Labonte gets Heisman if he wins Daytona 500

 

Labonte gets Heisman if he wins Daytona 500:

Roger Staubach gave a speech to his new NASCAR team [#96 Hall of Fame Racing/DLP Chevy] last week in Charlotte.

He was trying to pump up his charges for the daunting task at hand. Driver Terry Labonte wasn't at the shop that day. Staubach already dangled a special prize to his famous driver.

"I told Terry if he wins the Daytona 500 next month, I'll give him my Heisman trophy," Staubach said.

Labonte, racing his final Cup season, will drive seven races for the new team – the first five events and the two road-course races.

Tony Raines will drive the other 29 Cup events. Using Labonte, a two-time Cup champion, is a smart move. It assures the team of making the field no matter how they qualify. Labonte has an automatic starting spot as a former champion.

The plan is for Labonte to earn enough points in the first five races to guarantee Raines a starting spot every week. The top 35 teams in points are assured of making the 43-car field.
(in part from the Dallas Morning News)

NASCAR's Dynamic Duo

 

Dale Eanhardt Incorporated team looks for breakout season in 2006
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily

Both Dale Earnhardt Junior and Martin Truex Junior need to make strong statements in 2006.

Dale Jr. needs to rebound from a less than stellar 2005 season while Truex hopes continue the success he had in the Busch Series, where he won back-to-back titles and carry that over as he competes for Rookie of The Year.

Separate, both racers are talented, proven and always in the thick of any battle on the track. Together though, they could very well be a force to be reckoned with in 2006 both on the verge of what some say are breakout seasons.

The duo operates under the Dale Earnhardt Inc. banner and Truex Jr. joins his friend and mentor Earnhardt Jr., in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series this season.

For Truex, his introduction into the top tier series hasn’t been difficult, so far at least, and his transition seems to be on track.

“Things are looking good, “Truex Jr. said Monday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where the second preseason testing session is underway.

"Nothing's been that hard yet, but it's about to get a whole lot harder," Truex Jr. added referring to the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 19 at Daytona International Speedway.

One of the advantages of having a teammate like Earnhardt for Truex during his transition is that he knows exactly where to go for guidance. "Me and Junior are good friends," Truex Jr. said. "He's been a great friend and someone I go to for advice, and not just the stuff on the race track."

"The toughest challenge for Martin will be the schedule," Dale Earnhardt Junior said of his protégé and friend," and he's pretty aware of the racing part of it. He's been racing all his life."

Truex is already looking at the challenges ahead and has his game plan in place for when the going gets rough.

“We've just got to work real hard and make our cars as good as we can, “Truex said. “But hopefully I'm prepared for them when they show up and we'll have a good year.”

Dale Jr. hopes to carry the momentum his team seemed to have between him and his reunited crew chief Tony Eury Jr. during the last ten races of 2005.

“ I felt like it was a good opportunity to get to work with Tony Junior those last ten races,” Earnhardt said. “He had learned a lot of stuff in the setups and his setups were a little different than what I had normally been racing on.

And he was, you know, curious as to how I was going to like the things that he was doing with his car. So that seems to be working out pretty good and we really are getting along really good.”

As for the test session itself, Jeff Green and Elliott Sadler set the pace during Monday's opening day.

Green posted the fastest speed of the day during the morning session with a lap of 170.068 mph. Sadler was fastest during the afternoon session even after a spin in turn three.

"We did a lot of winter testing and it looks like it has paid off," said Sadler, who drives the M&M's Ford for Robert Yates Racing. "We were pretty fast in both practices and we are very comfortable, and I think we have a good shot of coming back and running good. All of the hard work that the team had done has paid off. We will come back and try to learn more tomorrow, but as of right now I don't think we could be any happier."

The only incident other than Sadler's spin was a blown engine by rookie Brent Sherman during the morning session.

"I was a little tight so I tried to use the apron to help the car turn and I learned that I shouldn't do that," said Sadler. "I'm glad I learned it now during practice rather than during the race."

Mark Martin (169.369 mph), Jeff Burton (169.083 mph) and Kevin Harvick (168.592 mph) rounded out the top five drivers with practice times.

Green and Sadler were among 24 drivers on hand to test their Monday. Speedway officials expect 45 teams to test on Tuesday.

Courtesy of The Cup Scene Daily ==> http://www.ajnascarracing.com/

NASCAR Champ: Cracked Rib?

 

Stewart: Rib might be cracked:

Tony Stewart said Friday that his ribs are hurting more than his arm, two weeks after his accident in his Midget car at the Chili Bowl. Stewart said he likely has a cracked rib, but it did not shown up on X-rays taken after his Jan. 13 accident in the race in Tulsa, where he flipped his car.

Stewart talked about his injuries before he had a chance to practice for the Rolex 24 At Daytona at Daytona International Speedway. The race begins at noon Saturday, and Stewart is teamed with road racing aces Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace. The team will start the race 21st.

"It's actually my ribs that are bothering me," Stewart said. "The arm is fine. The arm is back to 100 percent. The ribs, there is really nothing you can do but rest and relax. That's what we've done from the time it happened until now. We just tried to rest as much as possible and give it time to heal. It's going to be a painful weekend, I'm sure. The good thing about adrenaline is that adrenaline will mask a lot of that and we will get through 24 hours no problem."

Stewart said the X-rays on his ribs were inconclusive.

"[The doctor] is pretty confident that there is a crack somewhere they couldn't find," Stewart said. "I'm not a doctor and don't understand this stuff, but he said if I came back two days later, he would probably be able to see it better. He said there's no point in coming back and verifying that because there's nothing they can do anyway. It's just painful."

The injured ribs will hurt him more driving on a road course rather than when he tests Monday and Tuesday in his Nextel Cup car at Las Vegas, Stewart said. "The hard thing is we're doing it back-to-back for four straight days," Stewart said.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)

Kenseth signs multi-year deal with Roush

 

Matt Kenseth has signed a multi-year contract with Roush Racing to continue to drive the #17 DEWALT Ford. Kenseth and Roush Racing's relationship dates back to 1999.

"We are very pleased that Matt extended his contract with Roush Racing last fall," said Jack Roush, owner of Roush Racing.

"Matt is one of the most talented drivers in the garage and he'll always hold a special place in our organization, having helped to bring us our first Cup championship in 2003. It's very assuring knowing that he will be staying on with us and I know that the first goal on his agenda is to take that championship trophy back." (Roush Racing PR).

Terms were not disclosed, beyond the deal being described as "multi-year." Team owner Jack Roush has said he has driver and sponsor agreements for all five of his Nextel Cup cars until 2010 or beyond.

Rusty Wallace to call NASCAR races for ABC/ESPN

 

Rusty Wallace to call NASCAR races for ABC/ESPN
courtesy of SCENEDAILY

ESPN and ABC Sports says retired NASCAR champion driver Rusty Wallace will cover NASCAR racing for the networks.

Wallace's first ESPN assignment will be covering 2006 Nextel Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 for "SportsCenter."

He will report from at least 20 races this year for the sports news show. Wallace will also serve as an analyst for ESPN2's upcoming daily motorsports series.

In addition, Wallace will be ABC and ESPN's lead analyst for Nextel Cup and Busch series races when the networks resume NASCAR race coverage in 2007.

Wallace earlier announced he will be an analyst for the Indy Racing League's 2006 season.

Tony Stewart a 'Regular' at White House

 

Tony Stewart a 'Regular' at White House
By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart has had such a successful racing career that he's becoming a regular at the White House.

Stewart said President Bush recalled his two previous visits to the Oval Office - one for his first Cup championship and another with other top drivers - when he came in for a third Tuesday.

"It's a real big honor to be able to come here and have the president remember you," Stewart told reporters as he left the West Wing.

"He said, `I'd like to see you back here next year.' So I'm definitely on his side on that. I would love to come back here next year as a champion again."

Stewart's entire team was included in the meeting. Stewart gave Bush a team driving suit, and Bush checked out the car parked outside.

Joe Gibbs, owner of the team and coach of the Washington Redskins, said Bush was joking with all the guys. It got so chummy that one team member gave the president a sporty pat on the rear and told him he is doing a good job, Gibbs said.

"I was talking to Tony, and I said, `Who would believe that eight years ago when I was talking to you on this ramp at this little airport and we were trying to get together racing, we'd wind up at the White House?'" Gibbs said.

"So, it's a big thrill for all of us."

Can Camry Corner Cup In 2007?

 

THE THREE AMIEGOS
Toyota names three teams for 2007 debut
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily

When the Toyota Camry hits the track on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit in 2007, there will be a total of 3 teams and six cars.

Toyota made the announcement during a dinner hosted by them during Tuesday night’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Media tour hosted by Lowes Motor Speedway.

There had been widespread speculation of the teams for weeks, but that came to end Tuesday night when Toyota executives introduced Bill Davis, Michael Waltrip and Team Red Bull.

"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 Toyota Racing Development, 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."

Each team will field two cars in 2007, with Waltrip driving his own team, Dave Blaney for Bill Davis and drivers to be named later for Red Bull headed up by Marty Gaunt and the vacant seats at Waltrip, Red Bull and BDR.

Toyota restated that it will not have factory-based teams, like Ray Evernham has with the UAW Dodge Dealers, a worry for some who like Evernham feel that Toyota could become a dominate force in the series based on their past history.

Evernham's biggest worry is that Toyota huge influx of cash could lure the best people from current teams.

"You could go out and start a team and buy my years of experience, my money that's invested five or six years in the people, and there are no controls over that," Evernham said during the media tours visit Monday night. "If I had an unlimited budget, you'd go after the best drivers and best people."

Toyota seemed to demonstrate that fiscal ability as the also announced Tuesday that the Camry will be the official car of Lowes Motor Speedway.

On the flip side, Speedway Motorsports President Bruton Smith, who owns several sports’ biggest tracks, including Lowes Motor Speedway, and who also owns Toyota dealerships, said earlier Tuesday that Toyota would be good for NASCAR.

"Toyota has enough cash - cash - to buy General Motors and Ford Motor Company," Smith said.

"Toyota has more money than God. Toyota is sometimes referred to as the Bank of Japan. A lot of people working in this sport will be making more money next year, because Toyota is coming in."

NAPA will continue as the primary sponsor for Waltrip's entry and Caterpillar, which sponsored Davis' No. 22 last season, will continue its association with BDR.

"I never thought I would be a car owner in the Cup series," Waltrip said. "But then I thought, if I can plug into this, I can go race with these guys. ... Now I've got cars. I can race these people."

Waltrip also announced the hiring of Larry Carter, Rusty Wallace's former crew chief who will serve in the same role. Carter will stay in his current role this season as a consultant for BDR.

In addition Waltrip also said he’s hired former Dale Earnhardt Inc. vice president Ty Norris as vice president and GM of Michael Waltrip Racing. He’ll built 125,000-square-foot shop for the team's operation in Cornelius, N.C. to be called “Waltrip’s Racing World”. The building will be an interactive high-tech race shop designed for the ultimate fan experience.

“Since 1996, we have operated Michael Waltrip Racing out of our backyard,” Waltrip said. “I have always dreamed of constructing the perfect building for a race team. Waltrip Racing World will be just that.”

Waltrip said he and Toyota had been in negotiations since August. Late last season DEI and Waltrip announced they would go their separate ways after 2005.

The surprise of the teams was Red Bull Racing, which owns and operates Formula One teams and has been a major sponsor in the Indy Racing League, but is new to NASCAR as a major player.

Red Bull, which has no drivers yet, will be managed by former Penske Racing South executive Marty Gaunt and take over the old Penske South shop in the Lakeside Business park in Mooresville N.C.

The Busch series rosters will be filled later in 2006.

For Waltrip, who like his older brother Darrell before him, will become master of his own destiny in 2007 he certainly seems upbeat about the first race of 2007 in his Camry, the Daytona 500.
"I'm not going to bring a mule to the Kentucky Derby," he said. "I'm bringing a race car to the Daytona 500."

Toyota to compete in NASCAR Nextel Cup

 

Click Here To View The Toyota Nextel Cup Car: http://jayski.com/schemes/2007toyota.htm

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2006) - The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and Toyota announced Monday the manufacturer's plans to expand its NASCAR program by competing in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series starting in 2007, fielding the Toyota Camry model.

The expansion will follow three years of Toyota competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and will result in all three of NASCAR's national series having four manufacturers competing, as Toyota will join Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford.

"NASCAR welcomes Toyota to the greatest auto racing in the world," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, who made the announcement on Monday at NASCAR'S Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C.

"Toyota's entry into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series is good for drivers, teams and the fans. This move provides for even more intense competition on the track between drivers and manufacturers, which will provide more excitement and fan interest. Toyota's entry also provides more options for drivers and teams, which will increase the competition between manufacturers."

"It's a great pleasure to announce Toyota's entry into the NASCAR NEXTELCup and Busch Series with the Toyota Camry," said Dave Illingworth, senior vice president and chief planning and administrative officer for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc."

Next year - 2007 - will be a special year for Toyota in more ways than one. Toyota will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in the United States, and we will be joining the NASCAR NEXTEL CUP Series, America's premier racing series. Toyota has been an important part of the U.S. motorsports community for almost 25 years.

We've competed and won in different series and on tracks across America. Toyota drivers and teams have won championships in a variety of different series. But, if you want to compete against the best, in America that means NASCAR.

"We look forward to February of 2007 when the green flag waves to start the Daytona 500 and the starting lineup features the Toyota Camry." Illingworth, who joined France in making the announcement, said more information - regarding possible sponsor and driver lineups - will be released Tuesday night, during a media gathering at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord.

This year, Toyota is celebrating its 24th year of participation in American professional auto racing. Toyota drivers and teams have won championships in IMSA, CART, IRL and off-road racing. They have won such historic events as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Baja 1000 and the Indianapolis 500.Toyota moved into NASCAR in 2000, fielding the Celica model in the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series.

The following season, Robert Huffman gave Toyota its first NASCAR victory, at Kentucky Speedway. In 2003, Huffman gave Toyota its first NASCAR championship by capturing the NASCAR Goody's Dash title.

In 2004, Toyota entered the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the Tundra - in the process becoming the first new manufacturer in one of NASCAR's top series in more than 50 years. In two seasons of NASCAR Craftsman Truck competition, Tundra drivers have recorded 13 victories and 18 poles.Since 1986, Toyota has built more than 12 million vehicles in the United States. More than 6.5 million Camrys have been sold in the United States and it has been the best-selling car in America for eight of the past nine years. Camrys are built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, KY.

Michael Waltrip Racing Scores Owner Points From Jasper

 

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), so this allows Waltrip and the #55 team to use the #77 owners points and guaranteed to make the first five Cup races.

Thus knocking the #4 Morgan-McClure team back to 36th in owners points and out of the guaranteed spot.

Dale Jr. To Do XM Radio Show

 

#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will join XM Satellite Radio for a weekly show to be broadcast exclusively to XM's six-million-plus subscribers from coast to coast.

Dale Jr.'s show will debut during the week of February 13 on XM's NASCAR Radio (XM Channel 144) during Daytona Speedweeks.

XM is the nation's leading provider of satellite radio and the official satellite radio network of NASCAR. Dale Jr. will discuss the latest happenings on the NASCAR circuit, as well as music, video games and other personal interests on the wide-ranging show.

Dale Jr. will also play a key role in various XM promotions as part of a multi-year agreement with XM.

LOADED GUNS

 

Rookies gunning for Rookie of the Year title in 2006
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily

One of the biggest stories to watch in 2006 will be the biggest and arguably most talented group of rookie contenders in many years.

A total of seven drivers will be mixing it up for rookie honors. All bring credentials from other series that will make this years rookie battle one to watch. In addition six of the seven will be with high-profile teams in quality equipment.

At the head of the class is defending two-time Busch Series Champion, Martin Truex Jr. His Busch Series team Chance 2 Motorsports has shuttered its doors and he will devote all his energies to the Nextel Cup Series this year. Truex is teamed with superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. and combined with the backing of Dale Earnhardt Incorporated; Truex will no doubt be the person every other rookie is chasing.

Truex already knows how he wants to work with his talented teammate Dale Earnhardt Junior.

“We want to help each other win the race,” Truex said. “But we also want to beat each other to win the race. We both want to be 1st and we both can't do it, so one of us has got to get 2nd. As long as we're up there helping each other and having fun.

Hopefully it'll be able to work both ways and we can both run well and help motivate each other and keep each other motivated and learn new things and get DEI back where it should be, and that's running up front every week.”

Truex’s rival for last years Busch Series crown, Clint Bowyer also finds himself a rookie in the Cup Series this year. The Kansas native will pilot the No. 07 car for Richard Childress Racing. Bowyer lost the Busch Series title by only 68 points last year and no doubt will be gunning for Truex and looking for redemption.

“We raced each other really hard all year long,” Bowyer said. “Unfortunately we just come up a little short.

“I’m really looking forward to racing Martin and these guys for those Rookie-of-the-Year honors. That's kind of like a Championship all over again for me,” Bowyer added. “Just hopefully at the end of the year the shoe is on the other foot.”

“I'm sure he is gunning for me,” Truex said “ If he beat me, I'd be gunning for him, too.”

“He's a really cool guy and I enjoy racing with him,” Truex added. “I at least know what to expect from him on the racetrack, and he’s a great competitor that's a lot of fun to race with and that always races clean. I don't have to worry about it.”

Denny Hamlin is another to watch. A late model driver just a year prior, he nearly single handedly resurrected the No. 11 Fed-Ex Chevy at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005. After a mediocre season, the team released Jason Leffler from the ride late in the year and put in Hamlin, who went on to score one pole and three top ten finishes in just ten races, that’s the kind of experience that may just give Hamlin a leg up on his fellow rookie rivals.

“I think to be Rookie-of-the-Year this year it's probably going to take a Top-10 to top 15 points finish at the end of the year to be Rookie-of-the-Year, “Hamlin said. “You just can't slip up because you don't have one guy that you have got to beat. You have got to beat seven guys, so it's definitely going to be really tough.”

Hamlin also pointed out another strategy for the contenders this year, because the rookie field will not only be racing each other but will have to work hard to earn the respect of their fellow Nextel Cup competitors.

“It's going to be very important to not have any enemies, “Hamlin said. “Especially you got to respect these veterans that have been doing this for 20 some years, we're just the new guys trying to make a name for ourselves, so just trying to stay clean and don't make any enemies. They will come getcha'.”

“You don’t see rookies come in and have a chance work their way up like they used to,” one of those veterans Jeremy Mayfield said. “You come in now you better be ready. You have to produce, its not about ‘aw we’ll get them next week’. You’ve got to get them this week and every week.

It’s all about the pressure,” Mayfield said. “It’s all about how they handle it. In this sport only the strong survive.”

Daytona Testing: Part Deux

 

Second round of Nextel Cup testing at Daytona begins today
By Greg Engle - Cup Scene Daily

Here we go again.

Round two of NASCAR Nextel Cup testing kicks off Monday morning and while there is a new crop of drivers/teams, the same storylines from last week still linger while new ones will be floating around.

Drivers expected to test this week are: Joe Nemechek, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Green, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Sterling Marlin, J.J. Yeley, Dave Blaney, Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray, Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Casey Mears, Kyle Petty, Brent Sherman, Michael Waltrip, Carl Edwards, Paul Tracy/Robby Gordon, Travis Kvapil, Scott Riggs, Dale Jarrett and Mike Wallace.

There will again be new team/driver combinations here this week who will concentrate less on speed perhaps and more on learning how to work together.

Another band of rookies will be taking their first laps in a Nextel Cup car at Daytona and will again be trying to make a strong statement.

The highlight of the week may very well come on Thursday however. After the normal testing sessions are done, an open test of NASCAR’s “Car of Tomorrow” will be staged. The test is open to all teams and might provide the first real feedback on the cars as they run in drafting packs for the very first time; that is providing teams actually show up. Last weeks solo car test was also open to teams but none chose to test their own version of the COT. Right now NASCAR is saying there will be between five and eight teams.

Kurt Busch will emerge from hiding. Although he did test with his new Penske Racing team last week at Atlanta, there are a lot more media hounds at Daytona. And after Busch’s off track adventures last season, including the contract dispute that ultimately allowed him into the ride being vacated by retiring Rusty Wallace and his off track run-in with the Maricopa County Arizona Sheriff’s department that led to his early dismissal at Roush Racing, Busch may have an uncomfortable three days.

Busch will face the media Wednesday afternoon, and no doubt his seat on the stage will be mighty warm.

Michael Waltrip will be making his first appearance with his new Bill Davis Racing team, while Mark Martin will be making his last.

Waltrip is a Daytona 500 winner and may be the key this year to Bill Davis Racing making another appearance in victory lane at Daytona and elsewhere.

For Martin, who was to retire last year but opted to run one more season after Kurt Busch bailed, this will be the start of not only his final season, but an ‘all or nothing’ drive as he will take one more shot at the elusive championship that has fallen just out of his reach on several occasions. Martin has already made a strong statement here, turning the fastest lap in truck testing over the weekend. His most immediate goal will be scoring a win in the Daytona 500; a feat he’s never accomplished.

Two of the hottest drivers from last year will be here, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch. Edwards had a phenomenal rookie season making the cutoff for the Chase for the Cup and finishing third in the points for Roush Racing. Busch was the Rookie of the Year; both will be looking to get a head start on their sophomore seasons.

The stories will be flying and so will the primer gray cars again as the second round of testing continues through Wednesday.

Racing Is Family Fun Again

 

Earnhardt Jr. excited to work with cousin in '06
By GODWIN KELLY Motorsports Editor

DAYTONA BEACH -- If you think a Nextel Cup stock car is a hunk of cold metal riding on four patches of rubber, then take a hard look at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s situation last season.

Earnhardt had a falling out with his first cousin -- Tony Eury Jr. -- in 2004 and they worked with different Dale Earnhardt Inc. teams in 2005.

In 2004, Earnhardt won six races with Eury as his car chief. Last year, Earnhardt struggled to one victory and failed to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup playoffs. Eury was on the other side of the shop working on another driver's car.

Stock car old-timers will tell you Earnhardt was in an unhappy race car.

"Yeah, it's real easy to sit here now and think, 'Man, what a mistake' and 'What were you thinking?'

" Earnhardt said during a break in testing at Daytona International Speedway Monday. "It's bigger than anything that you guys know about. It's bigger than the sport and my success as a driver.

"It was about me and my cousin not getting along. That was more important to me. It wasn't about trying to be more successful or winning more races or being a champion. I didn't want to get to the point to where I couldn't stand my cousin anymore. That would be hard core."

Earnhardt and Eury had worked together, shoulder-to-shoulder, since the 1998 season when Earnhardt won the first of two Busch Series championships. Earnhardt's uncle, Tony Eury Sr., was his crew chief through the 2004 season.

Earnhardt said at the 2004 season final at Homestead, he never once spoke to his cousin that entire race weekend. The following week, DEI announced the big shakeup.

Eury Sr. was promoted to DEI team manager in 2005 and Eury Jr. was sent to work with Michael Waltrip and the No. 15 Chevrolet. For the first time in his racing career, Earnhardt was in the No. 8 car without family support.

Earnhardt said this family squabble was beginning to affect the entire DEI organization.

"I was thinking, 'I got to change. I've got to get away from this. It'll do him some good,' " Earnhardt said. "I was just scared to do it. I was scared to be the one to make the change or the decision to do it because a lot of people wouldn't understand it and a lot of people didn't understand it.

"The company wasn't gaining anything by the situation as it imploded, so we needed to make a change," Earnhardt said. "We didn't have any success. We could have maybe done it differently to have better success on the racetrack, but I'm glad to be where I am now."

The Earnhardt-Eury Jr. split didn't translate to any success at the racetrack. Waltrip, now with Bill Davis Racing, didn't win all season and Earnhardt managed one trip to Victory Lane. The long term effects of the breakup could produce dividends for years to come.

Earnhardt said he and Eury Jr. now have a mutual respect for each other. The tie that binds, the family blood line, is stronger than ever, Earnhardt reports.

The two men had a closed-door meeting near the end of the '05 season, worked out their differences and reconciled.

"He said some things that he normally wouldn't say and one of them was that he really had a lot of -- I don't want to over-quote him here -- but that he really had a lot of confidence in my abilities," Earnhardt said. "That's something he never even said before."

At the DEI race shop, the sky looks blue, the grass looks green and the No. 8 Chevrolet looks fast for 2006. Earnhardt could be the bounce-back story of the year.

"We've got everybody pretty much on board and we're focused and looking forward to next season," Earnhardt said. "I think we'll be strong and be able to compliment each other now. We've worked hard and improved."

"This is where we start to climb back up the hill," Earnhardt said. "Hopefully, in two or three years, we can be proud of ourselves and what we've been able to accomplish."

godwin.kelly@news-jrnl.com

Driver-crew chief communication: Critical to success!

 

Driver-crew chief communication: Critical to success
by Darrell Waltrip / AllWaltrip.com

Folks, I just wrote a story about how testing at Daytona isn't important, but I would always prefer to have my driver there. If, for some reason, he can't be, I'm OK with that. But, by the same token, I like to get rid of what few cobwebs there are, get the line of communication going and get back in gear.

It's very important for a driver and a crew chief to understand each other, especially the new combinations for 2006, whether it's Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray, Sterling Marlin, Michael or any of the other drivers in new cars. I've been thinking about how critical communication is going to be.

The first time I went to Daytona with Barry Dodson in 1993, we crashed in practice, and I cracked a couple of ribs. I was in a lot of pain when I started the 500. Halfway through the race, I was really hurtin'. I called into the pits.

"Barry, I need some help, buddy. You're going to have to give me some Goody's or something."

Not knowing me because we had never worked together before, Dodson didn't know what I was talking about. He turned around to the crew and said, "Look, I don't know what kind of goodies you all give him, but whatever you all give him, go get some and hurry up." One of the crew guys ran to the truck and got a Pop Tart.

When I came in the pits, they put a Pop Tart on the pole that they stick in the window to give me water and a wet towel. I looked at it, looked at them and I said, "Have you all lost your mind? Are you all crazy?" I just threw down the Pop Tart and drove off.

"I thought you needed some goodies," Dodson said.

"Yeah, dude, Goody's Headache Powder," I said. "I need something for pain, man, not something for hunger."

Everybody just cracked up because Dodson thought I wanted some "goodies" like a Snickers, Milky Way, Reese's or a little snack. It's just another example of how driver-crew chief communication is important to having success. When crew chief Mike Ford and Bill Elliott were working together, they were running awful in one race. The car was terrible.

Ford asked, "Bill, what's wrong with the car?"

"Well, it's running like a three-legged dog," Elliott said.

Mike turned around, and everybody in the pits was shrugging his shoulders. No one knew what he was talking about. Elliott didn't say anything else. The crew made some adjustments on the car. Later on in the race, Bill started running really well.

Ford asked, "Bill, how's the car now?"

"Well, you know that three-legged dog? It found it's other leg."

It was hilarious. The guys in the pits were just cracking up. Every driver has an expression of some kind. Sterling Marlin is a classic example. I can't imagine him driving this year without Tony Glover to talk to because he and Glover have been working together for years. No matter what Marlin says, Glover knows what he's talking about so somebody's going to be in for a real experience when they start trying to communicate with Marlin. I'll give you a good example.

A transmission blew up or some kind of mechanical problem happened to Marlin's car. Glove asked, "Sterling, what happened to the car?" Sterling said, "Well, it felt like I got a stick in the spoke." How do you explain that? It felt like I got a stick in the spoke.

The first time I went to work for Junior Johnson, I was eager and wanted to show my new boss how appreciative and excited I was about being there. We were getting ready to run a test at North Wilkesboro. There were 40 tires outside the building, and the team was getting ready to put them on the truck.

I asked, "Junior, what can I do to help out?"

"Well, boy, why don't you go out there and bounce them tires."

When the tires are aired up, crew members will bounce the tires to push the bead against the side of the wheel so you've got a good seal because we don't run tubes in short-track tires. My first thought was Johnson wanted me to bounce those tires and be sure they're all sealed on the wheels. So I started bouncing tires, and they were going everywhere. They went down hill and out in the yard. They were hitting cars. Johnson walked outside and said, "Boy, what the heck are you doing?"

"Well, June," I said, "I'm bouncing these tires like you told me to."

"Quit messing around and acting like a big fool. Get them tires over there, put them on that bubble bouncer and get them bounced."

So communication is the key to success. You've got to be able to understand what the people around you are trying to say, and they've got to understand what you're trying to say. If you don't, who knows? You might have a yard full of tires bounced all over the place.

Oh, by the way I was in Indy this past week on some business. There's a rumor going around that some big NASCAR team was thinking about moving to Indianapolis, and I was talking to some folks who may have given me an inside track on who it might be. It's a guy that's got three cars and no crew chiefs, if that helps you any.

Contributed by Darrell Waltrip at www.allwaltrip.com

Elliott Joining MB2 For Daytona 500

 

By TONY FABRIZIO afabrizio@tampatrib.com

Bill Elliott will race in the Daytona 500 for the first time since 2003.

Known for driving Fords and Dodges throughout his 30-year career, Elliott will drive MB2 Motorsports' No. 36 Chevy in the Feb. 19 race. He'll be a teammate of Lakeland's Joe Nemechek and the team's newest driver, Sterling Marlin.

Elliott, the 1988 Winston Cup champion, also will drive the No. 36 car in the Feb. 11 Budweiser Shootout, an all-star race for 2005 pole winners. Elliott holds an automatic berth because he won the Shootout in 1987.

Frank Stoddard, who has worked with Jeff and Ward Burton, among others, will serve as Elliott's crew chief for both races and for a Daytona test session next week.

"MB2 has a top-notch superspeedway program, and I am looking forward to being part of it," Elliott said. "Both Sterling and Joe are good on the big tracks, and having them as teammates gives us added potential."

The No. 36 car is MB2's part-time team. Road-racing specialist Boris Said drove the car in nine races last year, scoring a best finish of third at Watkins Glen.

With Elliott and Marlin, MB2 will have a pair of two-time Daytona 500 winners. Elliott won from the pole in 1985 and '87 driving a Ford for Harry Melling, and Marlin won in 1994 and '95 driving a Chevy for Morgan-McClure Motorsports.

In addition to experience, MB2 should have strong cars. The team leases engines from Hendrick Motorsports, which, in the last two years, has surpassed Dale Earnhardt Inc., as the premier team on the two restrictor-plate tracks.

Elliott's 25-year record in the Daytona 500 includes nine top-five and 14 top-10 finishes and four poles. He shares the record for most 500 poles with Buddy Baker and Cale Yarborough.

"Daytona is a special place, and the 500 is a special race," Elliott said. "I haven't reached the point where I am content to watch this race on television. I would rather be part of the action - it's the big show."

New Year Is A New Year At DEI

 

New Year is a new year at DEI
by Tim PackmanDale Earnhardt Inc.,

With the ringing in of a New Year comes a new year in NASCAR, as well.

The 2005 season produced one Nextel Cup Series victory and Bud Pole Award, six Busch wins, three Busch Pole Awards and a repeat championship for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Even though the 2006 calendar year is only a few days old, the racing season began a few months ago.

Martin Truex, Jr. and the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team shut down Chance 2 Motorsports with their second consecutive Busch Series championship. That was only a few weeks ago, and now that 2006 is upon us so is their new season with an elevated challenge.
They became the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team this year.

"As of right now, and through this season, we are a rookie team in Nextel Cup racing," said Kevin Manion, crew chief. "Believe it or not, we actually started working on our 2006 Chevrolets back in late July. Chevrolet and NASCAR handed down the changes and we went to work right then.

"The changes from Chevrolet had to do with the same changes made to the factory Monte Carlo. The new hood, nose and deck lid was all we had to incorporate into our race cars.

"We start testing at Daytona next Monday and, if we have a good test, the rest of the month goes by pretty fast. If we don’t have a good test, then we have to come back here to the shop and get busy."

Preseason Thunder begins at the 2.5-mile track of Daytona International Speedway on Monday, January 9 for all Nextel Cup cars that finished first, third, fifth, and so on, in the owner’s points. Then, the even number finishers go Jan. 16-18 with Busch testing right after Jan. 20 – 22.

Dan Stillman and the No. 11 Menards Chevrolet team are pulling double duty for Daytona this year. Paul Menard is going to run the full Busch schedule this year and seven Nextel Cup races, as well.

Their first venture on the Cup side for the No. 15 Menards team will be only the most prestigious race of the year – the Daytona 500.

"Yeah, that does make me a little nervous," said crew chief Stillman. "The biggest worry for me is going to be qualifying. I know we’ll race pretty well, but qualifying like it is there has me a little worried.

"This team is wide open right now getting both cars ready. We want to win a Busch championship and keep the DEI streak alive by going three in a row from the team aspect.

That’s our main focus, but don’t think the Daytona 500 car is taking a back seat by any means.

"We started working on our 2006 Busch cars in October of last year. There weren’t any factory changes like there was on the Cup side, so that helps us a lot right from the start."

Menard and the No. 11 team are coming off 2005 finishing sixth in points with one Busch Pole Award (Talladega), six top-fives and 15 top-10s. They might not have won a race – yet – but they can be proud of the fact they didn’t use one provisional in 2005.

The No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet team is a back to the same team that won six races and the Daytona 500 in 2004. Like the other teams, their 2006 season started long before the baby New Year came walking in.

"We started on our 2006 cars in September of last year," said Tony Gibson, car chief. "We actually had our Daytona car done by the end of November.

"They have both been wind tunneled and are ready for testing. We are in the process of building another No. 8 Bud car for the Shootout. It would be nice to start the season off by winning another one of those."

Even though the calendar year is only a few days old, it seems the racing one is months ahead – without even taking an official lap, yet.