FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

'PAPA JOE' HENDRICK PASSES

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 15, 2004) - Joseph R. Hendrick Jr., father of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and company president John Hendrick, passed away Wednesday evening at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He was 84.

Fondly referred to as "Papa Joe," Hendrick began his auto-racing career in the early 1960s with longtime friend Frank Edwards, winning races throughout the state of Virginia at tracks like South Boston, Martinsville and Richmond.

Over the years, Papa Joe Hendrick became a fixture at Hendrick Motorsports, most recently co-owning the No. 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team and the No. 5 NASCAR Busch Series team with grandson Ricky Hendrick, while spearheading the organization's show-car operation.

A decorated veteran, Papa Joe proudly served his country in World War II as a flight engineer and gunner in the Air Force.

In June, Gov. Mike Easley presented Papa Joe and his wife, Mary, with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine -- the state of North Carolina's highest honor bestowed on a citizen for dedication and extended length of service to his or her organization.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Nazareth Children's Home, P.O. Box 1438, Rockwell, NC 28138, or the Papa Joe Hendrick Fund, care of the Hendrick Marrow Program, 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262.

July 15, 2004

Michael "Fatback" McSwain is out as crew chief of Bobby Labonte's #18 machine. The search is on for a new chief, but in the mean-time Jimmy Makar will take over the duties. Labonte sits 6th in points, with no wins in 2004. McSwain is surprised by his release and will take a week off to decide what is next.

Ford is suing Kasey Kahne for breach of contract. As you know Kasey now drives the #9 Dodge, however he signed a contract to drive Fords with Robert Yates Racing. Ford is looking for at least $25,000 in damages.

TESTING | INDY
In the second day at the track where 22 Cup teams are this week, Brian Vickers is fastest in his #25 Chevy with a speed of 181.554 mph. Being a rookie in the series. this is the first test around the track for Brian. The Brickyard 400 goes down on August 8th.

POINT STANDINGS | TRUCK SERIES

5 Matt Crafton
4 Rick Crawford
3 Carl Edwards
2 Bobby Hamilton
1 Dennis Setzer leads by only 6 points

ON TV
CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES RACING @ 8 p.m. Saturday on Speed

July 14, 2004

Kasey Kahne's crew chief Tommy Baldwin was fined $10,000 and put on probation until the end of the year. The penalty was handed down for "being involved in an altercation in another competitor's pit area."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to use his off weekend to go road racing with Boris Said. He'll be driving a Corvette at Infineon Raceway to further beef-up his road racing skills for Watkins Glen next month.

TESTING | INDY
Mark Martin and Jimmy Spencer are the fastest two on the track this week. There are 22 Cup teams shaking down the set-ups of their cars.
Spencer: 178.517 mph
Martin: 177.535 mph

POINT STANDINGS | BUSCH SERIES

10 Mike Bliss
9 Michael Waltrip
8 Bobby Hamilton Jr. down 3 spots
7 Jason Leffler
6 Greg Biffle
5 David Green
4 Ron Hornaday
3 Jason Keller up 4 spots
2 Kyle Busch
1 Martin Truex Jr. now leads by 52

July 13, 2004

Tony Stewart's first win of the season of course didn't come without controversy. During a restart, the 9 of Kasey Kahne wrecked from a bump by Tony and caused a multi-car wreck. Car owner of the 9 Ray Evernham was so angry after the incident he said "He definitely needs to get suspended"

NAPA Auto Parts will continue to sponsor the #15 DEI Chevrolet through next season. It's driver will continue to be Michael Waltrip for the 5th consecutive year. There was talk earlier this year that Michael would be out of the car in 2005.

TESTING | INDY
At least 22 Cup teams will shake down their cars setups this week at the track, including Jeff Gordon and Ricky Rudd. Who says an off week brings rest for these guys?

POINT STANDINGS | CUP SERIES

1 Jimmie Johnson +105
2 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3 Jeff Gordon
4 Tony Stewart
5 Matt Kenseth
6 Bobby Labonte
7 Elliott Sadler
8 Kevin Harvick
9 Kurt Busch
10 Ryan Newman

BIGGEST LOSER: Kasey Kahne down 3 spots to 14th
BIGGEST GAINER: Dale Jarrett up 3 to 12th

July 12, 2004

RACE RECAP | CHICAGOLAND

10 Kevin Harvick
9 Michael Waltrip
8 Joe Nemechek
7 Sterling Marlin
6 Terry Labonte
5 Jeremy Mayfield - 3rd top 5 this year
4 Jeff Gordon - Came back after all sorts of problems
3 Dale Jarrett - Second 3rd place finish this year
2 Jimmie Johnson - pads his points lead to 105
1 Tony Stewart - Dominates leading 160 laps, gets his first win of the season

OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY

-Ryan Newman blew a tire and his crash also took out the 97 of Kurt Busch, both were top 10 in points.

-The 8 car of Dale Earnhardt Jr. first missed pit road, then sped on pit road, finished 22nd.

-During a restart after a caution, the 9 of Kasey Kahne was wrecked by Tony Stewart and caused a multi-car wreck

-Kasey Kahne's crew chief Tommy Baldwin paid a visit to Tony Stewart's pits and a huge fight broke out between the 9 and 20 crews....fines I'm sure will be announced this week.

-Mark Martin had a top 10 car all day, and blew an engine to finish 24th


BUSCH SERIES
Justin Labonte (Terry's son) took his first win after Mike Wallace ran out of gas.

TRUCK SERIES
Bobby Hamilton wins at Kentucky after a green-white-checkered finish.

Updated: Sunday, October 31, 2004 | 9:43 AM Pacific