Stoddard and Fukuyama? UPDATE: Crew chief Frankie Stoddard says he’d be willing to take on the challenge of helping car owner Travis Carter run Hideo Fukuyama’s team next season if the Japanese star puts together the sponsorship package he’s been working on for a planned Winston Cup venture.(Winston Salem Journal)(9-23-2002) UPDATE: Frankie Stoddard, the displace crew chief from the #99 team, was visiting Travis Carter’ Statesville, N.C., operation earlier this week. While no specifics were outlined, it was suggested that perhaps Stoddard could be a possibility to wrench Hideo Fukuyama’ Ford for 2003. Fukuyama, who tested Carter’ Ford at Rockingham, N.C., on Tuesday and Wednesday, apparently has a tidy sponsorship package behind him; and there could be an announcement on that front in the near future. Carter’ chances at having two full sponsorships for next year are looking better with each passing week as Discover Card Services personnel are making all the right noises as far as continuing their sponsorship of the #26 Todd Bodine driven Ford. Itll be a few days before Carter knows for sure, but at least the hope is alive; and doing very well.(Ford Racing)(9-28-2002)
