Qualifying Notes & Quotes - Richmond
September 11, 2004
Ryan Newman, in addition to winning pole for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway, had some interesting comments about the NASCAR points system. Here are some collected quotes from Newman and several other drivers on Friday.
Rocketman Ryan Rules Richmond
September 10, 2004
Ryan Newman, sometimes known as “Rocketman” topped the charts in both practice and qualifying for Saturday night’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400.
Newman’s best practice lap of 21.024 sec/128.425 mph should have been second in the starting lineup but he beat that time in qualifying by .048 second, at 20.979 sec/128.700. Newman said in post-qualifying interviews that the pole was a birthday present for his mother, as Friday is her birthday.
Rivalries Will Help Grow The NHRA
September 10, 2004
Trying to grow the sport of drag racing is a tough task. Sponsor activation, getting corporate America to notice the tremendous value in advertising at the drag strip and marketing the sport to younger fans with disposable income should be the goal. One of the best ways to get recognition and make people take notice is to develop rivalries. Looks like John Force and Gary Scelzi have one brewing and it is exactly what the sport needs.
Dixon Organizes Auction to Benefit the Darrell Russell Memorial Fund
September 10, 2004
VISTA, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2004) — Two-time defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon and his wife, Allison, are organizing a charity auction to benefit the Darrell Russell Memorial Fund and Russell’s wife, Julie.
Ganassi Retains Manning for 2005
September 9, 2004
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Photo: TCGR
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Indianapolis, IN, Wednesday, September 8th, 2004- Target Chip Ganassi Racing is pleased to announce that they have exercised their option to retain the services of driver Darren Manning for the Indy Racing League’s 2005 IndyCar season. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Olivier Panis to retire at end of 2004 season
September 9, 2004
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Photo: Toyota F1
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The oldest driver on the F1 grid, Toyota’s Olivier Panis, at 38-years-old has decided to retire from F1 racing at the conclusion of the current 2004 season. He will remain with Toyota F1 as a test driver for 2005 and 2006.
Why “The Chase” Is Good
September 8, 2004
Much air has been expended by all manner of folks debating the new Nextel Cup scoring system this year. It’s either the best thing since sliced bread or the mother of all things evil.
Revised Schedule Set For Rolex Series & Grand-Am Cup Events at Homestead-Miami Speedway
September 8, 2004
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 8, 2004) — A new live telecast on SPEED Channel for the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and same-day coverage for the Grand-Am Cup Series on the leading motor racing network are among the positive developments to come out of the one-week postponement of the Miami 250 weekend, which is now scheduled for September 17-19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“Humpy” Wheeler Bounces Back After Being Fired
September 8, 2004
CONCORD, N.C. - “Humpy, you’re fired!” It sounds like something straight out of NBC’s popular reality television series “The Apprentice,” featuring Donald Trump. It’s hard to believe now, but H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, the newly elected National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame promoter, was “fired” from his first job at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “I certainly know how folks feel when they lose their job,” said Wheeler, now president and general manager of the 1.5-mile superspeedway.
Brownsburg, Indiana becoming the next Charlotte?
September 8, 2004
Drag racing started on the west coast back in the 1950’s and eventually moved east. Stock car racing started primarily in the south and has moved everywhere. NASCAR’s roots are still in the south with most teams based near Charlotte, North Carolina. Just in the past few years, many of the top drag racing teams formerly based in California are moving outside of Indianapolis. If you think about it, it makes sense.