IRL missing out on Yeley
August 29, 2003
I share Robin Miller and J.J. Yeley’s bewilderment as to why the IRL has not jumped all over J.J., especially with the recent scare of current American Hero Sam Hornish ditching the series for the all dominant NASCAR. Ok, so Sam will be in the IRL with Penske for the near future, but that doesn’t mean the IRL should not be scouting out the USAC tracks for future American talent. And J.J. is clearly the ultimate talent on an oval these days…
RPM.ESPN: Another open-wheeler heading south
Newman on pole at Darlington
August 29, 2003
Ryan Newman won the pole for the final Southern 500 at Darlington with a lap of 169.048 mph. Jimmie Johnson was second, and Terry Labonte was a surprising third. Jimmy Spencer had to take a provisional after a hard crash in qualifying…
NASCAR.com: Race Lineup
NASCAR.com: Newman on Southern 500 Bud Pole
Indy Preview
August 29, 2003
ESPN’s Bill Stephens previews this weekends 49th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals…
RPM.ESPN: It’s all about Indy
Defending race champion Tony Schumacher gives his spin on Indy…
SI.com: Feels like the first time
Loving Larry Dixon
August 29, 2003
An array of articles on Larry Dixon heading into Indy weekend…
IndyStar.com: Top Fuel leader avoids ego trip
BayArea.com: For NHRA’s Dixon, winning based on experience, track savvy
JSOnline.com: Crew chief keeps Dixon riding high
Andretti replaces Green in #1 car
August 29, 2003
John Andretti will replace the replacement driver of the #1 DEI Pennzoil car, Jeff Green in the starting next weekend in Richmond. There is apparently no set time period that Andretti will drive for the team…
ThatsRacin.com: Green out, Andretti in No. 1 after Sunday
A lap of Laguna with Frank Biela
August 29, 2003
The American Le Mans Series will compete in the Fry’s Electronics Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., Sep. 5-7. In this first-person narrative, Infineon Team Joest Audi R8 driver Frank Biela of Germany, a four-time winner in the ALMS in 2003, describes how he drives a lap of the 2.238-mile circuit. Biela knows his way quite well as he has won the ALMS event at Monterey the past two years…
Motorsport.com: A lap of Laguna with Frank Biela
Stewart signs with Gibbs through 2009
August 28, 2003
Another silly season mystery solved. Tony will stick with his championship winning team at Joe Gibbs racing until 2009. That seems a bit long for me. I would have thought the boy was apt to wander. There must be an out in that contract somewhere…
Yahoo!: Tony Stewart re-signs with Joe Gibbs Racing through 2009
More Busch apologies
August 28, 2003
If there is one thing that will get a team and drivers attention, it’s when the sponsor speaks. I am convinced the only thing that reined in Tony Stewart last year were the threats of sponsor Home Depot.
Now Kurt knows he really is on a short leash. I think he and Kenseth should swap sponsors as a vodka sponsor suits Kurts style, and rubbermaid is more suitable to Mat’s more domesticated driving technique!!
Thatsracin.com: Sponsor sit down
Ralf still in the hunt…
August 28, 2003
..according to Patrick Head. Check out this quote:
‘Theoretically there are 30 points on the table,’ Patrick told Autosport.
‘And say there was a big coming together among the top three somewhere down the road, he could still be in there with a chance.’
The only chance in that statement is that Ralf would be causing the “big coming togather”! we all know that Frank Williams covets the Manufacurers title more than he cares about the drivers title. He will let Juan run and keep a leash on Ralf in order to have both cars finish well for the most points.
HomeofF1.com: No team orders while Ralf in the hunt
Salo slides in for Denver
August 28, 2003
Mika Salo has replaced Max Papis for the Denver and Miami races at PK racing. Apparently “Mad Max” should have shown a little more elan in his driving approach this year. Not that Mika will make any better showings. First you need a car that’s quick, and courses you can pass on.
Autosport.com: Mika in the drivers seat