NASCAR Daily News Headlines * May 3, 2008

Bobby Labonte Re-Signs With Petty

Drug Policy Likely To Change

"There is a small group looking at this issue. We need to enhance what we have," said Hunter. "We don't think there is any drug policy in sports today that is any stronger than ours. There is a sensitivity with us that when you test and you tell people you are testing, it gives people the perception that there's a problem that may not be there. We don't like that."

However, Hunter said, NASCAR will adopt an element of random testing to its current policy if the study group recommends such a change be made. Any change to incorporate random drug testing would likely not take effect until the 2009 season. Regardless of the outcome of the study group, Hunter said NASCAR would find ways to enhance its current policy.

"We've got to put away any doubt that there is anyone participating who is using a banned substance," Hunter said.(sunherald.com)

Yates Announces Sponsor

Gilliland has a history with Experian Consumer Direct as a sponsor, racing the No. 38 FreeCreditReport.com Ford Fusion for a total of eight races in the 2008 Sprint Cup series as well as driving the FreeCreditReport.com Ford 19 times in the 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“It’s wonderful to know that our No. 38 team will continue to be partnered with FreeCreditReport.com," commented Gilliland. “They have been a wonderful sponsor to our team and it is very comforting to know that we’re going to showcase our No. 38 FreeCreditReport.com Ford for more races this year. Everyone at Yates Racing has worked extremely hard this year to yield strong finishes every week, and we look forward to continuing that tradition for FreeCreditReport"

“FreeCreditReport.com is proud to be able to extend our sponsorship with Yates Racing and David Gilliland as the No. 38 team continues to bring home solid performances each " said Ty Taylor, Experian Interactive Group President. “Yates Racing is one of the most well-respected teams on the circuit and we look forward to continuing our support of their efforts in the 2008 Sprint Cup Se"

Already in the 2008 season, Gilliland has achieved a top-10 finish at Bristol and just recently obtained his third consecutive top-15 finish at Talladega Superspeedway this past weekend. Gilliland is also currently 18th in the NASCAR driver point standings after the first nine races of the season.

Experian Consumer Direct and the FreeCreditReport.com sponsorship will be featured at Richmond International Raceway this weekend in the Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400.

“This is exactly the kind of announcement we have been striving for this se" said Max Jones, car owner and general manager. “We are glad to see that FreeCreditReport.com is continuing their affiliation with Yates Racing and David Gilliland. FreeCreditReport.com was our first primary sponsorship announcement at Yates Racing for the season and we are excited to have such a great partner continue their sponsorship efforts with our "

FreeCreditReport.com was established in 1999 and provides consumers with quick and easy access to their credit report and credit score.(PR)

New Crew Chief For Robby Gordon

Earnhardt Says No To Gossage

Even if the TMS president upped his offer, Earnhardt didn't appear interested. "My conscience wouldn't let me," said Earnhardt, worth more than $20 million a year according to Forbes Magazine. Replied Gossage, "But did he say no? The way I see it the door is still open. We'll work on it. I'm open to negotiations."

Gossage made the offer, his latest in a series of publicity stunts involving Earnhardt, after IRL driver Danica Patrick went on Earnhardt's Thursday night XM Satellite Radio show and said "if he ever wanted to swap cars and run in an open-wheel race, Texas would be the place to give it a shot."

Gossage said the offer was not a publicity stunt to sell tickets, that he might increase it to $125,000. "Obviously, he's interested or he wouldn't have brought it up," Gossage said. Earnhardt didn't exactly bring it up. He simply was responding to a question during his hauler chat.(ESPN)

Gossage Offers $100,000 To Dale Jr.

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage is wholeheartedly backing that recommendation by Patrick and giving Earnhardt Jr. 100,000 reasons why “The Great American Speedway!” is indeed the ideal choice. Gossage is offering $100,000 to Earnhardt Jr. if he would pay the IndyCar Series a visit and compete June 7 in the Bombardier Learjet 550k at Texas Motor Speedway. Gossage is open to presenting Earnhardt Jr. $100,000 in cash or a check to his favorite charity for that amount if that is more to his liking.

“It was interesting to learn Dale Jr. and Danica discussed trading cars on his ‘Unrestricted’ show, and we’re pleased Danica’s track of choice for him would be Texas,” Gossage said. “This idea came from that conversation last night and we would love to facilitate having Dale Jr. in an Indy car for the Bombardier Learjet 550k. After all, next to the Indy 500, it’s the biggest IndyCar race of the year. Junior would make it even bigger.”

The Bombardier Learjet 550k would not conflict with Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race schedule, with this IndyCar Series race running Saturday night and the Cup race the following day (June 8) at Pocono Raceway. He also should be available for the opening IndyCar Series practice session on Thursday, June 5 from 7:40 to 9:10 p.m. CT. The only conflict, depending on the Pocono schedule, would be qualifying Friday, June 6.

IndyCar qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. CT that same day.

“It is definitely possible schedule-wise and that’s what made it intriguing to us,” Gossage said. “We’ve spoken with the Indy Racing League, and Junior would have to pass a physical. The IRL’s Competition Department would then have to make a decision on whether he would be approved for racing or would have to undergo a rookie test. Either way, there is time to fit in a rookie orientation test. Many of the IRL’s top drivers have conducted their rookie tests here at Texas in the past.”

Gossage also is confident that there would be plenty of available seats with teams to accommodate the whim of NASCAR’s most popular driver.

“I would imagine any IRL team would make a car available for Dale Jr. because the event would have historical significance, would be a publicity boon and would continue to grow the series’ tremendous momentum,” Gossage said. “What a bonus it would be for the fans in Texas to see Dale Jr. make history here again. He won his first career Nationwide and Sprint Cup races here and this would further enhance the historical bond between him and Texas Motor Speedway.”

Tickets are available for the Bombardier Learjet 550k and the Sam’s Town 400 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (June 6) by calling (817) 215-8520 or visiting (www.texasmotorspeedway.com).

Edwards Re-Signs Three-Year Contract

Team owner Jack Roush said the deal was a three-year contract. "What we had hoped for was more than that, but what my understanding was the last time I knew what was on the table was that it was a three-year deal," Roush said.

Edwards represented himself in negotiations, which he said took about a week and a half.

Edwards' future with Roush Fenway Racing had been in limbo. His contract was set to expire at the end of the 2008 season, but he didn't provide any hints as to whether he was exploring other options or seeking an extension with Roush, saying he preferred to keep those matters mute.

Just last week, Roush said he felt confident he would be able to keep Edwards, who is in his fifth season at the Sprint Cup level.

On Friday, Roush said his confidence was a little shaken when he learned other teams were making strong pitches to Edwards, although he wasn't sure who the teams were.

"I think I know, but he told me he initially was going to talk to two other teams before he made a deal with us, and I'm not sure if he talked to both of the other teams or if he talked to more than two teams," Roush said. "I know there was a specific economic competitive offer that we had to consider ..."

Other factors in staying with Roush were the team's progress with the new car and the chemistry he's built with his crew, Edwards said.

"I've struggled since I've been here with changing people and having different pit-crew guys, and I feel like finally with Robbie managing that, I've got a group of guys that are going to be really good over the next three years," Edwards said. "I kind of know everything and where it's headed. We're winning right now and I think it's going to be better, so that kind of made it easy for me."...To Read More....(nascar.com)

Teams Start Lowe's Testing On Monday

Next week’s session will be the fifth NASCAR-sanctioned test this year. Not part of the original 2008 schedule, it was announced April 15, bringing the total number of tests this season to seven. This year marks the first fulltime campaign for NASCAR’s new race car, which competed in 16 of 36 events last year. Next week’s test allows teams to prepare for remaining events at 1.5-mile tracks – a total of 17 including the two May events. Forty-eight NASCAR Sprint Cup teams are scheduled to participate.

“It’s another step in the development of the car as we work through the second year of rolling it out,” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby said.

Next week’s times are 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., both days, with a noon-1 p.m. lunch break and a 5-6 p.m. dinner break each day. That’s a total of six individual sessions; teams are permitted to test four of the six test segments.

Larry Gunselman Released

Although he was released from the infield care center following the wreck, Gunselman said he started feeling nauseated and was taken to a hospital for observation. He had a CAT-scan and X-rays to his elbow and was released. He said he is still sore from the wreck.

“I’m terribly sorry I was involved in it,” said Gunselman, who was unsure how fast he was going when he hit Franchitti. “I wish I could have done something differently. … The spotter came on the radio and said, ‘Go low,’ so I did. Unfortunately when I got down on the apron, you’re still going fast enough and you’re already committed and you have nowhere to go. I talked to Dario in the hospital and there are no hard feelings. It was just a terrible racing accident.”

Once he got on the apron with the marbles, Gunselman said all a driver is doing is trying to hold his line.

“We had planned on running through the first fuel stop,” Gunselman said. “I was trying to lay back and stay out of trouble. Obviously I didn’t lay back far enough, and that’s my fault. I had no idea that the car wasn’t going to stop. The brakes that were on it were legal, but I think they were inadequate.”(scenedaily.com)

Hamlin Wins Nationwide Race

Harvick's crew chief, Wally Rogers called for a pit stop for four tires but at the last moment, Harvick made the decision to stay on the track. "I've been caught on both sides of that, but it only cost us one spot," Harvick said of the outcome of the race. "I was pitting, until I saw the 60 (Edwards) and the 1 (Bliss) behind him stay up. I figured more cars would stay out."

The win gave Hamlin his first Nationwide Series trip to the Winner's Circle this year and the sixth career victory. It also was the third consecutive win for the No. 20 with three different drivers, Hamlin, Kyle Busch at Mexico, Tony Stewart at Talladega. Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have won seven of the eleven Nationwide events this year. Kyle Busch, driving for all he was worth, rebounding from a lap down to finish third. Busch traded paint and sheetmetal with Steve Wallace on the final lap but finished in the third spot. David Ragan drove past Wallace on the final lap to finish fourth while Wallace held on to fifth position.