NASCAR Corporate and France Family News

NASCAR France Family related news..

Thursday, July 24, 2008

France asked if NASCAR has taken a look at its drug policy? France: We're about completed with our work on our policy. As I've said before, we have a long-standing policy that worked well. We also acknowledge there are different circumstances and different things today that might not have gone on when we originated the policy and that if there are ways to improve it - and there probably will be - we will. We'll have those answers pretty shortly, within a month or six weeks. I wouldn't look for dramatic changes in our policy because the basis of our policy, No. 1 is we can test anytime we want for cause. You can have any policy you want, but if the punishment isn't tough, that's the lesson of the time. If you look at lifetime suspensions, and we have several out there today, what happens on a first infraction in our sport is very severe. Frankly, it probably means your career is over. Certainly a second infraction probably will end a career. A third gets you a lifetime suspension. (Augusta Chronicle)

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

NASCAR Technical Director Steve Peterson passes away: NASCAR Technical Director Steve Peterson, 58, was found deceased today at his home from what appears to be natural causes. Steve began his NASCAR career in January, 1995 and led many of NASCAR’s safety initiatives including development and installation of SAFER Barriers, management and approval of head and neck restraints and improved seat belts, and coordination of the safety features in NASCAR’s new car. “Steve’s accomplishments to increase driver safety will continue to be a benefit to every NASCAR driver that gets behind the wheel for generations to come,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steve’s family and friends; he will certainly be missed throughout the NASCAR community.” Funeral arrangements will be announced later. (NASCAR PR)

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Brian France discusses the lawsuit against NASCAR: NASCAR has nearly completed its investigation of the allegations made by former Nationwide Series inspector Mauricia Grant in a $225 million discrimination lawsuit, CEO Brian France said in his annual midseason question-and-answer session Friday. Grant, who is black, is alleging racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination in a lawsuit filed last month. She discussed her accusations in detail on ESPN this week. France reiterated that NASCAR will vigorously defend itself in court, but he didn't discuss any specifics of the case. "My own experience with lawsuits over many years is, by the time the facts ultimately catch up to the actual lawsuit, they're usually a whole lot different than the claims that are made on the front end when you're after a lot of money," France said.(Tampa Tribune)

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Army sponsorship may head to Red Bull Racing? In a related story, ESPN’s Angelique Chengelis reported yesterday that the Army sponsorship is likely to move from DEI to Bill Davis Racing's #23 Toyota next season. That report has been denied by several sources, however, and Sirius Speedway has learned that Red Bull Racing is actually a leading candidate for the Army deal. Red Bull General Manager Jay Frye first brought the Army sponsorship to NASCAR during his tenure at MB2 Motorsports, and is said to be in serious discussions to secure that sponsorship once again in 2009. (The Motorsports Soapbox)

Limited tickets available for Sunday's race: A limited number of grandstand tickets are available for Sunday's LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Tickets start at $60. Guests who purchase tickets by Wednesday will be eligible to win a $500 Sunoco gas card, watch the SYLVANIA 300 from a luxury suite, or have their mortgage or rent paid until December, 2008. Once all grandstand seats are sold, standing-room tickets will be made available before the start of Sunday's LENOX Industrial Tools 301. For more information, or to purchase tickets to the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 week events, go online to www.nhms.com or call the speedway Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931. (NHMS PR)

Monday, June 23, 2008

Former NASCAR personnel inducted into Georgia Sports HoF: This year’s inductees are former NASCAR vice president of competition Bill Gazaway, short track racer Jack Jackson, 1965 NASCAR rookie of the year Sam McQuagg, Peach Bowl champion Charles Padgett, drag racing pioneer Randy Payne, NASCAR legend Wilbur Rakestraw, car owner Dub Smith, and track promoter Mike Swims. The eight inductees were chosen from the initial “Sweet 15” nominees, who had been whittled down from over 40 nominees that were submitted to the Hall of Fame voting committee.(Georgia Racing Hall of Fame PR)

NASCAR warns drivers don't pass the pace vehicle: During Sunday morning's driver meeting, NASCAR race director David Hoots reminded the drivers that passing the pace car is illegal. "We know that under road-racing conditions, fuel management is very important, drivers," Hoots said. "Do all you can to conserve fuel, but hold your respective track positions when you do so." (AP/ThatsRacin)

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Clapp honored at Infineon Raceway: NASCAR veteran Ken Clapp, who was instrumental in helping build Sears Point, now Infineon Raceway, and for bringing NASCAR's top division to the Bay Area in 1989, was inducted Friday into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame. (SF Chronicle)

Friday, June 20, 2008

NASCAR monitoring carbon monoxide and heat inside cars: The governing body began last week at Michigan International Speedway monitoring the heat inside the new cars after several drivers complained that they were hotter than the old cars. They also began doing random tests for carbon monoxide to guarantee nobody was at risk. The findings were just what officials anticipated, that cars with proper ventilation, vents and insulation had no problem. For example, the temperature inside the car of Brian Vickers was 130 degrees, compared to 105 for another. "You start looking at the cars and say how can this be, they're all the same?" series director John Darby said. "Well, the 105 degree car didn't have a lot of vents and stuff in it, but they did take the time to insulate the floorboard and put insulation around the exhaust pipes. "There's so many little things that make a difference that if you want to do them you can do them." Monitoring the heat isn't new to NASCAR. Darby said the governing body periodically has done this for six years when the temperatures are unusually hot or "you get a couple of guys whining about it." (ESPN.com)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

NASCAR suspends two officials after claims: Two officials suspended by NASCAR are accused in a $225 million lawsuit of exposing themselves to a former co-worker, the Associated Press has learned. Tim Knox and Bud Moore have been placed on indefinite administrative paid leave. NASCAR will not reveal the identities of the officials sent home Friday from Kentucky Speedway, but a person familiar with the investigation confirmed to AP on Saturday that Knox and Moore were suspended. The person requested anonymity because NASCAR's investigation is ongoing. NASCAR did not give a reason for the men's suspension, and chairman Brian France cautioned against assuming the officials are being punished for allegations made in the lawsuit. "Obviously we found some violations in our policy, but I would not jump to conclusions to assume that all of the allegations that were made are accurate," France said at Michigan International Speedway, site of Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race. "Even if we take action on any official in this investigation — we might discover something entirely different that has been going on that has nothing to do with the claim, this lawsuit, but still is in violation of our policy. That would get you in trouble with us." Mauricia Grant filed her suit Tuesday, alleging 23 specific incidents of sexual harassment and 34 specific incidents of racial and gender discrimination during her time as a technical inspector for NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series. (AP/Google)

Friday, June 13, 2008

NASCAR tells drivers to remain positive.. while fans struggle in economic times: NASCAR called a mandatory meeting for Sprint Cup drivers and owners before Friday's practice at Michigan International Speedway in which president Mike Helton encouraged everyone to keep the fans first. They both agreed this simply was a reminder that during these tough economic times when fans are paying $4 a gallon for gas to travel to tracks that drivers should be more positive about the sport. In other words stop complaining about the new car that has become a target for everything that is wrong in NASCAR's premier series, from creating boring races to being so hot that the drivers are at risk. "My interpretation was that the drivers should be thankful for the position they're in and should be more positive in where this car is going to be in a year or two," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. Jeff Burton agreed. "In today's conversation you could have heard whatever you wanted to hear," he said. "I bet if you asked every driver what they heard they would have said something different. What I heard was things aren't bad. Let's don't forget we can make things better." NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said this so-called "Come to Jesus" was a reminder of chairman Brian France's preseason back-to-basics message. That the timing was a few days after the lawsuit, he added, was merely coincidental and that the lawsuit wasn't discussed. "We remind them if it weren't for the fans we wouldn't be here," he said. "The fans are paying over $4 a gallon for gasoline. [We told them] to keep the fans in mind when you're talking, to show your appreciation to the fans. Without them this wouldn't be like it is." (ESPN.com)

June 26, 2007

NASCAR working on going global: NASCAR still is in the developing stages of growing internationally, and Robbie Weiss, managing director of NASCAR's global effort, said that although winning one race likely won't cause Montoya mania worldwide, at the least it should increase interest. ''It's a big deal for NASCAR,'' said Weiss, who was on hand for Montoya's win in Northern California. Weiss said a new weekly, hour-long NASCAR show -- that will include results, behind-the-scenes footage and educational segments -- is in the works to air in Colombia. Races are being carried in South America, including his native Colombia, by the Speed Channel. (Miami Herald)

June 23, 2007

Cup date to Kentucky Speedway? Second date to Las Vegas? Winston Salem Journal reports.. NASCAR executives may be ready to settle one of those thorny legal situations they face, according to sources who say that a settlement with Kentucky Speedway could be coming - by adding the 11/2-mile track south of Cincinnati to the Nextel Cup tour next season. And there is also an unconfirmed report that NASCAR could be looking at adding a second Nextel Cup event at Bruton Smith’s Las Vegas track for next season. (Salem Journal)

Brian France interested in NFL Ownership? Oakland Raiders? NASCAR CEO Brian France has long been talked about as a potential owner of a National Football League franchise in Los Angeles, and now comes more speculation, from NFL sources, that France might be interested in buying the Oakland Raiders and moving the franchise to Los Angeles. France has danced around the NFL issue over the years, but his fondness for Los Angeles is well known, and he has a home there. Two years ago NBA star Magic Johnson said he had talked with France about the NFL and indicated France was indeed interested. If the NFL deal cost $800 million, France has it. (Salem Journal)

June 17, 2007

NASCAR Sues AT&T for $100 Million: Today NASCAR filed a counter claim in U.S. District Court against AT&T Mobility/Cingular Wireless and AT&T Inc., alleging breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, and conspiracy to aid and abet wrongful interference with Nextel’s exclusive sponsorship agreement. NASCAR is seeking a minimum of $100 million in damages. The NASCAR Rule Book governs participation in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and its contents are agreed to in writing by all NASCAR members and participants. Cingular is a member of NASCAR and agreed to abide by all NASCAR rules and regulations when its representatives signed official documents such as the NASCAR Membership and License Application. NASCAR’s suit further alleges that AT&T, Cingular and its representatives breached its explicit agreements with NASCAR when they re-branded the #31 car; entered into contract with RCR knowing that they would litigate against NASCAR; and when they sought to ambush Nextel’s exclusive sponsorship rights. NASCAR also submitted its response today to a suit filed by AT&T Mobility/Cingular Wireless by soundly rejecting each of their claims. The response demonstrates the clarity of NASCAR’s rule book and the baseless allegations made by AT&T Mobility/Cingular Wireless in its attempts to re-brand the #31.(NASCAR PR)

June 13, 2007

NASCAR Chairman Brian France statement regarding Earnhardt, Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports: “Today’s announcement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. ’s move to Hendrick Motorsports is indeed an important announcement for this season and beyond, and it should be noted that high-profile partnerships have always been a part of NASCAR’s competitive history. There have been so many great partnerships involving people of great character and ability. We’re proud of what they have brought to our sport. “Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always said that first and foremost, he wants to win a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship. We wish him the best of luck. ” (NASCAR PR)

July 8, 2006

Possible Schedule Expansion? Daytona 500 Primetime Start? NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said he does not know whether, as rumored, the Daytona 500 start time could be moved to late afternoon or to prime time, as with the Super Bowl. FOX will carry the Daytona 500 the next eight years. Poston also said that, amid talk of a race of some kind in Canada (Montreal), perhaps as soon as next year, NASCAR is not brushing off the idea of more than the current 36 a year (38 if the two exhibitions are counted). The new network contracts, which include FOX, ABC/ESPN and TNT, last through 2014. Under the agreement, NASCAR agrees to provide 36 events per season, but Poston noted that NASCAR won't be limited by that, allowing room for possible expansion. "I don't think NASCAR would paint itself into a corner like that," Poston said. (Speedtv.com)

July 5, 2006

Possible schedule change for final 10 races in 2007? For the third consecutive year, NASCAR's playoff-style Chase for the Nextel Cup likely will have only 10 drivers racing for the championship. The final 10 races, which decide the title, call for the top 10 drivers and those within 400 points of the leader to be included. As long as leader Jimmie Johnson and runner-up Matt Kenseth don't collapse in the next nine races, the 400-point rule will not come into effect. NASCAR chairman Brian France last week hinted some changes in the Chase format might be coming in 2007. The number of drivers making the Chase, the 400-point rule and scoring during the Chase are among the possible changes. There's also an outside chance France might shuffle the final 10 races, giving eligible drivers a variety of tracks to conquer. (USA Today)

July 1, 2006

Dodge Chairman committed to NASCAR: The chairman of DaimlerChrysler denied a widespread rumor that Dodge is pulling out of NASCAR, and pledged his commitment to America's top racing series. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, attending his first race of the season Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway, said NASCAR is a successful platform for DaimlerChrysler and he has no plans to pull Dodge out. "I don't know who is creating those rumors, we have no reason whatsoever (to leave),'' he said before the start of the Pepsi 400. "We are very happy with NASCAR, it is a great platform, and Dodge is the right brand to race NASCAR.'' (MSNBC.com)

June 30, 2006

Changes in Chase coming in 2007: NASCAR's playoff format, known as the Chase for the Nextel Cup, could expand to include more drivers next season. That is one of several changes to the championship being considered by NASCAR's chairman and chief executive, Brian France, who instituted the playoff in 2004. "What I've always said about the Chase was that we needed a few years under our belt to see how it evolved," France said during a news conference at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday in advance of the Pepsi 400 on Saturday night. "We will make some adjustments going into '07." Now, France said, he is considering changing the 400-point plateau, which has not come into play in the first two years of the Chase and is unlikely to be a factor this year, either. If that plateau is changed, more drivers outside the top 10 could conceivably qualify for the Chase. "Is 10 the number?" France said. "Is 12 the number? Would we like to see the 400-point issue come into play? I think it would be interesting. It would be nice to see. Call it a wild card if you will. (New York Times)

France says Sprint-NEXTEL is here to stay: Q) Along with the potential name change with the merger, the rumors continue to pop up about the possible change of the sponsor. Has there been any discussions at all about Nextel/Sprint getting another company to buy out the contract? BRIAN FRANCE: None whatsoever. They have got one of the great positions, the greatest position perhaps, in sports. They are obviously going through a change post their merger trying to get their company in a place that takes the most advantage with NASCAR. But they are focused on how to build around the sponsorship that Nextel brought into the merger. So none whatsoever. (NASCAR PR)

B. France says, WA. and NYC has yet to realize impact of sport: "This is the most undercovered sport in the country," France said. "Week in and week out until the fall, we're usually the largest sporting event in the country. You just wouldn't know it by looking at a lot of media outlets. "We're really going to look at ways to get this sport the proper coverage and to change some hearts and minds."  (NASCAR)

June 29, 2006

Former Longtime NASCAR executive dies: Bill Gazaway, a longtime NASCAR executive during the sport's modern era, died Thursday in Atlanta, NASCAR officials said. He was 76. Gazaway joined NASCAR in 1960 as a team owner. His cars made seven starts, including one with him behind the wheel. He started 44th at Atlanta Motor Speedway and drove his Oldsmobile one lap before the rear end failed. Gazaway moved into NASCAR's front office three years later as a technical inspector. He maintained that position until 1967, when he was promoted to assistant technical director. He assumed the role of competition director the following year. He became director of racing operations in 1979, and was named vice president of competition in 1984, a position he held until his retirement from NASCAR in 1987. "Bill Gazaway was one of those NASCAR pioneers who did a lot of good things during his time with NASCAR," former NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. said. (Sporting News)

June 26, 2006:

Bank of America looking at replacing NEXTEL? When word of the shake-up first broke in April, Sprint executives insisted they were committed to continuing the NASCAR sponsorship, despite reports otherwise that the new powers were less than interested in NASCAR. Now, according to sources familiar with the situation, there are reports that Bank of America executives are interested in acquiring the title sponsorship to the Cup series. (Salem-Journal)

June 25, 2006

NEXTEL sports executives out: Sprint Nextel’s NASCAR Marketing Manager Mike Mooney has had his job eliminated by the telecommunications company in a round of job cuts. Mooney, along with Jill Gregory and Michael Robichaud, were the three most visible executives in Nextel’s NASCAR program when it began prior to the 2004 season. But with Gregory and Robichaud already gone and Mooney leaving as of next Friday, the key strategists behind Nextel’s initial foray into NASCAR are all gone. (SPEEDtv)

June 24, 2006

Sprint/NEXTEL says no timetable on series name change: A spokesman for Sprint Nextel said no timetable has been set on any name change. Sprint Nextel officials said this year they planned to decide by this summer on the series name. (Virginian Pilot)

June 23, 2006:

Sprint//NEXTEL Announcement expected at Daytona?  Sprint/Nextel is expected to make some sort of announcement next week at Daytona about its future plans for the name of the Cup series. Nextel probably will remain part of the title. The Nextel name isn't leaving the merged company, so why would the executives want to eliminate it from its NASCAR sponsorship? However, some type of name change is coming. The question is when. It would take a huge amount of work to change all NASCAR and track logos in time for the 2007 season. (Dallas Morning News)

June 22, 2006:

2007 Start times pushed back after 2:00 pm: The 2007 racing schedule hasn't been released but one significant change is expected: All races will start no earlier than 2pm. The later starting times come at the demand of television networks Fox, FX, ABC, TNT and ESPN. They pushed NASCAR to start most races at 4pm to better capture West Coast viewers and create a link to prime-time shows, but they settled for a mix. None of the times, however, will be any earlier than 2pm. (Augusta Chronicle)

June 19, 2006:

Slight schedule change? The Virginian Pilot is reporting: NASCAR is working on its 2007 schedules. One change is expected next July. Nothing is set since sanctioning agreements aren't signed, but the New Hampshire race is expected to be moved to July 1 before the Daytona race, which will be held July 7. Unless something changes, that means the Cup series will race at Infineon Raceway on June 24, then go to New Hampshire and Daytona in consecutive weekends. Also, Martinsville's two Cup races next season are expected to remain about the same time in the schedule with one race in the championship chase.

June 17, 2006:

Sprint/Nextel Announcement expected: Sprint will, within a week or so, acknowledge a change in the name of NASCAR's top series for 2007, mandating Sprint Cup or Sprint/Nextel Cup. Sprint acquired the assets of its walkie-talkie rival last year and promised an eventual name change in order to make use of Nextel's top sports marketing property. (Speedtv.com)

Lesa France to Christen new Goodyear Blimp: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is proud to announce that Lesa France Kennedy, President of the International Speedway Corporation and a member of NASCAR's Board of Directors, will serve as the official christener for its newest blimp. France Kennedy, one of the most powerful and influential women in the automotive racing community and the sports business world, will join Lynn Keegan, wife of Goodyear Chairman and CEO Bob Keegan, to perform the traditional christening honors during a gala event held at Goodyear's Akron, Ohio airship operations base. The event will be held Wednesday morning, June 21. "I'm thrilled to be a part of this prestigious event and the storied history of Goodyear's airship program," said France Kennedy. "Like a lot of people across the country, I can't wait to see what the name of the new blimp will be." In front of what is expected to be a large audience, France Kennedy will officially christen Goodyear's newest airship by breaking a christening bottle on the craft's gondola. The christening ceremony is expected to attract more than 5,000 spectators, dignitaries, and Goodyear employees. (Goodyear Tire and Rubber PR)

June 6, 2006:

Auction raises 36K for Ard: As part of the 25th anniversary of the NASCAR Busch Series, Richmond International Raceway joined with NASCAR President Mike Helton, former champions, series greats, current drivers, teams and fans for an auction to benefit former NASCAR Busch Series champion Sam Ard during the May 2006 NASCAR weekend. The two-day auction raised more than $36,000 to help assist Sam and Jo Ard with medical expenses. Born in 1939, Sam Ard is one of the most successful drivers in the NASCAR Busch Series history. In just a three-year, 92-race career, Ard won 22 races and back-to-back championships.  Ard, who is now retired and lives in Asheboro, North Carolina, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease last May, while his wife, Jo was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that could cause her to become blind. (RIR PR)

May 24, 2006:

Walsh and AMW increase awareness with Spring/NEXTEL and NASCAR: John Walsh, host of the long-running television program America's Most Wanted, has found a partner in his fight against those who prey upon children. Wash and AMW have joined forces with Sprint Nextel and NASCAR to continue to fight.   Walsh was on hand during All-Star Weekend festivities at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and his appearance there was two-fold: • He, along with Sprint Nextel, presented a $10,000 check to the America's Most Wanted All-Star, an award established last year to honor first responders -- law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and others who go above and beyond the call of duty. • AMW also profiled a local missing girl, Asha Degree, who's story is scheduled to air this week (9 p.m. ET, Saturday, FOX). America's Most Wanted sponsored the No. 63 Ford of J.R. Patton in the Truck Series race at Lowe's, with Asha's picture donning the quartepanel of the truck, which failed to qualify by one-tenth of a second. (NASCAR.com)

May 19, 2006:

Celebrate NASCAR Day today! Support NASCAR Foundation and NASCAR Charities

NASCAR Official Fan Club to hold first annual National Convention this weekend: The Official NASCAR Members Club (ONMC) will hold its inaugural national convention this week in Charlotte, with members from 34 different states coming together for the two-day event. Highlighting the ONMC's first national convention is a kickoff awards celebration on Thursday night for hundreds of the club's most avid members and their guests. The ONMC, a membership organization created early last year by the sport to recognize its most loyal fans, is kicking off the 2006 national convention on Thursday, May 18, with an awards celebration at the Charlotte Convention Center. NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will host the event, with partners, tracks, champion drivers, teams and members being presented with various awards. On Friday, May 19, the ONMC will present workshops for local chapter presidents at Joe Gibbs Racing's Huntersville, N.C. campus. Five workshops will hit on topics ranging from how to work with local businesses to how to organize charity events and manage NASCAR programs in their communities. In addition to Thursday's awards banquet and Friday's workshops, ONMC members that attend the convention will also be given preferred seating and discounted ticket deals to Wednesday's Pit Crew Challenge, Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Quaker Steak & Lube 200 and Saturday's NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge. The ONMC, which includes as charter members 15 legendary NASCAR Champions including Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Benny Parsons, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and ONMC National Membership Chairman Richard Petty, currently has more than 1,100 local chapters across all 50 states. More info at nascar.com/members_club. (NASCAR PR)

May 18, 2006:

NASCAR announces year-end's Award Ceremonies sites: While the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion and the rest of the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competitors will celebrate on familiar ground at the world-famous Waldorf=Astoria hotel in New York at season�s end, the top teams in NASCAR�s other two national series will be "going to Disney World." On Dec. 1, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Awards Ceremony will again take place at the venerable Waldorf in Midtown Manhattan, which first hosted the ceremony in 1981. The following week, on Dec. 8 and Dec. 10, the champions of the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be feted at Disney�s Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Fla. The 867-room Victorian-themed Grand Floridian resort is just outside the gates of Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park on the grounds of Walt Disney World. (NASCAR PR)

May 13, 2006:

NASCAR in Canada few signatures away: Stock-car fans can prepare to book their seats in high-octane heaven - NASCAR is within a few signatures of coming to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007. The renewal of a 10-year lease for racing on Ile Notre Dame, a contract between the city of Montreal and motorsport promoter Normand Legault, is the final turn to be negotiated, one that's expected to be rounded in the next couple of weeks. And when it is, Legault will announce that the NASCAR Busch Series will unleash 43 of its 3,400-pound Chevy, Ford and Dodge lookalikes for a fender-rubbing, paint-trading race on the Expo 67 island. "We think that NASCAR could be as big as Formula One in Montreal, but with a totally different crowd," Legault said last night. "Fans wouldn't be coming from Tokyo or Paris, as they do for F1, but from the U.S. and other parts of Canada. "This could be a huge event for Montreal. It would give us a tremendous window of visibility in the U.S., where NASCAR racing is one of the top television properties. "And we feel it's a new kind of entertainment we can offer Montrealers." It's no secret that NASCAR, North America's most popular and fastest-growing form of motorsport, has had expansion into Canada, and specifically Montreal, in its sights for some time. (Montreal Gazette)

May 7, 2006:

Mike Melton auctions off Harley for former Champion:  NASCAR president Mike Helton auctioned off a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Low on Saturday to benefit former NASCAR Busch Series champion Sam Ard. Ard was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease last May. Ard's wife, Jo, was also diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that could cause her to go blind. The motorcycle sold for $8,000, with all proceeds going to Ard's family. Ard was the 1983-84 Busch champion and a two-time winner at Richmond. The race track also is holding a silent auction to benefit the family. (CBS SportsLine)

May 6, 2006:

NASCAR likes Montreal site: NASCAR officials were ecstatic with their midweek visit to Montreal and are moving forward with plans to expand the Busch Series into Canada — perhaps as early as next season. The contingent of seven NASCAR representatives found the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a temporary street course, to be in race-ready condition with very few alterations necessary, said Steve O'Donnell, managing director of events and operations. "The track and facilities were in great shape and really have a lot to offer to NASCAR," O'Donnell said. "And it meets a need for NASCAR, which has targeted road course races in the Busch Series as one of the areas we'd like to grow." (Toronto Star)

May 1, 2006:

France among TIME's Top 100 most influential people: Brian France, chairman and chief executive officer of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing -- better known as NASCAR -- has a new title to his name today courtesy of TIME Magazine. France, 43, is one of the world's 100 most influential people, according to an edition of the magazine that hits newsstands today. He was selected in the "Builders and Titans" category, one of five that also include heroes and pioneers; leaders and revolutionaries; scientists and thinkers and artists and entertainers. This is the third year TIME has published such a list, with other famous people invited to write profiles of those who are selected as the most influential people in the world. Darrell Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR driving champion and race analyst for Fox Sports, wrote about France. (Daytona News-Journal)

May 1, 2006:

France among Top 100 most influential people: Brian France, chairman and chief executive officer of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing -- better known as NASCAR -- has a new title to his name today courtesy of TIME Magazine. France, 43, is one of the world's 100 most influential people, according to an edition of the magazine that hits newsstands today. He was selected in the "Builders and Titans" category, one of five that also include heroes and pioneers; leaders and revolutionaries; scientists and thinkers and artists and entertainers. This is the third year TIME has published such a list, with other famous people invited to write profiles of those who are selected as the most influential people in the world. Darrell Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR driving champion and race analyst for Fox Sports, wrote about France. (Daytona News-Journal)

April 25, 2006:

New York to celebrate NASCAR Day: The New York State Senate passed a resolution Tuesday, calling for May 19 to be declared "NASCAR Day" in New York State. The resolution was sponsored by Senator George H. Winner Jr. (R-C, Elmira), whose legislative district in the Southern Tier-Finger Lakes region includes Watkins Glen International "I'm proud to wave the green flag, so to speak, and start NASCAR Day 2006 in New York State," Winner said. "It's an opportunity for us to draw the attention of NASCAR fans across New York to a worthwhile cause and worthy opportunity to express their spirit and sense of community."  Winner noted that Watkins Glen International celebrates 20 years of NASCAR racing at The Glen this year. "This region is noted as the home of Watkins Glen International, which over the course of more than a decade has become a national institution -- the premiere road racing facility in America," he said. "Watkins Glen is a great source of pride to our region, an economic mainstay and a landmark that annually attracts visitors from around the world." (NASCAR PR)

April 22, 2006:

All 3 Manufactures respond to internet rumor: Ford Public Affairs Manger: "We've seen that story, and I can assure you Ford does not plan on getting out of NASCAR. Our racing program has support at the highest levels of the company, and our research and data has shown conclusively that there's a viable business case for us being involved in the sport in terms of our market share and purchase consideration among race fans. Racing is part of the Ford DNA and has been since Henry Ford raced back in 1901." GM's NASCAR Director: General Motors' Pat Suhy, the company's NASCAR director, said that GM isn't leaving, either: "We're here in NASCAR and we're here to stay. It makes good business sense for us to be here. We get a great return on our investment. We have a lot of activation around this around the country with our dealers and our regional dealer groups. And we have great sponsorship partners with our teams. So if there is any truth to that, I don't know about it, and it certainly isn't us." (Salem-Journal) John Fernandez, Director of Dodge Motorsports Operations: "I've heard the rumor, but obviously we're not involved in it. I haven't heard anything from General Motors or Ford that indicates they're in any jeopardy. Obviously their total companies right now are having a tough time in the marketplace, but that's happened before and it'll happen again I'm sure. As far as I know, GM and Ford are still committed to NASCAR and committed to racing in the Cup Series. As far as I know right now it's only a rumor." (Dodge PR)

April 20, 2006:

68,000 NASCAR Day Pins sold: With exactly one month left until the third annual NASCAR Day, The NASCAR Foundation is gearing up for its most successful event ever, having sold twice as many NASCAR Day pins online compared to this point last year. NASCAR Day, an annual celebration of the power and passion of NASCAR's fans, will be held on May 19. NASCAR fans, tracks, corporations, schools and organizations across the country are encouraged to donate $5 and all participants receive a collectible 2006 NASCAR Day lapel pin for their donation. Of the 68,000 plus pins that have been sold so far this year, 61,000 of them were sold online at www.nascar.com/nascarday, the site that allows fans to order an individual pin, sign up a company and even purchase NASCAR Day apparel. The NASCAR Foundation, created in January to help NASCAR support driver and industry charities, signed Will Ferrell, the star of Columbia Pictures' upcoming NASCAR comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, to serve as the official spokesperson for NASCAR Day 2006. (NASCAR PR)

April 19, 2006:

France offers comments about All-Star race location:  NASCAR Chairman Brian France offered his strongest endorsement yet for keeping the all-star race at Lowe's Motor Speedway during a speech Tuesday at the Charlotte Business Journal's annual Power Breakfast. France, who has flirted with the notion of relocating the Nextel All-Star Challenge in recent years, said reinvigorated corporate and community support for the race has put it on more solid ground. The all-star race has attracted crowds of 120,000 to 140,000 in recent years. This year's race is May 20.   "I think the all-star race has done very, very well here," France said during the speech in front of more than 1,000 civic and business leaders gathered at the Charlotte Convention Center. "Historically, big events tend not to move around much unless they're not working well. (Charlotte civic leaders) have started to rally around the (motorsports) industry and the all-star race. Community leaders have sorted (an earlier lack of attention) out." The NASCAR chairman also said the uncertainty of moving events around on the schedule is a "bad business model" because it discourages track operators from investing in their events and venues. A recent higher profile for the all-star race and related events has made France more bullish on having it in Charlotte: "I hope we'll be able to keep it here."  (Charlotte Biz Journal)

April 13, 2006:

General Motors committed to NASCAR, dispute layoffs: The news that General Motors plans to trim 30,000 workers and close nine plants left some people in NASCAR unsettled. They wondered if GM's business problems would affect the company's commitment to NASCAR. "I get asked that quite often," Mark Kent, GM's director of racing, said Wednesday from his Detroit office. "What I tell everybody is, although racing is a sport, companies engage in motor sports for business reasons. At GM, all our racing programs give us tremendous marketing value. It's a very cost-effective way to put our products and brands in front of automotive enthusiasts." To clear up any doubt, Kent said, "We're committed to racing." Chevy almost has to be in NASCAR. If GM withdrew its Chevy brand, its absence would give Ford and Dodge a huge marketing advantage. According to Kent, more than 40 percent of NASCAR fans own GM products. "Of NASCAR's 75 million fans, 13 million attend races," he said. "At many of these races, we are able to display our whole lineup of Chevrolet products. NASCAR fans buy new cars at a higher rate than the national average." (Mercury News)

April 10, 2006:

NFL head official likes NASCAR's state-of-the-art system: Mike Pereira, the NFL's supervisor of officiating, watched Sunday's Samsung/RadioShack 500 from NASCAR control. The NFL, seeking to upgrade its replay system in the future, sent Pereira to study NASCAR's state-of-the-art replay system. "It was very impressive," Pereira said. "They have touch-screen technology like we do. The high-definition is something we're clearly going to go to. It was interesting to see, from a race standpoint, how they use it and what they use it for. The whole process was really educational for me." NASCAR has had its replay system for three years. NASCAR president Mike Helton has nine high-definition televisions in race control, with 18 different shots available for review. Helton uses the system for scoring, to assess penalties and to locate debris on the track, among other things. Every scrape with the wall, every pass, every pit stop -- just about every move at the speedway -- is monitored in race control. "It's become a staple in the officiating part," Helton said. "Our form of sport is, in a lot of ways, more difficult to officiate because it's not as uniform [as other sports]. The playing field is certainly different every week, and we've got 43 vehicles up there and 43 times seven crew members involved [on pit stops]. In order to try to be as complete and thorough as we are in officiating and scoring, we're more dependent on that than most other sports might be, as it's developed." (Star-Telegram)

NASCAR still important for automakers: The news that Ford Motor Company is looking to the NASCAR race series to give sales of its highly praised new Fusion sedan a boost is an indication that despite substantial costs, automakers are still very anxious to go racing. Ford executive vice-president Anne Stevens reportedly underlined that NASCAR was important to Ford marketing because the TV viewership continues to grow and the series was only edged out by NFL football in the television ratings for major sports events in North America. Motor sport is very expensive, regardless of series, as technology gains and intense competition have pushed costs to super-high levels. Even so, there is a clear indication that racing does sell cars and the old adage "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" still holds true. (Montreal Gazette)

April 6, 2006:

NASCAR outraged by 'Dateline' NBC's story: NASCAR's governing body called a network television news magazine "outrageous" on Wednesday, saying it tried to provoke anti-Muslim reactions from spectators at last week's race for a story about growing U.S. sentiment against Islam.  NASCAR said NBC's Dateline NBC confirmed it was sending Muslim-looking men to a race, along with a camera crew to film fans' reactions. The NBC crew was "apparently on site in Martinsville, Virginia, walked around and no one bothered them," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Wednesday. "It is outrageous that a news organization of NBC's stature would stoop to the level of going out to create news instead of reporting news," Poston said. "Any legitimate journalist in America should be embarrassed by this stunt. The obvious intent by NBC was to evoke reaction, and we are confident our fans won't take the bait," he said. (AP/NASCAR.com)

April 4, 2006:

Sprint/NEXTEL undecided on timeline of name change:  Sprint Nextel executives said on Tuesday it would be mid-season before a decision would be made on a possible name change for NASCAR's top series. Nextel merged with Sprint in August 2004, but the Nextel Cup Series name has remained unchanged. Sprint executives were initially scheduled to meet with NASCAR in February to discuss a possible name change, but that meeting won't happen until later in the year.  "It was not the right time to consider a change and we have agreed to a new timetable which is the middle of this year," said Mark Schweitzer, Chief Marketing Officer of Sprint Nextel. "We want to make sure that if we were to make a change, it would not be detrimental to the equity we have built up. "That is not the same as saying the name needs to change. We have an agreement with NASCAR to revisit it." Sprint Nextel said that NASCAR itself would have a "lot of input" in the name. Only one name change can occur over the 10-year contract period. Jill Gregory, the director of Nextel's NASCAR marketing since 2004, left the company to head motorsports marketing for Bank of America. Gregory's boss, Michael Robichaud, has announced he also will be leaving the company, sparking speculation about the future of Sprint-Nextel in NASCAR's top series. But Sprint Nextel executives pointed out that selling the deal with NASCAR, which began in 2004 and runs through 2013, is not an option. (NASCAR.com)

March 23, 2006:

NASCAR & Sprint says no to Cingular/AT&T rename:  NASCAR officials say they have informed Richard Childress Racing that if Cingular Wireless changes its name to AT&T, as expected after a recent merger, AT&T would not be allowed on Jeff Burton's No. 31 car. NASCAR made the ruling based on its interpretation of its contract with series sponsor Nextel.   Cingular and Alltel, as well as Samsung/Radio Shack with Texas Motor Speedway, were grandfathered in as existing sponsors when the Nextel Series sponsorship contract was signed in 2003. "It's pretty clear that they can't transfer a name due to a sale," NASCAR Vice President for Corporate Communications Jim Hunter said March 17. Executives from Cingular would not comment March 16 when asked about what would happen to the company's sponsorship.  Hunter said that Cingular could negotiate with Nextel to try to transfer the name and keep the sponsorship. But Michael Robichaud, vice president for sports marketing for Sprint Nextel, said there are no plans to negotiate. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

March 21, 2006:

Frances take pay cut: France family members holding the top jobs at International Speedway Corp. took 4 percent cuts in salary and bonuses last year, but received hefty increases in their stock options. In contrast, chief operating officer John R. Saunders, the top-ranking nonfamily member in Speedway's top echelon, received a 10 percent pay raise. The pay figures were disclosed in ISC's annual proxy statement as required by federal law. While salaries for 2005 were set about 3 percent above 2004 levels, performance bonuses were reduced, leaving most senior executives with lower compensation overall. The figures were approved by a compensation committee of ISC's board of directors, headed by hotelier Thomas Staed. The committee said it endorsed the pay proposals that had been drafted by vice chairman and chief executive officer Jim France, and then set his own pay. Chairman Bill France was paid a salary of $533,496, up from $516,028, but his bonus was cut to $293,925, down from $347,281 the year before. His stock options were valued at $448,480 up from $325,350. (Daytona News-Journal)

March 16, 2006:

Frances sell stock: NASCAR Chairman Brian France has sold most of his stock in International Speedway Corp., the publicly traded track operating company controlled by his family, but an ISC spokesman said March 9 there is nothing unusual about the action. France didn't own much of the stock, relatively speaking, in the first place. According to its annual filing of stockholders to the Securities and Exchange Commission, ISC reported March 6 that Brian France had 8,930 shares of Class A stock and 8,033 of Class B stock (.03% of the total voting power). In last year's report, he had 237,078 shares of Class A and 235,181 of Class B (0.78% voting power). The stock sales happened sometime before Jan. 31. His sister, ISC President Lesa France Kennedy, also has given up some of her stock. She had 417,404 shares of Class A and 391,718 shares of Class B (1.34% of the total). At the end of last year, she owned 888,812 of Class A and 867,407 shares of Class B (2.9% in voting power). None of the sales were to anyone outside of the France Family Group (made up of 35 members), which collectively owns 62.95% of the ISC stock and votes as one entity. Members of the France family own stock as part of the France Family Group and also can own shares outside of it. (NASCAR Scene Daily)

Mar. 6, 2006:

Cup series in Mexico Series? Team owner Felix Sabates has admitted that he's had serious discussions with several influential and presumably wealthy Mexican associates about building a ¾-mile oval near Mexico City. Sabates thinks it could happen within five years. That could pave the way for a Cup event in Mexico. (Yahoo! Sports)

Feb. 24, 2006:

Tharp named NASCAR public relations manager:  NASCAR announced that Kerry Tharp will manage public relations for NASCAR's three national racing series and the weekly and touring series. In his new role, Tharp will be responsible for all at-track media procedures, public relations for the Research and Development Center and NASCAR media events in Charlotte, N.C. "Kerry will further reinforce our at-track public relations efforts to ensure that we continue to be responsive to media requests and vigorously promote the sport," said NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter. "Kerry's ability to develop personal relationships and work with others will be a benefit to all." Tharp joined NASCAR's PR team in April 2005 as director for NASCAR's licensing office in Charlotte and worked with NASCAR's licensees to provide public relations support and strategy. He will transfer from his role in NASCAR's Charlotte licensing office to NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. and will report to Ramsey Poston, NASCAR's managing director of corporate communications. Prior to joining NASCAR, Tharp spent 26 years in college sports public relations, 20 of which he was the Associate Athletics Director/Sports Information Director at the University of South Carolina. He has a Bachelor�s Degree in PR from Western Kentucky University and a Masters Degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee. (NASCAR PR)

Feb. 22, 2006:

Official release on Nelson leaving NASCAR: Gary Nelson, NASCAR vice-president of research and development, announced today he is leaving the sanctioning organization to form his own company. "It has been a lifelong dream of mine to have my own company that specializes in safety, performance and other technology-driven aspects of motorsports," said Nelson. "I've been thinking about it for a long time and now is a good time to do it. 'Nelson & Associates’ will be open for business right away and I’m delighted that NASCAR will be my first client.” With NASCAR as a client, Nelson will continue his efforts on the Car of Tomorrow and other safety initiatives for the racing industry. “Gary has been a great contributor to NASCAR’s success,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton, “beginning as a crew member, then as a championship crew chief and, most recently, as a leader in NASCAR’s commitment to safety. “This is something he has always wanted to do and it will be a great opportunity for Gary to take advantage of his racing knowledge and make it available to the entire motorsports industry. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Gary in this new role,” Helton said. Nelson will use his quarter-century of experience in NASCAR racing and make it available to other forms of racing. The 52-year-old native of California won the 1982 Daytona 500 and the 1983 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championship with driver Bobby Allison. It was Allison’s only Championship. Three years later, Nelson again won the Daytona 500 this time with driver Geoff Bodine. Nelson became NASCAR’s Nextel Cup Director in 1992 and was named Vice President of NASCAR’s newly formed Research and Development facility in 2002. (NASCAR PR)

Feb. 21, 2006:

Nelson leaves NASCAR post to start new company: Gary Nelson is leaving his job as vice president of research and development for NASCAR to form his own company. "This is something I have wanted to do my whole life," Nelson said Tuesday. "I am really excited about it." Nelson said his new company, Nelson & Associates, will consult with NASCAR and other racing operations on safety, performance and other motorsports technology issues. His first client is NASCAR. Nelson, 52, will continue to work on the "car of tomorrow" project that he has been part of at the NASCAR research and development center in Concord. He has been heading up that facility since 2002 after joining NASCAR as Winston Cup Series director. Nelson said he's wanted to start his own company from as far back as when he was a crew chief in NASCAR's top series. (Miami Herald)

Feb. 19, 2006:

France comments on Helton remarks: NASCAR chairman Brian France said he has not talked to series president Mike Helton about recent comments Helton made that referred to NASCAR's "Southeastern redneck heritage." NASCAR announced Feb. 8 in Washington, D.C., a plan to boost diversity by working with historically black universities. Helton was among those who spoke that day. The Associated Press quoted Helton as saying: "We believe strongly that the old Southeastern redneck heritage that we had is no longer in existence. But we also realize that there's going to have to be an effort on our part to convince others to understand that." France met with reporters Friday for the first time during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway and was asked about Helton's comments. France defended Helton. "I didn't hear Mike's comment in any context, how he said it," France said. "I haven't even talked to him about it. I know what he meant. I've been meeting with him every week. I know exactly what he means when he talks about the regional stereotype and how he's like all of us working to get past that. (News-Record)

Feb. 18, 2006:

France looking at tweaking points system, more points for winner: NASCAR chairman Brian France said that NASCAR is considering changing the points system to allow more points for winning. (Dallas Morning News)

Feb. 17, 2006:

Extended USA Today NASCAR coverage: USA TODAY Sports Weekly adds NASCAR to its ongoing coverage with the NASCAR season preview issue which hits newsstands today. The addition of NASCAR coverage opens the magazine's pages to three of the most popular sports in America -- baseball, professional football, and NASCAR. Featured in this week's edition: * A preview of the Daytona 500. * 10 Things to watch this NASCAR season. * The legacy of Dale Earnhardt. * A colorful graphic of all the 2006 cars. * A diary from Reed Sorenson, the youngest driver in the Nextel Cup chase. * An introduction to NASCAR fantasy. * Full 2006 NASCAR schedule. ( USA Today Sports Weekly PR)

NASCAR looking to move headquarters to NC.? Might NASCAR be moving its headquarters from Daytona Beach, Fla., to Concord? That's the speculation here, with NASCAR buying more land in the Concord area, where it already has a significant presence, with its research-and-development center. Any such NASCAR move could be related to its plans for a Hall of Fame near Charlotte. (Winston Salem Journal)

Feb. 15, 2006:

NASCAR to use different scoring system in 2007? NASCAR will likely use an outside vendor for its timing and scoring in 2007. Swiss watchmaker Tissot entered into a partnership as NASCAR's "official timekeeper" to develop a new timing system that could be implemented in 2007. "We'll test some of their products," NASCAR vice president of corporate marketing Steve Phelps said. "If that works out well, and we think they can improve the timing of NASCAR, they will be our timing and scoring partner starting in 2007." Tissot is currently the official timekeeper of the MotoGP World Championship. And Omega, a corporate cousin to Tissot, does timing for the Olympics. Currently, NASCAR uses software from a Dutch company, AMB i.t., to time qualifying and races.(NASCAR Scene Daily)

Jan. 23, 2006:

NASCAR Press Conference: Speed Channel will break into its regularly scheduled programs on Monday, Jan. 23 at 12:15pm/et for coverage of an important NASCAR press conference from the 23rd Annual NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour, hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway. John Roberts will host the coverage from Speed Channel's Charlotte studios, with live reports from the press conference being held at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. Among the NASCAR Executives scheduled to appear: Chairman of the Board/CEO Brian France, President Mike Helton, Chief Operating Officer George Pyne, Vice President of Research & Development Gary Nelson. (Speed Channel PR)

Jan. 22, 2006:

The stats of NASCAR about to change: Thanks to a newly signed deal between NASCAR and Kretschmann's employer (STATS Inc.), auto racing is about to enter a new statistical era. Says NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston: "Our hope is that these new statistics tell the story in a way that our fans and the media have never had the opportunity to see before." Starting soon, NASCAR hopes race fans will talk about drivers' "quality passes," "speed in traffic" or "consecutive passes" (chart), three of the roughly 30 new stats it will begin releasing after races. Former NASCAR champ Darrell Waltrip, now a racing analyst for Fox Sports, says his broadcast team has had nothing like the statistical resources John Madden has access to during NFL games. (In part from Newsday)

Jan. 21, 2006:

NASCAR executive Pyne to leave: George Pyne, chief operating officer for NASCAR since 2002, will leave his post to become president of the International Management Group early next week, according to a high-ranking official in the racing organization. IMG, founded by the late Mark H. McCormack in 1960 on a handshake deal with golf legend Arnold Palmer, is considered one of the top sports marketing and representation firms in the world. "George got the kind of opportunity that you don’t say no to," said the NASCAR official. "His success at NASCAR in negotiating the big deals will easily translate into success at IMG. NASCAR wishes him well and hopes to do business with him in his next endeavor." (Boston Herald)

Jan. 20, 2006:

NASCAR to go unleaded: NASCAR will use unleaded fuel for its racecars and trucks beginning in 2008, making the switch from the high-octane leaded fuel that it has used for decades. Gary Nelson, NASCAR's vice president for research and development, said yesterday that the series had been testing a new fuel since the fall and that early results had been promising. The fuel, Sunoco 260 GTX, will be used in NASCAR's three main racing series - Nextel Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck. Nelson said it was already being used in the Grand American road racing series. "Sunoco came up with a formula that really seems to do the job," Nelson said in a telephone interview. "It does a very good job inside the engine," he said, adding that "we've got more testing to do and more work to do." NASCAR is exempt from the 1970 Clean Air Act, which required the transition to unleaded fuel for all automobiles. But the series has worked to find an unleaded substitute for years. Nelson had said there were problems finding a fuel that provided the same lubrication as lead. The new fuel alleviates that problem without using MTBE, an additive that had been considered in the past but was rejected because it was barred in some states as a health hazard. (New York Times)

Toyota to join Cup and Busch series

NASCAR press conference scheduled: Speed Channel will break into its regularly scheduled programs on Monday, Jan. 23 at 12:15pm/et for coverage of an important NASCAR press conference from the 23rd Annual NASCAR NEXTEL Media Tour, hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway. John Roberts will host the coverage from Speed Channel's Charlotte studios, with live reports from the press conference being held at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. Among the NASCAR Executives scheduled to appear: Chairman of the Board/CEO Brian France, President Mike Helton, Chief Operating Officer George Pyne, Vice President of Research & Development Gary Nelson. (Speed Channel PR) Conference for what? Toyota announcement?

Jan. 19, 2006:

NASCAR sets up the NASCAR Foundation: NASCAR announced the establishment of the NASCAR Foundation, a 501 © (3) non-profit entity that will serve as the liaison between the sport and all of the charitable causes supported by its different constituents. The Foundation will review charity requests on a regular basis and over time, will expand its focus beyond the industry-related charities that NASCAR currently supports. Betty Jane France has been a leader of NASCAR charitable projects, most notably Speediatrics, a NASCAR themed pediatric unit at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach and Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Fla. Mrs. France believes the NASCAR Foundation will be an effective tool in making a positive and lasting impact in the community. “NASCAR actively supports charities and is devoted to being a leader in the area of public service,” said Mrs. France, who will serve as chairman of the NASCAR Foundation Board. “We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of drivers, owners, teams, tracks and sponsors, along with more than 75 million fans that believe in providing opportunities for those in need. The NASCAR Foundation will link all of our charitable initiatives, and working together, we will make a difference.” The NASCAR Foundation will also work with drivers and their foundations or favorite charity. Kyle Petty, who along with his wife, Pattie, founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp in honor of their late son, Adam, says the NASCAR Foundation will be a great asset to furthering the assistance the sport can provide to those in need. The NASCAR Foundation Board will consist of Betty Jane France, chairman; Mike Helton, vice chairman; Jim Hunter, vice president; Todd Wilson, treasurer; and Jennifer F. Bates, vice chairman, secretary. Sandy Marshall, who has served as NASCAR’s senior manager for Community Relations for the past three years and is based in Charlotte, will be executive director of the NASCAR Foundation. For more information on the NASCAR Foundation, visit www.NASCAR.COM/foundation.(NASCAR PR)

Jan. 10, 2006:

M.I.S. and AAA brings NASCAR to Detroit Auto Show: Starting with the public kickoff to the 2006 North American International Auto Show, MIS will bring motorsports to the Motor City as auto racing will be celebrated at a special MIS and AAA display throughout the show scheduled to run January 14-22 in Detroit, including a special day that auto racing fanatics will especially enjoy on Thursday, January 19. MIS and AAA will partner in a two-part display located in Michigan Hall of Cobo Center's lower level. The MIS display will feature the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship trophy, along with the championship winning No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet Tony Stewart showcar, the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Kevin Harvick showcar and the Chevrolet SSR official pace car. The AAA Display will feature the #6 AAA Ford Mark Martin showcar. In addition to the display in Michigan Hall, MIS will have a ticket booth located in Cobo Arena with tickets on sale to all 2006 MIS events, including both NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races which will be held June 18 and August 20. To add to the excitement of this year's show, MIS and AAA will be the presenting sponsors of "Racing Day at the Auto Show" on Thursday, January 19. During Racing Day at the Auto Show presented by MIS and AAA, the upstairs lobby of Cobo Hall may look more like the NASCAR garage area at MIS. The area will feature several showcars, including the No. 8 Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., the No. 24 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Gordon and the No. 48 Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson, along with the public debut of the 2006 MIS Chevrolet SSR pace vehicle.  (MIS PR)

UNC offering Alan Kulwicki scholarship nominations: The Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is now accepting applications for the 2006-2007 Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship. Lee College annually awards the Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship to an outstanding high school graduate who has an affiliation with NASCAR and who exemplifies the late Alan Kulwicki's commitment to education and love of auto racing. With the financial support of R.J. Reynolds Company, UNC Charlotte established the Kulwicki Scholarship in 1994. The Kulwicki Scholarship is awarded to freshmen entering the motorsports engineering program at UNC Charlotte. It is given in memory of late NASCAR Winston Cup points champion Alan Kulwicki, who lost his life in a plane crash in 1993. Alan was an engineer himself, and a strong supporter of engineering and science education. Kulwicki was the first college graduate to win the NASCAR Winston Cup championship, an honor he deeply cherished. To be considered for the Kulwicki Scholarship, students must: (1) apply and be admissible to UNC Charlotte, (2) show evidence of NASCAR affiliation, and (3) show evidence of academic achievement and financial need. Scholarship application must be submitted to the Lee College of Engineering no later than February 1. For more information and an application see the scholarship link under the prospective student's page at www.coe.uncc.edu

Jan. 3, 2006:

France named among the most powerful in sports: NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France was named fifth in the Sporting News top 100 most powerful people in sports list, down from second last year. "As head of a family-run business," Stuart Miller wrote, "France has more freedom than traditional commissioners. And although he didn't do anything as revolutionary in '05 as his implementation of the Chase for the Nextel Cup in '04, he continued expanding NASCAR's presence with a points race in Mexico, changed the rules specifically to clamp down on owner Jack Roush's reach and listened to the pitches of several cities hoping to land the NASCAR Hall of Fame." Others on the list with NASCAR ties included: (FoxSports.com/AP)
* 2) George Bodenheimer, president, ESPN and ABC Sports; co-chair Disney Media Networks
* 7) Dick Ebersol, chairman, NBC Universal Sports and Olympics
* 9) David Hill, chairman, FOX Sports; president and COO, DirecTV
* 13) August Busch IV, president, and Tony Ponturo, V.P. of global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
* 20) Ed Goren, president and executive producer, FOX Sports
* 22) David Levy, president, Turner Sports; president, Turner Entertainment ad sales and marketing
* 26) Jack Roush, owner and CEO, Roush Racing, NASCAR

Jan. 1, 2006:

New GA. NASCAR plates: Georgia racing fans can sign up for new custom license plates that show off their love of NASCAR beginning this week. And if racing's not your thing, the state will also offer license plates that honor doctors, emergency medical technicians, Purple Heart recipients, Elks and police officers hurt in the line of duty. The state is expecting to offer roughly 40 different NASCAR plates. Officials are working with the vendor to come up with the plate designs, which will include the NASCAR logo and either a specific driver or a general motorsports theme. But there's a catch: 1,000 people must apply for each tag before it goes into production. If the state does not receive 1,000 applications within two years, the customers who applied would receive a refund of their $25 manufacturing fee. Once