Roush Addresses Incident
Jack Roush, car owner of five Ford Racing Fusions, addressed the incident between Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth in the garage area at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday before practice.

JACK ROUSH, Car Owner – Roush Fenway Ford Fusions – WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN THIS WEEK AS FAR AS DEALING WITH THE INCIDENT BETWEEN CARL AND MATT? “I’ve been engaged all week trying to understand what the reasons were and what the frustration was behind the conflict between Carl and Matt, and I think we have the measure of it. Certainly, Carl realizes that he wasn’t a friend to Matt and Matt, I think, is anxious to have Carl get some relief from the dilemma he finds himself in. We’re working our way through the aftermath of the conflict that was regrettable, and I think in the future, in a scenario where there will be conflict and differences of opinion, that we’ll be able to avoid that confrontation.”

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK THIS WEEK ABOUT HOW RICK HENDRICK COMES ON THE RADIO TO TALK TO HIS DRIVERS AND MAYBE CALM THEM DOWN. WILL YOU BECOME MORE ACTIVE IN THAT REGARD WHEN YOUR GUYS ARE ON TRACK? “Very seldom do I feel the need to become engaged with the running of the race from a crew chief and a driver point of view. In a very, very rare circumstance I’ll clarify something that’s obvious to me for all to hear, but not very often. I think by maintaining a pretty much hands-off policy toward the development of the race is what NASCAR looks for. I think it’s in the interest of fair play as seen by the fans, and I don’t see a greater participation myself to try to stave off a conflict or a dispute that could potentially occur.

"This is an overtly aggressive, competitive, potentially combative circumstance that occurs between all the drivers on the race track. I want that from my drivers and their sponsors so everybody recognizes that the ability of the car and the judgment of the crew chief will manifest itself for all of our activities, for all of our different programs in the result on the race track. There may be a dispute over space from time to time among drivers, but in the case between Matt and Carl it wasn’t just what happened at that race at Martinsville, it was the fact that there had been some conflicts and some hard feelings that had smoldered for some period of time. By having discussion and thinking about the things that are in the common best interest for their careers, I’m sure that reason will prevail going forward.”

Chevrolet Extends Contract With DEI
Chevrolet, the winningest nameplate in NASCAR, will continue its partnership with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. in 2008 and beyond.

"Chevrolet enjoyed a successful relationship, including six NASCAR Cup championships, with the legendary Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel of his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, and we're proud of our longstanding relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. which extends all the way back to when Dale and Teresa Earnhardt founded the business," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "We're pleased to be a part of the DEI family and look forward to continued success with one of racing's leading organizations."

Dale Earnhardt, Inc. has amassed over 100 wins, and has won six NASCAR Championships, as well as three Daytona 500s. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. is comprised of four Nextel Cup teams and a NASCAR Busch Series team, featuring drivers, Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr., Regan Smith, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. The organization based in Mooresville, N.C., employs over 450 people on its two state-of-the-art campuses.

"We are very pleased about continuing our relationship with Chevrolet," said Teresa Earnhardt. "Chevrolet has been a vital part of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. since its inception.

"Chevrolet's commitment to racing is paralleled by no other in our sport. Its commitment to its teams is second to none and its success on the track speaks for itself. We are very proud to have been a part of that history and look forward to continuing that legacy together."

Chevrolet has 619 wins in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition, more than any other manufacturer. Team Chevy drivers have won 23 of 32 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races in 2007 securing Chevrolet's 31st Manufacturers Cup in the series. Chevy drivers hold nine of the top 12 spots in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.

Dale Jr. Launches Foundation
Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced the launch of The Dale Jr. Foundation Tuesday night at the eighth annual Dale Jr. Celebrity Sports Auction, held at Founders Hall in Charlotte, N.C. His newly-formed charitable organization is dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals, primarily youth, the resources to improve confidence, education and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals.

“My path in life made it a bit easier for me to reach my goals and get to where I am today, but I realize that not everyone is as fortunate,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really cool kids through the Make-A-Wish Foundation® the last few years, and it’s made me appreciative of all that I have.

“I decided to start this foundation as a way to help those who haven’t had some of the opportunities I’ve had. We plan to help those in need who are trying to reach their goals and just need someone to give them a chance to succeed.”

The announcement came at the conclusion of a yearly event that benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and Western North Carolina. The Dale Jr. Foundation will continue to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and will also aid the Victory Junction Gang Camp, with the Dale Jr. Celebrity Sports Auction serving as the annual fundraising event for the foundation.

The total amount raised at this year’s Dale Jr. Celebrity Sports Auction will be determined at the conclusion of an 88-day online auction for a custom chopper built by Orange County Choppers. Fans can place bids on the custom-built bike through Dec. 18 by visiting www.celebritysportsauction.com or www.nascar.com. The one-of-a-kind chopper was built exclusively for Earnhardt Jr. as part of the Sunoco/Orange County Choppers Custom Chopper Series and was designed to reflect the red, black and white paint scheme of Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 8 Chevrolet. It has been personally autographed by Earnhardt Jr.

For information on the foundation and ways to contribute, visit www.thedalejrfoundation.org.

Yates Wins Appeal
The National Stock Car Racing Commissioner, Charles Strang, has advised the National Stock Car Racing Commission of the following...As the final appellate authority within NASCAR, the Commissioner held an appeal hearing on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 concerning penalties imposed following the inspection of the shock absorbers on NASCAR Busch Series car No. 90 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal on August 4, 2007.

The National Stock Car Racing Commission (the first level of appeal) had previously reduced the original penalties imposed by NASCAR following a hearing it had conducted on September 18, 2007. The Appellants elected to further appeal that decision to the National Commissioner as provided for in Section 15 of the NASCAR Rule Book.

Subsequent to this second-level, final appeal hearing, Mr. Strang found that “the results of the inspection process are not adequate to prove culpability on the part of the appellant or his associates.”

Mr. Strang therefore ordered that: