THIS WEEK’S STORY LINES
1. JERRY NADEAU STILL HOPES TO RACE AGAIN: (scenedaily)
2. “SUITCASE”JAKE ELDER HONORED: (charlotteobsever)
3. 2 NASCAR MOGULS OFF THE FORBE’S BILLIONAIRE LIST: (forbes.com)
4. NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE CHANGES FORMATS: (scenedaily)
5. RELATIONSHIP TO START OF SEASON & MAKING THE CHASE: (charlotteobserver)
6. KVAPIL MAY BE DONE WITH YATES RACING:
7. TESTING AT ROCKINGHAM:
8. RICKY CARMICHAEL COULD RUN ENTIRE TRUCK SEASON: (scenedaily)
9. HERMIE SADLER TO RACE TRUCKS AT MARTINSVILLE: (hermiesadlerPR)
It has been a while since we have heard from Jerry Nadeau. Every since his horrific crash in practice at Richmond back in 2003 he has been sidelined and not raced at the Cup level. The 38 year old Connecticut native has experienced numbness in his left side as a results of the head injuries suffered in that crash. However he is cleared medically to drive, but the opportunities have just not come his way. He is just trying to figure out what is next for him. Nadeau was attending a benefit for “Suitcase” Jake Elder at Memory Lane and Motorsports and Automotive Musuem on Saturday.
Speaking of “Suitcase” Jake Elder, the legendary NASCAR crew chief, there was a benefit honoring him in the heart of NASCAR country last Saturday. Mr. Elder is to crew chiefs what Richard Petty is to race car drivers!! “Suitcase” Jake” got his nickname because he was a well traveled crew chief in the Cup level of NASCAR. Jake Elder worked for all the top level NASCAR Cup car owners. He revolutionized so many things mechanically in the NASCAR racing field!!! As ol DW says, “Jake was a rule maker, not a rule breaker”!!!!!!!!
The economy has hit the NASCAR crowd pretty hard! There are two of the big moguls that have fallen off the “Forbes Billionaire Club ” list! Both Roger Penske ande Bruton Smith have fallen off that austere list. But don’t go feeling sorry for either one of these individuals, they won’t be at the Soup Kitchen anytime soon!!!!
Just like the Bud Shootout, the All-Star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May will have a different format. The exact changes will be announced shortly. So keep tuned and be prepared for another exciting, all out, no holds barred, Saturday Night Gunslinging affair!!
This was an off week for NASCAR, but that doesn’t mean that there was no activity!!! My next post will have some really exciting things regarding some possibilities of new Cup owners and some possibilities of Nationwide owners stepping up to Cup, etc. In actuality, the uncertainity in the economy has actually been a blessing to some of the NASCAR people. It has allowed some “marginal” people to step up to the plate and put a Cup team together and compete, ie, Tommy Baldwin and Jeremy Mayfield in particular!!
REMEMBER, I DID LOOK IT UP SO THAT YOU WOULDN’T HAVE TO!