John Andretti’s Winston Cup future apparently lies with Richard Petty, not Cale Yarborough. Bobby Hamilton, who will leave as driver of Petty’s No. 43 Pontiac’s after the Atlanta race, said in a recent on-line chat session that he believes Andretti will replace him. Tony Furr, crew chief for Andretti on the Yarborough-owned team this year, has reportedly agreed to become Ricky Craven’s crew chief for the 1998 season. Craven’s current chief, Andy Graves, will be Terry Labonte’s crew chief next season.
Who will drive Yarborough’s No. 98 Fords next year, provided a sponsor to replace RCA can be found? Perhaps Rich Bickle, who was supposed to move from the truck that Darrell Waltrip owns into a Winston Cup ride for Waltrip next season. Waltrip is having trouble finding a sponsor for his own car, let alone two sponsors for a two-car team, and has told Bickle he’s free to look for other options.”(Charlotte Observer)(11-6-97)
