Notes & Quotes - Phoenix Qualifying
November 5, 2004
Collected notes & quotes from drivers and crew following qualifying for this week’s NEXTEL Cup Checker Auto Parts 500.
BRIAN VICKERS, NO. 25 GMAC CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO - 2nd: “The last run we made on stickers was not really what the car was. I messed up Turn 3 a little bit trying some different stuff. It didn’t work out. I was still happy with the car. I don’t know if it’ll be the pole or not. I hope so. Ryan (Newman) seemed pretty quick. But the track slowed down a little bit too. So, we’ll see.”
Chevy Bailing On IRL After 2005
November 3, 2004
Chevrolet announced today that they will no longer supply engines to the IRL after the 2005 season. General Motors will also withdraw the 4.0-liter Opel Astras from the DTM series in Germany after 2005 due to financial issues.
Martinsville Results in Fine For Rusty Wallace
November 3, 2004
Driver Rusty Wallace was fined $10,000 for his role in an incident at the conclusion of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race held Oct. 24 at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR officials announced Tuesday.
NASCAR NEXTEL Teleconference-Dale Earnhardt Jr & Rusty Wallace
November 2, 2004
NASCAR NEXTEL Teleconference Transcript - Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rusty Wallace
NASCAR Busch Series Championship points leader Martin Truex, Jr. will try and close the door even further on the 2004 title also at Phoenix, that will be on Saturday, and NBC will carry that race starting at 3:30 p.m. eastern.
The close race for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series also rolls into Phoenix, that will be Friday, and SPEED Channel carries the trucks live beginning at 5:30 p.m. eastern time.
Casey Mears Dodge Teleconference
November 2, 2004
Casey Mears was Tuesday’s guest on the Dodge Motorsports Conference Call. Mears, driver of the No. 41 Target Dodge is a 26-year-old driver from Bakersfield, Calif., in his second season behind the wheel for car owner Chip Ganassi, will make his 70th career Cup start on Sunday at Phoenix. Mears scored a career-best finish of fourth this season at Watkins Glen. He also has nine top-10 finishes in 2004 and ranks 22nd in the series standings. He has two poles and only two DNF’s this season.
Required Reading
November 1, 2004
George Carlin has a new book out, “When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?” How does that relate to NASCAR you may ask? Monte Dutton has the answer.
Take It Like A Man
November 1, 2004
That would be my assessment of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his explanation for his late race wreck yesterday from Atlanta. With Kurt Busch out of the race, his miscalculation may have cost him this years title.