SpeedWorld Magazine's News-N-Notes
Alan Jones


The racing team of the late Dale Earnhardt settled its complaint
over the use of a stylized number three in promotions of the ESPN
produced movie '3'. Richard Childress of RCR Enterprises Inc. either
thought ESPN's backward leaning red graphic looked like their
forward leaning white car number, or that they have the trademark
rights to all applications of the simple numeral '3'. Any
compensation from ESPN was not disclosed.


U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman ruled Kentucky Speedway's
$400 million lawsuit against NASCAR will remain in Kentucky.
NASCAR wanted a change of venue to its home state, Florida.
Kentucky alleges NASCAR has violated federal antitrust laws by
illegally restricting the awarding of Nextel Cup races.


Beginning in 2007, ABC and ESPN will return to broadcasting NASCAR
races. The eight-year deal divides the schedule among ABC, ESPN,
TNT, and Fox. NBC decided to not re-up and will be out of NASCAR
after 2006, the final year of the current Fox/NBC/TNT contract.
After straggling behind in the bidding process, Fox saw its
allotment drop from 18 to 13 races each season.


Progress on two new NASCAR tracks was slow in 2005. Chambers of
Commerce and Visitor Bureau's in the Kitsap County, WA, area have
united in support, and NASCAR has offered to pay for half the cost,
but the State Senate Budget Committee says there is no support for
using tax-backed bonds to pay the rest. Meanwhile, the proposed
Staten Island, NY, track is also facing political opposition. Two
Democrat candidates for City Council are against it, "I don't see
how it benefits Staten Island; there's no enhancement, no giving
back to the community," said Incumbent Michael McMahon. Mid-
Island candidate David Ceder said it would "clog the roads and
assault residents' ears."


NASCAR CEO Brian France does not take kindly to fans flying
Confederate flags at his races, "It's not a flag that I look at with
anything favorable. I can't tell people what flag to fly. I can tell
you the flag we get behind; it's the 'American' flag." However,
France does not believe the racial overtone surrounding the flag
will affect NASCAR, "I think it's a fading image."


The Maricopa County (Phoenix) Sheriff's Department proudly
reported to the press that they had hauled in reigning Nextel Cup
Champion Kurt Busch on "suspicion of driving under the influence
of alcohol." While still steaming over Kurt's decision to drive for
Roger Penske next year, car owner Jack Roush and Roush Racing
president Geoff Smith summarily suspended Busch for the rest of
the season (two races). "We're officially retiring as Kurt Busch's
apologists," said Smith. Three days later, highly controversial and
nationally known Sheriff Joe Arpaio reluctantly revealed the true
story; Busch's blood-alcohol content was just 0.017, less than 1/4
the legal limit in Arizona. The totality of Kurt's offenses was a
single traffic citation.


Reacting personally to NASCAR limiting the number of teams each
organization can have, Jack Roush said, "It feels like 'Get Shorty'
to me." NASCAR CEO Brian France insists the limit of four is
necessary to foster new, more diverse, ownerships. "They tell me
it's not personal but I'm the only guy standing here with five
teams," Roush angrily retorted. Roush Racing won 42% of the
points races in 2005 (15 of 36), and all five of its drivers made it
into the playoff field of ten drivers total.


Danica Patrick put some excitement into open-wheel racing in 2005.
She nearly won the Indy 500 and, almost out of fuel, finished 4th.
The 23-year-old became the first woman to lead a lap in the 500,
and became the highest finishing female driver ever. Janet Guthrie
finished 9th in 1978.


The sixth running of the 'United States Grand Prix' at Indianapolis
was a disaster as 14 cars refused to participate just seconds before
the green flag. They dove onto pit road and parked in protest saying
the Michelin tires they use are unsafe at Indy. The move left just
six competitors, all using Bridgestone tires, to fend off the angry
jeering crowd. FIA President Max Mosley took most of the fan's
wrath for not allowing the use of a chicane. The event was labeled
'a farce', and doubt remains as to whether another USGP will ever
be held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


Jim Beam, the bourbon whiskey maker and primary sponsor of
Robby Gordon's #7 car, reportedly asked for a 'refund' after he
failed to finish 13 races and failed to successfully qualify for
another seven. Gordon scored an average start of 27th and
average finish of 30th for the 2005 season.


During his annual 'State of the Tour' address, PGA Tour
Commissioner Tim Finchem said a format similar to that used by
NASCAR has been adopted. The players will earn points during a
'regular season' period and then a three-tournament playoff will
conclude the Tour Championship.


In time for its October 2006 race, and for the first time since
1979, Talladega Superspeedway will be repaved. And, after not
missing a race for 25 straight seasons, Ricky Rudd is taking a
break from racing in 2006.


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