Garage Insider

I will be starting a new section for NASCAR Notebook called Garage Insider. Garage Insider will be chocked full of the latest news in NASCAR. I will post happenings on Garage Insider a couple times a week, perhaps more once the season starts. If you need a NASCAR news fix, then Garage Insider is the place to check out!

Cup Champ Has Surgery On Finger

Three time and reigning Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, had surgery on his left middle finger on Saturday to repair a tendon and nerves. Johnson cut his finger above the knuckle with a kitchen knife while trying to puncture a hole in his fire suit for a cooling tube. He did this while preparing to compete in the Rolex 24 Sports Car Race.


Hendricks Motorsports Driver Jimmie Johnson

The injury will not keep Johnson from participating in the season's first NASCAR Sprint Cup event, the Budweiser Shootout, February 7th at Daytona International Speedway.

Andretti To Drive For Earnhardt Ganassi

John Andretti is expected to join Earnhardt Ganassi Racing as the fourth driver for Daytona and beyond. A deal is in the works that would partner Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins and Andretti with EGR. The car's number and sponsor should be announced later this week.

Labonte Has New Ride For Daytona

Two-time Sprint Cup Champion Terry Labonte will attempt to qualify for the 2009 Daytona 500 in a Toyota fielded by Prism Motorsports, co-owned by former NASCAR driver Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey.

Humphrey said the new team plans to run the full 2009 schedule, with Dave Blaney taking over the driver's seat after Daytona.

The team has formed a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing and purchase engines from Joey Harrington. Bill Henderson, crew chief from Hall of Fame Racing last year, will be the crew chief.

McDowell To Drive Part Time in Nationwide Series

Michael McDowell will drive part time in the Nationwide Series for Daugherty/JTG Racing in the number 47 Toyota. McDowell was let go from Michael Waltrip Racing last year after falling out of the Top 35 in owner points after failing to qualify for the Camping World RV 400 at Kansas.

Veteran crew chief Gene Snead will command the team, which will have ICP and Tom's Snack as sponsors.

Nemechek To Field Own Team At Daytona

Veteran driver Joe Nemechek will revive the NEMCO Motorsports number 87 team for both Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series at Daytona. Long-time crew chief Phillippe Lopez will oversee the team. Nemecheck will run Toyotas in the Cup Series and a combination of Toyotas and Chevrolets in the Nationwide Series. He is still working on gaining sponsorship.

Roush Fenway Pushing NASCAR ON 4-car Limit

Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith wants NASCAR to reconsider its four-car per team limit. NASCAR President Mike Helton is dead set on keeping the limit in place. "As a matter of fact, it's probably stronger than it's ever been, and the right thing to do", Helton has said.

Roush Fenway Racing can run five teams this year for the final time before it has to reduce to the NASCAR limit in 2010.

NASCAR Hall of Fame News

NASCAR announced its new Hall of Fame, scheduled to open next year in downtown Charlotte, N.C., will have five inductees a year.A 20-member nominating committee will determine the list of no more than 25 candidates. That committee will then join 27 other former drivers, owners, crew chiefs, media members and other officials. A 48th ballot will represent the results of a nationwide fan ballot.To be eligible, former drivers must have competed 10 years in NASCAR and be retired for at least three years. Non-drivers must have worked at least 10 years in the industry.The first induction is scheduled for May 2010 when NASCAR comes to the Charlotte area for the All-Star race and Coca-Cola 600.


That is it for the Garage Insider for now. Check back later to catch more interesting tidbits from around the NASCAR scene!