Dale Jr: This Is The Greatest Day Of My Life
February 15, 2004
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2004) - Daytona International Speedway’s victory lane became a stable for Clydesdales on Sunday, as Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the No. 8 Budweiser team won the Great American Race, the Daytona 500. Sporting a special red-and-white “Born-On dating” paint scheme on his Bud car, Dale Jr. made the winning pass with 19 laps to go and held off repeated challenges from Tony Stewart in the waning circuits to earn his 10th career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory. Dale Jr. now has eight career wins here in 26 starts, but this marks his first Daytona 500 victory. He and his father, Dale Earnhardt, are only the third father/son duo to have their names on the Harley J. Earl Trophy. Stewart finished second followed by Scott Wimmer, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson. This marks the first time in his NEXTEL Cup career that Dale Jr. has led the point standings.
Pole Winner Biffle Goes To The Back Of The Pack
February 14, 2004
Daytona 500 pole winner Greg Biffle was forced to change engines Saturday and will start the 500 from the back of the pack….
NASCAR.com: Biffle changes engine, loses top starting spot
ThatsRacin.com: Pole winner, others will move to the back for Sunday’s start
Ryan Newman Wins IROC Opener
February 14, 2004
Daytona Beach, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2004) - Ryan Newman, representing the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, crossed the finish line 0.035 seconds ahead of reigning IROC Champion, Kurt Busch to win his first career Crown Royal International Race of Champions on Friday night at Daytona International Speedway.
The win was not declared final until race officials had time to review the highly contested battle to the finish line between Newman and Busch, which resulted in Newman’s car going below the yellow line, considered out of bounds on the 2.5-mile, high bank tri-oval. The pass was ruled legal due to the fact that Newman and Busch would have made contact resulting in a possible multi-car crash had Newman not put his car below the stripe.
Racing & Religion
February 14, 2004
In tomorrow’s running of the Daytona 500, Bobby Labonte’s car will sport an engine-hood that promotes Mel Gibson’s controversial new move about the death of Jesus Christ called “The Passion.” I’m eagerly waiting to see this film as the history of religion is a topic that interests me a great deal. However, something just doesn’t sit right with me seeing it on the hood of a stock car.
I’ve always understood the deep bond between NASCAR racers and Christianity, but I don’t think a move like this is going to help expand the fan base far beyond the Bible Belt. I mean, its fine to promote this film, but would a film about the Muslim faith receive such glorious promotion in the France Family Kingdom? I think not…
WashingtonTime.com: NASCAR, faith on same track
MercuryNews.com: Bobby Labonte plans to ride with `Passion’ for the 500
Vasser’s Loyalty Paying Off?
February 13, 2004
1996 Champ Car series champ Jimmy Vasser turned down offers to drive in the IRL and the NASCAR Busch series in order to pursue a ride in Champ Cars. It looks like that loyalty will pay off as Jimmy says he is 90% sure of securing a ride in the series for 2004. Speculation has centered on Jimmy joining PK Racing, which will probably give Jimmy the same results as the last two teams he has been bouncing around with - not much. I have been a Jimmy fan for quite some time and I kind of wish he was going to a team, in any series, where the “old man” could be successful again…
Crash.net: Jimmy Vasser back in 2004?
Miami.com: Champ Car ready to lock up 2 wins
McNish Returns To Sports Cars At Sebring
February 13, 2004
BRASELTON, Ga. - Allan McNish put together one of the most dominant seasons of any driver in professional sports car racing history when he won the American Le Mans Series driving championship with the factory Audi team in 2000.
Qualifying Story, Busch Hershey’s Kisses 300
February 13, 2004
Martin Truex Jr made the most of his first-ever qualifying session at Daytona by putting his Chance 2 Taco Bell Chevy on the pole for the Busch Hershey’s Kisses 300. The Busch Grand National newcomer beat out veteran Ron Hornaday by a thin .008 second, only to have his car damaged in a practice incident that started when Michael Waltrip had his left-rear tire fail, spinning him into the path of Truex.
Pantano Officially Jordan Driver
February 13, 2004
He is the second driver for Jordan F1, unless of course some other driver with a better sponsorship package turns up prior to Melbourne. I would love to know the particulars of this deal.
f-1live.com: Pantano completes 2004 race line-up for Jordan
Toyota Qualify 3rd And 8th
February 12, 2004
Take that, Jimmy Spencer! And all seven Toyota teams qualified in the top seventeen. The race is the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Florida Dodge Dealers 250, tomorrow night at DIS. I have to admit, while not being a huge fan of truck racing, I will watch to see how the boys from Toyota make out.
dfw.com: Toyota qualifies third, eighth in trucks debut
New Tires A Danger?
February 12, 2004
That is the concern of some NASCAR drivers over the new softer tire Goodyear is supplying this year. The intent is to have a more competitive setup allowing for racing rather then follow the leader lapping. The effect is somewhat more hazardous due to excessive and quick tire wear:
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who won the first Gatorade 125, said he drove around most of the race in fear his right-front tire would wear and blow.
“I was running in the top (groove) just in case the right-front blew out so I wouldn’t have too far to go before I hit anything,” he said.
“The tire is not a good tire. Imagine if we had full fuel cells. This would be awful. I couldn’t imagine it. Everybody would be bouncing off the fence.”
thatsracin.com: New tires draw familiar complaints
after Thuresday’s 125-milers