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Week of 7/2/06
Jeff Burton wins 2nd poll of the season
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Qualifying - USG Sheetrock 400
Chicagoland Speedway
Joliet, Ill.
Friday, July 7, 2006
1. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 181.647 mph.
2. (25) Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 181.318 mph.
3. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 180.687 mph.
4. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 180.421 mph.
5. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 180.391 mph.
6. (43) Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 180.367 mph.
7. (11) Denny Hamlin #, Chevrolet, 179.874 mph.
8. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 179.718 mph.
9. (6) Mark Martin, Ford, 179.325 mph.
10. (18) J.J. Yeley #, Chevrolet, 179.319 mph.
Full Results: http://www.finallapradio.com/newsfiles/stats.shtml July 7, 2006
UPS will follow Jarrett to MWR
UPS MOVING TO MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING
Famed Partnership With Dale Jarrett Stays Intact When Toyota Camry Hits Track in 2007
UPS MOVING TO MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING
JOLIET, Ill., July 7, 2006 -- UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced a two-year agreement with Michael Waltrip Racing to sponsor driver Dale Jarrett in a Toyota Camry for the 2007 and 2008 seasons of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
The announcement here at the Chicagoland Speedway comes after Jarrett agreed earlier this year to move to the Waltrip organization and race a Camry starting with the 2007 Daytona 500.
UPS has supported Jarrett since 2001 when it first became a NASCAR team sponsor, in the process launching its highly popular "Race the Truck" advertising campaign. That campaign has made Jarrett's name synonymous with UPS and its "big brown truck" and maintaining that brand connection was a factor in the company's decision.
"Dale Jarrett has been an outstanding ambassador for the UPS brand both on and off the track and we expect more great things to come as we join him at Michael Waltrip Racing as the sponsor of his Toyota Camry," said Patrick Guilbert, vice president of sponsorships for UPS. "Since our relationship with Dale began in 2001, his contributions have helped UPS build a powerful sponsorship program that resonates with our employees, customers and NASCAR fans alike."
"My association with UPS over the past six years has been both rewarding and fun, so I'm thrilled to be able to continue this relationship," Jarrett said. "UPS has set new standards in the way sponsors can work with drivers and the teams to develop creative and effective marketing programs."
The decision to join Michael Waltrip Racing places UPS among the first sponsors to adorn a Toyota Camry in 2007, which is the manufacturer's inaugural season in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
"The UPS name also is synonymous with speed and that's what Michael Waltrip Racing intends to deliver to UPS and Dale with the new UPS Toyota Camry," said owner Michael Waltrip. "From a business perspective, the addition of UPS expands our resources, which enables us to build the best teams and in turn grow our organization at a pace that will enhance our ability to win races."
"We are ecstatic for Michael to have UPS join his already impressive lineup of sponsors," said Jim Aust, vice president of Motorsports, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. "Michael and his team have done a phenomenal job in partnering with some of America's most recognizable brands, and UPS is a tremendously successful company that is recognized by households as a global business leader. We are in full support of Michael Waltrip Racing fielding three NASCAR Nextel Cup teams in 2007 and feel Michael has formed the foundation of a formidable racing organization that we are proud to have carry the Toyota nameplate."
UPS will continue its sponsorship of Dale Jarrett and Robert Yates Racing through the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season.
"Robert Yates Racing has been an important part of the UPS Racing Program for the last six years," Guilbert added. "We're proud to have been associated with the Yates family and we appreciate their support of our corporate sponsorship goals over the years."
Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services. Each day, the UPS pit crew of more than 407,000 dedicated employees delivers to more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
UPS is currently in its sixth year as primary sponsor of the #88 Ford driven by Dale Jarrett for Robert Yates Racing and its seventh year as the official delivery company of NASCAR. Building on the sport's popularity and fan loyalty, UPS provides updated information about UPS Racing, Dale Jarrett and the #88 team as well as access to licensed merchandise at www.racing.ups.com. July 7, 2006
Busch fines and suspensions o' plenty
Kevin Harvick's Busch Series crew chief Shane Wilson has been fined $15,000 and suspended for 6 races for unapproved modifications in the trunk area to enhance aerodynamic performance. Harvick will also lose 50 championship points. Same exact deal for Burney Lamar's crew chief Gene Nead, different violation, car owner DeLana Harvick said they will appeal.
KEVIN HARVICK INC. TO APPEAL PENALTY
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (July 6, 2006) -- Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) will appeal a recent penalty assessed by NASCAR against its No. 77 Busch Series entry following post-race inspection June 30 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“As a team owner, I understand the importance of rules and I respect the need to have them in our sport,” said DeLana Harvick Owner of KHI.
“I want to make it very clear that we did not deliberately disregard any rules,” Harvick continued. “In this particular situation, we disagree with the penalty and will appeal.”
-FULL DETAILS-
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 6, 2006) – NASCAR announced today penalties and fines that have been issued among six NASCAR Busch Series teams as a result of rule violations at Daytona International Speedway.
Shane Wilson, crew chief for the No. 21 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, was fined $15,000 and suspended from NASCAR for the next six events beginning with the July 8 race at Chicagoland Speedway for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules; Section 20A-2.1E: unapproved modifications in trunk area to enhance aerodynamic performance; Section 20A-3.9F: deck lid must retain stock shape and contours; lower read edge bent to allow air to escape and Section 20A-16.3G: shock absorber access doors missing). The violations were discovered during post-qualifying inspection on June 30.
Additionally, Harvick will lose 50 NASCAR Busch Series driver points and team owner Richard Childress will forfeit 50 NASCAR Busch Series owner points.
Also, Gene Nead, the crew chief for the No. 77 Chevrolet driven by Burney Lamar, was fined $15,000 and suspended from the next six events starting with the Chicago race for violating Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (Section 20A-12.3J: unapproved shock absorber components; base valves are not permitted). The infraction was found during post-race inspection on June 30.
As a result, Lamar will lose 50 NASCAR Busch Series driver points while team owner DeLana Harvick was also penalized with the loss of 50 NASCAR Busch Series owner points due to the infraction.
Four other crew chiefs were fined due to violations at Daytona. Mark Durgin, crew chief of the No. 43 Chevrolet driven by P.J. Jones and Dave Fuge Jr., crew chief for the No. 34 driven by Paul Tracy, were each fined $5,000 for violating 12-4-A and 12-4-Q. During pre-qualifying inspection on June 30, the No. 43 was found to have unapproved modification to the approved air filter housing while the No. 34 was discovered to have unapproved air directional devices inside the air filter housing.
Also, Rick Gay, crew chief for the No. 10 Ford driven by John Andretti, was fined $2,500 violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (Section 20A-2.1E: vent near the “A” post modified to enhance aerodynamic performance) and Marc Reno, crew chief for the No 1. Dodge driven by Mike Wallace, was also fined $2,000 for violating 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (Section 20A-16.4.2A: fuel cell vent tube exceeded the maximum use). The No. 10 violation was discovered during pre-qualifying inspection while the No. 1 violation was found during opening day inspection on June 28. July 6, 2006
Budweiser puts Jr. on bottles and cans
I think you and I can agree that Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Budweiser go hand in hand right? Well starting July 24th (earlier in some places) you can pick up your own Dale Jr. bottles and cans complete with logos, cars, photos, signature...the whole deal. The bottles will even be made of aluminum to set them apart from the rest. July 6, 2006
Who's hot going into this weekend?
Tony Stewart is back on this list with his win at Daytona and a healed shoulder
Kurt Busch has 4 straight top 10's
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has moved from 6th to 3rd in points in 3 races July 6, 2006
TRACK STATS | CHICAGOLAND
Distance: 1.5 Mile Tri-oval?Banking/Turns 1-4: 24?Banking on Tri-oval:11?Banking/Backstretch: 5?Length/Frontstretch: 2,332 ft.?Length/Backstretch: 1,800 ft.?Miles/Laps: 400.5 mi. = 267 laps
Last year's poll sitter: Jimmie Johnson
Last year's winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Up for grabs: $5.9 million dollars July 6, 2006
FOX done, NBC/TNT take over
A reminder as NASCAR coverage on TV totally switches gears this weekend to NBC and TNT. They take over at Chicagoland through the end of the season, and I'll have all your TV listings on tomorrow's show. July 6, 2006
Dale Jr. 10 spots better
What a difference a year makes, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 13th in the points standings heading into Chicagoland which ended up being his only win of 2005, and this year he's climbed to 3rd in points in the past 3 races. We'll see if he can defend last years win this Sunday. July 6, 2006
POINT STANDINGS | BUSCH & TRUCK
BUSCH SERIES
After Daytona
5 J.J. Yeley
4 Denny Hamlin
3 Clint Bowyer
2 Carl Edwards
1 Kevin Harvick is up by 388 points
TRUCK SERIES
After Kansas
5 Rick Crawford
4 Ted Musgrave
3 Johnny Benson
2 David Reutimann
1 Todd Bodine leads by 138 July 6, 2006
Bobby Hamilton Sr Cancer Story in His Own Words
"It’s amazing how much one word can change your life. When you hear it, feel it, bear it, and breathe it that one word changes your entire view on the way you see every single aspect of your life. I will never be the same person I was before I found out I had cancer. I am now a better person for what I have endured just as all the millions of people in our country who feel the same way after battling cancer.
It has literally changed my life. I was this guy who was a rough neck, red neck person that raised myself in the most unbelievable conditions and at times thought of myself as indestructible to getting my legs knocked out from under me in the blink of an eye and having it done time and time again battling this terrible disease. My whole life has been a bit of turmoil. I’ve been pretty proud to do what I’ve done because I’m a survivor. I was out on the street at 13-14 years old. Ended up doing what I did and got a chance to race with the best race car drivers in the best racing in the world. Now I’m an owner and employ right around 60 people. It’s like Garth Brooks’ song “The Dance:” “I could have missed the pain, but I would have missed the dance. I just thought that part was hard – until I was faced with cancer. Ask anyone who’s been there.
It all started for me last year when I had a wisdom tooth on the right side lower part of my jaw that abscessed. Since the area they needed to operate on was so close to my nerves in my cheek, they decided to wait until the end of racing season to pull the tooth. Right after Thanksgiving I had the tooth pulled. Everything was much better in my mouth after that but my neck was swollen. I went to another doctor who told me that it was an infected lymph node and it should go down. Well it didn’t. So I went back after a couple of weeks and told him that we needed to leave for Daytona in one week and I needed the lymph node removed now.
The very next morning Dr. Warren at UMC Medical Center worked me in for surgery. He slit my throat open to remove what we all thought was a lymph node only to find tumors there. Basically he removed the large tumor and a couple of little ones that had spread around in my neck. He sewed me back up and waited to break the news. When I woke up he walked into the room and looked down at that floor. Right then I knew something was up. He waited until Lori came in the room before he explained what he had found. Right then my mind went to how to be strong for Bobby Jr., Lori and the guys at the shop. How was everyone going to handle this and what was the game plan? We had a lot to mull over.
First things first, we called my son and his wife. They came straight to the hospital for us to explain what we had just been told. I had cancer. No one believed what they heard at this point and all of us were completely caught off guard. What’s next – testing, testing and more testing. In the meantime I had the season opener and one of the biggest races of the season to prepare for.
My neck healed in a few days and I left for Daytona and never said a word. We agreed amongst us four that it was not time to say anything until we had all our ducks in a row. So off to Daytona we went with our mind on the game. Immediately after that race it was one test after another. My kidneys were clean; my lungs were washed for testing and came up clean. Then I had a biopsy done on my tonsils, tongue and random parts of my throat and mouth. And the next day I left for race number two.
Now I had a couple of weeks to figure out the plan. We did some research and found out that Dr. Murphy at Vanderbilt Medical Center was highly recommended in this type of cancer. So we made that appointment on March 6th to meet her. Instantly I knew she was the right doctor for me. Her calm disposition helped me with what I was facing and encouraged me.
We made my next appointment with her on March 20th for the first round of chemotherapy. I needed one more race and to get my message across about cancer, my new battle in life. I spoke with Dodge and they were still with me. Then I spoke with Fastenal and they were very open to letting Bobby Jr. be their new driver. Everything was in place, now I just needed the guts to say what I had to say.
It came to me, I don’t know how but it was there. I blew the entire industry away; no one expected what I said. In NASCAR we pride ourselves on our close knit family and how we all stick together. But if we told one person before that time, it would have been a mood point. So I pulled my team together 5 minutes before the press conference and told them as a whole. They handled it pretty well, but at this time none of us knew what to expect. Then I did the walk into the media center.
I sat down in front of everyone and looked them straight in the face with what I had to say. I told them of the driver change, this is my last race and that I would be back. I had made a decision to fight this battle and get on with it. It was my only choice. At that moment I vowed for no one to write my name as a cancer victim, that I was not one. I applauded the media for all their help over the years and asked for their kindness in this manner. I care about my racing career more than most things in this world and I will be back to start a truck again. It’s what I do, if it don’t have headers, a four-speed and slicks, I don’t do good with it.
That night I started that starter and got emotional at what my future would hold. Who wouldn’t? Every cancer patient and their family members are faced with mortality. You can’t ever describe that feeling until you live it. But once that race began I knew nothing except the speed. My mind was focused and for that two hours cancer didn’t faze me.
We got an unbelievable amount of e-mails and cards that week. Race fans, non-racing fans, cancer patients, family members of patients, church members, and all different kinds took time to send us notes. Some were saying good luck, some were saying do this or don’t do that and some were emotional while others were pumping me up. We even had some people from race teams who took time to talk with me and explain what they had gone through in their personal or their family’s battle with cancer. It was overwhelming the amount of support we got and are still getting from people out there.
Then on Monday morning March 20th cancer fazed me. What do you expect, what happens each week, where do we go, how am I going to feel, so many questions ran through my mind in flashes. You see everything at that center from young to old, weak to strong, women to men and every race is there. Some people knew me, and others didn’t. Some were scared and some were just getting through it. I was just there.
My doctor didn’t know who I was and frankly I liked it that way. I love the fact that she treats me as she would any patient that walks into her door. She is there to try to save all our lives and she does a fine job at that. I met with her and then off to chemo. As I sat on the table getting that first needle put into my hand my emotions ran wild. Am I really going through this? Cancer, me? Yes I was.
We left that first day and went straight to the race shop. I was fine; cancer hadn’t got me down yet. Yet that is. I went for the second, third, fourth and fifth chemo treatments only to realize on that fifth time that my body was not responding as we hoped to the treatments. One more time I was blown away. So quickly Dr. Murphy changed my regimen. I needed the stronger treatment; why didn’t that surprise me? I would also start radiation on Monday the 24th of April, a month earlier than planned.
Radiation is intimidating. I am very claustrophobic. The thought of putting a fitted mask on my face and locking it down on the table made me sick. I didn’t know how I would get through this part, but was kind of glad to be getting it over with. I had 33 treatments to go, everyday Monday through Friday and the countdown began.
That weekend we attended the race in St. Louis. I had five radiation treatments behind me and six chemo treatments down. I didn’t feel taken aback at the time by any of my treatments so I still tried to do as I wanted to. My mouth and throat were getting sore from the radiation and my white blood count was down from the chemo treatments. I shook hands with fans, signed autographs and sat on the pit box for the race in the cold weather. That was the wrong move.
By the next weekend I had a fever and was very ill. I was admitted to the hospital for an excruciating six days of regulating medicines. While I was there, I had a feeding tube put in so I could continue to get nourishment. Even though I was in the hospital the radiation still happened daily. My tumor was too aggressive so a break was not an option.
I missed things, like the race in Charlotte among others, the Craftsman for a Cure Charity event done in my honor, holidays and Victory Junction Gang’s Second Birthday Celebration. By now I couldn’t be around a lot of people or I could end up worse than the first time. I was pretty much secluded. I went to the race shop for meetings with people and they sat all the way across the room from me, I walked around and kept everyone at an arm’s distance because the last thing I needed right now was another infection.
My throat got worse; it was impossible to swallow. My neck blistered up like bacon wrapped around my neck. The thought of what cancer does to you is phenomenal that people survive. That just shows how strong we are that we do. Finally my last treatment day came, Wednesday, June 7th. It was like on Thursday that someone had lifted weights off my shoulders. But the truth is the healing is still happening. It doesn’t just stop in one night and go away, wouldn’t that be nice.
The truth is, once you have been diagnosed with cancer you always battle it in some form or fashion. Yes your body heals and life as you know it goes on, but cancer is always there. All I expect out of this is if anybody has anything to say about what I’m going through, let’s just attribute it to everybody who’s going through it. I just want to take my battle and use what little bit of celebrity status that I have left and try to promote the awareness for this disease.
Cancer changes us all. I have just learned that when you get a second chance, life becomes a different picture the next time around." July 5, 2006
Stewart wins Pepsi 400
RACE RECAP | DAYTONA | PEPSI 400
10 Clint Bowyer
9 Kevin Harvick
8 Jamie McMurray
7 Casey Mears
6 Elliott Sadler
5 Matt Kenseth
4 Boris Said was the poll sitter
3 Kurt Busch
2 Kyle Busch
VICTORY LANE
1 Tony Stewart dominated and won the IROC race, and backs it up with his second Pepsi 400 win in a row leading the most laps, it's the 26th career win for Smoke.
OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY
-Late in the race points leader Jimmie Johnson got loose and wrecked himself along with Bobby Labonte both running top 5 at the time. Johnson's points lead was cut to 8.
-Greg Biffle wiggled his 16 car and hit the 18 of J.J. Yeley wrecking Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and Mark Martin. Gordon finished 40th and drops from 8 to 12th in points. July 2, 2006
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