April 2004 / Vol. 9 No. 4

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EXCLUSIVE MEMBER MERCHANDISE INSIDE See page 21 Editor’s Notebook NASCAR PUBLISHING SENIOR MANAGER OF PUBLISHING Jennifer White Up And SENIOR MARKETING STRATEGIST Liz Schlosser PUBLISHING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ashley Costello MANAGING EDITOR Jon Gunn PRODUCTION MANAGER Scott Greig CREATIVE DIRECTOR Susanne Corrado PHOTO DIRECTOR Jim Fluharty Away SENIOR EDITOR Paul C. Schaefer www..com NASCAR meets NASA in special visit Offices in Daytona Beach, Fla.; New York, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Los Angeles, Calif. NASCAR here are technological marvels today that could only be dreamed of in the not to CHAIRMAN / CEO distant past. If you were around in the 1960s, you remember it was a turbulent VICE CHAIRMAN Bill France decade. The shining moments for the era, and for that matter, American history, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY Jim France T PRESIDENT were delivered by NASA. In the summer of 1969, NASA delivered on President John F. NATIONAL COMMISSIONER Charles D. Strang Kennedy’s challenge for Americans to walk on the moon, and return safely ASSISTANT SECRETARY Betty Jane France CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER George Pyne to earth. VICE PRESIDENT / CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS Jim Hunter Those who lived in Dayton, Ohio, at the time had a special interest in SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Paul Brooks the Apollo 11 flight. After all, the Wright Brothers built their first flying VICE PRESIDENT / BROADCASTING AND NEW MEDIA Richard Glover machines at their Dayton bicycle shop, and Neil Armstrong, the first man VICE PRESIDENT / FINANCE Doris Rumery to step onto the lunar surface was from just up the road in Wapakoneta. TREASURER Tom Bledsoe ASSISTANT TREASURER Todd Wilson Although most households had their first color TVs, the pictures from CORPORATE COUNSEL Gary Crotty the moon were grainy black and white. And while Walter Cronkite guided VICE PRESIDENT / CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION Ed Bennett VICE PRESIDENT / LICENSING AND his TV viewers through the amazing events on the moon, kids ran into CONSUMER PRODUCTS Mark Dyer their yards to gaze at the moon, to see if they noticed anything different. VICE PRESIDENT / CORPORATE MARKETING Brett Yormark If you were born after 1969, say, 1972, you didn’t get to experience DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS Steve O’Donnell Armstrong’s and Buzz Aldrin’s strolls on the moon, or remember that Michael Collins, NASCAR PUBLIC RELATIONS the third member off the team, remained aboard the command module, named SENIOR MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS Mike Zizzo MANAGERS OF COMMUNICATIONS Herb Branham, NNCS; Columbia. Denise Maloof, NNCS; Tracey Judd, NNCS/NBS; Of course, if you were born in 1972, you were born the year that President Richard Owen A. Kearns, NCTS; Jeremy Davidson, NDWS/Touring; Rick Houston, NBS Nixon was re-elected in a landslide victory over George McGovern. You would be old MANAGER OF BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS Kate Davis enough to remember the first Space Shuttle (the orbiter was also named Columbia, and DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND CONSUMER was tragically lost in 2003) launch in 1981. COMMUNICATIONS Andrew Giangola MANAGER, NASCAR MEDIA WEB SITE Mike McCarthy This brief study of the space program helps out into context the journey to ’s WEEKLY RACING SERIES / REGIONAL TOURING SERIES Kennedy Space Center by NASCAR Busch Series driver Ashton Lewis, and more recently by fellow driver David Green. Other NASCAR stars have visited KSC over the years. DIRECTOR / NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES AND REGIONAL TOURING Chris Boals In today’s world, however, sometimes a brief pause is necessary to reflect and appreci- NASCAR LICENSING ate the pioneers of American space exploration. Ashton and David certainly gained an MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RETAIL DEVELOPMENT Don Rothwell enhanced appreciation for NASA, and more importantly the people of NASA. Personal MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LICENSED PRODUCTS Blake Davidson experience is always the best teacher, isn’t it? MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AUTOMOTIVE The thought that today, little boys and little girls can dream of being an astronaut or a AFTERMARKET Odis Lloyd race car driver is probably even neater than it was in the 1960s. And when NASA and NASCAR CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP NASCAR folks have a chance to get together, it’s really cool. DIRECTOR, CORPORATE MARKETING Brian Corcoran DIRECTOR, NEW BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY We hope you’ll enjoy this month’s cover story, as told by Rick Houston. RELATIONS Andrew Feit NASCAR MEMBER SERVICES

386-253-0611 (Ext. 2664) Paul C. Schaefer ADVERTISING INFORMATION 704-973-1300 or email: [email protected] NASCAR Magazine (ISSN 1091-7616) is published by Street & Smith’s Sports Group, 120 West Morehead St., Suite 320, Charlotte, NC 28202. Second class postage paid at Senior Editor Strasburg, Va., and additional mailing offices. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, in whole or in part, by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is pro- hibited. Manuscripts, artwork and photographs are submitted at the sender’s risk; please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope when requesting return of materials. Submission of letters implies the right to reproduce same in the magazine. The magazine is not responsible for the accuracy of product information and descriptions. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of this magazine or its sponsors. No article herein shall constitute an endorsement by this magazine or the persons and organizations associated with it. NASCAR Magazine will not knowingly accept fraudulent or misleading advertising, nor do we endorse any advertising or its product. Should you find a product or service to be other than advertised, please contact the publishers and we will look into the matter.We cannot, however, be responsible for advertisers’ claims. Subscription rates: $48 a year United States and U.S. Possessions. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NASCAR Membership, PO Box 2875, Daytona Beach, Fla. 32120-2875, (386) 253-0611. All NASCAR logos depicted in this magazine are the property of NASCAR and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NASCAR. NASCAR Magazine is a trademark 2 APRIL 2004 of NASCAR. Copyright ©2004 NASCAR. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Out Of This World

12 APRIL 2004 Ashton Lewis Tours NASA Ashton Lewis enjoys all-access tour of Kennedy Space Center

By Rick Houston

ne of the first things to strike a visitor Atlantis, the VAB, NASA’s engine room, the really around.” to Kennedy Space Center is the sheer crawler, one of the launch pads and the firing Words probably couldn’t do justice to what Oenormity of everything – from the room. it must have been like to crawl through the crawler used to transport the Space Shuttle “The biggest thing that impressed me about hatch of Atlantis. That was after clearing secu- from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the everything was the size of everything,” Lewis rity at the Orbiter Processing Facility, taking an launch pad. And then there’s the VAB itself, a says. “Everything had to be engineered and air shower and putting on a “bunny” suit (simi- building so gigantic that clouds have been designed to withstand unbelievable forces.” lar to a surgeon’s gown and cap and mask) – all known to form in the top of the hangar-type Generally, Lewis saw a few similarities prerequisites for getting inside the Shuttle. building and drop rain on those below. between NASA and his own family-owned “The coolest thing about it was to be able to NASCAR Busch Series driver Ashton Lewis is NASCAR Busch Series operation. be in the one that was scheduled to go up no different, being in awe of his surroundings “They deal with saving weight,” Lewis says. next, just to get inside of it and see how they at KSC. Lewis, who is entering his fourth full “They deal with a lot of the same areas that we live, see what they see,” Lewis says. season of competition in 2004, was treated to a try to improve. Obviously, their budgets are a Once on board Atlantis, Lewis was treated to rare VIP tour of KSC Nov. 12, 2003. The trip lot bigger than ours. If they’re not using it and a full tour. On the flight deck, he was allowed included a tour inside the Space Shuttle don’t have it, there’s a good chance it’s not to sit in the commander’s left-hand seat. It got

NASCAR Busch Series driver Ashton Lewis sits in the mission commander’s left-hand seat of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as it sits in the Orbiter Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It got his attention. “That was very impressive to see all the different systems they have, the subsystems, all the back-up systems that they have. And to have to understand and be able to monitor and control it, those guys are busy.”

APRIL 2004 13 Ashton LewisTours NASA 14 but they stillbut they have to betrained to understand monitor, Iknow computer the doesalotofit, went [to KSC],” Lewis says. “Thesystems they his attention. of theCommunicationsDepartment. the cavernousbuildingbyNASA’s MannyVirata Jr. and droprainonthosebelow. Lewisisshownaround known toforminthetopofhangar-type building VAB, abuildingsogiganticthatcloudshave been Lewis tourstheVehicle AssemblyBuildingorthe “I’d taken a couple of flight lessonsbefore I “I’d taken acouple offlight APRIL 2004 needing tohavehandlessoyoudon’t floatup.” Lisa Davisshowshimthefootreststhatcanbepulleddown.Lewissaid,“You don’t thinkaboutthingslike toilets Lewis getsanupcloseandpersonallookatthe“facilities”inmiddeckcrewquarters.SpacecraftOperator Hanks says.Hanks “Iwashooked.” yourstart engines,’ rumble,” andfeeling the fromhearing,‘Gentlemen, day chills isthe in1989.back race All ittook first wasattending very that cool.” waspretty isarace fan,that allthat deal with Lewis says. hasto “To somebodythat that think get to get play andwhatthey to with work on,” race fan. ahard-core where Lewis wasexpectingto find complicated isn’texactly pieceofmachinery Seriesevents Truck to Craftsman boot. NASCAR races, plusseveral Seriesand Busch NASCAR Shootout andGatorade 125-mile qualifying Daytona International Speedway’s Budweiser been to Daytona every 500since1989, many of totion. Hanks, putitmildly, isarace fan.He’s sec- andelectricianinitsforward mechanic are busy.” be ableto monitor guys andcontrolit,those have. they that Andto have to understand and have, subsystems, back-up the allthe systems impressive systems to different seeallthe they how to Thatwasvery manually doallthat. “The thing I remember the most aboutthat Irememberthe “The thing convert? How becomeaNASCAR didHanks “Not really –ifyou aboutwhatthey think world’sInside whatisarguably the most orbiter,While inthe a Lewis metLesHanks, it, to blasts ithadtakendebris seethe fromthe wasincredible. Tothere fencing around seethe hadto that betakenthought into account designandallthe andseeallthe out there orbiter,”second behindthe Lewis says. “To go was farfromover. team works to preparefor alaunch.” for perfection isexactly how SpaceShuttle the to aneagerness achieve best resultswith the anddriversmechanics converse onproblems Shuttlebusiness,too.it isinthe Watching the waySometimes, again andagain, isthe which for, retested. andifitwasn’tright,they outcome werehad aparticular they looking racemaintenance Shuttle. Each team onthe practice at Daytona wasalotlike performing continues.“WatchingHanks race teams the tem Iamworking onto functionproperly,” to sys- bedoneexactly particular rightfor the cars. last littlebitofspeedouttheir Seriescrews Busch doto tweakNASCAR that between Shuttleandwhat hisjobonthe saw spaceprogram the distinct similarities 15-year visit,the Lewis. Duringthe veteran of Thunder, whereheagain hooked upwith ofPreseason Seriesportion Busch NASCAR “The launch padarea,to“The launch me,waskindof Awesome tour Shuttlewas,the the though Shuttlerequires“My jobonthe everything laterHanks visited Daytona duringthe

Photos: Mark Sluder (Preceeding Pages: Mark Sluder) Photo: Bambi Mattila (Inset) doesn’t pay attention to detail].” going to succeed,asopposedto [ateam that team the that’s that’s correct, sure everything’s andmaketime to everything really apart pick makes Ifyou that adifference. takestuff the details,”rans isthe Lewis says. little “It’sthe separates really goodteams also- the fromthe likes to seeinhisrace team. Shuttles upinto space.” isinvolvedthat oneofthe inlaunching generalI’m surethe about, publicnever thinks Ihadnever of,and small detailsthat thought little It’sthose spacecraft. ready to the launch basically like got asurgicalroomwhenthey wasimpressive. flying And there was – and then the – and the – –andthe the was–andthen And there “I’ve what always beliefthat beenunderthe The attention to Lewis detailissomething padwas launch “The wholeareaaroundthe people atNASAknew aboutus.” Serieshasbecome,that Busch NASCAR the what we doinracing shows just how popular about space fans.Thepeople’senthusiasm andwefans wasgreat, gotto show how we are picture ofhow many peopleatNASAarerace always agoodthing. make andthat’s somenew sport, fansfor the willprobablypeople atNASA,which helpus to day usback the ries hehadfromthat with pace car,” saidGreen.“Iknow hetook sto- the when we took track inthe himaroundthe excitement himandseethe with onhisface Speedway inJanuary. SeriestestingBusch atDaytona International treated Tom to quite anexperience atNASCAR Wolf David Timber after Greenandthe crew Kennedy SpaceCenter wasapayback ofsorts, NASAsince1966.been with Thevisitto Space Center inCapeCanaveral, Fla. Kennedy to lookatthe abehind-the-scenes No. Wolf 37Timber the Chevrolet, wastreated opening speedweeks. David Green,driver of tral Floridaside-tripduringDaytona’s season NASA playshosttoDavidGreen By JeffArmstrong The tour avisitto building began with the “For Tom to openuplikeandpainta that “We were fortunate to beableto spendtime The tour wasledby Tom Overton, who’s Seriesdriver Busch madeacen- A NASCAR that was goupnext.” scheduled to Green the triptothe KSCmight’ve ofa beensomething out, Asitturned Seriesseasonfinale. Busch toback Homestead, weekend’s for the NASCAR as any engineshop[inNASCAR].” well out.Itwasbasically just thought asclean The way haditsetupto they work wasreally exhaust [bell]was. wherethe [floor] first the it setup.You engine,basically, hadthe above way had was really neatthe they that thought sightscamealmost toothe fast to comprehend. be able to beinthe[spaceshuttle] be ableto “The coolest thingaboutitwas“The coolest to the Cape. the few before would they months from launch The signatureswere dated June8,2002,just a on Columbiajust over ayear agowere found. astronauts whoperished ofthe McCool, three Chawla,of Kalpana HusbandandWillie Rick past. signatures Atin the acloserglance,the samespace ple whohadcrawled this through shuttledoorsignaturesofpeo- rounding the prepared to wallsur- climbin,hefound onthe was invited AsGreen into Shuttlecockpit. the ofalifetimegiven opportunity whenhe the NASAemployees, visitingwith After Greenwas houses Space ShuttleDiscovery. currently that Finally, tour the wasover andLewis headed “I liked engineshop,” the Lewis says. “I A gentleman nameofRene, by whose the Ashton Lewis would wantto moreaboutNASAtoo.” learn we that had onSaturday, opportunity the they peoplehad iceberg.Iknow ifother of the that it’ssocool andwejust think tip only gotthe wanted I program. to moreaboutthe learn ourkids,have[Green’s wife] andI,alongwith said Green.“Ever sinceSaturday, Diane it’s just never top beenatthe ofmy agenda,” eighthourstomore than complete. shuttle takes the pad, atripthat launch the shuttle travels assembly buildingto fromthe the moved that path down three-mile the and external Next fueltankareattached. they solidrocket boosterstical position,andthe to Shuttleisturned aver-Building, wherethe community. Series hasmadeanimpression NASA onthe Busch NASCAR the him, makingitclearthat card, several morepeoplewould comeupto tour.the timeDavid Each stopped to signone employees whocameupto himthroughout his autograph ashesignedcards NASA for the Champion, andHopefully 2004!” bychance signing“David Green,1994 Busch crawlthe to space,andhechose seizethe tonauts in,offered letDavid signany areain job before isto launch helpstrap astro- the Ashton LewisTours NASA That wasabigplusfor us.” around.Wegram atHomestead. cappeditoff atDover,starting we ourpro- really turned waythe we last did,actually eightraces the made itawholeloteasier. year To the finish easier.much Obviously, sponsorshipwould’ve you’re to back hours. kindofnormal done–oryou’reis finally to apointwhere hard work shopandallthe overthe winter the Daytona, just becauseitmeansyou’re outof Lewis says. soexcited “Everybody’s to get to winter year,”ize that isourbusiest timeofthe offseason. the son. event, sea- ish inthe ofthe oneofhisbest runs fin- Lewis scoredafifth-place charm. good luck “It’s notlike I’ve beenaspacefanallmy life, The tour Vehicle continuedatthe Assembly David to alsohadplentyofchances practice – To more aboutNASA,visitwww.nasa.gov learn “[The good finish] makeswinter the that “[The goodfinish] good,becausepeopledon’treal- “It wasvery asanincentive effort during Lewis usedthe APRIL 2004 NM 15