Roush may get liquor sponsorship after all: Sources say that car owner Jack
Roush has been hard at work trying to get NASCAR to rescind their policy
disallowing hard liquor companies as primary sponsors in the NEXTEL Cup
series.
Crown Royal was ready to come onboard as the lead sponsor for the No. 99
Ford when NASCAR decided they did not want liquor on a car. Reports
indicate that NASCAR may repeal this decision for the 2005 season. With
sponsor dollars limited and many teams struggling, it would add a new
dynamic to the sport for hard liquor companies such as Crown Royal to enter
the sport.
Crown Royal already has its hand in the Motorsports arena, serving as the
primary sponsors of the IROC series.
While NASCAR currently does not allow hard liquor advertisers in the
sports, they do allow companies such as Smirnoff (a premium Vodka maker) to
hawk their other alcohol products, such as Smirnoff Ice a malt-liquor
beverage.
Hmiel to run Cup races for Bill Davis Racing: Shane Hmiel will make his
return to the Cup series driving for Bill Davis Racing, starting Sunday at
California Speedway.
Hmiel will run five events for BDR, including Richmond next week.
Herbie crowding garage: About 300 extra people crowded the Cup series
garage area at California Speedway Friday, for the filming of Walt Disney
Pictures "Herbie: Fully Loaded". The movie stars Lindsey Lohan and Matt
Dillon, and will feature cameos by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jamie McMurray,
Rusty Wallace and Kevin Harvick.
President won't muck up Richmond: Contrary to previous reports from other
news outlets, President George Bush will not visit the Richmond
International Speedway next weekend on September 11th.
It's a relief for the thousands of crew and staff members who remember all
to well the hell of Daytona earlier this year when the President decided to
woo "NASCAR dad" to his Presidential campaign.
Sadler fastest in initial practice: Elliott Sadler and the No. 38 Robert
Yates Racing team charted the fastest time in initial practice for the
NEXTEL Cup series Friday at California Speedway. Sadler paced the field
with a lap of 185.591 mph.
Gordon not changing strategy for Chase for the Championship: "We take the
same approach we take every weekend," commented Gordon. "Our philosophy has
always been the same. We go out and try and win races, and if we can't win
we try and get the best finish possible. But, we try and finish.
"This is a great year for us; we are winning poles and winning races. This
definitely feels like a championship year."
Charpentier to No. 0? Dave Charpentier, former crew chief of the No. 32
Ford, has been hired to assume a role at the No. 0 of Ward Burton. No
confirmation on what his new title will be.
