NASCAR News May 16 - May 21, 2006

NEXT Race/RaceCast: Find NEXTEL Cup Next race information, including television, practice, qualifying times and more, also radio coverage information.. During the race find RacewayReport.com: RaceCast with running order, notes, and more..

May 21, 2006:

• Mayfield to Waltrip Racing? Dodge's Jeremy Mayfield is also in middle of a lot of Toyota talk, perhaps leaving Ray Evernham to take a Toyota ride next season with Bill Davis, perhaps even taking a third Toyota ride with Waltrip, who indicated last week that he had a third major sponsor in the works. (Salem-Journal)

• Martin back in 2007 to race All-Star Challenge: Though he plans to retire from Nextel cup competition after this season, 2005 Challenge champion Mark Martin said he plans to participate in next year's Challenge. (USA Today)

• Sadler, Mears looking at Toyota Team Red-Bull? Dodge's Casey Mears may be signing with Red Bull for 2007, leaving Chip Ganassi. Mears, in the final year of his Ganassi contract, was courted by car owner Richard Childress, either to fill Kevin Harvick's ride if Harvick had decided to leave, or to run a fourth Childress car.  Ford's Elliott Sadler may also be signing with Red Bull, leaving Robert Yates, who is already dealing with the defection of Dale Jarrett to Toyota's Michael Waltrip for 2007. (Salem-Journal)

• Johnson wins All-Star Challenge: There's a very clear reason why Jimmie Johnson considers Lowe's Motor Speedway his own personal playground: He owns the track. Johnson won the Nextel All-Star Challenge and its $1 million prize Saturday night, his seventh victory at the suburban Charlotte track. "Good job driver! Good job!'' crew chief Chad Knaus radioed. "This is your house!'' Indeed it is. Johnson, who also won the All-Star race in 2003, has won three-straight Coca-Cola 600s and will try to make it four in a row next Sunday night. Kevin Harvick, who won the second segment of the event, took only two tires on the final pit stops while everyone else took four. It was a risky gamble, and Johnson wasted no time passing him for the lead when the final 20-lap sprint began Johnson then pulled away and Harvick finished a whopping 1.729 seconds behind. (CNNSI.com - Results)

May 20, 2006:

Find GNEXTINC.com: RaceCast including current running order, notes, and race information, on NEXT Race page.. Jimmie Johnson wins the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge and 1 Million Dollars! Coverage

• Survey says, bring NASCAR to Oregon:  If it were up to the majority of the respondents in last week's Business Pulse survey, we would soon be hearing "Gentlemen (and Ladies) start your engines." We asked: "Should a Nascar track be sited in Oregon?"  Your response: 61 percent said "Yes: Absolutely. It could be an economic driver." Thirty-one percent said "No: I don't like racing, and nobody would go." Two percent were undecided. (Comment and more at Portland Business Journal)

• Jarrett considered RCR offer: Before Dale Jarrett accepted Michael Waltrip's offer to run Toyotas on the Nextel Cup tour next season, Jarrett considered a ride with Chevrolet's Richard Childress, in a fourth Childress car, as part of a six-year package, according to sources close to the situation. Under the proposed Jarrett-Childress deal, Jarrett would have signed on for three more seasons as a driver, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and UPS would not only have followed Jarrett to Childress' but would have agreed to another three years of sponsorship beyond 2009, according to sources. However the deal never came down, in part because Childress was leery of expanding to a fourth team, given the problems he had when expanding to a third Nextel Cup team. (Salem-Journal)

• Martin to unveil new rap video: When it comes to musical taste, not many people know that Mark Martin, driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion, is a big fan of rap music. Yes, that's right, rap. When he's not piloting the No. 6 Ford Fusion for Roush Racing in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Martin is listening to beats that fill the Billboard charts. With this knowledge, the owners of Round House Multimedia set out to produce what would ultimately become the official Mark Martin rap anthem, "Start Your Engines". Derrick Garrett and Kevin Dent, owners of Round House Multimedia, contacted Sam Belnavis, Chief Diversity Officer and Owner Designate for the Craftsman Truck Series for Roush Racing, with the idea back in December 2005 in an effort to help build the diversity bridge. "Rap is a universal language among the music population and Mark's anthem will certainly add to the popularity of the music," said Dent. The project has now evolved into a two minute and 39 second song covering Martin's career dating back to the start of his career in Arkansas through the present time. With 35 NEXTEL Cup, 47 Busch and three Truck Series wins to date in addition to a record five IROC championships, recording artist Budda Early has plenty to rap about. Martin also maintains the record of most consecutive starts in the Cup series, currently at 591. "Mark and I go back a long time," said Belnavis. "He was the first driver to drive the Miller High Life Gold race car during my Miller days. It's an honor to present Mark with his own anthem that will further immortalize his contributions to our sport." As for Martin, he can't believe his career has been converted into a product that he enjoys. "I consider it an honor that there are people in the rap music industry that feel I am deserving of my own rap anthem." Martin continued, "The song sounds great and I hope all my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I do." The Mark Martin rap anthem will debut during the NEXTEL All-Star weekend (Martin won the 2005 event). For further information, and to hear a clip of the song, on the "Start Your Engines" please visit www.RoushRacing.com. To purchase a copy of the song, please visit the official Roush Racing gift shop located in Concord, N.C. or the official Mark Martin trackside merchandise trailer.  (Roush Racing PR)

May 19, 2006:

• Kasey Kahne, Riggs wins Poles for Saturday Night: Kasey Kahne #9 Dodge (122.296 secs.), and Crew had the fastest time for the NEXTEL Cup Challenge qualifying,   Teammate Scott Riggs, #10 ran the fastest lap 28.953 secs.  for the NEXTEL Open race. Complete Grid and Race Information.

• NASCAR Official Fan Club to hold first annual National Convention this weekend: The Official NASCAR Members Club (ONMC) will hold its inaugural national convention this week in Charlotte, with members from 34 different states coming together for the two-day event. Highlighting the ONMC's first national convention is a kickoff awards celebration on Thursday night for hundreds of the club's most avid members and their guests. The ONMC, a membership organization created early last year by the sport to recognize its most loyal fans, is kicking off the 2006 national convention on Thursday, May 18, with an awards celebration at the Charlotte Convention Center. NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will host the event, with partners, tracks, champion drivers, teams and members being presented with various awards. On Friday, May 19, the ONMC will present workshops for local chapter presidents at Joe Gibbs Racing's Huntersville, N.C. campus. Five workshops will hit on topics ranging from how to work with local businesses to how to organize charity events and manage NASCAR programs in their communities. In addition to Thursday's awards banquet and Friday's workshops, ONMC members that attend the convention will also be given preferred seating and discounted ticket deals to Wednesday's Pit Crew Challenge, Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Quaker Steak & Lube 200 and Saturday's NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge. The ONMC, which includes as charter members 15 legendary NASCAR Champions including Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Benny Parsons, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and ONMC National Membership Chairman Richard Petty, currently has more than 1,100 local chapters across all 50 states. More info at nascar.com/members_club. (NASCAR PR)

• Kurt Busch donates 1 million to VJGC:  Nextel Cup driver Kurt Busch announced Friday he has donated $1 million to the Victory Junction Gang Camp through his charitable foundation. The donation will go toward the construction of Kurt Busch's Sports Superdome, a 28,000 square-foot facility which will provide opportunities for indoor sports in a climate-controlled environment. "Many people in the NASCAR family are already very familiar with the Victory Junction Gang Camp created by Pattie and Kyle Petty as an oasis of hope, love and excitement – a true miracle for needy children," said Busch. "I feel very strongly about this charity and will be proud part of its worthwhile causes." (ThatsRacin)

• B. Elliott looking at partial schedule: Three years after his full-time Nextel Cup career ended, Bill Elliott is still much in demand as a driver. Elliott, now running a partial Cup schedule, said Thursday that he's weighing several offers for next season. He has been mentioned as a possible part-time replacement for Dale Jarrett in Robert Yates No. 88 Ford, with younger drivers running the balance of the schedule. Elliott also is among the candidates to drive a Toyota Camry in Cup next year. "There are several good options out there," Elliott said. "Within a month I should have an idea what I'm going to do." He said he'd like to work out a deal that would serve as a steppingstone for his son Chase, 10, should he desire to pursue a career in NASCAR. "That's one of the things I'll look at," he said, adding that the reason he chooses to run a maximum of 12-15 races a year is so he can spend more time with his family. (The Tennessean)

• Ford looking to add teams supported by manufacturer: A Ford official said Thursday that the manufacturer would like to add "a couple more cars'' to its Nextel Cup roster, although he wouldn't give a timetable. A couple more teams could help Ford keep its young drivers, something Ford and its teams haven't been able to always do. Dale Jarrett's departure to Toyota after this season opens one ride, but several Ford drivers are signed through at least 2008. That could create limited opportunities for the nearly 10 drivers being groomed by Ford's Cup teams. Ford, whose drivers have won two of the past three titles, has the fewest Cup teams competing with eight -- five with Roush Racing, two with Robert Yates Racing and one with the Wood Brothers. Toyota is scheduled to have six teams next year when it enters the Cup series. Greg Specht, manager of racing operations for Ford, says the manufacturer has a goal of more teams. "Ideally, we'd like to have 10-12,'' he said. "We're really looking at our current teams to see how can we expand and grow at a rate that is going to maintain quality.'' Specht wouldn't say if Ford would have additional teams for next season. (Roanoke.com)

• Richard Childress Racing sponsors Soap Box Derby: Championship NASCAR team owner Richard Childress will lend support to his racing roots June 3 at Hobby Park in Winston-Salem for the Winston-Salem Area Soap Box Derby presented by Richard Childress Racing. The winner of this All-American Soap Box Derby “local race” will advance to the 69th annual All-American Soap Box Derby presented by Levi Strauss Signature®, July 22 in Akron, Ohio. Childress was a teenager in the late 1950s when he and his brother, Larry Childress, went door to door in downtown Winston-Salem soliciting shop owners for funding to purchase a soap box derby kit. Nearly 50 years later, the wheels and axles from that soap box derby racer are on display in the RCR Racing Museum on the RCR campus. “Being a part of that soap box derby race was a very important start to my becoming a race car driver just a few years later,” said Childress. “It taught me my first lessons in securing sponsorship, building a race car and competing against other drivers. I’ve been very fortunate to have had the success I’ve had in racing and a lot of it goes back to that soap box derby race.” The day’s activities will include: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. - Inspection; 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. - Trial Runs; 10:45 a.m. - Heat & Lane Drawing; 11:15 a.m. - Racing Begins. For further information, visit the web site of the Winston-Salem Area Soap Box Derby at www.wsasbd.com.(Richard Childress Racing PR)

• Stewart inks Satellite radio show: SIRIUS Satellite Radio, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of NASCAR starting in 2007, announced today that two-time and reigning NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Tony Stewart -- one of the sport's most exciting and outspoken drivers -- will host a live weekly talk show exclusively on SIRIUS. Debuting in January, Tony Stewart Live will air exclusively on SIRIUS' upcoming 24/7 NASCAR channel, providing SIRIUS listeners with the ultimate insider's perspective on auto racing. The weekly, two-hour show will feature Stewart -- who has never been shy about expressing his opinions in 27 years of racing -- taking calls from listeners, talking with prominent guests and covering the spectrum of motorsports -- from NASCAR to open-wheel racing and beyond. Matt Yocum, who is a pit reporter for the NASCAR broadcasts on FOX/FX and NBC/TNT, will be Stewart's co-host on Tony Stewart Live. Preview editions of Tony Stewart Live, hosted by Stewart, will begin airing exclusively on SIRIUS in October 2006. Stewart will also be featured in SIRIUS' NASCAR related marketing and advertising (PRNewswire)

May 18, 2006:

• #1 Bass Pro Shops team wins Pit Crew Challenge: Martin Truex Jr.'s rookie team won the Nextel Pit Crew Challenge, an event aimed at showcasing the skills of NASCAR's behind-the-scenes players, by beating Kasey Kahne's defending champion team in the final round Wednesday night. Truex's crew changed four tires, filled the tank with fuel and pushed the car 40-yards across a finish line in 25.44 seconds to pocket the $70,000 grand prize. It was somewhat of a surprising win for a team that is in its first year of Nextel Cup competition and is a distant 22nd in points. But many of the crew members have been with Dale Earnhardt Inc. several years and a handful were on Truex's two Busch Series championship teams. "When your car is not up to snuff and running up front, nobody recognizes the underdog," crew chief Kevin Manion said. "Tonight we came in as the underdog, and left as the winner." (Daytona News Journal)

• RYR response to Commission: The #88 UPS Team will race the next four weeks without the services of crew chief Slugger Labbe after the NASCAR Appeals Committee denied the appeal submitted by Robert Yates Racing on Labbe's behalf. As a result, Jason Burdett, car chief for the #88 UPS Team, will assume the crew chief role at the track in preparation for Saturday night�s All-Star Challenge and during the course of Labbe's suspension. "We're disappointed but respect the decision of the appeals committee and accept the results," Labbe said. �Jason Burdett is a long time employee of RYR and deserves this opportunity. Jason has been involved with the #88 team for years as car chief and certainly understands the handling of the race car and the different things that I would communicate to Dale Jarrett. He's the best person to do this for our #88 team because the communication has already been started with the driver and crew members. "We're just going to go do the same things we've been doing all year,� Burdett said of his added responsibilities. "We have a pretty good support group and we all work so close together that it should be pretty seamless.� Jerry Pitts, RYR's ARCA crew chief, and Travis Geisler, engineer on the #90 RYR Ford that competes in the NASCAR Busch Series, will assist Burdett as needed .(RYR PR)

• National Stock Car Racing Commission upholds RYR penalty:  On May 17, 2006, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Robert Yates Racing. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following pre-race inspection on May 6, 2006 for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Richmond International Raceway. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book �Actions detrimental to stock car racing�; Section 12-4-Q "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules" and Section 20.12.2D "Unapproved rear sway bar mounting for use other than anti-roll." The penalties assessed were:
  - Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Robert Yates.
  - Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for driver Dale Jarrett.
  - $25,000.00 fine and suspension until June 7, 2006 for crew chief Richard Labbe.
  The Commission had deferred the fine and suspension against the crew chief until the appeal hearing could be convened. The Appellants did not contest the legality of the sway bar configuration, but appealed the severity of the penalties. The Commission found that the penalties assessed are consistent with recent penalties for infractions of such a blatant nature. In reaching its decision, the Commission also notes that a warning for a lesser violation in the same area of the car had been issued at an earlier event.
  Therefore it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner. The Commission further instructs NASCAR to adjust the ending date of the crew chief suspension to June 14, 2006  to remain consistent with the original 4-week suspension period. The Commission: Russell Hackett, Lyn St. James, George Silbermann, Chairman. (NASCAR PR)

• NASCAR announces year-end's Award Ceremonies sites: While the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion and the rest of the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competitors will celebrate on familiar ground at the world-famous Waldorf=Astoria hotel in New York at season�s end, the top teams in NASCAR�s other two national series will be "going to Disney World." On Dec. 1, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Awards Ceremony will again take place at the venerable Waldorf in Midtown Manhattan, which first hosted the ceremony in 1981. The following week, on Dec. 8 and Dec. 10, the champions of the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be feted at Disney�s Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Fla. The 867-room Victorian-themed Grand Floridian resort is just outside the gates of Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park on the grounds of Walt Disney World. (NASCAR PR)

• Truex to sport the National Wild Turkey Federation paint scheme: The National Wild Turkey Federation’s flying turkey logo will appear on the DEI, Bass Pro Shops sponsored #1 race car, driven by 2-time Busch Series Champion Martin Truex Jr., at the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 20 th at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bass Pro Shops salute to the NWTF is a part of the Conservation Fund’s “Racing for America’s Wildlife” program. The program is designed to engage the NASCAR community in conserving America’s hunting and fishing heritage through habitat protection, restoration, education, and outreach. “We are very proud to partner with the NWTF and their work in conservation, helping special needs hunters, getting women involved in the outdoors, and youth education,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “This is our way of thanking the NWTF and their thousands of grassroots volunteers, who are also NASCAR fans, for all they do.” (Bass Pro Shops PR)

May 17, 2006:

• Waltrip looking to expand to 3 car Cup team? Michael Waltrip says he could expand his Toyota Cup operation to three teams next season. Waltrip is set for at least two teams. He and Dale Jarrett will be the drivers. "We'd like to have three teams," Waltrip said at Darlington. "We think that'll give us the best chance to compete against the guys who are winning races now. There's a timetable that will come into play. ... We could start a third team if we could get another sponsor." (Roanoke.com)

• N.C. lawmakers celebrate Tourism with NASCAR: State lawmakers took a break from pouring over bills Tuesday for a little NASCAR fun. Senators and House members got their hands dirty changing NASCAR tires in just under a minute -- not bad. It was all for Tourism Day. NASCAR is just one of many attractions that brought more than 60 million travelers and $14 billion to the state last year. (NBC17)

• NASCAR on FOX tops Sat. night ratings, including NBA playoffs and coveted 18-49: FOX drove away with viewers intersted in a little NASCAR action on Saturday, averaging a 5.0 rating/9 share. The network barely sped by CBS and NBC, which earned a 4.9/9 and 4.8/9, respectively. ABC followed from afar with a 2.8/5. FOX had a more decisive victory among adults 18-49, taking in a 3.1 in the coveted demographic. Both NBC and CBS tied for second with a 1.9, while ABC once again trailed with a 1.5. At 8 p.m. FOX's NASCAR coverage and "Dateline NBC" were neck and neck with a 4.5/9 apiece, followed closely by CBS' repeat of "CSI: Miami" (4.3/9) and eventually ABC's NBA Playoff coverage (2.2/5). CBS pushed ahead in the 9 o'clock hour, with "CSI: NY" taking a 5.1/9. NASCAR still kept the pace with a 4.9/9, with NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" keeping up with a 4.3/8. ABC kept shooting hoops to the tune of 2.6/5. (Zaptoit) 18-49 demo, NASCAR outdrew NBA, Fox's "NASCAR Nextel Cup Dodge Charger 500" (7.9 million, 2.9/11) came in ahead of ABC's Dallas-San Antonio NBA playoff game (4.7 million, 1.7/6)

• Record Las Vegas Economic NASCAR Boom in March: More visitors came to Las Vegas this past March and spent more money than any other month in Las Vegas’ 101-year history. No entity played a bigger role in that milestone than Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 2006 NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas had a record $197 million impact on the state’s economy, the greatest expenditure figure in the nine-year history of the event and an astounding 18.4-percent increase from 2005. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s annual study revealed that the final number was $197,891,200, up from $167,127,800 in 2005. The numbers, a product of one-time expenditures, are based on interviews with race fans during the March 10-12 weekend and reflect the amount of money spent – both gaming and non-gaming – during the four-day event at LVMS. “NASCAR Weekend has proven time and again to be an economic boon to Las Vegas and to Nevada,” said Las Vegas Motor Speedway general manager Chris Powell. “This event has become one of the most anticipated stops on the NASCAR circuit for hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. The increase in total expenditures from 2005 is phenomenal and is yet another example of the importance of this speedway to our state’s economy. In the past two years, the economic impact has increased 37 percent, which also is an extraordinary number.” The study estimated approximately 94,875 visitors attended the race from outside Nevada. The event weekend is estimated to have drawn more than 340,000 people through the gates at the speedway. In addition, each race fan’s expenditures increased 27 percent from $1,682 in 2005 to $2,085 in 2006.  (Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)

• The Second Annual Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge returns in '07: Representatives of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project and the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid announced Monday that the second Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge will return to the two-time Winter Olympic village January 5-7, 2007 at the Verizon Sports Complex. The event will feature race car drivers piloting specially-made bobsleds down Lake Placid's icy chute in fun races geared to raise money for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project. The 2006 edition was televised on ESPN2 and SPEED. Whelen Engineering has officially entered the first sled in the 2007 competition. "It is with equal pleasure that Whelen Engineering Company is once again the first corporation to make a financial commitment to the sponsorship of a Bo-Dyn Bobsled to compete in the second annual Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge," said Phil Kurze, Director of Motorsports for Whelen Engineering and President of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc. "In addition, Whelen Engineering has provided a significant financial contribution for the research and development of a revised design of the Bo-Dyn bobsled. We support the Made-in-America philosophy and want to make certain that the USA Bobsled Teams are competitive in Vancouver. We are hopeful that other corporations in the USA will join us in our support of these efforts." Race winners in 2006 were Boris Said, son of Olympic bobsledder Bob Said, and Kevin Lepage of nearby Shelburne, Vt. Fan packages, interactive offerings and event merchandise will be announced at a later date. The television shows of the 2006 Bodine event are now available for purchase on DVD at www.bodinebobsled.com.(PR)

• NASCAR Charlotte Hall of Fame looking for Exec. Director: The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority will begin interviewing candidates next week for the NASCAR hall of fame’s executive director position. Tuesday was the last day to submit a resume. Charlotte was awarded the hall of fame in March, beating out Atlanta and Daytona Beach, Fla. Tim Newman, CEO of the visitors authority, says officials are working hard on finalizing many of the preliminary details. (News14)

• Humpy picks Mayfield's #19 Crew to win Challenge: In the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman Wednesday night, May 17, at the Bobcats Arena in downtown Charlotte, Wheeler predicts the event's unique format will result in true athleticism rising to the top. "If the competition was a normal pit stop, it would be hard to bet against the 17 team," Wheeler said. "However, I think the training regimen that Ray Evernham puts his pit crew guys through will pay off. It was hard to pick from among his three teams, but my sources tell me Jeremy Mayfield's No. 19 team appears to have the edge." (Lowe's PR)

• Jarrett says, RYR need Engineering help: "I think we have to step that up," Jarrett said of the team's engineering department. "That's something that is being talked about. It's not like they're a dime a dozen. Finding the right people, it's what it's all about." (Roanoke.com)

May 16, 2006:

• Dale Jr. featured on  ESPN Sportscentury and the Budweiser Hot Seat: The ESPN SPORTSCENTURY documentary of Dale Earnhardt Jr. will debut Monday on ESPN2 and ESPN Classic. The one-hour special looks at the life of Dale Jr., as told by his family, friends and competitors. Among the many who appear in the special are interviews with Dale Jr., his sister Kelley, his mom Brenda Jackson, crew chief and cousin Tony Eury Jr., Dale Jarrett and Greg Biffle. The show will debut Monday, May 22 at 2 PM ET on ESPN2. It will then re-air at 8pm and midnight ET that evening on ESPN Classic. The show will also air repeatedly later in 2006. The Budweiser Hot Seat: Dale Jr. makes a return visit via satellite to the Bud Hot Seat on ESPN's Sportscenter tomorrow night (Wed,) at 6 pm ET.(Budweiser Racing/Fingerprint, Inc. PR)

• Petty Enterprise still looking for sponsors for select races:  The #45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty has announced sponsorship opportunities for selected races remaining in 2006. The up-coming months offer one-of-a-kind opportunities to be a part of the resurging Petty Enterprises organization. "We have some races that are open throughout the rest of the season", said Petty. "We were left to fill a void a few weeks ago when a sponsorship deal for us didn't pan out. It was supposed to be about a nine-race deal. That left us to fill some holes, but fortunately those holes are great opportunities for companies to capitalize on." Races include the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, the Sharpie 500 at Bristol and the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami. Other races include events in major markets such as Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Richmond. "We are now looking for another new partner to join the Petty family. We are working hard to do that for this season. We feel that we offer something different at Petty Enterprises. We are looking for a partner that wants to be a part of the excitement that we're building," said Petty. The team will next participate in this weekend's All-Star activities at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. In fact, Petty's sponsors have put up $250,000 to be donated to Victory Junction Gang Camp if Petty is voted into the All-Star race by the fans. Go to votekylepetty.com for details. (Moore Consulting Group/Petty Racing)

• McDowell Resort Destination to sponsor Leffler at Phoenix: Jason Leffler and Braun Racing are going NEXTEL Cup racing later this year at Phoenix International Raceway. Fort McDowell Resort Destination will step-up their motorsport’s program by becoming a primary sponsor in the NEXTEL Cup division for one race later this year. “It’s undisputed the coverage Fort McDowell will receive by stepping up to the next level at Phoenix later this year. Fort McDowell was very impressed by Jason’s performance in the Busch series race last month (at Phoenix) and this is a perfect opportunity to test the waters at a higher level,” explained Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation President Raphael Bear. “The combination of a great team and a great driver creates an exciting potential for the race and exposure of the Fort McDowell Resort Destination. Fort McDowell is definitely looking forward to the added and growing relationship within the NASCAR arena,” President Bear continued. In addition to their new commitment to Braun Racing at the Cup level, the Fort McDowell Resort Destination logo will be displayed as a major associate sponsor on Leffler’s No. 38 Great Clips Chevy at the California and Phoenix Busch races later this year. (Braun Racing PR)

• Kyle's #5 team wins Checker Drive-Thru Challenge: Kyle Busch’s over-the-wall crew won its second Checkers®/Rally’s® Double Drive-Thru Challenge by spending the least amount of time on pit road in Saturday’s Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway. Busch’s crew, which spent 350.021 seconds on pit road during the NEXTEL Cup event, is now in a four-way tie for first place in the season-long competition. The crews of Tony Stewart, Elliott Sadler and Jimmie Johnson also have two wins each. “My pit crew has been getting the job done on pit road,” said Busch, who posted a seventh-place finish in Darlington. “We never lost a spot in Darlington, and they got me two or three with each pit. These guys don’t have the ‘flash’ that some of the guys on pit road do, but they are earning the respect they need and I hope that this keeps going for the rest of the year. “ Busch’s No. 5 Kellogg’s Chevrolet team consists of: Rick Pigeon (jackman), Jeremy “JD” Holcomb (front-tire carrier), DJ Richardson (front-tire changer), Jason Jones (rear-tire carrier), Josh Kirk (rear-tire changer), Brad Pickens (gasman), Jason Dalrymple (catch can), and Whit Satterwhite (eighth-man). The team’s crew chief is Alan Gustafson and the pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin. Busch’s over-the-wall crew, part of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize. (DMF Communications PR)

• Online Voting Begins For 2006 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Inductees: Online fan voting began April 3 for this year's Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame honorees, and on Saturday, Oct. 7, two new names will be added to this prestigious list. The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame in downtown Talladega is both a focal point saluting NASCAR's greatest names and a tribute to one of racing's brightest stars - the late Davey Allison. Developed in 1994, the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame has inducted one active driver and up to two inactive drivers since 1995 based on the fans' vote chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines. Fans may vote for their driver of choice through July 15 by visiting www.talladegawalk.com. Voting is limited to one vote per day. Active driver nominees for 2006 include: Michael Waltrip, Jeff Burton, Morgan Shepherd, Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart. Inactive driver nominees for 2006 include: Rusty Wallace, Jim Paschal, Bill Rexford, Jack Smith, Rex White and Speedy Thompson. On Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005, Kevin Harvick and Herb Thomas became the most recent drivers to be enshrined. For additional information, visit www.talladegawalk.com.(TSS PR)(5-26-2006)

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