Full Throttle

Here are a few stories that are making the rounds of NASCAR’s garages and boardrooms.

Petty offers hint at retirement.

“One day I’m going to wake up and decide to get on my motorcycle and go riding around the country. It’s getting close. Maybe next year. Who knows?”

Petty, 45, has not won since the summer of 1995, a string of 313 races. His famous father Richard won a record 200 times.

Petty Enterprises also fields the No. 43 driven by former Fairgrounds Speedway champion Jeff Green. Petty said Green will be back in the car next season.

Testing at Indy might be history.

NASCAR-imposed limits on testing could result in teams no longer spending two days at Indianapolis Motor Speedway preparing for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

Starting in 2006, teams will be allowed six tests on tracks that host Nextel Cup races. Series director John Darby met with teams this week to outline the restrictions and is waiting to hear from them on which six tracks are preferred by the majority.

Daytona International Speedway, where the season begins, and Homestead-Miami Speedway, where it ends, are sure to be on the list. The rest will be chosen based upon their ability to provide information applicable in as many places as possible, which is why Indy’s unique, flat, 21/2-mile oval could be left out.

This is a welcome change I have advocated for a long time. Limiting testing will negate much of the advantage multi-car teams now possess. I doubt if it will effect the size of teams - their are monetary incentives to maintain them - it should not only cut costs for everyone but will even things out as far as testing data collection goes.

Erin Crocker making the move to the Busch Series.

Evernham said he is “reasonably confident” the team will field a full-time Busch car for Erin Crocker in 2006. A deal could be announced within the next couple of weeks, and Evernham said Crocker would race six Busch events this season. The 24-year-old probably would make her debut at Richmond or Dover.

Crocker reportedly has drawn the interest of rival manufacturers, and Evernham said he must keep her in a ride to keep her under the terms of a developmental deal.

“If I don’t, and someone else comes and gives her a better ride, I’m going to tell her to go ahead and take it,” he said. “She’s a good kid and part of our family now and I want what’s best for her. Right now, it looks like we’re going to be ones to provide the best opportunity for her.”

This is a smart move on Evernham’s part, Crocker has proven her worth to the organization in her ARCA Series starts. By providing a ride now - when many others have shown an interest in her - Ray prevents another Kasey Kahne situation where Ford lost the services Kahne by not giving a promised ride.

Kevin Harvick, Herb Thomas Voted In As “Fans’ Favorites” For 2005 Talladega-Texaco Walk Of Fame Induction.

The 2005 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Davey Allison Memorial Park in uptown Talladega, a block south of the town square. This year’s induction ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and will be emceed by Benny Parsons.

France: No tampering rule likely for NASCAR.

While NASCAR has no plans to add any rules about tampering, chairman Brian France does expect the recent signings of Jamie McMurray and Kurt Busch while still under contract to other teams to cause some changes.
“Well, we’re not happy about it,” France said. “It’s an issue that’s new, but it’s really between the team owner and the driver. My sense (is) the team owners will be shoring up their own contracts in the future to prevent such possibility of a lame duck time. I think it’s an area the team owners are going to really start addressing a little differently.”

Many have called for NASCAR to step in and prevent such contract signings. Something I find strange because some of the same people are very vocal about the sanctioning body “over regulating” the sport. Both owners and drivers are independent contractors and it should stay that way.

NASCAR, Busch Series, Auto Racing, Sports