April 6 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history - Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

#94 Assoc Sponsor trouble? UPDATE 1: Service Merchandise is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It is not known how it will affect sponsorship of the #94 McDonald’s Ford team of Bill Elliott(NSSN)(3-27-1999) — UPDATE 1: I hear the #94 McDonalds showcars have been told to remove the Service Merchandise decals from the cars(4-6-1999)

Rudd/Wind Tunnel: from the Snowballs section of this weeks Speedway Scene(Apr 2) it mentions that Ricky Rudd took three #10 Tide Fords to the wind tunnel and found that the cars were not very aerodynamic(as a brick the article says) and that they need new noses on the cars among other changes(4-6-1999)

Irvan #300 CORRECTION: Whoops! got ahead of myself when I wrote this, Ernie Irvan will make his 300th career Winston Cup start at Martinsville on the 18th not this week at Bristol as I said earlier(4-6-1999)

Blaney to Cup: As reported here for the past few months, Bill Davis also plans to go to two teams in 2000. Dave Blaney is scheduled to follow the same timetable as Tony Stewart and move into a second Davis Pontiac(#93) on the Winston Cup circuit next season. Amoco, Blaney’s sponsor on the Busch circuit this season, has not decided if they will follow Blaney to Winston Cup in 2000. Blaney will attempt to qualify for five Winston Cup races in 1999(Inside Motorsports), see the planned schedule for races on the #93 Past News Team Page(4-6-1999)

Chubby Checker? UPDATE 1: A few readers and I have seen on at least one collectible site that in June there will be a release of a #66 Chubby Checker Ford diecast, not sure if this will be run as a special paint scheme or where(4-5-1999) — UPDATE 1: sources tell me that this is just a diecast deal and even that may not happen(4-6-1999)

Spencer at Bristol: Jimmy Spencer, still feeling the effects of his Texas crash, will have Steve Grissom standing by on Sunday as a relief driver in case he does not feel up to being in the car. Grissom will also practice the #23 Winston Ford at Talladega on Tuesday and run Spencers #12 BGN car(WC Today Radio)(4-6-1999)

CORRECTION: a few weeks ago, a reader asked me why Matt Kenseth didn’t replace Bobby Labonte at Darlington during the Red Flag instead of wasting time during a Yellow Flag. I responded with the same answer as Benny Parsons had said on RPM2Nite the following Monday. That during a red flag stop, all work stops during a red flag and that includes replacing a driver. But last night on RPM2Nite(4/5), Benny said that he was approached by a NASCAR official at the Evergreen Speedway while out there for the CTS race and was told, a team could switch drivers, but would have to go to the back of the field(4-6-1999)

DJ Paint UPDATE 2: During Dale Jarrett’s NASCAR Online chat, he was asked about any special paint schemes for the #88 this season. He mentioned that that they are discussing some possibilities with Action Performance, which brought the Batman car to the team and that they will have at least one special paint scheme in 1999(NOL Chat)(3-9-1999) — UPDATE 2: hearing the paint scheme will be an “armed forces” scheme at the Coca Cola 600(not sure what that means), supposedly an announcement is coming soon(4-5-1999) — UPDATE 2: I hear some Ford dealers have received promotional posters of the #88 Ford with the regular paint scheme and four military themed photos. The posters say: “Go for Glory” – a Memorial Day Salute, win a trip to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600! Ford Credit – Ask a Salesperson for Details(4-6-1999)

Dyno Back: Look for NASCAR to pull out the infamous chassis dyno at an upcoming race, possibly the Die Hard 500 in Talladega. Seems they would still like some more info on how much power is being transferred to the track by some of the more successful teams(Inside Motorsports)(4-6-1999)

Diecast News? UPDATE 1: Hearing from some readers that as of June 1, 1999, diecast cars will no longer be made with Tobacco advertising or paint schemes. Tobacco diecast cars have been produced from sometime in 1994(3-4-1999) — I now hear the diecast cars will still be produced, but no longer available mail order and that due to recent tobacco industry changes these tobacco sponsored products will only be available trackside after June 1999(thanks Matt)(4-6-1999)
Gibbs steps down: JD Gibbs will give up his rookie status in the BGN to compete full time in the Busch North Series starting with the BNS opener at Lee Speedway on April 18th. Gibbs will drive a Pontiac from the Joe Gibbs shops and will be sponsored by MBNA. More details at www.neracing.com (4-6-1999)

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April 6 – Today in Jayski’s NASCAR history