Wheels & Deals

U.S. District Court Senior Judge Marvin Shoob indicated on Thursday that he “likely will make no decision for a week on whether to allow AT&T to put its logos” on the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing car driven by Jeff Burton. Shoob said that he would give NASCAR and AT&T seven days after yesterday’s hearing to file their proposed findings and conclusions (SCENEDAILY.com, 4/26).

DAYTONA 500: Daytona Int’l Speedway (DIS) has asked 50 celebrities to submit ticket designs for next year’s Daytona 500 to generate charity funds. The celebrities include actors, TV personalities, musicians, pro athletes and Nextel Cup drivers. Public voting will narrow the field to ten at daytona500.com beginning Tuesday. Finalists will be announced June 15 and the winning entry will be revealed during the track’s Pepsi 400 weekend in July. All artwork will be auctioned online with proceeds benefiting The Jeff Gordon Foundation (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 4/27).

Duno To Make IRL Debut At Sunday’s Kansas Lottery Indy 300

READY TO ROLL? In St. Petersburg, Brant James notes IRL driver Milka Duno will make her series debut Sunday at Kansas Speedway and writes, “The debate remains whether open-wheel racing’s two circuits (IRL and Champ Car) allow drivers with too little experience into the big leagues if they bring sponsor money.” Duno had “just some ladder series time in open-wheel cars before this week,” but she “brings Citgo and potentially the marketing appeal of Danica Patrick” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 4/27).

BELLE ISLE: In Detroit, Angelique Chengelis reports 48 50-person hospitality suites for the IRL Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle in September have been sold for $50,000 each and seven 100-person chalets have been sold for $95,000 each. Tickets will cost $15-100 and will go on sale in mid-May. Detroit Grand Prix Chair Bud Denker said that the event has presenting sponsors, “but he can’t reveal those until the contracts are signed” (DETROIT NEWS, 4/27).