from Ed Hinton of the Chicago Tribune/Orlando Sentinel – “Rumblings of the first NASCAR drivers strike in 31 years began at Darlington Raceway Saturday–not regarding Sunday’s Southern 500, but the Sept. 17 race at New Hampshire International Speedway, the site of fatal crashes by Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin earlier this year. Meanwhile, a management shakeup is imminent in NASCAR, according to well-placed sources, which would put Jim France, younger brother of cancer-stricken NASCAR President Bill France Jr., firmly and visibly in charge of the organization, which has experienced a difficult season on several fronts.” See full story at the Chicago Tribune: NASCAR Drivers Hint Boycott(9-3-2000) UPDATE: Bobby Labonte and other drivers indicated Sunday that they will compete at New Hampshire on Sept. 17 whether changes are made at the track or not, but they won`t be happy about it. Clearly, drivers intend to keep up the pressure on both NASCAR and New Hampshire officials to put up “soft walls” in the sharp turns at the one-mile track(Ed Hinton/Orlando Sentinel) AND see RacingOne’s story: Cup Drivers Revolt by Lee Spencer(9-4-2000) UPDATE 2: Being interviewed by satellite from the High Point, NC studios of WGHP, Bobby Labonte was asked during Jeanne Zelasko’s interview on Tuesday’s “National Sports Report” on Fox Sports Net: “How realistic is this boycott?”, see the MotorsportsTV site for the answers, pretty interesting(9-6-2000) UPDATE 3 a followup: Drivers undergo attitude adjustment by Ed Hinton(Orlando Sentinel) AND a story and thoughts at the Speedway Illustrated site: Winston Cup Drivers Boycott at Loudon?(9-7-2000) UPDATE 4 Drivers…no boycott/strike: Drivers: There hasn’t been talk of a boycott by Al Pearce(Daily Press) PLUS more columns/articles about safety on the Story/Article Links page(9-7-2000)
