RACING HIGHLIGHTS
Jeff Burton celebrates his Dover 400 win with wife Kim, daughter
Paige and son Harrison - Sept. 24, 2006 (Photo: Jonathan Ferrey)
CUP - Jeff Burton drove his way to victory lane ending a 175-race winless streak and put himself out front in the point standings for the first time since May 1999. Matt Kenseth led the most laps but ran out of gas and finished 10th.
Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin join Burton and Kenseth as the only four chasers to post Top 10 finishes in both chase events.
Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne encountered some bad luck that knocked them out of contention for this race, and possibly the championship chase itself. Kahne was the victim of a spin by defending champion Tony Stewart, when he lost the handle on the 20th lap and slid right in front of Kahne's dodge. Both cars returned after lengthy repairs but neither was a factor. Busch went to the garage with what he termed a "fluke" engine problem.
Other chase contenders encountering problems of one sort or another were Jimmie Johnson, who finished 13th, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who ran among the leaders most of the day, fell back towards the end of the race to a 21st-place finish. Kahne was 38th and Kyle Busch 40th.
BUSCH - Clint Bowyer picked up his first Series victory of 2006 and the ninth win of the season for Richard Childress Racing, which has been the subject of controversy all week. Clint's girlfriend, Athena Barber, was waiting in victory lane to congratulate him.
Rounding out the Top 10 were Matt Kenseth, points leader Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, J.J. Yeley and Michael Waltrip.
Harvick extends his point lead by a margin of 699 markers over Carl Edwards. Denny Hamlin, Bowyer and Yeley make up the Top 5.
Roush Racing development driver David Ragan, one of four candidates for the #06 AAA Cup car, finished a respectable 18th. Busch East Driver Sean Caisse, who made his Series debut in the Kevin Harvick Inc. #33 Outdoor Channel Chevrolet, crashed in the first lap of practice and finished 42nd after completing only 10 laps in a backup car.
NCTS - Mike Skinner sat on the pole for a sixth time and finally delivered the car to victory lane, his first win in 26 races. Mike's wife Angie hitched a piggy back ride to victory lane from a crew member.
Johnny Benson' s 4th place finish cut further into 12th place finisher Todd Bodine's seemingly solid championship lead – the margin is 91 points with six races remaining.
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OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Richard Childress Racing responds to this...
"The allegations made about RCR in a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled former employee are absolutely untrue. Specifically, our cars passed NASCAR inspection both before and after qualifying for the 2006 Daytona 500. Additional allegations made are also untrue. We will make no further comments until after the issue is resolved in a court of law."
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Photo of the Week
Olivia Compton gets a little pre-race schwing action from mom and dad. (Photo: Phil Cavali)
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REVISITING RICHMOND
Dill Will
An angry Nascar Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick angrily confronts Speed TV reporter Bob Dilner during practice for the Dover 400 at Dover International Speedway. Harvick was upset with allegations Dilner made earlier in the week that Harvicks team had been using illegal parts in his Loudon winning car as well as his teammates cars. - Sept. 23, 2006 (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas)
Post Busch race quotes from this...
Clint Bowyer (in victory lane): "By the way, we want Bob Dillner to come down here [to Victory Lane] and check the wheels out for us."
Kevin Harvick: "I just want to dedicate this to Bob Dillner and all the wheels that we have. I think this is pretty bittersweet to put all that to bed. RCR finished one and three. Take that and take it to the bank."
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Last week in Richmond, Jeff Gordon was ticked off at his non-chaser teammate Brian Vickers for not letting the championship contender pass.
Quoting this...
Jeff Gordon: "He's my teammate, but he's not my teammate because he's moving on next year. I raced him harder than he wanted me to race him earlier in the race. I could give all the reasons and excuses, but it doesn't do any good.
"It did cost us time. Right now he's in a tough position. He's moving on to a new team. He hasn't been able to win races like other guys at Hendrick Motorsports. He wants it bad and he's
driving hard and I think it was just a little lapse in judgment.
"It's not a guy that's out there trying to help you win a championship." [Associated Press - Sept. 22, 2006]
Brian Vickers: "You've got to be respectful of their situation and understand they're racing for a championship. At the same time they've got to understand you're out there racing to win.
"Anybody in the Chase that feels the rest of the field needs to get out of the way needs to think again. If that was the case, then they should have a race for the 10 cars in the Chase and a race for the rest." [NASCAR.com - Sept. 23, 2006]
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Keyed Off
Rookie NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ryan Moore suddenly left his position with Key Motorsports this afternoon, leaving crew chief Barry Dodson and team owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. scurrying to find a replacement.
The No. 40 Chevrolet Silverado that Moore was supposed to pilot this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was already en route to the venue. Key then announced that he has hired veteran Tim Fedewa to drive the No. 40 at Las Vegas.
Key did not elaborate on the reasons for Moore's departure other than to say that it hinged on a basis difference of opinion and the direction that the fledgling race team was headed.
Moore was seeing his very first competition in the Craftsman Truck Series with Key Motorsports this year. He replaced veteran Chad Chaffin after the sixth race at Charlotte and promptly gained starting berths in 11 of the next 12 events - the last 10 in succession.
In his 11 outings, Moore scored a career-best finish of 14th at the Texas Motor Speedway in June and was 15th last weekend when he returned to his "home" track at Loudon, NH."
Quoting this..
Ryan Moore: "I found out we were in the sport for different reasons. I wanted to move ahead by leaps and bounds. But it seemed like I was
on the outside looking in. Curtis was happy if people knew his name as the team owner. Things happen for a reason. I'll be racing again."
Curtis Key: "Ryan just basically disagreed with our philosophy and quit. He quit on us and left us high and dry at the worst possible moment. But we're moving on. We're heading to Vegas with the team and a new driver. We're going to work as hard as we can while that boy is going to be at the beach, stylin' and profilin'.
"We're probably not a big enough team for that boy. You'd think he'd want to see this out, get the seat time and get some experience. But that's the problem with kids in the sport today.
"Give me a veteran driver. They understand hard work. There's too many kids who don't. Derrike Cope was sitting in my office (later that afternoon) asking about the ride. I'll take what's dealt to me."
"He left us high and dry at the worst possible moment, so now we're scurrying to find another driver capable of putting the No. 40 Chevrolet Silverado up front at Las Vegas," Key
stated.
"We certainly wish Ryan the best of luck, and thank him and his family for all of their support this year, but it's just a shame that he ended up leaving as abruptly as he did when we're so close to the next race. We're hoping that our race team can recover from this sudden turn of events and still perform well this weekend."
Fedewa finished 29th.
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NASCAR'S RICHEST
Forbes Magazine counts a few members of the extended NASCAR family among "The 400 Richest Americans."
#140 Roger S. Penske, Penske Truck Leasing (NASCAR Owner)
Net worth: $2.2 billion
Forbes bio: Star stock car driver retired from racing 1965 at age 28. Worked for Alcoa; left, bought Chevy dealership. Started Penske Corp. 1969: truck leasing, truck parts manufacturer, diesel engine maker. Sales: $16 billion. Also controls more than 280 dealerships in U.S. and Europe as chairman of United Auto Group, nation's second-largest auto dealer. Owns Indy, Nascar and American Le Mans racecar teams; part-owner of Deer Valley ski resort in Utah. Inked deal to sell Smart cars in U.S. for DaimlerChrysler.
#242 James C. France and William C. France Jr., International Speedway Corp.
Net worth: $1.5 billion
Forbes
bio: Inherited Daytona speedway (race tracks) and Nascar (racing circuit) from father William H.G. France (d. 1992), visionary who consolidated stock car leagues. Bill Jr.: took over 1972, brought
Nascar to mainstream, licensed TV rights for $2.4 billion. Son Brian took wheel in 2003. James: chief of track owner International Speedway. In March family awarded coveted Nascar Hall of Fame to Charlotte, N.C.
#278 Ollen Bruten Smith, Speedway Motorsports Inc.
Net worth: $1.4 billion
Forbes bio: Stock car maven attended first auto race at age 8; promoted events on dirt track in Midland, N.C. as teen. Opened Charlotte Motor Speedway 1960; bankrupt 2 years later. Founded Speedway Motorsports. Public 1995. Now controls 6 tracks; commands highest average number of seats per track in the industry. Increasingly threatened by competitors William and James France, owners of Nascar and International Speedway Corp. Despite rumor, says no plans to race in Mexico: "I thought Taco Bell was a phone company. " Donates money to child-related causes via Speedway Children's Charities.
Gassing this...
- #21 Forrest Edward Mars Jr., Jacqueline Mars and John Franklyn Mars, M&M/Mars, sponsor of #38 Ford (Owner: Robert Yates Racing; Driver: David Gilliland)
- #45 John R Menard Jr., Menards, sponsor of #11 Chevrolet (Busch) (Owner: Dale Earnhardt Inc.; Driver: Paul Menard)
- #70 Richard M Schulze, Best Buy, sponsor of the #66 Chevrolet (Owner: Haas/CNC; Driver: Jeff Green)
- #140 Frederick Wallace Smith, FedEx, sponsor of the #11 Chevrolet (Cup) (Owner: Joe Gibbs Racing; Driver: Denny Hamlin)
- #189 Bernard Marcus and #297 Arthur M Blank, The Home Depot, sponsor of the #20 Chevrolet (Owner: JGR; Driver: Tony Stewart)
- #242 Peter Buck and Fred DeLuca, Subway, sponsor of the #16 Ford (Owner: Roush Racing; Driver: Greg Biffle)
- #242 Sanford Weill, CitiGroup, sponsor of the #90 Citifinancial Ford (Owner: RYR; Drivers: Stephen Leicht, David Gilliland, Matt McCall)
- #278 Stanley Stub Hubbard, DirecTV, sponsor of the DirecTV 500 and part-time sponsor of the #07 Chevrolet (Owner: RCR; Driver: Cilnt Bowyer)
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STEWART IS HANDS ON
Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley joined volunteers from The Home Depot, Joe Gibbs Racing, KaBoom! and the local community to build a new racing-themed playground at the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware as part of the Hands On Network's "Corporate Month of Service" project.
An alliance of major corporations and nonprofit organizations will mobilize more than 40,000 volunteers in 1,000 community service projects throughout the month of September to mark the second annual "Corporate Month of Service." The projects will address communities' most critical needs -- from hurricane recovery efforts to playground builds to school transformations. The month of service is a project of Hands On Network in partnership with KaBOOM!, numerous community organizations, and such corporations as The Home Depot(r), Jones New York, MASCO Corporation and UnitedHealth Group.
"Corporate Month of Service is part of a national movement to increase volunteerism by 10 percent, engage and train 100,000 volunteer leaders, and create immediate, tangible impact in three areas -- children and education, health and wellness and the environment," said Michelle Nunn, co-founder & CEO of Hands On Network. "In two years, we have doubled membership in our Corporate Service Council from 29 to 55 corporations, national nonprofit organizations and civic leaders, and we look for additional companies and organizations to help magnify our efforts in the coming year."
"During September, corporate employees, community organizations and individuals from all walks of life will become one unified force for positive change. In our service, we show that volunteerism is the common denominator that can effect immediate, positive change in communities," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president & CEO of The Home Depot and co-chair of the Hands On Network Corporate Service Council."
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FRIGHT FEST
The hood of the #20 Home Depot Chevy will feature Six Flags graphics to commemorate the strategic partnership with The Home Depot and to launch the Fright Fest in-store promotion. From Sept. 29 through Oct. 31, over 1,000 The Home Depot stores nationwide will offer discount coupons to 12 Six Flags parks. Discounts range from "Buy One Get One Free" to "Save $15 to 10% Off." Coupons are available at stores within a 150-mile radius of Six Flags-branded U.S. theme parks. Motorsports Authentics and Six Flags have a licensing agreement for the production of 3,400 1/24-scale die cast cars to be sold online and through Motorsports Authentics dealer networks.
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DRIVING TROOP SUPPORT
NASCAR drivers and top brass came out in full force at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here last night to show their support for America's wounded troops.
"It's important to support our troops because they're defending our freedoms," Greg Biffle, driver of the National
Guard-sponsored No. 16 car, said prior to a dinner in honor of injured servicemembers. "I've been here about a half dozen times, and it's always very emotional because many of the soldiers have serious life threatening-type injuries they're recovering from. My appreciation for them is overwhelming."
Earlier in the day, the drivers and executives visited wounded troops in the hospital wards. "A lot of them seem like they are disappointed that they're here," Biffle said. "Not
just because they're injured, but because they'd rather be with their unit, which I find extraordinarily patriotic."
U.S. Army Cpl Christopher Strickland (right) poses for a photo
with NASCAR driver Carl Edwards during the NASCAR visit to
Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Sept. 21.
Strickland was injured in Iraq in July, 2006. (Photo: William D. Moss/DoD)
Ashton Lewis, driver of the Marine Corps-sponsored No. 25 car, agreed with Biffle. "When you get a chance to come to (the National Naval Medical Center at) Bethesda or Walter Reed, like we are today, and you see the commitment and sacrifices our troops make, it really humbles you," he said.
Lewis said he felt fortunate to drive a racecar for a living and added that American troops are partly responsible that good fortune. "I wouldn't get that opportunity if it weren't for what these men and women in the armed forces do for us," he said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for their efforts."
Army Cpl. Christopher Strickland, 20, a hospital patient and "big time" NASCAR fan, said he appreciated the drivers' coming out. "I think it's awesome. I love coming to things like this to see that people actually care about us," he said.
Strickland was injured in Ramadi, Iraq, in July. His injuries include two shattered heels, various broken bones, loss of sight in his right eye, and a severely damaged right arm. He said he felt if it wasn't for the superb treatment he's received at Walter Reed he'd be a lot worse off. "The doctors here are awesome," he said. "They saved my arm and my eye."
Army Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, Walter Reed commander, called NASCAR a uniquely American sport. "The fact that you took time out of your busy schedule to spend some time with us is immensely generous," he told the drivers.
The drivers attending the dinner at the Karen Wagner Sports Center, on the Walter Reed campus, included Biffle, Lewis, Carl Edwards, Joe Nemechek, Sterling Marlin and Kyle Busch.
Retired NASCAR driver, Darrell Waltrip, served as master of ceremonies for the night's event, which included a musical performance by singer Scott Stapp, frontman of the band Creed, and tenor Daniel Rodriguez, who belted out "God Bless America."
"We know a lot of you are big fans, but we're also big fans of yours," Waltrip told the injured troops. "We think about you every weekend when they drop that green flag."
Waltrip thanked all those who made the night's event possible, including those associated with the America Supports You program. America Supports You is a Defense Department program that highlights the various ways the American people are supporting the armed forces.
Attendees received generous gift bags containing some useful items, including Mechanix Wear gloves, which are worn by NASCAR pit crews. The protective gloves are great for gripping and might help patients learn to manipulate wheelchairs. Mechanix Wear also donated numerous pairs of gloves to the hospital's amputee patient care center.
NASCAR has a long history of supporting members of the armed forces, Brian France, NASCAR's chief executive officer, said. "If you go to a NASCAR race you'll see that the armed forces are a big part of what we do," he said. "What most of us know is that the real heroes aren't in sports or business, they're those who keep us safe 365 days a year."
Quoting this...
Joe Nemechek: "Every time I visit our wounded troops I come away more proud and excited to represent the Army as its NASCAR driver. It's a moving experience and I once again look forward to hearing all of the heroic and positive stories of our soldiers, who are fighting the global war on terrorism. It's not about if you're for or against the war, it's about supporting our troops who are putting their
lives on the line every day to protect our freedom."
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ANECDOTE OF THE WEEK
David Ragan
"One funny story about the weekend [in New Hampshire], I went to dinner with my PR guy to this little place in Derry, 30 miles or so from the track.
We both ordered lobsters and when they came out, it was just a lobster on a styrofoam tray- no crackers or anything. We were lost, neither of us knew how we were going to eat them. Well, this guy sitting at the
next table over could tell that we were struggling a little bit, so he came over and took the lobsters from us and started tearing them apart, giving us instruction the whole way through about how you're supposed to go about getting all the meat out. The whole place thought it was pretty funny that we had no idea what we were doing. Since he helped us as much as he did, we offered to teach him how to eat ribs or something the next time he's down south. It was a pretty funny deal, but I'll head back to that little place the next time I'm in town because everyone was really nice."
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SILLY SEASON UPDATES
- Kevin Harvick Inc. announced today that 1991 NASCAR Busch Series and 2000 Nextel Cup champion Bobby Labonte will assume driving duties of the # 77 Dollar General stores Chevrolet at the remaining companion events for the 2006 season. Dollar General supports KHI's initiative to make this change for the betterment of the No. 77 team.
Quoting this...
"KHI and Dollar General had high expectations for the No. 77 when the season started. Both Dollar General and KHI have been very patient throughout the season. This is a performance-based business and unfortunately we have not seen the level of improvement or the results we had hoped for. In an effort to evaluate the performance of the No. 77 team and get a jump start on the 2007 season, a change had to be made. We felt like we received good direction and feedback when Jeff Burton stepped behind the wheel of the 77 at New Hampshire in July. We look forward to learning even more with Bobby over the remainder of the year, to continue building a solid foundation and make this team stronger. Burney Lamar will be back in the No. 77 Dollar General stores Chevrolet in the Sam's Town 250 at Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park, the last stand-alone Busch Series event of the season." - Mark Martin and Roush Racing have come to terms on a full-time 2007 NCTS season and Mark is hoping he can also split a Cup season with another driver, a possible choice being Boris Said. He has not ruled out returning to Cup full-time in 2008 but insists he'll take 2007 to see how he likes being off.
- Ricky Rudd may be waking up again from his semiretirement, or at least putting feelers out that he's getting restless sitting on the porch.
Rudd hasn't been seen since he subbed for injured #20-Tony Stewart at Dover in June. But now he's lined up to test a Toyota car of tomorrow at Talladega on Oct. 9, during NASCAR's next planned test of the controversial new model.
Rudd would be testing in a model for a Toyota Truck team that now fields Trucks for Jack Sprague. Rudd said he's been offered Toyota Cup rides next season, but hasn't said yes or no as of yet.
And there is speculation that General Motors may want to make Rudd a Nextel Cup offer for next year, too. Already there is widespread speculation that Richard Childress may be ready to expand to a fourth Nextel Cup team. Rudd and Childress were once GM teammates. [Winston Salem Journal - Sept. 17, 2006)
TGOM had the unique chance to chat with Rudd's nephew, Skeet Ulrich, earlier this week who couldn't confirm anything further, but said he knew something was up when he paid his mom's brother a visit and saw the motorcoach parked out back. He inquired, "Why you hanging on to that thing?" Uncle Ricky replied: "Ya never know." - Regan Smith, #35 McDonald's Ford for Team Rensi in the Busch Series, is rumored to be leaving Team Rensi for Ginn/MB2 to run a Cup and Busch schedule in 2007.
Quoting this... Jay Frye, CEO and general manager of MB2 Motorsports: "Since Bobby Ginn purchased a majority interest in MB2, it is the goal of the company to expand its racing operations. MB2 is currently evaluating a number of different expansion scenarios and combinations for the 2007 season. And yes, Regan Smith is a potential candidate to fill our expansion needs." - After a five-year joint-venture, NASCAR Busch Series team owner Armando Fitz and Hall of Fame Quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, have agreed to end their business relationship at the end of the 2006 season. Bradshaw, while having an affinity for NASCAR, regrets having to end his involvement.
Quoting this...
"I love racing, and I treasure the relationships I've made with so many wonderful people connected with NASCAR that I've met during the past five years, but my schedule is making it harder and harder to fulfill the necessary race team sponsor commitments for personal appearances, and it's time for me to move on.
"I have truly enjoyed my involvement with NASCAR and especially my relationship with Armando Fitz. While our professional relationship is ending, our personal friendship remains unchanged. Armando has some very exciting plans for his race team in '07, and I wish him all the success in the world."
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Quoting this...
Kristin Buntain: "Before Denny and I dated, I wasn't a huge NASCAR fan. I knew who Jeff Gordon and Earnhardt were, but that's all. Of course, dating him, all we did was go to the racetrack or go to his shop where I'd watch him work on the car. My job now is to make sure that he has everything he needs and that he knows his schedule. He's trying to retain all kinds of other information, so I try to make his life as easy as it can be." [USA Today - Sept. 20, 2006]
Dennis Hamlin: "Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. tells Denny that he is the luckiest guy in the world that he has Kristin with him. He tells him, 'Denny, she put up with you when you had nothing. You know she wasn't after your money.'" [USA Today - Sept. 20, 2006]
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In case you missed this...
- Waltrip Racing clinched their first-ever Totally Racin' Softball League championship last night at Walter Safrit Park in Kannapolis (N.C.). The team, consisting of crew members from both Darrell Waltrip Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing led by Coach Scott Stallings, won three of four games outclassing Chip Ganassi Racing and Evernham Motorsports to win the title.
(Back L-R) : Dave Kulak, Travis Stock, Scott Stallings, Will Porier, Ray Holm, Chris Aldridge, John Royer (Front L-R): Jerry Baxter, Mark Cain, Scott Robinson, Lee Cunningham
Quoting this...
Coach Stallings: "This was only our second year playing and we won the championship. We were able to beat Ganassi. They were awesome to play against and had great sportsman like conduct. We all had a lot of fun and I think the guys really enjoyed playing this season. In the first game we played against Ganassi Tuesday night, we went 11 innings and we normally only play seven. They won by one point. Then Champion Tire and Wheel had to forfeit to Evernham Motorsports. We beat Evernham Motorsports and then Ganassi a second time. Ganassi was unbeaten and we had to beat them twice to win the title. We had home field advantage in the final game and we won in the bottom of the seventh inning. We look forward to next year and defending our title." - #29-Kevin Harvick's victory of the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sunday helped make history for Chevrolet, securing the 400th victory for the Monte Carlo and clinching the 2006 Manufacturers' Cup Championship for Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series. With nine races left in the season, Chevrolet has collected its 30th all-time manufacturers' crown and 26th in NASCAR's Modern Era (1972 – present) in NASCAR's premier racing series.
A total of seven different Chevrolet drivers have contributed to 16 victories in 27 races to date. Chevy Monte Carlo SS drivers who posted wins this season include #48-Jimmie Johnson (four), #29-Kevin Harvick (four), #24-Jeff Gordon (two), #20-Tony Stewart (two), #11-Denny Hamlin (two), #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (one) and #5-Kyle Busch (one). The 2006 Manufacturers' Cup Championship continues Chevrolet's history of success in North America's most popular racing series. Since NASCAR's Modern Era began, GM has earned 28 of 35 possible manufacturers' championships with Chevrolet collecting 26 titles for an impressive 80 percent championship record (Buick has won the title twice).
Quoting this...
Mark Kent, director of GM Racing: "Chevrolet has a storied history in NASCAR competition with 465 race wins since the Modern Era began in 1972. To clinch the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Manufacturers' Championship with nine races remaining in the season is an impressive accomplishment for Chevrolet and its teams. It has truly been a group approach with seven different Chevy drivers sharing in this result. This cooperative effort among the teams, in concert with the technology and support provided by GM Racing, has made this championship special for all concerned. We are extremely proud to capture our fourth consecutive manufacturers' championship." - After failing to strike a deal to buy Robert Yates Racing – twice – #7-Robby Gordon began making known his desire to be the No. 2 team with Ford (behind Roush Racing) instead of his current status as, at best, the No. 5 Chevy team. Officially, Gordon says "as of now, we have no manufacturer deal for 2007," but RGM [Robby Gordon Motorsports] has chosen not to renew its association with Chevrolet after this season. That leaves Gordon looking at Ford, Dodge and Toyota. And while Gordon has a past relationship with Toyota, his team doesn't fit into Toyota's immediate NASCAR plans. A source with a manufacturer says Gordon is most closely looking at Ford, which is in line with Gordon's recent comments on the subject. Ford officials have declined to comment as to the status of their relationship with Gordon, although they have acknowledged having a dialog with the owner/driver. In the meantime, Gordon's team has moved ahead with plans to expand its operation by building a new facility and expanding to two cars in 2007. Speculation centers on Motorola being one of the primary sponsors for the second car. [Yahoo! Sports - Sept. 23, 2006]
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PASS THE MOJO
NASCAR Top 10 Power Rankings: Week 27 By Jeffrey Boswell
8.
Jimmie Johnson — Johnson's luck went from bad to worse on Sunday [in Richmond]. He started seventh, but a tight-handling car and a possible dropped cylinder left him in the back of the pack. Then, on lap 89, he was spun into the wall in a wreck involving Greg Biffle and Sterling Marlin. A trip to the garage ensued, and he returned to finish the race in 39th, 77 laps down.
Fictionally quoting this...
"Tony Stewart may have a monkey named ‘Mojo,'" says Johnson, "but I've got an even bigger monkey. He doesn't have a name, lives on my back, and has something to do with me not having won a Cup championship." [Sports Central - Sept. 21, 2006]
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THE MOST FAQ
Q. Did Dale Earnhardt Jr. get married in Monte Carlo?
A. Um... No. TGOM has confirmed that Junior DID NOT get married and traced this latest rumor back to an invitation only message board where it appears to have been completely fabricated, perhaps inspired by this...
Jade Gurss Red Alert: "Almost immediately after the exhausting race at Loudon, Dale Jr. was on a private jet, zooming overnight for his first visit to Europe. His trip abroad was for a double-super-top-secret project (don't worry. we'll let you know in good time), but included no time for sight-seeing, as he returned to New York City Tuesday, where he recorded an NBC public service announcement (a part of their "The More You Know" series.) Then, he jetted back home to host his XM Show. A proposed visit to an aircraft carrier for the Navy was postponed to give him time to catch his breath before the action begins again at Dover. "
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FOR THE RECORD
Speaking of message boards...
tallglassofmilk does not run or host any messages boards or group forums and is not affiliated in any way with the NASCAR Women and Couples Yahoo! group, NASCAR AtoZ, NASCAR Enquirer, the Hollywood Jr. Race Club or any other racing or driver site or fan forum. I also do not post on any forums, with the exception of the drama-free forum hosted by Speedway Goddess. (These sites are invitation only and as I have nothing to do with them I will not provide links or contact info so please don't ask.)
Furthermore, despite what you may have read on any of the above mentioned forums or been told by their moderators, TGOM does not write columns or anything else for any websites other than the blogs at drinkthis.typepad.com, nor have I given interviews to any of the aforementioned sites. Anything you have read/heard to the contrary is a fradulent misrepresentation.
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MORE
* Please note: Additional photos tagged 'exclusive' are available to Answer this... Flickr friends only.
REMINDERS
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