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Friday Roundup Rules will stay as they are for Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Despite complaints from Ford teams, NASCAR decided Friday against ordering aerodynamic changes in the cars for the Daytona 500. NASCAR officials were probably swayed by two thrilling qualifying races Thursday, including Mike Skinner beating Dale Earnhardt Jr. by about 3 inches in a 125-mile event. Ford teams believe their cars are at a disadvantage against the Chevrolets, Pontiacs and the new Dodges. They blame two small metal strips attached to the roof and spoilers, which were mandated by NASCAR in an attempt to promote closer racing. "That's fine," said Rusty Wallace, who drives the No. 2 Ford Taurus. "We know what we're up against." NASCAR impounded each brand's top-finishing car from last weekend's Budweiser Shootout and shipped them to Lockheed's wind tunnel in Marietta, Ga. Technical director Gary Nelson said the tests were inconclusive. Three-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon, who drives a Chevy Monte Carlo, scoffed at the Ford complaints. "They don't need anything," he said. "Once you get in the draft, you don't see anybody with an advantage." Gordon said the only disadvantage for the Ford teams was a lack of cooperation among its drivers. "The Chevy teams work well together," he said. "I've not seen a lot of Fords work well together. They kind of split off on their own. That's what is hurting them."
Team Jarrett continues makeoverSlapped onto the passenger's side of Dale Jarrett's car Friday morning was a slab of gray sheet medal with a black "88" crudely spraypainted in the middle. Time to call in the paint guys again. For the second consecutive year, Jarrett's team of fabricators -- crewmen who work on the bodies of the cars -- had to hammer out dents and repaint the car after a pre-race accident. "Everything will be done by Sunday," Jarrett said. "We've got plenty of time now." Jarrett was involved in an accident in the qualifying race Thursday. Unlike last year, when the accident occurred in the final minutes of Saturday's practice, Jarrett's team had ample time to reconstruct the car. He ruled out going to a backup car, and said working out the dings in the car's body wasn't as big an issue as trying to improve the handling. "There's no reason to be angry," Jarrett said. "Things are going to happen. If you didn't have bad days, then the good days wouldn't be nearly as good."
Room shortage in DaytonaWhile the Daytona Beach area has grown, the number of hotel rooms available has shrunk, sending race fans scurrying everywhere from Jacksonville to Orlando to find a place to stay.Volusia County officials say the number of hotels has dropped from 384 in 1996 to 342 this year. Several hotels have been torn down to be replaced by new condominiums or time-share resorts, others have been closed for renovations. The president of the hotel association in town says the crunch shouldn't be so severe come 2002. "There's a tremendous amount of capital being spent along the beach," Bob Davis told The News-Journal of Daytona Beach.
Daytona injury reportMike Heiser, a crew member of Chuck Hossfeld's truck team, suffered a slight head contusion during an accident on pit road. He was treated and released from the infield care center. During an accident in the IROC race, an usher in the grandstands sustained a small cut on her elbow. The usher, whose name was not released, also was treated and released from the care center.
Leffler to get new crew chiefTeam manager Andy Graves will take over as interim crew chief for the car driven by Jason Leffler beginning next week in Rockingham, N.C. The regular crew chief, Kevin Cram, was fined $10,000 and suspended four weeks for fuel violations during qualifying. "It'll be business as usual other than Kevin will be back at the shop helping get stuff ready," Graves said. NASCAR told Cram he wasn't allowed to be in the garage area at races and cannot go to NASCAR tests while he is suspended.
Hendrick proud of son's performanceRick Hendrick felt overwhelmed as he watched his son, Ricky, finish second in his first NASCAR truck race Friday. "I was trying to help him out, but what do I know?" said Hendrick, who owns the team his son drives for. "I've never raced here. As big as the button was on the radio, I couldn't get my finger on the button, my hand was shaking so fast. I don't do a very good job being a father and owner watching my son race." Ricky Hendrick also finished ninth in an ARCA race here last weekend. "Between the ARCA and this, he has a Master's degree," his father said.
Lug nutsBuckshot Jones plans to field a Busch Series team for at least 10 races this season -- more if he can get a sponsor. Todd Bodine will drive the team's Pontiac in Saturday's NAPA Auto Parts 300. ... Truck driver Joe Ruttman won a $10,000 bonus for winning the race from the pole position. ... Busch pole-sitter Joe Nemechek had the fastest practice time in preparation for Saturday's race, turning his quickest lap at 187.723 mph. ... Bobby Hamilton, scheduled to start 35th, has been stricken by the flu. His truck team driver, Joe Ruttman, is on standby to run Saturday's Busch Grand National race in case Hamilton wants an extra day of rest of the 500.
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