- Full year for McCumbee in 2008, some races in #45: Chad McCumbee is planning to run his third full season in the Craftsman Truck Series [#8 Chevy]. There is the possibility of driving in a Nationwide Series car for Petty Enterprises. There are plans for as many as five Sprint Cup races in Kyle Petty's #45 Dodge. And there is also a chance he could drive in additional Sprint Cup races in a third [#65 Chevy] for CNC/Haas Racing. It all starts this week at Daytona International Speedway. McCumbee will drive the #8 truck for MRD Motorsports in Friday night's Chevy Silverado 250. Though he won a pair of races in the ARCA Re-Max Series in 2007 - the first wins for Petty Enterprises since 1999 - winning at the NASCAR level would add confidence. McCumbee said he has talked within the past 10 days with Petty Enterprises about a Nationwide Series ride. Although nothing has been solidified, McCumbee said the chances of driving in the former Busch Series could improve after the first quarter of the season. McCumbee's time in the #45 Sprint Cup Series car is also undetermined. There are plans for McCumbee to take the wheel for five races while Kyle Petty works from the broadcast booth [TNT from Pocono in June thru Chicago in July]. McCumbee filled in twice for Petty in 2007, finishing 25th at Pocono Raceway on June 10 and 41st at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 21. But Petty's ability to keep the #45 car in the top 35 in points - he finished 35th last year - guaranteeing a spot in the field, could determine how many times McCumbee gets a chance.(Myrtle Beach Sun News)(2-10-2008) Comment here.
- State Water Heaters to #66..with Riggs UPDATE 3: hearing that State Water Heaters will sponsor the #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy and that Scott Riggs will drive the car, supposedly Jeremy Mayfield and the #66 crew will move over to the #70 Team. State Water Heaters sponsored the #4 Morgan McClure team and driver Ward Burton in 2007, no word on MMM or Burton's 2008 plans.(1-2-2008)
UPDATE: Scott Riggs told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway Friday that be will drive the #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy next season, with the Bootie Barker-led team that worked with Johnny Sauter's #70 car last year. In addition, Riggs confirmed that talks are underway to brng State Water Heaters aboard as sponsor. "We're in negotiations pretty heavy with State Water Heaters, and while the deal is not signed, we're hopeful that we can get it done."(1-4-2008)
UPDATE 2: State Water Heaters has signed a multiyear contract to sponsor the Haas CNC Racing Sprint Cup cars. The company will be the primary sponsor for the #66 Chevy driven by Scott Riggs for an undisclosed number of races in 2008 and will be an associate sponsor for the rest, according to a team spokesperson. It will also be an associate sponsor for the #70 Chevy of Jeremy Mayfield while also appearing as a primary on that car in select races. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.(SceneDaily.com), see images of the car testing on the #66 Team Schemes page.(1-16-2008)
UPDATE 3: Haas CNC Racing announced it has entered into a multi-year, global, business-to-business partnership with State Water Heaters to be a primary sponsor of the #66 with Scott Riggs. The program also includes primary placement for select races with Jeremy Mayfield on the #70 and an associate sponsorship position on both cars for the full 2008 season. "We couldn't be happier than to partner with a quality brand like State Water Heaters," said team marketing manager Carl Cline. "With the recent changes we've made at Haas CNC Racing, 2008 should prove to be an exciting year for us and we are thrilled to have State Water Heaters share in our future successes. Through our commitment to performance, both on and off the track, we hope to grow a long, proud partnership with State Water Heaters," Cline added. For more information about State Water Heaters visit www.statewaterheaters.com.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(1-16-2008) Comment here
- Haas starts prison term: Gene Haas, a reclusive entrepreneur who built a multimillion-dollar company in Oxnard, surrendered to federal authorities Monday to begin serving a two-year prison sentence. The 55-year-old Camarillo resident was convicted of conspiring to cheat the government out of millions of dollars in taxes owed by his company, Haas Automation Inc., the country's largest machine tool builder. Haas must serve the entire prison sentence because parole isn't granted in the federal system. He pleaded guilty in August to one of 11 federal charges brought against him. His plea deal also requires him to pay about $75 million in restitution and fines, which he has done. The company also owns Haas CNC Racing, which has competed in NASCAR since 2002. The race team currently fields two Sprint Cup Series teams with a 2008 lineup featuring drivers #66-Scott Riggs and #70-Jeremy Mayfield. On Monday, Haas checked into the Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security prison for male inmates near Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, according to his attorney Brian Hennigan. Haas has long been regarded as an extraordinary success who founded his company in 1983 and built it into the country's largest machine tool builder. Haas Automation remains one of Ventura County's larger employers, with about 1,550 workers at a manufacturing complex at 2800 Sturgis Road in Oxnard. Haas also is known as one of the county's more generous philanthropists. According to previous company statements, Haas has not been involved in the daily operation of the business for nearly a decade and the business has not been affected by the federal charges.(Ventura County Star) Comment
- Haas CNC Racing announces Marketing Hire: Hass CNC Racing continues to take major strides in identifying itself as a mainstay in the Sprint Cup Series. With its most recent addition, the team announced Mike Verlander will serve as Director of Business Development. Verlander brings his experience from MCG Sports where he managed business development for Joe Gibbs Racing. Verlander has worked with leading teams including Evernham Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. He has introduced and managed corporate partners through the highest levels of NASCAR. Verlander will begin duties immediately from Haas CNC Racing facilities.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(1-8-2008)
- Atlas Copco to sponsor #70 at NHMS...and Mayfield: Atlas Copco Compressors is proud to continue its partnership with Haas CNC Racing for the 2008 Sprint Cup Season. Atlas Copco's 2008 program consists of primary sponsorship of the #70 Chevy by Jeremy Mayfield for the June 29th race at New Hampshire and secondary sponsorship
throughout the season. Jim Bruce, Atlas Copco's Regional VP, says he's very happy looking back at the company's first year in NASCAR in 2007 and even more excited about the
preparations underway for the #70 team in 2008. "Our involvement with both Haas CNC Racing and the Windshear Inc wind tunnel project has brought tremendous exposure of Atlas Copco Compressors to a very broad audience from local grass roots fans to global B-2-B partners. We are working very hard to achieve Atlas Copco's vision to become and remain First in Mind First in Choice of its customers and other key stakeholders." For additional information visit atlascopco.us.(Atlas Copco Compressors)(1-3-2007)
- New Crew Chief for Mayfield: Haas CNC Racing announced that Dave Skog has been named crew chief of the #66 Haas Automation Chevy team. Skog, 41, who previously lead Haas CNC Racing’s engineering department takes over for Harold Holly as the team looks to improve on its 31st-place finish in the 2007 owner’s points. Skog will be paired with Jeremy Mayfield who has been behind the wheel of the #66 since the Oct. 28 race at Atlanta. It will be a reunion of sorts for Skog and Mayfield who together formed the crew chief/driver combination for Evernham Motorsport’s #19 team in 2002. The change comes after Haas CNC Racing and Harold Holly mutually part ways.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(12-6-2007)
- 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.(Evernham Motorsports PR)(11-9-2007)
- Haas sentenced to two years: Gene Haas [owner of Haas CNC Racing #66, #70 teams] was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison today for conspiring to cheat the government out of millions of dollars in taxes owed by his company. At the request of Haas' lawyers, the judge recommended the owner of Oxnard-based Haas Automation Inc. undergo treatment for drugs and alcohol. At a sentencing hearing Monday, a judge ordered him to report to federal court Jan. 14, when he will be transported to prison. Haas pleaded guilty in August. In his plea agreement, Haas, 54, took responsibility for one of 11 federal charges brought against him, agreeing to spend two years in prison. As part of the deal, he has paid more than $70 million in restitution and fines. The conviction is a stunning setback for Haas, who had been regarded as an extraordinary success. He founded and built his company into the country's largest machine tool builder. Haas Automation remains one of Ventura County's larger employers, with about 1,100 workers at a manufacturing complex at 2800 Sturgis Road. Haas has also been one of Ventura County's most generous philanthropists. Haas' plea followed a six-year investigation that snared five of his business associates, who all have pleaded guilty in connection with the tax fraud scheme.(Ventura County Star)
AND He is required to serve 85% of the sentence before being considered for release, so he will have to serve at least 20 months and 12 days in prison. Officials with the race team, which has hired Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs as its drivers for next season, have indicated that it does not expect an impact from Haas' pending imprisonment. The team is owned by Haas Automation. When the plea bargain was agreed to in August, Haas' attorneys released a statement indicating that Haas relied on the wrong people for financial and accounting advice and made a mistake in filing the erroneous returns.(SceneDaily.com)(11-6-2007)
- Stremme? Mayfield to Haas? UPDATE 2 Mayfield in the #66 NOW: hearing that both David Stremme, currently driving the #40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi [but out of a job at the end of 2007] has also talked to Haas CNC Racing about driving for them in 2008; also hearing that Jeremy Mayfield, currently driving the #36 Toyota for Bill Davis Racing [but out of a job at the end of 2007] has talked to Haas CNC Racing about driving for them in 2008. Haas CNC Racing has already signed Scott Riggs [now in the #10 Dodge at GEM] to drive one of their cars for them in 2008, either the #66 Chevy currently driven by Jeff Green], the #70 Chevy [currently Johnny Sauter] or a possible third team. Stremme is also being rumored to others rides, including #10 GEM Dodge, Michael Waltrip Racing and Penske Racing [if Horish decides not to run Cup in 2008 in their third car].(10-9-2007)
UPDATE Mayfield to Haas? on Sunday's SPEED Report, Bob Dilner reported that it looks like current Haas CNC Racing drivers, Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter will not return in 2008 and that Jeremy Mayfield is now the leading candidate to join the team. Scott Riggs was recently signed to drive for the team in 2008. Dilner also mentioned that Tony Furr could ended up back with Haas as Mayfield's crew chief, but Furr denied that.(10-22-2007)
UPDATE 2: Jeremy Mayfield will replace Jeff Green in the Haas CNC Racing #66 Chevrolet, effective immediately, team general manager Joe Custer said Monday morning.
Mayfield also will join Scott Riggs in the driver lineup for next season but the alignment of the two drivers with car numbers in 2008 has not been determined, Custer said. Green is 27th in the series points standings. "[Green] did a good job for us, and we appreciate everything he did," Custer said. His replacement in the #36 Bill Davis Racing team for this weekend at Atlanta has not been announced. As far as the status of current Haas CNC Racing driver Johnny Sauter, Custer said Sauter (who is 31st in points) is under contract with the team and that "we're working through that" for 2008.(SceneDaily.com), supposedly BDR's CTS driver, Mike Skinner will drive the #36 in 3 of the final 4 races and Jacques Villeneuve will drive at Phoenix.(10-22-2007)
- Best Buy moving? 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)
- Jeff Green Back with Haas? Driver Jeff Green told ESPN.com this week that as far as he knew, he was driving the # 66 in 2008. Green said he has a contract for 2008 that's an annual renewal, and hadn't yet been picked up for 2009. (ESPN.com)(10-20-2007)
- Jeff Green will appear on NASCAR Angels: What is “NASCAR Angels?” It’s a syndicated TV show, featuring former NASCAR champion, Rusty Wallace. Each week, the Angels help one person or family by fixing up their car. Nothing unites America like the automobile. Across the country every day, millions of people turn the ignition and depend on their vehicles to get them where they need to go. That's where the NASCAR Angels come in... The NASCAR Angels hit the road with a simple mission: to help people and to fix broken cars. It's Extreme Home Makeover meets Pimp My Ride, NASCAR-style. The twist? The Angels dream team has only three days to complete the entire project. With the help of NASCAR partners, the NASCAR Angels fix rides and give people a NASCAR experience they'll never forget. Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while. That's NASCAR Angels...transforming cars, enhancing lives. Since everyone knows how much Jeff Green likes muscle cars and working on hot rods, he was chosen to help introduce the story of Jeff Bodenschatz, a husband and father who also enjoys fixing up old cars. Mr. Bodenschatz has always dreamed of rebuilding a 1968 Javelin, but when he fell ill with cancer, it sidelined his dream. With the help of the NASCAR Angels, Jeff’s dream will now become a reality.(Best Buy Racing)(10-18-2007)
- Hass Racing Quiet about 2008 Drivers: When it comes to who'll be in what Haas CNC Racing cars in 2008, nobody seems to know much of anything. Joe Custer, the team's general manager, plays his cards close to the vest. Very, very close. Johnny Sauter, driver of the organization's #70 entry, says that he doesn't have a clue what he'll be doing next year, but adds that he's been given permission to look elsewhere. Jeff Green, who steers its #66 Chevy, refuses altogether to comment on the situation. With Scott Riggs already signed for next year and two Haas cars available, there's considerable speculation as to which one he'll drive and whether it'll be Green or Sauter who's left out of the mix. Then again, names other than Riggs' [including Mayfield and Stremme] have been mentioned as joining the operation. If that happens, Green and Sauter would most likely both be gone. According to Custer, neither driver has a decided advantage at this stage of the game.(NASCAR.com)(10-14-2007)
More Stremme Buzz in the Garage: Hearing from many sources that #40 David Stremme is now the leading candidate for at least four teams. Options include third and fourth car situations (GEM?, Penske?, MWR?, Ganassi?) and Haas Racing where Johnny Sauter is expected to be replaced.(10-14-2007)
- Green to Gibbs or Childress? Jeremy Mayfield had been rumored to be talking to Haas CNC Racing, which signed Scott Riggs last week after Jeff Green decided not to return to the #66 and signed with another team, according to a source. Why would Green leave a team on the rise with owner points he worked for? It would have to be a team he thought had greater potential and could overcome not having owner points at the start of next season with performance. The two organizations that fit that profile are Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing, which both want to get to four cars. Gibbs, of course, is switching to Toyota next year and the manufacturer is likely willing to supply the funding for an additional entry. Childress has been trying to find a sponsor for its fourth car.(Sports Illustrated)(10-12-2007)
- Stremme? Mayfield to Haas? hearing that both David Stremme, currently driving the #40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi [but out of a job at the end of 2007] has also talked to Haas CNC Racing about driving for them in 2008; also hearing that Jeremy Mayfield, currently driving the #36 Toyota for Bill Davis Racing [but out of a job at the end of 2007] has talked to Haas CNC Racing about driving for them in 2008. Haas CNC Racing has already signed Scott Riggs [now in the #10 Dodge at GEM] to drive one of their cars for them in 2008, either the #66 Chevy currently driven by Jeff Green], the #70 Chevy [currently Johnny Sauter] or a possible third team. Stremme is also being rumored to others rides, including #10 GEN Dodge, Michael Waltrip Racing and Penske Racing [if Horish decides not to run Cup in 2008 in their third car].(10-9-2007)
- Green out of the #66? Riggs in for 2008? UPDATE 2 Riggs signed by Haas CNC: It looks like Scott Riggs will be next in line to take over the #66 Chevy at Haas CNC Racing. The team and Riggs are in serious discussion and the speculation is that the announcement may happen 'within days'. Riggs future with Gillett Evernham was on shaky ground to begin with, but with the appearance of Canadian Patrick Carpentier to take over the #10 for next year, Riggs future at Gillett Evernham was doomed.(Cup Scene Daily)(9-27-2007)
UPDATE: Scott Riggs has signed a contract with Haas/CNC Racing to drive one of the team's two Chevrolets in 2008, sources close to the team confirmed to ESPN.com Tuesday. The team is expected to issue a statement Wednesday. It is unknown whether Riggs will pilot Haas/CNC's #66 or #70 or who will back the team financially. Sources said current drivers Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter will be evaluated throughout the remainder of the 2007 season and a decision as to whom Riggs will replace will be made at the end of the year. There has been some speculation that ousted Chip Ganassi Racing driver David Stremme is a candidate for the other Haas/CNC Chevy.(ESPN.com)(10-3-2007)
UPDATE 2: Haas CNC Racing announced today that the team has signed Scott Riggs for the 2008 Sprint Cup season. The car Riggs will drive next season (#66 or #70) will be determined at a later date. "We're very happy to welcome Scott Riggs to Haas CNC Racing," team general manager Joe Custer said. "It's exciting for us to land a driver with Scott's leadership experience and great attitude. We're confident in our equipment, so from a competition standpoint one of Matt's (Director of Competition Matt Borland) challenges is to find the right personnel combinations to get the most out of it," Custer said. " We believe Scott has the ability to get every bit of speed a car can offer. That's very important to us."(Haas CNC Racing PR) (10-3-2007)
- Green out of the #66? Riggs in for 2008? UPDATE or Sauter?: It looks like Scott Riggs will be next in line to take over the #66 Chevy at Haas CNC Racing. The team and Riggs are in serious discussion and the speculation is that the announcement may happen 'within days'. Riggs future with Gillett Evernham was on shaky ground to begin with, but with the appearance of Canadian Patrick Carpentier to take over the #10 for next year, Riggs future at Gillett Evernham was doomed.(Cup Scene Daily)(9-27-2007)
UPDATE: Scott Riggs has signed a contract with Haas/CNC Racing to drive one of the team's two Chevrolets in 2008, sources close to the team confirmed to ESPN.com Tuesday. The team is expected to issue a statement Wednesday. It is unknown whether Riggs will pilot Haas/CNC's #66 or #70 or who will back the team financially. Sources said current drivers Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter will be evaluated throughout the remainder of the 2007 season and a decision as to whom Riggs will replace will be made at the end of the year. There has been some speculation that ousted Chip Ganassi Racing driver David Stremme is a candidate for the other Haas/CNC Chevy.(ESPN.com)(10-3-2007)
- Garmin to Help Jeff Green, #66 Team Find Their Way around Kansas Speedway: Best Buy announced that Garmin International, a leading manufacturer of GPS navigation systems and a Kansas-based Best Buy retail partner, will be the primary sponsor for driver Jeff Green and the #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet during the Nextel Cup Series weekend at Kansas Speedway. Green's Chevrolet Monte Carlo will carry a special silver and blue paint design representing Garmin, an industry leader in the design, manufacture and marketing
of GPS (Global Positioning System), navigation and communication products. Garmin is an associate sponsor of the Haas CNC Racing team, appearing on the #66 Chevy in races where Best Buy is the car's primary sponsor. Many Garmin products are available at Best Buy retail locations and at www.BestBuy.com, including the highly-acclaimed nüvi and StreetPilot personal navigation devices. Garmin has promoted its sponsorship of the #66 team by advertising on SPEED Channel's NASCAR RaceDay, and through a commercial that features the #66 Chevy painted in Garmin colors. The spot, filmed at Kansas Speedway, shows the #66 driver using a Garmin nüvi personal navigation device during a race, as the unit's voice prompts remind him repeatedly to "turn left in 200 feet." Garmin employees will get a chance to greet their driver in person on Wednesday, Sept. 26, when Green visits Garmin's headquarters in Olathe, Kan. For more information, visit Garmin's site www.garmin.com.(GMR Live Marketing)(9-26-2007)
- Congrats: to #66 Jackman, Tony Cardamone and his wife Stephanie had a heathly baby boy on 9-14-07.(9-19-2007)
- Comcast on the #66 at Dover: Comcast Corporation, a Best Buy retail partner, will be the primary sponsor of the #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy and driver Jeff
Green during the Nextel Cup Series weekend at Dover International Speedway. The Dover event marks the second time this season Green's Chevy is carrying a special black and yellow design representing Comcast, the nation's leading provider of cable and entertainment products and services, which is headquartered in nearby Philadelphia, PA. The design was also featured on the #66 entry at Chicagoland Speedway in July.(Best Buy Racing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #66 Team Schemes page.(9-19-2007)
- Different look for the #66 in September, Green wins wager: The #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy is sporting a different look this weekend. Beginning at California Speedway and continuing through the September 16th race at New Hampshire International Speedway, the #66, driven by Jeff Green, will carry a special Best Buy "HD Done Right" paint design. Best Buy, the primary sponsor of the #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy in a number of events this season, is promoting its expertise in the area of high-definition (HD) televisions and home theaters with the pledge, "HD Done Right." The pledge, along with the yellow Best Buy tag logo, will appear on the hood of the #66 entry. In addition, the car will be painted a lighter shade of blue than what is usually seen on the Best Buy-sponsored entry, and will display special graphics on the car's sides and quarter panels, along with the logos of Samsung HDTV, Comcast and Garmin, associate sponsors of the #66 Best Buy machine. When Jeff Green drove his #66 Samsung HDTV / Best Buy Chevy past Tony Raines' #96 DLP HDTV Chevy on the final lap at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend, Green gained more than just a position - he also won a friendly wager. Green and Raines agreed that whichever driver finished lower in the Bristol race must wear a hat advertising the other driver's team and sponsor this weekend at California Speedway. Green's last lap pass means Raines will sport a #66 Best Buy racing hat for the Labor Day weekend event. In addition to occupying the primary sponsor position on the #66 Chevy, the yellow Best Buy tag logo will also be displayed on the quarter panels of Raines' #96 DLP HDTV Chevyat California Speedway.(GMR Marketing PR), see an image of the scheme on my #66 Team Schemes page.(8-29-2007)
- Haas CNC Racing owner to plead guilty to tax charges UPDATE: The owner of the nation’s largest maker of machine tools agreed yesterday to plead guilty to conspiracy in cheating the government out of $34.3 million in taxes through what the I.R.S. called “deceptive and elaborate tax evasion schemes.” The businessman, Gene F. Haas [owner of the Haas CNC Racing Nextel Cup teams #66 amd #70, Joe Custer is now listed as the owner of the teams], 55, of Camarillo, Calif., will be the fourth and last defendant to admit guilt in the case, which involves his company, Haas Automation, as well as several others. He is to change his plea to guilty on Monday. The plea agreement is subject to approval by a Federal District Court judge in Los Angeles. Back taxes, a $5 million fine, fraud penalties of 40% and interest will bring Mr. Haas’s total cost for cheating on his 2000 and 2001 taxes to more than $70 million. He also agreed to serve two years in prison. The criminal charges stemmed from three fake-invoice schemes that involved Mr. Haas’s main company as well as his NASCAR racing team and a land title company. The deception included creating a fake company in Nevada called Supermill. Mr. Haas paid three employees or associates, who have already pleaded guilty, 2 percent of what he avoided paying in taxes, according to court papers. The tax evasion apparently began with a patent infringement lawsuit against Mr. Haas.(New York Times)(8-25-2007)
UPDATE: Haas CNC Racing team owner Gene Haas appeared in U.S. District Court today in Los Angeles and pled guilty to one count of tax fraud. The plea bargain includes a two-year prison term for Haas, the owner of Haas Automation, which is the largest dollar-volume machine tool builder in North America and the largest unit-volume builder of CNC machines in the world. Haas' sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 5. If the judge declines to impose the two-year sentence, Haas or the government will be allowed to withdraw from the plea agreement. Haas, who was arrested in June 2006 after a lengthy investigation, agreed to pay $34.2 million in back taxes for the years 2000 and 2001, as well as a $5 million fine. With statutory penalties and interest on the back taxes, Haas owes more than $70 million to the government. Joe Custer, Haas CNC Racing general manager, said Monday afternoon that the race team will not be impacted by the Haas' guilty plea. The team fields Nextel Cup cars for #66-Jeff Green (primary sponsor Best Buy) and #70-Johnny Sauter (primary sponsor Yellow Transportation). "It's good to put this behind us," Custer said. "This subject has been out there for three years." Custer said the team hopes to retain the sponsors. Yellow mostly uses the sponsorship to entertain clients while Best Buy primarily uses its sponsorship to sell electronics. "We're working through it with them," Custer said. "I think it will work out. Everybody wants to stick with somebody in a tough time. Best Buy's investment in NASCAR has been good so far. We've given them a good value." Haas is required to serve 85% of the sentence before being considered for release, so he will have to serve at least 20 months and 12 days in prison. "We'll be all right," Custer said. "Haas Automation owns Haas CNC Racing. At the end of the day, their business is tremendously successful. You don't love these days, but we'll get through it."(SceneDaily.com)(8-28-2007)
- Green and Raines wager on Bristol finish: #96-Tony Raines and #66-Jeff Green have agreed to a friendly wager regarding the outcome of Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. While no cash will change hands, the driver that loses the bet will have to do what most competitors consider the unthinkable - wear another race
team's colors at the track. If Raines' #96 DLP HDTV Chevy finishes better than Green's #66 Samsung HDTV/Best Buy Chevy, Green has agreed to wear a #96 DLP
HDTV racing hat next weekend at California Speedway. In return, if Green posts the better finish, Raines will sport a #66 Best Buy racing hat for the Labor Day weekend race.(GMR Marketing/Best Buy)(8-25-2007)
- Samsung colors for Green at Bristol UPDATE Best Buy also on #96: The #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy that Jeff Green drivers, will carry a Samsung scheme at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend.(8-22-2007)
UPDATE: For the second time this season, the #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy, driven by Jeff Green, will carry a special paint design promoting Samsung HDTV's. The special blue and white design features a photo of a Samsung HDTV on the hood of the #66, with the Samsung HDTV logo appearing on the TV's screen. Best Buy, the primary sponsor of the #66 Chevy in a number of Nextel Cup Series events this season, is a proud retailer of Samsung HDTV's. The iconic Best Buy yellow tag logo will occupy a position on the car's lower quarter panels. Samsung HDTV logos will also appear on the car's deck lid and TV panel, while Garmin and Comcast, two Best Buy retail partners who are associate sponsors of the #66 team, will have their logos displayed on the car's rear quarter panels. Samsung was also featured on the hood of the #66 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, to promote Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope, an innovative goodwill program dedicated to raising awareness and funds through their national retail promotions with Best Buy and other retailers.
Fans watching the Sharpie 500 Nextel Cup Series event will see the Best Buy logo on more than one car this weekend. In addition to its placement on Jeff Green's #66 Chevy, the yellow Best Buy tag will also be featured on the #96 DLP HDTV Chevy, driven by Tony Raines. The rain delays at Michigan threw a monkey wrench into the Best Buy team's plan to attend a test session this week. The #66 crew was scheduled to spend Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 21-22, testing at the Milwaukee Mile track in Wisconsin, but had to cancel when NASCAR pushed the start of the race at Michigan International Speedway back to Tuesday morning.
(GMR marketing PR). See an image of the car on my #66 Team Schemes page.(8-23-2007)
- Jalopnik:
Haas Builds Rolling Road Wind Tunnel.(7-26-2007)
- Comcast Takes to the Track at Chicago on the #66: Best Buy Co., Inc., announced that Comcast Corporation, a Best Buy retail partner, will be the primary sponsor of the #66 Haas CNC Racing Chevy and driver Jeff Green during the Nextel Cup Series weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Green's Chevy Monte Carlo will carry a special black and yellow design representing Comcast, the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. Comcast is an associate sponsor of the Haas CNC Racing team this season, appearing on the #66 Chevy in races where Best Buy is the car's primary sponsor. The sponsorship is designed to raise awareness of the Best Buy/Comcast partnership, which allows customers to sign up for Comcast's Triple Play bundle of Digital Cable, high-speed Internet and digital voice services, at Best Buy retail locations, and at www.BestBuy.com. While the Chicagoland event marks the first time the Comcast Chevy will be seen on track, Comcast customers have already gotten a glimpse of the special paint design. For the past month, an advertisement featuring the car with driver Jeff Green has been airing on Comcast cable systems. The spot, which was filmed at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, shows Green winning a race while driving a car with three wheels. The ad is designed
to remind Comcast customers that they can subscribe to Comcast's Triple Play bundle of Comcast's Digital Cable, high-speed Internet and digital voice services, and "Win with Three."(GMR Marketing/Best Buy PR), see an image of the car on my #66 Team Schemes page.(7-10-2007)
- Start #250 for Green: #66-JeffGreen is scheduled to make his 250th Nextel Cup Series start at New Hampshire International Speedway. Green made his Cup series debut on September, 10, 1994, at Richmond International Raceway, when he was 31 years old. Driving the Sadler Brothers' #95 Ford, Green completed just 42 of 400 laps before transmission troubles ended his day. In all, Green has 503 total starts in NASCAR's three national series heading into this weekend (249 Nextel Cup Series starts, 253 Busch Series starts, and one Craftsman Truck Series start). The #66 entry will again carry the logo for the Fisher House Foundation this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway.(Best Buy/GMR Marketing PR)(6-27-2007)
- Green to Walk the Red Carpet at Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope Sixth Annual Gala: Jeff Green, driver of the #66 Best Buy Chevy in the Nextel Cup Series, will join sports and music celebrities on the red carpet in New York City this Monday, June 18.
Green will be in Manhattan to attend the Sixth Annual Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope gala dinner, which honors sports legends Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Joe Torre, Wayne Gretzky, Arnold Palmer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, as well as former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, for their continuing philanthropic efforts with their respective charities. During the charity fundraiser, Green will accept a check on behalf of the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF). Founded by basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, MJF identifies and supports community-based organizations that address the educational, health, and social needs of children, young adults and inner-city communities throughout the nation.(Best Buy Racing PR)(6-15-2007)
- Haas not looking to sell despite legal woes UPDATE new owner listed: Nearly a year has passed since Nextel Cup team owner Gene Haas was arrested on federal tax evasion charges in California, and speculation has arisen recently that resulting financial strain could mean Haas/CNC Racing [#66-Green & #70-Sauter] may soon be sold. Haas/CNC general manager Joe Custer said Saturday that there is no truth to that speculation, and explained that the race team is technically an extension of Haas' lucrative machine tool operation, Haas Automation, rather than a personal business owned solely by Haas.(ESPN.com)(6-10-2007)
UPDATE: hearing GM Joe Custer is now the owner of the team, no word how much or if there was a sale of the team, but the Entry List for MIS lists the owner of the #66 and #70 as "Joe Custer".(6-15-2007)
