PAST NEWS MARCH 1-7, 1999
(3-7-1999)
- Ford Engine Heads: Been getting questions on this, so..."Ford created a new aluminum cylinder head and submitted it to NASCAR in hopes of getting approval for use on the Cup series. NASCAR, though, has not approved the head and Ford insiders don't expect approval any time soon. The had been to use them starting at the Daytona 500(Stock Car Racing Magazine)(3-7-1999)
- No Bull 5 drivers for the Coca-Cola 600: #99-Jeff Burton; #22-Ward Burton; #24-Jeff Gordon; #31-Mike Skinner; and #18-Bobby Labonte(3-7-1999)
- Noticed: Buckshot Jones had Cheez-It Snack Crackers on the 1/4 panels instead of Crown Fiber(his Dad's company) in the Las Vegas 400. Probably to make it up to Cheez-It for missing the BGN race(3-7-1999)
- #98 Sponsor UPDATE: Went to the Jelly Belly site and found this info: "Late breaking news...We are proud to announce that Rick Mast of Burdette/Yarborough Motorsports will be driving the Jelly Belly Ford Taurus #98 in the Las Vegas 400 Race in pursuit of his first NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory."(Jelly Belly)(3-5-1999) -- per Randy Pemberton on TNN's Inside NASCAR, this is a one race deal(3-7-1999)
- Thorn Apple Valley: former sponsor of the #98 Cale Yarborough(now Burdette Motorsports) has filed for bankruptcy - story at Yahoo: Thorn Apple Files for Bankruptcy (3-7-1999)
(3-6-1999)
- Wind Tunnel: NASCAR officials are expected to take the top-finishing automobile makes at next weekend's race in Atlanta to the Lockheed wind tunnel to get test data for comparison with last week's tests of the new Monte Carlo -- tested at the Atlanta track and then in the wind tunnel(PitNow) I hear a strike at the Wind Tunnel may postpone the test(3-6-1999)
- Nadeau on the Pole and he wins: for the Winston West The Orleans 150. Nadeau ran a lap of 166.246mph. Ricky Craven was second quickest in qualifying, turning a lap at 165.052(WRAL) by the way as far as I know there will NOT be any TV coverage of the Winston West race(3-5-1999) -- Jerry Nadeau is having a pretty good weekend there in Vegas, he won the Winston West race on Friday and qualified 8th for the Las Vegas 400. See results of the Winston West race at The Racing West Site(3-6-1999)
- Radio News: The fate of Bruton Smith's Performance Racing Network(PRN) is up in the air, and there are some indications Smith may be willing to give up PRN's radio rights in exchange for a second Winston Cup date at Texas(PitNow). NOTE: PRN does all the radio broadcasts from Smith's track, except for Las Vegas, and has the excellent daily radio show, Winston Cup Today with Mark Garrow. If this would happen, I assume MRN would take over(3-6-1999)
- Lowes? UPDATE 4: I didn't see the story yet, but I hear an article in this weeks Winston Cup Scene mentions that Lowes will not return to the #31 Richard Childress Chevy in 2000. Also will not sponsor any car/team in 2000. I guess they are concentrating on the Lowes Motor Speedway deal(2-25-1999) -- I hear it is on Page 56 of the latest issue and another note: during an interview at Rockingham, Mike Skinner said the team was in negotiations with Lowes for 2000(2-26-1999) -- Yes it says right in Deb Williams column that Lowes will not return on the #31 in 2000(2-28-1999) -- Hmm, sources tell me that this is incorrect and expect a big announcement by Lowes this week(3-1-1999) -- NASCAR Today radio reports that negotiations are underway for a multi-year contract between the #31 team and Lowes(3-2-1999) -- Lowe's might or might not be back on Mike Skinner's car next season, but the decision is going to be made quite soon, according to sources close to the situation, because car owner Richard Childress has another potential sponsor waiting in the wings if Lowe's officials say no(PitNow), also a similar story in this weeks Winston Cup Scene(3-6-1999)
(3-5-1999)
- Another Loss: The racing community suffered another loss early Thursday morning when Sherman Tucker died after a sudden illness after traveling to Las Vegas from Charlotte. Tucker was the husband of Judy Tucker, who works tirelessly as part of the media support staff at most NASCAR tracks(That's Racin')(3-5-1999)
- More sad but hopeful news: I hear John Ventura, owner/editor of "Track Talk" magazine based in Mooresville, NC is very sick and is on the waiting list for a liver transplant. Thoughts and prayers with him and his family(3-5-1999)
- Mike Harmon: Harmon, who had planned to run for Rookie of the Year, lost his ride there with Junie Donlavey Racing when a sponsorship deal(Big Daddy's) fell through. Now, Harmon is talking with Pinnacle Motorsports but waiting on a sponsor for the #81 car. They hope to run at Atlanata(Birmingham News)(3-5-1999)
- Fans Ride UPDATE: Race fans will get a chance to ride with their favorite NASCAR driver on the parade lap before Sunday's Las Vegas 400. An auction is scheduled for Thursday in which bidders will vie for the ride. The top 25 drivers in the 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup points standings will be eligible for bid. Winning bidders will ride with whichever driver they placed the bid. Proceeds will go to the Speedway Children's Charities, headed by Speedway Motorsports, Inc(SpeedNet)(3-2-1999) -- Have heard nothing on this yet(3-5-1999)
(3-4-1999)
- Diecast News? Hearing from some readers that as of June 1, 1999, diecast cars will no longer be made with Tobacco advertising or paint schemes. Tobacco diecast cars have been produced from sometime in 1994(3-4-1999)
- Sad News and an article: Tom McCollister, former motorsports writer for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution was killed Monday in an automobile accident near his home outside of Atlanta. Please remember Tom's family in your thoughts and prayers. There is also an AP article about the accident at SpeedNet: Atlanta sports writer killed in two-car crash(3-2-1999) -- David Poole of That's Racin's writes an article on his friend, Tom McCollister at: Friends for life, however short (3-4-1999)
(3-3-1999)
- Craven and Hollywood: besides having Hollywood Video as a primary sponsor at Vegas, SBIII Motorsports will continue to carry the web address for NFL Hall of Famer(an CART team owner) Walter Payton, who is suffering from a rare disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and is in need of a liver transplant. The website has been established to raise awareness about organ donation. The website is www.payton34.com (RaceWire/PR)(3-3-1999)
- Shepherd back to #90? I hear that unless another driver comes up with sponsorship dollars, Morgan Shepherd will be driving the #90 Ford in Atlanta next week. The #90 Team is still looking for sponsorship after the Big Daddy's deal and Shepherds deal with the insurance company has fallen through(3-3-1999)
- Hubert at Vegas: Tom Hubert will be driving for Roehrig Motorsports as it races for the first time in 1999 at this weekend's Las Vegas 400. The racing team is planning a limited schedule with other appearances at the Winston Cup events at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. and Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich(SpeedNet) Mentioned this here a few weeks back, Hubert will be driving the #19 Bradford White Ford(3-3-1999)
- Pardus News: As we know, rookie Dan Pardus will not race at Vegas, giving up the seat for a more experienced Ron Hornaday in the #50 Midwest Transit Chevy. Have some info from a PR I got - Midwest Transit Racing is closing its race shop in Daytona and is in the process of moving to Mooresville, NC. The move was a matter of racing logistics since most Winston Cup parts, technology and mechanics are based in the Charlotte area. Midwest Transit Racing has purchased two Chevrolets previously raced by three-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon. Midwest Transit has an agreement to run Hendrick's motors for the next two seasons(PR)(3-3-1999)
- MW Stuff: Fans of Michael Waltrip will be able to show their support Sunday at the Las Vegas 400 with souvenirs from his racing team. Philips Racing Team will provide merchandise at the track during this weekend's Las Vegas 400 -- the first time since Philips signed on as primary sponsor of the Mattei Motorsports entry last year. Sports Design of Harrisburg, N.C., will handle the design, production and marketing of the collectibles(SpeedNet)(3-3-1999)
(3-2-1999)
- #91 Sponsor: Textilease Corporation has signed a three race deal to sponsor the #91 LJ Racing Chevy and driver Steve Grissom. The deal is for Las Vegas, Atlanta and Darlington. Textilease is currently an associate sponsor with the #11 Brett Bodine race team.(RPM2Nite and the LJ Racing Site)(3-2-1999)
- Jeff Davis to run Vegas: Davis Racing Enterprises driver Jeff Davis has entered his team's #92 Ford Taurus in the Winston Cup Series event this weekend at Las Vegas. Race Car Cafe will be the sponsor along with associates include Polo Towers time-share vacation condominium suites, Big Daddy's BBQ Sauces, www.lasvegas.com and Boyds Coffee. See the complete release at RacingWest Site (3-2-1999)
- Lowes? UPDATE 3: I didn't see the story yet, but I hear an article in this weeks Winston Cup Scene mentions that Lowes will not return to the #31 Richard Childress Chevy in 2000. Also will not sponsor any car/team in 2000. I guess they are concentrating on the Lowes Motor Speedway deal(2-25-1999) -- I hear it is on Page 56 of the latest issue and another note: during an interview at Rockingham, Mike Skinner said the team was in negotiations with Lowes for 2000(2-26-1999) -- Yes it says right in Deb Williams column that Lowes will not return on the #31 in 2000(2-28-1999) -- Hmm, sources tell me that this is incorrect and expect a big announcement by Lowes this week(3-1-1999) -- NASCAR Today radio reports that negotiations are underway for a multi-year contract between the #31 team and Lowes(3-2-1999)
- Gordon's Secret? UPDATE Interesting article - NASCAR Winston Cup phenom Jeff Gordon doesn't want anyone else to discover Rev-Er-Up(an oil additive not GAS). Jeff Waugh is hoping they will. Waugh, a Tulsa native, is a distributor for Rev-Er-Up, a revolutionary microplating engine product. According to company officials, several racers are using it, including Gordon. But for competitive reasons, few are willing to share their secret. There is also a question whether it is legal. See the rest of the article at: The racer's edge one of the sports best kept secrets(this article is no longer on the site unless you wish to pay for it) by Steve Rogers(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette). I had never heard of this product, for more info check their website - www.reverup.com(2-22-1999) -- David Poole of That's Racin' looks into this story and has interesting commnets and insights at Half-story only revs up Gordon foes. Also to note: RPM2Nite talked to Ray Evernham on this issue and he says the team does not and never have used this product, and even if they did, it is not illegal to use an additive, says it adds weight(RPM2Nite)(3-2-1999)
- Mayfield Announcement: Jeremy Mayfield and Penske-Kranefuss Racing have scheduled a news conference for 1:15pm/et on March 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The announcement will include the unveiling of a special themed-car that Mayfield will drive in a 1999 Cup Race. Also available at the press conference will be officials from Mobil Oil Corp., Action Performance Cos. and Churchill Downs Inc(Yahoo Biz via Gordonline), this must be the Kentucky Derby Scheme I reported a few weeks back, see the Current Paint Scheme News for that info(3-2-1999)
(3-1-1999)
- Marlin and BGN Update: I hear Sterling Marlin will drive in the Las Vegas BGN race in a Circuit City sponsored #42 Pontiac for Joe Gibbs Racing. Marlin will also drive in four other BGN races for Gibbs, Texas, California, Dover(sept) and Phoenix. See the NASCAR Online story at Gibbs signs Marlin to NASCAR Busch Series deal(3-1-1999)
- Hornaday at Vegas: Ron Horaday will attempt to make the Las Vegas 400 in the #50 Midwest Transit Chevy. Rookie Dan Pardus has not made a race yet, so the team hired Hornaday for the race(RPM2Nite)(3-1-1999)
- Nadeau goes West, so does Ricky and Steve Park CORRECTION: Jerry Nadeau will pilot the #9 Melling Engine Parts Ford in the Orleans 150 NASCAR Winston West Series race at the speedway on Froday March 5(Cotter Group PR) -- Ricky Craven will also race in the Winston West race at Vegas in the #58 Hollywood Video Ford, check out www.rickycraven.com, for info and how to let Hollywood Video to stay aboard for the year!(2-26-1999) -- I hear Steve Park will drive in the Winston West race also(2-28-1999) -- Steve Park will NOT run in the Winston West race as I reported (Pennzoil PR)(3-1-1999)
- DEI hires: Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced Monday the hiring of longtime engine man Jeff Clark to work on the #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo driven by Steve Park. Clark began shop duties this week in the DEI engine dynamometer room and will also spearhead DEI's chassis dynamometer testing program. He will travel with the Pennzoil team to Las Vegas this week to work as the engine tuner. Clark, 31, worked 7 years for Robert Yates Racing and a year with Penske South Racing. He is the husband of ARCA driver Shawna Robinson(Pennzoil PR)(3-1-1999)