August 1999 News Archives

(8-31-1999)
The 2000 Chevy UPDATE and an IMAGE: The 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo will have its first extensive test run Monday and Tuesday at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL. Bobby Hamilton, Sterling Marlin, Ken Schrader, David Green, Jerry Nadeau, Geoffrey Bodine, Dale Earnhardt and Mike Skinner are scheduled to drive the NASCAR-approved cars at the 1.25-mile track. Chevy will have the cars tested again in late OctoberPitNow(8-29-1999) — UPDATE: Opinions were divided over the 2000 Monte Carlo among the nine Winston Cup drivers who began two days of shakedown test runs for the new car at Gateway International Raceway on Monday. It’s not that anybody voiced disappointment in the new car, although some in the Chevrolet camp are less than optimistic about what to expect from it; rather, the drivers’ opinions varied regarding what was to be gained from the tests on the 1.25-mile oval. See the rest of the story and an image at: Cup drivers test new Monte Carlo at Gateway by David Green(SpeedVision) — IMAGE: got an image from the test of the #60 car at the – Paint Schemes Gallery(8-31-1999)
Philips Out? UPDATE: hearing NationsRent is talking to Rudd, the #41 Larry Hedrick team and the #7 Mattei Motorsports team(didn’t know Philips/Klaussner was leaving)(8-9-1999) — UPDATE: Reportedly, NationsRent plans to sign with the Jim Mattei team and driver Michael Waltrip(Times-Dispatch) also thought this was interesting: Jim Mattei knows how to ride in style. In addition to his work with NASCAR teams and other ventures, Mattei has commissioned a 177-foot yacht that his employees say is the largest aluminum American-built and -owned yacht in 70 years(Business Journal of Charlotte)(8-31-1999)
Results Note UPDATE: The results of the Goody’s 500 are a little jumbled up on NOL, should read: 24) #28, 91 points; 25) #41, 88 points; 26) #18, 85 points; and 27) #58, 82 points. UPDATE: NOL Goody’s Resultsall fixed(except they still have Stricklin listed in the #96, not #58)(8-31-1999)
Tires: Goodyear is accelerating the introduction of a new-generation Eagle racing tire into NASCAR’s radial series, following the tire ’s success at Michigan Speedway in August. Its second appearance is this weekend at Darlington Raceway. Goodyear originally had scheduled the new tire for use at Darlington’s Southern 500 Labor Day weekend and at Richmond, Va., the following weekend, Holmer noted. Now, the company is adding Loudon, N.H., Charlotte, N.C., and Homestead, Fla., into the mix. This new-generation Goodyear tire had been tested for 18 months, and it first competed in a Winston West event this spring at Fontana, Calif. Goodyear is the exclusive tire supplier to NASCAR for its Winston Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series … reason enough for the world’s number one racing tire manufacturer to lead the tire technology charge into the new millennium(GoodYear PR)(8-31-999)
Rudd Sponsor: Ricky Rudd says there are two sponsors left in his hunt. One has been talking with the driver for quite some time, and the other just expressed interest in the team. But the owner did learn late last week that NationsRent had opted to go with another team. The owner/driver is trying to work out a sponsor deal for his team, Rudd Performance Motorsports, before mid-September. If he cannot find a sponsor, the owner plans to allow his team members the opportunity to find work elsewhere. At that point, Rudd would have several options. Even if the popular driver was forced to sell his team, Rudd’s proven ability to win would lead to a number of driving offers in the Winston Cup garage. Still, he is staying focused on finding a sponsor and working out a deal to remain as an owner next season(Times-Dispatch)(8-31-1999)
Labonte Moves Up…a little: NASCAR officials reviewed Saturday night’s Goody’s 500 at Bristol and agreed that Bobby Labonte had been slighted two laps in the final standings. Labonte and owner Joe Gibbs had complained the team’s laps were miscalculated after Labonte suffered transmission problems on Lap 490, but managed to stay out on the race track. Originally, his run was officially ended on Lap 491 but now he is listed as completing 493. Labonte improved one position to 26th and picked up $10 in winnings and three points in the championship race(Times-Dispatch)(8-31-1999)
#16 News: Kevin Lepage has a September 7, deadline to secure sponsorship for the #16 TV Guide Ford Taurus(TNN Motorsports Site)(8-31-1999)

(8-30-1999)
Benson Released UPDATE: Roush Racing announced today that it has entered into a new sponsorship agreement beginning next year under which General Mills has been granted sponsorship rights for all Roush Racing teams in NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Grand National, and Craftsman Truck competition. In addition, Roush also announced that Johnny Benson, driver of the #26 Cheerios Ford Taurus, has been released from his contract. These changes in sponsorship status are the result of a process initiated several weeks ago by Roush Racing and Johnny Benson, and ultimately endorsed by all parties. In addition, Benson will continue his role as a spokesman for General Mills products. Roush Racing does not have a primary sponsor under contract to operate the #26 program in 2000, but will continue its search for sponsorship to keep the team in place. Roush Racing has, however, agreed to release Benson from his contract to allow him to find another ride for next season(Johnny Benson Fan Club PR) — UPDATE: The announcement put to rest months of speculation concerning Benson’s future with the team. The Michigan driver is expected to be a leading candidate to take over the #28 Texaco-Havoline Ford Taurus currently driven by Kenny Irwin(TNN Motorsports Site)(8-30-1999)
Bud Moore Back: Legendary team owner Bud Moore has sold a majority of his NASCAR racing team to West Coast businessmen Randy and Robert Fenley, and the newly christened Fenley-Moore Motorsports team will attempt to qualify for “two or three races” yet this season before taking on the entire 2000 schedule. Moore, at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend for the Goody’s Headache Powder 500, said he had sold the majority of the team to the Fenleys, who bought into Jeff Davis’ NASCAR Winston West team and took it to Indianapolis in an attempt to qualify for the Brickyard 400. Moore said veteran crew chief Joey Knuckles signed a contract with the team. As for drivers, Fenley said the selection is an ongoing process. He also said the driver choice does not hinge on sponsorship and they hope to sign a sponsor soon(TNN Motorsports Site)(8-30-1999)
No #91: at Darlington. The team will skip Darlington to work on future sponsorship and return at Richmond with Invinca Shield as the sponsor as part of their five race deal(8-30-1999)
Hut to drive BGN: Brad Akins announced today that Hut Stricklin will drive the #38 Barbasol Fords for the remaining eight races on the BGN schedule. Stricklin replaces driver Glenn Allen Jr. beginning at the Dura Lube 200 at Darlington Raceway on September 4. Currently, Stricklin competes in the Cup Series for Scott Barbour in the #58 Turbine Solutions Fords(Keystone PR)(8-30-1999)
Benson to Yates? UPDATE: announcement soon? Hearing once/if Johnny Benson gets his Roush release he could end up in the #28 — UPDATE: also hearing General Mills has asked to be released from their commitments to Roush Racing(8-30-1999)
First DNF for #18? #18-Bobby Labonte is listed on the Goody’s 500 results as having an DNF(Did Not Finish) with transmission problems, this would be his first DNF of the season, leaving just #98-Rick Mast as the only driver/team who does not have a DNF and has made all 23 races. But from the Times-Dispatch: NASCAR was reviewing Bobby Labonte’s final position in the Goody’s 500. After the race, official scorers turned over Labonte’s card to be reviewed. Labonte lost his transmission on Lap 490 but did not pit. As he stayed on the track apron, his car blowing smoke and his view obscured, the race’s final caution came out. Labonte was black-flagged, but he did not enter the pits immediately. He was listed as finishing 27th, with 491 laps completed. His team was arguing whether the driver should have been penalized that number of laps(8-30-1999)
SpeedVision Article: Drivers, owners proceed with Silly Season ritual by Lee Spencer. In this story it mentions that Felix Sabates has had a driver in the top 10 call him in the last couple of days asking Sabates to buy them out of their contract. He said he is willing to talk but not buy out their contracts. Also mentioned that Jeremy Mayfield and Robin Pemberton were under consideration for the Yates ride, but that won’t happen now since Mayfield just signed a two year extension and Pemberton isn’t looking to go elsewhere(8-30-1999)
Benson: Johnny Benson said that he doesn’t have anything lined up yet for next season, but he has been talking with Bill Baumgardner(BACE #33 and #74 BGN), the Busch team owner who is considering a move up to the Cup tour next season. Benson is expected to announce officially this week that he’ll be leaving the Jack Roush Ford operation(#26) after two seasons. The future of the team’s General Mills sponsorship is unclear. The food company may continue as an associate sponsor on all five Roush cars(PitNow), Plus I have heard from many fans who attended the Bristol race who said the Cheerios Trailer had most Cheerios items at half price(8-30-1999)
What happens to Cheerios? (from a Benson story I have posted on the 28th) I have heard they may stay with Roush, I have heard they may go to another team, one rumor has them with…get this….the #43 Petty team, cannot fathom a yellow #43(8-28-1999) — UPDATE: I am hearing this is not as far fetched as it seems, but the car wouldn’t be yellow. Supposedly STP/First Brands/Clorax is looking to scale down it’s sponsorship dollars(8-30-1999)
Yates and Carter: Travis Carter is debating between a Peter Guild engine-lease operation or a Yates lease program. Yates is expanding his customer engine program and hiring new engine builders to handle the new business(PitNow)(8-30-1999)
No 2nd Morgan-McClure team? One other possibility for Johnny Benson, according to Chevy sources, is the Morgan-McClure team. Larry McClure has been considering a second Cup team next season, though McClure has now all but ruled out a second team(PitNow)(8-30-1999)
Rudd Scheme: Hearing Ricky Rudd will have a special Give Kids the World paint scheme on the #10 Tide Ford at Martinsville(8-30-1999)
The Finish UPDATE: NASCAR officials reviewed the tape of the pass and decided to let the final order stand for the Goody’s Headache Powders 500 at Bristol(WRAL/AP) — UPDATE: As far as NASCAR is concerned, Saturday’s night’s victory by Dale Earnhardt will stand as is. Earnhardt hit race leader Terry Labonte from behind on the final lap of Saturday’s Goody’s 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway to claim his second win of the 1999 season. Several protests were filed over the incident, but Mike Helton, NASCAR’s chief operating officer, made a statement late Saturday that the race results would stand(That’s Racin’)(8-29-1999)

(8-29-1999)

Marlin and Coors renew with SABCO: #01, #40 and #42 Cup car owner Felix Sabates said that Sterling Marlin and Coors have each signed three-year deals with his team. Sabates also said that he won’t run a third full-time Cup team next year. He plans to run as many as three of four Grand National cars next season. He says two of those teams will be fulltime teams. One could be a joint effort with Jim Mattei, who owns the Cup car of Michael Waltrip(News and Record – The Depot)(8-29-1999)
Cope Out UPDATE 3, #30 to #27?: Derrike Cope and Eel River Racing agreed Wednesday to discontinue their relationship, leaving the team temporarily without a driver for its #30 Pontiacs for Bristol and beyond(That’s Racin’) but I am hearing Mike Bliss may move up to a Cup ride on 2000 and this would be a logical choice since he worked with Barry Dodson in the CTS and BGN series(8-25-1999) — UPDATE: doubtful Bliss would race this weekend as he is running the CTS race in Topeka with the #99 Exide Ford Truck team(8-26-1999) — UPDATE 2: CTS series driver Mike Bliss is the leading candidate to take over the driving duties with the #30 Pontiacs of Eel River Racing, according to team sources. The move may not become full-time until the 2000 season, but Bliss would likely run some events before the conclusion of the 1999 season, sources said. Eel River Racing owner Jack Birmingham parted ways with former driver Derrike Cope last week and had Todd Bodine fill in on a one-race basis for Saturday night’s Goody’s 500(That’s Racin’) — UPDATE 3: Mike Bliss is the odds-on favorite to be the driver of the #30 Eel Racing Pontiac next year. When Jack Birmingham bought the team from Chuck Rider, one of his first moves was to hire Barry Dodson to run the operation. In the Craftsman Truck Series, Dodson worked with Bliss for three years, and Bliss is Dodson’s choice for the Cup operation. The team is expected to change its car number from 30 to 27 in deference to the number used by Rusty Wallace when he won the 1989 Winston Cup championship with Dodson as crew chief(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(8-29-1999)
Restrictor Plates? NASCAR officials are considering putting carburetor-restrictor plates on all Winston Cup engines at every track on the tour, and they’re asking car owners for reaction. Drivers are not expected to be very enthusiastic about the prospectFrom PitNow(8-29-1999)
#16 Crew Chief UPDATE Parrott: To try to push all five teams into the top 15, Jack Roush put Buddy Parrott in a broader role overseeing the five teams. Last week, he made a crew chief change on Lepage’s team, replacing Skip Eyler with Tommy Morgan on a temporary basis. Morgan is also Jeff Burtons BGN crew chief(Times-Dispatch)(8-28-1999) — UPDATE: Roush Racing owner Jack Roush has put Buddy Parrott in a broader role overseeing all five teams. Parrott has worked most recently as general manager of Mark Martin and Jeff Burton’s teams. Parrott will begin focusing on the teams of Matt Kenseth, Chad Little and Kevin Lepage, Roush said(That’s Racin’) no mention of Benson or the #26, thinks that says alot
SABCO/Irwin/Gordon: Felix Sabates said that even though he and Joe Nemechek are parting ways at the end of the season, he will not replace the driver before November. He admits he is talking to Kenny Irwin and Robby Gordon about running for his team in 2000, denies he will run three Winston Cup teams full time and plans to put money into improving what he deemed a junk 2000 Monte Carlo. Sabates talked about honoring other owners’ contracts and the seven drivers — one which he says is in the top 10 in Winston Cup points — that he is considering for next season. He wants to find someone to join Sterling Marlin at Team SABCO. He plans to trim that list this week. Ron Hornaday is testing at Richmond tomorrow and Tuesday because he will drive the September race in Sabates’ third Cup car(#01). Hornaday, however, will only compete in the Busch Grand National Series next season. No one will run a full schedule in the #01 car. Sabates also plans to join Busch programs with owner Jim Mattei. The pair could run three or four teams in the series. At least two of the drivers would be full-time. As for his second Cup team, Sabates said he would not have a “recycled” driver, an experienced veteran that has worked for a variety of other teams. Sabates dined with Robby Gordon earlier this week and said the driver could be Sabates’ second driver next season. He added that he is not the only Cup owner interested in the open-wheel driver(Times-Dispatch)(8-29-1999)
Short Track Wins UPDATE: Nine different drivers win the last nine short-track races: Dale Jarrett, John Andretti, Rusty Wallace, Ricky Rudd, Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte, Bobby Hamilton and Jeff Gordon(8-25-1999) — UPDATE Make it Ten drivers, add Dale Earnhardt to the mix(8-29-1999)
Rudd best: Ricky Rudd’s 3rd place finish ar Bristol was his best of the 1999 season and his first top five of the year. the 24th driver to have a top five in 1999(8-29-1999)
Worst to First: Dale Earnhardt’s win at Bristol was the lowest starting position(26th) to win at Bristol in it’s history(8-29-1999)
Streak Over: Dale Jarrett’s string of 19 consecutive top-10 finishes – three short of the modern-era Winston Cup record – came to an end when he wrecked early in the Goody’s Headache Powders 500(WRAL/AP)(8-29-1999)
Mayfield Renews: Jeremy Mayfield has agreed to a two-year contract extension to keep him with Penske-Kranefuss Racing and the #12 Fords through the 2002 season(That’s Racin’)(8-29-1999)
Bodine in the #30 UPDATE: Todd Bodine will be behind the wheel of the #30 Bryan Pontiac at the Goody’s 500 in Bristol, TN announced Eel River Racing owner Jack Birmingham Thursday. Bodine signed a one-race deal with Eel River Racing. The driver for the balance of the season is still pending(PR)(8-26-1999) — UPDATE: On NASCAR2Day. ESPN’s Bill Weber mentioned that Bodine was on a race-to-race deal with the #30, so we may see him at Darlington(8-29-1999)
Menard to NASCAR: John Menard, the Wisconsin billionaire who has spent millions trying to win the Indianapolis 500, has set his sights on the crown jewel of stock-car racing, as well. With the aim of reaching the Winston Cup Series and the Daytona 500 within five years, Menard is starting a NASCAR team that will compete with driver Bryan Reffner on the Craftsman Truck Series next season. Menard and Reffner, the 1996 Truck Series rookie of the year from Wisconsin Rapids, have agreed upon a multiple-year contract. Reffner said he could not reveal the terms. Initially, at least, the truck operation will be based in the same shop in Indianapolis as Team Menard of the Indy Racing League, or in a nearby building. Thomas Knapp, the general manager of Menard’s IRL team, will take on a similar role with the NASCAR team. But Reffner, 35, also will wield considerable influence in the management. He was in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, working with a chassis builder and talking to existing teams about purchasing used equipment. In 89 starts, Reffner has five top-five finishes with a best of third (Flemington, N.J., 1998) and about $650,000 in earnings in the series. See the full story at Menard has NASCAR on mind by Dave Kallmann of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel(8-29-1999)

(8-28-1999)
Andretti Signed? UPDATE 2 YES: With Rudd apparently closing in on a new sponsor for his own team, Robert Yates is looking at another driver to take over #28, according to sources close to the situation. That is not expected to be John Andretti, who was to sign a new deal with Richard Petty over the weekend(PitNow)(8-23-1999) — UPDATE: Andretti has no re-signed with Petty…yet. PitNow is reporting that “John Andretti is expected to make it official next week that he’ll be back with Richard Petty next season”. I hear Andretti is still in the running for the #28 Texaco ride — UPDATE 2 but… Around the garage: John Andretti has signed a three-year contract with Petty Enterprises that will keep him with the team through 2002(Times-Dispatch) — UPDATE 2: NOL has a story up: Andretti to stay with Petty through 2002, so those Andretti to the #28 rumors are history(8-28-1999)
Ince Interview: at the TNN site, check it out at: Who Is Crewchief James Ince? Why Are They Saying All These Things About Him? by Glen Grissom. Not sure if this was done before or after the TNN Ince to Wells rumor broke(8-28-1999)
More #26 News: I hear General Mills-Cheerios will return in 2000 on the Roush #26 Ford…with a possible replacement driver in Joe Nemechek(Team Roush Fans Site)(8-28-1999)
Buckshot rumors UPDATE: Hearing A) That Buckshot Jones and his Cup team will merge with Andy Petree Racing to form a third team at APR. B) That Buckshot Racing may lease engines from APR. C) That Buckshot Racing will form a 2nd full BGN team and Buckshot will run the #00 full time in BGN. So I guess that leaves things wide open(8-23-1999) — UPDATES: Rumor has it that Buckshot Jones will not be joining the Andy Petree as a third team, but will be part of a two car team that will run all the Busch Series races and run as many as eight Winston Cup events(Ron Felix/StockCarFans Correspondent) and The people that represent Buckshot Jones have scheduled a press conference on 9/5 in conjunction with General Mills/Betty Crocker(anonymous)(8-28-1999)
Rudd Sponsor? UPDATE 4: hearing NationsRent, who sponsored Dick Trickle in the #13 Elliott Racing Daytona 500 attempt, will be Ricky Rudd’s new sponsor for 2000 and beyond — UPDATE: Actually hearing NationsRent is talking to Rudd, the #41 Larry Hedrick team and the #7 Mattei Motorsports team(didn’t know Philips/Klaussner was leaving)(8-9-1999) — UPDATE: I know hear that NationsRent has not approached the #41 team but I hear they are talking to the #50 Midwest Transit team with driver Ricky Craven(8-11-1999) — UPDATE 3: Hearing NAtions Rent may be one of the two sponsor Rudd is talking to and the other….Dell Computers(hey I got one! it’s great)(8-25-1999) — UPDATE 4: Over heard in the garage area: Most are betting that the new sponsor for Ricky Rudd will be “NationRents”, a national rental company(Ron Felix/StockCarFans Correspondent)
Spencer news: RPM2Nite reports that #23 owner, Travis Carter has reached an agreement with current(and future) driver, Jimmy Spencer to drive the #23 in 2000. Carter expects to announce sponsorship for the #23 in about a month (Big Kmart II?)(8-27-1999) — ALSO: see SpeedVision story: Spencer confirmed in the No. 23 for 2000(8-28-1999)
Yates: Robert Yates said Friday he is in no hurry to fill the year-2000 vacancy in his #28 Ford, but at the same time rumors were circulating at Bristol Motor Speedway that Joe Nemechek now has the inside track. The probable scenario: Yates is using Nemechek as a fall-back choice in the event he cannot come to terms with Ricky Rudd, who is trying to decide whether or not to keep his own team in business(Monte Dutton/SpeedNet). I also hear Kenny Irwin, and Joe Nemechek, may swap places before the end of the year to get a head start on next season(8-28-1999)
Gibbs/Diamond Ridge Merge UPDATE: Diamond Ridge Motorsports owner Gary H. Bechtel has merged his BGN team with Joe Gibbs Racing effective immediately. Steve DeSouza, the recently appointed vice president of Busch operations at Joe Gibbs Racing, will work in concert with Bechtel to develop a plan for the 2000 season, as well as maintain the team’s current goals for the remainder of 1999. The team is evaluating all of their options in terms of drivers and sponsors(TNN Motorsports Site)(8-26-1999) — UPDATE: Gary Bechtel will serve as general manager for the remainder of this season as his team transfers from Chevrolets to Pontiacs, then will have an undisclosed role for 2000(Times-Dispatch)(8-28-1999)
#90 Crew Chief: Former Junie Donlavey crew chief Greg Conner has left the team to work with SBIII Motorsports as a shock-and-chassis specialist(Times-Dispatch)(8-28-1999)
Benson and Lepage…leaving? Several Winston Cup drivers are ready to leave their current teams including two members of the series’ biggest organization, according to sources. Johnny Benson(#26 Cheerios Ford) is expected to announce this week he will leave Roush Racing – a five-team operation. Roush Racing’s Kevin Lepage(#16-TV Guide Ford) may also be ready to leave, sources said. Lepage’s contract expires at the end of the season with the #16 Fords and the team currently has no sponsor signed for 2000 and beyond. Lepage hasn’t posted a top-10 finish this season. Mark Martin disagreed Friday with assumptions that Martin and teammate Jeff Burton get better equipment that Roush members Benson, Lepage and Chad Little(That’s Racin’) and also: In the wake of Monday’s upcoming announcement that Johnny Benson will leave Roush Racing after the 1999 season, Mark Martin, who is currently second on the Winston Cup leader board, has little time to worry about the future of his soon to be former teammate, see full story by Lee Spencer at SpeedVision – Martin speaks about Benson’s upcoming departure. And what happens to Cheerios? I have heard they may stay with Roush, I have heard they may go to another team, one rumor has them with…get this….the #43 Petty team, cannot fathom a yellow #43(8-28-1999)
Pruett..Hmmm..UPDATE: sources at the track tell me that CART driver Scott Pruett is at Bristol as observer. So is Anthony Lazzaro, who will drive for Cal Wells in the BGN, and the two have been walking around the infield together. Wonder if Pruett is under consideration for the Cal Wells Cup ride(8-27-1999) — UPDATE: Scott Pruett didn’t have anything better to do this weekend so he’s spending it in Bristol, TN., at the Cup race. Pruett, who competes in CART, said nothing more should be made from his visit. He drives for Cal Wells, who plans an entry in NASCAR racing next year. Wells hasn’t yet hired a driver but Pruett said he’s not a candidate, primarily because he is in the first season of a three-year contract on the CART circuit. However, Pruett said he might drive Winston Cup cars sometime in the future. Wells said he hopes to announce his stock-car driver by mid-September(SpeedNet)(hint..hint: Dallenbach)(8-28-1999)

(8-27-1999)
AJ on RPM2Nite: Marlo Klain interviewed AJ Foyt and he says he has signed nothing and has not talked to Al Unser Jr about a Cup ride or an IRL ride for the Indy 500. It was also mentioned that Foyt still plans to have his two car IRL team in 2000 and hopes to have his two drivers(Kenny Brack and Billy Boat) back(8-27-1999)
Irwin UPDATE: sources tell me that Irwin will make a choice on his next ride within the next week to ten days. Supposedly three(forgot one) choices are SABCO or the 2nd Morgan-McClure team, and the #23 Travis Carter team(8-26-1999) — UPDATE: Hearing it’ll be the #42 Bellsouth Chevy in which Irwin will drive in 2000, supposedly he has asked for an early release so he can get a head start in the car for 2000(8-27-1999)
Silly Season Article: in this weeks Winston Cup Scene. Lists Teams that may need drivers: #’s 01,9,19,16,23,28,30,41,50,58,90, and 91 along with possible 2nd teams by Butch Mock Motorsports, Morgan-McClure, Tyler Jet Motorsports and Cale Yarborough Motorsports as well as the Cal Wells team. Add the AJ Foyt rumored team and possibly the #26(8-27-1999)
Short Track Points: Although Kyle Petty has struggled recently, he should be one to watch at Bristol. Only Mark Martin (510 points), Rusty Wallace (496) and Dale Jarrett (487) have scored more points than Petty (427) on short tracks this season the Petty has(That’s Racin’)(8-27-1999)
Rudd: no rumor, a fact – Ricky Rudd is scheduled to make his 650th Cup start(not consecutive, oops) at Bristol(8-27-1999)
This is pretty wild: After a successful test in Charlotte in May, The Insider will be available to fans attending the Food City 250 and Goody’s Headache Powder 500. It’s like a scanner, except fans can choose in-car camera shots or TV coverage for the screen inside their headsets. See full story at Bristol Motor Speedway Site(8-27-1999)
12th: The farthest back a winner has started in this race is 12th. Who? Lowest start of a Goody’s 500 winner: 12th by Jim Paschal, 1962. Lowest Goody’s night race – 10th by Darrell Waltrip, 1986(TNN)(8-27-1999)
Kranefuss and Titan: Titan Motorcycle Co. of America announced today(8-24) that #12 Mobil One Cup Team owner Michael Kranefuss and Titan have joined forces in a major strategic alliance aimed at further developing, marketing and promoting the Titan Motorcycle brand through the sport of NASCAR(PR Newswire)(8-27-1999)

(8-26-1999)
New Sponsor: I hear AllState insurance will be sponsoring a NASCAR team or race, announcement coming soon(8-26-1999)
Wells Crew Chief UPDATE: The round of musical crewchiefs and drivers continues in ’99 as country.com Motorsports has learned that current #45 Pontiac crewchief James Ince is leaving the Tyler Jet Motorsports team. Ince has signed to head up the crewchief duties at the new Cal Wells Winston Cup effort; this would indicate that former Bill Elliott crewchief Joe Garone will head up Wells’ BGN team in 2000. It’s unknown when Ince will make the switch to Wells’ team, but sources indicated that Tyler Jet is already looking at various replacement crewchiefs(TNN Motorsports) — UPDATE: from Tyler Jet Motorsports via James Ince — Recently erroneous reports surfaced on country.com that James Ince, crew chief of the No. 45 10-10-345 Pontiac, had signed a deal to crew chief for Cal Wells’ new team next season. Ince has a three-year contract with Tyler Jet Motorsports and has no plans to make a change. “I signed on here for the long term,” Ince said. “We have struggled the past couple of weeks, but we have been doing some testing and trying to resolve the performance issues that we have right now, and I have no intentions of leaving (car owner) Tim Beverly high and dry just because we have had a couple of rough weeks.” Wells will enter the sport in the year 2000 with a Winston Cup and Busch Series team and has made numerous contacts throughout the garage this year. Ince joined Tyler Jet Motorsports in May of this year after a seven-year stint with Roush Racing. Since Ince came on board the team has earned two top-10 and four top-20 finishes and vaulted 13 positions in the point standings in just nine races. “I’m looking forward to a long relationship with Tim and the 10-10-345 team. We have put together a really strong team here and I think we have shown what this team is capable of, despite a couple of bad weeks. We are working very hard to turn things around and get back to where we were last month. Bristol is just the place for us to prove that this weekend.”(James Ince via TJM)(8-26-1999)
Cope Out UPDATE: Derrike Cope and Eel River Racing agreed Wednesday to discontinue their relationship, leaving the team temporarily without a driver for its #30 Pontiacs for Bristol and beyond(That’s Racin’) but I am hearing Mike Bliss may move up to a Cup ride on 2000 and this would be a logical choice since he worked with Barry Dodson in the CTS and BGN series(8-25-1999) — UPDATE: doubtful Bliss would race this weekend as he is running the CTS race in Topeka with the #99 Exide Ford Truck team(8-26-1999)
Waltrip Back: Michael Waltrip remain in the #7 Mattei Motorsports Chevy in 2000 but it is 50/50 on if Philips will return(Winston Cup Today Radio)(8-26-1999)
Yates: Ever since #28 owner Robert Yates announced that he and Kenny Irwin are parting company at the end of the 1999 season, drivers have been practically lining up at the door of his races shop, helmet and resume in hand. But Yates, who fields cars for Winston Cup points leader Dale Jarrett and Irwin, isn’t in any hurry to find a new driver for the #28 Ford Taurus. Among the drivers reportedly interested are Jimmy Spencer, Wally Dallenbach, Derrike Cope and Ted Musgrave. Bill Elliott and Ricky Rudd, owner-drivers who lose their primary sponsors at the end of this season, could also be candidates(Jayski Note: Elliott is not losing McDonald’s until AFTER the 2000 season). Yates said it’s going to be a tough decision(SpeedNet)(8-26-1999)
Green Out? UPDATE: I hear Jeff Green will no longer drive the #01 SABCO TracFone Chevy, the RIR testing story above sort of confirms that(8-25-1999) — UPDATE: Jeff Green has told owner Felix Sabates that he plans to concentrate on his run at the Busch Series championship for the remainder of the season. Ron Hornaday will get the first shot at replacing Green, currently third in BGN points, in the TracFone #01 Chevrolet(Inside Motorsports)(8-26-1999)
TV Ratings: The Pepsi 400 at Michigan last weekend set an event record for its national cable rating according to Nielsen Media Research. Nielsen’s report said the Pepsi 400 on ESPN earned a 5.3 national cable rating, which makes this year’s event the most watched NASCAR cable telecast in Michigan history. The more than four million homes tuning to the telecast also set a cable event record for households(NOL)(8-26-1999)

(8-25-1999)
Irwin to a Chevy? UPDATE 3 SABCO: hearing rumors that Kenny Irwin is the top candidate for the #42 BellSouth Chevy ride with SABCO — UPDATE: that was quick, from PitNow: It appears that General Motors’ Herb Fishel may have plucked another promising young driver out of the Ford camp. Kenny Irwin could be headed to Felix Sabates’ Chevrolet team next season, according to sources close to Irwin(PitNow) — UPDATE 2: TNN’s Raceday reports that Irwin may be at the top of AJ Foyt’s list for his possible Cup team, Cup veteran Waddell Wilson may be part of the AJ Foyt Cup team(8-22-1999) — UPDATE: Felix Sabates’ abrupt break with Joe Nemechek may pave the way for Kenny Irwin taking over Team Sabco’s #42 Chevrolet. Irwin’s availability may have speeded Sabates’ decision to bring an end to his relationship with Nemechek, who will no doubt go in the pool for other available rides(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(8-23-1999) —UPDATE 4: Hmm…I hear Irwin met with Felix Sabates Monday and will go to Atlanta to visit with BellSouth reps sometime this week and that he could end up in the #42 as soon as early to mid September allowing current driver, Joe Nemechek to go elsewhere, I hear the #28 is a possibility(8-25-1999)
Rudd Sponsor? UPDATE 3: hearing NationsRent, who sponsored Dick Trickle in the #13 Elliott Racing Daytona 500 attempt, will be Ricky Rudd’s new sponsor for 2000 and beyond — UPDATE: Actually hearing NationsRent is talking to Rudd, the #41 Larry Hedrick team and the #7 Mattei Motorsports team(didn’t know Philips/Klaussner was leaving)(8-9-1999) — UPDATE: I know hear that NationsRent has not approached the #41 team but I hear they are talking to the #50 Midwest Transit team with driver Ricky Craven(8-11-1999) — UPDATE 3: Hearing NAtions Rent may be one of the two sponsor Rudd is talking to and the other….Dell Computers(hey I got one! it’s great)(8-25-1999)
The #36 Millenium Car? UPDATE 4 Postponed: Hearing that Ernie Irvan will have a new #36 M&M’s paint scheme in 2000 called the Millenium car. No idea what it’ll look like but it is supposed to be revealed at Charlotte in October(7-6-1999) — UPDATE: I also hear that Ernie will run a special paint scheme at Atlanta with the car painted like a candy wrapper coming off, with the new scheme partly exposed and the present scheme partly exposed(7-7-1999) — UPDATE 2: Saw this on the Action page(thanks Tina), wonder if it’s the announcement of the Millenium car for 2000? – “THE RACE IS ON TO THE MILLENNIUM COUNTDOWN, NASCAR Driver Ernie Irvan and the M&M’s Spokescharacters will be at a press conference and “M&M’s” ice cream buffet hosted by Action Performance Companies, “M&M’s” Chocolate Candies and MB2 Motorsports. To celebrate the beginning of the Countdown to the new Millennium. The ‘event’ will take place Saturday, August 28th from 4:15-5:15pm in the Bristol Motor Speedway Media Center.” See the release at: Action Performance Site, no word on if this will still happen with Irvan being injured, too early to know(8-23-1999) — UPDATE 3: I hear this Press Conference has been cancelled(8-24-1999) — UPDATE 4: The press conference and ice cream buffet scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 28, 1999, at Bristol Motor Speedway with “M&M’s” Racing Team driver Ernie Irvan and the “M&M’s Spokescharacters have been postponed until October(Action PR)(8-25-1999)
Moore #28 Rumors: Joe Moore of MRN Radio does a local radio show here SE Virginia(ESPN Radio 1310). On Tuesday he reported that he HEARD that Robert Yates would be the engine supplier for the new Cal Wells WC Tide Team(which was reported here a few days ago), and that Yates was talking to Wells about hiring Joe Nemechek, and that Yates was looking to hire Wally Dallenbach for the #28 Texaco Ford. Joe Moore’s show is on every Tuesday from 4:30-6:00pm/et(8-25-1999)
Another Grissom Champion: Nine year old Kyle Grissom, the son of Steve Grissom will drive the #9 Atlanta Braves/TBS Ford at Bristol, is the 1999 Bandolero Series National Champion by virtue of winning the Nationals held at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 14th(PR)(8-25-1999)

(8-24-1999)
Crew is camping: Driver Kenny Wallace’s #55 crew, minus Wallace, plans to sleep with the fans this weekend at Bristol. Crew chief Jimmy Elledge has decided to rent a camper and park it on one of the hills surrounding Bristol Motor Speedway(USA Today)(8-24-1999)
SBIII: I hear Hut Stricklin was in INSIDE NASCAR on Speedvision Monday and said he will be the driver of the #58 SBIII Tuarus for the 2000 season and also indicated the team is very close to signing a sponsor for 2000. Turbine Solutions will probably be on the car the rest of 1999(Team Roush Fans Site)(8-24-1999)
Irvan goes home UPDATE 2 Nadeau to Drive at Bristol: Ernie Irvan was released from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on Monday, three days after sustaining a bruised lung and a mild head injury in a crash at Michigan Speedway(WRAL/AP), no word on his status for Bristol. If Ernie can’t go, Jerry Nadeau is now available and has Hendrick ties — UPDATE: Winston Cup Today Radio reports that Irvan will probably sit out at least the Bristol race and possibly be out longer. They report that speculation has Jerry Nadeau in the #36 M&M’s Pontiac while Irvan recovers(and I was just guessing outloud earlier)(8-23-1999) — UPDATE 2: Irvan plans an announcement today concerning whether or not he will run the Goody’s 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday(Times-Dispatch) — UPDATE 3: MB2 Motorsports has hired Jerry Nadeau to drive the #36 M&M’s Pontiac this weekend at Bristol in place of regular driver Ernie Irvan. Irvan was injured in an accident last Friday in BGN practice at Michigan. Both Nadeau and MB2 crew chief Ryan Pemberton confirmed Tuesday that Nadeau will stay with the team until Irvan is able to return from the injuries he suffered, which included a minor head injury and bruised lung(NOL)(8-24-1999)
Dave Marcis speaks: short and to the point – Q: hi dave, what are your plans for next year? A: I am going to be racing in Winston Cup. See the rest of the NOL Chat(8-24-1999)
TV Times: Good sources reveal that even though it appears that ABC/ESPN have the inside track on all of the NASCAR races on TV, the most likely scenario is that two, possibly three, networks will share the the TV rights. NBC/TBS will probably not be a big threat. NBC is expected to lose money on the November Winston Cup Homestead, Fla. telecast, a lot of money, and really doesn’t want in. Fox wants in, though, but the recent flop with the IRL is seen by NASCAR as a lack of expertise and commitment(see full story at TV Times)(8-24-1999)
Tires/Richmond: The new tire compound that made its debut at Michigan also will be coming to Richmond International Raceway in September. Goodyear is hoping that it will solve the blistering problems that plagued several teams during the May 15 race at RIR. Drivers struggled to adapt to the tire this weekend, but it generally seemed to improve the quality of racing(Times-Dispatch)(8-24-1999)
What happened to Geoffrey? got a few questions on why Geoffrey Bodine was penalized, the answer from the Power Team site: An incident with an air gun has cost Geoffrey Bodine and the #60 Power Team Chevy team a lap in the Pepsi 400 at the Michigan Speedway. On the team’s second pit stop of the day, an air gun malfunctioned during the stop. A substitute air gun was used to finish the stop, which brought a 15-second penalty from race officials. NASCAR rules only allow two air guns to be used during a pit stop(PowerTeam Site)(8-24-1999)
#99 News hearing from a few readers that #99 crew chief, Frank Stoddard was on local New Hampshire radio show(WGIR-FM and WHEB) and was asked about the rumor of his leaving Roush to take over for Ray Evenham in the #24 car. Stoddard stated that while he was flattered to be considered for the #24 crew chief’s position, he would stay with Jeff Burton, “the driver who gave him his WC opportunity” and that he would not leave for any amount of money(8-24-1999)

(8-23-1999)
Nadeau Out? YEP-UPDATE 2: The Racing Angels ADNASCAR Newsletter newsletter reports: Sources tell me Jerry Nadeau has been released from the #9, Cartoon Network, Melling Owned car. Jerry, as we know, will be in the #25 Holigan, Hendricks owned Chevy next season. I understand Steve Grissom will run the car this weekend in Bristol, this is a race to race deal — UPDATE: two Press Releases in part – 1) Jerry Nadeau and Mark Melling, president of Melling Racing, have decided to part ways in order for both to get a head start on their 2000 racing programs. “We just decided we need to go our separate ways now,” said Nadeau, who next year will drive the #25 Michael Holigan Homes Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. “Mark needs to get a head start on finding the right driver for Melling Racing. I don’t mind stepping away to help him out. “I had a fun year with these guys. We had our best finish together a week ago. I wish the best for all of them.” Nadeau joined Melling Racing in July 1998, replacing injured driver Lake Speed. Some of the highlights of Nadeau’s tenure with Melling Racing included a fifth-place finish in the Frontier at the Glen at Watkins Glen International Aug. 15, and an eighth-place finish in the DieHard 500 at Talladega April 25. His best starting spot this year was third at the SaveMart 350 at Sears Point Raceway in June(Cotter Group) and 2) Melling Racing announced today that Steve Grissom will replace Jerry Nadeau as driver of the #9 Cartoon Network NASCAR Winston Cup Series car. Grissom, who was the first to drive the Cartoon Network Wacky Racing car in 1996, has been hired on an interim basis starting with this weekend’s race in Bristol, TN. “With Jerry moving on to another team in 2000, we felt a need to make an immediate change,” said Mark Melling, President of Melling Racing. “Steve’s experience and intense desire to get back into Cup racing will give the team a big lift as we evaluate our plans for next season. We wish Jerry all the best in his future endeavors.” Melling Racing is in its 20th year of involvement in NASCAR. Their team history includes a Winston Cup Championship and the first winning of the Winston Million. Mark Melling serves as president of Melling Racing and Melling Engine Parts, the largest independent supplier of oil pumps and related parts(Melling PR) — UPDATE 2: no word on what Nadeau may do, but he may test for Hendrick some(RPM2Nite)(8-23-1999)
2nd Morgan-McClure team? UPDATE: Hearing the 2nd Morgan McClure team will debut the #14 Chevy at Bristol with Brad Teague driving(8-15-1999) — UPDATE: Am now hearing that the 2nd team will not run at Bristol and am hearing that Kenny Irwin Jr is under consideration for the 2nd Morgan-McClure team and from PitNow: If Morgan-McClure does do a second team next year, he said that he likes Jimmy Spencer(8-23-1999)
Four Choices for Rudd: Owner-driver Ricky Rudd has said he’ll know in 30 days or so whether he will a) find new sponsorship and continue as he has; b) find a partner to help run his No. 10 team; c) sell out; or d) close down and go drive for someone else. Team members, however, indicate (a) is the likeliest, and probably sooner than in 30 days. The team feels they are close and that Rudd is to more than one company. Partnerships with the likes of A.J. Foyt and Chip Ganassi have been mentioned, but a partnering is unlikely before next season, possibly with an eye toward a second RPM team(Racer Magazine)(8-23-1999)
AJ and Rudd: A.J. Foyt says that he doesn’t know where the story came from that he might be interested in buying Ricky Rudd’s team, because he says that he hasn’t talked with Rudd. But Foyt says that he does have tentative plans to set up a new Winston Cup team for next season, an operation to be based near Mooresville. Who might Foyt’s driver be? Well, Robby Gordon wants to get back into Winston Cup racing, and Gordon drove for Foyt in Indy cars several years ago, although their split wasn’t necessarily all that amicable(PitNow)(8-23-1999)
More AJ: Tommy LaMance, team manager for A.J. Foyt’s Indy Racing League operation, said reports of a Foyt entry in NASCAR’s Winston Cup series in 2000 are premature. LaMance said Foyt has talked to several groups about the possibility of getting into Winston Cup next season, but that nothing is close to being finalized. He said the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and owner of the defending IRL champion Foyt Racing team isn’t even sure if he wants to start a new team or buy into an existing team. LaMance also said no sponsor has been lined up yet(Tennessean)(8-23-1999)
From NOL Chat with Bob Jenkins when asked about Ernie Irvan’s condition: “That’s a very good question. We know Ernie is well enough to leave the hospital. Physically, Ernie is OK. The question has to be asked, how many hard knocks on the head can Ernie take? Secondly, he has stated in private that there are things more important to him in life now. He knows how close he was to death in 1994. And now a horrible memory as close to that in 1999. Physically, he would be able to race at Bristol. Although, Bristol is physically demanding.”(NOL Chat)(8-23-1999)
Andretti Signed? With Rudd apparently closing in on a new sponsor for his own team, Robert Yates is looking at another driver to take over #28, according to sources close to the situation. That is not expected to be John Andretti, who was to sign a new deal with Richard Petty over the weekend(PitNow)(8-23-1999)
Damaged Goods? Al Unser Jr. has publicly expressed interest in a Winston Cup ride, but the widespread perception in the Cup garage area is that the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion is somehow damaged goods. Unser’s CART decline, plus personal problems stemming from a divorce and the illness of his daughter, has reportedly taken a toll on the 37-year-old driver, who may also be headed to the Indy Racing League(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(8-23-1999)
More Little Al stuff: from a reader – NBC-6 here in Charlotte reported that Cal Wells has offered Little Al his ride in Winston Cup next year, but there isn’t enough money in it for Little Al’s liking so they are going to go back to the drawing board with tide this week supposedly. And…on RPM2Nite, Robin Miller from the Indianapolis Star News(SpeedNet) reported that Cal Wells offered his Cup Tide ride for next year. Jayski Note: most indications now are that Wally Dallenbach is headed for this ride, not Unser, who is more likely to stay in CART or go to the IRL(8-23-1999)
Buckshot rumors: Hearing A) That Buckshot Jones and his Cup team will merge with Andy Petree Racing to form a third team at APR. B) That Buckshot Racing may lease engines from APR. C) That Buckshot Racing will form a 2nd full BGN team and Buckshot will run the #00 full time in BGN. So I guess that leaves things wide open(8-23-1999)
PJ Jones in NASCAR? While watching the CART race in Chicago, announcers Paul Page and Parker Johnstone were talking about PJ Jones future and mentioned that Jones is looking at a NASCAR ride, but didn’t elaborate. PJ is the some of Indy great Parnelli Jones and the brother of Paige Jones(8-23-1999)
Marcis on top from AP/Infobeat: Dave Marcis is back on top in the race to be the driver with the most miles completed at Michigan Speedway. By completing 197 laps to finish 33rd Sunday, Marcis edged ahead of Darrell Waltrip. He has now completed 17,948 miles (8,974 laps) in 56 Winston Cup races at the 2-mile superspeedway. Marcis had lost the record in June when he failed to qualify for the second consecutive race at Michigan. Meanwhile, Waltrip completed 195 laps to log 17,768 miles (8,884 laps)(Infobeat)(8-23-1999)
Marcis out? General Motors executives are again making a pitch to venerable Dave Marcis to turn his helmet over to a younger driver and become just an owner. But Marcis, 58, plans to make his 33rd straight Daytona 500 start next spring before making any decision(PitNow)(8-23-1999)
More SABCO: Blaise Alexander, an ARCA(and BGN) driver who has been trying to break into Winston Cup racing, may soon be getting a shot with car owner Felix Sabates, according to sources(PitNow)(8-23-1999)
Kidney Stones: A kidney stone sidelined Mark Martin’s front tire changer, Robert Benfield, and changed the team’s strategy throughout the race. Martin, who finished seventh, was caught exceeding the 55 mph speed limit on pit road after his first pit stop and restarted 37th. Martin said he sped as he tried to make up for a slower pit stop with a different tire changer. Martin was one of a handful of teams that took only two tires on the final pit stop. Martin was second on the final restart on lap 167 but could not keep up with cars that took four tires(News and Record)(8-23-1999)
Jarrett’s Car? NO-UPDATE: General Motors executives said that they may talk to NASCAR officials about the car Jarrett is running here. It’s the same car he used in decisive victories here(Michigan) in June and at Indianapolis two weeks ago. GM officials said they might try to get the car banned such as NASCAR did to a similarly successful car Jeff Gordon ran two years ago, the infamous Chevy named “T. Rex”. GM officials offered no specific technical complaints about the Jarrett car(PitNow)(8-21-1999) — NO-UPDATE: Saw nothing on PitNow or heard anything else on this situation, to many mays, mights and specifics in this story(8-23-1999)

(8-22-1999)

Petty/Andretti/Loomis/Hamilton: PitNow has a story up that talks about how Petty Enterprises is faring in 1999. Amoung some of highlights: the rumor that John Andretti may end up in the #28 Yates Ford, while Andretti says he wants to say and the Petty’s hope he does, Andretti was told by the Petty’s he has to do what he thinks is best for him and his family. It discusses Team Manager Robbie Loomis and rumors he may go to another team (Yates?). And if Andretti leaves, the possibilty that Bobby Hamilton would return to the #43 next year. See the full story at: TRYING TO REGROUP: Petty Enterprises hoping for better results by Mike Mulhern(8-22-1999)
2000 Chevy Test: NASCAR officials will be at St. Louis’ Gateway track next week to observe Chevrolet’s open test of its new 2000 Monte Carlo, a test GM officials say will be closed to media(PitNow)(8-22-1999)
DW Moves: Darrell Waltrip’s team(#66 BigKmart Travis Carter owns) moves into its new shop Tuesday. The shop will be next to teammate Jimmy Spencer’s shop in Statesville, NC(News and Record)(8-22-1999)
Cale Staying, but: Car owner Cale Yarborough will remain in the sport but has a deal to add Florida businessman Ed Lane as a partner. Yarborough said Friday that Lane has signed a letter of intent to purchase part of the team but he wouldn’t say how much of the team Lane would own(News and Record)(8-22-1999)
Best Finish: Rookie Tony Stewart got his best finish of his short career at Michigan, a 3rd (8-22-1999)
SBIII Best: Hut Stricklin finished 9th at Michigan which is the best ever finish for the SBIII team. There now have been 37 different Cup drivers score a Top-10 this season, last year’s total number was 41(8-22-1999)
Little E vs Matt: In the first Cup showdown of #8-Dale Earnhardt and #17-Matt Kenseth, Kenseth finished 14th on the lead lap while Earnhardt Jr finished a lap down in 24th(8-22-1999)
Irvan UPDATE 3: During ESPN2’s Cup qualifying, Dr Jerry Punch gave a report on Ernie Irvan, said he has a bruised lung, mild head injury(cut lip and a cut above an eye) and will require no surgery. He is in fair condition at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in nearby Ypsilanti, MI. Hard to believe the accident happened at the same track, five years to the day(8-20-1999) — UPDATE: An updated report on Ernie Irvan’s condition was issued Saturday morning. Irvan was flown to hospital in Ann Arbor after crashing during a practice session Friday morning. As of Saturday his condition had been upgraded from “fair” to “good.” He will remain in hospital over Saturday night for more scheduled tests(goRacing)(8-21-1999) — UPDATE 2: mentioned during Happy Hour practice that Irvan is alert and doing well, will probably be released Sunday, but will NOT race in the Pepsi 400 at Michigan. MRO’s Max Helton spent the day with Irvan and said Irvan “was doing just fine”(ESPN2) — UPDATE 3: before the race Dr Jerry Punch said he talked to Irvan, who thanked the fans for their support. Also Irvan will be held one more day at the hospital until Monday. No word on Irvan’s status for Bristol(8-22-1999)
Rudd Update: during Happy Hour, Rudd said he was still hoping to get a sponsor to keep his own team going with him driving. He mentioned he is having contractual talks with a sponsor at present. A That’s Racin’ article addresses the Rudd to the #28 rumor and the AJ Foyt rumor, Rudd’s name also comes up in discussions about A.J. Foyt’s anticipated entry into the Winston Cup circuit. “The deals with A.J. are strictly rumors,” Rudd said, but he’d like to talk to Foyt if his deal falls thru. See the full story at: Speculation about Rudd thrives in garage by David Poole(8-22-1999)

(8-21-1999)
Dallenbach/Wells/Yates: Wally Dallenbach says that car owner Cal Wells is getting a bum rap from some quarters of the garage. Dallenbach said that he’s been quite impressed with what he’s seen during his negotiations with Wells for a ride next season. Dallenbach has a meeting this week with Tide executives and if he passes that test, he could be offered the ride. He also has a meeting next week with another Winston Cup team owner, whom he declined to name, but who is reported to be Robert Yates(PitNow) There is apparently a meeting set for early next week between (Wally) Dallenbach and representatives from Procter & Gamble, the company that makes Tide detergent. Dallenbach is one of the drivers whose name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Kenny Irwin in the #28 Fords owned by Robert Yates. Dallenbach said he has talked with Yates, but also said that Yates and Wells have agreed not to go after the same driver for next season. Wells’ Winston Cup team will apparently be using Yates-built engines next season(8-21-1999)
Carter/Spencer/Irwin: Travis Carter said that he still hasn’t decided who will drive his #23 next season — current driver Jimmy Spencer or another current tour driver that he says he’s talking with but won’t name. That driver, according to one source, is Kenny Irwin, who may be getting some help in the negotiations from Carl Haas, Carter’s business partner(PitNow)(8-21-1999)
Nemechek/SABCO will split: It was announced on ESPN2’s Qualifying that Joe Nemechek and Felix Sabates/SABCO will part ways after the 1999 season. That leaves the #42 ride open and adds Nemechek to the ‘Silly Season’ mix. From the official PR: Joe Nemechek, driver of the #42 BellSouth Chevrolet, and Team SABCO will be parting at the end of the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Racing season, it was announced today. Both parties mutually agreed upon the decision. (8-20-1999) — UPDATE: It is unclear if sponsor BellSouth would stay with Sabates or with Nemechek(PitNow)(8-21-1999)
Compton: #86 CTS driver Stacy Compton said on Friday evening at Gateway “there’s been no offers and no rejections” when he was asked his plans for the 2000 season, and in response to rumors he was weighing offers to move to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series(NOL) in the #9 car, for one rumor(8-21-1999)
#36 – Blaney/Grissom/Trickle: The #36 car approached Bill Davis about putting BGN Pole Sitter Dave Blaney in the #36 M&M Pontiac but doing so would have jeopardized his rookies status for 2000 and the team is contracted to run five Cup races in the #93 Amoco Pontiac, so Davis declined(RPM2Nite). Also the #26 team asked Steve Grissom about driving this weekend but Grissom’s height kept him from doing it. They were going to have to change the seat and only had a couple of hours to get someone in to practice. To do that and change the seat too was going to take too much time, so they went to Dick Trickle, who practiced well and qualified the car 15th. The crowd delivered a huge roar when Trickle qualified 15th after just eight laps of practice(8-21-1999)
#90 Sponsor News: Junie Donlavey’s team is carrying sponsorship from Nestle this weekend for the third race of a five-race contract. Working without full financial support, Donlavey has been forced to skip several races. The longtime team owner would like to have Nestle aboard for the tradition-rich Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 5. Donlavey’s #90 Ford will be sporting Nestle sponsorship for the Exide 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 11 and the Winston 500 on Oct. 17 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Mark Rossi, who structured the sponsorship for Donlavey, has pitched Nestle on becoming a full-time sponsor in NASCAR next year, either in Winston Cup or Busch Grand National. The company could make a decision on sponsorship next month(Times-Dispatch)(8-21-1999)
#19, what happened UPDATE: Tom Hubert, driving the #19 Joyner-Kersee Racing Pontiac, crashed hard in practice after completing 2 laps and they were unable to prepare the backup in time to make first round qualifying(MRN Radio during qualifying)(8-20-1999) — UPDATE: see a That’s Racin’ story(8-21-1999)

(8-20-1999)
Roush Renews drivers: Mark Martin(#6) and Jeff Burton(#99) have agreed on contracts that will keep them with car owner Jack Roush through 2005, Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said Thursday(USA Today)(8-20-1999)
Irvan wrecks, Good and Bad news: Ernie Irvan crashed during BGN practice this morning, hit the drivers side pretty hard from what sources at the track tell me. Took the EMS almost 30 minutes to extract him. No word on any injuries, let’s hope he is OK…..just in, Irvan was airlifted to the hospital, is conscious now and has all of his feeling, etc. – but they aren’t taking any chances — UPDATE: from the AP – Ernie Irvan crashed this morning during practice for the BGN NAPA 200 at Michigan Speedway in his #84 Federated Auto Parts Pontiac. He was airlifted to a hospital, but Jay Frye, the general manager of Irvan’s Winston Cup team, said that trip was more a precaution than a necessity. “We believe he’s going to be just fine,” Frye said. Rescuers had to cut off the top of his car to get Irvan out after the vehicle slammed into the wall near turn 4. No idea whether another car hit Irvan’s or if he simply lost control of it. As he was removed from the car, Irvan picked his arm up in what looked like a wave. He was reportedly conscious and talking. Irvan was nearly killed in a crash at the same speedway exactly five years ago to the day. Frye said Irvan would not race this weekend. He said that because of the seriousness of his earlier acident, the team does not want to take chances this time.(WRAL/AP also a story on NOL) Dick Trickle is running the #36 in practice which is scheduled to go out 10th in qualifying. Irvan was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in nearby Ypsilanti, Mich., where he’s been listed in fair condition. Irvan is alert, orientated and able to move his arms and legs. The hospital is prepared to admit him for further testing.(8-20-1999)
Testing: Team SABCO is scheduled to test at Martinsville Speedway on Sept. 14-15 in preparation for the Oct. 3. NAPA AutoCare 500(News and Record)(8-20-1999)
Sad News: Dave Marcis’ mother, Lucille, passed away at age 78 on Thursday in Wausau, Wis. She is also survived by Marcis’ brothers, Donald and Tony(SpeedNet)(8-20-1999)
Noticed: Noticed: #10-Ricky Rudd has the Tide Peroxide Scheme, #40-Sterling Marlin has the Brooks and Dunn scheme going, #58-Hut Stricklin’s car is all black with very little decals. The #19-Tom Hubert Pontiac didn’t make a qualifying run, this is the first attempt by the team with the new owner Kersee-Joyner Racing, no idea what the problem was(8-20-1999)
Sacks returns? UPDATE3: I see on the Michigan NOL BGN Entry list that Greg Sacks is listed in the #90 Coyne Textile Services Chevy that Brad Loney usually drives(8-17-1999) — UPDATE: not only that, he is now listed in the #90 Junie Donlavey Ford, not sure what happened with Stanton Barrett’s deal with the #90 — CORRECTION: NOL fixed the CUP list and Stanton Barrett is now listed in the #90 Junie Donlavey Ford for the Cup race. Looks like Sacks will make his comeback in the BGN event, good to see him back. Also info on the team: Greg Sacks has joined GTS Motorsport, #90 Coyne Textile Services as a team adviser. Sacks will run five races (not sure what races) and current driver Brad Loney will also drive five races. I do hear Sacks has a full time ride in 2000, but have no idea if it is Cup or BGN(8-18-1999) — UPDATE2: see a Press Release on the Sacks and the team at: CTS Racing #90 Website(8-19-1999) — UPDATE3: From NOL – “Part of (Brad)Loney’s comfort level comes from the fact that (Greg) Sacks plans to form his own team for next season. Providing his sponsor falls into place, Sacks expects to compete on the full NASCAR Busch Series as well as five NASCAR Winston Cup Series races in 2000(NOL)(8-20-1999)
The Marlin Bump UPDATE: Sterling Marlin and his crew chief, Scott Eggleston, were called into the NASCAR hauler after Sunday’s race to discuss an incident between Marlin and Chad Little. Marlin was involved in an incident on pit road after the cool down lap during which he ran into the right side of Little’s car. Little had stalled on pit road after coming off the course and created a backup at the entrance to the garage area. Marlin wanted to get around Little and into the garage, and instead of waiting, hit Little’s car and then turned into the garage(That’s Racin’)(8-16-1999) — UPDATE – FINE: NASCAR announced that they have fined Sterling Marlin for an incident following the Frontier @ The Glen at Watkins Glen. Marlin, who drives the #40 Coors Light Chevy, and Chad Little, who drives the #97 John Deere Ford, got into a confrontation on pit road after the race in which Marlin drove into the side of Little’s car to get into the garage area. The two had made contact late in the race. Marlin was fined $5,000 for intentionally hitting another car. Marlin’s fine resulted from a violation of Rules 12-4 A: Actions detrimental to auto racing(NOL)(8-20-1999)

(8-19-1999)
Incident UPDATE-Transcript: One of the motorcoach drivers accused in the Racial Incident, Ray Labbe, was on RPm2Nite Wednesday and was interviewed. He mentioned that he was not involved but witnessed the incident but was assumed to be involved. According to several sources and motorcoach drivers, Labbe was not involved in the NHIS Racial Incident. Labbe had a lot to say and I didn’t jot down notes and do not wish to misquote him. But he is trying to get his job and life back. If I find an official story on the ‘net I will post it. For the initial stories on the incident see this AP report: NASCAR Team Members Fired for Racial Prankand on my #12 Team Past News Page — UPDATE2 here is the transcript of what was said in the Ray Labbe interview on RPN2Nite Wednesday: “That’s correct, that’s correct John..basically I’m just doing this deal here to try to clear my name on this situation. And what happened at New Hampshire is, number one I was a victim of circumstances, I’m not denying the fact that I was there, but I was an innocent bystander, the people involved told me about what they were doing, and everything and I watched them do that, and I watched it go down, and it wasn’t seconds after it was all done that I just, continued on and went on to the motorhome and did my deal. And thought nothing of it. Well, unfortunately, what happened after this deal went down, is, brings up the incident that I’ve been suspended for. Ok, which none of you guys know about. A year ago, at Watkins Glen Speedway, was my 55th birthday. And I had over 75 get together, and chip in and buy birthday cake and give me a birthday party after the race Sunday night. And it included a lot of people, trust me. We all had fun and everything, and I ain’t afraid to tell you that there was a lot of people into the liquor. And I called someone a name. You know, under the influence, I called somebody a name. And good friends of mine told me I did that, I still didn’t know that I had because of the situation I was in, because I was celebrating. Ok, but they also told me that it wasn’t three seconds after I called that particular person a name, that I turned around, even in the situation that I was in, and apologized to him. And the whole year went by, and both me and that person, were friends, I helped him, he helped me, every week he gave me stuff, I gave him stuff, everything was fine. And when the situation in New Hampshire happened, I was brought down for that deal, of a year ago. Which at this point I think was unfair, but, all I’m basically after, all Ray Labbe wants, at this time, is to get his life back together, and to go on.” Also, the whole interview will be on RPM radio, NASCAR NOW this weekend on the ESPN radio network. The show is broadcast on 157 stations nationwide and is also available on the internet by visiting espn.com’s autoracing page(8-19-1999)
#16 Hood: Kevin Lepage, who drives the No. 16 TV-Guide sponsored entry, will have NFL stars Jake Plummer and Terrell Davis painted on his hood for the Pepsi 400. The hood will replicate the national cover of the Aug. 28 TV Guide — the NFL preview issue(www.countrycool.com), TV Guide uses it’s sponsorship to promote different issues(8-19-1999)
#50 Changes? UPDATE: nothing confirmed on this but I hear that Lake Speed has left his position as Team Manager at the #50 Midwest Transit Racing Chevy team — UPDATE: The team informs me that Speed is still with the team, just took a vavction to spend time with the family(8-19-1999)
Compton to Cup? UPDATE2: Heard it was reported on the LTN Hour, a Wisconsin NASCAR radio show, that Stacy Compton is under consideration to take the #9 Melling Ford. Present driver, Jerry Nadeau, is leaving to go to the #25 Hendrick team(8-11-1999) — UPDATE: TNN’s Raceday reports that Compton turned down the offer(8-18-1999) — UPDATE2: I hear that no offers have been made and the Steve Grissom and Compton are the two drivers the team likes at the moment. The team is getting the sponsorship side taken care of first then will hire a 2000 driver(8-19-1999)
Yaborough partner/2nd Team? UPDATE 2: Cale Yarborough is working to sell part of his team this season. Earlier this year, Yarborough paired with Darlington, S.C., auto dealer Wayne Burdette. But the deal failed, and Yarborough regained control. He signed Universal Studios(Team Woody Woodpecker) as a sponsor in June for his #98 Ford, which is driven by Rick Mast. Yarborough is working with Orlando, Fla., businessman Bob Lane and a host of investors and partnering in ownership. The team plans to make an announcement in September, but Lane and his associates already are working with Yarborough on future plans. Team spokesman Ed Maull said Yarborough’s role with the group would remain crucial. Lane and Yarborough plan to add a second Winston Cup team with ARCA driver Mike Ciochetti, hopefully prior to the end of this season(Times-Dispatch). Also from this weeks Winston Cup Scene – Lane owns Winners Circle, which is not involved with the deal. If this happens, Ciochetti will run up to five races in 1999 and run for ROTY on 2000(8-6-1999) — UPDATE: Winston Cup Today Radio reports that Florida businessman, Bob Lane has signed a letter of intent to buy Cale Yarborough Motorsports(8-18-1999) — UPDATE 2: I hear this is no partnership deal but an outright purchase of the team as Yarborough just wants out as an owner. Supposedly Universal sponsorship will continue and I hear no payments have been made yet but the first will be sometime in November(8-19-1999)
NASCAR Road Series UPDATE 2: in Ron Fellows NOL Chat, he mentions that there “should be an announcement in the next 6-7 weeks of a France family-owned and promoted road race series”(8-17-1999) — UPDATE: The Frances will announce a nine-race series for World Sports Car-type racers during the annual Pepsi Southern 500 weekend at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, and it will be completely separate from NASCAR, the family owned Stock car racing organization. The series is looked upon as a response to the zooming popularity of Road Atlanta impresario Don Panoz’s American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and to the relative inadequacy of the Sports Car Club of America’ United States Road Racing Championship. See the rest of the TNN article: Frances To Start Road-Racing Series.(8-18-1999) — UPDATE 2: SpeedVision had a story up on this a little over a month ago: New NASCAR-backed road racing series? by Steve Smith(8-19-1999)

(8-18-1999)
AJ Foyt in Cup UPDATE 4: I had heard this rumor, but didn’t think it would happen, so…..From TNN’s Motorsports site: Will A.J. Foyt return to Stock car racing in 2000? Apparently not, at least according to A.J. Foyt Enterprises team manager Tommy Lamance. Informed speculation reached country.com Motorsports at the Amoco Knoxville Nationals saying the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and all-around racing legend was considering a NASCAR Winston Cup team next year. According to the track buzz, the 64-year-old Texan reportedly had put a money deal together with Conseco as the sponsor, a well-known former Winston Cup team manager had been contacted to spearhead the effort, and several drivers were under consideration for the ride. That’s just the sort of information to flare the nostrils of any motorsports journalist, so we went right to the source. “Nah, it’s just rumors,” Lamance said when contacted by us Monday from the team’s Houston, Texas shop. “We have no plans to do that.” Remember this statement. Earlier in the season, Foyt was reportedly interested in a deal to buy into Ricky Rudd’s team before Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. car owner Chip Ganassi stepped in. Rudd and Ganassi are talking about a pact in which Ganassi would focus on the business side of the operation and Rudd the technical aspects, but all indications are the two are nowhere near a deal as yet(TNN), I hear Foyt seriously considered getting into Cup, but decided he didn’t need ‘the headache'(8-17-1999) — UPDATE: hmmm….sources tell me that Foyt has signed Conseco as a sponsor and is supposedly talking to Ricky Rudd with Foyt hiring all RPM employees(Conseco used to sponsor his IRL cars but left after last season) — UPDATE: Just saw this: Indianapolis 500-winning car owner A.J. Foyt will apparently move into the Winston Cup Series next year with a four-year agreement to race Ford Tauruses. Formation of the team will likely be announced at Darlington on Labor Day weekend. Sources said that Foyt’s team will have its engines provided by Robert Yates Racing. Foyt, perhaps the greatest driver in the history of American motorsports, is one of three men to win the Indy 500 four times. He is also the only driver ever to win the Indy 500, Daytona 500 and 24 Hours of LeMans. Kenny Brack drove a Foyt-owned car to victory in this year’s 500. No driver has been hired, but Foyt will likely announce a sponsor at Darlington(Gaston Gazette/Monte Dutton/AJ Foyt plans Winston Cup team starting in 2000) — UPDATE 4: On the TV news in the Charlotte area, on Channel 9 WSOC(ABC affiliate) was a story that AJ Foyt was in the process of working out a deal to partner Rudd Performance(8-18-1999)
NASCAR sponsors UPDATE: hearing MCI will not be renewing their official status for the 2000 season with NASCAR and that AT&T is seriously considering taking MCI’s place as the Official Telecommunications Company of NASCAR. Also I hear that Circuit City will not renew their status as the Official Electroics Store of NASCAR and DaytonaUSA(8-11-1999) — UPDATE: Hearing that Burger King is negotiating to become the official fast food of NASCAR, that AT & T and Nokia are both negotiating with NASCAR for official status and Allstate is negotiating with teams and tracks as a sponsor(an insurance war with the Foyt Canseco team?)(8-18-1999)
Ever wonder UPDATE: what happened to the Filmar #81 Cup team? Answer: Davis & Weight motorsports acquires assets of Filmar Racing, Winston Cup Team 81 and Team Jones, Busch team 55. Forming Davis & Weight Motorsports, Inc. that will run a limited Busch schedule for the remainder of the 1999 will be co-founders of Computer Management Sciences, Inc., Jerry W. Davis and Anthony V. Weight. Having sold their company to Computer Associates, Davis & Weight are structuring Davis & Weight Motorsports, Inc. The new team, with the combines asset acquisitions of Team Jones Racing, Inc.(#55 BGN) of Amelia Island, FL and Filmar Racing(#81 Cup), Inc. of Concord, NC will debut the new #81 Winston Cup car in 2000 and is currently running a limited Busch schedule with the #55 Busch car. During this formation, the Davis & Weight Motorsports is currently seeking sponsorship for their young multi-car team. In team member hiring, Davis & Weight Motorsports has been able to accumulate a collection of talented personnel(Davis & Weight Motorsports PR)(8-17-1999) — UPDATE: The BGN #55 team will debut at Bristol on August 27th with driver Brandon Sperling who runs the ASA #40 McDonalds car for Crookston Motorsports out Kalamazoo Michigan in a one race deal(8-18-1999)
Dallenbach: TNN’s Raceday(on Sunday, just got a chance to watch it) reports that Wally Dallenbach as the probable driver for the new Cal Wells Ride Ford ride in 2000(8-18-1999)
No #91 at Michigan: Dick Trickle, who drives for car owner Joe Falk in the #91 LJ Racing Chevy, says the team will skip this weekend’s race at Michigan and return to the circuit next week at Bristol(News and Record)(8-18-1999)
Monday Night Football: On Monday, Rich Bickle who drives the #45 10-10-345 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac, will live out a lifelong dream when he will watch the Monday Night Football game between the Packers and the Denver Broncos from the Packers sidelines. A chance meeting with the Packers General Manager, Ron Wolf, produced the restricted area pass to the contest, which will be held at Camp Randall Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Bickle has been a regular at Packers games whenever his racing schedule permits, attending the 1997 Super Bowl in New Orleans when Green Bay defeated the New England Patriots, 35-21. Last year, Bickle took time out from his Winston Cup duties to travel to a number of games. Bickle will, of course, be at Michigan Speedway this weekend for the Cup race on Sunday(Tyler Jet PR)(8-18-1999)

(8-17-1999)
Mayfield Set: Despite rumors(Jayski note: what rumors??) that a driver change is on the horizon for Roger Penske’s NASCAR Winston Cup team, Jeremy Mayfield is confident during the silly season. Mayfield says: “I’m just glad I’m not part of the ‘silly season’ deal. It’s easy for teams and drivers to get distracted this time of the year.”(SpeedNet)(8-17-1999)
TV Guide Renews? Sources are saying that the #16 Roush Racing Ford sponsorship is almost a done deal with TV Guide thru the 2002 season, watch for an announcement soon(Team Roush Fans)(8-17-1999)
#41 News: Former #31 CTS Truck crew chief Joe Shear, Jr has taken a job with the #41 Larry Hedrick Motorsports Chevy as their shock specialist(8-17-1999)
Irwin: Kenny Irwin’s future may be on the line in these next few races, now that Robert Yates has made it official that a new driver will be at the wheel of #28 next year. The rap on Irwin is that if he couldn’t do it in one of the best cars on the tour, then what could he do in a lesser car. But at least one Chevrolet team is already looking at him(PitNow)(8-17-1999)
Fellows: Road Course specialist Ron Fellows, who finished 2nd at Watkins Glen in the Cup race, mentioned on RPM2Nite Monday that he and his sponsor at Watkins Glen, Bully Hill Vineyards, may do some more races together in the future, probably in the NorthEast and could be Cup, BGN or CTS(8-17-1999)
Announcement: I hear Corrie Stott, the former Crew Chief for SABCO and former Team Manager for Bahari Racing(#30), is supposed to make an announcement on his future plans later this week(8-17-1999)

(8-16-1999)
Texaco/Yates: Texaco is close to signing a three- to five-year extension with Robert Yates Racing. The company’s current contract ends next season(Times-Dispatch)(8-16-1999)
Elliott Story: Bill Elliott has been mentioned as a candidate for Robert Yates’#28 ride. Would he be interested? Could he perhaps lease his team, or hire a driver for his own team and take the #28? ”Right now I’ve got another year with McDonald’s, and I don’t know how that (a 28 option) would work out,” Elliott said. ”Yes, I’d be interested, but no I couldn’t, from the standpoint of where I am in my deal.” See the rest of the Mike Mulhern article at: Elliott fears fate of single-car teams, hopes he can revive struggling operation(PitNow)(8-16-1999)
Rudd/Ganassi: Ricky Rudd said that he’s talked with Chip Ganassi, the CART Indy-car team owner, about becoming a business partner in his Winston Cup operation. Rudd would like to keep running the technical side of the team, and let Ganassi run the business side. Ganassi, however, apparently wants more control than Rudd is willing to give up(PitNow)(8-16-1999)
#7 News: Michael Waltrip is waiting to see if sponsor Philips will return next season to the Jim Mattei team. It’s “up in the air,” according to one source(PitNow)(8-16-1999)
Marlin/Sabates/Coors: Sterling Marlin will be in the option year of his contract with Felix Sabates next season, and it’s not necessarily firm that Marlin will be back, according to sources. Coors, Marlin’s sponsor, has an offer on the table that may be too low for Sabates to accept, an offer that is reported to be a ‘take it or leave it’ offer(PitNow)(8-16-1999)
The Marlin Bump: Sterling Marlin and his crew chief, Scott Eggleston, were called into the NASCAR hauler after Sunday’s race to discuss an incident between Marlin and Chad Little. Marlin was involved in an incident on pit road after the cool down lap during which he ran into the right side of Little’s car. Little had stalled on pit road after coming off the course and created a backup at the entrance to the garage area. Marlin wanted to get around Little and into the garage, and instead of waiting, hit Little’s car and then turned into the garage(That’s Racin’)(8-16-1999)
Benny not there, but OK: Benny Parsons, normally on the Cup ESPN broadcast’s was home recovering from eye surgery. He even called in a gave some of his expert commentary(ESPN Race)(8-15-1999) — Also Benny chatted with fans on NOL after the race, see the NOL Chat Transcript(8-16-1999)

(8-15-1999)

2nd team? Hearing the 2nd Morgan McClure team will debut the #14 Chevy at Bristol with Brad Teague driving(8-15-1999)
Christopher still has a shot UPDATE he did it and WON a race CORRECTION: Ted Christopher still can become the first NASCAR driver to start all three events in the Frontier at The Glen weekend. Christopher is 33rd in his #13-LesCare Kitchens Chevy after 1st round qualifying. He’ll start 10th for the BGNN race and 17th for the Featherlite Modified Series race(NOL)(8-13-1999) — UPDATE: how about that, Christopher was able to qualify for all three Watkins Glen events, congrats. He finished 2nd in the BGNN race and WON the Featherlite race(That’s Racin’ news) and finished 31st in the Cup race(8-15-1999)
#24 Crew Chief: hearing the crew chief position for the #24 DuPont team will be filled from in house. Ray Evernham plans to move up to Team/General Manager(8-15-1999)
Top Five: Jerry Nadeau got his first top five of his career at Watkins Glen in the #9 Cartoon Network/Jetsons Ford. #87-Ron Fellows also got his first top five in his 4th(not 2nd) Cup start, also ran the #96 Cat car at the 1998 Watkins Glen race and 2nd Loudon race(36th) and ran Watkins Glen in 1995(#68 Chevy)(8-15-1999)
Laps Led: Jerry Nadeau led the first laps of his career at Watkins Glen as did Boris Said and Ron Fellows. Bobby Hamilton also led his first laps of 1999, leaving #55-Kenny Wallace as the only driver to make ALL the Cup races so far in 1999 and NOT lead a lap. For the bonus points standings see my 1999 Bonus Points Standings. 41 drivers who have led at least one lap in 1999(8-15-1999)

(8-14-1999)
Kyles House: Homes owned by U.S. Sen. “Fritz” Hollings and Winston Cup driver Kyle Petty burned to the ground Friday night in a fire that swept through a resort community on this coastal island north of Charleston, SC. See the full AP story at That’s Racin’ (8-14-1999)
More Rudd: Ricky Rudd, one of the last of the owner-drivers, denied a report on Charlotte television Thursday which said Rudd had sold his team to CART owner Chip Ganassi and would drive next year for Robert Yates. Rudd’s future became cloudy when sponsor Tide announced it would leave his team after this season to back a new group being formed by CART owner Cal Wells. Rudd has said he has other opportunities and will make up his mind whether to sell, partner or fold by mid-September. Rudd also insists he doesn’t want to sell outright but would rather acquire a partner, in the manner of Penske-Kranefuss or Carter-Haas. That likely is a subject he has discussed with Ganassi(Racer Mag Site)(8-14-1999)
Spencer to Stay UPDATE: Jimmy Spencer says he is staying with the #23 Travis Carter team for the 2000 season. So he can be taken off the #28 wish list(Winston Cup Today Radio)(8-11-1999) — UPDATE but…: Jimmy Spencer has not re-signed with Travis Carter. Spencer said he’d rather not comment on whether he had an offer, but he did confirm he had no contract with anyone for next season. The team hasn’t signed a sponsor yet for 2000, but it appears that Kmart might be willing to sponsor both Carter teams next year as it markets Darrell Waltrip’s Victory Tour 2000(Times-Dispatch)(8-14-1999)
Elliott to Yates? saw this in the PitNow notbook today and have heard it a bit the last day or so too: and now possibly Bill Elliott, according to sources close to Yates. Rudd said that he has a 30-day window to try to put together a sponsorship package for his own team. Elliott, like Rudd, has his own team, but sponsor McDonald’s is leaving at the end of next season, leaving Elliott looking for a new deal. John Andretti could come in a package deal with crew chief Robbie Loomis, according to sources(PitNow)(8-14-1999)
Parcells an owner? New York Jets coach Bill Parcells and former New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson reportedly have approached NASCAR about buying all or part of a team. Although the extent of Parcells’ interest is uncertain, Carson has talked with Jim Brown and the group he is working with to organize a team(Times-Dispatch). Jim Brown and another football great, Willie Lanier are part of a joint venture dubbed Celebrity Motorsports who are rumored to be linking up with Mattei Motorsports(a few months ago), see my New Teams page for more info(8-14-1999)
#11 Crew Change UPDATE 2: Hear that crew chief Gere Kennon has parted ways with the #11 Brett Bodine owned Paychex team. I hear that car chief Rick Gay will be interim crew chief(8-10-1999) — UPDATE:confirmed on WC Today Radio(8-13-1999) — UPDATE: Bodine has also added a position, hiring Art Slike as team general manager(That’s Racin’)(8-14-1999)
Rudd/Yates? UPDATE 2: as reported here in different stories in the past – The CBS affiliate in Charlotte(WBTV ch 3) reported on their 11pm sportscast that it is “official” that Ricky Rudd will drive for Robert Yates in the #28 car in 2000. Rudd, according to their report, will sell his team to CART owner, Chip Gannasi(many readers) — UPDATE: Robert Yates denied any deal with Ricky Rudd during a press conference this afternoon at Watkins Glen — UPDATE 2: see the full story at That’s Racin’ – Yates denies any deal with Rudd(8-14-1999)
Irwin/Yates: Kenny Irwin, now officially out as Robert Yates’ #28 driver at the end of the year, said he has talked to several other car owners, but one of them is not Mark Melling, whose #9 Ford is being vacated by Jerry Nadeau(at the end of the season). At least not yet. Irwin’s account of his demise: He went to the shop and asked to talk with Yates, and over the course of a two-hour heart-to-heart, Yates cited reasons why he didn’t believe the pairing was working and why he believed it would probably not get better. Upon hearing this analysis, Irwin agreed there was no sense continuing, hence the “mutual agreement” cited by Yates in the press release. Also concerning Rudd and Texaco: The selection process at Yates Racing is being accelerated amid widespread speculation that Ricky Rudd will be the new driver of his #28 Ford. The short-term reaction was denials all around. Rudd still insists he will try to keep his team together. Expect an official announcement soon, along with a new multi-year agreement between Yates and sponsor Texaco-Havoline(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(8-14-1999)

(8-13-1999)
The Wells driver list: Cal Wells, who owns Precision Performance Inc., has talked to at least seven drivers about his Tide-sponsored Winston Cup ride for the 2000 season. According to sources, Wally Dallenbach, who currently drives the #25 Bud Chevy’s for Hendrick Motorsports, has emerged as the leading candidate for that ride. Wells has also talked with Cup drivers Jeremy Mayfield(#12), Ward Burton(#22), John Andretti(#43), Steve Grissom(no team) and CART drivers Al Unser Jr. and Scott Pruett about the ride. Mayfield and Burton both turned Wells’ offer down, sources said. The PPI team is currently working out of two 25,000-square-foot buildings in Hickory, N.C., while a permanent motorsports complex is completed nearby. Wells, who has said he will use Robert Yates engines, has purchased several Fords from Yates(That’s Racin’/Jim Utter)(8-13-1999)
Bye, bye to another one? UPDATE yep Paychex: hearing that TV reports out of Rochester NY(WOKR), say Paychex will not return to the #11 Brett Bodine owned/driven Ford in 2000 — UPDATE: also a story on Yahoo: Paychex Will Not Return as NASCAR Sponsor for 2000 Season(8-13-1999)
Evernham/Baldwin News UPDATE 4 SURPRISE: Ray Evernham is expected to be named general manager of the three-team operation and its 250 employees, which will allow him to spend less time on the road. Key to the move would be signing a new crew chief for Jeff Gordon. Evernham wants to hire Tommy Baldwin, and it may be difficult for Baldwin to turn down that opportunity. Evernham is the man who gave Baldwin his first Winston Cup job — with Ricky Craven in 1996. Baldwin expects to make his decision Wednesday, and he appears to be leaning toward leaving the Bill Davis-Ward Burton team to take the job. One of the other men on Evernham’s short list, according to men familiar with the situation, was Frankie Stoddard, who runs Jeff Burton’s team. Car owner Jack Roush said that he doesn’t have any of his crew chiefs under contract ”because I don’t feel they’re at risk. If we pay our crew chiefs well and give them all the technology they need to work with, I don’t know why any of us should want to change.” Car owner Richard Childress has also been interested in Baldwin, according to sources….fromPitNow plus articles from That’s Racin’ and SpeedVision/iRace(8-8-1999) — another one: Evernham’s Silly Season Keystone – Racer Magazine(8-9-1999) — UPDATE: hearing Baldwin will take the Hendrick gig(8-10-1999) — UPDATE: had heard an announcement would be made Wednesday on Baldwin’s plans, but have heard nothing(8-12-1999) — UPDATE 2: I hear that Baldwin has decided to STAY with the #22 Bill Davis Racing team and will sign a contract soon — UPDATE 4: from TNN’s Motorsports site – Baldwin Re-Signs With #22(8-13-1999)
Woodchuck: I got a chance to see RPM2Nite but not qualifying and was wondering what ESPN’s Bill Weber and Rusty Wallace, the pole sitter were talking about when they mentioned a Woodchuck, he’s what happened from Monte Dutton at SpeedNet: Exiting the so-called inner loop during qualifying, Dale Jarrett had his progress slowed by an unfortunate woodchuck whose final act was to dent the nose of Jarrett’s Taurus. Killing animals is a talisman of victory for Jarrett, who hit a bird during one of his two Daytona 500 victories and hit a turtle this summer during qualifying for the Pepsi 400, another victory(SpeedNet) RIP little Woodchuck, of course as we all know, Rusty saved a woodchuck in a Miller Lite commercial, hence the reference during the interview(8-13-1999)
Craven/BGNN: Craven is not running the #50 Cup at Watkins Glen but is running the BGNN there. Craven qualified the #23 Chevy 17th after many problems with the car(RickyCravenFans.com)(8-13-1999)
#62 News: Crew Chief Joe Snyder parted ways with the #62 Fenley Motorsports(formerly #15 Bud Moore team) operation recently. The team plans to staff the newly formed Winston Cup team with existing Winston West crew members and compete in the full schedule in 2000(8-13-1999)
TV/Indy: The Brickyard 400 last Saturday drew a rating of 4.6, meaning it was seen by 4.6 percent of U.S. households with television sets. It attracted a 15 share, meaning it was seen by 15 percent of households actually watching television at the time. That’s a 12 percent increase from last year’s 4.1 rating. The 1998 race drew 14 percent of households watching television(SpeedNet)(8-13-1999)
Andretti…Michael: there were reports last week that Michael Andretti was a candidate for the #28 Texaco ride because of his ties with Texaco and Ford, on RPM2Nite, Robin Miller of SpeecNet was interviewed and said he highly doubted that Andretti would ever come to NASCAR as he makes 5 million a year now and never even drove an IROC car, makes sense. Plus it is expected Yates won’t take any chances this time and for for a tried and true Cup veteran(8-13-1999)
Earnhardt Close: Dale Earnhardt, the seven-time Winston Cup champion who makes his 600th consecutive start Sunday on the road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y., has no plans to retire anytime soon. Earnhardt says he and owner Richard Childress are working out the details of a three-year contract that would keep him in the familiar No. 3 car at least through 2003(USA Today)(8-13-1999)

(8-12-1999)
Double KMart cars? UPDATE3: KMart may be expanding its NASCAR sponsorship to include both of Travis Carter’s teams next season(PitNow)(7-26-1999) — UPDATE: Car owner Travis Carter says he doesn’t know what he’ll do next season, if he and Jimmy Spencer will be back or not. Carter is looking for a new sponsor, and it appears that Kmart, which sponsors Carter’s second team with Darrell Waltrip, will back both operations next year. Spencer might be just the kind of hard-driving, devil-may-care charger that Robert Yates, for one, would like to see in one of his cars, but Spencer’s image, even after several years of good grooming by R.J. Reynolds’ marketing, is still perhaps a bit rough for some sponsors(PitNow) — and UPDATE 2: Wally Dallenbach’s name was mentioned as a possible replacement for Jimmy Spencer in the #23 car, but Travis Carter, who will announce his new sponsor at the end of this month, said Spencer has agreed to continue with the organization next year(SpeedVision)(8-10-1999) — UPDATE 3: Sources tell me the Kmart Will be the sponsor on the Jimmy Spencer #23 Travis Carter Ford in 2000(8-12-1999)
New Sponsor? hearing Red Wing Shoes may be looking to get into Cup or BGN as a team sponsor? no other details(8-12-1999)
Eight Years Ago: One of the last real independent drivers, JD McDuffie passed away in an accident at Watkins Glen on August 11th, 1991. While not is on the ‘net about JD, I have a Driver Tribute Page which JD included and there are some other Driver Tribute page linkes there(8-12-1999)
Tim Richmond Wreath: Tim Richmond, voted one of NASCAR’s Fifty Greatest Drivers of all time, passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla. on August 13, 1989. On Friday, August 13, 1999 a wreath will be placed in his honor at Providencia Park located just South of Good Samaritan on Flagler Drive. A small group of Internet race fans formulated the idea when they realized it would be too costly for all of them to gather for a formal Commemoration. So they decided to place a wreath and attach a booklet to it, resembling an Internet Message Board as it were. Much to their delight it has grown to well over 200 pages and encompasses writers from Canada, California and many of the States in-between. The wreath will be flanked by a sign which was hand painted by a Minor O. Rodeffer, from Mt. Crawford, VA. The book, which has spread into books, is begun with a prayer by Daniel J. Auppl of Minnesota and ended with a prayer by Hap Lewis of West Palm Beach. In between are poems, such as the one written by Rebecca Borelli for Filmar Racing and touching personal stories from fans who met Tim Richmond and from those who were touched by him. Don Spincken, of Amherst, NH, who spent many hours working on the project said, “after reading it, I have a tear in my eye and a smile on my face.” Herb Ballengee, who spent many hours at his computer said, “I never expected so many responses.” Amy Snodgrass of Ashland, Ohio, Tim’s hometown, hopes that West Palm Beach will be the inspiration to erect a permanent memorial in Ashland. Jayedda S. Marsh of Boynton Beach, FL will physically place the wreath. “I know that without the readership of the Internet sites, in particular, jayski.com; speedworld.net; racecomm.com and netpitpass.com the response would never have been so swift in such a short period of time. I think the re-run of Tim Richmond stories written by the well known novelist and motorsports writer Matt McLaughlin assisted in bringing such heartwarming stories to West Palm.”(8-12-1999)
Victory Motorcycles: this happened Wednesday – Only the roar of the Winston Cup Series’ #75 car will temper the commotion of 300,000 bike enthusiasts and their motorcycles at this year’s Sturgis Rally & Races. NASCAR star driver Kyle Petty will pilot the #75 Victory Motorcycles Winston Cup car through the streets of Sturgis on August 11 before appearing at the public unveiling of the new Victory V92SC motorcycle. Petty will drive to the unveiling event from 9:30 to 10am. The public introduction of Victory’s new V92SC will be held near the custom-painted Victory truck and trailer, just off Interstate 90 on exit 30 at 10am. The Victory Motorcycles #75 car competed in the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, Fla., on July 3. The car features a specially designed paint scheme with Victory Motorcycles’ logo on its hood and flames shooting from its front tires, stretching across the side panels. Victory Motorcycles, a division of Minneapolis-based Polaris Industries Inc., publicly introduced the Victory V92C two years ago and the first bike rolled out of the company’s Spirit Lake, Iowa, manufacturing facility last July. With more than 3,000 bikes off the assembly line, the company now boasts nearly 300 North American Victory dealers. Victory is the first new American-made motorcycle manufacturer to mass-distribute a bike in almost 50 years(Victory Motorcycle Site)(8-12-1999)
Memorial: This past weekend marked the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Mark Martin’s father, Julian, Mark’s stepmother, Shelly and his half-sister, Sarah. To honor their memory, a memorial service was held at the J-Mar Express facility in Searcy, Ark., on Saturday. More than 100 friends, family members and employees gathered to remember the three members of the Martin family with songs, prayers, stories, tears, hugs and laughter. It was a special day for everyone who attended(J-Mar Express Newsletter/StockCarFans Newsletter)(8-12-1999)

(8-11-1999)
Irwin Out UPDATE at end of 1999: Robert Yates has announced that Kenny Irwin will no longer be the driver of his team’s #28 Fords. “Kenny Irwin and I have mutually agreed that it is in the best interests of both Kenny and the team to not continue our relationship together into the year 2000,” Yates said in Wednesday afternoon’s announcement(That’s Racin’) so is he out now or after the 1999 season?? The Yates quote makes it sound like it after the season, stay tuned. Ok, from what I hear, Irwin is in for the rest of 1999 and out for 2000. UPDATE: See the Official RYR press release at the DieHard Yates Fans News Page. No decision has been made regarding a new driver. Yates is exploring options and will interview drivers before making a decision. And NOL has a story up at: Yates, Irwin to split after season(8-11-1999)
Disturbing News UPDATE: just got back from Chicago and had a email box full of news on this – from an AP story: NASCAR stars Terry Labonte(#5) and Derrike Cope(#30) fired two employees(motor coach drivers) for a racial prank in which one of their workers wore a sheet over his head like a Klansman and confronted a black colleague(#12 crewman). Witnesses characterized the July 8 episode at the New Hampshire International Speedway as a joke by two white motorcoach drivers that went too far. See the full story at the WRAL site: NASCAR Drivers Fire Two Team Members for Racial Prank(WRAL/AP)(8-10-1999) — UPDATE: another story, not AP – Two ousted for racial incident by Rea McLeroy(Times-Dispatch) and from That’s Racin’: Incident reopens NASCAR’s race issue – Randon Notes by Jim Utter
A few statements sent my way: from Derrike Cope – “Behavior like this simply cannot be tolerated in today’s society. This was an example of grievous behavior that I do not condone. It was an ignorant act and I took the only course available to me of rectifying the situation by terminating the employee.”(#30 PR)
from Michael Kranefuss(owner of the #12): “Penske-Kranefuss Racing and Jeremy Mayfield fully support NASCAR’s response to the behavior directed at one of our Team members. We and the Team member stand together and look forward to putting the incident behind us.”(Williams Co PR)(8-11-1999)
Compton to Cup? Heard it was reported on the LTN Hour, a Wisconsin NASCAR radio show, that Stacy Compton is under consideration to take the #9 Melling Ford. Present driver, Jerry Nadeau, is leaving to go to the #25 Hendrick team(8-11-1999)
Rudd Sponsor? UPDATE 2: hearing NationsRent, who sponsored Dick Trickle in the #13 Elliott Racing Daytona 500 attempt, will be Ricky Rudd’s new sponsor for 2000 and beyond — UPDATE: Actually hearing NationsRent is talking to Rudd, the #41 Larry Hedrick team and the #7 Mattei Motorsports team(didn’t know Philips/Klaussner was leaving)(8-9-1999) — UPDATE: I know hear that NationsRent has not appraoched the #41 team but I hear they are talking to the #50 Midwest Transeit team with driver Ricky Craven(8-11-1999)
#75 Crewchief: The crew chief duties of the #75 Butch Mock Motorsports Ford will be a team effort starting this weekend in Watkins Glen. Troy Selberg will become part of the road crew for at least the next couple of weeks to assist the crew in becoming more organized. Jon Wolfe, who was the crew chief, left after the Brickyard 400. The team will not make a decision on a new crew chief until they believe they have found the right one. In addition to this personnel announcement, Butch Mock hired shock specialist Greg Ely prior to the Brickyard 400 last week(Ted Musgrave Fan Page)(8-11-1999)
NASCAR sponsors: hearing MCI will not be renewing their official status for the 2000 season with NASCAR and that AT&T is seriously considering taking MCI’s place as the Official Telecommunications Company of NASCAR. Also I hear that Circuit City will not renew their status as the Official Electronics Store of NASCAR and DaytonaUSA(8-11-1999)
Irwin….In? hear from a source close to the situation that Irwin now expects to be in the #28 Texaco Yates Ford for the 2000 season(8-11-1999) oops, nope, see above
Stewart Speaks: Tony Stewart has been signed by Arvin Industries Inc. to be a spokesman in television and print ads and do personal appearances for the auto-parts company. Arvin is based in Columbus, Ind., which also is Stewart’s home town(SpeedNet)(8-11-1999)
Interesting: not really news but thought it was interesting: To celebrate the production of the 100,000th backhoe loader, Caterpillar is auctioning a special racing-style backhoe loader. Proceeds benefit the Motor Racing Outreach Program and Special Olympics. Bids must be postmarked by October 1, 1999. See the auction at – www.billdavisracing.com/Backhoe (8-11-1999)
Father vs Son: Bobby Hamilton is scheduled to race against son Bobby Jr., in the upcoming BGN race at Michigan Speedway(Tennessean)(8-11-1999)
Here Come the Marines: Kerry Earnhardt will drive the #76 BGN Marines Chevy, fielded by Ed Whitaker and Team Marines Racing. Businessman Rick Rathbun, 45, has announced his intention to sponsor the Kerry Earnhardt/Ed Whitaker Racing tandem under his own Team Marines Racing banner in the August 27th running of the Food City 250 BGN event at Bristol. Rathbun, a former Marine, is President of DEC Technologies, Inc., an aerospace industry parts and components manufacturer based in Piney Flats, TN just a few miles southwest of the Bristol track. Veteran car owner Whitaker, whose race shop is located in nearby Bristol, Virginia and who calls Bristol Motor Speedway his “home track”, is taking it upon himself to breathe new life into Kerry Earnhardt’s career that came to an abrupt halt after just four races this year, with the #40 Channellock Chevy. Such Busch Series greats as Harry Gant, Sam Ard, Morgan Shepherd and the late Butch Lindley have driven for Whitaker over the years with Gant the most successful of the lot with 21 victories, 51 top five and 71 top ten performances in just 124 starts from 1988 through 1994. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who qualified on the front row for the fall Busch Series race at Bristol in 1997 in an Ed Whitaker machine. The team will test at Bristol next Monday, and Whitaker is planning to enter Kerry, and do additional testing, in as many as six more races this season. A full Busch Series program is being planned for 2000 and 2001 with a possible move into the Winston Cup Series after that – all with Kerry Earnhardt behind the wheel. Whitaker has tapped veteran crew chief Bruce Saunders as the signal caller for the Earnhardt/Team Marines project. Saunders was also the crew chief during most of Gant’s successes with Whitaker Racing. The race car, to be painted predominantly black with vibrant red flames and yellow trim, is one of several designed by renown motorsports artist and car designer Sam Bass, and his Sam Bass Illustration and Design Company. The Chevrolet Monte Carlo will carry number 76 to commemmorate the Spirit of 1776 and the fight for American independence(the Marine Corp was actually ‘born’ in 1775). Earnhardt, and the Team Marines Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo, will be on display to the general public for the very first time at the Annual Food City Fan on August 26th(Team Marines Racing PR)(8-10-1999)

(8-10-1999)
Ford news: Ford officials say that they have finished work on the downforce and the Daytona versions of the new Taurus. When both will get NASCAR approval is still unclear. Ford officials had been looking for final 2000 templates to be approved by the end of August, but now say they’re three weeks behind schedule. NASCAR wants to see the cars on a track before giving the OK(PitNow)(8-10-1999)
Cal Wells rumors: Cal Wells, one of NASCAR’s newest car owners, is offering prospective crew chiefs $2.5 million over three years. That $830,000-a-year contract would be a little better than some of the best of the current deals. The top four or five crew chiefs on the tour are making $650,000 a year and up. Among the men on Wells’ wish list is Andy Graves, Terry Labonte’s crew chief, according to sources(PitNow) Al Unser Jr and Wally Dallenbach are the hottest rumored drivers for the new Tide ride(8-10-1999)
Buddy Back: former crew chief Buddy Barnes has been hired by Barry Dodson for the crew on the #30 Team. On RPM2Nite it was noted that all 34 employees were let go by the new ownership, six were rehired and six new employees have been hired. The new owners also closed the engine shop and had an T&L Motors engine at Indy(8-10-1999)
Tyler Jet BGN team: Tyler Jet Motorsports signed World of Outlaws(WoO) open wheel driver Tyler Walker, to a contract Tuesday. The agreement will have Walker in a BGN for a pair of races later this season. Walker is 20 years old, and burst on to the World of Outlaws scene in 1998 finishing second in the Rookie of the Year chase. He has two victories in the 1999 WoO season. Walker has had limited pavement racing experience behind the wheel of an ASA car at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Walker qualified 27th and was running 11th when a mechanical problem cut short the solid effort. Walker will test extensively with the Tyler Jet BGN unit before debuting in the inaugural BGN event at Phoenix on Nov. 6 and will also run at Miami-Homestead Speedway Nov. 13. Walker will also run some ARCA events(TylerJet PR)(8-10-1999)

(8-9-1999)
Midwest/Craven sign: Midwest Transit Racing team owners Hal Hicks and Mike Witters announced today driver Ricky Craven has signed with them to drive the #50 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the remainder of the 1999 Winston Cup Season.(Midwest PR)(8-9-1999)
Wells meeting: Wally Dallenbach Jr. will meet on Monday with Cal Wells about driving Wells’ Tide-sponsored car on the circuit next year. Dallenbach vows not to sign another one-year contract with anyone. He did so a year ago with Hendrick Motorsports, which is why he is back in the unemployment line(Gaston Gazette/Monte Dutton)(8-9-1999)
DW’s Motor? UPDATE: hear that the #66 BigKmart/Rt 66 Ford had a Yates engine for the Birckyard 400, not a Pro Motor like they normally use — UPDATE: The Yates motor was used for practice and qulaifying, the team used a Pro-Motor for the race(8-9-1999)
Another Andretti in Cup? Michael Andretti was on the lot Saturday morning, rousing suspicion that sponsor Texaco may be trying to steer him toward the Robert Yates group(Racer Magazine) and The latest line on possible drivers for Robert Yates includes Michael Andretti, John’s cousin. The Indy-car star, who didn’t fare well in his Formula One venture, has been a Texaco-sponsored driver, so he could easily fit into a NASCAR-Texaco campaign for Yates. How well the other Andretti could drive a stock car is uncertain, however(PitNow)(8-9-1999)
Unser to the #30? The latest report making its way around the garage area in Indianapolis is that new #30 owner, Jack Birmingham and crew chief/owner Barry Dodson would like to make a splash by hiring a big name driver for 2000. The rumor is that Al Unser, Jr. is ready to make the move from CART to Winston Cup and may be the driver of choice for the #30 team(Inside Motorsports)(8-9-1999)
#99 Lugnuts UPDATE 2: a few tidbits found on the ‘net: #99 Crew Chief Frankie Stoddard called for a four-tire stop, but Jeff Burton changed that call in the middle of the stop when he saw Jarrett taking just two. Stoddard(who is also the front tire changer) had already loosened two lugs on the left front when Burton screamed for “Two!” But he got one of them retightened just before Burton roared off. NASCAR officials called Burton and Stoddard to the trailer after the race to review tapes of the incident and remind them that loose wheels are an important safety issue(from PitNow) and Jeff Burton, meanwhile, changed his mind midway through his stop. His front tire changer frantically worked to reverse the two lug nuts he had loosened before Burton peeled out of the pits. Crew chief Frank Stoddard watched the tape to make sure the car was safe and Burton stayed on the track(Times-Dispatch) also see the story on SpeedNet: For Jeff Burton, this race was the pits(8-8-1999) — UPDATE 2: have not seen this confirmed anywhere, but a few readers say they heard either Bill Weber or Jerry Punch say on the Satellite feed that NASCAR checked the car when it came in after the race and found three of the lugnuts were only finger tight, but I have not been able to confirm that anywhere with any sources and doubt the report. Am not looking to speculate on this(8-9-1999)

(8-8-1999)

Schrader: Ken Schrader, who finished 18th, is the only driver in the six-year history of the Brickyard to complete every lap of every race(Infobeat/AP)(8-8-1999)
Another Musgrave: Ted Musgrave Jr made his ASA debut in the AC Delco/Duro Stop 300 at La Crosse, Wisconsin on Sunday(TNN’s Raceday)(8-8-1999)
Rudd Top 10 UPDATE engine: Ricky Rudd got his first Top 10 of the 1999 season in the #10 Tide Ford(8-7-1999) — UPDATE: Rudd ran a Pro Motor in the car at the Brickyard and will supposedly switch back to Pro Motors for the rest of the 1999 season. Rudd used Pro Motor in 1998 and had switched to Penske Motors for 1999. A quote from Rudd in a Pro-Motor/Cox PR: “We had a Pro-Motor Engineering engine in the car today and it was really great. We’ve been lacking all year on that deal and that really helped us. The Pro-Motor guys did a great job for us. From where we’ve been, we made big gains today. This was the first time I used Pro-Motor engine all year and it was the best motor I’ve had all year. I don’t want to look at any negatives on the Penske engines. But the motors we were getting (from Penske) wouldn’t run on our chassis dyno. We had to do something. We’ll run a Pro-Motor engine the rest of the year.”(8-8-1999)
#75 Crew UPDATE 3: hearing that Shock Specialist Danny Tompkins has parted ways with the #75 team after Pocono(7-27-1999) — UPDATE: Also hearing that crew chief Jon Wolfe will part with the #75 team after the Brickyard 400(7-29-1999) — UPDATE 2: Crew chief Jon Wolfe will leave the team after Saturday’s Brickyard 400, and country.com sources say the team’s goal is to name a new crew chief before the Frontier at the Glen at Watkins Glen International in two weeks(TNN Site)(8-6-1999) — UPDATE 4: Crew chief Jon Wolfe is leaving Butch Mock’s team to take a job with car owner Felix Sabates(PitNow)(8-8-1999)

(8-7-1999)
Crew Chief news UPDATE: Tommy Baldwin Jr. laughed off questions about his Winston Cup future. Ward Burton’s crew chief has been offered a contract by current team owner Bill Davis, but he has not signed it yet. The young upstart crew chief has reportedly received many offers and is talking with Ray Evernham about working with Jeff Gordon’s team. Baldwin is one of three crew chiefs that Evernham is talking with about a future at Hendrick Motorsports(Times-Disptach) and from PitNow: Evernham is considering Baldwin and two other crew chiefs. But Greg Zipadelli, Tony Stewart’s crew chief, isn’t one of them, who is in the middle of negotiations for a five-year deal with car owner Joe Gibbs. And neither is Kevin Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt’s crew chief. Davis and Burton are already considering new crew chiefs in case Baldwin does leave, and one of the first men they’ve considered is Jimmy Elledge, crew chief for car owner Andy Petree and driver Kenny Wallace. Elledge’s father, Terry, heads Davis’ engine program(8-7-1999)
Unser Out, Moore In: Well that ends all the Greg Moore speculation. Greg Moore and Gil de Ferran have signed to drive for Roger Penske’s CART team in 2000. Al Unser, Jr will leave the team. Unser has announced no plans for 2000, but he will be(an is) in the Cup rumor mill bigtime(Cal Wells, Yates, the #30). So there will be no Greg Moore to Cup in 2000, well at least full time(first saw on RPM2Nite) see story at the Racer Mag Site(8-7-1999)
Irwin/Yates: Even while rumors were spreading to the contrary, car owner Robert Yates insisted Saturday morning the driver of his #28 Ford, Kenny Irwin, could still salvage his ride. From an Article that was at the Gaston Gazette by Monte Dutton(8-9-1999)
LJ Racing News: MCI WorldCom will sponsor LJ Racing’s #91 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Watkins Glen Winston Cup Series race on August 15, 1999. Road race specialist Jack Baldwin will be in the driver’s seat for the race(PR)(8-7-1999)
Another sponsor to leave UPDATE: #41 team owner Larry Hedrick said that Kodiak would not return to the team next year. He said he’s known Kodiak would not re-sign “for some time.” Hedrick said the team is talking to several companies(News and Record)(8-6-1999) — UPDATE: Hedrick said Kodiak may look elsewhere, either to another Cup team or in Busch(Racer Mag)(8-7-1999)
Tyler Jet News UPDATE: Former NASCAR crew chief and engine builder Waddell Wilson is talking with #45 owner Tim Beverley about joining his planned second team(Times-Disptach) — UPDATE: sources tell me the team has not spoken to Wilson about joining the team at all(8-7-1999)
No #90: Junie Donlavey does not plan to compete at Watkins Glen next weekend with his #90 Ford team(Times-Disptach)(8-7-1999)
Texaco boss: Robert Yates has a new boss. Michael Hargrave, formerly senior manager, sports marketing group, for Anheuser-Busch, will take over as director of sponsorships for Texaco, effective Sept. 1. Hargrave will direct all of Texaco’s sponsorship activities, including those of Yates, Newman/Haas, the Texaco Grand Prix of Houston and the Olympics. It is not known how the move will affect the racing programs(Racer Mag)(8-7-1999)
Missed Practice: Rick Mast’s #98 team didn’t have time after 2nd round qualifying to change into the race motor and used the qualifying motor during Happy Hour, which blew, so Mast was not able to practice the car(Times-Disptach)(8-7-1999)
Martin/Wallace incident: Robin Pemberton, crew chief for Rusty Wallace, says NASCAR officials have apologized for directing Wallace on to the track and into Mark Martin’s way Thursday. The two hit in the final practice session, causing moderate damage to both cars(News and Record)(8-7-1999)
Invinca-Shield news: not sure how this will effect the sponsorship of the #91 LJ Racing team if at all but…Control Racing announced that it is dropping Invinca-Shield Inc. as its primary sponsor. Invinca-Shield Inc., an Elkin, NC based company that manufactures protective 3M film kits, supposedly has failed to comply with their financial commitment to the Control Racing team. The #49 NASCAR Goody’s Dash Team with driver and owner, Rusty Wise, has not raced since the May Charlotte Race due to lack of financial support(Control Racing Site)(8-7-1999)

(8-6-1999)
Yaborough partner/2nd Team? Cale Yarborough is working to sell part of his team this season. Earlier this year, Yarborough paired with Darlington, S.C., auto dealer Wayne Burdette. But the deal failed, and Yarborough regained control. He signed Universal Studios(Team Woody Woodpecker) as a sponsor in June for his #98 Ford, which is driven by Rick Mast. Yarborough is working with Orlando, Fla., businessman Bob Lane and a host of investors and partnering in ownership. The team plans to make an announcement in September, but Lane and his associates already are working with Yarborough on future plans. Team spokesman Ed Maull said Yarborough’s role with the group would remain crucial. Lane and Yarborough plan to add a second Winston Cup team with ARCA driver Mike Ciochetti, hopefully prior to the end of this season(Times-Dispatch). Also from this weeks Winston Cup Scene – Lane owns Winners Circle, which is not involved with the deal. If this happens, Ciochetti will run up to five races in 1999 and run for ROTY on 2000(8-6-1999)
Andretti/Rudd/Yates: Cal Wells is interested in John Andretti(for his Tide? Cup team), who drives for Richard Petty, but sources say that Robert Yates is, too. Part of Wells’ interest could be the prospect of an Indy 500 ride too. Ricky Rudd is also under consideration for the ride with Yates, and according to sources, Rudd has discussed options with Yates(PitNow)(8-6-1999)
Rudd Deadline UPDATE: Ricky Rudd has set a deadline to find a sponsor at September 15th or he plans to shut down his RPM #10 Team and find jobs for his employees(WC Today Radio)(8-5-1999) — UPDATE: Ricky Rudd says that if he doesn’t find a sponsor to replace Tide, he will have to close his shop or sell his team and drive for someone else next season. Rudd has set a deadline of Sept. 15 on making that decision. Rudd’s deadline is so his employees have time to apply for other jobs if the team ceases. But, he noted that the team has “some really good companies interested in us.” Rudd’s decision to close his shop or sell it would only be a last resort(News and Record)(8-6-1999)
Goodyear and NASCAR UPDATE: NASCAR and Goodyear have an announcement planned for 8pm on Thursday, August 5 in Indianapolis, not sure what it’s for. New Road Racing series? Extension of their exclusive contract?(runs out this year) Sponsorship?? (7-28-1999) — UPDATE: the announcement was that Goodyear will start selling a passenger tire with Eagle #1 Gold lettering, that looks similar to the Cup tires. The tire also says NASCAR on the side, but not in it’s colors. The announcement was made by Goodyear and NASCAR VP Mike Helton jointly – drivers on hand: Dave Marcis, Joe Nemechek, Bobby Labonte, Jeremy Mayfield, Jimmy Spencer, Steve Park and Sterling Marlin were also present earlier to speak to goodyear dealers(8-6-1999)
Gentilozzi to Cup UPDATE: Paul Gentilozzi, defending SCCA Trans-Am Champion will attempt the two road course events at Watkins Glen and Sears Point(TNN’s Raceday)(4-18-1999) — UPDATE 1: Paul Gentilozzi, reigning champion in the Trans-Am Series, plans to make his Cup debut in the Frontier at the Glen, Aug. 15 at Watkins Glen. He will be in a Ford Taurus bought from NASCAR team owner Jack Roush. Gentilozzi is also considering becoming a Cup team owner when his driving days are over. The car will be sponsored by Homelink a Johnson Controls electronic device for activating garage doors, estate gates and lighting(That’s Racin’)(6-18-1999) — UPDATE 2: Another road racer readying for the Glen is Paul Gentilozzi, the SCCA Trans Am champion who drives a Ford Mustang Cobra. He’d bought a Ford Taurus from Jack Rousch — an ex-Mark Martin development car that had some innovative chassis work — but in tests, neither Gentilozzi nor anybody else who drove it could get it up to speed through the corners, and he ended up crunching the #92 Ford into the wall. They decided not to fix the car, so he’s renting a car from the Roehrig(a Pontiac) stables that he thinks will get him into the show(SpeedVision/Steve Smith)(8-6-1999)
Marcis: I don’t report much IROC stuff, but thought this was interesting: True Value International Race Of Champions officials have announced that longtime test driver Dave Marcis will replace the injured Adrian Fernandez in the 40-lap IROC at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today. Fernandez was injured this morning during practice for Sunday’s Championship Auto Race Teams event at Detroit. Fernandez is currently undergoing X-rays for arm and wrist injuries. The extent of his injuries is unknown. This is Marcis’ first IROC start since June 17, 1978 at Michigan Speedway. Marcis will start today’s IROC at Indy in fourth position(StockCarFans/Ron Felix)(8-6-1999)
The ‘stache: Dale Earnhardt immediately began growing back the mustache he shaved last week, and with good reason. The last year Earnhardt ran without a mustache, 1982, he recorded 18 DNFs and blew 15 engines(many sources and stories)(8-6-1999)
New Cup Team..eventually? Doc Watson, a Pennsylvania racer who has driven in the ARCA series, is combining with Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green to start a new racing team. Known as Watson Green Motorsports, the team plans to enter five or six ARCA races this year, according to Watson. Next year, they’ll run a full ARCA schedule. Eventually, they hope to move into NASCAR’s BGN or Cup series(That’s Racin’)(8-6-1999)
Alliance: NASCAR’s first Hispanic-owned team has formed a business alliance with Winston Cup owner Larry Hedrick. Hispanic Racing Team (HRT) owners Rudy Rodriguez and Mike Vazquez said their first appearance with Hedrick, owner of the Kodiak Chevrolet driven by David Green, will be in the BGN race on Nov. 13 at Homestead-Miami Speedway(That’s Racin’) hmm, what about Felix Sabates, owner of the #’s 01,40 and 42(8-6-1999)
Mock? Pizza Hut? UPDATE 6: rumor has it that Pizza Hut may be the next sponsor on the #75 Butch Mock(?) team(7-26-1999) — UPDATE: hearing Butch Mock has sold the team but will finish out the season as the owner(7-27-1999) — UPDATE 2: Butch Mock will reportedly complete the sale of a percentage of his #75 Cup team on August 1st. Mock’s new partner is expected to eventually acquire full ownership(WC Scene Magazine)(7-30-1999) — UPDATE 3: Hearing it was reported on the LTN Hour in Wisconsin, from Jack Flowers(Speedway Cup Scene) that Eddie Cheever (IRL Owner-Driver) will buy the full interest of the #75 team(8-1-1999) — UPDATE 4: while other sources say #40 BGN owner Darwin Oordt will buy the team(8-2-1999) — UPDATE 5: this weeks Winston Cup Scene reports that Darwin Oordt has entered into an agreement to purchase an interest in Mock’s Cup operation. Plans call for Oordt to take full control of the team, most likely next season(Winston Cup Scene) and from NOL: Butch Mock Motorsports announced Thursday that the team is merging with Galaxy Enterprises with the eventual goal of forming a two-car team. Galaxy is, in essence, Darwin Oordt, who owns the #40 Channellock Chevy driven by Butch Miller in the BGN. Plans have Mock handling the racing end of the company while Oordt lines up sponsors and handles the business. Oordt will gradually obtain full control of the team. Current #75 driver Ted Musgrave will finish out the 1999 season in the car and a decision on Musgrave or another driver will be made later on the season. Yates engines will continue to be used. Oordt said the team is close to making a sponsorship announcement(NOL)(8-5-1999) — UPDATE 6: see the press release at the Ted Musgrave Fan Page, also – The pair said they intend to honor driver Ted Musgrave’s contract but added there are many “options” in the contract that either the owners or the driver could exercise. Oordt plans to add a second Winston Cup team, possibly before the end of the 2000 season, as well as adding a second Busch car to his arsenal. Remington is contracted as Mock’s sponsor through the end of this year. Oordt said the team, which will still be called Butch Mock Motorsports, is talking with two or three potential sponsors(Times-Dispatch)(8-6-1999)
One Year: Tim Beverley, owner of Tyler Jet Motorsports and the #45 10-10-345 Pontiac, celebrated his one-year anniversary as a car owner yesterday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Beverley bought his team from Darrell Waltrip last year(Times-Dispatch) Waltrip ran the #35 Tabasco Chevy at Indy last year, also to note: the team did run Ron Hornaday at Sears Point in the #17-NAPA chevy before everything was finalized(8-6-1999)

(8-5-1999)
Ford Taurus and RPM2Nite UPDATE: Jeff Burton will debut the 2000 Ford Taurus on Wednesday’s ESPN2’s RPM2Nite(8-3-1999) — UPDATE: see an image of the car and a story at: the Ford Motorsports Site(8-5-1999)
Testing: On Wednesday, for the first time a NASCAR racing car was tested on Reynard Motorsport’s new seven-post shaker test rig in its recently-opened Auto Research Center here in Indianapolis. Race teams can now rent the use of either the seven-post “vehicle dynamics rig” or the rolling road-wind tunnel at the Auto Research Center (ARC). The “shaker” simulates the chassis movements that the race car undergoes on the track — but in the controlled environment of the test facility. With essentially all the variables under control, the test procedure can produce consistent and reproducible results. On Wednesday, one of Steve Park’s Dale Earnhardt Inc. #1 cars was placed on the rig for a demonstration run for the media. See full story(a lot more than I could post here) at goRacing: Reynard Brings New Technology to NASCAR Teams by George Webster(8-5-1999)
DW Announcement UPDATE 2 OFFICIAL: look for Darrell Waltrip to announce that the 2000 season will be his final one. The announcement will take place in Indy at the Brickyard 400 on Aug 4th. Calling it Calling it “DW’s Victory Tour 2000” will supposedly have merchandise for the announcement and the Brickyard 400 weekend, then put it away until January 2000(6-23-1999) — UPDATE: Tennessean story reports the same and has some info on DW: Waltrip set to retire after next season(7-30-1999) — UPDATE 2: more info – Career highlights — Darrell Waltrip(CBS)(8-1-1999) — TODAY: is the announcement, see a Tennessean story: Waltrip to announce retirement today by Larry Woody — OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: from NOL: Waltrip makes it official: 2000 his last year(8-5-1999)
Dallenbach Looking: Speedwords is hearing that Wally Dallenbach is not letting the Hendrick door hit him in the butt on the way out and has have been told he has already had discussions with Melling and Robert Yates and at least one other team who “might be in need of a driver” in the near future. That means somebody is about to lose their ride but doesn’t know it yet. Watch for Dallenbach and probably other drivers to change teams before the year is out. It’s getting common for teams outside the top 10 in points to make changes near the end of the current year rather than wait for Daytona. This way they have some time to get everyone aquatinted an hopefully get a better start in 2000(Speedwords)(8-5-1999)
Nike in Cup? UPDATE 2: From That’s Racin’ – Nike, the giant athletic shoe and apparel company has a news conference scheduled for 9:15am Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the site for Saturday’s Brickyard 400. The release about the news conferences promises the announcement of “an innovative performance based concept” involving “three ‘top 5’ Winston Cup teams and more(8-3-1999) — UPDATE: I hear the drivers involved will be Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart, and Bobby Labonte — UPDATE 2: From NOL – Nike will launch a line of shoes for race fans at the 2000 Daytona 500. In the meantime, Cup drivers Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte and BGN driver Adam Petty, as well as their crews, will wear a hi-tech, $200-plus version(8-5-1999)
#62 News UPDATE: Californian Jeff Davis is competing in the Fenley Motorsports #62 Ford(the former #15 Bud Moore team), whose listed sponsor is Big Daddy’s BBQ, the company initially slated to sponsor Junie Donlavey’s team this season(Times-Dispatch) but failed to make it’s payments, hopefully the Fenley team got paid up front — UPDATE: FMI purchased Davis Racing (Jeff Davis’s Winston West team) and Bud Moore’s #15 Cup team. Prior to purchasing the Bud Moore team, they entered into an agreement with Dan Lloyd at Big Daddy’s BBQ for a one race deal at Indy in which payment was received. The team hopes that an announcement will be made soon on a permanent sponsor(8-5-1999)
#9 Sponsor: current Melling primary sponsor, the Turner television system (Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT, World Championship Wrestling, etc.), is obligated only through the end of the year, and that negotiations for an extension have been complicated by Nadeau’s impending departure. The next goal is to find a new driver. Nadeau will continue until the end of the season. Owner Mark Melling indicates that he has no plans to sell the team at this time.SpeedNet)(8-5-1999)
Hamilton Announcement: Bobby Hamilton has some sort of announcement scheduled for Thursday, 8/5 with “Just Born Candies” at 1:10pm in Indy. Here is the deal: Bobby Hamilton Sr. will be driving the #14 Hot Tamales Chevrolet in 4 Busch races this year. Just Born Inc, the parent company of Hot Tamales will also feature Mike and Ike, and Zours candies as associates. The four races include Michigan, Dover, Charlotte and Phoenix. The car will be fielded by Hensley Racing who is also currently fielding the #63 Exxon Superflo car for Bobby Hamilton Jr(8-5-1999)(8-5-1999)
Adam Petty to Cup? UPDATE: From the Adam Petty site in his Dover Journal – “I’m not supposed to comment on that question, but if y’all can keep a secret I’ll tell you that we are building a Cup car for next year. Whether or not I run it depends a lot on how this year goes. As of today, we are planning to run 5 Cup races next year”(www.adampetty.com)(6-7-1999) — UPDATE: Adam Petty is reportedly going to reassess his attempt to run five Winston Cup races in 2000. Petty Enterprises built a Cup car for the teenage future star but some recent tough outings have he and father Kyle looking at slowing down the speed of his trip to Winston Cup. He was originally looking at a possible run for Rookie of the Year in Winston Cup in 2001 or 2002(Inside Motorsports)(8-5-1999)

(8-4-1999)
Earnhardt UPDATE an image: not ‘real’ news but considering all the email I got when Terry Labonte saved his…..Dale Earnhardt shaved his moustache — first time he’s been without since 1982 — he did it because it was interfering with his snorkeling and face mask down in the Bahama’s during vacation. I cannot even imagine what he looks like without it — UPDATE: at the ESPN site an AP story and an image: New-look Earnhardt prepares for historic IROC sweep(8-4-1999)
#50 Paint: #50 team owners Hal Hicks and Mike Witters had a special graphic scheme placed on the car in honor of their trucking company, Midwest Transit Inc. They have owned this “Elite Fleet” since 1979. Their home base is just miles from the speedway in Mount Carmel, Ill. The company consists of 432 trucks, which log approximately 150,000 miles per day and primarily hauls mail for the United States government. The car’s hood will appear to have a Midwest Transit transporter truck coming out of it. The sides of the car have a slight change in the logo, and then the rear will be displaying the company phone number 1-800-LOAD-YOU(NOL)(8-4-1999)
#90 Sponsor: Junie Donlavey is celebrating the longest consecutive tenure as an individual team owner in motorsports history, and Nestle will join Donlavey’s 50th anniversary celebration by sponsoring his team in four upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup Series events, Donlavey announced Wednesday. Donlavey said that Hills Brothers Coffee and NesQuick chocolate drink, both made by Nestle, will share primary sponsorship locations on the #90 Ford at the upcoming Winston Cup events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Michigan Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway. Hills Brothers Coffee also sponsored Donlavey at Richmond, Charlotte and Pocono in July. Associate sponsors on Donlavey’s #90 Ford Taurus will be Carnation Coffee-Mate non-dairy creamer, Nestea and Toll House morsels, all products made by Nestle. Suburban Lodge, which has also partnered with Donlavey in several races this season, will return as an associate sponsor(Keystone Marketing) See an image(no java on this one) on the Paint Scheme Gallery(8-4-1999)
Earnhardt Paint Scheme UPDATE have Images: Motorsports Direct is listing a diecast car called the “GM Sign Car” in which it says Earnhardt will begin running his new paint scheme at the Brickyard 400 — UPDATE: NOL has a story posted on this: the hood of the No. 3 Chevrolet will be a replica of the GM Goodwrench Service Plus sign that appears as it does at the local dealerships across the United States. See full stoy at: Earnhardt to sport new look at Indy(8-1-1999) — IMAGES: added three images of the car to the Paint Scheme Gallery(need Java enabled to view)(8-4-1999)
Burton/Davis/Caterpillar: Caterpillar, Ward Burton and Bill Davis Racing announced today Burton would be driving the #22 Pontiac sponsored by the Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar, Inc. and fielded by Bill Davis under a new three-year contract which begins for next season. The 1999 season was the first for the three together in NASCAR Winston Cup racing, and the team vaulted to the top of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, becoming a week-in, week- out contender(Williams Company) also see the story at: That’s Racin’(8-4-1999)
PowerTeam Paint at Indy NOPE: 1999 Indianapolis 500 and defending Pep Boys Indy Racing League champion Kenny Brack will serve as the honorary crew chief for Geoffrey Bodine’s Power Team #60 car during the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race next week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bodine’s car will be painted similar to the A.J. Foyt Power Team Racing Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear driven by Brack(Indy Racing League Notes/Site)(8-1-1999) — UPDATE: from the PowerTeam page: At the beginning of the season, the #60 team decided not to run any special paint schemes in 1999. This team is young and wanted to devote their attention to the on-track performance and the growing pains of a new team. Then Kenny Brack won the Indy 500. They reconsidered the idea of not running any special paint schemes and strongly considered running a Kenny Brack/AJ Foyt paint scheme. But, times ran out and in the end they decided not to run the paint scheme. However, Kenny Brack will be at the Brickyard 400 in the #60 pit during the race(PowerTeam Site)(8-4-1999)
Irwin Busy: Kenny Irwin plans to run in a USAC Silver Bullet series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. He will also run in Friday’s NASCAR Grand National race at the track. And of course run the #28 Texaco Ford at IMS in Saturday’s Brickyard 400. Dennis Setzer will practice and is scheduled to qualify the Grand National car for Irwin on Friday, since Irwin will be spending his day at IMS. Once the final Winston Cup practice is finished, Irwin will depart IMS in attempt to arrive at IRP in time to qualify the Grand National car himself(That’s Racin’)(8-4-1999)
Craven to run BGNN UPDATE: Schwarzkopf & Dep, Inc., a Los Angeles, CA based consumer products company specializing in hair and skin care products, has signed an agreement with Ricky Craven Motorsports, Inc. for one 1999 Busch Grand National North series event. Ricky Craven will drive on the famed road course, Watkins Glen International, in the upcoming Pepsi 150 on August 14, 1999(RickyCravenFans.com)(7-11-1999) — UPDATE: the car will be the #23 Agree Chevy(RickyCravenFans.com)(8-4-1999)
Team 34 moving up?? UPDATE: in part from a SpeedVision/iRace story: Team 34 owner Frank “Cicci had originally planned to move Todd Bodine’s operation(#66 Phillips BGN team) to the Winston Cup series in 2000, he has not received confirmation from a sponsor yet”. He says they should know in a couple of weeks if the Cup deal will come through or not, if not then Phillips will extend the BGN(not Cup) sponsorship(8-3-1999) — UPDATE: Todd Bodine continues to chart his future in racing. The ten time winner in the Busch Series would like to get a second shot at Winston Cup and has discussed a move with a couple of Winston Cup owners. His owner, Frank Cicci, has plans, eventually, to move the #66 team, en masse, to Cup, but it is probably too late for that move to happen for the 2000 season. There is no sponsor currently in place for a run in Winston Cup and it is probably too late in the season to get one lined up now for next season. Bodine stated that he would not move to Cup, just to be IN Winston Cup and would feel very comfortable running the Busch Series for the Cicci-Welliver team again in 2000. Bodine’s name has been linked with Yates Racing and with the new Cal Wells Winston Cup (Tide) team as a potential driver(Inside Motorsports)(8-4-1999)
More School stuff: Central Piedmont Community College will offer a four-week course called “A Rookie’s Guide to Racing,” beginning Tuesday night, Sept. 7, at the school’s main campus in Charlotte. The class will meet each Tuesday night in September, ending with a trip to Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Sept. 28. Former Winston Cup driver and current ESPN racing analyst Benny Parsons and Grand National series rookie Tony Raines will participate in the course. Celia Klein, owner of a Cornelius-based motorsports marketing firm, will lead the class. To register or find out more about the course, which is numbered Rec 8119, section 1 by CPCC, call (704) 330-4223(That’s Racin’)(8-4-1999)

(8-3-1999)
#58 Sponsor: I hear the SBIII Motorsports #58 Winston Cup car and driver Hut Stricklin will have primary sponsorship from MTX Audio with Circuit City, CT Farm and Country Stores and Speedbet.com as associate sponsors for the Brickyard 400(8-3-1999)
#22 News UPDATE: Bill Davis and Ward Burton will make an announcement on Wednesday at Indy, what?? contract extension??(8-2-1999) — UPDATE: I hear the announcement will be Caterpillar announcing a contract extension through 2002 with Bill Davis and Ward Burton and it will be announced on RPM2Nite(8-3-1999)
Sadler OK: After hitting the wall in second round qualifying at Pocono, Elliott Sadler was sent to a nearby hospital where he received x-rays on his left foot. The x-rays revealed no breaks or fractures. Sadler’s left foot has fully recovered from the crash and he is 100% this week at INDY. Sadler will pilot the blue #21 CITGO SUPERGARD Online 500 car this weekend in INDY. The SUPERGARD Online 500 is a free internet contest for race fans and the contest offers five hundred prizes. One lucky winner will drive away from the Atlanta Motor Speedway in a new 1999 Ford Taurus SHO on November 21, 1999(CITGO/Cox PR)(8-3-1999)
First Entry: Ernie Irvan was the first entry received for the upcoming Frontier @ The Glen NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. Irvan, winner of the 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event at Watkins Glen, will try to capture the Reisbeck Cup again by driving the No. 36 M&M’s Pontiac to a victory at The Glen on August 15th. “I haven’t tested at Watkins Glen since they have made some adjustments to the turns, but as always I’m looking forward to racing at Watkins Glen. The M&M’s Team got a top 10 last year at the track and Watkins Glen is a place where I’ve been pretty consistent over the years. It’s really a fun track to race on and I’m anxious to see how the M&M’s Pontiac performs on the new(Watkins Glen PR)(8-3-1999)
Dodson Returns to Cup: Last Wednesday, Chuck Rider sold Bahari’ Racing to Jack Birmingham, a Boston businessman who immediately renamed the team. One of Birmingham’s first moves was to hire Dodson, who led Rusty Wallace to the 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup championship as his crew chief. Now Dodson is busy assembling a new team to get Jimmy Dean Pontiac driver Derrike Cope back on track. Dodson was Cope’s crew chief at Whitcomb Racing(#10 Purolator Chevy) in 1992 before the operation shut down. It’s that history that has Dodson hopeful of returning Cope to competitive form. Dodson hasn’t served as a Winston Cup crew chief since 1995(#42 Kyle Petty), but he has 19 career wins in NASCAR’s big leagues and his drivers have won more than $8 million. See the rest of the story at: SpeedVision/iRace(8-3-1999)
TV Guide: TV Guide still talking to Jack Roush about sponsorship of the #16 Ford driven by Kevin Lepage. Roush tried Monday to counter speculation surrounding the sponsorship of Lepage’s team. TV Guide is the team’s sponsor, having taken over this year from Primestar after that company was sold. TV Guide bought the final year of the sponsorship deal, and there have been questions about whether the magazine would sign on beyond that, leaving the future of the #16 team the subject of rumors. Roush said Monday that talks are ongoing with TV Guide about continuing as sponsor. The magazine is planning a racing sweepstakes starting Aug. 22. Fans can register by sending in a form or through the magazine’s website. Fifty fans will be called during the telecast of each race and asked to identify the television star featured on Lepage’s car. Those who do will go into a drawing for four spots as honorary pit crew members for the season finale at Atlanta, with an all-expenses paid trip to that race included(That’s Racin’)(8-3-1999)

(8-2-1999)
#91: added the #91 Invinca Shield Chevy image to the Paint Schemes Gallery, win a #91 car, see Invinca Shield Site (8-2-1999)
Mock? Pizza Hut? UPDATE 4: rumor has it that Pizza Hut may be the next sponsor on the #75 Butch Mock(?) team(7-26-1999) — UPDATE: hearing Butch Mock has sold the team but will finish out the season as the owner(7-27-1999) — UPDATE 2: Butch Mock will reportedly complete the sale of a percentage of his #75 Cup team on August 1st. Mock’s new partner is expected to eventually acquire full ownership(WC Scene Magazine)(7-30-1999) — UPDATE 3: Hearing it was reported on the LTN Hour in Wisconsin, from Jack Flowers(Speedway Cup Scene) that Eddie Cheever (IRL Owner-Driver) will buy the full interest of the #75 team(8-1-1999) — UPDATE 4: while other sources say #40 BGN owner Wayne Ordt will buy the team(8-2-1999)
School Stuff from a PR: Many crew chiefs are calling on Catawba Valley Community College Bobby Isaac Motorsports Technology Program in Hickory NC for fabricators and assemblers. Phillipe Lopez, Kmart Racing; Ty Norris, DEI; Tony Lambert, Roush Racing; Mike Fox, Fox Fabrications, and Tim Suggs, Body Dynamics have pulled fabricators from the Bobby Isaac Motorsports Technology Program. The crew chiefs call looking for new quality help. Our program concentrates on work environment, confidence with equipment, and fab skills used in the industry. We do not teach bad habits, but train people to think like racers, work like team players, and have the imagination to create performance. The program has been very successful with 80% plus graduates working in the industry. We have gotten guys making decals, engineering, building chassis’, metal shading, crewing, all the way to Winston Cup. The total program is a “hands-on” program from Fab I to Advanced Metal Shaping. These courses may be completed in 25 weeks. Many teams are starting to gear-up for December with the 2000 Monte Carlo and Taurus. For information on the program, check out the web site www.teamconcept1999.com(8-2-1999)
Bodine? Todd that is, seems to be rumored to a few Cup rides, the #28 Yates Ford, the new Wells Tide ride and his BGN team moving up to Cup. Hmmm…not sure if Bodine would take another shot with a brand new team(8-2-1999)
10-10-345 Paint: Rich Bickle, who recently signed a two year extension with Tyler Jet motorsports, will drive a Blue #45 10-10-345 Pontiac at Indy, with a new logo on the car(8-2-1999)
#90 News UPDATE: Junie Donlavey and driver Stanton Barrett are remaining together for the Indianapolis race. The team still is seeking sponsorship. Last week, Donlavey revealed that he had talked with Corona Beer in February about supporting his Winston Cup team(Times-Dispatch)(8-1-1999) — UPDATE: The team will attempt to make ALL the remaining races, with or without sponsorship(Inside Motorsports)(8-2-1999)
#31 Tire Changer: Former front-tire changer Jack Lewis will dust off his air wrench for the Aug. 7 Brickyard 400 for Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse Racing. Lewis will change front tires for the #31 RCR Lowes Chevy driven by Mike Skinner. The 36 year old will substitute for one race until a full-time replacement is named to the position recently vacated by Mike Lingerfelt. Lewis currently serves as a full-time fabricator for the #31 Lowe’s Chevy. Team Manager David Smith said Lewis was the standout choice for the Brickyard 400. Lewis has six years of experience as a tire changer, most recently with Skinner’s teammate Dale Earnhardt in the #3 GM Goodwrench Chevy(Cotter Group)(8-2-1999)
Irwin 2nd: Kenny Irwin drove in Friday’s Silver Bullet race at Gateway. He stated 8th and finished 2nd. Ryan Newman won the race(DieHard Yates Fans)(8-2-1999)

Moore Team Sold? UPDATE Yep: hearing reports that #15 Cup owner Bud Moore has sold his team to Winston West operation that wants to go Cup Racing also see a story on SpeedVision/iRace: Deal could put Bud Moore team back in action(7-30-1999) — UPDATE: Bud Moore has sold his Spartanburg(SC)-based Bud Moore Engineering race team to Fenley Motorsports, a Stockton, Calif.-based team on NASCAR’s Winston West circuit owned by Robert Fenley. The bulk of the deal has been worked out, according to Moore, over the past week. Only the fine details remain to be settled. The team, which will carry the # 62(not Moore’s familiar #15) will attempt to qualify at Indy. The driver will be Winston West driver Jeff Davis, and the crew chief will be Joe Snyder, a data acquisition expert who has worked with several Winston Cup teams. Neither Moore nor his son Greg, who has been acting as the #15 team manager, will accompany the Fenley Motorsports crew to Indianapolis, but will act as consultants for the team after Indy. See the rest of the story at: The State by Jim McLaurin(8-1-1999)
PowerTeam Paint at Indy: 1999 Indianapolis 500 and defending Pep Boys Indy Racing League champion Kenny Brack will serve as the honorary crew chief for Geoffrey Bodine’s Power Team #60 car during the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race next week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bodine’s car will be painted similar to the A.J. Foyt Power Team Racing Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear driven by Brack(Indy Racing League Notes/Site)(8-1-1999)
Al Unser Jr to Cup? Hearing rumors that Al Unser Jr may be considering moving from CART to Cup with the Cal Well’s Tide team. Unser’s contract with Penske is up at the end of the 1999 season. Rumor has Little Al supposedly driving the Cup car and pulling an Indy 500/Coca Cola 600 double, like Andretti and Stewart have done(8-1-1999)
Earnhardt Paint Scheme UPDATE: Motorsports Direct is listing a diecast car called the “GM Sign Car” in which it says Earnhardt will begin running his new paint scheme at the Brickyard 400 — UPDATE: NOL has a story posted on this: the hood of the No. 3 Chevrolet will be a replica of the GM Goodwrench Service Plus sign that appears as it does at the local dealerships across the United States. See full stoy at: Earnhardt to sport new look at Indy(8-1-1999)
Dodson to Return? UPDATE 2: Barry Dodson was the mastermind behind Rusty Wallace’s 1989 championship, yet is not presently involved in Winston Cup racing. That may soon change. There has always been a market for Dodson’s services. He has spent the last few years working for Busch and truck teams primarily because he wanted to get away from the high pressure of NASCAR’s premier division and recover from the loss of two teen-aged children in an automobile accident(Monte Dutton/Gaston Gazette) Dodson currently oversee’s the #35 Team Amick BGN team(7-21-1999) — UPDATE: Dodson has be released from the #35 Team Amick BGN operation. Team Owner Bill Amick sites philosophical differences(didn’t see eye-to-eye)(WC Scene)(7-30-1999) — UPDATE 2: TNN’s Raceday reports that Dodson will start work at the #30 Bahari-Eel River Racing on Monday(8-1-1999)