NASCAR OFF SEASON WITHDRAWAL THERAPY THREAD (post news updates here)

ME

[WestCoastGal]

Hoping to add news and DAILY rule changes by Nascar to this thread as they come along.

Awards banquet information and any other silly off season rumors etc.

[WestCoastGal]

Here's one for you......

[SheLion]

Here's one for you......

Oh yea. Hubba hubba! :) Thanks WestCoastGal!!!

[SheLion]

Primetime line-up set for ’05 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona
Order tickets by calling 1-800-PIT-SHOP or logging onto www.1800pitshop.com

Twenty-one drivers are eligible to compete in the 27th running of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, including nine former winners, four newcomers, and reigning NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion, Kurt Busch.

Busch earned his spot in the starting field by winning the Bud Pole Award in the last race of the 2004 season.  The ’05 Shootout will mark his third start in the non-points paying race, which is set to take place Saturday, Feb. 12 and will officially kick off the NASCAR portion of Daytona Speedweeks.

Making their Shootout debuts will be Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Brian Vickers and Casey Mears.  They will join an impressive list of past Shootout champions, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003), Tony Stewart (2001, 2002), Dale Jarrett (1996, 2000, 2004), Mark Martin (1999), Rusty Wallace (1998), Ken Schrader (1989, 1990), Bill Elliott (1987), Terry Labonte (1985) and Geoffrey Bodine (1992).

Furthermore, the 2005 Budweiser Shootout will kick off three farewell tours for retiring drivers: Rusty Wallace’s “Last Call” Tour, Mark Martin’s “Salute To You” Tour, and Terry Labonte’s “Shifting Gears, Texas Style” Tour.

Tickets to the Budweiser Shootout can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP, or by logging onto www.1800pitshop.com.

The complete line-up of eligible drivers for the 2005 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona:

Name (Bud Pole Awards / Shootout eligibility)
1. Ryan Newman, 8 (Rockingham, Bristol , Loudon, Richmond , Charlotte , Martinsville , Atlanta , Phoenix )
2. Jeff Gordon, 6 ( Martinsville , Michigan , Sonoma , Daytona, Chicago , Bristol )
3. Kasey Kahne, 4 ( Las Vegas , Darlington , California , Pocono)
4. Jeremy Mayfield, 2 ( Dover , Dover )
5. Casey Mears, 2 (Pocono, Indianapolis )
6. Joe Nemechek, 2 ( Talladega , Kansas )
7. Brian Vickers, 2 ( Richmond , California )
8. Greg Biffle, 1 (Daytona)
9. Kurt Busch, 1 ( Homestead )
10. Jimmie Johnson, 1 ( Charlotte )
11. Bobby Labonte, 1 ( Texas )
12. Ricky Rudd, 1 ( Talladega )
13. Dale Jarrett (Shootout winner in 1996, 2000, 2004)
14. Tony Stewart (Shootout winner in 2001, 2002)
15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Shootout winner in 2003)
16. Mark Martin (Shootout winner in 1999)
17. Rusty Wallace (Shootout winner in 1998)
18. Geoffrey Bodine (Shootout winner in 1992)
19. Ken Schrader (Shootout winner in 1989, 1990)
20. Bill Elliott (Shootout winner in 1987)
21. Terry Labonte (Shootout winner in 1985)


Anheuser-Busch’s 12 U.S.-based breweries and network of more than 700 wholesalers reduce delivery time and ensure that fresh beer is in retail accounts shortly after packaging.  As it reads on every beer package, Anheuser-Busch beers including Budweiser are at their peak of freshness and taste within 110 days from their “Born On” date.

[SheLion]

Dale Earnhardt JR

  “Living the Dream” 

2004 Season  

Dale Earnhardt Jr has captured the heart and soul of NASCAR racing, propelling the sport to new heights.  Words simply can’t describe the popularity of this NASCAR Superstar.  Precision Publishing is proud to announce the upcoming release of an annual coffee table book that will give fans a detailed look in to the world and lifestyle of Dale Earnhardt Jr.  All areas of his racing endeavors will be covered, NASCAR Nextel Series, Busch Series, on track and behind the scenes, all brought to you in this fantastic book.   This inaugural edition is sure to become a cherished collectable.  Containing over 190 pages of the best color photography available, Living the Dream is the perfect for any fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr.  

Reserve yours today for only 34.95 (plus S & H). 

 Call us at 1-800-338-6016 to reserve by credit card or send check or money order to:   CLUB E JR

                 PO Box 5190

                 Concord , NC 28027 

**Remember, all Club E members will receive a 10% discount!

[SheLion]

The 2004 Season in Numbers:
Budweiser No. 8 Team with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season was the most successful in the brief career of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 8 Budweiser team.

Here are the team's career-best marks this season:
(Numbers in parenthesis show the rank among all Nextel Cup teams, so (2) means second best overall this season.)
Victories:                   6                   (2)
Prize Money:          $8,913,510      (2)
Top-3 Finishes:        13                  (2)
Top-5 Finishes:        16                  (2)
Top-10 Finishes:      21*                (5)  * ties 2003 season
Avg. Start:                11.9               (3)
Avg. Finish:              11.8               (3)
Laps Led:                 1131              (3)
Laps Completed:      10,588           (2)
Led Nextel Cup Points:     10 weeks     (first time to lead Cup point standings)

Stats within the inaugural 10-race "Chase for the Nextel Cup:"
Victories:                 2
Top-3 Finishes:       4
Top-10 Finishes:     6
Top-33 Finishes:    10

------
The Bud team won the first race of the Nextel Cup era, the season-opening Daytona 500 (supposedly that's a big race)...   The team led 19 races and also won a Twin-125 qualifying race at Daytona in 2004...   Due to injuries suffered in a sports-car crash in June, Dale Jr. was forced to use a relief driver for the first time. Martin Truex Jr. (Loudon) became the second driver to ever compete in the No. 8 Bud car, while John Andretti (Pocono) became the third the following week...   The Bud team won races at Daytona (Feb.), Atlanta (March), Richmond (May), Bristol (August), Talladega (Oct.) and Phoenix (Nov.)...   Dale Jr. had two "weekend-sweeps." winning the Busch Series and Cup Series races the same weekend at Daytona (Feb.) and Bristol (Aug.)...  Dale Jr. now has a streak of five consecutive multi-victory seasons, and has been in the Cup Top-10 in points for 69 consecutive weeks (despite being docked 25 points twice in seperate uh... 'incidents.').. The fifth-place finish is the third top-10 points finish in the last four seasons.

-----
Dale Jr. and No. 8 Bud team career numbers:  (1999-2004)
Starts:                     183
Victories:                  15
Bud Poles:                  6
Top-3 Finishes:         37
Top-5 Finishes:         52
Top-10 Finishes:       78
Races Led:                92
Laps Led:               4440
Money Winnings:  $29,555,869

[WestCoastGal]

Hmmmmm.....Christmas present for myself.

;-D

[WestCoastGal]

Gordon hopes to toast fifth title with his new wine


CALISTOGA, Calif. (AP) - Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon will market a series of upscale wines under a label bearing his name.

Gordon said the first wine, a 2004 Carneros Chardonnay, will be available next October. Two red wines, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a Napa Valley Merlot, also of the 2004 vintage, will be released after proper aging, in January 2007. From that point, Chardonnay will be released each October and the Cabernet and Merlot each January.
"These wines are not intended to be a novelty item, and they are not connected whatsoever with souvenir sales," Gordon said. "Instead, they're being sold in the fine wine market such as restaurants and upscale wine shops."

The wines, labeled "Jeff Gordon Collection," are being made by August "Joe" Briggs, owner of Briggs & Sons Winemaking Co., of Calistoga.

"Production is very limited, and this is one of the reasons I chose Joe Briggs to make the wines," Gordon said. "Joe limits his production in pursuit of the highest quality."

[SheLion]

Hmmmmm.....Christmas present for myself.

Without a doubt!!!

[housewife101]

Withdrawal is right...althought I must admit I am enjoying he OU sooner football season. Suppose they will ever get rid of the "luck dog pass?"

[ChefKeith]

Jeffy does not drink...?

[WestCoastGal]

There have been rumors about the "lucky dog" but he seems to be content being part of Nascar for now. LOL

[WestCoastGal]

Mini Nascar ping

On regular ESPN channel this evening will be the "3" movie starting at 9pm ET. Not sure about PT, central is 8pm.

[GRRRRR]

Got the TeeVo on the PC ready to go. Watched the 99 Bristol Race when 3 car smushed 5 out of his way...My buddy Joe and I were in the stands...more boo's than cheers reached my ears... MERRY Schmookin' Christmas!

[WestCoastGal]

Merry Christmas to all the GRRRRR's!!

[NYTexan]

Thanks fer the ping, I'll be watchin' the show!

[WestCoastGal]

After the movie is a live call in show to talk about Dale on ESPN Classic.

[NYTexan]

Now I know where Jr. chose 8 from!

[GRRRRR]

Well, so far it's been a highly "stylized" portrayel of the "Man in Black"...

Refuse to Lose, wasn't that Gordon's Theme?

I relly like Barry Pepper, he really puts a nice twist on Dale. I just wonder how accurate the relationship was with Theresa? Seems like they are portraying her as the Brains of the outfil...did they consult with her at all?

G

[NYTexan]

So far it's been a show worth watchin'.

As for the consultation w/ T, I guess we won't know.

[GRRRRR]

500

Yeah, been pretty good, just too many commercials, just like a race...and no cautions yet!!

Didn't really know about the feud with Waltrip tho, did ya'll...?