Mclaren Strikes Back At Jerez
January 12, 2004
After 4 days of testing dominance by the new Williams FW26, McLaren’s Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen broke the Jerez circuit’s record on the fifth day of testing at the Spanish track and came out atop the testing time sheets…
PlanetF1.com: Jerez: Raikkonen Breaks Lap Record Using The MP4-19
F1Racing.net: Jerez Day 5: Raikkonen sets record
F1-Live.com: Raikkonen replies to Williams
Stewart Hires Outlaw Curry To Run Sprint Car Teams
January 11, 2004
In in an interesting move, Tony Stewart has hired the recently released from jail Larry Curry to run his sprint car teams (thanks for pointing this out Kathi). I agree with Kathi…this is a little risky for Tony, but it is also the classic “Tony Stewart” thing to do. He’s friends with Larry and to hell with whatever anyone else thinks. I admire it a lot…as I’m sure Mr. Curry does. And in all honesty these sprint car teams are a hobby for Tony. He can afford to have Curry screw them up or rob them blind, as long as he’s still the driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevy in NEXTEL Cup.
The article also mentions another classic Tony move…Curry is replacing Tony’s father Nelson! He fires his own dad and replaces him with a guy who just got out of prison. Fascinating…
IndyStar.com: Stewart’s teams have new faces
No Indy 500 For Stewart
January 10, 2004
Tony Stewart says his ambitions of winning the Indy 500 are on hold until his NEXTEL Cup career is over. Couple things; first of all don’t most stock car driver run until they are in their 50’s or 60’s? How the hell are you going to get into an Indy car as a stock car retiree? It usually works the other way. The Jimmy Vasser’s of the world will move over to stock cars for “retirement.”
Second, I think it really sucks that a guy like Tony, who could really challenge for a win in the 500, can’t do it because his corporate masters would get upset. Not that I don’t completely understand…it just sucks. How great would it be to have a full time NASCAR driver come in and whoop up on the open wheel boys and take their most precious of trophies!?
auto123.com: Stewart’s Indy ambitions on hold
Larry Meyer Joins Henkelman & Baca American Racing Top Fuel Dragster
January 10, 2004
PITTSBURG, Calif. — David Baca, partner and driver of the Henkelman & Baca American Racing Top Fuel Dragster, announced today the addition of tuner and former driver Larry Meyer, from Argyle, Texas, as a consultant for the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
IROC Falling Apart?
January 10, 2004
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s about time IROC fell apart (and George agrees)! The “International Race Of Champions” hasn’t been any of those things but a “Race” for years. Basically it’s the favorites from the NASCAR Cup series with a few guys from American open wheel. No one from an “international” series like F1 or WRC, for example. And just to tilt it in favor of the NASCAR boys, they run on all ovals. They should call it “NACAR vs IRL” or something like that. What is the point of this thing!?
SI.com: IROC won’t return to Indianapolis this year
Super Aguri Fernández Racing Signs Matsuura
January 9, 2004
Aguri Suzuki, co-owner of Super Aguri Fernández Racing (with Champ Car star Adrián Fernández) has signed Japanese driver Kosuke Matsuura to drive his IRL entry in 2004…
SuperAguriFernandezRacing.net: Super Aguri Fernández Racing Signs Kosuke Matsuura
IndyRacing.com: Super Aguri Fernandez Racing Signs Matsuura
Townsend Bell’s F1 Future
January 9, 2004
I wish they would stop teasing me about Townsend Bell going to F1. GrandPrix.com mentions speculation that Townsend has not re-signed with his F3000 team because he has a deal set in F1…but what kind of deal is it? It’s really a glorified testing role, but testing which will occur during F1 race weekends. I guess this would be a good logical step for Townsend, but I’m getting impatient. I want an American racing in F1…now….
GrandPrix.com: F1 future for Townsend Bell?
Steve Park To Run Trucks In 2004
January 9, 2004
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2004 - NASCAR veteran Steve Park has joined Orleans Racing as the full-time driver of the No. 62 Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, team officials announced Jan. 9.
Park replaces Brendan Gaughan, who will drive full time in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series for Penske-Jasper Racing. “The success of this team is dependent upon the success of each individual from mechanics to drivers,” said team owner Michael Gaughan. “We have assembled a talented group over the years, and we think Steve is a perfect fit for this championship-level team. He has proven he can win races, and we expect he will win races for us this year.”
NEXTEL Cup “Playoffs” Announced
January 9, 2004
NASCAR’s Point System Reformulated
Information revealed this morning indicates that NASCAR’s NEXTEL Cup championship will be determined by a ten-race “playoffs” system, as speculated earlier.
Kyle Busch in No. 5 Lowe’s BGN Ride
January 9, 2004
Concord, NC - A teleconference this morning announced that Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouses, along with vendor partners Shop Vac, Gladiator Garage Works, Briggs and Stratton and Pella Windows and Doors, will back the Ricky Hendrick-owned No. 5 Chevrolet for Kyle Busch. Lance McGrew will be crew chief for the car vacated by 2003 BGN champion Brian Vickers, who moves on to NEXTEL Cup for 2004.