August 1998 News Archives

(8-31-98)

Pepsi Southern 500 is a No Bull 5 event. The 5 drivers eligible for the $1M Bonus from RJ Reynolds are: Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, Mike Skinner, and Dale Earnhardt. They’re eligible by virtue of being the Top-5 finishers at the Brickyard 400. Jeff Gordon won the No Bull 5 Million at that race. Rules and explanations can be found at Jayski’s Stats Page.(8-31-98)
UPDATE III: RCR(Richard Childress Racing) will load up and go to Homestead next week to test the facility. You may ask ‘why’? It’s rather simple – Homestead will have a date in 1999 — the 14th of November as a matter of fact.(GoRacing), Looks like Larry McReynolds and the #31 team will be going, I also hear SABCO will test 2 cars there this week. The teams will not be charged with a test as the track is not yet a Winston Cup track.(8-28/29-98) – Sterling Marlin and Jeff Green will be the SABCO drivers testing at Homestead, it seems Joe Nemechek has a handle on the place. SABCO will test there next week, not this week.(8-31-98)
I hear BGN driver Kat Teasdale will have an announcement coming up soon regarding her racing plans, keep track of her at her homepage: Kat Teasdale and Katco Racing.(8-31-98)
The Winston Cup points leader after the 20th race of the season has gone on to win the championship in each of the past five seasons. Jeff Gordon led after this season’s 20th race (Watkins Glen).(That’s Racin’)(8-31-98)
Michael Waltrip is rumored to be the next driver of Jim Mattei’s #7. Mattei, who bought out Geoff Bodine’s ownership share of the team, also is considering a merger with Felix Sabates’ operation(SABCO), but Sabates sources say that is unlikely.(SpeedNet/Ben Blake)(8-31-98)
UPDATE 2: Connecticut racer Tom Bolles was critically injured in a wreck during the Busch North Series CMT race at NHIS on Saturday. Bolles, 37, is an eight-year veteran of the circuit. He ran back-to-back races yesterday afternoon, finishing 38th in the opening Featherlite Modified race. He immediately climbed into the Busch car owned by his father, Edward J. Bolles, to run the afternoon’s 100-lapper. He was listed in stable condition in the intensive care unit with a fractured second vertebra in his neck. Bolles was showing no signs of paralysis.(Times Dispatch)(8-30-98) – Busch North series driver Tom Bolles remained hospitalized. Bolles sustained a fractured vertebra and a concussion after hitting the wall in Saturday’s Busch North race. Doctors are debating whether to use a halo treatment or a bone fuse. The 37-year-old has full movement in his limbs and can breathe unassisted. He has no memory of the accident. The neurosurgical staff treating Bolles commended the NHIS for their handling of the accident.(Times Dispatch) – You can see updates on Bolles condition at his website Tom Bolles Racing Homepage, see the news and notes section. Bolles will be fitted with a halo today.(8-31-98)
Bill Davis, owner of the #22 MBNA Pontiac driven by South Boston, VA, native Ward Burton, could be the new Tabasco man. The rumor is that NASCAR is working to help the two become a team. Davis is keeping quiet about his plans.(Times Dispatch), and Burton hasn’t ruled out a move from Bill Davis’s No. 22 (perhaps to Hendrick’s 50) but is expected to stay put, with a new sponsor (possibly Tabasco) replacing MBNA on Davis’s cars.(SpeedNet/Ben Blake)(8-31-98)
Last week it was reported that Greg Sacks was making appearances for his sponsor, Thorn Apple Valley. I have been told that he is not making any appearances at present and is concentrating on therapy for his injuries occurred at Texas.(8-31-98)
Andy Petree(owner of the #33 Skoal Chevy) says he has signed the sponsorship for his second Cup team next season, with the official announcement expected in the next week. That sponsorship is expected to be Square D, with Kenny Wallace as driver. Petree still has no crew chief lined up yet, but says that Robbie Loomis would be at the top of his list. Loomis currently runs the John Andretti-Richard Petty team(#43 STP).(JournalNow/Mike Mulhern)(8-31-98)
R.J. Reynolds, which sponsors Travis Carter’s #23 Winston/No Bull 5 team, might be planning a second Cup team sponsorship next season, according to sources close to the situation.(JournalNow/Mike Mulhern)(8-31-98)
Ted Musgrave may also be a player in the #50 situation, Randy LaJoie and Wally Dallenbach, who substituted in the car this spring and summer, also are considered candidates, with LaJoie possibly the front-runner.(SpeedNet/Ben Blake)(8-31-98)
“If the Wood brothers team lands Elliott Sadler as its driver for 1999, it doesn’t plan to launch a second team with Matt Kenseth, because running one rookie, much less two, would be enough of a headache. The Woods say they’re close to a deal with Sadler, which would be a coup for Ford Motor Company. However, the Woods might not get Sadler, who is also in the running for a ride with Rick Hendrick. Sources close to Sadler say he might be leaning toward the Hendrick option, which would keep him in General Motors’ Chevrolet camp. That option might be a fourth Hendrick team. The prospect of a fourth team has been raised, with the possibility of that team running out of shops next to Jeff Gordon’s. Earlier in the season, there had been talk of a Quaker State-sponsored Winston Cup car for Jack Sprague, the Truck racer, but it seems that those plans have fallen through.”(JournalNow/Mike Mulhern)(8-31-98)
“Officials at Budweiser are mulling over what to do next season, and there is still speculation that the company might leave the Hendrick family. Among the drivers on Budweiser’s wish list are: Dale Jarrett, Jeff Burton, Ward Burton, John Andretti and Bobby Labonte. Wally Dallenbach is in Hendrick’s Bud car for the rest of this year and still hopes to get that ride full-time next season. Insiders say that Richard Childress is Bud’s top option, and that if a change doesn’t come in 1999, it will probably come for 2000 season. All Childress will say is that he has a major sponsor interested in backing a third RCR team, but that he doesn’t think it will happen next year.”(JournalNow/Mike Mulhern)(8-31-98)

(8-30-98)

After three days of extensive testing at Darlington Raceway, Elliott Sadler finally found the speed he was searching for Wednesday, preparing to make his Darlington NASCAR Winston Cup debut in the Sunday, Sept 6, Pepsi Southern 500. He’ll be in the #92 Gary Becthel owned Chevy(8-30-98)
Kenny Wallace and the #81 Square-D Filmar team are using Robert Yates engines at Loudon and next week at Darlington.(TNN’s Raceday)(8-30-98)
During TNN’s broadcast of the Farm Aid on CMT 300, Eli Gold mentioned that the Wood Brothers hope to name a new driver to their #21 CITGO Ford within the next 10 days and that they have had 11 applicants for the ride from many other forms of motorsports.(8-30-98)
Bill Elliott/Dan Marino’s #13 FirstPlus Ford, which released driver Jerry Nadeau at mid-season, has auditioned drivers, with short-tracker Dennis Setzer in the car the past couple of weeks. Elliott, who has made some major moves with the #13, including moving the group from Georgia to the new team headquarters in Hickory, NC says he hopes to make his two teams assets to one another and will continue to look for a long-term driver, saying he has not made a choice for next week’s run at Darlington. He did not indicate any anxiety about the sponsorship.(SpeedNet/Ben Blake)(8-30-98)
Budweiser, sponsor of the #50 Chevy, which has a contract with Hendrick Motorsports through 2000, likely would be the last to bolt. Hendrick, one of NASCAR’s top four multi-car operations, has a way of keeping sponsors happy, although Bud has not won with Hendrick since 1995. Complicating matters is a driver search, with Randy LaJoie and now Wally Dallenbach replacing starter Ricky Craven, with Wally supposedly in the car the rest of this year.(SpeedNet/Ben Blake)(8-30-98)
The Tabasco program has been troubled from the start, and team/sponsor let starting pitcher Todd Bodine go in June. After a strange transaction which transferred car number (35), sponsor, and some equipment to Tim Beverley (buyer in April of Darrell Waltrip’s team), Waltrip now is in the car, with little improvement seen in race performance. Word is that Tabasco could end up with Bill Davis/Ward Burton, who lose sponsor MBNA after this season.(SpeedNet/Ben Blake)(8-30-98)
Hut Stricklin is expected to be back in the #96 Caterpillar Chevy at Darlington.(TNN’s Raceday), Also, Buzz McCall, owner of the Caterpillar No. 96, admits he has had a far tougher season than he would have imagined. He let David Green go in June, then brought on Hut Stricklin, who stepped down shortly after taking a lick at New Hampshire in July. Ron Fellows has driven the past couple of weeks but likely will not be in the car at Darlington, McCall says. There are rumors, denied by McCall, that the team has gone through its annual sponsor budget and darker whispers that the team may be for sale.(SpeedNet)(8-30-98)
“Interstate Batteries Pontiac transporter driver Peter Jellen is the series point leader for the FINA Piggly Wiggly Truck Driver Challenge, a season-long contest for NASCAR Winston Cup transporter drivers. The next round will be Sept. 4 in conjunction with the Pepsi Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. The contest will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Florence (S.C.) Civic Center. Admission is free to the precision driving contest.”(NASCAR Online)(8-30-98)
Brian France, Senior Vice President of NASCAR and Richard Petty will present $50,000 to Willie Nelson during the live broadcast of Farm Aid 98 on October 3, (6 pm to midnight) on Country Music Television. You can make donations to Farm Aid by calling 1-800-FARMAID(1-800-327-6243)(Stock Car Eacing Magazine Webiste)(8-30-98)
#90 Heilig-Meyers Team manager Jeff Kirk and crew chief Tommy Baldwin will leave the Junie Donlavey/Dick Trickle team after this season because of commitments (family and otherwise) in the Charlotte(NC) area. The Donlavey team is based in Richmond, Va. Team members also wonder whether sponsor Heilig-Meyers will return, although no word has come from the company. Donlavey, returning from heart surgery in the spring, says he intends to continue the way he always has.(SpeedNet/Ben Blake)(8-30-98)
Farm Aid on CMT 300 at Loudon: Results, Starting Lineup, Qualifying, Practice speeds at NASCAR Online, GoRacing(also 2nd round qualifying), and Speedworld. Also check out TNN’s Farm Aid On CMT 300 On-Line Webcast.
Jimmy Spencer is expected to be driving the #23 Winston Ford today, Ted Musgrave will stand by in case Spencer needs relief.(RPM2Day)(8-30-98)

(8-29-98)
Sad News: Chad Coleman died Friday night of injuries from a multicar crash on the first lap of the ARCA Georgia Power 200 stock car race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family(8-29-98)
2nd round qualifying is over: All the teams 26th or slower made a 2nd round attempt. Johnny Benson and Ron Fellows had trouble but used provisionals to get in the race. DW made the race once again on the past champions provisional. Ron Bouchard and Danny Pardus withdrew and did not make 2nd round attempts. Jerry Nadeau was the fastest 2nd round with a speed of 127.538mph(11th fastest overall). Derrike Cope, out of provisionals missed the race but his loss was Dave Marcis’ gain, Marcis used his 1st provisional of the year to get in the race, Marcis also has a different Paint Scheme this week for TNN’s Indoor-Outdoor program(see Paint scheme page for an image). To see who used provisionals and missed the race, go to Jayski’s Provisional Page.(8-29-98)
Ken Bouchard of Fitchburg, Mass., had a short homecoming when the engine in his Trix Racing/Premier Steel Fabricating Chevrolet broke during morning practice, causing the team to withdraw the black and day-glo lime #79 for lack of a back-up powerplant.(NASCAR Online)(8-29-98)
2nd round qualifying/AM practice news from GoRacing: The American Equipment Racing team had a backup, backup #96 Chevrolet transported to NHIS last night and, as it turns out, it’s a good thing they did. Ron Fellows wrecked his second Monte Carlo of the weekend during his qualifying lap as he exited turn two and will need that third race car to start tomorrow’s race from the 41st spot after taking a provisional to make the field. Danny Pardus backed into the outside wall in turn three and damaged the rear end of his #07 Midwest Transit Chevrolet so badly that he was unable to participate in the qualifying session. Jimmy Spencer flattened the left side of the #23 No-Bull Ford in a close encounter with the third turn wall. Spencer will give up the 17th place starting position that he earned to start a backup car from the rear of the field.(GoRacing)(8-29-98)
Roush Racing deployed a Busch Series hauler driver Larry Morris from Liberty, NC to Mooresville, NC yesterday afternoon. His orders were to pick up an extra #99 Roush Ford and a #36 MB2 Motorsports Pontiac to be standing by for drivers Jeff Burton and Ernie Irvan….just in case. The cars arrived at New Hampshire International Speedway this morning at 11:00am/et and all concerned are hoping that they will not be needed. Burton and Irvan wrecked their primary cars during Friday’s first practice session and were forced to qualify their back up rides.(GoRacing)(8-29-98)
Pionite is helping the #91 LJ Racing team with some sponsorship, they are on the TV panel (just below the rear spoiler) of the car this weekend at Loudon.(LJ Racing Website)(8-29-98)
Bobby Labonte, driver of the Joe Gibbs-owned #18 Pontiac, said with all the shake-ups and driver changes this season, he’s thought about moving to another team, but doesn’t have any plans to do so.(That’s Racin’)(8-29-98)
UPDATE 2: Crew chief Michael “FatBack” McSwain has been released from the #77 Jasper Ford Motorsports team. No new crew chief has been announced.(8-27-98) – McSwain is at NHIS helping out the team this weekend until a replacement can be found.(NASCAR Online), I hear McSwain resigned from the position, not released.(8-29-98)

(8-28-98)
After first round Winston Cup qualifying was completed Ray Evernham (crew chief #24) took out a loaner NASCAR “mod” (modified) car for a quick spin around the 1.058 mile New Hampshire International Speedway. It took Evernham several laps for Evernham to get the feel of the car but was soon popping off laps in the high 31 second range, which was well off the 29.442 second pole speed for the Farm Aid on CMT Double Header which was established by Mike Ewanitsko earlier today.(GoRacing)(8-28-98)
Teams that failed to make the field in first round qualifying and are 26th or worse but are guaranteed to make the CMT300 based on owners points: #40-Sterling Marlin(14th in points and he missed a race); #16-Kevin Lepage(16); #97-Chad Little(17) #26-Johnny Benson(18); #21-Michael Waltrip(20); #50-Wally Dallenbach(23); and #35-Darrell Waltrip(champ). The four teams that would miss the race if things stayed the same: #07-Danny Pardus(no prov’s); #79-Ken Bouchard(no provs-didn’t make an attempt); #00-Buckshot Jones(45th in owners points using Stavola Bros); and #71-Dave Marcis(44)-(FYI-this is not bashing any of these drivers, just stating a fact). To see where the drivers and teams stack up in the provisional standings check Jayski’s Provisional Page.(8-28-98)
Rumor in the garage area has Ted Musgrave as the driver of the second Travis Carter Ford in 1999 as a teammate to Jimmy Spencer.(WC Today Radio)(8-28-98)
NASCAR will join the fight to raise public consciousness about the plight of the American family farmer by donating $50,000 during the Farm Aid benefit concert on October 3. See the rest of the TNN website story at NASCAR Donates $50K To Farm Aid.(8-28-98)
Darrell Waltrip is in an ISM Racing Pontiac this weekend. ISM and Bob Hancher were the former owners and Tyler Jet Motorsports has not gotten their own cars reskinned from Chevy’s to Pontiac’s yet. I hear it will be a few more weeks, then look for the team to improve. Per Speedworld – When you look at the #35 car, if the roll bars are red, it is a ISM/Hancher car. If they are grey, it is a Tyler Jet Motorsports car that has been re-skinned.(8-28-98)
Kenny Wallace who drove the Square-D special Lightning paint scheme at Bristol last week, will drive the same paint scheme at all the remaining night races(Richmond and Daytona)(8-28-98)
47 cars will make an attempt at NHIS for 43 spots, including the #00 Auqufresh Chevy with Buckshot Jones, the #07 Midwest Transit Chevy with Danny Pardus and the #79 Premier Steel Fabricators Trix Chevy with Ken Bouchard. The #78 Pilot Ford and Gary Bradbery will skip the race at NHIS. Steve Grissom(#41), Derrike Cope(30), Morgan Shepherd(91) and Jerry Nadeau(9) do not have provisional starting positions to fall back on at NHIS and have to be up to speed. Provisonal info and owners points stands at Jayski’s Provisional Status Page. Jeff Gordon won the pole with a speed of 129.003mph.(8-28-98)
Sterling Marlin is driving the Non-Alcoholic Coors chevy at NHIS. Images can be seen on the Paint Scheme page(8-28-98)
Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Ernie Irvan and Ron Fellows all crashed their primary cars during practice for the CMT 300 and had to go to backups for qualifying and the race. Sterling Marlin scaped the wall and got the car fixed in time for qualifying. Bill Elliott blew and engine during practice and Dale Jarrett lost one just before qualifying.(GoRacing)(8-28-98)
UPDATE: Got this from a few readers and saw it on the Stock Car Fans Newsletter(sorry so long, no ‘net link):
The head of race car driver Dale Earnhardt’s corporate office near Mooresville said he doesn’t believe a shot fired into the company building was a prank. Donald Hawk, president of Dale Earnhardt Enterprises, said the shot, which damaged a window and ceiling tile, could have killed or injured someone. “We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Hawk said. He added that a reward is being offered for information on the person responsible for the shooting. The gunshot was fired into the upper floor of Earnhardt’s glass building sometime during the last two weeks. Fortunately, the shot struck a window in an uncompleted office according to Earnhardt’s security chief Bill Malcolm. Both Hawk and Malcolm said they believe the shot was fired in the early morning hours, from a high-powered weapon. What concerns them the most is that someone could have been inside the building. The windows are tinted so anyone inside the building is not visible from the outside. It is not unusual, Hawk said, for Dale or Teresa Earnhardt to be in the building working, and many times, he said, they may have their young daughter, Taylor, with them. Other employees also may bring their children to the office at night or on weekends. Hawk said he is not sure if this was a fan of some other NASCAR driver or just an isolated incident. But either way, he said, it is being addressed. Malcolm explained that high definition cameras are being installed to monitor the entire property. Other security measures are being taken as well. Some were planned before this incident, but the shooting has prompted others. With the new security measures in place, Hawk said, he has a warning for anyone thinking about doing something like this again. Anyone with information about the shooting can call the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office at 878-3183 or the Mooresville-South Iredell Crime Stoppers at 663-7066. Callers to Crime Stoppers do not have to reveal their identity or testify in court, and rewards of up to $1,000 (which are in addition to the reward offered by Earnhardt Enterprises) are possible.(In part from the The Mooresville Tribune(NC), By Donna Swicegood)(8-28-98)

(8-27-98)
Mike Wallace will drive the Dr Pepper #50 for Washington Erving Motorsports at Darlington for the BGN Dura Lube 200.(www.WashingtonErving.com)(8-27-98)
From Marty at MRN: It appears as though Elliott Sadler is the leading candidate to replace Michael Waltrip in the Wood Brothers car next year. Last week Waltrip and the Woods announced that they would not continue their partnership next season. It also appears as though the second Wood Brothers team for 1999, which has been talked about so frequently this season, will not happen until at least the 2000 season.(Marty’s Two Cents – MRN Notes)(8-27-98)
WC Today Radio(PRN) reports that although some published reports have Geoff Bodine being let go at anytime from the #7 Philips Mattei Motorsports Ford, Jim Mattei, owner says that is not so. Both Bodine and Mattei are exploring other possibilities for 1999. They expect to make a decision by mid September. One rumor at Brsitol had the team merging with SABCO and Michael Waltrip as the driver, in the Winston Cup Scene this week, Mattei said ‘the option was open’.(WC Today Radio and WC Scene). The Ricky Craven to the #7 car rumor is false.(8-27-98)
Update on Lake Speed and Greg Sacks per NASCAR Online Radio: Lake Speed is doing much better, but his ribs are still hurting, he says he may consider subbing if needed towards the end of the season. Greg Sacks is in therapy for his neck and nerve injuries and is doing personal appearances for his sponsor, Thorn Apple Valley.(8-27-98)
Jeff Gordon is about to brighten the life of ten-year-old Robert Martinson from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Robert, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, will be in New Hampshire this weekend for the racing activities and a meeting with Gordon. On Friday, he’ll dine with members of Gordon’s crew. He gets to meet his hero on Saturday and will be in the stands on Sunday for the CMT 300. The trip is being provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. Robert’s wish is the 200th granted by the Idaho group.(Gordonline)(8-27-98)
UPDATE: Check this Birmingham News(AL) story out: Same driver, same race track, same day, the only difference was the car – story at: Grissom shows he can ride, given a steed instead of a dog by Neal Sims.(8-26-98) – I heard from a source closly associated with the team, and that #41 Cup Team Owner Larry Hedrick paid for Steve Grissom’s ride in Jimmy Spencers #12 BGN car at Bristol and that the team is working hard to improve their qualifing problem. I also hear that Tim Brewer. recently hired as the crew chief for the team, is building new cars and the team hopes to have the first one ready to go at Darlington. Oh yeah, the team doesn’t feel that they deserve to be called a dog.(8-27-98)
Testing News: Richmond testing was rained out today; Kenny Schrader tested at Darlington; Bobby Hamilton tested at Greenville-Pickens(SC)(WC Today Radio)(8-27-98)
From The Stock Car Racing Magazine Site – “The Silly Season in NASCAR got it´s name because everyone thought it was silly for drivers to begin changing teams halfway through the season. Recent events suggest there is no chance the “Silly” moniker will be lost anytime soon. Cale Yarborough´s Winston Cup team had the best finish of the year at Bristol, then came home and immediately released crew chief Mike Hillman. Now Team 34, one of the most successful BUSCH operations in that series has reorganized, including replacing their successful crew chiefs. Kevin Caldwell, crew chief for the #36 Stanley Tools Pontiac driven by David Green was replaced just prior to leaving for last Saturdays event at Bristol by John Fabian. We always hear about “chemistry” within a team but Team 34 cited “unbalanced chemistry” as the reason they relieved Gary Cogswell from crew chief duties on Mike McLaughlin´s #34 BUSCH team. Cogswell will be replaced by co-crew chiefs Steve “Big Guy” Helwig and John Birosh.(SCR)(8-27-98)
CORRECTED 2: Testing at Richmond today was Kenny Irwin, Jr in the #28 and a slew of BGN drivers: #52-Kevin Grubb; #32 Ford-Dale Jarrett; #32 Chevy-Jason Jarrett; #14-Patty Moise; #42-JD Gibbs; #27-Casey Atwood; #72-Mike Dillion; #82-Mark McFarland; #20-Blaise Alexander; #71-Mario Gosselin(Hooters driver-sorry about the mis-spelling Mario, sponsor ITM?), The #’s 82, 72, 27, and 52 were turning the quickest laps of the BGN guys in the 22.5/22.6 second range(8-26/27-98)

(8-26-98)
Heard a few more Budweiser rumors: I hear Budweiser has talked to the #22 Bill Davis team concerning sponsorship in the future. I hear Budweiser may not sponsor the 1999 Watkins Glen race.(shame Bud at the Glen sounds cool)(8-26-98)
Joe Fink, Stockcarfans Newsletter/Website trivia guru has this interesting page: Meet Mr. X, He drives the car # X on the Winston Cup Circuit. Mr. X consistently finishes on the tail end of the lead lap EVERY race. However, he never leads a race. BUT, his consistency keeps him in the top 10 in points most of the season. Let’s take a look at his stats. See the webpage at: Check out info on the consistent WC driver, Mr. X!.(NOTE: there is no real driver X and this is not based on any driver, it shows how being a consistent driver in the Cup series pays off)(8-26-98)
Jim Mattei of Mattei Motorsports said that he is considering replacing Geoff Bodine in the #7 Philips Ford with Michael Waltrip or Ricky Craven and is thinking about an option to merge with SABCO.(Winston Cup Today Radio),to cut off these questions: No idea what body style would be run IF the merger happens.(8-26-98)
Danny Pardus will be attempting to make his first Cup race at NHIS this weekend(he missed in tries at Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte and Indy). He will again be in the #07 Midwest Transit Chevy. See the image on the Paint Schemes page.(8-26-98)
UPDATE: No word on possible sponsors for the David Blair team. They have a full fleet of Tauruses done, ready to paint. The team did test at Darlington with Mike Wallace a week ago.(8-25-98) – The team is gearing up for a full 1999 run in Cup, says crew chief Don Disherim(sp?). The team plans to test at Charlotte in a few weeks and will make an announcement in the fall of 1998.(NASCAR Today Radio)(8-26-98)
Ted Musgrave tested the #15 Moore-Robinson Rescue Engine Formula Ford at Darlington, SC today and ran a speed of 163.104mph. Musgrave will drive the car in the Pepsi Southern 500 on Sept 6th.(RPM2Nite/WC Today Radio)(8-26-98)
Elliott Sadler, a 23-year-old considered a potential star, has emerged as the leading candidate to take over as driver of the Wood Brothers’ #21 CITGO Fords for 1999. The Wood Brothers and driver Michael Waltrip announced last week that they would not continue their association beyond the end of this season.(That’s Racin’/Speedworld)(8-26-98)
Andy Michner tested with Bace Motorsports(BGN series) earlier this week and wrecked the car on his third run of the day at Hickory, The car was used up in the front and rear. As far as I heard is that he is ok.(8-26-98)
UPDATE 3: I hear that on 106.7 WYAY Fm in Atlanta, it was announced that Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr. will hold a press conference on Wednesday 8-26-98 at The World of Coca-Cola. WYAY-FM is offering chances to win tickets to meet one-on-one with both drivers, and front row seats for the press conference on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday before the press conference. Web-site address is: www.wyay.com (Matt and Roxanne Ponds)(8-21-98) – I hear an interesting BGN rumors: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a Coke sponsored car in Japan.(8-22-98) – Think these two rumors/items are somehow related? Check this out: “Dale Earnhardt and his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr, will make a special guest appearance at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta to “announce one of the most significant events in the history of NASCAR racing.” Details will be disclosed at the World of Coca-Cola on Wed., 8-26 at 11am/et. PRN announcer/reporter, Mark Garrow, will emcee the announcement. Interviews follow the announcement.” It also mentions Action Performance Companies in the WHO section, sounds like a diecast deal in the works.(Business Wire – Yahoo)(thanks to many reader for helping with this story)(8-24-98) – More on this deal: I hear Dale Earnhardt Sr and Jr. and Dale Jr will be going to Japan to the race in November. Supposedly Dale Sr. is going to be driving a Coca Cola sponsored car and Dale Jr is going to be driving a car sponsored by Coca Cola but will be painted with the Coca Cola Polar Bears on it. Action Performance is doing the merchandising.(8-25-98) – The complete story and images of each car are on NASCAR Online at: Earnhardts to race in Coca-Cola 500 in Japan. The paint schemes? Dale Earnhardt’s red #3 car features the signature Coca-Cola Red Disk Icon and NASCAR-themed checkered contour bottle. Dale Earnhart’s #1 Chevy features the Coca-Cola polar bear with ice-chunks lining the bottom of the car. NASCAR Online also has a Photo Gallary of the Press Conference on the main page.(8-26-98)
I hear that Rusty Wallace and Ricky Rudd were testing Tuesday at Greenville-Pickens Speedway(SC)(Thanks Cary)(8-26-98)
UPDATE: The #38 Barbasol Racing team and driver Elton Sawyer are scheduled to participate in a Unocal fuel test at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, August 17th. The team will be testing the affects of unleaded fuel on the 9:1 engine.(GoRacing)(8-15-98) – The test, overseen by NASCAR officials, was conducted by the Barbasol/Akins-Sutton Motorsports NASCAR Busch Series team, with driver Elton Sawyer running a Ford with a 9.5-to-1 eight-cylinder engine using 105-octane UNOCAL unleaded fuel. According to Bob Sutton, co-owner of Akins-Sutton Motorsports, very few changes were required in both the engine and carburetor of Sawyer’s Ford, which used a brand-new Roush Racing-built engine for last week’s test. The rest of the story at: NASCAR tests unleaded gasoline in Busch car by Bill Kiser of iRace.(8-26-98)
In many interviews I have seen of recent concerning Michael Waltrip and the Wood Brothers(#21 CITGO Ford), both parties say if all of a sudden things start clicking and the team does well in the last 1/3 of the season, they are not ruling out teaming up again in 1999.(many sources)(8-26-98)
UPDATE: Good Story at Speed Magazine on Wally Dallenbach, Jr: Contract may be win away for Dallenbach by Godwin Kelly. – something I missed in this story Brad pointed out to me: “There are a couple of factors that could change Dallenbach’s luck. Jack Sprague, the defending Craftsman Truck Series champion, has been promised a Winston Cup ride in 1999, and would likely slip into the seat of the #50 entry.” I had heard rumors, but nothing concrete on Speague getting a Cup ride in 1999.(8-26-98)
Dennis Setzer will be in the #13 FirstPlus Ford at NHIS this weekend.(WC Today Radio)(8-26-98)
Some stats from That’s Racin’ – Miles Completed: 1) Mark Martin 8,690.62; 2) Michael Waltrip 8,629.80; 3) Jeff Gordon 8,605.08; 4) Bobby Hamilton; 8,601.07; 5) Bobby Labonte 8,567.53; 6) Sterling Marlin 8,060.52; 7) Brett Bodine 8,554.70; 8) Jeremy Mayfield 8,502.31; 9) Terry Labonte 8,438.35; 10) Ward Burton 8,420.42.(8-26-98)

(8-25-98)
Hearing rumors that fedEx and UPS (not together of course) are considering entering the Winston Cup ranks as a sponsor of some sort.(8-25-98)
UPDATE: During the Goody’s 500, Benny Parsons said that Jimmy Spencer said he planned to be back next week at New Hampshire.(8-23-98) – Spencer palns to run the race, but Ted Musgrave will be on standby in case Spencer needs relief.(NASCAR Today Radio)(8-25-98)
UPDATE: Ron Fellows, who already has one outside pole run to his credit in his one NASCAR Winston Cup race this season, will drive the #96 Caterpillar Chevrolet at New Hampshire on Sunday. Fellows will replace Hut Stricklin, who had been driving on a race to race basis. Stricklin said he had aggravated an injury he suffered in a crash two months ago in a race at New Hampshire and doesn’t feel he can give the team 100%.(Williams Company of America, Inc), not sure if Strickin will be back at Darlington. – Also hearing rumors that the #96 team may shut down at the end of the 1998 season. Let’s hope not.(8-25-98)
Jerry Nadeau will once again be at the wheel of the #9 Cartoon Network Ford at Loudon this weekend. Nadeau is on a race-to-race basis right now.(8-25-98)
Five teams tested at Darlington today, drivers and speeds: #99-Jeff Burton, 164.468mph; #31-Mike Skinner, 163.934; #6-Mark Martin 162.834; #26-John Benson 162.563; #18-Bobby Labonte 161.231. #3-Dale Earnhardt and #28-Kenny Irwin tested at Richmond.(RPM2Nite)(8-25-98)
Larry McReynolds is still undecided what he may do in 1999. He has set a deadline of Sept 15th to make a decision. He says there maybe is an oppurtunity to be owner or part-owner of a Cup team and he needs to look at that option.(Winston Cup Today Radio)(8-25-98)
I hear from a reader that Darrell Waltrip mentioned on Benny Parson’s radio show Monday night that he and team owner Tim Beverley have a meeting today(8-25) with Tabasco officials where they hope to put all the rumors and troubles between the team and sponsor to rest.(8-25-98)
Winston Cup star Kenny Schrader spent his Sunday away from the NASCAR schedule running an ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Chevrolet for Ed Rensi on the famous 1 mile dirt oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Schrader took the top spot over ARCA Championship leader Frank Kimmel by a mere half of a car length.(Stock Car Racing Magazine Site)(8-25-98)
UPDATE: Mike Hillman has been released from the crew chief job of the #98 Thorn Apple Valley Ford owned by Cale Yarborough – Hillman’s replacement is Skip Eyhler who was Chad Littles crew chief until Roush hired Jeff Hammond for the crew chief job. Not sure what Hillman’s plans are.(8-24-98) – Good story on the News section of the Stock Car Racing Magazine Site (8-25-98)
UPDATE: Another NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway will have a Grand Opening on Monday, August 24th at 7:30pm at the Dallas(Texas) Galleria on the third floor. Cup drivers Dale Jarrett and Jeremy Mayfield are scheduled to appear.(Thanks Lynne)(8-23-98) – While in Texas, Dale Jarrett stopped by Texas Motor Speedway on Monday and took the speedway pace car on a few laps around the reconfigured track. He was impressed by the changes. His quote: “You can see with the eye what’s been done,” said Jarrett. “It’s going to be a very positive change for the stock cars.”(NASCAR Online)(8-25-98)

(8-24-98)
I hear Todd Bodine is the top choice of the Filmar Racing to drive the #81 Ford in 1999(8-24-98)
Something I missed in the Winston Cup Scene a few weeks ago(August 6th to be exact): In a story by the great Deb Williams, Petty Enterprises To Reorganize: Kyle Petty will again have Hot Wheels as his primary sponsor in 1999, I had a rumor up a few months back, saying Mattel/Hot Wheels may leave, so squash that rumor. Negotiations are underway between Richard Petty and STP, his longtime sponsor. The story also said that Robbie Loomis would be the Team Manager of both the #43 and 44 cars and probably remain as the crew chief for the #43. So those Loomis rumors should stop now. It is undecided if the entire team will be known as Petty Enterprises or stay separate with PE2 and the #44.(thanks to NYPD Mike for the heads up)(8-24-98)
I hear there may be other changes in the #41 Hedrick Motorsports camp, supposedly both driver and owners are looking at other options.(8-24-98)
Tempers flew on the backstretch during the sixth caution period on lap 249 when rookie driver Elliott Sadler blocked Ernie Irvan’s Grand Prix into his pit stall. A Skittles crew member ran up to Sadler’s window net to let him know what he thought about the action but NASCAR officials quickly separated the MB2 Motorsports and Diamond Ridge Motorsports crew members before any damage could be done.(GoRacing)(8-24-98)
Jack Stantons Racing Connection Online Site is improved and has many stories and news on it, especially for us Motorsports starved NJ fans.(8-24-98)

(8-23-98)

Bristol Goody’s 500: Race Results, Starting Grid, Happy Hour results, 1st Round Qualifying Results, 1st and 2nd Practice speeds at NASCAR Online, GoRacing(also has 2nd round), Speedworld and That’s Racin’. GoRacing has a real different way of breaking down the points.(8-23-98)
From SpeedNet, an interestin RUMOR about Budweiser: There is rumbling that Budweiser, sponsor of Hendrick’s 50 car, may be looking for a new situation in the next year or two. That could help explain the team’s apparent urgency in dismissing driver Ricky Craven and its ongoing driver search for next season. One rumor had Budweiser taking its sponsorship to Andy Petree’s #33 team, with long-time Bud loyalist Ken Schrader. Skoal then would be moved to Petree’s new second team, with driver Kenny Wallace. Petree team sources said yesterday, however, that both team sponsors are in place, with Skoal sticking with Schrader and Square D coming aboard with Wallace. Observers say Budweiser may or may not be in play. There is talk, however, that Budweiser may wait out one more year with Hendrick, then make a move on Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the talented youngster moves to Winston Cup (with his dad’s team) in 2000.(SpeedNet)(8-23-98)
More rumors from Mike Mulhern of the JournalNow, some a tad on the wild side:
1. Kmart officials are studying a possible return to the Winston Cup tour, according to NASCAR sources. One of the men who could land a Kmart sponsorship, Ricky Rudd, presumably for his proposed second team.(I assume this is as a primary sponosr as they are on the #2 and #12 teams in an associate role, also Ricky Rudd, announced at Indy that he would not start a 2nd team)
2. Michael Waltrip is pulling out all the stops in his search for a new ride, and his name is being mentioned in connection with the Larry Hedrick and Jim Mattei rides. Hedrick’s team failed to make last night’s race; the Statesville team has had to use provisionals in 14 of the year’s first 21 races. Sources close to Waltrip say the Mattei option, which would keep him in a Ford, may be the more likely.(not sure if this means as a replacement for current drivers or as a 2nd team car)
3. RJR officials are mulling over a proposal to kick off the 2000 Winston Cup season with a Dec. 31 race in Las Vegas, 9 pm until midnight. If that comes off, then the off-season between the last race of the 1999 season, which will apparently be Nov. 21, and the first race of the 2000 season would be all of five weeks.(this seems unlikely, but who knows)
4. Steve Hmiel is one of the big questions in the garage. Will he stay with Jack Roush or move on? Hmiel is head of Roush’s Liberty operation, which fields cars for Johnny Benson and LePage. But Roush-North has been overshadowed this season by Roush-South, where Mark Martin and Jeff Burton work out of. Hmiel is one of the top crews and team managers in the sport. If he moves on, there is speculation he could move to Richard Petty’s operation. That’s where Hmiel got his start back in the early 1980s. Hmiel still lives in the Petty neighborhood, and a move to Petty Enterprises might make more sense than a move to Charlotte. A few years ago Hmiel took a job with Rick Hendrick, as manager of his three teams, but Hmiel quit after only a few days on the job, saying it didn’t feel right.
5. An unnamed Nashville businessman is a potential new Winston Cup car owner, according to NASCAR sources who say an offer is in the works to purchase a part of Brett Bodine’s team.
6. Indy-car man Chip Gnassi is once again considering a Winston Cup effort, according to sources close to the situation.
(JournalNow)(8-23-98)
Brett Bodine suffered from heat exhaustion and dehydration after the blower in his car went out early in the race. He was taken to the care center, where he received oxygen and fluids. He is expected to fully recover and was replaced in the #11 Ford by Kenny Wallace, whose car was wrecked early in the race(actually blew a motor). Wallace brought the #11 car in with a 26th-place finish. (That’s Racin’), Ernie Irvan also needed relief when his in car fans gave out and he was taken to the infield care center, Ward Burton drove for Irvan and came home 22nd.(NASCAR Online)(8-23-98)
Dale Earnhardt won $19,800 the first time he raced at Bristol Motor Speedway in 1979. Saturday night, he made his 39th start there and went past the $1 million mark for career earnings here. Earnhardt, who has eight Bristol victories, came into the Goody’s 500 with $989,136 at this track.(That’s Racin’)(8-23-98)
ARCA and Busch driver Gary Laton, badly injured in a crash at Michigan last week, has been released from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti and will begin rehabilitation. A release said doctors are encouraged by Laton’s rapid recovery and have recommended outpatient treatment.(SpeedNet)(8-23-98)
Larry McReynolds is unsure of his plans for 1999 with RCR and the #31 team. McReynolds says his contract, which runs through the year 2000, was voided when team owner Richard Childress swapped crew chiefs between the #3 and #31 with McReynolds going to the #31 team and driver Mike Skinner. McReynolds says he is not sure if he will stay with the team after this season. Much depends on the progress he makes with the #31 team and Skinner. He also says the recent success of the #31 improves his chances of staying with the team.(Winston Cup Scene)(8-23-98)

(8-22-98)
I hear Randy Lajoie will drive for James Finch next year with Mark Reno as crew chief, possibly as a teamate to Jeff Purvis in the #4 Lance Snacks Chevy(8-22-98)
I hear the new Gordon/Evernham Motorsports 1999 Busch team will be #24 and the sponsor will be Pepsi.(8-22-98)
BGN driver, Gary Laton has been released from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti just a week after being seriously injured in a Busch car in Michigan. Laton will continue his recovery at the Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation.(JournalNow)(8-22-98)
Hearing Gary Bradberry will be the driver for a new BGN team being put together in Birmingham, AL. Supposedly plans are to run the full schedule in 1999.(Jpaidfo)(8-22-98)
2nd round qualifying is over: 14 teams stood on their 1st round times, including all drivers from 26th thru 36th place and #50- Wally Dallenbach, #36 Ernie Irvan and Darrell Waltrip in the #35 Pontiac. DW made the race once again on the past champions provisional. Of the eight who made 2nd round attempts none could crack the top 36. Dick Trickle was the fastest 2nd round with a speed of 120.581mph. Steve Grissom, out of provisionals missed the race as well as did Dave Marcis for the 15th time in 1998. To see who used provisionals and missed the race, go to Jayski’s Provisional Page.(8-22-98)
Saturday morning practice speeds were dramtically slower in the heat of the day. Dick Trickle was fastest at 120.580mph.(36th fastest speed in 1st round was 121.236mph).(8-22-98)
Four teams made the top 25 and the race but failed to get a front pit stall and have to pit on the dreaded back pit stretch: #42-Joe Nemechek(22nd); #26-Johnny Benson(23); #16-Kevin Lepage(24) and #77-Robert Pressley(25).(8-22-98)
Tony Stewart, driver of the #44 Shell Pontiac, had the wind knocked out of him in the big BGN crash at Brsitol Friday night and was transported to a local hospital after problems with breathing. X-rays were negative and it appeared he just had the wind knocked out of him, minor medically but can feel awful none the less. Doctors released Stewart late Friday.(Stock Car Racing Magazine)(8-22-98)
The last time a driver won 5 NASCAR Cup races in a row was 1971 when Richard Petty and Bobby Allison did it. That was before the modern era when they cut back the number of races run. Allison won at Charlotte, Dover, Michigan, Riverside and Houston. Petty won at Malta, NY, Islip, NY, Trenton, NJ, Nashville and Atlanta. The all-time record NASCAR winning streak is Petty’s famous 10-race romp in 1967 — from Bowman Gray Stadium, Columbia, SC, Savannah, GA, Darlington, Hickory, Richmond, Beltsville, MD., Hillsboro, Martinsville, VA., and North Wilkesboro.(JournalNow)(8-22-98)
Seven Cup drivers have won four consecutive Winston Cup races in NASCAR’s modern era, which began in 1972. No driver has won five straight races. 1976 — Cale Yarborough; 1981 — Darrell Waltrip; 1987 — Dale Earnhardt; 1991 — Harry Gant; 1992 — Bill Elliott; 1993 — Mark Martin.; 1998 — Jeff Gordon(current streak). What did the drivers do in the following race? Yarborough 2nd; Waltrip 2nd; Earnhardt 4th; Gant 2nd; Elliott 20th; Martin 6th; Gordon 5th (RPM2Nite)(8-19-98)(reposted to go along with the above story)(8-22-98)
Race fans who bring three canned goods to one of Kyle Petty’s souvenir trailers this weekend at Bristol will receive a free “Race to End Hunger” t-shirt, while supplies last. Fans responded in such numbers that t-shirts ran out during the Food City 500 in March. So, WCYB-TV and Electric 99.3 FM are printing twice as many shirts for the Goody’s 500.(NASCAR Online)(8-22-98)
UPDATE: Former NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Ken Bouchard is scheduled to make a return to the series in the Goody’s 500 driving a Ford Taurus(#85) owned by Thee and Frances Dixon.(NASCAR Online)(8-20-98) – Bouchard failed to make the race.(8-22-98)

(8-21-98)
Teams that failed to make the field in first round qualifying and are 26th or worse but are guaranteed to make the Goody’s 500 based on owners points: #3-Dale Earnhardt(8th in points); #43-John Andretti(11); #4-Bobby Hamilton(13); #36-Ernie Irvan(14); #40-Sterling Marlin(15 and he missed a race); #97-Chad Little(16) and #94-Bill Elliott(champ and 17th). The four teams that would miss the race if things stayed the same: #41-Steve Grissom(no prov’s left); #85-Ken Bouchard(no provs); #78-Gary Bradberry(46th in owners points); and #71-Dave Marcis(44)-(FYI-this is not bashing any of these drivers, just stating a fact). The problem for the teams that were 37th or worse is that the track will be hotter during the day, plus after the BGN race, the track will be greasy and slippery. To see where the drivers and teams stack up in the provisional standings check Jayski’s Provisional Page.(8-21-98)
Another NASCAR Speedpark has broken ground in Sevierville, TN(20 miles SE of Knoxville). Sterling Marlin visited the facility on Thursday(8-20) for the groundbreaking ceremony. They are also building a NASCAR Cafe there. See the story at the Knoxville News-Sentinel(8-21-98)
Philips Consumer Communications L.P. has been signed as an Official Marketing Partner for NASCAR’s 50th Anniversary celebration, said Clay Zimmerman, vice president of North American Marketing for PCC. As an Official Marketing Partner, PCC will be entitled to use the anniversary logo on packaging and promotions for its corded and cordless telephones and other electronic gadgets. Phikips is also the sponosr on the #7 Mattei owned Ford with Geoff Bodine driving.(SpeedNet)(8-21-98)
No driver has ever won at Bristol from 24th or further starting spot.(ESPN2 Qualifying), Dale Earnhardt won from 24th in the 1994 spring/day race. In 75 Winston Cup races at Bristol, 17 have come from the pole, 12 from the outside pole. 66 races have been won from a starting position of 10th or better.(research by me), Earnhardt is the last driver to win the Goody’s Headache Powder 500 at Bristol and championship in the same year, in 1987.(8-21-98)
47 cars will attempt to make the Goody’s Headache Powders 500 for 43 spots. Info on the Bristol race can be found at my page: Nextrace: Bristol.(8-21-98)
Didn’t catch this earlier, Elliott Sadler is driving the #92 Trop Artic Diamond Rudge Chevy in the Goody’s 500, he didn’t make it during first round. But he was 32nd fastest which may be good enough to get him in as 2nd round speeds may be slower because of the heat.(8-21-98)

(8-20-98)
UPDATE: Officials from Morgan-McClure have called a press conference for this afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway. A sponsorship deal could be announced.(not sure if this is for a 2nd team or something to do with the current Kodak team)(see Bristol Herald-Courrier) – Morgan-McClure Motorsport’s announcement today was that Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation, both of Greeneville, TN, will be associate sponsors on the Kodak MAX Film Chevrolet beginning this weekend at Bristol. Terms were not disclosed but this is a multi-year deal. The announcement was made by Scott Niswonger, Chairman of both companies, and Larry McClure, President of Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Landair Transport is a high service level truckload carrier, while Forward Air is a high service level contractor to the air cargo industry, providing time-definite service in the U.S. and Canada. The announcement was made to the public around 12:30 p.m. EDT. An announcement was made to the some 200 employees of the two companies this morning in Greeneville and was met with cheers.(Williams Company of America, Inc.)(8-20-98)
Ricky Rudd tested the #10 Tide Ford at Greenville-Pickens Speedway on Monday and Tuesday while #11 Brett Bodine, #91 Morgan Shephard, and #9 Jerry Nadeau tested at the Speedway on Wednesday.(MRM)(8-20-98)
Kenny Schrader will have a busy weekend: After the Bristol race on Saturday night, he’ll fly to Springfield Illinois, where he will run the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde, Allen Crowe Memorial 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The track is a 1 mile, clay, oval. Schrader will drive the #38 QuicShine 99 Chevrolet for Team 83 owner Ed Rensi as a teammate to ARCA driver Jeff Finley(ARCA Racing Site – thanks Jill)(8-20-98)
Dave Marcis was angry about not getting a provisional last weekend at Michigan, and vented his frustration by saying NASCAR doesn’t care about helping the people who need help to make races. Marcis is a fine gentleman who has given a lot to the sport, but the sport also has given at lot to him. If NASCAR wanted to tailor its rules to help the people who need help, it should aim at younger drivers who will make the sport’s next generation of stars, not a 57-year-old who is just trying to hold on.(David Poole’s Random Thoughts at That’s Racin’)(8-20-98)

(8-19-98)
I hear the #13 FirstPlus team is going through many changes: Team Manager Joe Schnieder was supposedly released on Tuesday(8-18). The team is also being moved to the #94 team shop in Charlotte and about half of the team personnel quit.(8-19-98)
Kyle Petty plans to use one of his father’s cars in the NAPA AutoCare 500 on Sunday, September 27 at MArtinsville. Kyle Petty tested one of his #44 Hot Wheels Pontiacs and a STP painted Pontiac at Martinsville Speedway. Petty hasn’t tested at Martinsville in several years, but believes using one of the Petty Enterprises cars could mean a great finish next month.(SpeedNet)(8-19-98)
Geoff Bodine will throw out the first pitch at a NY Yankees game on August 24th when the Yankees play the Anahein Angels. Apparently, Philips is sponsoring the promotional night and will distribute souvenir baseball cards. During the 7th inning stretch, they’ll be giving out 7 baseballs autographed by both Don Larsen and David Wells, the last two Yankees to pitch perfect games. The tossing of the ceremonial first pitch will be part of the pre-game activities at about 6:30pm/et(Corning(NY) Leader/Elmira(NY) Star-Gazette – thanks Tim)(8-19-98)
Innovative Motorsports and leading BGN Rookie of the Year candidate Andy Santerre announced a new crew chief today. Nicholas Short, a former crew chief for Bobby Hillin, has been hired to replace interim crew chief Butch Enders on the #47 Monro BGN team. Details at North East Racing News.(8-19-98)
In part from a story on NASCAR Online about Dale Jarrett testing at Darlington with a fast lap of 167.151mph – Jarrett’s Robert Yates Racing team was joined at the test by NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Mike Wallace, who was on hand in the David Blair(#27) Motorsports Ford. Wallace’s best effort was 163.375 mph. See the story at Jarrett makes “hot lap” in Darlington testing. Wonder if this means we’ll see Wallace in the #27 Ford at Darlington?(8-19-98)
BGN driver Gary Laton is listed in good condition Wednesday at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital as he continues to recover from injuries he suffered in an accident during Qualifying last Thursday at Michigan Speedway in Brooklyn. Laton was moved to a private room earlier this week. The tracheotomy tube that has been helping Laton breathe normally since the accident is expected to be removed today. A CT scan was negative and doctors have been pleased with Laton’s progress. Laton is up and walking around, but is still “battered and bruised” from the accident. The hope is that Laton can return home to North Carolina as early as this weekend.(NASCAR Online)(8-19-98)
Steve Grissom will drive Jimmy Spencers #12 Zippo BGN Chevy at Bristol on Friday night.(NASCAR Online)(8-19-98)
Winston Cup star Kenny Schrader will run in the BUSCH series race at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend in Andy Petree’s #15 Oakwood Homes Monte Carlo. This is the same car they ran at Daytona, then wrecked at Richmond. It has been repaired and converted to a short track “high rail” (raised right side frame rail for increased ground clearance) car and has been traveling around in the hauler as a back-up. (Marketing Performance Group via Stock Car Racing Website)(8-19-98)
In part from the JournalNow: The Wood Brothers, who are now part of the Jack Roush camp, with Roush handling sponsor and driver negotiations and marketing, with rookie Matt Kenseth at the wheel that would be based somewhere north of Charlotte. But the 2nd team is a whole different project. So Ted Musgrave, Wood said, is on their list, and possibly Wally Dallenbach. Among the options for Michale Waltip are Bill Elliott’s second ride, a Felix Sabates deal(?) or a Bud Moore deal.(JournalNow)(8-19-98)

(8-18-98)
Jimmy Spencer will sit out the Bristol races this weekend. Ted Musgrave will sub for Spencer in the #23 Winston/No Bull Ford.(WC Today)(8-17-98)
Jerry Nadeau will once again be at the wheel of the #9 Cartoon Network Ford at Bristol this weekend. Nadeau is on a race-to-race basis right now.(8-19-98)
Dennis Setzer will drive the #13 FirstPlus Ford at Bristol and possible at New Hampshire and Darlington.(RPM2Nite)(8-18-98)
Official Wood Brothers/Michael Waltrip Press Release about Waltrip leaving the #21 CITGO team at Wood Brothers Official Website, go to Current News.(8-18-98)
Earl Sadler and Son Racing announced today that they have signed Bobby Hamilton Jr. as a BGN driver for 1998 and 1999. Bobby Hamilton Jr., son of Winston Cup Driver Bobby Hamilton, will begin racing the #95 Sadler Busch cars next month at Richmond. Bobby will run four Busch Grand National races and two ARCA races with the Sadler Team this fall. Bobby will then run the full 1999 BGN schedule for the Sadler Racing Team. Thanks Chris for the heads up.(http://www.sadlerwc95.com)(8-18-98)
UPDATE: A few readers have emailed me saying that per Michael Waltrip on the John Boy and Billy radio show – The Big Show this morning that Waltrip will not be in the #21 Citgo Ford in 1999 and that Waltrip the Wood Brothers decided to tear up there letter of intent he signed a few weeks ago. Supposedly there will be a Press Release this afternoon. – It is now mentioned on NASCAR Online and GoRacing has a story at: Michael Waltrip Will Leave The #21 At Season’s End and another story at TNN Motorsports. Waltrip is currently looking at opportunities for next season. In addition the Wood Brothers have not decided on who will drive the CITGO Ford next year.(not to mention the 2nd Wood Bros/Roush car that they will run in 1999, supposedly with Matt Kenseth behind the wheel)(8-18-98)
Some Cup stats of interest at GoRacing’s Pepsi 400 Presented by DeVilbiss Wrap-Up.(8-18-98)
NASCAR Winston Cup driver Joe Nemechek and Team SABCO owner Felix Sabates have reached an agreement which will take them into the new millennium. Originally, Nemechek’s contract was valid through the end of the 1999 racing season. However, the new three-year arrangement has the BellSouth driver signed with Team SABCO through the year 2001.(8-18-98)
UPDATE: As reported before Buckshot Racing will field a Busch team next year, Buckshot won’t drive as he’ll be in Cup, but two names being mentioned include Wayne Grubb and Larry Pearson.(8-17-98) – I hear it is Kevin not Wayne up for this ride.(8-18-98)
Sterling Marlin will drive the Whitaker Racing entry in the Food City 250 BGN race at Bristol on Aug. 21. Marlin secured a sponsorship deal with Rayovac earlier this year. Whitaker also intends to field a car for Marlin at the All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 at Charlotte Oct. 3. The season-ending Jiffy Lube Miami 300 at Homestead Motorsports Complex in November is another possibility.”(Bristol Herald Courier, thanks Ann)(8-18-98)
Elton Sawyer is supposed to run a special paint scheme at Bristol in the #38 Barbasol Ford. It’s supposed to celebrate Barbasol’s anniversary(not sure which one.(8-18-98)
UPDATE: I hear Jeff Gordon has purchased two Chevrolet dealerships in Greenville, SC. Supposedly to be run by the Hendrick Automotive Group but will be owned by Gordon.(8-17-98) – Jeff Gordon did buy a dealership about a month or more ago. It is in Wilmington, NC. It is suppost to be run under the Hendrick Automotive group as well.(Jodi via StockCarFans Newsletter)(8-18-98)
Ford’s Preston Miller says his company will be presenting a new cylinder head to NASCAR in the next few weeks for approval for the 1999 season. Ford teams have been developing the new cylinder head, which is a little taller than the current head, giving engine men more room to work with inside the engine.(JournalNow)(8-18-98)
Marsh Racing & Ted Christopher have announced a new associate sponsor for the #13 BGNN & BGN race team. In a partnership with General Motors, SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP will be on their cars this season. For more details, see North East Racing News.(8-18-98)
Sort of an update on the next story: Ashland Oil is merging with Marathon Oil. Ashland is based in Eastern Kentucky. The company is known as Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP), formed January 1, 1998, from the downstream operations of its long established parent companies, Marathon Oil Company of the USX-Marathon Group, a 62 percent interest owner and Ashland Inc., a 38 percent interest owner. Many Ashland employees have had to pack up and move to Findlay, Ohio, the new base of operations.(a few readers and the Marathon Ashland Petroleum Website), see ya learn something new everyday(8-18-98)
Of particular interest in the NASCAR garage is the current merger mania among oil companies, and Ashland Oil (Valvoline sponsors Martin) is considered the next target of a takeover. With British Petroleum(BP) taking over Amoco, Bill Davis (who has a three-year contract with Amoco for a Busch-Winston Cup deal, with Dave Blaney) and his team are following that situation closely. And Pennzoil, one of racing’s top sponsors, with two Winston Cup teams (Earnhardt-Park and Chuck Rider-Derrike Cope) and Indy-car teams too, is acquiring Quaker State (which has been a major Winston Cup sponsor for years, once with a full car, now as a major associate with Rick Hendrick’s teams)(JournalNow)(8-18-98)

(8-17-98)
Interesting chart done by Joe Fink the StockCarFans Newsletter/Webpage Trivia Guru comparing Steve Grissom vs. Dave Marcis at: Comparison and the unfairness between Steve Grissom and Dave Marcis.(8-17-98)
NASCAR Winston Cup Series team owner(#90 Helig Meyers Ford) WC “Junie” Donlavey has been selected as the second-quarter nominee for the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award.(NASCAR Online)(8-17-98)
An oil-temperature problem forced Ted Musgrave to park the #15 Rescue Engines Formula Ford, owned by Bud Moore-David Robinson, after 136 laps. The team and Musgrave decided to park the car before they broke anything. Musgrave still is under contract to Roush, who is paying him. Moore said he hopes to meet with Roush this week to work out a more settled arrangement. Moore plans to run selected races the rest of this season in preparation for a full year next year.(SpeedNet), Darlington is the next planned race for the team and Moore hopes to have Musgrave in the car there.(8-17-98)
As we know, Tracy Leslie will be leaving the #63 Hensley Racing BGN Lysol Chevy(not Pontiac) at the end of the year, one driver being rumored to drive the car in 1999 is former BGN Champ Chuck Bown.(8-17-98)
I still hear IGA will become Jason Keller’s sponsor on the #57 BGN Chevy for the rest of 1998 and in 1999.(8-17-98)
UPDATE 2: Devilbiss, presenting sponsor of this weekend’s Pepsi 400, will sponsor Morgan Shepherd’s #91 LJ Racing Chevy for the race at Michigan.(NASCAR Online)(8-14-98) – Didn’t see any Debiviss decals on the #91 car, not sure what happened there. – Devilbiss was on the #91 car this weekend but in a very small spot on the lower rear Quarter.(8-17-98)

(8-16-98)

Michigan Pepsi 400: Results, Starting Grid, Qualfiying Results, Practice speeds at NASCAR Online and GoRacing(has 2nd round qualifying results, very good), and Speedworld. Ernie Irvan won the pole with a speed of 183.416mph.(8-16-98)
NASCAR Busch Series driver Gary Laton, who was injured on Thursday in a wreck during qualifying at Michigan Speedway, has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Laton is being treated for a head injury. He remains in fair condition and continues to show improvement.(GoRacing)(8-16-98)
On TNN’s Inside NASCAR TV Show there was a segment on Morgan-McClure Motorsports and owner Larry McClure said not to be surprised if they form a 2nd team for 1999. Driver Bobby Hamilton said it was almost a necessity to have two teams with the current testing rules.(TNN)(8-16-98)
Several drivers are scheduled for testing in the days leading to the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway with the following drivers scheduled to test:
Aug 17/18: Dale Jarrett, Tony Raines and Ted Christopher; Aug 24: Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte, Mike Skinner; Aug 25: Burton, Labonte, Skinner, Lyndon Amick, Jason Keller, Dave Blaney; Aug 26: Amick, Skinner, Burton, Keller; Aug 27: Burton.(That’s Racin’)(8-16-98)
Nine years ago this week, NASCAR Winston Cup driver Tim Richmond died from AIDS. Unlike Winston Cup drivers who died in crashes or in accidents or from diseases that carry with them less of a political stigma, Richmond is seldom eulogized. See the rest of the iRace story at Richmond quickly forgotten by NASCAR by Steve Smith of iRace.(8-16-98)
It appears that NASCAR will begin use of another template in the near (maybe very near) future. We hear that a new template, aimed at keeping the roofs centered on the cars will be added to the battery of templates already in use. The new template will most likely measure the location of the rear window to be sure it is centered in the body, thus making it much easier to tell if the roof was “accidentally” shifted to the side that (surprise, surprise) helps aerodynamics when the car is in yaw, say like going around a left hand corner.(Stock Car Racing Magazine Site.(8-16-98)

(8-15-98)
The following is a number that anyone can call to get an update on injured BGN driver Gary Laton, 734-712-3456. When the operator answers, just ask for an update on Gary Laton. It is a recorded message.(Thanks Doug)(8-15-98)
2nd round qualifying is over and the field is set for the Pepsi 400 at Michigan. Fastest 2nd round qualifier was #13 Dennis Setzer with a speed of 180.510mph(28th fastest overall). 7 teams stayed on the qst round times and 15 teams made 2nd round attempts. DW used his 11th Champion Provisional of the year and 3rd in the row with the #35 Tabasco team. Steve Grissom used his 14th prov of the year(the team is out of prov until Darlington). See Jayski’s Provisional Page for who used provisionals, how many they have left, where the teams stand and who missed the race(4 teams, including Dave Marcis for the 14th time(he just barely missed being the 36th fastest) and Kenny Wallace).(8-15-98)
New NASCAR National Commissioner Charles Strang reviewed and upheld fines and suspensions levied against BGN driver Jeff Purvis for an incident in July at South Boston Speedway. Purvis will be able to return to racing at Richmond. Nathan Buttke drives the #4 Lance Snacks Chevy in place of Purvis this weekend at Michigan.(StockCarRacing Magazine.(8-15-98)
RJ Reynolds’ Cliff Pennell said that his company(Winston) would be sponsoring the #23 team owned by Travis Carter and driven by Jimmy Spencer again next season, ending any rumors the sponsorship might be moving to another team.(JournalNow)(8-15-98)
UPDATE: Jimmy Spencer will be announcing that he’ll be taking the next two weekends (Michigan and Bristol) off from driving the #23 Team Winston Ford while he recovers from a concussion received at Indy. Spencer, who has been suffering from headaches since his encounter with Indy’s wall, will take the next two weeks off while he recovers. The original plan was to have ARCA star Frank Kimmel on hand this weekend to drive relief for Spencer here at Michigan, but that changed with Spencer’s declaration that he was out of commission for the next two weeks.(8-14-98) – There are possible scenarios that could have Ted Musgrave driving the #23, but most hinge on whether he can get Bud Moore’s #15 in the show. If he should, it’s safe to assume that is the car Musgrave will drive on Sunday.(GoRacing)(8-15-98)
Ted Musgrave had trouble during Happy Hour just as the session was ending. The #15 Rescue Ford started trailing smoke and Musgrave limped the Moore-Robinson Motorsports entry back to the garage.(GoRacing)(8-15-98)
Congrats to the Bud Moore-David Robinson #15 Rescue Ford team that makes its Cup return at Michigan with Ted Musgrave behind the wheel. The team has been on the sidelines and not made a race since Atlanta in 1996.(8-15-98)
Alan Kulwicki, who died in a 1993 plane crash while he was the reigning NASCAR Winston Cup champion, is one of 18 finalists for induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Some other include: Tim Richmond, Red Byron, Harry Hyde, Jack Ingram, Cotton Owens, Wendell Scott and Louise Smith. See the story at Speedworld.(8-15-98)

(8-14-98)
After 1st round qualifying the following seven teams are guaranteed to make the Pepsi 400 at Michigan based on owners points are: #3-Dale Earnhardt(9th in owner points); #23-Frank Kimmel(11); #21-Michael Waltrip(16); #26-Johnny Benson(18); #16-Kevin Lepage(19); #97-Chad Little(20); and #35-Darrell Waltrip(champ prov). Teams in trouble who are deep in owners points and 37th or worse: #96-Hut Stricklin(39); #13-Dennis Setzer; #71- Dave Marcis(44th); #78-Gary Bradberry(46). With 47 cars making an attempt, 4 will go home. Curious about where you driver/team stands in the provisional process? See Jayski’s Provisional Page.(8-14-98)
Dale Earnhardt scheduled to qualify at the end of the first round, suffered a broken oil pump belt in his #3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus Chevy just as he left pit road and was unable to take his lap. He will have to qualify in the second round.(NASCAR Online)(8-14-98)
Driver Gary Laton remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital following a serious crash at Michigan Speedway yesterday. His condition, as of 4:30 pm Friday, has been upgraded from serious to fair. According to his wife, Kristy Laton, he is responding to voice commands and is opening his eyes. He is also able to move his arms and legs.(GoRacing)(8-14-98)
I hear Ricky Craven is only going to take a Winston Cup offer if the situation is right. Otherwise, he will compete in the BGN series this year and all of next year. Ricky also plans on being in the Bud Shootout even if he has to field his own car.(8-14-98)
Six drivers have won four consecutive Winston Cup races in NASCAR’s modern era, which began in 1972. No driver has won five straight races. 1976 — Cale Yarborough; 1981 — Darrell Waltrip; 1987 — Dale Earnhardt; 1991 — Harry Gant; 1992 — Bill Elliott; 1993 — Mark Martin.(Richmond Times-Dispatch. Three have won the championship in the same year: Yarborough, Waltrip and Earnhardt.(8-14-98)
Ricky Craven listened politely to the offers. Team A wanted the man without work to drive its car for the remaining three months of the Winston Cup season. Team B wanted him in its car. Also some notes on former crew chief Tony Furr. The rest of the story was at the Portland(ME) Press Herald but is now in an archive you must pay for to read the story, so legally I cannot post the whole story. But a reader found the story was on a Maine website, here is the new link: A lesson learned for Craven from the Maine Today website.(Thanks Scott/NASCAR1994 for the heads up and Eric for the new link)(8-13/14-98)
UPDATE: Qualifying was delayed for over an hour after Gary Laton smashed the turn two wall here at Michigan Speedway. It took rescue personnel about 15 minutes to extricate Laton due to concerns for Laton’s condition. Once Laton was removed from his car medical personnel worked for approximately a half hour before loading the injured driver on to a life-flight helicopter for transport to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Yipsilanti Mi. NASCAR officials took the helmet that Laton was wearing at the time of the accident and his car was removed from the property under NASCAR supervision. Reports from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital indicate that Laton is in critical but stable condition and is being treated for head injury.(GoRacing), Laton is listed in critical condition, but his vital signs are stable. He has undergone a CT scan and X-rays, and doctors have determined he has a head injury and are monitoring the situation very closely.(NASCAR Online)(8-13-98) – Laton has been upgraded from critical to serious condition at St. Joseph Medical Center in Ypsilanti, Mich. Laton’s wife, Kristi, released a statement to the media Friday at 11:45am/et “Gary has been upgraded from critical to serious condition,” she said. “He responds to voice commands and opens his eyes. He can move his arms and legs well.”(NASCAR Online)(8-14-98)

(8-13-98)
UPDATE: Slim Jim Meat Snacks will announce a multi-year BGN sponsorship agreement with Labonte Racing, Inc. Slim Jim Monte Carlos will be entered in all the 1999 BGN races with drivers Terry Labonte, Bobby Labonte, and Justin Labonte.(Thanks Frank)(8-11-98) – Slim Jim Meat Snacks has announced a multi-year BGN sponsorship agreement with Labonte Racing, Inc., that will result in Slim Jim Chevrolets being entered in all the races on the 1999 schedule with brothers Terry Labonte and Bobby Labonte and Terry’s son Justin Labonte driving. Terry will do the majority of the driving.(NASCAR Online)(8-13-98)
Rick Mast will drive Jimmy Spencer’s BGN #12 Zippo Chevy at Michigan on Saturday.(RPM2Nite)(8-13-98)
TNN Story: The press release about Ricky Craven’s resignation from Hendrick Motorsports had all the soul you’d expect from one delivering such dismal, but not completely unexpected news — the facts and not much more. There were the typical lines about it being “the best for all parties involved” which I’ve read all too many times this season. See the rest of the story about Craven and driver changes: It’s A Performance Business Deliver Or Change By Glen Grissom.(TNN Motorsports)(8-13-98)
UPDATE: Some BGN rumors of note: Andy Michner a former USAC driver(also does some IRL) has a ride with BACE motorsports next year and is bringing sponsorship from Bayer to BACE along with an un-named associate sponsor to go with Bayer. Jason Keller(#57) will receive sponsorship from IGA Supermarkets for the rest of this season and in 1999.(8-11-98) – BACE Motorsports has scheduled a press conference for 9:30am/et on Friday, to announce the addition of a third BGN team. Andy Michner, a USAC driver and part-time IRL driver, will be announced as the driver for the new team.(NASCAR Online)(8-13-98)
Richmond Cup testing: Buckshot Jones, #00 Stavola Brothers Chevy, 8-18/20; Kenny Irwin, #28 Texaco Ford, 8-25/27; Dale Jarrett, #88 QC Ford, 8-26/27; Kevin Lepage, #16 Primestar Ford, 9-1/3.(SpeedNet)(8-13-98)

(8-12-98)
Dennis Setzer has been named to drive the #13 FirstPlus Ford for this weekend’s Pepsi 400 presented by Devilbiss at the Michigan Speedway. This is a one-race agreement between Setzer and Elliott-Marino Motorsports.(8-12-98)
Frank Kimmel will be in Michigan this weekend for the Pepsi 400 presented by DeVilbiss NASCAR race. Kimmel has been asked to be ready to replace Jimmy Spencer during the race. The current plan is for Spencer to start the race and Kimmel would take over the driving duties at some point after the green flag.(Frank Kimmel Racing)(8-12-98)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt will hold a press conference on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Morton’s Restaurant in Charlotte, NC to announce his endorsement of a new nutritional line and unveiling the product to the media.(8-10-98) – Story on this Press Conference at That’s Racin’: Earnhardt enters a race with a crowded field.(8-12-98)

(8-11-98)
Ricky Craven has resigned from the #50 Bud Chevy ride. Wally Dallenbach take over the ride at Michigan for the rest of 1998.(RPM2Nite), more info on the story can be found at NASCAR Online or at ESPN SportsZone – Auto Racing an AP story.(8-11-98)
With each passing day Lake Speed says he is on the road to recovery after a head-on collision with a tire barrier at Sonoma, CA which forced him to put his racing career on hold. Speed has been in contact with fan club officials his about his recovery and future plans. See the story and news at: The Lake Speed Fanclub Page.(8-11-98)
One of America’s most popular and well-respected outdoorsman, Hank Parker has formed his own BGN team. Parker is the host of “Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine” a television show seen weekly on TNN. Hank Parker Jr. will be the driver of the team and plans to compete for BGN rookie of the year honors in 1999. See the rest of the story at TNN’s Motorsports site: Hank Parker Forms BGN Team.(www.country.com)(8-11-98)

(8-10-98)
Realtree Camouflage announced that they will sponsor the Stavola Brothers entry driven by Buckshot Jones in the upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup Pepsi 400 Presented by DeVilbiss at Michigan Speedway.(GoRacing)(8-10-98)
3rd UPDATE: Hearing rumors that the #35 Tabasco team may go back to Pontiacs after Watkins Glen.(8-4-98) – Per Bill Weber on ESPN2 Bud at the Glen qualifying: expect DW to be driving the Tabasco Pontiac next week at Michigan.(8-7-98) – Confirmed during the racing shows on Sunday morning and the Bud at the Glen race coverage.(8-9-98) – the team will re-evaluate its direction as far as car make was concerned after the season.(NASCAR Online)(8-10-98)
Sad News: The Father of NASCAR driver Mark Martin died in a plane crash near the Great Basin National Park, authorities said. TV stations in Little Rock, Ark. reported that Julian Martin, his wife(not Mark’s Mother) and a daughter were confirmed dead yesterday by authorities in Nevada.(AP/many sources), my thoughts and prayers go out to Martin and his family.
UPDATE from GoRacing – Tragedy struck Mark Martin and his family when his father’s life was taken in a small aircraft crash this past weekend. Julian Martin, along with Martin’s step mother Shelly and step sister Sara were all claimed in the crash that occurred near the Great Basin National Park in Nevada. The incident appears to have happened sometime on Saturday night but authorities unsure of the identities of the parties did not get word to the Arkansas native until after yesterday’s Bud at the Glen Winston Cup race. Martin considered his father Julian one of his personal heroes. No details on funeral arrangements are known at this time.(GoRacing)
From That’s Racin’ – Julian Martin ran his own trucking business in Arkansas and began teaching his son Mark how to drive even before the boy’s legs were long enough to reach the gas and brake pedals. Mark would sit on his father’s lap to steer while Julian operated the pedals. When Mark began his racing career as a youngster, Julian and some of his friends from around their hometown of Batesville, Ark., prepared the cars that Mark drove. In lieu of flowers, the Martin family has requested that contributions be made to Motor Racing Outreach, Smith Tower, Suite 405, 5555 Concord Parkway South, Harrisburg, N.C. 28075. The contributions should be marked to the attention of Gwen Howard. Cards can be sent to Mark Martin at: Mark Martin c/o Roush Racing, 122 Knob Hill Road, Mooresville, NC 28115(8-10-98)
From Mike Mulhern’s column on the JournalNow site: Officials at Hendrick Motorsports had little comment yesterday on the reports that Ricky Craven might soon be replaced as driver of Tony Furr’s Chevy. “Ricky is our driver, and those are just rumors,” Hendrick’s Dan Lohwasser said. Wally Dallenbach and Randy Lajoie both ran the car during Craven’s recovery this summer.(JournalNow)(8-10-98)
and….If Craven does lose the ride with Hendrick, he is already under consideration for another top ride . . . with Ford’s Jack Roush, according to sources close to the situation. Geoff Smith, the head of Roush Racing, insists that there are no plans to try to sign him. Craven is under contract through November, apparently precluding any official negotiations. The Woods plan to re-sign Michael Waltrip and have already signed him to a letter of intent.(JournalNow)(8-10-98)
NASCAR’s latest thinking about testing rules for 1999: the seven-test limit stands, but teams would be limited to just two cars a test and only six crewmen a car. An informal survey of car owners shows only one in favor of going to each track a day earlier each week and using that extra day as a test day.(JournalNow)(8-10-98)
A new official driver website: Randy MacDonald now has a site, www.randymacdonald.com. Also, Rescue Engine Products, who will sponsor the #15 Bud Moore-David Robinson Ford that Ted Musgrave will drive at Michigan has a site at www.rescueproducts.com, Rescue will alos sponsor the car at other events in 1998 and is the fulltime sponsor for Blaise Alexander in the #20 BGN Chevy.(8-10-98)
Slim Jim will be leaving the #30 Team 34 BGN team at the end of the 1998 season. Slim Jim is concluding their future BGN plans and will have an announcement in the very near future. Todd Bodine presently drives the #30 Slim Jim Chevy for Team 34.(many sources)(8-10-98)
Bobby Labonte was treated with oxygen following the event after he suffered bouts of nausea and headaches due to a hole in the fresh air hose going to his helmet. Despite a destroyed race car, a broken drive shaft, a badly bruised hand and the broken hose over the course of the weekend, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver managed to finished tenth after taking a provisional to make the field and advanced from sixth to fifth in the point standings.(GoRacing)(8-10-98)
The inaugural Metro Detroit Ford Dealers’ “Ford Fan Appreciation Day” is set for August 12, 1998 from 4 – 8pm/et, at the Michigan State Fair Grounds. NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Brett Bodine, Dale Jarrett, Bill Elliott, Kenny Irwin Jr., Rick Mast, Dick Trickle, Michael Waltrip, and Rusty Wallace are scheduled to appear at the event. Several NASCAR Craftsman Truck drivers will also be attending. For the rest of the story and info see Ford Motorsports Site: Breaking News.(8-10-98)

Getting questions on the Jeff Gordon BGN team, the story is on the July 17 past news page on 7-17-98 with the pregression of stories that have appeared here: Also see a story at That’s Racin’: Jeff Gordon has Busch in his future.

(8-9-98)
Bud at the Glen: Race results, Starting Lineups, Qualifying results, Practice speeds are up at GoRacing, Speedworld and NASCAR Online.(8-9-98)
UPDATE: One rumor has Ted Musgrave doing some races in the #15 Moore-Robinson Rescue Engines Formula Ford.(8-6-98) – Confirmed on RPM2Nite, Musgrave will drive the #15 Ford at Michigan in a one race only deal.(8-7-98) – Was confirmed on TNN’s Inside NASCAR, Sunday morning(8-9-98)
Jimmy Spencer says he has some very bad headaches from a hard hit last weekend at Indianapolis and says he’ll take it easy these next few weeks, and may not be back in a car full-time until Bristol.(JournalNow), probably means Spencer will start the races and have relief at Michigan. Depends on what his Doctors have to say this coming week.(8-9-98)
UPDATE: Hearing part time BGN and BGNN driver Ted Christopher will pratice the #90 WC car Saturday morning at the Glen and that the team would decide after who would drive the car. Dick Trickle is the regular driver of the car but is known to dislike the road courses. I now hear Christopher will possibly relieve Trickle after he starts the race Sunday.(8-8-98) – Trickle will start the race and Christopher jump in at the first caution.(8-9-98)
Ted Christopher took over for Dick Trickle in the #90 Ford and Boris Said took over for Jimmy Spencer in the #23 Winston Ford on lap 9 of the Bud at the Glen.(8-9-98)

(8-8-98)
2nd round qualifying is over and the field is set for the Bud at the Glen. Fastest 2nd round qualifier was #42 Joe Nemechek with a speed of 119.252mph(17th fastest overall). DW used his 10th Champion Provisional of the year and 2nd in the row with the #35 Tabasco team. Steve Grissom used his 13th prov of the year. See Jayski’s Provisional Page for who used provisionals, how many they have left, where the teams stand and who missed the race(3 teams, including Dave Marcis for the 13th time), Larry Gunselman only got up to 110.569mph and was the slowest car.(8-8-98)
Not much was mentioned of this and I noticed in Henry’s StockCarFans Ramblings this morning: Seven years ago this weekend we lost independent driver JD McDuffie at Watkins Glen. He never won a Cup race but always made the field in his own car(#70 Pontiac not Chevy) with his own team with little sponsorship. I have an image of him on my Driver Tribute Page and I thought it’d be nice to mention him today. Thanks Henry and thanks JD.(8-8-98)
“One question this weekend is the whereabouts of Wally Dallenbach. Dallenbach, a star road racer who had two impressive runs in a Rick Hendrick Chevy in June, was expected to run here, for someone, perhaps Hendrick. But Dallenbach turned down an offer to run Travis Carter’s Ford for unexplained reasons. Dallenbach did not return phone calls for comment.”(JournalNow)(8-8-98)
Robbie Loomis(current crew chief of the #43 STP Pontiac) could be promoted to general manager at Petty Enterprises in a year or two, according to Petty team officials. But Loomis is also under consideration for a job with Felix Sabates, according to Detroit sources, and Richard Childress could be ready to make Loomis an offer too, according to men close to the situation. Kyle Petty is moving his team from Concord to Level Cross, doubling the business in the Petty family shops.(JournalNow)(8-8-98)
Wild rumor time: Dan Marino’s NASCAR operation might be leaving the Bill Elliott fold at the end of the season and move elsewhere, perhaps to the Childress camp, according to sources close to the situation.(JournalNow)(8-8-98)
Winston Cup Multi-Car rumors news: Per the Winston Cup Scene – Ricky Ridd will not start a 2nd team; Chuck Rider, owner of the #30 Gumout team will not start a second team; Richard Childress, owner of the #3 GM Goodwrencg and #31 Lowes teams will not start a third team; #23 Winston Team owner, Travis Carter is still looking into adding a 2nd team to his stable.(WC Scene)(8-8-98)

(8-7-98)
After 1st round qualifying the following seven teams are guaranteed to make the Bud at the Glen based on owners points are: #12-Jeremy Mayfield(5th in owner points); #18-Bobby Labonte(6); #94-Bill Elliott(13); #21-Michael Waltrip(16); #97-Chad Little(19); #11-Brett Bodine(22); and #35-Darrell Waltrip(champ prov). Teams in trouble who are deep in owners points and 37th or worse: #59-Brian Cunningham(no prov); #71 Dave Marcis(44th); #46-Tom Kendall(42nd); With 46 cars making an attempt, 3 will go home(including the #58). Curious about where you driver/team stands in the provisional process? See Jayski’s Provisional Page.(8-7-98)
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr., Indy car racing’s biggest-name driver, is hinting that he could wind up behind the wheel of NASCAR stock cars if CART and Indianapolis Motor Speedway don’t settle their differences. See the rest of the story at CNN/SI by Ed Hinton: Unser Jr. Eyes NASCAR. Jayski Note: During an interview on RPM2Nite last week when Unser was there to run IROC, he said that he would be with the Penske CART team in 1999.(8-7-98)
A little work found some info on Brian Cunningham, who is attempting to make the Bud at the Glen Cup race. Story at He just keeps truckin’ on – Cunningham gets kicks in NASCAR, he has driven in the truck series(not in 1998), currently drives in the the #15 in the PPG-Dayton Indy Lights Championship series and is now from Kentucky.(Lexington Hearld-Leader), He is driving a #59 Taurus owned by Ed Sscherer, Mark Gibson attempted to make the Daytona 500 with this team.(ESPN2 Qualifying) – Brian is the grandson of Briggs Swift Cunningham Jr, the noted yachtsman and auto racer. Brian’s mom and dad, Briggs III and Patsy, used to sponsor Art Barry’s NASCAR Tour modified before moving from CT to KY.(8-7-98)
UPDATE: Jim Mattei, majority owner of the #7 Philips team Geoff Bodine drives for, might be in the market to sell his part of the operation, according to sources close to the team.(JournalNow-Mike Mulhern)(7-25-98) – From a story on today’s JournalNow page in part: Mattei said. “But it’s not up for sale now. We’re looking to acquire a second team right now, for additional test dates and to expand our base to be more competitive. We’re working on that right now. I don’t anticipate the second team right now, but I do by the year 2000.”(JournalNow)(8-7-98)
UPDATE: Hearing rumors that former crew chief of the #41 Larry Hedrick car, Charlie Pressley, will be named crew chief of the #4 Kodak Morgan-McClure car.(8-5-98) – Charley Pressley, one of the more experienced crew chiefs in NASCAR Winston Cup racing, has been named crew chief for Morgan-McClure Motorsports and the Kodak MAX Film Chevrolet team of driver Bobby Hamilton. Team manager Larry McClure made the announcement Friday morning at Watkins Glen, NY, where Pressley was already at work preparing for Sunday’s Bud At The Glen. Pressley, 43, comes to the team from Larry Hedrick Motorsports where he worked with such drivers as Harry Gant, Rick Craven, Steve Grissom and Robert Pressley. He fills the position that had been held by interim crew chief Robert Larkins.(Williams Company of America)(8-7-98)
Kyle Petty’s pe2 team is moving to Level Cross, NC and the #43 STP and #44 Hot Wheels Pontiacs will run from the shop.(WC Scene)(8-7-98)
Kyle Petty blew an engine during practice for the Bud at the Glen and had to change engines for qualifying; Bobby Labonte got in that oil and wrecked his primary #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac and had to go out late in qualifying in his back-up car; Bill Elliott got out of shape during 1st round qualifying and didn’t complete the lap, will have to try 2nd round qualifying.(ESPN2 Qualifying)(8-7-98)
UPDATE 2: Jimmy Spencer will not drive at Watkins Glen as he feels he is not 100%. He will probably start the race to get the driver points. The team will name a sub on Wednesday.(RPM2Nite), one rumor has Todd Bodine as a possible sub.(8-4-98) – Boris Said, driver of the #44 Truck owned by Ernie Irvan will drive for Jimmy Spencer at Watkins Glen. Said drove Spencers BGN car there in June. Spencer is scheduled to start the #23 Winston Ford and Said will take over at the first opportunity(caution).(GoRacing)(8-5-98) – Said will practice in and qualify Spencer’s Ford at Watkins Glen Friday before catching a plane to Flemington for Saturday’s truck race. After that race is over, he will catch a return flight back to Watkins Glen for the Winston Cup race the following day.(SpeedNet)(8-7-98)
Of the 22 road course races for Winston Cup cars on current road courses, Chevrolets have won just six times.(That’s Racin’)(8-7-98)
Winston West driver Larry Gunselman plans to make an attempt for the Bud at the Glen in 2nd round qualifying on Saturday. His #58 Lawrence Johnson Ford Tbird arrived late Friday. The transporter broke down three times on its way.(NASCAR Online)(8-7-98)

(8-6-98)
UPDATE: “Paul McIlhenny, CEO of the company that owns Tabasco’s sponsorship of the car now driven by Darrell Waltrip, spiked a few rumors Tuesday. The McIlhenny Co. isn’t necessarily on the verge of severing its sponsorship ties to the No. 35 car, which was a Pontiac owned by Bob Hancher before being absorbed last week by the Chevrolet operation owned by Tim Beverley. All McIlhenny wants is information, and he hopes to get it from Beverley, a man he never has met, before Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Beverley bought out Waltrip’s unsponsored team last spring and started Tyler Jet Motorsports. McIlhenny wants to know what percentage of the team is owned by Hancher, with whom his company has the contract, and whether Pontiac is completely out of the picture. “We currently have a very valid contract,” McIlhenny said. “We’re currently committed to NASCAR and car No. 35.” There is more to the story at Tabasco wants answers on mergers by Skip Wood. Link is now correct.(The USA Today)(8-5/6-98)
UPDATE: Tom Hubert who drove the #19 Ford at Sears Point will drive the #13 FirstPlus Ford owned by Bill Elliott and Dan Marino at Waltkins Glen.(RPM2Nite)(8-5-98) – also on NASCAR Online(8-6-98)
Las Vegas odds for the Bud at the Glen: WRAL – Vegas Odds.(8-6-98)

(8-5-98)
CORRECTION: H.B. Bailey, who spent 32 years as a driver in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series, is resting in Methodist Hospital following a stroke late Friday. Bailey, 61, is in stable condition and was scheduled to undergo tests early this week. Bailey began his Winston Cup career after buying a Pontiac from Bud Moore in 1962, and raced Pontiacs virtually his entire career. His last race gained him a bit of notoriety: he drove the first car to attempt pole qualifying in the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994. Bailey’s son, Joe Dan Bailey, serves as car chief for Penske-Kranefuss Racing in Mooresville, NC, a career he began with his father. Flowers may be sent to Methodist Hospital in Houston, with cards going to 10911 Paulwood Drive, Houston, TX 77071.(Williams Company), Get well HB!(8-3-98) – Bailey also attempted to qualify the #66 Pontiac owned by Michelle Bailey last year at Texas and ran a Winston West race last year as well at Pikes Peak and finished 17th.(8-4-98) – Bailey ran three Winston West races in 1997: Las Vegas, July 7, finished 15th; Pikes Peak, July 27,finished 17th and Las Vegas, November 26, finished 26th. Also Bailey was to attempt the Texas Cup race but all qualifying got rained out and the field was set on Owners Points, which he of course had none.(Winston West Page), no further word on Bailey’s condition.(8-5-98)
Top NASCAR Winston Cup teams are turning to Cooper Automotive and its ANCO wiper blade division for help in coping with potential rain at Watkins Glen International for the 1998 Bud at The Glen. The NASCAR Winston Cup competitors will be running from green to checkered flag regardless of weather.(Wiper blade maker solves visibility problems for NASCAR’s first rain race)(8-5-98)
Kevin Lepage tested the #16 Roush Racing Primestar Ford at Greenville-Pickens Speedway(SC) today(MRM)(8-5-98)
Gary Cogswell, crew chief for Mike McLaughlin and the #34 Goulds Pump BGN Chevy, and Team 34 Racing have split. Team Manager, Clyde McLeod will serve as interim crew chief until a replacement is named.(NASCAR Online/RPM2Nite)(8-5-98)
From MRN’s Notebook by Marty: It appears as though Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will drive in a couple of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events towards the end of this year. Junior currently is considering entering the races at Martinsville and Phoenix. The plan would be for Junior to drive a NAPA Chevrolet and be a teammate to Ron Hornaday. The NASCAR Busch Series is off both of those weekends. See the column with lots of info at MRNnet.(8-5-98)
Elliott Sadler has verbally committed to team owner Gary H. Bechtel that he WILL return to Diamond Ridge Motorsports for the 1999 season. He will compete for the 1999 BGN championship and also run 5 WC races, keeping his rookie status intact.(8-5-98)
UPDATE: Steve Park tested the #1 Pennzoil Chevy at Darlington today with a top speed of 165.020 mph (pole last year around 170mph)(NASCAR Online)(8-3-98) – Park tested again Tuesday at Darlington and ran a fast lap of 168.123mph.(WRAL.(8-5-98)
NorthStar Motorsports, #89 BGN, and Jeff Fuller have decided to go in different directions effective as of August 3, 1998. Meredith Ruark, owner of the #89, wishes Jeff the best of luck in the future. Ashton Lewis has been named as replacement driver as of Michigan race. This will be Ashton’s first race at a 2 mile track within NASCAR. Also John Preston, Northstar crew member, transport driver and driver, will race the Busch North race in Watkins Glen this weekend in the #89.(8-5-98)

(8-4-98)
Road-racing ace, Tom Kendall, replaces Jeff Green in the Felix Sabates-owned #46 Money Store Chevy for Watkins Glen only in a deal that was arranged before Jeff Green signed on for the rest of 1998.(8-4-98)
During the rain/qualifying coverage(for Indy last Thursday), Ricky Rudd joined Benny Parsons and Bob Jenkins on their set and told Benny that he would not be forming another team and that he would be a single car team in 1999.(ESPN2 Qualifying)(8-4-98)
Tim Brewer has been named as the crew chief of the #41 Kodiak Larry Hedrick Team. Brewer was most recently the crew chief at Mattei Motorsports.(RPM2Nite)(8-4-98)

(8-3-98)
The winningest stock car racer at Watkins Glen International in the past year will drive the Caterpillar Chevrolet in the Bud At The Glen Sunday. Ron Fellows has been tapped to take the wheel of the #96 car owned by Buz McCall at the famed road course.(Williams Company)(8-3-98)
UPDATE: Jimmy Spencer spent the night in the hospital with a mild concussuion as a result of his accident on lap 156.(NASCAR Online/News and Record Online)(8-2-98) – Spencer has been released from the hospital, the team will decide after talking to Spencer this week if he will drive at Watkins Glen.(RPM2Nite)(8-3-98)
Something I just stumbled upon on the NASCAR Online site: Kodiak Chevrolet crew chief Charley Pressley today announced his resignation from Larry Hedrick Motorsports(#41 Kodiak Chevy). No replacement has been named and Pressley will take a few weeks to weigh out his options.(8-3-98)

(8-2-98)

Tony Stewart plans to run five Winston Cup races this fall, probably the events at Charlotte, Daytona, Phoenix, Rockingham and Atlanta.JournalNow(8-2-98)
Two Charlotte-based companies are teaming with NASCAR to produce a syndicated television show aimed at stock-car racing’s younger fans. “NASCAR Think Fast!” will debut in September in more than 125 markets. Sunbelt Video and Raycom Sports, both Charlotte-based, will produce it. The show will use NASCAR racing to educate young viewers about science, mathematics and other factors that go into building and operating a race car. Kyle Petty will be the show’s host. Joining Petty on the set will be young actors Miriam Dolin of Greensboro and Christopher Jepsen of Raleigh.(That’s Racin)(8-2-98)
Ford’s Dan Davis says the common body template concept is dead for 1999, but General Motors officials say that’s not the way they read NASCAR.JournalNow(8-2-98)
Elliott Sadler is fielding offers from Winston Cup team owners looking to make a driver change. It is still unclear what car owner Gary Bechtel, who owns Sadler’s contract, plans to do next season.JournalNow(8-2-98)
After an overnight stay at Methodist Hospital for observation, Arie Luyendyk, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, was released yesterday morning. Luyendyk sustained a mild concussion in a multi-car crash on Friday during the IROC(at Indy) race.JournalNow(8-2-98)

(8-1-98)
Brickyard 400: Race Results, Starting Lineups, Qualifying, Happy Hour speeds and Previous Practice speeds are up at GoRacing and Speedworld and NASCAR Online. Ernie Irvan won the pole with a track record of 179.394mph.(8-1-98)
Jeff Gordon is the first winner of the No Bull 5 bonus by winning the Brickyard 400. The five drivers who will run for the No Bull 5 Bonus at Darlington in the Pepsi Southern 500 are: Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte, Mike Skinner and Dale Earnhardt. Bobby Labonte has been eligible all four times.(8-1-98)
Goodyear announced an award Friday and named Daytona International Speedway as its first recipient. The Goodyear Heart of Racing Award will be presented annually to a group or individual in motorsports for exceptional humanitarian efforts. A panel of national motorsports journalists will select winners. The Daytona track was chosen for its assistance in fire-fighting efforts in Central Florida. The track’s July 4 race was postponed until Oct. 17 because of the fires, and it allowed firefighters to use the track’s facilities and also served as a command post. As part of the award, Goodyear donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund on the track’s behalf.(That’s Racin’)(8-1-98)
More on Tabasco from a source at the track: The source tells me that the Tabasco people are really upset about this whole deal of the change of teams. Supposedly team owners Bob Hancher(#35) nor Tim Beverley(#17) ever called Tabasco and told them what their plans were to switch deal over to the then #17 team. Tabasco did not know anything about the deal until they saw it on TV. I hear Tabasco is saying that they are going to stay in racing but on their on terms. They may possibly look for another team to sponsor. Folks it looks like we have not heard the last of this deal. Also there is a story on the subject at Speedworld: Tabasco Draws Hot Fan Response.(8-1-98)
Some good notes by David Poole of That’s Racin’ including a note about Jerry Nadeau’s time in Dawsonville, GA, The Ford Taurus a year later, Jeff Green and the Money Store, Testing at Atlanta, Jeff Gordon, Jeff Purvis and this story: Sauce isn’t the only thing that’s hot around Tabasco’s racing program this week. Company officials canceled plans to come to Indianapolis because they don’t like the way the deal came down that put their sponsorship on Darrell Waltrip’s car. Tabasco officials feel Bob Hancher, owner of ISM Racing, and Tim Beverley, owner of Tyler Jet Motorsports, didn’t keep them informed about the deal that moved the 35 car number and the Tabasco sponsorship from ISM’s Pontiacs to Beverley’s Chevrolets. Tabasco is reportedly so angry it might end its NASCAR involvement. One year ago at Indianapolis, Tabasco announced the program that went full time with Todd Bodine as its driver at the start of the 1998 season. See the notes at Dawsonville not so awesome for Nadeau.(8-1-98)
Great page of Brickyard 400 stats at the TNN Motorsports site: Winston Cup Race #19 – Indy Stats.(8-1-98)