
| Posted: Thursday September 7, 2006 11:08AM; Updated: Thursday September 7, 2006 11:08AM Members of several of NASCAR's top Nextel Cup Series teams told The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday they often choose pit stalls based on the location of the timing loops NASCAR uses to monitor pit row speeds. For example, choosing a pit stall that ends just short of a loop could allow a driver to accelerate entering the stall. A violation would be unlikely since the car is stopped for several seconds and the average speed between loops is well below the maximum. While viewers can see how fast cars are going on the track during races, NASCAR does not allow TV networks to display speeds and other data on pit road, officials with NBC and TNT confirmed on Wednesday. Tony Eury, one of the most trusted employees of the late Dale Earnhardt, will serve as Busch Series crew chief for Eau Claire native Paul Menard, the Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced Wednesday. The team intends to move him into Nextel Cup next season. Eury replaces Dan Stillman who will remain with the team. South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier has become a big fan of NASCAR Nextel Cup star Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Junior has become a huge Gamecocks fan. The two got together Tuesday night when Spurrier took time from preparing for his team's game Saturday against No. 12 Georgia to be a guest on Earnhardt's satellite radio show. Robert Yates Racing development driver Stephen Leicht will not drive this weekend's NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond, Va., and will be replaced in the No. 90 Ford by the team's new Nextel Cup driver, David Gilliland, team officials confirmed on Wednesday. Brewco Motorsports spokesman Malcolm West said plans call for Casey Atwood to "probably" run this season's nine remaining Busch races, and then a decision will be made about next season. Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc., announced the hiring of Chris Weiller as Vice President of Business Development. Weiller will be based out of the team's Concord, N.C. race shop and will be responsible for creating and implementing new business and marketing opportunities for the team and its drivers across NASCAR, the Indy Racing League and the Grand Am series. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||