Contract Status: Driver 200?; Sponsors: 2008?
Races [15] that Best Buy is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2008:
Daytona - 2/17
California - 2/24 [with U2]
Atlanta - 3/9
Talladega - 4/27 or Dover - 6/1
the rest TBA
Races [2] that Garmin is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2008:
Dover - 6/1 or Talladega - 4/27
Kansas - 9/28
Races [13] that Stanley Tools is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2008:
Las Vegas - 3/2
Bristol - 3/16
Phoenix - 4/12
Richmond - 5/5
Lowe's - All-Star race - 5/17
Pocono - 6/8
Infineon - 6/22
Indianapolis - 7/29
Michigan - 8/17
Bristol - 8/23
New Hampshire - 9/14
Lowe's - 10/11
Texas - 11/2
Races [?] that Siemens is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2008:
?Phoenix - 11/9
Races [6] that McDonald's is scheduled to be the primary sponsor in 2008:
Martinsville [3/22]
Darlington [5/10]
Michigan [6/15]
California [8/31]
Talladega [10/5]
Atlanta [10/26]
- Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop Using GEM Drivers to Reach Parents and Teens: Allstate Insurance Company is using a group of athletes who drive fast for a living to caution parents and teens to slow down when making decisions behind the wheel. By partnering with Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM), Allstate has created the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop, an interactive, racing-focused program that will promote teen safe driving in key NASCAR markets throughout the year. The goal of the initiative is to facilitate communication between parents and teens about the importance of teen safe driving and provide tools to spark these conversations, including Allstate's interactive Parent-Teen Driving Contract, available at www.allstate.com/teen. Allstate is the official insurance provider of GEM. GEM NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Patrick Carpentier, as well as team owner Ray Evernham, will headline the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stops at high schools across the country prior to the Sprint Cup Series races in select markets. Joining them will be SPEED personality John Roberts, who will serve as emcee at all of the events. Events are being scheduled for Birmingham, Ala., Charlotte, N.C., and Richmond, Va., with other markets to be announced throughout the year. Highlights of the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop will include an interactive discussion with GEM drivers and Evernham and an open forum and question and answer session between the drivers, parents and teens. The Allstate Safety Zone, an interactive safe driving mobile display, will also visit the high schools and provide illustrations of important safety components in NASCAR stock cars. Computer kiosks will be available for parents and teens to complete Allstate's Interactive Parent-Teen Driving Contract at www.allstate.com/teen.(Allstate)(4-27-2008)
- Special Helmet for Sadler: For the month of April, Elliott Sadler is wearing a specially-designed Autism Awareness helmet in every race. In May, that very same helmet will belong to whoever wants it most. To raise funds and awareness, Sadler had the helmet designed with the colorful, jigsaw Autism puzzle pieces. During the Texas, Phoenix and Talladega races in April, the driver of the #19 Dodge will be wearing the colorful concoction in competition. See more info on my Racing Charities page.(4-12-2008) Comment here
- Garmin to sponsor #19 at Talladega and Kansas: Elliott Sadler is scheduled to drive the #19 Garmin Special paint scheme at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27 [had heard it was Dover in June]. 2008 & at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2008, see an image on my #19 Team schemes page.(4-4-2008) Comment here
- Sadler injured? Setzer to qualify? UPDATE 2: It was reported on SPEED's Truck Series practice coverage [Friday 11am-12pm] that #19-Elliott Sadler injured his back and that Truck Series veteran, Dennis Setzer, may practice and qualify the #19 McDonald's Sprint Cup Dodge for Sadler on Friday at Martinsville Speedway.(3-28-2008)
UPDATE: In response to the announcement that Elliott Sadler sustained an off-track injury that makes his status in question for today’s practice for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Mark McArdle, vice president and managing director of competition of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, has issued the following statement:
ON THE STATUS OF ELLIOTT SADLER’S CONDITION? “The situation that we’re finding ourselves in is that the driver of our No.19 McDonald’s Dodge – Elliott Sadler - sustained a low-back injury away from the racetrack during the course of the week. He’s finding himself in quite a bit of discomfort, so what we‘ve done is put Dennis Setzer in a position of stand-by.
“It’s high likely that Dennis will do some laps in the car here during today’s practice session and get the car dialed in for us in race configuration. Elliott’s pretty uncomfortable in any kind of sitting position this morning. We’ll have to make a decision as the day goes on as to exactly what our plans will be with regard to putting Elliott in the car for qualifying or not. We’re going to take it on an hour-by-hour, day-by-day basis for the course of the rest of the weekend. What’s important of course is doing what’s best for Elliott to make sure that
we don’t exaggerate or exasperate his injuries any further. So we’re taking medical advice to ensure that we do the right things in that regard. We’re pleased that Dennis has accepted our request to put himself in a stand-by role. He’s an outstanding Dodge driver. Of course it’s a natural fit for us at Gillett Evernham and we’d like to thank his ownership in the truck series for giving him permission to put him in that status for us. Obviously, with his pedigree at this race track, it was an easy choice as to who to ask to stand-by.
We’ve got him fitted to the car and trying to work on the logistics of being able to go back and forth between drivers - if that proves to be the right thing to do. We just want to make sure that we kept you folks informed on what’s going on here this morning.”
HOW DID HE INJURY HIS BACK? “Apparently he had some injury after doing some routine for the week. Apparently during the course of that, something went slightly wrong and I think he exasperated it later that same day with a different sporting injury of some kind. We really don’t know too much detail about the nature of the injury other it’s just low back and seems to be involving a lot of nerve endings.”
WHEN DID IT HAPPEN? On Wednesday.
WHO WILL MAKE THE DECISION TO IF ELLIOT RETURNS TO THE CAR? “It will be Elliott’s call working with me in trying to make the best decision that we can. I think right now our inclination will be that we begin practice with Dennis. Certainly the possibility exists that as we go from race mode to qualifying trim, that at that point, we put Elliott in the car for a lap or two to put him in a position where John (Darby) and NASCAR would be happy (for Elliott) to qualify the car and then make our decision as to whether he will qualify based
on his condition.”
Elliott Sadler, driver of the #19 McDonalds Dodge Charger: "My back started to hurt late Wednesday and the pain was more noticeable when I got up Thursday. It was a normal week for me, so that's what really gets me more than anything. Nothing hurts a driver more than not being in his race car with his team. My goal is to be better by Sunday so I can race."(Dodge Motorsports PR)(3-28-2008)
UPDATE 2: ELLIOTT SADLER (#19 McDonalds Dodge Charger) HOW DOES THE BACK FEEL TODAY? “The back is a little sore. I’m going to ice it down and take some inflammatory medicine and try and get as best prepared as I can.”
DO YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN DRIVE 500 LAPS TOMORROW? “Right now, I feel like that I can go maybe half-way tomorrow. Right now it’s a 50-50 chance of going the
whole way. Dennis (Setzer) is going to stay and hang out with us tomorrow. If I need him, then we’ll go to him. I’m still in a lot of pain right now. You use so much brake here. I’m pushing my back up against the seat a lot. We made seat adjustments today and that helped. Right now it’s 50-50 of going the whole way.”(Dodge Motorsports PR)(3-29-2008) Comment here
- McDonald's debut on the #19 car: #19 Dodge driver Elliott Sadler carries the familiar McDonald's paint scheme this weekend in the Sprint Cup series race at Martinsville Speedway. Sadler will race the McDonald's car six times in 2007 joining a small group of Sprint Cup drivers who have carried the Golden Arches paint scheme through the years. The list includes Hut Stricklin, Jimmy Spencer, plus Gillett Evernham Motorsports drivers Bill Elliott and Kasey Kahne. The #19 McDonald's Dodge will run GEM Chassis No. 221 this weekend; a brand new car never raced and tested last fall in Atlanta.(GEM PR), see images of the scheme on my #19 Team Schemes page.(3-26-2008)
- Drivers celebrities join resort advisory board: Sheridan Ridge Private Reserve, a more than 1,400-acre upscale resort community located in Southwest Virginia, announced the joining of top NASCAR celebrities Tony Stewart, Elliott Sadler, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Hammond and Greg Zipadelli to the projectąs Advisory Board. The Advisory Board membersą duties will include weighing in on the propertyąs planned amenities, as well as introducing individuals to the unique lifestyle of Sheridan Ridge. Each Advisory Board member will have a vacation home on the property. Sheridan Ridge will also introduce interested individuals around the country to the beauty of Southwest Virginia. More info at sheridanridgeva.com.(3-15-2008)
- Sadler's and Yeley enter Horsepower Series UPDATE: Elliott and Hermie Sadler, and J.J. Yeley will join a cast of eight stock car personalities [five to be named later] as they will team with Power Golf Professionals Sean Fister, Brooks Baldwin, Danny Luirette, Kevin Bullard, Vince Howell, Scott Ionno, JD Murkerson, and Carl Wolter in the 2008 HorsePower Tee Shot Tour. The Horsepower Tee Shot Tour (HTST) will include six events being played under the lights during race weeks next season. The scoring format will not only reward length off the tee, but accuracy as well. SPEED TV will be airing all the HTST events during the summer and early fall of 2008. Jeff Hammond is the spokesman for the HTST and NASCAR on FOX broadcaster. In addition to the “Power Golf” competition, each stop on the Tour also will include a golf trick-shot exhibition, fan participation and a charity event to benefit the Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp.(HTST PR)(12-30-2007)
UPDATE: HorsePower Sports Marketing (HSM), the sanctioning body of the 2008 Horsepower Tee Shot Tour (HTST), proudly welcomes Brian Vickers, its fifth stock car personality, to the upcoming 2008 HTST season. The six "Power Golf" events constituting the HTST take place during Sprint Cup race weeks at select venues in close proximity to the race tracks between May and October. All events are scheduled to air on SPEED.(SPEED PR)(3-11-2008), for the tour schedule and more info, see hpteeshottour.com.
- Garmin signs with GEM as a sponsor on #19: Garmin International Inc. announced that it will become an associate sponsor of the #19 Gillett Evernham Motorsports team in the 2008 Sprint Cup series with driver Elliott Sadler. Electronics retailer Best Buy is the car's primary sponsor. Garmin is partnering with Best Buy Racing for the second year in a row. The #19 car will sport a prominent Garmin logo that will also be found on driver and crew uniforms, and it will appear on other supporting vehicles throughout the 2008 race season. During the season, an interactive Garmin kiosk will be available in the Best Buy Fun Zone Technology truck as it makes race day appearances. Garmin will serve as the primary sponsor when NASCAR heads to Dover on June 1, 2008, and on September 28, when drivers compete at Kansas Speedway. Garmin is the premier provider of GPS (Global Positioning System) enabled devices and a leading designer and manufacturer of consumer electronics.(PR Newswire)(2-29-2008)
- Sadler running the flames scheme at Vegas: This weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the #19 Stanley Dodge of Elliott Sadler won't be hard to find. The team will debut the Stanley Tool paint scheme on the Gillett Evernham Motorsports entry with red, yellow and orange flames on a black #19 background.(GEM PR), see my #19 Team Schemes page for some images of the car.(2-28-2008)
- U2 on the hood of the #19 at Calif: The #19 Best Buy Dodge of Elliott Sadler will feature the "U2 3D" concert movie on its hood, sides and decklid at California Speedway this weekend. Filmed in South American during their Vertigo Tour in front of 90,000 fans, "U2 3D" continues the band's use of modern technology. With this endeavor, they once again raised the bar in creating the first digital, multi-camera real time production of its kind. The film opens February 22nd in IMAX Theaters.(GEM PR)(2-20-2008)
- Evernham Joins ESPN’s NASCAR Team as Analyst: Ray Evernham, a successful team owner in NASCAR racing and a three-time Sprint Cup champion crew chief, has joined ESPN’s NASCAR coverage team as an analyst. Evernham, who makes his debut this week from Daytona International Speedway, will appear on NASCAR Now, ESPN’s daily NASCAR news and information show, as part of a rotating panel of ESPN analysts for a weekly roundtable discussion in an expanded one-hour Monday edition of the program. The roundtable, hosted by ESPN’s Allen Bestwick, will discuss the latest NASCAR news and events. Evernham, owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, also will make appearances via satellite on other editions of NASCAR Now. NASCAR Now airs weeknights at 6pm/et on ESPN2. In addition to his duties with NASCAR Now, Evernham will work as an analyst in ESPN’s booth for live telecasts of Nationwide Series races from Mexico City and Loudon, N.H. Evernham also will join ESPN’s pre-race NASCAR Countdown show for some races in 2008, including prior to the Feb. 16 Nationwide Series opening event from Daytona, and will appear from Daytona on NASCAR Now, SportsCenter and ESPNEWS. “We are thrilled to further elevate our NASCAR telecasts with the addition of another former champion in Ray Evernham,” said Rich Feinberg, vice president, motorsports, ESPN production. “Our team already has a very deep bench and this only strengthens it.” Evernham appeared on several Nationwide Series telecasts in 2007 as a guest analyst on the pre-race program and also was featured in Race Wizard with Ray Evernham, a program that aired on ESPN2 in 2007. He previously appeared as an analyst on ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the IROC Series in 2000. "ESPN is the leader in sports worldwide,” said Evernham. “Their expertise and credibility with the men and women around the world reinforces this position, and I am excited that NASCAR is such an integral part of their programming. I look forward to joining their team and sharing my knowledge and experience of the sport with the fans."(ESPN PR)(2-13-2008)
- GEM appoints Tom Reddin as new CEO: Gillett Evernham Motorsports appointed Tom Reddin as its new chief executive officer overseeing the team's three Sprint Cup teams and Nationwide team. "This is another step in our plan toward build a winning organization," said co-owner Ray Evernham. "Tom is a world-class business executive
who brings a wealth of experience to Gillett Evernham Motorsports. His management style will enable this organization to maximize its production off the track so the competition side has the resources to win races and contend for championships." Gillett Evernham Motorsports began searching for a new CEO last season with Evernham, co-owner George Gillett Jr., and President Rick Russell leading the search committee. "We couldn't be happier with our selection," said Gillett. "I feel fortunate we could find someone of Tom's experience, expertise and passion to come lead our organization. The fans in the stands might not see Tom's face at the track but his performance is as vital as that of any team member." Reddin's business background is a combination of consumer packaged goods, e-commerce and technology experience gained at Kraft Foods, CBS, Coca-Cola and LendingTree where he ultimately served as chief executive officer. Reddin's experience also involved racing and NASCAR. His love for motorsports began in childhood and continued when he worked with the late Bobby Hamilton with Country Time Lemonade in the late 80's and early 90's, and Coca-Cola's NASCAR ties in the late 1990s.(Gillett Evernham Motorsports PR)(2-5-2008)
- Cintas signs with GEM; primary for #10 in a race: Cintas Corp., a supplier of corporate uniforms and other business services, has agreed to a multiyear sponsorship deal at Gillett Evernham Motorsports beginning with the 2008 season. Cincinnati-based Cintas will become the official uniform supplier and safety supplier for all three of GEM's teams, which gives the company associate sponsorship positioning on the #'s 9, 10 and 19 Sprint Cup cars. Cintas also will be a primary sponsor on Patrick Carpentier's #10 Dodge for the March 9 Sprint Cup race at Atlanta, marking the first time Cintas has been a primary sponsor on a Cup car, the company said. Terms of the deal were not available. In addition to sponsoring GEM's Sprint Cup teams, Cintas will have access to drivers Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler. Cintas intends to use the drivers as part of its "Lifetime Experiences" program for Cintas clients.(Business Courier of Cincinnati)(2-4-2008)
- Something up with Robby Gordon? UPDATE been hearing a bunch of rumors the last few days about Robby Gordon Motorsports, driver/owner Robby Gordon and the #7 Ford. Everything from he is selling the team, merging the team or/and switching manufacturers. Rumored teams include Yates Racing, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Hall of Fame Racing. Email sent to the team has gone unanswered. I have been told Gordon tested at California Speedway Thursday, then left and headed back to California and didn't test there Friday.
UPDATE: Gillett Evernham Motorsports today announced a technical, manufacturing and marketing services agreement with Robby Gordon Motorsports which will race Dodges in the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Gordon's team will use Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge engines when practice begins next week at Daytona International Speedway. BAM Racing and Petty Enterprises also use Gillett Evernham Motorsports engines and receive technical assistance. Gillett Evernham Motorsports fields cars for drivers #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Patrick Carpentier in the Sprint Cup Series as well as a Nationwide Series entry. "I feel this agreement with Gillett Evernham Motorsports helps make the learning curve of the COT little bit easier to navigate," said Gordon whose 28th-place finish in owner points was the best of any single-car
team in 2007. "I like what they have going on over there and I think both organizations will benefit. As an owner I want to do what is best for my employees and sponsors." Gordon's move to Dodge comes after one year with Ford. "Ford has been very good to me, and this move is not a reflection on our relationship at all," said Gordon. "Ford was planning on supporting me, and even increasing its engineering support for my program in 2008. However, I felt that I needed to make this move to help put my team in a
more stable financial situation in terms of marketing and sponsorship help." Based in Charlotte North Carolina, Robby Gordon Motorsports is home to the No. 7 Dodge. With sponsorship from Jim Beam, Menards, Mapei, and Camping World Robby Gordon will run the entire 2008 Sprint Cup series schedule.(Gillett Evernham Motorsports PR)(GEM PR)(2-1-2008)
- McDonald's to sponsor Sadler UPDATE: McDonald's will make its return to NASCAR's Cup series as one of three primary sponsors for Gillett Evernham Motorsports' #19 Dodge of Elliott Sadler this season. McDonald's, Best Buy and Stanley Tools were announced as company's sharing sponsorship on the car Tuesday. Best Buy is expected to be on the car for 15 races, while Stanley will have 13 and McDonald's eight, although those numbers are still subject to change.(SceneDaily.com), McDonald's sponsored #9-Kasey Kahne in 2007 at Las Vegas and Bristol in August, see the 2007 #9 Team Schemes page to see the scheme.(1-23-2008)
UPDATE: McDonald's USA and Gillett Evernham Motorsports [GEM] announced that McDonald's will sponsor Elliott Sadler's #19 Dodge in six [not 8] Sprint Cup races in 2008. "McDonald's is thrilled to partner with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, which is one of the premier teams in the Sprint Cup Series," said John Lewicki, McDonald's senior director of alliance marketing. "This partnership is a great fit as McDonald's, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Elliott Sadler are all committed to delivering quality experiences to fans and customers alike." McDonald's will sponsor Sadler's #19 Dodge all season and serve as the primary sponsor at Martinsville on March 22, Darlington on May 10, Michigan on June 15, California on Aug. 31, Talladega on Oct. 5 and Atlanta on Oct. 26. McDonald's logos will also appear on the uniform of Sadler's teammate Kasey Kahne in the 2008 season. McDonald's has sponsored Gillett Evernham Motorsports since 2004 and has continued to grow its involvement. "McDonald's is obviously one of the great brands of American history and we feel proud a company of its prestige selected Gillett Evernham Motorsports," said team co-owner Ray Evernham. "The sponsor partners we have at this race team are second to none. McDonald's has supported my team and my family for quite a few years now. They are more than just a sponsor, they are my friends." Sadler will carry "trimary sponsorship" in 2008 with Best Buy and Stanley taking turns serving as primary sponsor along with McDonald's throughout the season. "The cool thing is I've always been a McDonald's, Best Buy and Stanley kind of guy," Sadler said. "We have some great partners and I am glad they are coming on board with us. McDonald's has been a big part of my
life growing up." For more information about McDonald's visit www.McDonald's.com.(GEM PR).see an image for the car on the #19 Team Schemes page.(1-24-2008) Comment here
- Evernham not leaving NASCAR: Ray Evernham said that rumors of his retirement from NASCAR were greatly exaggerated. After selling part of his business to the Gillett group (GEM) Evernham, Jeff Gordon’s former crew chief who started his own team full-time with Dodge in 2001, admitted that racing is not fun any longer in an interview during the Sprint NASCAR Media Tour in Concord. “Honestly, no, I wasn’t having fun,” he said, adding “it wasn’t just because of the (team’s poor) performance. There was a lot going on, over the last few years, that took the fun out of it for me because I love racing. Some of the fun had gone away, but, there’s a lot of great people in the sport and I want to spend time with those people and maybe being away from the negative people will help a little bit.” Remaining in NASCAR’s top series was a battle he explained “it was a constant fight to keep people, to keep sponsors, to keep relationships in a in a highly competitive world not all things don’t always go well. Evernham said that since it took three people to take over his previous job, he was working too hard to accomplish his goals. For now he’ll remain an “owner” but have the freedom to chose what role he’ll continue with at Gillett Evernham Motorsports.(Franckly Speaking/Lewis Franck)(1-22-2008) Comment here
- GEM names Mark McArdle VP and Managing Director of Competition Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced the promotion of Mark McArdle to Vice President and
Managing Director of Competition. McArdle formerly served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Gillett Evernham Engines. "This is another example of the business and performance related improvements Ray Evernham and I are committed to making," said George Gillett Jr., team owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports. "The goal is to position our resources and leadership where they will have the greatest impact, conduct assessments and then make any additional strategic investments necessary to compete for championships. That's what we expect as an organization and we are committed to delivering that level of performance to our partners." McArdle spent 10 years building engines in CART with organizations such as Penske Racing and Mercedes-Benz. After visiting victory lane in the Indianapolis 500 three times, McArdle made the move to NASCAR and has
been with Gillett Evernham Motorsports since 2003. In addition to his management responsibilities at Gillett Evernham Engines, he also provided oversight and direction to Advanced Engine Technology, the Gillett Evernham facility based in Northhamptonshire, England. "We are promoting Mark [McArdle] to this role based on his remarkable performance and innumerable contributions to Gillett Evernham Motorsports over the past five seasons, especially with our engine program," said Evernham, co-owner. "Mark has an exceptional understanding of the technical side of this business, but additionally he understands that the foundation of this business is people. He has an outstanding reputation with his effective management style and is a proven team leader that is committed to excellence and delivering results." McArdle's technology-based approach to competition together with the added business expertise and resources of Gillett should help Gillett Evernham Motorsports move closer to its goal of becoming a championship organization. "I am very grateful to both Ray Evernham and George Gillett for the trust they are placing in me. Our goal is to win races and championships and until we do that I won't rest and neither will our employees at this race shop," McArdle said. "This company has a history of winning races and I fully expect we will resume that tradition here shortly."(GEM PR)(1-16-2008)
- Stanley Tools to sponsor Sadler: Stanley Tools will have a fresh new look in 2008. NASCAR fans will now see the familiar yellow and black colors of the Stanley brand on Elliott Sadler's Gillett Evernham Motorsports #19 Dodge at a dozen races plus the All-Star race during the upcoming Sprint Cup season. The Stanley brand has served as a co-primary sponsor on the #10 Dodge at Gillett Evernham Motorsports since 2006 as well as an associate sponsor. Stanley will sponsor the #19 Dodge for 12 races in 2008, including races at Las Vegas, Phoenix (April 12), Richmond (May 3), Pocono (June 8), Infineon, Indianapolis, Michigan (Aug. 17), New Hampshire (Sept. 14), Lowe's (Oct. 11), Texas (Nov. 2) and both Bristol races plus the All-Star race in Charlotte. In addition to the #19 primary sponsorship, Stanley will continue its involvement as an associate sponsor on the #9 Budweiser Dodge of
Kasey Kahne and the #10 Valvoline Dodge of Patrick Carpentier. Stanley logos will also be on Carpentier's #9 Dodge for the Nationwide Series race in Montreal. More information about The Stanley Works can be found at stanleyworks.com.(GEM PR), see an image of the scheme on the #19 Team Schemes page.(1-10-2008)
- Sadler's and Yeley enter Horsepower Series: Elliott and Hermie Sadler, and J.J. Yeley will join a cast of eight stock car personalities [five to be named later] as they will team with Power Golf Professionals Sean Fister, Brooks Baldwin, Danny Luirette, Kevin Bullard, Vince Howell, Scott Ionno, JD Murkerson, and Carl Wolter in the 2008 HorsePower Tee Shot Tour. The Horsepower Tee Shot Tour (HTST) will include six events being played under the lights during race weeks next season. The scoring format will not only reward length off the tee, but accuracy as well. SPEED TV will be airing all the HTST events during the summer and early fall of 2008. Jeff Hammond is the spokesman for the HTST and NASCAR on FOX broadcaster. In addition to the “Power Golf” competition, each stop on the Tour also will include a golf trick-shot exhibition, fan participation and a charity event to benefit the Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp.(HTST PR)(12-30-2007)
- No Petty/GEM merger: For the time being, Petty Enterprises will go it alone in the increasingly costly world of NASCAR. Kyle Petty said Tuesday that Richard Petty has decided not to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Not at this time, at least. Petty Enterprises and Gillett Evernham were said to be discussing a merger or partnership that would have allowed Petty to maintain its identity.(Kansas City Star)(11-28-2007)
- Evernham plans to scale back track time in 2008: Although Ray Evernham will be overseeing how the race cars will be built at Gillett Evernham Motorsports next year, he doesn't expect to be at the race track all the time to do it. "You'll probably see less of me as the thing goes on a little bit," Evernham said Nov. 16. "I'm going to try to get a little bit rested up and concentrate on what we've got to do to get better and see what the next things are." Evernham sold majority interest of his team to George Gillett and family in August. The former crew chief for Jeff Gordon has remained with the team as chief executive officer. "The Gilletts have done a great job and they're doing exactly what they said they would do and it's maybe letting me stand back a little bit and say, 'OK, what have we really got to do with this organization?' " Evernham said. "I'm looking forward to maybe being more of a consultant to my own company and helping more rather than trying. For me to be in the shop worrying about where the bodies are put and how the cars are being built? No, I need to be out identifying the people and getting that long-term vision back again and it's going to allow me to do that, so you're probably going to see a little bit less of me."(SceneDaily.com)(11-19-2007)
- Best Buy moving? UPDATE 6 to the #19: hearing that Best Buy will not return to Haas CNC Racing in 2008, but supposedly will stay in the sport with an unknown team, possibly a Dodge team, the #19 GEM Dodge of Elliott Sadler is one rumored possibility.(10-22-2007)
UPDATE: Haas CNC Racing has settled on its drivers for its two-car Sprint Cup team in 2008, but its sponsorship situation is unsettled. Best Buy, which backs the team's # 66 - driven for the first time this weekend by Jeremy Mayfield - has not decided its future, a spokesman for the company said this week. And Wednesday, a statement released by Yellow Transportation said that company is evaluating its future in the sport. Yellow entered Nextel Cup this season as sponsor of Johnny Sauter's #70. Sauter will be replaced next season by Scott Riggs. Haas CNC Racing General Manager Joe Custer said this week the team is negotiating with both companies to return next season.(SceneDaily.com)(10-25-2007)
UPDATE 2: hearing Best Buy sponsorship is a done deal to Gillett Evernham Mototsports #19 team and driver Elliott Sadler, who supposedly made a commercial for Best Buy already.(11-1-2007)
UPDATE 3: As far as sponsorship goes for the #19 next season, team sources said it will be a combination deal, with Best Buy, Valvoline and Stanley all rotating as primary sponsors next season.(SPEEDtv.com)(11-3-2007)
UPDATE 4: Best Buy Racing will hold a press conference at Phoenix International Raceway Friday, November 9, to announce its sponsorship of a new driver and team, and unveil its 2008 car design.(11-8-2007)
OR And Best Buy is expected to be announcing a sponsorship move today, possible to the Jack Roush-Doug Yates operation, possibly with driver #38-David Gilliland.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-9-2007)
UPDATE 6: Best Buy, Inc., announced it has entered a new affiliation with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. The nation's leading electronics retailer will serve as the primary sponsor of driver Elliott Sadler and the #19 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge Avenger in 15 Sprint Cup Series events in 2008, including the 50th running of the "Great American Race," the Daytona 500. "At Best Buy, we're all about bringing consumers the complete product and service experiences, and that's what we feel we've found with Gillett Evernham
Motorsports," said Barry Judge, senior vice president, Marketing, Best Buy. "With Gillett Evernham Motorsports, not only do we have the focus on performance, but we also have a charismatic fan favorite and proven winner in our driver, Elliott Sadler. We're confident this new relationship will generate excitement and enthusiasm among our employees, as well as our customers." To announce the partnership, Best Buy and Gillett Evernham Motorsports held a press conference on Friday morning, Nov. 9, at Phoenix International Raceway,
which featured a unique twist on the traditional sponsorship announcement. Instead of representatives just speaking about the new partnership, the relationship was announced through a special video piece that aired on flat-screen TV's placed in front of the media center stage. Produced by Best Buy's internal Yellow Tag production team and filmed last week
at the Mooresville, N.C., Best Buy store, the humorous clip features Sadler, Evernham and local Best Buy employees, known as "Blue Shirts." In 2008, Best Buy will enter its fourth season as a sponsor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. In 2005, Best Buy partnered with NetZero as co-primary sponsors of the #0 entry, fielded by Haas CNC Racing. For the past two years, Best Buy has served as the primary sponsor of the #66 Haas CNC Racing car. Fans can view the video by visiting www.racing.bestbuy.com.(Evernham Motorsports PR), see images of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(11-9-2007)
- More changes at GEM? UPDATE 2: hearing a few more engineers have parted ways with Gillett Evernham Mototsports, including former #19 crew chief Josh Browne.(11-1-2007)
UPDATE: during ESPN2's Nextel Cup practice coverage at Texas on Friday, it was mentioned that #10 GEM Dodge Team Director [crew chief] Rodney Childers is heading up the team for #19 Elliott Sadler and Scott McDougall is heading up the #10 team of Scott Riggs. This will be Riggs last race in the #10 with Patrick Carpentier taking over at Phoenix.(11-2-2007)
UPDATE: Gillett Evernham Motorsports is shuffling its lineup in anticipation of 2008. Rodney Childers, who was the team director of the #10 Dodge of Scott Riggs, has moved over to Elliott Sadler and the #19, replacing Josh Browne. Scott McDougall is team director of the #10 this week, while Ray Evernham himself might take over those responsibilities next week in Phoenix, when Patrick Carpentier will replace Riggs, who is in his last weekend with the team.(SPEEDtv.com)(11-3-2007)
- GEM-Petty deal on hold? Alex Gillett still hopes to work out a partnership with Petty Enterprises, although he admits talks have slowed. "What you've got is one of the most storied people in the sport," the co-owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports said. "There is a lot of emotion attached to what they want to do in the future and who they want to move into the future with. I can respect that. If that means give them space or not space. We did it with Ray." Negotiations to merge Gillett with owner Ray Evernham lasted at least four months longer than anticipated because an underground storage tank had to first be removed from Evernham's property in Statesville, N.C., for environmental reasons. "A lot of people criticized us for taking too long to close," Gillett said. "Well, nobody asked us the question of why. Each one of these has a life cycle. You can't push it." Meanwhile, Gillett said GEM officials are talking to two or three drivers to replace Scott Riggs in the #10 next season. He acknowledged that Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier is a strong candidate even though he has only one Nextel Cup start. David Stremme, who was not re-signed by Chip Ganassi Racing, also is a candidate. "I'm not sure if you bring somebody like a Patrick Carpentier and throw him right into Nextel Cup," Gillett said. "So we've got some other good options in the No. 10 car we're exploring. We'll see over the next couple of weeks where that ends up."(ESPN.cpm)(10-8-2007)
- GEM to open New York Sales Office Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced that Jim Tucker has been hired as senior director, sales & development. Tucker has over nine years of corporate sponsorship experience, in developing, negotiating and implementing integrated marketing programs for major brands and properties in the sports, media and entertainment industries. Jim Tucker will be opening a sales office in New York City that will work complement and expand the reach of the existing Statesville, NC based sales and marketing department. Tucker will report to David Jessey, Vice President of Sales & Development. The new office will be responsible for developing new team sponsorships with Fortune 500 companies for the Gillett Motorsports’ fleet of cars and drivers, including #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Scott Riggs. Prior to this announcement, Jim Tucker spent four years in NASCAR’s sales and marketing offices, based in Manhattan. Prior to NASCAR, Jim Tucker worked with the National Football League in their Corporate Sales & Marketing division, managing the League’s official sponsorships.(Clear!Blue PR)(9-25-2007)
- Dodge Dealers back on the #19 in 2008 UPDATE maybe not? Elliott Sadler’s #19 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge will continue to carry the colors of Dodge dealers nationwide, who again in 2008 will ante up to stay in Nextel Cup.(SPEEDtv.com)(9-16-2007)
UPDATE: Sponsorship for Gillett Evernham Motorsports' #19 car driven by Elliott Sadler remains unclear for next season, majority owner George Gillett said Tuesday.
"We have options," Gillett said of the 19 car. "We can go that way [with Dodge] or we can go other ways. We have a very good relationship with Dodge and the Dodge Dealers. They wanted to be associated with Evernham and our cars, and we have flexibility."(SceneDaily.com)(9-19-2007)
- More on the GEM/Petty 'merger': George Gillett Jr., the majority owner of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, has been a big fan of seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty for more than 30 years. Now he wants to be business partners. Gillett is actively pursuing a merger that would make Petty Enterprises and GEM a four-car team. Sources close to the situation say the merger likely would happen before the start of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, with Petty likely moving his two-car operation of #43-Bobby Labonte and #45-Kyle Petty to GEM's Statesville [NC] facility. Gillett would only confirm that there have been discussions. "He's a man of great integrity, honesty," Gillett said of Petty. "His values are something like I've never seen. ... I'd love to figure out a way to be associated with him. I'm not prepared to say any more than that today. Richard and I are good friends." GEM minority owner Ray Evernham said such a deal would make both organizations stronger. "From my point of view, I would like to see that happen," Evernham said of the merger. "For me, the sooner the better." Evernham has been looking to expand to four teams. The difference here, he said, is he would have four good teams that are solidly in the top 35 for next season. Gillett said expansion is the only way to keep up, and not just in terms of teams. He is looking to build a large shop in the Charlotte area that will become a destination for racing fans. "Ray Evernham has every bit of technical skill and genius as the best of any one of those programs," he said of Evernham, who won three Cup titles as Gordon's crew chief. "So we will deploy ourselves in a way that gives us as much competitive strength as is possible to do within the rules." To stay within those rules, specifically NASCAR's four-car limit, GEM would have to lose one of its three teams to merge with Petty. The #10 driven by Scott Riggs is the likely target. Riggs is 37th in [drivers and owners] points, well behind Kahne in 22nd [drivers] and Elliott Sadler in 25th [drivers]. Gillett acknowledged that he would like to get more seat time for Patrick Carpentier, who finished 22nd when he replaced Riggs at the Watkins Glen road course last month. "We had our first test with him yesterday on an oval," [Kentucky Speedway] he said. "We're going over the data. ... I can tell you he looked very good and very comfortable on the track. He was competitive. It doesn't appear there will be any significant learning curve." Regardless, to merge with Petty Enterprises there would be no room for Carpentier in a Cup car. "It's all about the number of cars," Gillett said. "We would have to get rid of one of the cars here. Whether 'get rid of' means mothball or have it aligned with another team ... there are a number of teams out there that don't have four cars, several of whom we already have relationships with." GEM and Petty, which would remain under the Petty Enterprises umbrella, potentially could have the knowledge of six to eight cars under that scenario as Roush Fenway Racing plans to do under its partnership with Yates Racing. "As you can see, we've got technical excellence, a commitment to technology and upstanding people," Gillett said. "We need to exploit that. That can be exploited in any number of ways."(ESPN.com), on has to wonder..... what about Petty Enterprises long standing non-alcohol sponsorship policy? neither the #43-Labonte or #45-Petty cars carry any form of alcohol [beer or spirits] decals/sponsorship - like the Bud Pole award. How would teaming up with GEM and the #9 Budweiser sponsorship effect this policy?(9-19-2007)
- Latest on the GEM-Petty merger: A possible merger between Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises would benefit both teams from a competition standpoint, Petty vice president of racing operations Robbie Loomis said Saturday. In a season of mergers, GEM and Petty are just the latest to talk about combining their teams and resources. From Loomis' view on the competition side, sharing engineering would only help. Loomis pointed to the agreement between Roush Fenway Racing and Yates Racing - in which the teams will share information, cars and motors - as one that might work for Petty and GEM. "I think that's the same thing we're trying," he said. "The model of the sport has been created by NASCAR, the framework has been set with the rules. And now we're trying to figure out how to make Petty Enterprises bigger and larger." Petty already gets its engines from GEM. Evernham, who is focused more on the racing and less on the business since selling a majority share of his company to George Gillett, said he would welcome the opportunity to work with the Pettys and "especially Bobby Labonte." "There's obviously discussions going on," he said. "I don't know exactly where they're at. ... I think it would be a good thing for both organizations." Loomis said in the year and a half since he returned to the Petty organization, he'd been approached by three or four teams about doing various deals with the 43 car in particular. "That's what everybody is interested in, they're interested in the Petty brand and the 43," he said. "It's such a clean thing. You look at the things with Kyle Petty and Victory Junction Gang [Camp] and everything they stand for, their worth is worth a lot more than what's on the race track. And what I want to do is make sure we've got the money and the tools to operate on the race track. Right now we're operating on half to a third of the budget that the big teams are operating on, so I want to make sure that we're going to get the money and the financing to carry the company forward and take it to the next level while we still keep what I call the 'P' in the Petty - the things off the track that makes Petty feel good."(SceneDaily.com)(9-16-2007)
- GEM/Petty to merge? Petty Enterprises, NASCAR's most storied organization, is open to a change of ownership. The two-car operation owned by seven-time champion Richard Petty is having discussions with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. that would allow it to merge with Gillett Evernham Motorsports and form a four-car Nextel Cup organization. "They have quoted some numbers,'' Kyle Petty, the CEO of Petty Enterprises and driver of the #45 Dodge, said on Friday at Richmond International Raceway. Gillett recently purchased majority ownership of Evernham Motorsports, now known as Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Petty said Gillett has floated an offer in which the companies would merge but allow Petty Enterprises to continue working under its flagship name. For that to happen, Gillett Evernham Motorsports would have to drop one of its three teams to comply with NASCAR's cap of four cars. The #10 car of Scott Riggs would be the most likely victim. Riggs is out of the top 35 in owner's points that automatically qualify for races and his contract is up after this season. Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler are solidly in the top 35 in owner's points with Kahne at 22 and Sadler at 28. Both Petty Enterprises cars also are in the top 35 with Bobby Labonte at 18 and Kyle Petty at 34. Evernham said there's no doubt the proper business model is for a four-car operation. Because he already has a relationship with the Pettys, supplying the organization with engines and technical support, he would be all for a merger. "I think we could combine the organizations and be stronger,'' he said. "How the car numbers work, I don't know.'' Petty said he is far from a deal with Gillett, which took more than six months to finalize his deal with Evernham, or any suitor. Should a merger with Gillett occur, Petty said the organization would consider every option from relocating to Salisbury, N.C., as has been discussed regardless to moving to Evernham's shop in Statesville, N.C. "We've been in this business 60 years,'' Petty said. "When you look at it this just seems to be the trend of the moment. Do you jump on the trend of the moment or do you stay the course? We've been the same course for 60 years. Whether that's the right course or wrong course I'm not going to say.''(ESPN.com)(9-8-2007)
- OFFICIAL: Evernham & Gillett Partner to Create Gillett Evernham Motorsports: Today [8/6/2007], Ray Evernham and George N. Gillett, Jr. announced the creation of Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM), a partnership combining Evernham Motorsports [#9, #10, #19 teams] and the Gillett family where Evernham will remain a substantial owner and retain the title of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The strength of Evernham’s championship on-track performance and Gillett’s off-track sports business experience creates a high-performance, high-energy platform to establish GEM’s value and appeal to fans and sponsors, on and off the track. Recognizing that the rate of change off-track has exceeded the change on-track in the past few years, Evernham forged a relationship with Gillett, whose diverse holdings offer unique business-to-business opportunities, sponsorship activation and fulfillment that will revolutionize what sponsors can expect from a NASCAR team. Gillett is the owner of the Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League (NHL) team and a co-owner of the Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League. Gillett’s other business interests include the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens and Gillett Entertainment Group (GEG), producers of some 700 sporting and entertainment events in numerous venues throughout Canada and the United States. GEM will benefit from Gillett’s existing network of sports and entertainment properties, resorts, auto dealerships and auto franchises offering unique access to sponsors and partners and a powerful global connection that no other team can offer.
“It’s very exciting for me to deliver to sponsors and fans the opportunity to align with a worldwide sports leader,” said Evernham, CEO of GEM. “With the business acumen of the Gillett family and its sports brands, we’ve greatly expanded our reach. This will allow me to focus on our racing operations and team performance, while the Gillett family will focus on our business operations. It certainly allows us to capitalize on our strengths and position GEM for long-term success both on and off the track.”
“Racing is in my blood,” said Gillett, chairman of Booth Creek Management Corporation (BCMC). “It’s not often you get to partner with a leader with Ray’s reputation, talent and championship legacy.” The transaction was initiated and negotiated by Matthew Doherty at McLaren Capital Partners in Los Angeles. Wachovia Securities advised BCMC.(Gillett Evernham Motorsports-GEM PR)(8-6-2007)
- Evernham-Gillett deal could be done by Monday..at the latest: UPDATE: Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett told the [St Petersburg] Times on Thursday there is a "95% chance" his purchase into Evernham Motorsports will be final by today or Monday at the latest. Gillett, 67, who has had stakes or complete control of the Harlem Globetrotters, Miami Dolphins and currently the Liverpool Football Club, would not divulge his percentage of ownership, but Ray Evernham has stated in the past it would be a majority. Gillett, whose net worth was estimated at $250-million in 2006. Gillett also owns a series of organic and natural foods companies, ski resorts and car dealerships. The Wisconsin native said he had been interested in acquiring part of a NASCAR team for three years but was seeking the right partner and "we weren't interested in just coming in and bringing money." He found his partner and a jovial friendship with Evernham, 49, who won three championships and 47 races as Jeff Gordon's crew chief, but had struggled recently to field a competitive team as costs skyrocketed. "We've got some fairly novel ideas that Ray's been developing and we've been developing together," Gillett said. "It's fair to say Ray's primary emphasis and time commitment will be on the racing side."
"My partnership with Gillett is not about needing money," Evernham said. "It's about growing this company."(St Petersburg Times)(8-3-2007)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports is expected to announce George Gillett Jr. as its new majority owner as early as today. Ray Evernham said Saturday that the deal is in place. Evernham said he's willing to surrender control of his operation to bring in Gillett's business acumen. The move will enable Evernham to refocus his energies on his strength, the competition side of the industry. Evernham, who currently fields cars for Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Scott Riggs, said he expected to make multiple major announcements this week, fueling speculation that Budweiser could be coming aboard as a sponsor in 2008. (USA Today)(8-6-2007)
- Dodge Reconfirms Commitment to NASCAR: Mike Delahanty, senior manager of the Dodge Motorsports program, confirmed on Saturday at Pocono Raceway the manufacturer's long-term intent to remain in the series and an extension of Petty Enterprises' deal with Dodge. He also said its flagship Evernham Motorsports cars might have a different look next season. Cerberus Capital Management, an investment group, this week finalized its agreement to split the Chrysler brands away from DaimlerChrysler, but Delahanty said Dodge's motorsports involvement would not be affected, with the plan for four teams to run 10 cars next season. Delahanty declined to go into the details of rumors that connect Ray Evernham's team to possible deals with commercial sponsors such as Budweiser or a Masterfoods brand such as Snickers -- but said the #9 and 19 Dodges, which have carried Dodge Dealers and UAW sponsorship since the newest program began in 2001, might look different next season.(NASCAR.com)(8-5-2007)
- Evernham-Gillett deal close: George Gillett, the owner of the Montreal Canadiens and a co-owner of the Liverpool soccer team confirmed Sunday that his company will close a deal to buy part of Evernham Motorsports in the next two weeks. "That's our hope," Gillett said in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway garage. "That's our expectation. We will close within [two weeks]. Yes." Gillett would not say what percentage of the team he would own, but Ray Evernham has indicated that Gillett would be a majority owner. The deal will allow Evernham to focus more on the competition side instead of the business side, something the former Jeff Gordon crew chief already has started doing.(SceneDaily.com)(7-30-2007)
- Evernham Motorsports to 2006 Dodge: Evernham Motorsports will run the remaining non-Car of Tomorrow races with the 2006 Dodge Charger and without technical director Eric Warren. Warren was recently given a leave of absence after team owner Ray Evernham discovered critical changes regarding aerodynamics and simulation software were made to the 2007 car after an early-season test at Las Vegas. He said those changes weren't reflected in the cars that were built moving forward, leading to less than stellar results on the track. "So we basically have spent half a year trying to build a foundation that didn't exist," Evernham said on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The information that we had was nonexistent. We had to go back to doing things the normal way and put cars in the wind tunnel to find out there was a huge difference. In the end, when you have people that are responsible for performance and the performance is way off you have to make changes in those people," Evernham said. "Ultimately, the [changes] aerodynamically and simulation-wise were the responsibility of the engineering department and that was led by Eric Warren. Right now Eric is on leave until we decide if we're going to put him in another position or find a happy medium and let him go somewhere else," he said. Evernham said he and competition director Sammy Johns have taken over Warren's duties. He added that his move to the competition side has delayed finalizing his partnership with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett and a few sponsorship deals. He expects the deal with Gillett to be complete within the next 14 days, at which point he also hopes to announce new sponsors for 2008. Among the sponsors interested in joining EMS is Budweiser, which would like Kahne to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. as its NASCAR spokesperson.(ESPN.com)(7-27-2007)
- Evernham admits relationship hurt driver's [Crocker] career: Team owner Ray Evernham says the best thing for developmental driver Erin Crocker is to find a new race team. "I don't think it's any secret that because of the personal relationship between Erin and I it hurt her career," Evernham said on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The proper thing to do and something her and I would like to do is move her to another race team. I think the girl has a lot of talent. But if I sit here and say to somebody, 'Look, she's got a lot of talent, you should sponsor her,' my credibility is not good because of the personal relationship," he said. Evernham, who turns 50 in August, began dating the 26-year-old Crocker last season.(ESPN.com)(7-27-2007)
- Sadler back with M&M's? UPDATE: As far as Elliott Sadler’s #19 car, the leading candidate is candymaker M&M’s, which currently sponsors David Gilliland and the #38 Robert Yates Racing Ford, a car Sadler used to drive. Sadler was exceptionally popular with M&M’s when he drove for Yates and sources said the company would love to work with the affable Virginia native again.(SPEEDtv.com)(7-16-2007)
UPDATE: Ray Evernham told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway Tuesday that there was no truth to the rumor that M&Ms will sponsor Elliott Sadler's #19 Dodge next season. "Absolutely not," he said. "I don't know where that came from, but it's not true."(7-18-2007)
- Drivers Have Different Plans for Off Week: The last open weekend on the Nextel Cup schedule until Thanksgiving means different things to different drivers as they gear up for a stretch of 17 races without a break starting July 29 in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Jeff Gordon is going to pack up his family car for a short road trip with wife Ingrid and month-old daughter Ella Sofia. Jimmie Johnson and wife Chandra are flying to Europe. Kyle Petty is getting on a motorcycle to join his annual charity ride. Elliott Sadler is heading to the golf course. And several drivers will be driving, either in a Busch Series race in suburban St. Louis or, in Tony Stewart's case, at a time and place still to be determined.(Indianapolis Star)(7-17-2007)
AND: Tony Steweart says he is going to Canada to go fishing for his vacation this weekend. See my Driver Appearances page for more on some drivers running races(7-17-2007)
- Evernham/Gillett deal could close this week: Team owner [#9,#10,#19] Ray Evernham’s partnership agreement with [NHL Montral Canadian's owner] George Gillett, Jr., is expected to close next week, said a source familiar with the deal. And a whole host of sponsor possibilities are in play on the Evernham Motorsports Nextel Cup cars of #9-Kasey Kahne and #19-Elliott Sadler, according to multiple sources. Evernham would neither confirm nor deny the merger timetable Sunday morning at Chicagoland Speedway, saying only, “We’re working towards closing the deal.” With the sale of Chrysler Group to investment-banking firm Cerberus Capital Partners pending, it would make sense that Evernham Motorsports would seek additional sponsorship for its Nextel Cup operations. Cerberus, an investor known for sharp cost-cutting of the companies it acquires, may be willing to relinquish sponsorship rights to the two Evernham cars next season, something Dodge was unwilling to do last year when a major sponsor approached Evernham about becoming Kahne’s primary sponsor, a deal that ultimately was rejected by the automaker. Evernham said Sunday he has a contract with Dodge through 2010 and confirmed he is one of a half-dozen teams who have talked with Budweiser about taking over the brewing company’s sponsorship deal in 2008, now that Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. are out of the running. There are other options for Kahne beyond Budweiser. Fast-food giant McDonald’s, who already has a minor associate position on the #9 of Kahne, could step up to become primary of Kahne’s car, as the company is looking towards re-establishing its presence in NASCAR, sources said Sunday. Another sponsor said to be looking closely at Kahne’s car is Coca-Cola, which in May agreed to buy Vitamin Water maker Glaceau for $4.1 billion in cash. Kahne is a national pitchman for Vitamin Water and an integral part of its marketing campaign. Kahne said he’s OK with however the sponsorship situation shakes out. “Myself, I’m with Ray Evernham for 2008 and whatever he decides to do that’s a good deal. I’m behind him,” Kahne said Friday.(SPEEDtv.com)
AND: Evernham said he's also talked to other sponsors -- sources said Allstate is one -- about being on Kahne's car and reiterated that Budweiser is talking to other teams. Among Budweiser's options is staying at Dale Earnhart Inc., where it has been since 2000.(ESPN.com)(7-16-2007)
- Budweiser to Evernham? UPDATE: hearing that Budweiser could sponsor one of the Evernham Motorsports teams in 2008, leaving DEI and Dale Earnhardt Jr. it could be the sponsor for Kasey Kahne if Dodge lets him out of their sponsor deal of the #9 and if Bud feels Kahne meets their demographics, or even #19-Elliott Sadler team. Supposedly DEI could still be in play for the Bud sponsor, but looks like Bud will not follow Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports and that Pepsi/Mountain Dew will sponsor Dale Jr. in 2008.(7-10-2007)
UPDATE: Budweiser officials are shopping around for their best sponsorship option in NASCAR, a clear indication that the beer company will not sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports next season, sources confirmed Tuesday. It's expected that PepsiCo Inc., possibly with the Mountain Dew brand or a combination of Pepsi products, will sponsor Earnhardt next season in the #5 Chevy [or possibly the #8] for Hendrick. And Anheuser-Busch is negotiating with Evernham Motorsports to possibly move the Bud sponsorship to Kasey Kahne's #9 Dodge next season. Budweiser officials also have contacted officials at Lowe's Motor Speedway about the possibility of holding a news conference at the Lowe's Speedway Club next week if a new team sponsorship agreement is reached. An Evernham Motorsports official said Tuesday that no agreement has been reached with Budweiser and that the Evernham marketing department was talking to several other companies about potential sponsorships for 2008. Team owner Ray Evernham has an agreement with Dodge, through the Dodge Dealers, to sponsor both Kahne's car and the #19 Dodge of Elliott Sadler through 2010. The Dodge dealers would have to sign off on any deal to allow Budweiser to move to Kahne's car.
One source close to the negotiations told ESPN.com that it's still possible Budweiser could stay at Dale Earnhardt Inc., depending on whom DEI signs to replace Earnhardt. Budweiser officials now have targeted four other drivers they would consider sponsoring next season, including Kahne. The other three drivers are not known.(more at ESPN.com)(7-11-2007)
- Sadler's Team Director (Crew Chief) Resigns: Evernham Motorsports announced that Josh Browne has elected to resign from his team director duties [of #19-Elliott Sadler] and return to the organization’s engineering department effective immediately. Longtime Evernham Motorsports employee Scott McDougall, former team director of the #98 Evernham Motorsports Truck/ARCA team, will take over as team director of the #19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge on an interim basis. “As we look to make vital improvements across our entire program, we are reviewing the allocation of personnel and resources within the organization. Josh is better suited to help the organization as a whole from an engineering perspective and our efforts in that area,” said Ray Evernham, team owner and CEO. "I commend Josh for his decision and being a team player."(Evernham Motorsports PR)(7-3-2007)
- Evernham tests on....NASA Runway at KSC: A team in NASCAR's elite Nextel Cup Series wrapped up its second visit to Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility on Friday, using the nearly 3-mile-long runway to gauge aerodynamics of its race cars. Evernham Motorsports took a test version of one of its new Dodge Avengers -- the Car of Tomorrow [COT] that debuted this season in Nextel Cup -- to the runway for a shakedown this week and also earlier this year, Keith Rodden, a car director for the Statesville, N.C.-based team, said Friday. Rodden said he believes Evernham was the first and only NASCAR team to test at KSC. NASA charges a fee for use of the facility. The amount assessed to Evernham Motorsports was not made available by NASA on Friday.(Florida Today)(6-30-2007)
- Evernham to Host New ESPN2 Garage Program: Beginning in July, NASCAR team owner [#9,#10,#19] Ray Evernham will be the featured host of a new and unique racing program on ESPN2. Part of the ESPN2 Garage group of motorsports and automotive shows, Race Wizard with Ray Evernham will premiere at 11:00am/et Saturday, July 7 [after NASCAR Now]. The innovative new show will provide racing fans an entertaining look at the intriguing technical aspects and little-known inner-workings of motorsports and racing. Race Wizard is created for and by NASCAR fans, who will go behind the scenes of the racing world through “person on the street” interviews with one of racing’s brightest minds and most successful team owners. “ESPN has such a legacy in this sport and deserves a great deal of credit for turning NASCAR into one of the most popular sports today,” Evernham said. “Through Race Wizard, I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned in this sport over the years and help viewers understand how technology and innovation are giving teams the edge in competition today.” Sample Race Wizard topics include: Fast Car Basics – A fan’s question on the basics of racing answered, including “How do spoilers on the back of a car increase speed?”; Girl’s Guide – Women have the “need for speed,” too, and this vignette is for them, answering “Why do race cars swerve during caution laps?”; and Race Day – Focusing on improving the fan’s experience in racing by answering, “Where is the best place to sit to watch a race?”(ESPN PR)(6-29-2007)
- Evernham close to a deal to sell part of team: UPDATE 2: Ray Evernham expects to finalize the sale of an unspecified portion of his Nextel Cup Series operation to Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. within 60 to 90 days, the team owner told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "It's not done, but we're working on it pretty hard," Evernham said. "Honestly, I'm flying to Chicago and we're hammering through some things. Things are looking really positive, but it's not done. Quite honestly, it's not going to be done for another 60 to 90 days. It takes a long, long time, but it looks good. We've agreed to go forward, but there's so much legal stuff that's got to be done. It takes months. I feel positive it'll get done. I really do." Evernham chose not to divulge the exact percentage of his company Gillett would acquire, but did say both gentlemen would have a "substantial stake in the business side of things." Evernham also said he would still run EMS' day-to-day operations. Evernham said there are multiple contracts to wade through and further due diligence to complete. Once done, Evernham says the deal would instantly elevate EMS toward the Nextel Cup elite.(ESPN.com)(5-30-2007)
UPDATE: Nextel Cup owner Ray Evernham took another step on Wednesday toward finalizing his partnership with Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr., informing his more than 35 sponsors collectively on how the deal will work. Evernham has been negotiating for months an agreement that will give Gillett substantial ownership of his organization. He told sponsors the partnership will allow him to focus more on the competition side of the business and provide him with the resources to keep up with top organizations. The final terms aren't expected to be completed for another two to three months. "A partnership with the Gillett Group would bring excellent resources to Evernham Motorsports,'' Evernham told his sponsors. "Not only does George Gillett offer incredible business experience, his team has deep knowledge of how to successfully manage sports organizations. "This partnership would also benefit our partners at Evernham Motorsports with new business-to-business marketing opportunities." Evernham told his sponsors he would continue to own a significant part of EMS and remain the CEO. "It is an excellent opportunity that would benefit the entire organization,'' he said.(ESPN.com)(6-6-2007)
UPDATE 2: Evernham said a partnership with Gillett is getting closer, perhaps two months away from being completed. Evernham said he'd love to announce a deal in Montreal in early August for NASCAR's first-ever Busch Series race there."That'd be awesome," he said. "That would be good incentive for the attorneys to hurry up and get it done."(Yahoo! Sports)(6-17-2007)
- Some teams looking to add 4th team: The season is not even half over and several teams say they want to expand for next season. Officials from Dale Earnhardt Inc., Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing have said they'd like to expand to four cars next year. There have been hints other teams might look add a team. How many actually do will depend on what kind of sponsorship they can find.(Greensboro News and Record)(6-16-2007)
- Old Nose for Evernham cars at MIS? UPDATE: hearing that the Evernham Motorsports Dodge Chargers will be running 2006 noses this weekend at Michigan.(6-13-2007)
UPDATE: #9-Kahne is running the 2006 Dodge nose, but #19- Sadler and #10-Riggs are using the current nose.(SPEED's MIS Practice coverage)(6-15-2007)
- Borland released by MWR #44 team UPDATE 3 Evernham?: Michael Waltrip Racing and #44-Dale Jarrett's crew chief Matt Borland have parted ways. "Dale Jarrett wasn't happy, UPS wasn't happy, and we had to do something immediately," Waltrip said. "Originally, we had hoped that Matt Borland would take the role as the technical director, but he wasn't ready to come off the road. We need a technical director down the road, but it wasn't going to help us this weekend." Jason Burdett, formerly the co-crew chief of the #88 car at Robert Yates Racing, left Yates on Wednesday and will eventually be the #44 crew chief. Waltrip wanted to give Burdett time to get acclimated to the system at Michael Waltrip Racing before he jumped into that role. Burdett worked with Jarrett last year. This weekend at Richmond, Derrick Finley will be the #44 crew chief. Finley started the season at Bill Davis Racing as the crew chief on Jeremy Mayfield's #36 car. After leaving BDR, he became the crew chief and then lead engineer on Waltrip's #55 car and is already familiar with the operations at MWR.(FoxSports)(5-3-2007)
UPDATE: Michael Waltrip announced today the addition of Jason Burdett to Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR). Effective immediately, Burdett joins MWR to serve as crew chief for the #44 UPS Team. Matt Borland, who had been serving as the crew chief for the #44 UPS Team, was offered the position of technical director – a move scheduled to take place during the course of the next two seasons. However, Borland declined the move. Burdett’s tenure with MWR started on Wednesday and he will be serving as crew chief for the No. 44 UPS Team beginning this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.(MWR site)
AND, hearing Borland could end up at Evernham Motorsports in some capacity.(5-4-2007)
UPDATE 2: SPEED's Bob Dilner reported that Evernham Motorsports officials said they have not talked to Borland at all.(SPEED's practice coverage)(5-4-2007)
UPDATE 3: Evernham Motorsports has an interest in hiring Matt Borland, who was released as the crew chief for Michael Waltrip Racing. Team owner Ray Evernham said on Monday that members of his organization have talked to Borland, who helped Ryan Newman win a series-best eight races in 2003, about a role with the company. Evernham said he needed to find out if Borland wants to remain a crew chief or work strictly as an engineer. Borland turned down an offer to remain the technical director at MWR. Evernham doesn't have a crew chief opening, but he is concerned with the recent performance of the #19 team of driver Elliott Sadler and crew chief Josh Browne. "We've got to change something," Evernham said. "As for Matt, I don't know where he would fit in here. Others are interested in him and I don't want to get into a bidding war for him. Matt's a sharp guy and he would add depth to our organization, which we really need right now. But he's got to want to work here."(ESPN.com)(5-8-2007)
- Evernham close to a partner: Montreal Canadiens owner George N. Gillett is close to a partnership arrangement with Evernham Motorsports [#9, #10, #19]. Gillett, who also is the owner of the Liverpool soccer team in the English Premier League, would be the second major sports team owner to join NASCAR this season, following Red Sox owner John Henry's buy-in to what is now Roush Fenway Racing.(Sporting News)(5-7-2007)
- NASCAR donates $160,000 to Virginia Tech memorial fund: For the last three weeks, NASCAR's Nextel Cup cars have all displayed a Virginia Tech logo with a black background in a show of support for the victims and families of the massacre that left 33 dead in Blacksburg on April 16. On Saturday night the decals were just a symbol, and the support was something more tangible: money. In prerace introductions, Virginia drivers Jeff and Ward Burton, Elliott Sadler and Denny Hamlin presented Hokies football coach Frank Beamer with a check for $120,000 for the Hokies Spirit Memorial Fund. And Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz presented him with a check for $40,000, also for the memorial fund, that he said was given by RIR and some sister tracks also owned by International Speedway Corp.(Associated Press/ESPN)(5-6-2007)
- Special scheme for Sadler at the Coca-Cola 600: Elliott Sadler will turn into a super hero for the Coca-Cola 600, running a special Fantastic Four paint scheme on the #19 Dodge Dealers Dodge Charger. In honor of the debut of the “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” movie, produced by Fox Studios and scheduled for release in theaters on June 15th, the #9 Dodge Charger will be transformed into the Dodge Fantasticar. The movie, directed by Tim Story, stars Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis, the same foursome that made the original Fantastic Four such a success. The #19 will feature a stunning paint scheme that showcases the ghost-like Silver Surfer shooting across the hood, while flames explode over the nose and up the fenders of the Fantasticar. The familiar Fantastic Four logo will also adorn both rear quarter panels. “This is by far one of the coolest paint schemes I’ve ever seen, let alone be able to drive,” Sadler said. “This is something every little kid dreams about. Now, not only do I get to drive a race car, but I get to drive a race car with super heroes on it!(Sadler Fanclub site)(5-3-2007)
- Special Helmet Scheme for Sadler for month of April: In an effort to promote Autism Awareness Month, #19-Elliott Sadler will be wearing a special autism helmet at the remaining races throughout the month of April. It will then be auctioned online to benefit the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Charitable Foundation. The helmet, which was donated by Impact Racing, will sport the multi-colored puzzle piece logo of the Autism Society. The complex design was painted by Ryan Young of Indocil Art, who handles the majority of helmet paintings for Evernham Motorsports. Sadler will be sporting the new helmet starting with the April 15 race at Texas Motor Speedway, then Phoenix Int’l Raceway and finally at Talladega Superspeedway. On April 30th, Sadler’s 32nd birthday, the helmet will be put up for bid on an online auction site. Fans can look for Sadler on “Trackside” at Talladega on the SPEED Channel where he will announce which website will host the online helmet auction. The Hermie and Elliott Sadler Charitable Foundation is dedicated to raising autism awareness and promoting research for a cure while also supporting initiatives that improve educational opportunities for children and their families.(Clear!Blue PR)(4-15-2007)
- NHL Owner meets with Evernham UPDATE; George Gillett Jr., the owner of the Montreal Canadiens National Hockey League team and co-owner of the Liverpool soccer team in England, has talked with NASCAR teams, including Evernham Motorsports, team owner Ray Evernham confirmed Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "I've talked to a lot of people," Evernham said. "George is one of the people I'm talking to. When I said I was looking for a partner [earlier this year], the phone has been ringing and ringing. I met George. He is a really cool guy. But we don't have anything done." Evernham has invited Gillett to come to Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 this weekend.(SceneDaily.com)(3-10-2007)
UPDATE: Ray Evernham may be getting closer to finding a business partner for Evernham Motorsports. George Gillett Jr., the owner of the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and co-owner of the Liverpool soccer team in England, will be at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday. Gillett also met with Evernham at Las Vegas Motor Speedway two weeks ago. "We're still talking," Evernham said on Friday. "It's a matter of getting the right partner and getting the right timing. It's not about the money. I need the right partner. I want to win a championship." Evernham said he hasn't discussed how much of EMS will be sold. "I just need somebody that's going to come in and bring people that are interested in providing technology and sponsorship to the race team," he said. Evernham would like to find a partner that could take over some of his business duties, such as dealing with sponsors. "I want to work on race cars again," said Evernham, who won three championship as the crew chief for Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports. "That's what I do, work on the cars with my guys and go fast. I need a partner who can do his side and I can do my side."(ESPN.com)(3-23-2007)
- Evernham cancels appeals? UPDATE no, but penalties upheld: hearing that after the penalties for the #9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne were upheld on Monday, Evernham Motorsports withdrew their appeal of the Daytona penalties of the #10 Dodge of Scott Riggs and #19 Dodge of Elliott Sadler.(3-7-2007)
UPDATE: Evernham Motorsports lost its second appeal in as many days Tuesday as the National Stock Car Racing Commission turned down the #19 team's appeal of the 25-point penalty NASCAR handed down for infractions during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.(SceneDaily.com), no word on the #10 team and Riggs but supposedly they chose not to appeal, but have heard nothing for sure.(3-7-2007)
- Appeals to be heard next week: Penalty appeals for four Nextel Cup teams accused of breaking NASCAR's equipment rules leading up to the Daytona 500 will be heard early next week, NASCAR officials told ESPN.com on Tuesday. The appeals for Kasey Kahne's #9 team and Matt Kenseth's #17 team will be heard on March 5 in North Carolina. Appeals for Scott Riggs' #10 team and Elliott Sadler's #19 team will be heard the following day, also in North Carolina, NASCAR said.(ESPN.com)(2-27-2007)
- Evernham Appeals Penalties to all 3 teams: Appeals for the penalties passed out to the Nextel Cup teams of #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Scott Riggs before the Daytona 500 were filed on Wednesday by owner Ray Evernham. Roush Fenway Racing filed an appeal on the penalties against Matt Kenseth's #17 team on Saturday. Evernham said before Sunday's race he was most concerned about the severity of the penalties, particularly the points deductions, and the damage allegations of cheating have done to the reputation of his organization. "That's been tarnished and it bothers me more than anything," Evernham said. Kenny Francis, Kahne's team director [crew chief], was suspended for four weeks and fined $50,000 after NASCAR inspectors discovered that two layers of duct tape covering an air hole near the rear wheel well came off during qualifying. Officials said the first layer had a razor slice in it that they believe was designed to force both layers of tape off. Kahne was docked 50 championship points and Evernham 50 owners' points for what NASCAR deemed a blatant attempt to create an aerodynamic advantage. Rodney Childers and Josh Browne, the team directors for Riggs and Sadler, were suspended for two races and fined $25,000 each when officials discovered the bolts that attach the rear spoiler to the trunk had holes drilled in them to help create an aerodynamic advantage. Their drivers were docked 25 championship points each. Evernham said the bolts were hollowed out to make them lighter and were used in all four restrictor plate races last season without penalty. NASCAR officials said a date for the appeal, to be heard by the National Stock Car Racing Commission, has not been set.(ESPN.com)(2-21-2007)
- Evernham names interim crew chiefs/team directors: Team owner Ray Evernham will sit atop the pit box for Evernham Motorsports' #19 Dodge driven by Elliott Sadler during the Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying race Thursday, team officials confirmed Wednesday. Evernham will share responsibilities as team director, Evernham's vernacular for crew chief, with car director Kirk Almquist. Tim Malinovsky and Chad Johnston will serve as Sadler's engineers. Tuesday, NASCAR suspended all three of Evernham's team directors, Kenny Francis (Kasey Kahne's No. 9 team) for four races and Rodney Childers (Scott Riggs' #10) and Josh Browne (#19) for two apiece. Team enginner Keith Rodden will serve as Kahne's team director, with support from car director Rich Hubbs and engineer Nick Hughes. Kevin Kidd will be Riggs' team director, with support from car director Dave Bryant and engineer Mike Wolfe.(SceneDaily.com)(2-15-2007)
- EMS will not appeal 4-race suspension, may appeal #10, #19 penalties: Team owner Ray Evernham said he won't appeal the four-race suspension to #9 team director Kenny Francis but is still mulling over whether to appeal the two-race suspensions of #19 team director Josh Browne and #10 team director Rodney Childers. Francis, the crew chief for Kasey Kahne, had his car fail post-qualifying inspection Sunday after tape came off holes in the oil tank and the right rear wheelhouse, where a hose would run during race conditions. Francis also was fined $50,000, and the team and driver were docked 50 points. Kahne also will have to start his 150-mile qualifying race for Sunday's Daytona 500 from the rear of the field. Evernham said that one layer of tape had been slit but another had not. He said the tape was found inside the car. He said no extra holes were drilled in the car. Browne and Childers, the team directors for Elliott Sadler and Scott Riggs, were found to have illegal bolts in their spoiler fasteners prior to qualifying Sunday. They were also fined $25,000, and the team and drivers were docked 25 points. Evernham said those bolts were used in all restrictor-plate races last year and questioned whether it was right for NASCAR to penalize a team for an infraction where the part is presented for inspection prior to an event and found illegal. "I don't know how you find out if something is legal or not until you present it for inspection," Evernham said. "Those parts were used in 2006. The deck lid is sealed up so they cannot be an aerodynamic device. We lighten several bolts on our car." The car owner said he is now "scared to death" wondering if parts that had been raced will be deemed illegal in pre-qualifying inspection and the team will be docked points in the future. "I'm going to be best friends with [NASCAR's] John Darby and Robin Pemberton because I will be at their doorstep, and I will ask every nut, bolt and washer: Is this legal or not legal?" Evernham said. Evernham said he was still deciding exactly how his teams would be organized and who would be interim team directors. He said the teams will use the 150-mile qualifying races as a test to see who will work well in what role.(in part from SceneDaily.com)(2-14-2007)
- Penalties Announced by NASCAR; Suspensions, Fines, Points Taken Away: NASCAR has announced that Robby Reiser and Kenny Francis have each been suspended for 4 races and fined $50,000. In addition, the teams of #17-Matt Kenseth and #9-Kasey Kahne have been penalized 50 owner and driver points. Also, the team directors for Evernham drivers #19-Elliott Sadler and #10-Scott Riggs (Rodney Childers and Joshn Browne, respectively) have each been suspended for 2 races and fined $25,000 for violations found prior to qualifying on Sunday. Those team have each lost 25 owners and drivers point. No announcement has been made on #55-Michael Waltrip.(2-13-2007)
- Evernham would hire Schumacher: If Michael Schumacher wants a ride in NASCAR, [#9, #10, #19 team owner] Ray Evernham has one waiting for him. Evernham, who works with German company DaimlerChrysler, has issued an open invitation to the seven-time Formula One champion to give stock car racing a try. The German driver retired from racing red Ferraris after the 2006 season. Asked recently about Juan Pablo Montoya leaving F1 to drive in NASCAR, Schumacher told The New York Times: "Personally,
I wouldn't do it. What do you do in NASCAR? What is exciting there? I can't see that, running around on ovals." But Evernham would like him to reconsider. "I'll put him in a red car, a real good car, any time he wants to come over here and try it," he said. "A lot has changed in recent years. These cars are looked on as much more sophisticated than they used to be. I think he'd find them technical enough to keep him happy."(ESPN.com/AP)(2-12-2007)
- Elliott teams with Hermie at car dealership: Sadler Auto Center of Franklin, currently owned by NASCAR driver and SPEED broadcaster Hermie Sadler, is getting a new partner and a new look, as it was announced today NASCAR driver #19-Elliott Sadler had joined brother Hermie in the ownership of the dealerships, which would be named Elliott Sadler Ford Mercury
and Elliott Sadler Chrysler Dodge Jeep. Elliott thinks the time is right to get involved in the car business. "I think this is the perfect time to take this step. I drive a car sponsored by the Dodge Dealers, and there are many ways that my involvement in the dealerships will benefit me as well as our customers. Our family has been in the automobile business over 40 years, and I am proud to now be involved." Hermie Sadler, current owner and president, now works for SPEED channel and Direct TV on the weekends covering NASCAR, but has moved his office to Franklin and manages the dealerships during the week. He says the addition of his brother
as a partner will help take the stores to new levels. "His involvement will not only provide more resources for the store, but will also trigger more support from all of the manufacturers we represent, which will enable us to serve our customers better." According to Hermie Sadler, the name on the front of the buildings will not be the only change to the look of the dealerships, as plans call for a replica of Victory Lane from Bristol Motor Speedway, site of Sadler's first career Nextel Cup Series victory, to be built on site for customers to have their picture taken when picking up their new wheels from the dealership. Plans also call for 2 promotions a year that will feature autograph and picture sessions with both brothers and other NASCAR drivers. The name change should take place in about 90 days. "The one thing that will not change, " says Hermie Sadler, "is that we guarantee you that we will save you money when you buy a car. The rest of the stuff you get from us will just be a bonus."(Sadler PR)(2-8-2007)
- Evernham Motorsports Promotes four: Evernham Motorsports announced the promotions of four senior team members who, along with Ray Evernham, team owner and CEO of Evernham Motorsports, comprise the leadership of the organization. Rick Russell, who has been with Evernham Motorsports since 2000, was promoted to president in addition to his current responsibilities as general manager and chief financial officer. Dr. Eric Warren was promoted to vice president in addition to his current responsibilities as technical director. A member of Evernham Motorsports since 2002, he leads the company’s engineering operations. Sammy Johns was named vice president in addition to his current responsibilities as competition director. Johns joined Evernham Motorsports as the head of the team’s research and development effort in April 2001, then stepped into the team director role on the #19 Dodge later that season. He went on to become the competition director at the end of the 2003 season. Mark McArdle was promoted to vice president in addition to his responsibilities as managing director of Evernham Engines.(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(1-30-2007)
- Spokesmen named for NASCAR Speedpark: NASCAR SpeedPark, "the official family fun park of NASCAR" announced that #9-Kasey Kahne, #19-Elliott Sadler and #11-Denny Hamlin will be the 2007 official spokesmen for NASCAR* SpeedPark's North American locations in Myrtle Beach, SC, Concord, NC, Sevierville, Tenn., St. Louis, MO and Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. As official NASCAR SpeedPark spokesmen, Kahne, Sadler and Hamlin will make park appearances throughout the year in an effort to enhance the experience of visiting fans by providing autographs and posing for photographs. The 2007 driver appearance schedule will be announced at a later date.(NASCAR Speedpark PR)(1-28-2007)
- Robots building race cars at Evernham? Team Owner Ray Evernham disclosed Thursday, is that robots are part of the team’s car-building future. NASCAR’s ultra-strict chassis rules involving its Car of Tomorrow, which will debut in March at Bristol, Tenn., make it possible for robots to perform welding and similar duties in the chassis-building process. That, Evernham said, will free humans up to fine-tune other areas of the car.(Fayetteville Observer)(1-27-2007)
- Evernham looking for financial partner: Ray Evernham, owner of Evernham Motorsports [#9,#10,#19] is looking for a financial partner to help keep up with rising costs, and he believes other owners will follow suit if they hope to survive. Some already have. Jack Roush is close to a deal that would sell 25-50 percent of Roush Racing to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry and Fenway Sports Group. Real estate tycoon Bobby Ginn purchased a reported 80 percent of MB2 Motorsports -- now Ginn Racing -- in August.
Richard Childress sold part of Richard Childress Racing to Chartwell Investments a few years go.(ESPN.com)(1-26-2007)
- #19 to run Siemens colors at Phoenix in November: Evernham Motorsports announced that Siemens, the global leader in automation and control, will serve as primary sponsor of the #19 Dodge driven by Elliott Sadler in the Nextel Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 11, 2007. Siemens currently serves as an associate sponsor of the #19 Dodge and the #9 Dodge
driven by Kasey Kahne. Siemens also plays a vital role in technology development through its partnership with Evernham Motorsports.(Clear!Blue/Evernham Motorsports PR), see image on the #19 Team Schemes page.(1-25-2007)
- Sadler and Hamlin slim down: #11-Denny Hamlin and #19-Elliott Sadler both have new looks for the upcoming NASCAR Nextel Cup season, but it has nothing to do with paint schemes. Hamlin hired a physical trainer in the offseason, and Sadler is hoping to lose weight and return to the size he was in his rookie season. Hamlin, who sported a slight bulge in the midsection of his racing uniform last year, said he already notices a difference. "I feel better than I have ever in just the short amount of time I've been doing it," Hamlin said of his workouts. "To me, it's more about working on those last 100 laps of the race when you need to dig down and get the most out of yourself. I felt like I was kind of slack on it last year." Sadler said he weighed 211 pounds in 1999 and had not been below that until now. Sadler weighs 210 pounds. He says he's lost 10 pounds since last year's season finale at Homestead and wants to lose another 10 pounds before this season begins. "I just want to be prepared mentally and physically the best I can to make sure I pull my weight," Sadler said. He says he is not on a particular workout program other than watching what he eats. "I can eat as much as anybody I think that you've ever met in your life," said the 31-year-old, who finished fourth in last year's Daytona 500. "I ordered two or three Big Macs at a time. I'd eat two or three steaks at a time when I go to a steakhouse."(Roanoke Times)(1-20-2007)
