Mark martin won the season finale Ford 200 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Friday night as Todd Bodine won the series championship. Martin was followed by Brendan Gaughan in second an rookie Eric Darnell in third. Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Jack Sprague finished fourth and fifth.

 

Bodine won the championship with even a less than stellar 21^st place finish. Bodine on the championship by 127 points over Johnny Benson who finished 26^th Homestead. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eddyville, KY. – Brad Keselowski will be a busy man this weekend, driving in both the Ford 200 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as the Ford 300 in the NASCAR Busch Series.

 

Keselowski, who skipped last weekend’s Busch Series race in Phoenix to preserve his eligibility for the 2007 Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award, has raced at the Homestead-Miami Speedway once previously, finishing 22nd in the Ford 200 truck series race last year.

 

“I’m excited because it is going to be a really fun weekend,” said Keselowski. “The guys have been doing a great job on the cars since I came on and the extra track time in the truck should be a big plus.”

 

With 51 entries in the Ford 300, Keselowski will be one of 21 drivers competing for the final 13 positions. Keselowski has qualified for six consecutive events while the team is riding a streak of seven successful qualifying attempts.

 

Qualifying for the Ford 300 will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and will air on the Speed Channel. The race will follow at 7 p.m. on TNT. All times are Eastern. SCR

 

 

 

Team Rensi Motorsports will hold a press conference Saturday November 18, 2006 to announce a driver and sponsor for the 2007 season. The announcement is scheduled for noon at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

 

 

Duluth, Ga. - Persistence paid off for William Butler of Palmyra, N.Y. After entering online every day for more than six months, the 68-year-old retiree and die-hard race fan is going to NASCAR’s championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway this week as the grand prizewinner of World Financial Group’s Win With O’Quinn Giveaway. Selected randomly from more than 24,000 entries, Butler won a first-rate trip to Homestead-Miami Speedway for him and a guest to be in the center of the action as NASCAR crowns its champions at the Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 17-19, 2006. A former drag racer, Butler will enjoy the final NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Busch Series and NEXTEL Cup Series races from the comfort of World Financial Group’s catered suite, two nights hotel accommodations, a meet-and-greet with World Financial

Group Busch Series driver Danny O’Quinn Jr., pit passes and an exclusive Danny O’Quinn Jr./Roush Racing prize pack. The giveaway originally awarded grandstand tickets, but World Financial Group upgraded the prize when it secured a suite for the coveted event.

 

“Everyone here at World Financial Group loves being part of Roush Racing’s sponsor family and we are so thrilled to be able to bring a serious fan like William Butler along for the ride,” said Monte Holm, President of World Financial Group, Inc. 

 

A self-described “serious gear head” and drag racing official since 1959, Butler was “astounded” when he won. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call,” he said. He is looking forward to meeting O’Quinn, who is tied this year for the Busch Series Rookie of the Year going into Saturday’s race, and other Roush drivers and being there for the final races of the season. He’s also excited to go to Florida to escape the frigid upstate New York winter for a few days. SCR

 

 

 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – ppc Racing officials announced today Dyno Nobel and its Florida subsidiary, dnx Drilling, are sponsoring the No. 22, driven by Kenny Wallace and the No.10, driven by John Andretti for the Busch Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18, 2006.

 

Dyno Nobel is a leading supplier of commercial explosives and blasting services to the mining, quarrying, seismic, and construction industries and is the market leader in North America . With operations in the United States , Australia , Canada and Mexico , Dyno Nobel specializes in designing and developing practical explosives products and distribution systems while adhering to the highest safety standards. dnx Drilling, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dyno Nobel located in South Florida, supports Dyno Nobel’s current activities in the Florida and Bahamas markets.

 

The Ford 300 Busch Series race will mark Dyno Nobel’s first Motorsports venture. Despite being new to the sport, Dyno Nobel executives are excited for the opportunity to team up with a championship team and two very successful drivers.

 

“This type of sponsorship is something very new to us but we are excited to be part of the rapidly growing NASCAR industry,” says George Haws, Area Manager for Dyno Nobel in the Southeast U.S. “We thank ppc Racing for this opportunity to participate in such an intimate way with the racing world. This experience will extend the NASCAR experience to our valued clients as well as support the community where we live and work.” SCR

  

 

 

Joe Shear Jr., crew chief for P.J. Jones and the No. 43 Busch Series team has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for rule violations discovered at Phoenix Int. Raceway during post-race inspection.

 

Shear was fined and suspended after it was discovered that the quarter panel was too high. Shear will have to pay a $10,000 fine in addition to his suspension.

 

In addition to the fines and suspension of Shear, driver Jones was docked 25 driver points and team owner Mike Curb was penalized 25 owner points. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

 

 

 

Dale Earnhardt Inc. Vice President Richie Gilmore disputed reports that his company could be buying all or part of Robert Yates Racing.

 

During the race weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, DEI Technical Director Steve Hmiel confirmed that the company was in discussions concerning a purchase of at least part of RYR. He said the company could purchase RYR's shop and equipment, but that it could also acquire the No. 88 team and its owner points.

 

"If we can have more capacity, the number would be a bonus," Hmiel said at Phoenix International Raceway. "We've heard Team Red Bull has made an offer to buy the number, but we're not looking to buy just the number."

 

The owner points could be transferred to the third DEI team of Paul Menard. On Tuesday, though, Gilmore said that the story had grown out of proportion.

 

"Stories definitely grow in the sport and maybe it's a slow time of the year with the Chase not being quite as tight as it should be," Gilmore said. "It's one of them stories that grew. I told [DEI team owner] Teresa [Earnhardt], maybe if Teresa was going to go get a cup of coffee at 8 o'clock in the morning, by noontime around here she's going to buy a Starbucks. So I think the story kind of grew that way. It grew legs for sure.

 

"But right now we're just focused on getting Paul ready for next year and building our three organizations here at DEI. I think that was a story that grew a lot of legs this weekend at Phoenix maybe on a slow media weekend."

 

When asked if there was anything to the reports that DEI could be considering purchasing all or part of the team, Gilmore's answer was succinct.

 

"No," he said.

 

At Phoenix, when asked about the situation, team owner Robert Yates didn't deny he was in talks with DEI and said he planned to tell the No. 88 team its fate before this weekend's race at Homestead. The No. 88 has no driver and no sponsor for 2007 since Dale Jarrett and UPS are moving over to the Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota team.

   

 

 

HOMESTEAD , Fla. – Alan Mulally, recently named President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company, will serve as Honorary Starter for Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Ford 400 season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  Mulally will wave the green flag to get the final race of the season underway as NASCAR crowns its 2006 Season Champion.  Additionally, Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford Board of Directors, will serve as Grand Marshal for the event.

 

“We’re pleased to have Alan Mulally and Edsel Ford take part in our season-ending festivities,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Curtis Gray . “Ford has helped make this season-ending event a “must-see” for all race fans and we’re honored to have them be part of such a high profile motorsports weekend.”

 

Prior to joining Ford Motor Co. in September 2006, Mulally served as executive vice president of The Boeing Company, and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. In that role, he was responsible for all of the company ' s commercial airplane programs and related services. Mulally also was a member of the Boeing Executive Council and served as Boeing ' s senior executive in the Pacific Northwest .

 

Mulally was named Boeing ' s president of Commercial Airplanes in September 1998. The responsibility of chief executive officer for the business unit was added in March 2001.

 

Previously, Mulally served as president of Boeing Information, Space & Defense Systems and senior vice president of The Boeing Company. Appointed to that role in February 1997, he was responsible for Boeing ' s defense, space and government business.

 

Ford is a member of the board of directors of Ford Motor Company. As a consultant to the company, Ford is active in company affairs and corporate dealer relations.  This will be the third straight year he has given the “Start Your Engines” command.

 

During his 25-year career at Ford Motor Company, Ford held a variety of increasingly responsible positions. He was named president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Credit Company in May 1991 and elected a company vice president in December 1993.

 

Ford is the great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company. His grandfather is Edsel B. Ford, company president from 1919 to 1943. His late father, Henry Ford II, was president of the company from 1945 to 1960 and chairman from 1960 to 1980. SCR

 

 

 

CONCORD, N.C. – Can you recall where you were and what you were doing on Feb. 14, 1988? Mark Martin can. He was behind the wheel of the Roush Racing No. 6 Ford, forging forward on what would become one of the most successful runs in not only NASCAR, but all of sports history. Martin has spent the majority of his days since behind the wheel of the No. 6; 19 years worth to be exact. That will all come to an end this weekend, when Martin takes his final ride in the Roush Racing No. 6 Ford.

 

“It’s actually hard to believe that it’s actually here,” said Martin in reference to Sunday’s race at Homestead. “It’s one of those things where you know it has been coming for a while, but you still can’t believe that it’s almost here. I’ve been in that car for a long time – 19 years to be exact. It’s a part of me and I’m a part of it. Now the time has come for me to hand that over to someone else, but it’s going to be a different feeling for sure.”

 

To put Martin’s 19-year run in the same car in perspective, seven other current drivers, who are on the preliminary entry list for this weekend’s race at Homestead, also started that Daytona 500 in 1988. Of those seven drivers, all have raced for at least four different owners since that time. In fact, the seven combined have driven for 55 different owners and driven cars with a total of 57 different numbers. All while Martin forged on in the No. 6.

 

On that day Ronald Ragan was president, a gallon of gas cost 96 cents, the average price of a car was just over $14,000, a loaf of bread would run you a whopping 61 cents, and a young driver from Batesville, Arkansas was determined to make the most of a second chance. Martin’s tenure in the No. 6 was of humbling if not almost comical beginnings.

 

“We made the race on time,” said Martin recalling that first speed weeks with Roush Racing. “Then we got wrecked in the Twin-125’s and we didn’t have a backup speedway car, so we used the Atlanta car for the race. We didn’t last 20 laps before we lost the engine.”

 

When Martin climbed into that backup No. 6 car on that day, it was highly unlikely he could have envisioned the success he would go on to have in the No. 6. Six-Hundred and sixteen consecutive starts, 35 wins, 230 top-five finishes, 361 top-10 finishes, 39 poles, 181,163 laps, 11,100 laps led and 228,456.2 miles later, Martin prepares to get behind of the wheel of the No. 6 for the final time this Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

Martin’s time in the No. 6 car has seen four different Presidents of the United States, two different series’ sponsors, three different Ford makes and numerous changes to the business of NASCAR and Roush Racing. The No. 6 team was the first step of team owner Jack Roush into NASCAR. Since that time Roush has added four more Cup teams, with two of those teams claiming championships, and Roush has grown into one of the largest and most successful motorsports operations in the world.

 

“We’ve been at this for a long time and there is a sense of accomplishment for what we’ve been able to do,” said Martin. “It’s been a great ride and I’m so thankful to Jack Roush for having given me the opportunity to really live out my dreams behind the wheel of the No. 6 car. It’s really been a great ride and I would not change it for anything. We’ve always went into it giving everything that we had and really going at it no less than 100 percent and hopefully that showed over the years.”

 

MARTIN’S STATS IN THE NO. 6

 

SEASONS: 19

STARTS: 616

WINS: 35

POLES: 39

TOP-FIVE’S: 230

TOP-10’s: 361

LAPS: 181,163

LAPS LED: 11,100

MILES: 228,456.2

TOP 10 POINT FINISHES: 16

TOP FIVE POINT FINISHES: 12

TOP 15 POINT FINISHES: 15

 

MARTIN MILESTONES IN THE NO. 6

 

Race # Date                     Track                          Start  Finish   President

1st        Feb 14, 1988   Daytona                           38    41        Ronald Reagan

56th     Oct. 22, 1989  Rockingham(1st win)7  1          George Bush

100th   June 16, 1991  Pocono                              1    3          George Bush

200th   Sept. 18, 1994 Dover                     4    19        Bill Clinton

300th   Nov. 16, 1997 Atlanta                     9  3          Bill Clinton

400th   Nov. 12, 2000 Homestead       11        3          George W.Busch

500th   Sept. 14, 2003 New Hampshire           33        28        George W.Busch

600th   July 16, 2006   New Hampshire           13        4          George W. usch

617th   Nov. 19, 2006 Homestead (Final Run)                        

 

ALSO:

 

The No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion will run a special paint scheme this weekend to commemorate the final run of Martin behind the wheel of the car he has driven since 1988. The AAA car will be colored in a predominately black scheme when it takes to the track this Friday for what will be Martin’s last Nextel Cup weekend in the car. SCR

 

 

 

Kevin Harvick’s over-the-wall crew picked up the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge win in Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event at Phoenix International Raceway. The winning effort by the No. 29 pit crew helped Harvick capture the victory at the one-mile oval.

 

It was the third pit crew win of the season for Harvick’s crew. The team’s other pit crew victories were at the May race in Richmond, Va. and the July race in Joliet, Ill.

 

“It is great to see our team win on pit road again,” said Corrine Mauldin, the No. 29 pit crew coach. “The guys put in a lot of effort week in and week out to make sure they are the best they can be on pit road. It has been a tremendous year for everyone at RCR so it is nice to see the hard work paying off.”

 

Harvick’s over-the-wall crew, which will receive $10,500 for the win from Checkers/Rally’s, consists of: Nick Terry (jackman), Josh Mick (front-tire carrier), Jason Pulver (front-tire changer), Matt Krueter (rear-tire carrier), Clint Pittman (rear-tire changer), Brian Englehart (gasman), Scott Naset (catch can), Rick Tulbert (2nd gas can) and John Goodwin (eighth-man). The team is led by crew chief Todd Berrier.

 

Heading into Sunday’s (Nov. 19) final Nextel Cup event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the over-the-wall crews for Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart are tied for first in the season-long competition with five wins each.

 

If the competition is still tied after Sunday’s Cup finale, the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge championship and the $105,000 bonus will be awarded to Johnson’s No. 48 crew since the tie-breaker is decided on driver point standings. Johnson, who leads in the Chase standings, cannot be passed by any team still in contention for the pit crew title. SCR

 

 

 

Brian Vickers will make his final start for Hendrick Motorsports Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Since joining Hendrick in 2003, Vickers has made 47 NASCAR Busch Series starts, capturing three wins, one pole position, 16 top-five finishes, 27 top-10s and the 2003 championship. At the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series level, he has made 112 starts in the No. 25 GMAC Chevrolet, earning one win, four pole positions, 10 top-fives and 23 top-10s. SCR

  

 

 

Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg's Chevrolet, will participate in the fifth annual Hot Rods & Reels fishing tournament on Saturday at 8 a.m. local time at the Homestead-Miami Speedway infield lake. The event benefits the Darrell Gwynn Foundation to Cure Paralysis and the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center at Homestead Hospital. SCR

 

 

 

Juan Pablo Montoya will attempt to make this weekends Ford 400 Nextel Cup season finale in the No. 30 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing. Montoya who will pilot the No. 42 Dodge in 2007 will also attempt to make the Busch Series race Saturday. SCR

Matthew Blaylock

  

 

 

CONCORD, North Carolina - When road racing ace Andy Lally makes his transition to stock car racing, one thing is for certain, he will shine. Lally turned his first laps in a stock car last Thursday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, one of NASCAR’s fastest tracks on the circuit.

 

Lally, the only three-time Rolex Grand Am Champion headed into the test session with an open mind. His main focus heading into the scheduled eight-hour test included several mock-runs, and relaying information back and forth to his crew.

 

Throughout the day, Lally showed determination and strength in a heavy test guided by ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran and NASCAR driver Andy Belmont. Lally’s lap times were strong enough to put him solidly in the last ARCA RE/MAX Series event held at the 1.5-mile facility.

 

“Andy did an awesome job,” said Belmont . “He is so smooth and learns so quickly he drove like a he’s been doing this for a while. His feedback was great and his feel for the car was strong. He is the real deal and I was very fortunate to work with him. We have an additional test scheduled next month and I’m really looking forward to it.”

 

As for the 2006 Rolex Grand Am Champion, he was eagerly excited about how the test went.  “I had a great time at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with Andy and the guys,” said the 29-year old. “The first time I set my eyes on this place was when I was racing go karts there in the infield. To be able to have the chance to fly into turn one in a stock car and run well was so much fun.”

 

Lally, a native of Georgia added,  "I am trying to get as much seat time as I can I would love to be able to run some ARCA races next year as well as try and make the NASCAR Busch Series road course races, so every bit of testing that I get is a plus. Andy's crew was very helpful to me through out the day with answering all of my questions. I learned a lot and look forward to trying it again."

 

“When we head back to test I expect to be blown away,” added Belmont, who fielded a full time entry in the ARCA RE/MAX Series this season for various drivers. “I really think he has the credentials to be a great stock car driver and I hope that I’m with him for it.”

 

Lally soared into his new venue with a successful and impressive resume to his credit. In addition to his Rolex Grand Am Championships, Lally has experience In the 24 Hours of Le Mans , SPEED World Challenge Series, Barber Dodge Pro Series and USF2000 Series. Lally will return to LMS next month on the heels of winning six Grand Am events this year. SCR

 

 

 

 

 

Denver N.C. – PTG Studios will be the primary sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry driven by Kevin Lepage at Homestead-Miami Motorsports Complex on Sunday November 19th,  for the Ford 400.

 

“I’m excited about driving the PTG Studios car for the last race of the year at Homestead ,” commented driver Kevin Lepage.  “We look forward to making the race and ending the year with a good finish.” 

 

PTG Studios, founded in 1997, is an independent media production company that specializes in educational programming for national and international markets. It is headquartered in Deerfield Beach , FL.  PTG Studios producers have helped companies from around the world gain exposure via nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distributions systems. For over eight years, PTG Studios has produced magazine-style shows, nationally and internationally televised specials as well as a variety of corporate communications. The shows provide information on the latest in cutting edge technology, travel, sports, fashion, business solutions, health and a mix of many other exciting topics.

 

“We are thrilled about this opportunity with Front Row Motorsports.  The Ford 400 is an ideal race for us because it is only 30 minutes from our corporate headquarters and brings an international appeal.  We think NASCAR will provide a great vehicle to promote PTG Studios,” said Doug Scott, Chief Executive Officer of PTG Studios.

 

“We appreciate the support of PTG Studios for the Homestead race,” said team owner Bob Jenkins.  “We look forward to closing the year on a strong note and we’re glad PTG Studios can be part of that.” SCR

 

 

 

NBC's broadcast of Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway earned an overnight Nielsen Media Research rating of 4.1 and an 8 market share, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.

 

The rating is 2.5 percent higher than the 4.0 NBC earned overnight for the 2005 Phoenix race.

   

 

 

MARTINSVILLE, VA – Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon will headline two separate fan hospitality experiences at Martinsville Speedway prior to the Goody’s 500 on April 1.

 

Earnhardt will be center stage in the Bud Fan Zone before the Goody’s 500 while Gordon will headline the Pepsi Fan Zone.

 

“This should be a real treat for fans,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell . “It’s rare to have two drivers of this magnitude visiting a hospitality area on race day.”

 

Earnhardt and the Bud Fan Zone and Gordon and the Pepsi Fan Zone will be in separate tents in Martinsville Speedway’s hospitality area. Each driver will make an appearance in his respective fan zone for an emceed question and answer session.

 

The Bud Fan Zone and the Pepsi Fan Zone is $99 each. The price includes a ticket to the fan zone, continental breakfast and lunch buffet, Pepsi products and four beer coupons per adult, track tram tour rides from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Martinsville Speedway souvenirs, a Goody’s 500 program and door prizes.

 

The $99 price does not include a ticket to the Goody’s 500.

 

Each of the two fan zones will open at 8:00am.

 

The continental breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. with the lunch buffet beginning at 10:30 am. Track tram tours will run from 8:30 am. To 10:30 a.m. SCR

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS -- Race fans planning to give NASCAR tickets as Christmas gifts have three weeks remaining in order to ensure delivery by Dec. 25.

 

Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Ticket Services department will guarantee a pre-Christmas delivery of any tickets ordered by Dec. 1. Tickets ordered after Dec. 1 are not guaranteed to arrive by the holiday season. NASCAR Weekend in Las Vegas is set for March 9-11, 2007.

 

“Our ticket renewals and sales have been very strong so far,” said LVMS general manager Chris Powell. “While many folks dread the idea of fighting the crowds at the malls, they can simply go online or pick up the phone, order tickets to the 2007 NASCAR Weekend at LVMS and wait for them to arrive in their mailboxes.”

 

Race fans also can purchase passes to the new Neon Garage, pre-race activities passes and Lucky 7 Preferred Parking passes. All tickets and passes are available through the speedway ticket services office by calling 1-800-644-4444 or logging on to www.lvms.com.

       

The NASCAR Weekend will begin with qualifying for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on Friday, March 9. The Sam's Town 300 will be Saturday, March 10 and the 10th annual UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup event is scheduled for Sunday, March 11. In addition, there will be two nights of USAC Sprints and Dirt Late Models on the half-mile dirt oval March 8-9. SCR

 

 

 

CONCORD, NC – The NASCAR Nextel Cup season consists of 36 points-paying races and a handful of non-points shows.  That is a lot of racing for one individual driver.  But for Kyle Busch, it’s not enough.  Busch won’t be spending his first off-weekend from the Nextel Cup Series season at home on his couch.  Instead, he’ll be spending it at South Boston Speedway in South Boston , Virginia , racing a Super Late Model in the inaugural Mason-Dixon Meltdown.

 

Busch, who has driven a Super Late Model in the last two Oxford 250s at Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine , will run the #51 Chevy Monte Carlo for Steve Perry and SP2 Motorsports in the PASS South portion of the Mason-Dixon Meltdown.  The Thanksgiving weekend event pays $12,500 to the race winner and $1,000 to start.

 

“The biggest reason to go run Super Late Model races is just to have fun,” said Busch, who enters the NASCAR Nextel Cup season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway 10th place in the point standings.  “I love that kind of car.  It is probably my favorite type of vehicle I’ve ever raced in.   Anytime I have the opportunity to go back and run some of that stuff, it’s fun for me.  And the cars just keep looking cooler and cooler. 

 

“The race in general is great.  You’ll have some of the biggest names in the country that are going to be there.  Chuck Barnes Jr. is going to be there.  Mike Rowe and Ben Rowe are going to be there.  Jason Hogan is coming, too.  There are plenty of big names out there that are going to be coming to South Boston and that makes it one big show.  I’m really looking forward to it.”

 

Busch has run for Perry both years he has competed in the Oxford 250.  He finished sixth after leading 60-plus laps in the 2005 event and then led 12 laps in the 2006 Oxford 250 before engine problems relegated him to a 22nd-place finish.

 

“I hope our chances are pretty strong,” added Busch.  “I’ve got a great car I’m getting into with Steve Perry.  He’s always had great stuff for me to get into.  I’ve had a lot of fun running with him up north in the Oxford 250. They are bringing down the same car that I ran so well with the first year at Oxford .  I’m excited about it and looking forward to it. 

 

“I’ve been to South Boston before.  I was there in 2001 and 2002.  The first time I was there was with the Craftsman Truck Series.   I was doing pretty well and the left-rear tire fell off and we fenced it.  The following year, we were there in the ASA car.  We ran pretty well and finished sixth or seventh.  It is a neat racetrack.  There is some tight racing, but there is plenty of room to get around people.  There are a couple of grooves you can work with.   I enjoy South Boston .  It’s got a lot of history there with the Busch Series and all.”

 

Busch won’t only be a racer at the Mason-Dixon Meltdown, though.  He’ll be an interested spectator in the event as well.  In addition to competing, Busch is entering Alex Haase in the event.  Haase is a 16-year-old development driver for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

 

Haase has driven for Busch in Legends Cars and is currently racing in the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series and Super Late Models on the West Coast.  Haase will compete in the Mason-Dixon Meltdown by driving the #6 out of the Richie Wauters Motorsports stables.

 

“I entered him in the event, because I haven’t really had the opportunity to watch him race much,” added Busch.  “Years ago I did, but since then he’s gotten into full-bodied stock cars and trucks.  Everyone has always told me he’s run very good and been very fast; he’s just seemed to be plagued by mechanical problems or this or that.  I like what I hear, and I want to be able to watch him race more and put him on a bigger playing field.

 

“I took him to the WalTom Driving Development deal a couple of weeks ago, and he did very well.  He is only 16.  I talked with (WalTom Racing veteran crew chief) Howie Lettow after the deal.  He gave me some insight as to what he thought.  He thought I had a pretty good racecar driver here.  To hear that gave me a sense of security, knowing I can keep going with him.”

 

The PASS South Super Late Models portion of the “Mason-Dixon Meltdown” features a 250-lap main event on Saturday, November 25th.  The Tour-Type Modifieds also have a 250-lap event that day and both premier divisions will be racing for a $12,500 paycheck for the winner, plus lap money and other bonuses to be announced soon.  Also competing during the “Mason-Dixon Meltdown” weekend are the Legends Cars (Friday only) and the Pro Challenge Series (Saturday only). SCR

 

 

 

Geoff Smith, the head of Roush Racing, said that the proposed merger with Red Sox owner John Henry's Fenway Sports Group is proceeding nicely, and if the deal is completed it should be by early February.

 

Jack Roush and Smith are negotiating a sale of as much as 50 percent of Roush Racing to Henry and his company.

 

"It's still progressing, and progressing positively toward closing," Smith said of the negotiations.

 

"It's pretty straightforward on how it's proceeding. Lawyers are looking at documents, accountants are working on plans for operational adjustments that need to take place. All those practical things are in motion. People are out in the garage verifying how certain things work.

 

"I would expect by the time we show up in February at Daytona there will either be a deal in place or there won't be a deal at all."

 

 

 

Chip Ganassi Racing has entered Juan Pablo Montoya for the season finale Nextel Cup race next weekend at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. But team owner Chip Ganassi and Montoya have both said they are not sure if Montoya will run the Cup race Sunday or just the Busch race Saturday.

 

The big hold-up right now is what car would Montoya run? The No. 42 which currently is being driven by Casey Mears is the car that Montoya will be in, in 2007. Mears may not want to give up his ride one race early to guarantee Montoya a starting spot. SCR

Matthew Blaylock