PAST NEWS JULY 5-11, 1999
(7-11-1999)
- Shepherd News: Morgan Shepherd plans to attempt the Brickyard 400 at Indy. Shepherd will test the #05 Pontiac at Indy on July 19/20. Shepherd's Pontiac will be sponsored for the race by Delco Remy(Unofficial Morgan Shepherd Site)(7-11-1999)
- Hover Motorsports: Hover Motorsports, #80 Ford, has finished their fabrication and paint shops as of late June. Gary Bradberry has taken over as the driver of record, Andy Hillenburg is no longer with the team. Plans are to test a new #80 Ford Taurus at Indy this Tuesday and Wednesday(July 13th and 14th). Supposedly a sponsor has been found, not sure who or if it's a full deal or just for Indy(7-11-1999)
- WOW! Jeff Burton is the first driver to win from a provisional starting spot and that is the farthest back any driver has won from since Kyle Petty won from 37th at Dover in June 1995(in 1995 37th was not a provisional starting spot). Bill Elliott also won from 38th spot in the 1988 Pepsi 400. In fact ALL the provisional starters for the race finished in the top 25.(7-11-1999)
- Wallace top 5: Kenny Wallace's 2nd place finish was his career best and his first top five in 124 starts when he was 4th at Martinsville in September 1994(7-11-1999)
- Elliott top 5: Bill Elliott's top five finish was his first in 54 races when he was 5th at Martinsville in September 1997(not 55, he missed the Dove fall race when his father passed away)(7-11-1999)
- #9 Associate? hearing Radio Shack has signed on as an associate sponsor with the #9 Cartoon Network Melling Ford(7-11-1999)
- #91 News: If you didn't notice, the #91 LJ Racing Chevy had the Kodiak Bear on the hood as the #41 Kodiak Chevy and David Green missed the race ar NHIS(TNN)(7-11-1999)
- Craven to run BGNN: Schwarzkopf & Dep, Inc., a Los Angeles, CA based consumer products company specializing in hair and skin care products, has signed an agreement with Ricky Craven Motorsports, Inc. for one 1999 Busch Grand National North series event. Ricky Craven will drive on the famed road course, Watkins Glen International, in the upcoming Pepsi 150 on August 14, 1999(RickyCravenFans.com)(7-11-1999)
- Martin Status UPDATE: Mark Martin is one of the toughest guys to ever strap into a race car, but he just might have to step out of this one before it's done. Protege Matt Kenseth will be on-hand if Mark's injuries (broken wrist, rib, operated on knee) become too much. Watch for Jack Roush to "help" Martin with the decision to get out of the car, especially if they get a lap down in the first half of the race at Loudon.(Speedwords), but an AP story says - Martin won’t seek a relief driver on Sunday -- and Martin went the distance(7-11-1999)
- McClure 2nd team: Larry McClure still is hoping to expand to a two-car team. Although he hasn't finalized any plans yet, McClure is one of several owners seeking to add another car for next season. He plans to make his decision about adding a second team sometime in the next six weeks. He is also working to re-sign the primary sponsor and driver on his current team. Bobby Hamilton's contact expires this season, and Kodak, which has been with McClure for 13 years, has a sponsorship agreement through 2000. McClure would like to sign both before this December(Times-Dispatch)(7-11-1999)
- What If? on TNN's Inside NASCAR, they did a little calculation and came up with this: If Dale Jarrett averaged 7th in the final 17 races and Jeff Gordon finished 2nd in all the races, Gordon would win the championship(7-11-1999)
- #90: Junie Donlavey did not go to the New Hampshire International Speedway. The team is preparing with driver Stanton Barrett for the July 25 race at Pocono Raceway(Times-Dispatch)(7-11-1999)
(7-10-1999)
- Announcement: Larry McReynolds said he will make an announcement July 25 at Pocono on whether or not he will field a team in 2000(Times-Dispatch)(7-10-1999)
- More Qualifying Engines Stuff: With the cost of running a competitive Winston Cup team continuing to escalate, now in the $8 -10 million+ for a top flite team, NASCAR has been considering ways to reduce the amount of capital needed to support a racing operation. One area that has worked for the Busch Series is requiring teams to race the same engine that they use for qualifying. Qualifying in the Winston Cup Series has gotten so high tech that teams build a special "two lap" engine for qualifying runs that would never hold up for 500 miles of competition. The two lap "grenades" can cost $10,000 per race and generally can eat up more than a million dollars a year of the team's budget. This along with wind tunnel testing ($1,400 an hour) and almost weekly test sessions all give huge advantages to the well financed teams like Roush Racing and Hendrick Racing. The BGN Series is pleased with the way the program has worked. With teams allowed to change engines only with NASCAR approval (cars then go to the back of the starting lineup), teams also save the incredible job of rebuilding a race car following qualifying(Inside Motorsports) and NASCAR spokesman Tim Sullivan said Friday the Cup series was considering a rule change that would require teams to race with the same engine they use to qualify. The proposed change would be mostly a cost-saving move, Sullivan said(That's Racin')(7-10-1999)
- Lepage extends: Kevin Lepage extended his contract with Roush Racing. It was due to expire at the end of this month(Times-Dispatch)(7-10-1999)
- Elliott to backup: in 2nd round qualifying, Bill Elliott wrecked the #94 QPC Code Name Game Ford and has elected to go to a backup car because of the damage and will not carry the special paint scheme on the backup car as it is still painted the regular McDonald's red-and-yellow scheme(NOL)(7-10-1999)
Well's Shop: Cal Wells, owner of Precision Performance Inc(PPI) said he can’t talk about the potential contract with Tide/Proctor & Gamble for another six weeks. Wells has rented a shop in Hickory, N.C., and has 20 people working to build cars out of his Ford chassis. He has an option to purchase land at two sites -- one on the edge of Catawba County(NC) -- and plans to build permanent facilities there. Currently, he’s working on getting set up and finding a driver(looking for a young criver). Wells does not deny he is talking with some existing teams about potential sharing of resources but did say he is not on the list of owners trying to buy Butch Mock’s #75 team(Times-Dispatch and That's Racin')(7-10-1999)
(7-9-1999)
- Qualifying engines? I know the BGN is doing this, didn't know Cup was planning it: from a PitNow article - "On another matter, (Sterling) Marlin said that NASCAR's plans to eliminate qualifying engines might be a good move"(PitNow)(7-9-1999)
- Rookie Changes: in 2000 the Rookie of the Year and rookie status eligibility will change. Instead of the 15 best races counting for the Rookie of the year, it'll be the 17 best races. Also a driver loses their rookie status for the following year after starting in six Winston Cup Events in the present format, in 2000 they can start in up to seven Cup races(National Speed Sport News) For the current ROTY standings and rules, see my Rookie of the Year page(7-9-1999)
- Marlin Contract: Sterling Marlin(#40 Coors Light Chevy) says that he has another year on his contract with car owner Felix Sabates and that they are in the middle of a contract with Coors(PitNow)(7-9-1999)
- Indy Testing: Ford Cup teams are scheduled to test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday and Wednesday(July 13th and 14th). GM teams will test on July 19-20th at Indy for the Brickyard 400 on Aug. 7th(That's Racin') -- Ford rain date is July 15 and GM rain date is July 21. Testing will run from 9am to 6pm/ct daily(SpeedNet)(7-9-1999)
- Labonte Article: which in part says: "Despite constant speculation about where he may drive in the future, Labonte points out he has a year left on his contract with the three-car team and that he is discussing extending that. He and crew chief Andy Graves are also discussing how to take more advantage of their multicar setup. Next year, when the new Monte Carlo hits the track, they plan to work more closely with his two teammates." For the rest of the Times-Dispatch article see: 12th in points, stuck in neutral by Rea McLeroy(7-9-1999)
- Carter Sponsor: This weeks Winston Cup Scene reports that the #23 Travis Carter team is very close to signing a new primary sponsor to replace Winston, who is leaving at the end of the 1999 season. No companies named or speculated and I have heard nothing. Jimmy Spencer's situation is the same, he may return or may not. In the article it sounded like both Travis Carter and Spencer want to work things out. Spencer also said he has not talked to anyone, including Cater about the 2000 season. Carter says an announcement would be a few months away(7-9-1999)
- No #90: Junie Donlavey will not run his #90 Ford at Loudon, NH this week, no sponsor(Inside Motorsports), also noticed no #00-Buckshot Jones(7-9-1999)
(7-8-1999)
- Irvan good for 2000+??? UPDATE 2: In an article about a possible MB2 BGN team in 2000, the Winston Cup Scene reports a comment from Jay Frye, GM of the MB2 Motorsports team: that the Winston Cup team with Ernie Irvan and M&M's would continue intact next season and "We have a multi-year commitment with Ernie and are very pleased with him. And we hope this is Ernie's last ride of his career. We want him here as long as he wants to continue driving"(WC Scene), note: the irvanfanclub.com reports that Ernie re-signed thru 2001(5-20-1999) -- UPDATE: but other sources tell me Irvan has not signed and that his contract is up at the end of this year and Irvan is keeping his options open for 2000, not sure what to make of it. Fans who recently met him at a few appearances said he gave every indication he'd be back in 2000 and even said his contract with the MB2 team is thru 2000. Plus I hear he may drive a few of the BGN events for the team, who plans to start a BGN team for 2000(7-7-1999) -- UPDATE 2: MB2 Motorsports announced Tuesday that it has exercised its contract option with driver Ernie Irvan, and the team is set to enter the 2000 season, marking the third year of competition with Irvan(Irvan Fan Club Site)(7-8-1999)
- McReynolds Team: Larry McReynolds, crew chief for the #31 Lowes team said Tuesday that if his team ownership deal doesn't come together by this weekend, it will likely never come together. See full NOL story at: Now or never for McReynolds' new team by Marty Smith(7-8-1999)
- Allen Out/Hut In UPDATE 3: I hear the #58 SBIII team has made it's second driver change in the last few weeks. Loy Allen who attempted three events(made 2, 1 DNQ) has been released and Hut Stricklin will drive the car at Loudon, NH this weekend(7-5-1999) -- UPDATE 1: I hear Allen has not been released and is still with the team, however Hut Stricklin will run the #58 at NHIS, not idea what the future holds or who will drive in two weeks at Pocono(7-7-1999) -- UPDATE 2: Jerry Pitts has taken a crew position with SBIII Motorsports. Pitts has worked with Bill Elliott Racing and more recently with Rick Mast in the #98. It is not clear if Pitts will take over the Crew Chief duties or what the status of current Crew Chief Mike Hillman is -- Also from Inside Motorsports: Hut Stricklin tested with the SBII Motorsports team at the Greenville Pickens Speedway this past week, in preparation for the weekend race at Loudon. -- UPDATE 3: Jerry Pitts has been hired as the car chief. Mike Hillman is still the crew chief and will continue to be. Hut Stricklin is the #58 driver and will drive the balance of the 1999 season. Loy Allen has not been released from the SBIII team. Allen will be doing testing for the team and possibly some ARCA events(SBIII)(7-8-1999)
- Martin Status UPDATE: Mark Martin not only broke his wrist but he fractured a rib and injured his left knee and had an MRI the knee Tuesday. Martin still plans to race at Loudon(RPM2Nite)(7-6-1999) also NOL has a story on it at Martin's additional injuries don't slow him(7-7-1999) -- UPDATE: Martin had surgery Wednesday on a broken tibia plateau in his left knee in New Smynra Beach, FL but will be able to drive at NHIS but Matt Kenseth will be standing by in case Martin cannot complete the race(NOL)(7-8-1999)
(7-7-1999)
- CBS Ratings: Saturday night was very good for NASCAR on CBS. The Pepsi 400 was the most watched TV program of the evening, drawing a 5.4 national rating, and seen by 13% of the sets in use (audience share). The race's final 1/2 hour peaked at a 6.3 rating, 15 share. CBS audience was 26% greater than NBC or Fox and 116% greater than ABC. Also, the viewership for the race was 54% greater than for the CBS programming on July 4 last year(7-7-1999)
- The Millenium Car? UPDATE Hearing that Ernie Irvan will have a new #36 M&M's paint scheme in 2000 called the Millenium car. No idea what it'll look like but it is supposed to be revealed at Charlotte in October(7-6-1999) -- UPDATE: I also hear that Irvan will run a special paint scheme at Atlanta with the car painted like a candy wrapper coming off, with the new scheme partly exposed and the present scheme partly exposed(7-7-1999)
- Toy Story II: hearing that two Toy Story schemes will be out sometime this summer by Hot Wheels: Cheerios/Woody Scheme and a Hot Wheels/Buzz Lightyear scheme. No idea if Kyle Petty in the #44 Hot Wheels car will run the scheme or if Johnny Benson in the #26 Cheerios car will run the schemes in a future race(7-7-1999)
- Bessey and Cup? Back when the #60 Power Team was formed, it was mentioned that team owner Joe Bessey would likely attempt the two NHIS/Loudon Cup events. That was before the BGN team ran into a little trouble and now I hear that Bessey will not run this weeks ran but MAY consider attempting the September NHIS event, but it is unlikely at this point. Bessey's next BGN event is at Gateway near St. Louis(7-7-1999)
- Penalty: NASCAR officials announced today that they have levied a fine for rules violations prior to this past Saturday's Pepsi 400 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Scott Eggleston, crew chief for Sterling Marlin's Chevrolet, was fined $50,000 for an illegal insert in the intake manifold. The infraction was determined during the pre-race inspection process Saturday. Eggleston is also placed on probation until October 20, 1999. Eggleston's fine resulted from a violation of Rules 12-4 A: Actions detrimental to auto racing; and Rule 12-4 Q: Use of parts that do not conform to NASCAR rules, Inserts not allowed in intake manifolds at Daytona and Talladega(NOL)(7-7-1999)
- Marlin Update: On NASCAR Onlines teleconference a NASCAR official came on to clarify one point involving the illegal part in Sterling Marlins car. The #40 Coors Light Chevy WAS legal after the race. They found something they didn't like prior to the race, and the decision now is whether there will be a fine as a result. That decision has not been made, but the 12th place finish will stand as again, the car was legal after the race. Also RPM2Nite said no decision has been made on the outcome. An update on the situation with similar tones at That's Racin'(7-7-1999)
- Sadler Tests the #21 CITGO Ford on Wednesday(today) at Greenville Pickens Speedway to test their new car which will race at Loudon this weekend(Cox PR)(7-7-1999)
- Allison honored: Talladega Superspeeday will name a new backstretch section of seating the Allison Grandstands, in honor of Hueytown, AL native and tribute to retired racer Bobby Allison, who sacrificed so much for the sport. The new 22,000-seat Allison section will be ready in time for the October race(Tennessean)(7-7-1999)
(7-6-1999)
- Labonte Scheme: Hearing Terry Labonte may run a Rice Krispies Treat scheme of some sorts on the #5 Kelloggs Chevy, not sure where, but he often runs one in one of the Michigan races(7-6-1999)
- Tyler Jet News: Tyler Jet Motorsports announced Tuesday the signing of crew chief James Ince and engine builder Claude Queen to a pair of three-year contracts. Tyler Jet runs the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac with driver Rich Bickle. The team is actively pursuing expansion to include a second Cup and a BGN team for the 2000 season. See full story at NOL (7-6-1999)
- Craven news: Ricky Craven will be back in the #50 Midwest Transit Chevy at Loudon this weekend. He tested at Grennville-Pickens Speedway(SC) on Tuesday in preparation(7-6-1999)
- Kenseth in 2000: besides moving up to Cup in 2000 in the #17 DeWalt Ford, I hear Matt Kenseth will run twenty races in Robbie Reiser's #17 BGN Chevy in 2000 with Jason Schuler filling in for the remaining 12. Schuler is currently a top competitor in the NASCAR Re/Max Challange series/ARTGO(www.mattkenseth.com(7-6-1999)
- More on Marlin: NASCAR inspectors found an illegal part on the Chevrolet of Sterling Marlin during a routine pre-race inspection Saturday night at Daytona and a fine or other penalty may result. Apparently the violation was so minor that NASCAR is undecided whether any penalty is necessary. NASCAR will make a decision in the next few days(in part from the Tennessean/Larry Woody)(7-6-1999)
- Testing: I hear Michael Waltrip will be testing his #7 Chevy at Greenville-Pickens Speedway(SC) on July 6th(7-6-1999)
- Did ya know: #1 Pennzoil Monte Carlo driver Steve Park is the only driver to race in NASCAR's top five touring series at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Park's NHIS record includes four victories in the Featherlite Modifieds, one victory in the Busch North car, a second place finish in his only Busch South race, a fourth-place finish in his only Craftsman Truck appearance and a 41st-place finish in his first Winston Cup race in 1998. Park, a native of East Northport, N.Y., lived in Ellington, Conn., about a 3-hour drive from NHIS, when he drove in the modified series and considers NHIS his home track(Pennzoil PR)(7-6-1999)
(7-5-1999)
- The Pass UPDATE 2: Getting much email about Dale Jarrett's pass of the pace car during the caution, saw it didn't think much about it. Here is a rule: "Cars may not pass the caution car/truck unless directed to do so by an Official in the caution car/truck. Any cars illegally passing the caution car/truck or race leader will be black-flagged". Not looking to speculate on this, if NASCAR saw a problem they would have given a warning, the way I look at it is he never completed the alleged pass and Jarrett was in the proper position at the start/finish line each time(7-4-1999) -- UPDATE: DJ explains 'the pass': Why was Dale Jarrett riding around on the track apron as the final two laps of Saturday's Pepsi 400 were run under caution? He was trying to make sure he had enough gas to make it around the 2.5-mile track to take the checkered flag. By riding on the bottom of the track, he kept the fuel cell level to allow as much gas as possible into the fuel pickup, which is on the right side. As Jarrett drove on the apron, his Ford actually got ahead of the pace car as the field came off of Turn 2. Jarrett says he lost sight of the pace car(see That's Racin' for the story) as far as NASCAR is concerned, a pass isn't a pass until a car crosses the start/finish line -- FINAL UPDATE: From NOL: NASCAR Director of Operations Kevin Triplett said the rule regarding passing the pace car is designed to prevent competitors from gaining an advantage, primarily by passing the pace car while pitting, thereby getting to their pit sooner; or passing the pace car in order to pick up a full lap on the competition. According to Triplett, Jarrett did neither. "Jarrett, in an obvious effort to conserve fuel, (dived) to the apron," Triplett said. "With the pace car remaining on the race track, Jarrett took the shorter distance, thus temporarily moving ahead of the pace car. He slowed down, moved back into place and gained no advantage. It turned out to be a non-issue."(NOL)(7-5-1999)
- Gordon Eye Surgery: been getting a few emails about Jeff Gordon going to Lancaster to get Lasik eye surgery. Incorrect, it was taken out of context, here is the snippet from a story in the Lancaster Sunday Times: "Dr. Kerry Givens of Campus Eye Center in Lancaster says the surgery is popular with candidates for training in fields that have specific vision requirements, such as the state police and the military. Pro golfer Fred Funk had the procedure done last winter, and he's having the best season of his PGA tour career. Givens said he's heard NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon is about to have it done." The Dr 'hears' and doesn't say it's gonna be in Lancaster. See the story at Sight for sore eyes(Lancaster Sunday News) Johnny Benson had the surgery done in May 1999 in North Carolina(7-5-1999)
- Interesting Article: In part says: "Since May, 1992, the driver-crew chief team of Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham has won 46 races and claimed three Winston Cup points titles. But Evernham intimated(to imply subtly-yes I had to look it up) yesterday before pole qualifying for Saturday night's Pepsi 400 that a shakeup is coming. Saturday could be the duo's final race together at Daytona as crew chief and driver. While Evernham could be stepping away from the day-to-day care of the cars, he laughed at any talk he would walk away from the Gordon team as a whole." See the complete article at: Gordon's crew chief seeking new challenge by David Jones from Florida Today via the Tennessean(7-5-1999)
- No NFL? heard on the LTN hour yesterday that the NFL will no longer allow any NFL team logos on any cars in the major NASCAR series. They said the NFL is worried about losing some of their sponsorship deals(The LTN Hour NASCAR Radio Show)(7-5-1999)
- Marlin's Engine UPDATE 2: NASCAR officials still were inspecting the intake manifold on Sterling Marlin's Chevrolet more than two hours after the race last night. The intake manifold had been called into question by officials during a prerace inspection. Marlin finished 12th(Times-Dispatch) -- NASCAR spokesman Tim Sullivan said early Sunday morning it would be Tuesday before NASCAR would be able to examine everything related to the car it needed to, but he said the outcome would not affect Marlin's result in the race(That's Racin') but on TNN's Raceday it was mentioned that the illegal part was not removed and that there will be a change in the finishing order(TNN's Raceday)(7-4-1999) -- UPDATE 1: NASCAR's Mike Helton said results of the post-race review of the Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek engines won't be announced until Tuesday. Just as the race began, NASCAR told the Marlin and Nemechek crews they wanted to inspect both engines after the 400, and engine parts were X-rayed, a standard NASCAR search for illegal air holes(PitNow) -- UPDATE 2: The OFFICIAL results and standings are up at NOL, still has Marlin in 12th place and no points were deducted, but that could change Tuesday, one mistake noted, they have Loy Allen and Ricky Craven listed in the #58(7-5-1999)
- It Resurfaces and clarification: From Saturday's Houston Chronicle: "Sources say Labonte is tired of playing second fiddle to Jeff Gordon on the Hendrick team. Labonte won the Winston Cup championship for Hendrick in the Kellogg's Chevrolet in 1996 but thinks his standing in the organization hasn't been the same since Rick Hendrick became ill and his brother took over the team last season. Hendrick has been battling leukemia. Irwin took over the Texaco Taurus last season as a rookie, replacing Ernie Irvan in a car that had its best days when the late Davey Allison was at the wheel. Irwin has been disappointing in his second season, so Yates might want a veteran such as Labonte to take over. If Labonte leaves Hendrick Motorsports, the Kellogg's Monte Carlo will have plenty of applicants for the driving job. One of them could be Steve Park, who might want to leave the Pennzoil Chevy owned by Dale Earnhardt because Earnhardt likely will be spending a lot of time helping Dale Jr. in his rookie season next year."(Houston Chronicle) JAYSKI NOTE: This rumor has been floating around for a year now about the Labonte/Irwin deal. Published reports and sources say Labonte is happy at Hendrick, wants to stay there, wants to retire there and has a contract with Hendrick and Kelloggs thru 2000. Also as for Steve Park, sources tell me there are no moves afoot to replace or relieve Park and he as well as Pennzoil have a contract thru 2000 with DEI. Past news on Labonte/Irwin can be seen on their respective Team Past News/Rumors/Links page I have here, see the links below to the left...(7-5-1999)
- Two Butches? Butch Mock is almost ready to announce his new business partner, and the kicker to his reorganization, according to sources, is that he may be expanding his Mooresville shop to a two-car team. Mock's new business partner will apparently be Darwin Oordt, a Busch team owner(#40 ChannelLock), but there is no indication as to who the second Winston Cup driver might be. Butch Miller drives for Oordt in the BGN(PitNow)(7-5-1999)
- McReynolds' team: Deadline is getting closer, expect news anyday, one of the possible sponsors for McReynolds' new team is Burger King. One of his possible drivers is Joe Nemechek(PitNow)(7-5-1999)