April 17, 1999
- Jeff Green: On Monday night April 12, 1999, Jeff Green was the guest during “On The Circuit” radio show(WAMB – AM 1160) with host John Jenkins. Green was asked if he had talked with Morgan-McClure about the 2nd ride rumor and he said ‘NO’. Any Cup ride he might take would be next year because he is after a BGN championship. No word on the #15 Bud Moore ride but it is obvious that Green is commited to the BGN in 1999(4-17-1999)
- Sponsorship? The season is well into its third month and business is booming, yet still four regular Winston Cup teams lack reliable, week-to-week sponsorship. Four owners — Junie Donlavey, Joe Falk, Cale Yarborough/Wayne Burdette and Billy Jones — do not a principal sponsor. Jones’ Pontiac, driven by his son Buckshot, carries Crown Fiber, which is the elder Jones’ own company. Donlavey’s car is being driven this weekend by Morgan Shepherd, Falk’s by Dick Trickle and Burdette’s by Rick Mast. Ricky Rudd, who has won at least one race in each of the last 16 seasons, is trapped in a long-term deal with Tide that no longer provides adequate funding. Larry McReynolds, crew chief for Richard Childress Racing’s No. 31 team, confirmed that he recently made an offer to buy Rudd’s team, which Rudd considered but declined. Rudd was also rumored to be selling out to CART owner Chip Ganassi, a notion now strenuously denied on all sides(Monte Dutton/SpeedNet)(4-17-1999)
- DEI Changes: I hear that Engine Shop Manager of the Dale Earnhardt Inc, Mark Isler, has been released as of this past Wednesday, no replacement named(4-17-1999)
- More Rudd UPDATE 2: Ricky Rudd’s NASCAR team is for sale, and Larry McReynolds, crew chief for the Richard Childress-Mike Skinner team, has made an offer to buy it, McReynolds has confirmed. Rudd could not be reached for comment(PitNow) — UPDATE 1: Ricky Rudd said Friday he is not trying to find someone to buy out his team, despite the rash of rumors recently to the contrary. Rudd denied Friday he has talked to CART owner Chip Ganassi. Sources confirmed Friday, however, that Larry McReynolds had made Rudd an offer on his team. McReynolds has said that if he found proper funding and the right sponsor, that he would resign his position at Richard Childress Racing and form his own team for the 2000 season. But Rudd emphasized Friday what he is looking for is a partner who would run the day-to-day operations of the team, while Rudd would remain as the driver. See quotes and more at the That’s Racin’ story – Rudd denies rumors of team’s sale(4-16-1999) — UPDATE 2: Following qualifying on Friday, Larry McReynolds said Ricky Rudd had declined the offer to sell his team to McReynolds and John Dangler, McReynolds partner(NOL) and from PitNow: Ricky Rudd says he will definitely restructure his team this season, because he’s finding it increasingly difficult as a small single-team owner-driver to compete against the giant teams dominating the Winston Cup tour today. But he says he won’t sell more than 50 percent of his team to anyone(PitNow)(4-17-1999)
- Menard/Stewart: ut-oh, lawsuit. Team Menard Sues Former Driver Stewart. Tony Stewart has been issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting him form working for any other Indy 500 competitors of his former sponsor, Team Menard(WRAL)(4-17-1999)
- Yes it was Kyle: Had many questions about the Kyle Petty testing accident at Talladega on Wednesday, here is what Monte Dutton has in a SpeedNet story: Kyle Petty, already mired in a horrible slump, had a freak accident while testing on Wednesday at Talladega Superspeedway. The throttle stuck as Petty was driving down pit road, and the Pontiac lurched violently out of control and through a fence, eventually rocketing into an infield flagpole. Petty was unhurt, but he car was obviously demolished. “I rank through the chain-link fence and over a couple of azaleas, and I think a couple of dandelions gave their lives, too,” said Petty. “It was just a freak deal”.(SpeedNet)(4-17-1999)
- TV Dates: By giving up the right to negotiate television contracts, Bruton Smith and his fellow track owners may also have given up some of their traditional race dates. NASCAR may move dates to accommodate TV, and Smith’s end-of-the-season Atlanta finale could be on the table(PitNow)(4-17-1999)
- Falk and Larry: Larry’s Homes is sponsoring Falk’s #91 LJ Racing Chevy this weekend(at Martinsville, if they pick up some speed during 2nd round). Falk said he is meeting with company representatives Monday about a six-race deal. If he does not get a sponsor, Falk said he will skip the race in Fontana, Calif., on May 2(Times-Dispatch)(4-17-1999)
- Shepherd Back UPDATE 1 why? Hearing Morgan Shepherd will be in the #90 Donlavey Ford at Martinsville, not Stanton Barrett as previously reported here(4-16-1999) — UPDATE 1: Stanton Barrett turned down the opportunity to drive the car(That’s Racin’)(4-17-1999)
- Noticed: The #33 Skoal Chevy has the blue paint scheme at Martinsville and the #36 M&M’s Pontiac has a red air dam instead of the yellow with M&M’s(ESPN2 Qualifying)
- 15 years ago, Dale Jarrett, then 27, made his first Winston Cup start at Martinsville(on April 29th, 1984), starting 24th and finishing 14th. Though he has never won here, Jarrett has finished in the top five four times on the .526-mile track. In last year’s race he finished third(SpeedNet)(4-17-1999)
- Big Daddy’s: Big Daddy’s BBQ is sponsoring the #90 truck driven by Lance Norick. The barbecue sauce company was slated to sponsor Junie Donlavey’s #90 Cup team this season, but Donlavey terminated the deal when the sponsor’s checks failed to clear the bank. Truck series spokesman Owen Kearns said the company hasn’t missed any payments to Norick’s team(Times-Dispatch)(4-17-1999)
- #34 Changes: I hear #34 Goulds Pumps crew chief Jay Smith and the team have parted ways. Steve “Big Guy” Helwig will serve as interim crew chief for driver Mike McLaughlin(4-17-1999)
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