business operations. Brown is responsible for all aspects of RCR's licensing programs. He has been involved in the sales, marketing and licensing end of the NASCAR industry for more than a decade, most recently in a three-year stint as director of sales and marketing with Team Caliber. Prior to that, he spent more than four years as director of licensing for International Speedway Corporation (ISC), establishing and then supervising the sales, marketing, licensing and purchasing activities of its Charlotte office. Spicer's new responsibilities include RCR's driver development and diversity programs, team travel, engine department business opportunities, and to serve as the liaison between the competition and business sides of the company. He served as RCR's licensing director since moving from Bill Davis Racing in December 2000.(RCR PR)

• Kurt Busch testing: 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch will test at Nashville Superspeedway Tuesday, January 24 (tomorrow). (Nashville Superspeedway PR)

Jan. 22, 2006:

• Larry Carter and Ty Norris joins Waltrip: Waltrip-Jasper Racing has created their own team of people. The foundation of Waltrip-Jasper Racing is sculpted with experienced people vested in NASCAR. Ty Norris, former EVP of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will serve as the general manager overseeing the operation. Waltrip's long-time confidant, Bobby Kennedy will serve as the Competition Director and Larry Carter, a veteran crew chief, has also been contracted by Waltrip-Jasper Racing to be a part of the team. "I know how intense this business is and I am prepared for the challenge," Waltrip said. "I am committed to being successful as an owner and I think the industry will recognize that when they see the caliber of personnel and sponsors I am bringing into this organization. But, there are a lot of days when I anticipate I will need my sense of humor, so I believe I will keep it." (Michael Waltrip Racing PR)

• The stats of NASCAR about to change: Thanks to a newly signed deal between NASCAR and Kretschmann's employer (STATS Inc.), auto racing is about to enter a new statistical era. Says NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston: "Our hope is that these new statistics tell the story in a way that our fans and the media have never had the opportunity to see before." Starting soon, NASCAR hopes race fans will talk about drivers' "quality passes," "speed in traffic" or "consecutive passes" (chart), three of the roughly 30 new stats it will begin releasing after races. Former NASCAR champ Darrell Waltrip, now a racing analyst for Fox Sports, says his broadcast team has had nothing like the statistical resources John Madden has access to during NFL games. (In part from Newsday)

• Wallace in Iowa to thank area people: NASCAR legend and 1989 series champion Rusty Wallace will make an appearance at the Fort Dodge Opera House Tuesday night. Wallace, one of the creators of the new Iowa Speedway located in Newton, is coming to town as part of a promotional tour thanks to Fort Dodge businessman and race car enthusiast Larry Clement. Clement has strong ties with the Newton track and Wallace as a part of the investment group U.S. Motorsport Corp., which is backing the new project. Clement also owns the ARCA RE/MAX series car driven by seven-time circuit champion Frank Kimmel. Tuesday's festitivites will be open to the public starting at approximately 7 p.m.  (The Messenger)

Jan. 21, 2006:

• NASCAR executive Pyne to leave: George Pyne, chief operating officer for NASCAR since 2002, will leave his post to become president of the International Management Group early next week, according to a high-ranking official in the racing organization. IMG, founded by the late Mark H. McCormack in 1960 on a handshake deal with golf legend Arnold Palmer, is considered one of the top sports marketing and representation firms in the world. "George got the kind of opportunity that you don't say no to," said the NASCAR official. "His success at NASCAR in negotiating the big deals will easily translate into success at IMG. NASCAR wishes him well and hopes to do business with him in his next endeavor." (Boston Herald)

• Waltrip and Jasper Racing teams up: President and CEO of Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc., Michael Waltrip and President of Jasper, Doug Bawel, announced they have formed Waltrip-Jasper Racing Company, LLC. Waltrip-Jasper Racing will field the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Nextel Cup Dodge in 2006,driven by Waltrip. Bawel has been in racing for over 15 years, previously as an owner of Penske-Jasper Racing Company's #77 Kodak Dodge. Bawel will serve on the Board of Directors and will be active in business management and sanctioning body relationships for the new company. "I have been in the sport as a driver for 22 years and the logical progression for me was ownership at the highest level, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series," Waltrip said. "This is such a big step, that I wanted to partner with someone who has intimate knowledge about ownership at this level. Doug Bawel and I have been friends for a number of years and I have always respected the way he handled himself in the garage and with NASCAR." "I learned quickly that Michael is a goal oriented person," Bawel stated. "When we began talking about the possibilities of teaming up, he started dialing the phone and making things happen immediately. He is a talented driver and a proven NASCAR Busch Series car owner, but most importantly as he moves into NASCAR's premier series, he is a man with a vision that likes to take ideas from paper to reality. I am delighted to lend my experience and management support to Waltrip-Jasper Racing." Waltrip-Jasper Racing has contracted Bill Davis Racing to be the source of cars, engines and personnel. Additionally, Waltrip-Jasper Racing has created their own team of people. The foundation of Waltrip-Jasper Racing is sculpted with experienced people vested in NASCAR. Ty Norris, former EVP of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will serve as the general manager overseeing the operation. Waltrip's long-time confidant, Bobby Kennedy will serve as the Competition Director and Larry Carter, a veteran crew chief, has also been contracted by Waltrip-Jasper Racing to be a part of the team. (Waltrip-Jasper Racing PR)

Jan. 20, 2006:

• NASCAR to go unleaded: NASCAR will use unleaded fuel for its racecars and trucks beginning in 2008, making the switch from the high-octane leaded fuel that it has used for decades. Gary Nelson, NASCAR's vice president for research and development, said yesterday that the series had been testing a new fuel since the fall and that early results had been promising. The fuel, Sunoco 260 GTX, will be used in NASCAR's three main racing series - Nextel Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck. Nelson said it was already being used in the Grand American road racing series. "Sunoco came up with a formula that really seems to do the job," Nelson said in a telephone interview. "It does a very good job inside the engine," he said, adding that "we've got more testing to do and more work to do." NASCAR is exempt from the 1970 Clean Air Act, which required the transition to unleaded fuel for all automobiles. But the series has worked to find an unleaded substitute for years. Nelson had said there were problems finding a fuel that provided the same lubrication as lead. The new fuel alleviates that problem without using MTBE, an additive that had been considered in the past but was rejected because it was barred in some states as a health hazard. (New York Times)

• Wallace to audition for Disney's networks: Don't look now, but the IRL's television broadcast team is about to get a new face. Actually, it figures to be an old one. Auditioning as Autoweek went to press was retiring NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, who appears to be prepping for a switch to the Nextel Cup announcers booth when ABC and ESPN get back in the game in 2007. Hiring Wallace, an avid Indy car fan, figures to be a win-win for all parties, including the IRL, which is in desperate need of a ratings jolt. The IRL's play-by-play voice figures to be Brian Kenny, host of Friday Night Fights on ESPN2, with former driver Scott Goodyear joining Wallace in the booth. Jerry Punch, Jack Arute and Jamie Little will be the pit reporters. (Autoweek)

• Toyota to join Cup and Busch series: Toyota will move into NASCAR's Nextel Cup and Busch Series beginning in 2007, becoming the first foreign manufacturer to compete in the top racing series since Jaguar in the 1950's. The announcement is expected Monday in a news conference at NASCAR in Concord, N.C., according to a person with knowledge of the announcement who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it. Toyota will join the American brands Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge in the top two levels of competition. Toyota has competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 2004, ending a long-held rule by NASCAR that only American-based manufacturers could compete in its events. Toyota has paid to align itself with elite teams and drivers in the Truck series. There has been widespread speculation that Honda will follow Toyota into NASCAR. (New York Times)

• Mountain Dew reups: Mountain Dew will be an associate sponsor of Brian Vickers' #25 GMAC Chevy throughout the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series season announcing a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports. The season will mark the 20th anniversary of the #25 Hendrick Motorsports team, which has 29 pole positions and 15 wins since 1986. Vickers will also pilot #57 Mountain Dew Chevys in three Busch Series races in 2006: Feb. 25 at California, May 12 at Darlington, and Aug. 19 at Michigan. Vickers will be featured in Mountain Dew advertising and on in-store display materials. He joins teammate #24-Jeff Gordon as part of the Pepsi-Cola racing team. Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew's parent company, has been involved with stock car racing for more than five decades. Today, Pepsi serves its products at 15 of the 22 NEXTEL Cup tracks and is the title sponsor of the Pepsi 400, which is held annually at Daytona International Speedway. (Hendrick Motorsports PR)

• NASCAR press conference scheduled: Speed Channel will break into its regularly scheduled programs on Monday, Jan. 23 at 12:15pm/et for coverage of an important NASCAR press conference from the 23rd Annual NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour, hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway. John Roberts will host the coverage from Speed Channel's Charlotte studios, with live reports from the press conference being held at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. Among the NASCAR Executives scheduled to appear: Chairman of the Board/CEO Brian France, President Mike Helton, Chief Operating Officer George Pyne, Vice President of Research & Development Gary Nelson. (Speed Channel PR) Conference for what? Toyota announcement?

• NASCAR highlights Detroit Auto Show on NBC: The International Auto Show from Detroit becomes a sports show from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday on NBC (the last day the public will be invited), with NASCAR hosting. I'm not certain exactly what is going to be shown, but it won't be from the car lot down the street. This auto show has been a yearly habit since 1907, when all cars were painted black and none had DVD players for the kids in the back seat. New models will be shown along with production cars, concept cars and a truck or two for those who wear boots to work. Perhaps there will be leggy models draped over the cars as they are in magazines and television advertising. That's not enough for this show as NASCAR's play-by-play commentator Bill Weber, along with Benny Parsons, Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns and Marty Snider, will be part of the telecast. (Daily News)

• Jack Beam resigns with R. Gordon: Jim Beam announced that it will continue its relationship with Robby Gordon Motorsports (RGM) as a primary sponsor of the #7 Chevy driven by team owner and veteran driver Robby Gordon for a designated number of races (11) during the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. "Jim Beam is committed to motorsports and to supporting the only team owner/driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series today," said Brian Gallagher, manager of Jim Beam Racing. "We admire Robby's passion for racing and his determination to succeed as both a driver and a team owner. We look forward to continuing our sponsorship of Robby Gordon Motorsports in 2006." "RGM has the experience, people and capabilities to put a competitive car on the track," said Gordon. "Over the last several months our team has grown significantly, and our second season of competition will look much different than the first given the experience we have gained. We look forward to a successful 2006 season with Jim Beam." Similar to 2005, Jim Beam will utilize its sponsorship of Gordon and the #7 Chevy to activate the Jim Beam Racing drink smart initiative. In 2005, Gordon donated $100,000 from a fund provided by Jim Beam to colleges and universities to fund alcohol education programs such as Alcohol 101 Plus from The Century Council (www.centurycouncil.org), an organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. The 2006 Jim Beam Racing drink smart program will be announced at a later date. In addition to sponsoring the #7 Chevy, Jim Beam helped make history as a sponsor of Gordon and Team Dakar USA, the first and only American team to compete in the Dakar Rally. For more information on Jim Beam Brands, and the Company's sales and distribution partners, please visit www.jimbeambrands.com or www.drinksmart.com.(Ketchum PR)

• Limited number Atlanta  infield spots available: AMS officials announced today a limited number of infield camping spaces are still available for the March 17-19 Golden Corral 500 race weekend. The Flock Brothers Corral, which sits between turns one and two, and the High Speed Corral, which is situated between turns three and four on the infield of AMS, each have less than 30 spaces remaining. There are still plenty of Reserved and Unreserved outside camping spaces available. Because of the limited quantity available, fans interested in purchasing a Flock Brothers Corral or a High Speed Corral camping space are encouraged to act quickly. For $400 a year, fans can secure their spot in the Flock Brothers Corral for both NASCAR Nextel Cup race weekends. High Speed Corral spaces can be reserved for just $200 for both race weekends. Infield camping spaces as well as tickets to the Golden Corral 500 can be purchased by calling 770-946-4211, 877-9-AMS-TIX (1-877-926-7849), or online at atlantamotorspeedway.com. Fans can also stop by the AMS ticket office, speak to a staff member about various camping options and purchase directly from the ticket office. (AMS PR)

Jan. 19, 2006:

• Earnhardt Jr. new show on XM Radio: NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins XM Satellite Radio for a weekly show to debut Feb. 13 during Daytona Speedweeks. The program will air on XM's NASCAR Radio channel (144). Earnhardt will discuss the latest happenings on the NASCAR circuit, as well as music, video games and other personal interests. He will also play a role in various XM promotions as part of a multi-year agreement with XM. "I love racing and I love XM, so I definitely couldn't pass up on an opportunity to combine the two. It's a perfect fit," Earnhardt said in a release. "Listeners will get a real sense of who I am both on and off the track." Earnhardt has been voted by NASCAR fans as the most popular NASCAR Nextel Cup driver for the past three years in a row. In 2005, his merchandise led NASCAR-related sales and accounted for about 25% of all driver-licensed products. Ironically, in 2007, XM loses it exclusive contract with NASCAR. As reported by Billboard Radio Monitor last February, Sirius becomes the "official" home for the spectactor sport a year from now, when it will broadcast the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races live on a specially created 24/7 NASCAR channel. (Billboard Radio Monitor)

• NASCAR sets up the NASCAR Foundation: NASCAR announced the establishment of the NASCAR Foundation, a 501 © (3) non-profit entity that will serve as the liaison between the sport and all of the charitable causes supported by its different constituents. The Foundation will review charity requests on a regular basis and over time, will expand its focus beyond the industry-related charities that NASCAR currently supports. Betty Jane France has been a leader of NASCAR charitable projects, most notably Speediatrics, a NASCAR themed pediatric unit at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach and Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Fla. Mrs. France believes the NASCAR Foundation will be an effective tool in making a positive and lasting impact in the community. "NASCAR actively supports charities and is devoted to being a leader in the area of public service," said Mrs. France, who will serve as chairman of the NASCAR Foundation Board. "We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of drivers, owners, teams, tracks and sponsors, along with more than 75 million fans that believe in providing opportunities for those in need. The NASCAR Foundation will link all of our charitable initiatives, and working together, we will make a difference." The NASCAR Foundation will also work with drivers and their foundations or favorite charity. Kyle Petty, who along with his wife, Pattie, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp in honor of their late son, Adam, says the NASCAR Foundation will be a great asset to furthering the assistance the sport can provide to those in need. The NASCAR Foundation Board will consist of Betty Jane France, chairman; Mike Helton, vice chairman; Jim Hunter, vice president; Todd Wilson, treasurer; and Jennifer F. Bates, vice chairman, secretary. Sandy Marshall, who has served as NASCAR's senior manager for Community Relations for the past three years and is based in Charlotte, will be executive director of the NASCAR Foundation. For more information on the NASCAR Foundation, visit www.NASCAR.COM/foundation.(NASCAR PR)

• Toyota announcement? Toyota could join the three American manufacturers [Chevy, Dodge, Ford] within two years. NASCAR is expected to address the issue Monday when it holds its state of the sport address on the annual media tour [in Charlotte]. Toyota, which already competes in the NASCAR truck series, has a press announcement scheduled Tuesday. (St. Petersburg Times)

• SPEED covers Speedweeks with 70hrs of coverage: SPEED, celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2006, will be live from Daytona Speedweeks for 10 days, beginning Feb. 10 at 2pm/et with Speedweeks on SPEED. In addition to live coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (Feb. 17, 8pm/et), the IROC race (Feb. 17, 6pm/et), the ARCA race (Feb. 11, 4pm/et), SPEED also will air multiple practice and qualifying sessions from all of NASCAR's three major divisions. SPEED favorites, including Trackside, Inside Nextel Cup, NASCAR Live, NASCAR Performance, SPEED News and NASCAR Victory Lane also will be on-site, with a new high-energy pre-race show entitled NASCAR RaceDay [instead of NASCAR This Morning] set to make its Daytona debut. "NASCAR RaceDay will take the team from NASCAR this Morning and add several new segments, including tech reports from crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Bootie Barker, off-track items from Vicki Johnson and Craig Reynolds and long-form interviews with the weekend's storymakers," said Chris Long, SPEED VP of Studio Production. "John Roberts, Jimmy Spencer and Kenny Wallace will continue to anchor the show and offer their no-holds-barred perspective, something our viewers have come to expect from SPEED. NASCAR RaceDay will set the tone for the entire weekend." SPEED will have multiple stages on-site, including its 53-foot mobile stage truck just outside the main tunnel entrance, a central location inside the track in the FanZone and a third stage positioned atop the viewing garage in the NASCAR Nextel Cup team area. SPEED also has multiple specials planned for Speedweeks, including NASCAR Five Years Later, a look at NASCAR five years after the loss of Dale Earnhardt, a Daytona documentary hosted by Dave Despain, a look back at Toyota's NASCAR experience and Champions Quest, a one-hour special on the Rolex 24 at Daytona efforts of NASCAR champions Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace. As part of its coverage, SPEED will announce the 2005 SPEED Channel Driver of the year with a special one-hour program on Feb. 15 beginning at 8pm/et. (SPEED Channel)

• N.C. Limo crash suit settled: A Mocksville family has settled a lawsuit filed after a Ford Motor Company limousine erupted into flames in a rear-end collision. The incident killed the wife of a former NASCAR crew chief and her two sisters. In statements Wednesday, neither side would disclose terms ending the wrongful-death lawsuit over the safety of the fuel-tank system in Lincoln Town Car limousines, which are manufactured by Ford. The three women were stopped in traffic on Interstate 40 in Greensboro in September 2003 after attending a concert. A pickup truck rammed into the back of their limousine, which exploded almost immediately and trapped them inside. A Ford spokeswoman blamed the deaths on the driver, who collided with the limo at 60 miles an hour. (Carolina News 14)

• Dale Jr. new show:  #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. is putting his newly formed production company to work, as Hammerhead Entertainment has reached a deal with Speed Channel to deliver up to 13 30-minute episodes of Back in the Day, a modern adaptation of the vintage race program Car and Track with Bud Lindemann. Back in the Day will make a Prime Time premiere during Daytona Speedweeks on Feb. 13 at 9:30pm/et. Car and Track, a collection of American racing footage from the 1960s and early 1970s, ran in replays on Speed from 1996-2000. Earnhardt Jr., a longtime fan of the series, will host the updated version, which will revisit NASCAR in its infancy, touching on not only what was going on at the race track, but what was going on in America. "I've always been a big fan of Car and Track," Earnhardt said. "Bud Lindemann had the vision to bring auto racing to television over 30 years ago. I watched every episode as a kid and still watch them today. We're going to show everyone the grassroots of our sport and bring the past to the present in a fun and entertaining way." (SPEED Channel )

Jan. 18, 2006:

• Today Wednesday. - NASCAR Session 2 Day 3 Testing underway: Drivers began NASCAR preseason thunder testing. Drivers scheduled to test this week are: Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Michael Waltrip, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, and others.. NASCAR Daytona Thunder Preseason Monday AM/PM Testing Speeds

• Dodge vs. BDR heads to court today: A multimillion-dollar breach of contract lawsuit between DaimlerChrysler and Bill Davis Racing is expected to get under way today in U.S. District Court in Detroit. DaimlerChrysler says Bill Davis Racing, based in North Carolina, violated the terms of a six-year contract in 2003 by passing confidential information to Toyota. The suit says Davis was helping the Japanese automaker develop a prototype Tundra truck for NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. At the time, Davis was under contract to prepare DaimlerChrysler vehicles for the NASCAR Winston Cup series, now the Nextel Cup series. After terminating the contract and suing Davis, DaimlerChrysler says it learned that Davis had signed a contract in February 2003 to provide a car to General Motors for the Winston Cup series. DaimerChrysler is seeking $6.5 million in damages and an injunction to prevent Davis from divulging confidential automotive data acquired from DaimlerChrysler. Davis has denied the charges, countersued and is seeking $8.5 million to $9.8 million from DaimlerChrysler for breach of contract. Davis intends to run two Dodges in the Nextel Cup series this year with drivers Michael Waltrip and Dave Blaney. In the truck series, he will run three Toyota Tundras with drivers Johnny Benson, Mike Skinner and Bill Lester. U.S. District Judge George Steeh will preside over the trial, which is expected to last 2-3 weeks. (Detroit Free Press)

• Jarrett wants to see smaller engine: (Dale) Jarrett said that what he really would like to see is something that would result in more competition, more side-by-side racing. "So I think we seriously have to consider downsizing these engines," he said. "I've said this a number of times, and NASCAR has talked to me over the last couple of years. "When I started this business full-time in 1987, a good engine had somewhere between 620 and 640 horsepower. Since that time, we've got better tires; Goodyear does a tremendous job there. We have more downforce than we've ever had with these cars. And those two things alone should allow us to run side-by-side better and longer. (Salem-Journal)

• J. Johnson guest stars in Las Vegas at AMS: While his Hendrick Motorsports teammates were hitting the Daytona pavement testing their stock cars, Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus were hitting the big screen at Atlanta Motor Speedway today, filming an upcoming episode of the hit NBC TV series "Las Vegas." Johnson, playing himself, starred with Nikki Cox, who gets driving tips from last years winner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Knaus, Johnson's crew chief, also plays himself in the episode which is tentatively set to air on February 6. While Johnson may seem like a natural on the track, he admits acting isn't quite so easy for him. "You have a writer trying to write things that you would say and you have to make it sound like what you would say," the driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet said. "Fortunately, I am playing myself, so I can turn to the writers and say 'I would do it like this,' and they are OK with that." Johnson also admits that it could be even more difficult for him. "Remembering the lines and trying to look like you're not thinking about the lines that you have to deliver is the most difficult part," Johnson commented. "If I was playing someone else and there was a particular way I had to deliver lines and have a certain personality, I would be in big trouble." Johnson will return to AMS for the Golden Corral 500 on March 19. For tickets to the March 17-19 race weekend, call (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211, or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com for ticket information. (Atlanta Motor Speedway PR)

Jan. 17, 2006:

• Stewart OKd to race: #20-Tony Stewart got clearance Monday to drive in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona as well as the test session at the end of the month at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway following two separate flips last week in a U.S. Auto Club Midget race. Stewart left a Tulsa, Okla., hospital last Friday with his right arm in a cast, but doctors said there were no serious injuries during a follow-up visit on Monday, team president J.D. Gibbs said. "Everything checked out fine," Gibbs said. "We told him he's still driving in the Daytona 500 even if his arm was broken." Stewart was participating in the Chili Bowl, one of the premier Midget races of the team. Job Gibbs Racing teammate J.J. Yeley and Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne also participated in the race. Stewart flipped and crashed on Thursday during a heat race. He wasn't injured in that accident, Gibbs said, but he struck his right arm on the shifter when he flipped again on Friday. "The reality of it is, when he first started with us he did way more (races) than what he's doing now," Gibbs said. Gibbs said the race team has restricted Stewart from some of his outside races in the past, but the defending Nextel Cup Series champion has reduced his schedule in the past couple years. "For him to go back to the local tracks where he started, we think it's all right," Gibbs said. "He enjoys that." (Athens Banner-Herald)

• Crown Royal lineup announced: Crown Royal International Race of Champions (IROC) officials announced today the driver field and race event schedule for the 2006 Crown Royal IROC Series. The four-race invitational all-star series, which matches 12 drivers from different disciplines of auto racing in equally prepared cars, will open its historic 30th season February 17 at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Five-time Crown Royal IROC Series and 2005 champion Mark Martin will look to capture consecutive series crowns for the first time since Dale Earnhardt accomplished the feat in the 1999-2000 seasons. Martin won three in row from 1996-1998 and owns an IROC-record 13 checkered flags. The 2006 driver field will consist of representation from seven major racing series, including six drivers that captured their respective series championship in 2005. The 2006 Crown Royal IROC Series drivers vying for the $1 million championship purse include: Driver Series Representing Mark Martin NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (2005 Crown Royal IROC champion), Tony Stewart NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (2005 Series champion), Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR Busch Series (2005 Series champion), Steve Kinser World of Outlaws (2005 Series champion), Ted Musgrave NASCAR Craftsman Truck (2005 Series champion), Frank Kimmel ARCA Re/Max Series (2005 Series champion), Max Angelelli/Wayne Taylor Grand American Road Racing (2005 Series champions), Max Papis Open-wheel and road racing disciplines, Carl Edwards NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Sam Hornish, Jr. IRL IndyCar Series, Scott Sharp IRL IndyCar Series, Matt Kenseth NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series,

• Penske named Newsmaker of the year: Roger Penske was recently named 2005 Newsmaker of the Year by Crain's Detroit. According to the business publication, "Penske has transferred the business acumen he uses to run a wide-ranging organization of transportation, automotive sales and service, truck leasing and motor sports businesses into his role as Super Bowl XL Host Committee chairman." Penske and his colleague's on the committee will be put to the ultimate test on February 5th as all eyes will be watching the city of Detroit as it plays host to the biggest game of the year.  (Penske PR)

• Labonte outbids McMurray for hat: Eddie Montgomery has always been a NASCAR fan. What he didn't know until last weekend is that one of the drivers he admires, Bobby Labonte, is also a huge Montgomery Gentry fan. But once Labonte paid $12,000 at a charity auction for the hat Montgomery wore during his group's concert at Sprint Sound and Speed - A Celebration of Music and Motorsports - in Nashville, Tenn., Montgomery knew he had a fan. "It freaked me out. I couldn't see who was bidding, but later I found out it was him and (NASCAR driver) Jamie McMurray bidding against each other," Montgomery said. Montgomery wasn't sure what to expect when another driver, Owensboro native Michael Waltrip, came and took his hat to put in the auction to benefit a camp for children with chronic medical conditions and the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. (Advocate Messenger)

• Vickers recovers after surgery: Brian Vickers' #25 GMAC Chevy was sixth fastest in Monday's test session at Daytona International Speedway, but he was back home in North Carolina having surgery to repair a hernia. Team spokesman Chris Haid said Vickers, 22, was resting comfortably Monday evening after a successful operation. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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