April 7, 1999
- Who is Carl Long? UPDATE 4: on NOL’s Bristol Cup race entry list, there is a Carl Long listed in the #85 Mansion Motorsports Ford, all I know is that he ran a few truck races in 1998, and made four Slim Jim series starts in 1998, otherwise no info — UPDATE 1: I hear Long drove in the Late Model series at Orange County Speedway near Durham, NC during the past few years. He was sponsored by Romeo Guest Construction and then later by a snack company — UPDATE 2: more info on Carl Long – he from/born in Roxboro NC, and ran Late Model stocks at Orange County Speedway, as well as South Boston. Last year when he wasn’t racing in the Slim Jim or Truck series, he ran in the late model sportsman division at Southern National Speedway in Kenly NC. In 1997 Long ran the full Slim Jim Allpro Series sponsored by Austin Snacks and won the Bristol Race(thanks many readers)(4-6-1999) — UPDATE 4: From the driver himself, let’s find out about Carl Long: “Started racing VW Beetles in 1983 at Sobo and Orange County Speedway. The rest of your info(see above) is accurate. At the end of 1997 politics took my sponsorship. I sold off my part of the All-Pro Team and went job searching. I went to work with Thee Dixon owner of Mansion Motorsports in Durham, NC(this is the #85 Ford). I took Dixon’s truck to four CTS events in 1998 and ran a T-bird at both Charlotte ARCA events. Randy McDonald made attempts at two tracks in Cup. I was to attempt Bristol in August 1998 but NASCAR declined my entry, so Ken Bouchard drove. So far in 1999, I have raced at Daytona and Atlanta in ARCA. NASCAR has approved my entry for this years Bristol race. The car is an older piece with a Ford Taurus body, the engine is an old Stavola Bros that Harold Eatmon has squeezed all he can get out of it. So why even go to Bristol I am asked? To be seen, I have sent resume’s, proposals and whatever to sponsors and owners. If I can qualify for this race maybe someone will take notice and I will have the opportunity to tour again. I am 31, married with one kid and one on the way. I drive the rig(tractor trailer), manage the team(two paid employees and some volunteers), make my own calls on the setup, attempt to do the PR. Thee Dixon is one of the few black owners in NASCAR. Mike Skinner has driven for him in the past”(4-7-1999)
- Barrett full BGN: Stanton Barrett, part time Cup driver, has signed to drive the #40 ChannelLock Chevy in the BGN series. He will also drive the #90 Donlavey Ford in the Cup race at Bristol(The Williams Co)(4-7-1999)
- Petty Press Conference UPDATE 2: A press conference for Petty Enterprises is scheduled at the Level Cross, N.C., shops at 10:30am, Wednesday, April 7, 1999(The Williams Co), no idea what it’s about, special paint schemes??(3-30-1999) — UPDATE 1: Petty will open the revamped shop in Level Cross, NC next Wednesday. Petty Enterprises is expected to announce the game plan for their 50th Anniversary celebration and debut the coordinating paint schemes Kyle Petty, John Andretti’s Cup cars, Adam Petty’s BGN car and Jimmy Hensley’s truck when they race at Indy in August(iRACE/SpeedVison/Sparky Plug)(3-31-1999) — UPDATE 2: Petty Enterprises opened its newly expanded race shop to the public for the first time during a press conference in Level Cross, N.C., today. Announcements regarding plans for Petty’s 50th anniversary celebration were also revealed. The 20,000 square foot addition to the existing race shop is the largest expansion in Petty Racing history. The addition includes new engine assembly rooms, offices and a spacious work area for the preparation of the Winston Cup race cars driven by John Andretti and Kyle Petty. Petty Racing was founded as Lee Petty Engineering in 1949. Petty Racing has totaled 268 wins and 10 championships in NASCAR’s premier series. The expanded engine room and race shop are but one facet of Petty Racing’s investment in its future. Also underway are major purchases of equipment -particularly high-tech engine and research and development software and hardware. As important is the investment in key personnel to take Petty Racing back to the pinnacle of the sport. A special paint scheme for all of the Petty Racing vehicles to be run in Indianapolis on August 5-7, 1999, will be unveiled at a May 27th press conference at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. In further celebration of the 50th anniversary, Petty Racing is planning a September event to honor all of the 41 former drivers of Petty Racing cars. Additional details regarding the event will be revealed in the next few months. Many of the key personnel at Petty Racing were present at Wednesday’s press conference, including Lee, Richard, Kyle, Adam and Maurice Petty. Team manager Robbie Loomis appeared, as well as drivers John Andretti and Jimmy Hensley, and crew chief Doug Hewitt. Former team manager Dale Inman also played an important role. The event was emceed by ESPN’s Bill Weber and longtime local sportscaster Charlie Harville also spoke at the announcement(The Williams Co) Also more info and images can be seen at the Petty Racing site(4-7-1999)
- UPDATE 4 on Spencer: I hear Jimmy Spencer has multiple bruises, extreme soreness, some swelling, and a possible broken hand or wrist(3-30-1999) — UPDATE 2: Spencer has a slight concussion and is very sore, says the hit at Texas was the hardest he ever took. So far no broken bones, but Spencer will go for x-rays on Wednesday. Steve Grissom will test the #23 Winston Ford at Bristol on Thursday and at Talladega next week, Grissom will also drive Spencers #12 Zippo Chevy in the BGN race at Bristol(WC Today Radio), The JournalNow/PitNow says Darrell Waltrip will handle the tests — UPDATE 3: Jimmy Spencer was to test the #23 Ford at Bristol Wednesday and Thursday while Darrell Waltrip tested the #66 Ford at Martinsville. But with Spencer banged up, team owner Travis Carter decided to send DW and the #66 Bristol instead. Also DW and the #66 then plan to test at Talladega next Tuesday and Wednesday(in the Ford test) The #23 team DID not test at Bristol(3-31-1999) — finally UPDATE 4: The initial worry was that Spencer had broken his wrists, but all x-rays were negative and Spencer hopes to go the distance at Bristol. He pulled some muscles underneath his rib cage and shoulder(PitNow)(4-7-1999)
- Lepage steps back: from his BGN ride, for the next three weeks anyhow. Lepage will take the next three BGN events off from the #99 Redman chevy ride to concentrate on his Cup ride. Matt Hutter will driver the next few BGN races for the team(NASCAR Today Radio)(4-7-1999)
- #38 Crew Chief UPDATE 1:: I hear Jamie(not Jimmy) Jones, the crew chief on the #68 Freddie Query BGN Ford is leaving to take the #38 Akins-Sutton crew chief job. No word on a replacement(4-5-1999) — UPDATE 1: Jones will be with the #68 team at Bristol and start for the #38 team on April 12th. #38 owners Bob Sutton and Barbasol Racing car chief Bobby Bakeeff will share crew chief duties this weekend at Bristol(Keystone PR)(4-7-1999)
- Kitchens Story: Kitchens suffering growing pains in first Busch season (AL Online)(4-7-1999)
- Hamilton to sit? for at least a race? #95 team co-owner Check Sadler said the team will step back and regroup, meaning it may miss the Bristol race. Supposedly the team canceled it’s entry but as of Tuesday, no official word has been announced(NOL)(4-7-1999)
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997