not sure what this is about but saw this in a story on NOL about Darrell Waltrip missing the race and Robby Gordon making it: Waltrip is still holding out hope that a ride will open up for him in his last Coca-Cola 600. “We’re working on some things,” he said. “Maybe somebody needs a driver. Maybe that’ll work out for me, I hope. There are a couple of possibilities there.”(NOL) and from That’s Racin’: Waltrip may very well wind up driving the #85 Ford owned by Mansion Motorsports in Sunday’s race. Driver Carl Long posted the 35th fastest speed in Wednesday first-round qualifying, but negotiations were under way on Thursday evening for Waltrip’s team to purchase that ride and put Waltrip in the car on Sunday. A decision on that should be made by Friday morning(That’s Racin’). Noticed during twilight practice tonight, only 42 or the 43 cars practiced, missing? the #85 Ford of Carl Long. More on this as it plays out or fades out(5-25-2000) UPDATE: from what I hear it looks like DW will be racing in the Coca Cola 600 this weekend. Something should be announced sometime this morning. DW would drive the #85 Kmart/Rt 66 Ford that Carl Long qualified into the race on Wednesday. The car, a 1999 Ford bought at a Roush auction, was reskinned into a 2000 version by Long and one paid workers and a few volunteers at Mansion Motorsports, which is owned by black businessman Thee Dixon. Long is hoping to make a go of it with Dixon but sponsorship has been hard to find. Long is also looking for oppurtunities in Busch and the Truck series. See the #85 Teams News page for more info on the team UPDATE 2: Yep, DW will be in the Coca Cola 600. Darrell Waltrip and his Winston Cup team owner Travis Carter(#66 Ford) came to agreement Friday with Carl Long, driver of the #85 Ford, and his car owner Thee Dixon for Waltrip to drive Long’s car in Sunday’s race and move his Big Kmart sponsorship to the team for the race. Long made the field after posting the 35th-best qualifying speed. Waltrip failed to make the field during Wednesday night’s first round session and failed to complete his lap during Thursday’s second round. Sunday would have been Long’s first Winston Cup start. He has competed at Charlotte previously in the Automobile Racing Club of America series(That’s Racin’) AND ….Negotiations began immediately. By lunch time Friday, crewmen had begun applying Kmart decals and trading out parts on Dixon’s blue, yellow and pink Ford, a surplus Jack Roush car bought at auction. Dixon, one of few black men to try out in NASCAR, is a painting contractor and sometime racer from Raleigh, N.C. He has brought out cars, usually without success, at Daytona and Charlotte. This week, Dixon sprung for a Roush engine, put employee Long in the car, and made the show. The price of the deal is not known. These usually come in at plus-or-minus $50,000. Long, 32, from Roxboro, N.C., has made occasional starts in Craftsman Trucks and in ARCA. Long’s comment: “I’m going to do everything I can do to work with the guys on the 66 team to get Darrell the best run we can give him in that car,” said Long, who refers to Dixon as Mr. Dixon. “I think it’s motivation. I can get on the radio and say, ‘Darrell, I know damn well if I can drive it, you ought to be able to.’ more comments from Long at SpeedVision and see the story at goracing: “Ol’ D.W.’s” Gets Ride For Coca-Cola 600. Jayski Note: Long who hopes to drive more races for Dixon is looking for full time rides in CUP, BGN or CTS. Long had put in for the #50 truck try outs but didn’t get chosen to test the truck. Also, Dixon will get the owners points for wherever DW finishes, DW gets the drivers points and #66 owner Carter will get 22 owners points after the car failed to make the race, tied for 4th slowest but higher in owners points then #71 Dave MArcis who will get 19 owners points(5-26-2000)
