CUP REGULARS BRING STAR VALUE TO EVENTS.Byline: Bill Schlotter Daily News Staff Writer Their last weekend off was May 9-10. Their next one doesn't come until Nov. 14-15. So what are NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. Winston Cup regulars Dale Jarrett Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton, North Carolina) is an American race car driver. Jarrett currently races in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series exclusively, driving the #44 Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing. , Ernie Irvan Ernie Irvan (born January 13, 1959 in Salinas, California) is a former race driver in NASCAR. Early beginnings Irvan began his racing career in California at the age of nine driving go-carts, winning the California Championship at the age of 15. , Michael Waltrip Michael Curtis Waltrip (born April 30, 1963 in Owensboro, Kentucky) is a professional race car driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing. He is the younger brother of Darrell Waltrip, a three-time NASCAR champion (now retired). , Dick Trickle Dick Trickle (born October 27, 1941 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin) is an auto racer. He raced for decades around the short tracks of Wisconsin, winning many championships along the way. , Mike Skinner Mike Skinner is the name of:
It's all part of the business of racing, explained Jarrett, who qualified eighth for Sunday's Busch Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300. See, in addition to running Winston Cup full-time, Jarrett owns a Busch team sponsored by Gillette and shares driving duties with son Jason. And part of his sponsorship agreement with the shaving products company says it can choose one of Jarrett's Winston Cup off-weeks to have him and all his promotional value to itself. That week has arrived. ``This is something that is good for the sponsor,'' said Jarrett, running third in Winston Cup points and has a season title very much on his mind. ``It's part of the business side of racing. We want to do what we can for the people who support us.'' Irvan said he, too, is here for the sake of sponsors. Irvan is a partner in a truck team sponsored by Federated Connected and treated as one. See federated database and federated directories. Auto Parts and the No Fear clothing company. ``No Fear is sponsoring the truck race,'' said Irvan, noting today's event is called the No Fear 200. ``So they wanted us to come out. And Federated likes it when we can get our truck on TV.'' Irvan said such commitments are easily made when scheduling is done during winter off time. ``It's like going into a supermarket when you're hungry,'' he said. ``You say, `Sure, I'll do that and I'll do that.' Then the season comes and it's `Oh, man.' '' Often times, a Busch or truck race will be held as a support race to a Winston Cup event. In those circumstances, running in the lesser events can give Cup drivers valuable feedback on track conditions. But that is not the case this weekend. Jarrett said he has heard some say Cup drivers should stay out of Busch and truck events. He doesn't agree. ``I've run Busch at least on a part-time basis every year since 1982,'' he said. ``I've always felt it was good experience for the Busch guys to go up against the best. I know I want my son, Jason, to have that experience.'' Busch points-leader Mike McLauglin would second that point of view. ``When they come down, they usually do beat us,'' McLaughlin said. ``But once in a while we beat them and when we do it's a real good feeling.'' |
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