Penske Racing News
NASCAR Penske Racing News
June 20, 2007
Tryson takes over #2 Busch Crew Chief Duties: Pat Tryson will become crew chief effective immediately of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge driven by Kurt Busch. Tryson replaces Troy Raker who has served as interim crew chief of the team since Texas. Troy will return to his previous role within the Penske engineering department. Tryson, a 10-year veteran Nextel Cup crew chief, led Mark Martin to the Chase for the Nextel Cup in each of the last three seasons while working for Roush Fenway Racing. Most recently, he served as crew chief for Greg Biffle and the #16 team. “I’m really looking forward to getting back to the races,” said Tryson. “Working with Kurt and the Penske organization is a great opportunity and I’m confident that we can accomplish great things together.” (Penske Racing PR)
June 11, 2007
Penske: No plans to switch manufactures, nor committed to third Cup team: Roger Penske said Sunday he plans to field two Dodge-backed Nextel Cup Series teams in 2008. Recent reports said Penske Racing may leave Dodge next season in favor of a move to Toyota, a rumor Penske dismissed. "Our Dodge commitment is a long-term contract," said Penske, one of the world's largest Toyota dealers. "I read in the paper where we were switching to Toyota. We haven't even talked to them about it." As for the speculated third team? "We've looked at whether we'd run an additional car," Penske said. (ESPN.com)
June 9, 2007
Penske Racing Statement on NASCAR Penalty: Penske Racing acknowledges the fine, penalty and probation that has been imposed by NASCAR relative to the pit incident involving Kurt Busch at this week's Dover race and will not appeal. Safety is paramount in motorsports and must not be compromised. "I regret the incident that occurred at Dover and apologize to NASCAR, my sponsors, the fans, my Penske Racing team and Joe Gibbs Racing. I understand that safety is crucial to the sport and I accept the points penalty, fine and probation that NASCAR has imposed on me," said Kurt Busch. Penske Racing will continue to support Kurt and look forward to racing at Pocono. (Penske Racing South PR)
Kurt Busch Penalized Due to Rule Infraction at Dover International Speedway: NASCAR announced today that Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Dodge in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, has been penalized 100 championship driver points, fined $100,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2007 for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing reckless driving; endangering a crew member on pit road) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. Car owner Roger Penske has also been penalized with the loss of 100 championship owner points due to his driver�s infraction. The violation occurred on pit road during the race at Dover International Speedway on June 4. (NASCAR PR)
June 15, 2006:
Busch's Miler Lite Crew wins Drive-Thru Challenge
May 9, 2006:
Penske angry over USA Today article: An angry Roger Penske met with USA Today reporters before Saturday night's race to express his displeasure with that newspaper's Thursday article on driver Kurt Busch. Busch and Penske have been trying to wipe the slate clean on all the controversies that have dogged Busch the last few years. But each time they think they're getting over the hump, something new crops up. (Salem-Journal)
March 28, 2006:
McCauley Wypall Crew Chief of the Race: Kurt Busch and crew chief Roy McCauley survived 500 laps of furious racing action this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Despite setbacks with tires and radio transmissions, Busch battled back from the problems to capture his fifth victory at Thunder Valley. Busch's come from behind win earned McCauley the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Trouble started early for Busch and McCauley. From the get-go, Busch and the team battled radio problems that hindered Busch from communicating with the team. On lap 62, a flat right-rear tire forced the #2 Miller Lite Dodge to make an unscheduled pit stop. Even with the problems, Busch methodically worked his way through the field in route to one of the speedway's most impressive comebacks. A panel of voters; including Tony Eury Sr., a member of the local media and a Wypall Wipers representative; all agreed that McCauley's comeback deserved Crew Chief of the Race accolades. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, Wypall Wipers gave McCauley $1,000. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was McCauley's first Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Darian Grubb and Kenny Francis for second-place in the standings. Robbie Reiser is in the lead with two wins. (Wypall PR)
March 27, 2006:
NEXTEL Cup ratings slightly off: Overnight Nielsen Media Research ratings were down for Fox's broadcast of Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, but the network saw an increase for Saturday's Busch Series race, Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports. Sunday's Food City 500 earned a 5.3/11, down 5.4 percent from 2005's overnight 5.6/13. (NASCAR Scene Daily)
Feb. 25, 2006:
Penske plans to use Intrepid at all mile 1/2 and two mile tracks: Penske Racing South General Manager Don Miller said on Friday that the team plans on racing 2004 Dodge Intrepids at all 1.5.- and 2.0-mile tracks for the foreseeable future. Penske drivers #2-Kurt Busch and #12-Ryan Newman both brought Intrepids for Sunday's Auto Club 500, as did Petty Enterprises for #43-Bobby Labonte. All the other Dodge teams brought the aerodynamically troublesome Dodge Charger, which was introduced last year. Asked how long Penske would campaign the two-year-old Dodges, Miller was blunt. "As long as Dodge will let us," he said. (SPEED)
