Beating Around The Busch

Nascar Busch series director Brian DeHart made it official, to level the playing field, all NBS teams will be required to be in inspection lines prior to the start of Winston Cup final practice.

The move is designed to prevent drivers that “Busch –Whack”; from giving information on track conditions from their cup cars to there NBS teams, giving them an unfair advantage over the full time Busch competitors. What began at Charlotte was again implemented at Dover, and the word was out that this is the procedure teams will follow through the remainder of the season.

In the past, drivers would use Winston Cup happy hour to understand any changes in the track that may translate into a suspension changes on the NBS cars. Teams who are not in the inspection line at the required time will loose minutes in the final practice at the next series event that the teams compete.

Many drivers and crew chiefs had questions regarding the Red Flag shown at Dover. Since Daytona, it has been announced in the drivers meetings at each race that NASCAR would not display a red flag in an event if there were less than five laps remaining. Series director Brian DeHart clarified, noting that there is no steadfast rule, and since the field was working lap 195 when the caution came out, the Red flag seemed appropriate. Further clarified in Sundays Winston Cup drivers meeting, the announcement was made that the red flag would not be displayed if there were four laps remaining in the event. Key to this situation is that it is a policy that varies from track to track, and therefore the specifics may vary from venue to venue.

In an effort to promote the July Busch race at Daytona International Speedway, series regulars Scott Riggs, and Ron Hornaday took media members for a ride of there life in a specially prepares two seat Busch car around the famed 2.5 mile speedway in Daytona.

"It's fun to see people that not only haven't been on the race track before but never been in a race car," Riggs said. "To take them out of the pits wide open and never lift getting into that first corner, they say that's the most exciting part because they had no idea what to expect." Said Hornaday: "It's when they get out of the car. You just listen to what they say, 'all my God, I can't believe those guys do it.' "

Jason Keller was busy this week Finding Nemo. The driver of the No 57 Albertsons Ford helped promote the new Disney movie by fielding a special paint scheme for the race.

“I am really excited to run the “Finding Nemo” scheme this weekend,” said Keller. “Albertson’s is a great sponsor, and their partnership with Kellogg’s and Disney on this program is unbelievable. The NASCAR Busch Series teams usually don’t get this kind of opportunity with a company like Disney. I think it is a perfect example of how Albertson’s not only maximizes their sponsorship of the team, but the relationships they have with other companies involved in NASCAR.” Keller and Nemo finished eleventh.

Geico insurance has extended its sponsorship with Biaggi Brothers Racing and driver Mike Wallace. The Insurance Company, who sponsored the team for ten races last season, has twice extended its agreement with the team this year to be scheduled to run a total of twenty-seven events. The Insurance company appears to be making a full commitment as it has now launched a website complete with team and sponsor items. (www.geicoracing.com) Wallace is currently thirteenth in the championship standings.