The Buzz: Feb. 23, 2001

February 23, 2001
6:21 PM EST (2321 GMT)

Rumor has it in the garage that Richard Childress could take a lap in the black No. 3 Chevrolet at some point this weekend.

Richard Childress

Childress served as Earnhardt’s car owner for more than 17 years, accumulating six championships and 66 wins.

Earnhardt won seven championships and scored 76 Winston Cup victories. He began driving for Childress, a former driver, in 1981, when he ran 11 races.

Earnhardt became Childress' full-time driver in 1984.

HANS news

With four crash-related deaths in the past year, much has been made of the HANS device, a head and neck restraint system that uses a framework with tethers to hold the head in place during a collision. Since Dale Earnhardt's death last Sunday at Daytona, it's the primary topic of conversation.

Would it have saved Earnhardt's life?

"I am not convinced the HANS device could have made a difference," said Steve Bohannon, director of emergency services at Daytona International Speedway.

Regardless, more drivers are ready to test the device. A Ford Motor Company representative said Friday that all Ford teams in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series have ordered the HANS device. Most of those, however, won't use it this weekend.

Driver Wanted

Just 42 cars showed up for the NASCAR Busch Series race this weekend, one short of a full field. Therefore, rumor has it the television money will be affected in some way.