The ‘Bubba Cup’ (Amended)
August 14, 2004
Lunch Thursday was interesting. We met, as usual every week, at the local Lions’ Club for their cheap hot dogs. This gathering has included at times, Chris Economaki, drivers, crew, retired drivers and owners, journalists, etc. The weather and home crises cut into attendance this week but it was still an interesting group. Retired writer Jack Flowers had a suggested scheme to end all the controversy over points, drivers racing injured for points and the Playoffs, errr, Chase for the Championship. Flowers’ idea is that we simply rate the year-end standings based on number of wins. The driver with the most wins is the champion for that season. In case of a tie, then the number of second-place finishes breaks the tie. I’ve named the fictional trophy for the late Bob Latford, one of the men who helped to make NASCAR stock car racing the hugely popular sport it is today. Bob helped many a fledgling reporter, including this writer, get started in the sport and continued to be a friend and helper right to the end.
The Ultimate FI Joke
August 14, 2004
Whenever I begin to doubt in the existence of a Divine Being, I have only to look around at the ironies that surround us. And the Devine Being has a sense of humor if one is to believe that BAR and Jacques Villeneuve may get back together for 2005.
Dominance, & More To come
August 14, 2004
Ferrari and their drivers continue to dominate as exhibited from practice right through qualifying. Is there any doubt that the trend will continue to the end of the race and result in two more podiums for Michael and Rubens?
Schumacher Tops Ferrari 1-2 Qualifying at Hungarian GP
August 14, 2004
Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello locked up the front row for tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Michael has a half a second gap between himself and third place Takuma Sato. Sato no doubt pleased his team manager David Richards by bumping his teammate Jenson Button to fourth. This is Schumacher’s 62nd career pole - nearing Ayrton Senna’s record of 65.
Theys and Magnussen Win Sahlen’s 200 at The Glen; Establish New Series Record
August 14, 2004
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Photo: Grand Am
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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - In ever-changing weather conditions, the No. 27 Doran-Lista Racing team and Lexus Doran driver Jan Magnussen–who was running just outside the top five–rolled the dice and took on slick tires in a pit stop under caution on Lap 59 and the gamble paid off as the Dane passed the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley of Max Angelelli on Lap 67 of a 72-lap race for the lead and the victory in the Sahlen’s 200 at The Glen.
Hometown Driver Leads Qualifying at Brainerd
August 14, 2004
BRAINERD, Minn. - Duluth native Greg Anderson drove to the top of the Pro Stock order at his home track Friday during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Bike) also led qualifying in their respective categories the $1.6 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event.
Hoosier & Grand Am Ink Three-Year Tire Deal
August 13, 2004
Hoosier will become the exclusive tire supplier for all of Grand American Road Racing Association’s classes, beginning with the 2005 season. Lasting through the 2007 season, the agreement will see Grand Am’s Daytona Prototypes and Grand-Am Cup Series racing on Hoosier tires.
Childress and Jeff Burton Meet the Press
August 13, 2004
Jeff Burton and team owner Richard Childress met the press Friday morning, following the announcement that Burton will be driving the No. 30 AOL Chevy, beginning next week. Here’s a transcript of the press conference.
Mother Nature Wins Glen Qualifying
August 13, 2004
A wet track prevented qualifying Friday afternoon at Watkins Glen so NASCAR set the grid for Sunday’s Sirius at the Glen race by team owner points. This put Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon on the front row, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr and Tony Stewart.
Carl Edwards Moving Up to Roush No. 99 Cup Car
August 13, 2004
Concord, N.C. - Roush Racing announced Friday that Carl Edwards, driver of Roush Racing’s No. 99 Superchips F-150 in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series, will step into the No. 99 Ford Taurus in NEXTEL Cup racing beginning with the Michigan International Speedway GFS Marketplace 400. Edwards will replace Jeff Burton, who is moving to Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet in NEXTEL Cup races.