Jim Smith, owner of Ultra Motorsports who field a CTS team with Mike Wallace as the driver and who bought into the #7 Mattei Motorsports Winston Cup operation, is now the sole owner of the #7 Nation’s Rent/Philips Lighting Chevy. Former owner Jim Mattei is no longer involved with the team. Smith expects current driver of the #7, Michael Waltrip, to return in 2001 along with sponsor Nation’s Rent. Asked about a 2nd Cup team for Wallace, the story says, that the future, for now at least, does not include a 2nd Cup team. The team is also rumored to be switching to Ford (from Chevy’s)(Winston Cup Scene). Reports have the team switching to Ford as soon as Talladega UPDATE: hearing a few tidbits on the team: the last of the Alan Kulwicki(who owned the #7 team up until his death in 1993) employees, Rich Wolsky, was released this week; front tire carrier Gerald Rogers, left this week; #27 crew chief Barry Dodson was at the #7 shop for a visit this week; current crew chief of the team Bobby Kennedy is supposedly going to Petty Enterprises as the new General Mgr; AND supposedly Waltrip will not return in 2001; and the team is already building Fords(7-14-2000) UPDATE 2: forget any movement by Dodson as he has extended through 2005 with the Eel River Racing’s #27 Cup team and owner Jack Birmingham(SpeedVision)(7-18-2000) UPDATE 3: RPM Now radio reports that the team has a big announcement on Tuesday, supposedly concerning Waltrip’s future in Winston Cup, and maybe the Ford announcement?(7-23-2000) UPDATE 4: hearing Waltrip and crew chief Bobby Kennedy will stay with the team in 2001 AND from SpeedVision: Smith, meanwhile, confirmed that he probably will switch from Chevrolet to Ford (announcement Tuesday). He runs a Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series. Smith also said he would like a second team next year, with CTS driver Mike Wallace a likely candidate – if sponsorship can be found. He said Wallace probably would run up to four Cup races this fall, including Richmond, Charlotte and Phoenix(7-24-2000) UPDATE 5: Michael Waltrip and Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith announced a drastic realignment of their Nations Rent Winston Cup team today in their new 28,000 sq. ft. Mooresville, NC shops. Beginning with the final five races of the 2000 season Waltrip will be driving ford Taurus’ powered by Larry Wallace/Penske engines. They also will be getting technical support on aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing from Penske Motorsports. Crew chief Bobby Kennedy is remaining with the team contrary to wide speculation. Michael Waltrip has also signed a one-year extension with Ultra Motorsports. See an image of the #7 Nations Rent FORD at Speedway Illustrated(7-25-2000) UPDATE 6: Smith said he will run a second Cup car for Wallace at Richmond on Sept. 9 and may enter Wallace in a Chevrolet at Charlotte, Phoenix or Homestead in the final weeks of the season. Plans to move Wallace over to a full-time second Winston Cup team, however, would depend on finding sponsorship(That’s Racin’)(7-26-2000)
