April 14, 1999
- Testing: I hear the #23 Winston Team with Jimmy Spencer, Darrell Waltrip in the #66, Chad Little in the #97 and #75-Ted Musgrave are testing at Greenville-Pickens Speedway today in preparation for Martinsville this weekend. Also #58-Ricky Craven and #2-Rusty Wallace tested there today(4-14-1999)
- #78 Done? UPDATE 1: Hearing the #78 Triad Motorsports team is closing it’s doors. Driver Gary Bradberry was told he was free to look elsewhere a few weeks ago. No idea what Hut Stricklin’s plans are(4-13-1999) — UPDATE 1: I now hear the team has not closed up and is looking at some sponsor possibilities(4-14-1999)
- Derby Car: Jeremy Mayfield will oversee the ribbon cutting ceremony for a commemorative 125th Kentucky Derby-theme car that he will drive at California on May 2. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 12pm/et on Thursday, April 29 of Kentucky Derby Week, in the Clubhouse Gardens of historic Churchill Downs. Following the ceremony the car will be transported to downtown Louisville where it serve as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual Pegasus Parade. The #12 Mobil 1 Taurus, that will be driven by Mayfield, a native of Owensboro, KY, was designed as a tribute to the milestone 125th Kentucky Derby through a special partnership of Churchill Downs, Action Performance Companies, Inc., Penske-Kranefuss Racing and Mobil Oil Corporation. The car’s design features a Kentucky Derby-inspired paint scheme complete with the image of a Thoroughbred and the 125th Kentucky Derby logo over the rear quarter panels. Motorsports International Corp., the official trackside provider of Mobil 1 Racing/ Penske-Kranefuss Racing/ Jeremy Mayfield #12 car merchandise, will be offering a complete line of apparel items, souvenirs and collectibles exclusively at all NASCAR Winston Cup races, racing souvenir specialty stores and through mail order(William Co) also see some images of the car at Jayski’s Paint Scheme Gallery from the announcement a few weeks ago(4-14-1999)
- GM Talladega Testing Day One UPDATE 1: Bobby Hillin stepped in for Jeff Gordon and tested the #24 DuPont Chevy. Mike Skinner had Mike Dillon subbing in the #31 Lowes Chevy. The top six speeds: #40-Marlin 195.376mph; #24-Hillin 195.369; #5-Labonte 194.362; #7-Waltrip 194.196; #3-Earnhardt 194.168; and #42-Nemechek 194.166. Twenty five teams are testing with Thirty five cars(WC Today Radio and RPM2Nite)(4-13-1999) — UPDATE 1: Sterling Marlin topped 196mph during testing Tuesday. The top five: #40-Marlin 196.709; #24-Hillin 195.389; #5- Labonte 194.362; #7-Waltrip 194.212; and #3-Earnhardt 194.188. See the speeds of 27 drivers at SpeedNet(4-14-1999)
- 300th start: Ernie Irvan will make his 300th career Winston Cup start at Martinsville on April 18th(4-6-1999) — see a TNN story at Irvan Turns Dream Into Reality(4-14-1999)
- #27 CTS Change?: Hearing that driver Ernie Cope may leave the #27 Hastings Premium Filters Ford Truck team to seek crew chief opportunities with another CTS team. Not sure if the other driver for the truck, Rob Rizzo, will take over or what the team’s plans are(4-12-1999)
- Query/Premiere Crew Chief: Australian Walter Giles has been named crew chief for the NASCAR BGN Premiere Motorsports #68 Ford driven by Freddie Query(PR)(4-14-1999)
- Big Shake Up UPDATE 2: at the #38 and #98 teams as co-owners Bob Sutton and Brad Akins have decided to dissolve their partnership, leaving the team in an unsure position. No reason was given for the split(RPM2Nite)(4-12-1999) — UPDATE 1: Georgia businessman Brad Akins, co-owner of Akins/Sutton Motorsports, has assumed the management of the daily operations of Akins/Sutton Motorsports. Bob Sutton has been relieved of his day-to-day duties with the organization. The company will continue to field cars in the NASCAR Busch Series with drivers Elton Sawyer and Glenn Allen. “I made this change because I became aware that there were business practices occurring that were not consistent with the standards I have for my other businesses,” Akins said. “I believed the long-term objectives of this company would not be met if we continued the practices that were currently implemented, so I elected to assume total control of the company. I will continue provide the support for the efforts of these teams as they contend for the championship and race wins,” Akins said.(Keystome Marketing PR)(4-13-1999) — and the team is moving to a new shop this week and they will use Chevy’s at Talladega(as they did in Daytona) and finish the season in Fords(4-14-1999)
- Smith Brothers Motorsports News: Bill Moore of Denver, N.C. has joined Smith Brothers Motorsports and driver Skip Smith to help lead their BGN efforts in 1999. Moore will serve as Supervising Technical Consultant for Smith Brothers. Working hand-in-hand with crew chief Terry Hess, Moore’s responsibility will be chassis set up, team organization and race day strategy. Moore has more that 10 years experience at the NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup Series levels. His start in the NASCAR Busch Series came in 1988, working with driver Patty Moise. Other teams and drivers Moore has served include: Kenny Wallace,, Kyle Petty, Sterling Marlin (Stavola Brothers), Brett Bodine (King Racing), Rick Mast (Precision Racing Products) and Jasper Motorsports. In preparation for BGN action at Talladega on April 24th, Smith Brothers Motorsports tested at the 2.66 mile oval on Sunday (April 11th) and Monday (April 12th). Team owner Mike Smith was very pleased with the team’s first day of testing and says he’s beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Driver Skip Smith turned laps well into the 189 m.p.h. range and the team is confident for the upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway(Raceitcom PR)(4-14-1999)
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