Menard ankles DEI

DEI driver Paul Menard said on Sept. 30 that he will take his sponsorship to Yates Racing, leaving DEI with an open driver slot and in need of sponsorship for three of its four cars.

Rusty Wallace has denied rumors that he might be interested in coming out of retirement to drive for DEI. (Photo courtesy of Menards Racing) [10/03/08]

Jim ‘Jet’ Neilson going for Land Speed Record?

Veteran drag racer Jim Neilson, who has campaigned a series of Funny Cars and jet-powered limos, now is going after the absolute Land Speed Record. Our photographer took these shots of Neilson and his LSR car at a recent San Diego, CA, car event. Neilson says he has secured a seven-mile long track in Nevada to test on before going for the record.  (James Drew photos) [10/03/08]

Kenny Wallace to drive for MWR at Talladega

Kenny Wallace will attempt to qualify the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 00 Toyota for Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega.

After failing to qualify at Kansas with driver Michael McDowell, the first race the car has missed this season, MWR made the decision to make a driver change.

"We have a singular focus with the No. 00 team now and that is to get it in the top 35 in owner's points when the checkered flag falls at Homestead-Miami," Waltrip said in a statement. "This is not about an individual, it is about an organization. Kenny has a lot of experience restrictor plate racing and a lot of friends who trust him, which is critical at that race. He has a great record at Talladega and we felt like he was our best shot at scoring maximum points."

"We're going to make the same evaluation for the remaining 2008 Sprint Cup races," Waltrip said. "That could include multiple drivers based on their experiences at particular tracks. Teams have done this at road course events and we have the flexibility to do this with the remaining oval races."

The team hasn’t decided who will drive in the remaining six races this year.  (James Drew photo) [10/03/08]