Champ Car Puts Positive Spin On Olvey, Trammell Departures
February 25, 2004
Champ Car put a press release out yesterday trying to lessen some of the critical reaction to the departure of Dr. Steve Olvey and the diminished role of Dr. Terry Trammell on their “best of breed” safety team. There is also no mention of Simple Green, which leads one to believe that the brand will not be sponsoring the safety team again in 2004…
ChampCarWorldSeries.com: CHAMP CAR SAFETY TEAM READY TO ROLL FOR 2004
All-Star Race Stays at Charlotte
February 24, 2004
New Name, Same Great Race On Tap For 20th Year: ‘NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge’
Lowe’s Motor Speedway to host all-star event the evening of May 22
Concord, NC. (Feb. 24, 2004) – Since its inception in 1985, NASCAR’s version of an “all-star game” has evolved from a novelty to a showcase, a spring ritual of speed and daring resulting in yearly additions to the book of NASCAR lore.
Living History Awaits At Sebring
February 24, 2004
Two special treats await sports car history buffs at Sebring this year. Earlier this month it was announced that Sir Sterling Moss will be inducted into the Sebring Sports Car Racing Hall of Fame on Friday, March 19, the day before the 52nd Annual running of the 12 hour race. In addition to Moss’ presence, the car that he drove to victory in the 1954 12 hour race, the OSCA MT4 will be on display as well. The victory was one of the biggest upsets in the history of endurance racing as Sir Sterling drove past the Lancia team, with legendary drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Alberto Ascari, for the overall victory…
F1 Losing Sponsors To IRL
February 24, 2004
You know things are in a bad state in Bernie-Land when Formula 1 is losing sponsors to the IRL. After 12 years with F1, TAG Heuer will give up its role as official time-keeper of F1 and take its name and marketing dollars to the IRL. TAG will continue to sponsor Mclaren in F1. The group has also penned personal sponsorship deals with the IRL’s Sarah Fisher and the 2003 series champion Scott Dixon.
Part of the reason for TAG’s departure from F1 is the blame it got for declaring the wrong winner at last season’s Brazilian GP, even though TAG technically had little to do with the foul up.
I really don’t know what to make of this move. I understand why they would ditch F1 after the bad Brazilian GP press, but I’m not sure about the IRL value. Compared to F1’s global market reach, marketing with the IRL is like taking out a classified ad in the back of the newspaper. I assume they are saving a ton of money over the F1 deal…
GrandPrix.com: TAG Heuer gives up F1 timekeeping deal
Rockingham Notes & Quotes
February 23, 2004
Here are collected notes from various Chevy, Dodge and Ford owners, drivers and engineers following this weekend’s Subway 400 at North Carolina Speedway.
Kenseth Over Kahne at the Rock
February 22, 2004
Matt Kenseth edged out a win over rookie Kasey Kahne at Rockingham by only 0.010 sec. Jamie McMurray was third, Sterling Marlin fourth and Dale Earnhardt fifth.
Dumb Move #1 For OWRS
February 22, 2004
Sadly, the management of the Champ Car World Series (OWRS) have made their first silly decision by releasing the long time series doctors Dr. Terry Trammell and Dr. Steve Olvey. Trammell and Olvey have worked together in the series for 22 years and saved many drivers lives, most recently Alex Zanardi. Rick Mears, AJ Foyt, and John Andretti credit the duo with still being able to walk, let alone drive after some of their worst wrecks.
While CART may have been a mess of a series over the years since the IRL split, one thing they have continued to be leaders in was safety. These two doctors were the spearhead behind those policies. While OWRS (Paul Gentilozzi) says that Trammell will remain in a consultative role, Trammell says he won’t work without Olvey. What a shame…
SpeedTV.com: CART Drops Pioneering Doctors
Winternationals Rained Out, Will Resume Next Weekend
February 21, 2004
POMONA, Calif. — Persistent rain showers and an unfavorable weather forecast for the remainder of the weekend in Southern California forced NHRA officials to postpone the K&N Filters Winternationals Saturday at Pomona Raceway.
The $2 million race, the first of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series for 2004, has been rescheduled for next weekend, Feb. 27-29.
Daytona Penalties Announced
February 21, 2004
Eight NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Crew Chiefs, Two Drivers Fined For Rules Infractions At Daytona
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2004) - Eight crew chiefs and two drivers of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series were fined a combined $29,500 for various infractions during Speed Weeks at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR officials announced today. Jimmy Fennig, crew chief for the No. 97 car of Kurt Busch, was issued the largest penalty of the group as he received a $20,000 fine for improperly attached weight to the rear bumper reinforcement bar. In the judgment of NASCAR officials, the materials found (pellets) were added for the purpose of increasing the weight of the rear bumper cover attaching and reinforcement tubing will not be permitted. Fennig was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing), Section 12-4-W (Improperly attached weight to the rear bumper reinforcement bar) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book.
Busch: Four in a Row for McMurray
February 21, 2004
Jamie McMurray captured his fourth-straight Busch Series win at North Carolina Speedway by taking the checkered flag in the Goody’s Headache Powders 200 today. He built his lead over Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr after a final caution for the crash between Hermie Sadler and Aaron Fike.