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By Greg Engle
Cup Scene Daily,April 1
April Fools Day. One of my favorite days of the year. Although this year I promise not to call my mom and tell her that I'm moving back in with them.
Here are some other stories that I made up for today though.
Hope they give you a grin or two. Make sure to come back tomorrow after I announce the details of my new ride with Richard Childress.
Hah, April fool.
Bruton Smith Buys Daytona
Bruton Smith’s SMI purchased Daytona International Speedway today, he then put it up for sale on Ebay.
Starting bid, 01.
“That’ll show ‘em,” he said.
International Speedway Corporation immediately filed suit in US District Court in Texas.
Dale Earnhardt Junior Quits DEI, Signs with Roush Racing
In a bid to turnaround what has so far been a lackluster season, Dale Earnhardt Junior today left DEI and signed with Roush Racing. The deal will reportedly cost Roush 14 billion dollars, Carl Edwards and a driver to be named later.
Roush was unavailable for comment last night as his PR person said he was out celebrating. When reached for comment Dale Jr. said “Who are you and how did you get this number?”
Brian France named head coach of the Oakland Raiders
Brian France today again denied reports that he will be stepping down from his post as CEO of NASCAR and taking over as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
When asked about the report that he had purchased the team France said,” Maybe”.
When asked why he was wearing an Oakland Raiders jersey he said, “The color works well with my eyes, that’s all, nothing more.”
When asked to confirm the report France said, “Denied, denied, denied…um but I will be unavailable for media interviews during the NFL season.”
Bristol Preview: Busch Going for Spring Four-peat
By Tom Jensen
SPEED TV April 1
If Sunday’s Food City 500 were anywhere other than Bristol Motor Speedway, it would be tempting to simply skip it or TiVo it for later viewing.
After all, defending NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch is as close to a mortal lock in this event as there is in the entire grueling 36-race schedule.
In fact, the last time Busch didn’t win the spring Bristol race was during his troubled rookie season of 2001, when he wrecked and finished 42nd.
Since then, Busch has won three straight Food City 500s, plus the fall race in 2003.The man flat owns Bristol, one of the meanest tracks on the entire Cup circuit.
Busch remains the prohibitive favorite again this year. His toughest challenges Sunday should come from Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace, two drivers who also have an affinity for the 0.533-mile, 36-degree banked track.
This weekend, though, there are a couple of compelling story lines besides Busch looking for a spring Bristol four-peat…
Points. Bristol is the last race of the season where the 35 guaranteed starting spots in the field are set by 2004 car-owner points. Starting at Martinsville next week, the guaranteed spots are set based on 2005 points.
That means guys outside the top 35 — or in danger of falling out — will be fighting hard to crack the top 35 or stay there. Just 102 points separate 32nd-place Travis Kvapil and 39th-place Ricky Rudd. Look for some fireworks far back in the field.
Dodges. Let’s be honest here: For whatever reason, the Dodge teams have flat sucked this season, failing miserably — so far— to come to grips with the aerodynamic properties of the new Dodge Charger.
In four races so far this year, the 13 Dodge entries have combined for just two top-five finishes.
But Bristol is a less aero-dependant track, with green-flag lap speeds averaging in the 120-miles-per-hour range. That should help the Dodge teams get back in the fray.
A Dodge has not won at Bristol since Richard Petty swept both races there in 1975.
Jamie McMurray. No Dodge driver has a bigger chip on his shoulder about Bristol than Jamie McMurray, who last year lost 25 points when his car failed the “x-template” test here.
McMurray ultimately missed the Chase by 15 points, and comes into Bristol with something to prove.
Impounds. Friday practice will be critical, as Bristol is now an impound track, which means there’s no Cup activity at the track on Saturday.
Who else? So far, point leader Jimmie Johnson has been nearly flawless, finishing in the top five in all four races, the only driver to do so. Johnson is also the only driver to lead a lap in all four races of 2005.
His nearest competitors, Roush drivers Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Busch and Mark Martin have been exceptionally stout, too.
If anyone else hopes to contend for the Cup title this year, it’s high time they step up to the plate.
Bond between Martin and Bristol tight
by Allen Gregory
Bristol Herald Courier, April 1
Mark Martin has authored one of the greatest careers in NASCAR history.
The résumé for the Batesville, Ark., native features 34 Nextel Cup wins and four runner-up finishes in the championship standings.
Martin, 45, has now embarked on the next chapter and his "Salute to You" farewell tour comes to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend.
"It’s been quite a journey," Martin said. "At this point in my career, trophies aren’t the most important thing.
"It’s all about the relationships I’ve made. It’s really neat to finally have the chance to the cherish all those relationships and opportunities I’ve had."
Martin gave back to his hometown fans last week. An estimated 15,000 fans attended an autograph signing session at Martin’s car dealership.
"That was an awesome time with the fans," Martin said. "It was one of the most fun weekends I’ve ever had."
While Martin has earned universal respect among media types, fans and fellow competitors, he has often projected a dour image. This former dirt racer and short-track warrior is all business when he comes to the track.
However, Martin was upbeat and smiling during a press conference at BMS Thursday morning.
"I’m on a roll," said Martin, currently fifth in Nextel Cup points. "The season is off to a great start, and the performance of our car and team has been fantastic.
"It’s very important for me to finish off my Nextel Cup career near the top of my game. Right now, we are right on the edge of being able to say we’re at the top. And we feel good entering this Bristol race."
'Dream' puts Kulwicki's story on the silver screen
By Dave Kallmann
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,April 1
I can't offer you a true review of "Dare to Dream: The Alan Kulwicki Story."
I won't pretend to know enough about filmmaking to provide an informed opinion, and I'm still too close to the characters in his movie to view it objectively.
I do, however, know the story of Alan Kulwicki. It's as good as anything Hollywood ever dreamed up, and it's true.
Kulwicki, an ambitious Wisconsinite, succeeded because he wouldn't take "no" for an answer, and the folks behind "Dare to Dream" tell the tale of his uphill battle, his inner demons, his triumph as the 1992 NASCAR champion and his fatal 1993 plane crash in true Kulwicki fashion.
The film opens today - the 12th anniversary of Kulwicki's death - in select theaters in Milwaukee and Bristol, Tenn., largely because writer-director David Orgas, star Brad Weber and their backers willed it to the screen. The project is by far the largest for everyone involved, yet its budget wouldn't pay the salary of a second-rate Busch Series driver.
Congress widening steroids probe to cover all sports
By Charles Chandler
Charlotte Observer,April 1
The congressional panel that held high-profile hearings on steroids in Major League Baseball is broadening its investigation to virtually all sports, starting with the NFL.
The GOP chairman and ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Government Reform sent a letter Thursday to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, asking that the league submit detailed information on its steroid testing policies and practices by the end of next week.
Similar letters will go out as early as Monday to the NBA, the NCAA, the National Hockey League, USA Track and Field, Major League Soccer and other leagues.
There's "a good chance" the inquiry will also include NASCAR, said Robert White, spokesman for committee chairman Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va.
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