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Week of 3/20/05
'Dega building new scoring tower
Talladega Superspeedway has begun work on their new 148 foot scoring tower which will be in place for their April races. It's centrally located in the infield and will keep you informed of the many lead changes that happen during the race. March 24, 2005
Alabama pulls out of HOF running
While we're in Alabama, they have dropped out of the running for NASCAR's Hall of Fame project saying it would cost too much. Areas that are interested are committing between $60-$75 million dollars. Still interested are Charlotte, Atlanta, Daytona, Kansas City, and the states of Michigan and Virginia. March 24, 2005
Edwards looks for flip #3
Can Carl Edwards make it 3 back-flips in a row this weekend in his #60 Ford? His stats are impressive: besides being the Busch points leader by 105 points, he has two polls, one win, and has finished in the top 10 in every race this year. March 24, 2005
TRACK STATS | NASHVILLE
Race 6 of 35
1.33 mile tri-oval
with a concrete surface
300 miles/225 laps
Up for grabs: $1 million
Trophy: Guitar
Last years poll sitter: Martin Truex Jr.
Last years winner: Michael Waltrip March 24, 2005
On T.V. this weekend, yes there's racin'
ON TV
The Truck and Cup teams have the weekend off, but there is still racing so check it out...
BUSCH SERIES QUALIFYING @ 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Speed
BUSCH SERIES RACING @ 3:30 p.m. Saturday on FX
All times are eastern. March 23, 2005
Front row Joe tests LMS
Joe Nemecheck ran some tire tests for Goodyear at Lowes Motor Speedway this week. They did some high tech smoothing of the track, and one thing is for sure, it's faster and has a ton of grip. Joe was running speeds around Ryan Newman's qualifying record of 188.877mph.
"The track has a tremendous amount of grip, and the drivers love it any time you can add grip. We are running much faster than we have run here in the past. We're getting close to the speeds we see at Atlanta and Texas." March 23, 2005
Dover gets SAFER
SAFER Walls construction continues at Dover International Speedway and will be ready for their June races. Most of the project is in the turns of the 1 mile oval. March 23, 2005
What day off? Cup guys go racing
Even with the off weekend some Cup guys are still strapping in a Busch car at Nashville. Like Kasey Kahne, Sterling Marlin, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards, and Truck Series Champion Bobby Hamilton. The cool part about winning Nashville is the trophy, it's a guitar of course. March 23, 2005
National Stock Car Racing Commission Statements
On March 22, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the Appeal of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus concerning three penalties assessed by NASCAR relative to the #48 car following the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 13, 2005.
The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing” and Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: roof height too low in post-race inspection.”
The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Jeff Gordon.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for Jimmie Johnson.
• $35,000.00 fine and suspension from NASCAR until April 6, 2005 and suspension from the next two (2) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races for crew chief Chad Knaus.
The car was in violation of the rules at the conclusion of the race. This was not contested during the hearing.
Upon review of the evidence presented, and by a majority vote, it is the decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalties assessed against Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson and to amend the penalty assessed against Chad Knaus as follows:
$35,000.00 fine. Probation for 90 days, effective from the date of this Hearing.
This decision pertains specifically to the evidence presented in this Appeal. The Commission’s rulings do not have a bearing on existing or announced NASCAR enforcement policies.
The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.
John Cooper
Jack Housby
George Silbermann, Chairman
On March 22, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the Appeal of Rick Hendrick, Kyle Busch and Alan Gustafson concerning three penalties assessed by NASCAR relative to the #5 car following the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 13, 2005.
The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing” and Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: quarter panel heights too high in post-race inspection.”
The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Rick Hendrick.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for Kyle Busch.
• $25,000.00 fine and suspension from NASCAR until April 6, 2005 and suspension from the next two (2) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races for crew chief Alan Gustafson.
The car was in violation of the rules at the conclusion of the race. This was not contested during the hearing.
Upon review of the evidence presented, and by a majority vote, it is the decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalties assessed against Rick Hendrick and Kyle Busch and to amend the penalty assessed against Alan Gustafson as follows:
$25,000.00 fine. Probation for 90 days, effective from the date of this Hearing.
This decision pertains specifically to the evidence presented in this Appeal. The Commission’s rulings do not have a bearing on existing or announced NASCAR enforcement policies.
The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.
March 23, 2005
Knaus / Gustafson stay on the box
The Stock Car Racing Commission has overturned NASCAR'S ruling to suspend crew chief's Chad Knaus (#48) and Alan Gustafson (#5) and put them on probation rather than suspension.
Knaus: $35,000.00 fine. Probation for 90 days, effective from the date of this Hearing.
Alan Gustafson: $25,000.00 fine. Probation for 90 days, effective from the date of this Hearing.
So the guys will be on the box calling the shots at Bristol.
Loss of driver / owner points remain. March 23, 2005
HENDRICK RESPONDS TO APPEAL RULING
HENDRICK RESPONDS TO APPEAL RULING
CONCORD, N.C. (March 23, 2005) - Team owner Rick Hendrick today commented on the results of Tuesday's NASCAR appeal hearing, which today rescinded the suspensions of two Hendrick Motorsports crew chiefs.
"I appreciate NASCAR giving us the opportunity to present the facts," Hendrick said. "From our perspective it's important everyone, especially our fans, know that we absolutely had no intention of breaking any rules.
"This sport has a rule book for good reason, and it's vital it be enforced. As an owner, I know it's equally important to have a just forum for teams and a fair system of checks and balances. We respect NASCAR's decision and look forward to carrying some momentum into Bristol." March 23, 2005
Bowyer to make Cup debut at Phoenix
Third in Busch points Clint Bowyer will be making his Cup Series debut in one month at Phoenix International Raceway. He'll take over the wheel of the #33 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing. March 22, 2005
2005 Owners points now used
The Top 30 starting slots will now be set by 2005 owners point positions instead of 2004's finishing order at Nashville this weekend. The remaining 12 spots will line up by time, and the 43rd spots is reserved for a past champion if needed. March 22, 2005
TESTING | KENTUCKY
A Cup off week doesn't mean your favorite teams aren't working. Both Jeremy Mayfield and Bobby Labonte are checking the setups on their machines this week. March 22, 2005
POINT STANDINGS | BUSCH SERIES
From 10 to 1...
10 Greg Biffle up 8 spots
9 Denny Hamlin
8 Kenny Wallace up 4 spots
7 David Stremme
6 Ashton Lewis
5 Martin Truex Jr. defending series champion
4 Reed Sorenson
3 Clint Bowyer
2 Kevin Harvick
1 Carl Edwards is your new leader by 105 March 22, 2005
License and Registration please
Drivers caught speeding this weekend were given pass-through penalties instead of 15-second penalties. However I'm sure that didn't make it seem any better for Dale Jarrett who was busted 3 times, Dale Earnhardt Jr. twice, plus Michael Waltrip and Kurt Busch. March 21, 2005
TESTING | MARTINSVILLE
20 Truck Series teams will be at the track this weekend shaking down their setups, and Bobby Hamilton Jr. will be there as well with his #32 Tide ride. March 21, 2005
POINT STANDINGS | CUP SERIES
1 Jimmie Johnson
2 Greg Biffle
3 Carl Edwards
4 Kurt Busch drops 3 spots
5 Mark Martin
6 Ryan Newman
7 Tony Stewart
8 Elliott Sadler up 5 spots
9 Rusty Wallace
10 Jamie McMurray up 4 spots to enter the Top 10 March 21, 2005
RACE RECAP | ATLANTA | CUP SERIES
RACE RECAP | ATLANTA
10 Elliott Sadler
9 Scott Riggs
8 Dave Blaney
7 Michael Waltrip
6 Brian Vickers
5 Kasey Kahne
4 Mark Martin
3 Greg Biffle
2 Jimmie Johnson 4th top 5 of '05 and retakes the points lead
VICTORY LANE
By 2/100th's of a second, Carl Edwards gets his first career Cup Series win on The Final Lap coming off turn 4. By they way this completes the weekend sweep since he won his first career Busch race on Saturday as well. Carl has a double backflip weekend.
OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY
-A multi-car wreck on lap one of the race took out Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte (two weeks in a row), Matt Kenseth, Travis Kvapil and others
-The 8 of Dale Jr. had another miserable day with handling problems, and being caught speeding on pit road, he ends up 24th
-The 97 of Kurt Busch hit the wall and his day ends with a 32nd place finish, drops to 4th in points
-Ricky Rudd was running top 5 and having a great run when he brought his 21 Ford to the garage area with brake problems March 20, 2005
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