NASCAR charges into 2005

[Ming]

Posted on Sun, Feb. 20, 2005
NASCAR charges into 2005
By Pete Schnatz
Inquirer Suburban Staff
www.philly.com

New is the operative word for the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

And the changes extend well beyond the multimillion-dollar face-lift to Daytona International Speedway's infield "fan zone," where for around $20 you can sip a Daytini and feast on a jumbo lump blue crab cake, accompanied by the roar of 750-horsepower engines.

Last season's introduction of a new series sponsor and format to determine the series championship - the Chase for the Nextel Cup - created its share of controversy. But that didn't deter the sport's governing body from taking another bold step.

A revamped and considerably more complex qualifying formula that was implemented for today's season opener all but guaranteed big-money teams a berth in the 43-car field. It also created a lot of consternation among fans and media members throughout Thursday's Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying events, and resulted in race officials issuing a revised starting lineup for the Daytona 500 nearly two hours after the last car left the track.

Yet not all of the changes have been met with resistance.

The folks at Dodge Motorsports have attracted a lot of attention with the Charger, which returns to NASCAR's premier series for the first time in nearly three decades with 14 cars on today's starting grid.

Richard Petty, who claimed three championships and 37 victories in a Charger, is excited to have the old friend back in the mix. Although, the King admitted, "It might have a different grille and tail, but under the rules and regulations that NASCAR puts you in now, the car is basically the same" as last year's Intrepid.

That fact apparently doesn't faze Jeremy Mayfield, who drove the No. 19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge into last season's 10-race playoff.

"When I hear the word Charger I think of Richard Petty and all those races he won. It's cool to be a part of that revival," Mayfield said. "Our team is in great shape, and Dodge is showing its commitment by bringing back the Charger."

Mayfield also is among a large group of veteran racers who must acquaint themselves with new crew chiefs, as Richard "Slugger" Labbe takes over that position with the No. 19.

"I started work on Dec. 13 and we've been going strong from the beginning," said Labbe, who spent the last four seasons with Michael Waltrip at Dale Earnhardt Inc. "The guys in the shop have busted their tails, paying attention to every little detail."

A thorough shop swap at DEI now has Tony Eury Jr. calling the shots on Waltrip's No. 15 Chevrolet, and Pete Rondeau doing the same on the No. 8 Monte Carlo piloted by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Other new driver/crew chief pairings include: Sterling Marlin and Steve Boyer on the No. 40 Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge, Bobby Labonte and Steve Addington on the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet, Kyle Petty and Paul Andrews on the No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge, and Brian Vickers and Lance McGrew on the No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

The number of drivers in new rides, while aimed at invigorating individual and team performances, should also boost race program sales.

It may take some time to get accustomed to seeing Jeff Burton, entering his first full season with Richard Childress Racing, sporting the orange and black of the No. 31 Chevrolet. Carl Edwards, Burton's replacement at Roush Racing, is set to run a complete schedule in the No. 99 Ford. Bobby Hamilton Jr., who took over for Ricky Craven at PPI Motorsports late last season, will be behind the wheel of the No. 32 Chevrolet. And Mike Bliss, after running a pair of races with Haas CNC Racing in 2004, is expected to go the distance this season in the No. 0 Chevrolet.

Other faces in new places include John Andretti (No. 14 PPC Racing Ford), Dave Blaney (No. 07 RCR Chevrolet), Robby Gordon (No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Chevrolet), Jason Leffler (No. 11 Gibbs Racing Chevrolet), Hermie Sadler (No. 66 Jeff Stec Ford), Boris Said (No. 36 MB/Sutton Motorsports Chevrolet), and Mike Wallace (No. 4 Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet).

The three drivers competing for rookie of the year are Kyle Busch (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet), Travis Kvapil (No. 77 Penske Racing South Dodge) and Eric McClure (No. 73 Raabe Racing Enterprises Chevrolet).

The series will also bid farewell to a trio of stars who have decided to call it a career. Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin, who have combined to go 0 for 22 in previous Daytona 500s, will get a last chance to rewrite their histories here before retiring at the end of the season.

Wallace would like nothing better than to deliver a special birthday present to his boss, Roger Penske, who turns 68 Sunday.

"Winning the Daytona 500 would be all of that and more," Wallace said. "There will be a hell of a party going on if we do, I'll guarantee you that."

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