California Qualifying Notes & Quotes
April 30, 2004
Here are the assorted notes and quotes from drivers and a few crew chiefs following today’s qualifying for the Auto Club 500.
Multi-Million Dollar Changes at Charlotte Infield
April 30, 2004
The infield at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at Charlotte is undergoing some major changes. With a total cost in the millions of dollars, planning for these changes has been under way for months.
Kahne on Pole-The Day of the Rookie at California
April 30, 2004
Kasey Kahne beat out series regulars Joe Nemechek and Jeff Green to take the pole for Sunday’s Auto Club 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at California Speedway.
NASCAR’s Efficiency Consultants
April 30, 2004
I saw this on the news this morning and had to share. What do a NASCAR Busch Series car and a Sikorsky H-53 Series helicopter have in common? The need to get in and out of refueling stops as quickly as possible. However, the stakes are a little higher for the Marines if they don’t get it right in the battlefield…
Rumors Of Villeneuve Return
April 29, 2004
The rumor mill is spinning around Jacques Villeneuve, which is impressive considering he’s been out of the sport since just prior to the closing racing of the 2003 season. The latest banter circles around Jacques talking with the Williams team for a ride in 2005. Currently Williams has two vacant seats for 2005 with Juan Montoya going to McLaren, and Ralf looking set to head to Toyota.
Record Purses Announced For May in Charlotte
April 28, 2004
Concord, N.C. (April 28, 2004)
Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus Teleconference
April 28, 2004
Here’s a transcript of this week’s NASCAR NEXTEL Teleconference with Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus as guests. They discuss last Sunday’s controversial finish as well as Johnson’s change in finishing position from the initially-reported third.
Interview with Warren Johnson
April 28, 2004
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Photo: NHRA.com
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Warren Johnson. Just say the name and you might think of a few things instantly: His nickname is ‘The Professor,’ he has earned six NHRA POWERade Pro Stock championships, he seems to be a little on the intense side of things when it comes to racing. All of the above are true. Warren will tell you himself. Warren Johnson raced in his first NHRA event in 1971. He has been a fierce competitor ever since. Along with those six championships, Warren has earned 92 victories - tops in Pro Stock and second overall only to John Force’s 109 Funny Car wins. Warren is known as much for his innovation in the sport of Pro Stock racing as his success. But when it comes right down to it, Warren is simply a man of few words. He will tell you like it is. Period. Because the sooner he can get done chatting, the sooner he can get back to work. Warren and the rest of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is in Bristol, Ten. this weekend for the fourth annual O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. In this Q&A session, Warren talks about the records and championships, what he thinks about racing with his son, Kurt, and whether he even knows what the word ‘retirement’ means.
Is NASCAR in Control, or the Fans?
April 27, 2004
Old co-worker Ben Blake has an interesting take on the anarchy that erupted at the end of Sunday’s Talladega race. I think, after advocating a green-white-checker finish for a couple of years, that he may be right.
Bazemore In Thick Of Funny Car Battle Going Into Bristol
April 27, 2004
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Photo: WhitBazemore.com
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BRISTOL (Tenn.) - Whit Bazemore has history here at Bristol Dragway. The driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car has fond memories of this track surrounded by the hills of Tennessee.
He visited here as a teenager growing up in Atlanta and competed here under IHRA sanction. Most significantly, since the NHRA arrived here in 2001, Bazemore has reached the Funny Car final round twice in the last three years, parlaying one of those into a victory in 2002.