PAST NEWS JUNE 28-JULY 4, 1999
(7-4-1999)
- Earnhardt Jr/NHIS: Despite a serious wreck in a practice session Saturday at the Milwaukee Mile, team officials maintain Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be in Loudon, N.H., next weekend to attempt his second Winston Cup race in the #8 Bud Chevy(That's Racin')(7-4-1999)
- DW Announcement UPDATE: look for Darrell Waltrip to announce that the 2000 season will be his final one. The announcement will take place in Indy at the Brickyard 400 on Aug 4th. Calling it Calling it "DW's Victory Tour 2000" will supposedly have merchandise for the announcement and the Brickyard 400 weekend, then put it away until January 2000(6-23-1999) -- UPDATE: Darrell Waltrip has scheduled a press conference and breakfast for 9am Aug. 5 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he is expected to announce his retirement following the 2000 season. Waltrip signed a two-year deal before the start of the 1999 season to run a second team for car owner Travis Carter with Kmart as the sponsor. Waltrip will participate in a ``farewell tour'' of sorts through the 2000 season with an array of special promotions(That's Racin')(7-4-1999)
- Tyler Jet 2nd Cup Team: On TNN's Raceday, during an interview with team owner Tim Beverly, it was announced that Tyler Jet Motorsports is looking to start a second Winston Cup team for the 2000 season and even a possible third team if sponsorship is found. Plans are also in the works for a BGN team that they hope to run later in the 1999 season. The team currently runs the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac with Rich Bickle as the driver(TNN Raceday)(7-4-1999)
- Another Wallace: Mike Wallace, driver of the #2 Ultra Wheels Ford truck in the CTS, is looking to get back into Winston Cup in 2000. His team owner Jim Smith is considering moving the truck operation to Cup if a sponsor can be found(TNN's Raceday)(7-4-1999)
- Results Changes: The finishing order for Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at Daytona was changed early Sunday morning after NASCAR reviewed a tape of the race. Robbie Loomis, crew chief for John Andretti's #43 Pontiac, asked NASCAR to review the tape because he thought the race's final caution was taken by cars on Lap 157 instead of Lap 158, as the final race report reflected. Upon review, NASCAR discovered Loomis to be correct, which changed the finishing order of positions 19-26. The new finishing order for those positions are: John Andretti (19th); Ken Schrader (20th); Jeff Gordon (21st); Elliott Sadler (22nd); Bill Elliott (23rd); Johnny Benson (24th); Jeremy Mayfield (25th); and Wally Dallenbach (26th)(That's Racin')(7-4-1999)
- Valvoline Cutback? UPDATE: Valvoline will discontinue its sponsorship of CART's Walker Racing #5 Gil de Ferran at the end of the 1999 season. The company cited business reasons for the decision and a reallocation of marketing resources toward its SynPower and Eagle One brands and business plans don't include primary team sponsorship in CART in 2000(SpeedNet/goRacing). Why am I reporting this you ask? Well it was reported on RPM2Nite last night by Robin Miller who also said the Valovline may consider cutting back on it's Winston Cup sponsorship of the #6 Valovline Ford driven by Mark Martin or Roush Racing itself after their contract runs out at the end of 2000. A package believed to be worth $7.5 million(RPM2Nite) and from the goRacing story: At this time, Valvoline has no plans for primary team sponsorship in either the CART or IRL open-wheel series in the year 2000 and
speculation has Valvoline also leaving NASCAR and the Mark Martin #6 car at the end of the 2000 season.(7-3-1999) -- UPDATE: Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, said that Valvoline's recent announcement that it is cutting back its sponsorship in open-wheel racing programs does not mean that they will in turn cut back on their Cup series program when their contract runs out after the 2000 season(NOL)(7-4-1999)
- Marcis: Dave Marcis finished 159 laps at Daytona in the Pepsi 400 in Daytona and took over the lead in the miles completed category in the Pepsi 400, with 10,402 miles in the race. He overtook Richard Petty in Saturday night's event. Petty completed 10,337.5 miles in his career(32 events)(NOL) Marcis also has ran the most laps and now has 4,161 laps completed. Petty racked up 4,135 laps(AP)(7-4-1999)
(7-3-1999)
- Fans Ticked: as most readers know, I don't run campaigns on this site(TV, Track issues etc), many have expressed their displeasure in Tides dropping of Ricky Rudd and going with a new team and new owner in Cal Wells. Many readers have sent email to Tide letting them know of their displeasure of the situation, here is the 'form' letter Tide is sending out: "We're sorry to disappoint you but we're not renewing our contract with Rudd Performance Motorsports. We made a proposal to Ricky Rudd asking him to remain as driver of the Tide car for the 2000 season. He decided this arrangement doesn't meet his future objectives. Ricky will continue as driver/owner of the #10 Tide Ford Taurus for the remainder of the 1999 season. He's been an excellent driver and spokesperson for Tide. We certainly wish him the best in the future. We're planning to continue our sponsorship of NASCAR racing. In fact, we're negotiating with Precision Preparation, Inc., for a future sponsorship. We plan to announce a new driver for the Tide car within the next couple months". To email/leave feedback yourself, go to P&G Feedback or Tide - Tell Us(7-3-1999)
- #33 News UPDATE: I hear Andy Petree Racing will hold a press conference at Daytona on July 3rd, 1:30pm/et to make a major announcement regarding the 2000 #33 team plans and sponsor(6-30-1999) -- UPDATE: as rumored.....Oakwood Homes Corporation, headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., announced today they will sponsor Andy Petree Racing and driver Ken Schrader for the 2000-2001 NASCAR Winston Cup seasons. The car will be the #33 Oakwood Homes Chevrolet(Oakwood Homes PR have an image too)(7-3-1999)
- #25 Sponsor news UPDATE 2: Ever Since DEI announced that Budweiser would sponsor Dale Earnhardt, Jr in the #8 Chevy, Hendrick Motorsports has been in the process of searching for a replacement sponsor for the #25 Chevrolet. According to General Manager John Hendrick, the team should have an answer in the near future as it is close to signing a three year deal and expect to announce it in a few weeks(SpeedVision), I hear it's some building/contruction company, but that's all I know, also Food Lion was a rumored sponsor, but I hear that was incorrect(6-26-1999) -- UPDATE 1: This weeks Speedway Scene reports that Yamaha or Burger King are the possible sponsors with Yamaha being preferred with Dallenbach back driving(Speedway Scene) -- I hear the new sponsor for the #25 car is Yamaha and Wally Dallenbach will remain as driver(6-27-1999) -- UPDATE 2:
Radio Shack may be the next new Winston Cup tour sponsor, according to NASCAR sources, and Rick Hendrick may be the guy signing the deal(PitNow)(7-3-1999)
- #28 News: hmmm...a few sites are carrying Kenny Irwin/#28 stories today. From That's Racin' - Irwin says he's #28 driver as far as he knows by Jim Utter, some highlights: Kenny Irwin, whose job security with the #28 Fords owned by Robert Yates has been rumored to be in trouble, said Friday he hasn't heard "word one" from Yates about any driver changes the car owner may be planning.
Yates, who has expressed concern with the #28 team's inconsistency this season, said now is the time for the team to show it can compete on the same level as Dale Jarrett's #88 Fords, which Yates also owns. And from SpeedNet - Kenny Irwin has everything but a win by Monte Dutton, some highlights: A sun never sets without another rumor making the rounds that Irwin will soon be replaced by Terry Labonte, Jimmy Spencer, Leonardo DiCaprio or George W. Bush. (For the record, either the Labonte rumor is untrue, or Labonte and those around him are doing some serious lying). Yates stops noticeably short of giving Irwin an unconditional vote of confidence(7-3-1999)
- Little E hurt? UPDATE 4: just heard this from a source at the Milwaukee Mile: "Dale Earnhardt, Jr was involved in a crash this morning during BGN practice. He was taken from the track in an ambulance to an area hospital for evaluation. Talk in the garage area, unconfirmed by the medical staff, is that he has broken his shoulder." Hopefully he is ok, more to follow as the facts come in -- UPDATE: from NOL - Dale Earnhardt Jr., was injured in a crash in this morning's practice session at Milwaukee. He's been taken to Froedtert Hospital for precautionary treatment to his shoulder and ribs -- UPDATE 2: more from NOL: Earnhardt is being treated for a chipped right shoulder blade. His status for this weekend's events is unknown. Jayski Note: no idea how this will effect his planned attempt in the Cup race at New Hampshire next weekend, way to early to speculate. NOL now has a story up on the accident: Earnhardt Jr. injured in crash at Milwaukee in which it mentions - According to sources close to the team, there is little chance Earnhardt Jr. will miss Sunday's DieHard 250. Ron Hornaday will qualify the #3 AC Delco Chevy. -- UPDATE 3: Earnhardt, Jr also had brusied ribs, plans are for him to start the car and Ron Hornaday to relieve him at the first caution, if not sooner(CBS Preview) -- UPDATE 4: Earnhardt ran Happy Hour and I hear he felt ok and still plans to start the race on Sunday with Horanday standing by if needed(7-3-1999)
- More safety? NASCAR, having made front-wheel tethering and additional hood supports mandatory in recent weeks, will turn its attention next to devising a method to increase the structural integrity of the cars' rears. No reliable means of keeping rear wheels attached has yet been designed, but NASCAR chief operating officer Mike Helton confirmed that experiments were afoot. Teams should soon expect stouter attachments on rear deck lids as well, Helton said(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(7-3-1999)
- Martin Update: Mark Martin was diagnosed with a broken left wrist at 2pm on Saturday but felt fine to start the Pepsi 400 at Daytona and was able to finish 17th(7-3-1999)
- McReynolds and Tide: As rumored here a week or so ago, Larry McReynolds, currently the crew chief of the #31 Lowes RCR Chevy, said Friday that one of two sponsors he and partner John Dangler had been talking to was Procter & Gamble, the company that makes Tide, about their own Cup race team for 2000. Tide is, of course, leaving the #10 Ricky Rudd team and is negotiating with Precision Preparation, a CART team. McReynold's says Tide was nervous about going with his 'new' team, "They kind of threw that theory out the window yesterday", in reference to the PPI negotiations. McReynolds said he has one more company he's working with, but that time for working on his plans for his own team is running out(That's Racin')(7-3-1999)
- Pardus spotting: Dan Pardus, who began the season as the driver of the #50-Midwest Transit Chevy, was touring the Daytona garage in Midwest Transit Racing garb. He said his duties at the MTR shop were varied, including some management. He indicated his next ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series event would be at Pocono Raceway later this month(NOL)(7-3-1999)
- TV Guide Update BUT..: Last month I reported that a few NASCAR drivers were to be on a June issue of TV Guide Cover, whoops, it's July 17th. The issue will feature 4 multiple covers of the "Up and Coming Stars of Nascar". The covers will feature Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, Jeremy Mayfield, and Tony Stewart(Tony Stewart Online Newsletter) But, just saw this: "NASCAR's censorship of TV Guide three weeks ago has come back to haunt it. TV Guide's hood decal on Kevin Lepage's car at Michigan Speedway was to have carried the TV Guide cover of sexy female wrestler Sable, in line with a number of similar cover decals this season. But NASCAR officials ruled the photo too sexy for the stock-car audience and demanded it be altered to a more demure pose, in a behind-the-scenes debate that dragged on the entire week. Now TV Guide has canceled its plans for a four-cover NASCAR issue next week featuring the Winston Cup tour's new young guns, Tony Stewart, Jeremy Mayfield, Bobby Labonte and Jeff Burton. The feature stories on those drivers will still run, but the cover will be women's soccer instead of NASCAR. NASCAR officials politicked hard to get TV Guide to change the decision, to no avail."(PitNow)(7-3-1999)
(7-2-1999)
- Sacks News, Finally: some news on Greg Sacks from NOL: Greg Sacks was back in the Cup garage area at Daytona and looking exceptionally trim, fit and ready to get back in the seat of a NASCAR Winston Cup car. Sacks said he was analyzing his options and waiting for the "right situation" to present itself before he made his next move. Sacks was sidelined by a violent accident at Texas Motor Speedway in April 1998(NOL Notes)(7-2-1999)
- Bodine to Yates? UPDATE: TNN's Raceday reported that Todd Bodine may be headed back to Winston Cup in 2000.....with Robert Yates(Raceday), I heard this AM that it may be in the #28(6-27-1999) -- UPDATE: Doesn't sound like it, per a Winston Cup Scene article this week, Bodine's present BGN team, Cicci-Welliver Racing, is searching for sponsorship that would allow it to move up to Winston Cup in 2000(7-2-1999)
- More Tide Stuff: Procter & Gamble is in final negotiations to take its sponsorship to Precision Preparation Inc., a racing company owned by Cal Wells. Wells owns a two-car team in the open-wheel CART series and is starting a BGN team with McDonald's sponsorship next year. The Indy-car owner is building a shop for his NASCAR team in Hickory, N.C. P&G offered Rudd an opportunity to drive the PPI car if a deal is worked out, but he declined. Wells and Jack Roush were courting P&G, and that was the part of the deal that seemed to upset Rudd(Times-Dispatch)(7-2-1999)
- McReynolds to TV? UPDATE: "According to an interview published in this week's Winston Cup Scene, Larry McReynolds says if he can not find a sponsor for his new team, he will re-evaluate his career and perhaps stop being an active crew chief to become a network commentator on TNN."(6-30-1999) -- UPDATE: Actually in the article it mentions he wants the next move is planned as "This is it", or his last move, whether it be ownership, crew chief or as a broadcaster and from the Times-Dispatch: McReynolds' deadline is today for acquiring sponsorship for his proposed 2000 team. McReynolds, who makes the calls for Mike Skinner, said he would be hard-pressed to extend the deadline beyond today(7-2-1999)
- Annoucement UPDATE 2: I hear there be a press conference involving Richard Petty and Danny Sullivan, Thursday, July 1, at Daytona International Speedway. I have no clue or idea's what this is about, no specualtion needed(6-26-1999) -- Not sure how Petty's illness will effect this announcement as I hear he will NOT be in Daytona(6-27-1999) -- UPDATE: Petty couldn't be there, but the announcement was that Pontiac is making 1000 special Pontiac Grand Prix's, 5 each for each of the King's 200 wins(ESPN2 Qual)(7-1-1999) -- UPDATE 2: The Petty family announced that Pontiac will produce 1,000 limited-edition Richard Petty cars that will cost $50,000 each and feature 300-horsepower engine, carbon fiber instrument housing, Petty autographed leather interior and high performance suspension and brake package(News and Record)(7-2-1999)
- Roush/Ford UPDATE: Roush Racing issued a memorandum to venders who sell racing memorabilia of its five drivers that any ``Ford, Ford Motor Co., the Ford blue oval, Taurus or any other logos and trademarks relating to or connected with Ford Motor Co. be removed from all Roush Racing licensed products.'' The move was made in response to a royalities-licensing action taken by Ford in recent weeks. Roush officials say it is no indication they plan to leave the manufacturer. Although the manufacturer's logo will remain on diecast models - Ford has its own contracts within the diecast industry - it will not appear on other Roush Racing items(That's Racin')(6-28-1999) -- UPDATE: Roush Racing and the Ford Motor Co. came to terms this week on a licensing agreement involving team merchandise. A letter was sent from Roush Racing president Geoff Smith to vendors stating they should stop selling all Roush Racing merchandise that included the Ford logo until an agreement with Ford was reached. Sale of the items has now resumed(That's Racin')(7-2-1999)
- Petty Back: Richard Petty, hospitalized last week with bleeding ulcers, plans to be on hand for the Pepsi 400. Petty, 62, was back at work at his team's shop Monday despite having losing 40% of his blood during the ordeal. His son, Kyle, said Petty planned to fly here in time for the 8pm/et start of tomorrow's race(The Tennessean)(7-2-1999)
- Up front at Daytona is important: 65 of the 81 Daytona races have been won from the Top 10 - 80.2% and 12 of all the 81 Daytona races have been won from the pole starter - 15%.(TNN Race Stats)(7-2-1999)
- Some Facts: If Dave Marcis completes 373 miles Saturday, he will overtake Richard Petty for most miles raced (10,377.5) in the Pepsi 400. ... Dale Earnhardt must lead 105 laps to surpass Cale Yarborough as the Pepsi 400 career lap leader. Yarborough has led 645 laps in 17 races(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(7-2-1999)
- #58 Spotter: Tom Colley (Principal in Racing Computers, a NASCAR Data Acquisition Company), will spot for Loy Allen at Daytona Saturday evening and then go
on to Milwaukee to spot for Mark Green. Tom has previously spotted for Walker Evans & Johnny Chapman on the CTS, Mike Dillion, & Jimmy Kitchens in the Busch series, Derrick Cope & Ernie Irvan on the Cup side in addition to several drivers in ARCA, SCCA Trans Am and SCCA amateur racing(7-2-1999)
(7-1-1999)
- more Happy Hour notes: #41-David Green tagged the #6-Mark Martin car after Martin cut down a tire and hit the wall but there was minimal damage and the car will be repaired in time for the race. Martin left the infield care center with a splint on his left wrist and reported a sore lower left leg and minor contusions from the harness, will be re-examined today but expects to drive. #20-Tony Stewart brushed the wall in his Home Depot(hey, they just opened one down here near Wildwood, NJ) Pontiac after Stewart got into some oil on the track, the car will be repaired and will start the race. #3-Dale Earnhardt also brushed the wall but little damage was done to the car. RIP: Both Ward Burton and Dale Jarrett struck turtles during the practice, damage was minor...to the cars(7-1-1999)
- Track Star to Own Cup Team? UPDATE 3 the announcment: Heard this on the Winston Cup Today Radio show by PRN and went hunting, found the story in the St Louis Business Journal: Track Star Jackie Joyner-Kersee is roaring into auto racing with an $8 million NASCAR team that might be backed by local corporate sponsors. Joyner-Kersee and her husband, trainer Bob Kersee, have been negotiating for months with potential sponsors, including Ralston Purina Co. and World Wide Technology Inc. They hope to announce a driver and car manufacturer soon and to have the team in place by Sept. 1st. The couple's race for a NASCAR team comes amid efforts by Gateway International Raceway to attract a Winston Cup by increasing its seating(6-15-1999) -- UPDATE: On RPM2Nite Thursday, John Kernan mentioned that an announcement would be made about the team on next Thursday at Daytona(6-25-1999) -- UPDATE 2: The car make, driver and sponsors will be announced next week(That's Racin')(6-26-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Olympic track and field star, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and her husband, Bob Kersee, have scheduled a press conference to announce the formation of Joyner-Kersee Racing on July 1, 1999 at 1:00pm EST at the Benny Kahn Media Center, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL(Motorsport News International)(6-28-1999) -- UPDATE 3:
Jackie Joyner-Kersee and husband Bob Kersee announced today they have teamed with Kurt Roehrig(#19) to form a NASCAR team hopeful of competing in either the Winston Cup or Busch Series in 2000. They plan to run a Pontiac Grand Prix. A driver and sponsor will be announced at a later date. See the rest of the TNN Motorsports story at: From One Track To Another. Roehrig will run the #19 Bradford-White Pontiac at the August Michigan race with Tom Hubert driving, who is under consideration for the ride in 2000(TNN) also see the SpeedVision story at: Joyner-Kersee becomes car owner(7-1-1999)
- Tide leaves Rudd: Procter & Gamble, Tide Brand informed Rudd Performance Motorsports (RPM) today that they have pursued other sponsorship opportunities for the year 2000. RPM has several options regarding sponsorship for the future that may encompass a multi-car situation. An expected announcement is scheduled to be released within the next month(RPM PR), hearing that Tide may be the sponsor for Larry McReynolds Cup team if that all works out(see TV story below)(6-30-1999) -- UPDATE: RPM2Nite says a new Cup team owned by Cal Wells will have Tide as the sponsor which is interesting as Wells is starting a BGN team with McDonald's as the sponsor in 2000(7-1-1999)
- Noticed during qualifying: Sterling Marlin had the Brooks and Dunn paint scheme on the #40 Coors Light Chevy; Looked like Chris Rock on the #16 TV Guide/Primstar Ford hood, looks like they are putting the next weeks TV Guide Covers on the car each week; #00-Buckshot Jones has the Cheez-It on his Pontiac; The #91 Joe Falk owned Chevy with Hut Stricklin driving is totally white with no sponsor; #33-Ken Schrader is in the Gold Skoal paint scheme(7-1-1999)
- No third Petree team: since Skoal will leave as the #33 sponsor, Andy Petree will not start a third team in 2000. An announcement on his 2000 sponsor for the #33 will be Saturday(ESPN2 Qual)(7-1-1999)
- #90 Driver UPDATE: Stanton Barrett will drive the #90 Junie Donlavey Ford in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, no word on a sponsor(NOL Entry List)(6-29-1999) -- UPDATE: Suburban Lodge will be the sponsor(Times-Dispatch)(6-30-1999) and Sonic Burger(Williams Co) and Donlavey plans to stay with Barrett, at least for the short term(next few races)(NOL)(7-1-1999)
- Spotter: RaceComm Publisher, Mike Calinoff, has accepted the Spotters position with #50 Midwest Transit Racing and driver Ricky Craven. Calinoff is also the Spotter for two-time Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie(7-1-1999)
(6-30-1999)
- new Pepsi/Gordon spot: Pepsi will debut the latest commercial in its "The Joy of Cola" advertising campaign during Saturday's Pepsi 400 on CBS. The new spot, called "Finish Line," features Jeff Gordon and Hallie Eisenberg, the popular "Little Girl" character who goes to great lengths for her love of Pepsi. In the spot, a thirsty Jeff Gordon -- racing in his #24 Pepsi Chevy -- can't stop thinking about the ice-cold Pepsi waiting for him at the finish line if he wins. As his crew chief repeatedly reminds him of the tempting prize, Gordon weaves his way to the front of the pack -- until a surprising late entry into the race beats him to victory lane(Yahoo/PRNewswire)(6-30-1999)
- Skoal UPDATE: I am hearing that Skoal will not return to the #33 Andy Petree/Ken Schrader team or any other team in 2000. They may possibly sponsor a race instead. Look for an announcement sometime this week. Won't be the same without the #33 Skoal car out there(6-29-1999) -- Skoal Gone, Official: U.S. Tobacco Co. announced today that it will not renew its Skoal Racing team sponsorship of Andy Petree Racing for the year 2000. The release says the difficult decision was made after much deliberation, including consideration of the Company's compliance obligations under the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement signed last year and that UST will not forget the loyalty and support that we have garnered among racing fans over the years. UST began its association with NASCAR in 1981 with the Skoal Bandit Racing sponsorship of Hal Needham and Burt Reynold's race team with veteran driver Harry Gant(PR)(6-30-1999)
- Stocks, not the cars and #58: StockCar Stocks Index Fund(see banner on this site), the only NASCAR-related mutual fund, will be using the famed Daytona Speedway to announce the launch of a new class of shares at $15. StockCar Stocks will be launching the Advisor class shares which will be available exclusively through brokers. To promote this to the NASCAR fans, StockCar Stocks will be the Associate Sponsor on the #58 Turbine Solutions Ford Taurus for the July 3rd Pepsi 400 at Daytona Speedway(StockCar Stocks Site)...AND...while we are in the investing mode, check out this story: Funds for Motorheads(Smart Money.com)(6-30-1999)
- Sponsors: Some teams with sponsor agreements up at the end of the year - #11-Brett Bodine is one of many teams waiting to hear from sponsors, he has a one-year agreement with Paychex. Ricky Rudd could hear as early as today if Tide will return. Roush Racing is looking for a sponsor for next season for one of its five cars(#16-Lepage). Hendrick Motorsports with driver Wally Dallenbach is looking for a company to replace Budweiser, which leaves for the #8 in 2000(see rumor below of the Yamaha sponsorship). The #9 Melling Racing team's contract with The Cartoon Network expires after this season, although both sides have been talking. The #23-Travis Carter team is losing Winston as it's sponsor. Sara Lee signed a one-year deal with owner Chuck Rider's #30 team, and with Derrike Cope having missed six of 16 races this season, questions persist whether the company will rejoin the team. The #41-Larry Hedrick's team is in the option year with Kodiak and both are exploring other options. Larry McClure is looking for a sponsor for a second team to join Bobby Hamilton, and Larry McReynolds is looking for a sponsor to start a team with next season(News and Record), plus the #90-Junie Donlavey Ford and #91-Joe Falk Chevy who have been looking for a sponsor all season(6-30-1999)
- Menard to Cup? Spotted at Raceway Park(1/4 mile asphalt track outside of Minneapolis/St Paul, MN) on Sunday night(6-23): Indy-car owner John Menard, who was watching his son, Paul, and nephew Charlie compete in the Great North Legends Series. "We've looked at NASCAR," said Menard about the prospects of adding a team to his fleet. "We've talked to a couple of different guys who want to get rid of their teams and stuff. If that happens, then you might jump right into Winston Cup."(Minneapolis-St Paul Star Tribune)(6-30-1999)
- Gordon: If Jeff Gordon wins the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, he will be the only driver in the modern era(72-present) to win three consecutive races at Daytona International Speedway, having won this year's Daytona 500 and the first race under the lights at DIS that was scheduled for July of last year, but postponed until October due to forest fires(SpeedNet)(6-30-1999)
- Nemechek Colors: The #42 BellSouth Chevy, driven by Joe Nemechek, will be sporting an impressive new car design featuring the BellSouth® Prepaid Phone card. His familiar blue and neon-stripped Chevrolet is being replaced with a new purple, red and white design for the Daytona night race(BellSouth PR)(6-30-1999)
- Buckshot back and busy: Buckshot Jones will be back in the #00 Cup car this weekend at the Pepsi 400. He will also run the BGN event at Milwaukee on Sunday. Since Jones will be busy qualifying the Cup car, CTS driver Jay Sauter will attempt to qualify Jones’ BGN car in the Busch field(Times-Dispatch)(6-30-1999)
(6-29-1999)
- Mock to Sell? UPDATE: I hear a group of investors from Murfreesboro, TN will make an offer to #75 team owner Butch Mock for the complete team. Sponsor is supposed to be a food related sponsor(Wendy's/Burger King/Food Lion??)(6-28-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear this group is the same one that owns the #40 ChannelLock BGN team, Mike Mulhern of PitNow reported this a week ago, can be seen on my #75 Team Past News/Links page(6-29-1999)
- Craven Ride: Lake Speed, General Manager of Midwest Transit Racing, has announced Ricky Craven will be piloting the #50 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, July 3rd. The team's new crew chief, John Monsam needs no introduction to Craven. In 1994, he was Cravens Crew Chief in the Busch Grand National Series for the #2 Dupont Automotive Chevrolet. Together they finished 2nd in the final point standings(Midwest PR and the Midwest Transit Racing Site) right now it's a one race deal then Craven and the team will decide if they want to proceed with more races(6-28-1999)
- #28 News: Car owner Robert Yates appears closer to making a decision about the Kenny Irwin-Texaco team. Yates put the entire team on notice before the Coca-Cola 600 that he wanted to see better results. Since then, there has been marked improvement, with a 15th in the Coca-Cola, 10th at Dover, 11th at Michigan, 18th at Pocono and 22nd Sunday, at Sears Point. It is not clear if the improvements have been enough to satisfy Yates, who -- according to sources close to the team -- has been given the green light by Texaco to consider his options. However, despite reports that Yates is interested in hiring Terry Labonte, John Hendrick says that Labonte has assured him he plans to stay with Hendrick Motorsports(PitNow)(6-29-1999)
- #30 Sponsor? UPDATE: hearing the Sara Lee sponsorship of the #30 Bahari Pontiac team is in jeopardy. Sara Lee is using a rotating product program on the car with Jimmy Dean, Bryan Meats, State Fair Corn Dogs, and Rudy's Farms(6-28-1999) -- UPDATE: Sources tell me that the Sara Lee sponsorship of the #30 will go through this season as it is under contract. Next year has yet to be determined(6-29-1999)
- #91 Driver: Hut Stricklin will drive the LJ Racing #91 Chevrolet this weekend for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 1999. Dick Trickle, who has been behind the wheel since Darlington, cannot participate because of a prior commitment. He will be racing at his home track, The Milwaukee Mile, during the BGN race on Sunday, July 4(LJ Racing Site)(6-29-1999)
- Petty Ill UPDATE 3: Richard Petty is in the hospital with bleeding Ulcers. He collapsed at home recently after losing 40% of his blood. He was in intensive care for a day or so, but is doing much better and is expected to go home this weekend(ESPN2 Qualifying and Kyle Petty), get well King(6-25-1999) -- UPDATE: Richard Petty is scheduled to be released from a Greensboro, N.C., hospital this morning(Sunday). Petty collapsed Wednesday and was transported to the hospital to be treated for bleeding ulcers. In the past, the owner of Petty Enterprises had a part of his stomach removed to help treat the ulcers. The problem is currently under control, but doctors did not trust Petty to take it easy, so they opted to hold him until today(Times-Dispatch) and see story at That's Racin': Petty recovering after massive blood loss from bleeding ulcers(AP)(6-27-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Richard Petty was not discharged Sunday from Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, as expected, but son Kyle said there was little cause for concern. Doctors kept NASCAR's winningest driver for another day because of the suspicion that Petty would fly out to Sears Point rather than continue to convalesce at home(SpeedNet)(6-28-1999) -- UPDATE 3: Richard Petty checked out of a hospital Monday and returned home after being treated for bleeding ulcers. Petty, 61, was admitted to Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro last week after he lost 40 percent of his blood, according to his son, Kyle. Petty returned home to Randleman, NC and wants to get back to work at Petty Enterprises(PitNow)(6-29-1999)
(6-28-1999)
- Wendy's? I hear Wendy's(fast food restaurant) is close to signing a deal with a Winston Cup team for 2000(6-28-1999)
- Stewart Paint Scheme? UPDATE 1: Saw a listing on a diecast site taking orders for a "Habitat for Humanity" diecast for Tony Stewart. No idea where it may run. I checked the Habitat for Humanity website but saw nothing in any of the Press Releases(6-25-1999) -- UPDATE 1: Hearing it may be run at Indy in the Brickyard 400(6-28-1999)
- Hood Tethers will be required beginning at Daytona in the Pepsi 400(NOL)(6-28-1999)
- Another Wood Winner: 17 year-old Jon Wood of Stuart, VA took his first victory of his short Winston Racing Series LMSC career at NRVS Saturday night in the Tonka Toys/Nerf Ford Taurus. Wood, grandson NASCAR legend Glen Wood and son of Eddie Wood of Wood Brothers racing fame(#21 CITGO Ford with driver Elliott Sadler), took the lead from his outside pole starting position and never looked back(Latemodelstock.com)(6-28-1999)
- Monte Carlo Testing/Carter to switch? Chevy's new Monte Carlo won't be at Indianapolis for next month's NASCAR tests for the Brickyard 400 because NASCAR officials vetoed that plan. But the 2000 model will be at the Gateway track in St. Louis in the next few weeks for shakedown runs, with Terry Labonte penciled in as the test driver for Rick Hendrick's Chevrolet. General Motors has another test of its own also scheduled for Gateway at the end of August. NASCAR officials would like to see the new Monte Carlo and the new Taurus on the track at the same time sometime this fall, probably at Talladega the Monday and Tuesday after the Winston 500 on Oct. 17. Also, Travis Carter(ownes the #23 and #66 Fords) is hinting he may switch to Chevrolets, but GM's Ken Van Everly says that's news to him.(PitNow)(6-28-1999)
- Roush/Ford: Roush Racing issued a memorandum to venders who sell racing memorabilia of its five drivers that any ``Ford, Ford Motor Co., the Ford blue oval, Taurus or any other logos and trademarks relating to or connected with Ford Motor Co. be removed from all Roush Racing licensed products.'' The move was made in response to a royalities-licensing action taken by Ford in recent weeks. Roush officials say it is no indication they plan to leave the manufacturer. Although the manufacturer's logo will remain on diecast models - Ford has its own contracts within the diecast industry - it will not appear on other Roush Racing items(That's Racin')(6-28-1999)
- Penske Crew: Mark Armstrong, rear tire changer for the Penske Racing South Miller Lite car driven by Rusty Wallace, returned to Gastonia, N.C., prior to Sunday's race for the birth of his first child. Armstrong arrived in San Rafael at the hotel Saturday afternoon only to learn that wife Lorie had gone into labor. Front tire carrier Ben Leslie replaced him. In turn, Leslie's job was picked up by crew chief Robin Pemberton, who had given up his over-the-wall duties last year following surgery on both knees(NOL) Congrats!!(6-28-1999)