SPEEDWAY, Indiana - McSwain and Rudd to reunite? Garage insiders say that
Michael "Fatback" McSwain may be taking over crew chief duties on the No.
21 Woods Brothers Ford with driver Ricky Rudd. McSwain and Rudd worked
together on the No. 28 Robert Yates Racing Ford previous to both parties
going their separate ways.
Speculation is the change could come as early as next week.
McMurray's contract renewed: Ganassi Racing announced earlier this week
that they have extended Jamie McMurray's contract into the future. The
exact terms of the contract were not disclosed.
McMurray was rumored to being courted by Joe Gibbs Racing to drive their
third Cup ride in 2005, sponsored by Federal Express.
Dale Jr. to go this one alone: After exiting the No. 8 DEI Chevy the last
two weeks, DEI announced today, that there are no plans for a stand-by
driver for Earnhardt at the Brickyard 400.
Earnhardt has been recovering from burns sustained during a practice crash
in an American Le Mans race in Sonoma several weeks ago.
Martin Truex, Jr. relieved Earnhardt at New Hampshire, and John Andretti
took over the wheel at Pocono.
Busch series to go south of the border: NASCAR has announced the 2005 Busch
series schedule, including two road course dates in Watkins Glen and Mexico
City. The race schedule has also been bumped up to 35 events.
From press release: The event, set for March 6, will be the third race of
the 35-race season and the first NASCAR Busch Series points event held
outside the United States. It also will mark the return of road-course
racing to the NASCAR Busch Series, as will an Aug. 13 event set for Watkins
Glen (N.Y.) International. The NASCAR Busch Series previously had road-
course races at Road Atlanta in 1986 and '87 and at Watkins Glen from 1991-
2001. The NASCAR Busch Series moves to California Speedway in the Los
Angeles market on February 26, before heading to Mexico City on March 6,
followed by momentum-building events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March
12 and Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19. The 2005 schedule includes the
addition of second dates at Phoenix International Raceway, which will run
its races on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, Nov. 12; and Texas Motor
Speedway, which will host its events Saturday, April 16 and Saturday, Nov.
5. The season will conclude, as it has since 1995, at Homestead-Miami
Speedway. The race is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19.
Changes coming for NetZero? Word continues to spread that a possible driver
change is in store for the Haas/Carter No. 0 car driven by Ward Burton. HC
is fielding a second car for Jason Leffler this weekend, and considering
replacing Burton with Leffler for the long term sometime in the immediate
future.
Team Gordon to expand: Robby Gordon, driver of the No. 31 RCR Chevy, is
considering fielding a second Busch series team next season.
Gordon already serves as the primary driver for the Team Gordon No. 50
Chevy in that series.
