Jayski's® NASCAR Silly Season Site

#5 Team News Archive

NOTE: many of the links in the past news will be old and may not work
decided it was not worth the time to go thru each one on all the Team Past News pages

2009 News

Cheez-It [4 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following 2009 races:
Texas [4/5]
Richmond [5/2]
Darlington [5/9]
Pocono [8/2]
Pop Tarts [4 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following 2009 races:
Las Vegas [3/1]
Bristol [8/22]
Charlotte [10/17]
Talladega [11/1]
Kelloggs/Tony the Tiger [13 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following 2009 races:
Daytona [2/15]
Atlanta [3/8]
Martinsville [3/29]
All-Star Race, Charlotte [5/16]
Dover [5/31]
Pocono [6/7]
Michigan [8/16]
Richmond [9/12]
Dover [9/27]
California [10/11]
Martinsville [10/25]
Phoenix [11/15]
Homestead [11/22]
Carquest [16 races] is scheduled to be the primary sponsor [hood] at the following 2009 races:
California [2/22]
Bristol [3/22]
Phoenix [4/18]
Talladega [4/26]
Charlotte [5/24]
Michigan [6/14]
Infineon [6/21]
New Hampshire [6/28]
Daytona [7/4]
Chicago [7/11]
Indy [7/26]
Watkins Glen [8/9]
Atlanta [9/6]
New Hampshire [9/20]
Kansas [10/4]
Texas [11/8]
Hendrick wants Martin's decision by July: Rick Hendrick hopes to know by July whether 50-year-old Mark Martin will drive full-time again in 2010. He also reiterated that he's convinced there's no better person than Martin, whose original deal called for him to drive a partial schedule next season, for the #5. "He's delivered everything I thought and more," Hendrick said during a Wednesday afternoon conference call. "He's a huge asset to this company." Martin told ESPN.com last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway that he would consider driving another full year if Hendrick, sponsors and his team wanted him to. Hendrick said on Sunday and again on Wednesday that it's "Mark's call." Before a decision can be made Hendrick must first settle the sponsorship on Martin's car. Kellogg's is up for a renewal, and with the current economic climate there is no guarantee the company will come back.(ESPN)(3-27-2009)
25th anniversary of Hendrick's 1st win: On Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports will mark the 25th anniversary of its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. Since the organization began competing as All-Star Racing in 1984, it has grown from five employees and 5,000 square feet of rented work space to more than 500 employees and more than 100 acres straddling Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina. It was the eighth race of the 1984 Cup Series season, and Geoff Bodine lined up sixth at Martinsville Speedway in the #5 Chevy for Rick Hendrick's fledgling All-Star Racing team. On that day -- April 29, 1984 -- Bodine led 55 laps en route to capturing the organization's first win. Reaching Victory Lane wasn't easy, though. Bodine had to pass then-defending Cup champion Bobby Allison with 48 laps to go to take the lead. Hendrick wasn't at Martinsville to experience the first of his 17 Cup wins at the .526-mile oval. The car owner was attending church with his wife, Linda, in Greensboro, N.C., during the race. He received a phone call with the news and headed straight for Bodine's home in Pleasant Garden, N.C., to celebrate. Frank Edwards, 72, was one of the five original employees at Hendrick Motorsports. Initially a setup specialist, Edwards moved from his home in Danville, Va., when Hendrick told him about his plans to start the race team. Edwards has held many roles within the team and currently works in the company's show-car department as a fabricator and mechanic.(more on this and some images at the Hendrick Motorsports site)(3-27-2009)
Martin wants to run full time in 2010 UPDATE: Although he hasn't discussed it with team owner Rick Hendrick, Mark Martin would like to drive at least one more full season in the #5 after this year. When the 50-year-old driver signed a two-year deal with HMS midway through last season, the plan was to run a full schedule in 2009 and perhaps split the 2010 season with Brad Keselowski or another driver. "A lot of things have changed since May and June of '08," Martin said on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. "When it all comes down to it, it's not about contracts. It's all about what we all want." What Martin wants, despite a tough start that has him 35th in owner points, is to continue at his current pace.(ESPN.com)(3-20-2009)
UPDATE: Mark Martin says he loves being a full-time driver but he’s not ready to decide if he wants to convince team owner Rick Hendrick that he wants to drive the #5 car full time in 2010. After completing the pole-winning lap Friday for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Martin said he has a part-time contract with Hendrick Motorsports for 2010 and he’s not ready to talk about trying to change that. “I love what I’m doing and I don’t want to quit racing, but I have not had a conversation with my wife, with Hendrick Motorsports, with anybody about that,” Martin said. “It’s way too premature to talk about that. I have a [part-time] contract for next year. … I don’t want to talk about next year.” Last summer when Martin announced his signing with Hendrick Motorsports, he and Hendrick announced that Martin would drive a full season in 2009 with a part-time role in 2010. The other driver was not announced, although Brad Keselowski and Landon Cassill were considered the top candidates to share the ride with Martin.(SceneDaily)(3-21-2009)
Pop Tarts scheme for Martin at Vegas: Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's most popular morning food product, will be on the hood of the #5 Chevy of Mark Martin during this weekend Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Pop-Tarts will join Carquest as the co-primary sponsor three more times this season -- at Bristol in August, Lowe's Motor Speedway in October and Talladega in November. Martin and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates currently are being featured on Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavored Limited Edition NASCAR Printed-Fun Pop-Tarts. The pastries will be available throughout the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season at major retail outlets across the country.(HMS PR)(2-25-2009)
Some NASCAR drivers linked with new US F1 team UPDATE: With the new prospective American team USF1 set to be announced officially on Tuesday [Live press conference on SPEED 12noon/et], attention is already turning to the possible occupants of the Charlotte-built race cockpits in 2010. Indycar star Danica Patrick has already played down her reported link with the outfit, but other notable American names have also been mentioned in various quarters of the racing world. #44-AJ Allmendinger's has been another name associated with USF1, but he said he is concentrating on his NASCAR foray even though he views a formula one opportunity as "intriguing". The motor sport writer for the Toronto Star claims #18-Kyle Busch should be "a shoo-in" for a USF1 seat, while the 26-year-old veteran of 28 grands prix #82-Scott Speed has also been linked with Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor's project, as have Conor Daly and Marco Andretti. Windsor is quoted by Britain's The Independent newspaper as clarifying that no decisions about details including engines and drivers have been made. "We have yet to speak to any drivers, but we are looking at every American with the right credentials, and Danica is definitely on the list," he said.( motorauthority.com)(2-24-2009)
UPDATE: Kyle Busch's agent said the young NASCAR star would "certainly leave the door open" to try Formula One "at some point" after Busch's name was mentioned during a press conference announcing a new American-based F1 team. Officials with the USF1 team, which will be based out of Charlotte, said it would be interested in having Busch drive its car. Busch is under contract at Joe Gibbs Racing through the end of next season [2010]. "Obviously, it's very flattering for him to be mentioned for a Formula One ride, especially an American-based team," said Jeff Dickerson, Busch's agent. "Thanks to Toyota, he was excited at the prospect of getting to test a Formula One car this past offseason. While it didn't work out then, he would certainly leave the door open to try it out at some point. At the same time, he's currently focused on winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series championships for Joe Gibbs Racing." IndyCar Series drivers Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti were also among the drivers mentioned as possibilities by the USF1 team.(SceneDaily)(2-25-2009)
Hendrick engine problems caused by bad parts: Hendrick Motorsports officials say a bad batch of parts led to engine failures by #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #5-Mark Martin in Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. "Both cars had valve train failures that were related to a specific batch of parts from a vendor," said Doug Duchardt, HMS' vice president of development. Duchardt said the parts were not restricted to use by Earnhardt and Martin, whose cars are prepared out of the same building. He said they also were used by Hendrick drivers #24-Jeff Gordon and #48-Jimmie Johnson, as well as lease programs such as Stewart-Haas Racing. Earnhardt finished 39th and Martin 40th after both lost their engines within 25 laps of each other. Gordon finished second and Johnson was ninth, combining to lead 138 of 250 laps. #14-Tony Stewart was eighth and led three laps. "So we're glad it wasn't more widespread," Duchardt said.(ESPN)(2-24-2009)
Congrats to Benny Ertel, Mark Martin's Business Manger, and his wife Cheryl became first time Grandparents on Tuesday, Feb 17th when there daughter Samantha Allison Ertel gave birth to Gavin Julius Ertel Linsley at Halifax Medical Center at 8 lbs 7 oz.(2-18-2009)
Hendrick presented with first chassis 'Dusty': Before "Blacker," the most successful car in Hendrick Motorsports history, and before "T-Rex," the Chevrolet that prompted NASCAR's sanctioning body to rewrite its chassis rules: There was Dusty. The Chevrolet Lumina was an original, integral piece in the chassis-building history of Hendrick Motorsports. But the rustic car is more than a footnote in the company annals. It represents the innovative approach and optimistic spirit that team owner Rick Hendrick still infuses into his employees. To commemorate the organization's 25th anniversary, the restored Dusty was presented to Hendrick at the company's season kickoff luncheon on Jan. 20. The car was painted silver and bears the single letter "H" in lieu of a number on the side. A small metal plate stamped with "HMS 001 Dusty" sits on the crossbar that goes through the passenger seat. When Dusty first was built in 1989, it didn't have a chassis number anywhere on it. The precise craftsmanship served as the signature mark on Hendrick Motorsports' initial stab at car building. Under the direction of Gary Dehart, the Lumina -- originally identified as "HMS 89-1 test" -- was to be used for testing purposes. See full story at the Hendrick Motorsports site.(1-28-2009)
Hendrick drivers to pop up on Kellogg's breakfast pastry: Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are coming to a breakfast aisle near you during the 2009 Sprint Cup season. The Hendrick Motorsports drivers will be featured on Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavored Limited Edition NASCAR Printed-Fun Pop-Tarts. In addition to the drivers, the team paint schemes and hauler designs will be printed on the individual Pop-Tarts pastries, which are Kellogg's most popular morning food product. The limited edition Pop-Tarts also will include NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports and driver trivia questions. The Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavored Limited Edition NASCAR Printed-Fun Pop-Tarts will be available throughout the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season at major retail outlets nationwide.(Hendrick Motorsports PR) Martin is scheduled to run special Pop Tart's paint schemes at Las Vegas, Bristol in Aug, Richmond in Sept and Charlotte in Oct.(1-15-2009)
Keselowski to run 7 Cup races in 2009: GoDaddy.com extended its partnerships with JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports, which will give the world’s leading registrar of Internet domain names a significant presence in NASCAR’s top two series in 2009. This season, GoDaddy.com will be the primary sponsor for 20 Nationwide Series events with JR Motorsports and seven Sprint Cup Series races with Hendrick Motorsports. The company also will be an associate sponsor of Hendrick’s #5 Sprint Cup Chevys with driver Mark Martin. The pact includes two Nationwide Series races with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the #5 Chevys of JR Motorsports. Earnhardt is a GoDaddy.com spokesperson. In addition, GoDaddy.com will back the #88 Chevys of JR Motorsports and driver Brad Keselowski in 18 Nationwide Series races. Keselowski, 24, also will attempt a seven-event Sprint Cup schedule in the #25 GoDaddy.com Chevys of Hendrick Motorsports. The Cup effort will be led by veteran crew chief Lance McGrew. Details of the Nationwide and Cup programs, including race dates, will be announced at a later time. GoDaddy.com’s first foray into auto racing came in December 2006 with the Indy Racing League’s Danica Patrick. The company moved into NASCAR last season as a primary sponsor in the Sprint Cup Series (two events), Nationwide Series (six events) and Camping World Truck Series (five events). The extension and expansion of the GoDaddy.com relationship completes the 2009 sponsorship picture for the #88 JR Motorsports Chevys. The company joins Unilever (11 races) and Delphi Corp. (six races) as primary sponsors of championship contender Keselowski in the Nationwide Series.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(1-7-2009)

2008 News
HMS Holdings suing DEI over engines UPDATE 2:: HMS Holdings, which operates the Hendrick Motorsports engine shop, is suing Dale Earnhardt Inc. for $1.5 million for the payment of a termination fee stemming from a contract to supply Hendrick engines to Ginn Racing. Ginn Racing, which also is a defendant in the suit filed Friday in North Carolina Superior Court, merged with DEI in July 2007. As part of the merger, DEI and Ginn Racing signed a termination agreement to a contract that was originally signed by Ginn in 2006. The termination agreement required payments to HMS of $1.754 million by July 31, 2007, and $1.5 million by Nov. 15, 2008, according to the suit. The first payment was made on time. The second payment has not been made, according to the suit. The original engine contract and termination agreement are not included in the suit, so it is unclear how much Ginn was paying to use Hendrick engines. HMS is asking for the $1.5 million, 12% interest and an additional $225,000. Hendrick Motorsports spokesman Jesse Essex said the company is looking forward to a swift resolution of the lawsuit. Dale Earnhardt Inc. Vice President John Story said the company has no comment.(SceneDaily)(11-25-2008)
UPDATE - engines cost $12.8M base: If you’re looking to lease engines from Hendrick Motorsports for a NASCAR operation, you’d better be prepared to open up your wallet. A legal battle being played out in North Carolina courts is offering rare insight into the usually secretive world of the sport’s finances as the Hendrick operation seeks compensation from the Ginn Racing team that wound up as part of Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2007. According to a contract filed as part of the case, the Hendrick engine lease agreement with Ginn Racing called for Ginn to pay a base rent of $12.8 million in 2007 and $13.7 million in 2008 to lease engines for its three Sprint Cup teams and one team in what is now the Nationwide Series. The fee covered Cup engines for 36 race events and up to nine tests or special events and Nationwide engines for 35 events, according to the contract filed as part of a lawsuit by HMS Holdings against Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. over the termination fees resulting from the Ginn-DEI merger in July 2007.(Scene Daily)(12-20-2008)
UPDATE 2: DEI claims that former NASCAR team owner Bobby Ginn is responsible for paying off any termination fees of Ginn Racing’s engine leasing contract with Hendrick Motorsports. Both DEI and Ginn have been sued by Hendrick in North Carolina Superior Court over $1.5 million in fees that Hendrick claims is owed under the termination agreement signed when DEI bought Ginn Racing in July 2007. In its response to the suit filed Dec. 22, DEI claims that DEI and Ginn have a signed agreement that DEI would not be responsible for any claims or payments under the engine lease termination agreement. DEI asks the court to rule that Ginn is responsible for any payments. Ginn has not yet responded to the suit.(SceneDaily)(12-30-2008)
Tire Testing at Las Vegas UPDATE: there is a Goodyear Tire test scheduled at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on December 10-11, 2008, hearing the drivers to test will be #99-Carl Edwards, #5-Mark Martin, #83-Brian Vickers and #12-David Stremme.(12-4-2008)
UPDATE: #99-Carl Edwards, who won this year's Sprint Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will be joined by #5-Mark Martin, #83-Brian Vickers and #12-David Stremme for a two-day Goodyear tire test this Wednesday and Thursday at LVMS. For Martin, it will be a chance to get acquainted with Hendrick Motorsports' #5 Chevrolet, which he will pilot in the 2009 season. Vickers will be in the Red Bull Toyota, and Stremme will be in his new Penske Dodge. Stremme has replaced Ryan Newman in the #12 car for next season. "These two days in Vegas are going to be, quite possibly, the two most important days of our 2009 season," said Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Martin. "With NASCAR's new ‘no testing' rule, we are very fortunate to have been invited by Goodyear to this test. This gives us two extra days on an intermediate track that only three other teams are getting. We need to maximize that time all we can." The race teams and Goodyear will be testing in preparation for the March 1 Shelby 427 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The test will be closed to the public. Tickets are available for the 2009 NASCAR Weekend, more info by calling 1-800-644-4444 or logging on to www.lvms.com.(LVMS PR)(12-9-2008)
Last race for Mears at Hendrick: Sunday's race at Homestead will mark the final start for #5-Casey Mears at Hendrick Motorsports. Mears earned his first Sprint Cup win, driving the #25 Chevy to Victory Lane in the May 27, 2007 event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. In 71 starts with Hendrick, Mears has recorded one win, six top-five finishes, 15 top-10s and one pole position. He also made 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts with the team, recording seven top-five finishes and 14 top-10s.(HMS PR)(11-16-2008)
Cheez-It colors for the #5 at Phoenix: Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway will mark the final 2008 race in which Cheez-It will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevrolet of Casey Mears. Cheez-It has been the co-primary sponsor on the Chevy in three races this season -- Texas [April], Pocono [Aug], and Auto Club Speedway. Cheez-It will return to the hood of the #5 Chevy [with Mark Martin as the driver] for select races in 2009. Sponsor CARQUEST and Brakes Plus are participating in the KNIX Radio "Million Can Crusade," a Phoenix-area canned food drive to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Twelve CARQUEST locations will serve as official drop-off points, while Brakes Plus will run the program at 13 of its branches. Visit www.knixcountry.com for more information.(HMS PR), see images of the scheme of my #5 Team Schemes page and my 2009 #5 Team Schemes page.(11-6-2008)
Delphi Continues with Hendrick Motorsports & JR Motorsports: Delphi announced that it will continue its major associate sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports during the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season. In addition, Delphi will be the primary sponsor for seven Nationwide Series races with JR Motorsports next year. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas. Delphi will be the primary sponsor for one Nationwide Series race with driver Tony Stewart in the #5 Delphi Chevy fielded by JR Motorsports. Additionally, Delphi will be the primary sponsor for Brad Keselowski in the JR Motorsports #88 Chevrolet for six Nationwide races in 2009. The race details will be announced in the near future. Delphi also will be an associate sponsor of all 2008 Hendrick Motorsports 2009 Spring Cup entries. Delphi will continue to be featured on the uniforms of all Hendrick Motorsports drivers for the 2009 season, including four-time Sprint Cup Champion Jeff Gordon, two-time defending Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin. For more information about Delphi's involvement in motorsports, visit www.delphi.com/about/motorsports.(Marketwire.com)(11-6-2008)
Martin to the #5...in 2008? UPDATE 2: hearing that Mark Martin may get started on his ride a few races early and running the #5 Carquest/Kelloggs Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in the final four races [Atlanta , Texas, Phoenix, Homestead] of the 2008 Cup season. Casey Mears currently drives the car. Martin is slated to drive the #8 US Army Chevy for DEI in 3 of the 4 final 2008 races, with Aric Almirola in at Phoenix.(8-6-2008)
UPDATE: during SPEED's coverage of the first Saturday practice, Larry McReynolds said he had a nugget....Mark Martin will run the final four races of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, including the final race at Homestead, but not in the #8 DEI Chevy, but in a Hendrick Chevy, so he could be in the #5 Chevy, meaning we may see Casey Mears in a 4th RCR car [#33?] at Homestead.(10-25-2008)
UPDATE 2: Hendrick Motorsports is considering a plan that would put Mark Martin in the #5 car for the final race of this season at Homestead Speedway, sources told ESPN.com. Martin will drive the #5 car for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2009 season. A contingency to the plan is getting Casey Mears, the current driver of the #5, into the fourth car at Richard Childress Racing that he will drive next season. But in order to do that Mears likely would have to drive the #33, not the #07 that he is slated to drive because Clint Bowyer is driving that car in the Chase. Richard Childress Racing is willing to put Mears in the #33 car unsponsored as it wants to get him in the race. Martin will be free of his duties in the #8 at Dale Earnhardt Enterprises after the next two races at Texas and Phoenix. He will end his part-time schedule that he has been on for a couple of years to run a full-time schedule for Hendrick Motorsports. Officials from Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing were not immediately available for comment.(ESPN)(10-27-2008)
UPDATE 3: Although a switch for the Sprint Cup finale at Homestead-Miami was discussed, Casey Mears will remain in the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy while Mark Martin will sit on the sideline. There were discussions about Mears driving for RCR with Martin going into the Hendrick car for the finale so they could get a head start on next season, Mears and Martin said last Sunday. But Hendrick Motorsports has opted to just keep Mears in the car, Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex said Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.(Scene Daily)(10-31-2008)
Congrats - Casey Mears: Casey Mears and Trisha Grablander welcomed their baby yesterday, Oct. 7th. Samantha Mae Mears weighed 8lbs. 7oz. and is 20 3/4 inches long. Sam is named after her Great-Grandmother Mae "Skip" Mears. Mom, Dad, and baby are doing fantastic!(10-8-2008)
Keselowski practices for Mears UPDATE: Brad Keselowski is practiced Hendrick Motorsports' #5 Pop Tars/Carquest Chevy Friday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway for Casey Mears, who is expecting his first child with girlfriend Trisha Grablander. In the event that Mears needs to return to North Carolina to be with Grablander, Keselowski will be on standby and is practicing the car accordingly. NASCAR is requiring that Keselowski must practice the car before being allowed to drive in relief. Keselowski is a JR Motorsports driver [#88 US Navy Chevy] in the Nationwide Series who will attempt his Sprint Cup debut in a Hendrick car next week at Charlotte [at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the #25 GoDaddy.com Chevy](SceneDaily)(10-3-2008)
UPDATE: #5-Casey Mears will start on the front row Sunday, assuming he's still in Talladega. Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski will make his Sprint Cup debut and replace Mears in the #5 Pop Tarts/Carquest Chevy if Mears' girlfriend, Trisha Grablander, goes into labor. Grablander is due at any moment. Mears, who qualified second, will fly home to North Carolina if Grablander goes into labor this weekend. "It's a very important time in my life," Mears said. "I don't want to miss the birth of my child. Hendrick Motorsports has set it up for me to get back if it comes to that."(ESPN)(10-5-2008)
Pop-Tart back with Mears: For the third time this season, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's most popular morning food product, will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevrolet of Casey Mears. Pop-Tarts was also the co-primary sponsor of the #5 Chevy in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and in August at Bristol Motor Speedway.(HMS PR), see an image of the scheme on my #5 Team Schemes page.(10-2-2008)
Mears Cheez-it scheme at Calif: Cheez-It, the world's largest-selling cheese cracker, will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevrolet of Casey Mears this weekend at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Cheez-It already has been the co-primary sponsor two times this season -- at Texas Motor Speedway in April and at Pocono Raceway last month.(HMS PR), see images of the scheme on my #5 Team Schemes page.(8-27-2008)
Pop Tarts on Mears car at Bristol: CRAZY GOOD: Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's most popular morning food product, will adorn the hood of the No. 5 Chevrolet this Saturday at Bristol. Pop-Tarts also was the co-primary sponsor of the No. 5 Chevy in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the team finished 13th.(HMS PR), see an image of the scheme on my #5 Team Schemes page.(8-20-2008)
Latest on Mears 2009 plans: RCR Announcment at Bristol? Although multiple sources say Casey Mears is headed to Richard Childress Racing next season, Mears contends it's not a done deal. Mears said on Friday at Michigan International Speedway that he is talking to more than one team about his Sprint Cup future. Penske Racing also has had discussions with the Hendrick Motorsports driver about replacing Ryan Newman in the #12. "Hopefully, I can get something squared here soon," Mears said. "I'm still not sure yet exactly what's going on. Hopefully, we can get something sorted out real quick. It's still up in the air on what is going on. I'm not going to say what team 'cause I don't know. If I knew I'd give some answers." Sources said RCR continues to work out details as ESPN.com's Terry Blount reported last week that would put Mears in the Jack Daniels sponsored #07 currently being driven by Clint Bowyer, who would move to the #33 that will be sponsored by General Mills. The switch would have to be made because General Mills reportedly isn't comfortable with Mears because of his association with rival sponsor Kellogg's at HMS. RCR then would petition NASCAR to move the points from the #07 to the #33 so Bowyer would be guaranteed a spot in the first five races next season. Asked about the possible switch, Bowyer said, "We're still working on that." RCR owner Richard Childress, who made Friday a target date to name his fourth driver more than a month ago, said "things aren't totally in place yet. Nothing is done," he added. "Nothing has been signed yet."(ESPN.com)(8-16-2008)
UPDATE: Barring a major snag Richard Childress Racing will introduce Casey Mears as its fourth driver next weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, multiple sources told ESPN.com on Saturday. Team owner Richard Childress declined to comment, saying only that he hoped to name a driver soon. Mears said on Friday at Michigan International Speedway that he has signed nothing and continues to talk to more than one organization. But sources said RCR already has made tentative plans for a press conference next Saturday. To be finalized are details of a deal that would put Mears in the Jack Daniels-sponsored #07 currently being driven by Clint Bowyer, who would move to the # 33 that will be sponsored by General Mills. The switch would be made because General Mills reportedly isn't comfortable with Mears because of his association with rival sponsor Kellogg's at HMS. RCR then would petition NASCAR to move the 07 points to the #33 so Bowyer would be guaranteed a spot in the first five races next season.(ESPN.com)(8-16-2008)
Mears or Truex to the #33? UPDATE: Richard Childress is still looking for the right driver to add to his Cup team. He said earlier this year that Richard Childress Racing plans to add a fourth Cup driver for next season, joining Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer. But the search has dragged on longer than Childress expected. "You've got to find the right person," Childress said Sunday. "You don't want to mess up the other three (teams). But we're still working on it and I think we'll get it done in the next couple of weeks." Two of the leading candidates for the RCR ride appear to be Casey Mears, who will leave Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season, and Martin Truex Jr., whose future at Dale Earnhardt Inc. remains up in the air.(AP/ESPN.com)(8-4-2008)
UPDATE: with Truex now re-signed with DEI to stay there for another year, it looks like Casey Mears is the front runner to be RCR's 4th driver BUT am hearing that Mears could end up in the #07 Jack Daniels's Chevy with Clint Bowyer moving over to the 4th team, sponsored by General Mills/Cheerios, supposedly using the #33. The teams could switch owners points so Bowyer is not out of the top-35 in owners points and Mears would have to qualify the #07 for the first five races of 2009.(8-9-2008)
Cheesy scheme for Mears for Pocono: Cheez-It, the world's best-selling cheese cracker, will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevrolet of Casey Mears this weekend at Pocono Raceway. This is the second time this season [Texas in April] that "The Big Cheese" will decorate the hood of the #5 Chevy. Cheez-It also will be a primary sponsor at Michigan [August] and California's Auto Club Speedway [August] later this season.(HMS PR), see an image of the scheme on my #5 Team Schemes page.(7-30-2008)
200th start for Mears: #5-Casey Mears will make his 200th career Sprint Cup Series start this Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In his previous 199 starts, Mears has earned one win (Lowe's Motor Speedway in May 2007), 12 top-five finishes and 40 top-10s.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(7-24-2008)
Gillett Evernham interested in free agent drivers: Tuesday Gillett Evernham Motorsports owner Ray Evernham spoke to Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody about the possibility of bringing Ryan Newman or any other free agent drivers to his race team for next year.
Host, Dave Moody: "Are you now, have you ever, or do you anticipate active negotiations with Ryan Newman for a spot in your stable next year?"
Ray Evernham: "We have not negotiated with Ryan but we have put out the feeler that we would be very interested, certainly, in talking to Ryan about the future as would probably all the other car owners but we've not spoken with Ryan or negotiated with him. But, yes, we are interested in talking to him."
Moody: "So if your phone rings and he does [call] you back are we talking about a fourth car?"
Evernham: "Mr. Gillett and I would love to expand to four cars. So if that's going to happen it has to happen quickly but there are opportunities to grow Gillett Evernham Motorsports. But, again, that depends on drivers and sponsors and there are sponsors available with the proper drivers."
Moody: "Would it be safe to assume then that Ryan Newman might not be the only top notch driver in the final year of his contract that you might have reached out [to] at this point?"
Evernham: "Yeah, absolutely, but there's no sense in doing a fourth team unless it can add to what we're already building and to start a fourth team without the proper sponsorship or a driver that can add to the program just doesn't make sense. There are a couple of drivers available and there are some sponsors out there that are talking to other teams, too, besides us to put packages together. But if we were to be able to put that package together to strengthen Gillett Evernham we'd certainly do it. The guys that are out there that have been talking to people, certainly that we have spoken to or are interested in speaking [to], are the same guys everybody else has talked to: Ryan Newman, Casey Mears and Martin Truex are the guys that are in the hot rumors right now."(Sirius NASCAR Radio)(7-23-2008)
Martin back to fulltime in 2009, to the #5 HMS car: Mark Martin has signed a two-year agreement to drive for Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2009. Martin will race the full 2009 Sprint Cup schedule in the #5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevy, becoming teammates with #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. It will mark his first full season of Cup competition since 2006, when he finished ninth in points. A Batesville, Ark., native, Martin also is slated to run a partial Sprint Cup schedule for Hendrick Motorsports in 2010, sharing the #5 Chevys with a to-be-determined second driver. Martin will enter 26 events, including the non-points Budweiser Shootout and Sprint All-Star Race. “Mark is an incredible racer and one of the classiest guys around,” said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, whose organization will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2009. “He is a driver who makes everyone around him better, and our entire company is going to benefit from his presence.”
“I feel very fortunate to have this chance to win races and go after a championship with Hendrick Motorsports,” Martin said. “Coming back full time wasn’t something we planned, but driving the #5 car, with all its history, was an impossible opportunity to pass up. Rick and I have enjoyed a great relationship over the years, and we’ve always talked about doing this. Now it’s working out, and we’re both excited about the possibilities.” Martin, 49, will be paired with crew chief Alan Gustafson, who now is in his fourth season at the helm of the #5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevy team. Gustafson has posted four Sprint Cup wins as a crew chief and has a history with Martin, having worked with him in multiple Nationwide Series events.(HMS PR/Markmartin.com)(7-4-2008)
Hendrick and Mears to part ways after 2008 season UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports and driver Casey Mears will part ways following the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season. "We've put a ton of emphasis on the #5 program," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "It's been a total team effort, and Casey has worked as hard as anyone to help us improve. We've tested more than we ever have, but the results just haven't come. None of us, Casey included, have been satisfied with the situation this season. But he's confident there are other options out there for him in 2009, and we feel like Hendrick Motorsports will have some opportunities, too." Mears will finish the 2008 Sprint Cup campaign in Hendrick's #5 Chevrolets. "I know the effort has been there, but we haven't had the finishes to show for it," Mears said. "I've never tested this much or put more energy into racing. But for whatever reason, we just haven't been able to make it click. It's certainly not for lack of dedication on anyone's part. I'll talk to people about opportunities and get my 2009 plans wrapped up soon, but I'm also focused on the next 20 races and finishing 2008 on a positive note. We ran well the second half last year, and I know we can do it again. I want to close this season the right way." Hendrick Motorsports will announce its 2009 plans at a later date.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), rumor has Mark Martin taking this ride in 2009, either as full-time or part-time.(6-27-2008)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports will hold a news conference at the press conference room in the Daytona International Speedway infield media center in Daytona Beach, FL on Friday, July 4 at 12:30pm/et to announce future plans for its #5 Chevrolet team. Owner Rick Hendrick will be in attendance.(Hendrick Motorsports)(7-3-2008)
Martin to Leave DEI, Almirola Full Time Next Season: UPDATE 3: Martin Replacing Mears? Mark Martin will have a new racing home in 2009, ESPN.com has learned. Martin was unavailable for comment Sunday. Officials for Martin's current team, Dale Earnhardt Inc., would neither confirm nor deny the speculation, but did confirm that young Aric Almirola would run a full-time schedule in 2009. "Aric is ready for a full-time ride," said John Story, DEI vice president of motorsports operations. Almirola has shared the #8 U.S. Army Chevy with Martin for the past two seasons. "Were talking to Mark about what his objectives for the future are, and trying to marry that with our own, with Aric Almirola, to make sure Aric has an opportunity to run full time next year. We're going through the process right now of trying to make sure that we get something for Aric that provides him a 36-race schedule, and at the same time that Mark is in a good situation."(ESPN.com)(6-22-2008)
UPDATE: Casey Mears and Mark Martin look to be on the move, and their futures might be linked. Mears' future with Hendrick Motorsports appears in jeopardy, ESPN.com has learned. Although Mears has one year left on his contract, team owner Rick Hendrick would not commit to the driver of the #5 car beyond this season. "I'm committed to him right now," Hendrick said on Sunday at Infineon Raceway. "I'm committed to him making that car run better right now." Earlier on Sunday, sources told ESPN.com that Martin would leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. Later, ESPN.com learned that he would replace Mears, making one last full-time run at a championship.(ESPN.com)(6-22-2008)
UPDATE 2: The speculation comes as rumors swirl about Mark Martin's future with Dale Earnhardt Inc. He's previously been mentioned as a candidate to split the Cup schedule with Scott Speed at Red Bull Racing, but there could also be a similar role for him in the #5 car for Hendrick. One scenario could have Martin splitting the seat time with Brad Keselowski, who currently drives a Nationwide Series car for JR Motorsports. Hendrick is partners with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in that venture, and Martin occasionally drives a car for them in that series. Martin is currently splitting a ride with Aric Almirola for DEI, but the team wants Almirola in a full-time ride in 2009. "Aric is ready for a full-time ride," said DEI vice president John Story. "We have to get him in a car full time somehow, someway."(Associated Press)(6-23-2008)
UPDATE 3: SPEED's Wendy Venturini reported that sources say Mark Martin could announce his 2009 plans next week at Daytona.(SPEED)(6-29-2008)
"Smoke" screen or is Stewart interested in the #5 ride? #20- Tony Stewart said Friday the new opening at Hendrick Motorsports could effect his decision about where he drives next season. Hendrick Motorsports announced that Casey Mears would not return in the #5 Chevrolet. "There's no one in the garage area that's not going to look in that direction," Stewart said. "You've got to look at it. Absolutely." Stewart has said he is exploring an ownership option to become the co-owner and a driver for Haas/CNC Racing. He was asked Friday when he might have a decision on his future. "At this morning's announcement [on the #5 car], I don't know," he said. "It may be pushed back even more. We'll wait and see. It's however long it takes to make the right decision. There's a lot of variables to look at. We've got all the information except what happened today. The good news is we still have time to look at it." Stewart is under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing through the 2009 season. JGR officials have said they plan to hold Stewart to his contact obligations in the #20 Toyota. Hendrick did not say who will drive the #5 Chevy next season, but ESPN.com reported Sunday Mark Martin will join the team and take over for Mears full time in one final attempt to win a Cup title.(ESPN)(6-27-2008)
Hendrick streak intact: Hendrick Motorsports' streak of top-10 finishes improved to 77 Sprint Cup races after Sunday's event at Lowe's Motor Speedway when #24-Jeff Gordon took fourth and #88-Dale Earnhardt nabbed fifth. The last time a Hendrick driver wasn't in the top 10 was April 9, 2006. Finishing 11th, #48-Jimmy Johnson was Hendrick's top performer that day at Texas Motor Speedway.(HMS PR)(5-28-2008)
#5 to salute the troops: Casey Mears' #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevy will run a special "Salute the Troops" decal in front of each rear wheel for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The decal is in honor of all military men and women.(HMS)(5-21-2008)
Mears says he is good thru 2009: from a Casey Mears Press Conference Transcript: In the last week or two we've had a lot of discussion about Tony Stewart and his contract situation moving forward, and your name has popped up a couple times in different discussions just because of the fact that he's going to be a free agent and obviously that would be a big coup. How do you feel about your position at Hendrick going forward, and do you think you're solid in there for the foreseeable future? "No, I feel good. We're solid for next year and definitely focused on moving forward. Rick has stated that several times, that things are where they're going to be, and we're moving forward for next year. We're just getting started again."(GM Racing)(5-7-2008)
Cheez-It on the #5 at Texas: Cheez-It, the world's largest-selling cheese cracker, will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevy of Casey Mears this weekend at Texas. "The Big Cheese" will make its debut this Sunday and decorate the hood of the #5 Chevy for four races [Texas, Pocono [Aug], Michigan [Aug], California [Aug]]this season. The Cheez-It/CARQUEST Chevy finished third the last time it raced, which was last September at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California.(HMS)(4-3-2008)
Pop Tarts featured on #5 at Vegas: This weekend, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's most popular morning food product, will adorn the hood of the #5 Chevy of Casey Mears for the first time. The Pop-Tarts brand, created in the early 1960s, is more than 40 years old, putting the product in the same age bracket as just six members of the #5 team, which averages a very young 34 years old.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(2-27-2008)
Latest on the HMS engines: Jeff Andrews, head engine builder for Hendrick Motorsports, said that the team sent all its race engines back to the team's race shop Wednesday night after finding problems with the lifters. Andrews said the engines were being rebuilt and would return to the track Friday night. "Because of the wear we were seeing ... you end up with this debris in the engine,'' Andrews said. "You have to take [the engine] apart. Not only are you changing those parts, but you're taking apart and cleaning, washing everything and going back through it and fitting everything up again." Andrews said he saw no problems with the Hendrick engines after Thursday's first qualifying race.(Roanoke Times)(2-16-2008)
#5 car too low in Bud Shootout post-tech: Casey Mears' #5 Chevy was determined to be too low during Budweiser Shootout postrace inspection. Mears finished sixth in the race, his first with the Hendrick Motorsports #5 Sprint Cup team. Jim Hunter, NASCAR's Vice President of Corportate Communications, said NASCAR will continue investigating the issue today. "It might have some damage," Hunter said. "We'll let you know tomorrow."(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-10-2008)
Hendrick museum closes for renovations: The Hendrick Motorsports museum, located on the team's racing complex in Concord, has been temporarily closed to the public while it undergoes a full renovation. The redesigned facility will reopen in time for NASCAR's annual visit to Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. Hendrick Motorsports is located one mile from the race track. Also undergoing a facelift is Hendrick Motorsports' team store, which will reopen in a temporary location on Jan. 28. The store will operate under its regular business hours in the race shop of drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson until construction on the new facility is completed. Other areas of the Hendrick Motorsports complex, including the team race shops, will remain open to the public during the museum renovation.(HMS Site)(1-25-2008)
Cheez-It back on the #5 for a few races: #5-Casey Mears is scheduled to run the Cheez-it paint scheme in Sprint Cup four races: Texas [4/6]; Pocono [8/3]; Michigan [8/17]; and California [8/31]. Kellogg's and Carquest will split the rest of the races. See an image of the scheme on the #5 Team Schemes page.(1-22-2008)

Past 2007 News
Goodbye to the #'25: The #25 Chevrolet will make its final start for Hendrick Motorsports Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hendrick Motorsports first entered the #25 Chevy in the 1986 Daytona 500 with Tim Richmond behind the wheel. The #25 has had 11 different drivers, including car owner Rick Hendrick, in 656 starts. Six drivers have visited victory lane with the #25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, with Casey Mears adding win No. 17 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(11-14-2007)
Kyle Busch going for history: Kyle Busch followed his Friday night Truck Series win with a victory Saturday in the Busch Series, giving him a chance Sunday in the Nextel Cup event to become the first driver to sweep all three of NASCAR's national series at the same track on the same weekend.(ESPN/AP)(11-11-2007)
Delphi Renews with Hendrick: Delphi Product & Service Solutions announced that it will continue its major associate sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports during the 2008 NASCAR season. An associate sponsor of all of the 2008 Hendrick Motorsports entries, Delphi will also be the primary sponsor for the #5 Nationwide Series Chevy fielded by JR Motorsports for four races. In addition, Delphi will receive preferred logo placement on the #5 Sprint Cup Series car driven by Casey Mears at Las Vegas, Indianapolis and the second Texas race.(Hendrick PR)(10-31-2007)
Congrats: #5 team front-tire carrier J.D. Holcomb and his wife Diana welcomed a daughter, Jacey Diana Holcomb, delivered by Dr. Thomas Barefoot on Oct. 14 at 3:03 p.m. ET. Both mother and baby are home and doing well.(Hendrick PR)(10-28-2007)
Hendrick Motorsports Atlanta COT Test Plans: Although Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will test with their 2008 teams at Atlanta, they will not drive cars branded with their 2008 numbers. Mears, who will drive the #5 Chevy next season, will run his customary # 25 National Guard/GMAC paint scheme during the two-day session. Earnhardt, who is slated for the #88 Chevy in 2008, will test a #5 car at Atlanta. To commemorate his first laps with Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt will sport a "throwback" #5 All-Star Racing Chevy during next week's Atlanta test. Earnhardt's Impala SS will feature a red and white paint scheme identical to the first car campaigned by team owner Rick Hendrick in Cup-level competition. Then known as "All-Star Racing," Hendrick Motorsports fielded the car with driver Geoff Bodine in 1984. The #24 and #48 teams of Hendrick Motorsports will not attend next week's Atlanta test.(Hendrick PR)(10-27-2007)
Former 49ers Owner Almost Bought Hendrick in 2004 UPDATE no: Former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo told Sports Business Journal recently that he almost became a NASCAR owner in 2004. "We would have bought a NASCAR team if Reggie White hadn't died," DeBartolo said of the former NFL player. "The week he passed away we were going to sign the agreement with Hendrick Motorsports. After that, I just couldn't do it. I loved Reggie too much."(Roanoke Times)(10-14-2007)
AND and from a July article - Dale Earnhardt Inc. president Max Siegel told ESPN.com on Wednesday [in July] that three years ago he was prepared to partner with NFL Hall of Famers Reggie White and Ronnie Lott, as well as former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartalo Jr., in purchasing MB2 Motorsports, which at the time fielded the #01 and #10 Chevrolets. The papers were drawn. All that was left was the official closing, which was slated for Jan. 15, 2005. But when White died suddenly on Dec. 26, 2004, and the deal died with him. Siegel said he and White originally had planned to partner with Rick Hendrick on a NASCAR Busch Series operation. Then the Hendrick Motorsports plane crash in October 2004 halted that initiative. A couple of months had passed, and Siegel said Hendrick contacted him about the program. Hendrick explained that in order for him to be involved, White and Siegel had to purchase a team with an existing Hendrick partnership. Enter MB2, whose engines were supplied by Hendrick. At the time, Valvoline was part-owner of MB2, as well. All the pieces were in place, then White passed away.(ESPN.com)(10-14-2007)
UPDATE 2: At the time in question, Mr. DeBartolo and Mr. White were in discussions with the former MB2 Motorsports team, and our involvement was limited solely to a potential technical support relationship. Hendrick Motorsports is not, and has never been, for sale.(HMS)(10-16-2007)
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)
Drivers Don't Like Villeneuve Debuting at Talladega: #24-Jeff Gordon thinks it's a big mistake for former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve to attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut next week at Talladega Superspeedway. "I love Jacques, but that's not the right decision to make," Gordon said Friday. "I didn't think it was the right decision last year for David Gilliland, either. Nothing against their talent or anything else, but that race in the Chase? Why? If you want to run a race, go to Atlanta or another 1.5-mile oval." Gordon said he was surprised NASCAR gave it approval for Villeneuve to debut on the giant 2.6-mile oval. The Oct. 7 event is the first restrictor-plate race in the Car of Tomorrow.(ESPN.com)
AND: #5-Kyle Busch was shocked to learn that former Formula 1 and CART champion Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to make his Nextel Cup debut next weekend at Talladega. "He's doing what? Holy cow, that's not good," Busch said when asked for his reaction to Villeneuve racing at Talladega. "You've got to start somewhere but the Cup Series at Talladega definitely isn't the place to start."(SPEEDtv.com)(9-29-2007)
Chevy Continues Partnership with Hendrick Motorsports: Chevrolet, the winningest nameplate in NASCAR, will continue its partnership with championship team Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR competition in 2008 and beyond. In 23 years (1984-2006) of NASCAR competition, Hendrick Motorsports has garnered six Nextel Cup Series (formerly Winston Cup) championships, three Craftsman Truck Series titles and one Busch Series crown, making it one of stock-car racing's premier organizations. Rick Hendrick is the only team owner in NASCAR's modern era to earn more than 150 Cup Series victories and is currently at 160 Cup wins - all of them coming in Chevrolets. Hendrick Motorsports' win at the first "Car of Tomorrow" race at Bristol earlier this year also earned Chevrolet its first Impala SS win and Chevy's 600th win in NASCAR Cup competition. The four full-time NASCAR Cup teams of Hendrick Motorsports slated to run in 2008 include four-time champion Jeff Gordon in the #24 DuPont Chevy; Jimmie Johnson in the #48 Lowe's Chevy; Casey Mears in the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy; and new addition Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who has only driven Chevrolets in his NASCAR career.(GM Racing PR)(9-7-2007)
Mears to the #5 in 2008; DaleJr to #25 team [new number]: Casey Mears will drive the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2008 Sprint Cup Series, joining a team that secured its second consecutive Chase for the Championship berth Sunday at California Speedway. In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, Mears has notched one victory, a pole position, four top-five finishes and six top-10s through 25 races. The Bakersfield, Calif., native will complete the current schedule in the organization's #25 Chevys before transitioning to the Kellogg's/CARQUEST team. The effort will be led by Alan Gustafson, 32, who has earned four wins, two poles, 25 top-five finishes and 45 top-10s since his first season as crew chief of the #5 Chevy in 2005. "My goal is to meet the high standard the drivers before me helped established with the #5 Chevrolet, both on and off the track," said the 29-year-old Mears. "I'm looking forward to working with Alan and the team to continue the winning tradition for Kellogg's, CARQUEST and Hendrick Motorsports." Since its inception in 1984, the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team has posted 27 victories and 35 pole positions with just four different drivers -- Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte and Kyle Busch. It has finished among the top 12 in Cup points in 17 of the past 23 seasons (1984-2006), including a championship in 1996. "The #5 was our first car (at Hendrick Motorsports), so, for me, there's a lot of personal history in that team," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "Casey has proven capable of winning and running up front, which is what the #5 has always been about. The goal is more victory lanes and championships for the team, and for Kellogg's and CARQUEST." The relationship between Kellogg Co. and the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team is one of the most enduring in NASCAR. Kellogg's debuted as primary sponsor of the #5 Chevys in 1994 and has since earned a Cup Series title, 16 race wins, 89 top-five finishes and 170 top-10s.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
Eury Jr. to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008: When driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins Hendrick Motorsports for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series season, Tony Eury Jr. will be his crew chief. Eury, who has been Earnhardt's crew chief for the past two seasons, signed a multi-year agreement with the organization this week. "Tony Jr. and Dale have a successful history working together," Hendrick said. "They have trust in each other, which is the biggest part of the relationship between driver and crew chief. We have the utmost confidence in their ability to win races and compete for titles at Hendrick Motorsports." A Kannapolis, N.C., native, Eury will move to Hendrick Motorsports immediately following the current NASCAR season. He will continue the work of Darian Grubb, who will finish the 2007 schedule as crew chief of the #25 Chevrolets before moving into a senior competition role with Hendrick Motorsports. "Dale Jr. and I are both excited to continue working together," said Eury, 34, who has been Earnhardt's crew chief or car chief for the majority of the driver's NASCAR career. "With the resources we'll have at Hendrick Motorsports, it's an opportunity to consistently run up front and be in title contention every year. The goals are winning races and winning championships." Grubb, 31, who hails from Floyd, Va., will coordinate the at-track engineering efforts of the Earnhardt and Mears teams with emphasis on supporting Eury's transition to Hendrick Motorsports and Mears' switch to the #5 Cup Series program. The personnel moves will give Hendrick Motorsports additional depth with the Earnhardt and Mears teams. Grubb, who earned a championship as an engineer with the #48 Chevrolets and has won three times in 29 races as a crew chief, will work hand-in-hand with veteran team manager Brian Whitesell. Hendrick Motorsports is evaluating alternative numbers for the Earnhardt team, which currently uses the #25 on its Chevy race cars. A timetable for that announcement has not been set.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-4-2007)
AMP Dale Jr's sponsor? UPDATE 2 and mountain Dew: ESPN.com's sources say Budweiser knows it won't be on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s cars next year at Hendrick Motorsports, and that it looks like some sort of sponsorship deal with a Pepsi product (or products) is likely for him. Terry Blount and David Newton got further down the road with sources than I have. Nothing they wrote conflicts with what I've been trying to nail down. But all anybody with official ties to Pepsi or Budweiser or the teams will say for the record is they don't comment on speculation. One source I've trusted for a long time tells me that AMP, an energy drink Pepsi markets under the Mountain Dew umbrella, will factor in the deal for Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick. Jeff Gordon and the Hendrick folks have a deal with Pepsi that stretches through 2010. Pepsi also is ending its contracts with International Speedway Corp. One reason could be that money's going into the Hendrick-Earnhardt Jr. basket.(Charlotte Observer)(6-12-2007)
UPDATE and Mountain Dew: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports are expected to announce later this month Pepisco Inc. products Mountain Dew and Amp energy drink are his primary sponsors for next season, sources confirmed Sunday.(ESPN.com)(9-3-2007)
UPDATE 2: on ESPN2's NASCAR Now Monday night, it was reported that Mountain/AMP would probably be 55% of the races and National Guard would be 45% of the races for Dale Earnhardt Jr. There would be no problem with Navy being the sponsor of Dale Jr's #88 Busch team, but don't expect to see Earnhardt in a National Guard Busch car.(9-4-2007)
Car Number news for Dale Jr UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports has applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for potential use of five numbers next season for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. The numbers under consideration are #38, #51, #81, #82 and #58. Filing with Patent and Trademark Office does not guarantee NASCAR approval to use any of those numbers, but does prevent an outside party from trademarking the specific font and graphic package used by Hendrick on its racecars, diecast collectibles and souvenirs. Hendrick filed for the #81 on July 25th, with the most recent filing being for the #38 on August 9th. There have been reports that Hendrick is attempting to strike a deal with Robert Yates Racing for the #38 next season, but my [Dave Moody] sources tell me that the deal is not likely to happen.(Motorsports Soapbox and Thatsracin)(8-30-2007)
UPDATE: Earnhardt was asked on pit road after qualifying Friday at California Speedway when he hopes to announce what car he will be driving next season. "When we announce the number, it's going to be the same day we announce the sponsor, and that will be at a press conference -- not standing on pit road after qualifying," Earnhardt said. Earnhardt added that he thinks "we're a couple of weeks out" from making it all official. When asked if crew chief Tony Eury Jr. would be following him to Hendrick Motorsports, he also said: "We don't have an announcement, but Tony Jr. is working in that direction."(NASCAR.com)(9-1-2007)
Yates not interested in giving Dale Jr. #38: Doug Yates confirmed his team has been approached by a representative of Hendrick Motorsports about securing the #38 for Dale Earnhardt Jr. next year, but if Yates gets his way, there will be no such transfer. Earnhardt recently was denied the opportunity to take the #8 from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick and now is considering other number options. The #38 currently is being used by David Gilliland. "Dale Jr., since he can't have what he wants, he might want the 38," said Yates, president Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. "They're asking for the 38, and the 38 and 88 are our numbers. It's almost a little strange. It's like somebody asking if they can take your girlfriend or your wife out. We feel we're going to have the 38 and 88 [next year]." While Yates said he is not interested in parting with the number, doesn't everything in the sport have a price tag? "That's my dad's side of it," Yates said, referring to his father, Robert Yates. "But for me, these are our numbers, and we're set with them."(ESPN.com)(8-31-2007)
Cheez-it scheme for Kyle Busch at Calif: Kellogg Co.'s tasty baked snack cracker Cheez-It will adorn the hood of Kyle Busch's #5 Chevy for Sunday night's Nextel Cup event at California Speedway. It will mark the second appearance of 2007 for the Cheez-It logo, which ran earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway. Fans watching at home will get an even closer look at pit stops on the #5 car this weekend. Rick Pigeon, the #5 team jackman, will wear a "crew camera" on his helmet for ESPN's Sunday night broadcast of the Nextel Cup event at California.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), see an image of the scheme on my #5 Team Schemes page.(8-31-2007)
RYR asked NASCAR to transfer the #38 to Hendrick for Dale Jr. UPDATE2: SPEED's Bob Dilner reported on Sunday's SPEED report that Robert Yates Racing has asked NASCAR if they could transfer the #38 to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 for Dale Eanrhardt Jr. to use, the #3 in honor of his father, the late Dale Earnhardt, who ran the #3 [a few races in 1981 and then from 1984 until the 2001 Daytona 500 and won 6 of his 7 championships using #3] and the #8 of course is Dale Jr.'s car #8 since he came into the sport. No word what number David Gilliland would switch to, but RYR still has the license on the #28, last used in 2002 with Ricky Rudd and has used the #90 in the past.
UPDATE: Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Monday that Robert Yates Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are discussing a transfer of that number for 2008. The #38 currently is being used by David Gilliland. No formal request has been made to the NASCAR, which has to ultimately approve the transfer. Officials at Hendrick Motor Sports, Robert Yates Racing and JR Motorsports could not be reached for comment. Should RYR give up #38, it still has the rights to the #28 that was last used in 2002 with Ricky Rudd.(ESPN.com)(8-27-2007)
UPDATE2: Marty Smith said on ESPN2's NASCAR Now that it is unlikely the #38 will be transferred from Yates to Hendrick.(8-28-2007)
Gibbs Racing signs Kyle Busch UPDATE 3: Kyle Busch will be formally introduced as the new driver at Joe Gibbs Racing on Tuesday morning at the team's Huntersville, NC shop. "Before I say anything I want to have a done deal," team president J.D. Gibbs before Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen International. "I feel good about it. Right now we feel good about it and the direction we're going." Gibbs said Interstate Batteries will remain at least a partial sponsor of the #18, but didn't rule out another sponsor coming in. He reminded the company gave up half of its races a few years ago. "Like we have in the past, they may choose to give up some races, move stuff around," Gibbs said. "They're the ones that have been there and started the deal."(ESPN.com), no word if the press conference will be televised.(8-12-2007)
UPDATE: SPEED will be covering Tuesday's LIVE press conference from Joe Gibbs Racing at 11:00am/et. At that time, JGR is expected to make an announcement on the #18 Nextel Cup Series entry.(SPEED PR)(8-13/14-2007)
UPDATE 2 - OFFICIAL: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has signed 22-year-old Kyle Busch to drive for the #18 team in Nextel Cup beginning in 2008. “We’re extremely pleased to have Kyle Busch as a part of the family here at Joe Gibbs Racing,” said J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR. “Kyle is extremely talented, as his track record has proven, and he had a lot of teams to choose from in determining who would give him the best chance to win. Obviously, we’re glad he chose JGR, and he’ll have all the tools and resources he needs to win races and contend for championships.” Busch comes to JGR a proven winner in each of NASCAR’s national touring series, with four Craftsman Truck Series victories, eight Busch Series wins and four Nextel Cup triumphs. “After talking with a lot of different teams and visiting their shops, Joe Gibbs Racing is where I want to be,” said Busch, whose contract with JGR runs through the 2010 season. “The Nextel Cup Series is filled with good teams and good people, but the moment I saw the shop and began talking with Joe and J.D. Gibbs, there was a level of comfort that made me feel like this is where I belong. I want to win races and championships, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s three-car/one-team philosophy gives me the best opportunity to do that.” Busch will take over for J.J. Yeley, current driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, following the conclusion of the 2007 season. He’ll begin pre-season testing as a teammate to two-time Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart and 2006 Nextel Cup rookie of the year Denny Hamlin. The 2008 season will mark Busch’s fourth full season in Nextel Cup. He currently competes for Hendrick Motorsports, where he ran a six-race schedule in 2004 before joining the series full-time in 2005. "While excited about my new opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing, I remain committed to finishing this year strong and running for the championship,” Busch said.(JGR PR)(8-14-2007)
Hendrick re-signs with GM: Hendrick Motorsports has verbally agreed to a five-year contract with General Motors, keeping HMS in Chevrolets through 2012. "We're done," team owner Rick Hendrick said after Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen International. "We haven't signed it, but we've verbally agreed." GM is in the last year of all of its contracts with teams in the Nextel Cup series. Re-signing HMS was key, particularly with speculation that Joe Gibbs Racing may be leaving for Toyota. Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc., GM's other top teams, remain in negotiations but are expected to re-sign. Two of the top three owners in Chevrolet expect Joe Gibbs Racing to move to Toyota in 2008. "I'd say they're gone," said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, who has agreed to a five-year deal with General Motors. Richard Childress Racing owner Richard Childress said there are enough signs to believe that JGR will make the jump, which he says will take Toyota to another level. "It's pretty well written in stone," he said on Sunday at Watkins Glen International. Childress is so convinced JGR will bolt that he questions whether the organization should be included in Thursday's key partners' meeting at GM's headquarters in Detroit. "No, I wouldn't feel comfortable with them there," he said. "If the [other Chevrolet] teams have a feeling they're going to be there, we're not going to discuss openly with them in a room things we normally would discuss openly. You're sitting there working on stuff for next year and you don't want them to take that and help out the competition."(ESPN.com)(8-13-2007)
Career start #100 for Kyle Busch: This weekend at Watkins Glen International, #5-Kyle Busch, 22, is scheduled to make his 100th Nextel Cup Series start. At 18, Busch made his first Cup start on March 7, 2004 at his hometown Las Vegas Motor Speedway and has since racked up four wins, 24 top-five finishes and 42 top-10s. He also has earned two Cup poles.(HMS PR)(8-8-2007)
Kyle Busch to Drive for Joe Gibbs Racing? UPDATE: Kyle Busch has finally decided where he will race next season, agreeing to a deal to drive the #18 Interstate Batteries machine for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008 and beyond. Busch will replace J.J. Yeley. Busch made his decision after recently narrowing the field to three teams; Gibbs, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and Evernham Motorsports. An official announcement is expected within the next 2-3 weeks.(Motorsports Soapbox)(8-6-2007)
UPDATE: Kyle Busch chose to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing next season and began informing other teams Monday of his decision. A source close to Busch told The Associated Press that the driver had selected Gibbs after a seven-week search that began when Hendrick Motorsports released the 22-year-old driver to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr. next season. The source requested anonymity because the deal was not finalized. "Kyle has made his decision and is in the process of informing the teams of his preference," said Jeff Dickerson, who represents Busch through Motorsports Management International. "As there are many details that still need to be worked out, Kyle will not be making that decision public at this time." Two car owners who had actively pursued Busch told the AP that the driver informed them Monday he had not selected their teams. They requested anonymity because they didn't reveal Busch's selection.(Associated Press)(8-6-2007)
Kyle Busch to JGR? UPDATE 3: Larry McReynolds is hearing that the Kyle Busch deal at Joe Gibbs Racing is very close. Now, we don't have an answer on whether they're looking to put him in the #18 car, replacing J.J. Yeley, or if they are looking at Busch for a fourth team.(FoxSports)
AND captainthunderracing.com is hearing that Kyle Busch is very close to finalizing a deal that will make him the fourth driver in the Joe Gibbs Racing stable. Sources said Busch has crossed Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. off his list of potential teams for 2008 and beyond. Speculation also had Busch going to DEI to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr., but it appears as though the DEI/Ginn Racing merger has taken up most of the executives time at DEI and Busch never felt any warmth from the organization. An announcement is expected sometime over the next week to week and a half, most likely after the big Brickyard 400 weekend. Sources said only the details of the contract remained to be worked out, but that both parties had agreed in principle to a five year deal.(captainthunderracing.com)(7-27-2007)
UPDATE: Kyle Busch says he still hasn’t decided which team he wants to sign with for 2008 and says it may be another two weeks before he makes the call. However, it’s looking more and more as if it may be Dale Earnhardt Inc. But according to NASCAR sources Budweiser may not be Busch’s sponsor.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-28-2007)
UPDATE 2: It was reported on ESPN2's NASCAR Now that Busch's agent, Jeff Dickerson, said the rumors are not true and that Busch has not narrowed down his selection of teams, has offers on the table and something should be known about Busch's future within two weeks or so.(ESPN's NASCAR Now)(7-28-2007)

UPDATE 3: #5-Kyle Busch answered only one question [Saturday], and that was a one-word response to whether he'd completed a contract with the organization he plans to drive for next season. "No," said Busch, who will start 18th. Busch, who will be replaced by Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, is being pursued by Joe Gibbs Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Evernham Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing. He was scheduled to meet with all four DEI drivers and management on Saturday and is scheduled to meet with EMS owner Ray Evernham next week.(ESPN.com)(7-29-2007)
Busch to RCR? UPDATE 2: hearing Kyle Busch has been in talks with Richard Childress Racing about driving in the Busch Series in 2008 [whatever the series ends up being named], which probably means RCR would be the front runner for Busch in a Cup Series ride.(7-10-2007)
UPDATE: hearing Kyle Busch will sign with Dale Earnhardt Inc to run for them in 2008, the deal could be announced at Indianapolis next week.(7-16-2007)
UPDATE 2: on ESPN2's NASCAR Now, it was reported that Jeff Dickerson, agent for Kyle Busch, said Busch is not close to signing a deal and nothing will be announced at Indy.(7-17- 2007)
Kyle Busch out of the #5? this week? DENIED AutoRacingSport.com has learned from several sources that Hendrick Motorsports is considering letting Kyle Busch out of his contract with the team as early as Monday. NOTE: hard to believe the sponsors [Kelloggs/Carquest] would agree to let a driver who is 9th in the Chase, to be released and seems doubtful such a thing would happen.(7-16-2007)
HOWEVER: Still unhappy After criticizing his teammates for not providing help at Daytona International Speedway last week, #5-Kyle Busch expressed displeasure with Hendrick Motorsports again this weekend. The 22-year-old, who is being replaced by Dale Earnhardt Jr. after this season, said he felt alienated during team meetings and questioned strategy after giving up the lead on a pit stop late in Saturday's Busch race. Team owner Rick Hendrick said the team intends to keep Busch in the #5 Chevrolet through the end of the season but is perplexed by the driver's dissatisfaction. "It just doesn't make sense to me," Hendrick said. "We're working as hard as we can."(USA Today)(7-16-2007)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports has confirmed that the rumor is false.(HMS)(7-16-2007)
Kyle Busch Still Frustrated with Teammates: UPDATE: A week ago at Daytona, lame-duck Hendrick Motorsports driver #5-Kyle Busch complained his teammates weren’t doing enough to help him win. Friday at Chicagoland Speedway, Busch made it clear he won’t be doing anything for them in the future, either. "I'm not helping anybody but myself and this team for winning races," Busch said. "And I'm not helping Jeff Gordon. I'm not helping Jimmie Johnson or Casey Mears. They are able to go back and see what I run and that kind of stuff. But for me, it's just to go out there and to try to win races and keep winning with my name." Busch said that ever since last month’s announcement that he would be replaced next year by #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr., he has felt ostracized from the team. Asked if he was concerned about how this could hurt his reputation with fans, Busch said, "My perception has been horrible since I came into this sport, so it doesn't really even matter any more."(SPEEDtv.com)(7-15-2007)
Kyle Busch Could Make Decision on Team Soon: #5-Kyle Busch said he could decide on a new team for next season within two to six weeks. "We're looking at the pros and cons of everything," Busch said. "That's why it takes so long to decide." Busch said he is in discussions with four to five teams. Among the speculated potential destinations for Busch include Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Joe Gibbs Racing and Evernham Motorsports. "(We're) just still working with some of the teams and organizations to see what's out there and see what all we can work on further," Busch said. "No decisions - not quite to the point where we need to let anything out."(Associated Press/Fox Sports)(7-14-2007)
Correction to Kyle Busch story: "We (WCNC.com) have a retraction on a story we first reported Wednesday. Wildlife officers cited a boater on Lake Norman on the Fourth of July for boating while impaired and speeding. Ryan Young is facing those charges. During our report, we stated that NASCAR race driver Kyle Busch was the owner of that boat. We have since received documentation that Ryan Young is the boat’s owner. We also reported Kyle Busch was on board the boat, based on Young’s statements to the arresting officer. We learned Thursday from Hendrick Motorsports that Kyle Busch was not on board the boat. We regret this error."(WCNC.com)(7-12-2007)
BWI/NASCAR connection story looks to be bogus UPDATE: The original post that was linked and posted on the WCNC.com site at approx 1:24pm/et today and removed around 430pm/et without explantion: The pilot of a boat owned by NASCAR driver #5-Kyle Busch was cited for BWI [Boating while intoxicated] on the Fourth of July. Lake patrol officers said the 44-foot cabin cruiser came within inches of hitting the boat of a lake patrol officer who had his blue lights on and was citing another boater. Two other lake patrol officers witnessed the near collision and rushed to the scene, thinking that the cabin cruiser, owned by Kyle Busch, had actually hit the other officer's boat. Those officers said the person operating Busch's boat, who officials later identified as a front tire changer for a NASCAR team, realized he was in trouble and got his girlfriend to take the pilot's seat while he went into the cabin. The two other lake patrol officers saw the switch, caught up to the cabin cruiser and stopped it. The boat's pilot was cited for boating while intoxicated, operating a boat with insufficient lifejackets, failure to move over for blue lights and careless and reckless boating. Kyle Busch was [NOT] a passenger on the cabin cruiser but he was not piloting the boat. He owns the boat but he is not facing any charges. The boat is actually registered to NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, because Busch had just bought it and he had not changed the registration yet.(WCNC.com - link/story was pulled after 3 hours)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports reports Busch was NOT on the boat and it was not his boat, WCNC.com informed me the stroy was pulled as they looked for a second source, sounds like something that should had been done in the first place. Been requested by HMS and WCNC.com that I just delete and pull down this story, but I don't do that, not fair to the readers. NOTE: it is still posted on the Sunherald.com site.(7-11-2007)
Kyle Busch new team choice down to five: #5-Kyle Busch has narrowed his list of prospective teams to Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Evernham Motorsports and Chip Ganassi Racing, sources close to the situation said on Thursday. The 22-year-old driver visited eight teams and then narrowed his search to three Chevrolet teams and two Dodge teams. He is expected to have a new deal by early August.(ESPN.com)(7-6-2007)
Sauter and Kyle Busch Fail Post Race Inspection UPDATE 2 penalties announced: The Chevys of #70-Johnny Sauter and #5-Kyle Busch both did not meet the minimum height requirements during post-race inspection. #83-Brian Vickers failed post-qualifying inspection on Friday and had his time disallowed. NASCAR will take both of the cars back to the R&D Center in Concord, NC to test them further to see if the problem is the result of something that happened on the track or not. If any penalties are assessed, they are likely to be announced on Tuesday.(7-1-2007)
UPDATE: there was NO announcement on Tuesday, July 3rd, regarding any penalties for the #70 and/or #5 teams, no word if there will be an announcement or if the team will be penalized.(7-4-2007)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the #5 and #70 teams that compete in the Nextel Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found this past weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H. Both cars – the #5 Chevy driven by Kyle Busch and the #70 Chevy driven by Johnny Sauter – were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8.1B, COT Technical Bulletin #3, dated 4/10/07 (failed to meet the minimum front car heights) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during post-race inspection last Sunday. As a result, Kyle Busch and Sauter have each been penalized 25 driver championship points. Their respective crew chiefs – Alan Gustafson and Robert “Bootie” Barker – have each been fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Sept. 19. In addition, Rick Hendrick, owner of the #5, has been penalized 25 car owner championship points as has Joe Custer, the owner of the #70.(NASCAR PR)(7-4-2007)
Kyle Busch to Evernham? Riggs' Status in Doubt? Ray Evernham acknowledged Kyle Busch visited his shop in Statesville, N.C., on Tuesday. He said the visit went well and that he hopes Evernham Motorsports remains on Busch's list when the number of suitors is soon reduced to about four. Evernham said negotiations to extend the contract of Scott Riggs, who has missed the last two races and is 36th in points, continue. But he wasn't quite as adamant that Riggs will be a part of the organization in 2008 as he was three weeks ago. "He's a good little guy," Evernham said. "I just feel bad for what's going on with him."(ESPN.com)(7-2-2007)
Penske may soon feature a brother act: UPDATE: Roger Penske may be considering adding Kyle Busch to the Penske Racing South NASCAR operation, which includes older brother Kurt Busch. "Penske would be stupid not to look at Kyle, so that talk is under way," Kurt Busch said during a national teleconference. But, he added, Kyle is "talking with all the other race teams out there such as Ginn Motorsports, Yates. I'm sure he's talked with Gibbs. "I would say he's talked with 99 percent of the garages, and that 1 percent (he hasn't talked to) is probably Roush Racing." Kyle Busch is to return to The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway next week and compete in the annual "Night of Fire" racing card Tuesday night.(Las Vegas Sun), been told Kyle Busch has met this week with Evernham Motorsports and Chip Ganassi Racing.(6-29-2007)
UPDATE: Kyle Busch has visited eight Nextel Cup organizations since he became a free agent and could have his final list arrowed to four by the end of the weekend, a source close to the situation said on Friday. One of those organizations is Evernham Motorsports, where team members say the 22-year-old driver spent part of Tuesday. Other organizations believed to be in the mix are the Chevrolet teams of Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Ginn Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing, and the Dodge team of Chip Ganassi Racing. Busch said he has not had sit-down discussions with Penske Racing officials even though his older brother, Kurt Busch, said there have been conversations. But he did say Chevy and Dodge teams were in the mix, and that there has been some contact by Ford. "The teams have their timetables with their sponsors and stuff like that they have to let know. ... There are a couple of teams that would like to know within the next three or four [weeks]."(ESPN.com)(6-30-2007)
Kyle Busch to race PASS North All-Star race: PASS North will visit All-Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire for a 200-lap feature race on the Saturday night of Cup weekend - and one of NASCAR brightest stars will be heading over from the Magic Mile at NHIS to race at All-Star. Kyle Busch has signed to compete in the June 30th All-Star 200 PASS North event. Busch is a veteran of several Super Late Model events during the past several years and will drive the #51 car fielded by Steve Perry for the event. The PASS North teams have visited the track formerly known as Star Speedway in the past, but not since Bobby McArthur bought the facility, renovated it and changed the name before the start of the 2007 racing season. The All-Star 200 is scheduled for Saturday, June 30th. Practice and qualifying will take place on Friday night, June 29th.(51sports PR)(6-22-2007)
Monster? Pepsi? Adidas? Dale Jr's 2008 sponsor? Captain Thunder reports....am hearing that Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick has been in talks with two beverage sponsors for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s racecar for 2008. One is Pepsi and the other is Monster Energy. Pepsi has had a running relationship with Hendrick for many years as they have shared the sponsorship of Jeff Gordon's #24 car with the DuPont Corporation. Monster Energy has had a recent relationship with Dale Jr. and JR. Motorsports. Monster is all set to sponsor the late model car that Supercross legend Jeremy McGrath will drive for JR. Motorsports this year for a 10-race run. Look for an announcement soon as teams must have sponsorships and car numbers to the merchandise manufacturers for merchandise to be ready for February's Speed Weeks in Daytona.(Captain Thunder site)
MORE Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s marketing team at JR Motorsports has been working on an apparel deal with Adidas that could put his own line of ClimaCool wear in major sporting goods retailers, a place where NASCAR has had no presence. Earnhardt’s own endorsement muscle is again evident in the deal with Adidas, which is believed to be a separate agreement from Earnhardt’s new relationship at Hendrick. It’s uncertain if the Adidas relationship might blossom into a team sponsorship deal. Earnhardt, though, was looking to go in a different direction. Sources say he was more interested in the “lifestyle” approach that Adidas offered through its ClimaCool brand, which could include Dale Jr. jerseys, performance T-shirts or other mainstream sportswear, as well as footwear. No launch date for any lifestyle line could be determined. Meanwhile, team owner Rick Hendrick offered no sponsorship news last week on Earnhardt’s new ride. Although Budweiser has made it clear that it’s interested in continuing its relationship with Earnhardt, other sponsor conflicts must be navigated. Kellogg’s and Carquest have a contract to be co-primary sponsors on Hendrick’s #5 car — the one that will be vacated by Kyle Busch to make room for Earnhardt — through 2009.(Sports Business Journal)(6-20-2007)
Ganassi adds name to list of owners interested in Busch: Add Chip Ganassi Racing [#s 40, 41, 42] to the list of teams that are interested in #5-Kyle Busch. Team owner Chip Ganassi said he is interested in talking to the driver. "Who wouldn't be?" Ganassi said when asked if he was interested in pursuing Busch. "A good guy comes along like that, yeah I'm interested." Ganassi said he is not in the position to add a team since the best of his three drivers is #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, who ranks 21st in the points. "Before we can get to a fourth car, we've got to move our three cars up the grid a little bit," Ganassi said.(SceneDaily.com)(6-17-2007)
Childress interested in Kyle Busch: Car owner Richard Childress was unable to sign Dale Earnhardt, Jr., but his team is hardly hurting as is. The car owner said Saturday that like a lot of car owners in the garage, he’s very interested in talking with newly minted free agent Kyle Busch, possibly for a long-rumored fourth Richard Childress Racing car. “Anybody would look at Kyle right now - any team in here,” said Childress. Childress, one of the most independent minds in the Nextel Cup garage, is not someone even remotely daunted by Busch’s reputation as a hot head. “I can name you eight or 10 guys in here at his age that were a handful. He's learning." Of Busch, Childress added, “He's the hottest property on the market right now.” In fact, some in the garage believe that Busch’s driving talent is equal to or even ahead of that of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.(SPEEDtv.com)(6-17-2007)
Roush not interested in Busch: His ride gone for next season and then his agent, #5-Kyle Busch faces more changes. He'll search for a new ride and could be barred from some Hendrick Motorsports team meetings [as Brian Vickers was in 2006] even as he tries to make the title chase. Although Dale Earnhardt Jr. replaces him next year, Busch wouldn't mope about his situation Friday at Michigan International Speedway. "I'm interested in talking to ... whoever's got an open seat," Busch said before qualifying third for Sunday's race. "Let's sit down. Let's have dinner." Many owners are expected to answer, but not Jack Roush, for whom Busch drove before moving to Hendrick in 2003. "I am not interested in Kyle Busch," Roush said. "I've been there and I've done that."(Roanoke Times)(6-16-2007)
Agent kept Kyle Busch in dark during contract extension talks: #5-Kyle Busch says his previous agent hampered negotiations to keep him at Hendrick Motorsports. The 22-year-old driver said on Friday that Alan Miller kept him in the dark about many things during talks to sign an extension beyond next season and that he was surprised initially to learn Dale Earnhardt Jr. had been signed to replace him. Among the things was the number of other organizations expressing an interest in Busch, which team owner Rick Hendrick said had a negative impact on discussions. "My previous representation didn't inform me that he was getting calls," Busch said before practice at Michigan International Speedway. "Then I guess that was opened up to Hendrick Motorsports. They sort of got upset. Miller, who was at MIS representing other clients, was disappointed in Busch's comments. "I've been doing this for a long, long time," said Miller, who has represented HMS drivers Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears, to name a few. "My reputation is as good as anybody's. I'm not going to dignify what Kyle said with a response. I'm sorry Kyle chose to say something like that," Miller said. Busch was given a release from the final year of his contract next season at HMS on Monday. He was joined at MIS by his new agent, Bruce Kempton. Kempton said he's had calls from just about every organization in the Nextel Cup garage. Officials at DEI, Ginn Racing, Richard Childress Racing and Evernham Motorsports have expressed an open interest. EMS owner Ray Evernham told Busch personally after the two competed in a dirt track event on Thursday night that he was prepared to expand his organization to four teams if they could reach an agreement. Busch said he would like to stay in a Chevy but added that he's not married to the manufacturer.(ESPN.com)(6-16-2007)
Gustafson plans to stay at Hendrick Motorsports: #5-Kyle Busch's crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports says he doesn't plan on going anywhere - even if it means accepting a new role in the company. Busch may be leaving Hendrick at the end of this season, but crew chief Alan Gustafson said he wants to stay loyal to team owner Rick Hendrick, no matter what that may entail. "I expect to be a crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports, but I will make the statement that I will be at Hendrick Motorsports next year regardless," Gustafson said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. "I'd rather sweep floors for Rick Hendrick than be a crew chief for someone else." Gustafson knows he would be a highly sought-after crew chief if he were to consider leaving the company but said his personal ties to Hendrick will keep him at HMS.(SceneDaily.com)(6-16-2007)
Yates interested in Kyle Busch...and Kurt too: Add Robert Yates Racing [#38 and #88] to the list of teams interested in signing Kyle Busch to drive next season. "I've sent word through his agent [that I would like to talk to him]," RYR co-owner Robert Yates said on Thursday during a Ford function. "I'm very interested." Said Yates' son, Doug, "He would look good in a Ford." RYR not only wants Kyle, but his brother #2-Kurt. But Kurt Busch has three years remaining on his deal with Penske Racing, and according to his agent has no plans to leave. "That's flattering," said Kurt's agent, John Caponigro. "He's locked in at Penske. He's doing fine. He's looking forward to making the Chase this year and having lot of success at Penske Racing." Kyle became available on Wednesday when it was announced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was signed to replace him at Hendrick Motorsports next season and that the 22-year-old Busch has been given his release from the final year of his deal in 2008. Bruce Kempton, who represents Kyle, said he's heard from just about every organization in the Nextel Cup garage. He said there had been no contact with RYR, but that his client was willing to listen to anyone. Among the teams other than RYR that have expressed an interest in Kyle are the Chevrolet teams of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing. While Busch has driven Chevrolets since he left Ford's Roush Racing after the 2001 Truck Series season, he is not married to the manufacturer.(ESPN.com).(6-15-2007)
Statement from Kyle Busch Regarding Departure from HMS: UPDATE 2: Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Chevry in the Nextel Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports and four-time Nextel Cup race winner, will depart Hendrick Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2007 season. The following is a statement from Busch regarding the decision to leave: "We had been working on a contract extension for me to remain at Hendrick Motorsports, but after prolonged negotiations, we mutually agreed that a fresh start was in order. I have been granted a release after the 2007 season. I have tremendous respect for Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. It's where I grew up, and I have a lot of great memories. I kind of feel like I'm graduating. I'm excited about my future, and I know a lot of opportunities await because of what everyone at Hendrick did for me - on the track and off. I still have a job to do this year, and will give it my all - just as I've always done - to make sure we put the #5 car in victory lane a few more times before the year is out."(True Speed Communication PR)
UPDATE: Hearing that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will end up at Hendrick Motorsports, taking Kyle Busch's roster spot [which was announced]. As to what happens to Busch, he'll take Junior's place at Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated.(6-13-2007)
UPDATE 2: On Thursday, it became obvious that the honeymoon was over in relation to Hendrick Motorsports’ signing of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kyle Busch, the driver Earnhardt Jr. will replace next year, basically called owner Rick Hendrick a liar on a Sirius satellite-radio call-in show. According to Hendrick, he and Busch mutually agreed that leaving the team would be best for both parties. Hendrick also said Busch told him other teams had approached him. A gracious statement was issued in Busch’s name at the same time the press conference announcing Earnhardt’s hiring was taking place. Not so, said Busch. “Well, you know, this is all brand new,” said Busch. “I hadn’t talked or discussed or done anything with any other team. There had been a rumor that flew around that I was unhappy at Hendrick Motorsports, which was untrue. I was just frustrated with the way things were going, that I wasn’ able to get results. We had been running good and been fast everywhere, but we just had some bad luck and were crashing, and whatever. “That rumor started, and then after that rumor, it was that I was getting offers from other teams, which, I had never talked to anybody.” Busch said he hadn’t been given any indication that he wouldn’t be back at Hendrick until Monday.(Gaston Gazette)(6-14-2007)
Fishing logo on the #5 at MIS: The #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy of Kyle Busch will have a special decal on the rear bumper this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Sponsor Kellogg's has an affiliation with the FLW Outdoors Bass Pro Fishing Series. The bumper will feature the FLW Outdoors logo in anticipation of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Chevy Open event scheduled to take place July 12-15 in Detroit. Busch will also drive the #51 Chevy Silverado for Billy Ballew Motorsports in Saturday's running of the Michigan 200 Truck Series race.(HMS PR)(6-14-2007)
Kyle Busch forms charitable foundation: #5-Kyle Busch, president of Kyle Busch Motorsports, announced his newly formed charitable effort called the Kyle Busch Foundation. "I have been very blessed in my life,” Busch said. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to race and do what I love. Not everyone is as fortunate. So I wanted to give something back and I decided I wanted to help kids." The Kyle Busch Foundation is dedicated to providing essential tools and supplies for institutionalized children across the country. The foundation will provide support to organizations that create and foster a safe, protective environment for children. “There are a lot of children in need out there,” Busch continued. “Times are tough enough for young people these days, and if there is anything I can do, I’m more than willing.” KBF is in the process of collecting items crucial to these respective homes. For designated drop off points and wish lists please visit please visit www.kylebuschfoundation.org.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(5-21-2007)
Dale Jr. leans toward Hendrick? UPDATE denied: The efforts to sign #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. to a NASCAR driving contract for 2008 and beyond has reached a critical point, and the top two teams on Earnhardt’s list are the Chevrolet teams owned by Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick, according to men familiar with the negotiations. Earnhardt today is leaning toward a deal with Hendrick [NOTE: where would Earnhardt go? HMS has four Cup teams and all three drivers signed for a couple more years, unless some sort of deal with Haas CNC Racing or Ginn Racing would be worked out], largely because of Hendrick’s very strong engine program, sources here said yesterday. Earnhardt and veteran crew chief Tony Eury Jr., his cousin and close confidante as well as the man who has led him to many of his 17 Cup victories, have talked with both the Hendrick and Childress camps in recent weeks about the positives and negatives each team owner would have to offer, sources said yesterday. And Eury will have a major voice in the decision, because Earnhardt’s primary goal now, at age 32, is to win a championship.(Winston Salem Journal)(5-9-2007)
UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports General Manager Marshall Carlson told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway Tuesday that his team is fully stocked with drivers for 2008 and beyond, and that he has not spoken with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., about the possibility of joining the Hendrick stable.(Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway)(5-9-2007)
Kyle Busch's HANs Device breaks in Busch crash: UPDATE: NASCAR on Monday tried to figure out why Kyle Busch's HANS device cracked during a spectacular crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Busch wrecked in Saturday's Busch Series event, when he was hit from behind and his car ended up on its roof before rolling several times through the grass. His HANS device, a NASCAR-mandated head-and-neck restraint system, cracked in the accident. "It performed the way it was supposed to, but it had a slight stress crack in it after the accident," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. NASCAR sent the device back to manufacturer Hubbard Downing in Georgia for examination.(Associated Press)(5-1-2007)
UPDATE: Officials from HANS Performance Products downplayed the crack found in Kyle Busch's HANS Device after a spectacular crash in the Busch race last weekend at Talladega. After the crash, a crack was found in the head-and-neck restraint that is worn on a driver's shoulders and has a carbon fiber piece that sits behind the helmet. "We were pleased to see Kyle shrug off such a dramatic wreck," HANS Performance Products CEO Mark Stiles said in a statement. "It takes a lot to even produce a slight stress crack in a HANS Device. It worked as designed, and was ready for more action - like its driver." The device is made primarily of carbon fiber, a high-strength, lightweight material. It was not revealed how large the crack was. General Motors Director of Safety Tom Gideon said he did not know where the HANS Device cracked, but with Busch walking away, he wasn't alarmed.(SceneDaily.com)(5-1-2007)
Kyle Busch Walks Away From Scary Crash in Busch race: #5-Kyle Busch walked away from a spectacular crash early in Saturday's Busch Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Busch was running second as the field drove off turn four on the 2.66-mile oval to complete lap 27 of the 117-lap Aaron's 312. Busch suddenly darted up the banking as he prepared to pass #9-Kasey Kahne for the lead. #33-Tony Stewart, in third, followed and appeared to hit Busch's car. Busch then bounced off the car driven by #24-Casey Mears and turned across the track and into the wall. Busch's car was on its side as it struck the outside barrier, then skidded on its roof down the banking and onto the grass infield, where it began barrel-rolling as flames erupted from under the hood. The #5 Chevy finally stopped on its wheels and Busch quickly scrambled from the cockpit. He walked straight to a waiting ambulance for the mandatory ride to the infield medical center.(Associated Press)(4-28-2007)
Why did Dale Jr. get in the #5 car after he was out of the race? For much of the day, it looked like the first two-time Texas titlist would be Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the #8 Budweiser team, as they led 96 laps, and repeatedly opened leads of three seconds or more before a strange incident ended any chance of victory. On lap 252, while running second, Dale Jr. was behind the lapped car of Tony Stewart rounding turn four when the aptly-nicknamed "Smoke" spun out, creating a giant wall of thick tire smoke. As Dale Jr. slowed down in the midst of the murky mess, #5-Kyle Busch, who was running third, slammed hard into the Bud car from behind. Despite the damage, the Bud crew went to work on the red #8 machine, making repairs and keeping Dale Jr. on the lead lap despite multiple pit stops under the caution flag. The race ended for the Bud car on lap 288 when the engine imploded, resulting in a 36th-place finish.
However, Dale Jr's day was not done, as a crewmember from Kyle Busch's crew interrupted Dale Jr's media session to ask if Driver #8 would step into the #5 car (the car that had smashed into his ownonly 30 minutes before) to finish the race after Busch had left the premises. Soon, Dale Jr. was being strapped into the Hendrick Motorsports car, and he completed the final 10 laps of the race, improving Busch's finishing position one spot ahead of Hendrick teammate #48-Jimmie Johnson. At the conclusion of the afternoon, Dale Jr. found his own car in 36th, and - for the first time ever - had driven a car other than the #8 Budweiser machine in a Nextel Cup event. Dale Jr. dropped to 18th place in the Nextel Cup standings, but is only 43 points out of the top-12.
Dale Jr. was soon pulled from the media swarm to climb into the #5 car. After the race, the media throng again clamored for comments. What did the car drive like?: "Like it was wrecked." Why would you get in another car? "Because they asked me. I have some friends on that team - and I'll always jump at a chance to climb into someone else's car to see what it's like. They used to do that all the time back in the day. You'd have relief drivers getting into someone's car almost every week, so it was kinda like a step back into NASCAR history or something. Old school! It was cool."(fingerprintinc/Budweiser PR)(4-16-2007)
Cheez-It colors on the #5 at Texas: Kellogg Company's tasty baked snack cracker Cheez-It will adorn the hood of Kyle Busch's #5 Chevy Monte Carlo SS for Sunday's Nextel Cup Series event at Texas Motor Speedway. The Cheez-It logo will make another appearance at the California Speedway event later this season.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(4-12-2007)
Congrats: Kellogg's/CARQUEST crew member Kevin Hulstein took advantage of the off-weekend to marry his fiancée Nicole. Hulstein, a mechanic on the #5 team, is a native of Willmar, Minn., and has worked at Hendrick Motorsports since 2002.(Hendrick PR)(4-10-2007)
Gustafson Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race at Bristol: In a down-to-the-wire finish, Alan Gustafson led #5-Kyle Busch to a defining victory in the 15th annual Food City 500. Persevering through 500 laps of unpredictable racing on "the world's fastest half-mile," the young duo held off a late charge from Jeff Burton in a three-lap overtime sprint to the checkered flag. By the end of the green-white-checkered finish, the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team was rejoicing in its 21-year-old driver's 4th career NEXTEL Cup win and celebrating Chevrolet's 600th career NASCAR victory. Leading the way, Gustafson used every one of the race's 15 cautions to move the Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet to the front of the pack. His strategic decisions gave his team the competitive advantage and earned him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. A panel of voters, which included a member of the local media, Tony Eury Jr., Robbie Reiser, Kenny Francis and a Wypall Wipers representative, agreed that Alan Gustafson made the best calls and adjustments during the race. As the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race, Gustafson received $1,000. With the victory, he has moved into a tie for first place with Chip Bolin, Chad Knaus, Ryan Pemberton and Donnie Wingo, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. For more information on Wypall Wipers or the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief Challenge, visit www.wypall.com.(Wypall PR)(3-28-2007)
Kyle Busch wins 1st COT race at Bristol: #5-Kyle Busch won the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway for his 1st win of the 2007 season, 4th career win and 200th NASCAR [Cup, Busch, Trucks] win. There was a green-white-checker finish after a late caution, with #5-Busch holding off a hard charging #31-Jeff Burton, who held on to 2nd, followed by #24-Gordon, #29-Harvick, #16-Biffle, #66-Green, #8-Earnhardt Jr, #07-Bowyer, #26-McMurray and #25-Mears. #20-Stewart led the most laps, but had a fuel system problem religated Stewart to a finish of 35th. #24-Gordon takes over the points lead from idle #01-Martin. There were 15 cautions for 90 laps and 10 drivers lead the race with 14 lead changes.
Race Results on my Bristol Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Bristol page
Race Rundown: see my Bristol Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(3-25-2007)
Hendrick going for 200th NASCAR win: Car owner Rick Hendrick now has 199 combined NASCAR victories: 151 at the NEXTEL Cup level, 23 in the Busch Series and 25 in the Craftsman Truck Series. The total includes a 1983 Busch Series win by the late Dale Earnhardt at Lowe's Motor Speedway in a car co-owned by Hendrick and Robert Gee.(HMS PR)(3-22-2007)
Kyle Busch visits school as part of Animal Ambassadors Program: Virginia Busch, president of the Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund teamed up today with Nextel Cup driver #5-Kyle Busch to present several unique and exotic animals to students at Luella Middle School in Locust Grove, Ga. Eighth-grade students got an up-close and personal look at a bald eagle, alligators, penguins, otters and more, all while learning about their ecosystems and how they can help protect them. Kyle Busch, who's #5 Busch Series Chevy will be sponsored by the Sea World and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, talked to the students about his racing career as well.(AMS PR/Hendrick Motorsports)(3-16-2007)
Kyle Busch helping raise money for Conservation Fund: The makers of Garden Safe brand products, which include a natural and organic lawn and garden care line, are planning a pair of promotions to benefit the non-profit SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. On March 15, Garden Safe brand products, the official lawn and garden partner of Busch Gardens, will kick off an in-store promotion at Lowe's locations nationwide. For each Garden Safe brand product purchased at Lowe's between March 15 and April 30, 2007, the makers of Garden Safe brand products will donate 50 cents to the Conservation Fund. The promotion coincides with the debut of a section at Lowe's stores dedicated to organic and alternative products, demonstrating the retailer's commitment to the environment. While consumers can affect the donation level in Lowe's stores, Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Garden Safe/SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund Chevy, will have the opportunity to raise the charitable contribution on the race track. For every lap Busch completes on the lead lap in Saturday's Busch Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the makers of Garden Safe brand products will donate $100 to the Conservation Fund. If he and the #5 team win, they will double the $19,500 donation to $39,000. The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund will be showcased on the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy throughout Busch Series competition this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Featuring various endangered wildlife, the car demonstrates the fund's commitment to species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and conservation education. Garden Safe products are not sponsored or endorsed by the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. As with all consumer products, it is important to follow all product guidelines and usage instructions.
ABOUT THE SEAWORLD & BUSCH GARDENS CONSERVATION FUND: The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, created in 2003 by the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, is a registered non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to supporting environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives around the world. Its primary areas of focus are habitat and species conservation, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and environmental education. Of donations made to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, 100 percent benefit individuals and groups active in conservation or education. Administrative costs, including fund development, staff salaries, equipment and facilities, are borne by Busch Entertainment Corp. (BEC), the theme park division of Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. For additional information on the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, go to www.SWBG-ConservationFund.org.(3-15-2007)
Kyle Busch looks at ownership: #5-Kyle Busch started Kyle Busch Motorsports about three years ago near his home in Mooresville, N.C. The Las Vegas native says with a grin that the operation was started to help provide tax deductions. But it has turned into a growing business, and the beneficiary is Alex Haase, a 17-year-old junior at Centennial High School. Busch will sponsor Haase in the regional NASCAR Grand National West Division this year for a Southern California-based team that has a car formerly driven by current Cup driver David Gilliland. "This could translate into something bigger down the road," Busch said of race-team ownership status. He drives part time in the Craftsman Truck Series for owner Billy Bellew [#15-Bill Lester], and he might begin taking a bigger role with that team. "He's looking to step back and let me take over that deal," said Busch. Haase will run in all the Grand National West races and compete in the Super Late Models divisions at the LVMS Bullring and short track in Irwindale, Calif., when his West schedule allows. Busch said he plans to return to his hometown to compete in three Super Late Models races at the Bullring this year, two in the summer and one in the fall.(Las Vegas Review Journal)(3-10-2007)
Kyle Busch to fly with the Thunderbirds: #5-Kyle Busch will take a ride in an F-16 fighter jet on Wednesday with the Air Force Thunderbirds at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(HMS PR)(3-6-2007)
Delphi to announce NASCAR plans at open house in Vegas UPDATE: Delphi Corp. will host a media open house on Monday, Jan. 8 from 3 - 5 p.m. at its exhibit at the Las Vegas Convention Center (#Exhibit 5206). Jeff Owens, president of Delphi Electronics & Safety and Francisco (Frank) A. Ordonez, president, Delphi Products & Service Solutions, will host the reception. Also hosting is: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch. Kyle will be on hand to sign autographs and meet fans. Along with Kellogg's, Delphi was a major associate sponsor of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy driven by Busch during the past NASCAR season. Delphi will announce its 2007 sponsorship at the open house. During the event, a host of Delphi subject matter experts will be available for interviews and to demonstrate the new technologies.(Yahoo Biz)(12-21-2006)
UPDATE: Delphi Product & Service Solutions announced today at a media reception held at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nev., that it will continue its major associate sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports during the 2007 NASCAR season. Nextel Cup Series driver Kyle Busch personally attended the reception to help kick-off yet another year with Delphi. An associate sponsor of all 2007 Hendrick Motorsports entries, Delphi will also be the primary sponsor of Busch's #5 Chevy in the Busch Series for five races. Delphi sponsored events in the Busch Series will include Las Vegas (March 10), Talladega (April 28), Daytona (July 6), Chicago (July 14), and Texas (Nov. 3). In addition, Delphi will receive preferred logo placement on both the #5 Chevy driven by Busch and the #25 Chevy of Casey Mears in select 2007 Nextel Cup Series races.(Yahoo Biz)(1-8-2007)
#5 looking for new car chief: been told that the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team that Kyle Busch drive for, is looking for a new car chief after Craig Smokstad left to go to the #83 Red Bull Racing team that Brian Vickers drive for.(1-3-2007)
New Driver for Hendrick Motorsports? Landon Cassill UPDATE: The Gazette [of Cedar Rapids Iowa] is reporting: Landon Cassill, a 17-year-old senior at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School, has signed a contract to drive for NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports, he told The Gazette today [1/2/2007]. Cassill joins a powerhouse race team that includes Nextel Cup champions #48-Jimmie Johnson and #24-Jeff Gordon, as well as #5-Kyle Busch [and #25-Casey Mears]. "I feel really, really honored to be part of this organization," Cassill said. "I'm honored to be in such an elite group." it says to "See more of this story in Wednesday's Gazette."(The Gazette)
AND Landon will move to North Carolina in March to begin working full time for Hendrick Motorsports.(kcrg.com), of note: Cassill can't drive in the NASCAR Cup, Busch or Truck series until he is 18 [July 7th] and since Hendrick Motorsports has four team in Nextel Cup [the limit], it won't be a full-time Nextel Cup ride, look for this to be a development program of some sort [ARCA, Trucks, Busch], also Cassill was part of the GM Racing Development Driver Evaluation program and made it to the final stages.(1-3-2007)
MORE: Landon Cassill — most recently an ASA racer who surged from 30th to fourth in the October race at Iowa Speedway — will graduate high school in February and journey to Hendrick headquarters March 1, his father said. Roger Cassill said Landon has already tested cars for Hendrick, and his future role with the team will include more of that while he’s groomed as a developmental driver. Cassill said his son may test Gordon’s “Car of Tomorrow” next week. “Hendrick was really good about coming in and saying they think he’s got the talent and they are more interested in developing him rather than making a bunch of promises,” Cassill said. “If he’s not ready he’s not going to race. As soon as he’s ready, he’s going to race.”(Des Moines Register)(1-3-2007)
UPDATE: Cassill will take part in two tests - one this month - while continuing to build a base of knowledge and experience. Hendrick Motorsports spokesman Jesse Essex said Cassill is the only driver with the organization other than defending Cup champion Johnson, four-time series champ Gordon, Busch and Mears. Cassill's progress toward a possible behind-the-wheel NASCAR career will be measured in baby steps. "Right now we're solely focused on seat time," Essex said.(Des Moines Register)(1-5-2007)

Past 2006 News
Kyle Busch and #5 team featured in Dub: Kyle Busch and his #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet team are featured in the October 2006 issue of DUB magazine, on newsstands now. DUB is a leading automotive lifestyle publication.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(10-18-2006)
Kyle Busch inducted into Walk of Fame: #5-Kyle Busch, the defending champion of the Sony HD 500, took his place on the California Speedway Walk of Fame on Saturday, and he did it in his own unique way. The walkway includes the footprints of previous race winners. Busch went barefoot. "Pretty cool," he said. Busch, 21, became the Nextel Cup's youngest winner when he took the checkered flag at Fontana a year ago. At the time, he said he didn't realize he set the milestone when he won at the age of 20 years, 4 months and 2 days. "We made it by three days," he said."I've got taken out of races here, but I've won races here, for me it's something cool to come out here. I like racing on the West Coast anyway. It's a fun place to race."(Press Enterprise)(9-3-2006)
Walk of Fame for Kyle Busch: #5-Kyle Busch will be inducted into the Walk of Fame at California Speedway for his record-breaking win in the September 2005 NEXTEL Cup race there. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 12 p.m. local time at Gate 12.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-1-2006)
Foamy mess at Hendrick hanger: Maintenance workers at Hendrick Motorsports have a foamy mess to clean up at the company’s airline hanger after the building's fire extinguishing system activated. The foam covered Hendrick aircraft inside the hanger at Concord Regional Airport and workers used fans, shovels and cardboard boxes to push the foam out. The building holds about 1,200 gallons of the foam and firefighters estimated that 500 to 700 gallons of the foam discharged. The foam does not pose any environmental impact and can be dissipated with water, firefighters said. Firefighters have not determined how the system was tripped. The aircrafts were not damaged.(WCNC.com)(8-31-2006)
Kyle Busch's Team Claims Pit Crew Win at Indy: Kyle Busch's #5 Kellogg's pit crew earned its fourth win of the season in the weekly Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, moving them into a tie with Jimmie Johnson's pit crew for first-place in the season-long contest. "My crew worked on my car all day long making major adjustments," offered Busch. "We missed it in qualifying and had a terrible pit stall selection for the guys to work with. They dealt with it, gave me awesome stops and got me positions on the track with each stop." Busch's over-the-wall team spent just 230.550 seconds on pit lane during Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. This is the crew's second win in the last three NEXTEL Cup events-they also took top honors in the July 16 race at New Hampshire International Raceway. "I think Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) told the team at the start of the race over the radios, 'heroes don't make a team, a team makes heroes,' and that's what we have been rolling with," said Busch. Checkers/Rally's will present the team with the weekly $10,500 check awarded to the crew that spends the least amount of time on pit road each week. In addition, a $105,000 bonus will be rewarded to the season champion at the completion of the 36-race NEXTEL Cup schedule. Busch's over-the-wall team includes: Rick Pigeon (jackman), Jeremy "JD" Holcomb (front-tire carrier), DJ Richardson (front-tire changer), Jason Jones (rear-tire carrier), Josh Kirk (rear-tire changer), Brad Pickens (gasman), Jason Dalrymple (catch can), and Whit Satterwhite (eighth-man). The pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin.
The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season of rewarding pit crews, the unsung heroes in the Nextel Cup Series. The competition awards $10,500 per week to the top pit crew. In addition, the pit crew with the most wins will be awarded a $105,000 bonus at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(8-9-2006)
Kyle Busch's Crew Takes Top Honors in New Hampshire : Kyle Busch's over-the-wall crew had two reasons to celebrate when they left New Hampshire International Speedway Sunday. Not only did Busch win the NEXTEL Cup event, but his #5 Kellogg's pit crew also took top honors in the weekly Checkers®/Rally's® Double Drive-Thru Challenge. "The Kellogg's guys worked their tails off in New Hampshire," said Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the #5 team. "They had flawless pit stops and never lost focus all day long. It was one of the hottest days we've had on pit road and they just went out there and did their job. The #5 team deserves respect because they are a great pit crew. I'm proud of how hard they work and they deserve this reward." This is the third Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season for Busch's team, which is now tied with Tony Stewart's crew for second place in the season-long competition. Jimmie Johnson's crew leads with four victories. "My guys did it for me in New Hampshire," said Busch. "They were on the money every stop. Alan (Gustafson) made great calls and I just can't say enough because it was a total team effort, right down to the guys who build the cars and motors back at Hendrick Motorsports." Busch's over-the-wall team, out of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, spent 133.356 seconds on pit road to claim the win. The group includes: Rick Pigeon (jackman), Jeremy "JD" Holcomb (front-tire carrier), DJ Richardson (front-tire changer), Jason Jones (rear-tire carrier), Josh Kirk (rear-tire changer), Brad Pickens (gasman), Jason Dalrymple (catch can), and Whit Satterwhite (eighth-man). The pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin. Busch's crew collected $10,500 for the win. The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season of rewarding pit crews, the unsung heroes in the Nextel Cup Series. The competition awards $10,500 per week to the top pit crew. In addition, the pit crew with the most wins will be awarded a $105,000 bonus at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(7-18-2006)
Kyle Busch wins at Loudon: #5-Kyle Busch dominated late and won the Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway, for his 1st win of the year and 3rd of his career. A late race caution caused the race to go into "overtime", for eight additional laps, causing three drivers who were running in the top-5 with 3 laps to go to run out of gas [#11-Hamlin, #41-Sorenson and #38-Sadler], #99-Edwards finished 2nd, followed by #16-Biffle, #6-Martin & #29-Harvick. Rounding out the top-10 were #11-Hamlin, #31-Burton, #9-Kahne, #48-Johnson & #10-Riggs. #20-Stewart was leading early in the race and got tangled up with #12-Newman who was 2 laps down at the point, sending Stewart into the wall and out of contention, Stewart's team got the car fixed and he finished 37th, but is now out of the Chase and 11th in points. Newman, who won the pole, had another incident on the track and ended up 39th after the team made repairs. #48-Johnson's points lead increases a tad to 68 over #17-Kenseth. #8-Earnahrdt Jr. lost an engine just after midway and finished dead last 43rd after running in the top-10 up to that point. There were 21 lead changes among 11 drivers and 11 cautions for 49 laps.
Race Results on my Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points page.
Race Rundown: see my Loudon Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race penalties, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(7-16-2006)
Cheez-It on the #5 at Daytona: Kyle Busch's #5 Chevy will carry a Cheez-It design in Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The familiar "Tony the Tiger" paint scheme will be replaced with red, blue and yellow flames surrounding the well-known Cheez-It logo.(Hendrick Motor Sports PR), have not found an image of the scheme yet.(6-30-2006)
Carquest scheme on #5 at Pocono:: Kyle Busch's # Chevy will carry the colors of Carquest Auto Parts this weekend at Pocono Raceway. It will mark the second outing of 2006 for the Carquest paint scheme, which will appear later this season at Chicagoland Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.(Hendrick Motorsports), see image on my #5 Team Schemes page,(6-9-2006)
Kyle Busch Fined, Placed on Probation by NASCAR; Mayfield Penalized: NASCAR announced that Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Kellogg's Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports, has been fined, penalized points and placed on probation because of a rule infraction this past Sunday during the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Busch was in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR Rule Book. He disobeyed a directive from a NASCAR official, entered the racing surface without authorization and threw an object at another competitor’s car during the event. He has been fined $50,000, penalized 25 Driver Championship points and placed on probation until Dec. 31. The infraction also resulted in car owner Rick Hendrick being penalized 25 Owner Championship points.
In addition, the #19 Dodge team was found to be in violation of Section 12-4-A, 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and Section 20-12.8.1A (roof height too low in post-race inspection). That infraction resulted in crew chief Chris Andrews being fined $35,000, driver Jeremy Mayfield losing 25 driver points and car owner Ray Evernham losing 25 owner points.
Also, Don Richardson, crew member on the #5 Chevrolet team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. He violated 12-4-A, because of improper use of a NASCAR credential.(NASCAR PR)(5-31-2006)
Busch/Mayfield Penalties to be announced Wed? NASCAR typically issues penalties on Tuesday, but today they delayed action on possible sanctions for both Kyle Busch and the Evernham Motorsports #19 Dodge driven by Jeremy Mayfield. #5-Busch, who drew NASCAR’s ire earlier this year at Phoenix for ramming #42-Casey Mears’ car during a red flag, threw his HANS device at Mears after the two collided Sunday night in the Coca-Cola 600. Mayfield’s car failed the postrace inspection in the same race when it came up one-eighth of an inch too low in the roof height measurement test.(Speed Channel)(5-31-2006)
Kellogg's, Carquest Extend with Hendrick as Co-Primary sponsors MORE: Kellogg Co. and CARQUEST Auto Parts today announced a unique three-year agreement with Hendrick Motorsports that secures the two companies as co-primary sponsors of the #5 Chevys driven by Kyle Busch in the Nextel Cup Series. Financial terms were not disclosed. Kicking off in 2007, the co-primary platform is a unique approach to NASCAR team branding. Aside from rotating Kellogg and CARQUEST logo placements on the vehicle's hood and quarter-panels, the base blue, yellow and red paint scheme of the #5 Chevys will remain unchanged throughout the racing season, allowing sponsor-partners to build broader equity in the team itself. Different from a "paint-out," where teams circulate various brand-specific car designs on a limited-event basis, the co-primary strategy allots premium logo locations to a pair of brands while providing the NASCAR audience a consistent visual identity. "This 'co-primary' approach delivers extra value to each sponsor because both are represented in a significant way at each race," said Patrick Perkins, Hendrick Motorsports' director of marketing. "By maintaining a standard design throughout the entire season, fans can more easily follow and connect with the team." For more information, visit Kellogg's web site at kelloggcompany.com and for CARQUEST Auto Parts, visit www.CARQUEST.com.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(5-26-2006)
UPDATE/IMAGE: In announcing sponsorship for the #5 Nextel Cup car by Carquest and Kellogg's through 2009, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said he also is hoping to lock up driver Kyle Busch for even longer. Busch is under contract through 2008 after the team acted on a two-year option.(SceneDaily.com), and see an image of the schemes on my #5 Team Schemes page.(5-29-2006)
Kyle Busch fined for traffic infraction: #5-Kyle Busch was fined $150 plus court costs after being found guilty of improper driving this morning in Henrico General District Traffic Court. Busch was originally ticketed for reckless driving after an incident near the corner of South Laburnum Avenue and Williamsburg Road on April 12. He appeared in court this morning with attorney Toby Vick and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-23-2006)
#5 Team Takes PIt Crew Honors at Darlington: Kyle Busch's over-the-wall crew won its second Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by spending the least amount of time on pit road in Saturday's Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway. Busch's crew, which spent 350.021 seconds on pit road during the NEXTEL Cup event, is now in a four-way tie for first place in the season-long competition. The crews of Tony Stewart, Elliott Sadler and Jimmie Johnson also have two wins each. Busch's #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet team consists of: Rick Pigeon (jackman), Jeremy "JD" Holcomb (front-tire carrier), DJ Richardson (front-tire changer), Jason Jones (rear-tire carrier), Josh Kirk (rear-tire changer), Brad Pickens (gasman), Jason Dalrymple (catch can), and Whit Satterwhite (eighth-man). The team's crew chief is Alan Gustafson and the pit crew coach is Mark Mauldin. Busch's over-the-wall crew, part of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize. A bonus of $105,000 will be presented by Checkers/Rally's to the team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)(5-17-2006)
NASCAR Looking at Kyle Busch - Mears incident UPDATE no penalties: #5-Kyle Busch didn't have much to say and #42-Casey Mears probably didn't feel there was much to say about Busch's running into Mears under the red flag following their accident on lap 100 of the Nextel Cup race Saturday. Busch was mad at Mears over the accident in the Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway and showed his displeasure with the light tap. Busch was about 45 laps down when he returned to the race and NASCAR held him five laps for rough driving, but Busch would have finished in the same position with or without the five-lap penalty. NASCAR will revisit the issue this week to determine whether any additional penalties are warranted. After meeting with NASCAR officials in the hauler following the race, Busch left the track without commenting to reporters, and Mears, frustrated with his car even before the Busch tap, was atypically terse. "I'm not really worried about Kyle," Mears said. When asked if he was surprised Busch hit him during the red flag, Mears replied: "I'm not surprised with anything he does."(SceneDaily.com)(4-24-2006)
UPDATE: NASCAR has decided it will neither fine nor take points away from #5-Kyle Busch for running into the back of #42-Casey Mears during the red flag period of last Saturday's Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, according to NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp. NASCAR officials met with Busch following the race and Tharp indicated on Tuesday that NASCAR now considers the issue closed. After leaving the hauler, Alan Gustafson, Busch's crew chief, said he hoped the team would not get a penalty. "[NASCAR said] just that we need to respect the red flag, and I agree with them," Busch's crew chief, Alan Gustafson, said after leaving the hauler. "he #1 priority in that situation is the safety of other people and that's what we've got to worry about."(SceneDaily.com)(4-25-2006)
Special Look for the pole winning car at Phoenix: To commemorate Kyle Busch's 50th Nextel Cup start, the #5 Hensdrick Motorsports Chevy will sport a new color combination at Phoenix. The car, a joint venture between Hendrick Motorsports sponsors Kellogg's, CARQUEST Auto Parts and Delphi, will feature primary colors of blue, yellow and red. The CARQUEST shield will adorn the hood, with the Kellogg's logo on the quarter panels and Delphi oval on the deck-lid. The familiar Kellogg's paint scheme will return next week at Talladega.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(4-21-2006)
Kyle Busch gets a ticket UPDATE 3: CBS 6 [Richmond VA] has learned NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was pulled over Wednesday night in Henrico County [Richmond VA] for reckless driving. The incident happened around 10 o'clock at Laburnum and Route 60 in the East End. Ironically, Busch just talked to the media Tuesday at RIR about NASCAR's new "Focus on Driving Campaign," which is aimed at limiting distractions for teens behind the wheel. Busch was in Richmond taking part in a nextel cup testing session this week. Busch is just 20 years old himself [turns 21 on May 2nd] and the defending Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year. Police won't go into specifics about the incident bu say that alcohol was not involved and there was no property damage. Busch is scheduled to appear in court on May 23rd.(wtvr.com)(4-13-2006)
UPDATE: The misdemeanor charge carries up to a year in jail, a $2,500 fine and a driver's license suspension, said Sgt. Don Lambert, with Henrico County police. The charge also calls for a mandatory court appearance; Busch will appear in Henrico County General District Court on May 23. Lambert said the incident happened at 10 p.m. near Richmond International Airport, a few minutes outside the city. Neither speed nor alcohol was a factor, though Lambert would not provide further details. Henrico County authorities said Busch, who lives in Mooresville, N.C., was cooperative.(ESPN.com/AP)
UPDATE 2: Busch and two other crew members were in a rental car on their way to the airport. They were near the airport when Kyle squealed the tires. They then pulled into a KFC to get something to eat when a cop pulled them over and told him squealing the tires wasn't a good thing to do and Busch agreed. He was very cooperative. There is no police report. He received a citation. There was no burnout and no donuts in a parking lot. Busch is scheduled to address the situation in the media center at Nashville at 4:30pm central time.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(4-14-2006)
UPDATE 3 - Busch's comment's: #5-Kyle Busch said Friday that he was charged with reckless driving Wednesday in Richmond, Va., after he "chirped" the tires of his rental car while leaving a gas station. He said he then went about 20 feet and turned into a fast-food restaurant to order food to go. He was in the drive-through lane when he first noticed the blue lights in his mirror. "It could happen to anybody," he said, adding that he's unsure whether he'll appeal his case in court. Busch, 20, said he held no ill will toward the officer who stopped him. "I have the utmost respect for law enforcement in general," he said. "They're just trying to do their job."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution and see more at the Richmond Times-Dispatch)(4-15-2006)
#5 tested at Caraway: #5 Crew chief Alan Gustafson has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis #263 for Sunday's race at Martinsville. The Kellogg's team tested the car, which saw action in both Martinsville events in 2005, on March 22 at Caraway Speedway, a .455-mile oval in Asheboro, N.C.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-29-2006)
Kyle Busch considering cutting back Busch Series starts? #5-Kyle Busch says he may reconsider his plans to run both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series. Busch has run well in the Cup series, currently sitting eighth in points, but his other effort has been less stellar. He's 18th in the standings in the Busch Series entering today's race [he ended up winning the Busch Series race at Bristol]. Asked if there had been any discussion of cutting back his Busch schedule, the driver said it hasn't been talked about yet - but that such a change would not surprise him.(SceneDaily.com)(3-26-2006)
Kyle and Stewart talk..again: Behind the Hauler Talk with Kyle Busch, #5 Kellogg's Chevy: Atlanta Motor Speedway:
WHAT'S THE SITUATION BETWEEN YOU AND TONY STEWART RIGHT NOW?
"I called him this week. We talked a little bit on the phone. It was a good conversation. A civil one. We just both talked about what I aggravated him with last week at Las Vegas and we both decided to elect on moving along and coming here to Atlanta and seeing how we can race out the rest of the year."
WELL, WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?
"It's like he said. It wasn't quite 80 laps to go. It was more like 65. But I was holding him up a little bit. I was trying to preserve my race car and my position on the race track for the last pit stop. A lot of these guys say you don't race until after the last pit stop, but you'd rather come into the pits third for the last pit stop and have a chance to get out leading than come in eighth and only be able to get out third. So I was trying to preserve my position a little bit and try to get a better spot for my guys to have an easier job on pit road."
DID TONY STEWART GIVE YOU ANY ADVICE THAT WAS HELPFUL?
"Oh, just trying to discuss how to race and how you race the race track. You'll see this weekend that this place definitely won't be anywhere near what Las Vegas was. At this place, you've got so many different grooves. You can run all over this place. The race track is old and aged. You have to race the race track here. It's worse than Darlington almost. It's a pretty bad place where you're not going to see a whole lot of side-by-side and bumper-tagging."
DOES TONY STEWART UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM?
"He did and he didn't. He had a sense of yeah, okay that makes sense. But still, I don't care. He's in his race car trying to run his race and I'm in my race car trying to run my race. Sometimes, conflicts connect and you have that."
DID YOU COME AROUND TO HIS WAY OF THINKING OR DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE IN THE RIGHT?
"There are a bunch of different scenerios. If you look at a 400 lap say at Dover, you're going to let people go for probably 300 laps or so and then in the last 100, you're not because you've got to plan yourself for your last pit stop. And then you've got to get out of the last pit stop and race to the end. It's different situations everywhere you go. I saw his point, but I also saw my point as well."
DO YOU THINK YOU DID ANYTHING WRONG?
"To answer your question in the fullest extent, I didn't do anything wrong. I was just racing my own race; racing my own race car."
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH TONY STEWART RIGHT NOW..ON THE TRACK?
"On the track? Probably not very good. But as far as off the race track, once he takes his helmet off, he's a completely different person. You're able to talk to him and be receptive of him. It's good to be able to have that relationship off the race track, I guess."(in part from the GM Racing PR)(3-17-2006)
Kyle Busch speaks about Mexico: #5-Kyle Busch admitted he lost patience last weekend in Mexico City when he and #15-Michel Jourdain Jr. got together while racing for the lead on lap 54. "I lost a little bit of that (patience) last weekend in trying to get back to the lead. I was worried too much about what was going on behind me. I knew Denny (Hamlin) was fast. I knew Boris Said was fast. I tried to get to the lead so I could try to pull away. But knowing there would be more cautions at the end of the race, I should have known better." Busch says he and big brother Kurt talked about it this week while running four-wheelers on the Nevada sand dunes.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(3-10-2006)
Ice Age II on the #5 at Vegas: Kyle Busch's #5 Chevy will sport an "Ice Age: The Meltdown" paint scheme in this weekend's NEXTEL Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The film will premiere March 31 in theaters across the country.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on my #5 Team Schemes page.(3-9-2006)
Stewart and Kyle Busch settle: - Kyle Busch said he and Tony Stewart hashed out their differences last weekend prior to the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Stewart had criticized Busch's driving ability after the Daytona 500. Busch said Saturday prior to qualifying for the Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 that he and Stewart have cleared the air. "I was able to talk with him and get it over with and get it behind both of us," Busch said. "We were able to race against each other a little bit on Sunday and gave each other plenty of room, which was cool. We waved and said, 'Thank you' as we were passing each other. ... There's plenty more times throughout the year where I know we'll be racing and hopefully we can just keep it the way we did Sunday."(SceneDaily.com)(3-5-2006)
#5 Team featured on Frosted Flakes box: In commemoration of the #5 Kellogg's team bringing home two wins and Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in 2005, Kellogg Company has packaged more than six million boxes of Frosted Flakes featuring driver Kyle Busch on the front. The special edition box also highlights "A Triumph of Teamwork," with members of the #5 Kellogg's crew showcased on the back. The packaging will hit stores throughout the United States, Canada and United Kingdom in the coming weeks.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(2-24-2006)
Hendrick offer bonus for The Chase: Hendrick Motorsports Team owner Rick Hendrick said he will split a $1,248,525 bonus between his four full-time teams if they qualify, figuring to increase his odds of winning the title. Last season Roush Racing placed its five Fords in the 10-race playoff among the top 10 drivers. Hendrick's lone qualifier, Jimmie Johnson, finished fifth. "We're thankful for what we've done, but that doesn't count," Hendrick said Wednesday during the media tour of Nextel Cup garages. "We're hungry for another championship here. We want to win Busch and Cup titles, we want to all be in the Chase, we have bonuses, we have coins that say all four are in the Chase ..." The bonus amount is comprised of the car numbers of four-time champ Jeff Gordon (24), Johnson (48), '05 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch (5) and Brian Vickers (25).(USA Today)(1-26-2006)
#5 Paint Scheme plans: hearing that Kyle Busch will run a few paint schemes in 2006 besides the normal Kellogg's scheme. At Las Vegas, Busch will run the Ice Age 2 [movie] scheme. Will run a movie scheme from "Car" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. Cheez-It at Daytona in July. Carquest Auto Parts schemes at Darlington, both Pocono races, Chicago and Texas in November. Delphi at Texas in April, Indy, Michigan in August and Lowe's Motor Speedway in October.(1-17-2006)

Past 2005 News
Busch wins 2005 ROTY: Kyle Busch in the #5 Kelloggs Chevy clinched the 2005 Raybesto Rookie of Year at Homestead, beating out #77-Travis Kvapil, who was the only other full-time rookie driver. Busch racked up two wins, one pole, nine top-fives and 13 top 10 finishes this season. He claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race 23 times in 36 races and was the only Raybestos Rookie to post a top-five finish this season. Busch joins Jeff Gordon (1993) as the only Hendrick Motorsports drivers to win Raybestos Rookie of the Year. He is the first Raybestos Rookie to post two or more wins since Jimmie Johnson won three races in 2002. Busch became the youngest pole winner in NASCAR's premier series (19 yrs., 9 mos. and 24 days) when he grabbed the #1 qualifying spot for the February 27 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. He is also the most recent Raybestos Rookie to win a pole and is the only first-year driver to win a pole in 2005. Where the Raybestos Rookies finished at Homestead: T. Kvapil 32nd; K. Busch 41st.(Raybestos/Camp and Assoc PR), also, Busch became the youngest race winner in NASCAR's premier series when he won at California in Sept. beating out Donald Thomas who was 20 yrs, 4 months, 6 days old when he won at Lakeland in 1952, Busch was 20 yr, 4 months, 2 days old.(11-21-2005)
Kyle Busch admits mistake: #5-Kyle Busch attempted to mend fences with the media on Saturday, six days after abruptly walking out of the post-race winner's news conference at Phoenix. Last Sunday when a reporter challenged Busch's comment that the media had spread misinformation surrounding his brother Kurt Busch's reckless driving charge, the #5 Chevrolet driver stormed out of the question-and-answer session, only to return 25 minutes later. "I made a mistake, and I realize that," Kyle Busch said on Saturday. "Everything that was said was [during] a high emotion time. All the speculation and everything else, it was just a bad time for me."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(11-20-2005)
Kyle Busch wins at Phoenix: #5-Kyle Busch won the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway for his 2nd win of 2005 and his career. Busch is the 4th 'Lucky Dog' driver to win a race, he was a lap doen when he had a tire go down early in the race and got the Lucky Dog pass on the next caution. So even with Kurt Busch suspendced and not in the race, he Busch brothers swept the races at Phoenix in 2005, Kurt winning the spring event. #16-Greg Biffle dominated early in the race and led 189 of the 312 laps but came up short and finished 2nd. #24-Jeff Gordon finished 3rd and is still winless at Phoenix. #20-Tony Stewart finished 4th and increased his points lead to 52 over #48-Jimmie Johnson, who finished 7th. #18-Bobby Labonte rounded out the top-5. #7-Robby Gordon put his DEI to good use and finished 8th for his 2nd top-10 of the season and #77-Travis Kvapil finished 10th for his 2nd top 10. #97-Kenny Wallace [that looks weird] subbed for suspended Kurt Busch and finished 16th. #11-Denny Hamlin, the pole sitter, led 23 laps and finished 13th. Four drivers are still eligible for the 2005 Nextel Cup Champion [as long as Stewart runs the race]: #20-Stewart (leader), #48-Johnson (-52), #99-Edwards (-87), #16-Biffle (-102). If Stewart finished 9th of better, nothing any other driver can do to stop Stewart from winning it at Homestead. There were only 9 cautions for 44 laps and 5 drivers led laps with 10 lead changes.
For my race rundown, laps led, DNF's, caution info, Lucky Dogs and some notes, see my Phoenix Race Info/Rundown Page.
For race results and awards, and other site links, see my
Jayski's Phoenix Race Results/Awards page.(11-13-2005)
Brothers Sweep, first since 1976: Kyle Busch won Sunday’s race at PIR, while brother Kurt took the spring race here. That makes them the first brothers to sweep both Cup races at one track in a single season since Donnie and Bobby Allison turned the trick in 1978 at Atlanta.(Speed Channel)(11-14-2005)
Kyle Busch walks out on press conference: There were two post-race press conferences for the winner at Phoenix. #5-Kyle Busch ended the first one abruptly when he found questions about dealing with his older brother’s problems tiresome. After a lapse of about a half hour, the race winner returned and clarified his position. “The only thing out there for us to do is acknowledge the contents of the police report and whatever Kurt Busch will say or release at a later time,” he said.(Gaston Gazette)
AND In the PIR infield media center for the traditional winner’s interview, Kyle was queried about his emotions on the day when his brother was suspended following an encounter with local police Friday night. “The only thing I’m going to say is I’m behind my brother 100 percent and usually things in the media are false and that’s what it comes down to sometimes,” Kyle said. Soon after, USA Today reporter Chris Jenkins asked, “Kyle, what specifically has the media written this weekend that’s been false about your brother?”
“I’m not going there, bud,” Kyle replied. “That was a really, really inappropriate question.” He then got up and stormed out of the media center, only to return some 15 minutes later.(Speed Channel)(11-14-2005)
Why no burnout at Phoenix? #5-Kyle Busch wasn't pleased with the second victory celebration of his Nextel Cup career. "I just want to apologize to all the fans for not doing my normal smoky burnouts," he told an estimated crowd of 105,000 from victory lane. "NASCAR wanted me to come directly to victory lane."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(11-14-2005)
Hendrick unsure about attending Martinsville: Car owner Rick Hendrick won't decide until Sunday whether he’ll travel to Martinsville for the Subway 500 cup race. It was one year ago this weekend when a Hendrick Motorsports plane crashed into Bull mountain near Martinsville while attempting to land in foggy conditions.10 people lost their lives, including his son Ricky, brother John and head engine builder Randy Dorton. Hendrick told PRN'S Garagepass; “I’ve learned since the accident that I have to take things day by day. I can have three or four days great and then I’ll get really down and thinking about things. It could be somebody’s birthday or Ricky’s daughter comes over to the house or whatever and it just unleashes a lot of emotions so I just try not to make too many plans. I want to go back to support the guys and I also feel like you just can’t run from it. But, if that morning if it doesn’t feel right then I won’t go.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(10-20-2005)
Kyle Busch testing at Homestead/Texas: Busch and his #5 Kellogg's Racing team will test at Homestead, Fla., on Wednesday [Oct 19th] in preparation for the Nov. 20 NEXTEL Cup season finale. The team will also hold a two-day test Oct. 25-26 at the Texas Motor Speedway to warm up for the Nov. 6 event there.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(10-19-2005)
Get Well: Chris "Sunshine" Heroy, a race engineer with the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team, recovering from an emergency appendectomy a couple of days ago.(10-15-2005)
Delphi in trouble: Last Saturday’s bankruptcy filing by Delphi Corp., the nation’s largest auto supplier, may well have ripple effects in the Nextel Cup garage. Delphi, a major associate sponsor for Hendrick Motorsports, is seeking wage and pension reductions from its union employees. In large bankruptcy filings such as Delphi’s, a committee of creditors works with a federal judge to decide how assets are distributed during the reorganization. Non-essential expenses — such as race-team sponsorships — typically don’t survive the bankruptcy process. A Hendrick representative said Thursday she did not know how the Delphi bankruptcy might affect the team.(Speed Channel)(10-14-2005)
OT to be paid: Hendrick Motorsports will pay more than $350,000 in back overtime wages to employees after an investigation found the racing company violated federal labor laws. The company, which designs, builds and races cars in NASCAR, acknowledged it failed to pay 214 salaried production workers $351,783 in overtime between July 2003 and July 2005. The U.S. Labor Department said it determined Hendrick violated the Fair Labor Standards Act. "We certainly wanted to make sure our employees received any compensation to which they were entitled, so we were glad to make the appropriate payments," Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex told The Associated Press on Saturday in an e-mail. "We've updated our internal policies and do not anticipate any ongoing issues."(ESPN.com/AP)(10-2-2005)
#48/#5 too high in post race inspection at Dover? UPDATE: been told that the winning #48 Chevy that Jimmie Johnson drove to victory at Dover didn't meet the height reqiurements in post-race inspection and supposedly the #5 Chevy was too high also. #5-Busch finished a very close 2nd. Hearing the height was over 3/4" off in the rear of the cars. It was mentioned during the race broadcast that the two cars sat higher then other cars on the track. Was told that it was reported to the media that all cars passed inspection, not sure if their is a shock issue or if fines will be handed out, Tuesday is usually the day NASCAR announces such things [except for after New Hampshire last week]. The #5 team was fined back in March for having the quarter panels too high at Las Vegas and the #48 was fined after Vegas for being too low with Johnson winning and Busch finishing 2nd.(9-27-2005)
UPDATE: For the second time this season, a cloud hovers over a 1-2 finish by Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. The shock absorbers from six cars, including those of Johnson and Busch, were confiscated after Sunday's race at Dover. They were taken for testing to see if they are in compliance with NASCAR rules. Johnson won the event and took the lead in the chase for the Cup championship as Busch finished a close second. Their shocks were taken after their cars had trouble passing post-race inspection. Johnson and Busch had a 1-2 finish tainted at Las Vegas when the rear of Johnson's car was too low and the right-rear of Busch's car was too high during post-race checks. Shocks were also confiscated at Dover from the cars of Penske Racing teammates Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace; and the Roush Racing cars of Mark Martin and Greg Biffle. Of the six, only Busch is not among drivers in the championship chase.(High Point Enterprise)(9-28-2005)
Hendrick was nervous: Car owner Rick Hendrick watched nervously from his home the final laps of the race at Dover recovering from a touch of the flu; however that didn’t stop him from getting word to his rookie driver #5-Kyle Busch prior to racing teammate #48-Jimmie Johnson for the win. “I called Doug Duchardt (V.P. of Development) and I said give Alan Gustafson (Busch’s crew chief) a message…tell him to tell Kyle not to do anything stupid…(laughs) Then when the flag dropped on the green, white, checkered I said evidently he didn’t get the message. So, Monday morning I said, you didn’t get my message? Kyle said…I got it….I wasn’t on him…I didn’t touch him! I said, well it was too close for me. But it was good race and a good result.”(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(9-28-2005)
Kyle Busch on Oprah [..Uma?] Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolets, is scheduled to be a guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Friday, Sept. 23. Check local listings for stations and times.(9-17-2005)
Last time Brothers won, back-to-back? Kyle Busch won last week at California Speedway and brother Kurt Busch won the race at Richmond this week, becoming hte first brothers to win races back-to-back since August 1995 when Bobby Labonte won at Michigan and the following week Terry Labonte won at Bristol.(9-11-2005)
Gustafson Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award at California: Alan Gustafson helped #5-Kyle Busch set a new standard in NASCAR racing. At only 20 years of age, Busch became the youngest driver to win a Nextel Cup event, after taking the checkered flag in the Sony HD TV 500. The duo's record breaking weekend earned Gustafson the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. The pivotal moment of the race came on lap 242 when the drivers came in for their final round of pit stops. Only 12 laps remained in the event, still Gustafson called Busch into the pits for fresh tires. Nearly everyone followed suit. Although he was planning to take four Goodyears, Gustafson made the last second call for only two tires and sent Busch on his way after the crew changed his right-sides. That put Busch out front for the final restart.
The panel of voters; including Gregg Patton of the Press-Enterprise, a Wypall Wipers representative and Robbie Reiser.; all agreed that Gustafson deserved crew chief of the race honors.
Doug Richert leads the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year standings with five wins. Alan Gustafson is in second place with three wins. Bob Osborne, Greg Zipadelli and Robbie Loomis are tied for third place with two wins. Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Fatback McSwain, Steve Hmiel, Jimmy Fennig, Greg Erwin, Slugger Labbe, Robbie Reiser and Pete Rondeau are in a tie for fourth place, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. Fans can also vote for their choice at wypall.com.(SMC 500)(8-29-2005)
Kyle Busch as 1st time winner: #5-Kyle Busch won the Sony HD 500 at California Speedway, for his first ever Nextel Cup win and becoming the youngest driver ever to win a race in the Cup Series, Donald Thomas was 20 yrs, 4 months, 6 days old when he won at Lakeland in 1952, Busch is 20 yr, 4 months, 2 days old. Busch led 95 of the 250 laps. Busch is also the 14th driver to win a race in Cup, Busch and Truck Series and eighth to win a race and a pole in each series. #16-Greg Biffle was 2nd, followed by #25-Brian Vickers, #99-Carl Edwards and #20-Tony Stewart. #21-Ricky Rudd, starting last after missing practice and qualifying, finished 9th. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost an engine late in the race finishing 38th and is now official out of the chase. #17-Matt Kenseth finished 7th and is now in the top-10 in points and currently in the chase as is #42-Jamie McMurray who finished 8th. #12-Ryan Newman and #24-Jeff Gordon fell out of the top-10 and out of the chase.
For race results and links, see Jayski's California Race Results Page.(9-4-2005)
#5 Team 'testing' 2006 scheme at MIS: With paint schemes sometimes looking much different on paper than they do on the race track, Kellogg's has elected to field a potential 2006 car design this weekend at Michigan. A final decision on the '06 version of the No. 5 Kellogg's Chevrolets will be based on how the car looks from the grandstands and on TNT's television broadcast.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), have seen no image yet.(8-19-2005)
Kyle Busch Fined, Placed on Probation for Watkins Glen Infraction: NASCAR announced today that Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Chevy in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, has been fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31 for an infraction last week at Watkins Glen International. Busch was fined for hitting another competitor’s car [#37 Lazzaro] after the completion of the race, a violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rule book.(NASCAR PR)(8-17-2005)
Special scheme for Busch at Daytona: Kyle Busch's #5 Chevrolet will sport a special paint scheme under the lights at Daytona. The red and blue car will feature the Cheez-it logo on the hood in Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.(Hendrick Motorsports)(6-28-2005)
New Co-Host for Inside Nextel Cup: Kyle Busch will co-host Inside NEXTEL Cup on July 4, joining SPEED Channel analysts Jimmy Spencer, Johnny Benson and Alan Bestwick. The show will air July 4 at 8:00pm/et.(Hendrick Motorsports), no word if this is full-time, a one week only deal and if Michael Waltrip will be back on the show. It has been rumored that Waltrip and Benson would be leaving the show and younger drivers would host the show. Also hearing that Kevin Harvick may join as a host in the future.(6-28-2005)
Executive Changes at Hendrick: In a tactical realignment of his business entities, Rick Hendrick today announced personnel changes affecting the Hendrick Automotive Group (HAG), Hendrick Motorsports and, now, the Hendrick Companies. As part of the refreshed business model, Hendrick introduced longtime Automotive Group executive Jim Huzl as president and chief executive officer of Charlotte-based HAG. In his new role, effective July 1, Huzl will oversee the direction of one of the nation's largest privately held auto retailers with 68 franchises, 4,000 employees and more than $3.5 billion in revenue. Sharing Huzl's former duties as HAG's chief operating officer will be three new senior vice presidents: Tom Blocker, East Division; Kirk Heppler, West Division; and Gary Davis, who will manage retail operations support. Huzl succeeds Jim Perkins, who will transition to become the first president and COO of the Hendrick Cos., an organization recently formed to manage strategic initiatives relative to Hendrick's various business enterprises. Perkins will continue to serve as a member of HAG's partnership committee.
Bobby Rice, a trusted friend and business associate of Hendrick since 1976, was named executive vice president of the Hendrick Cos. and special adviser to the chairman. Rice also will work in a consultative capacity with Hendrick Motorsports, which fields multiple stock-car racing teams in two different divisions of sanctioning body NASCAR..(HMS PR)(6-20-2005)
Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch in SI of Kids: #5-Kyle Busch and #24-Jeff Gordon are featured in the July edition of Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine. Dubbed as a "Rookie to Watch," Busch answers questions about his racing career in the Teen bonus section.(Hendrick Motorsports)(6-16-2005)
Busch attempting the triple at Dover: Kyle Busch will enter all three NASCAR events at Dover, Del. Hendrick Motorsports will field his customary #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet in the NEXTEL Cup Series on Sunday, along with a #57 Monte Carlo in Saturday's Busch Series event. The Las Vegas native will also race Billy Ballew's #15 Chevy Silverado in Friday's Craftsman Truck Series 200-lapper.(Hendrick Motorsports)(6-2-2005)
Hendrick may attend Martinsville: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick is leaning toward attending today's Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway. It's the first event at the track since a Hendrick plane crashed on the way to Martinsville last October. Engine builder Randy Dorton, General Manager Jeff Turner, President John Hendrick and Vice President Ricky Hendrick were among the 10 killed in the crash. Besides his brother and son, Rick Hendrick also lost two nieces.(Richmond Times Dispatch)
NOTE: Hendrick is at the track today for the race.(4-10-2005)
Kyle Busch in People: Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolets, is profiled in the April 11 edition of People magazine. The issue, featuring Jennifer Aniston on the cover, is on newsstands this week.(Hendrick Motorsports), Busch will also be a presenter on the Country Music Television Awards, see my TV Listings page for more info.(4-7-2005)
Scooby Doo on the #25 UPDATE Johnny Bravo on the #5: #25-Brian Vickers is scheduled to run a Scooby Doo scheme at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. See an image on my #25 Team Schemes page.(4-6-2005)
AND #5-Kyle Busch will run a Johnny Bravo scheme at Bristol in August. See an image on my #5 Team Schemes page.(4-7-2005)
Busch and Vickers on Country Music Television Awards: On Monday, April 11, Hendrick Motorsports teammates #5-Kyle Busch and #25-Brian Vickers will travel to Nashville, Tenn., where the pair will be presenters at this year's Country Music Television Awards. Other attendees include Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Jeff Daniels, Gina Gershon, Dennis Hopper, Larry the Cable Guy, William Shatner and many more. The show will air live on CMT beginning at 8:00pm/et.(Hendrick Motorsports)(4-7-2005)
THE RULING ANNOUNCED on the APPREAL
National Stock Car Racing Commission Statements
#5 Team: On March 22, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the Appeal of Rick Hendrick, Kyle Busch and Alan Gustafson concerning three penalties assessed by NASCAR relative to the #5 car following the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 13, 2005. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing” and Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: quarter panel heights too high in post-race inspection.”
The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Rick Hendrick.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship Driver Points for Kyle Busch.
• $25,000 fine and suspension from NASCAR until April 6, 2005 and suspension from the next two (2) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races for crew chief Alan Gustafson.
The car was in violation of the rules at the conclusion of the race. This was not contested during the hearing.
Upon review of the evidence presented, and by a majority vote, it is the decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalties assessed against Rick Hendrick and Kyle Busch and to amend the penalty assessed against Alan Gustafson as follows:
$25,000.00 fine. Probation for 90 days, effective from the date of this Hearing.
This decision pertains specifically to the evidence presented in this Appeal. The Commission’s rulings do not have a bearing on existing or announced NASCAR enforcement policies. The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.Commission were John Cooper, Jack Housby, George Silbermann, Chairman.(NASCAR)(3-23-2005)

What Does this mean? everything stands EXCEPT the suspensions to Knaus and Gustafson have been recinded.
Hendrick Statement: Team owner Rick Hendrick today commented on the results of Tuesday's NASCAR appeal hearing, which today rescinded the suspensions of two Hendrick Motorsports crew chiefs. "I appreciate NASCAR giving us the opportunity to present the facts," Hendrick said. "From our perspective it's important everyone, especially our fans, know that we absolutely had no intention of breaking any rules. This sport has a rule book for good reason, and it's vital it be enforced. As an owner, I know it's equally important to have a just forum for teams and a fair system of checks and balances. We respect NASCAR's decision and look forward to carrying some momentum into Bristol."(Hendrick Motorsports)(3-23-2005)
Crew Chief Award Stays: Without a doubt, the greatest thing about NASCAR is its fans. It's their passion and enthusiasm that makes racing the best sport in the world. So we appreciate you sharing thoughts on the Crew Chief Challenge. After all, that's what this contest is all about - settling the hot debate of who really is the best crew chief in the Nextel Cup garage. Kyle Busch's crew chief, Alan Gustafson, was awarded the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Gustafson's car met all specifications before the race, and it was an incident during the event that caused it to exceed the height requirement. WYPALL Wipers certainly does not endorse any kind of dishonesty. The voting panel, including Tony Eury Sr., the local media and a WYPALL Wipers representative, took into account several factors when picking the winner, including strategy, pit stop times, improvement throughout the day and overall performance. Given that criteria, the vote for Gustafson still stands.(SMC 500 PR)(3-21-2005)
#5 Team allowed to work on car: Though NASCAR Nextel Cup cars were impounded [see full rules below] this weekend after qualifying Friday, Kyle Busch's team on Saturday was allowed to prepare a backup car for today's race at Atlanta after the 19-year-old Cup rookie wrecked his primary car in qualifying. It's a good thing crew chief Alan Gustafson is allowed to work while his suspension is being appealed.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(3-20-2005)
Appeals Allow Suspended Crew Chief's to be at Atlanta; Berrier to sit out: NASCAR crew chiefs Chad Knaus [#48] and Alan Gustafson [#5] will be allowed to compete in Atlanta this weekend while they appeal their two-race suspension. Both were suspended on Tuesday for allegedly cheating at Las Vegas last weekend. Team owner Rick Hendrick appealed, and the National Stock Car Racing commission can't assemble until next week to hear their case, NASCAR officials said Wednesday. Under NASCAR's rules, the crew chiefs can still compete until their appeal has been heard. Todd Berrier was suspended for four races, and NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said they expected to receive notice of his plans to appeal in time for him to compete in Atlanta this weekend.(AP/ESPN.com). Richard Childress said onSpeed Channel's NASCAR Nation that Berrier will sit out the Atlanta race and the suspension will be appealled.(3-17-2005)
Kyle Busch in Life: Kyle Busch completed an interview at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a Life magazine cover story. The piece will document the NEXTEL Cup rookie, his family and their path to the present-day success on the race track. World-renowned photojournalist Harry Benson photographed Busch for the cover, which is slated for distribution in late April.(Hendrick Motorsports)(3-17-2005)
Top Two Finishers May Face Penalties UPDATE Penalties, Fines and Suspensions: Speed Channel is reporting that #48-Jimmie Johnson, the winner at Las Vegas, was found in post race inspection to be too low and the 2nd place finisher #5-Kyle Busch's Chevy quarter panels were too high. NASCAR decisions will come Monday or Tuesday. The win will probably stand.(3-13-2005)
UPDATE: NASCAR probably won't take away #48-Jimmie Johnson's victory in Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, despite his car's failing an inspection after the race for being too low at the roof. First, it might be difficult to give the win to teammate #5-Kyle Busch, who finished second, because Busch's car also failed post-race inspection, for being too high at the rear quarterpanels. But it's not nice to try to fool John Darby, NASCAR's competitions director, and his justice may be harsh for both Johnson and Busch. But, a win is a win, no matter the asterisks - and no matter the razzing from rivals. The low roof that led to Johnson's violation would likely provide both an edge in speed on the straightaways as well as better handling in the corners because more air would reach the crucial rear spoiler. The high rear quarterpanels that led to Busch's violation would likely provide an edge in handling in the corners, because the rear spoiler would be higher. What NASCAR will likely do is take away enough points, probably 25, to knock Johnson out of the Nextel Cup points lead. That would put Kurt Busch, who finished third, back atop the standings.(Winston Salem Journal)
Wanna stop the cheating....take the freakin' win away, make a statement, that starting next week, post-RACE infractions cost 25 points, if it is the winner, they drop to 4th or 5th, and the win goes to the 2nd place car, or the next legal car.(3-15-2005)
UPDATE - Fines, Penalties and Suspensions: NASCAR has announced that rule infractions this past weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway have resulted in the suspension of three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series crew chiefs.
The #48 Chevrolet team received three penalties, due to the car's roof height being too low in post-race inspection — a violation of Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rule book (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules). A penalty of 25 driver points dropped Jimmie Johnson — the race winner at Las Vegas — back to second place (500 points) in the standings, 10 behind reigning series champion Kurt Busch (510). Chad Knaus, Johnson's crew chief, has been suspended from competition for the next two races and fined $35,000; Jeff Gordon, the #48 car owner, has been penalized 25 owner points.
#29 Team: Todd Berrier, crew chief for the #29 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, has been suspended for the next four races and fined $25,000. Those penalties resulted from the #29 having an unapproved fuel filler and unapproved fuel cell vent. The car was in violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q. The violation was found during post-qualifying inspection. In addition to Berrier's penalties, Harvick has been penalized 25 driver championship points, dropping him from eighth to 10th in the driver standings, while car owner Richard Childress loses 25 car owner championship points.
#5 Team: Alan Gustafson, crew chief for the #5 Chevrolet driven by Kyle Busch, has been suspended for two races and fined $25,000, due to the car's quarter-panel heights being too high in post-race inspection — also violations of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q. Busch has been assessed 25 driver points, dropping him from 18th to 22nd in the standings; car owner Rick Hendrick loses 25 owner points.
In addition:
Harold Holly, crew chief for the #32 Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton Jr., was fined $5,000 because of the #32 having an unapproved deck lid, a violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q that was determined during opening-day inspection.
John Latchford, crew chief for the #89 Dodge driven by Morgan Shepherd, was fined $1,000 because of an unapproved fire suppression agent found during opening-day inspection. That also violated Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q.
Larry Carter, crew chief for the #2 Dodge driven by Rusty Wallace, was fined $1,000. During opening-day inspection, the car's shoulder harness did not have a date tag displayed, a violation of Sections 17.2-C (and 12-4-A).(Fox Sports/Sporting News)
POINTS UPDATED on my Jayski's Drivers/Owners Points after Las Vegas page.(3-15-2005)
Hendrick Responds to sanctions and to Appeal: Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, today responded to sanctions levied by NASCAR on two of his NEXTEL Cup Series entries. "I'm not disputing NASCAR's right to levy sanctions," Hendrick said. "As a team owner, I understand why these standards are in place and have always taken pride in the fact that our organization has kept a very clean record. In this particular instance, though, we disagree with the severity of NASCAR's stance and plan to appeal their decision. I want to make it clear that we in no way intentionally ignored guidelines and I'm certain everyone understands that."(Hendrick Motorsports)(3-15-2005)
Gustafson Leads Busch to Career Best Wins WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: While so many race teams had a day filled with ups and downs, Kyle Busch was a picture of consistency in the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400. Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the # 5 Kellogg's Chevrolet, kept his team in the top-10 for the majority of the race, eventually scoring his driver a second place finish in only his ninth career Nextel Cup start. Gustafson's banner day earned him the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race.
A panel of three voters, including a WypAll Wipers representative, Tony Eury Sr. and Todd Dewey of the Las Vegas Review Journal, all agreed Gustafson was the stand out crew chief of the race. Tony Eury Sr. was equally impressed with Gustafson's performance. "It's hard for anyone to finish in the top-five, much less a rookie," said Eury Sr. "Alan (Gustafson) gave his driver an awesome car, and made the right decisions to make it better during the race. This is the first year that (Kyle) Busch and Alan have worked together. Alan's really done a good job working with that team. If he keeps this up, it won't be long before they go to Victory Lane." Gustafson won $1000 for picking up the Crew Chief of the Race award. He is now tied with Pete Rondeau and Doug Richert in the point standings for the WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000.For more information, visit www.wypall.com.(WypAll Wipers PR)(3-15-2005)
#5 Robot Car: Coinciding with the March 11 launch of the movie "Robots" presented by 20th Century Fox, Kellogg's will trade in the #5 Chevrolet's traditional paint scheme, driven by Kyle Busch, for a nuts-and-bolts Robots-themed design for Sunday's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-10-2005)
Busch's Pole, does he get to run in the Shootout? UPDATE Double YES: #5-Kyle Busch is the youngest pole sitter in Nextel Cup history at 19 years, 9 months, 24 days old. The all-time record was held by Donald Thomas - 20 years, 4 months, 6 days old at Lakewood Speedway in GA on 11-16-1952. The modern-era [1972-present] record was held by Brian Vickers, 20 years, 6 months, 20 days at Richmond on 5-14-2004.(that stats from the NASCAR Statistical Services Updates Book)...
So the question is....will Busch, who will be 20 in February 2006, be able to run in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona? The sticker on hic car doesn't say 'Bud Pole Award' BUT 'Anheuser-Busch Pole'. Officially, Busch is the winner of the "Anheuser-Busch Pole Award" and there are seperate plaque and materials for that. Brian Vickers had the same sticker in 2004, but he was 20 and was 21 at the time of the 2005 Budweiser Shootout, so he was allowed to run, but he wasn't allowed to run the Crown Royal IROC Series in 2004 as he was not 21. Been told no decision on Busch and the 2006 Bud Shootout has not been made as of yet.(2-28-2005)
UPDATE: Speed Channel's NASCAR Nation reported on its Monday show that they were told that Kyle Busch WILL be able to run the 2006 Budweiser Shootout.(3-1-2005)
UPDATE 2: Anheuser-Busch has been a longtime supporter of NASCAR through its sponsorships of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona since 1979 and the NASCAR Busch Series for the past 24 years.Â This past weekend, Kyle Busch became the youngest winner of the Budweiser Pole award, which will qualify him to participate in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona next February. Since Kyle is under the legal drinking age, he will not receive any beer branded materials, based on our policy of not providing beer branded materials to those under 21. However, since the Budweiser Pole award is the name of this achievement, he will be permitted to receive his honor and will compete in the Bud Shootout next year.
Since 1982, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have spent more than a half-billion dollars on community-based programs and advertising to promote the responsible and legal consumption of its products, which includes fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.Â The company has partnered with NASCAR and various tracks over the years to encourage responsible drinking and the use of designated drivers at NASCAR events.(fingerprint inc./Anheuser-Busch PR)(3-1-2005)
More changes at Hendrick? UPDATE: hearing that Eddie Dickerson, Manager of Hendrick Motorsports Chassis Shop, which was responsible for building all of the Chassis, and hanging all of the bodies, has left the organization.(2-16-2005)
UPDATE: Eddie Dickerson, the director of chassis engineering at Hendrick Motorsports, left the team. Team spokesman Jesse Essex said Dickerson's duties likely will be split among several team members, including Doug Duchardt, who who left his position as director of GM Racing two weeks ago to become Hendrick's vice president of development.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(2-17-2005)
Kyle Busch as Darth: #5-Kyle Busch will sport a Star Wars Episode III paint scheme at Richmond in May that will feature Darth Vader.(RacingOne)(2-11-2005)
Hendrick announces new VP's: Hendrick Motorsports general manager Marshall Carlson announced that competition director Ken Howes and longtime General Motors executive Doug Duchardt have been named vice presidents over the organization's racing operations. Transitioning from his role of competition director, Howes has been tabbed as vice president of competition. The Johannesburg, South Africa, native will oversee Hendrick's day-to-day competition-related activities, now encompassing teams, crew chiefs and pit-crew trainers, along with at-track logistics and execution.
Duchardt, who most recently managed General Motors' North American motor sports initiatives as director of GM Racing, has been named Hendrick Motorsports' vice president of development, a position in which he will control race-car evolution through design, engineering and production in the chassis and engine areas.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(2-7-2005)
Some Crew Changes: Chief engineer Chad Walters is the latest to defect from Dale Earnhardt Inc. Walters, who worked with former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Gary DeHart on Terry Labonte's #5, will bring his expertise back to Hendrick and the #5, which will be driven by Kyle Busch. Ed Young, who was the shop foreman for Matt Kenseth's #17 team, has left Roush Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. Justin Nottestad, who also is Kenseth's front tire changer, will take over Young's duties.(FoxSports)(1-10-2005)

Past 2004 News
CARQUEST joins #5 team, five 2005 races as the primary: Hendrick Motorsports today announced a multi-year agreement that will feature CARQUEST Auto Parts as a major associate sponsor of the #5 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team with driver Kyle Busch. Along with associate-sponsorship status on the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolets throughout the schedule, the pact will showcase primary CARQUEST color-schemes on the car in 10 NEXTEL Cup events, divided equally between the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Raleigh-based CARQUEST, the Official Auto Parts Supplier of Hendrick Motorsports since 2002, began its association with Busch this past season as primary sponsor of Hendrick's #84 NEXTEL Cup effort. The six-race initiative marked the series debut of Busch at his hometown track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, along with additional events at Lowe's Motor Speedway, California Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway. For the nearest CARQUEST location, visit www.CARQUEST.com.
CARQUEST COLOR-SCHEMES - 2005 NEXTEL CUP DATES: Feb. 27, California; April 3, Bristol; May 29, Lowe's Motor Speedway; Oct. 9, Kansas; Nov. 6, Texas(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(12-29-2004)
Delphi to continue sponsoring the #5 car: In 2005, Delphi will continue its partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and will be an associate sponsor of the Kellogg #5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. At the CES media briefing [Jan 5th], Delphi will introduce Kyle Busch, driver of the #5 car, who will be available for autographs. "Delphi is proud to continue its associate sponsorship of the #5 Chevy with Kellogg's and Hendrick Motorsports for the 2005 NASCAR season," said Francisco A. (Frank) Ordonez, president, Delphi Product & Service Solutions and vice president, Delphi Corporation. "We look forward to supporting Kyle Busch and his quest for the NASCAR championship." Delphi will be prominently featured on the #5 Chevy in all Nextel races in 2005. In addition, Delphi will be the primary sponsor of the car at four races of the 2005 season, including races at Texas Motor Speedway (April 17), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Aug. 7), Richmond International Raceway (Sept. 10) and Lowe's Motor Speedway (Oct. 15).(PR Newswire)(12-28-2004)
Hendrick Awarded: Team owner Rick Hendrick is the latest winner of the Buddy Shuman Award: Buddy Shuman was a popular NASCAR driver in the early 1950s who died in a hotel fire in 1955. The award has been given annually since 1957, honoring someone from the NASCAR community for contributions to the sport. Hendrick, a popular figure in the garage area, lost his son, his brother, two nieces and two key team officials among the 10 persons who died in an Oct. 24 crash of a team plane on the way to a race in Virginia. Hendrick's team has won five Cup championships and fields cars in both the Cup and Busch Series.(Augusta Chronicle/AP)(12-5-2004)
Dorton Honored: The late Randy Dorton, the chief engine builder for Hendrick Motorsports, who was killed in an October plane crash, was honored as Clevite Engine Builder of the Year. The award was accepted by his widow, Diane Dorton.(ESPN/AP)(12-5-2004)
Rick Hendrick at the track: mulit-team owner [#5,#24,#25,#48], Rick Hendrick, is at the track and made a statement today in the media center, thanking the racing community and fans for their support in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash. No questions were taken, to see Hendrick's comments in full, see my Hendrick Tragedy Page.(11-20-2004)
Crew Chief Changes at Hendrick? UPDATE 3: hearing Hendrick Motorsports will make some changes with the #5 Kelloggs team [2005 driver Kyle Busch] and #25-Brian Vickers, supposedly starting with the crew chiefs.(11-18-2004)
UPDATE: Nextel Cup rookie Brian Vickers is expected to get a new crew chief next season and be reunited with Lance McGrew, the crew chief with whom Vickers won the 2003 Busch Series championship, ThatsRacin.com has learned. Vickers’ crew chief for the #25 GMAC/ditech.com Chevrolet this season, Peter Sospenzo, will remain with the Hendrick Motorsports organization in another capacity, sources said. Officials with Hendrick said Sunday no announcements on personnel changes will come until after the season.(ThatsRacin.com)(11-21-2004)
UPDATE 2: After a lackluster rookie year in the #25 car, Brian Vickers will be reunited with his Busch Series crew chief, Lance McGrew. They won the Busch title in 2003, and some were surprised when McGrew didn't join Vickers during his rookie year in Cup. Vickers' current chief, Peter Sospenzo, will join Terry Labonte's limited run in 2005 [in the #44], and Jim Long, who was crew chief for Labonte's #5 Kellogg's Chevy, will work on the NBS program with rookies Boston Reid and Blake Feese and possibly a driver or two from the Cup stable. Alan Gustafson, who previously was the team engineer for the #25, will be Kyle Busch's crew chief on the #5.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(11-22-2004)
AND Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick today announced key personnel changes affecting each of his organization's stock-car teams going into the 2005 NASCAR campaign. Racing veterans Jim Long, Lance McGrew and Peter Sospenzo will each assume fresh responsibilities next season, while lead engineer Alan Gustafson has been promoted to crew chief. As part of the restructuring effort, team executive Brian Whitesell will also transition into a new role. "With a new shop opening and drivers moving to different teams, it made sense for us to look at our organizational structure in a different light," Hendrick said. "These changes will create more opportunities for our folks and help us work together more efficiently."
GUSTAFSON TO LEAD KELLOGG'S RACING: Gustafson, 29, has been named crew chief of Hendrick's #5 Kellogg's Chevrolets, which next season will feature NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series rookie Kyle Busch as driver. A native of Ormond Beach, Fla., Gustafson cut his racing teeth working as a mechanic at local short tracks in his home state while taking mechanical engineering courses at nearby Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Gustafson moved to North Carolina in 1996 to pursue a career in motor sports, gaining experience with various teams before joining Hendrick's in-house chassis effort in 1999. He was named lead engineer for the No. 5 Cup Series team the following year.
LONG MOVES TO BUSCH SERIES: After leading the No. 5 NEXTEL Cup team for the past three years, Long will slide into the crew chief position with the No. 5 Lowe's-sponsored NASCAR Busch Series operation. The team has earned a championship, eight victories and six pole positions over the past two seasons. An announcement regarding driving duties for the No. 5 Busch Series team is forthcoming.
McGREW AND VICKERS REUNITED: A Baton Rouge, La., native, McGrew, 36, has been named crew chief of the NEXTEL Cup No. 25 GMAC Financial Services team, a move that reunites him with driver Brian Vickers. The duo already has an impressive track record, winning Hendrick Motorsports' first-ever Busch Series championship together in 2003.
SOSPENZO JOINS LABONTE EFFORT: A three-time winner on the NEXTEL Cup circuit, Sospenzo will work exclusively with two-time Cup Series champion Terry Labonte as crew chief of the new #44 Hendrick Motorsports team, which will attempt a 10-race schedule in 2005.
WHITESELL NAMED TEAM MANAGER FOR 5, 25 & 44: Whitesell, 40, will take on the newly created position of team manager for the Nos. 5, 25 and 44 NEXTEL Cup teams. A native of Stuarts Draft, Va., he most recently held an identical post with Hendrick Motorsports' Nos. 24 and 48 efforts.
Shop foreman Mark Thoreson and lead engineer Darian Grubb will share Whitesell's former duties with the "24/48" operation. The Nos. 5, 25 and 44 teams will be housed together in a new facility adjacent to the 24/48 building on the Hendrick Motorsports grounds. The new state-of-the-art shop is scheduled to open before the 2005 season.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(11-22-2004)
Randy Dorton/Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown: The event began with a moment of silence, but the roar of 600-horsepower engines soon filled the room as Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group employees gathered this week for the third annual Randy Dorton/Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown. Sponsored by Dana Corp., the two-day contest teamed Hendrick Motorsports engine builders with Hendrick Automotive Group certified master technicians for head-to-head competition. Twelve pairs were clocked until their respective powerplant established a one-minute run after complete assembly, with the shortest elapsed time taking home first-place honors. Monday's qualifying round set the grid for Tuesday's finals, with the team of Jon Young and Mike Maiwald posting a build of 20 minutes, 52 seconds to tie the event record and earn the victory. Young is a Hendrick certified master tech from Gwinnett Place Honda in Atlanta, while Maiwald, of Hendrick Motorsports, is NASCAR's defending Engine Builder of the Year. For his efforts, Young was presented with an all-expenses-paid trip to the February 2005 events at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Runner-up Vince Bonfiglio, who teamed with Larry Zentmeyer, was also presented with a Daytona vacation package. Bonfiglio represented Hendrick BMW of Charlotte." This is a wonderful event that recognizes the > '> best of the best> '> in our industry," said Jim Perkins, Hendrick Automotive Group CEO. "It gives us the opportunity to bring the two companies together and acknowledge the contributions of our top-level staff." The brainchild of Rick Hendrick and the late Randy Dorton, the Showdown draws from more than 800 Automotive Group technicians, taking the 12 that are deemed most qualified by a one-of-a-kind Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exam created specifically for Hendrick employees. Those 12 are then paired with Hendrick Motorsports engine builders. Hendrick is owner of NASCAR operation Hendrick Motorsports, and chairman of the Hendrick Automotive Group, an organization comprised of 64 car dealerships across the United States, from the Carolinas to California. Dorton, recognized as one of the most gifted engine builders in NASCAR history, won nine championships during his two-decade tenure as head of Hendrick Motorsports' engine department before tragically losing his life Oct. 24. The Showdown was officially renamed in his honor shortly afterward. A silent moment of remembrance opened the competition at the Hendrick Motorsports Museum in Charlotte, and many of the participants wore red -- Dorton' s favorite color -- throughout the two-day experience.(HMS PR)(11-20-2004)
GM head of racing to Hendrick? General Motors' Doug Duchardt, head of the company's world-wide racing operations, is apparently being wooed by car owner Rick Hendrick to move to North Carolina to take a key position at Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick's racing operations were hard-hit by the plane crash three weeks ago that killed 10. Among those killed were John Hendrick, the company's president; Randy Dorton, the legendary engine builder and head of the company's engine department; and general manager Jeff Turner.(Winston Salem Journal)(11-13-2004)
Hendrick Motorsports update: Ken Howes, Hendrick Motorsports’ director of competition, played a major role in “talking the team through” the aftermath of the plane crash that killed seven employees of the team on Oct. 24. “He just took responsibility for taking us through that,” said Jimmie Johnson. A team spokesman, Patrick Perkins, said that Bobby Rice, a close business associate of Rick Hendrick, would oversee the operation for the time being while Hendrick recovers from the loss of his brother John, son Ricky and nieces Kymberly and Jennifer. Also lost in the crash were general manager Jeff Turner and head engine builder Randy Dorton. Jeff Gordon’s stepfather, John Bickford, will take on a more prominent role in the business side, and controller Scott Lampey will oversee financial operations. Jeff Andrews and Jim Wall will combine in directing the engine department.(Gaston Gazette)(10-30-2004)
Labonte not only with Kellogg's OR: hearing that Terry Labonte will only run the #44 Kellogg's scheme in five races each of 2005 and 2006 and will run the other races in other Hendrick Motorsports associate sponsor schemes such as Carquest, ditech.com, GMAC, Delphi and Quaker State.(10-21-2004)
OR have also been told that Kellogg's will be on Labonte's car for all 10 races each season, but that the #5 Chevy with Kyle Busch would have an associate sponsor as the primary whrn Labonte races.(10-22-2004)
How can Labonte run the #44? been asked by some folks how can Terry Labonte run the #44 when Petty Enterprises owns it. No team owns a number, NASCAR 'owns' the number. However, Petty Enterprises last ran the #44 a few times in 2003 with Christian Fittipaldi, but not in 2004 as sponsorship has not been found. On Tuesday [Oct 12th] Terry Labonte said on Speed CHannel's Wind Tunnel, that he asked Kyle Petty planned to use the #44 and was told no, and asked if he could use it for 2005 and 2006 and was told he could.(10-14-2004)
Labonte Announcement Oct 12th UPDATE - OFFICAL: Hendrick Motorsports has a press conference scheduled with Terry Labonte for Tuesday morning (breakfast with Kellogg's -- get it?), when Labonte supposedly will announce he is cutting back to a limited schedule for 2005 and 2006. Kyle Busch is slated to be Labonte's full-time replacement, moving up from the Busch Series. Supposedly, Labonte will drive the #44, his first number in NASCAR, while Busch will get the #5.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(10-10-2004)
TV: SPEED Channel will interrupt regularly scheduled programming Tuesday, Oct 12th at 9:30am/et to bring viewers LIVE coverage of the Hendrick Motorsports press conference with team owner Rick Hendrick and two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Terry Labonte. SPEED Channel's Bob Dillner will be on-site for post-announcement interviews.(Speed Channel PR)(10-11-2004)
The Press Conference: Fox's Mike Joy hosting the Terry Labonte announcement, on stage at the table are: NASCAR's Mike Helton, Team Owner Rick Hendrick, Terry Labonte, Bobby Labonte and Ken Schrader with Labonte's family in the front row.
Terry Labonte announced he will run a limited schedule, running 20 races in 2005 and 2006, 10 in each year. In 2005 his first scheduled start will be at California Speedway Feb 27th] and the final 2005 race will be at Texas Motor Speedway [Nov 6th] and that Darlington would 'probably be one of those races.
Kyle Busch was announced as the new #5 Kelloggs driver in 2005. Decisions on shop, crew and equipment will be made and announced at a later date. Speed cut away as the Q&A was to start. It was mentioned Kelloggs will be part of it, no word on the car number yet, rnor has it being #44.
An AP report: Two-time NASCAR champion Terry Labonte will race a limited schedule in 2005 and 2006, joining the growing list of veteran drivers slowly easing out of racing. Labonte is scheduled to run about 10 races next season in the #44 Chevrolet, followed by 10 races in 2006 in what will be his final season. "I thought a while about just walking away and I couldn't do it, but I didn't want to do a traditional farewell tour," the 47-year-old Labonte said. Nineteen-year-old Kyle Busch will take Labonte's spot in the #5 Chevy and is to run a full-time Nextel Cup schedule in 2005. He is the younger brother of current Nextel Cup points leader Kurt Busch. Labonte was in the #44 when he won his first points title.
Labonte is following in the footsteps of 49-year-old Bill Elliott, who scaled back to a part-time schedule this season. He said his decision was inspired in part by Elliott's example. Rusty Wallace also has announced that 2005 will be his final season; other longtime NASCAR mainstays probably aren't too far behind. Car owner Jack Roush said in August that 45-year-old Mark Martin indicated next season will be his last, and the two have called a news conference for Thursday.(Charlotte Observer/AP)
AND while since Terry Labonte is being mentioned here.....Fans will have the opportunity to meet Tony the Tiger and two-time NASCAR champion Terry Labonte on Wednesday, Oct. 13 when the “Tonymobile” visits the Hendrick Motorsports Museum.(more info at the HMS Site)(10-12-2004)
Terry Labonte Announcement AND: #5-Terry Labonte has scheduled a press conference next week to announce his plans. Labonte is expected to announce his semi-retirement and run a partial schedule next year.(Tennessean)
AND Labonte said Saturday he will run a schedule of at least 10 races each in 2005 and 2006 for Rick Hendrick, his car owner since 1986 [actually since 1994]. A formal announcement will be made at an Oct. 12 press conference at the Hendrick shops. Labonte, who has driven #5 for Hendrick, will switch to car #44, the number he drove for Billy Hagan from 1979-1986.(High Point Enterprise), so looks like Kyle Busch will move up to Cup in 2005.(10-3-2004)
Terry Labonte to tie DW: Sunday's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event will mark #5-Terry Labonte's 809th career start on the circuit, tying him with Darrell Waltrip for fourth on NASCAR's all-time list. The only drivers with more starts are Richard Petty (1,177), Dave Marcis (882) and Ricky Rudd (830).(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-23-2004)
Labonte #7 Now: With Terry Labonte's 18th-place finish Saturday at Richmond International Raceway, he earned $89,230, which lifted him past Bill Elliott into seventh place on NASCAR's list of all-time money winners. Now at $36,924,624.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(9-19-2004)
Kim Labonte Attends DOD Conference: Kim Labonte, wife of two-time Nextel Cup Series champion #5-Terry Labonte and mother of NASCAR Busch Series driver #44-Justin Labonte, has accepted an invitation from Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld to participate in the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC 68). Rumsfeld attended the Nextel Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway Saturday. The program, which will be held September 11 - September 17, will give participants an opportunity to learn first-hand about U. S. military personnel, their equipment and capabilities, and national defense strategies. As a JCOC 68 participant, Kim will visit military bases of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Locations will include Hawaii, Korea, Japan and Guam among others. Very few people, even those employed by the Department of Defense, get the opportunity to interact with such an encompassing cross-section of military leaders and service members of all ranks. Participants will fly on military aircraft; experience aircraft landings and launches from Navy ships; observe amphibious landings, urban area combat techniques, special operations assaults, and other warfare demonstrations. Justin Labonte is sponsored by the United States Coast Guard in the Busch Series and won his first series race at Chicagoland Speedway July 10. The Coast Guard announced last week that they would be partnering with Justin for the full Busch Series schedule for 2005 after running a partial season this year. Kim's trip will begin in Honolulu, Hawaii where the Coast Guard has a large base.
After an initial orientation, the JCOC team will travel by military aircraft throughout the Pacific theater. Due to a refocusing of military resources in the United States on Operation Iraqi Freedom, the conference adjusted what has been a U.S.-based agenda to one focused on the key command centers engaged in winning the global war on terrorism. This conference was initiated in 1948 by Secretary Forestal and is the Department's premier civic leader program. Only fifty U.S. citizens are selected from hundreds of candidates nominated by military commands worldwide. JCOC 68 participants pay all of their own expenses, including travel to and from the conference, lodging and meals.(PR)(9-14-2004)
Terry Labonte working on 2005 deal, part-time UPDATE #44?: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said Saturday veteran Terry Labonte has agreed to drive in the Nextel Cup Series for two more years, but will not run a full-time schedule. "I know he'll run at least 15 races, if not more," Hendrick said. "Beyond that, that's all we know right now. We're waiting to talk to sponsors and they're going to tell us the number and the color (of the car). Right now, I don't know who's going to be doing what. I just know we're going to be there." Hendrick said he would like to wait until the Chase for the Nextel Cup is well under way before making any more announcements, so to not distract his teams that are participating. Labonte had indicated earlier this season that he was contemplating several options – including retirement, running a limited schedule or running for another team – for next season. Should Labonte move to a partial schedule, it will likely open the seat in his current ride, Hendrick's #5 Chevrolets.(ThatsRacin.com)(9-11-2004)
UPDATE: Terry Labonte, met with owner Rick Hendrick last week to discuss his future. Labonte is expected to run a limited schedule over the next two seasons, possibly reviving the #44, the number he won his first title with, while Kyle Busch moves into the #5 Chevrolet.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(9-13-2004)
What's Up with Terry Labonte? UPDATE NOT Retiring: What's in store for Terry Labonte, Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch? Hendrick Motorsports expects to have the #5 and #25 Nextel Cup teams under one roof next season, copying the successful model shared by Jeff Gordon's #24 and Jimmie Johnson's #48 crews. Vickers will be in the #25 car next season, but a Hendrick source says a final decision has not been made on whether Labonte, 47, will run the full 2005 season in the #5 car. He could retire or semiretire, allowing Busch, 19, to step into that ride. The source says the choice is up to Labonte, who has won two Cup championships.(FoxSports/Sporting News)(8-31-2004)
UPDATE: #5-Terry Labonte, testing at Richmond on Tuesday, hinted at big news. The two-time champion, who reportedly is mulling a limited schedule similar to Bill Elliott's this year, said he will be revealing his future plans later this season. "We're probably going to announce something not too far off, and I'm very excited about it," said Labonte, 47. "I can't tell you what it is. I can tell you I'm not retiring."(Richmond Times Dispatch)(9-1-2004)
Two more years for Terry Labonte...part-time? UPDATE 2: #5-Terry Labonte, after 25 years on the tour, will likely run another two years, according to team sources, who expect the 47-year-old racer to sign a new contract for a limited schedule of 10 to 15 races with car owner Rick Hendrick.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-7-2004)
UPDATE: Two-time series champion Terry Labonte would not confirm Saturday a published report that he will remain with Hendrick Motorsports next season but run a partial schedule. Labonte said last month that he was uncertain of his future. Labonte has been with Hendrick Motorsports since 1994 and has won 12 of his 22 career races with the team. Despite his competitiveness, Labonte said a partial schedule is intriguing. "It'd be nice to have an off weekend," he said. "It might be nice to not go to some of the tracks you particularly care for." If Labonte runs a partial schedule, it could allow Hendrick Motorsports to put 19-year-old Kyle Busch, who is challenging for the Busch series title this season, into a Cup ride for select races next year to gain experience.(Roanoke Times)(8-8-2004)
UPDATE 2: the NASCAR Scene reports that if Labonte runs a limited schedule, it would be in the #84 Chevy with Kyle Busch running the #5 Chevy.(NASCAR Scene)
AND hearing it will be part time and the crew chef for Labonte would be Alan Gustafson, currently the team engineer for the #5 car.(8-13-2004)
#800 for Terry Labonte: Terry Labonte is expected to make his 800th career Cup start at New Hampshire. He is the fifth driver in NASCAR history to compete in 800 or more Cup races. Richard Petty heads the list with 1,185, followed by Dave Marcis (883), Ricky Rudd (821 - current) and Darrell Waltrip (809).(ThatsRacin.com)(7-19-2004)
Labonte not happy word got out: Bobby Labonte said during a break in Brickyard 400 testing this week that his older brother is not ready to retire and is unhappy that his talks with Hendrick Motorsports have gone public. Terry Labonte, 47, finished in the top 10 of the points last season and won the Southern 500, his first victory in more than four years. Bobby said the two-time NASCAR champion sought to clarify his future with owner Rick Hendrick while exploring what other options he might have. "It was supposed to have been handled really clean and neat, but unfortunately somebody spoke out of turn," Bobby said. "He doesn't want to quit driving. The situation might be for him to not drive there, so he has to look elsewhere. He was going to go ask for permission and say, 'What are you going to do with me?' instead of them coming to him and parting on bad terms. He really tried his hardest to do it the right way."(Indianapolis Star)(7-9-2004)
2005 uncertain for Labonte at Hendrick? UPDATE 2: #5-Terry Labonte said Thursday his future with Hendrick Motorsports and the series remains up in the air beyond this season. Labonte, 47, is currently working under a year-to-year contract with owner Rick Hendrick and has said he didn't expect to drive past age 50. The quick rise of Hendrick's young talents, Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch, have prompted questions about how soon Labonte, a two-time Cup series champion, would leave the Hendrick organization. "I told Rick last year I didn't know how much longer I wanted to do this and we needed to be up front about it so they could make plans for their future down the road," Labonte said. Labonte said several possibilities remain open beyond this year, including remaining with Hendrick, driving for another team and driving a partial schedule the way veteran Bill Elliott has with Evernham Motorsports this season. "I will be honest with you, there are probably only a handful of teams I would consider driving for and it would have to be a Chevy. I'm not going to drive for another make of car and Rick and I are partners in a Chevrolet dealership," Labonte said. "If somebody came up and said they had a three-year deal, I wouldn't do it because I don't want to run three more years." Labonte's name has been mentioned in connection with Richard Childress Racing's #30 Chevrolet, which has Dave Blaney signed through the end of the year, and a new third team planned for Joe Gibbs Racing [that would give J.J. Yeley another year in Busch and makes sense]. Retirement, whether at the end of this season or later, would be a difficult decision, Labonte said. Earlier Thursday, Busch, 19, confirmed his original contract with Hendrick expires this season, although it includes an option year Hendrick can pick up, but hasn't yet. "Supposedly, I am going to have some contract conversations sometime in September, or whenever they give me a piece of paper that I can sign," Busch said. "I hope they give me something to sign because my deal is up. I'm sure they are going to give me something." Busch said he would like to run in the Cup series next year, but if he did, either a current Hendrick driver would have to leave, or the organization would need to expand to a fifth Cup team. Hendrick spokesman Pat Perkins said Thursday it was "a given" Busch would remain with the organization. Perkins also said Busch was slated to run in the Busch Series again next season, but added, "Anything can happen."(see full story at ThatsRacin.com)(7-2-2004)

UPDATE: Terry Labonte is nearing the end of his racing career and hinted Friday that this season could be his last. Labonte, a two-time champion, is in his 26th full season in NASCAR's top series. He's on a year-to-year contract with car owner Rick Hendrick, and after finishing last season 10th in the standings with a victory in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway decided the end might be near. "I told Rick last year that this year would probably be my last," the 47-year-old driver said Friday. "You have to sort of decide those things in advance in order to make plans and move ahead." Labonte is struggling with the decision. After consecutive seventh-place finishes in Dover and Pocono, he realized he was still having fun racing. But when he ran into Bill Elliott, who has partially retired and will make just his third start of the season in the Pepsi 400 on Saturday night, Labonte started thinking about retiring again. "When I saw Bill and he said, 'I'm having so much fun, I'm having the time of my life,' I said 'Man, you are killing me,' " Labonte said. So Labonte seemed unsure Friday about what the future holds. Should Hendrick decide he wants to hand the keys to the #5 Chevrolet to young Kyle Busch next season, Labonte said he could consider driving for another team. Labonte is only certain of a few things. He knows that when he does retire, it will be for good and he's not likely to consider occasional NASCAR races or events in smaller series. And he has no interest in owning a team, even if it was with his son, Justin, as the driver.(NASCAR.com/AP)(7-3-2004)

UPDATE 2: Car owner Rick Hendrick said that he'll sit down with Terry Labonte soon to discuss the future. Labonte could cut back to run only selected tour events, opening up his current ride to promising young Kyle Busch. "When the year started, it was decided that Terry and the sponsors would sit down after Daytona," Hendrick said. "I think we were planning on talking in the next week or two. We want to look at what Terry wants to do, and we want to get the sponsors involved in the decision-making process, too. We haven't made any decisions, and we were hoping we'd stay out of silly season and do it on our timetable. So I think in the next couple of weeks we'll make that decision and make an announcement."(Winston Salem Journal)(7-5-2004)

UPDATE 2a: Hendrick sources say Labonte, one of the most respected and popular drivers in the garage, could continue to race for HMS for the remainder of his career. But if the organization decides to move Kyle Busch up to Cup in 2005, one option for Labonte could be the Cup team [Hall of Fame Racing last news back in March] expected to be owned by former Cowboys quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach, with technical assistance from Hendrick.(FoxSports/Sporting News), Hmmmm.....how about a year in the #11 FedEx Chevy at JGR, teaming with brother Bobby, with J.J. Yeley taking over in 2006.(7-5-2004)
Long misses race UPDATE: Despite the absence of his crew chief, Jim Long, who was sick and remained in Charlotte this weekend, #5-Terry Labonte earned his second consecutive seventh-place finish. The team's chief engineer, Alan Gustafson, served as crew chief for the race.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-14-2004)
UPDATE: Jim Long, crew chief of the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolets, is expected back in the garage this weekend after sitting out the race at Pocono. He remained home in Denver, N.C., last week for tests and treatment of migraine headaches while chief engineer Alan Gustafson served as interim crew chief.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(6-17-2004)
Labonte #600 in a Chevy: This weekend's Pocono 500 marks Terry Labonte's 600th race in a Chevrolet and his 795th start overall. His first-ever NASCAR start came in a Chevy on Sept. 4, 1978 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, where he finished fourth. The majority of his career victories (19 of 22) have come while driving the General Motors mark -- including the 1995 Pocono 500.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(6-13-2004)
Hendrick to build new shop: Hendrick Motorsports plans to build a new shop for its #5 and #25 teams, a team source confirmed to NASCAR.COM on Friday. The shop will be built next to the two-year-old shop that houses the No. 24 and 48 teams in Harrisburg, N.C., near Lowe's Motor Speedway. Hendrick's pairing of Jeff Gordon's #24 and Jimmie Johnson's #48 teams in one location has proven successful, as Johnson has won seven times and Gordon eight times in the two-plus seasons they have been together. Hendrick hopes the 25/5 shop - which will be headquarters for drivers Brian Vickers and Terry Labonte, respectively - will be done by the end of 2004. Vickers' and Labonte's teams are currently in separate buildings, but Hendrick wants all four Nextel Cup teams as close to each other as possible. The #25 team is housed next to the current museum, which could expand slightly into the old shop. Or Hendrick's chassis engineering department, which needs more room, could take over the old #25 shop. Labonte's #5 team moved into Gordon's old shop. Plans for that building are unclear.(NASCAR.com)(5-22-2004)
New Book about Hendrick: UMI Publications, in conjunction with Hendrick Motorsports, is pleased to announce a new book celebrating 20 years of NASCAR competition by one of the most outstanding organizations in motorsports history. What began as a chance meeting between a semi-retired crew chief and a successful businessman with a passion for racing ultimately grew into a motorsports empire that garnered well over 100 victories and nine NASCAR championships in just its first 20 years of competition. "Twenty Years of Hendrick Motorsports" documents the history of Rick Hendrick's racing organization from its inception, in 1983, and recounts each racing season leading up to and including Hendrick Motorsports' historic milestone, its 20th season, in 2003.
Perhaps no other racing organization has accumulated such a record of success in such a short period of time, and "Twenty Years of Hendrick Motorsports" tells the whole story of how these achievements were accomplished. Quite simply, this is a story that needed to be told, and UMI Publications is honored to bring it to the public eye with award-winning writing and outstanding photos, many of which have never before been published.
"Twenty Years of Hendrick Motorsports" is available directly from the publisher for $34.95 plus shipping & handling, and may by ordered by contacting UMI Publications, Inc., at 1-800-747-9287 or by visiting their website at www.umipub.com. Book excerpts may be viewed at www.ThatsRacin.com.(5-20-2004)
Labonte going for a rare pole feat at RIR: #5-Terry Labonte is bidding to become the first driver to win consecutive poles for Richmond’s spring race since Jeff Gordon went back-to-back in 1998-99. In fact, only three other drivers have accomplished that feat in 50 years of racing at the .75-mile oval: Bobby Allison (1972-74), Neil Bonnett (1977-78) and Darrell Waltrip (1984-85). Labonte will run the same #5 Chevrolet that he put on the pole at Richmond a year ago.(Hendrick Motorsports Site)(5-13-2004)
Hendrick Motorsports Fan Festival - May 26-28: As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, Hendrick Motorsports will host a fan festival at its Charlotte-based headquarters May 26-28 prior to the May 30 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Free and open to the public, the festival was designed as a way to thank fans for their support of the team since its 1984 inception. Scheduled to run 8:30am until 6:00pm each day, the event will include interactive games, show cars, sponsor displays, product sampling and autograph sessions from past and present Hendrick Motorsports drivers. Townsend's Gourmet will sell food throughout the festival, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Hendrick Marrow Program. The 15,000-square-foot Hendrick Motorsports Museum will offer festival-goers a free-of-charge glimpse into HMS history, including championship trophies; three of Jeff Gordon's #24 Chevrolets; Tim Richmond's #25 Chevy; the very first #5 "All-Star Racing" car; and the "Days of Thunder" Lumina driven by Tom Cruise. The facility has recently been updated with new trophies, cars and other memorabilia. Lowe's Motor Speedway will provide free festival parking, which can be accessed at "Lot Z" off Speedway Boulevard in Concord. Trams will be available to transport fans from the parking area to the festival grounds. For additional information, including directions and schedule updates, fans may visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com or call 877-467-4890 toll free.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(4-28-2004)
What happened between #5-Terry Labonte and #20-Tony Stewart? Fox showed #20-Stewart making an abrupt left after the checkered flag and right into the the right front of #5-Labonte, but no further explanation was given and I have found none yet in articles or PR's. But have been told Stewart was avoiding some of the fan thrown debris and didn't realize Labonte was there and darted to avoid it, but have seen nothing 'official' about it.
AND As NASCAR ruled that Jeff Gordon had edged-out fan favorite Earnhardt for the win because he was ahead of Earnhardt when the caution flag waved, fans littered the track with beer cans and other debris. When Stewart crossed the finish line, he made a hard left onto pit road to avoid the raining garbage. That caught Terry Labonte by surprise, who was just to the inside of Stewart. As Stewart turned, he clipped the nose of Labonte's #5 Chevrolet.(Truespeed PR/Joe Gibbs Racing)(4-26/27-2004)
Hendrick Motorsports 20th Anniversary 2004 Schemes: Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2004, Hendrick Motorsports goes to Lowe's Motors Speedway with special paint schemes on the Chevy's for the race in October 2004. #25-Brian Vickers, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, and #5-Terry Labonte of the HMS team will be racing together to commemorate the first twenty years of Hendrick Motorsports. These cars will be based on their primary paint schemes, but the colors will be replaced with a "silver on silver" paint palatte, giving them a platinum or chrome effect. Each car will have the Hendrick Motorsports commemorative 20th Anniversary logo.(4-23-2004)
Rick Hendrick gives CPCC $1 million: Rick Hendrick [#5, #24 and #48 Cup team owner], chairman of the national car sales company Hendrick Automotive Group, has donated $1 million to Central Piedmont Community College to build a center that will train mechanics in the latest automotive technology. CPCC will start construction on the Joe Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology, on the Levine Campus in Matthews, by fall. It should be completed by December 2005. The $4 million, 25,000-square- foot building will be named for Rick Hendrick's father, who has been involved in auto racing for more than 40 years. The other $3 million will come from bonds, donations and other sources, according to the college. Joseph "Papa Joe" Hendrick Jr., 83, co-owns Hendrick's #5 Busch and #25 NEXTEL series teams with grandson Ricky Hendrick. He is in a Charlotte hospital with an undisclosed illness.(Charlotte Observer)(4-22-2004)
Hendrick Motorsports signs prospects: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick today announced the signing of drivers Blake Feese, Boston Reid and Kyle Krisiloff, who will each compete under the Hendrick banner in 2004 thanks to a pair of developmental alliances that were also unveiled. Feese and Reid will each start a minimum of three ARCA Series events this season in the No. 5 Chevrolets of Bobby Gerhart Racing (BGR). The six-race schedule will serve as a driver-technology development project for Hendrick Motorsports, which will provide engines and chassis to the Gerhart team, headquartered in Lebanon, Pa. In addition to the alliance with Gerhart, Hendrick Motorsports has inked an agreement with Indianapolis-based SS Racing that will allow Krisiloff to compete in 13 American Speed Association (ASA) events in 2004. In only his second career start on the ARCA circuit, Feese won at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway on April 9, leading 29 of 113 laps in the #5 BGR Chevrolet powered by a Hendrick engine. Although unannounced at the time, the race was part of the Hendrick-BGR developmental program. In addition to his ARCA victory at Nashville, the Saybrook, Ill., native is scheduled to compete on the circuit at Kentucky Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway, both in the month of May. Driving the #5 BGR Chevrolets, Boston Reid will enter ARCA events at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway in May, Kansas Speedway in June and Kentucky Speedway in July. Krisiloff, 18, will race full-time in ASA competition with SS Racing beginning on May 29 at Lake Erie (Pa.) Speedway. Driving the No. 06 Chevrolets, he will be a teammate of three-time ASA champion Butch Miller.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)
Cup team owner Rick Hendrick will be interviewed via telephone this evening on Speed Channel's Wind Tunnel (10pm/et), discussing today's HMS announcement that Hendrick has signed drivers Blake Feese, Boston Reid and Kyle Krisiloff.(4-21-2004)
Geoffrey Bodine at Martinsville: Even thou Goeffrey Bodine failed to make the Truck Series raace, he will be on the track Sunday as it is the 20th Anniversery of Bodine's and Hendrick Motorsports first Cup win. Rick Hendrick had the unsponsored #5 Chevy restored and Bodine will make a parade lap around the track.(4-17-2004)
Showed FOX showed part of the lap on lap 198 before commercial.(4-18-2004)
Streak Over: #5-Terry Labonte's 'Did not finish' [DNF's] streak of 48 races without one, is over when the #5 Delphi Chevy's engine died. Who is next? #29-Kevin Harvick at 46 straight races without a DNF.(4-5-2004)
Labonte better the he started, only one: Through the first five races of the 2004 schedule, #5-Terry Labonte is the only driver who has finished in a higher position than he started in each event. Labonte is the lone Hendrick Motorsports driver without a DNF (did not finish) through the first five races of the season. By running to the end of the March 28 event at Darlington, Labonte extended his series-high streak of consecutive races without a DNF to 47. The last time he failed to complete a race was in October 2002 at Talladega Superspeedway. The modern-era record is 56 in a row, set by Gordon in 2001-02.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-25-2004)
Olympics Scheme for Labonte: Terry Labonte is scheduled to run a special Olympic Paint scheme at Pocono on August 1st . See images of the scheme on my #5 Team Paint Schemes page or 2004 Paint Scheme Page.(2-28-2004)
Labonte's to visit the Coast Guard: Justin Labonte, driver of the 2004 Team Coast Guard Racing/Labonte Motorsports "Shield of Freedom" #44 NASCAR Busch Series car, is scheduled to visit Coast Guard units in Miami, FL, Feb. 25-27. He will be joined by his father, two-time Nextel Cup Series Champion Terry Labonte Friday, Feb. 27. The Miami office is one of 10 new recruiting offices the Coast Guard will open this year in a nationwide effort focusing on bolstering diversity recruitment. The Labontes will also get hands-on opportunities to experience the mission capabilities of the Coast Guard as they prepare to represent the Coast Guard during the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season. The Coast Guard announced its partnership with Labonte Motorsports for a 15-race schedule in mid December. On Friday, the Labontes will experience the training regimen, including repelling and shooting, of the Coast Guard's law enforcement teams at the Miami Federal Correctional Institution before they head to the skies for demonstrations of the Coast Guard's airborne law enforcement and search and rescue missions.(PR)(2-27-2004)
Delphi Major Assoc on the #5; and Primary in 4 races Delphi Corp. says it is expanding its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports by becoming a major associate sponsor of the #5 Kellogg's Chevy of Terry Labonte in the Nextel Cup Series. Delphi says it will also be the primary sponsor for four races: April 4 at Texas Motor Speedway; May 15 at Richmond International Raceway; Aug. 8 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; and Aug. 22 at Michigan International Speedway. Financial details were not disclosed.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter), see images of the car on my #5 Team Paint Scheme Page.(2-11-2004)
Hendrick Motorsports Website Re-launched: Hendrick Motorsports today unveiled its new-look Internet presence, www.HendrickMotorsports.com, with a fresh design and unique features found nowhere else on the Web. The latest version of the site, which received more than 1 million visits in 2003, marks the second re-design since HendrickMotorsports.com was initially launched in 1998.(HMS PR)(2-10-2004)
42 and counting: Terry Labonte enters the 2004 season carrying a string of 42 consecutive races without a DNF (did not finish), the longest current streak in NEXTEL Cup. The modern-era record is 56 straight, set by Jeff Gordon in 2001-02. Labonte was one of only two drivers who completed all 36 races last season, the other being Kevin Harvick.(HMS PR)(2-9-2004)
Kelloggs Re-Ups with Hendrick Motorsports: Hendrick Motorsports and Kellogg Company have extended one of stock-car racing's most enduring relationships, today announcing a multi-year agreement that secures the Michigan-based cereal maker as primary sponsor of the #5 Chevy's in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Back behind the wheel of the Kellogg's Chevrolets in 2004 will be two-time Cup Series champion Terry Labonte, who also has signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports. Labonte and Kellogg's debuted with the #5 team in 1994, two years before winning the 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series title together. "We're excited about extending our longstanding relationship with both Kellogg's and Terry Labonte," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "This team is capable of great things, so we're all looking forward to seeing what happens when the season begins next month." Entering its 15th year as a NASCAR team sponsor, Kellogg's has been an Official Status Partner with the sanctioning body since 1995 and is the "Official Breakfast Food of NASCAR."(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(1-22-2004)
Labonte's to appear at Motorsports 2004: Two time NASCAR Nextel Cup (yes...we know, formerly Winston Cup) champion Terry Labonte went 156 races before winning the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway this past Labor Day weekend. It was a popular victory for the veteran driver and it topped off a great season that saw the Kellogg's sponsored racer return to the top ten in the final Nextel Cup point standings. Labonte, along with his son Justin, will be at the Motorsports 2004 Presented by Sunoco show at the Fort Washington, PA Expo Center chatting with fans and signing autographs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 18th. The show, set for three days and covering close to 300,000 square feet of the Expo Center, will open at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 16th and continues through 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 18th.
In addition to the Labontes, Robert Huffman, the last NASCAR Dash Series Champion, will be signing autographs at the Toyota display, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on opening day of the show. Huffman will part of a Toyota supporting racing effort on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit. Legendary Nextel Cup owner Junie Donlavey, a fan favorite, will be signing autographs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 17th. Recently added to the list of national racing talents to be at the show is Greg Sacks, 1985 winner of the Daytona Firecracker 400. Sacks will be doing autographs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Both Sacks and Donlavey will be at the Tommy Gale Haulmark Trailer display. See PAGE 2 / top section for more info and other appearances [Kenseth, Blaney, Gant, J.J.Yeley, Allison and Fedewa](1-2-2004)

Past 2003 News
Terry Labonte not in favor of 'playoff system': NASCAR hasn't solicited Terry Labonte's opinion yet on its proposed "playoff" system that is being given serious consideration for implementation in 2004. But the two-time Winston Cup champion already has formed strong feelings about the plan, which apparently would freeze the points chase with 10 races remaining and allow only the top 10 in the standings to compete for the championship. The nearly three dozen remaining teams would continue to race without a shot at the crown. "It's a real slap in the face to the guys running 11th through 15th and their sponsors to say, 'OK, you can't even compete to be in the top 10,'" Labonte said. "My thought is maybe everyone can run a 26-race schedule, then take the top 10 and let only those 10 guys run the last 10 races. That would be real interesting." Labonte points to the Craftsman Truck and Busch series, which featured several drivers in title contention through both season finales under the system used in Cup, as proof that change isn't needed to a current structure that rewards consistency. Public opinion seems to support that view. Internet polls have been running heavily against the proposal, and several of his peers have expressed concerns about an overhaul.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(12-21-2003)
Delphi to be major assoc of the #5 and Terry Labonte in 2004 IMAGE: Delphi Product & Service Solutions, part of Delphi Corp. announced today that they are renewing their relationship with Hendrick Motorsports and will become a major associate sponsor of the #5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series beginning in 2004. "We are very excited about the new sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports on the No. 5 car," said Francisco A. (Frank) Ordonez, president, Delphi Product & Service Solutions and vice president, Delphi Corporation. "Our relationship with Hendrick Motorsports has been successful both on and off the racetrack during the past three years, and this new agreement demonstrates our commitment going forward. We are thrilled about having the Delphi brand associated with the winning tradition of the No. 5 team." Delphi will be prominently featured on the #5 Chevy in all Nextel Cup races during the 2004 season. In addition, Delphi will be the primary sponsor of the car at the Brickyard 400, along with three other events, yet to be determined.(Yahoo Biz)(11-4-2003)
IMAGE see an image of the new scheme on my 2004 Cup Paint Schemes page.(11-6-2003)
Didja Know? that #5-Terry Labonte is the only driver who has been running at the finish of all 15 NASCAR Winston Cup Series races run at Phoenix International Raceway, which will host Sunday's 312-lap event. His 1994 victory was Chevrolet's last win on the one-mile desert oval.(HMS PR)(10-31-2003)
Hendrick Named NCMA Vice Chairman: Richard Petty, chairman of the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA), announced today that Rick Hendrick has been named vice chairman of the NCMA board of directors. "It is an honor to accept the position of vice chairman of the North Carolina Motorsports Association," Hendrick said. "I look forward to working with Richard and the board of directors in promoting and growing our sport statewide. The NCMA has served as the unifying voice for the racing industry in North Carolina for more than a year, and I'm proud to be a part of that continuing effort." Hendrick succeeds Keystone Marketing Co. Inc. president Roger Bear as the NCMA vice chairman. Bear will continue to serve the organization as an active board member. "Many thanks to Roger for his efforts and support in getting this great organization off the ground," said Ed McLean, NCMA executive director. The North Carolina Motorsports Association is a nonprofit corporation designed and structured to be an effective representative and proponent of and for the motor sports industry in North Carolina. The NCMA is a trade association of businesses and individuals involved in motor racing in North Carolina. Further information on the NCMA can be accessed via the organization's Web site, located at www.ncmotorsportsassociation.org.(North Carolina Motorsports Association PR)(9-25-2003)
#50 for Labonte: Dave Marcis (54) and Darrell Waltrip (53) are the only drivers to have topped the 50-start mark at Dover in their NASCAR Winston Cup careers. #5-Terry Labonte will attempt to make his 50th career start at Dover on Sunday and would join #21-Ricky Rudd (52) as the only active drivers with 50 or more starts at the track. Labonte is also searching for his first career victory at Dover International Speedway.(NASCAR PR)(9-18-2003)
Terry Labonte in top 10, first time in 121 races: #17-Matt Kenseth has been No. 1 in the NASCAR Top 10 since the fourth race of the season (Atlanta, March 9), a run of 23 consecutive race weeks. The big news this week is the appearance, at No. 9, of #5-Terry Labonte. Labonte is in the NASCAR Top 10 for the first time since May 2000, 121 races ago.(NASCAR PR)(9-10-2003)
Labonte could be the 6th: Should #5-Terry Labonte win the pole position this week, he would join an exclusive group of drivers in the Richmond record book. Since the track began running two Winston Cup races a year in 1959, only six drivers have swept both pole positions in a single season. Ted Musgrave was the last to do it (1994), while Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and the late Alan Kulwicki have also accomplished the feat.(Hendrick Motorsports)(9-5-2003)
WOW - Texas Terry wins the Southern 500! #5-Terry Labonte won the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, his first win in 156 races [Texas in 1999] at age 46. Labonte stopped and got the 76 checkered flag from the flagman, and took a lap around with it. Some of his crew climbed the fence on the frontstretch. #29-Kevin Harvick was 2nd for the third straight race in a row. The rest of the top five were #48-Jimmie Johnson, #42-Jamie McMurray and #9-Bill Elliott. Labonte has won the Southern 500 twice, his first career win on September 1, 1980 and today. It was Labonte's 22nd career win. All four Hendrick Motorsports teams have won a race this year [#24, #25 and #48].
Race Re-air: NOTE: Speed Channel has changed their lineup starting in August - so there will be a one-hour recap [called Fast Forward] of the race on Wednesday, September 3rd at 7:00pm/et and again on September 4th at 1:00am/et; a full three-hour race show will re-air at 12:00pm/et on Thursday, September 4th
Race Results at
Jayski's Darlington Results
ThatsRacin.com
MotorsportsOne
NASCAR.com.
For the top 10, lap leaders, out of race/off track, cautions and explanations, notes, see my Southern 500 Race Info page.(8-31-2003)
Milestones for Labonte: Saturday night's 500-lap race at Bristol Motor Speedway will mark #5-Terry Labonte's 50th start on the lightning-fast half-mile oval and his 350th race behind the wheel of a Kellogg's-sponsored Chevrolet. Of Labonte's 49 previous starts at Bristol, 21 have been with Kellogg's on board. Labonte has now gone 29 consecutive races without a DNF, a personal career high. The last time he failed to finish was last fall's event at Talladega, Ala. His streak is currently the second longest in the series behind only Michael Waltrip, who has completed 33 straight. Labonte remains one of only four drivers who have completed every race this year; the others being Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Waltrip. The modern-era record is 56, set by Jeff Gordon in 2001-02.(HMS PR)(8-22-2003)
Special decal for Hendrick cars: The teams of Hendrick Motorsports [#5, #24, #25, #48] will carry very special artwork during this weekend's events at Bristol in support of one-year-old Cole Jackson of Waxhaw, N.C. The "C-post" decals will feature "Get Well Soon" wishes to the youngster, who suffers from bilary atresia, a rare liver disease that affects one in 15,000 babies and requires a liver transplant. Hendrick Motorsports president John Hendrick met the Jackson family at a charity golf tournament earlier this year and will lend his support at a silent auction at Firethorne Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, Aug. 24. For more information, visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com or www.TheJacksonFour.com.(HMS PR)(8-22-2003)
Labonte looking to extend contract thru 2004 UPDATE 3: Terry Labonte, a two-time champ, is negotiating with Hendrick Motorsports for a one-year extension of his contract to drive the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet.(Sporting News)(2-20-2003)
UPDATE: Rejunivated Terry Labonte is in contract talks with Hendrick Motorsports. Labonte's current contract runs out at the end of this year. An announcement is expected in the next few weeks for a three or four year deal.(Insider Racing News)(6-23-2003)
UPDATE 2: Kellogg's, which has sponsored Hendrick's #5 Chevrolets and driver Terry Labonte since 1994, is expected to return next season with the start of a multi-year contract extension, sources said. Labonte, who is in the final year of his current contract with Hendrick, is also expected to return to the team for at least one more season, sources said. Asked about the sponsor and driver contracts, Hendrick team spokesman Jesse Essex said Tuesday the team does not comment on contract negotiations.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-29-2003)

UPDATE 3: #5-Terry Labonte will be back at Hendrick Motorsports in 2004 as something has been worked out, Rick Hendrick says no contracts have been signed but that Labonte will be in the #5 in 2004.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(8-8-2003)
Vickers may debut in Cup later this year: Car owner [#'s 5,24,25,48,60] Rick Hendrick said he plans to put Brian Vickers in a Cup car this season, most likely in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hendrick said Vickers has tested a Cup car in Kentucky during an engine test.(Roanoke Times)(8-4-2003)
Terry Labonte looking to tie his all time streak: #5-Terry Labonte now has a string of 25 consecutive races without a DNF dating back to last season, the second-longest current streak in the series, behind only Michael Waltrip (29). Labonte's overall record for consecutive races without a DNF is 26, spanning the 1996 and 1997 Winston Cup seasons. He is one of only four drivers who have completed every race this year -- the others are Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Michael Waltrip.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(7-25-2003)
Younger Labonte wins again: Twenty-two year-old Justin Labonte, son of 1984 and 1996 Cup champion Terry Labonte, won his second Late Model Stock Car race of the season in last Thursday's Firecracker 300 at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC. Labonte, of Trinity, NC, is seeking his first track championship in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series at the same track where his uncle, Bobby Labonte, won 12 races and the 1987 track championship.(NASCAR PR)(7-9-2003)
Hendrick Third at Daytona: Car owner Rick Hendrick, who fields Chevy for #5-Terry Labonte, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson and #25-Joe Nemechek [plus this week, #60-David Green], is third all-time with seven Winston Cup victories at Daytona. He trails only the Wood Brothers (12) and Petty Enterprises (11). Gordon (four), Geoffrey Bodine, Tim Richmond and Darrell Waltrip all have driven Hendrick cars to first-place finishes here, including four Daytona 500s.(Gaston Gazette)(7-5-2003)
Terry Labonte helps raise $61,750 for benefit: Excited laughter and the noisy sound of motorcycle engines were a good enough mix on Wednesday, June 18th, to get the kids at the Ronald McDonald House smiling. But the smiles got even brighter when famed NASCAR driver Terry Labonte handed over a check for $61,750 to benefit the children and families who call the house their home. Labonte and his wife, Kim, were a part of the second annual Terry Labonte/Ronald McDonald House Roam For A Home benefit to help the house. The group raised $59,050 more than last year. Ninety-two motorcycles and 152 people participated in the 650-mile, mid-April ride from Corpus Christi to Austin, Austin to San Antonio and back to Corpus Christi. The non-profit Ronald McDonald House in Corpus Christi provides a place for families to stay while their children receive medical care at Driscoll Children's Hospital. It is at 3402 Fort Worth St. Donations go to running the house and providing food for the families. Labonte said that he and his wife help a lot of charities but this one was special because it gave them both a chance to help children and a high school friend, Randall Hicks. Hicks is the co-founder and president of the Roam For A Home Foundation.(Corpus Christi Caller-Times)(6-25-2003)
Testing for the #5: #5 Kellogg's / got milk? Racing will be busy testing throughout the month of June. They will take a new road-course car to Road Atlanta on June 10th in preparation for the June 22 event at Infineon Raceway, followed by a visit to the Milwaukee Mile on June 16 and 17 to test for the July 20 New England 300 at New Hampshire.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(6-4-2003)
Find Nemo Scheme: #5-Terry Labonte will run a 'Finding Nemo' paint scheme at Dover on June 1st, to help promote the movie which opens May 30th, See an image of the scheme on my Paint Scheme Gallery.(5-24-2003)
Hendrick To Team With U.S.S. Nimitz At LMS Cup Entries Provide 'Friendly Competition' For Squadrons: Hendrick Motorsports will join forces with the U.S. Navy this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway, where all four of the team's NASCAR Winston Cup Series entries will display decals from fighter squadrons of the U.S.S. Nimitz (CVN 68 - more info at their site), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Throughout the week leading up to Sunday's 600-mile event, each Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet will display the Nimitz logo on the driver's side "C-post," along with the logos of two individual squadrons on the car's opposite side. The eight units were able pick which entry would carry their artwork, adding some "friendly competition" between squadrons.
The decals, also known as "zappers," will be distributed as follows:
#5 Kellogg's / got milk? Chevrolet and driver Terry Labonte: VFA-41 "The Black Aces" (based in Lemoore, Calif.) and VFA-14 "Tophatters" (Lemoore).
#24 DuPont Chevrolet and driver Jeff Gordon: VFA-97 "Warhawks" (Lemoore) and VFA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" (Lemoore).
#25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet and driver Joe Nemechek: VAQ-135 "Black Ravens" (Whidbey Island, Wash.) and VAW-117 "Wallbangers" (Point Mugu, Calif.).
#48 Lowe's Chevrolet and driver Jimmie Johnson: VS-29 "Dragonfires" (San Diego) and HS-6 "Indians" (San Diego).
Each squadron employs up to 250 people and carries between four and 14 aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, EA-6B Prowler, E-2C Hawkeye 2000, S-3B Viking, and SH-60B Seahawk. On Aug. 5, 2002, six Hendrick Motorsports employees spent a day on the Nimitz as part of the Navy's Distinguished Visitors Program, an initiative designed to increase public awareness and appreciation for the Navy. Named after Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, the ship was commissioned on May 3, 1975 in Newport News, Va., and is the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in her class. More than 18 stories high from keel to mast, the Nimitz was deployed to the Arabian Gulf from its home base in San Diego on March 3.(HMS PR)(5-21-2003)
Cheeiest Car: He may not have won Saturday's Pontiac Excitement 400, but race car driver Terry Labonte has a distinction no other competitor can tout -- a replica of his car made entirely out of cheese. The American Dairy Association unveiled a large scale model car made out of cheese at Richmond International Raceway on Friday in Virginia. It was modeled after Labonte's No. 5 Chevrolet and carved from 3,500 pounds of yellow cheddar cheese.(see full story and an image at CNN.com)(5-7-2003)
#600 for Hendrick: When the teams of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series take the green flag at Richmond on Saturday, it will mark the 600th race started in the storied 19-year history of Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick teams have brought home 110 wins in 599 Winston Cup events [18.7%]. The four Winston Cup teams of Hendrick Motorsports [#5, #24, #25, #48] will display a special "600th Start" decal at Richmond. The artwork will take the place of the HMS logo on the "B-post" of each car.(HMS PR)(5-1-2003)
Labonte Motoring for a Cause UPDATE: Friday afternoon, the second Roam for a Home Ride stopped at the Ronald McDonald House in the Medical Center and there was Terry Labonte, astride his #5-branded Harley-Davidson, leading the way for 100 other riders. Riders who had paid $500 for the chance to make the three-day circuit from Corpus Christi to Austin, then through the Hill Country and into San Antonio, before returning to Corpus Christi this afternoon. Labonte and his wife, Kim, recently had begun discussing which charity to help when a friend, Randy Hicks, called from Corpus Christi. Hicks had spent time in the Houston Ronald McDonald House while his girlfriend's son underwent open heart surgery. Hicks was looking for a way to help raise funds for the Corpus Christi Ronald McDonald House and Labonte was quick to say yes.(San Antonia Express)(4-19-2003)
UPDATE: In town [Corpis Christi, TX] this weekend for the Second Annual Terry Labonte/Ronald McDonald House "Roam for a Home" benefit, Labonte said the results of the second season working with crew chief Jim Long is giving the Kellogg's Chevrolet team optimism. "We should've had about five (top 10s)," Labonte said. "We've been running in the top 10 the last four weeks in a row. We've only had one finish in the top 10 but they all should have been there." Long agreed. "We've had good cars for the last three weeks in a row and got caught up in other people's wrecks," Long told NASCAR.com after the Aaron's 499. "We know we've got good cars and we keep working hard. Everybody back at the shop - everybody - is working hard." Thus, this could be a pivotal year in Labonte's career. Since winning his second points title in 1996, Labonte has experienced a steady decline in the point standings, dropping from sixth in 1997 to 24th last season. That could go a long way toward stemming discussion of his retirement, talk of which draws a wry smile from the 46-year-old Labonte. "I'll give you the same answer I give them: I've got a plan as to what I'm going to do," Labonte said, "but I'm not going to tell you."(Caller-Times)(4-20-2003)
Hendrick Teams To Carry Patriotic Decal: In support of American soldiers at home and abroad, the NASCAR teams of Hendrick Motorsports will display patriotic artwork on the "C-post" of their Chevrolet Monte Carlo race cars beginning with this week's events at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. "During these turbulent times, it's especially important that we show support for the men and women of the United States military," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "This is a small gesture to show that our thoughts and prayers are centered around these brave individuals and their families." In the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the decals will be carried on the #5 Kellogg's / got milk? Chevy of Terry Labonte, the #24 DuPont Chevy of Jeff Gordon, the #25 UAW-Delphi Chevy of Joe Nemechek and the #48 Lowe's Chevy of Jimmie Johnson. The #5 GMAC Financial Services Chevy of Busch Series driver Brian Vickers will also display the design, which depicts a yellow ribbon wrapped around the American flag.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-20-2003)
Special Paint for Labonte at Bristol: The Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 23 will feature the first special car design of the season for Kellogg's / got milk? Racing. Terry Labonte's #5 Chevy will highlight the Cheez-It brand and will sport a primarily red-and-orange paint scheme rather than the customary orange and blue.(Hendrick Motorsports PR), see my Paint Scheme Gallery for images.(3-17-2003)
Some Stuff: #5-Terry Labonte will reach two milestones when he takes the green flag for today's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500: His 50th AMS start and 300th for Hendrick Motorsports. #24-Jeff Gordon does not have a top-10 finish in the first three races, the first time that has happened in his 11-year career.(St Petersburg Times)(3-9-2003)
30 Millions Bucks: Terry Labonte joined the $30 million club last weekend at Daytona. After earning $238,053 in purse money during Speed Weeks at Daytona, the two-time Winston Cup champion surpassed the $30 million mark in career winnings. He is eighth all-time with $30,018,986 earned, behind Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, Bobby Labonte and Dale Earnhardt.(Daytona Bach News Journal)(2-23-2003)
25th Daytona 500 for Terry Labonte: Terry Labonte will start the 2003 season with not one, not two, but three anniversaries to celebrate. With Speed Weeks at Daytona set to begin Feb. 7, Labonte is poised to make his 25th start in "The Great American Race." He has three second-place finishes in the traditional season opener since making his first visit to Daytona in 1979. In fact, Labonte's most recent runner-up showing was in 1997 when Hendrick Motorsports teammates swept the top three positions. Jeff Gordon won that race on Feb. 16, the very day on which this year's 45th running of the stock car classic will take place. Labonte finished second and Ricky Craven placed third. February 16 also is the date of the team's first Daytona 500 victory in 1986 with Geoffrey Bodine behind the wheel of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet that day. Labonte finished second and Jim Long, his current crew chief, was on pit road as Bodine's chief mechanic. Today, Long is entering his second season at the helm of the Kellogg's / got milk? Racing Team with high hopes for improvement over last year's 24th-place finish in the point standings. Embarking upon his 10th season at Hendrick Motorsports, Labonte enters the new campaign eighth on the all-time money-winning list with more than $29 million and is a two-time series champion with 21 career victories. Kellogg, in its 14th year as a NASCAR team sponsor, has been an Official Status Partner of the sanctioning body since 1995 and is the "Official Breakfast Food of NASCAR" through 2004.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(1-28-2003)
Got Milk: Hendrick Motorsports says the American Dairy Association is becoming an associate sponsor on its #5 Chevy driven by Terry Labonte in the Winston Cup Series. The team says the Got Milk logo from the association will be displayed on the hood, side panels and television panel of the car, which has primary sponsorship from Kellogg's Corn Flakes. The dairy association will also be featured in special paint schemes for races at Richmond International Raceway in May and Chicagoland Speedway in July.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(1-25-2003)

2002 News
Another Hendrick Team: Hendrick Motorsports will field a fifth Winston Cup team next season in at least four races, team owner Rick Hendrick said Friday. Hendrick made the announcement at the company's year-end gathering at its shops in Harrisburg. David Green, who drove several races for one of Hendrick's Grand National teams this season, will drive the #60 Chevy [Jack Sprague's team will run the #0 Pontiac in 2003] in at least the four superspeedway races in 2003, including the season opener at Daytona. The new team will be led by Gary DeHart, who heads Hendrick's research and development program and is a former crew chief for Hendrick driver Terry Labonte. "You know, every year I've tried this and it has ended up turning into a new team because somebody has come along and it's worked out," Hendrick said. "But we thought about it this year and all the crew chiefs talked about it. Gary started our first R&D department. He built our first chassis back in 1988 and he's always built a really slick car. We felt like that's where we would dedicate our efforts, to the superspeedways." Hendrick already fields four full-time teams, with drivers #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #5-Terry Labonte and #25-Joe Nemechek.(ThatsRacin.com)(12-21-2002)
Howes Honored: Ken Howes, director of competition for Rick Hendrick's race teams, became the first recipient of the "Papa Joe" Hendrick Award at Hendrick Motorsports. The award, formerly named for the late Robert Gee, a well-known car builder, is given annually to the employee who best displays outstanding job performance, leadership and teamwork, and for contributions above and beyond expectations. The name of the award was changed this season to honor "Papa Joe" Hendrick, Rick Hendrick's father and owner of the No. 25 Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek. Howes received the award Friday during year-end celebration at the team's shops. "I lot of the folks here didn't know Robert because he was here a long time ago - and we're still leaving the Robert Gee Award in place - but coming in they all know Pop because he's around here all the time," Rick Hendrick said. "We decided we should make it to honor him because of what he's meant, bringing me in the sport and for the overall success of the organization"(ThatsRacin.com)(12-21-2002)
Mikey and Terry have words UPDATE: Drivers #5-Terry Labonte and #15-Michael Waltrip had an altercation after the race, but neither man would discuss the incident. Waltrip went to talk to Labonte at Labonte's hauler before Labonte angrily went after Waltrip. Labonte had to be pulled away from Waltrip after chasing him down in the garage area. Waltrip finished 20th Sunday and Labonte was 26th, but Labonte was a lap behind Waltrip. The two drivers have had several bumping incidents in races this season.(Dallas Morning News)
AND For some reason, Michael Waltrip and Terry Labonte, who were running six positions and one lap apart from each other at the end of the race, nearly came to blows in the garage area. They had to be separated just outside Labonte’s team hauler, Waltrip apparently having gone inside to confront Labonte. The source of their mutual anger was not ascertained. One Labonte crewman, when asked what caused the two to clash, said only, “Michael (Waltrip) running his mouth.”(Gaston Gazette)(11-11-2002)
UPDATE: from the DW chat on FoxSports: What's the story with Mike (Waltrip) and Terry (Labonte) from Sunday?
Darrell Waltrip: There's no story. Apparently they had had a run-in a time or two before Sunday. They had words after the Phoenix race, and as far as I know, and I talked to Michael, he said that was the end of it. Two drivers that weren't having very good days decided to take it out on each other at the end of the race.(FoxSports)(11-14-2002)
Hendrick Engine Problems: on ESPN2's RPM2Night (gonna miss that show in 2003) Hendrick Engine Builder, Randy Dorton was interview by Mike Massaro, the part that caused the engine failures in all 6 engines (#'s 5,10,24,25,36,48) at Talladega was a valve retainer clip that broke/failed.(10-10-2002)
Hendrick to debut at Rockingham UPDATE 2 car #05: During an interview on Speed Channel's NASCAR Victory Lane on Sunday night, Hendrick Motorsports CEO Rick Hendrick said that his son, Ricky, would drive a fifth Hendrick Motorsports entry in the Winston Cup race at Rockingham on November 3rd. Ricky Hendrick, 22, is currently in his first full season in the BGN after two years in the CTS.(Gordonline)(9-23-2002)
UPDATE: Ricky Hendrick, son of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, will test a Winston Cup car at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham,N.C., in preparation for his series debut at the track later this season. Ricky Hendrick will be joined at the test by four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon. "I'm looking forward to giving him some horsepower under the rear wheels," Gordon said. "The Busch cars have less horsepower, so I'm interested to see how he'll do with all that horsepower. I think it'll be fun and exciting for him." Asked if Hendrick was going to jump in his car, Gordon replied: "That's what he thinks. I don't know what they've planned."(ThatsRacin.com)(9-29-2002)
UPDATE 2: Ricky Hendrick tested last week at Rockingham to prepare for his Winston Cup debut in the Pop Secret 400 on November 3. Hendrick, who finished 21st in the Busch race at Rockingham in February, will drive the #05 Chevy with Lance McGrew as crew chief.(Sporting News)
CORRECTION: been told from sources that Ricky Hendrick has not yet tested at Rockingham. Hendrick Motorsports has schedule time at the track on Oct14th-15th and the 22nd-23rd. Hendrick is expected during one or several of those dates along with Jeff Gordon. Hendrick did spend Monday testing his BGN car at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(10-7-2002)
Terry Labonte looking to stay UPDATE 2: #5-Terry Labonte is reported to be negotiating with Rick Hendrick for a contract extension that would keep him on the team another three years.(Winston Salem Journal)(8-5-2002)
UPDATE - Labonte One Year Offer? and... hearing that Hendrick Motorsports has offered Terry a one year renewal of his contract for 2003 and that the long term plan (no surprise) is to move Ricky Hendrick to the #5 and (surprise) put Casey Mears in the #25.(9-16-2002)
UPDATE 2 - correction: Both Labonte and Kellogg's have one year left in a three contract with Hendrick Motorsports and are signed until the end of the 2003 season and there is no current negotiation for an "extension" on Labontes contract at this point(9-17-2002)
NAPCM Pit Crew of The Week: #5-Terry Labonte's Kelloggs crew earned a much deserved top five finish at Infineon Raceway. Stop times like 15.2 kept the Kelloggs car in the hunt.(NAPCM PR)(6-28-2002)
#5 Crew Chief Penalized: NASCAR officials announced that Jim Long, crew chief of the #5 Chevy, has been fined $20,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2002 for a rule violation found during pre-race inspection at Sunday's Sirius Satellite Radio 400 at Michigan. Long was penalized under Section 12-4-Q in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book, "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: Fuel Cell." The penalty was a result of the team attempting to increase the capacity of the fuel cell through pressure.(NASCAR PR)(6-18-2002)
The Iceman 5th now: when #5-Terry Labonte started the race at California, it broke the fifth place tie he had with Bobby Allison. Labonte now has 718 career Winston Cup starts. See my Stats and Stats Links page for the list.(4-30-2002)
Labonte to Roam UPDATE: How would you spend an open weekend if you were a NASCAR driver? Terry Labonte, driver of the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet, will spend his helping others. Labonte will serve as Grand Marshal in the first "Roam For A Home," a charity motorcycle ride [655-miles] from Thursday, March 28 through Saturday, March 30, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. A Corpus Christi native, Labonte will not only wave the ceremonial green flag to start the ride. He also will participate in the three-day tour that carries riders through Galveston and San Antonio, and returns March 30, passing through Labonte Park to downtown Corpus Christi. In addition to the obvious goals of raising funds for and increasing awareness of the Ronald McDonald House, the "Roam For A Home" provides symbolism as the two-time champion approaches another NASCAR milestone. The "Roam For A Home" is the vision of Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson dealer Preston Douglass and Randall Hicks, a personal friend of Labonte's. They hope to make the event an annual occurrence. Hicks is expecting a field of 60 riders, all of whom will be designated as Ronald McDonald House Good Will Ambassadors. Participants will visit RMH facilities in Galveston and San Antonio along the route as time and logistics will allow. Day 1 (March 28) will feature a kickoff rally in Corpus Christi, and pass through Port Lavaca and Angleton on the way to Galveston. Day 2 (March 29) will carry riders through Eagle Lake and Shiner before stopping in San Antonio. On Day 3 (March 30), the tour will advance through Three Rivers and Mathis before winding up at The Executive Surf Club back in Corpus Christi. Terry Labonte will then return to NASCAR competition when the schedule resumes the weekend of April 5-7 at Texas Motor Speedway near Fort Worth.(Summit Marketing PR)(3-21-2002)
UPDATE: see an update at the Corpus Christi Caller.(3-30-2002)
Hendrick Promotion: Jeff Turner, who has served in a variety of roles for the automotive and racing operations of the Hendrick family, today was named General Manager of Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) and will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization which fields four Cup Cars and two entries in the BGN. Turner, 43, will report to President John Hendrick and to Rick Hendrick. A graduate in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Turner joined Hendrick in 1984 after five years with Price Waterhouse as a Senior Tax Consultant. He served as Tax Director of Rick Hendrick's dealership and racing operations from 1984 until 1986. From 1986 until 1990, he was Vice President and Controller of the automotive group, then known as JRH Incorporated. As Vice President and CFO of Hendrick Motorsports, Turner has focused on finances, marketing and has played a key role as an advisor to John and Rick Hendrick.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(3-8-2002)
Hendrick Honored: The Charlotte, N.C.-based Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal has named Rick Hendrick its 2002 recipient of the Bill France Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award, as chosen by a committee of editors. Started last year, the honor is designed to recognize an individual whose contributions have had a substantial long-term impact on NASCAR. Hendrick won his 100th Winston Cup race last season, along with a third NASCAR Truck series championship, both firsts for an owner. Hendrick Motorsports has grown into a $50 million industry leader, headquartered at a 62-acre, 400,000 square-foot facility in Charlotte and employing more than 300 people.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-2-2002)
Labonte's Honored in Texas UPDATE: Terry [#5] and Bobby Labonte [#18] have been elected to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame located in Waco, TX. Induction ceremonies are scheduled for February 26rh, 2002. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit, educational museum established to celebrate and preserve Texas' sports history. Other Auto Racing greats inducted: A.J. Foyt[1967], Johnny Rutherford [1985], Carroll Shelby [1986], and Jim Hall [1999]. For more info, see their website: www.hallofame.org(12-5-2001)
UPDATE: Natives of Corpus Christi, the Terry and Bobby Labonte joined four ex-NFL greats and one former major-league standout in the 2002 class of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. The induction of the seven newest members was last night at Baylor University's Ferrell Center. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, NFL Hall of Famers Dick "Night Train" Lane and Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews, a Pro Bowl lineman with Houston and Tennessee, were scheduled for induction. Ex-Detroit Tigers first baseman Norm Cash also was inducted. Cash and Lane entered the hall posthumously. The Labontes are the only brothers to have won NASCAR Winston Cup championships. Terry Labonte, 44, won the title in 1984 and 1996. Bobby Labonte, 37, was the 2000 Winston Cup champ. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Committee is comprised of 21 members of the Texas Sports Writers Association. chaired by longtime sports writer Dave Campbell.(Corpus Christi Caller)(2-27-2002)
Labonte and Cheez-It: #5 Terry Labonte will run a Cheez-It/Kelloggs scheme at Las Vegas and the Coca Cola 600. See the Paint Schemes Gallery for the image(1-14-2002)

2001 News
#5 Crew Chief Change? UPDATE 2 Yep: hearing Gary Dehart will not crew chief the #5 Kelloggs / Hendrick Motorsports chevy and driver Terry Labonte in 2002. Am hearing Jim Long [formerly of the #7 Ultra Motorsports team] is in the running. As reported before by FoxSports, Peter Sospenzo [former #12 Crew Chief before the team folded] is also a candidate, but sources tell me Long will get the job. Dehart will supposedly remain with Hendrick Motorsports in a managment or R&D job(12-5-2001)
UPDATE: Two-time Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte, who finished a career-worst 23rd in the series points race this season, will have a new crew chief for 2002. Jim Long, who has worked for a vast array of Winston Cup drivers including Kyle Petty, Ricky Rudd and Geoffrey Bodine, will take over as crew chief for Labonte's #5 Chevrolets, sources confirmed. It is unclear whether former crew chief Gary DeHart will remain with Labonte's team in another position. DeHart originally worked with Labonte from 1994 to 1997, winning the 1996 championship with the driver from Texas.(That's Racin')
UPDATE 2: NASCAR veteran Jim Long, who was a member of the team that delivered Hendrick Motorsports its first major Winston Cup victory in the 1986 Daytona 500, has been named crew chief for the Kellogg's Racing Team with driver Terry Labonte. Long, 44, who in a NASCAR career going back to 1983 has worked with such drivers as Ricky Rudd, Bobby Allison, Geoffrey Bodine, and Kyle Petty, replaces Gary DeHart, who has accepted another assignment with Hendrick Motorsports in its Research and Development Department.(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(12-7-2001)
Labonte's Honored in Texas: Terry [#5] and Bobby Labonte [#18] have been elected to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame located in Waco, TX. Induction ceremonies are scheduled for February 26rh, 2002. The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit, educational museum established to celebrate and preserve Texas' sports history. Other Auto Racing greats inducted: A.J. Foyt[1967], Johnny Rutherford [1985], Carroll Shelby [1986], and Jim Hall [1999]. For more info, see their website: www.hallofame.org(12-5-2001)
Labonte and Cheez-It: hearing #5-Terry Labonte will have a Cheez-It scheme at The Winston in May(12-3-2001)
#12 Decision next week(today) UPDATE 5 Closed and done - Official - Sospenzo to the #7? or #5?: Peter Sospenzo, crew chief for the No. 12 Fords now being driven by Mike Wallace, said he hopes to hear about the future of the team next week. Sospenzo said Walt Czarnecki, president of Penske Racing, is expected to notify the team of its plans when he visits the shop in Mooresville, NC., on Tuesday. "I really believe that (owner) Roger (Penske) will look at doing the right thing, and that's keep everything just as it is," Sospenzo said. "It really hasn't been easy. But we all know we've got a job to do and we have to focus on the job at hand."(That's Racin')(11-24-2001)
UPDATE: sources tell me the #12 Penske Racing team has shut down effective today
AND from the Sporting News: The first pink slips went out on the Penske South #12 Mobil Ford on Monday. Despite a valiant effort to resuscitate the team by driver Mike Wallace after Jeremy Mayfield's departure on October 8, sources close to the team say that Roger Penske will announce on Tuesday morning that he will indeed shut down the operation. Ryan Newman, who is running for rookie of the year in 2002, is expected to move his operation out of Penske South's #2 shop that he currently shares with Rusty Wallace and into the #12 car's building. Newman might assume the #12 and the owner's points that accompany that team.(11-26-2001)
UPDATE 2: If the team is disbanded, Penske likely will split the personnel between the #2 Ford of Rusty Wallace and the #02 of rookie Ryan Newman.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(11-27-2001)
UPDATE 3: Penske Racing, LLC today announced that it will consolidate team operations with Penske Racing South, effective immediately. The result will be a two-car entry in the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series with drivers Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. Miller Brewing Company will be the primary sponsor of Wallace's Miller Lite Taurus while Alltel will be the primary sponsor of Newman's Alltel Taurus. ExxonMobil will be an associate sponsor on both cars with its Mobil 1 brand.(Williams Company PR)(11-27-2001)
UPDATE 4: sources tell me there were approximately 60 full-time employees with the #12 team who stayed until the end of the year hoping they would run next year. Appoximately 20 of them remain for the new team, the others were let go. Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo is supposedly one of those looking and could end up with the #7 team(11-28-2001)
UPDATE 5: The word on the street -- it's not official and could just be part of the rumor mill -- is Peter Sospenzo, the crew chief for the 12 car, is going to be the crew chief for Terry Labonte.(FoxSports)(11-29-2001)
Labonte Park UPDATE 3 Opened, 3000 attend: City (Corpus Christi, TX) officials have raised about $10,000 of the $60,000 needed to renovate the Nueces River Park and rename it in honor of NASCAR racing brothers Bobby and Terry Labonte. City spokesman Ted Nelson said Monday that donations were better than expected and that the park should be ready to open Sept. 26. The Caller-Times also announced plans to publish a special section on the day of the park's dedication. Steve Arnold, the paper's marketing director, said the section will include historical photos and that it's "not just your NASCAR driver's guide." Proceeds from the section will go toward the park fund, he said. The community response to the fund-raising has been strong, said Tom Niskala, chief executive officer for the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce(The Caller)(7-4-2001)
UPDATE: "The Corpus Christi Caller-Times is saluting our hometown heroes with a special section published on September 26, 2001, the day that Corpus Christi honors the Labontes with the dedication of Labonte Park. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this special section will go to the Labonte Park Fund for future additions and improvements. This is not your typical NASCAR section. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times has put together rare photos of Bobby and Terry growing up in Corpus Christi, their first race cars and an exclusive interview with the brothers talking about growing up in Corpus Christi and what the new Labonte Park means to them." See the full story at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times(9-4-2001)
UPDATE 2: the Labonte brothers will be honored as Nueces River Park is renamed Labonte Park at a 1:00pm ceremony in Corpus Christi, TX. Despite having the park dedication midday in the middle of the week, organizers and city officials are expecting close to 1,000 people to attend, see full stories at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times: From C.C. speedway to NASCAR and Many visit to honor Labontes(9-26-2001)
UPDATE 3: About 3,000 NASCAR fans filled Terry and Bobby Labonte Park for a dedication ceremony honoring the brothers and renaming the park from the Nueces River Park to the Terry and Bobby Labonte Park. A long line snaked from under a tent for more than two hours as the brothers autographed memorabilia brought in by their fans. After the Labonte brothers spent more than two hours signing and shaking hands and hearing stories from people they met when they were children, they hustled to a dedication ceremony. The two brothers approached the microphone, but they could barely finish a sentence without being interrupted by applause.(Corpus Christi Caller-Times)(9-28-2001)
Elliott Start #650 Reposted Labonte #700: #9-Bill Elliott will make career start #650 on Sunday at Dover Downs. Among active drivers, only Ricky Rudd (721), Dave Marcis (758 - this is modern era, Marcis had 880 total Cup starts) and Terry Labonte (699) have more starts. Elliott made his first NASCAR Winston Cup start at Rockingham on Feb. 29, 1976. He qualified 34th and finished 33rd in that event. Since then, Elliott has won 50 poles, 40 races and more than $26 million. He's currently 13th in the NASCAR Winston Cup Standings in his first year driving for Dodge and car owner Ray Evernham. The 45-year-old veteran is one of only two drivers with no DNFs this season. He's moved from 19th to 13th in the standings in the past seven races since his 21st-place finish at NHIS on July 22, 2001(Golin/Harris PR), #5-Terry Labonte is scheduled to make his 700 th career Winston Cup start at Dover Downs on Sunday(9-11/17-2001)
Brothers and the Southern 500: Ward Burton's first victory in the event, coupled with Jeff Burton's win in 1999, marks the second time that brothers won the race. Terry Labonte won in 1980 and Bobby Labonte in 2000.(St Petersburg Times), and of note, only one father-son duo have won the race, Buck Baker (1953-60-64) and Buddy Baker, 1970.(9-3-2001)
200th Chassis for Hendrick: It has been a season of one hundreds at Hendrick Motorsports, and this weekend proves no different. HMS, which claimed its 100th win and 100th pole before the half-way mark of the 2001 race schedule, will double that magic 100 at Indianapolis when it fields the 200th HMS-built chassis in the Brickyard 400. The Hendrick Motorsports Chassis Shop officially reached that mark in May, when No. 5 Kellogg’s Team Crew Chief Gary DeHart called the chassis shop and put in the order for a chassis that Terry Labonte could take to intermediate speedways on NASCAR’s Winston Cup circuit. Each chassis built at the Harrisburg, N.C. motorsports complex is stamped by number in the roll cage, and since marking the 200th they’ve already built four others – with no other priorities, the team can build a chassis in about a week – and repaired several more damaged in competition. And though Terry Labonte will pilot the car in competition for the first time in the Brickyard 400, the 200th chassis has already started to show its stuff. It was put through a rigorous testing before DeHart decided to field it at Indy(HMS Site)(8-4-2001)
Monster Car UPDATE: #5-Terry Labonte will run a Kelloggs/Monster special paint scheme at Phoenix and possibly Homestead(8-2-2001)
UPDATE: see an image of the layout of the car at my Paint Scheme Gallery(8-3-2001)
SDRC and Hendrick: SDRC announced it has renewed and expanded the company's marketing alliance with Hendrick Motorsports with a five-year contract effective immediately. Hendrick's engineering team uses I-DEAS(R) software for design, analysis, and manufacturing requirements on the team's high-performance racecars. Hendrick sponsors three drivers in the NASCAR Winston Cup including, #5-Terry Labonte, #25-Jerry Nadeau, and #24-Jeff Gordon. "We have very clear objectives in our business," said Jim Wall, engineering group manager, Hendrick Motorsports. "We want to win races. A critical few seconds make a big difference on the track, and we're working daily to gain the slight edge needed to win races. I-DEAS provides the technology that enables us to design, test, and manufacture cars and engines -- in fact, we build over 700 engines each year. We've already gained significant improvements in our processes with I-DEAS, and we're pleased to be renewing our relationship with SDRC to further expand our use of this technology and our overall business results."(Business Wire)(7-30-2001)
Labonte Not Retiring: Though rumors persist, Terry Labonte wants it known he has no intentions of retiring soon. "If anyone has any questions regarding my status, they can ask me," he says. Labonte says he would like to be the first driver to win championships in three decades. He won titles in 1984 and 1996, but he isn't looking so hot this decade. He's 26th in points after finishing 17th last year.(Sporting News)(7-16-2001)
Labonte Park Update: City (Corpus Christi, TX) officials have raised about $10,000 of the $60,000 needed to renovate the Nueces River Park and rename it in honor of NASCAR racing brothers Bobby and Terry Labonte. City spokesman Ted Nelson said Monday that donations were better than expected and that the park should be ready to open Sept. 26. The Caller-Times also announced plans to publish a special section on the day of the park's dedication. Steve Arnold, the paper's marketing director, said the section will include historical photos and that it's "not just your NASCAR driver's guide." Proceeds from the section will go toward the park fund, he said. The community response to the fund-raising has been strong, said Tom Niskala, chief executive officer for the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce(The Caller)(7-4-2001)
What Happened to at Sears Point? #87-Ron Fellows got wrecked with 10 laps to go and went from the top 10 to a 38th-place finish. Terry Labonte suffered the same kind of sad fate, finishing 36th after some of his best racing of the season because he got mussed up in a Turn 11 dog pile on the next-to-last lap.(That's Racin') AND John Andretti ran 11th entering the final lap but ran out of gas and finished 30th(Richmond Times Dispatch)(6-25-2001)
Labonte Honor Postponed UPDATE 2: Corpus Christi City Council members gave the green flag on Tuesday to renaming Nueces River Park after NASCAR drivers Terry and Bobby Labonte. The unanimous vote to change the name to Terry and Bobby Labonte Park was great news for NASCAR fans like David Gibson, a state construction inspector. In a time when news about athletes often is negative, such as drug abuse or domestic violence, it is great to recognize role models like the Labontes, said Gibson, 56.(Caller-Times 2/28) AND A ceremony to rename Nueces River Park in Corpus Christi, TX after NASCAR drivers Terry Labonte and Bobby Labonte has been delayed until June, officials said. The Labonte Brothers Special Recognition Committee initially wanted to rename the park to coincide with the April 1 NASCAR Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth(Caller-Times 3/18)(3-27-2001)
UPDATE a little old but: A campaign to improve a city park honoring NASCAR champions and Corpus Christi natives Bobby and Terry Labonte began Thursday at City Hall. The centerpiece of the project includes a concrete sign - 8 feet high and 16 feet wide - at the park entrance. John Dykema of Bright and Dykemas Architects Inc. said the sign will be prominent on Interstate 37. The project will also include highway signs promoting the park, which was Nueces River Park until the City Council voted earlier this year to rename it Terry and Bobby Labonte Park. The park is in the north section of Corpus Christi off of I-37. The project is entirely privately funded. Debbie Lindsey-Opel, president of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, said organizers need to raise $60,000 to pay for all parts of the project. Donors will be recognized for contributions Dedication of the park is scheduled for June 20th(Corpus Christi Caller)(5-29-2001)
UPDATE 2: A dedication of a park named for Corpus Christi natives Bobby and Terry Labonte has been postponed to allow more time to raise the money for the improvements that will accompany the ceremony. The dedication was scheduled for today. But organizers behind the project reset the dedication ceremony to Sept. 26 to allow more time to raise the $60,000 for the project, city spokesman Ted Nelson said. The project will include highway signs promoting the park, which was Nueces River Park until the City Council voted earlier this year to rename it Terry and Bobby Labonte Park. The park is in northwest Corpus Christi off of Interstate 37. People interested in contributing may send checks to the Chamber of Commerce Recognition Fund, Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 640, Corpus Christi 78403(Corpus Christi Caller)(6-21-2001)
Get Well: "Papa" Joe Hendrick, father of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, is scheduled for heart surgery Monday at a Charlotte, N.C.-area hospital. The elder Hendrick, who is listed as the car owner for the #25 Chevrolets of driver Jerry Nadeau, had heart surgery in March. On Saturday, teams working with the three Hendrick cars - those of Nadeau, Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte - were preparing decals expressing their get-well wishes to run on their cars during Sunday's Kmart 400 at Michigan(That's Racin')(6-10-2001)
UPDATE: FSN's NASCAR Today and ESPN2's RPM Night both reported that "Papa" Joe Hendrick underwent sucessful heart surgery on Monday, no other details(6-11-2001)
UPDATE 2: "Papa" Joe Hendrick, the father of Winston Cup team owner Rick Hendrick, is beginning the recovery process after having heart surgery on Monday in Charlotte. The elder Hendrick is 83(That's Racin')(6-13-2001)
the 100 Hendrick Wins: Phil Werz from Charlotte's NBC 6 's "On Track from Lowe's Motor Speedway" sent me a breakdown of the 100 wins for Hendrick Motorsports:
Jeff Gordon 55(currently with Hendrick #24)
Terry Labonte 11(currently with Hendrick #5)
Tim Richmond 9(deceased)
Darrell Waltrip 9(retired with Fox in the booth)
Geoffrey Bodine 7(currently in the BGN driving the #66)
Ricky Rudd 4(currently with RYR #28)
Ken Schrader 4(currently with MB2 Motorsports #36)
Jerry Nadeau 1(currently with Hendrick #25)
Gordon has averaged a win every 4.9 races (271 starts)(6-10-2001)
Hendrick goes after #100: Hendrick Motorsports is just one win away from becoming only the second motorsports operation to reach 100 Winston Cup wins in NASCAR’s modern era(1972-present). The 17-year-old organization claimed three wins in its first year of operation – the only team in the modern era to do that – and hasn’t slowed since. Hendrick Motorsports claimed win number 99 when Jeff Gordon took the checkered flag at Dover. Only Junior Johnson holds more wins in the “modern era” as team owner than Hendrick Motorsports, with 135 wins from 1972 to 1994. In stock car racing’s early days, Winston Cup – then Grand National – teams raced as many as 61 races in a single season; that changed to 31 races a season in 1972 and has hovered around that number until this year’s increased 36-race schedule. Other teams posting high win numbers in NASCAR’s modern era of points competition include Richard Childress Racing (70), Petty Enterprises (63), Woods Brothers Racing (61), Roush Racing (49) and Robert Yates Racing (49).(HMS SIte - link fixed)(6-6-2001)
Labonte/Petty HS Grads: Terry Labonte found time last night, barely, to attend daughter Kristen's high-school graduation in Trinity, NC, borrowing a helicopter from brother Bobby to make the sprint up, despite heavy thunderstorms. "After sitting in the principal's office a couple of times for her fighting in school, I never thought I'd get her graduated," Labonte said with a laugh. Kyle Petty's son, Austin, was also graduating, but Petty didn't have the luxury of a possible champion's provisional. "Austin has really buckled down since Adam's death and got serious about school," Petty said. "He wants to be an engineer and he's set to go to Pfeiffer next year. He was in some kind of honor society, and he got some medal for four years of honor work. He and Montgomery Lee are both a lot smarter than myself and Adam were."(Winston Salem Journal)(5-25-2001)
Petty/Labonte Announcement UPDATE: Two-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte, his son Justin Labonte, NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Kyle Petty and Kerry Scherer will be on hand in the Winston Media Center at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Thursday afternoon at 2:15pm/et on May 17, to make a special announcement concerning a new ARCA RE/MAX Series program(LMS PR)(5-15-2001)
UPDATE: Justin Labonte, son of two-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte, has joined the Briggs Cunningham-Kerry Scherer ARCA RE/MAX Series team and will receive assistance from Kyle Petty and Petty Enterprises to run Dodge Intrepids. Although the third-generation driver will debut the new team at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in a Chevy Monte Carlo, Labonte will compete in Dodge Intrepids in ten remaining RE/MAX Series superspeedway events at both events at Michigan and both events at Pocono as well as Kansas(tenative), Kentucky, Chicagoland, Lowe’s, Talladega and Atlanta. ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran Eddie Sharp has been tapped to serve as the team’s crew chief(ARCA Series Site)(5-17-2001)
Get Well Papa Joe: Hendrick Motorsports cars(#'s 5,24,25) will carry decals sending get-well wishes to "Papa Joe" Hendrick, team owner Rick Hendrick's father. The elder Hendrick had surgery this week and is recovering in a Charlotte hospital(That's Racin'), "Papa Joe" is also listed as the owner of the #25 team(see below)(3-24-2001)

Thanks to Jeff of Race2Win for the image
Labonte Honor Postponed: Corpus Christi City Council members gave the green flag on Tuesday to renaming Nueces River Park after NASCAR drivers Terry and Bobby Labonte. The unanimous vote to change the name to Terry and Bobby Labonte Park was great news for NASCAR fans like David Gibson, a state construction inspector. In a time when news about athletes often is negative, such as drug abuse or domestic violence, it is great to recognize role models like the Labontes, said Gibson, 56.(Caller-Times 2/28) AND A ceremony to rename Nueces River Park in Corpus Christi, TX after NASCAR drivers Terry Labonte and Bobby Labonte has been delayed until June, officials said. The Labonte Brothers Special Recognition Committee initially wanted to rename the park to coincide with the April 1 NASCAR Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth(Caller-Times 3/18)(3-27-2001)
Testing at TMS: #5-Terry Labonte and #97-Kurt Busch tested at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this week(Dallas Morning News)(3-8-2001)
Changes at the #5? UPDATE: The Terry Labonte-Gary DeHart team has struggled, and car owner Rick Hendrick may be ready to shake things up there(Winston Salem Journal)(3-4-2001)
UPDATE: Crew chief Gary DeHart's job might be in jeopardy. When Kellogg's, sponsor of DeHart's #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy, questioned the ability of driver Terry Labonte after he suffered multiple concussions in 2000, Labonte went to Kentucky Speedway and ran laps in teammate Jerry Nadeau's #25 car. Labonte's laps were faster than Nadeau's, proving it's the car and not the driver(Sporting News)(3-5-2001)
Labonte/Earnhardt plan won't happen: Terry Labonte and Dale Earnhardt had planned a celebration for Texas. Labonte had his Winston Cup-record 655 consecutive-start streak end last year. Earnhardt was on pace to tie the record at Martinsville and break it the next week at Texas Motor Speedway. The drivers made plans to run special cars commemorating the occasion at Texas(Times Dispatch)(3-4-2001)
#5 Seeks Assoc Sponsor: The Hendrick operation says it has opened its doors to talks with associate sponsors about teaming up 2-time Cup champ, Terry Labonte. A new associate sponsor's logo would appear on the deck lid and in the tire area in front of the rear wheels. The sponsor's logo also would be featured on the team's transporter as well as on driver and crew uniforms. In addition to exposure at Winston Cup events, a sponsor would gain access to the car and driver for advertising and promotional needs throughout the year. See the Hendrick Motor Sports site for more info(1-18-2001)

2000 News
GMAC News: GMAC, a longtime member of the Hendrick family of racing sponsors, announced today a comprehensive sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports for 2001 that includes involvement in NASCAR’s Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series. GMAC, which will expand its presence on Hendrick entries in NASCAR’s three major touring series, will be the primary sponsor on the #17 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Ricky Hendrick in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as a major associate sponsor on the #24 Chevrolet of Jack Sprague. In 2001, netzero.com will assume primary sponsorship of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet truck now driven by Sprague. Additionally, GMAC will also serve as the primary sponsor for Ricky Hendrick in a select number of NASCAR Busch Grand National and ARCA events during the 2001 season. Dennis Connor, the all-time winningest crew chief in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history, will oversee the new GMAC racing operation, which will operate out of its own separate facility. And as it has since 1993, GMAC will continue to be an associate sponsor on all three HMS Winston Cup cars: the #24 DuPont Chevrolet driven by three-time champion Jeff Gordon, #5 Chevrolet of two-time champion Terry Labonte and the #25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet of Jerry Nadeau(RaceWorks, LLC)(11-3-2000)
The Grinch car? UPDATE: hearing that Terry Labonte will run a "Grinch" paint scheme late in the season to promote the November release of the movie version of "The Grinch" starring Jim Carrey(8-19-2000)
UPDATE: the scheme will be run by Labonte at Phoenix and Homestead to promote the Nov 17th opening of "The Grinch" a movie starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch (based on Dr. Seuss' book and the all time favorite cartoon, 'The Grinch that Stole Christmas'), the scheme will also feature the Grinch's dog Max and Cindy Lou Who(NOL)(8-29-2000)
UPDATE 2: See an image of the Scheme on the Paint Schemes Gallery(8-30-2000)
Tony the Tiger goes full time in 2001? hearing that the #5 Kelloggs Chevy of Terry Labonte may go from it's current Kelloggs scheme to a Frosted Flakes scheme full time, similar to what Labonte ran at Michigan two weeks ago. Frosted Flakes is of course, made by Kelloggs(8-28-2000)
Kelloggs to Re-up with Hendrick/Labonte UPDATE 3: Kelloggs will announce at Michigan that they are returning to the #5 Hendrick Motorsports chevy for another three years. The current deal ends at the end of this season. Kellogg's will also present driver Terry Labonte with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with the No. 655 displayed on the side in honor Labontes record of Winston Cup 655 consecutive starts(That's Racin')(8-12-2000)
UPDATE: not sure if the announcement will still be made as Labonte is taking another week off as he does not feel he is ready to come back from his Daytona injuries(8-15-2000)
UPDATE 2: Labonte will be at the track this weekend and a pre-race presentation planned by the sponsor of Labonte's team, Kellogg's, will continue as scheduled. Kellogg's will present Labonte with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle bearing the number "655," in honor of his Winston Cup record 655 consecutive starts. An official announcement of a three-year contract extension by Kellogg's to sponsor the team will also be made(That's Racin')(8-16/19-2000)
UPDATE 3: Kellogg's officially announced a three-year extension of its sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports and the #5 team for driver Terry Labonte before Sunday's race(That's Racin')(8-21-2000)
The Grinch car? hearing that Terry Labonte will run a "Grinch" paint scheme late in the season to promote the November release of the movie version of "The Grinch" starring Jim Carrey(8-19-2000)
Labonte to run at Michigan? UPDATE YES: Terry Labonte is expected to return to competition. Labonte practiced Saturday morning in the #5 Chevry Monte Carlo. Lingering trouble from what was thought to have been a concusssion was disagnosed this week as an inner-ear problem(That's Racin'). If Labonte does drive the car, he wil have to fall to the back of the field from the 33rd starting spot where Todd Bodine qualified it. Can only assume, Bodine will stand by in case needed. During the BGN race, Dr Jerry Punch, said Bodine would drive the #5 Car on Sunday. Bodine won the BGN race on Saturday. Also a story at the Insider Racing site, saying: Terry Labonte will run Happy Hour if he feels okay then he will run the Winston Cup race on Sunday. He went to a new doctor this week and was told he had Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Both Labonte and the doctor believe Labonte was healed in the office that day. The Doctor told Labonte to go out and try make himself dizzy, it never happened even with 10 hours at an amusement park riding rollercoasters
UPDATE: Terry Labonte's two-week absence from racing took another turn Saturday, when he climbed behind the wheel of his #5 Kelloggs/Frosted Flakes Chevy for Happy Hour/final practice and vowed to compete in Sunday's Pepsi 400 at Michigan Speedway. Todd Bodine will stand by on Sunday. Also Sunday, sponsor Kellogg's will announce a sponsorship extension for Labonte and the #5 team(see story below)(SpeedVision)(8-19-2000)
Labonte Better, Roller Coaster? On Thursday's RPM 2Night show on ESPN2, Matt Yocum reported that Terry Labonte, who will sit out of his third straight Cup race this weekend, tested his brother's Cup car(Bobby's #18) at Lakeland, FL on Wednesday and had no ill effects as he did at Bristol on Monday. Labonte's Doctor said to help speed up the recovery process (effects from a concussion) that Labonte should ride roller coasters(wonder if his insurance covered that?). So Labonte flew to Kings Dominion in Virginia and rode the roller coasters there all day. Further updates on Labonte's condition will come Saturday when he goes to Michigan for the race weekend(RPM 2Night)(8-18-2000)
Labonte to sit another week UPDATE 3: Terry Labonte tested at Bristol on Monday in his son Justin's #44 BGN car. He ran five laps and after the test, decided to sit out the Cup race this weekend at Michigan. Labonte is still suffering the effects of a concussion he got in an accident at Daytona in the Pepsi 400 on July 1st. No sub has been named as of yet(RPM 2Night). Am hearing that Todd Bodine will drive the #5 Frosted Flakes/Kelloggs Chevy at Michigan for Labonte(8-15-2000)
UPDATE: Terry Labonte's much-anticipated test session at Bristol Motor Speedway ended quickly Monday morning. After just a handful of laps in the Slim Jim Busch Series entry regularly driven by his son Justin, Labonte retired to the pits. The Kellogg's transporter left the track moments later. "I talked to Terry after he made his run," BMS director of communications Wayne Estes said. "Terry said he just didn't think he was ready to test today." Since Labonte did not drive his Winston Cup car Monday, he(or the team) did not lose one of his allotted (seven) test dates(Bristol Herald Courier)
UPDATE 2: Todd Bodine will drive the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet for Labonte. As he did at both Indy and Watkins Glen, Labonte will assist DeHart atop the team's pit box AND Brett Bodine, Todd's brother, will drive the #44 Slim Jim Chevy that Labonte had originally intended to drive in Saturday's BGN race(NOL)(8-15-2000)
UPDATE 3: Labonte, who suffered a broken right arm(leg not arm) and concussion in the wrecks, was scheduled for further medical tests Tuesday(8-15) at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Labonte's crew chief, Gary DeHart, said Labonte did not feel well after completing four or five laps at Bristol. Todd Bodine has been asked to serve as a possible relief driver for the next three or four races, sources said Tuesday(That's Racin')(8-16-2000)
Labonte Rumor UPDATE: been told by many readers that it was reported on a Charlotte, NC radio station Wednesday morning, that Terry Labonte, driver of the #5 Kelloggs Chevy, was considering retirement and not returning to driving a race car. Sources tell me that this is not true and Labonte plans to drive at Michigan and beyond. Also in Bobby Labonte's NOL Chat transcript, Bobby says: "I talked to him(brother Terry) last night. He said he felt really good yesterday. And as you can expect, he doesn't want to be out of the race car. So he's anxious to get back in it."(8-10-2000)
UPDATE: first thing I have seen written about it....A rumor surfaced in Charlotte this week that Labonte was considering retirement, but Labonte said there was no basis to that report. He plans to drive in a test at Bristol early next week(Monday and Tuesday) and after that will decide if he's ready to be back in the car next week at Michigan(That's Racin')(8-11-2000)
Labonte in or out..at Watkins Glen? UPDATE - Out: during an interview at Indy, Terry Labonte said he would skip Indy and Watkins Glen, test at Bristol on the 14th and decide when he would return to the seat of the #5 Kelloggs Chevy. Labonte sat out at Indy due to continuing complications from injuries suffered at the Pepsi 400 (Dizziness)...BUT in NASCAR Online's Saturday Notebook, Labonte is quoted: "I don't like wearing the headsets in the pits," Labonte said after the race. "I accepted my decision and that was it. I wish I had been out there, but I wasn't. I hope I'll be aback in a couple of weeks. If we can't find anyone to drive my car at Watkins Glen, I may be back next week."(8-7-2000)
UPDATE: Ron Hornaday has been asked by Rick Hendrick to drive the #5 Kelloggs Chevy at Watkins Glen for ailing Terry Labonte. Hornaday received the ok from DEI and from NAPA AUTO PARTS. Hornaday won at The Glen in the trucks(Champion Sports Group)(8-8-2000)
Labonte to sit out too UPDATE: Terry Labonte said Friday afternoon that he was physically unable to continue his streak of 655 consecutive Winston Cup starts and that Todd Bodine will drive the #5 Kelloggs Chevy at Indy in the Brickyard 400(NASCAR Online). Since Bodine qualified the car, he will start 25th. Dale Earnhardt is next with 632 consecutive starts, followed by Ricky Rudd with 593 and Rusty Wallace at 502
UPDATE: Labonte said he intends to take the next two races off, Indy and next week at Watkins Glen, and will return at Michigan Aug. 20.(SpeedVision), no word on who will run the #5 Chevy at the Glen. Todd Bodine already has a ride for the race, the #34 I Love NY Chevy(8-4-2000)
Bodine in the #5..for now UPDATE: Terry Labonte, who drives the #5 Kelloggs Chevy, is still feeling the effects of injuries(broken leg/concussion) occurred at Daytona in the Pepsi 400. Todd Bodine ran the car later in the AM practice and qualified the car in first round for the Brickyard 400 at Indy. Labonte has flown back to North Carolina to see his Doctor and get checked out. Labonte's status for the Brickyard 400 is unknown at present. Labonte of course has started 655 consecutive Winston Cup races(ESPN2 Qualifying Coverage)(8-3-2000)
UPDATE: all reports I am hearing and seeing now say that Labonte will start the car and turn it over to Bodine at the first caution on Saturday. AND from PitNow: Terry Labonte, still nursing a knee injury from Daytona, turned qualifying over to Todd Bodine yesterday. Labonte will thus have to start the Brickyard 400 at the rear of the field. Labonte was to be in Philadelphia last night for the Republican National Convention(no word on if he made it there)(8-4-2000)
Bickle to sub for Labonte UPDATE: Rich Bickle has been named as the relief driver for Terry Labonte in this weekend's Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono. Bickle will practice and qualify the Hendrick Motorsports #5 Kellogg's Chevy for Labonte, who suffered a broken right leg in a crash at Daytona in the Pepsi 400 on July 1. Labonte will start the Pocono race giving way to Bickle at the first caution flag of the event(Speedway Illustrated)(7-20-2000)
UPDATE: Bickle qualified the #5 Kelloggs Chevy 22nd and will practice the car on Saturday. Labonte will start on Sunday, falling back from 22nd to the back of the field, then Bickle will get in the car at the first caution(7-21-2000)
#5 Paint Scheme: hearing many reports that Cinnamon Crunch(new flavor?) paint scheme for #5 Terry Labonte will run sometime in the 2nd half of the 2000 season(7-13-2000)
Drivers OK: Three drivers involved in hard hitting accidents at NHIS are OK. On Lap 7, #5-Terry Labonte and #97-Chad Little collided in Turn 4, wrecking both cars. Labonte, who is already nursing a fracture in his right leg, was uninjured. Little complained of neck pain and was taken to Concord Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a bruised collarbone, treated and released. #26-Jimmy Spencer hit the Turn 2 wall hard on Lap 98, and had to be helped from his car. Spencer was treated for a bruised left kneecap at the infield care center and released(That's Racin')(7-10-2000)
Labonte's Crash UPDATE 4: #5-Terry Labonte was taken to Halifax Medical Center for precautionary x-rays. The two-time Winston Cup champion briefly lost consciousness after hitting the concrete wall near the start-finish line(Gaston Gazette)
UPDATE: Terry Labonte was taken to the hospital for a CAT scan which was negative, and then released(Infobeat/AP)(7-2-2000)
Labonte Hurt? UPDATE 2: getting many questions about Terry Labonte's 'injuries' from his wreck at Daytona. From a PR I got: .....Unfortunately, that streak came to a halt just past the halfway point of the Pepsi 400(at Daytona) when Labonte spun out and hit the wall, damaging the #5 Kellogg's Chevrolet beyond repair. With the July 9 New England 300 fast approaching, Labonte - not seriously injured in the mishap - is eager to start another streak of finishing performances(Summit Marketing Group) from what I hear banged up and bruised, CAT Scan was negative(7-6-2000)
UPDATE 3: Labonte has a slight fracture, right leg, below the kneecap; no cast, but he will be on crutches for a period of time. Labonte will start the race on Sunday, no word on a if a relief driver will be used
UPDATE 4: Terry Labonte was knocked unconscious briefly after slamming into the wall on the driver side. A CAT scan was given and came back negative, Labonte has been cleared by doctors and will race Sunday in the Jiffy Lube 300(now called the Thatlook.com). Labonte did suffer a fractured Tibia (bone below the knee) and bruised ribs. Crutches and a little pain will not keep “The Iron Man” from his 653rd consecutive start. Although Labonte is planning on completing the entire race, fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver Jack Sprague(#24 CTS) will be on hand for precautionary reasons(Hendrick Motorsports Site)(7-6-2000)
UPS to the #5? UPDATE: on the The LTN Hour (can be heard on the Internet in Real Audio), Jack Flowers of the Speedway Scene, reported that UPS could replace Kelloggs on the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy that Terry Labonte drives(6-6-2000)
UPDATE: sources tell me that Kelloggs has already signed up with Hendrick Motorsports for another five years and have not talked to any other companies about replacing Kelloggs. Have not seen anything official announced about Kelloggs(6-7-2000)
#5 Paint Scheme UPDATE 2: not sure where but hear Terry Labonte will run the #5 Cherry Berry Swirl/Fruit Loops paint scheme in the near future. He tends to run them at the Winston or at Michigan, home of his sponsor Kelloggs(4-12-2000)
UPDATE: was sent a image of a diecast for the car from a diecast site by quite a few readers, see it at the Paint Scheme Gallery(4-18-2000)
UPDATE 2: Labonte will defend his title in the annual all-star race, The Winston, behind the wheel of a specially designed red and blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo featuring Toucan Sam and Kellogg's Froot Loops cereal with CherryBerry Swirls(Summit Marketing Group)(5-13-2000)
#5 Paint: had a few questions in the past few weeks about Terry Labonte's hood and door on the #5 Kelloggs car, the sunshine/rise has been missing since the beginning of the season, why? I didn't have a clue, but a reader forwarded this to me: 1). It was Kellogg's decision to drop the sunshine logo from the hood. No car's graphics are ever final as the car is view as a "work in progress" throughout the year. 2). The #5 issue- apparently with the new paint scheme being more red than anything else, the forward slanting #5 appeared to "close up" at the curves and resemble the #6 thus posing a problem for NASCAR's spotters. They have told Hendrick to come up with something to make the #5 easier to distinguish from the #6. However, the #5 color, design and shape is a registered trademark. Hendrick must stay within those constraints and still comply with the dictates of NASCAR (5-11-2000)
#5 Paint Scheme UPDATE: not sure where but hear Terry Labonte will run the #5 Cherry Berry Swirl/Fruit Loops paint scheme in the near future. He tends to run them at the Winston or at Michigan, home of his sponsor Kelloggs(4-12-2000)
UPDATE: was sent a image of a diecast for the car from a diecast site by quite a few readers, see it at the Paint Scheme Gallery(4-18-2000)

UPDATE: Testing today and Tuesday at Texas was Pruett and #5-Terry Labonte and #45-Adam Petty(Winston Cup Radio(PRN)) note: Petty was in a Chevy...not a Pontiac and Labonte posted the fastest speed at 184mph(TMS Site)(3-21-2000)
Hendrick Comments: Rick Hendrick, owner of the Chevrolets of Jeff Gordon, Jerry Nadeau and Terry Labonte, said Sunday if NASCAR plans to make more rules changes - including a move to common templates - it should give teams plenty of time to prepare. See full story at That's Racin'(3-20-2000)
Hendrick and Cicci-Weliver Alliance: Hendrick Motorsports announced a new partnership with Cicci-Welliver Racing(BGN teams #'s 34,36,66) designed to enhance the performance of both organization’s BGN teams. As part of the exclusive agreement, the two organizations will share aerodynamic, chassis and certain technical information as well as participate together in in-house testing sessions and those held at outside facilities. They may also join forces to test during a limited number of Winston Cup races using Cicci-Welliver drivers. Hendrick Motorsports will provide Cicci-Welliver access to chassis and engine dyno testing facilities, key personnel and wind tunnel results throughout the season(David Green Site)(3-17-2000)
Rear Windows? UPDATE: not sure why, but have heard that the NASCAR inspectors made all three Hendrick cars change the rear window's at Rockingham(3-2-2000) -- UPDATE: hear the problems were minor but the template would not fit correctly, so the windows has to be swapped out, no fines or anything like that(3-3/4-2000)
Hendrick Back: Team owner Rick Hendrick is back at work at Hendrick Motorsport(#'s 5,24,25). He told the media that he has been off chemotherapy for six weeks now and that his cancer is in full remission and feels great(goRacing)(1-16-2000)
Hendrick in Remission: Results of tests conducted this month have prompted Rick Hendrick's doctors to say he no longer needs chemotherapy and the disease(chronic myelogenous leukemia) can be declared to be in full remission. Hendrick own's the #5 Kelloggs, #24 Dupont and #25 Michael Holigan Chevy teams(ESPN/AP)(12-24-1999)
Graves to leave Hendrick? UPDATE 2: hearing that Andy Graves has parted ways with Hendrick Motorsports and will work for......Chip Ganassi on his CART teams(12-8-1999) -- UPDATE: actually heard Graves left HMS last week and may even have been hired to help Ganassi start a Cup team in 2001 but the big push will be to run and win the Indy 500(12-10-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Graves has left Hendrick Motorsports and joined Chip Ganassi Racing. A Hendrick Motorsport spokesperson confirmed that Graves had left the team and joined Ganassi's CART/FedEx team(Winston Scene Magazine) also a story at Racer Magazine(12-17-1999)
Graves to leave Hendrick? UPDATE 2: hearing that Andy Graves has parted ways with Hendrick Motorsports and will work for......Chip Ganassi on his CART teams(12-8-1999) -- UPDATE: actually heard Graves left HMS last week and may even have been hired to help Ganassi start a Cup team in 2001 but the big push will be to run and win the Indy 500(12-10-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Graves has left Hendrick Motorsports and joined Chip Ganassi Racing. A Hendrick Motorsport spokesperson confirmed that Graves had left the team. Graves was working in Hendrick's research and development department when he decided to join Ganassi's CART/FedEx team(Winston Scene Magazine)(12-17-1999)
Hendrick Announcement UPDATE 2: hearing there will be some sort of Hendrick Motorsports announcement this afternoon, will post when I hear it -- UPDATE: According to sources close to the situation, expect an official press release later this afternoon detailing that former #5 crewchief Gary DeHart is coming back into the Hendrick organization to once again be the lead wrench with driver Terry Labonte. The Labonte/DeHart pairing brought Hendrick Motorsports the Winston Cup championship in 1996. DeHart had left the #5 in 1997 to open his own chassis-building business. His former business shop is likely to become the new location of the Jeff Gordon BGN team prepping cars for young Ricky Hendrick. (That's probably not going to be in the press release.) #5 crewchief Andy Graves is being offered a re-assignment opportunity at Hendrick. Although, country.com Motorsports also heard (along with anyone within earshot of Robbie Gordon) that Gordon had offered young Graves the opportunity to crew his new Winston Cup team. That seems unlikely(TNN Motorsports Site) -- UPDATE 2: One of NASCAR’s more successful tandems, veteran crew chief Gary DeHart and driver Terry Labonte are back together again. DeHart, who as crew chief helped lead Labonte to his second Winston Cup Championship in 1996, returns to Hendrick Motorsports as team manager/crew chief of the #5 Kellogg’s/Quaker State/GMAC/Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet team. The 1996 title was the second time DeHart was involved with a Labonte championship. He was chief fabricator for the Billy Hagan team when Labonte won his first title in 1984. DeHart takes over for Andy Graves, who has accepted another key position at Hendrick Motorsports working with all the teams. He has served as crew chief of the #5 team since 1997(Hendrick Motorsports)(11-22-1999)
Both Graves gone? UPDATE 3 DeHart back to the #5?: hearing that #5 Crew Chief Andy Graves and his father Fred will leave Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season?(anon source)(11-16-1999) -- UPDATE: After a dismal second half of the season Hendrick Motorsports' #5 team, with driver Terry Labonte, is under evaluation and significant changes in personnel could come as soon as next week, team sources revealed Friday. Reports in the past week have indicated that crew chief Andy Graves and co-chief Fred Graves (Andy's father), could be headed elsewhere after the season. Kellogg's spokesman John Singler said last week at Homestead that such rumors were news to him(Racer Magazine: NASCAR: Hendrick's Labonte Team Under Evaluation)(11-19-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Hendrick Motorsports will undergo several more personnel changes before the end of the year, The Charlotte Observer has learned. Andy Graves, who has served as Hendrick driver Terry Labonte's crew chief since October 1997, will likely leave the team before the start of the new season. His departure is related, at least in part, to the lackluster performance of the #5 Chevrolets team this season, sources said. Graves has already emerged as a top candidate for the crew chief duties for the new Winston Cup team starting next season by open-wheel star Robby Gordon(in part from That's Racin') -- UPDATE 3: Hendrick Motorsports is expected to hire Gary DeHart as the new crew chief for former Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte, The Charlotte Observer has learned. DeHart was Labonte's crew chief during Labonte's 1996 championship season and the announcement of his move will likely take place during the annual Charlotte media tour in January. Andy Graves, is expected to leave the team at the end of next month.(That's Racin'/Jim Utter)(11-20-1999)
Both Graves gone? hearing that #5 Crew Chief Andy Graves and his father Fred will leave Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the season?(anon source)(11-16-1999)
#5 Colors in 2000: During a fan club meeting, Terry Labonte mentioned that the Kelloggs car would carry a little bit different paint scheme next year. Labonte didn't give any details but said the car would still be the same colors(Tribute to the Labontes Site)(10-7-1999)
Good News: #5,24 and 35 Cup team owner, Rick Hendrick is 100% in remission from his leukemia and 60 days from ending his medication, his brother, John, said yesterday. In fact, it was Rick Hendrick who handled the contract talks with (former)crew chief Ray Evernham last week. The owner of Hendrick Motorsports has been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with leukemia in late 1996. Company President John Hendrick said the talks took their toll on Rick which resulted in Rick Hendrick releasing Evernham from his seven-year contract to work as Jeff Gordon's crew chief. Hendrick said the team had negotiated a deal with Evernham to move into management and had planned a press conference for next week at Charlotte. John Hendrick said that Evernham notified them last week that he had changed his mind. His release took effect Wednesday, and Brian Whitesell has taken over as Gordon's crew chief(Times-Dispatch)(10-2-1999)
More Testing: Terry Labonte and the Hendrick Motorsports team tested for their second day in preparation for next week's Goody's Headache Powder 500. With the Food City 250 just nine days away, three NASCAR Busch Series teams also tested, including drivers Jeff Fuller(#42), Jason White(#28) and Carl Long(#95).(www.bristolmotorspeedway.com)(8-19-1999)
Disturbing News UPDATE: just got back from Chicago and had a email box full of news on this - from an AP story: NASCAR stars Terry Labonte(#5) and Derrike Cope(#30) fired two employees(motor coach drivers) for a racial prank in which one of their workers wore a sheet over his head like a Klansman and confronted a black colleague(#12 crewman). Witnesses characterized the July 8 episode at the New Hampshire International Speedway as a joke by two white motorcoach drivers that went too far(WRAL/AP)(8-10-1999) -- UPDATE: another story, not AP - Two ousted for racial incident by Rea McLeroy(Times-Dispatch) and from That's Racin': Incident reopens NASCAR's race issue - Randon Notes by Jim Utter
A few statements sent my way: from Derrike Cope - "Behavior like this simply cannot be tolerated in today's society. This was an example of grievous behavior that I do not condone. It was an ignorant act and I took the only course available to me of rectifying the situation by terminating the employee."(#30 PR)
from Michael Kranefuss(owner of the #12): “Penske-Kranefuss Racing and Jeremy Mayfield fully support NASCAR’s response to the behavior directed at one of our Team members. We and the Team member stand together and look forward to putting the incident behind us.”(Williams Co PR)(8-11-1999)
Labonte Scheme UPDATE: Hearing Terry Labonte may run a Rice Krispies Treat scheme of some sorts on the #5 Kelloggs Chevy, not sure where, but he often runs one in one of the Michigan races(7-6-1999) -- UPDATE: Yep, it's a Michigan, see the image at Jayski's Paint Scheme Gallery(8-11-1999)
Cal Wells rumors: Cal Wells, one of NASCAR's newest car owners, is offering prospective crew chiefs $2.5 million over three years. That $830,000-a-year contract would be a little better than some of the best of the current deals. The top four or five crew chiefs on the tour are making $650,000 a year and up. Among the men on Wells' wish list is Andy Graves, Terry Labonte's crew chief, according to sources(PitNow) Al Unser Jr and Wally Dallenbach are the hottest rumored drivers for the new Tide ride(8-10-1999)
Terry Labonte - Hendrick - 2003: Terry Labonte will remain with Hendrick Motorsports banner at least through 2003 under a three-year contract extension signed by the two-time Winston Cup champion(AP/WRAL)(7-22-1999)
Labonte to STAY - UPDATE: as reported numerous times here, from NOL: Over the past two months, Terry Labonte has been the prime subject of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series rumor mill, but Tuesday he set the record straight -- Hendrick Motorsports is home and will continue to be home for at least through the 2000 season. See complete story at: Labonte maintaining status quo at Hendrick(NOL)(7-14-1999) -- UPDATE: in part from a That's Racin' story: ....two-time champion Terry Labonte, who recently signed a contract extension to keep him with Hendrick through the 2001 season(That's Racin')(7-15-1999)
Irwin Decision: Kenny Irwin now expects to know by Pocono if he'll be back with Yates next season. There have been reports for several months that Yates might be interested in hiring Terry Labonte to drive the Texaco-sponsored car. But Labonte has another year on his contract with Rick Hendrick, and John Hendrick has begun a major push to improve the performance of the Labonte team(PitNow)(7-12-1999)
Labonte Article: which in part says: "Despite constant speculation about where he may drive in the future, Labonte points out he has a year left on his contract with the three-car team and that he is discussing extending that. He and crew chief Andy Graves are also discussing how to take more advantage of their multicar setup. Next year, when the new Monte Carlo hits the track, they plan to work more closely with his two teammates."(Times-Dispatch)(7-9-1999)
Labonte Scheme: Hearing Terry Labonte may run a Rice Krispies Treat scheme of some sorts on the #5 Kelloggs Chevy, not sure where, but he often runs one in one of the Michigan races(7-6-1999)
It Resurfaces and clarification: From Saturday's Houston Chronicle: "Sources say Labonte is tired of playing second fiddle to Jeff Gordon on the Hendrick team. Labonte won the Winston Cup championship for Hendrick in the Kellogg's Chevrolet in 1996 but thinks his standing in the organization hasn't been the same since Rick Hendrick became ill and his brother took over the team last season. Hendrick has been battling leukemia. Irwin took over the Texaco Taurus last season as a rookie, replacing Ernie Irvan in a car that had its best days when the late Davey Allison was at the wheel. Irwin has been disappointing in his second season, so Yates might want a veteran such as Labonte to take over. If Labonte leaves Hendrick Motorsports, the Kellogg's Monte Carlo will have plenty of applicants for the driving job. One of them could be Steve Park, who might want to leave the Pennzoil Chevy owned by Dale Earnhardt because Earnhardt likely will be spending a lot of time helping Dale Jr. in his rookie season next year."(Houston Chronicle - not sure how long it stays up) JAYSKI NOTE: This rumor has been floating around for a year now about the Labonte/Irwin deal. Published reports and sources say Labonte is happy at Hendrick, wants to stay there, wants to retire there and has a contract with Hendrick and Kelloggs thru 2000. Also as for Steve Park, sources tell me there are no moves afoot to replace or relieve Park and he as well as Pennzoil have a contract thru 2000 with DEI. Past news on Labonte/Irwin can be seen on their respective Team Past News/Rumors/Links page I have here, see the links below to the left...(7-5-1999)
Labonte Rumors, Terry that is: getting many rumors that Terry Labonte and Kelloggs would leave Hendrick after the 1999 season and move to Yates in the #28. But a story in this weeks Winston Cup Scene dispells that rumor as well as an article on SpeedVision: Hendrick striving to improve team infrastructure by Lee Spencer. It says in part - Both Wally Dallenbach and Terry Labonte have been linked with potential deals. But Hendrick feels the best way to dispel the accusations is to improve the infrastructure. John Hendrick said. "I went straight to Terry and I said, 'Hey, is there anything going on and what can we do to help you?' And he told me he's perfectly happy at Hendrick Motorsports and plans to retire here. I know he's a man of his word, so we're glad to hear that because Terry's a class act and an asset to Winston Cup." The team also added some extra help(6-26-1999)
It's Back...UPDATE Speculation continues to grow that Terry Labonte may be driving for Yates' operation next season(PitNow Notes), expect denials within a few days from one or both teams, Yates saying no third team and Hendrick saying Terry and Kelloggs are signed with them through the end of 2000(6-19-1999) -- UPDATE: sources tell me that Labonte is signed through 2000 with Hendrick and Kelloggs, and plans on retiring there. And from Speedwords: Rumors of Terry Labonte moving to a third (or current) Robert Yates team appear to be unfounded. Sources deep in the Yates organization are very skeptical of such a deal due to what they describe as Roberts "total concentration" on Dale Jarrett's shot at the Winston Cup championship(6-20-1999)
Labonte Rumors: Interesting rumor floating around that Terry Labonte will move to either a Joe Gibbs third team or a Robert Yates second or third team next season. This has to be taken with a grain of salt as Labonte's contract runs through 2000, but then we know about "iron clad" contracts(Inside Motorsports) and from PitNow: Ford executives are again heavily seeking drivers, and there ar strong indications that the company would like to steal Terry Labonte away from Chevrolet. Labonte, who won earlier this season at Texas, is under contract with GM's Rick Hendrick. Jayski Note: Robert Yates has repeated over and over the he has NO plans to start a third team and like reported above Labonte and Kelloggs are signed thru 2000 with Hendrick(5-19-1999)
Testing at Lakeland FL: Terry Labonte and Ken Scherder tested this week at Lakeland Speedway in preparation for the Richmond race. Labonte tested Tues-Wed(11-12) and Scherader tested Mon-Tue(10-11)(WC Today Radio)(5-13-1999)
Labonte/BGN: Terry Labonte has entered the BGN race at NHIS on May 8th in the #44 Slim Jim Chevy. Terry plans to run the events that do not conflict with his Winston Cup Schedule and let his son Justin drive the events that do(North East Racing)(4-22-1999)
Labonte and Food City: Noticed during qualifying on ESPN2, Food City(not Lion) on the 1/4 panels of the #5 Kelloggs Chevy of Terry Labonte(4-10-1999)
Three Left: Only three drivers have finished all 1,002 Winston Cup laps held at Texas Motor Speedway. The drivers are also the top three finishers in Sunday's race: Terry Labonte, Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte(Dallas Morning News Notes)(3-29-1999)
Hendrick Sponsors: The Hendrick teams all have Kelloggs either as a primary or associate sponsor. Viewers might have noticed the 'K-SENTIALS' logo on Jeff Gordon's car and driving uniform yesterday. Starting in March, Kelloggs will use the 'K-SENTIALS' logo to identify cereals that contain nutrients it believes are essential for growth and development. Also, on Dallenbach and Labonte's cars, the Advance Auto Parts logo is on the rear decklid. However, on Gordon's car the AAP logo is on the B pillar just behind the side window. In the Daytona 500 event, DuPont Dow Elastomers will be on the rear decklid of the #24.(Jeff Gordon Online) a 'K-SENTIALS' paint scheme is rumored to be run at The Winsorn by Labonte(2-7-1999)
Hendrick returns to the track: Rick Hendrick made his first appearance at Daytona in a couple of years as he attended testing Wednesday in a show of support for his three Cup teams(#'s 5,24,25)(WC Today Radio)(1-21-1999)
Hendrick Sponsor: Advance Auto Parts has signed on as an associate sponsor for 1999 for Jeff Gordon and the #24 DuPont team. In addition, another new paint scheme will likely be unveiled on the #24 car at Charlotte in May (most likely for 'The Winston'). Hear that it will be called "Splash"(Gordonline), in addition Advance will be on the #5 Kelloggs Chevy and #25 Bud Chevy(1-11-1999)
Labonte colors: I hear the #5 Kelloggs Chevy and/or haulers will be sporting a new look in 1999, such as a new "modernized" look with supporting Kellogg's Characters.(11-12-98)
Graves leaves DEI: It was announced today that Fred Graves, crew chief for the Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) No. 16 NASCAR CTS team sponsored by NAPA, has resigned his position with the team. Graves is leaving to pursue other opportunities in motorsports. The DEI organization has begun the process of searching for a team leader.(GoRacing) and although not stated in the release from DEI, country.com/Motorsports has learned that Graves will be joining the Hendrick Motorsports Winston Cup organization in a team management role with the #5 car. Graves' son, Andy Graves, will continue as the crewchief of the #5, driven by Terry Labonte, but the senior Graves will join the team to assist during testing, at the shop, and at the track(TNN's website)(11-30-98)
Terry Labonte Going Nowhere: By nowhere, I mean any other team but Hendrick Motorsports. I get more unfounded rumors on Terry Labonte leaving Hendrick then just about anything. Anyhow this in part from a USA Today story by Skip Wood about Terry Labonte: Labonte fielded team-jumping employment offers that come his way about this time every year. A few were from some pretty good teams. But Labonte's contract with Hendrick goes through 2000, and he "loves driving for Hendrick Motorsports, and I'd love to run with them the rest of my career." From USA Story: NASCAR mainstay Labonte in search of more consistency(10-23-98)

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Jayski's® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.