NHL Dodge News: New Crew Chief; Buffalo Sabres Sign On; Back on Circuit
19 August 1997
CHEEK NAMED CREW CHIEF FOR NHL SPONSORED L & R MOTORSPORTS DODGE RACE TEAM For Immediate Release - McNally Media CONCORD, NC - Veteran NASCAR Crew Chief Mike Cheek has been tapped to lead the NHL Dodge team. Cheek replaces Billy Woodruff who resigned to take a key position with Kranefuss/Haas Racing as the head of the chassis and fabrication department for the new Ford Taurus Winston Cup program. Woodruff will work closely with the manufacturer as teams make the conversion from the Thunderbird to the Taurus model for 1998 competition. "I am pleased to announce that veteran NASCAR Crew Chief Mike Cheek has joined L & R Motorsports," said Ron Norick, co-owner of L & R Motorsports. "Mike has a great deal of experience with the Dodge Ram program having served as Crew Chief on the #43 Cummins Dodge for Richard Petty Motorsports in 1996. His expertise with the program will smooth the transition for the team both on and off the track. We are looking forward to a long and successful association with Mike. "We want to wish our former Crew Chief Billy Woodruff much success in his new position," Norick concluded. "He was a tremendous asset to our team. The opportunity for him to play a pivotal role in the development of the Taurus in Winston Cup racing is definitely one he could not turn down." Cheek brings impressive credentials to the NHL/L & R Motorsports team. His NASCAR career dates back to 1979 when he started with team owner Frank Warren. Through the years, Cheek firmly established himself in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. He has notched Winston Cup wins with team owners Chet Phillips, Baker/Shiff Racing, Alan Kulwicki Racing, Petty Enterprises and Precision Products Racing, and worked with driving greats Cale Yarborough, Benny Parsons, and Buddy Baker. In 1996, as Crew Chief for Rich Bickle on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Richard Petty Motorsports Cummins Dodge team, Cheek gave Dodge their first pole position in over 20 years at Portland followed by a second pole at Tucson. Following a reorganization at Petty, Cheek moved to take the reins of the Orleans Casino Chevrolet NASCAR Craftsman Truck Team owned by Walker Evans with driver Butch Miller. "It is great to be back with Dodge and with the NHL/L&R Motorsports team," stated Cheek. "Dodge has made tremendous progress with the Ram program in a very short period of time. We have the potential to build a very competitive effort with Lance and the #90 NHL Dodge. "The Posse came with me," Cheek continued, speaking of his crew members at Petty who moved with him to Evans racing. "They have fit right in with the excellent crew that was in place at L & R. There is a rejuvenated spirit in the shop and an excitement about where we are heading with this program. "Our goal is to move the #90 NHL Dodge to the front of the field," Cheek continued."We have plans to put Lance in a race car as much as we possibly can. Seat time is crucial in sharpening a driver's skills. In addition to testing the truck as much as possible, we plan to have Lance drive a late model locally and possibly an ARCA race here and there. We will adjust the truck schedule accordingly. "This is a great program and I am glad to be given the opportunity to build a winning team with a young, enthusiastic driver." "I am really looking forward to working with Mike Cheek as my crew chief," said driver and co-owner of L & R Motorsports, Lance Norick. "He has extensive experience with the Dodge program and in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and can really help me continue to learn the trucks and start moving the NHL Dodge up front." L & R Motorsports offices are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The National Hockey League NASCAR Craftsman Truck team is based out of Concord, North Carolina. BUFFALO SABRES TO TEAM UP WITH LANCE NORICK NHL DODGE TO CARRY TEAM LOGO AT WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL WATKINS GLEN, NY - Lance Norick will have a new team member for the PARTS AMERICA 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. Norick's NASCAR Craftsman race truck will carry the Buffalo Sabres logo when the National Hockey League sponsored L & R Motorsports Dodge team unloads for the August 24, 1997 event at the Watkins Glen International. In March, 1997, the NHL announced its sponsorship of Norick and the #90 L & R Motorsports NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. Primary sponsorship of a race team by another major sport is unprecedented in the history of motorsports. The Parts America 150 marks the return of the L & R Motorsports team to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition following the conversion to Dodge equipment. "We are excited to debut the NHL Dodge at Watkins Glen International," said Norick, L & R Motorsports driver and team co-owner. "It is an honor for us to have the Buffalo Sabres as a team member for this race." "As the race season has progressed, fan response to the NHL truck has continued to grow. Every race, more and more fans have told us how excited they are about the NHL involvement with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. One of the greatest aspects of this program is the opportunity to represent the different teams when we race in their area. The race fans really get into seeing their local team logo on our truck. It is obvious that the program is increasing the fan awareness of both sports." "When television coverage of the new hockey season begins this fall," Norick continued. "Many NASCAR fans have told us they will be set to watch their favorite hockey team when they aren't cheering for their favorite race team." The L & R Motorsports race truck sports the NHL's colors of black and orange prominently featuring the NHL shield and the "Coolest Game on earth" logo. The uniforms of Norick and the crew of the #90 Dodge race truck are similarly NHL-branded. During the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, the truck will feature the logo of the NHL team located nearest to the event. Norick, the truck and crew are also scheduled to make public appearances at NHL events throughout North America. Crew members will salute their newest team member by wearing apparel with the Buffalo Sabres logo during Friday and Saturday activities at the track. The PARTS AMERICA 150 is scheduled for Sunday, August 24 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. Live television coverage of the event will be provided by ESPN and the radio broadcast can be heard on the NASCAR Truck Network. First round qualifying to lock in the top 20 trucks is slated for 2:50 p.m. EDT on Saturday, August 23. Second round qualifying will be at 9:30 a.m. Sunday for the final 10 spots in the field. Four provisional positions will be available based on current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner and driver points. # # # NHL/L&R Racing Team To Rejoin NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series At Watkins Glen International on August 24, 1997 Immediate Release CONCORD, NC - Ron Norick, co-owner of L&R Motorsports, announced today that the team has completed the conversion to Dodge equipment and will rejoin the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series carrying the National Hockey League as the primary sponsor. Driver Lance Norick will debut the #90 NHL Dodge at the Parts America 150 at Watkins Glen International on August 24, 1997. "We are extremely pleased to return to the track with the National Hockey League-sponsored Dodge race truck," said Ron Norick. "The tremendous amount of support we have received from Dodge Motorsports has enabled us to move ahead quickly and return to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition sooner than anyone expected. Through the continued dedicated efforts of our crew, Lance and the NHL Dodge are ready to get back in action." "The NHL is excited about the new dimension the Dodge affiliation brings to the program", continued Norick. "We are looking forward to bringing the dynamic, fast-paced action of hockey back to the attention of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series fans." "We are excited to return to the racing circuit with Ron and Lance Norick and the L & R Motorsports Team, and to be debuting our new #90 Dodge racing truck," said Ed Horne, Group Vice President, NHL Enterprises. "With the Dodge truck introduction in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, we are reinforcing a strong message that NHL hockey has relevance on a year-round basis, providing unique opportunities for NHL partners to extend their League involvement. Dodge, like the NHL, will surely benefit from the high visibility and national broadcast exposure of the truck series among loyal sports fans." "Chrysler and the NHL are pleased to welcome L & R Motorsports back to the Dodge corner," said Lou Pantane, Executive Director of Motorsports Operations, Chrylser Corp. "Dodge planned to support five factory-supported teams for the 1997 season. The timing was perfect since Brix Motorsports team recently dissolved their racing effort. The L& R team has the right ingredients to be a formidable competitor for the remainder of the season." The L & R Motorsports race truck carries the NHL's colors of black and orange, prominently featuring the NHL shield and the "Coolest Game on earth" logo. The uniforms of Norick and the crew of the #90 Dodge are similarly NHL-branded. During the remainder of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, the truck will also feature the logo of the NHL team located nearest to the event. Norick, the truck and crew are also scheduled to make public appearances at NHL events throughout North America, including the NHL BREAKOUT '97 North American tour. "Getting the NHL Dodge back on the track this season has been the number one priority for us," stated L & R Motorsports Crew Chief Mike Cheek. "Although we won't be in the points hunt, having the opportunity to race and test this year will allow us to be totally prepared for the 1998 season. We have the ingredients to be a contender in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and track time is so important to fine-tune the truck and the crew, and give Lance seat-time in preparation for next year. We will be ready to run up front." L&R Motorsports is a father and son team, co-owned by Ron Norick, currently serving his third term as the Mayor of Oklahoma City, and Lance Norick, who owns and operates his own business as a building contractor for light commercial and custom homes, in addition to his duties as driver of the NHL/L&R Motorsports Dodge.