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- NEWS -
December 28, 2007 - Neises Back in Kansas:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Seems not even pneumonia can keep Rob Neises out of a race car. After a shaken Rob said he was done for the year, he has ran three races, two Outlaw Madness Busch races, and a COT race at the Atlanta last night. After finishing 5th in the Executive Security Chevy Impala SS, Neises got on the JGR jet and returned to Kansas. Sporting a new haircut and beard trim, looking more like a college psych professor than racecar driver, Rob met with local media at the JGR shops west of Goddard, Kansas. He talked of the finalizing of the expansion plans for the as-of-yet started JGR Race Park closer to his old hometown of Garden Plain, and his plans for the rest of the "off-season".
Neises says he will announce the JGR driver line-up as soon as two weeks, but he said he planned on taking a break, celebrating his fathers birthday tomorrow, and ringing in 2008 with his wife and kids at their Wichita home. He also announced that the US NAVY had signed with him to be primary sponsor of his number 84 Chevy Silverado's and Monte Carlo's in East Coast Thunder Winter Series racing when it resumes January 2nd. He said that Executive Security would remain the primary on the COT and Aerowars cars in ECT Winter racing. He announced he has signed up to run the first of East Coast Thunder's monthly internet series, the Pigskin 104 at Talladega, January 20th. He said he will run a Kansas University Jayhawks scheme on the Impala SS in the football-themed race. He said he plans on running all 12 races, and is formulating a plan to make that happen. Neises also announced that the new 2008 JGR Homepage would be up on the 1st or 2nd of January, and that he was planning on changing the way he tracks races, seasons, and results.
Before the meeting ended, Neises teased the group by telling them he would have a major announcement not relating to sponsors or drivers in about two weeks.
December 18, 2007 - Neises Changes Plans:
Dateline: Toronto, CA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
After taking a wild ride in the number 84 SCKL Train Shop Chevy Silverado, JGR President and driver Rob Neises announced he would be calling it a year. He said the hectic holiday schedule, pnuemonia, and too many wrecks were the reasons behind the change in plans.
Speaking after the East Coast Thunder Big Dog SS race concluded, Neises made the announcement after leaving the infield care center. When asked, Neises commented about the crash, " It was just a racing deal, I really hate it, luckily I kept it against the wall, and didn't affect anyone's finishing position." Neises said he hasn't decided if he would run tomorrow's Outlaw's Madness Busch race or not, he said he wasn't even sure where the race was at.
Reached later near his motorhome, Neises clarified his statement a bit for the record. He said that he was thinking of just taking a couple of weeks off. He wasn't even sure he admitted if there were any races between now and January 1, besides tomorrow's. "It might be nice to take off a couple weeks, just work on some paint schemes for next year. I have a lot of sponsorship dollars to find between now and February 1st," Neises said. He said he'd meet with a few others tonight, and then decide if he was running tomorrow or not.
December 11, 2007 - Neises Holds Newsconference:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Rob Neises returned to Wichita early this morning. He diverted his flight to Michigan International after telling everyone he was going home after the PE 100. It was the first race of Spoiler's Aero88 Winter Series, and Neises knew a missed race would kill him in the points. Maybe Rob should of just went back to Kansas, as his SCKL Virtual Railroad Pontiac Grand Prix made a very early exit with ignition failure. Neises finished 16th in a full-bodied Grand Prix, saying afterwards he wasn't as prepared as he should of been, and the car hadn't had a back-up ignition system installed yet. "Almost all of my Aero cars have back-up ignition, but it was a shake-down of the full-bodied car, and I hadn't asked it be done yet," Neises admitted. Neises said a special SCKL Train Shop scheme will adorn the number 84 Oldsmobile next week at the Spoiler's Aero88 race. Teammate Bud Boykin will have a matching number 7 Olds.
Neises left and flew back to Wichita, where he had called a newsconference for this morning. At it, a haggard-looking Neises, complete with full beard announced that other than Monday's Spoiler's Aero88 series, he would be taking off till February. Neises said he would still test over the Winter, and participate in as many official league testing sessions as his schedule allowed. He said he would be resting and focusing on financial goals, including finishing up the new JGR facilities, getting full sponsorship for all 6 JGR sim500 Feature Cup Series teams, and helping sim500 with sponsors.
Finally, Neises announced that he had a driver for the number 07 car ready to sign, but that he wouldn't be announcing him untill all the ink was dry. That only leaves the 97 with out confirmation of a driver for 2008. When asked, he said he planned on running the monthly ECT TV Series also, next month will be a COT race with a football theme. Neises said he is leaning toward a KU Jayhawk scheme on his Chevy Impala SS.
December 10, 2007 - Neises Exits Early From Polar Express 100:
Dateline: Daytona, FL
Rob Neises didn't want to talk to reporters after his early exit from todays East Coast Thunder Polar Express 100. Luckily, no one seemed to bother him after he left the Infield Care Center. Neises qualified back around 20th, so not much attention was on him. He stayed back in the pack until the 11 and 011 got together and sent Neises spinning into the Infield grass. Neises was able to get the truck going, and back up to speed. Rob tried a fuel gamble to get the half-way bonus, but missed it by a bumper. Teammmate Bud Boykin exited soon after when he touched the apron and went spinning. With 35 to go, Neises again found himself near the 11. A wreck infront of Rob sent the field to their brake pedals, but the 11 decided the best path was to turn hard left into Neises, creating a bigger melee, that ending Rob's night when the 47 truck landed on top of Neises, forcing emergency crews to cut him out of the truck.
Neises did tell a reporter much later that he didn't know what the 11 had against him, but three times the 11 spun or wrecked him, the final one, was the one that hurt the most he said. "I hate to be rude, but I hope the 11 won't be at the January race," Neises said as he left Daytona International, on his way to a waiting plane heading back to Kansas.
Another effect of the big crash, Rob was forced to skip the ISRS Aerowars race at Richmond Fairgrounds because he was too sore.
November 26, 2007 - Neises Leaves Homestead A Champion - Times Two:
Dateline: Miami-Homestead, FL
After Sunday's Nextel Cup, Rob Neises not only hoisted the race trophy and the pole award, he hoisted the last ISRS Nextel Cup offline Championship trophy. Next year the title will be the Sprint Cup. Sunday turned out to be a repeat of Saturday, where Neises was crowned Champion of the ISRS Offline CTS series. Neises also took the pole and the victory there too.
The two Championships continue Neises' streak of ISRS offline series Championships to five of the last five. The streak started in the 2006/07 Winter Vintage Nascar series, then continued with a co-Championship in the Open Wheel Racing series, a one-point margin of victory in Late Models, and total domination of the year-long Nextel Cup and Craftsman Truck series'. Neises said he would next set his sights on the 2007/08 Winter Series - Aerowars 88.
The first Aerowars race is this weekend at Daytona. The following week, the Aerowars series will be at the Richmond Fairgrounds. While Rob also tries to qualify for tv races at Michigan and Daytona. The ISRS' Aerowars series will end at Atlanta on February 17th, Rob's 42nd birthday.
November 25, 2007 - Neises Announces Winter Plans:
Dateline: Miami-Homestead, FL
When Rob Neises returned to Homestead yesterday, he called an impromptu press conference. The subject was JGR's Winter plans. With the season ending for Rob next weekend, he said he thought it was time to release his plans for the winter.
Neises said that he would run a very limited schedule this winter. He said he would run the ISRS Winter Series if it still happened, and select races in sim500's Nocturnal Adrenaline and Midnight Thunder series. He said he might also make an appearance at a few Vintage Adrenaline races. Finally, he said he would again run as many Charity and internet TV races as possible. When asked, he said he was going to focus on testing with the new COT cars in his "spare" time. Neises said he would spend a lot of what would normally be "racing" time looking for sponsors for his sim500 FCS entries, and his duties as new sim500 Marketing Director.
When asked when Neises expected to next run a tv race, he told them he had a double-header weekend planned for December 8th and 9th. The 8th would be a cup race at Michigan in Nightstalker Motorsports action. The 9th would be East Coast Thunder's Polar Express 100 at Daytona in trucks. Neises also said he expects to be joined at the Polar Express by at least other JGR driver. Finally, he said the race on the 8th would be the debut of the 2008 JGR Chevy Monte Carlo's. Neises said with Outlaw Motorsports changing to Chevy's in '08, he would be running Chevy's a lot this winter to try to lessen the learning curve in '08.
November 13, 2007 - OMS Makes Change for 2008:
Dateline: Phoenix, AZ
Yesterday before the NASS Thunder race at PIR, Outlaw Motorsports President Bill "the Outlaw" Heidelberg and driver Rob "DaBandit" Neises met with the media. At it, Heidelberg announced that OMS would be returning to General Motors, more specifically, Chevy in NASS action in '08. That means next week at Homestead, an era will end, OMS ends its two year association with Dodge. Neises said he will have Ron Jon Surf Shop on the Charger at the Thunder finale' at Homestead next Monday. The Outlaw has been sidelined for a couple months now after injuring his knee. Nothing was mentioned about sponsorship for the Monte Carlo's and Silverado's that Neises and Heidelberg are expected to drive. They are expected to stay with the same numbers they ran this year, Heidelberg the 75, Neises the 07.
At the news conference, Neises announced to be more "in step" with his boss, he would return to his monicor, "DaBandit" in NASS action; on TeamSpeak for sure. Neises said that "DaBandit" will be displayed on the cars and trucks he drives next year, he just wasn't sure where. He said he was still finalizing sponsorship for his rides in cooperation with Heidelberg. Heidelberg said he wasn't sure if Neises would return to building and transporting his own cars at the planned JGR Race Park, east of Garden Plain, Kansas, his former hometown until his move to Wichita in mid-2000. "That's one of the details that we need to work out," Neises said. When a reporter asked Neises if this announcement meant he wouldn't be running the 97 full-time in FCS as rumored. Neises responded that his 2008 schedule will not be released until at least mid-January. "There are a lot of things up in the air about '08," Neises said. He said that he planned on running one or both series at NASS, at least part-time in 2008.
November 12, 2007 - Neises Makes 2008 Announcement:
Dateline: Phoenix, AZ
The media waited for Neises to arrive at Phoenix International yesterday, and he arrived before the AKM Cup race there. He first announced that he would be returning to PIR today to run the NASS Thunder race on Monday - his first Thunder race in over a month.
Then he turned his attention to James Gang Racing and plans for 2008. He first announced that JGR would expand to a six-car operation next year in sim500 Feature Cup Series action. In additon to '07's roster of the 07, 57, 70 & 77, Neises said that two more teams - the 7 and 97 would be added. The 7 car will be a cooperative agreement team between JGR and the current driver of the 07 car, Bud Boykin. Boykin will own 50% of the 7 car, and drive it. The cars will be prepared in Sedgwick County at the hopefully, soon-to-be completed JGR shops, a couple miles west of the current shop near Goddard, Kansas. Guy Snyder will return to the 57, Mike Kelley to the 70, and Dean Moll to the 77. The 77 will be another cooperative effort, this one a continuation of this years agreement between JGR and ECI Motorsports. No word yet if AMSOIL will return as primary sponsor of the 77. Neises did not announce drivers for the 07 or 97. Neises would not answer about the rumor that Neises would run the 97 full time in FCS next season.
Then Neises made the biggest bombshell announcement to date about 2008. Neises announced that JGR would forgo factory support in an effort to cater more to the sponsors and drivers. "In the long run it makes better business sense," Neises said. "I can make a lot more money than a single manufacturer can give me, by offering a sponsor a choice of car makes on his car," Neises finished.
Neises said he hoped to make an announcement about sponsors for the cars soon, but doesn't expect to by Homestead next week. He said he expect either to announce a sponsor of all six cars by early January, or car-by-car announcements as deals are completed - which ever the market dictates.
November 5, 2007 - JGR Puts All Four into FCS Race at Texas:
Dateline: Fort Worth, TX
Rob Neises was very pleased with the fact that tonight, all four James Gang Racing drivers made the main race on RLM TV, in sim500 Feature Cup Series action at Texas. Neises was only upset that he wasn't there to celebrate the historic moment. Neises was back in Wichita tending to business matters, and was unable to make the six-hour trip back to Texas Motor Speedway. "Maybe I need to stay away more often," Neises joked after getting the news that all four cars made the broadcast race.
Unfortunately, some bad racing luck meant that Mike Kelley's 10th place finish was the top of the class for JGR. Dean Moll ended 17th, and a lap 164 crash dropped Guy Snyder all the way back to 22nd when the car was unable to finish. Driver Bud Boykin, in an early altercation, limped home 23rd, 5 laps down. Texas was the first race for Boykin since Talladega in April.
Neises sent word through PR specialist Angela Raney, that he would be making announcements about 2008 at both Phoenix and Homestead, and also that he has signed with Ron Jon Surf Shop to attempt to make the finale' at Homestead.
November 3, 2007 - Neises Announces Paint Scheme Change:
Dateline: Fort Worth, TX
Rob Neises announced that in celebration of the 10th Birthday of his miracle daughter Ashley, he was forgoing the announced SCKL sponsorship scheme. In its place is a special pink and white scheme that replicates the scheme on the car Rob designed to celebrate the birth of Ashley. The commerative scheme will adorn the 77 JGR Camry Rob will pilot Sunday night in the AKM Cup at Texas.
Ashley was a normal child until gross medical malpractice during the delivery severely injured her brain stem, causing her to suffer from sever spastic quadraplegia, and epilepsy. "Ashley wasn't expected to make it through the nite, but she's tough, still here, and doing great,"says Ashley's proud Dad, Rob Neises. Ashley has to eat with a feeding tube, has a trach, and relies on others for the most basic of needs as the injuries left her without use of her limbs, or the ability to talk. "Every day I thank God for Ashley," Neises said at the announcement Saturday morning at TMS.
September 24, 2007 - Neises Announces Schedule Reduction/JGR News:
Dateline: Pocono, PA
Rob Neises announced that due to changes again in his personal, family, and business situation, his racing schedule will be reduced almost immediately. Neises said he would be reducing his schedule to two nights a week Neises says he expects the reduction to be permanent unfortunately.
In JGR news, Neises announced that the Coleman Outdoor Products sponsorship will be moving to his JGR team, and be on either the 57 or 7 car in sim500 Feature Cup Series action. He said that Target will be replacing Coleman on the Outlaw Motorsports Chargers. Neises says he will only be able to run a couple more races in the NASS Thunder and Truck series for Outlaw Motorsports in 2007. Neises said he would split the remaining Mondays between NASS Thunder and ECT's Spolier's Aerowars series.
In other news, Neises said he would be entering a car in East Coast Thunder's 5th Annual Helloween 500 race. Neises said he wasn't sure if it would be a DKR or JGR effort, or what make of car he would bring to the race at Talladega.
September 23, 2007 - DKR Splits, Changes Numbers:
Dateline: Pocono, PA
Rob Neises announced that due to contract issues, and a number mess-up by ECT, Dad's Kids Racing would be splitting, and DKR2 was formed to resolve several issues.
In a nutshell, Neises said that Dodge has not been supporting the Aerowars program as they switched focus to the Cup90 series instead. Dodge had let its factory teams know this a couple weeks ago when the Cup90 series began gearing up. Due to this, Neises said his LeBaron's were not as competitive as the GM's that are prevalent in the Aerowars series at ECT. DKR2 was formed to field 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix's in ECT's Aerowars series. All of the DKR and DKR2 rides of Rob Neises will change to the number 84 effective next week at Lowes, as the league admitted they messed up assigning Neises the 77.
Neises said that the change in aerowars would not have any effect on his contract with Dodge Motorsports in Cup90, Busch, and Trucks. Neises said that he was also moving away from promoting the First Shift Fury, and the 84 Grand Prix would carry sponsorship from the SCKL Virtual-Railroad for the remainder of the series.
September 18, 2007 - Neises Announces Agreement - Signs New Drivers:
Dateline: Loudon, NH
Rob Neises met with the media yesterday at Loudon to announce an agreement between James Gang Racing and Loisel Motorsports of Colorado. The agreement allows JGR to use the number 7 car, dormant since early in the season. That announcement was followed by the introduction of Mike Kelley, new driver of the number 7, and Guy Snyder, driver of the number 57 JGR Camry.
Neises said he was looking to expand at the least possible expense, and he had been running with Dan in another series, and a deal was struck. "We have the number 7 car for the remainder of '07, with the exception of Talladega," Neises said about the deal with Loisel. With the addition of the 7, that makes four James Gang Racing entries in the Feature Cup.
The second set of announcements were about the signing of Guy Snyder and Mike Kelley to JGR rides in sim500 FCS competition. Guy Snyder had driven the number 57 Driver Development car twice for JGR, making both races. Based on the performance of Snyder, Neises decided to sign him to finish out the season in the 57 car, prepping him for the '08 season.
Kelley is a former North American Simulation Series (NASS) Champion, and hails from Omaha, Nebraska. Mike will run the number 7, JGR/Loisel Motorsports Toyota in FCS competition. "I wanted to get ready for 2008, and the best way was to get a couple drivers who don't usually run in sim500, and let them get used to the competition level of the FCS without the added pressure of the points chase," Neises said.
September 3, 2007 - Neises Announces JGR2-DKR Merger:
Dateline: Daytona, FL
Describing the move as a move toward the future, Rob Neises announced that he had merged his James Gang Racing 2 team with Dad's Kids Racing, the team owned by his kids. "The move increases our usuable space, and allows the teams to focus on building one make of car, instead of multiple makes as they were doing. The merger means Neises will pilot Dodge's in East Coast Thunder and SOAR-Racing series, and that the trucks and cars for both series could be built together, instead of some building Dodge's and the rest building Ford's. The only problem Neises noted is that the team is gonna have to build their Chrysler LeBarons without any Dodge support as it was recently announced that Dodge is changing their "oldies" focus to the Cup90 Series.
In Cup90 series, Neises said he will pilot a Chrysler LeBaron with sponsorship from the First Shift Fury series in his foray into the Cup90 in sim500's Vintage Adrenaline.
August 28, 2007 - Neises Announces New Series:
Dateline: Bristol, TN
Rob Neises was excited as he met with the media following his meeting with sim500 owner Brian Cogan. The meeting was to finalize plans for a new series - "First Shift Fury". First Shift Fury is going to be a morning superspeedway series that will cater to sim-racers who miss a lot of races because they work second or third shift. The first season will be 8 points races and a Get Acquainted race in the cup mod. The races will be on Wednesday mornings, with qualifying starting at 11 am eastern time. The series will be a cooperative effort between sim500 and the Midwest Sim Series (MWST). The Get Acquainted race is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th. The server should be open about an hour or so before qualifying.
Lead Admin/Series Director Rob Neises said that all sim500 rules will be in effect, including the three-digit number rule. The three-digit number rule at sim500 states you must run a three digit car number unless you have purchased a sim500 number license, or have a numbers owner's permission to use their number.
For more information, rules, and sign-up information, go to the First Shift Fury webpage on the MWST Homepage.
August 25, 2007 - Neises Goes for a Wild Ride:
Dateline: Concord, MA
Rob Neises was excited to be picked to run in the Nightstalker Motorsports Coca-Cola Challenge broadcast last night on RaceLM TV. Unfortunately, the excitement was relatively short-lived. After leading for five laps, Neises went high to just ride toward the back of the pack. A big crash insued in front of Rob, and even though he was able to avoid the wreck, he couldn't avoid getting plowed into from behind, causing the 07 Executive Security F-Series to barrel roll into the inside wall - ending his night and destroying the truck. "I just wanted to ride around till about 10 to go, but the 4 truck missed the wreck in front of us, and plowed into me full-speed, hard to call it a racing incident, but I guess I will," Neises said.
August 18, 2007 - Neises Fills in at Michigan:
Dateline: Brooklyn, MI
Rob Neises and Kevin Inglins tapped Rob Neises to fill in for regular driver Dean Moll at yesterdays qualifying session at MIS in sim500 Feature Cup Series action. They knew Dean had a previous engagement that would cause him to miss the race, but they didn't know that Rob would try to qualify the car until late Sunday night. Unfortunately, Rob's string of not qualifying held up, and the 77 did not make the show. "I was in sixth when I had no choice but do a splash and go, but miscommunication caused the crew to start changing tires, we did a two-tire stop, and I finished 12th, a couple spots out of qualifying," Neises said after the qualifier.
August 10, 2007 - Neises Exits Early at the Glen:
Dateline: Watkins Glen, NY
Rob Neises was in obvious pain last night, forcing him to park the Snickers Camry at Watkins Glen in Nocturnal Adrenaline action. Neises did not meet with the media after getting out of the 77 - a habit Neises has increased in frequency as the '07 season has progressed. Instead, Neises took a cart off the track, team spokesmen said he was getting a jump on the trip for tomorrow nights Midnight Thunder truck race at Blueridge Superspeedway. A member of the crew said they expect Rob to meet the team physician Dr Kris Goodnight at the Infield Care Center at Blue Ridge in the morning before getting into the Skittles Tundra.
August 9, 2007 - Neises Announces Sponsor for the 57 at the Glen:
Dateline: Watkins Glen, NY
Rob Neises announced earlier today that he hoped to be able to drive the 57 Monday in the sim500 Feature Cup Series at the Glen. Neises announced that the boys from Orange County Choppers would be on the hood of the number 57 JGR Camry. Neises said he wasn't sure how many, if any members of OCC attend the race. "I hope Mickey can make it," Neises said. "I relate to him,he's my fasvorite," Neises went on to say.
August 7, 2007 - Neises on Warwagon at Pocono:
Dateline: Long Pond, PA
Rob Neises kept his word, and skipped racing Monday himself. He was first seen on top of the 07's war-wagon during the qualifying race, which saw driver Bud Boykin miss the qualifier but three positions. In the evenings race, Neises was on top of the 77 AMSOIL/Executive Security war-wagon as he watched driver Dean Moll finish in second place. Moll has made both of the races he has entered, and moved ahead of the 07 team car in points.
Neises shoulder must not of been hurting him much this weekend, or the rest had helped, as Neises took the Pole and Checkers at both ORP and the Brickyard. After getting out of the Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe Camry, he was again complaining about shoulder pain, and took a provisional for Sunday's AKM Cup race at Pocono.
When asked by reporters, Neises said he would not get back into a car until late Thursday for the sim500 Nocturnal Adrenaline race at Watkins Glen. That means he'll miss Tuesdays race at Dover, and Thursdays NASS Truck race at Nashvile Superspeedway.
August 5, 2007 - Neises Crash Harder than Realized, Announces Will Miss Races this Week:
Dateline: Indianapolis, IN
Rob Neises was involved in a pretty serious crash last night in the sim500 Midnight Thunder series race at Coca-Cola Speedway. Neises hit the rear of Wayne Owens late in the race when a lap car pulled in front of the two as the two tried to slow down for a caution. Though Neises finished the race, he was complaining of pain in his right shoulder - obviously agrivating an injury from earlier in the year. Neises said he would miss the SOAR STS race at Nashville Superspeedway, Monday's races, which would of been either Mosport in NASS Thunder, or Nashville Superspeedway in ECT's Aerowars series. He also expects to miss Tuesday's SOAR Aerowars race at Dover. "I am gonna have to run only the essentials, the ISRS races this weekend, and the AKM Cup at Pocono Sunday. I'm worried about O'Reilley Raceway Park tomorrow (Saturday-today) the most," Neises said.
July 28, 2007 - Neises Announces Merger:
Dateline: Indianapolis, IN
Rob Neises met with the media yesterday and announced that James Gang Racing and ECI Racing had signed a memo of understanding, combining the two teams and AMSOIL lubricants to form AMSOIL/ECI Racing. The number 77 car of JGR will be the car, and NASS Lightning Champion Dean Moll will drive the AMSOIL/Executive Security Toyota Camry in the sim500 Feature Cup Series. The first race will be this Monday at Indianpolis.
The deal is just for the remainder of the 2007 season Neises announced. He also said the 77 still remains the property of James Gang Racing, and Neises expects to retan the rights to the number, and put a driver in the car in 2008.
July 16, 2007 - Neises Called to Trailer-Again:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
Rob Neises was called to the AKM Trailer after a crash took out AKM President Jeff Hale. "I was taken out and forced to pit by 019 lagging back then brake checking me on the restart. I blew a tire and had to pit. I went high to let the field pass, and I got grabbed by the safer-barrier. I let off the gas and it sent right into the pack, I apologized, but I don't think it cut the mustard," Neises quipped.
No, it didn't. Neises was put on notice that another incident on track and he's looking at sitting a race or two, according to AKM sources.
July 15, 2007 - Neises Announces Parking of 77:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
Rob Neises held a news conference at Daytona before the start of the AKM Cup practice yesterday. At it, Neises announced that the 77 team was going on hiatus. Team driver Chuck Nagy was given his unconditional release, and most of the crew was also released to look for new employment. "It saddens me to do this, but I couldn't afford to foot the bill for two full-time teams any longer," Neises said. Rob did tell the media is working on a few package deals to get the 77 back on the track. "I am talking to a few drivers who have a partial sponsorship package that might make it feasible to run the 77 again," he said. He did announce that all 77 team members were given a severance package that should allow them to be okay till next season if necessary.
When asked how this affected the new 57 team, Rob said it didn't. He is sticking to the plan, with the exception of adding Indy to the schedule for four possible races for the 57 in 2007. The other tracks are Kansas, Talladega, and Homestead.
July 13, 2007 - DKR Announces New Driver:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
Rob Neises met the media with DKR Team Co-Owner Kaitlyn Neises yesterday as weekend practice opened up for the ISRS Cup weekend at Daytona. Rob Neises spoke first, and announced that he was proud to announce that Dad's Kids Racing was adding a second car to this weekends action. "Let me announce that DKR will have a second entry into this Sunday's ISRS Cup race, team Co-Owner Kaitly Neises will pilot the My Littlest Pet Shop Dodge Charger, carrying the number 01," the obvious proud father announced. The duo answered many questions from the suprised media. This is the first of an expected two-race schedule for Kaitlyn. She said she hopes to qualify for the race at Talladega also. When asked was anyone else going to run for DKR this season, Kaitlyn said that her brother CoCo plans on running his Dodge Ram possibly later this season in a truck race.
Kaitlyn is the six-year-old daughter of Rob and Angela Neises. Kaitlyn will be a first grader at McCullom Elementary in Wichita, Kansas, and has an older sister Ashley(9), and younger brother Robert Cole (4)-all three are the owners of DKR. DKR lured driver/father Rob Neises away from his James Gang Racing team to run for them earlier in the season. Rob is in 7th place in SOAR STS Truck Series racing.
July 9, 2007 - Neises Penalized, JGR Shut Out:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
Rob Neises was penalized late in his qualifying race this afternoon, ending any chance he had of qualifying for the race this evening at Daytona. A pit road incident that sent him onto the racetrack after accidental contact with the 24 brought an extra one-lap penalty for the 57, and a trip to the sim500 trailer. Neises was not the only driver called in as the driver of the 24 was also called in for intentinally retaliating after the contact. After leaving the trailer, Rob said said they talked it out, and he doesn't expect any additional penalties for him or the 24. "I didn't see him beside me on the exit of pit road, and the pack was coming, and I pulled into him - the wreck was my fault, and I told him so and apologized," Neises said as he departed the big black trailer.
Crashes by Chuck Nagy in the 77, and some bad luck for Bud Boykin in the 07 marked the first sim500 Feature Cup Series Superspeedway race without at least one JGR car racing. "We're having a bit of bad luck, its time to sit down, look at everything, and go from there," Neises said as he jumped on a golf cart back to his motorhome.
July 9, 2007 - Neises Announces New Team:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
Rob Neises finally met with the media early this morning after returning from the AKM Cup race in Loudon yesterday. Neises finished the race in 20th place.
At the newsconference, he again apologized for not being as available as he'd like, and the media is used to. After that, he announced that James Gang Racing has expanded to a third car, the number 57 that he plans on running in the qualifying race later today. He said he expects to run it maybe three more time, at Kansas, Talladega, and Homestead. He would be the driver.
July 8, 2007 - Neises Attempts to Qualify at Daytona:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
The mystery is over, the number 57 Toyota Camry emerged from the tent-works between the 07 and 77 haulers this evening, and the name above the door was again Rob Neises. Carrying sponsorship from Ron Jon Surf Shop, Neises clocked in the 8th best time in first round qualifying Friday night with a 186.405, down a bit from his best practice time of 186.765. Soon after the 57 car took to the track, a plain white hauler pulled in-between the 07 and 77 haulers.
The 57 is the third JGR driven car attempting to qualify at Daytona. Neises has not made himself available to the media yet, so its still not known if JGR and Neises own the 57 or not.
July 6, 2007 - Neises Arrives Early at Daytona:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
Rob Neises arrived yesterday at Daytona International. If it was one of the team trains, it wouldn't be unexpected, but Rob himself arrived also. Rob hadn't been expected at DIS until early Monday morning.
The early arrival of Neises, and what seemed to be an extra hauler car added to the JGR Special was the buzz among the media and fans already at Daytona. Neises did not make himself available to the media, instead he took a golf cart directly to his motorcoach in the drivers area.
As observers watched, only the haulers for the 07 and 77 cars unloaded. Nothing seemed out of place other than the fact that they left a spot between the two haulers. Speculation is that the teams were trying to save some extra space to work on things before the garage opens Friday afternoon. Soon after arriving, the teams set up a closed tent between the two haulers.
June 26, 2007 - Neises Tries to Qualify at Infineon:
Dateline: Sonoma, CA
Rob Neises made a suprise qualifying attempt yesterday at Infineon. The biggest suprise was that it wasn't in either the 07 or 77 car, it was in a Toyota Camry wearing the number 57. There was no team associated with the car in the sim500 owners list, so its not known if Neises had bought a new number from sim500, or was running someone elses car.
Unfortunately, Rob was unable to make the 10th transfer spot, and immediately jumped in the JGR Cessna and flew to Milwaukee where he ran the NASS Thunder race there for Outlaw Motorsports. There, Neises was forced out with engine problems again, the second week in a row. Neises was credited with a 17th place finish.
After the race at Milwaukee, Neises announced that Del Monte Foods would be on the JGR 77 Camry as the AKM Cup makes the changeover to the COT car. Other than the Florida races, which will be sponosored by Ron Jon Surf Shops, John Deere will be the primary sponsor on the 77 Camry.
June 18, 2007 - Neises Not Only One Missing Races:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Rob Neises had returned to Wichita when he got the news that the 07 car would not be running tonight in the Feature Cup Series. Neises said he was very perplexed. "When I left the track last night, I thought Bud was good to go. He ran a qualifying lap, but he had missed most of practice, and the lap was slow. But Bud did not say anything about not returning to the track when he headed to Pocono for the AKM Cup race," according to owner, Rob Neises. By the time Neises found out, there were no drivers available to run the 07. Neises said he would be at Infineon next Monday, ready to jump into a car if needed. He said he would probably fly out there on Wednesday and test at the 2.52 mile road course in his native California.
In other online racing, Neises was not cleared to run the Meet & Greet Races or the COT race opening the second half of the AKM Cup season as he expected late last week, but hopes to be cleared in time for tomorrow's SOAR-Racing Aerowars race at Talladega.
June 13, 2007 - Neises to Change Number in AKM/sim500/Announces New Sponsors:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Rob Neises sent off the JGR and SCKL Specials today before he met with media in the media center at the James Gang Racing shops. The trains were carrying Toyota's to Talladega and Michigan. This week is the Meet and Greet weeks for the Nocturnal Adrenaline and Midnight Thunder series.
Neises announced to the media he would be moving into the 77 in AKM and sim500 racing action. He said nothing is to be read into the decision, other than Bud Boykin runs the 07's, and he had earlier offered him one of the JGR numbers instead of the triple digit number he runs in those series'.
While he had everyone online, Neises also announced that Buffalo Wild Wings was taking some time off as primary sponsor on the Camry's and Tundra's. Rob announced a deal with M&M Mars. The deal will put Skittles on the number 77 JGR Tundra, and Snickers on the 77 Camry. Neises also announced that for the first time, JGR would be running the new 2007 model Tundra's. "We ran '05's till we ran out as a cost-saving move, waiting if a new "COT" truck was coming, when it didn't seem so, we switched over to the '07 model," Neises answered.
In a final announcement, Neises announced that JGR would be fielding an entry in the second half of the AKM Cup series, the first to go all "COT". Neises announced that John Deere had signed on to run the 13 race second-season in AKM, the 77 will be a COT Toyota Camry.
June 12, 2007 - 07 Car Sits at Pocono:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
With Team owner Rob Neises not able to make the trip to Pocono, and the unexplained absence of driver Bud Boykin, the 07 Executive Security Toyota Camry sat untouched Monday. When notified by the crew of the missing Blaster, Neises made frantic calls trying to get someone into the car, to no avail. No one has heard from Boykin, and its yet to be seen if he'll make the Meet and Greet, no-points races Thursday in Nocturnal Adrenaline, or Friday in Midnight Thunder.
When asked, Neises said he expects to be back in an online car soon, maybe as soon as this Thursday. "I know I'll be at Michigan on Monday, and I'll have my helmet," Neises said. I am hoping it was a miscommunication relating to the teams entry into Pocono, not a bigger issue, he also said. Neises said he'd talk to Boykin on Thursday or Friday he hoped, and get his committment to the 07 team.
In other news from Monday, the 77 car, driven by Chuck Nagy was caught up in an early wreck and didn't make the main at Pocono.
June 6, 2007 - Neises Releases Statement:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Rob Neises, through the JGR PR, released a statement to race fans and the media. In it, Neises apologized for missing races unexecpectedly, and not being available for the media as usual. Neises admitted that running his business interests, work he's doing, and the fact his wife just started a job has all combined to physically and mentally wipe him out. He hopes to be up and moving soon, but admitted he'll probably run some offline races first. He says he hopes to be back at the track in an online car by the NASS Truck race at Michigan, on June 14th.
(Here's the explanation: I was working 3rd, and had to be at work early - thats why I started races and exited quickly. After the online race at Dover, my 4 year old accidently broke my race disk - he survived, me not so good. Since that time I did get the no-cd program, but cannot run online. Nascar2003 is not only hard to find - it's EXPENSIVE !!! I have been trying to get the game I bought delivered, but you know ebay. I have switched to first shift, working 4-10 hour days, and my wife already got promoted to a new position, and works second shift, so, as soon as my new game comes in, I'll be back at the track online.....Rob)
June 5, 2007 - Neises Missed More Races:
Dateline: Dover, DE
Rob Neises did not speak directly to media as he arrived late Monday for the NASS Thunder race. OMS had another driver qualify the car for Neises.
Neises ran 7 laps before getting out of the car. No relief driver was available. A team spokesman said Neises was complaining about severe headaches earlier, and parked the car for other drivers safety. Neises was taken to the hauler by golf cart, and left the track before the event was over.
No one is exactly sure what has happened to Neises, but he missed the weekends offline races at Lowes and Mansfield.
June 1, 2007 - Neises Not at Dover:
Dateline: Dover, DE
Rob Neises was not at Dover last night as expected. No calls were returned when the JGR Shops in Kansas were called, though the lady answering the phone offered to take a message.
May 28, 2007 - Memorial Day NASS Race Postponed:
Dateline: Charlotte, NC
NASS Thunder Officials announced late yesterday that the Memorial Day race was postponed and an announcement about the new date would be forthcoming. This according to Outlaw Motorsports PR came as a suprise, but would help as it would give the driver of the 07 car a couple more days off. Neises has been spotty in the last couple online races and it has been attributed to exhaustion.
May 28, 2007 - Neises Co-Champion:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Rob Neises, by virtue of his second place finish, tied with Matt Shinoski at 42 driver points each. The Championship is Neises 21st. "I am proud of the whole number 17 JGR/Cricket Wireless team, they did what had to be done, and we ended up tied for first," Neises said. "We'll settle it in a couple months in the ISRS Champ Car Series," Neises said in response to a question of who was the better driver of the two. Neises actually complimented Shinoski on the season, and said he was proud to be tied with Matt, a many-time open-wheel champion.
May 24, 2007 - Neises to Miss Races:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Rob Neises met with the media yesterday at the James Gang Racing shops. This was unusual because he was supposed to be in Mansfield, Ohio already. Rob announced because of work and exhaustion, he would miss the next three scheduled races. Tomorrow's NASS Truck race at Lowes, the AKM Midnight Thunder race at Thunder Bay, and Saturday's SOAR-Racing Superspeedway Series debut at Joe Gibbs International Raceway. Rob will get provisional points for the NASS Truck race, but will get no points in the other two races.
Rob said he hopes to make the remaining three races this weekend: the ISRS CTS race at Lowes, the ISRS Open Wheele finale' at Indianapolis, and the SOAR STS truck race at Mansfield. "I apologize to my teams and fans. I am so exhausted that I fall asleep eating a meal," Neises relayed to the media. He went on to say that he needed to be rested for the OWR finale' where he is only 2 points out of first.
He finished the newsconference by announcing he would run a special scheme for Monday's NASS Thunder Memorial Day race at Lowes. SCKL Supports Our Troops in a desert camo will be this years special scheme. In years past he has ran US NAVY And Kansas Air National Guard schemes. Neises said he would qualify and start Monday's race, but expects to get out of the car at the first opportunity. He said he isn't sure about Thursday's NASS Truck race at Dover, but he will at least start. Neises said he plans on hopefully returning to full-time racing by Friday for the Midnight Thunder finale' at Talladega.
May 12, 2007 - SOAR Approves Truck-Number Change for this Week:
Dateline: Richmond, VA
SOAR-Racing has allowed Rob Neises to change entries and drive the number 17 DKR/The Littlest Pet Shop/Kaitlyns 6th Birthday Dodge Ram in tonights SOAR-Racing STS race at Richmond. Neises said they transported both team on the JGR Special, and SOAR agreed, if he changed the number to 17, so they switched the numbers. Cheerios will make its debut on the 07 DKR Ram next week at Lowes Motor Speedway.
May 10, 2007 - Neises Sign with New Team:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Wednesday afternoon, Rob Neises held a news conference to announce that he would not be running the number 17, Skittles Toyota Tundra any longer. He then announced that he had signed on to run the remainder of the SOAR-Racing STS Series, and select CUSH races for a new team - Dad's Kids Racing (DKR). DKR will put Neises in Dodge Rams and Chargers carrying the number 07. Cheerios will be the primary sponsor on both rides. The change becomes effective after the Richmond race this weekend.
When questioned by the media about the change, He responded that his kids were always "fixing" his car and wanted to be the "pit crew". "They got together and formed a new team, then asked me to drive. Bobby Labonte and Petty Enterprises are both family favorites, so the Cheerios sponsorship makes perfect sense," Neises said. Neises said the new team is renting space in the JGR Shops in Western Sedgwick County, Kansas, and Outlaw Motorsports is providing the Rams and Chargers. Associate sponsors are the SCKL Virtual Railroad, Valvoline, the US NAVY, and Executive Security.
In other news, Neises announced that The Littlest Pet Shop/Kaitlyn's 6th Birthday would be the primary sponsor in the JGR Tundra in this weeks STS race at Richmond.
March 13, 2007 - JGR Adds Car - Denied Again:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
Saturday afternoon, Rob signed the contract, Monday was the first race for new James Gang Racing driver Chuck Nagy. Unfortunately, neither Chuck nor Bud made the race. In his heat, Chuck missed transfering by only two spots. Bud was caught up in an accident and was a non-factor in his heat. "Racing in a series as big as this takes luck, unfortunately, the luck has been all bad," Neises said. Neither driver took advantage of their qualifying attempt on the weekend, and Neises said logistics and time contributed to that. Neises promised that his drivers will attempt the weekend qualifies for each race, instead of relying strictly on the race-ins on Monday.
Neises reminded everyone that Chuck and Bud will be running every race for the rest of the season, and that Chuck, will be the only driver to of run the 77 more than once. "With them both working together, they will be able to help each other, in qualifying and during the races," Neises added in later comments.
When asked by the media what putting Chuck into the 77 does for his run at the superspeeway money, Neises laughed - with only 30 points, I'm already 165 points behind there. But I might try to hook a ride for the other 3 races he said. Earlier, Rob piloted his number 07 Coleman Dodge Charger to a 14th place finish.
March 7, 2007 - A Conversation With: Rob Neises:
Dateline: Wichita, KS
By: The Kansas Sim-Racing Weekly
This is the transcript of an interview James Gang Racing President Rob Neises did yesterday returning from Mexico City with John Hamilton.
KSRW: Thanks for sitting down with me today - RN: No problem, glad you guys could come down with us.
KSRW: Were flying at 35,000 feet with Rob Neises aboard the JGR jet, Rob you seemed upset yesterday when you got out of the Coleman Dodge. - RN: I had an issue, but I spoke with NASS Officials, and they were understanding about the issue, and promised to work on it.
KSRW: What was the issue ? - RN: I felt that some of the Thunder-Wackers were entirely too agressive, and then they had the nerve to talk trash about us Thunder regulars, I felt it was unprofessional and rude.
KSRW: Was anything promised by NASS, say restricting Lightning drivers from Thunder events ? - RN: I would be against that. There are a couple that run both series, that is cool. When a driver who hasn't ran Thunder in at least 3 years comes down, punts some Thunder drivers, then bags on them - I have a problem, and that's what happened in Mexico.
KSRW: 2007 is being discribed as a transitional year for you and James Gang Racing, could you explain ? - RN: Since 1995, when I formed JGR, I have been the only driver for many of those 12 years. This year, I purchased a license with the sim500 series. I planned on running the car myself, but when I seen the investment necessary, I realized I needed a driver that would make all the races. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't see myself as that driver. So I hired Bud "Master Blaster" Boykin to drive the number 07 Toyota Camry.
KSRW: How is that working out ? - RN: Bud is a great driver, we had a hiccup at California, Bud had to jump on the brakes to avoid someone elses wreck, he flat spotted the tires, and couldn't recover. But with the new format changes, I expect that is the only race he'll miss.
KSRW: You have a second car too, right ? - RN: Yes, JGR has a second car, the number 77. As part of my transition from owner/driver, I knew if JGR was to prosper, we needed an R&D car. Plus, sim500 added the bonus money for the different sub-series, and I am a good superspeedway driver, so I figured I'd drive the four superspeedway races, and let other drivers drive the 77 to see if I might find a second driver for 2008. Unfortunately, I missed the transfer at Daytona by two spots, and Steven Fast had an incident mirroring Bud in his qualifier at California, and also missed the race.
KSRW: So the transition for you is from independent owner/driver to team owner/manager, right ? - RN: Exactly John. I am not hinting that I'll be hanging up the helmet anytime soon, but a good owner knows when he isn't the best driver for a car. If all goes well, I want a second car full-time in the Feature Cup in 2008, with an eventual goal of as many as four cars by '09. Sponsorship is the key, and right now, we don't have any. Executive Security will be on the 07 as long as I am paying all the bills, but I will gladly move them back to the rear quarter if and when a real sponsor steps up.
KSRW: Other than sponsorship issues on the sim500 cars, seems like you're off to a great start in 07. - RN: Yes I think we are. I am in the lead in the ISRS's Truck and Nextel Cup series, with three wins in the four races we've ran there. Next week we start the Open Wheel Series, and return to action in NASS Trucks where I run for Outlaw Motorsports. I'm in 8th in points there, in the 20's in Thunder, but I'm running better there too, just not getting the finishes.
KSRW: Thanks for your time Rob, I'll let you get back to working on the logistics for this weeks action. Thanks Again. - RN: Thank you John, every week I love to hop on the web and read your articles and the pictures - you guys are the best.
Neises went back to working on the logistics for next weeks action as The weekend sees Rob at Homestead in OWR action, California for SOAR Trucks, Las Vegas for Midnight Thunder, then to Atlanta Monday for NASS Thunder action.
February 27, 2007 - JGR Shut Out at California:
Dateline: Fontana, CA
Rob Neises stood in disbelief as the qualifying races for last nites Feature Cup Race at California ended. Neises was upset that neither of his cars would make the televised event that evening. Both Bud Boykin in the 07, and Steven Fast in the 77 missed the transfer due to someone elses errors. In what must of seemed like deja vu, Neises watched his drivers, in seperate heat races, forced to jump on the binders and flat spot their tires. Worn tires and too few laps combined to keep JGR from putting a driver into the broadcast. "I'll be going back and looking at things," Neises said. Neither team has a sponsor after the California race Neises admitted, but said the 07 and Bud would be at Vegas in two weeks, he said the 77 would be staying home until a sponsor and full-time driver could be found. "I wanted to enter the 77 in all the races, but I have not been able to find the right driver/sponsor, and two weeks into the season, it doesn't look good for the team running full-time," he said.
February 24, 2007 - Neises Names Driver for 77 at California:
Dateline: Indianapolis, IN
Rob Neises announced last night before the Midnight Thunder race at Indy that he had chosen Steven "SFAST" Fast to run the number 77 Wichita Garden Show Toyota Camry at California in sim500 Feature Cup action. Fast was chosen by being the first driver to cross the finish line in Thursday's Nocturnal Adrenaline finale' at Atlanta that didn't already have a FCS ride or sim500 license. "Steven is a great driver, and should be a great compliment to Bud in the 07 car," Neises said. Fast is a proven winner, finishing in second place in the final points in AKM's Nocturnal Adrenaline series that ended last night. Neises drove the Outlaw Motorsports Dodge Ram at California, then flew to Atlanta for the finale' last night. Though he did complain of some stiffness and soreness, he says he plans on running the Coleman Charger at California on Monday, and then be on the wagon for the Feature Cup Series race there later that evening.
Neises did tell the media that he was looking to put someone into the 77 that would be interested in funding part of the operations, a partnership on the car. Rumors swirling around the garage say Neises has recently been dealt a serious financial blow, and is looking for an infusion of cash to get the team financed as sponsorship ends after California. Neises didn't comment on the rumor, but said he did not have a sponsor lined up for either car yet for Las Vegas, or beyond. But he re-iterated that Bud Boykin and the number 07 car will be at every race. Neises did say he was still actively looking for a sponsor, and if he had to fund the car himself, he would return Executive Security to the hood as long as he and JGR were personally paying for car entry fees and expenses.
February 20, 2007 - Neises has Rough Night at Daytona:
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
Rob Neises said he was feeling the pain last night when he left the infield care center. The pain was radiating in his right shoulder he said, but didn't think it should affect him at California, a fast, sweeping D-shaped oval.
Neises' day started okay as he entered his qualifying heat for sim500's Feature Cup Series. He was running around 18th to 20th, waiting for it to get closer to the end of the race before making a move for the front. A large accident ahead of him caused him to slow down, and he was passed by about 10 cars. Neises caught a draft and fought hard, missing a second wreck, and finishing 20th, not making the transfer. "My spotter told me accident ahead, cautions out, but there isn't any cautions in the qualifiers. He made a rookie mistake, and I was fully into race mode, and didn't even question - I could of ran through that wreck and been in the Top 5. Maybe I need to fire us both !" Neises said. All kidding aside, Neises said they are only planning on running 4-8 races in the 77 car. "We'll work harder on pits and stuff for the next one," Neises told the media and guests aboard the SCKL Railroads JGR Special's press room car, parked outside Daytona International.
Not qualifying for the FCS race, Neises jumped into his Outlaw Motorsports, Ron Jon Surf Shop Dodge Charger, placing it solidly in the field in 11th qualifying position. Again, Neises stayed back in the pack in an effort to miss the big one. When a few cars back where he was running in 17th to 20th called for pits, Rob went with them. As they exited pit road, a caution came out, placing Rob a lap down. Since he had just pitted, they stayed out and he was the first car on the tail end of the field. On the restart, the lapped car of Jeff Lyden turned right into Neises, putting the 07 machine hard into the wall and spinning wildly through the tri-oval. Neises took the 13 and the 17 with him when he spun, but they were able to make repairs and return. Neises limped the car back to the garage, and was sent to the infield care center by JGR Team doctor, Dr Feelgood. The motor was ruined, and there was no nose to the car by the time Rob returned to the garage area, just in time to see what was left of the car being loaded onto the Outlaw Motorsports team hauler. Neises went into the hauler and did not respond to media requests for interviews, instead sending out the OMS PR rep making the statement about his shoulder hurting, and that it shouldn't affect him at California next week. Neises was credited with a 21st place finish.
February 19, 2007 - Media Doesn't Have to Wait Long, Neises Announces sim500 FCS entry:
Dateline: Ontario, CA
Rob Neises held an impromptu newsconference this morning before the drivers meeting for the final ISRS Vintage Nascar race at Ontario. Neises wrapped the Championship up a couple weeks ago, but that wasn't why he held the gathering. He announced that James Gang Racing had bought a second number from sim500, the number 77. Rob said he would use the 77 to make a run at the $1000. bonus for earning the most points on superspeedways in the FCS.
He said the car was available the other 32 races, and would be willing to talk to anyone interested in renting the car for a week, or whatever. He didn't rule out using the 77 for a R&D or driver development car either.
Neises announced that the Wichita Garden Show would also sponsor the 77 car at Daytona. Finally, Neises announced that the Wichita Garden Show would be on the newly renumbered 07 Toyota Camry in Thursdays final Winter Nocturnal Adrenaline race at Atlanta.
February 18, 2007 - Rob Neises "Puts Crowbar into Checkbook", Announces sim500 FCS entry:
Dateline: Ontario, CA
Rob Neises held a press conference at Daytona International Speedway yesterday. At it, he announced that James Gang Racing would indeed field an entry in sim500's Feature Cup Series. In the SCKL Special, he anounced that Bud Boykin, better know as Master Blaster would pilot the number 07 Toyota Camry in the 2007 Feature Cup Series. Though no full-time sponsor had been signed, Neises announced that the 40th Annual Wichita Garden Show would be on the 07 Camry at both Daytona and California. "I had been wavering on whether a car in FCS was a viable option, I looked at the dollars, and they made sense! So I took my own advise and put the old crowbar into the checkbook and got my license," Neises said in a prepared statement. When asked why he wasn't putting himself into the car, Neises said he wanted a driver that would make the show every week, and he knew Bud would do the job. Neises admitted he would probably be a liability in sponsorship negotiations, as he only has 3 online wins, and didn't qualify in any of the four races he attempted last year.
Neises took a minute to promote the 2-race sponsor, the Wichita Garden Show. "I got started with the show when I returned from the Islands, my Mom worked for them 10 years ago. My security company started doing their security work 9 years ago, and now I assist in the day-to-day show operations as a contractor. Its the premier Garden show in the nation, and I'm proud to assist Alex Lingg and the rest of the board in promoting the 40th Annual show," Neises said.
Neises, though in a hurry was cordial, and answered all but two questions, one was when someone started singing Happy Birthday to Rob as it was his birthday, he didn't answer how old he was, he said 39 and holding - ala Jack Benny, and he didn't answer if he would race any FCS races himself for someone else, or if he would eventually get a second car.
Neises did tell everyone that he plans on running the 07 most likely in the Nocturnal Adrenaline and Midnight Thunder series'.
February 12, 2007 - JGR Finishes Well/DNF's at RfV:
Dateline: Fontana, CA
It was all about timing for James Gang Racing this weekend at NASS' 2nd Race for Victory. In one heat, driver Allen Ebert won, qualifying for the main event on Sunday evening. In the other, Rob Neises stayed out a lap to long, and came out 12th, just missing qualifying by 2 spots. In the B-main, Neises took the Executive Security F-Series to a 11th place finish. Sunday seen Rob compete against 25 other drivers in the last chance race. Electrical problems put Rob 9 laps down, the he and the number 1 truck got together - putting Neises into the wall, and out of the race. He finished 17th.
Sunday night, with Rob Neises on the war wagon, Allen Ebert was consistent, leading laps, and staying near the front. Ebert was making a move on the leader with 5 to go when the yellow came out. He crossed the line in second place. The race was not to run another green flag lap. Ebert and Neises celebrated the runner-up finish after the race. "I knew when I hired Allen to drive for me, he'd get in the show. His awesome finish is a great source of pride for the Executive Security and James Gang Racing organization!" Neises beamed.
In the post race interview, Ebert announced that he had lost his sponsor for the sim500 Feature Cup Series just last night, and asked Rob to sponsor him. Neises chuckled and told him to call him on Monday.
Truth is James Gang Racing had just signed "Master Blaster", Bud Boykin to run a JGR-prepared Toyota in the Feature Cup Series. Neises said he hoped to have an announcement later in the week to announce sponsor and car number. Neises also revealed he would not run for the Superspeedway bonus series part of FCS, and that he was going to focus on making Boykin's team a contender weekly.
February 11, 2007 - Neises announces JGR's FCS Plans:
Dateline: Fontana, CA
After not qualifying for the NASS Race for Victory for the second year in a row, Neises held a newsconference in the press room of the JGR Special. Neises announced that James Gang Racing had applied for a license to compete in the sim500 pay series'. He also announced that JGR is still planning on running Toyotas in the sim500 series. He then announced Bud "Master Blaster" Boykin as the newest James Gang Racing driver. "Bud is a solid driver who will put the JGR Camry in the show every week, and that is what is going to land a full-time sponsor to add more cars and drivers in the coming years," Neises said.
Neises then took questions from the media. He answered that the number has not been assigned by sim500 yet, but expects its by late in the week. The car does not have a full-time sponsor, but Ron Jon Surf Shop will be on the 2007 Toyotas at Daytona on the 19th. He said he would not run the Feature Cup Series in 2007, as he would be spending a lot of time getting sponsorship, and building infastructure for the future. He also said he would not be running for the Superspeedway series bonus money in 2007. Finally he said plans were to expand to a 2 to 3 car team for 2008. He did also say that if things developed quickly enough, he would put Boykin, or someone into a HITS Series Toyota Tundra in 2007.
Neises admitted that this has come together rather quickly, that is why details about Boykins deal, the teams number, and a full-time sponsorship cannot be announced yet - because all of the details or deals are not finished. Someone even asked him what about the ride he was to have with Dickert Motorsports, to which Neises said he did not have an answer.
February 9, 2007 - Neises Announces Final 2007 Plans:
Dateline: Bristol, TN
Rob Neises apologized to race day media that had gathered yesterday before the AKM Nocturnal Adrenaline race at Thunder Valley - Bristol Motor Speedway. He said he had hoped that everything for 2007 would have been finalized months ago, but situations and issues arose that prevented that from being the case. But he said he could now lay out his 2007 plans, to the best of his abilities. He said he would go by day of the week the series ran on to make it easy.
Monday is a tricky day according to Neises. He has signed on to run the entire NASS Thunder series, racing again for Outlaw Motorsports. Coleman returns with the number 07 in a combination Neises says he hopes will bring back the magic of 2005. He says there is a small chance he will run the four superspeedway races in sim500's Feature Cup Series. He also reported that James Gang Racing has signed Bud Boyton to run the JGR Toyotas in the FCS, but sponsorship and funding are the major stumbling blocks according to Neises.
Thursday's will see Neises doing double duty. He returns with John Deere on the hood of the number 07 OMS Dodge Ram in NASS' Truck Series. Then Neises will hop a jet and run in AKM's Nocturnal Adrenaline Series in a JGR prepared Toyota Camry. Toyota TRD is on the 017 this winter, but earlier last week Neises reported that Buffalo Wild Wings will return for the regular season sessions starting in late February/early March.
Friday sees Neises and James Gang Racing attempting to qualify for the tough Midnight Thunder series of AKM Racing. Buffalo Wild Wings is on the 017 Toyota Tundra as the first session of the 2007 season is now three weeks old.
In offline, Neises said he will field a Dallara/Honda in the ISRS OWR series. Primary sponsorship will switch between Cricket Wireless, the SCKL Railroad, and Del Monte Foods at Infineon. JGR will work with Ratt Pack Racing in some limited SOAR-Racing action in 2007, fielding Toyotas in the STS and Cush series. Neises said he will also return as Director of SOAR-racing's Nascar 3 division. He said he would also attempt some SOAR-Racing online races as well as some Charity TV races.
Other than AW88 and Vintage Nascar, Neises said James Gang Racing will field Toyotas, most carrying the number 17 or 017. In AW88 and Vintage, Neises has an agreement with Dodge Motorsports to provide assistance with the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler Lebaron for AW88, and the Dodge Daytona and Charger in vintage racing. For internet-tv charity races, Neises has signed with Ford Motor company to run F-Series, Fusions, T-birds and Torino's. Currently, Rob leads the ISRS Vintage series by over 15 points after last weeks dnf at Richmond Fairgrounds. Other sponsorship deals Neises has in place for 2007 include: Ron Jon Surf Shop at all Daytona and Homestead points races, Del Monte Foods on any Rob Neises piloted vehicle at Infineon, and the SCKL Railroad upped its primary sponsorship to not only Kansas, adding Texas races also. Associate sponsorship changes include Valvoline becoming the official oil of JGR, Bosch becoming a minor associate, and Orange County Choppers returning as a mid-to-low level associate. Cox High Speed Internet has not resigned in 2007 as of this date, and RC Cola and Havoline oil are leaving JGR after the ISRS Vintage Nascar series. Country Time Lemonade and Jones Soda Company left as AW 88 sponsors, and John Deere reduced its sponsorship to trucks only in 07. The US NAVY left as the primary on the Ratt Pack Racing Chevy Monte Carlo in N3 racing, but remains an associate, where associate NuComm has left JGR and OMS after negotiations failed on a FCS sponsorship package.
After fielding questions about the announcement, Rob left for the drivers meeting. This weekend is the 2nd Anual Race for Victory, presented by Executive Security. The qualify and heat races are on the 10th, a last chance race on Sunday morning the 11th, then the 250 lapper on Sunday afternoon. Someone asked when Rob's birthday is - the 17th. He didn't answer when someone blurted out, "How old are you!"
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