DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Story by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR photo —
Friday morning, during the Stewart Haas Racing press conference announcing Brian Vickers as the interim driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet for Stewart Haas Racing throughout Daytona Speedweeks, came one of those bits of internet gold that you only get once in a great while.
ESPN’s Bob Pockrass asked SHR’s Brett Frood why Vickers wasn’t named the interim driver for the entirety of Stewart’s recovery period (to which Frood later responded that it was a “fluid” situation and that the team’s other partners would need to be involved in the process of that decision going forward), before at the end of his question slipping in a second and third bullet to the paragraph:
“Have you secured a charter for the 41 car, and if so what did you pay for it?” Pockrass said without so much as a flinch.
As the question sunk and and gave way to chuckles from multiple media members in attendance, Frood smiled knowingly before turning to the microphone, focusing on the last two questions first to offer his response.
“We’re working through the finishing touches of [securing] the charter,” said Frood, the executive vice president for Stewart Haas Racing. “The 41 will be on the track today [and throughout Speedweeks].”
As for how much SHR is actually paying for the document?
Let’s just say Frood wasn’t going to let that information slip away without a brick wall of humor.
“Rob [Kauffman, co owner of Chip Ganassi Racing] is a fairly reasonable guy. He’s well-traveled, enjoys cars and [likes] fine dining. (laughter) We ended up coming to an agreement; we’re going to give him a lifetime supply of Mobil 1 [motor oil] for his cars; we’re gonna deliver Jimmy John’s [sandwiches] and Busch [beer] for the next two years,” Frood smiled to an uproar of laughter in the media center.
“It’s a good deal.”
Well played, Mr. Frood. Well played.
Needless to say, if you want to know what a Sprint Cup charter actually costs in 2016? Go find Rob Kauffman. If he’s willing to talk, that is.
Otherwise, we’re pretty sure you’re out of luck. Because Stewart Haas Racing certainly isn’t telling.
Practice for Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited at Daytona kicks off at 5 p.m. ET from Daytona International Speedway, with live coverage on FOX Sports 1.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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