Another Helping Hand
CONCORD, N.C. (August 24)- - Ray Evernham's desire for 20-year-old prodigy Casey Atwood to run a few Winston Cup races this season became a reality thanks in part to Evernham's former boss Rick Hendrick. Evernham, who left as Jeff Gordon's crew chief one year ago to start his own Winston Cup operation, needed to find a sponsor for Atwood's three race schedule this season. Since Atwood will be running a Ford owned by future teammate Bill Elliott, Dodge was not a sponsor option. A second McDonald's car was not a possibility since the company has thrown its support to Cal Wells' team. Hendrick was instrumental in helping Evernham put together this year's three-race package for Atwood, including helping get Motorola to foot the sponsorship bill for the Richmond, Martinsville, and Homestead events. Dodge will be the primary sponsor on both of Evernham's cars next season, but he wants Motorola to maintain a presence as well. (USA Today)

In Memory
OCEAN BEACH, N.Y. (August 11)- - It is with shock and sadness that I extend my deepest sympathy to Gail Dahlen and her family on the loss of her husband Dave in a plane crash in New Jersey that also killed 10 others. Dave and Gail were former Region 2 Jeff Gordon National Fan Club Coordinators. They organized fan club events over the years and donated the door prizes themselves. Dave often went above and beyond the call of duty to help Jeff Gordon fans.
Dave served as a commander in the Navy Supply Corps for 26 years, retiring in 1989. He was a logistics specialist with Information Spectrum Inc. for the past ten years. He was on his way to a routine meeting at the Naval Air Engineering Systems Command at Patuxent when the crash occurred. He is survived by his wife, Gail; daughter, Debbie Kirsch; and a 2-year-old grandson, Andrew.
I met Dave and Gail last year at Pocono and was very appreciative of their supportive comments for my work on the web site. The feeling was certainly mutual. We chatted for awhile on the area of pit road where victory circle was located. Dave Dahlen will always be in victory circle. The family asks instead of flowers that donations be sent to:

Day In The Dakotas
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (August 15)- - Jeff Gordon's show car was on display at Marv's Body Shop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Tuesday. What made the event unique was a new movie of Jeff's life from midgets to sprints to NASCAR, including archived footage from tracks across the country. In addition there was a race simulator car and free prizes. Charity donations were collected and forwarded to JG Inc. to benefit the charities that Jeff supports.

Voicing Concerns
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 13)- - The issue of safety has always been a priority on the NASCAR cirucit. After the deaths of Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin in Loudon, New Hampshire and injuries to Terry Labonte and Jeremy Mayfield due to impacts with concrete walls, the competitors demanded that NASCAR take action. After hitting a soft styrofoam barrier at Watkins Glen at speed, Rusty Wallace said the impact was minimal. "I'd be appalled if we went back to Loudon and didn't have that in place," Wallace said. Track owners tended to cite costs as a reason why energy aborbing wall technology has not being employed. "I just don't see the steps being made," Jeff Gordon said. "I think as drivers and as teams we can only do so much, and we're trying to do everything we can with seats, with helmets, with seat belts, all of the gear inside the cars. But I also think the track owners and NASCAR need to step up."
+Jeff Speaks Out On Safety

Still The Game
HARRISBURG, N.C. (August 2)- - Even though Jeff Gordon's performances over the past year have been short of the dominance he once had on Winston Cup racing, he remains as one of the most coveted athletes for product endorsements. Gordon ranks 8th on the 2000 version of the list that was recently released by Burns Sports Celebrity Service on their research of ad agency and corporate marketing execs. Tiger Woods moved ahead of Michael Jordan into the top position this year. Following Jordan is Shaquille O'Neal, bicyclist Lance Armstrong, baseball slugger Mark McGwire, track star Michael Johnson, pro tennis player Andre Agassi, Gordon, NFL broadcaster Howie Long, and soccer star Mia Hamm.

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