SEMA eNews, Vol. 9, No. 29, July 19, 2006

RUMORS ABOUT DANICA PATRICK MOVING TO NASCAR AND OTHER RACING NEWS

RED TAPE: Juan Pablo Montoya was released from his ride with the Team McLaren Formula One team, but team-owner Ron Dennis is taking the contract seriously and says he will not allow Montoya to race in NASCAR this year. However, expect NASCAR team-owner Chip Ganassi and DaimlerChrysler officials to reach a financial settlement with Dennis and McLaren which will see Montoya in a stock car before the end of August.

A SALE?: A sale of the National Sprint Tour, which was founded by the off-season by the late Fred Brownfield is pending. Rumored to be among the investors are Guy Stockbridge, Don Lamberti and driver Steve Kinser.

POLL TOPPERS: Donny Schatz, Jason Johnson and Damion Gardner topped their respective National Sprint Polls for 410-winged sprints, 360-winged sprints and 410 non-winged sprints in balloting by a select panel of media, promoters, manufacturers and sanctioning officials.

ALWAYS IN THE NEWS: Danica Patrick has been in the news again this week concerning her rumored move to NASCAR from the Indy Racing League. Patrick maintains she would like to stay in the IRL and attempt to win the Indianapolis 500, but acknowledged she’d listen to offers from NASCAR team owners. Patrick is in the final year of her contract with Rahal Letterman Racing and other IRL teams are seeking her services as well.

MONEY MAN: Joey Saldana had a big week, first winning the Brad Doty Classic at Limaland Motorsports Park in Ohio, then banking $51,000 for taking his second Kings Royal triumph at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway. Saldana drives the winged sprint car owned by NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne.

HOOSIER HYSTERIA: Indiana Sprint Week got under way last week with Mat Neely and Brad Short winning the first two rounds. However, veteran Jon Stanbrough won the next two races and holds the point lead with three races remaining this week.

DIED: Robert Brooks, chairman of Hooters of America, died at age 69. Brooks brought his restaurant’s sponsorship to NASCAR racing in the 1990s and in recent years, Hooters has been the primary sponsor of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series for stock cars.

STILL ON TOP: Despite having the week off, A.J. Allmendinger continues to lead the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings.