August 1997 News Archives - Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

PAST NEWS AUGUST 1997

Jack Roush is extremely close to signing Cheerios as a primary sponsor on the Ford
Taurus that Johnny Benson will drive in 1998 for Roush Racing. Benson’s move to Roush
Racing hasn’t been officially announced yet, but it should be soon.(Speedworld)(8-30-97)
As rumored here: “Derrike Cope has apparently agreed to drive for the new Julius
Erving-Joe Washington Ford team, according to sources close to Cope.”(JournalNow)(8-30-97)
Pennzoil has signed a three year deal with the #14 Earnhardt Chevy team which will start in 1998 with Steve Park as the driver(NASCAR Online)(8-30-97)
Dave Marcis was the fastest second round qualifier at 165.537 mph at Darlington, but it was not fast enough to get into the Southern 500. But Marcis will get to run in the pre-Bud Shootout race at Daytona next February. Provisionals used and left can be found on the Provisional Page by Gary(8-30-97)
Another rumor has Johnny Benson in the Richard Petty #43 STP Pontiac for the next 3 seasons, but I still think he’ll be in a Roush car(8-30-97)
No Surprise here: “Sterling Marlin will announce his plans to join Sabco Racing at Charlotte in October. Sterling will take the seat vacated by Robby Gordon, who is still in question as to his plans for 1998. Rumor also has it that Sterling’s engine builder at Morgan-McClure, Runt Pittman, will also move with Sterling to Sabco, and will re-unite with Tony Glover who is also at Sabco, and left Morgan-McClure at the end of 1996(SpeedWorld)(8-30-97)
“Larry McClure made it official, that Bobby Hamilton will be his new driver, replacing Sterling Marlin, who is moving to the Felix Sabates team. There is a good chance that Robby Loomis, Hamilton’s crew chief on the Richard Petty team, might follow Hamilton to Abingdon, Va., depending on what driver Petty can now sign. Insiders wonder how Petty might react if Dale Inman, the team manager, decides to move on elsewhere, too.”(JournalNow)(8-30-97)
Ward Burton said that he and car owner Bill Davis have talked about teaming again next year but that Davis still hasn’t offered him a new contract. Burton is a candidate for the Petty ride, according to sources close to the Petty camp. Burton is trying to stay out of the rumor mill and feels his present team has much potential(JournalNow)(8-30-97)
“Rusty Wallace said he doesn’t plan to leave Roger Penske’s team, that reports he might want out of his contract so he can move to the Jack Roush or Robert Yates camp are ”just vicious rumors. It all started when Robert Yates started looking for a new driver and somehow my name got caught up in all that,” Wallace said. ”There’s nothing to it. It’s all bull. There was talk about Don Miller (the team manager) leaving at the end of the year, because he wasn’t feeling well, but he’s decided to stay another year. We’re not having any problems now. It’s just we’ve had seven engine failures. But the guys in the engine shop are busting their tails to get the problems
fixed.””(JournalNow)(8-30-97)
“Crew chief Robin Pemberton says he also plans to stick with Penske and Wallace, despite strong reports he might be moving on to either the Jack Roush camp to run Roush’s proposed fifth team or to the Jay Frye-Ryan Pemberton team to work with Ernie Irvan.”(partial JournalNow)(8-30-97)
“•Andy Petree says he’s still working to build a second team and he’s talking with Robby Gordon about driving for him. Gordon signed a contract to drive a Brown and Williamson car on the CART Indy-car tour next season, but Petree says he might be able to put together a 12-race Winston Cup package for Gordon. Petree insists that Anheuser-Busch is not a sponsor he is negotiating with, despite persistent rumors. And Jimmy Johnson, manager for the Rick Hendrick teams, said that Budweiser will be back with Ricky Craven next season.” Although it is mentioned they are considering changing the Bud car # for a NASCAR promtion(JournalNow)(8-30-97)

(8-29-97)
I hear Ricky Craven is saying that he will DEFINITELY be back with Hendrick in the #25 Budweiser car next season.(8-29-97)
Another official announcement: Bobby Hamilton will drive the #4 Kodak Chevy in 1998 but will finish out 1997 in the #43 STP car(Chaz & RPM2Nite)(8-29-97)
Announced during Qualifying Friday: Bobby Hamilton will not be eligible for the Bud Shootout, per Benny Parson’s talking to a Bud official(8-29-97)
Johnny Benson has said he will not be back with Bahari’ Racing in 1998, and will most likely join Roush Racing as a fifth entry out of the Roush Racing shops for 1998. Speaking of Roush, the No. 97 car that Roush Racing bought into will become a Ford in 1998, and not remain a Pontiac as previously thought.(SpeedWorld)(8-29-97)
Former #81 Crew Chief Gil Martin has officially taken the job to start the second Bill Davis(#22 MBNA Pontiac Owner) BGN Team that will run in the 1998 season. Drivers being considered include WoO driver Dave Blaney and Mike Swaim Jr, and the team has talked to a few other drivers also(a very reliable source)(8-29-97)
“DARLINGTON, S.C., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ — Robert Yates Racing announced today that Action Performance Companies (Nasdaq:ACTN) and Hasbro will sponsor the Kenny Irwin Jr. car (No. 27), owned by David Blair Motorsports, for five 1997 Winston Cup Race Series events. Hasbro will serve as the primary sponsor for four races and as primary associate on one additional race. Action Performance Companies will serve as the primary sponsor for one of the races. The announcement marks the debut for Hasbro as a first time sponsor. It was also announced that Irwin’s five-race schedule includes: Richmond, Sept. 6; Martinsville, Sept. 28; Rockingham, Oct. 26; Phoenix,
Nov. 2 and Atlanta, Nov. 16. A maximum of four different paint schemes will be utilized for the five races. Hasbro Winner’s Circle(TM) brand logo will be featured on four of the Irwin cars as well as the company’s Tonka, G.I. Joe and Nerf logos.(Action Press Release-thanks Art)(8-29-97)
Terry Wooten has replaced Pat Tryson as crew chief on the 7. Geoff Bodine said that the team’s recent improvements have stemmed from additional investment and a revised engine program(8-29-97)
Sterling Marlin says he was told to be quiet until Charlotte but says the announcement will be “Cool and Refreshing”(Coors Beer)(RPM2Nite)(8-29-97)
“Last week it was announced to the media that Jimmy(spencer) had signed a contract for 1998 with car owner Travis Carter to drive the #23 Ford. After his Bristol win Jimmy remarked on national television that the team was still sponsor-hunting for 1998. RJ Reynolds, who also sponsors the Winston Cup series, didn’t let that comment hang very long, and agreed to sponsor the team for another year.”(Jimmy Spencer Page)(8-29-97)
Mike Skinner and Richard Childress have agreed to stay together thru 1999(Rpm2Nite)(8-29-97)
Bill Ingle is working as the Interm Crew Chief with the #8 Circuit City Ford for the next 3 races starting at Darlington this week(RPM2Nite)(8-29-97)
As rumored here before, Pennzoil will announce on 8-30 that it will move it’s primary sponsorship to the #14 Earnhardt Chevy to be driven by Steve Park.(Qualifying)(8-29-97)
Pennzoil will also return to the #30 Pontiac as they have one-year left on their contract with the team and it will be a Pennzoil Product of some type. Owner Chuck Rider says he has had no negotiations what so ever with Jack Roush and is not selling the team.(Qualifying 8-29-97)
How about this rumor from FastTrack Magazine who report that Robby Gordon will drive a third Richard Childress car at select races next season as Childress hopes to field an IRL team in the future and wants to secure Gordon(Don from the John Andretti page)(8-29-97)
Jeff Gordon’s car was not very different from the norm, a small dollar sign over the jacking points on the side. ” Million Dollar Date ” written in blue and green stripes on hood.(thanks Matt)(8-29-97)
A Pontiac has only won at Darlington TWICE, once in 1960 with Buck Baker(Southern 500) and 1963 with Joe Weatherly(Spring race)(8-29-97)
The #22 MBNA Pontiac has a Clemson University Tiger logo on the hood, there is an MBNA Clemson Credit Card and Clemson initiated a motorsports program in its mechanical engineering curriculum and two of the current graduate students will be guests of the Bill Davis racing team in the garage and pits this weekend.(Qualifying-NASCAR Online)(8-29-97)
“There is a bill in the House that would ban the production and sale of all scanners that receive any business bands, including race frequencies, and all telephone bands, sponsored by Rep. Ed Marky of Massachuesetts, according to Winston Cup Scene letter writer John and Joyce Carrara of Toms River, NJ. I suggest all you race fans who use scanners contact your representatives and voice your disfavor over this bill.”(NASCAR Fans-Mike)(8-29-97)
Bob Cuneo, designer of the US Olympic Bobsleds and consulting engineer for
Geoff Bodine will leave the team at the end of the season and join Todd Bodine’s new Cup team. Cuneo’s Chassis Dynamics, in Oxford, CT has built winning modifieds for all three Bodine brothers.(8-29-97)
“Banjo’s Performance Center, a leader in the race car building industry,
closed its doors August 25. Jodi Matthews, the son of the firm’s founder, Banjo Matthews said it was no longer financially feasible to keep operating the Arden, NC firm. He mentioned the trend toward teams developing their own chassis as a contributing factor to the decision.”(Winston Cup Scene-NASCAR Fans)(8-29-97)
A rare BGN rumor from RPM2Nite: Jeff Fuller is in the running for the #45 BGN Laughlin Chevy, with Hunter Specialties and Bunsavers as a possible sponsor, rumor also has Andy Santerre, BGNN driver in the car(8-29-97)

(8-28-97)
See the Lake Speed/Melling/Cartoon Network Press Release at Nate’s Lake Speed Page(8-28-97)
From Sparky at iRace: “We still think the Budweiser sponsorship is going to Schrader, and we understand Quaker State is figuring to upgrade its current arrangement with Hendrick Motorsports — taking the Craftsman Truck Series primary sponsorship and the
associate deal with all three Hendrick Cup cars, and rolling it over into primary
sponsorship of the third Hendrick car (presently sponsored by Bud). The compelling question: Will the Big Q takes its Truck Series driver, Jack Sprague, into the Cup car, replacing Ricky Craven? We think it’s possible…We also hear rumblings that the likely rookie-of-the-year, Mike Skinner, is testing the waters about a new ride. Apparently, Skinner has not re-upped with Richard Childress; something about slumping Dale Earnhardt not being pleased with the RCR two-car team. But then, we have to wonder, how much longer is the Intimidator going to be driving for Childress…”(iRace)(8-28-97)
I hear rumors that Jerry Nadeau is up for the #43 STP ride(8-28-97)
George has added a picture of the new #91 Pionite Chevy on his web site, check it out at : George’s NASCAR Page, he reports that the people at Pioneer Plastics are very excited about this deal. He also has a story on Andy Santerre, the BGNN driver rumored to move up to the BGN series in either Ricky Cravens busch car or replacing Todd Bodine in the #36 stanley tools car. He will not drive either, instead he will drive the full series for Mike Laughlin, SR, in the #45 BGN car. Andy wanted to drive the #36 car, but Laughlin is holding him to a contract Andy signed last spring, and Laughlin has no sponsor lined up for next year yet(George)(8-28-97)
Brett Bodine will attempt to drive in five truck races starting at Richmond(This Week Inside NASCAR)(8-28-97)

(8-27-97)
Lance Hooper is close to signing a long-term contract with car owner Richard Jackson(#1 R&L Carriers Pontiac)(iRace)(8-27-97)
Lake Speed and the #9 Melling team has landed Cartoon Network sponsorship for 1998(Thanks Chaz Hinkle)(8-27-97)
The Ford Taurus Winston Cup car is expected to go through some unofficial shakedowns before a NASCAR test on October. 13 at Talladega, the day after the DieHard 500. The car will also be tested at Las Vegas after the Dura-Lube 500, and Nov. 2 at Phoenix.(SpeedWorld)(8-27-97)
It’s Official: Ernie Irvan has signed a two-year deal to drive the #36 Skittles Pontiac(many sources)(8-27-97)
# 98 sponsor RCA appears to be heading back to the team, despite some reports to the contrary(like here on the Silly page)(iRace)(8-27-97)
Derrike Cope appears to be the likely candidate for the Washington-Erving Motorsports team, a team spokesman stated they are “inches away” from naming their WC driver. Still no word on a crew chief or sponsor(iRace), I have heard the Boy Scout’s, but they are probably an associate(8-27-97)
If John Andretti leaves Yarborough(#98), Derrike Cope may have an opportunity to go there(he drove for Cale in the past)(iRace)(8-27-97)
Joey Knuckles, veteran tire changer and former crew chief for Davey Allison, was released on Tuesday from Robert Yates Racing. No reason’s reported yet(8-27-97)
Oops forgot this last night, Todd Bodine will drive the #96 Caterpillar Chevy at Darlington this weekend as David Green will take a week off to get better from the broken shoulderblade suffered at Bristol(RPM2Nite)(8-27-97)
Ernie Irvan chose the #36 ride over the #23 Ford because he was only offered a one-year deal there, the same article speculates that Bobby Hamilton will announce he is moving from the #43 to the #4 this weekend(surprise…not) and that John Andretti and Derrike Cope are candidates for the #43 ride(JournalNow)(8-27-97)
Jack Roush’s flirtations with running a Pontiac next season have died. He wanted too much money from the manufacturer, meaning Chad Little will run Fords next season(iRace), I wonder if Ted Musgrave will run Ford’s in BGN after reports that he would run a Pontiac there in a limited deal(8-27-97)
Reportedly, Sterling Marlin advised long-time pal Bobby Hamilton not to take the Morgan-McClure ride, but Hamilton is so uncomfortable in a multi-car team situation with Kyle Petty he felt compelled to leave(iRace), what about the rumored 2nd team for Morgan-McClure?(8-27-97)

(8-26-97)
During an interview on RPM2Nite Dale Jarrett had on a Nike hat, no idea what this means and if they are a sponsor of his or not, but I hear it meant nothing(8-26-97)
I hear the second Bill Davis team will be in the BGN for 1998, and possibly move up to WC in 1999. I also hear from a very good source that Gil Martin is considering the job and has other offers he is considering(8-26-97)
I hear that Roush will have at least 4 Ford WC teams in 1998 and field a Pontiac BGN team for Ted Musgrave but no idea what make the #9 and #60 BGN cars will be(8-26-97)
Per NASCAR Online chat with Jeremy Mayfield: ” We all are excited about our new paint scheme. Kmart has decided to have our car represent more of the Kmart logo than our RC Cola logo. It’s going to be on for the rest of this year, and in the future you’ll probably see more of Kmart on the car.”(thanks David)(8-26-97)
I hear on a Monday(8-25) night Grand Rapids, Michigan auto racing radio show on WBBL 1340 AM that Jack Roush says that if Johnny Benson can get a release from his current contract with the #30 car, Roush would hire him and build a Ford team around him but he has no intentions of buying the #30 team and that the #97 will be a Ford in 1998(8-26-97)
Richmond International Raceway has increased it capacity to 97,000 with an addition of a 12,500 seat grandstand and expanded the first-aid stations, restrooms, concession stands and souvenir stands(GVA)(8-26-97)
I hear Bobby Hamilton will make the announcement that he will drive the #4 Kodak Chevy in 1998 this weekend at Darlington while Sterling Marlin will wait until Charlotte in October to make his announcement that he will drive the #40 Coors Chevy in 1998(Charlotte Observer)(8-26-97)
Ernie Irvan from RevSpeedWay: “I’m making progress on my contract for next year and I should be able to let everyone know something maybe even as early as the end of this week”(RevSpeedWay)(8-26-97)
I got some email describing this: Robert Yates to Hold Press Conference Aug. 29 in
Darlington, PR Newswire, Tuesday, August 26, 1997 at 08:28. WHAT: Robert Yates Racing invites members of the media to a press conference and luncheon to announce Kenny Irwin Jr.’s new 1997 Winston Cup race sponsorships and race dates. WHY: Announcement of Kenny Irwin’s (No. 27) new car sponsorships in five (5) 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup races in a Yates-prepared entry this year and his racing schedule. Car paint schemes and uniform designs will be unveiled. Hasbro and Action Performance
Companies will also make announcements during the press conference. WHERE: Darlington Raceway, Press Box, Darlington, S.C. WHEN: Friday, August 29, 1997. 12:15 p.m. Lunch to be provided for the press.(8-26-97)

(8-25-97)
Derrike Cope is out of the #36 Skittles Pontiac after the end of the 1997 season(RPM2Night and my Dad)(8-25-97)
Ernie Irvan as rumored is expected to be named the new driver of the #36 Skittles Pontiac at Darlington this weekend, I hear he has already signed(8-25-97)
Rumor is that Cope is the next #43 STP driver. Bobby Hamilton in the #4 and possibly Johnny Benson going to the #25(I doubt the #25 rumor)(8-25-97)
Another rumor has Loy Allen going into the #43 ride(8-25-97)
I hear Buddy Parrott will become part owner of the #99 Exide Ford team(8-25-97)
Pat Tryson, formally Geoff Bodines crew chief, who quit the job during the Goody’s 500 in Bristol was named as the crew chief of the #35 Tabasco Pontiac team that will be driven by…..Todd Bodine(RPM2Nite), so forget the Andy Graves(#25 cc) to the #35 rumor(8-25-97)
As rumored here a few weeks back, Pionite Decorative Laminates brand of Pioneer Plastics Corporation has signed as primary sponsor for the #91 LJ Racing Chevy for the next three events on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, Darlington, Richmond and New Hampshire. Doug Richert has been named interm crew chief, Greg Sacks will drive the car(NASCAR Online/RPM2Nite)(8-25-97)
Bill Davis, owner of the #22 MBNA Pontiac will start a second team that will run ARCA and BGN races with former #81 crew chief Gil Martin running the team(RPM2Nite)(8-25-97)
The Pit Lizards reports to me that Cope may end up in the Washington-Erving Ford and that Johnny Benson will end up with Roush and the team will switch to Fords(8-25-97)
Derrike Cope is hot now, another source has him going to the #77 Jasper Ford in 1998(8-25-97)

(8-24-97)
“Bobby Hamilton still had not made a decision about his 1998 plans as of last night, and Petty and Hamilton have another meeting planned to see if they can come to terms on a new contract. Hamilton has been expected to announce a move to the Larry McClure team. But now Andy Petree is also making a bid for Hamilton”(JournalNow)(8-24-97)
“Dale Earnhardt’s Pennzoil sponsorship deal to back Steve Park in Earnhardt’s own Winston Cup car has apparently angered some men at General Motors”(JournalNow)(8-24-97)
“Jerry Nadeau’s plans to drive a second Cup car for Bill Elliott next year have apparently been scratched, according to sources close to Nadeau. Nadeau, a promising rookie, has been mentioned as a possible new driver for Richard Petty’s Pontiac team(JournalNow)(8-24-97)
“One of the hotter rumors sweeping through the garage area yesterday was this: Michigan-based Roush Racing would buy the No. 30 car driven by Johnny Benson and owned by Chuck Rider, bring in Cheerios cereal as a new sponsor and switch the car-make from Pontiac to Ford. Asked about it yesterday afternoon, a top official for Jack Roush’s operation smiled, shook his head and responded: ”Believe me when I tell you we are not buying the 30 team, period.” He added, though, that Michigan-based General Mills is, in fact, looking to add at least one of its products to its list of Winston Cup rides. So don’t be surprised if Benson, sans the Pennzoil-sponsored 30 car, still winds up in Roush’s stable next season — with Cheerios as the sponsor. Pennzoil is expected to part ways with Rider and hook up with Busch driver Steve Park and the Dale Earnhardt-owned car”(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(Jayski note: by the way General Mills is based in Minneapolis, MN)(8-24-97)

(8-23-97)
Wow! I never saw this before: Pat Tryson, crew chief of the #7 QVC Ford driven by Geoff Bodine, quit in the middle of the Goody’s 500 at Bristol on 8-23. He said he didn’t like the way orders where being handed out and that Team Manager, Tim Brewer wanted to handle communications to Bodine and Tryson didn’t think that was right, so he put down his headset and walked(8-23-97)
#96 Caterpillar Chevy driver David Green, who got upside down during a wreck in the Goody’s 500 at Bristol on 8-23, was taken by ambulance to Bristol Regional Medical Center where he was diagnosed with a broken right shoulder blade(AP) and a broken tooth, I hear he is doubtful for Darlington(8-23-97)
Sponsorship for the #14 Earnhardt Chevy with Steve Park as the driver to be announced within the next 2-3 weeks, the National Speed Sport News(NSSN)(I am a regular reader of this excellent publication) reports that Pennzoil will be the sponsor as rumored here in the past, so I guess the DW/Pennzoil rumors are false, by the Dale Earnhardt, Jr will take Steve Parks place in the #3 AC Delco BGN Earnhardt Chevy in 1998(8-23-97)
On NASCAR2Day(ESPN2), it was announced that Budweiser is staying with the #25 Hendrick Chevy and driver Ricky Craven and would not be going to Ken Schrader, as rumored here before(8-23-97)
NASCAR2Day also reported that Jack Roush is negotiating to purchase the #30 Pontiac team from present owner Chuck Rider. Johnny Benson would stay with the team. Did not mention sponsor or manufacturer for the team(8-23-97)
I recently reported that Bill Elliott will not be attending the Japan exhibition race in November 1997 because he has surgery scheduled. The NSSN reports that Elliott will have surgery to have the steel plates and screws removed from his leg as a result of the Talladega crash in April 1996. NSSN also reports that Dale Jarrett and his RYR team will not attend as they would rather prepare the new Ford Taurus. And Kenny Irwin, Jr will drive the #28 in Japan, not Ernie Irvan(8-23-97)
From the JournalNow:”Irvan has turned down offers from car owners Andy Petree and Travis Carter in the past few days, and he is now expected to sign with the Jay Frye-Ryan Pemberton (#36 Skittles) Pontiac team for next season, according to sources close to Irvan and the team. But Irvan yesterday said he still hasn’t made up his mind” Irvan told Carter he needed more time, but Carter had to know by 8-20 and Irvan told Petree he wasn’t going to be able to do his deal. “Petree said he wasn’t very happy about the Irvan situation, particularly when he learned that Irvan was trying to make a separate deal with the company Petree has been trying to sign as sponsor for his second team. But Petree says he’s not giving up on plans for a second team” and is talking to other drivers. “Ken Schrader, Petree’s current driver, says he’s trying to find a second driver for Petree, a driver whom Schrader can live with. Schrader’s top choice at the moment is Bobby Hamilton, according to sources close to both men. Would Irvan be a second driver? Would Derrike Cope be back in the primary car for the team, which is owned by Nelson Bowers? The team offered no comment”(JournalNow)(8-23-97)
Gary Bradberry(#78 Hanes Ford) cut the 17th fastest lap in second round qualifying and will start 26th(8-23-97)
I hear Dave Marcis is considering retiring after the 1997 season(8-23-97)
The NSSN reports that David Green and #96 owner Buz McCall(American Equipment Racing) have extended their contract through the year 2000 which includes sponsor Caterpillar(8-23-97)
I noticed a bit of a change to the #43 STP Pontiac in it’s color scheme as it as a wider band of white it some of it’s lines, it was part of a tribute to Goody’s and their sponsorship of the #43 for 20 years(8-23-97)
The NSSN reports there are rumors that General Motors is giving consideration to racing the Saturn brand and say a Winston Cup prototype has been seen at Saturn of Massapequa(Long Island, NY)(8-23-97)
I noticed that K-Mart was once again solo on the #37 Ford with no RC Cola to be found(8-23-97)
The Square-D Ford team with Bristol pole sitter Kenny Wallace, have hired veteran Vic Kangas as a chassis specialist(8-23-97)
So much for Brett Bodine being in a purple car this weekend as rumored, he still is in the black Close Call Ford(8-23-97)
Lake Speed attempted and made the Bristol race which was not on their limited schedule(8-23-97)
“Buddy Parrott has denied reports that he would leave Jack Roush and Jeff Burton at the end of the season to go to work for Robert Yates. Parrott’s two sons, Todd and Brad, already work for Yates. The elder Parrott is known for his ability to get the most out of young drivers, and Yates is hiring a rookie, Kenny Irwin, to take Irvan’s place next season.”(JournalNow)(8-23-97)
According to a press release received from Richmond Intl Raceway today, Bud Moore (#15 Ford)has mailed in an entry for the September 6th Exide NASCAR Select 400… If the team shows up, this would be Moore’s first race attempt since the Daytona 500 in February(8-23-97)

(8-22-97)
Wow my possible demise(just a rumor) even made the great site of iRace, check out the story from 8-21, where they mention my page, but don’t miss the more important part about the false rumors and how they can affect people. Henry, the father of a 5-year-old girl who has diabetes, wrote two very nice email message back to iRace, which puts things in perspective. If my page can lighten up this guys life while his daughter is ill, maybe I can serve a higher purpose sometimes. See the story at: UPS Strike Does Not Hinder Flow of Mail to Sparky, thanks Henry and iRace(8-22-97)
WRONG: Sterling Marlin will be in the #4 Kodak Chevy this weekend at Bristol. I had reported in error earlier this week that he would not be(8-22-97)
Slow news day when this is all I have to report: “ASC Games, a developer and publisher of video games for Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn and PC CD-ROM, has signed NASCAR Winston Cup Series superstar and current points leader, Jeff Gordon, to a video game licensing agreement. As part of the deal, Gordon will co-produce the racing series with ASC Games”(NASCAR Online)(8-22-97)
I hear Jeff Gordon will not have any type of special paint scheme at Darlington(oh yeah, I am killing off that page too)(8-22-97)
To celebrate McDonald’s flagship sandwich, the Big Mac, the McDonald’s NASCAR Racing Team will debut the midnight blue “Mac Tonight” commemorative Ford Thunderbird at this weekend’s Winston Cup night race (Aug. 23), the Goody’s 500, at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.”(Speedworld)(8-22-97)

(8-20-97)
Forget Ernie going to the #23 Travis Carter Ford as Jimmy Spencer and Carter have extended their contract for next year(RPM2Nite)(8-20-97)
See NASCAR Online for the stories on the new rules for the cars in 1998 which include 12:1 compression engines, Chevy SB2(small block 2) engines approved and no offset frames in the chassis design(the Hendrick Winston car that Gordon drove)(8-20-97)
I hear Ernie Irvan will drive a second Petree Chevy with Skoal as the sponsor and Budweiser going to the #33 and back to Kenny Schrader(8-20-97)

(8-19-97)
I hear Bill Elliott may get the Cartoon Network as an associate to go along with his primary sponsor of McDonald’s which I hear is staying(8-19-97)
The #91 car will run Talladega with or without a sponsor, as they already have a deal set up with Childress for motors, they are also attempting to get qualifing motors as well (this is just for restrictor plate motors). As for next year, they are still looking for a main sponsor, and the “rumor” is they are trying to get Circuit City. They will also be starting thier own engine building program instead of leasing them. Two big dollar assoc sponsors are already lined up (Pionite being one of them). Greg Sacks has agreed to run the rest of the year, and has verbally agreed to run next year as well, as long as LJ Racing gets a sponsor and the motor problem worked out(8-19-97)
Continue to hear that DW will get Pennzoil as the team sponsor(8-19-97)

(8-18-97)
“One big question in the NASCAR garage is what has happened to the Nike sponsorship deal. Two months ago Nike officials blitzed NASCAR with an offer for an $8 million team sponsorship”(JournalNow)(8-18-97)
“Lake Speed may be landing The Cartoon Network as his new sponsor, according to sources close to the team”(JournalNow)(8-18-97)
Julius Erving’s(DrJ) NASCAR team plans to add six fabricators this week, to start preparing cars for next season. There is still no word on a prospective driver”(JournalNow)(8-18-97)
“The family of famed fire-fighter Red Adair has expressed an interest in starting a new Winston Cup team, and Don Taylor, General Motors’ NASCAR field manager, has been asked to help launch the operation. Taylor was noncommittal when asked if he’d be willing to leave GM’s engineering department to run the team, which would be headquartered in the old Bobby Allison shops behind Charlotte Motor Speedway”(JournalNow), Jayski note: I have heard this before, not as much detail(8-18-97)
Hmm..where did I hear this before?: “Roger Penske’s NASCAR team may be in for a major change if Don Miller, its general manager, retires at the end of the season. Penske, who owns majority interest in the team, may put Jay Signori or Jon Erickson in charge of the operation next season, according to sources. Signori, a long time Penske man, has run the International Race of Champions for years. Erickson, Pontiac’s former racing manager, is running Felix Sabates’ three-car team this season. There has been speculation in the Penske camp that Rusty Wallace himself might move to another team, perhaps Robert Yates'”(JournalNow) Jayski note: a third Yates car??(8-18-97)
The announcement finally: “Geoff Bodine announced his new partners in a press conference Saturday. Businessmen Jim Mattei and John Porter have become the majority owners of the No. 7 QVC Ford driven by Bodine. Under the terms of the agreement, Bodine, still part owner, will continue to drive the car for at least the next three years. Mattei, who is a private investor from Dallas, founded the Checkers Drive-thru
restaurant chain and Porter, who is also a private investor serves as Director of WORLDCOM, Inc., the parent company of UUNet industries. Both were introduced to racing by Felix Sabates. Bodine also announced the addition of championship crew chief Tim Brewer as Team Manager for the QVC Racing team. Brewer and Bodine were teamed together in 1990 as driver and crew chief with Junior Johnson”(NASCAR Online), the team will be known as Mattei Motorsports, Mattei said he is now negotiating with QVC, a TV home-shopping network, to renew its sponsorship for 1998(JournalNow) (the announcement story is now on all the major auto racing sites now)(8-17-97)
And another announcement: During the rain delay of the DeVilbiss 400, the #97 John Deere Pontiac owner, Greg Pollex was interviewed, the following information was extracted: Jack Roush and Greg Pollex have formed an alliance, called RP Racing, (for Roush-Pollex). The agreement was signed Saturday, August 16, 1997. Pollex will run the #97 team and assist with the three other Roush teams. An announcement on a sponsor and manufacturer for the team will be made soon, but Pollex said that it looks good for the team to retain John Deere as their sponsor. Other sources say that the team was already given their Roush Company handbooks Wednesday and I continue to hear the Johnny Benson rumors of Benson going to Roush in a fifth car, even possibly buying out #30 owner Chuck Rider(or maybe a partnership like the #97), Part-Owner, NFL Quarterback(St Louis) Mark Rypien was bought out(8-17-97). Roush added that Little has signed a multiyear agreement to continue driving the #97 car and that current owner Greg Pollex will remain as a shareholder and executive with the team(SpeedNet)(8-18-97)

(8-17-97)
The JournalNow reports that Steve Park, who drives Dale Earnhardt’s BGN #3 AC Delco Chevy is expected to be named this week officially as Earnhardt’s Winston Cup driver for 1998(8-17-97)
In the August 10, 1997 Star-Gazette(a Watkins Glen, NY area paper) has a small story that the National Football League Players Assoc, who sponsors a BGN North series car driven by John Wall, plans on sponsoring a WC car in the future(thanks Aunt Dee for the paper and Jim for the head’s up on the story)(8-17-97)

(8-16-97)
Second round qualifying was rained out, field is set based on yesterday’s qualifying which means the #’s 23(Spencer), 22(W Burton), 81(K Wallace), 9(Speed) and #2(Rusty Wallace-champions) had to use provisional’s to make the DeVilbiss 400 at Michigan. 43 of the 44 cars that attempted to make the race are in, the lone driver to go home was #71 Dave Marcis, the driver with the most miles completed at Michigan in the history of the track(8-16-97)
What is DeVilbiss? See their site at The DeVilbiss Homepage, I was wondering so I searched for their home page, “More than just a spray gun manufacturer, DeVilbiss is your single source for practical solutions to all your spray finishing challenges.” I didn’t have a clue(8-15-97)
More #43/#4 news/rumors: The Bristol Herald Courier, is reporting today that sources close to Morgan-McClure say the announcement that Bobby Hamilton will be their new driver will be made during the Bristol race weekend. They added that Robbie Loomis also is expected to be named Morgan-McClure’s new crew chief(Thanks Wayne), while the paper is online, they run a few days behind(8-16-97)
“Car Owner Travis Carter could be the boss of a Double-Trouble team if he signs Ernie Irvan as Jimmy Spencer’s teammate next season, as some top Ford officials predict will happen. Carter and Spencer have agreed to run again next season, but Carter insisted said that a second team was still up in the air”, Carter says he would like to have a 2nd team but it’s more of a dream and he’s not sure how he could do it. Irvan says he is close to a finalizing a deal for 1998(didn’t say what ride)(JournalNow), so don’t expect the Carter/Irvan deal to happen(8-16-97)
As rumored here in the past: “RCA might be leaving the Cale Yarborough team at the end of the season, according to sources close to Yarborough. The increasing cost of racing is being listed as one reason for the change. RCA is expected to sign with another team for 1998. What that would mean for driver John Andretti isn’t clear; Andretti lives in Indianapolis, RCA’s home, a pairing that was key to Yarborough signing Andretti”(JournalNow), I heard RCA would either leave the sport or go as an associate sponsor(8-16-97)
“Steve Park will apparently be wearing Pennzoil yellow next season as Dale Earnhardt’s driver, and an announcement is expected shortly. Car owner Chuck Rider will apparently be changing car colors from Pennzoil to Jiffy Lube, a Pennzoil subsidiary”(JournalNow), I have reported the Pennzoil rumor, the Jiffy Lube deal is new to me(8-16-97)
“Bill Elliott says he won’t be going to Suzuka, Japan, this fall, because he has surgery scheduled”(JournalNow), I have no further info on this(8-16-97)
As rumored here yesterday: “Lake Speed might wind up with sponsorship next season by The Cartoon Network, according to sources close to the team”(JournalNow), the team of course is the #9 Harry Melling team(8-16-97)
“Dan Lowasser, who handles public relations for Hendrick, said that the legal battle over Honda sales — which still has a number of civil cases pending — won’t have any effect on Hendrick’s racing empire, despite considerable garage-area speculation”(see the JournalNow link below for more of this story)(8-16-97)
Johnny “Benson’s future with car owner Chuck Rider has been a topic of debate in the NASCAR garage. According to Ford sources, Benson might be driving for a new Jack Roush Ford team next season. Rider says that Benson is under contract to him. General Motors officials say they aren’t happy with the prospect of losing Benson”(JournalNow), rumored below(8-16-97)
“Darrell Waltrip has announced that, for the Southern 500 at Darlington, he will paint his No. 17 Chevrolet green and white, the colors he used in the 1981 and 1982 seasons when Mountain Dew sponsored his Junior Johnson-owned car”(Char Observer)(8-16-97)
“Roush Racing is undergoing a corporate makeover that may include moving the NASCAR race shops, currently in Liberty, to the Charlotte area. Geoffrey Smith, who became president of Roush Racing on Aug. 1, said he is moving himself and the Roush Racing corporate headquarters from Livonia, Mich., to the Charlotte/Mooresville area. The engine shop will remain in Livonia. Roush Racing has also acquired an option on a 100-acre parcel of land in Concord that may in the future house the company’s three Winston Cup teams. Currently, the teams of Mark Martin and Ted Musgrave are in Liberty, and Jeff Burton’s team is in Mooresville.”(Greensboro News * Record Online)(8-16-97)
Confirmed by RPM2Nite: Tim Brewer is the new Team Manager for Geoff Bodine and the #7 QVC team, new partner’s will be announced Saturday. The Gold paint job looks awesome(8-15-97)
Another Cartoon Network rumor has them teaming up with Lake Speed and the #9 Melling Ford in 1998(8-15-97)
I hear Morgan-McClure, owners of the #4 Kodak Chevy will name Bobby Hamilton it’s driver for 1998 sometime next week(8-15-97)
“Cale Yarborough Motorsports moved to its shop on Stough Road in Concord this week. The team, which fields Fords for driver John Andretti, had been operating out of a three-building complex near Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport. The motor department will operate out of the old shop for at least another month.”(Char Observer)(8-16-97)

(8-15-97)
After Johnny Benson won the pole for the DeViliss 400 at Michigan, ESPN2 interviewed the #30 Pennzoil Pontiac owner, Chuck Rider, and he sure didn’t sound like an owner who was losing his sponsor and his driver, I guess we’ll see(8-15-97)
Diamond Ridge Motorsports has signed Hermie Sadler to drive a second BGN car for the team in 1998 and thus join his brother Elliott(Phillips 66 #29 chevy) on the team. Hermie will sell his operation and equipment by the end of the year. DeWalt will remain with Hermie as his sponsor(NASCAR Online)(8-15-97)
I hear when Roush Racing firms up the #97 team purchase, he will add a second Pontiac team with Johnny Benson as the driver and Wheaties/Cheerios as the sponsor, no idea who will be listed as the owner since Roush owns 3 teams, rules stipulate one person can own two teams, Robert Corn is listed as the #99 owner, that is of course if this rumor becomes fact(8-15-97)
As reported here back in April, RCA is on the third year of a three year contract and will probably not be back on the #98 Ford in 1998 and will probably leave the sport as a primary sponsor, but Don of the John Andretti page reports that RCA will be back, let’s hope they will be, other rumors pit RCA becoming an associate on the team with Radio Shack becoming the primary sponsor(8-15-97)
Geoff Bodine will have two truck at Nashville this weekend with son Barry in the #7 and regular driver Tammy Jo Kirk in the #07. Neither have sponsorship and Bodine is not committing to any races for the team driven by Kirk beyond Nashville. Plans for Geoff’s son Barry include Richmond, Martinsville, California, Phoenix and Las Vegas, and looking at running him a full year in 1998, see the full story at Bodine anticipates bright future on NASCAR Online(8-15-97)
More Tammy Jo info: Lovable, Tammy Jo Kirk’s former sponsor in the truck series, has NOT filed for bankruptcy. That has never
been the case, and TNN will make a formal clarification of this during Saturday’s Nashville broadcast. It is true that they have cut their sponsorship of Tammy Jo, and that Geoff Bodine cannot commit to any more races after Nashville — they need a new sponsor. Flemington and Nashville are being paid for by the new
partners of Geoff Bodine Racing(8-15-97)
The #37 Kmart/RC Cola Ford is a red, white and blue paint scheme with the Kmart logo much larger on the hood. They are honoring Kmart which makes it’s corporate home in Michigan. The associate sponsors, and our co-primary sponsor RC Cola, agreed to the paint scheme and the deal. The Kmart and RC Cola logos will appear together in their usual places on both side panels and on the TV panel of the car(NASCAR Online) I saw the car on the qualifying show and it looks nice(8-15-97)

(8-14-97)
“Rick Hendrick, accused of bribery in building his car dealership empire, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of mail fraud. At the hearing, Hendrick, who is being treated for leukemia, appeared to have trouble standing. He looked frail, his hair thin and face red. He said little beyond answering “yes, sir” to questions from U.S. Magistrate Judge Max O. Cogburn. The government was recommending a sentence of 10 to 16 months and a $250,000fine, and would agree to allow Hendrick to serve the time in home detention because of his illness. Hendrick will be sentenced sometime in the next 30 to 60 days.”(Charlotte Observer). Hendrick is of course the owner of the #5, 24 and 25 Winston Cup teams, hard to say what affect this will have on the teams(8-14-97)
I hear Action Collectibles will be the sponsor on the #27 David Blair prepared Ford’s Kenny Irwin, Jr will drive in attempts to make 5 WC races in 1997 as a prelude to going to the #28 Texaco Yates Ford in 1998. BTW at the Richmond test earlier this week, Irwin turned a fast lap of 120.160 mph which would have been 41st in last years qualifying(8-14-97)
Speaking of the #27 David Blair team, they are hoping to put something together for the 1998 season with driver Rick Wilson who will run the car at Charlotte in October 1997(NASCAR Online), Wilson will also serve as Irwin’s coach(8-14-97)
A source tells me that Bobby Allison has no plans what-so-ever to field a new team in 1998. All Allison wants to do in racing is to be a consultant and help as many people as he can(8-14-97)
“TriStar Motorsports(Owner Mark Smith #19 Ford) has ceased racing in 1997 but has not shut down completely. It has moved it’s shop from Huntersville, NC to Mooresville. The team has downsized but plans to race in 1998”. As reported here, Smith’s engine dept is building engines for ISM Motorsports. the #35 Tabasco Pontiac that will be driven by Todd Bodine in 1998. ISM is also leasing TriStar’s Huntersville shop(WC Scene)(8-14-97)
Former #75 (Butch Mock Motorsports) crew chief Gere Kennon is working with MB2 Motorsports, #36 Skittles Pontiac team, not as a crew chief but more of a consultant, helping crew chief Ryan Pemberton(WC Scene)(8-14-97)
Lovable Fashions (the Dalton GA based bra company) has filed for
bankruptcy and will be unable to continue its sponsorship of Tammy Jo Kirk’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. Kirk and team owner Geoff Bodine should have something worked out with some part of the country music industry for Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 250 at Nashville, but beyond that the future of the team is unknown(TNN-www.country.com/NASCAR Fans)(8-14-97)
BGN News: Hermie Sadler will NOT be selling his operation to Team 34 as rumored here, but he is considering other offers and hopes to make an announcement at Bristol next week. DeWalt Tools will stay with Sadler wherever he decides to go(WC Scene)(8-14-97)
I hear the #98 won’t have the Cartoon Network as a sponsor in 1998 as rumored(8-14-97)
BGN News: HYPE is no longer on the #88 David Ridling owned Chevy driven by Kevin Lepage. There have been contractual problems between the sponsor and the team. An announcement will be made at Charlotte on 10-4-97 on new sponsorship, but rumors point to Ryder Systems as the new sponsor(WC Scene)(8-14-97)

(8-13-97)
I hear Ernie Irvan is in the running for the #23 Travis Carter Ford ride again, good source, but I thought Spencer just re-signed??(8-13-97)
An announcement on the status of Morgan-McClure Motorsports driver Sterling Marlin could be made next weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway(Bristol Herald-Courier)(8-13-97)
More Brett Bodine news: I hear the next color you will see on Brett Bodine’s #11 will be purple. Andy Evans owns the Royal Purple Engine Additive and they will replace Close Call. Look for it in Michigan, or Bristol at the latest(8-13-97)
Let’s figure this out: Ernie has now been rumored to: #3, #4(& a second team car-doubtful), #6(early 1997), #14, #15, #23, #28(stay in or part of a three car team), #29(and a second team car), #36, #37(second team), #40, #41(second team car), #43, plus the new DrJ team so far in 1997 for 1998, YIKES, that’s a lot of rumors for one driver, ya know what, I don’t have a clue where he might go(8-13-97)
Here is another Ernie rumor: Derrike Cope out of the #36 Skittles Pontiac with Irvan to replace?(8-13-97)
Robby Gordon plans on making a career decision within the next 3-4 days, so expect an announcement this week sometime(RPM2Nite)(my bet is CART’s Team KOOL). Gordon says he has looked ”very seriously” at starting his own Winston Cup team. Has set a date of 8-15 for having a sponsor(JournalNow)(8-13-97), UPDATE: Well 8-15 came and went with no announcement from Gordon(8-17-97)
Michael McSwain former crew chief on the #1 R&L Pontiac’s and owner Richard Jackson has been reunited with Morgan Shepherd and the #77 Jasper Engines Ford. Terry Wooten has left as earlier rumored(RPM2Nite)(8-13-97)
Terry Wooten is rumored to be in line for some sort of position, probably chassis specialist, with the #7 Geoff Bodine QVC Ford team. Also Tim Brewer and Bill Ingle are in the mix with the team to become the Team Manager. I hear crew chief Pat Tryson’s job is secure. Announcement on all this and the official partners is scheduled to take place on saturday, August 16 at Michigan(RPM2Nite)(8-13-97)
I hear Ernie Irvan met with Morgan-McClure for six hours yesterday. M-M are considering a two car operation for 1998, with Ernie driving the ‘new’ car. Irvan wants to drive the’primary’ car??(8-13-97)
Wally dallenbach, Jr has signed to stay on with SABCO and the #46 team thru 1999. First Union is expected back as the sponsor but nothing is signed there yet(RPM2Nite)(8-13-97)
Dale Earnhardt is supposedly being courted by Wheaties to form his own team. If so, look for a rookie to be in the #3 car for 1998 or possibly Ernie to drive for Childress??(earnhardt fans, don’t flame me on this one, I won’t respond, just reporting what I heard from a source, I have folks checking in to this one, personally I highly doubt it, as far as I know he is signed with RCR and GM thru 2000)(8-13-97)
From NASCAR fans newsletter: “I have an unconfirmed (that means I haven’t seen it anywhere else yet)report that Billy Stavola, owner of the #8 Circuit City Team of Hut
Stricklin, fired his in-house engine staff yesterday (Monday). Thanks, VFRISCO.”, Jayski note, they had Glidden for R&D but dropped that, thought they were using Pro Motors now, I have found out that the tean will use Ernie Elliott engines at Michigan this week(8-13-97)
“Memorial services were held Wednesday for Robert Joe “Bob” Welborn, a NASCAR pioneer who won the pole for the inaugural race at Daytona International Speedway in 1959. Welborn, who died Sunday at age 69, won the National Convertible Driving Championship in 1956, 1957 and 1958. He competed in NASCAR’s Grand National division during the 1950s and early 1960s. Welborn captured seven victories before retiring in 1964. In 1982, Welborn was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame”(AP)(8-13-97)
ARCA driver Jimmy Kitchens will attempt the Richmond or Atlanta WC(probably Atlanta) race in the #47 KC Racing Ford. They are curently in the proccess of building two more cars(8-13-97)
I hear Kenny Irwin, Jr was testing the Texaco Havoline #28 Thunderbird yesterday(8-12) and today(8-13) at RIR(Richmond). No idea of speeds(many readers)(8-13-97)

(8-12-97)
I have reported on this in the past: Ernie Irvan will drive a second truck team(his own) at Richmond and Martinsville. He will be in a #28 Ford, with Federated Auto Parts and 1-800-COLLECT as the sponsor also, same as the #44 driven by Boris Said. He tested at Richmond on Monday(8-12-97)
“The general manager for Joe Falk’s LJ Racing’s, Richmond Gage, has resigned from his full-time post with the No. 91 NASCAR Winston Cup Series car, it was announced Tuesday. Gage will put his 17-plus years race operation experience to work by heading up a new motorsports program that Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is now offering”(NASCAR Online)(8-12-97)
Geoff Bodine will trade in his black and red color scheme on the #7 QVC Ford for a metallic gold paint job at Michigan to promote the August 17, 1997 QVC network 24-hour Klondike Gold Rush. Bodine will also wear a gold drivers suit and helmet(Local NY paper at the Glen)(8-12-97)
Lance Hooper will stay in the #1 R&L Carriers Pontiac on a race-by-race deal. R&L was happy with Hooper’s performance at the Glen(RPM2Nite)(8-12-97)
I hear Raceday(TNN) had an interview with Andy Evans, who tactfully commented on the likelihood Brett Bodine’s #11 Close Call Ford will have new colors next week at MIS. Supposedly Close Call isn’t paying up and Evan’s said they will removed them from the car(thanks Earl)(8-12-97)
I now hear Jerry Nadeau may be a candidate for the second Morgan-McClure team car, I guess once they find a primary driver for the #4 Kodak Chevy(8-12-97)
The Winston Cup Scene ad for Ford motors(see past news) leads to Tri-Star Motorsports, so it looks like the #19 Tri-Star Ford team is done(8-12-97)
“Sources have told us that that Jerry Nadeau has a sponsor lined up for Winston Cup and is ready to run, but currently has no team. Sources have also said that Nadeau has approached Bill Elliott about forming a second team. If this deal goes through, that will both Elliott and Waltrip will have two-car teams in 1998″(SpeedWorld)(8-12-97)
I hear that Robby Gordon has been offered the ride with the Team KOOL-Green Cart team for 1997, the story is at SpeedNet.(thanks to many readers for the news)(8-12-97)
The Gaston Gazette,(Gastonia, NC) reports that the Cartoon Network will sponsor John Andretti in the #98 Cale Yarborough Motorsports Ford in 1998 thanks to the Pitlizards page for the info(8-12-97)
Bobby Hillin has been released from the #78 Hanes Racing/Triad Motorsports Ford Thunderbird and that Gary Bradberry will return to the team(8-12-97)
The Charlotte Observer reports that Andy Evans, new partner for Brett Bodine, wants a 2nd car with his IRL driver, Jimmy Kite(Charlotte Observer)(8-12-97)
Rick Hendrick has stepped down as head his new-car dealership chains. Hendrick announced yesterday that former Chevrolet general manager Jim Perkins is the new president and chief executive officer of Hendrick Automotive Group(8-12-97)
Truck Rumor: I hear crew chief and entire crew has left Walker Evans Racing(#20 Chevy with Butch Miller as driver). No announcement on new crew chief/crew at this time. Crew went to the #90 truck team, which is changing to Dodges, will regroup and run selected races the rest of the year, full season next year with National Hocky League(NHL) as sponsor(8-12-97)
Per RPM2Nite: NASCAR fined drivers Buckshot Jones, Dale Shaw and Buckshot Racing crew members, Ricky Pearson and Eddie Pearson $500 each for actions after the IRP BGN Kroger 200(defined as: Emergency Action which is conduct warranting such emergency action include, but are not limited to …fighting, reckless driving, and failure to obey the black flag or any other directive of an Official), and driver Shane Hall $1,000 for illegal fuel additive his car during qualifying. For more info on the story see George’s NASCAR Page(link fixed)(8-12-97)

(8-11-97)
The #77 Jasper Engines team has relieved Terry Wooten of his Crew Chief duties; no replacement has been named as yet(8-11-97)
I hear Ward Burton may be in the mix for the #43 ride if Hamilton leaves and goes to the #4(8-11-97)
“Dale Earnhardt’s new Winston Cup team(presently the #14 Burger King Chevy), still in a startup mode, has apparently landed Pennzoil as a sponsor for next season, according to NASCAR sources. Pennzoil has another year remaining on its contract with Chuck Rider and Johnny Benson, so it’s unclear if that means Pennzoil would sponsor both teams in 1998. Earnhardt’s driver will probably be Steve Park, according to Don Hawk, Earnhardt’s manager.” The team hopes to make an announcement within the next 14 to 30 days and has a verbal agreement with one driver, and a right of first refusal with another one. “Earnhardt has six full-time employees in his 108,000-square foot shop. and four race cars done — one road course and three speedway cars. Felipe Lopez (crew chief for Park) will either be the crew chief or director of racing operations at the track, could be a team manager type position”(JournalNow)(8-11-97)
“Bill Elliott may be expanding to a second Cup team next year, according to sources close to the Georgia racer. If he does, Jerry Nadeau is a possible candidate. Nadeau is a rookie and would be able to run 10 off-week tests, and testing may be critical for Ford teams, making the transition to the Taurus”(JournalNow). Not sure what happens to Ron Barfield(8-11-97)
“The Ernie Irvan question remains one of the hottest in the garage. Among the teams where he might surface is Richard Petty’s, if Bobby Hamilton leaves. The only hang-up is that Petty might not be willing to pay top dollar”(JournalNow)(8-11-97)
This a partial from a Robby Gordon story on the JournalNow site: “Ironically, Gordon is on the comeback trail, apparently out of this ride with Felix Sabates at the end of the season and out in the job market looking for a new ride — perhaps just the man Larry McClure needs to put in his Chevy next year. Or the man Richard Childress might like for in a third Cup team. Childress says he’s having Bob Riley build an Indy Racing League car for next season, but he won’t expand on what his possible IRL plans might be, or if Gordon might be involved”(JournalNow) a third RCR WC team???(8-11-97)

(8-10-97)
Update: LJ Racing landed a 3 race sponsorship from Maine based Pioneer Plastics. The #91 Chevy will race Darlington, Richmond, and Loudon as the #91 Pionite car. Pionite is also considering becoming an associate sponsor in 1998, see the story at A NASCAR season in one lap,(Pilot(VA) Online)(8-10-97) The team will skip MIS and Greg Sacks will drive the car in the three races(8-12-97)
I hear Budweiser is trying to outbid DuPont for a 3 year sponsorship deal of the #24 Chevy and making Gordon their new spokesman(my guess is that DuPont will win this fight)(8-10-97)
Former Filmar(#81 Square-D) Crew Chief Gil Martin is under consideration for a crew chief job for the possible Bill Davis(#22) BGN team or the #4 Kodak teams in 1998(8-10-97)
From the John Andretti site newsletter: “The other big news…..Jeff Gordon will leave the Hendrick’s stable to form his own team with the $30 million that Nike is giving him. Nothing will be on the car except the Nike “swoosh”. I think if that comes true, it’ll be very interesting. We will see if he can handle the responsibilities of being
an owner”. Forwarded by a reader. The address to this site(I couldn’t find this news): John Andretti Fan Page(8-10-97)
I hear Todd Bodine and his new WC team for 1998 *the #35 Tabasco Pontiac) is setting up in Mark Smith’s(#19 Ford) shop and Smith is going to build the engines(JournalNow)(8-10-97)
One source tells me Bobby Hamilton has a handshake agreement with the #4 Kodak Chevy for 1998 while another says the team has no one in mind yet(8-10-97)
Heard a rumor that Ray Evernham may start a BGN team in 1998(8-10-97)
Dorsey Schroeder ran the #90 Heilig-Meyers Ford at Watkins Glen in place of Dick Trickle who felt it was more important to get owners points for the team and gave up the ride for the weekend, nice gesture(8-10-97)
Dorsey Schroeder with Tom Gloy and Tommy Kendall with Jack Roushmay try to run the Truck series full time in 1998(RPM2Day)(8-10-97)
Per an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Matt Kenseth will be staying with Reiser Enterprises and Kraft. At this time, Kraft will not be sponsoring the car after this year. Jack Roush will be providing counseling, sponsorship help, chassis and engine help if needed. They will continue to use K-tec motors, Hopkins chassis and Chevrolet bodys. Matt is scheduled to be in a full Winston Cup ride in 2000. Jack Roush`s comments “We have identified him as somebody we want to go down the road with. See the story at: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.(thanks Chris)(8-10-97)

(8-9-97)
As reported here last week and on RPM2Nite: “Kenny Irwins’s Winston Cup debut likely will come at Richmond next month with the David Blair team, according to sources close to the Robert Yates team. Irwin is also expected to test the new Taurus this fall for Yates”(JournalNow) see past news for sponsor news(8-9-97)
Bud at the Glen 2nd round qualifying news and stats: Mike Skinner was the fastest 2nd round qualifier. Provisionals used by #’s 25(Craven), 75(Mast), 8(Stricklin), 29(J Green). The following teams missed the race: #’s 71(Marcis),77(Shepherd),78(Hillin).(8-9-97)
Will Bobby Hamilton be back with Richard Petty next year? Hamilton doesn’t know and says he and owner Richard Petty usually talk between Michigan and Dover, and Michigan is next week. So it’s time to talk again. Petty seems unconcerned that Hamilton may very well be leaving the team at the end of the season for a much higher-paying ride elsewhere, possibly with Larry McClure, as Sterling Marlin’s replacement in that perennial Daytona 500 contender(JournalNow)(8-9-97)
“Robby Gordon has decided he wants to run the Winston Cup tour again next season, according to sources close to the situation. But Felix Sabates and Sterling Marlin are reported to have come to terms with sponsor Coors for that ride next season. And with Wally Dallenbach and Joe Nemechek both expected back with Sabates, that would leave Gordon looking(JournalNow)(8-9-97)

(8-8-97)
RPM2Night reported that Jack Roush was going to slowly start buying out the #97 team from Rypien and that Chad Little would stay(8-8-97)
Lee Morse stepped down as general manager of Geoff Bodine’s #7 Ford team because he apparently felt his role would change too greatly once Bodine’s two partners became part of the operation(Charlotte Observer)(8-8-97)
Busch will continue as the title sponsor of NASCAR’s Grand National and Busch North series(Charlotte Observer)(8-8-97)
A few readers told me about this page and it’s news on Jeff Gordon: “Have we got a big one for you! We have just heard from our super-secret spies that Jeff Gordon is going to be running a new car within the next 3 weeks. It is gonna be a one-time only deal with a whole new color, totally different from the Dupont Monte Carlo he is running now. Sorry, we don’t know when or where he is gonna run it, heck, we don’t even know what it is gonna look like, but WE DO HAVE THE 1/24 DIE CAST COMING IN SEPTEMBER!”, see the story at Jeff Gordon Loses his ride. Sounds like Richmond or Darlington(maybe a green car with $$$ all over it for the Southern 500 at Darlington as Gordon goes for the Winston Million), I hear it may be a Pepsi sponsored car of some sort. I hear this is an Action diecast, but can’t get to the server tonight to check it out or email them(8-8-97)
Brett Bodine, #11 Close Call Ford, said Indy would have been the last race for the team if Andy Evans had not come aboard as a part-owner(RPM2Nite)(8-8-97)
Steve Park will make his his Winston Cup debut at Watkins Glen as he made the show and will start 12th in the Earnhardt owned #14 Burger King Chevy(8-8-97)
Road Racer Dorsey Schroeder will attempt to qualify the #90 Heilig-Meyers Ford instead of Dick Trickle. It has not yet been determined whether Schroeder or Trickle will start the car in the Bud at the Glen on Sunday(8-8-97)
In the Winston Cup Scene Classified Section under Race Cars For Sale: “W/C Ford Plate and open motors. Complete Bellhousing to intake. Motors built by Winston Cup team with numerious pole’s. Switching to GM $20,000 per or rent. 704-896-0756 after 6pm CST”. Wonder what team this is??(thanks Matt for the heads up)(8-8-97)

(8-7-97)
Andy Evans (International Motor Sports Group, the same group which bought IMSA and has IRL and NHRA teams) has bought 50% of Brett Bodine’s team. It is now known as Scandia/Bodine Racing. Evans will focus on marketing and Bodine on operations. (RPM2Nite & USA Today)(8-7-97)
I hear another sponsorship possibility Kenny Irwin, Jr in the #27 is Action Diecast/Toys?(8-7-97)
It was announced on 8-8 that Budweiser will be the official beer of NASCAR starting in 1998. As rumored here the Busch Clash will become the Bud Shootout. Instead of having a wild card draw like the Clash did, there will be a 25 lap race (under the green flag) before the Bud Shootout pitting the previous season’s fastest second round qualifiers with the winner going to the Shootout. The Busch Pole Award will now become the Bud Pole Award(NASCAR Online)(8-7-97)
“Washington/Erving Race Team to sponsor car in support of Scouting – Joe Washington, retired NFL running back for the Washington Redskins, announced sponsorship Monday by the NASCAR Washington /Erving Race Team of a prototype Ford stock car to bolster Scouting recruitment across the nation. Washington made the announcement before Hometown News correspondents. NASCAR is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Team co-owner is NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving, also known as “Dr. J.” The prototype Ford, emblazoned with the theme “Character Counts” on both sides, will be available for display at camporees, Scout-o-ramas, jamborees, car shows, all-star games and other sporting events. The car will be shown as a public service to make the point that character is required to win any race in life. Washington credited his athletic success to character traits developed as a Scout, and emphasized the values taught by Scouting.” See the story at Jamboree Today(8-7-97)
Brett Bodine driver/owner of the #11 Close Call Ford threw out the first pitch Wednesday(8-6) night at the Rochester(NY) Red Wings Baseball game. Bodine also announced that Rochester Steel would be coming on board as an associate sponsor for The Bud at The Glen(thanks Kevin)(8-7-97)
The latest WC Scene has a clip that Sterling Marlin has indicated that he WON’T be returning to Larry McClure in 1998(WC Scene)(8-7-97)
I hear RJ Reynolds may change the name from Winston Cup to the RJR cup, but they plan to stay in WC. Also keeping the name Winston Cup may happen also(8-7-97)
I still hear rumors that engine builder Runt Pittman is considering leaving the Morgan McClure #4 Kodak team and moving over to SABCO(8-7-97)

(8-6-97)
From many readers who heard it on Winston Cup Today: Budweiser will now be the official beer of NASCAR and that the Busch Clash will now be called the Bud Shootout. The format of the race will remain the same, but there will be no “wild card” spot for the event. Rather, there will be a 25 lap race and the winner will go on to compete in the Shootout (kind of like the Winston Open at Charlotte). No mention on if the Busch Grand National series will be renamed(I’m safe, I just call it the BGN series).(8-6-97)
I hear Texaco and Raybestos are trying to work out a deal to sponsor Kenny Irwin, Jr in the #27 Ford(see 8-5 for the story)(8-6-97)
More Dave Charpentier news, I heard he was up for the Gibbs, Tony Stewart team crew chief but turned it down before he took the #75 crew chief job(8-6-97)
Per RPM2Nite: Bill Elliott broke ground on 6 acres of land for a new 34,000 square foot shop to be built in Statesville, NC. Expects to have everything in house when the shop is completed(8-6-97)
As rumored here in the past: RPM2Nite had Mike Cope on and he will be joining the BGN series with Team 34 on a new team with Slim Jim/Penrose as sponsor in the #30 Chevy. All new equipment and personnel. From what I hear Mike McLaughlin will be back in the #34 Chevy but with different sponsorship(unknown) and Andy Santerre in the #36 with Stanley Tools as the sponsor. Rumors still float around that Team 34 may buy the #1 Hermie Sadler operation(without Hermie or DeWalt)(8-6-97)
More info on Todd Bodines new team: ISM Racing is a offshoot of Indianapolis, Ind.-based International Sports Marketing, whose owners were not revealed during the press conference. However, two of them are believed to be Bob Hancher, who will serve as team manager for the Winston Cup effort, and noted sports-car driver Eddie Cheever(iRace)(8-6-97)
Melling Racing and Lake Speed have added two races to their 1997 schedule: Darlington and New Hampshire. They will race more depending on sponsorship(Lake Speed Page)(8-6-97)
I now hear that Jerry Nadeau, Dave Blaney and Mike Swaim Jr are in the running for Bill Davis’ BGN ride(he owns the #22 MBNA Pontiac in WC)(8-6-97)
I still hear the #33 Chevy owned by Andy Petree will have a Anheuser-Busch product as a sponsor in 1998(8-6-97)
Richard Broome, crew chief for Hut Stricklin and the #8 Circuit City Ford, was released yesterday(NASCAR Fans). “Ross Friesinger, shop foreman, along with Greg Campbell, former crew chief on Stricklin’s 1996 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division team, will be handling the crew chief responsibilities until a replacement is announced”(NASCAR Online)(8-6-97)
Truck News: Lovable Bra’s will no longer sponsor Tammy Jo Kirk, the financially ailing company is attempting to reorganize and could return in the near future(SpeedNet)(8-6-97)
From a Press Release: “The newest and by far the prettiest member of Sadler racing(#95 Chevy) arrived on the scene at 7:13 PM on July 23rd. Cara Ivalee Sadler, was delivered to Check and Julie Sadler, the proud parents. Check, son of car owner Earl Sadler, crew chiefed the delivery and to say the least, did and outstanding job. ‘Julie and Miss Cara are both doing great and if all goes well, little Cara will be on the LPGA tour around the year 2020, said proud father Check’.” Congratulations. The Next race for the #95 Feed the Children Chevy is at Bristol, TN (Thanks John)(8-6-97)

(8-5-97)
Kenny Irwin, Jr will run 5 of 6 WC races in the David Blair owned #27 Ford with Yates engines. The six tracks he will supposedly run are: Richmond, Rockingham, Darlington, Martinsville, Phoenix and Atlanta. (I assume if he makes the first 5 races, he will skip Atlanta or have another driver start the car and then run the laps). Irwin will also do much testing in the car. No news on a sponsor or who will crew the car(RPM2Nite)(8-5-97)
I hear Ernie Irvan will sign a deal with #41 Kodiak Chevy Owner Larry Hedrick to drive a second car for him in 1998??(8-5-97)
If Lance Hooper does well at Watkins Glen and sponsor, R&L Carriers approves, Hooper may continue as the driver of the #1 Richard Jackson owned Pontiac after Watkins Glen(RPM2Nite)(8-5-97)
Diamond Ridge Racing has announced that their sponsor, Cartoon Network, will not return as the teams sponsor in 1998. The Cartoon Network said it will announce its plans for 1998 in the coming weeks. Cartoon Network has been a sponsor of the team since the beginning of 1996(Many sources)(8-5-97)
RPM2Nite reports that two teams are interested in Jerry Nadeau, former driver for the #1 R&L Carriers Pontiac. It was hinted around that the two teams are: an established team, possibly the Kodak #4 and a team starting a second team in 1998, Andy Petree maybe??(8-5-97)
Per RPM2Nite, David Bonnett, son of the late Neil Bonnett, will drive the #40 Doug Taylor FORD with Dunlop Golf and K-Mart Race Kids Against Drugs as a sponsor. He is scheduled to attempt the races at Michigan and California(8-5-97)
Lee Morse released by Geoff Bodine (#7 QVC Ford)have parted ways. Expect many changes in the team and expect an announcement soon. The new partners reportedly are businessmen Jim Matea and John Porter, who were involved in a Winston Cup effort with former Indianapolis 500 champion Danny Sullivan in 1994(iRACE)(Sullivan raced the 1994 Brickyard in the #99 Checkers Pontiac). Almost 100% that Bodine will stick with Fords in 1998(8-6-97)
I hear that Andy Graves current crew chief for Ricky Craven and the #25 Bud car has already accepted position as Crew Chief for the new Tabasco/Todd Bodine team. Supposedly he has already been interviewing people for the team(8-5-97)
Andy Santerre drove for Mike Laughlin at NHIS. Team 34 is a good Laughlin customer, and Laughlin is really happy with Jeff Fuller’s performance, so I doubt there will be a problem as rumored(8-5-97)
Rumor alert: Elliott Sadler to take over as driver for #4 car in 1998? Doubtful(8-5-97)
More Budweiser news: I hear Bud will replace Busch in the NASCAR series, not sure if for the Busch series or the pole award or both, still tracking down more info(8-5-97)
More BGN Team 34 News: I hear Mike Cope will be driving one of the Team 34 cars with the SLIM JIM/PENROSE sponsorship. NOTE: Mike Cope will be on RPM2Nite, Wed 8-6.(8-5-97)
I hear those associated with Kranefuss-Hass say they will NOT start a second team in 1998(8-5-97)
Bill Elliott is now the only driver to have finished all four Brickyard 400’s in the top ten(from a reader)(8-5-97)

(8-4-97)
UPDATE: I hear the #50 Washington-Erving(DrJ) Boy Scout’s diecast WC car was presented to the head of the Boy Scouts. But President Clinton and DrJ were no shows. Ted Eischeid, President of Revell-Monogram, (who made the diecast car) presented it the car(8-4-97)
Good story at GoRacing: Bob Glidden/Geoff Bodine update, check it out(8-4-97)
Dave Charpentier named crew chief for the #75 Butch Mock Motorsports Remington Ford. Charpentier, 38, was SABCO’s manager of engineering. Owner Butch Mock had been handling the responsibilities since he let Gere Kennon go in May(many sources)(8-4-97)
“NASCAR operates all its races on one-year contracts. The 1998 schedule won’t be made (officially) public before September”(NASCAR Online)(8-4-97)
On RPM2Nite, John Kernan mentioned that he heard Team 34 of the BGN series is rumored to be going to a FOUR car team and mentioned Hermie Sadler, Benny Parson’s basically went nuts and ranted and raved like it was unbelievable. Loved Benny during the Brickyard 400(8-4-97)
From the Hartford Courant per a reader: Fri 8/1. BGNN driver Andy Santerre is trying to work out contract problems so he can drive the BGN#36 Stanley car next year. He had made some kind of commitment to the Mike Laughlin #45 for next year and is trying to get out of it(8-4-97)
Just saw Dale Jarrett in a Wendy’s commercial with Wendy’s owner Dave Thomas, pretty good, don’t know if we’ll see a Wendy’s decal on the #88 car soon or not. He was in his WC drivers suit and showed the #88 QC Ford(8-4-97)
I hear now that the Kranefuss-Hass team may expand to a 2 car operation with Ernie Rumored as the driver(8-4-97)

(8-2-97)
From NASCAR Online: Todd Bodine announced his Winston Cup plans as he will return full-time in 1998 driving a #35 Pontiac sponsored by Tabasco brand Pepper Sauce. The Team Tabasco shop, is headed up by Bob Hancher. Bodine will be driving a Pontiac sponsored by Tabasco brand Pepper Sauce for the Washington Erving Motorsports new NASCAR Winston Cup Series team(NASCAR Online) This part doesn’t make sense, the story didn’t mention any owners early last night and remember the big announcement and press conference with Washington Erving Motorsports on May 21st. Ford supposedly signed the team, plus during RPM2Nite they never mentioned Washington Erving Motorsports at all or showed the owners, don’t you think that would have been a big part of the announcement? Not sure what happened here(NASCAR Online/RPM2Nite) SpeedNet doesn’t mention an owner. But after some digging I found this: Bodine will drive the No. 35 Tabasco Pontiac Grand Prix at Charlotte and Atlanta this season. Then he’ll embark on a full Winston Cup season next year. The team is owned by an Indianapolis group, International Sports Management(ISM), and headed by Bob Hancher. They have leased a shop in Huntersville, N.C. at The Greensboro News & Record by Bob Zeller. So which is it??(8-2-97)

BUT an UPDATE: Now NASCAR Online has removed the Washington-Erving part of the story and it’s back to the original post, so the owners must be ISM. Ten other readers saw the same thing(8-2-97)
Per the National Speed Sport News(NSSN) in a story about Bud Moore and the #15 Ford states that the KC Spurlock deal has fallen through, but the team is preparing for 1998 and expect to have some interesting things to announce soon(8-2-97)
More news on the Engines: Three significant technical changes are coming to NASCAR Winston Cup racing engines in 1998. Although at this posting there has been no official statement from the offices at Daytona Beach, our sources indicate that these race engine rule changes start at the Daytona 500 in 1998: 1) GM cars get a new “corporate” race engine: the SB2; 2) Engine compression ratio will be reduced from 14:1 to 12.0 – 12.5:1 for all engines regardless of brand; 3) UNOCAL’s 110 octane leaded race gas will be replaced by its 100 octane unleaded fuel. See the story at: Race Day Tech Notes, from TNN(thanks to reader for the heads up)(8-2-97)
The United States Auto Club, ousted in June as the sanctioning body for the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, may be on the verge of being sold to the National Association of Stock Car Racing – NASCAR(SpeedNet)(8-2-97)
The United States Auto Club, ousted in June as the sanctioning body for the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, may be on the verge of being sold to the National Association of Stock Car Racing – NASCAR(SpeedNet)(8-2-97)
The JournalNow mentions in an article about Robby Gordon, that Robert Yates might be going with a third Cup team next season, there is speculation that Gordon might get the nod. After all Gordon was Yates’ pick several years ago for a one-shot deal(after Davey Allison’s death) at Talladega, and Gordon has matured considerably since(JournalNow)(8-2-97)
BGN News: More rumors on the ESPN BGN Race Report on 8-1 Hermie Sadler is selling his team to Team 34. Supposedly they are starting a team with Randy Lajoie and Fina for 1998. Randy and Steve Bird have never gotten along. Sadler is trying to work out a deal where he and DeWalt(his sponsor) go to the 74 car with Bird/BACE Motorsports(8-2-97)
Shane Hall is losing his primary sponsor on the #85 BGN car, Luck’s Foods, at the end of the 1997 NASCAR Busch Series season. No news on replacements(NASCAR Online)(8-2-97)
BGN News: HYPE will not return to the #88 Kevin LePage driven, David Riddling owned Chevy in 1998(NSSN), I also hear that owner David Riddling, who also owns the #43 BGN Chevy, is having financial problems(8-2-97)

(8-1-97)
Robert Yates announced his new driver for the #28 Texaco-Havoline Ford, today in Indianapolis. Yates plans on having Irwin do a lot of testing and will have him run in a limited race schedule this season. As for Texaco, Chuck Cossage, Vice President of Worldwide Advertising for Texaco said he was extremely optimistic about the new combination. Sounds like Texaco will be back in 1998, so forget the Wheaties rumor to the #28(8-1-97)
During an interview on happy hour coverage, Robert Yates said that the cars will be running lowered compression ratios next year, and ESPN2 confirmed the engines will be limited to 12:1 compression ratios which should eliminate about 40 horsepower(thanks Matt)(8-1-97)
Jimmy Johnson, who manages Hendrick Motorsports for ailing Rick Hendrick, says that the NASCAR operation, the largest on the stock-car tour, will not be dismantled and will, in fact, be expanding in the coming months. Johnson, rebutting a report in the Winston-Salem Journal citing a General Motors source — said that Hendrick Motorsports will build a wind tunnel near Charlotte Motor Speedway and might start another Winston Cup team(see the rest of the story at the JournalNow)(8-1-97)
Per the JournalNow and as rumored here in the past: Robert Yates might pull a big surprise next season and expand his two-car team to a three-car operation, according to men close to Yates. That would give Yates a fall-back plan if rookie Kenny Irwin has trouble making the transition to the Cup tour(JournalNow), maybe this is where the Wheaties deal comes into play?(8-1-97)
A few readers reported that there was an interview with Chryslers director of Motorsport, Bob Lutz, during one of the red flag situations during the truck race 8-1 on ESPN2. He was asked about Dodge’s potential to run Winston Cup now that the 4-door Taurus was approved. His comment was that Dodge is committed to racing where the race vehicles are close to what they produce and sell. He mentioned that the trucks in the showrooms were V-8, rear wheel drive, and matched close with what Dodge races, whereas Dodge does not produce a V-8 rear wheel drive passenger car that would be similar to what is run in Winston cup(8-1-97)
On the telecast of the Kroger 200 BGN race it was mentioned that Hermie Sadler has his team up for sale and that there were rumors that Team 34(#’s 24 & 36) may buy the team and become a three car team(8-1-97)
I hear World of Outlaws driver Dave Blaney will be driving for Bill Davis racing next season in a limited 18 race BGN series deal with Amoco as the sponsor(8-1-97)
The last I heard, everything is still go to present the diecast model of #50 Washington-Erving Motorsports Ford to President Clinton at the Boy Scout Jamboree on August 5 at 11:30 am which is being held in Fort AP Hill, Bowling Green, Virginia(8-1-97)
Brickyard 400 2nd round qualifying news and stats: Jeff Green was the fastest 2nd round qualifier at 176.153mph. Provisionals used by #’s 44, 23, 25, 11 and 2 cars. As for the previous champions prov, EPSN2’s Benny Parson’s said if a past WC champion is in a provisional situation he must take the champions provisional, using a champ prov does not count against the teams provisionals used and allows an extra car to be in the race. The following teams missed the race: #’s 1,90,7,78,61,77,71,8. The following teams stood on their 1st round times: #’s 2,5,6,22,23,27,98,99 and all made the race. The following teams made 2nd round attempts(x = made race): #’s 90,78,36x,8,11x,44x,25x,71,77,81x,91x,61,7,95x,9x,1,12x,29x. Teams that did not have a provisional: #’s 12x,27x,61,77,78,91x,95x.(8-1-97)
During Kenny Wallace’s interview after he qualified that owner Filbert Martocci lost his son within the last few weeks to some sort of insect bite. My condolences to the family. The teams address: Filmar Racing Enterprises, 2730 Zion Church Rd, Concord, NC 28025-7027(8-1-97)