Jayski's® NASCAR Silly Season Site - Team News and Links

#66 Team News and Links Page

A 2008 Paint Scheme - Click on Car to go to the #66 Paint Scheme page

OFFICIAL

Haas Automation Racing
Scott Riggs
Jason Jarrett(spotter)

UN-OFFICIAL

(not posting new unofficial sites anymore: too many have no updates, are old, driver bashing, requests ignored)

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Paint Scheme Gallery
Driver Appearances
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#66 Team [will be #39 in 2008] Past News and Rumors
(NOTE: some older links may not work)

Races [6] that Hunt Brother's Pizza is scheduled to be the primary sponsor:
Daytona - 7/5
Bristol - 8/23
Richmond - 9/6
Talladega - 10/5
Lowe's Motor Speedway - 10/11
Atlanta - 10/26

More Layoffs: nothing official but heard that Stewart-Hass Racing [formerly Haas CNC Racing] laid off 16 people Monday, November 17th. Also on Monday, a large layoff at #96 Hall of Fame Racing, supposedly due to lack of full sponsorship. Also, the current Hall of Fame Racing shop building is up for sale.(11-18-2008)
UPDATE: Wood Brothers Racing has downsized its Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck Series operations [supposedly 25 people] effective immediately. The Wood Brothers expect to continue the 58-year tradition of the #21 Ford when racing resumes in February. "This economic downturn has been tough on everyone and racing is not immune," team owner Eddie Wood said. "What we're experiencing now is a dramatic correction but we will be geared up for the 51st running of the Daytona 500. We will be racing in 2009. We're just not sure what that schedule looks like at this time. We're going to do whatever is necessary to survive."(FoxSports)(11-18-2008)

2009 Crew Chief for Newman? UPDATE 4 OFFICIAL: hearing that #8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. crew chief, Tony Gibson, will be Ryan Newman's crew chief on the #39 U.S. Army Chevy Stewart-Haas Racing team in 2009.(10-21-2008)
UPDATE: Longtime Richard Childress Racing team executive Bobby Hutchens confirmed Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway that he has a contract offer to become general manager at Stewart Haas Racing. "I have an opportunity with Stewart Haas," Hutchens said as he walked through the garage toward pit road prior to the Dickies 500. "I'll make a decision here in a couple days." Several sources close to SHR, Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. -- Hutchens' current employer -- told ESPN.com that Hutchens had already signed a contract with Stewart Haas, but Hutchens said otherwise. "Nothing is signed," Hutchens said.(ESPN.com)(11-3-2008)
UPDATE 2: hearing that Stewart-Haas Racing will make an announcement at Homestead-Miami Speedway about Newman's crew chief and the general manager/competition director for the team.(11-7-2008)
UPDATE 3: during SPEEDtv's NASCAR Raceday, Wendy Venturini reported that #43 crew chief, Jeff Meendering, will be Tony Stewart's car chief on the #14 Stewart-Hass Racing Chevy in 2009 and that rumor has it that Tony Gibson will leave DEI and be #39-Newman's crew chief, plus bring along the complete #8 DEI pit crew.(11-9-2008)
UPDATE 4: Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) announced today that two NASCAR industry veterans will take leadership positions with the team. Bobby Hutchens, formerly the vice president of competition at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), will serve as SHR’s director of competition. Tony Gibson, currently the crew chief for DEI’s #8 team, will continue in the crew chief role, but with SHR’s #39 U.S. Army team and driver Ryan Newman. “These are two really important hires for our race team,” said Tony Stewart, co-owner of SHR. “Bobby Hutchens brings a ton of technical and management experience to SHR, and Tony Gibson has helped a lot of well-known drivers earn their recognition by getting them to victory lane. I’m very proud to have both of these guys as a part of my team.”
Hutchens, who has a mechanical engineering degree from North Carolina State University, comes to SHR with 20 years of experience at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level. A longtime member of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and its #3 team with driver Dale Earnhardt, Hutchens was a part of four championships (1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994) and numerous victories, including the 1998 Daytona 500. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native was promoted to general manager of RCR in 1998, director of competition in 2001 and vice president of competition in 2004. His duties were expanded in 2005 to include oversight of RCR’s expansive research and development program, a role which transitioned Hutchens nicely to his 2007 appointment as general manager of Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines. In August of this year, Hutchens became vice president of competition at DEI.
“Stewart-Haas Racing has an incredible amount of potential, and to be an integral part of what we all believe can be a championship-winning organization was an opportunity I could not turn down,” said Hutchens, who in addition to leading race teams, used his mechanical expertise to help develop the Hutchens Device, a head-and-neck restraint system used in motorsports. “It’s important that a race team’s front office is in sync with what’s happening on the shop floor, and having lived in both worlds, I’m committed to making Stewart-Haas Racing a strong and efficient operation.”
Gibson has been a crew chief in the Sprint Cup Series since 2002, working with such drivers as Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Steve Park and Michael Waltrip. Prior to becoming a crew chief, Gibson served as car chief for such notable drivers as four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon, 1992 Sprint Cup champion Alan Kulwicki and 1988 Sprint Cup champion Bill Elliott. Gibson was there for three of those aforementioned title runs – two with Gordon in 1998 and 2001 at Hendrick Motorsports, and one with Kulwicki, who like Stewart, was also a driver/owner.
“I’ve known Tony a long time and have always respected him as a racer and as a person,” said Gibson, who grew up in Daytona Beach, Fla., and began his racing career working on his family’s team, with his father Bo serving as crew chief and his brother Mark driving – a trio that won the 1978 track title at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway. “He understands people, works well with them, and genuinely wants to see them succeed. And he’s smart enough to know that their success is also his success. He’s building an impressive race team, and I’m very happy to be a part of it and I look forward to working with him and Ryan.” In addition to being an extremely dedicated racer, Gibson is an equally avid outdoorsman, a trait that puts him in lockstep with his new driver. “Tony (Gibson) and I have talked as much about racing as we have about hunting and fishing,” said Newman, the reigning Daytona 500 winner. “I feel like we’re already on the same page, so to speak. I’m not sure who’s more excited about next year – him or me.”(TSC/SHR PR)(11-14-2008)

Hunt Bros Pizza & State Water Heaters hope to be back in 2009: There’s been a dearth of new companies coming into NASCAR recently. But Hunt Brothers Pizza (HBP), which joined with Haas-CNC Racing [#66 & #70] in what was termed a “sponsorship test” in 2008, apparently liked what it saw. “HBP plans on participating in the 2009 racing season,” says Malea Barron of Hunt Brothers PR firm Gish, Sherwood and Friends. “However, at this time, HBP has not signed a contract with a team.”
Can current Haas-CNC driver Scott Riggs stay in the Sprint Cup Series by bringing his sponsor to a new team? Apparently State Water Heaters has some interest in that scenario. “We are still working on our plans for ’09,” says Jeff Storie, the brand manager for State Water Heaters. “Scott has been a great asset for us and many of our hard-working plumbing contractors have enjoyed spending time with him. I hope we can remain together next year but we haven’t reached anything final at this point.”(Long Island Press)(11-8-2008)

Hutchens has offer from Stewart Haas: Longtime Richard Childress Racing team executive Bobby Hutchens confirmed Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway that he has a contract offer to become general manager at Stewart Haas Racing. "I have an opportunity with Stewart Haas," Hutchens said as he walked through the garage toward pit road prior to the Dickies 500. "I'll make a decision here in a couple days." Several sources close to SHR, Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. -- Hutchens' current employer -- told ESPN.com that Hutchens had already signed a contract with Stewart Haas, but Hutchens said otherwise. "Nothing is signed," Hutchens said.(ESPN.com)(11-3-2008)

Riggs still looking for ride: Scott Riggs, who is out of the #66 after the season, says he's unsure when he'll get another Cup deal. He says he continues to talk to teams but the issue is that teams are looking for sponsorship and until they have sponsors they're not making as many moves for drivers.(Roanoke Times)(11-1-2008)

Army to Newman? UPDATE: sources said Army is close to finalizing a deal to be a partial co-sponsor of Ryan Newman's [#39 Chevy] car at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009.(ESPN.com)(9-12-2008)
UPDATE: Another piece of the Stewart-Haas Racing puzzle will be fit into place Thursday when the race team will unveil the U.S. Army as primary sponsor of Ryan Newman's #39 Chevy for next season [supposedly for 22 races], sources have confirmed to NASCAR.com. The announcement is scheduled to be made at 1:30pm/et Thursday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, site of this weekend's Sprint Cup event. The Stewart-Haas organization now has both its Chevrolets sponsored for next season with Office Depot and Old Spice set to back the car of team co-owner [#14] Tony Stewart.(NASCAR.com)
UPDATE 2: U.S. Army To Sponsor Newman's Stewart-Haas Ride For 22 Races Next Year Stewart-Haas Racing officials tomorrow are expected to announce a deal for the U.S. Army to "serve as primary sponsor" in 22 races next season for the #39 Sprint Cup…(Sports Business Daily)(10-8-2008)

Riggs has ride for 2009? during ABC's TV coverage of the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Dr. Jerry Punch said that #66-Scott Riggs said he has a contract in hand to sign that would settle his 2009 plans. No word on what team Riggs will drive for, rumors include DEI, Petty Enterprises and Ganassi Racing.(10-5-2008)

Bootie Barker to join MWR in 2009: Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced that NASCAR veteran Robert "Bootie" Barker will be the crew chief of the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota driven by two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip for the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. Bobby Kennedy, who has worked with Waltrip in multiple roles for over a decade, is moving into a crucial management position at MWR. "Our organization continues to grow and add depth in several key areas," Waltrip said. "Bringing Bootie on as my crew chief is part of a larger plan that enables Bobby Kennedy to move into a critical management position. We have discussed this move since the summer, but waited until we were able to hire a crew chief of Bootie's caliber and we're really glad to have him join MWR."
Barker, who graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in mechanical engineering, is a native of Halifax, Va., and has been a regular in the NASCAR garage for 12 years. His experience spans across all three major divisions of NASCAR. He got his start in 1996 building shocks for Kurt Roehrig’s Truck Series team and after honing his skills, Barker advanced to the Sprint Cup Series to work for such teams as Bill Davis Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. While at Hendrick, Barker visited Victory Lane five times with NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon and the #24 team as a shock specialist.
In 2000, Barker got his first chance at calling the shots for driver Scott Wimmer in the Nationwide Series. He went on to win four races in the 2002 season. For the past five seasons, Barker has built one of the best reputations in the Sprint Cup ranks as the crew chief for drivers including Dave Blaney, Jason Leffler, Mike Bliss, Jeff Green and Scott Riggs.
Barker’s first Sprint Cup Series opportunity occurred when he moved to Jasper Motorsports in 2003 to work with Blaney. Near the end of the year, Barker joined Haas CNC Racing to help develop their Nationwide Series program. During the 2004 season, Barker led the team to its first Nationwide Series victory with Leffler at Nashville Superspeedway. At end of the season, Barker advanced to lead Haas CNC Racing’s Cup Series team with driver Bliss. While at Haas, Barker also worked with Green and more recently Riggs. Barker’s best finish this season with Riggs is a fourth-place effort at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Now, Barker is geared up and ready to lead the NAPA AUTO PARTS team to Victory Lane with his new owner and driver, Waltrip.
"I really appreciate the confidence that Michael has in me," Barker said. "He has accomplished a lot in his racing career and the fact that he wanted me to be his crew chief goes a long way for me personally. Everyone I met from the crew chiefs to the management team are very welcoming and they are all racers. I’m looking forward to being able to help the #55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry team achieve their short-term and long-term goals."(MWR PR)(10-1-2008)

State Water Heaters looking for team: hearing that current #66 Haas CNC Racing sponsor, State Water Heaters, will not return to the team when it becomes Stewart-Hass Racing in 2009. Supposedly State Water Heaters are shopping for a new team to partner up with in 2009 and have talked to many teams, including Yates Racing [#28 & #38 Fords].(9-24-2008)

Loomis Courted by Stewart-Haas UPDATE Loomis says no: Sirius Speedway has learned that Petty Enterprises Vice President of Racing Operations Robbie Loomis is now at the top of Stewart-Haas Racing’s wish list, as they attempt to hire a new Vice President/General Manager. Red Bull Racing’s Jay Frye recently turned down the job in favor of remaining in his current position, and sources says Stewart-Haas is now interested in talking with Loomis.(Motorsports Soapbox)(9-20-2008)
UPDATE: Petty Enterprises vice president of racing operations Robbie Loomis said he is not entertaining an offer from Stewart-Haas Racing. Loomis' name surfaced when Jay Frye opted to remain general manager at Team Red Bull. "All of my interests are to continue to do what I'm doing, and that is get the #43 back in Victory Lane," Loomis said. "All of my focus is here with Petty Enterprises." (ESPN)(9-21-2008)

Frye to stay at Red Bull: Jay Frye announced in a team meeting Tuesday that he has agreed to remain as the general manager of NASCAR’s Team Red Bull [#83-Vickers, #84-Allmendinger]. In an exclusive interview with Yahoo! Sports, Frye expressed his desire to continue the course he’s laid out for the fledgling stock-car organization. “I’ve been given a unique opportunity to build this team into something great,” said Frye, who has been at the helm of the two-car Sprint Cup team owned by the Austrian energy-drink giant since January. Frye’s decision puts to rest any speculation that the Rick Hendrick protégé would leave Red Bull to take a similar position at Stewart Haas Racing. When asked about the Stewart Haas offer, Frye replied, “I’ve always wanted to stay here. I love where I’m at. This is the perfect job.” After meeting with Red Bull executives in Austria two weeks ago, Frye left convinced of Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz’s strong commitment to building the NASCAR organization into a championship contender.(Yahoo Sports)(9-16-2008)

Hunt Brothers Pizza to Participate in Chevy Rock and Roll 400 The #70 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet will make its next appearance at the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International Speedway Saturday, September 6. Johnny Sauter will steer the Hunt Brothers Chevy under the bright lights of “America’s Premier Short Track.” Hunt Brothers Pizza will serve as a secondary sponsor on the #66 car driven by Scott Riggs at Richmond as well. “The Hunt Brothers car has made some very positive finishes this season during the first year of our NASCAR sponsorship,” said Scott Hunt, executive of Hunt Brothers Pizza. “We look forward to improving our standing for the remainder of the season and sharing our brand with the millions of faithful NASCAR fans next year as well.” To celebrate their NASCAR partnership, Hunt Brothers is sponsoring a Free Fill-Up Sweepstakes. Through October 27, 2008, visitors to www.freegasfreepizza.com will have the opportunity to sign up for a chance to win free gas and free pizza for a year.(PR), see images of the #70 and #66 Hunt Brothers Pizza car on my #70 Team Schemes page and #66 Team Schemes page.(9-5-2008)

Jay Frye offered position at Stewart Haas: Longtime Sprint Cup Series team executive Jay Frye [currently with Red Bull Racing] has been offered a contract by Stewart Haas Racing, and is mulling a departure from Team Red Bull before season's end to accept a management position at SHR, ESPN.com has learned. Sources close to Stewart Haas confirmed Monday that Frye is the man they've targeted to run the organization's day-to-day operations. He is expected to accept, sources said, and would be titled vice president/general manager.(ESPN.com)(9-1-2008)

#39 for Newman, not #4: it was announced on Monday's Tony Stewart Sirius Satellite Radio show that Ryan Newman would run the #39 in 2009 and NOT the #4.(8-19-2008)

Subway to sponsor Edwards in 2009? U.S. Army? Subway is completing a deal with #99-Carl Edwards that will make the ultra-fit NASCAR driver a spokesman for the big-spending restaurant chain, industry sources said. Subway is expected to be the primary sponsor for Edwards' #99 Ford in three Sprint Cup races next year and sign him to a personal-services agreement to use him in its advertising. The three-race primary sponsorship will run Subway about $2.25 million. Terms on the personal services agreement were not available. Edwards could end up replacing driver Tony Stewart, who has pitched for Subway since late 2006, and whose contract with the brand ends this year. Stewart has been prominent in Subway's advertising, but it is uncertain whether the company will continue with that relationship. Subway went to Aflac, Edwards' primary sponsor on the #99 car beginning in 2009, to broker the deal. Aflac is replacing Office Depot as Edwards' chief sponsor in a three-year deal with Roush Fenway Racing that is worth $26 million a year. But Aflac is working with its agency, Career Sports & Entertainment, Atlanta, to sell off a portion of those races. Aflac has been negotiating with U.S. Army to take anywhere from nine to 12 races. Those go for about $750,000 a race, sources say. One of Subway's three races with Edwards is expected to be the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix next spring. Subway will be an associate sponsor on the #99 car the rest of the season.
The deal comes as Stewart is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to start Stewart-Haas Racing and drive the #14 Chevrolet sponsored by Office Depot. Stewart Haas will field two cars next year, the #14 and #39, and sources say Stewart has been negotiating with Burger King for the #39 car, which will be driven by Ryan Newman. A Burger King deal would create a category conflict with Subway, in which case Subway would not renew with Stewart, sources said.(Sporting News/SportsBusiness Journal.)(8-19-2008)

Morgan-McClure Owners Not Happy Over Losing #4: The morning of Aug. 15 was not pleasant for the owners and fans of Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Hundreds of miles from the hills of Southwest Virginia, a persistent rumor turned into a harsh reality. In an press conference at Michigan, it was confirmed that Ryan Newman will drive the #4 Chevy next season for the new Stewart-Haas team in the Sprint Cup Series. For 25 years, that yellow # 4 was closely intertwined with the Abingdon-based MMM Chevy. "There's some sweat and history in that number 4. We feel like it ours," MMM co-owner Tim Morgan said. According to Morgan and team general manager Larry McClure, the # 4 is still registered under the name of the MMM team. NASCAR owns all the numbers that are used in the series, however. McClure and Morgan, who assumed they had a right of refusal for any potential number switch, were clearly frustrated when contacted Friday. Despite Friday's announcement and the lackluster economic climate, the leaders of MMM are still holding out hope for a return to the track. In fact, select team members are still working at the expansive race shop in Abingdon.(Bristol Herald Courier)(8-17-2008)

Newman's 2009 plans to be announced Friday? UPDATE Official: #12-Ryan Newman will be introduced as the second driver at Stewart-Haas Racing on Friday at Michigan International Speedway, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Wednesday. Newman reached a verbal agreement with Tony Stewart a few weeks ago, but details about his sponsor and other contractual details had to be ironed out before the deal could be officially announced. Stewart, who recently took over 50% of Haas CNC Racing, will drive the #14 sponsored by Office Depot and Old Spice. Newman will drive the #4, with Burger King, U.S. Army and UPS being mentioned as potential sponsors. Newman also was pursued by Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Petty Enterprises after announcing he would not return to Penske Racing next season. Newman will be reunited with Matt Borland, now the competition director at Stewart-Haas. Borland was Newman's crew chief at Penske for 12 of his 13 Cup victories. Attempts to reach Newman and Stewart were unsuccessful.(ESPN.com)(8-13-2008)
UPDATE: Stewart Haas Racing announced the Ryan Newman would be the driver of their 2nd team, the #4 Chevy. No sponsor or crew chief was announced. Newman said the contract is multi-year, but no exact term mention.(8-15-2008)
UPDATE 2 - the press release: Stewart-Haas Racing has signed Ryan Newman to a multi-year contract to drive the team's #4 Chevrolet beginning with the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. Newman, winner of 13 Sprint Cup races, including this year's Daytona 500, will be a teammate to Tony Stewart, the two-time Sprint Cup champion who will drive the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet in 2009. The announcement pairs two Indiana natives and two former United States Auto Club (USAC) champions under one roof. "We're obviously very excited to have Ryan join our team," said Stewart, who will serve as both driver and owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, with Stewart owning Newman's #4 entry. "Long before Ryan came to NASCAR, I knew he was talented. His success in USAC has continued in stock cars, and to have someone of his caliber as my teammate makes both the driver part of me and the owner part of me very happy."
"All I want to do is win, and Tony is a proven winner as both a driver and a team owner," Newman said. "Tony is a racer who has seen all sides of this sport. He knows what it takes to win, and I know that he's going to give me everything I need to be successful. We share the same goals, the same background and the same mindset. There's a comfort level at Stewart-Haas Racing that's very unique, and it's why I've made it my new home." Newman, who enjoys fishing and restoring vintage cars, resides in Statesville, N.C., with his wife, Krissie.(True Speed Communications PR)(8-15-2008)

As for the UPS sponsorship? UPDATE: after hearing all kinds of rumors about the UPS sponsorship [currently at Michael Waltrip Racing in the #44 of David Reutimann], some which included: Truex to Penske with UPS [see #1 Team News and Links page in early May]; to Richard Childress Racing and the #07 and driver Clint Bowyer [see #07 Team News and Links page] with Jack Daniel's sponsorship either rotating around some of RCR's other teams, like the #29 and #31 OR going to Stewart Haas's 2nd team, the #4 Chevy; and to Stewart Haas's #4 team with Ryan Newman driving. BUT am now hearing the deal with RCR is close to being done with Bowyer's team. No word on what will happen with Jack Daniel's...IF this happens..of course.(8-1-0008)
UPDATE:/ the UPS saga continues, hearing that UPS will NOT be going to RCR in any form as none of the four sponsors wanted to give up space or races [#07-Jack Daniel's, #29-Pennzoil, #31-Caterpillar and #33-General Mills]. So it seems UPS could be headed to Penske or Stewart Hass? (8-6-2008)

Robby Gordon would love to add Riggs/2nd team: #7-Robby Gordon may not have full sponsorship for his Sprint Cup team next season, but he doesn't seem too worried about his prospects. In fact, the driver is talking about the potential of adding a second team to his Robby Gordon Motorsports organization. For now, though, Gordon is focusing on running a pair of races on the Watkins Glen International road course this weekend. Based on his history, the driver expects to excel. Gordon finds himself pelted with questions about his sponsor lineup for next season. As the economy tightens and a list of teams seek sponsorship, Gordon has found himself running some races without a primary sponsor. "Right now, next year looks a lot like it did this year, where we have sporadic events," the owner/driver told a national teleconference with reporters Tuesday. "So there is opportunity. Obviously, sponsors and everybody wants to be involved with a team that can win races. I look at this weekend as an opportunity of putting our team in victory lane. There's only been three teams this year that have been in victory lane. So if we could pull it off, that would be big."
Gordon says that his role as owner/driver has built in a little more flexibility than some would have when it comes to racing with a car that needs sponsorship. This season, he has primary backing from Jim Beam, Mapei, Camping World and Charter, and he picked up a race from Valvoline. He has also run some races without anything on the hood, including the road course event at Infineon Raceway. Still, Gordon remains confident that his team will weather the storm. He has formed an alliance with Gillett Evernham Motorsports, one in which he gets support from the three-car Dodge organization, and has never fallen out of the top 35 in owner points despite changing manufacturers shortly before the season-opening Daytona 500. Gordon knows that a second car would likely boost the performance of his organization, but he's not rushing to add another effort. He admits, though, that Scott Riggs, whose status with the team now known as Haas CNC Racing is unclear as Tony Stewart prepares to take it over next year, would be someone he'd look at should that become a possibility. "I think Scott Riggs is a very good race car driver," Gordon said. "[Am I] committed to running a second car? You know, we'd love to run a second car. I think our team and our facility and our systems and procedures and policies, all that stuff, is in place now to run a second car. Gordon seems confident that the sponsorship will work itself out for next season. Gordon will run the full Sprint Cup schedule either way, but full sponsorship would certainly make his task less difficult. "We know what it takes as far as sponsorship to go and do this thing," he said. "And I feel confident that we'll get a sponsor for next year, and we'll able to continue on. I also have a lot of confidence that Jim Beam will return with us, as well."(SceneDaily)(8-6-2008)

Riggs looking around, pretty sure he is out at Haas UPDATE: Scott Riggs, driver of the #66 for Haas CNC Racing which will become the #4 Stewart-Haas car next year, is already talking with others about his future. "I'm 99.99999 percent sure I won't be here next year," Riggs said Friday. Joe Custer, the team's general manager, said, "no one is out," but expect a decision on the driver lineup next week. "We're wide open on it," he said. "A deal is not done until it is inked so for us to say we're about there means we are not there. I can tell you we are working on them."(NASCAR.com)(8-2-2008)
UPDATE: With the thought that Scott Riggs won't be asked to stay with the Stewart-Haas, Riggs said he has been in talks with other teams about 2009. "I've been having a lot of conversations," he said. "I'm trying to figure out what is going to happen with me. I know this organization is on the way up and going to have a great group of guys and drivers coming on board. It will be interesting to see where my feet land and I've been talking to a lot of people, but right now I'm focused on what we are doing and trying to be the best we can be for the rest of this year."(NASCAR.com), hearing that Riggs has talked to Bill Davis Racing, Yates Racing and Robby Gordon Motorsports and that sponsor State Water Heaters could move with him.(8-5-2008)

Haas "In Good Standing" With NASCAR: Often lost in the circumstances involving the formation of Stewart Haas Racing is the fact that one of those two namesakes currently resides in federal prison. But unlike Michael Vick--who may face further discipline from the NFL following his release--Gene Haas will be welcomed back into NASCAR with open arms. "He's in good standing with NASCAR, that's all they told us, and that's all we need to know," team General Manager Joe Custer told the Press Sunday morning. Haas reported to prison in January to serve a two-year term after pleading guilty to one count of tax fraud. That followed a plea bargain resulting in the dismissal of several charges, which included reporting false race team expenses. "They were dropped," Custer said of charges related to the race team. "That's the point. It they're dropped, they're not an issue." Stewart was unable for comment, as his spokesperson, Mike Arning, cited the driver's interest in focusing on his current team, Joe Gibbs Racing.(see full story at Long Island Press)(8-4-2008)

Newman Commits to Stewart-Haas? UPDATE 2: hearing that Ryan Newman has agreed in prinicipal to drive for Stewart Haas racing in 2009.(7-30-2008)
UPDATE: Ryan Newman has reached a verbal agreement to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing next season, a NASCAR source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Wednesday. The deal could take up to a month to finalize and announce as negotiations continue for car sponsors. Newman reached the agreement after Joe Gibbs Racing was unable to nail down sponsorship to start a fourth team. JGR president J.D. Gibbs confirmed on Sunday at Indianapolis that Newman no longer was a factor in the team's plans and that a fourth team was unlikely for 2009. Stewart will drive the #14 and Newman the #4. Newman also has been pursued by Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Petty Enterprises since announcing he would not return to Penske Racing next season, sources said.(ESPN.com)(7-30-2008)
UPDATE2: Amidst all the speculation surrounding Ryan Newman's future, the driver and even his wife maintain no official deal has been signed to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing next season. Despite several online reports that the driver of the #12 Penske Dodge verbally agreed to join Stewart-Haas in 2009, Newman issued a statement Friday saying, "I am still working on my 2009 plans at this time. I have no timetable on finalizing anything at this point." Also, a blog posted this week from wife Krissie Newman said, "Don't get too excited just yet." Nevertheless, Newman said he doesn't have anything on paper. "I've got my search pretty narrowed down I just don't have everything finalized," he said last week. Newman said there is no time frame for his decision, but admits time is of the essence and said the sooner he can work out an agreement the better in order to prepare for the 2009 season-opener in Daytona.(NASCAR.com)(8-2-2008)

As for the UPS sponsorship? after hearing all kinds of rumors about the UPS sponsorship [currently at Michael Waltrip Racing in the #44 of David Reutimann], some which included: Truex to Penske with UPS [see #1 Team News and Links page in early May]; to Richard Childress Racing and the #07 and driver Clint Bowyer [see #07 Team News and Links page] with Jack Daniel's sponsorship either rotating around some of RCR's other teams, like the #29 and #31 OR going to Stewart Haas's 2nd team, the #4 Chevy; and to Stewart Haas's #4 team with Ryan Newman driving. BUT am now hearing the deal with RCR is close to being done with Bowyer's team. No word on what will happen with Jack Daniel's...IF this happens..of course.(8-1-0008)

Office Depot/Old Spice to be co-primaries for Tony Stewart in the #14: Office Depot and Old Spice will serve as co-primary sponsors of Tony Stewart's #14 Chevrolet Impala SS Sprint Cup Series entry beginning in 2009. Officials from the two companies, as well as from Stewart-Haas Racing, made the announcement today near Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Office Depot, a leading global provider of office products and services, along with Old Spice, the #1 antiperspirant/deodorant stick and body wash choice for guys in the United States, have entered into multi-year agreements with Stewart-Haas Racing to sponsor the new entry driven by Stewart. In addition, both Office Depot and Old Spice are official NASCAR partners, successfully leveraging their relationships with NASCAR and their race team sponsorships as powerful marketing platforms for their brands.

"To have Office Depot and Old Spice throw their support behind me and this race team makes me extremely proud," said Stewart, who announced on July 10 that he had acquired a 50% stake in what is now known as Stewart-Haas Racing. "These are two partnerships that make a lot of sense. Office Depot focuses on small business owners, and with my role as a driver and owner next year, I'm both their spokesman and their customer - and I have been for years, because with two USAC teams, two World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series teams and three race tracks, you need a smooth-running office if you expect your business to run right. Old Spice has been with me for nine years, but our 10th year together is obviously going to be pretty big. This is a major commitment for the Old Spice brand, and we're going to make sure the success we've enjoyed over the years continues."

"Tony is a successful entrepreneur who has an impressive record as a small business owner. This is one of the reasons why he is such a perfect fit for Office Depot," said Chuck Rubin, President of North American Retail for Office Depot. "We believe that Tony's passion to win and relentless pursuit of excellence truly embody the essence of the Office Depot brand and represent the commitments we make every single day to help our customers be successful."

Old Spice, a brand of Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble (P&G), is the official antiperspirant/deodorant of NASCAR, and its longstanding partnership with Stewart has helped Old Spice become the leader in its category, as well as the male body wash category. "We've really valued our relationship with Tony and have been growing our partnership for over nine years now," said Alex Keith, P&G Beauty, General Manager, North America Deodorants. "It's been a great program for Old Spice, and when he came to us with the opportunity to make it even bigger, we knew it was the right move. We're absolutely thrilled to be on board."

Also supporting Stewart's Office Depot/Old Spice effort in 2009 will be Chevrolet. The winner of 31 manufacturer's championships since coming to Sprint Cup in 1955, Chevrolet adds another powerful team to its already potent lineup with the addition of Stewart-Haas Racing.Putting an exclamation point on Stewart's new ride for 2009 is that his red and black Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet will carry the #14, made famous by the legendary A.J. Foyt. "Tony and I have been friends for a long time," said Foyt, a winner of four Indianapolis 500s, the 1972 Daytona 500 and the 1967 24 Hours of LeMans. "I think I first met him when he was running Midgets. It was quite a while ago so I don't actually remember where and when. A few times he drove the Silver Crown car I had with George Snider back in the mid-90s and I gave him his first test in an Indy car in Phoenix (in 1995) and he ran pretty quick as I recall. In addition to being quick, he's always told it how it is. I don't think there's anyone better to carry the #14."

Stewart has always admired what Foyt, currently an IRL IndyCar Series owner, accomplished in a driving career that began in 1957 and spanned such racing divisions as Indy car, NASCAR, USAC and sports car racing. "A.J. has always been my hero and will always be #1 on my hero list, with the best part being that we are really good friends," Stewart said. "We obviously have a tremendous amount of respect for one another. I remember him calling me after I won my first Cup championship in 2002 and I remember how much it meant to have him call that night and congratulate me. We really do have similar pasts and carry a lot of characteristics that are the same. He is one of the greatest icons in racing worldwide and to be compared to him in any way is always a huge honor. We came up through the same types of cars, from Sprint Cars to Midgets, and then I went to the IRL and moved into NASCAR. A.J. ran Indy cars for a long time and still came into stock car racing and was successful. There aren't a lot of guys that can go from car to car and still win races. It was something that A.J. was really good at and something that we have been very fortunate to replicate. He has given a lot back to racing and has been one of its biggest supporters. Without guys like him, guys like me wouldn't have had a chance to succeed."(True Speed Communication PR), see all the other past news/rumors on the #66 Team News and Links page AND no word if the #14 will be the #66 or #70 team, supposedly Stewart's 2nd team is looking to use the #4.(7-25-2008)

No third team for Stewart Hass in 2009: From Tony Stewart Live Monday night:
Question: "There are rumors of a third Cup car joining Stewart-Haas Racing for 2009. Is that true?"
Stewart: "That is not true. One of the guys asked if we were ever going to grow it to a four car team. And that is exactly what the plan will be eventually but right now we're going to concentrate on getting these two Cup cars exactly where they need to be, contenders to win a championship each year before we expand."(Sirius NASCAR Radio)(7-22-2008)

Stewart Expected to Name Car Number, Sponsors on Friday: UPDATE: Tony Stewart has finalized his car number and sponsors for next season, his first as co-owner of Stewart HAAS racing. Stewart will drive the #14 car the number once campaigned by his racing hero, A.J. Foyt. Old Spice and Office Depot will sponsor the Chevys. Old Spice is a long-time Stewart sponsor in Nationwide Series. Office Depot will be moving to Stewart from Carl Edwards' Roush Fenway car. An official announcement will be made Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.(Cup Scene Daily)(7-22-2008)
UPDATE: Haas CNC Racing general manager Joe Custer has applied for his team to trademark the #14, which is expected to be the number next season for Tony Stewart, who will co-own and drive for Stewart-Haas Racing beginning in 2009. The trademark application covers a variety of products – everything from paper goods to luggage, knives, air fresheners, video featuring racing themes and several other items. The application was filed July 2, according in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database.(SceneDaily.com)(7-22-2008)

Newman says he has 4 options for 2009: UPDATE: Ryan Newman was "Mummy" on whether he will leave Penske Racing after this season. Newman, promoting the soon-to-be-released movie "Mummy" on his car in Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway, is considered the leading candidate to join Tony Stewart next season at newly-formed Stewart-Haas Racing. Sources have told ESPN.com that deal to join the Indiana natives is close to done and could be announced in two weeks at Indianapolis. Newman said he has three serious options outside of Penske and that ownership is part of at least one of the options. He also said re-signing with Penske is an option. Asked if ownership could be an option at Stewart-Haas, where Stewart was given 50 percent of the company, Newman said, "I won't answer that." Newman said last month he would not re-sign with Penske unless the performance of his team improved significantly. He said the team has made some strides to improve, but not enough to convince him it is ready to challenge for a championship. (ESPN.com)(7-13-2008)
UPDATE: Newman acknowledged on Saturday in Chicagoland that he has three serious options outside of Penske. A source close to the situation said Newman has been in discussions with Stewart Haas, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing. The source added there is a firm offer from Stewart-Haas and that potential sponsors are set, but that the deal is not done. Newman said one of his options included ownership of equity in the company. Stewart-Haas general manager Joe Custer said his company is not looking to give up any more ownership than the 50 percent already given to Stewart. JGR officials have consistently said they are not interested in giving up ownership. Team owner Joe Gibbs and president J.D. Gibbs talked on Saturday as though 18-year-old sensation Joey Logano could replace Stewart in the #20 Home Depot car next season. RCR, looking for a driver for a fourth team sponsored by General Mills, and GEM already are divided into partnerships.(ESPN.com)(7-15-2008)

Truex doesn't rule out driving for Stewart: UPATE: As far as his contract status with DEI, which intends to pick up his option, Truex said those talks took a backseat after the Daytona infraction. "Certainly, last week . . . I said to myself, this isn't the first thing on my list," Truex said of his contract. "Through this week, we've had great meetings about what happened, how we want to fix it, the direction we're headed as a race team, and so hopefully this week we'll get back to talking about the rest of that stuff. It's been going well. There's just been a lot of other things on the plate as a race team to figure out." He did not rule out he could be a candidate for the second team at the newly formed Stewart-Haas Racing. "I guess if you look around the garage, anybody who doesn't have a contract signed for next year you have to look at as a candidate . . . for that deal right now," Truex said. (ESPN.com)(7-12-2008)
UPDATE: Sources confirmed to [Captain Thunder] that Newman is a done deal and an announcement is coming soon. What [Captain Thunder] also learned, is that Martin Truex Jr. may be joining Newman and Stewart. Sources said, Stewart is now looking to field a powerhouse three-car team, and sponsors are lining up to be a part of the newly formed venture. According to sources close to the situation, the Office Depot and Old Spice deals are set, but sources also said Burger King and UPS are working diligently with Stewart to sponsor his second and third racecars, if they can convince Truex Jr. to come along for the ride with Stewart HAAS Racing. Although DEI is working very hard to re-sign Truex Jr. and are throwing some huge numbers at the driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy, Stewart is trying to convince Truex Jr. to join him and Newman at the newly formed Stewart HAAS Racing in hope of forming a powerhouse racing team. And, Truex Jr. may be ripe for the picking.(Captain Thunder Racing)(7-13-2008)

UPS to #07? UPDATE 5: UPS to Stewart Haas? hearing UPS could move #07-Clint Bowyer of Richard Childress Racing, if os, no word where Jack Daniel's sposnorship would go, or if they would leave the sport.(7-1-2008)
UPDATE Among the hot but unconfirmed rumors making the rounds in the Sprint Cup garage this week are that Richard Childress Racing will land UPS as a sponsor for Clint Bowyer’s #07 Chevrolet. Multiple sources indicated that Bowyer’s car was the favorite to take the sponsorship over from Michael Waltrip Racing and David Reutimann. One source close to the negotiations said RCR initially offered UPS #31-Jeff Burton, 41, but the delivery company wanted a younger driver with whom it could create a long-term identity and Bowyer is just 29. Burton, instead, will be sponsored next year by Caterpillar.(SPEEDtv)(7-6-2008)
UPDATE 2: Sirius Speedway has learned that UPS will move from Michael Waltrip Racing’s #44 Toyota to the quarterpanels of Clint Bowyer’s #07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in 2009, leaving Jack Daniels in search of a new driver. That driver will be Ryan Newman, who is set to sign-on with Stewart at Haas CNC.(Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway)(7-7-2008)
UPDATE 3: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, regarding recent unsubstantiated reports in the media about Jack Daniel's leaving RCR after the 2008 season.: "Jack Daniel's and Richard Childress Racing have a contract through the 2009 season. Any reports in the media to the contrary are simply not accurate."(RCR PR)(7-10-2008)
UPDATE 4: From Richard Childress' Press Conference Thursday at Chicago:
   CAN YOU TALK ABOUT JACK DANIELS AND THEIR FUTURE AND WHAT THEY HAVE MEANT FOR YOU AS A SPONSOR?
   "Jack Daniels is a great sponsor, and we have them on the car for next year and that is all about I can say about it right now."
   WHY DO WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT UPS BEING ADDED TO THAT CAR?
   "I don't know, I don't write those things."
   WILL UPS BE INVOLVED WITH RCR NEXT YEAR IN SOME CAPACITY?
   "Right now I can't comment on anything with UPS because I am not involved right now with all of that."(GM Racing PR)(7-11-2008)
UPDATE 5: been told that UPS will NOT be going to Richard Childress Racing as a sponsor on any of their cars but will head to Stewart Haas Racing in the 2nd car with Ryan Newman as the driver. Look for Newman to be named as Stewart's team mate at Indy when SHR announces Office Depot as the sponsor for Stewart, but UPS won't be announced until a later date.(7-12-2008)

Stewart Joins Haas to form Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009: Two-time Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has set his NASCAR future, and it's as an owner and driver with Stewart-Haas Racing beginning in 2009. Stewart-Haas Racing is the new partnership between Stewart and Haas CNC Racing, with the revamped entity slated to run two cars full-time in the Sprint Cup Series. Haas CNC Racing operates out of a 140,000-square foot shop in Concord, N.C., and is owned by Oxnard, Calif.-based Haas Automation Inc. The company has been involved with motorsports since 1995 through various technical partnerships with teams in the IRL IndyCar Series and NASCAR, including Hendrick Motorsports, which will continue to provide chassis, engines and technical support to Stewart-Haas Racing. News regarding sponsors of Stewart-Haas Racing, as well as the complete driver lineup and corresponding car numbers for the two-car team, will be announced at a later date.(TrueSpeed Communication PR)
Transcript: The complete press conference transcript is posted on the Haas CNC Racing site.(7-10-2008)

Stewart Joins Haas to form Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009: During a press conference at Chicagoland Speedway Thursday, Tony Stewart announced that he is joining with Haas CNC Racing to form Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009.
Some notes from the press conference:
Stewart and Joe Custer, General Manager of Haas Racing, appeared together to make the announcment.
Stewart said that owning World of Outlaw and USAC teams fed his interest in ownership in NASCAR. Ownership is now a side of him that he enjoys, that is important to him and that he wants to do the rest of his life
Stewart was offered half of the team in the deal. He did not say if he purchased his half or if it was given to him as a part of the deal.
A driver decision for the second car has not been made. The team is looking at who is available and will make a decision later.
There were no sponsor announcements or car number announcements [Stewart reportedly would like the #14 because it was A.J. Foyt's number].
There are no plans to move the team to Indianapolis. It's critical for NASCAR teams to be close to Charlotte.(7-10-2008)

Office Depot to Stewart UPDATE 3 Stewart granted release from Gibbs: been told that Office Depot will be the sponsor for Tony Stewart, who likely will run the #14, in 2009 when he drives for Haas CNC Racing which is will buy in to. Hearing the announcement of the buy and deal will be made in Indianapolis the week NASCAR is in Indy for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, July 27th.(7-3-2008)
UPDATE: Tony Stewart is expected to announce a 2009 move to Haas-CNC Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in three weeks. Reliable sources tell Sirius Speedway that Stewart will also announce sponsorship from Office Depot and Old Spice as part of a new, multi-year package with Haas CNC, and that Penske Racing’s Ryan Newman will join him as a teammate, with sponsorship from Jack Daniels. That surprise move comes as the result of an enviable situation at Richard Childress Racing, which now has five potential sponsors for next season, and only four teams. Sirius Speedway has learned that UPS will move from Michael Waltrip Racing’s #44 Toyota to the quarterpanels of Clint Bowyer’s #07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in 2009, leaving Jack Daniels in search of a new driver. That driver will be Newman, who is set to sign-on with Stewart at Haas CNC.(Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway)(7-7-2008)
UPDATE 2: #20-Tony Stewart has been granted a release from the final year of his driving contract with Joe Gibbs Racing after 10 seasons with the team. "We've had a lot of success with Tony in our 12 years here at Joe Gibbs Racing," J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR, said in a statement. "While this moment is bittersweet, we're parting on good terms and we know that each of us has benefited greatly from the other." On Thursday at Chicagoland Speedway, Stewart will formally announce a move to Haas/CNC Racing as co-owner and driver, sources close to Stewart said. Sources close to both sides told ESPN.com the deal will make Stewart the highest-paid driver in NASCAR. Sources also said the Stewart Haas cars will carry different numbers. The #14, made famous in IndyCar racing by Stewart's hero, A.J. Foyt, is available, but sources would neither confirm nor deny that as his choice. Sources said Stewart will own a 50% stake in the organization, but his financial investment in attaining it was not disclosed. Per Stewart's agreement with JGR, he will not attempt to hire away any members of his current team. This was a significant key to making the deal happen because the only way that Gibbs felt comfortable with putting Joey Logano in the Cup Series so quickly was to surround him with Greg Zipadelli's established, experienced crew. As ESPN.com's David Newton initially reported, Office Depot will have a role in sponsoring Stewart's car. Ryan Newman remains the lead candidate to drive Stewart Haas' second car, sources said, though no deal had yet been finalized Tuesday night. Stewart Haas will continue to receive chassis and engines from Hendrick Motorsports. Haas/CNC's current drivers, Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter, are ranked 36th and 44th, respectively, in the owner point standings. If the team's performance fails to improve its points position during the second half of 2008, Stewart's champion's provisional will guarantee him a slot in the field for the first five races next season, presuming NASCAR doesn't change the rule.(ESPN.com)(7-9-2008)
UPDATE 3: Joey Logano acknowledged on Wednesday that he is a candidate to replace Tony Stewart in the #20 Sprint Cup car at Joe Gibbs Racing next season. "It has been brought up a few times," Logano said as he arrived at JGR for a morning workout. Logano wasn't shocked to hear that Stewart will be released from his final year at JGR next season to pursue other opportunities. Stewart was scheduled to tell his team on Wednesday that this will be his last season, then announce on Thursday in Chicago that he has bought into Haas CNC Racing and will drive for that team with another driver -- Ryan Newman, according to sources, is all but a done deal -- next year. Stewart will unveil his new car with Office Depot as the primary sponsor at a news conference in Indianapolis in two weeks, sources said. Logano, 18, said he will focus the rest of this season on his Nationwide Series ride and hope to get into a few Cup races before the end of the year to prepare him for next season.(ESPN.com)(7-9-2008)

UPS to #07? UPDATE 2 Jack Daniel's to Stewart-Haas?: hearing UPS could move #07-Clint Bowyer of Richard Childress Racing, if os, no word where Jack Daniel's sposnorship would go, or if they would leave the sport.(7-1-2008)
UPDATE Among the hot but unconfirmed rumors making the rounds in the Sprint Cup garage this week are that Richard Childress Racing will land UPS as a sponsor for Clint Bowyer’s #07 Chevrolet. Multiple sources indicated that Bowyer’s car was the favorite to take the sponsorship over from Michael Waltrip Racing and David Reutimann. One source close to the negotiations said RCR initially offered UPS #31-Jeff Burton, 41, but the delivery company wanted a younger driver with whom it could create a long-term identity and Bowyer is just 29. Burton, instead, will be sponsored next year by Caterpillar.(SPEEDtv)(7-6-2008)
UPDATE 2: Sirius Speedway has learned that UPS will move from Michael Waltrip Racing’s #44 Toyota to the quarterpanels of Clint Bowyer’s #07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in 2009, leaving Jack Daniels in search of a new driver. That driver will be rYAN Newman, who is set to sign-on with Stewart at Haas CNC.(Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway)(7-7-2008)

Hunt Brothers Pizza Extends Sponsorship with HAAS CNC Racing: HAAS CNC Racing announced today that it has extended its sponsorship agreement with Hunt Brothers Pizza for the 2008 Sprint Cup season. The Nashville, Tenn.-based company will serve as a primary sponsor of the #66 and #70 Chevys in multiple races and will be an associate sponsor on the #66 in each of the remaining races. "We are very excited to have Hunt Brothers Pizza as a continued partner," said HAAS CNC Racing general manager Joe Custer. "This is a great step ahead for our race team. We're looking forward to representing Hunt Brothers well, both on and off the track." The #70 Chevy Impala SS first featured the Hunt Brothers Pizza brand at Talladega in April where the team qualified third. "NASCAR is a natural fit for Hunt Brothers Pizza," said company executive Scott Hunt. "NASCAR fans are known to be the most brand-loyal fans among all of the major sports and we're proud to have many NASCAR fans in our existing customer base. We look forward to taking our message nationally to the millions of fans across the country." Next up for Hunt Brothers Pizza is the July 5, Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway where the company will be primary sponsor of the #66 HAAS CNC Racing Chevy driven by Scott Riggs. For more information about Hunt Brothers Pizza, please visit www.huntbrotherspizza.com or call 1-800-453-3675.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(6-30-2008)

More on Stewart and Haas CNC UPDATE done deal?: Tony Stewart is shopping for car sponsorships in anticipation of a potential partnership with Haas CNC Racing, multiple sources told ESPN.com. Although Stewart has a year left on his contract at Joe Gibbs Racing and JGR officials insist he hasn't asked for a release, the two-time Sprint Cup champion appears prepared to share ownership of Haas Racing's two-car team in 2009. One source close to the situation said there have been discussions with Ryan Newman as the second driver. Newman has said he will not return to Penske Racing if the performance of that team doesn't improve quickly. Newman's name definitely would help draw sponsorship to Haas. "He's talking to every major sponsor that is available out there for this Haas deal," one source said of Stewart and his representatives. "I don't know if it's done, but it sounds like it's very close." Office Depot and Old Spice have emerged as the favorites for at least one of the cars. Office Depot lost its bid to remain with Carl Edwards of Roush Fenway Racing when Aflac was chosen as the primary sponsor of the #99. Sources said there have been discussions with Stewart's representatives that would make Office Depot and Old Spice co-primaries with Office Depot as the lead sponsor. Old Spice already has a relationship with Stewart in the Cup and Nationwide Series. Stewart would not address his future following Sunday's race at Infineon Raceway. JGR president J.D. Gibbs insisted Stewart had not closed the door on signing a long-term deal with the company that brought him to Cup racing in 1999 and helped him win titles in 2002 and 2005. But there is widespread speculation that the reason JGR has rushed Joey Logano into the Nationwide Series is to prepare him to take Stewart's place should Stewart leave. Stewart admitted two months ago there had been inquiries from other teams. He acknowledged there had been talks with Haas CNC that included ownership.(ESPN.com)
AND: am hearing that Stewart leaving JGR and buying into Haas CNC Racing is a done deal, supposedly the 2nd driver could be Martin Treux Jr. Hearing the sponsors could be UPS and Bass Pro Shops.(6-26-2008)
UPDATE: supposedly the deal is done, earlier Friday, a source close to the situation said that Chevrolet has agreed to terms with Joe Gibbs Racing to buy Tony Stewart out of his contract with the #20-Toyota Sprint Cup racing team. Stewart will indeed be making the move to Haas CNC Racing, a rumor that has been circulating for months. Supposedly Stewart’s new sponsor will be Office Depot and terms have been finalized regarding the impending sponsorship. In addition, Stewart will be joined by current #12 Penske Racing driver Ryan Newman, who would be sponsored by Burger King. No word yet on what car numbers the drivers will run and an announcement could come as early as next week at the Daytona International Speedway.( Captain Thunder)(6-27-2008)

#66 Penalties uphead by NASCAR Commission: On June 9, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission [Leo Mehl, Kevin Whitaker, George Silbermann, Chairman] heard and considered the appeal of Haas CNC Racing regarding the #66 car. The appeal concerned four penalties issued by NASCAR stemming from inspection on May 24, 2008 at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing” and Section 20.3.1.3A “Wing mounting locations were not as specified by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.” The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 150 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points, and confiscation of the racecar, for car owner Joe Custer.
• Loss of 150 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver Points for driver Scott Riggs.
• $100,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) Sprint Cup Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until July 9, 2008, and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Bootie Barker.
• Suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) Sprint Cup Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until July 9, 2008, and probation until December 31, 2008 for team member Derick Jennings.
The Appellants did not contest the rules violation, but argued that the penalties were too severe for the infractions. They also argued that the infractions did not involve illegal parts on the car, and that the resulting higher wing location was a disadvantage. The Commission found that the infractions resulted from what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to circumvent the inspection process. Accordingly, the penalties that were issued are warranted. Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(6-10-2008)

Haas team to appeal penalties UPDATE: With severe penalties looming, Haas-CNC Motorsports has decided to appeal NASCAR's ruling that the team's cars were illegally altered for the May 25 Coca-Cola 600, sources told ESPN.com's David Newton. NASCAR handed down its most severe penalties yet concerning alterations to its new car on May 28, when the crew chiefs and car chiefs for Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter were suspended six races apiece for tampering with the rear wings on their Chevrolets at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Additionally, crew chiefs Bootie Barker and Dave Skog were fined $100,000 each. Derick Jennings and Thomas Harris, the car chiefs, were not fined but their suspensions are unprecedented. All four must sit out until the July 12 race in Chicago, and are on probation through the end of the year. Riggs and Sauter were each docked 150 driver points, penalties that severely hurt the struggling teams. The cars are both fielded by Haas-CNC Motorsports, which was docked 150 owner points for each Chevrolet. Haas general manager Joe Custer is listed as the owner for Riggs' #66, and Margaret Haas is listed as the owner of Sauter's #77. Gene Haas, who actually owns the fledgling two-car team, began serving a two-year prison sentence for tax evasion in January. The team is widely believed to be for sale, and two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart has acknowledged he's received an offer to buy the organization.(ESPN.com)(6-4-2008) AND Haas CNC Racing has appealed its penalties for unapproved wing mounting locations discovered during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, a team spokesman confirmed Wednesday. NASCAR penalized the #66 and #70 teams and drivers 150 points as well as issuing six-week suspensions the crew chiefs and car chiefs for both cars. In addition, the crew chiefs were fined $100,000. The team spokesman would not elaborate on the nature of the appeal. The 150-point penalty was the most for a violation of the template rules for the new NASCAR model being used in the Sprint Cup Series. The suspension for car chiefs also was unprecedented. Because the penalty is under appeal, the team could opt to bring back its car chiefs and crew chiefs for the races this weekend at Pocono Raceway, or it could opt to sit them out, thinking that the suspensions might eventually be reduced instead of eliminated. The appeal is tentatively scheduled for June 9.(SceneDaily)

Haas CNC still deciding whether to appeal penalties: Haas CNC Racing [#66 and #70 Chevy's] has not yet decided whether it will appeal the penalties for illegal wing mounting locations found May 24 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, team competition director Matt Borland said Sunday morning. NASCAR penalized the drivers and teams 150 points and suspended the two crew chiefs as well as the car chiefs for six races. In the past, NASCAR has docked 100 points and only suspended crew chiefs. NASCAR also has confiscated and kept the cars. The team has another six days to decide whether to appeal. “It’s their decision to make and we’ll deal with what we’ve got to deal with,” Borland said at Dover International Speedway. “I don’t know [about an appeal] right now."(SceneDaily) see the news on the penalties on my Penalties page.(6-1-2008)

Sub crew chiefs named for #66 & #70: Haas CNC Racing has submitted to NASCAR its interim crew chiefs for this weekend after its crew chiefs and car chiefs were suspended Wednesday. The team has 10 days to appeal the penalty, but crew chiefs Robert “Bootie” Barker and Dave Skog and car chiefs Derick Jennings and Thomas Harris will begin their suspensions this weekend with the Best Buy 400. Team competition director Matt Borland will replace Barker as crew chief of the #66 of Scott Riggs, while Steve Genenbacher, who started the year as truck chief of Haas CNC Racing affiliate MRD Motorsports and driver Chad McCumbee in the Craftsman Truck Series, will replace Skog as crew chief of the #70, which will be driven by Jason Leffler this weekend. The team personnel were suspended for six weeks for violating rules with the wing mounting locations.(SceneDaily)(5-30-2008)

Haas CNC cars impounded UPDATE penalites announced: The primary cars of #66-Scott Riggs and #70-Johnny Sauter of Haas CNC Racing were impounded by NASCAR when it was discovered the rear wing mounts were illegal prior to Saturday's Sprint Cup practice. Both teams will be allowed to use backup cars and start in the back of the field in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. Both teams also face further punishment by NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 100 championship points and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. fined $100,000 and suspended for six races last season for toying with the rear wing. Riggs had qualified 13th and Sauter last. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the violation was discovered after it was brought to the governing body's attention there might be a problem with the location of the upper wing mounting points. Inspections are not a normal part of the pre-practice routine on Saturday. "The garage I would say is a fairly self-policing area,'' Tharp said. "We follow up on information we get."(ESPN.com)(5-24-2008)
UPDATE Penalties announced: NASCAR has issued penalties, fines and suspensions to the #66 and #70 teams in the Sprint Cup Series. The #66 car driven by Scott Riggs and the #70 car driven by Johnny Sauter were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 20-3.1.3A (wing mounting locations were not as specified by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule book). The infractions were discovered May 24 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. As a result, Riggs and #66 car owner Joe Custer have been penalized 150 championship driver and 150 championship owner points, respectively, as have Sauter and #70 car owner Margaret Haas. Both the crew chiefs and the car chiefs for the two cars – Bootie Barker and Derick Jennings for the #66 and Dave Skog and Thomas Harris for the #70 – have been suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, suspended from NASCAR until July 9 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Additionally, Barker and Skog have each been fined $100,000 apiece. The penalty also includes NASCAR’s confiscation of team 66 Serial Number HMS 12 06 415 race car and team 70 Serial Number HMS 04 08 507 race car.(NASCAR PR)(5-28-2008)

Bootie says brackets have been the same all year: Crew chief Bootie Barker said he's been running all season the same wing mount setup on Scott Riggs' #66 Chevy that was confiscated on Saturday after NASCAR officials decided it was illegal. He reminded that the car passed two inspections on Thursday and wasn't impounded until somebody in the garage fingered Riggs' team and Haas CNC racing teammate #70-Johnny Sauter. "I'm not going to make any excuses," Barker said before Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "The car is my responsibility. But if you knew the whole story it would be like, 'Hmph.' I do myself more harm than good if I say anymore." Series director John Darby said NASCAR began looking into the allegations on Thursday night. "All I know is the mounts were not in the same place as they were Thursday morning when they went through inspection," Darby said. Darby said both teams are likely to face a punishment similar to what Dale Earnhardt Jr's team did last season after problems were discovered with the wing mount at Darlington. Earnhardt was docked 100 championship points and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. fined $100,000 and suspended for six races. Barker believes he knows who turned the team in. "I wish I could tell you some stuff," he said. "It would probably work against me until I know everything. The person I think that did it, and what we really did, it's pretty ... I've never done it. I'll put it that way."(ESPN.com)(5-26-2008)

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) .

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)

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)

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