Hills Bros Stays with #90, Lpoez Hired UPDATE Lopez Short Term? Junie Donlavey denied Internet reports that sponsor Hills Brothers would be leaving his Richmond-based team. Donlavey said he had been in contact with the CEO of the parent company of Hills Brothers. “He assured me they would be with us all year long,” Donlavey said. “We have a good relationship with Hills Brothers.” Philippe Lopez, former crew chief for A.J. Foyt’s team, has joined Donlavey’s team as a consultant to crew chief Bobby King on a race-to-race basis. Driver Hut Stricklin had failed to qualify for three of the past four races before securing the 30th spot yesterday for tomorrow’s NAPA 500 at California Speedway. “We’re right on the edge of good vs. bad,” Donlavey said. “We need that tip to push us to the good side.”(Richmond Times Dispatch)(4-28-2001) UPDATE: Hills Bros had been rumored on the way to the #27 of Kenny Wallace, although Donlavey has firmly denied the rumors. Wallace, meanwhile, has said his team may or may not be at Richmond next week, with hints that the end may be near for the unsponsored group. One key to the improved work by the Donlavey #90 team was consulting work by Phillipe Lopez, who recently walked out of the crew chief’s job for A.J. Foyt’s #14. Lopez says he has another job offer in the works, with only money details remaining to be finalized(SpeedVision)(4-30-2001) (4-29-2001) see the Apr 23-29, 2001 Archived News Page Jayski’s Silly Season Site Main Page This page designed by Jayski LLC, 1996-2012© All Rights Reserved. Jayski’s® is a registered trademark of Jayski LLC Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission or credit.
