December 1999 News Archives

(12-31-1999)
#41 Images: The Exxon deal is still a rumor, but a reader saw this car at a show and Rick Mast and Larry Hedrick were supposedly there, see the two images at the Paint Schemes Gallery(12-31-1999)
Bodine in Cup, Todd? Todd Bodine is tentatively scheduled to run seven Winston Cup races in 2000 and although he Bodine doesn’t have a primary sponsor yet for his Winston Cup venture, Donnie Richeson will be his crew chief(Country Cool) doesn’t say if it is with his BGN team, Cicci-Welliver or someone else(maybe a…..dodge?)(12-31-1999)
NASCAR and Film Update: NASCAR is expected to acquire Street & Smith’s Productions within several weeks and launch an in-house film production company next year modeled after NFL Films, according to people familiar with the negotiations(Tennessean/SportsBusiness Journal(12-31-1999)
Stewart Races: Cup rookie of the year(ROTY) Tony Stewart raced Wednesday night in the Rumble in the Expo, an indoor midget race at Fort Wayne’s Expo Center(Indiana), and made a charge from 17th to first in the feature before striking a tire, then flipping into the wall. Stewart was unhurt. Stewart also acted the part of a hands-on, wrench-wielding team owner, as he fielded two cars for the preliminary event, a United Midget Racing Association three-quarter midget race that saw Stewart’s two drivers, John Heydenreich and Jason Setser, finish first and second in the TQ semi-feature(Racer Magazine/SpeedVision) also more info can be found at: www.autoracingindoors.com(12-31-1999)
RACER Mag/SpeedVision: chooses Juan Montoya as it’s Racer of the Year and Jeff Gordon as their Racer of the Year Emeritus(12-31-1999)
Race Car of the Year: Reynard 99I/Honda by RACER Magazine/SpeedVision(12-31-1999)

(12-30-1999)
#41 News UPDATE: hearing that #41 Hedrick Motorsports team has hired Philippe Lopez as the crew chief of the #41 Chevy and that Rick Mast will be announced as the driver of the team in the next few weeks. Former crew chief Donnie Disharoon may be the crew chief of a 2nd Hedrick Motorsports part-time team or part ways with the team. Hearing the sponsor for the #41 may be Universal Studios, Exxon or a combo of both, also mentioned on todays Winston Cup Radio program(12-29-1999) — UPDATE: Former Darrell Waltrip crew chief Phillipe Lopez was confirmed Thursday by #41 team owner Larry Hedrick as one of a number of candidates for the job on the yet-unsponsored car, and Hedrick said that he hopes to make a decision by Saturday. The announcement on the driver and sponsor will take a bit longer according to the team owner. Speculation has Rick Mast coming over from the floundering Cale Yarborough team and possibly bringing a sponsor with him, but nothing is confirmed(Racer Magazine/SpeedVision)(12-30-1999)
#9 Crew Chief: Melling Racing hired Jerry Pitts, Jr. to serve as Stacy Compton’s Crew Chief for the #9 Kodiak Ford in 2000, team owner Mark Melling announced today. Pitts, who led the #13 Elliott-Marino Motorsports entry in 1998, will be responsible for chassis setups and race day pit strategy(Melling PR and RACER Magazine/SpeedVision)(12-30-1999)
Melling and Elliott? UPDATE 2: I hear Bill Elliott Racing(#94 McDonald’s Ford) and Melling Racing(#9 Kodiak Ford) will work together sharing information in 2000 and in 2001 merge into a two car team owned by Melling. Elliott Racing will supply engines to the #9 team in 2001(12-27-1999) — UPDATE: Many rumors starting to float around on Elliott and Evernham, but most my sources say while Elliott won’t be the driver, he could be helping Evernham out with try outs for crew members, engine technology and…..hearing that Melling may even switch to Dodge in 2001 with Compton as the driver, so while Elliott probably won’t drive for Evernham, maybe he’ll actually be in a Dodge??(12-28-1999) — UPDATE 2: a source tells me that Bill Elliott has not made any deal with Melling Racing to share information or merge the teams and has no deal with Ray Evernham at all(seems some Elliott fans do not like all the rumors floating around, just trying to let ya know what sources are telling me, that’s all, anyhow it looks like most of the rumors are unfounded anyhow) but NOL reports: The team previously announced a strategic alliance to exchange information with Elliott Racing’s No. 94 team, which will supply engines to Melling’s operation in the NASCAR 2000 season(12-30-1999)
Sad News: Three time ARCA champ Tim Steele, who competed in the Truck Series in 1999, and his wife, Dawn, are grieving the loss of their infant son, Joshua Allen, who died Monday, just 14 days after his birth. Services will be held Thursday in Grand Rapids, Mich. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the Devos Childrens Hospital Foundation, 100 Michigan Street N.E., Grand Rapids, MI, 49503(SpeedNet). Condolences to the Steele family(12-30-1999)
NASCAR Sponsor: USG Corp., a NASCAR promotional partner this year, will become the Official Building Products Supplier of NASCAR in 2000. It was announced earlier this month that two have signed a multi-year partnership(Rockford Register Star)(12-30-1999)

(12-29-1999)
Yarborough to Sell/Fold? UPDATE: hearing Cale Yarborough may have found another buyer for his team(not Bob Brant as rumored last week). If the sale doesn’t go through the team may fold(12-28-1999) — UPDATE: The team is maintaining a minimal crew and owner Cale Yarborough is looking for a buyer or/and sponsor to keep the team running. Also driver Rick Msst has not announced his 2000 plans yet(WC Today Radio)(12-29-1999)
Paul Newman…the Daytona 500? UPDATE 3 NOPE, the 24 hours: not sure what to think of this and have not been able to find a way to listen on the Internet but a few readers and some trusted sources have heard this on Tuesday’s Paul Harvey Radio show: “heard today on Paul Harvey’s noon broadcast that Paul Newman will be entering the 2000 Daytona 500. He said that the actor would be celebrating his 70 something birthday by running in the race” don’t know much else about this, he has to mean the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona which Newman has run before(12-1-1999) — UPDATE: maybe true? a reader, David, scanned in the Newman story from the Orlando Sentinel, see the image of it here: Newman Plans to Race…(12-2-1999) — UPDATE 2: sources tell me Newman will race in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, NOT the Daytona 500(12-3-1999) — UPDATE 3: Veteran racer and academy award winning actor Paul Newman has officially entered the February 5-6 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Newman, who turns 75 in January, leads a team that will include both the oldest and youngest drivers for the 24-hour sports car race at Daytona International Speedway. Newman will race for the Champion Gunner No. 75 Porsche 996 GT3R team along with 17-year-old Gunner Jeannette, Michael Lauer, 44, and Michael Brockman,52(DIS PR)(12-29-1999)
Racer of the Year: from RACER magazine – Oval Racer of the Year: Dale Jarrett; Road Racer of the Year: Dario Franchitti; and Drag Racer of the Year: John Force(12-29-1999)
Business News: Online sports media company SportsLine.com Inc. said on Wednesday that CBS Corp. had exercised warrants to purchase 380,000 shares of SportsLine.com common stock at $20 a share. The purchase brings CBS’s ownership in SportsLine.com to about 16.1 percent, giving SportsLine.com net proceeds of $7.6 million(Reuters)(12-29-1999)

(12-28-1999)
BP Sick UPDATE: ESPN’s NASCAR analyst, former Winston Cup driver and 1973 Cup Champ, Benny Parsons, is in a Florida hospital with pneumonia. He is expected to be released in time to be home for Christmas. Been told cards can be sent to: PRN Fast Talk (BP’s radio show) at: PO Box 600, Concord, NC 28026. Get well BP(12-23-1999) — UPDATE: BP went home on Christmas and will continue to recuperate there(12-28-1999)
Crew Chief of the Year: RACER names Todd Parrott Crew Chief of the Year as part of RACER magazine’s Racers of the Year awards, more awards to be announced this week(Racer Mag)(12-28-1999)
Most Promising Drivers of the Year: RACER Names Kenseth, da Matta, T. Schumacher ‘Most Promising’ as part of RACER magazine’s Racers of the Year awards, more awards to be announced this week. Matt Kenseth: Most Promising Oval Racer of the Year; Cristiano da Matta(CART): Most Promising Road Racer of the Year; and Tony Schumacher(NHRA): Most Promising Drag Racer of the Year(Racer Mag)(12-28-1999)

(12-27-1999)
New #21 Assoc: hearing that Pepperidge Farm has signed on as an associate sponsor with the #21 CITGO/Wood Brothers Ford driven by Elliott Sadler for the 2000 season featuring the Goldfish Crackers(12-27-1999)

(12-24-1999)

Hendrick in Remission: Results of tests conducted this month have prompted Rick Hendrick’s doctors to say he no longer needs chemotherapy and the disease(chronic myelogenous leukemia) can be declared to be in full remission. Hendrick own’s the #5 Kelloggs, #24 Dupont and #25 Michael Holigan Chevy teams(ESPN/AP)(12-24-1999)

(12-23-1999)
Evernham hire: Chad Knaus has been reunited with his old boss, Ray Evernham, in hopes of making Dodge a winner when it returns to NASCAR Winston Cup in 2001. Chad Knaus, 28, who worked for Ray Evernham and Hendrick Motorsports from 1993 through the 1997 season on Jeff Gordon’s original “Rainbow Warriors” pit crew. He left the team after the 1997 season. He wanted a shot at being a Winston Cup crew chief and he felt that wouldn’t happen as long as Evernham stayed with Gordon. Knaus has been hired as a crew/car chief for one of Evernham’s Dodge teams. Supposedly the drivers are in place, but Knaus could not say who they are(in the article), one will be a veteran and one a rookie in 2001(Rockford(IL) Register Star)(12-23-1999)
#94 News UPDATE: hearing that Kevin Cram, Stacy Compton’s former crew chief on the #86 truck is Bill Elliott’s new crew chief on the #94 McDonald’s Ford. Also been hearing unconfirmed reports that Elliott would a Dodge drive for Ray Evernham in 2001, but no sources have confirmed this(12-22-1999) — UPDATE: Cram will not be Elliott’s crew chief and have been told that any mention of Bill Elliott, Chrysler(Dodge) and Ray Evernham together in 2001, is unfounded at best(12-23-1999)
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) will add a pre-race show to their lineup before the Cup races. “NASCAR USA: Country Music at the Speed of Sound,” a live, two-hour Sunday morning program featuring music artists’ interviews, race highlights, previews, features and updates will debut from Daytona International Speedway, the “World Center of Racing” at the 2000 Daytona 500 on Feb. 20. MRN’s Jim Phillips will serve as the host of the pre-race show that will air direct from the site of the week’s NASCAR Winston Cup Series race, broadcast by the network(NOL)(12-23-1999)

(12-22-1999)
Ganassi/Cup UPDATE 2 No? Maybe: Chip Ganassi and Target will field a NASCAR Winston Cup team, starting in 2001, with Terry Labonte’s former team manager Andy Graves calling the shots. As for joining the open-wheel exodus to stock cars (A.J. Foyt, Robby Gordon, Cal Wells), Ganassi said he preferred to wait on the official announcement from Target before giving any more details(SpeedNet/Robin Miller)(12-20-1999) — UPDATE: Ganassi admit’s to hiring Graves but said he never said Target is going NASCAR, see the full story at Racer Magazine(12-21-1999) — UPDATE 2: Target/Chip Ganassi Racing may have taken a step in that direction with the official announcement of the hiring of NASCAR crew chief Andy Graves. A press release stated Graves is exploring opportunities for Ganassi’s Indianapolis-based team, including the possibility of racing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Winston Cup Series(SpeedNet)(12-22-1999)
Tyler Jet Looking: hearing Tyler Jet Motorsports is looking for several mechanics and road crew members, see the address/phone on my Team Shop Address page(12-22-1999)

(12-21-1999)
Rolex 24 at Daytona UPDATE 2: hearing that Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will run a CR5 Corvette in the Rolex 24 hours at Daytona.(RPM Diecast) — UPDATE: not sure how true this is as I have heard from a Stewart spokesperson who says Tony Stewart is not running in the race — UPDATE 2: looks like Racer Magazine has picked up on the story, see it at: Grand-Am – Gordon/Stewart/Earnhardt Jr. in a Corvette?…..It’s been rumored for some time that such a deal was in the works, and the rumor was confirmed today by Dave Hederich, General Motors’ Director of Communications for Motorsports. Hederich described the idea as a ‘wouldn’t it be nice?’, back-burner concept that had been under discussion for some time, and added that it would be more likely for 2001 than 2000(12-21-1999)
Sad News: A University of South Carolina plane that had carried head football coach Lou Holtz on a recruiting trip crashed Sunday night, killing the pilot. The crash killed 65-year-old pilot Dewey Foster, who was also Cale Yarborough Motorsport’s pilot, and injured 77-year-old co-pilot Joseph Baier. Foster, a retired brigadier general, had been a contract pilot for the university for several months before becoming university employee on Dec. 1, McKinney said. (NandoNet/Racing Angels Newsletter) also see the story at Holtz’s plane crashes, killing pilot(Daily Press)(12-21-1999)
Said back to SCCA but… Boris Said III returns to the SCCA with the latest creation from top Mustang-tuner Steeda Autosports. Said, who plans a 12-race campaign in the Winston Cup series with Irvan-Simo Racing, expects to compete in all 10 Speedvision GT events. If there is a conflict, three-time defending BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series runner-up Brian Simo will guest star in the seat(AutoChannel)(12-21-1999)
New Cup/ARCA team UPDATE: Doc Watson plans to open a team shop in Richmond, Va., this fall. Watson, who co-owns a team with a group that includes Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green, said he is looking for a site near Junie Donlavey’s 26,000 square-foot facility off Midlothian Turnpike. Watson plans to run two ARCA teams and eventually a Winston Cup team. Sprint car driver Rebecca Anderson, who has won three 360 Sprint races this season, is testing an ARCA car for Watson this week. The owner says he is not buying into or competing with Donlavey’s current operation. If he can have his Winston Cup effort ready in time, he plans to run the races that run concurrently with ARCA events next season. The two series are paired at the Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte, Pocono and Michigan tracks(Times-Dispatch)(9-25-1999) — UPDATE:Rebecca Anderson of Houston, DE will not be driving the Doc Watson/Dennis Green entry in ARCA nor in any Cup races. Anderson has signed a deal to run 410cid sprints for Tom and Rich Rothe. The deal includes weekly races at Williams Grove(PA) and TV races in the World of Outlaw series(anon source)(12-21-1999)

(12-20-1999)
France has Cancer: International Speedway Corporation announced that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, William C. France, has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently pursuing additional diagnoses and treatment. The treatment is not expected to prevent him from continuing in his roles as Chairman and CEO of ISC and President of NASCAR. Doctors have told France the illness is treatable(Yahoo Biz/Reuters/Business Wire)(12-20-1999)
#98 Deal Dead? UPDATE: from Sue’s Racing Angels/ADNASCAR Newsletter: “Sources tell me the deal between Tampa, FL, businessman Tony Misuraca and Cale Yarborough (for Miscuraca to buy a majority portion of the #98 team) is over, or never was, a deal gone bad. Yarborough is expected to meet with Brant from Brant Motorsports – A B-Fast Company some time this week(Racing Angels/ADNASCAR News) Jayski Notes: I am checking with sources on this, but have not seen it elsewhere. Brandt ownes an IRL team, part owner in the #21 BGN car and is trying to build the indoor Pittsburgh race track. I hear the metting between Brant and Yarborough is taking place today, Mast could stay as driver or another name I am hearing is Ted Musgrave as the driver(12-18-1999) — UPDATE: from NOL: Tony Misuraca, a 31-year-old businessman from Tampa, Fla., was the latest to back out on purchasing the team, when “he failed to come up with the money,” according to a team spokesperson on Monday. The sale was originally supposed to be consummated on Dec. 10(NOL)(12-20-1999)
NASCAR Rumor UPDATE: hearing that Dennis Huth, VP of Administration (and works with the CTS) will leave NASCAR, hearing an announcement will be made on Monday(Dec 20th)(12-18-1999) — UPDATE:Dennis Huth, NASCAR’s vice president for administration, will leave the company by the end of the year, NASCAR officials confirmed Monday morning. Huth’s intentions were not made clear, although NASCAR communications manager Kelly Malone said Huth would continue as a consultant with the company on various issues. Huth’s primary job had been to direct and oversee the Craftsman Truck Series as well as NASCAR’s nine touring series(Racer Magazine)(12-20-1999)
#93 News: Gil Martin has signed a three-year contract extension at Bill Davis Racing (BDR) to continue as crew chief for Amoco Ultimate Team 93 and driver Dave Blaney, a contender for the 2000 Raybestos NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie-of-the-Year award. The 39-year old Martin, a former co-owner and crew chief of the now-defunct #81 FilMar Racing Winston Cup and Busch Series teams, came to BDR in August, 1997 to help build a partner program for the #22 Caterpillar-Polaris team and driver Ward Burton at Bill Davis Racing(BDR PR also seen at Racer Mag)(12-20-1999)
Stats: Racer Magazine website has a chart and story of stats concerning interesting tendencies about the five major auto racing series in the United States. They analyzed NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series, along with the Indy Racing League and Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). Calculated were cautions, teams finsihing the race, leaders per race, etc. Check it out at: 1999 Stats Show Series Differences(12-20-1999)
Tyler Jet sponsor UPDATE: hearing the #10(was #45) Tyler Jet Motorsports team will be sponsored by a delivery service of some sort: UPS or the USPS(United States Postal Service)(12-19-1999) — UPDATE: am hearing it may be UPS but not the USPS(12-20-1999)
NASCAR and Books? UPDATE 3 no film: hearing from a few sources that NASCAR is looking into buying Street & Smith’s — who publish many sports titles including the NASCAR Winston Cup Scene and Winston Cup Illustrated magazine?(12-3-1999) — UPDATE: I hear what this is about is that Street and Smith’s Productions may be the division of Street and Smith that NASCAR may purchase as the have much NASCAR racing films/video that NASCAR would like to use for it’s NASCAR TV channel — UPDATE 2: NASCAR is negotiating to buy Street and Smith’s television division. It includes Inside Winston Cup Racing and a very extensive video library going back to the mid ’80’s when Bob Pearse founded the TV production company as Sunbelt Video. It is assumed this will provide an already up and running production arm for the future NASCAR cable TV channel. It is likely that Street And Smith will retain their core business, the book and magazine division, including Winston Cup Scene, Winston Cup Illustrated, Sports Business Weekly(anon source)(12-4-1999) — UPDATE 3 – NASCAR Film: NASCAR is expected to acquire Street & Smith’s Productions within several weeks and launch an in-house film production company next year. The film venture will be modeled after professional football’s highly successful NFL Films. Industry sources say the deal is all but done and will be announced sometime next month(The Business Journal of Charlotte)(12-20-1999)
Ford Car of the Century: not NASCAR but interesting: Ford Motor Company was awarded Car of the Century for its Model T at an internationally attended gala in Las Vegas Sunday night(AutoChannel)(12-20-1999)
NASCAR and Kmart and DW: A Charlotte sports marketing firm has helped create and organize a joint promotion between NASCAR and Kmart Corp. that is among the most extensive in stock-car racing history. Retail Sports Marketing Inc. has spent more than a year helping NASCAR and Kmart coordinate the 10-week promotion, which begins Jan. 16. Marketing has taken on. A 70-day promotion centered on driver Darrell Waltrip’s special-edition race car, which he will drive for one race in February(The Business Journal of Charlotte)(12-20-1999)
#21 MVP: Mike “Andretti” Smith was named the 1999 season MVP for Wood Brothers Racing on Friday, December 17, 1999. Smith received the honor in front of his teammates and peers from other Ford teams at the 2nd Annual Taurus Team Party, which was held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Smith’s position with the team is car chief, and he is also the rear tire changer for the #21 CITGO Ford on race day(CITGO PR)(12-20-1999)

(12-19-1999)

No Dodge for Penske: Roger Penske last week signed a new three-year commitment with Ford. So Rusty Wallace won’t be one of the drivers in a new Dodge Intrepid in 2001(Savannah Morning News)(12-19-1999)
DW in the booth? Darrell Waltrip is currently negotiating with both FOX Sports and NBC Sports to become a network commentator during races in 2001(Savannah Morning News)(12-19-1999)

(12-18-1999)
Fuller info: the #27 ride and the 2000 Daytona 500 will not be Fuller’s Winston Cup debut. He drove the #88 Pontiac(not with Yates but a family owned ride) in the March 1992 Richmond race to a 29th place finish(TNN Motorsports Prior Season Results page, many readers gave me a heads up)(12-18-1999)
Earnhardt Surgery UPDATE: The John Boy and Billy radio show reported this AM that Dale Earnhardt had back surgery this AM and will be out of action for six week but will be ready for Speedweeks. From what I hear is there will be a six week recoup and the doctor said that things couldn’t have gone any better. They are also taking cards at the DEI shop(address on my Team Address page) Earnhardt had the surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, in Winston-Salem, N.C., to repair a ruptured disc in his spinal column. The operation came as a surprise to many, even within the Earnhardt organization. See the stories at NOL: Earnhardt’s back surgery a success and Racer Magazine: Earnhardt Undergoes Back Surgery(12-17-1999) — UPDATE: Earnhardt was released from the hospital Friday evening and went home to begin his recovery process(That’s Racin’)(12-18-1999)
RJR Changes: Cliff Pennell, who took over as president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s sports marketing division after the death of T. Wayne Robertson in 1998, is leaving the company. Pennell turned over the reins at Sports Marketing Enterprises to Rick Sanders in July. Sanders has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing for RJR but will continue to serve as president of SME, the division that handles the Winston brand’s NASCAR sponsorships. Pennell, 42, who will leave his current post as senior vice president of marketing at the end of the year, will start his own consulting business(That’s Racin’)(12-18-1999)
#22 News: Bill Davis Racing and Ward Burton announced that Hobas Pipe USA has signed on as an associate sponsor on the #22 Caterpillar Pontiac for 2000-2002. Hobas Pipe USA, based in Houston, TX sponsored the #98 Ford driven by Rick Mast in a three race deal in May 1999(NOL)(12-18-1999)

(12-17-1999)
Eel River Raving News UPDATE 4 the announcement: RPM2Nite mentioned that the #30(actually #27) Eel River Racing team will make an announcement Friday concerning their 2000 sponsor and possibly their new driver(12-13-1999) — UPDATE: Eel River Racing general manager Barry Dodson confirmed Tuesday that the team would announce new sponsorship and a new driver Friday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Dodson confirmed that the new driver would be “a Busch regular” but would not bite when several names were tossed at him. He said he could not confirm word that the sponsor will be a pharmaceutical company. Speculation centered on Jeff Green(Racer Magazine) I am hearing BGN regular Jeff Fuller will be the driver(12-15-1999) — UPDATE 2: Jeff Fuller tested the #27 Pontiac at Lakeland, FL Wednesday and is expected to be named the driver of the car Friday(Winston Cup Today Radio)(12-16-1999) — UPDATE 3: the rumored sponsor is Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company — UPDATE 4: Pfizer Inc today announced its sponsorship of the Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) Racing Team to compete in the 2000 Cup Series. The #27 Viagra Pontiac, fielded by Eel River Racing, is part of a comprehensive initiative linking Pfizer with NASCAR fans to raise awareness of men’s health issues throughout the coming year. Jeff Fuller, former NASCAR modified champion, making his Winston Cup debut(he has started on Cup race, see above story), will drive the blue-and-white Grand Prix in the 34-race series. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Pfizer has been a sponsor of NASCAR teams for several years. Through the company’s Consumer Health Care Group, Barbasol shaving cream was a primary sponsor of a Busch Series team beginning in 1996. In addition, Pfizer’s Visine eye care products will be the primary sponsor of a Busch Series team fielded by Reiser Enterprises through the 2001 season(Keystone Marketing) also see the NOL story: Eel River puts Fuller in Viagra Pontiac, Also see an image of the car at That’s Racin’(12-17-1999)
AND…Announcement UPDATE: Details of a one-of-a-kind partnership involving NASCAR Winston Cup Series stars Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin will be announced at a press conference on Friday, December 17 at 2pm/et…..plus the newest NASCAR Winston Cup Series primary team sponsor will be introduced, the car will be unveiled and you’ll find out what team the sponsor is backing and who will drive the car(#27 team?)(12-16-1999) — UPDATE: Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace and Bobby Labonte will participate throughout the upcoming racing season as part of a Men’s Health Tune-Up for LifeT program that is created to help educate men and their partners about common medical conditions. As part of the Men’s Health Tune-Up for Life program, Pfizer will conduct on location health screenings for men prior to most Winston Cup races. The Men’s Health Tune-Up for Life Trailer, a specially equipped mobile unit, will be at every racing event using questionaire or simple medical tests to screen for common medical conditions such as high cholesterol, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), depression, hypertension and erectile dysfunction. Educational materials on common health conditions will also be available. The Men’s Health Tune-Up for Life Trailer has the capacity to screen more than 35,000 men during the upcoming racing season(Keystone Marketing)(12-17-1999)
Graves to leave Hendrick? UPDATE 2: hearing that Andy Graves has parted ways with Hendrick Motorsports and will work for……Chip Ganassi on his CART teams(12-8-1999) — UPDATE: actually heard Graves left HMS last week and may even have been hired to help Ganassi start a Cup team in 2001 but the big push will be to run and win the Indy 500(12-10-1999) — UPDATE 2: Graves has left Hendrick Motorsports and joined Chip Ganassi Racing. A Hendrick Motorsport spokesperson confirmed that Graves had left the team and joined Ganassi’s CART/FedEx team(Winston Scene Magazine) also a story at Racer Magazine(12-17-1999)
New Bodine Crew Chief: Greg Ely, who was with the #75 team, has been named the crew chief for the #11 Ralph’s Ford owned/driven by Brett Bodine. Rick Gay, who had been the crew chief for the last part of the 2000 season took a job with the #25 HMS team(Winston Scene Magazine)(12-17-1999)
Sad News: Dick Williams, 71, known around stock car circles, passed away late Wednesday afternoon following heart surgery in Charlotte, N.C. Williams is the father of Chip Williams, former NASCAR public relations head and now president of a Mooresville, N.C., public relations agency. He was a high school teacher, coach and athletic director in Charlotte, N.C., for 33 years, and spent the last 10 as a coach and athletic department administrator at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. Funeral arrangements will be announced later today. It is tentatively scheduled Sunday afternoon in Salisbury, N.C., with visitation Saturday night. The family will ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Dick Williams Scholarship Fund at Catawba College, which was set up this past spring(12-17-1999)
Wood Bros News: Former #9 Melling crew chief Newt Moore has been hired as a shock specialist for the #21 Wood Brothers CITGO team and driver Elliott Sadler(CITGO PR)(12-17-1999)

(12-16-1999)
Stewart Rumors Again UPDATE: Keep hearing from folks that they hear Tony Stewart will leave the #20 Home Depot/Joe Gibbs team for one of Ray Evernham’s Dodge rides and that his contract runs out next year. Stewart has said repeatedly that he is staying with Gibbs, his contract runs for two more years(2000-2001) and plans to sign an extension soon(NASCAR Today Radio(RA) – the contract part) If he ends up in a Dodge, it’ll be if in the unlikely case that Gibbs switches from Pontiac to Dodge(12-15-1999) — UPDATE: There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Tony Stewart is leaving the #20 car and Joe Gibbs Racing(JGR). Neither is there any truth to the rumor that Ray Evernham has contacted Stewart about driving for his Dodge team. Evernham has never talked to Stewart or his attorney about driving for him. Stewart’s current contract with JGR runs through the 2001 season. The details are being finalized to extend the current contract through the 2004 season with the final document expected to be ready for signing prior to year-end – from Judy Kouba Dominick, Publicist and Personal Assistant for Tony Stewart(12-16-1999)
NASCAR and CART…..no… an update to a post last week concerning NASCAR buying CART(see my Dec 6-12th Past News Page): “There was something fishy about recent reports that certain Champ Car team owners have made overtures to Bill France, Jr. regarding the possibility of NASCAR acquiring CART. In the past few days Racer Magazine contacted several prominent CART owners to gauge their reaction to the story. CART team owner Pat Patrick said, “It’s bull….” and soon after the original story came to light, another one made the rounds suggesting the whole thing was a plant by a “disgruntled” former team owner (conceivably in an effort to boost the price of his CART stock) — a rumor that has since been confirmed by another leading CART team owner(Racer Magazine)(12-16-1999)
Rudd Tests: Ricky Rudd tested the #28 Texaco Ford at Lakeland, FL on Monday and Tuesday while on Wednesday #1-Steve Park, #40-Sterling Marlin and #27-Jeff Fuller tested there(Winston Cup Today Radio)(12-16-1999)
#85 News: driver Carl Long is back with #85 car owner Thee Dixon and the team plans to attempt races in the Cup, ARCA and CTS series. In the Cup series Long will attempt th get the #85 Mansion Decorating Ford in the Daytona, Charlotte and Bristol races. In ARCA it’s the #41 Ford/Chevy at Daytona, Charlotte, Atlanta and maybe some others. In the CTS the plan is to run the #91 Ford F150 at Daytona and possibly Homestead, Martinsville and Dover. Crew chief is Keith Montgomery(12-16-1999)
AK’s Car: A Thunderbird once raced by 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Alan Kulwicki will occupy a champion’s place on Bristol Motor Speedway’s pit road for the remainder of this season’s edition of Fantasy In Lights.(SpeedVision)(12-16-1999)
#91 News: The #91 Winston Cup team of LJ Racing will once again attempt the Winston Cup Series in 2000. Joe Falk, car owner of LJ Racing, said he is excited with the new Monte Carlos, and that he can not wait for January when testing comes for the Daytona 500. Falk also stated that the sponsorship hunt is still a main factor, and that Andy Hillenburg, Rich Bickle, and Stanton Barrett are possible candidates to drive for him for the Daytona 500. With Tim Fedewa (who was Falk’s driver of choice) signing elsewhere(with the #36 BGN team), Falk’s intention to run in the Busch Series went with Fedewa(Catchfence)(12-16-1999)
Car/Sponsor Auctions: This is your chance to win an official Tony Stewart NASCAR™ “Rookie of the Year” race car. Joe Gibbs racing along with SoldUSA.com are proud to bring you this once in a lifetime chance of owning the sensational rookie’s race car. This Tony Stewart race car retains the special “Habitat for Humanity” paint scheme. This particular car was raced five times and can be viewed at Joe Gibbs Racing in Huntersville, NC right outside of Charlotte, NC. See the auction at SoldUSA. Also on eBay, a Southwest Featherlite tour NASCAR team is looking for Sponsorship for one race thru an auction: NASCAR Team Looking a Product to Promote(12-16-1999)
Jarrett and the Vets: On Dec. 13, Jarrett took time out of what has most certainly become a hectic schedule in the weeks since claiming the title to visit with disabled American veterans at W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center, about an hour away from Jarrett’s hometown in Hickory, NC. See Racing Milestones for the whole story at: www.racingmilestones.com(12-16-1999)
Gibbs Looking: Joe Gibbs Racing new BGN teams(#18 and #4) for 2000 are well under way and the teams are expanding. Currently the teams are seeking a qualified gear and transmission man as well as a chassis/suspension specialist(see my Team Address page for info)(12-16-1999)
Congrats Jerry: Posted in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal on Sunday, December 12th. #25 Hendrick Motorsports driver, Jerry Nadeau of Danbury, CT and Jada Blanchard of Spartanburg, SC wed in the Bahamas on Dec 11th, congrats(12-16-1999)

(12-15-1999)
New #10: Tyler Jet Motorsports owner Tim Beverley said Wednesday that his team is preparing “without the slightest hint of hesitation” for a full run in NASCAR Winston Cup Series competition for 2000. With driver Johnny Benson secured to drive the Tyler Jet Pontiacs for 2000, Beverley said the team continues to ride the wave of positive momentum generated when it won its first-ever Bud Pole at last month’s Winston Cup event at Homestead, Fla. Benson signed on the following weekend at Atlanta. In other team news, Tyler Jet Motorsports, which last week relinquished the #45 it paraded during the 1999 season, was today assigned the #10 by NASCAR. Tyler Jet was forced to begin immediate, concentrated marketing efforts to find a primary sponsor replacement in the proverbial “11th-hour” due to the unavoidable lateness of being notified that its ’99 sponsor would not return for a second year. As a result, the team decided last week to temporarily suspend Busch Series plans until its 2000 Winston Cup program was in place. Tyler Jet released 20-year-old former World of Outlaws ace Tyler Walker on December 10th so he could pursue other options in NASCAR racing. Beverley emphasized he still plans to field an eventual multi-car operation. Once the season begins, the team likely will begin the slow yet meticulous process of forming a possible second Winston Cup program with the intent of running select events in late 2000. A driver for such a program has not been selected as of this date(Tyler Jet PR)(12-15-1999)
Martin News: Mark Martin, still flat on his back and under strict doctor’s orders, nevertheless sounded upbeat and on schedule, three weeks after surgery to fuse deteriorating vertebrae in his lower back. He’s bored senseless, he said Tuesday, but he believes the surgery worked as planned. See info and quotes from Martin at the Racer Magazine site(12-15-1999)
NJ driver and Stewart: Vineland, NJ native, Jeret Schroeder will drive for the IRL team partly owned by Tony Stewart and Larry Curry(Tri Star Motorsports). Actually, Schroeder technically is a rookie in that he is eligible for the IRL’s rookie-of-the-year competition. Schroeder started 21st and finished 15th in this year’s Indianapolis 500(Gaston Gazette)(12-15-1999)
Evernham Driver Close? the Winston Cup Today radio program mentioned that during Benny Parson Fasttalk radio show that Ray Evernham said he is close to signing a driver for one of his Dodge teams and hopes to make an announcement in Jan or Feb 2000(12-15-1999)
Bill Davis Engines: Engine builder Terry Elledge recently signed a three-year contract with Bill Davis Racing. It is the first official contract between the two since Elledge joined Bill Davis Racing at the conclusion of the 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup season(Catchfence via a PR)(12-15-1999)
Gordon Tests: I hear Jeff Gordon and new crew chief Robbie Loomis tested a 1999 #24 Chevy at the Greenville-Pickens(SC) Speedway(MRM)(12-15-1999)
Allison News UPDATE: Ampro Racing has signed Bobby Allison, NASCAR legend to be the first driver in a series of apparel to feature NASCAR legend drivers and the cars they drove to some of their famous victories. AMPRO Racing would like to have feedback from fans to help provide what they would like to see. AMPRO Racing will take requests and suggestions from fans via email at [email protected] and also will keep the information to inform them when it is available via Internet sales on either AMPRO Racing website or Bobby Allison website — UPDATE: Cale Yarborough has been added to the Legends Line as of this morning(12-15-1999)
Gordon Paint: Jeff Gordon will be driving a Special Silver to Blue “Chromalusion” 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the 2000 Daytona 500 and feature the NASCAR 2000 logo on the hood of the car(RPM Diecast)(12-15-1999)
Mast News UPDATE 2 #41: Rick Mast still isn’t saying what he’s planning to do next season, although he does admit he is close to making a decision. Mast has been talking with Larry Hedrick(#41) and with the new Misuraca-Yarborough #98 team. He also is considering a couple of other deals. Misuraca’s deal with Cale Yarborough(for buying most of the team) became final Friday. He is talking with Mast and with sponsor Universal, which has a contract with the driver, but nothing has been signed. Mast said an announcement should be made in early January(Times-Dispatch) have heard two different scenios, Mast going to the #41 with Universal as a full or part sponsor(with Exxon) and Mast to the #41 and Universal staying on the #98(12-12-1999) — UPDATE: sources tell me it’s the #41 and if Exxon comes aboard it’ll be a deal similar to the Universal deal with a heavy emphasis on merchandising paying the sponsor bill, it won’t be a ‘factory’ Exxon deal. Hearing some of the #98 crew are coming over to the #41 with Mast. As far as I have heard Donnie Disharoon will remain the crew chief. Also Team Manager Mike Hill and the #41 team have parted ways and Hill is looking for the right opportunity(12-13-1999) — UPDATE 2: hearing so far only one team member from the #98 has left and gone to the #41 with the others waiting on Mast’s decision. Also told again that the Universal contract is with the team not Mast but they want Mast as the driver(12-15-1999)
More #41 Info: on the teams website — www.lhms.com, it says….”Be Sure to Visit Our Site In January When We Announce Our NEW SPONSOR AND DRIVER For The 2000 Season”(12-15-1999)
Sad News: Tony Stewarts former USAC Sprint and Silver Crown car owner, Glen Niebel passed away recently after battling with cancer. Stewart raced for Niebel during his Triple Crown Championship season in 1995. During Stewart’s first Winston Cup victory interview and during his speech at the NASCAR Cup banquet Stewart encouraged Niebel and sent his wishes(TSFP)(12-15-1999)
#88 News: hearing that #88 Jackman, Mike Ford, who had been with the #88 team since it’s inception, has recently left RYR. Ford was raceday jackman as well as front brake and suspension specialist on the #88(DieHard Yates Fans RYR News Page)(12-15-1999)

(12-14-1999)
Team Gordon UPDATE 2: also mentioned on RPM2Nite was that Robby Gordon/Team Gordon may announce their primary sponsor for the #13 Ford on Friday — UPDATE: one rumor has UPS as the sponsor(12-13-1999) — UPDATE: have been told that both rumors are incorrect, there will be no announcement Friday and UPS may or may not be the sponsor, look for an announcement by Christmas from the team(12-14-1999)
Person of the Year: NASCAR Winston Cup Illustrated has named Kyle Petty its 1999 Person of the year for his “Charity Ride” has raised over $1.5 million in the five years it’s been in existence and his food drives have provided thousands of meals for people who otherwise would have gone hungry. See the Interview and story at NOL(12-14-1999)
Fenley-Moore News: Damon Lusk, a twenty-two year old Kennewick, WA, has signed a contract with Fenley-Moore Motorsports of Spartanburg, SC, owners of the #15 Winston Cup Ford that Derrike Cope will drive in 2000, to drive for their ARCA program for 2000(RacingWest/Stockcarfans Newsletter)(12-14-1999)
Rudd Cars: John Borneman Jr. said the time was right to go NASCAR Winston West Series racing. When the cars of NASCAR Winston Cup driver Ricky Rudd went on the auction block this December 1, Borneman and son Johnny were on their way to North Carolina and ended up purchasing a short track car and a super-speedway car in the Auction(RacingWest/Stockcarfans Newsletter)(12-14-1999)
NASCAR formed… December 14, 1947 — At 1 p.m. on the roof garden of the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., Bill France called to order a group of men from around the country. In four days, they emerged with a new sanctioning body that not only would allow participants to compete in city to city but state to state as well. NASCAR was born(SpeedVision’s Today in NASCAR History)(12-14-1999)

(12-13-1999)
Kyles crew chief UPDATE and #43 Crew Chief: I hear Bobby Leslie will be Kyle Petty’s new crew chief for the #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac, which as I have reported in the past will have a new look in 2000, see the images on the 2000 section of the Paint Schemes Gallery(12-10-1999) — UPDATE: Greg Steadman has been promoted to crew chief for the #43 STP Pontiac driven by John Andretti, while Bobby Leslie joins Petty Enterprises to become crew chief for the #44 Hot Wheels Racing Pontiac driven by Petty. Shane Cook has been named car chief for the #44 and Doug Murph has been named car chief for the #43, both moving up from the same respective teams. Leslie joined Petty Enterprises earlier this year from Roush Racing, where he was Busch Grand National racing’s winningest crew chief from 1992-97. He had served as crew chief for Johnny Benson’s Cheerios Ford in 1998(Williams Company)(12-13-1999)

(12-12-1999)

DW Special Paint UPDATE: not sure when but the Racing Champions site is showing a paint scheme for the #66 BigKmart Ford that will be run sometime in 2000, unknown when, see it at: www.racingchampions.com(12-10-1999) — UPDATE: this scheme will supposedly be run in DW’s final Daytona 500(12-12-1999)
Donlavey’s team still alive: #90 Ford owner Junie Donlavey is still working to secure sponsorship for the 2000 season. He says he’s close with two or three companies, but has not signed with anyone. Meanwhile, the team has built the 2000 car for the race at North Carolina Speedway. Donlavey plans to use his 1999 car for the mandatory manufacturers’ tests at Daytona, but will have his 2000 car ready before the race week. Regardless of the sponsor situation, he’ll run the Daytona 500(Times-Dispatch) no word on a driver, Ed Berrier was the last driver for Donlavey in 1999(12-12-1999)
CART and NASCAR? UPDATE: From Forrest Bond’s RaceFax Online(in part with permission): France Reportedly Discussing CART Takeover – We have it on good authority that CART and NASCAR’s Bill France are at least feeling each other out, with an eye toward France acquiring the series. Whether there are serious, if preliminary conversations going on, or there’s merely been a first overture depends on who one gets the story from, but regardless of the source — and there are several — all versions have CART people making the overture to France, rather than the other way around. We are led to believe that many within CART are beginning to seriously question the viability of the series even in the short-term. This evidently became apparent at a Dec. 2nd team owners meeting, which we are told was poorly attended. We are told that several hard questions, some involving the series’ inept television coverage, were put to CART honcho Andrew Craig, who is said to have been evasive in many of his answers, to widespread dissatisfaction. Some people within CART have told RaceFax they believe France represents the only salvation for the open-wheel series, but how widespread that belief may be is not certain(Forrest Bond’s RaceFax Online)(12-10-1999) — UPDATE: On Friday (12/10), a CART spokesman told us the item had them, “scratching our heads,” because it was, “the first time we had heard of this.” We were then provided with a prepared statement attributed to CART chief executive Andrew Craig, to wit: “CART has had no such discussions with Bill France or any other NASCAR representatives. Further, this idea has never been discussed by CART’s Board of Directors.” As much as anything, that established just how far outside the loop CART’s management has been kept. While the official statement is, as far as it goes, apparently accurate, we nonetheless believe that CART board members indeed have, individually, had private discussions with France. And we know that some individual CART team owners — and chiefly former (since Fontana) team owner Carl Hogan — have been in discussions with France. Hogan, we are led to believe, was the first to broach the subject to France. What makes the CART statement correct is the fact that Craig evidently has not been told about the discussions, and the matter hasn’t been discussed by the board members in a formal board meeting, though we can only assume they’ve conversed with each other about their overtures to France outside such formal settings. So this is absolutely clear, we have no reason to believe there have been discussions, either formal or informal, between France and CART’s management. Informal discussions — one-on-one between individual owners and France — have definitely taken place. Whether or not these discussion are continuing is not known, but we are led to believe that they have not progressed to the point of a formal proposal, and have instead been rather general in nature. Whether or not anything will come of this is anyone’s guess. If we had to place a bet on the outcome, at this point we’d give odds nothing will happen, because we suspect there’s a lot more smoke than fire here(Forrest Bond’s RaceFax Online)(12-12-1999)

(12-11-1999)
the Tylers split: Tyler Jet Motorsports(TJM) announced the team had released driver Tyler Walker and suspended its fledgling BGN effort. TJM had signed Walker, the former World of Outlaws Sprint car ace, to spearhead a limited BGN deal earlier this season. The team decided all of their focus needed to be on our Winston Cup effort and that there was room for a BGN team at this time. No word on Walker’s plans but he feels he has some things lined up(TJM PR)(12-11-1999)
Mario and AJ Tie: Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt tied for the title of best driver of the century as voted by a six-member panel of experts assembled by The Associated Press, see the story at SpeedNet: Andretti and Foyt tie for top driver(12-11-1999)

(12-10-1999)
New Racing Mag Soon UPDATE 2: Former Stock Car Racing magazine editor Dick Berggren has a deal in the works to publish a new magazine ‘Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated(Left Turns Newsletter)(12-3-1999) — UPDATE: Dick Berggren former editor of Stock Car Magazine will launch a new magazine in April of 2000 called Speedway Illustrated(TV Times)(12-6-1999) — UPDATE 2: The inaugural issue of Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated will have a cover date of April 2000. Berggren has managed to assemble most of his old staff including Doug Gore, Rob Sneddon, Karl Fredrickson and Bones Bourcier. Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace will be regular columnists, and the first issue will have a feature by Jeff Burton’s Winston Cup crew chief Frankie Stoddard(Racer Magazine)(12-10-1999)
Graves to leave Hendrick? UPDATE: hearing that Andy Graves has parted ways with Hendrick Motorsports and will work for……Chip Ganassi on his CART teams(12-8-1999) — UPDATE: actually heard Graves left HMS last week and may even have been hired to help Ganassi start a Cup team in 2001 but the big push will be to run and win the Indy 500(12-10-1999)
Bodine deal falls through UPDATE 2: The RacingWest site has a story up saying that it has been reported that the deal between Hilton Racing and NASCAR Winston Cup driver, Brett Bodine has fallen apart. Richard Hilton, of Hilton Racing had reportedly purchased the #11 Winston Cup Series Team back on Nov. 19 of this year. Bodine had said being an owner and a driver was too much for him to handle on his own. This deal would have taken some of the pressure off him, allowing him to focus his efforts on his driving. The future plans for Bodine are uncertain at this time. Hilton has been involved in a number of different racing series perhaps the most fruitful was with Championship Winston West driver, Butch Gilliland. During the 1999 season, Gilliland captured two victories, two poles, finished with a top-ten in the standings and received the 1999 NASCAR Winston West most popular driver award for the second time in his career(RacingWest) — UPDATE: A confirmed sale of the No. 11 team to Richard Hilton has fallen through according to Bodine team sources, but the team will get to keep the sponsorship from Ralph’s Grocery Company, a chain of supermarkets on the West Coast and Bodine remains the owner(Racer Magazine)(12-9-1999) — UPDATE 2: I hear that the deal hasn’t fallen through but is being postponed while some details are being worked out(12-10-1999)
SI Special: Sports Illustrated has published a special collector’s issue commemorating the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season. The 132-page magazine, filled with intriguing features and vivid photography, will have a limited press run of approximately 430,000 copies and will be on newsstands beginning Monday, December 13, 1999. Entitled “Winston Cup ’99,” the special edition, featuring a photo of 1999 Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett and Driver of the Century David Pearson, will be sold nationwide at a cover price of $6.99.(Racin’ Network via PRN Newswire) also see the Speed Magazine column: Pearson continues upset streak claiming SI honor by Godwin Kelly(12-10-1999)
Travis Carter team: I hear the #23 Ford team will switch to #26 for the 2000 season. Reason? Rumored sponsorship is from BigKmart and they wanted a number ending in 6 and hear RayoVac will be an associate sponsor on the car(12-10-1999)

(12-9-1999)
All American Racers: The 1999 American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association All-American Racing Team has named 10 first team driver selections who will be honored Jan. 15 at an awards ceremony at Long Beach, CA. The selections include Winston Cup’s Dale Jarrett and Tony Stewart, CART’s Juan Montoya, IRL’s Greg Ray, SCCA Trans-Am’s Paul Gentilozzi, SCCA VW Gold Cup’s Elliott Forbes-Robinson, World of Outlaws’ Mark Kinser, BGN’ Dale Earnhardt Jr., CORR off-road’s Walker Evans, Kool/Toyota Atlantic’s Anthony Lazzaro, and NHRA’s John Force and Tony Schumacher(PR/TNN/SpeedNet)(12-9-1999)

(12-8-1999)
Nemechek’s BGN Sponsor UPDATE: will be CellularOne for his limited BGN schedule in 2000, see an image on the Paint Schemes Gallery — UPDATE: see the story and more images on NOL and at the Official Joe Nemechek Site(12-8-1999)
Andretti Honored: Mario Andretti has been named American Driver of the Century, based upon a mail-in vote conducted among the readers of RACER magazine(Racer Magazine Site)(12-8-1999)
New #24 Crew Chief UPDATE: wow, here is a shocker….Hendrick Motorsports announced that #43 crew chief Robbie Loomis has been named crew chief for the #24 DuPont team and driver Jeff Gordon. Brian Whitesell, who took over the crew chief duties when Ray Evernham left at midseason, has been promoted to the position of team manager(NOL), no word on who will take Loomis’ place but Doug Hewitt was recently reassigned after being Kyle Petty’s crew chief in 1999 on the #44 team. Also see the story at the TNN Motorsports site: Loomis Crewchief, Whitesell Team Manager and from Racer Magazine: Greg Steadman, Loomis’ right-hand man at Petty’s the past couple years, is the likely choice to take over #43, Petty insiders say. Kyle Petty’s #44 still is seeking a crew chief, following the elevation of Doug Hewitt to project manager. The move came about suddenly, sources said. Richard Petty was headed to San Francisco for the Craftsman Truck Series banquet and could not be reached. Kyle Petty was said to be planning to meet with Petty team members Wednesday. As for Hewitt’s status with Petty, sources said he is “indirectly” working on development of a Petty Dodge, “depending on whether that deal goes through.” Richard and Kyle Petty have been debating for weeks whether to stay with Pontiac or accept overtures from Dodge for 2001. And a few days ago from That’s Racin’ it was reported: Petty Enterprises has moved Greg Steadman into crew chief position for Kyle Petty’s #44 Hot Wheels Pontiacs. Steadman, who has worked in recent years with Robbie Loomis, crew chief with John Andretti’s #43 Pontiacs, replaces Doug Hewitt, who will take another position within Petty Enterprises(12-3) and finally? a Press Release from Hendrick Motorsports(12-7-1999) — UPDATE: sources tell me that Greg Steadman will assume the crew chief role on the #43 and Petty Enterprises will promote from within for the vacant #44 crew chief job(12-8-1999)

(12-7-1999)
Elliott cuts the cake: Bill Elliott will be on hand at tonight’s ‘American Veteran Awards’ to Honor (actor) Ernest Borgnine As ‘Veteran of the Year 2000’ Among the evening’s highlights is dessert — a life-size racecar cake cut and served by Bill Elliott. This 16-foot, 800-pound replica takes 340 hours to bake and is graciously donated by Race Cakes, Inc. Miniature race cake kits with proceeds benefiting VFI can be ordered online at http://www.fanpans.com(PR Newswire via Racing Angels/ADNASCAR Newsletter)(12-7-1999)
Yarborough Sold, UPDATE 3: hearing the #98 Cale Yarborough team has been sold, no word on the buyer but I hear it is not Robby Gordon or Bob Lane(11-23-1999) — UPDATE: Cale Yarborough has sold his Winston Cup #98 team to a group of investors headed by Tampa, FL, businessman Tony Misuraca. Misuraca, who also owns motocross and supercross motorcycle teams, was at Yarborough’s shop in Concord, NC, Wednesday and is trying to tie up some loose ends. Yarborough will still have a part ownership role and the team will be known as Misuraca-Yarborough Enterprises. Among Misuraca’s first jobs, he said, will be to try to get driver Rick Mast back for the 2000 season, and to keep Universal Studios on as the team’s sponsor. Mast has been rumored to be headed for Larry Hedrick’s #41 Chevrolet team next season(The State, SC)(11-25-1999) — UPDATE 2: similar story at Racer Magazine(11-26-1999) — UPDATE 3: a spokesperson at the #98 team shop said Monday that it is expected that the sale to Tampa, Fla., businessman Tony Misuraca will be completed on Friday morning(NOL)(12-7-1999)
#60 Engines UPDATE 2: hearing that the #60 Power Team Joe Bessey owned team will run Hendrick Motorsports engines in 2000(11-29-1999) — UPDATE: Power Team racing should be at peak power next season, as they will get Hendrick Motorsports power plants for the #60 Geoffrey Bodine team in 2000(Inside Motorsports)(12-2-1999) — UPDATE 2: There will be few changes to the team for the 2000 racing season. Bodine and Long will both be back in their respective roles as will nearly all of the crew members. The Power Team will also be back as the primary sponsor of the black and red #60 Chevrolet. Two only major changes for the team will be the switch to the new style 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo bodystyle and a change to Hendrick Motorsports engines(Power Team Site)(12-7-1999)

(12-6-1999)
Wood Brothers News: Wood Brothers Racing, which owns and operates the Winston Cup #21 CITGO Ford, hired Terry Smith to help direct the “50 Years in Racing” licensing program. Smith owns Terry Smith Enterprises and also directs all licensing aspects for Michael Waltrip and other licensees. Smith will be responsible for overseeing all licensing as it relates to Wood Brothers Racing and driver Elliott Sadler. Smith is actively pursuing several opportunities with manufacturers and distributors to promote the “Wood Brothers 50 Years in Racing”. The Wood Brothers will celebrate “50 Years in Racing” during the entire 2000 season. “2000 is going to be a big year for Wood Brothers Racing,” said co-car owner Eddie Wood. “Weare getting the right people in place to make the season a success both on and off the track.”(CITGO PR)(12-6-1999)
Martin and Goodyear: Mark Martin and his truck/transport driver, Dennis Ritchie, are featured in Goodyear’s newest advertising campaign for the Goodyear G397 LHS steer tire. The advertisement features Martin and Ritchie standing in front of Martin’s race car and transport truck. The ad’s theme is “How the stars get to the race.” Prior to the NAPA 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Barry Petrea, Goodyear’s marketing manager for commercial truck tires, presented Martin and Ritchie with framed posters of the advertisement(Goodyear PR)(12-6-1999)
Snowball Derby UPDATE Winner: Led by top NASCAR racers Rich Bickle, Jeff Purvis and Scott Hansen, the legendary the 32nd annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola will have a special twist this weekend(Dec. 2-5) time around as Bickle, Gary St. Amant and Bobby Gill are all in line to collect a $100,000 bonus if they can win Sunday’s 300 lap headliner. Bickle, St. Amant, and Gill qualified for the big bonus by finishing 1-2-3 in a 100-lap event at the half-mile Five Flags oval in July. Combined with the $25,000 first-place payday, the race stands as one of the richest events in short-track Stock Car racing. The 32nd-annual Snowball Derby will get underway with Late Model practice Thursday. The event will also feature Spectator, Super Stock and Modified division competition Friday and Saturday before the Late Models take center stage Sunday when the green flag waves at 2pm/ct(TNN Motorsports Site)….also legendary driver Red Farmer has submitted an entry for the Snowball Derby(Florida Stock Car Racing Site)….no idea if the event is televised. Hearing Ted Christopher may also run the Derby(12-1-1999) — UPDATE: One driver who might be absent this year is Alabama’s Red Farmer. He is registered for Sunday’s Derby, but as of Wednesday night, he did not have a car to drive. He is the only driver that has competed in all 31 Snowball events(Alabama Online), see the qualfying report at Florida Stock Car Racing Site. Red Farmer was given a honorary provisional starting spot in todays Snowball Derby(12-5-1999) — UPDATE: The $100,000 bonus was awarded at the 32nd annual Snowball Derby on Sunday night, just not to the driver celebrating in victory lane. Defending champion Rich Bickle won his fifth title when he was declared the winner after race officials upheld a protest of Bobby Gill’s victory(Pensacola News Journal) plus a story at the TNN Motorsports site: Protest, Last-Lap Shenanigans Highlight Annual Race(12-6-1999)

(12-5-1999)

Not Cup but… Richie Evans Jr., 24, son of the late-great 9 time NASCAR Modified Champion, Richie Evans, Sr. has signed with Gary Hargett to drive in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series in 2000. Evan’s Sr. was killed in a practice accident in Martinsville in 1985 and is consdiered by many to be one of the best stock car drivers ever. Since then Richie has continued to grow up around the sport from his home in Rome, NY where he raced Karts competitively, until his family moved to Charlotte, NC in the early 1990. For the past few years Richie as been working as a mechanic and a jackman on the #33 Busch Series Team, BACE Motorsports. Gary Hargett is a veteran crew chief and car owner in the short track stock car ranks in the southeast. He has worked with drivers in their early careers, such as Harry Gant, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Most recently Gary has worked with Chad Mullis with their campaign in the NASCAR late model stock division, at Concord, NC Speedway. At this time the team is seeking sponsorship for their USAR Hooters Pro Cup Program, and with enough sponsorship they may run a few NASCAR late model stock car races in the Carolinas and surrounding areas permitting from the Hooters Schedule(12-5-1999)

(12-4-1999)
NASCAR and Books? UPDATE 2: hearing from a few sources that NASCAR is looking into buying Street & Smith’s — who publish many sports titles including the NASCAR Winston Cup Scene and Winston Cup Illustrated magazine?(12-3-1999) — UPDATE: I hear what this is about is that Street and Smith’s Productions may be the division of Street and Smith that NASCAR may purchase as the have much NASCAR racing films/video that NASCAR would like to use for it’s NASCAR TV channel — UPDATE 2: NASCAR is negotiating to buy Street and Smith’s television division. It includes Inside Winston Cup Racing and a very extensive video library going back to the mid ’80’s when Bob Pearse founded the TV production company as Sunbelt Video. It is assumed this will provide an already up and running production arm for the future NASCAR cable TV channel. It is likely that Street And Smith will retain their core business, the book and magazine division, including Winston Cup Scene, Winston Cup Illustrated, Sports Business Weekly(anon source)(12-4-1999)
More Dodge Rumors: A chassis builder has told RMB orders have been placed for eleven cars to be fitted with Chrysler(Dodge) sheet metal for testing and racing in 2000. suspicions are that one of the teams fielding Intrepids will make limited appearances during the latter half of the 2000 season as part of the development program. Testing alone on a track is one thing, running in a pack is another deal altogether. This makes so much sense we suspect the team making the 2000 appearance just might be Ray Evernham’s(Racin’ My Butt-RMB)(12-4-1999)
Gordon Ice Cream? Whoops.. Edy’s Grand Ice Cream, mindful that Jeff Gordon has been eating its product since he was a child, is attempting to come up with a new ice cream flavor in Gordon’s honor and wants help from fans. For further information, see the Edy’s Website(Country Cool)(12-3-1999) — sorry folks this ended Noc 30th, I should have checked it out better(12-4-1999)
Jarrett Gives: Dale Jarrett also took some time for giving Friday. He and his wife, Kelley, have raised money for several years for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. On Friday, Jarrett handed Foundation officials a check for $220,000. That includes $110,000 from performance incentives — for 15 top-three finishes in 1999 — and a matching gift from team sponsor Ford Quality Care. Earlier this season, Jarrett and team owner Robert Yates gave the Komen Foundation $86,000 from racing merchandise sales(Infobeat NASCAR Newsletter/AP)(12-4-1999)

(12-3-1999)
DJ’s Top Ten: From the Home Office in Wahoo, Nebraska, it’s the Top Ten List for December 2, 1999 as presented by Winston Cup Champion, Dale Jarrett on the Lateshow with David Letterman: Top Ten NASCAR Driver Pet Peeves(12-3-1999)
Most Popular Driver is… For the ninth straight year and 14th time overall, Bill Elliott, owner and driver of the #94 McDonald’s Ford Taurus, was voted NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver. The 1999 fan balloting was conducted by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). Except for 1989 and 1990, Elliott has won the award every year since 1984. The only driver close to Elliott with most popular wins is retired great, Richard Petty, with nine. The announcement was made Friday (Dec. 3) during the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast here at the Waldorf-Astoria(McDonalds PR) No idea of the voting results or who 2nd…etc(12-3-1999)
Highlites: Here are some “looking ahead” highlights from Mike Helton’s address and video presentation at Thursday’s NASCAR press conference: 1) The NASCAR Channel will be a reality… 24 hour NASCAR. No start-up date was given, but plans are being made now. 2) Every Winston Cup car will have in-car cameras for every race. 3) You’ll see glowing race cars on TV… Yes, the technology exists to “highlight” cars in different colors to denote which cars are on the lead lap, which are not, etc. The demonstration video was a lot better looking than the Fox “glowing puck”, and is light years ahead of the telestrator currently used by the TV nets. 4) Pay-per-view is coming… not for the basic Winston Cup race coverage, which will always be available on free over-the-air and cable nets. Pay per view will allow the viewer to select enhanced additional coverage… like choosing which of the 43 in-cars to watch and when. This may be accomplished through NASCAR’s website, the NASCAR channel, or some future technology. Here, NASCAR is taking a page from Formula 1, which offers the same “tiers” of free and paid coverage in Europe(many sources, condensed)(12-3-1999)
#44 Crew Chief: Petty Enterprises has moved Greg Steadman into crew chief position for Kyle Petty’s #44 Hot Wheels Pontiacs. Steadman, who has worked in recent years with Robbie Loomis, crew chief with John Andretti’s #43 Pontiacs, replaces Doug Hewitt, who will take another position within Petty Enterprises(That’s Racin’)(12-3-1999)
Grissom/Petty? UPDATE: Steve Grissom, who is expected to announce a double Dodge deal in the near future. According to sources close to the situation, Grissom, who has competed fairly regularly on the Winston Cup circuit, will move to the Petty Enterprises truck next season and will become a test driver for the new Intrepids. Kyle Petty says he has made Grissom an offer to drive the #43 CTS entry, but he has yet to sign the deal(SpeedVision)(11-14-1999) — UPDATE: Many Dodge teams tested Thursday at Lowes Motor Speedway, including Steve Grissom in a Petty Dodge, see full story at the TNN Motorsports Site(12-3-1999)
Paul Newman…the Daytona 500? UPDATE 2: not sure what to think of this and have not been able to find a way to listen on the Internet but a few readers and some trusted sources have heard this on Tuesday’s Paul Harvey Radio show: “heard today on Paul Harvey’s noon broadcast that Paul Newman will be entering the 2000 Daytona 500. He said that the actor would be celebrating his 70 something birthday by running in the race” don’t know much else about this, he has to mean the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona which Newman has run before(12-1-1999) — UPDATE: maybe true? a reader, David, scanned in the Newman story from the Orlando Sentinel, see the image of it here: Newman Plans to Race…(12-2-1999) — UPDATE 2: sources tell me Newman will race in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, NOT the Daytona 500(12-3-1999)
Junie Honor: W.C. ‘Junie’ Donlavey owner of the #90 Ford team who just completed his 50th year as a stock-car owner was honored with the 40th annual TOSCO 76/NMPA Myers Brothers Award, which recognizes the individual or group that has made the greatest contribution to the sport during their career(Racer Magazine)(12-3-1999)
Yates Sick but… #88(and #28) car owner Robert Yates, who won his first championship as a car owner this year, missed Thursday’s festivities with bronchitis but plans to be at the banquet Friday(News and Observer)(12-3-1999)
Earnhardt/Childress: #3(and #31) Car owner Richard Childress said he and driver Dale Earnhardt should be ready to announce a contract extension within the next month. The deal will keep Earnhardt with Childress through 2003(News and Observer)(12-3-1999)
Honored: Morris Metcalfe, the chief of scoring and timing who has been with NASCAR since 1955 and who will retire in February, was named Thursday as this year’s recipient of the Buddy Shuman Award for service to NASCAR(That’s Racin’)(12-3-1999)
Biffle to test for Martin: #50 CTS Roush Racing driver, Greg Biffle, will test Mark Martin’s cars(Cup?) in January, allowing Martin to recuperate from back surgery right into February(NOL)(12-3-1999)
Martin Charity: Mark Martin’s on-track performance during the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans nationwide, raised a total of $202,740 for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Valvoline officials today announced the total donation from the first year of its “Caring Hands” program. Valvoline, primary sponsor of Martin’s Valvoline Ford Taurus, said at the start of the 1999 season it would contribute $5,000 for each Martin Winston Cup win, $1,000 per pole position, and $20 for each lap led. In addition, Valvoline and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America hosted 15 trackside fundraisers where fans could participate in the effort(PR)(12-3-1999)
The Banquet: The NASCAR Winston Cup Awards Banquet will be held on Friday, Dec. 3rd, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, it will be televised on ESPN LIVE at 8:30pm/et and by Radio on MRN at 8pm/et. The BGN and CTS series banquet info is on my BGN/Truck page. (NOL) The Cup banquet is private and closed to the public(10-1-1999) — Also NASCAR Online has a special section: NASCAR Winston Cup Series Banquet Page(11-29-1999) — from NOL: Following the Champion: Day 2 (12-1-1999) — Day three: Following the champion: Day 3(NOL) — Day Four: Following the champion: Day 4 Also: GoRacing Radio at the NASCAR Winston Cup Banquet(12-3-1999)

(12-2-1999)
#81 Returns: Michael Ritch, who plans to run for Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the 2000 BGN series, will also attempt up to five NASCAR Winston Cup Series events next season. Ritch drivers the #55 BGN car and will run the #81 Ford in the Cup races, fielded by Davis & Weight Motorsports. Davis & Weight this season purchased the assets of the former FILMAR Racing team(NOL)(12-2-1999)
Slugger Update: hearing Richard Labbe has joined Mattei Motorsports #7 team — UPDATE: Richard “Slugger” Labbe, who elected not to follow driver Wally Dallenbach to the Galaxy Motorsports team as crew chief for the #75 Fords next year, will instead go to Mattei Motorsports and be car chief for the #7 Chevy driven by Michael Waltrip. He will assist crew chief Bobby Kennedy with that team(That’s Racin’)(12-2-1999)
#60 Engines UPDATE: hearing that the #60 Power Team Joe Bessey owned team will run Hendrick Motorsports engines in 2000(11-29-1999) — UPDATE: Power Team racing should be at peak power next season, as they will get Hendrick Motorsports power plants for the #60 Geoffrey Bodine team in 2000(Inside Motorsports)(12-2-1999)
Rudd Auction UPDATE TODAY and a story: Ricky Rudd is putting one of the most consistently successful racing teams in motorsports history on the auction block beginning Wednesday, December 1, and continuing until every part and piece is gone. That will definitely include Thursday, December 2, and probably part of Friday, December 3 as well. Rudd’s team has won every year of its existence but the loss of sponsorship for next season, which Rudd found out late in the fiscal year for most corporations, cost the team a chance to compete next season. Rudd and some team members are moving to Robert Yates Racing, the NASCAR Winston Cup championship team, beginning next year. The auction will begin at Rudd Performance Motorsports at 8 a.m., Wednesday, December 1, and will continue until everything is sold. A preview day is scheduled Tuesday, November 30, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The shop is located in Lakeside Park, just off of Exit 36 on I-77 in Mooresville. The address is 292 Rolling Hills Road, which is the main thoroughfare through Lakeside Park(Williams Company)(11-16-1999) — UPDATE: while the Ricky Rudd website, www.rickyrudd.com is under construction, they do have a list available for download(in Excel) of the items up for Auction(11-17/12-1-1999) — AND Rudd Auction Attracts Hundreds first item sold: reinforced air hose..(Racer Magazine)(12-1-1999) — AUCTION NEWS: the list of items for sale can be seen at: CSA Auctions – RPM(12-2-1999)
Ford and Pi: a week old but: Ford Motor Company announced today that it will purchase the Pi Group, a leading supplier of high-technology electronics to the automotive industry. Pi is one of the world’s top designers and manufacturers of “leading edge” electronic equipment and software. It supplies many of the world’s best-known automotive names and is particularly strong in motor sport. Ford will purchase all of the company, which employs about 300 people(Pi PR)(12-2-1999)
DJ and Imus: “Dale Jarrett and (radio talkshow host, Don)Imus talk about how NASCAR has become such a huge event! Imus also finds out what Dale is up to these days and how he trains for races. Note: Imus supported Dale Jarrett from the start..even before he was a winner. Now that’s a miracle!” Listen/watch the clip at MSNBC – The Real Deal(12-2-1999)

(12-1-1999)
#30 now #27 UPDATE: Mike Bliss(of course this didn’t happen, he went to AJ Foyt’s team) 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. 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) — UPDATE: Eel River Racing crew chief Barry Dodson will be reunited with the number 27 Pontiac he guided to a NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship with Rusty Wallace in 1989, and he will not have to change his business card to do it. Team owner Jack Birmingham announced today that Eel River Racing, which had fielded the number 30 Pontiac in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series since mid-summer, will dust off the number 27 decals and put them on its Pontiacs next season instead of the number 30 decals. Eel River acquired the number 30 Pontiac after Birmingham orchestrated the acquisition of Bahari Racing. Dodson called the shots from the pits during Wallace’s 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship, which included six wins and four pole positions. Wallace drove the number 27 Pontiac for five years, but he is not the only NASCAR legend to sit behind the wheel of a car with the number 27 decals on its side(Keystone Marketing PR)(12-1-1999)
Burdette Back? UPDATE: sources tell me that former #98 team part owner, Wayne Burdette is looking to come back into the Cup Series with…get this…Baywatch (yep the show) as a sponsor in some way(11-23-1999) — UPDATE: I now hear that Baywatch will be an associate sponsor on the #2 Miller Lite Ford driven by Rusty Wallace in an associate sponsorship role(12-1-1999)
Jarrett Tops: NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett has been selected Driver of the Year by a 15-member panel of motorsports journalists(Arizona Republic/AP)(12-1-1999)
Action Performance News: Milberg Weiss Files Class Action Suit Against Action Performance Companies, Inc. and Its Officers and Directors Alleging Misrepresentations (Yahoo Finance)(12-1-1999)
Evernham Notes UPDATE transcript: Ray Evernham was a featured guest on Speedvision’s Inside Winston Cup on Monday night(11-29), discussing his progress with the new Dodge entries for the 2001 season. Evernham stated that he hoped to have cars ready for on track testing by May 1st, and that they would use the engine currently used in the Craftsman Truck Series for preliminary testing. A new motor is being developed to compete with the Ford and Chevy engines in the Winston Cup Series but is not expected to be completed until July or August. Dodge will sponsor Evernham’s race team, and it will carry #19 on the door panels. Evernham also stated that the cars will be referred to as Dodge, not Chrysler, as Dodge Dealers are sponsoring the manufacturers involvement in NASCAR(Catchfence)(11-30-1999) — UPDATE: see the transcript of Evernhams interview at: Inside Winston Cup – Desiree’s Ray Evernham Page(12-1-1999)
Green Signs UPDATE: hearing David Green has signed with the #34 Cicci-Welliver Racing Team and AFG Glass will be the sponsor for the BGN team(11-29-1999) — UPDATE: It’s official, see the PR at the Cicci-Welliver Racing Site or Racer Magazine(12-1-1999)
#23 Sponsor UPDATE: still hearing Kmart will be the new sponsor along with an associate sponsorship from Rayovac(11-30-1999) — UPDATE: and still hearing the car number will change to a number ending in 6, like 26. 56, 76 etc(12-1-1999)
Craven News: Ricky Craven, driver of the #50 MidWest Transit Chevy in the Cup Series, will drive three BGN races and two Busch North(BGNN) Series events in 2000 with sponsorship from Agree Shampoo and Conditioner. The cars, 2000 Monte Carlos, are owned by Ricky Craven Motorsports and will be maintained at the team’s shop in Concord. The three BGN races scheduled are those on Saturdays before the May and October Cup events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and a stand-alone event at New Hampshire in May. Craven also will run the two Busch North races on the Saturdays prior to the July and September Winston Cup races at New Hampshire(North East Racing)(12-1-1999)