Notebook: NASCAR may start testing for ephedra

FORT WORTH, Texas -- NASCAR President Mike Helton said on Friday that NASCAR might look into adding ephedra into a list of substances the sanctioning body currently tests for.

	Mike Helton

However, Helton said that he disagreed with the perception that ephedra use in NASCAR was "an overwhelming issue."

A report in Wednesday's USA Today quoted a team member who had taken the supplement, and a trainer estimated that 80 percent of crew members had tried ephedra.

The report has sparked debate within the NASCAR community.

Last month, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler died of heatstroke, and his death was blamed partly on ephedra use.

"It's not an illegal substance, not banned for public use," Helton said. "NASCAR is looking at it."

Fittipaldi to practice for Petty

Kyle Petty, injured Sunday during the Food City 500, will let Christian Fittipaldi practice the No. 45 Georgia Pacific Dodge on Saturday.

Petty qualified 28th with a lap of 189.620 mph, his second-best start of the season.

"I think he is still hurting a bit," said Steve Lane, Petty's crew chief. "If Kyle needs some help on Sunday, it'll be Christian."

Plans unveiled for Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame

The newest part of the mammoth complex at the Texas Motor Speedway will be a museum that will house the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame.

The TMHOF will be completed in January 2004 and will be open year-round.

"From A.J. Foyt and Johnny Rutherford, Carroll Shelby and Kenny Bernstein and the Labonte brothers, Texas has long been a hotbed of racing," TMS President Eddie Gossage said.

Astronauts part of pre-race show

Astronauts Rob Behnken, Jim Reilly and Doug Hurley will appear during prerace ceremonies for Sunday's Samsung/Radio Shack 500.

The astronauts are attending the race thanking citizens for their efforts in the recovery of the space shuttle Columbia.

The trio will hand out miniature American flags to drivers during introductions.

RCR to carry decals honoring POWs

The Richard Childress Racing cars of Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon and Jeff Green will carry decals this weekend recognizing current prisoners of war in Iraq.

The decals will also be on the Busch Series machines of Johnny Sauter and Ron Hornaday.

"The men and women captured by the Iraqis are serving our country in the most honorable way possible," said team owner Richard Childress. "They have put their lives on the line in the name of our country.

"We all have to keep them in our thoughts and prayers and hope that they will be returned safely."