#71 Team Past News and Rumors (NOTE: some older links may not work)
Contract Status: Driver: ?; Sponsor: 200?
Marcis OK after Lawn Mower Accident: Former NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Dave Marcis is recovering at his home in Arden, N.C., after suffering facial injuries in a lawn-mowing accident on Wednesday. Marcis was mowing grass at his property in Rib Lake, Wisconsin when a rock flew from underneath the mower, striking him in the cheek area. Marcis incurred a laceration that required five stitches. Also, several teeth were damaged by the impact, necessitating a trip to the dentist on Thursday afternoon. “Actually, I’m pretty lucky,” Marcis said. “”The rock could’ve hit me in eye, or in the temple.” Marcis, 64, retired from NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing after the 2002 season. He ended his 35-year NASCAR career with 883 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup starts. He was the runner-up in the 1975 championship standings. “I told my wife (Helen) that I need to go back racing,” Marcis said. “This lawn-mowing stuff is dangerous.”(NASCAR PR)(5-26-2005)
New Venture for Marcis and... no more racing: from the Marcis Racing site...."Racing is in our blood and will remain in our hearts but we have had to let it go. In today’s racing you either have to be big or not at all. Dave has defied the odds, silenced the critics, earned the respect of his competitors, and the admiration of many fans. So many years Dave fought the good fight for little guys who were told it could not be done. Now in retirement from racing, a sedentary life will not do. In addition to accepting every hunting and fishing invitation and owning a successful restaurant in the north woods, Dave has decided to turn his attention towards building a new business. Dave spent a lifetime working on chassis setup. This is what makes or breaks a race car. Talk about pressure, the car is right or you go home. Talk about a time crunch, the race will run with or without you. How do you make a car handle at 200+? Dave knows, and that is the foundation of each of Dave’s street rods. In the world of Street Rods, the market is saturated with ill handling and poor performing cars. Our chassis come from five decades of racing experience, using the same Laughlin F1 chassis technology found on our Winston Cup cars. This design is born from a much tougher proving ground than the typical Mustang II street rod chassis. Our end result is a solid, dependable, well engineered, bullet proof chassis. See the full story at the Marcis Racing site.(3-10-2005)
Marcis announcement? per the Dave Marcis Racing site: Significant announcement regarding the future plans for Marcis Auto Racing coming soon.(2-11-2005)
So....What's Up with Dave Marcis? from the marcisracing.com site: Dave "Marcus" continues to prove that "retirement" is a relative term. So far this year he's been occupied with running the race team in North Carolina, Camp 28 in Wisconsin, testing Crown Royal IROC cars, and even a polar bear jump! Dave jumped in a lake frozen with a 2 foot layer of ice to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters. This took place in January in front of Camp 28 in Rib Lake, WI. A total of $8,500 was raised that day. What do you wear for a sub-freezing polar bear jump? Well if you're Dave Marcis, a Goodyear hat of course. Rumor is that pictures of this event exist, but they're closely guarded from this website... so far. With activities like this, Dave may have been safer when he was racing!(4-9-2004)
#71 at the Rock: The #71 Marcis Racing team plans to be at North Carolina Speedway for the Pop Secret 400 on November 7th-9th. Tim Sauter will be driving the #71 Monte Carlo, sponsored this weekend by Aran Trading and Naples Trucking. The car is the same brand new Chevy Monte Carlo that was used at Brickyard and the washed out attempts at New Hampshire and Dover. The engine for Rockingham will be an in-house Marcis engine.(Marcis Racing Site)(11-3-2003) IMAGE: see an image of the car on my 2003 Winston Cup Paint Schemes - Cars #'s 24-99 page.(11-4-2003)
Marcis Racing UPDATE: hearing the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy will attempt to make the race at Dover Sept 21st with Tim Sauter driving.(9-11-2003) UPDATE More on #71 Marcis Racing at Dover: from the new look Marcis Racing site: Our next stop on the Winston Cup circuit will be the upcoming race at Dover International Speedway on September 21st. Tim Sauter will be driving the #71 Continental Fire and Safety Monte Carlo. We'd like to welcome the New Jersey based Continental Fire and Safety as our primary sponsor for the Dover, Delaware event.(Marcis Racing Site)(9-16-2003)
Marcis Racing to make 2003 debut at NHIS: #71-Marcis Racing just launched a brand new web site at www.marcisracing.com [same address as the old site]. The site contains news, pictures, stats, FAQs, and souvenirs, and it also has a section called "Dave's Stories". This section will be updated periodically with racing stories of his career, as told from Dave Marcis. Marcis Racing will be fielding a car at New Hampshire this weekend with 2000 ASA champ Tim Sauter driving. It's a brand new car, and the engine is coming from Richard Childress Racing.(PR)(7-17-2003)
Marcis Racing plans to race: hearing that #71 Marcis Racing has a car currently at Richard Childress's shop having the body put on. No driver, track or sponsor has been finalized as of yet.(5-6-2003)
Marcis plans to run team in a few 2003 Cup races: Dave Marcis #71 Chevy has three employees at his shop in North Carolina, working on three Chevrolets he expects to enter for other drivers this season. Marcis isn't sure who'll drive - maybe Tim Sauter - and he's uncertain what races the team will attend. "We do have a few sponsors that are interested in doing 10 or 12 races," Marcis said. "I feel like we'd have a race car for any racetrack we'd run."(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(3-7-2003)
Childress and Marcis Racing team up at Talladega: Realtree announced a one-race sponsorship of the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy, with engine and body provided by Richard Childress Racing(RCR). RCR BGN driver Jay Sauter, will attempt to make his second Winston Cup start this season. "I'm delighted to see that Realtree is going to be returning to our race program," says Marcis, who has been involved with NASCAR for over 25 years. "They have been such a big part of my life and have always been so loyal to me. I appreciate everything that they have done for me over the years, and look forward to continuing our relationship. Of course, Richard Childress has been a huge help too over the years, providing engines, cars and so much more." Marcis and Realtree's NASCAR marriage dates back to 1997, when the camouflage retail giant became primary sponsor of his #71 Chevy. Their association continued until Marcis' retirement this year from racing after the season-opening Daytona 500. Since his last official start at Daytona, Marcis has fielded a car for eight Winston Cup races. Most of his cars have been his own, but this time he will be provided with RCR equipment, including a driver. Sauter, who made his Winston Cup debut at Texas Motor Speedway in April. Realtree is also as an associate sponsor on the #29 Goodwrench Service Plus Chevy, owned by Richard Childress and driven by Kevin Harvick.(PR)(10-4-2002)
Tim Sauter back in the #71 at Dover: What does it mean to compete at the Cup level: "It is a thrill just to be a part of it. Millions of people wish they had the opportunity to run a Winston Cup Race. I am lucky to have the chance. I will try my best for Marcis again in Dover, hopefully we can put a good run together."(Tim Sauter Site)(9-16-2002)
Sauter back in the #71 at RIR: Tim Sauter, 13th in Busch Series points despite driving an unsponsored car, will attempt to make his Winston Cup debut Saturday at Richmond. Sauter failed to make the field at Bristol two weeks ago and will try to put the Dave Marcis Racing #71 car into the field this weekend. "Dave wanted to give it another try," Sauter said. "I really want to make my first Winston Cup start this season, and Richmond is a place where I have had some success."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(9-4-2002)
Tim Sauter to drive the #71 at Bristol: Tim Sauter will attempt to make his Winston Cup debut this weekend at Bristol in the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy. Dave Marcis' nephew Rob Marcis will crew chief the car. Earlier this season, Marcis fielded cars for Tim's father Jim Sauter at the Brickyard 400 at Indy (but failed to make the race) and for Tim's older brother Jay's Cup debut at Texas in April.(NASCAR.com)(8-20-2002)
Marcis to be honored: NASCAR legend and Wausau, WI native Dave Marcis will be honored by the Wisconsin Woodchucks today prior to the start of the team's game against the Rochester Honkers. Mayor Linda Lawrence has proclaimed it Dave Marcis Day. City Council President Jim Rosenberg will present Marcis with the key to the city during the pre-game festivities, set for 6:30pm. A replica of the last car that Marcis raced in Wisconsin, a 1957 Chevrolet, will be on display at Athletic Park starting at 6:00pm. During Marcis' NASCAR career, he won five Winston Cup races and earned 93 top-five finishes. The Wisconsin Woodchucks baseball team will also present a special gift to Marcis. Marcis, who retired this year after the Daytona 500, has spent five decades behind the wheel of a race car. After competing on local tracks for several years, he moved on to the Winston Cup Series in 1968 when he started in his first Daytona 500. He is second to another NASCAR legend, Richard Petty, in all-time Winston Cup Starts, with 882.(Wausau Daily Herald)(8-6-2002)
#71 at Indy? not with Trickle: Dick Trickle will be in Indianapolis this week for IROC practice and tutoring for the upcoming IROC race this weekend. But Trickle will not be attempting to qualify the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy for the Brickyard 400. Trickle tested with the team a couple weeks ago and felt after the test he wouldn’t have a very good chance of being competitive for the team at Indy. The #71 Marcis team may decide to attempt the race with another driver.(Dick Trickle Fanclub Newsletter)(7-30-2002)
#71 Team Unsure of Indy Plans: The Indianapolis test didn’t fare as well as #71 Marcis Racing or driver Dick Trickle had hoped. They took a new car and wanted to shake it down and see how it handled and after two days they were still having difficulty getting the car to turn properly. The team will be deciding this week if they’ll still attempt to make the Indy race, and then possibly Dick will have to make his decision after that.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(7-23-2002)
Trickle and Marcis Racing at Indy? #71 Marcis Racing had spoke to Dick Trickle a few weeks ago concerning the possibility of driving for them at the NASCAR Winston Cup race in Indianapolis, IN...Engine power is very important at Indy, Trickle told the team if they could lease a motor he felt they could have a good shot at making the race. Marcis Racing has spoke with Richard Childress about leasing a motor for the race. Trickle may go with the team in July to test, but it will be with one of Marcis Racing’s motors. It’s a good possibility the Indy race will be added to their race schedule.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(6-24-2002)
#71 at Dover: hearing Dick Trickle will drive the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy at Dover this weekend, the team is looking for sposnors.(5-29-2002)
Marcis Honored: Dave Marcis has been named the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award for the first quarter of 2002. Marcis, 61, retired as a driver following the Daytona 500, but continues to field the #71 Marcis Auto Racing Chevy in selected events. The award recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports and is voted on by the NMPA press membership.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(5-16-2002)
Sauter to run the #71 at Texas: The #71 Marcis Racing team had talked to Dick Trickle about possibly running the Texas race. Since then Richard Childress [owner of the #'s 29,30,31] contacted Dave Marcis and will be leasing the team for the Texas race weekend and putting Jay Sauter in the car. Sauter is under contract with Richard Childress and they wanted him to get a race in. Childress will be supplying a motor as well as crew to help with the Texas race.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(3-26-2002)
Trickle to test for Evernham: Dick Trickle was contacted recently by Ray Evernham/Evernham Motorsports [#'s 9 and 19, part owner of #7] to see if Trickle would be interested in testing a third car for them at Talladega. Trickle went last week and had his seat fitted into a car and will be testing with the Evernham teams this Wednesday & Thursday [Mar 27-28th] at Talladega.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(3-26-2002)
Trickle back in the #71 at Bristol: hearing that Williams Bros. Lumber Company, an Atlanta based Building Material and Lumber Supplier, has agreed to be the primary sponsor of the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy and driver Dick Trickle for this Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristola Motor Speedway. Williams Bros. was the sponsor for the team and Trickle two weeks ago at Atlanta. See images of the car on my Paint Schemes Gallery.(3-19-2002)
Hillenburg in the #71 at Darlington: Stock car veteran and driving school proprietor Andy Hillenburg has been named to drive the #71 Chevy entered by Marcis Auto Racing in this weekend’s race at Darlington. Hillenburg runs the Fast Track Driving School that is based at Lowe’s Motor Speedway [see link on my Racing Schools/Jobs page]. The two-time winner of the Daytona ARCA 200 during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway attempted to make four Winston Cup starts in 2001 for BAM Racing, but failed to qualify for races in Talladega, Daytona, Pocono and Indianapolis.(NASCAR.com)(3-14-2002)
#71 Sponsor at Atlanta UPDATE: hearing that Williams Bros. Lumber Company, an Atlanta based Building Material and Lumber Supplier, has agreed to be the primary sponsor of the #71 Marcis Racing Chevy and driver Dick Trickle for this Sunday's MBNA America 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This one race sponsorship will be Williams Bros. second on the NASCAR circuit, they have sponsored several local drivers at local and southeast tracks and last year at AMS was the sponsor for the now defunt #27 Eel River Racing team and then driver Kenny Wallace. Williams Bros. will be on the #71's hood and TV panel and Warranty Gold will be on the rear quarter panels and deck/trunk lid.(3-4-2002) UPDATE: got a few images of the car on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(3-5-2002)
Trickle back in the #71 at Atlanta: The #71 Marcis Racing team has decided go to Atlanta and put Dick Trickle behind the wheel. Trickle attempted to make Rockingham for Marcis but was not fast enough or high enough in 2001 owners points.(Dick Trickle Fanclub Newsletter)(2-26-2002)
Marcis plans and Trickle to run #71 at the Rock UPDATE 2 Sponsor: Dave Marcis insists Marcis Auto Racing will continue forward in the Winston Cup Series. After Speedweeks, Marcis will become strictly a car owner. He's already making plans for the next phase of his racing career. "I'll hang around Winston Cup racing," he said during the Winston Cup Preview Jan. 19. "I've got some plans to run Dick Trickle in a car at Rockingham and various other drivers throughout the year. If they've got the sponsorships and help pay the bills, we'll be around." Marcis will stay quite busy in "retirement." He will continue to be the lead test driver for the International Race of Champions series and also do testing for select Winston Cup teams in addition to running a new business venture.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(1-24-2002) UPDATE - Sponsor for Marcis/Trickle at the Rock? Warranty Gold is listed as the sponsor of the #71 on NASCAR.com's Entry List. There is a connection as Warranty Gold was the sponsor for Dwayne Leik who drove the #81 Marcis Racing Chevy in a few BGN races in 2001.(2-21-2002) UPDATE 2: Bass Pro Shops and Dave Marcis Racing will join forces this weekend at Rockingham when Dave Marcis officially changes hats from driver to car owner, handing over the steering wheel of his #71 Chevy to Dick Trickle. Marcis, who concluded his five decade career as a NASCAR Winston Cup driver with the running of the 2002 Daytona 500 this past weekend, will continue to participate as a car owner in many NASCAR events. Rockingham will be his first event as solely a car owner, and for this special event Bass Pro Shops and the National Wild Turkey Federation will be displayed on the hood of the #71 Chevrolet. Visit their web site: www.basspro.com for more information.(Fahlgren PR)(2-21-2002)
Sacks in the #71? hearing rumors that Greg Sacks [former Cup and BGN winner] may run a few races for the #71 Dave Marcis Racing team.(2-20-2002)
Marcis Honored: A Goodyear Racing-commissioned bronze trophy characterizes retiring Winston Cup driver Dave Marcis from head to toe. Given to the NASCAR legend preceding his 33rd and final Daytona 500 race, the gilded gift encapsulates the Marcis trademarks—a worn pair of leather wingtip driving shoes and Goodyear racing hat. Marcis, 60, who drives the #71 Realtree Chevrolet, is second in all-time Winston Cup race starts with 882 to Richard Petty’s 1,177.(Goodyear PR)(2-17-2002)
The trophy Dave Marcis got from Goodyear
Marcis - one more lap to tie UPDATE: #71 Dave Marcis, competing in his 33rd record Daytona 500, needs one more lap to tie and two more laps run to break the record for most laps/miles run in the Daytona 500. Currently Richard Petty (who ran in 32 Daytona 500's) has run 4,860 laps in the 500 while Marcis has run 4,859.(USA Today Daytona 500 Print Special)(2-16-2002) UPDATE: Marcis ran 79 laps before he fell out with engine problems and is now the all time lap/miles run leader at the Daytona 500 with 4938.(2-17-2002)
Marcis plans and Trickle to run #71 at the Rock: Dave Marcis will attempt to make one last start in his #71 Chevy before retiring as a driver, but he insists Marcis Auto Racing will continue forward in the Winston Cup Series. After Speedweeks, Marcis will become strictly a car owner. He's already making plans for the next phase of his racing career. "I'll hang around Winston Cup racing," he said during the Winston Cup Preview Jan. 19. "I've got some plans to run Dick Trickle in a car at Rockingham and various other drivers throughout the year. If they've got the sponsorships and help pay the bills, we'll be around." Marcis will stay quite busy in "retirement." He will continue to be the lead test driver for the International Race of Champions series and also do testing for select Winston Cup teams in addition to running a new business venture. Marcis said he's leaning heavily on Richard Childress Racing for technical support to make the Daytona 500. His best chance to make the $12 million race is to post a fast lap in qualifying.(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(1-24-2002)
Marcis wins award: Veteran Winston Cup driver and car owner Dave Marcis received the Buddy Shuman Award from Champion Spark Plugs on Thursday for his career contributions to the advancement of NASCAR. The award, named for a former driver who died in a hotel fire in 1955, has been presented annually since 1957.(That's Racin')(11-30-2001)
Trickle in the #71 at the Rock UPDATE: Dick Trickle will be going to Rockingham, NC on November 2, 2001 with the #71 RealTree team owned by Dave Marcis to attempt to qualify for the Winston Cup event. If Trickle can make the race, he’ll be in the drivers
seat on Sunday. Trickle did such a great job for the team at Martinsville getting them into the race, that he talked with the Real Tree sponsors and they agreed to give Trickle a shot at racing in Rockingham. Trickle qualified the #71 Real Tree Chevy recently in Martinsville as Marcis had a previous engagement for Friday, but flew back and was at the track on Saturday for practice and for the
race on Sunday.(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(10-22-2001) UPDATE: this does NOT mean that RealTree is leaving Marcis Racing. Trickle will be driving the car FOR Marcis Racing and RealTree as a way of helping out the sponsor for some of the missed races in 2001 and helping out a friend. Due to previous commitments, Marcis has arranged to have Dick Trickle qualify the car for Rockingham. Marcis will attempt to qualify the car at Atlanta(10-24-2001)
Trickle in the #71? UPDATE: Dave Marcis asked Dick Trickle to qualify his car for the Old Dominion 500, saying he might come back if Trickle was able to get the ride in the race. Trickle did just that, but now Marcis may let him drive it anyway. "We're still waiting to see what'll happen," Trickle said. "I might get my chance yet."(News and Observer) UPDATE: no, Marcis is running the #71 Realtree Chevy(10-15-2001)
Trickle to help out Marcis at Martinsville: Dave Marcis contacted Dick Trickle last week to see if he’d possibly be able
to practice and qualify his #71 Realtree Chevy at Martinsville Speedway the weekend of October 12-14, 2001. Marcis has a previous
engagement planned for Friday, but will be able to drive the car in the race on Sunday. Trickle agreed to help Marcis out and was up to his race shop near Ashville, NC last week to make sure the seat and pedals would fit him. Martinsville hasn’t been one of Trickle’s best qualifying tracks, but he’s always raced well there. Marcis felt they’d make the race on points if not on time(Dick Trickle Fan Club Newsletter)(10-3-2001)
Marcis and RCR: From a GM Teleconference Q&A with Richard Childress: Have you had any discussions with Dave Marcis about buying into his team or purchasing his team? Answer - "We had talked about that before, but now that we're all set with the direction that we're going with RCR, I'm going to be there as a friend to help advise him and help him do anything I can.(8-25-2001)
Marcis Grand Opening: Dave Marcis, driver/owner of the #71 Realtree Chevy is having the grand opening at his recently purchased restaurant and resort motel in Rib Lake, WI this weekend and will be on hand for it(7-21-2001)
Marcis to Retire? UPDATE 2 after 2002 Daytona 500: Dave Marcis, a race car driver for 44 years, is approaching a decision about his future in the sport. A competitor in the NASCAR Winston Cup series since 1968 and a starter in 879 races, Marcis, 60, is expected to decide soon if the approaching months will mark the end of his driving career. Marcis operates his own team from a shop located in Arden, NC near the Asheville airport. There may be an announcement about Marcis' future during Pepsi 400 race activities at Daytona International Speedway next week. But Marcis said Monday he has not made a decision about retirement. Marcis is attempting a limited schedule this year and has raced in one event(Talladega). He said Monday he plans to attempt to qualify for five or six additional races this year, including next week's race at Daytona Beach. His short-range plans also include driving in the Daytona 500 next February in Daytona Beach. Marcis started in 32 straight Daytona 500s, a streak that ended last year. "I'm leaning toward working something out on saying something soon," he said. "I don't want to announce a retirement and then come back and race. Maybe I'll look at something like a semi-retirement and run a few races a year." (Greenville News) UPDATE: just got this - Team Realtree Announcement, Press Conference on Thursday July 5, 2001at 2:00pm/et, Daytona International Speedway's Benny Kahn Media Center(Champion Sports Group PR)(6-27/7-5-2001) UPDATE 2: Dave Marcis, a 34-year veteran of the Winston Cup circuit, announced Thursday that he will retire after the 2002 Daytona 500. "I will do the Chicago race, Indy, Dover, Darlington, Atlanta [this season], and Daytona 500 next February will be my last race," Marcis said hours before qualifying for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Marcis Auto Racing will continue with Richard Childress Racing helping ensure the survival of MAR(CNN/SI) AND Marcis Auto Racing will operate as an “affiliate” to Richard Childress Racing, and Marcis is looking for sponsorship and a young driver. And Marcis has one other venture he wanted to talk about: “I’ve bought a motel, a restaurant, and a bar in Rib Lake, Wis.,” Marcis said. “It’s a very nice place. It’s a 12-room motel on a lake. Anytime all of you want to get away, come up and have a beer and do a little fishing or hunting, come on up to Rib Lake, Wis.”(RacingOne) AND Realtree, his primary sponsor, will also continue its relationship with Marcis but not a primary sponsor of the team. Marcis also plans to keep doing testing for Childress and for the International Race of Champions series(That's Racin')(7-5-2001)
Marcis to the BGN? UPDATE: Rumor has it that #71-Dave Marcis is considering moving to the BGN Series.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(3-1-2001) UPDATE: Dave Marcis said team manager, Dwayne Leik will be back in a race car soon (he attempted the Daytona 500 in the #72 Chevy owned by Marcis), running a limited Busch Series schedule in two cars Marcis purchased from APR(Andy Petree Racing). Marcis plans on going to The Winston Open at Charlotte next month. He also hopes to make upcoming races at Chicago, Indianapolis, Dover and the season-ending race at Atlanta as well as Talladega next week(Hendersonville Times News)(4-13-2001)
Marcis 2001 Schedule: been asked enough, so here it is, Dave Marcis' 2001 Cup schedule:
Daytona 500(missed), Talladega(both), Winston Open, Dover(June), Daytona, Chicagoland, Indy, Darlington and Atlanta(fall)(Marcis Racing Site), Marcis also was going to attempt last weeks race at Darlington but got fogged out(3-22-2001)
Marcis to the BGN? Rumor has it that #71-Dave Marcis is considering moving to the BGN Series.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(3-1-2001)
Marcis Plans: #71-Dave Marcis, who'll cut back to a partial schedule and do more testing, says Daytona, Talladega and Darlington are on his schedule for sure and Indianapolis and the new Chicago race are probable. "We're probably going to do 10 or 12 events and hope that we can be more competitive like we were at Talladega last fall," Marcis said, referring to the Alabama superspeedway where he qualified ninth and raced competitively until an engine failure. "We worked hard on that car after we missed a race with it in July until we went to Talladega in October and it showed that the car had a lot of time and effort put into it."(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(1-12-2001)
