Daytona Beach, FL February 7, 2003 7:15pm --- Jimmy Spencer has filed a law suit against Chip Ganassi for a breach of contract after he was fired at the end of the 2002 season by Ganassi.
Winston-Salem, NC February 5, 2003 6:15pm --- After sponsoring NASCAR's top touring division, Winston has stated they will no longer sponser the Winston Cup Series after 2003. NASCAR is now going to look elsewhere for a big time sponsor to sponsor their top division.
Charlotte, NC January 22, 2003 5:55pm --- After breathing in carbon monoxide for 15 years, NASCAR Winston Cup driver Rick Mast announced his retirement. Mast said to be suffering of symptons worse than a hangover. Mast's last start came in May of 2002.
Concord, NC January 21, 2003 5:45pm --- Discussion of mixing around the Winston Cup schedule in 2004 was in talks today. NASCAR officials said that they would like to possibly elminate a race at Atlanta and shift it to Texas, owned by the same company, Speedway Motorsports Inc. NASCAR said that if you other tracks would like to do the same, they would entertain the thought. As of now, everything is hersey, but NASCAR is looking to make a change in 2004.
Concord, NC January 9, 2003 4:40pm --- It was announced today that pop artist and Grammy Award Winning female singer, Mariah Carey, will sing the National Anthem at this year's Daytona 500. Carey is honored to be chosen to sing the anthem because her father was into racing, he recently past away.
Daytona Beach, FL January 8, 2003 5:30pm ---NASCAR is looking to reduce the amount of traffic in the garage area at NASCAR events this season. One proposed plan, is to not allow drivers to give out autographs in the garage area.
Winston-Salem, NC January 7, 2003 12:15pm --- The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company announced that it will be discontinuing it's Winston No Bull 5 Million Dollar program in 2003. The Winston No Bull 5 was a select group of drivers, 5 to be exact, that participated in 5 seperate races (Las Vegas, Daytona {Night}, Lowe's, Talladega and Richmond), if one of the 5 drivers one any of those races, they, along with a fan, would recieve a million dollar check from Winston. To qualify for the bonus, a driver had to finish in the top 5 in one of the other events. The No Bull 5 was introduced in 1998, when NASCAR celebrated it's 50 Anniversary.
Mooresville, NC January 4, 2003 12:45pm --- Jimmy Spencer will go from one Dodge to another in 2003. After being released from Chip Ganassi Racing, Spencer signed on as driver of the #7 Sirius Satallite Radio Dodge, Ultra Motorsports driver. Former crew chief to Ward Burton, Tommy Baldwin, will be Spencer's crew chief.
Concord, NC December 27, 2002 12:25pm --- Jeff Gordon will host Saturday Night Live on NBC Jnauary 11, 2003. Gordon is the first automotive sports figure to host the show.
Delray Beach, Fla. December 20, 2002 10:10am --- It was released today that Jeff Gordon is estimated to be worth $48.8 million. This information came to light in a affidavit filed by Gordon. Gordon is also counters suing his estranged wife, Brooke, claiming that he believes everything should not be split equally. Brooke first filed for divorce in March.
Charlotte, NC. December 20, 2002 4:10pm --- Ken Schrader was set to drive the #55 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 2003 for Andy Petree, barring Petree found a sponsor. Petree was set to have Schrader at least run the Daytona 500 in February. Schrader will now drive the #49 BAM Racing Dodge in 2003. BAM Racing had six different drivers in 2002.
Charlotte, NC. December 19, 2002 9:25am --- Petree has had to lay off employees, then look for a sponsorship in 2003 and now the future for the car owner’s team is looking doubtful.
Charlotte, NC. December 19, 2002 5:20pm --- Casey Mears is amongst NASCAR Winston Cups newest “young guns” in 2003. Mears will drive the #41 Dodge car for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Concord, NC. December 19, 2002 4:20pm --- Melling Racing has suspended operations due to the lack of sponsorship. Melling was in search for a 2003 sponsor, but was unsuccessful. Melling Racing won the Winston Cup Championship in 1988 with Bill Elliot.
Moorseville, NC. December 19, 2002 2:40pm --- Failed Winston Cup driver, Shawna Robinson, hopes to secure a 2003 Busch Series ride. Robinson was let go after only a few races in the BAM Racing car.
December 14, 2002 7:30pm - Casey Mears will replace Jimmy Spencer in the #41 Target car next year. Rumors are circulating that Bobby Hamilton will drive the #49 BAM Racing car in 2003. Andy Petree is still searching for a sponsor for Kenny Schrader in the #55 car.
December 2, 2002 5:25pm Statesville, NC - Casey Atwood was given his release from Everham Motorsports. Atwood was taken out of the #7 Everham/Ultra Motorsports earlier, was put into the #91 car because Everham had him under contract.
November 21, 2002 12:10pm Mooresville, NC - Kenny Schrader will drive the #55 Andy Petree Chevy in 2003. The one obstical in the way is a sponsor. If the #55 does not get a sponsor, Schrader will remain without a ride for the time being.
November 21, 2002 10:02am - Revell-Monogram announced that they will release three retro Dale Earnhardt cars in 2003. The three models will be Earnhardt's 1987 No. 3 Wrangler "Pass in The Grass" Monte Carlo, 1995 No. 3 GM Goodwrench silver Monte Carlo, and the 1998 No. 3 GM Goodwrench Daytona Triumph Monte Carlo. Look for them in '03.
November 17, 2002 5:30pm Homestead-Miami, FL - In another tight race, Ryan Newman was named 2002 Rookie of the Year. Newman only picked up one win on the year and finished below Jimmie Johnson in the points, but NASCAR claimed Newman as the Rookie of the Year.
November 17, 2002 5:00pm Homestead-Miami, FL - The 36 week race season came to the fianl checkered flag and finally crowned a new champion. Tony Stewart edged out Mark Martin for the championship by 30+ points. Stewart recieved his first Winston Cup Championship and Mark Martin finished as Runner-Up for the fourth time in his career.
November 9, 2002 6:30pm Phoenix, AZ - Greg Biffle finsihed third in the Busch Series race. That was good enough for Biffle to clinch the Busch Series Championship. Biffle clinched what was the first of a possible two championships on the year for Rousch Racing.
November 8, 2002 6:00pm Phoenix, AZ - Kevin Harvick wins the Craftsman Truck Series race at Phoenix. The Truck Series Championship will be decided at Homestead-Miami.
November 4, 2002 6:05pm Daytona Beach, Fla - Mark Martin failed post race inspection at Rockingham. His left front spring has 1/8 to low. NASCAR penalized Martin with 25 Winston Cup points. This changes Martin's -87 points to -112 points behind Tony Stewart. Martin's crew chief, Ben Leslie, was fined $5000.
November 1, 2002 12:10 Rockingham, NC - The Busweiser Shootout ran before the Daytona 500 in Daytona will be changed from a day race to a prime time night race. This is the first time it will be ran at night in it's 25 year history. Bud Pole Qualifying will be run the next following day.
Bud Shootout - Feb. 8. 2003 @ 8pm on FOX
Bud Pole Qualifying - Feb. 9, 2003 @ TBA on TBA
© 2003 Musto Man 45 Inc. All Rights Reserved
