Robby Gordon will attempt to run the Brickyard 400 in a Kurt Roehrig #19 Ford. Also Gordon is talking about doing a limited 1999 schedule with Hendrick Motorsports.(TNN's Raceday)(7-12-98)
Results of the Jiffy Lube 300 at Loudon can be found at at GoRacing, NASCAR Online and Speedworld. Owners Points and Provisional Status for each team has been updated at Jayski's Provisional Status Page and the ROTY, Team Points, 1999 Winston, 1999 Bud Shootout and Manu Standings have been update at Jayski's Stats Page.(7-12-98)
Immediately after the race Bobby Labonte in the #18 was credited with a 10th place finish and Kenny Wallace an 11th in the #81. The #81 team requested a check of the photo finish camera which resulted in Wallace being re-instated to 10th and Labonte to 11th.(NASCAR Online)(7-12-98)
Randy Porter has plans to sell the #48 Unifirst Uniforms BGN team either outright or piece by piece and Mrytle Beach was the last race for the team.(NASCAR Online)(7-12-98)
Jeff Burton's and Mark Martin's teams changed engines and transmissions last night after both noticed oil leaks.(NASCAR2Day)(7-12-98)
Mike Joy mentioned during the Truck race that Hendrick Motorsports hopes to announce a sponsor for its #24 Truck team and driver Jack Sprague.(CBS-Truck Race)(7-12-98)
In a Mike Mulhern story about the Wood Brothers it is mentioned: And (Michael)Waltrip? He will probably be back with the Woods for another season. "We're all pretty much in agreement, but we don't have a signed contract yet," Len(Wood) said. See the rest of the story at NEW WOOD: Next generation of legendary family tries to keep pace - JournalNow.(7-12-98)
First Union officials, not pleased with the problems the cars they sponsor have had on the tour this season(#46 SABCO Chevy), may be looking to move that sponsorship to another team, according to sources close to the situation. One car owner who could be involved: Travis Carter, who is considering a second team for next season.(JournalNow)(7-12-98)
Ricky Rudd's negotiations with Robert Yates for an engine program next season have not been fruitful so far.(JournalNow), this is probably the how the Rudd to Yates rumor got started because Rudd was looking to switch to Yates Motors from Pro Motors.(7-12-98)
(7-11-98)
NASCAR racing fans in Indianapolis are gearing up for a unique opportunity. They
will meet some of their favorite Winston Cup drivers at the third annual Indiana Ford Stores’ "Ford Fan Appreciation Day" on July 29. Last year’s event drew approximately
15,000 fans, and Ford officials expect the 1998 event will attract an even larger crowd. The Ford Fan Appreciation Day precedes the Brickyard 400, and will take place at the RCA Dome on Wednesday, July 29 from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Drivers slated to attend include: Brett Bodine, Jeff Burton, Bill Elliott, Kenny Irwin Jr., Mark Martin, Jerry Nadeau, Kenny Wallace, Michael Waltrip, and Rusty Wallace along with some of the Truck drivers. See the complete story at the Ford Motorsports site: Indiana Ford Dealers Hold 3rd Annual NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day.(7-11-98)
Nearly 40 Cup teams will test July 13-17 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for the Brickyard 400 on 8-1-98. Among the teams testing will be Hendrick Motorsports (Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte), Roush Racing (Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Ted Musgrave, Johnny Benson Jr., Chad Little), Penske South Racing (Rusty Wallace),
Penske-Kranefuss Racing (Jeremy Mayfield), Robert Yates Racing (Dale Jarrett, Kenny Irwin Jr.), Rudd Performance Motorsports (Ricky Rudd), Bill Elliott Motorsports (Bill Elliott) and Joe Gibbs Racing (Bobby Labonte). Not all of the team's primary drivers will participate in the test. Testing will take place from 9am-5pm each day. The South Terrace grandstands, open every day for Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum visitors, will be available for fans to watch the test.(Brickyard 400 Site), others I have heard: Tim Steele - #15 Moore-Robinson Ford; Ernie Irvan - #36 Skittles Pontiac; Robby Gordon - #19 Kurt Roehrig Ford; and Morgan Shepherd - #91 LJ Racing Chevy.(7-11-98)
An announcement on whether or not CBS will televise the Pepsi 400 at Daytona(that was postponed from July 4th) the night of Oct. 17 is taking more time than originally expected. The Pespi 400 would go head-to-head against Game 1 of the World Series on Fox - and most likely a college football game on ESPN.(So that probably rules out ESPN as mentioned in a past story on this site). A likely option if CBS chooses not to carry the 400 would be to move it to The Nashville Network(TNN), which has shown NASCAR races in the past and is owned by CBS. A decision is expected within the next two weeks. See the story at Decision on 400 telecast on hold.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(7-11-98)
According to a Roush Racing spokesperson, Ted Musgrave's last race behind the
wheel of the No. 16 Roush Racing entry will be The Bud at the Glen scheduled for August 9. Kevin Lepage will replace Musgrave in the PRIMESTAR Taurus beginning with the Aug 16 Winston Cup event at Michigan Speedway. Lepage began the season with LJ Racing but was released during the race weekend at Sears Point Raceway. Musgrave has not disclosed his plans for the future.(GoRacing)(7-11-98)
UPDATE: CBS Sportsline is(was) holding a poll: Do you think CBS should air the postponed Pepsi 400 in prime time, even if it conflicts with the World Series? Go to the site and vote: CBS SportsLine.(7-6-98) - The poll is gone and I hear with approx 7500 votes on Friday it was something like 95% in favor of CBS Showing the race.(7-11-98)
"There are strong indications Tabasco officials might pull the sponsorship from Hanscher before the end of the season and move it to another team. Roush has been talking to the company for several weeks, and if a move is made, he could be the choice. Bodine, according to those close to him, has been trying to put together a deal for Tabasco to sponsor a second Pontiac team with Rider. And Childress, according to sources close to his operation, is also in the negotiations for the Tabasco sponsorship. It is unclear what driver Hanscher might pick for the next tour stop at Pocono in two weeks. According to sources close to the situation, Wally Dallenbach and Morgan Shepherd both turned down offers to drive for Hanscher here."(Mike Mulhern/JournalNow)(7-11-98)
UPDATE: Jimmy Dean and Bahari Racing have a Press Conference scheduled for Saturday, July 11th. NASCAR Online hints at a sponsorship possibility as Gumout/Pennzoil is in the last year of it's contract with the #30 team.(NASCAR Online)(7-10-98) - Jimmy Dean and Bahari Racing announced a summer racing promotion in which the winner of a sweepstakes will receive a 1999 Pontiac Trans-Am along with a trip for two to the 1999 Daytona 500 to receive the car and meet Derrike Cope. Bahari' Racing is still looking for a primary sponsor as Jimmy Dean Foods will remain an associate sponsor.(NASCAR Online)(7-11-98)
UPDATE II: I hear Casey Atwood will run a second Brewco BGN car at Myrtle Beach Saturday, Brewco fields cars for Mark Green with the #37 TimberWolf Chevy's.(7-7-98) - Atwood is listed in the #27 Brewco Chevy on the qualifying list for Myrtle Beach.(NASCAR Online) - Atwood has signed a deal to drive the 2nd Brewco Chevy at selected BGN events in 1998 and drive the full BGN schedule in 1999. The team is close to signing a sponsor.(GoRacing), no idea what happened with the rumored Bill Elliott deal.(7-11-98)
2nd round qualifying is over for the Jiffy Lube 300. Speeds were very fast. Ken Schrader was fastest with a lap of 127.949mph. See starting lineups, qualifying results, practice speeds and Happy Hours speeds(Mark Martin was the fastest) at GoRacing, NASCAR Online and Speedworld. Dave Marcis couldn't get enough speed up and will miss the race with the special TNN paint scheme. Morgan Shepherd drove the #91 LJ Racing Chevy and while it was still slow, the team was higher than the #71 in the owners points and will use the last provisional, who else took provisionals, see Jayski's Provisional Status Page, Steve Grissom and the #41 team took their 12th provisional of the 1998 season and since they are 25th in owners points did not lose an allotted one.(7-11-98)
Some Saturday Jiffy Lube 300 Notes: Andy Hillenburg ran the #91 LJ Racing Chevy at Loudon during Happy Hour and will start the Jiffy Lube 300 in the car; Jerry Nadeau will start in a backup car after brushing the wall in Happy Hour, he will be starting in the oringinal primary car which he scuffed up in practice on Friday but was in better shape then the backup car he wrecked in Happy Hour(got that stright?).(NASCAR Online)(7-11-98)
Drivers/Teams guaranteed to make the Jiffy Lube 300 and qualified 26th or worse on Friday: #2-Jeremy Mayfield(2nd in owners points); #5-Terry Labonte(7th and former champ); #33-Ken Schrader(12); #4-Bobby Hamilton(13); #21-Michael Waltrip(14); #40-Sterling Marlin(15) and #22-Ward Burton(16). One team goes home and the top candidates are: #71-Dave Marcis(45th in owners points, qualified 39th 1st round); #46-Jeff Green(43/32); #98-Rich Bickle(41/36); #30-Derrike Cope(39/41) and #91-Andy Hillenburg(37/42) all depends on who can pick up speed today and get above 37th fastest. See Jayski's Provisional Status Page for owners points and provisional info.(7-11-98)
Rain delayed qualifying for the Jiffy Lube 300 by over an hour. That rain also robbed the Cup cars of the precious bite it takes to get around this flat track. The first driver out, Sterling Marlin, ran a time that was over two seconds slower than what he ran in final practice. Craven's pole speed, as good as it was, was 0.100 slower than the fastest time turned in during the afternoon practice session.(GoRacing)(7-11-98)
2nd round qualifying notes: Bobby Hamilton wrecked during his warmup lap and will start in a backup car. Morgan Shepherd will run the #91 LJ Racing Chevy not Andy Hillenburg.(incorrect, see above story)(NASCAR Online)(7-11-98)
(7-10-98)
Brett Bodine is going to be at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, CT on Friday, July 17th if any fans in the Northeast are interested.(StockCarFans/Beth), Jayski note: doesn't sound like he will race but appear as the track is saluting the 50 Greatest Modified Drivers of All-time which Bodine is included.(7-10-98)
Check this out from Victory Lane Online: ...mentioned last week, that Indy 500 winner Eddie Cheever was one of the drivers inquiring about the job(for the #91 LJ Racing driver). I'd like to clear that up just a little here. Cheever is interested, but only for a one race deal at the Brickyard. He also would bring along a sponsor for that race. I've been informed that he does not have any stock car experience, and that he is considered to be a long shot at best, though he hasn't been ruled out. The only thing that I can offer here is, if Hillenburg does not work out, and no one makes the cut at Pocono, then his chances might improve. The bottom line here is, Falk is looking for a full time driver.(Victory Lane Online)(7-10-98)
Joey Knuckles has been named the crew chief for the Bud Moore-David Robinson #15 Rescue Engine Formula Ford Taurus. Knuckles will finish his duties as a crewman for the #38 Akins/Sutton Barbasol BGN Ford at Myrtle Beach then move over to the #15. The team will use Ernie Elliott(Bill's Brother) engines. Plans are for Tim Steele to drive the car at Pocono(not Blaise Alexander as previously reported here), Indy(as reported here) and three other races so Steele can run for Rookie of the Year in 1999. The team will run three other races with another driver, Alexander is under consideration to run those events.(NASCAR Online/That's Racin')(7-10-98)
One rumor(geez where'd it come from?) has been that Rudd might sell his team to Robert Yates, who owns the #88 Fords driven by Dale Jarrett and the #28 Fords driven
by Kenny Irwin. But Yates said he has no plans to add a third team next year.(That's Racin' Notes-David Poole/Jim Utter)(7-10-98)
UPDATE: Hearing Wally Dallenbach may run five races in the #35 Tabasco Pontiac, not sure when that will start.(7-10-98) - just heard from a source that it is very doubtful that Dallenbach will take the #35 ride.
Larry Hedrick Motorsports has announced that they will field a second car for the upcoming Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Owensboro, KY driver David Green will pilot the Monte Carlo in a one-race deal with sponsorship from Conwood Company, LP, makers of Kodiak brand smokeless tobacco. The car will be blue and white, no idea on a number yet. Green will test the car at Indy next week. The team also went to lenghts to say the 2nd team in no way will effact their primary team or Steve Grissom.(GoRacing - Hedrick Motorsports to Field Second Car at IMS)(7-10-98)
The Money Store who recently merged with First Union will be on the #46 First Union Chevy this weekend as an associate sponsor.(NASCAR Online)(7-10-98)
Ken Bouchard former Cup Rookie of the Year had a car prepared for the Jiffy Lube 300 but that the engine wasn't ready, further delaying his planned return to the series.(NASCAR Online)(7-10-98)
Kevin Lepage raced last night at Thunder Road in Barre, Vermont, his home track. He signed autographes and raced a Late Model Stock car. Lepage started last in his heat and finished 2nd. The feature was on lap 6 and got rained out.(7-10-98)
Buckshot Jones Racing has broken ground on a 25,000sq/ft raing facility in Spartanburg, SC.(WC Today Radio)(7-10-98)
The Bud Moore team plans to make it's Cup return at Pocono on July 26th. Tentative plans are to have Blaise Alexander run the #15 Rescue Ford and then have Tim Steele in the car for Indy, Michigan, Darlington, Charlotte, Talladega, Rockingham and Atlanta. The team also plans to test at Indy on july 14th.(Winston Cup Scene)(7-10-98)
Mike who runs Michael Packer's FREE Pick 12 Game and I have had linked here since I started this page in 8/96 has this to say about his page: "Due to the fact that I don't have time to get this setup on another server the New Hampshire race will be the last race of this season. I hopefully will have this up and running again next year. I'd like to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments that I've received. You may email Mike at: pac@runet.edu with any ideas or comments.(7-10-98)
It was reported on RPM2Nite that Rich Bickle will be the driver of the #98 Thorn Apple Valley Ford for the remainder of 1998.(7-10-98)
UPDATE: I hear Larry Hedrick is shopping sponsorship for a second car at Indy. The driver of choice for this venture is David Green. Wonder if this has anything to the news I saw a few months back where golfer Larry Ziegler said "I'm going to get into NASCAR, with Larry Hedrick," Ziegler said. The complete story from May 17th, can be found at Ziegler wins Saint Luke's Classic in the KC Star.(7-9-98) see above story(7-10-98)
WOW!! How about the return of Ricky Craven! Wins the pole at Loudon beating Jeff Gordon. Gary Bradberry also did quite well in the #35 Tabasco Pontiac and qualified 11th.(7-10-98)
Kenny Schrader ran the 6th fastest lap in the #33 Skoal Chevy during qualifying for the Jiffy Lube 300. But during his run a weight box broke and four lead weights fell onto the track. NASCAR disallowed his qualifying run and Schrader will have to qualify in 2nd round on Saturday. This moves everyone from 7th on back up a spot.(RPM2Nite), Owner-Crew Chief Andy Petree was fined $2,000 for the infraction.(7-10-98)
44 cars are attempting to make the Jiffy Lube 300, 43 cars get in, one goes home. After the early practice #'s 91, 35, 13, 71 and 30 were the slowest. Mark Martin was fastest with Gordon, Marlin and Schrader right behind.(7-10-98)
Curtis Markham will be in the #64 BGN Chevy in place of regular driver Dick Trickle who in at Loudon, NH for the Jiffy Lube 300 Cup race.(7-10-98)
(7-9-98)
UPDATE: Buckshot Jones will run the Brickyard 400 in the #8 Stavola Bros Chevy. It is the only race planned together at this point. No word on a sponsor.(iRace), I hear that plans are to Jones in the car for 9 races and another driver for 2 races for the rest 1998.(7-9-98)
Todd Bodine and Jimmy Spencer both announced that they would be competing at the Dover 200 for the Busch Grand National North Series, Saturday July 18th at Dover Downs, the same weekend as the IRL race there. The Cup series is off that weekend and BGN is out west.(StockCarFans and other sources/readers), Spencer will run Dover, then hop a plane and head to Ohio for the Superstar Shootout.(7-9-98) see above 7-16 story.
Here is a quote from Gary Bradberry on the Team Tabasco deal. "This is strictly a one race deal, our Pilot team had decided to skip the New Hampshire race and the #35 Tabasco team needed a driver for this one race." "It worked out good for everyone." From the The Official Gary Bradberry Fan Site.(7-9-98)
Marty at MRN has his notes back up after missing a week due to the Florida Fires, see all the notes at: MRN Notebook - Marty's Two Cents, I posted a few of the Cup news, but he also reports on some BGN and Truck news.(7-9-98)
In the next few weeks look for a couple of drivers to re-up with their current teams. Joe Nemechek is on the verge of signing a contract extension with SABCO which would keep him in the #42 car for a few more years. Also as we mentioned earlier SABCO appears to be close to signing Jeff Green for the rest of the year to drive the First Union Chevrolet.(MRN Notebook)(7-9-98)
As reported here last week: Ward Burton should be closing in on a new deal with Bill Davis Racing. The contract would be an extension, which should also help Bill Davis in his effort to sign a major sponsor. On that front, things appear to being going well for the Davises as they are communicating with several major sponsors.(MRN Notebook)(7-9-98)
President Clinton visited Daytona International Speedway and thanked all the folks who have helped with the Florida Wild Fires. See the story at Kendrick Kreations Central Florida Wild Fire Page.(7-9-98)
Here is Nancy's understanding of the TV deal with the Pepsi 400: CBS is a network that televises, and, ESPN is a "cable channel" televising. CBS has the
rights to the Pepsi 400, but ESPN has the exclusive rights to all cable telecasts relating to the Pepsi 400. Therefore, even if CBS wanted to air the Pepsi 400 on TNN (which is also a cable network), it can't because ESPN has the exclusive rights to the cable rights.(Remember ESPN2 was going to cover qualifying and used to televise the race)(Nancy-StockCarFans)(7-9-98)
Roush Racing has confirmed that Ted Musgrave will be driving the #16 Primestar Ford this weekend at the NASCAR Winston Cup race at Loudon. Musgrave, who has already been told by Roush that he won't be finishing the season in the car, is in the car until another driver has been finalized. In the meantime, said Stephanie Smith-Marquez of Roush Racing, "if Musgrave finds another ride, Roush Racing will accommodate him." As to the replacement driver, the sponsor hasn't yet met him, said
Smith-Marquez.(RacingPR)(7-9-98)
A Ford has led 2.611 of the 4.962 laps raced this season (52.6 percent). Chevrolet has led 1.971 laps (39.7 percent) while Pontiac has led 380 laps
(7.7 percent).(Speedworld Jiffy Lube Notes)(7-9-98)
Some drivers/teams that will be at Myrtle Beach for the BGN race: Jim Bown will be there in Dan Browders #78 Chevy(not his own #51 as I reported); Scott Lagasse will drive the #59 Chevy; Lyndon Amick returns fulltime to the circuit in the #35 Pontiac; Kerry Earnhardt in the #40 ChannelLock Chevy;(7-9-98)
(7-8-98)
On July 18th, Columbus Motor Speedway will have a special "Superstar Shootout" race. Four NASCAR stars are scheduled to attend including: Sterling Marlin,
Steve Grissom, Hut Stricklin, and Jimmy Spencer. Columbus Motor Speedway in a 1/3 mile, 6 degree banked oval located just southeast of Columbus, Ohio. Website is http://www.columbusspeedway.com(Thanks StockCarFans and Jay G)(7-8-98)
Team Tabasco has released Todd Bodine. Gary Bradberry, regular driver for the #78 Pilot Ford Team, will drive the #35 Tabasco Pontiac at Loudon this week. The #78 isn't going to Loudon which freed Bradberry up for the race. Todd Bodine has several opportunities brewing including on with a well established multi-car team.(RPM2Nite)(7-8-98)
CBS plans to decide this week whether it will televise the Pepsi 400(in October) or sell the TV rights to another network.(That's Racin' - News/Jim Utter), I hear if CBS decides not to show the race, ESPN will get the rights.(7-8-98)
Sad News: Semon 'Bunkie' Knudson, Commissioner of Nascar, died of heart failure today in Michigan. While General Manager of Pontiac in the late 50's and early 60's, he used Nascar racing to build a new image for Pontiac and became close friends with the France family. He went on to be General Manager of Chevrolet, a Sr. VP of GM, President of Ford and Chairman of White Motors. My condolences to his family.(7-6-98) - who was Bunkie Knudson? Check out David Poole's story at That's Racin': `Bunkie' Knudsen, NASCAR's quiet legend, dies at age 85.(7-8-98)
Tyler Jet Motorsports plans on running the truck series full time in 1999 and is also looking to possibly have a Busch Series team. At this point the team has no drivers in mind for the BGN ride.(PR)(7-8-98)
According to the teams, there are a lot of new cars being built in preparation for the back-to-back "plate" races coming this October. More than not are building a third speedway car for the two-week period in late October. What's all this going to cost the teams? Well, depending if they re-skin a car or build a new one, it could cost anywhere from $15,000 - $150,000.(Speedworld)(7-8-98)
Between Thursday afternoon and Saturday night, the Langley Speedway marketing director, Chuck Hall, hosted a 50-hour radio show on WBYM/1490AM to collect items for firefighters and families displaced by wildfires in Florida. When Hall signed off at 8:30 Saturday night, his donation jar held $19,000 in cash and checks. Nearby, a five-ton truck from Cook's Moving and Storage was bulging with liquids, household and personal-care items, clothes, non-perishable food, blankets, pillows, furniture, baby items and animal food. In addition, the drive produced 16 other tractor-trailers bound for the Red Cross in northeast Florida. All told, the value of Langley's donations and goods was estimated at $100,000. See the rest of the story at Langley Speedway, thanks to the many readers for the heads up on this.(7-8-98)
(7-7-98)
Wally Dallenbach has three Cup offers on the table(no idea who) and will test with Hendrick Motorsports in all three cars at Indy next week.(RPM2Nite)(7-7-98)
Dale Earnhardt's oldest son Kerry will attempt to make the BGN race in Myrtle Beach in the #40 ChannelLock Chevy.(NASCAR Online), Kerry works at the Doug Taylor #40 Shop and plans on running the car at South Boston, VA and possibly a few other race with an eye out towards 1999 if he does well(WC Today Radio)(7-7-98)
Philippe and Angela Lopez are the parents of twin girls Sidney Frances and Ashley Colette Lopez. The twins were born Monday June 29 at 8:47 p.m. and 8:49 p.m. in Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Mother and babies are doing well. Philippe is the crew chief of the #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo. This is the couple's first and second child.(Pennzoil)(7-7-98)
Ricky Craven, Bill Elliott and Robert Pressley tested at Greenville-Pickens Speedway today. Craven was fast and satisfied with the results.(7-7-98)
Dr. Jerry Punch said on RPM2Nite that he called the Tabasco Team shop and was told the team has no idea who will drive the #35 Tabasco Pontiac at Loudon even though Todd Bodine had been announced yesterday.(RPM2Nite), Winston Cup Radio reports tonight that word on the street is that Todd Bodine has been fired outright.(7-7-98)
#91 LJ Racing owner Joe Falk announced today that Andy Hillenburg will pilot the #91 Chevrolet Monte Carlo this weekend at Loudon. LJ Racing also announced a one race sponsorship deal with Elkin, NC based "INVINCA-SHIELD", an invisible auto and truck bra, used on Winston Cup cars, and available for passenger and industrial automotive use.(LJ Racing Website)(7-6-98)
The following drivers will drive the following cars at Loudon:
#91 LJ Racing Chevy - Andy Hillenburg; #35 Tabasco Pontiac - Todd Bodine; #96 Cat Chevy - Hut Stricklin; #46 First Union Chevy - Jeff Green; and of course #50 Bud Chevy - the return of Ricky Craven(nice to have ya back!).(7-6-98)
According to sources, young talent Casey Atwood has signed a five race deal with Bill Elliott. No details on what car he'd run or in which races.(GoRacing - Cup Notes)(7-6-98)
Today Bill Elliott-#94 McDonald's Ford, Rich Bickle-#98 Thorn Apple Valley Ford and Hut Stricklin-#96 Caterpillar Chevy tested at Greenville-Pickens Speedway for the upcoming event at Loudon.(MRM and Chip)(7-6-98)
A story I missed, I included in part from iRace by Steve Smith when he interviewed Tim Steele last week: Tim Steele is a very hot commodity. This week, he is meeting with at least four Winston Cup team owners, "and they're coming to Michigan to see me," Steele says. He does not plan to make any hasty decisions, though. One more option: Going Winston Cup racing with his own team. A professional football player -- a very well-known football player -- has been talking to Steele about building a Cup team together. It's known, and entirely understandable, that Ford would like to continue its association with Steele, so expect his plans to include the blue oval. Steele says he does plan to run at least a few Winston Cup races this year, then run the entire season next year. It's possible the Toledo race was his last appearance in an ARCA car, but his team seemed confident they'd be at the next race at Pike's Peak, and ARCA has received an entry from Steele. See the rest of the story at iRace: Tim Steele: 'It came back to me so quickly', excellent story, great comeback.(7-6-98)
Here is something interesting I have reported on in the past but didn't know who would drive the car: Ray Evernham plans to start a NASCAR Busch Grand National team next year with Jeff Gordon. While Gordon will run five races for that team next year, the main goal is to discover "the next Jeff Gordon or Ray Evernham" as an investment for the future. Taken in part from a story on That's Racin' by Juliet Macur: Where's the line between a champion and a cheater.(7-6-98)
Ricky Craven will test the #50 Bud Chevy at Greenville-Pickens Speedway on Tuesday, 7-7-98.(RPM2Nite)(7-6-98)
From a reader: Was at the ARCA race in Toledo, OH last week(June 27-28) and watched Tim Steele finish second to Frank Kimmel. The Track PA had a pre-race interview with Steele, in which he said that he was having a few meetings the following week, and that he might have something to announce soon about his future. When asked if he was going to Daytona(for the Pepsi 400 which of course was postponed), he said was it was possibility. But Steele did say his team sent in an entry black for the next ARCA race just in case.(7-6-98)
BGN Champ Randy LaJoie who for the past two seasons has maintained that he has no interest in returning fulltime to the Cup series has seemed to have a change of heart after running well as a sub for Ricky Craven in the #50 Bud Chevy. LaJoie mentioned on RPM2Nite that he wants to win a Cup race now and may in fact consider a Cup ride if it is a top notch ride.(RPM2Nite)(7-6-98)
The progression of the TOTALLY False Mike Skinner/Ted Musgrave/Kevin Lepage Rumors
UPDATE: Check out the story on SpeedNet by Ben Blake that I can relate to after the Mike Skinner rumor mess(which can be seen on my July archive): Spreading rumors isn't journalism. - I hear that the Mike Skinner rumor was all over the garage area back at Sears Point and no one did a thing to quiet it down until it made it to the Internet around July 1st, maybe that is why my sources were all telling me the same basic thing, oh well - live and learn.(7-9-98)
Bill Weber interviewed Richard Childress owner of Mike Skinners #31 Lowes team and he said Mike Skinner is his driver for the team. Enough said.(RPM2Nite)(7-10-98)
FROM THE RacingPR Website: DAVID SMITH, Team manager for No. 31 Lowes Chevrolet reports that "there is no truth to the report that MIKE SKINNER has been released from RCR. He will, in fact, be driving our car for the remainder of the 98 season with an option to renew for 1999 and 2000." See the rest of the story at RacingPR Website.(7-7-98)
David Smith, Team Manager for the #31 RCR Lowes team said on RPM2Nite that Mike Skinner will driver the #31 Lowes Chevy for the remainder of 1998 and while his contract is up at the end of 1998, the team expects to re-sign Skinner.(RPM2Nite and David Smith), boy was I wrong on this one.(7-6-98)
Well, so much for those rumors: Reports of both Mike Skinner's (driver #31) and Ted Musgrave's (driver #16) demise appear to be greatly overstated --- or at least according to sources at both RCR and Roush Racing. Comments from both parties have indicated that their respective drivers are secure at least through New Hampshire.(GoRacing - Cup Notes), anyhow good to hear they are staying put.(7-6-98)
As for the Skinner-Musgrave-Lepage rumor?: Kevin Lepage said Sunday morning that, as of now, he has no plans to drive a Cup car at Loudon. "Right now, I just plan to go up there as a spectactor," Lepage said. "I won't be in the 16 car (the No. 16 Primestar Ford of Roush Racing), and I don't know if I'll ever be in the 16 car. No one has offered me a ride for New Hampshire, so I'm just going to be a spectactor up there as far as I know right now."(NASCAR Online)(7-6-98)
Hmm...at the end of the Diehard 250 BGN race, Larry McReynolds said he is looking forward to going to New Hampshire with Mike Skinner next week. Whether he does not know or it's just not true that Skinner is gone from the #31.(7-5-98)
Richard Childress sources have confirmed that they have released driver Mike Skinner from the #31 Lowes Chevrolet. Skinner will be replaced next weekend by Ted Musgrave at Loudon, but it is for next weekend only(at this point). Roush Racing, regarding who would drive #16 next weekend, had no comment other than to say they were "looking at one particular driver, but he hasn't yet met with the sponsor for their approval." 'That one particular driver' could be Kevin Lepage, recently optioned by Roush Racing for a thirty-day period while he was 'shopped' to the Primestar sponsors of Roush's #16 Ford. It was confirmed to me Saturday morning that he has now signed a contract with Roush Racing, but would not say for how long, other than it is a multi-year contract. LePage, at Milwaukee to race the #40 Channelock Chevrolet, said that he has not heard anything about racing next weekend in the #16 Ford.(Lynne Huntting - RacingPR)(7-5-98)
I hear that Ted Musgrave may end up in the #31 Lowes Chevy as soon as New Hampshire with Kevin Lepage taking over in the #16 Primestar Ford. No idea what Mike Skinner would do. Still hearing it could be Dallenbach.(7-4-98)
Hearing that Mike Skinner may get released soon from the #31 Lowes Chevy RCR team. The name being tossed around is Wally Dallenbach, Jr who just finished subbibg for Ricky Craven in the #50 Bud Chevy.(many sources)(7-4-98)
