Michael Waltrip's decision to field two Toyota Camrys for his new Nextel Cup program in 2007 could give David Reutimann his first full-time ride in NASCAR's top series. Waltrip will drive one of the entries. With virtually no high-profile drivers coming available, Reutimann would be a familiar choice and likely a popular one within the Waltrip family.
-- St. Petersburg Times
It's likely that at least some Dodge teams will go to California and Las Vegas, at least, and race 2004 Intrepids instead of the Charger model implemented last year. Clearly, the nose on the Charger contributed to Dodge teams' struggles last year. Apparently, though, the teams can't agree about what needs to be done to fix that. Now, supposedly, the plan is for several teams to go to Nashville to test and try to arrive at a consensus on should be submitted to NASCAR for a new nose for the 2006 Charger.
-- Charlotte Observer
Jeff Gordon said the Chase for the Championship did not lose luster last season because neither he nor Dale Earnhardt Jr., the most popular drivers in NASCAR, failed to qualify. Gordon said there is a distinction between marketing and racing, and the four-time series champion didn't get the racing part right last year, finishing 11th in the standings. It was his worst placing since his rookie year in 1993.
-- St. Petersburg Times
Jimmie Johnson will make a primetime guest appearance on the Monday night episode of NBC's Las Vegas. n the episode, entitled "Urban Legends," Johnson, appearing as himself, is invited to judge a Chevy Custom Car Show taking place at the Montecito Casino. Johnson and his No. 48 Chevy Monte Carlo are also featured in portions of the episode shot at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he is first approached to judge the car show.
-- Thatsracin.com
NASCAR has set a schedule for when and where teams in the Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series can test at tracks that host sanctioned events. Teams previously were allowed seven tests at tracks of their choice. A four-car team, for example, would have a total of 28 tests to burn. Not so in 2006. The only Cup test sites are Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nextel Cup regular Scott Wimmer is scheduled to compete in 13 Busch Series races this season with Brewco Motorsports and sponsor Duraflame. His schedule will begin in California and at this point does not include Milwaukee, a team representative said.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A few weeks ago Chad Chaffin had no NASCAR ride. Now he has three, one in each of the sport's top divisions. Last month he landed a full-time ride in Nextel Cup deal and a part-time ride in the Busch Series. He will also drive a limited truck series schedule for Key Motorsports. Chaffin will enter all three season openers at Daytona.
-- The Tennessean
NASCAR has implemented a tire-leasing program for the Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck series. Teams will lease their Goodyear radial rubber instead of purchasing (and stockpiling) tires as in the past. Goodyear will distribute tires prior to the start of each NASCAR test session and sanctioned event, and unused tires must be returned to the manufacturer. Goodyear also has installed computer chips in all tires to be used in the touring series.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
International Speedway Corp. has entered into an agreement through a wholly owned subsidiary to purchase Nazareth Speedway in Pennsylvania, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The speedway, which held its last NASCAR race in 2004, is to be purchased for $19 million.
-- St. Petersburg Times
-- St. Petersburg Times
It's likely that at least some Dodge teams will go to California and Las Vegas, at least, and race 2004 Intrepids instead of the Charger model implemented last year. Clearly, the nose on the Charger contributed to Dodge teams' struggles last year. Apparently, though, the teams can't agree about what needs to be done to fix that. Now, supposedly, the plan is for several teams to go to Nashville to test and try to arrive at a consensus on should be submitted to NASCAR for a new nose for the 2006 Charger.
-- Charlotte Observer
Jeff Gordon said the Chase for the Championship did not lose luster last season because neither he nor Dale Earnhardt Jr., the most popular drivers in NASCAR, failed to qualify. Gordon said there is a distinction between marketing and racing, and the four-time series champion didn't get the racing part right last year, finishing 11th in the standings. It was his worst placing since his rookie year in 1993.
-- St. Petersburg Times
Jimmie Johnson will make a primetime guest appearance on the Monday night episode of NBC's Las Vegas. n the episode, entitled "Urban Legends," Johnson, appearing as himself, is invited to judge a Chevy Custom Car Show taking place at the Montecito Casino. Johnson and his No. 48 Chevy Monte Carlo are also featured in portions of the episode shot at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he is first approached to judge the car show.
-- Thatsracin.com
NASCAR has set a schedule for when and where teams in the Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series can test at tracks that host sanctioned events. Teams previously were allowed seven tests at tracks of their choice. A four-car team, for example, would have a total of 28 tests to burn. Not so in 2006. The only Cup test sites are Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nextel Cup regular Scott Wimmer is scheduled to compete in 13 Busch Series races this season with Brewco Motorsports and sponsor Duraflame. His schedule will begin in California and at this point does not include Milwaukee, a team representative said.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A few weeks ago Chad Chaffin had no NASCAR ride. Now he has three, one in each of the sport's top divisions. Last month he landed a full-time ride in Nextel Cup deal and a part-time ride in the Busch Series. He will also drive a limited truck series schedule for Key Motorsports. Chaffin will enter all three season openers at Daytona.
-- The Tennessean
NASCAR has implemented a tire-leasing program for the Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck series. Teams will lease their Goodyear radial rubber instead of purchasing (and stockpiling) tires as in the past. Goodyear will distribute tires prior to the start of each NASCAR test session and sanctioned event, and unused tires must be returned to the manufacturer. Goodyear also has installed computer chips in all tires to be used in the touring series.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
International Speedway Corp. has entered into an agreement through a wholly owned subsidiary to purchase Nazareth Speedway in Pennsylvania, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The speedway, which held its last NASCAR race in 2004, is to be purchased for $19 million.
-- St. Petersburg Times