Beebe UPDATE: I hear that during the SpeedVision broadcast of the ASA race at Berlin Raceway that ASA driver Rick Beebe and his ASA team are going to race up to four 1999 BGN races, starting with Milwaukee(6-8-1999) — UPDATE: Beebe will attempt to make the BGN race at Milwaukee on July 4th in the first of four BGN races(along with IRP, Michigan and Memphis) with team owner Ritchie Wauters, who says he has the best equipment money can buy (KC Star)(6-30-1999)
Sponsor: Fain MotorSports announced recently that it has reached an agreement with the birth place of Rock-n-Roll “Sun Studio” in Memphis,TN. Sun Studio will be on the car as an associate sponsor. Fain MotorSports is running a lengend’s theme on its cars for the events it will be attending this year. Sun Studio will be appearing on the car with Carl Perkins(PR) the team expects to get assigned a # for the car within the next two weeks. The team plans to make attempts at the Memphis and Homestead races with Carl Perkins on the hood and Sun Studio on the deck lid at Memphis(6-30-1999)
Johnson to BGN UPDATE: ASA driver Jimmy Johnson plans to run up to five BGN events in the #92 Chevy. Plans are to run at Memphis on Oct 31st, where they recently tested, and possibly the Milwaukee Mile in July and three more events after the ASA season is over. The team plans to run full time BGN in 2000 and run Johnson for rookie of the year. Johnson won last weeks ASA event at Memphis, his first ASA win. His team is crew chiefed by former Cup crew member Tony Liberati(in part from RPM2Nite and from my archives)(6-18-1999) — UPDATE: I hear the team will test their BGN car at Milwaukee this week and if all goes well, they plan to attempt the BGN event(6-21-1999) — UPDATE 2:Johnson and the team had a very good test at Milwaukee and will attempt to make the BGN race in the Herzog Motorsports #92(6-29-1999)
Sadler Racing: Carl Long reported during On The Circuit(Nashville, WAMB – AM 1160) last night that he and Sadler Racing(#95) will run ARCA, looking at Busch, and possibly some CUP races before years end. Will run the two ARCA races this weekend in Toledo, Ohio(On the Circuit)(6-22-1999)
Crew Chief Looking: Crew Chief Gary Scott has left the #21 BGNN team of Eric Bodine and moved back down south(6-22-1999)
DW BGN ride: Remember those DW BGN rumors a while back, well I am hearing that DW will drive the #48 Champion Potato Co Ford at Charlotte in October in a one race deal. His brother Michael is supposedly listed as the owner(6-21-1999)
DRM Update: from the latest Speedway Scene – Contrary to rumors of chaos at Diamond Ridge Motorsports involving firings, sponsor loss and an equipment sell off, a team spokesman says all is fine with the operation. Lance Snacks, the teams primary sponsor on the #4 Jeff Purvis driven BGN Chevy, is signed to a 2 year deal that will not expire until the end of the 2000 season(6-20-1999)
FAIN Motorsports news: FMS has entered into an agreement with the estate and family of Carl Perkins to put his image on the car. Plans at this time will be to run the car at the Memphis race or Homestead. The agreement will also benefit the Carl Perkins Center for The Prevention of Child Abuse. The image will include Mr. Perkins famous Blue Suede Shoes(FMS)(6-20-1999)
Query news: Freddie Query is looking for a new BGN or Craftsman Truck Series ride. Premiere Motorsports(#68 Ford) team owner Steve Husketh violated Freddie’s two-year contract by refusing to pay him, which legally allows Query to pursue other avenues. The ’98 NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series champion helped Hank Parker Jr. at South Boston on June 12. Query was Parker’s spotter, and also assisted on chassis set-up (shocks, springs, sway bars and brakes). Parker recorded a BGN career-best finish of third place(Query PR)(6-18-99)
Markham/Parker: Ron Parker announced he has signed Curtis Markham as the driver for the #72 MGM Brakes/Parker Racing team for three BGN races. Markham will kick off the three-race deal with the Lysol “200” at Watkins Glen on June 27th, where he has logged in three BGN road-course races in his career with impressive qualifying positions of 4th, 18th and 17th for an average starting spot of 13th. The two other confirmed races of the three-race agreement are the DieHard “250” at The Milwaukee Mile on July 4th and the Advance Auto Parts “250” at Myrtle Beach on July 17th. Parker has the option to extend the agreement with Markham for the remainder of the 1999 BGN season, with the exception of Gateway (St. Louis area) on July 31st and the October 9th Charlotte race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway where Markham already has prior commitments(Parker PR)(6-18-1999)
Sassar Motorsports news: The #65 Sasser Motorsports Chevy team named Ted Brown crew chief, his first event will be Watkins Glen. Driver Chris Cook had a successful test at Watkins Glen. This is the team working out of Junior Johnson’s old shop and Johnson is consulting for them(6-18-1999)
#59 News: Kingsford Charcoal has been satisfied with the improvement at the #59 Tad Gaschacter/Mike Dillon team and will be with that organization through the 2002 season. Dillon, son-in-law of Richard Childress, has continued to improve as a driver and the team, with marketing whiz Gaschacter, should be able to focus on adding all-important associate sponsors for 2000(Inside Motorsports)(6-17-1999)
FAIN Motorsports: Fain MotorSports announced it will be running a limited BGN schedule including Rockingham, Memphis and Homested. FMS has obtained a sponsorship agreement with the Old Country Store and Casey Jones Museum. The Rockingham race will be run with Casey Jones on the hood as the main sponsor. Casey Jones Museum is the 5th most visited tourist attraction in Tennessee. Bobby Davis is listed on the site as the driver. More information can be found at www.fainmotorsports.com or www.caseyjones.com.(FMR PR)(6-16-1999)
Kitchens News: Jimmy Kitchens, former driver of the #22 AllCar Racing team BGN chevy, will drive a few races in ARCA for ML Motorsports, starting at Michigan. The team plans to eventually move to BGN and hopes to run a few races in 1999, possibly as soon as Indianapolis Raceway Park. The owners are, Mary Louise Miller – the “ML” in ML Motorsports and husband Dane Miller, chief operating officer of team sponsor BioMet. Red Farmer will manage racing activities at the track, and Kitchens also brought as sociate sponsorship from Dunlop Golf. The team, based in Warsaw, Ind., will have Kitchens in its #67 Chevrolet for the next four ARCA events. After Michigan comes Pocono next week, followed by a doubleheader in Ohio. ML Motorsports has two cars being prepared for the BGN(Alabama Online) Also hearing rumors that Bobby Allison may be involved, also Kitchens qualified 20th for the Michigan ARCA race(6-11-1999)
Team Amick Changes: In an effort to improve performance during the remainder of the 1999 season, Team Amick Motorsports owner Bill Amick announced today that a new driver and crew chief have been named to work with the team. Lyndon Amick, who has driven for Team Amick since its inception, will give up his seat after this weekend’s Textilease Medique 300 at South Boston Speedway. Plans call for Amick to pilot a second entry for the team at selected BGN events in 1999. Amick plans to return to run a full Busch Series campaign with the team in the year 2000. Elliott Sadler, who drives the #21 CITGO Ford in the Cup Series, is a Busch Series veteran, with wins at Rockingham, Bristol, and Nazareth. He also won the NASCAR Winston Racing Series track title at South Boston Speedway in 1995. Most recently, Sadler drove several Busch races while substituting for an injured Andy Santerre in the No. 47 MONRO Muffler Chevrolet. Sadler’s debut in the #35 SCANA/Powertel Chevy will come on July 17 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Plans are for Craftsman Truck Series regular Mike Bliss to fill in during the two races leading up to that date. The other major change to the Team Amick organization came earlier this week with the departure of crew chief Buddy “Red Dog” Barnes. Crewmember Brad Pickens has been named as the new crew chief for the No. 35 team, effective immediately. Pickens, 25, of Greer, SC, has been with Team Amick since its formation in 1995. Prior to accepting his new assignment, he served as both a mechanic and as the team’s jackman on pit stops(Team Amick PR)(6-10-1999)
Phoenix News: the Phoenix BGN race sponsor will be Outback Steak House, who signed a three year deal to do so recently. The debut BGN event is 11/6(GoRacing)(6-10-1999)
Ruttman Back: Joe Ruttman will replace Butch Miller in the #18 Bobby Hamilton Motorsports DANA Dodge Ram for Friday night’s race at Texas. Millers release, which reportedly was by mutual agreement among the driver, team owner Bobby Hamilton and the DANA Corporation, was a result of performance that was below everyone’s expectations(NOL)(6-10-1999)
More Childress BGN stuff: #98 Porter Cable Truck driver, Kevin Harvick, is among the list of drivers for Childress’ new BGN Team. Supposedly AC Delco is one possible sponsor(PitNow)(6-7-1999)
Team Manager: Michael Rompf has been hired as the team manager for AllCar Motorsports’ No. 22 Air Jamaica Vacations Chevrolet currently driven by Steve Grissom. This is Rompf’s last weekend working for the Irvan-Simo Motorsports team, which is fielding the #14 Federated Auto Parts Pontiac this weekend for driver Ernie Irvan(NOL) no successor named(6-5-1999)
FAIN Announcement: Fain MotorSports announced today that it has signed Bobby Davis, Jr., World of Outlaw Champion, to a contract through the year 2002. F.M.S. will run in a limited number of Busch races the remainder of the season and will run a full season in Busch next year with a limited appearance in Winston Cup events. In 2001 they will run a full Busch season and in 2002 will move to Winston Cup. F.M.S. will operate from their shop in Lexington while looking for a location in North Carolina to relocate to next season. More information can be obtained about F.M.S. and Bobby Davis at their web site www.fainmotorsports.com (6-4-1999)
Knuckles: Akins Motorsports has hired veteran NASCAR crew member Joey Knuckles as a chassis specialist for the #38 Barbasol Ford Taurus driven by Glenn Allen in the NASCAR Busch Series, team owner Brad Akins announced today. Prior to his appointment at Akins Motorsports, Knuckles began the 1998 season with Ted Musgrave at the #15 Bud Moore Winston Cup operation. In 1997 Knuckles worked for Akins Motorsports on the Barbasol Ford, then driven by Elton Sawyer. Knuckles has worked as crew chief for NASCAR legends Davey Allison, Cale Yarborough and Buddy Baker(Keystone PR)(6-3-1999)
Schwantz UPDATE 1: Trying to find info on Kevin Schwantz’ condition and many questions by readers on where they can send cards???? Maybe to the #78 shop, see the BGN Address page for the address(6-1-1999) — UPDATE 1: The pelvic fracture that had been reported was an old injury that the doctors saw while examining Schwantz. He was released from the Carolinas Medical Center on Monday afternoon, is at home and doing well. His immediate plans are not known at this time. Any correspondence may be sent to Mark III Motorsports, 5895 Mount Pleasant Road, Concord, NC 28025(a few readers)(6-2-1999)
Johnson returns UPDATE 1: Jimmy Johnson, once general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, has agreed to come out of retirement to manage Galaxy Motorsports, a Busch Grand National team headquartered in Murfreesboro, TN(#40 ChannelLock Chevy). Galaxy, whose BGN driver is currently Stanton Barrett, plans to upgrade to Winston Cup next year. According to team sources, a sponsor will be announced in the near future. The team may compete in both Cup and BGN next year(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(5-31-1999) — UPDATE 1: I hear the team has a deal for Cup in the works, supposedly a good one. Not sure if Barrett moves up with the team, but they are happy with his performance so far in the #40(6-1-1999)
DEI, no truck? According to DEI’s Director of Motorsports Ty Norris, the organization’s No. 16 Craftsman Truck team is not a certainty for the year 2000. Along with Richard Childress Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, DEI has been faced with the increasing costs of the Truck Series, mainly stemming from additional travel and the inclusion of pit stops into the race format(SpeedVision)(5-31-1999)
AC Delco UPDATE 1: ACDelco will remain in NASCAR as a BGN car sponsor but will not be affiliated with Dale Earnhardt Inc. next season. According to ACDelco spokesperson, when Ron Hornaday and NAPA take over the #3 next season, the company will move to another team in the series. It will not be a car owned by DEI(Times-Dispatch)(5-30-1999) — UPDATE 1: Hearing Richard Childress Racing may start a BGN team in 2000 and AC Delco could be their sponsor, also supposedly RCR may not run a Truck team in 2000(5-31-1999)
Leffler/Gibbs: I hear Jason Leffler is supposed to test the #18 MBNA BGN Pontiac at Greenville Pickens Speedway(SC) sometime this coming week. Leffler broke his hand in the USAC Silver Bullet race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds mile Friday nite. Not sure if this will effect his testing as Leffler ran IRP on Saturday night(5-31-1999)
Hornaday to BGN with DEI: It was announced this morning that RON HORNADAY and sponsor NAPA Auto Parts will be moving from the NASCAR Truck Series to the NASCAR Busch Series in the year 2000. He will drive the #3 Chevrolet that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be vacating. The team has a three-year contract with NAPA and the colors will remain the same as the truck. No decision on what will be done with the #16 truck team.(image and story at the Lowes Motor Speedway, thanks Scott)(5-27-1999)
Gibbs/BGN?? UPDATE 3: On RPM2Nite, John Kernan interviewed Sprint Car star Jason Leffler. It was mentioned that Leffler has an offer from Joe Gibbs, it wasn’t really announced but more implied that it would be a BGN ride(5-20-1999) — UPDATE 1: I hear that WRTV Channel 13 in Indy reported that Jason Leffler will be named to drive a Busch Series car owned by Joe Gibbs(5-21-1999) — UPDATE 2: Jason Lefler, a promising young open-wheel racing star, is under consideration by car owner Joe Gibbs to run the Busch tour next season, according to sources close to the situation(PitNow)(5-24-1999) — UPDATE 3: Current USAC sprint car driver Jason Leffler will be given his chance to prove his stock car abilities by car owner Joe Gibbs. Gibbs has told Speedway Scene that Leffler will be put behind the wheel of the #18 MBNA BGN Pontiac this season to replace Bobby Labonte, who announced last month that he would not be entering any more BGN events in 1999. If Leffler finds the stock cars to his liking, Gibbs plan is to have the youngster in the car for the full schedule in 2000 and take it from there(Phil Furr/Speedway Scene)(5-26-1999)
SABCO BGN: Sterling Marlin will run three races in the BGN in a #01 TracFone Chevrolet. The crew chief’s position will be a collaboration between Greg Irwin and Bob Temple for races at Michigan, Dover Downs(MBNA Gold 200) and Phoenix. But Sabates isn’t stopping there. He also plans to enter Dave Steele, an driver from the U.S. Auto Club midget, sprint and Silver Crown ranks who is trying to make this year’s Indianapolis 500, in two Automobile Racing Club of America(ARCA) events and three Grand National races later this year. Sabates is also looking at increasing his stable to include two Busch Series teams — with Marlin and a second with a driver to be named later(many sources) NOTE: Not sure what conflicts the #01 will have with the Phil Morris #01 team, SpeedVision says it’ll be the #14 but Ernie Irvan is slated to drive the #14 Pontiac at the BGN Michigan and Dover races(5-23-1999)
The King Returns? Burger King that is, I hear BK will return to NASCAR as a primary sponsor on a BGN team fielded by a current Winston Cup multi-team(5-20-1999)
Craven and BGN: from his NOL chat – Craven is planning on running five BGN races in the 2nd half of the season including Bristol, Charlotte and Homestead(5-18-1999)
McDonald’s News UPDATE 2: There could be an announcement as soon as Saturday on McDonald’s racing sponsorship plans for 2000 and beyond. Elliott’s deal runs through the end of next season, and McDonald’s plans to honor that contract. It appears likely that McDonald’s will sponsor a second team next season, beginning a relationship that would continue beyond the end of the Elliott deal. One name mentioned as driver for that second car is Matt Kenseth’s, who plans to run for Cup rookie of the year in 2000(That’s Racin’) in a Mark Martin/Roush owned car — UPDATE 1: McDonald’s Corporation announced today it has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Precision Preparation, Inc. (PPI) as a primary NASCAR team sponsor. The sponsorship starts immediately and goes through the year 2003. The agreement calls for PPI to field a McDonald’s NASCAR Busch Series team next season, which will eventually lead into a Winston Cup program. PPI, owned by Cal Wells III, is a multi-dimensional racing company based in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. The company has competitive interests in the SCORE off-road series, the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) FedEx Championship Series and the KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Championship. Wells said he is excited and ready for the challenge of expanding his racing operation to the NASCAR circuit and their first priority is to find a driver who meets the criteria of both PPI and McDonald’s. Wells and his PPI associates have begun preparations to field a Busch car at the 2000 season opener in Daytona Beach, Fla. The company has acquired Tim Wardlaw as program manager and just recently hired Joe Garone as crew chief. Wells has had discussions with car manufacturers, and collectively with McDonald’s, has arrived at the decision to continue the relationship with Ford. PPI is currently in the process of securing a location to base the team in the Charlotte area. Wells currently fields two CART teams under the Arciero-Wells banner — #24 Pioneer Electronics/MCI WorldCom Toyota/Reynard, driven by Scott Pruett and the #25 MCI WorldCom Toyota/Reynard, driven by Cristiano da Matta. Along with Bill Elliott Racing and its new PPI association, the McDonald’s Racing Team includes primary sponsorship in the CART series with the #44 McDonald’s Honda Reynard Champ Car, owned by Gerald Forsythe and driven by Tony Kanaan. McDonald’s is also the Official Drive-Thru of NASCAR(condensed McDonald’s PR) The future of McDonald’s and Elliott after the current contract runs out has not been decided, and that anything reported to the contrary is pure speculation(NOL)(5-1-1999) — UPDATE 2: Although McDonald’s will continue to be car owner/driver Bill Elliott’s major sponsor through 2000, the relationship will end following next season(SpeedNet/ Times-Dispatch)(5-2-1999)
Atwood: During last nights, Nashville, TN radio show, On the Circuit(WAMB – AM 1160) with John Jenkins, it was announced that BGN driver Casey Atwood would sign a long term contract this week with Brewco Motorsports. This should end speculation that he is leaving for any other team(4-20-1999)
TKO Changes: Truck driver Terry Fisher has been released by the #41 TKO Motorsports CTS team. The team is running a limited schedule and has run two races in 1999. The next planned race for the team is at Michigan(NOL)(6-29-1999)
Raines in a Truck: hearing Tony Raines, driver of the #74 BACE Chevy, will drive a Gerry Gunderman (All Star Motorsports) prepared Truck at the July 3rd race in Milwaukee(6-29-1999)
Lester/history: Bill Lester became the first African-American to start a Busch Series race in the Lysol 200, qualifying 24th with his Dura Lube Chevy. Lester finished 21st(Racer.com)(6-28-1999)
Tyler Jet to BGN? UPDATE 2: hearing Tyler Jet Motorsports, who have the #45 10-10-345 Cup Pontiac may start a BGN team in 2000(6-21-1999) — UPDATE: hearing Andy Kirby, driver of the #28 Williams Travel Centers Chevy is under consideration for the ride and the team’s first race may be IRP(6-24-1999) — UPDATE 2: Sources tell me the team is not considering such a move and will not start a BGN team(6-28-1999)
#15 News: Andy Petree will have ARCA driver Mario Gosselin in his #15 Oakwood Homes car at Milwaukee as Ken Schrader will be in Daytona for the Pepsi 40(PitNow)(6-28-1999)
Who is Matt Sielsky? UPDATE: who has been testing the #19 BGN Chevy at Gateway? Matt Sielsky, a 21-year-old standoutfrom the Kool/Toyota Atlantic Championship open wheel series, was testing the No. 19 Busch Series Chevrolet for Emerald Performance Group at Gateway. The Chicago native who began competing in FIA-sanctioned go-karts when he was 12, is the latest open wheel hopeful to move to North Carolina in search of a NASCAR ride(iRACE/SpeedVision), doesn’t say if he will drive the car or was just testing it(6-18-1999) — UPDATE: Sielsky will make his BGN debut at Pikes Peak on July 24th and run one other event(Emerald Performance Group/Team Yellow PR)(6-25-1999)
Berrier takes the weekend off: This weekend Scott Gaylord will drive the #77 Lear Ford for Ed Berrier, who will return to the car at Milwaukee(6-24-1999)
#64: BGNN driver John Preston will drive the #64 Chevy under the Shoemaker Racing name at Watkins Glen, but it’ll be his own car and team(6-24-1999)
Drivers at the Glen: In addition to the seven Busch North Series drivers already entered in the Busch Series event at The Glen, three more drivers have filed late entries for the race. Those drivers are J.D. Gibbs, Eric Bodine (cousin of Power Team’s Geoffrey Bodine) and Canadian Jason Holehouse. Several of the Busch North entrants have entered the Watkins Glen race with the same car number used by their Busch Series counterparts. For example, Mike Olsen and Tony Roper both have the number #61 while Mike Dillon and Lou Rettenmeier both use the #59. Who will get the use that number in the race? Traditionally in a Busch Series/Busch North Series combination event, the car that qualifies higher for the race gets first chance to use the number in question(PowerTeam Site) JAYSKI Note: I think the BGN regulars get the first crack at the number, not sure(6-24-1999)
Starr News: David Starr will once again be driving the #23 Red Line Oil Chevy truck for owner Phil Bonifield at Watkins Glen. As before, this arrangement is so that Starr can obtain track experience and maintain his points standings. He will resume driving duties for the #73 Sonntag Redi-Mix Chevrolet starting next week at Milwaukee(www.davidstarr.com)(6-24-1999)
Hillin News UPDATE: I hear the Bobby Hillin #8 BGN team and Crew Chief Brandon Butler , Engineer Brad Eichenlaub and team manager Stephen Hibbard have parted ways(6-20-1999) UPDATE: I hear that Eichenlaub will start work Monday as an engineer for Hendrick Motorsports and the #25 Team(6-24-1999)
Shoemaker info: hearing rumors from several sources that the #64 Shoemaker team hasn’t been paid in months from their sponsor, Luxury Travel. That’s all I know(6-23-1999)
More Shoemaker: The site www.glen.com is in error on their entry list for the #64 Shoemaker Chevy. Geoffrey Bodine is the registered driver that was entered. However, in all likelihood, the #64 Chevy will NOT be at Watkins Glen unless owner Dennis Shoemaker can find a team that wants to run the number(like Bessey at Nazareth). Dale Shaw, who drove at South Boston, in the car, is going to be at the Glen, but with another team(6-23-199)
Elton Sawyer Paint: Elton Sawyer’s #98 Lysol Ford will exhibit a special paint scheme for Sunday’s Lysol 200 at Watkins Glen. See the images at Jayski’s 1999 BGN Paint Scheme Gallery(6-23-1999)
Fellows Sponsor: Nemechek-McGraw Racing(#87 Chevy) signed a one-race sponsorship agreement with Bully Hill Vineyards of Hammondsport, N.Y., for CTS race at Watkins Glen(NOL)(6-23-1999)
Spague drives BGN: Jack Sprague has been named to drive Labonte Racing’s #44 Slim Jim Chevrolet at Watkins Glen in the BGN event, wht? Justin Labonte never got a chance to test when Terry Labonte wrecked(NOL)(6-22-1999)
#11 Paint UPDATE 2: The Ray O Vac Ford owned by Dale Jarrett and Brett Favre will have a special green and gold Green Bay Packers paint scheme for the BGN race at Milwaukee on July 4, 1999. The car will be displayed to the public in the week leading up to the race. Locations will include; Ray O Vac headquarters in Madison, Brett Favre Steakhouse in Milwaukee, and ShopKo locations in both cities(6-17-1999) – UPDATE: I hear Dale Jarrett will drive the car(6-18-1999) — UPDATE 2: Dennis Setzer will practice and qualify the car as Jarrett will be in Daytona for the Pepsi 400(6-22-1999)
Singer: Watkins Glen International announced that Lindsay Fellows, daughter of Lysol 200 defending champion Ron Fellows, will be singing the Canadian National Anthem prior to the start of the June 27th NASCAR Busch Series event at Watkins Glen. Lindsay, from Oakville, Ontario, is the 14 yr. old daughter of Ron and Lynda Fellows and will be performing at Watkins Glen for the first time. Sunday will also mark the first time Lindsay has performed prior to watching her Dad take the green flag in a NASCAR event(www.theglen.com)(6-21-1999)
Hillin Sits UPDATE: Bobby Hillin, who owns and drives the #8 BGN Chevy, will have former SCCA road racer, Bill Lester in the car at Watkins Glen(RPM2Nite) — if Lester makes the race, he could be the first African American driver to make the Watkins Glen BGN race(NOL)(6-18-1999) — UPDATE: I hear Phil Hammer is Hillin’s new crew chief, not sure if full time or just for the Glen(6-21-1999)
Tim Steele Sits: Citing the need to “regroup” both physically and competitively, Nascar Craftsman Truck Series competitor Tim Steele and his HS Motorsports Ford team will not return to action until July(www.timsteele.com), next race is Milwaukee on July 3rd(6-20-1999)
Carelli Update 2: this is the lastest I could find, dated May 26th: Recovering Rick Carelli is “walking, talking and giving orders” after suffering multiple injuries in the May 8 Memphis 200 at Memphis Motorsports Park in Tennessee. Carelli, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran driver who races the #6 RE/MAX Chevrolet Silverado, was released from a hospital in Memphis in mid-May and returned to the Denver area to continue his recovery. He will recuperate at his Arvada, Colo., home.(Remax Racing Page) and two more recent notes: Rick came by the shop today, has 20/20 vision but wears a patch, eyes still crossed, sat in the Texas truck and plans to be back racing around Richmond and….Rick comes by the Race Shop about once a day. Still having a trouble with eye sight. The team is sitting out the next two races(these were dated June 12th and 14th at the Racin Around site)(6-17-1999) — UPDATE 2: Carelli is now at the shop almost daily… healing progressing very well. Eye problem should be self-correcting in time, but the bone injuries will heal faster. The team, which had contested every NCTS race since the original “TNN Winter Heat” demonstration series, will likely sit out until Rick is ready to return. No return date set at this time(6-19-1999)
Carelli Update 2: CTS driver Rick Carelli remains hospitalized in Memphis Regional Medical Center for treatment of head and facial injuries suffered in the May 8 Memphis 200 but has been discharged from intensive care(StockCarFans CTS Newsletter)(5-22-1999) — UPDATE 2: Carelli was released from Memphis Regional Medical Center last Wednesday and returned to the Denver area to begin his expected recovery. Carelli, 44, suffered a concussion and various head and facial injuries, including a dislocated jaw, when his RE/MAX International Chevrolet Silverado apparently cut a tire and slammed into the wall at Memphis(NOL). He even stopped by the Truck shop on his way home, a good sign(5-24-1999)
Carelli Updates: From the Stock Car Fans CTS Newsletter: “If you watched the race yesterday you may have heard a phone interview betwen Rick Carelli and the ESPN announcers. Sounded like he is on the mend, He said something about the doctors maybe doing some work on an artery.” Team owner Marshall Chesrown has assigned Randy Renfrow as temporary replacement driver for injured Rick Carelli for the next couple of races. Also from Racinaround: Rick is still at Memphis I.C.U. thru this weekend Tenative plan is to still try to move Rick to Denver mid-week. To clear any Rumors Rick was wearing a full face helmet. Under care from the I.C.U. at Memphis they had Rick up and walking around. He told the crew that his sight had too much toe in. Cards and letters may be sent to: Rick Carelli, P.O. Box 977, Wheatridge, CO 80034-0977(5-17-1999), also see an update on the RacinWest Site(5-20-1999)
#33 News: Brad Leighton will be behind the wheel of the BACE Motorsports #33 Chevrolet at The Glen. Leighton drove the car at Nazareth in May. The team has been without a regular driver since Jason Jarrett was released in early May(Power Team News)(6-19-1999)
Combo Event: The Watkins Glen race will be a Busch Series/Busch North Series combination event. What does the combination status mean to Busch North teams? The major items are that provisionals will be available to the Busch North teams. Also, a driver with a good finish at Watkins Glen, or any other combination race, can use that finish to “replace” their worst Busch North Series finish of the season. That could provide valuable championship points at the end of the year. Seven Busch North Series drivers are currently entered for the Watkins Glen race. Those drivers are Kelly Moore, Bryan Wall, Mike Olsen, Brad Leighton, Lou Rettenmeier, John Preston and Walter Riley(Power Team News)(6-19-1999)
Spencer Team: Along with the #5 Dick Trickle car, Jimmy Spencer will enter the #12 Chevy for veteran road racer Jack Baldwin at Watkins Glen(RPM2Nite)(6-18-1999)
Rensi Driver: Ed Rensi owner the #25 Dura Lube/Indian Chevy will have road-racing specialist Scott Lagasse in the car at Watkins Glen as regular driver Kenny Wallacw will be in Sears Point(NOL)(6-18-1999)
Testing at the Glen UPDATE 2: Twenty-two Cup and BGN teams will be testing the newly paved surface at The Glen including: Rusty Wallace, Michael Waltrip, Terry Labonte, Bobby Labonte, David Green and from the BGN: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Matt Kenseth, Randy Lajoie, Elton Sawyer and Jeff Green. When: Tuesday, June 15, 1999 from 10:00am – 4:00pm/et(Watkins Glen PR)(6-10-1999) — UPDATE 1: I hear Jeff Fuller was there too — UPDATE 1: Some BGN Speeds – #1-Boris Said 120.665mph; #32-Jeff Green 120.000; #3-Dale Earnhardt,Jr 119.326; #1-Randy LaJoie 119.217; #98 Aston Lewis 118.522; #98-Elton Sawyer 117.870(RPM2Nite) — Justin Labonte had planned to test, but his Dad wrecked the #44 Slim Jim Chevy and it was too damaged to repair. Terry is uninjured(The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)(6-16-1999) — UPDATE 2: Some notes – the test session turned into primarily a Busch test for the Lysol 200 with Terry Labonte being the only cup driver to show, and in fact he tested with son Justin in the #44 Busch car. Feedback from the test was positive, track surface is extremely smooth with lot’s of subtle changes in the corners and the “loop” area. Boris Said was in Randy Lajoie’s car, just helping him prepare and repaying a favor. Lajoie helped Said improve his oval skills, Boris is helping Randy with the road course(they both have driven for Irvan-Simo this year) The track record is 117.675mph by Boris Said, also at noon/et on the 16th, also, Matt Kenseth had a fast lap of 112.514mph, probably went faster later in the day(6-17-1999)
Parker Test: Hank Parker Jr. who finished a career-high third at South Boston Speedway last weekend is headed to a driving school in Phoenix on Friday to tune up for the June 27 race at Watkins Glen, NY, the only road course on the schedule(Times-Dispatch)(6-17-1999)
More BGN Gateway Testing: some speeds – #29-Markham 134.128mph; #19-Selnisky 132.236; #45-Petty 131.656(race trim); #61-Roper 131.617. Selnisky wrecked the #19 Yellow Freight Car on a third “Fast” lap, just prior to the end of the day(6-17-1999)
Miller Named: Veteran CTS driver Butch Miller has been named to drive the #40 ChannelLock Chevy for Watkins Glen and the rest of the season(WC Today Radio/NOL)(6-16/17-1999)
Truck News: David Starr, who usually drives the #73 truck will run the black #23 Red Line Oil Chevrolet for regular driver Phil Bonifield during the Grainger Industrial Supply 225K on June 18 in Portland. Why? so that Starr could continue to gain experience and keep his position in the Rookie points chase. The #73 team wanted to take a week off to catch up. Did you know: David Starr’s Dad was a crewchief for Indy Car Driver Tony Bettenhausen. Like Starr, Bettenhausen is a Texan, and is now owner of the Epson car driven by Shigeaki Hattori on the CART Tour. A resident of Ft. Worth, Starr currently stands 23rd in the overall points standings and third in the USG SHEETROCK Brand Rookie-of-the-Year standings. He also races a limited Winston West schedule in the #35 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. For more information visit his web site at www.davidstarr.com(PR)(6-17-1999)
Testing at Gateway: Some test speeds from Gateway, unofficial: #29-Curtis Markham 132.042mph; #45-Adan Petty 131.965; #19-Matt Skensiky?? 131.849; and #61-Tony Roper 131.695(6-16-1999)
Barrett Out? UPDATE 2: Hearing Stanton Barrett and thew #40 ChannelLock team have parted ways(6-15-1999) — UPDATE 1: but I am told by a reader that Barrett was on a radio show(no idea which one) and he said he was testing with the car and didn’t indicate he was gone from the ride. — UPDATE 2 but… Confirmed – Citing frustration with a break in team continuity, NASCAR driver Stanton Barrett said today he has resigned from the Channellock Chevrolet team owned by Darwin Oordt. Barrett’s comment: “We’ve worked hard to build a team here, to work as one unit,” Barrett explained. “They decided they wanted a road course specialist to drive for them at Watkins Glen and, even though that’s just one race, I felt like it would be devastating to what we’ve been trying to build. With my background in IMSA, Indy car testing, Pro Shifter cars and the 24 Hours of Daytona, it just doesn’t make any sense at all to change what we’ve built.”(Williams Co) NO idea who the driver will be, and it didn’t say. Won’t be a Cup guy at the Glen as they are at Sears Point the same day(6-16-1999)
Bown Out UPDATE 1: According to RPM2Nite, Bobby Hamilton Jr will be in the #63 Superflo Chevy for the rest of the season and in 2000. He replaces Chuck Bown. As for Bown’s injuries on Saturday night, I hear he had heat exhuastion and will be ok, but have seen nothing posted about his condition(6-14-1999) — UPDATE 1: Confirmed on NASCAR Today Radio, Bown is out and Hamilton in for the rest of 1999(6-16-1999)
FAIN Motorsports showcar: FMS picked up it first show car today in Spartanburg,N.C. The car is a 1998 Monte Carlo. It is primered and ready for paint to be applied this week. It will make it’s debut on the web site this week and will be unveiled to the public at a charity event for the Star Center in Jackson TN. on 6-19-1999. Anyone interested in booking the Show car for an appearance Please contact Rhea Fain at 901-968-8100(FMS PR)(6-16-1999)
#70 Back? Hearing the #70 Adrian Carriers Monte Carlo with Eric Jones as driver and Dale Fischlein as crew chief next weekend at Watkins Glen. Supposedly the team tested Tuesday at Watkins Glen with very positive results, turning some of the top BGN speeds(6-16-1999)
DRM Sponsor: For the third consecutive year, Graybar and Bussmann are sponsoring an entry for the July 31 BGN event at Gateway International Raceway. Joining the two St. Louis companies in this year’s sponsorship endeavor is the Panduit Corporation from Tinley Park, Ill. The three companies have teamed together with Diamond Ridge Motorsports and driver Curtis Markham for the inaugural night-time running of the CarQuest 250. Markham has made 75 Busch Series starts and amassed 17 top-10 finishes in his ongoing BGN career. The Fredericksburg, Va., native is currently driving Bechtel’s #29 Chevrolet on a limited basis this season. Whenever Markham isn’t driving, he’s serving as car chief for teammate Jeff Purvis on the No. 4 Lance Snacks Chevrolet(Motorsports Decisions PR)(6-15-1999)
Buckshot news? Hearing that Buckshot Jones may step back his Winston Cup program and run most of the BGN events remaining in 1999(6-14-1999)
#78 Back: George Morlan Plumbing Supply will sponsor Dominic Dobson’s #78 Dodge Ram Truck at Portland with first time driver Dane Pitarresi(NOL)(6-14-1999)
#68 news: No word as to the status of the Premiere Motorsports #68 BGN Ford team. I hear that a number of crewmembers have not been paid since team owner Steve Husketh ceased operations last month. No word yet on driver Freddie Query’s status or plans(6-14-1999)
Fines: CTS driver, Mike Wallace was fined $2,500 dollars and put on probation until the end of July as a result of the altercation on pit road after last week’s Bristol race. Also two crewmen from the #3 Goodwrench truck team were also fined (the amount wasn’t given) and put on probation until the end of July for their actions during the altercation(6-13-1999)
Buckshot News: Buckshot Jones was the first entry received for the upcoming Lysol 200 at Watkins Glen. Jones, a rookie in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series will be skipping the race at Sears Point and instead will try to capture the Empire Cup by driving the #00 Cheez-It Pontiac at Watkins Glen on June 27th(The Glen Site)(6-12-1999)
The Bodine Saga: Getting many email message asking what is going on with Geoffrey Bodine, his son Barry and Shoemaker Racing. All I know is that Dennis Shoemaker chose Dale Shaw to drive the #64 Chevy at South Boston because of his experience and because Geoffrey had the schedule conflict with the Michigan Cup race. I have seen nothing to indicate the either Bodine is out of the #64 ride from Shoemaker or the webmaster of the Shoemaker site. All I have seen and heard is speculation on a few ‘discussion boards’ which for the most part is nothing but pure speculation and I have no intention of posting info from them(6-12-1999)
Allison Quits: Bobby Allison has left the #22 BGN racing team. Allison notified co-owner Dave Carroll of his resignation on Wednesday morning. After a disappointing beginning to its first season, the team, which had been known as AllCar Racing, is not planning on running again until the August race at Michigan. Jimmy Kitchens started the season as the driver but was recently replaced by Steve Grissom recently. Allsion cited a combo of things but Kitchens was one of the main reasons(in part from Alabama Online)(6-11-1999)
#90 Truck News UPDATE 1: many readers have told me and I have noticed that Big Daddy’s BBQ hasn’t been on the the L&R Motorsports #90 Chvy truck driven by Lance Norick. Looks like Big Daddy’s has not met it’s funding requirements(a fancy way saying, they have not paid up)(WC Scene). This should be no surpise since Big Daddy’s didn’t pay for sponsorships on the #90 Junie Donlavey Ford, the #75 Henderson BGN car and the IRL car with Davey Hamilton never got going(6-11-1999)
Another Andretti: Jeff Andretti, Mario’s son, who raced in the Indy 500 years ago, attempted and made the Texas CTS race in the #94 Ford. He used a provisional but is in the show(NOL)(6-11-1999)
Hensley Paint: Jimmy Hensley will have a special Players Inc paint scheme on his #43 Dodge at Texas for the race Friday night, plus five NFL players will be on Hensley’s pit crew: Trace Armstrong (Miami), Eric Bjornson (Dallas), Rickey Dudley (Oakland), Ebenezer Ekuban (Dallas) and Daryl Johnston (Dallas)(NOL)(6-11-1999)
Fine: Kip McCord, crew chief for the No. 27 Castrol GTX Chevrolet of Casey Atwood, has been fined $2,500 by NASCAR for running altered fuel during qualifying for the MBNA Platinum 200 Busch Series race at Dover last weekend. The discrepancy was discovered after qualifying, forcing Atwood to start from the back of the pack(Racer Magazine)(6-11-1999)
Smith Sponsor: Textilease Corporation has signed a one-race deal with rookie driver R.D. Smith for the “Textilease Medique 300 Presented by Advance Auto Parts”. Smith drives the #67 Chevy(PR)(6-11-1999)
Two Missing: from the CTS lineup – Randy Renfrows #6 ReMax team withdrew when they could not get the handling the way it needed and the backup was not suited for the track. Tim Steele will sit out the rest of the month to heal up from his injuries at Odessa(NOL Notes)(6-11-1999)
Testing: #38 Team Barbasol and driver Glenn Allen took their Ford Taurus to Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway on Wednesday to prepare for the Textilease Medique 300 at South Boston Speedway (Va.). Ed Berrier and teammate Elton Sawyer were also conducting practice sessions at the .363-mile track(Keystone PR)(6-10-1999)
Diamond Ridge in Trouble? I hear that the entire Engineering staff at Diamond Ridge Motorsports has been released. Also hearing that equipment is being sold and Lance Snacks will not return to the team in 2000(6-10-1999)
Driver Page: about Greg Marlowe who will make an attempt at South Boston this weekend(6-10-1999)
Buckshot News UPDATE 1: Cheez-It will sponsor the #00 Pontiac team and Buckshot Jones at the Winston Cup race in Michigan and the team will sit out the BGN South Boston event(NOL) — UPDATE 1: Contrary to previous release, BSR will be racing in the Busch race in South Boston this weekend, with Larry Pearson behind the wheel. Keebler Co.’s Cheez-It brand snack crackers will be the primary sponsor for both of Buckshot Racing’s NASCAR entries this weekend – Buckshot Jones in Brooklyn, MI and Larry Pearson in South Boston, VA(Buckshot Site)(6-9-1999)
#64 News: For the South Boston Busch Series race, Dale Shaw will fill in for Geoffrey Bodine in the #64 car as Bodine will be in Michigan(PowerTeam Site), no idea why Barry Bodine is not getting the ride(6-9-1999)
BACE: The #33 BACE Motorsports team, which has been without a full-time driver since releasing Jason Jarrett in May, will enter Curtis Markham at South Boston. The team has used the services of Johnny Benson, Mike Wallace and Brad Leighton since Jarrett’s departure(PowerTeam Site)(6-9-1999)
CTS Team:Cup Driver Joe Nemechek announced Wednesday a partnership with Bob McGraw of Carrollton, Texas, in forming a CTS team. Nemechek’s BGN operation will prepare the Chevy’s to be driven by Ron Fellows in a limited number of truck races this season. To date, scheduled events include Portland, Oregon on June 18 and Watkins Glen, New York on June 26(NEMCO Motorsports PR), I assume it’ll be #87(6-9-1999)
New Face: Late Model driver Greg Marlowe will enter the South Boston race in the #92 Chevrolet(PowerTeam Site)(6-9-1999)
ALLCAR Motorsports Sits…for now: ALLCAR Motorsports, which fields the Air Jamaica Vacations Chevy in the BGN, is probably looking forward to the Michigan event in eight races more than most teams. Car owner Dave Carroll announced this morning the team is planning to race again at that time. Carroll said the team might attempt running prior to the Michigan race, having looked at the late June event at Watkins Glen, N.Y., and early July race at Milwaukee, Wisc., as possible “target events,” but said once the team returns at Michigan in August, it will be to run all of the remaining races. Rookie Jimmy Kitchens began the season as driver for the team. Steve Grissom, who has been serving as a consultant to the team for a little over a month, has driven some races since then, giving the team it’s best finishes ever(The Williams Co)(6-9-1999)
Parker/Sadler: Ron Parker, President and Owner of Parker Racing, Inc. announced that he and Hermie Sadler have signed a mutual agreement releasing Hermie Sadler as the driver of the #72 Parker Racing/MGM Brakes Chevy in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series. The #72 has withdrawn from the South Boston BGN event this coming weekend(Parker PR). Sadler, who has finished in the top ten in driver standings the last two seasons, says he plans to stay involved in NASCAR racing. “I have had some conversations with several teams. I want to look around and see what is out there. I certainly feel I have a lot to offer a team both on and off the track.”(Cox Marketing)(6-8-1999)
GEM Test: Open wheel ace, Ryan Newman will test a #24 GEM Chevy at Memphis next week(RPM2Nite)(6-8-1999)
#25 News: Winston Racing Series standout David Blankenship has been tapped to drive the #25 Team Rensi Chevrolet Monte Carlo this weekend at South Boston Speedway. The Moseley, Virginia native will be piloting the Dura Lube entry that has been driven recently by Winston Cup regular Kenny Wallace. Blankenship is the defending track champion at South Boston Speedway. His aggressively smooth style should make him a front runner in Saturday night’s Busch Grand National Textilease 300. Blankenship is a proven winner with his record eight track championships at South Boston, along with championships at Southside and Orange County Speedways. He finished second last season in the Winston Racing Series Atlantic Seaboard regional point standings. For more information on David Blankenship, contact Jeff Waters at (804) 598-3062(PR)(6-8-1999)
Gibbs BGN: Jason Leffler, who tested a Gibbs Busch car last week at Greenville-Pickens Speedway is expected to make his BGN debut in the #18 MBNA Pontiac at Indy Raceway Park(IRP) in August(PitNow)(6-7-1999)
#93 News: the #93 Amoco Pontiac will be driven at South Boston by Tom Hubert, a part-time Craftsman Truck Series and Winston Cup driver and current Bill Davis Racing employee. Dave Blaney will be at Michigan attempting to make his first Cup race with the #93 Amoco Pontiac. Should Blaney qualify for the KMART 400 at Michigan this weekend, it will NOT be his first Winston Cup start. In 1992, Blaney earned a spot in the fall Winston Cup race at Rockingham for fellow Ohioan Stan Hover, starting 36th and finishing 31st. Although he failed to qualify for the Busch Series race at Michigan in 1998, Blaney has two ARCA starts (1996-97) at Michigan. For Crew Chief Gil Martin, his first start with Blaney and Amoco Ultimate Team 93 will be his 75th NASCAR Winston Cup start, extending back to his 1993 debut with Jeff Burton at New Hampshire(Bill Davis PR)(6-7-1999)
MTV? I hear “MTV Road Rules” was taping a segment for a show during the Slim Jim race and the Truck race at Bristol. The cast of the show was the grand marshalls for the Slim Jim race. No more details or when it’ll air(6-6-1999)
Labonte, Justin that is: Justin Labonte will test the #44 Slim Jim Chevy this Tuesday at South Boston, Va. After Dad Terry pilots the No. 44 Slim Jim Chevrolet at Dover, Justin will take over the driving duties at South Boston, Watkins Glen, Milwaukee, Myrtle Beach, Pike’s Peak, St. Louis and Indianapolis. The younger Labonte will not attempt to retain his rookie status for next season, opting to run for experience over the rookie title(SpeedVision)(6-5-1999)
Casey’s lap disallowed: Casey Atwood was moved from 19th to 43rd in the BGN field when NASCAR discovered his team was using unapproved fuel(GoCarolina’s) and from NOL: the lap was disallowed when a fuel sample taken from the #27 earlier in the day did not meet specifications. The move bumped provisional starter Adam Petty into the field based on his 37th-best lap of 151.688 mph. Everyone behind Atwood moved up one spot and, since he was eligible for a provisional, the 43 qualifiers did not change(NOL)(6-5-1999)
#19 Assoc: The #19 Team Yellow signed up Overland Motor Coaches as an Assoc sponsor for 2 years(Emerald PR)(6-4-1999)
Steele sits: Tim Steele will not drive at Bristol as he still has too much muscle damage to race per his Doctor(NOL)(6-4-1999)
Buckshot: Buckshot Jones will be running the #00 Cheez-It Pontiac in this weekend’s Busch race at Dover(Buckshot Site)(6-2-1999)
Kitchens Out? UPDATE 2: Hearing Jimmy Kitchens has left the #22 Air Jamaica Vacations Chevy team(he was part time with Grissom driving)(5-26-1999) — UPDATE 1: Have confirmed that Kitchens is out and that the team is looking for another driver to run the car when Grissom can’t drive(6-2-1999)
Gibbs Testing: Tony Stewart and Jason Leffler tested the #18 MBNA BGN Pontiac at Greenville Pickens on Wednesday(MRM), also a article at SpeedVision/iRace: Stewart protege Leffler tests Gibbs BGN car, Looks like Leffler will drive 5 races in 1999, full seasons in 2000-2001 and then to Cup(6-3-1999)
Glanville: Jerry Glanville, the former NFL coach and network TV commentator, will attempt to qualify for the Dover BGN event. He made qualifying attempts at California and Las Vegas but failed to make the field. Glanville, who has also raced in the NASCAR Truck series, hasn’t made a Grand National race since 1993 and has six career starts. His best finish was 20th in 1992 at Volusia County(FL)(That’s Racin’)(6-2-1999)
Santerre OK UPDATE 1: Andy Santerre was given permission by his doctor last week to return to his race car(#47) to test his Busch Series car. Santerre has been recovering from a broken leg for the last three months(SpeedNet)(5-28-1999) — UPDATE 1: Santerre tested the #47 at Greenville Pickens Speedway(SC) and felt good. He plans to run at Dover this weekend(RPM2Nite)(6-1-1999)
Testing: Tony Roper and the #61 Xpress Motorsports team spent Tuesday, June 1 at the .420-mile South Boston (Va.) Speedway testing for the Textilease/Medique 300 presented by Advance Auto Parts which will be contested on June 12(Xpress PR)(6-1-1999)
Schwantz hurt UPDATE 1: Kevin Schwantz, driving the #78 Chevy in the Charlotte BGN race Saturday, hit the outside wall in Turn 2 and came back across the track, hitting hard on its right side against the inside wall at the head of the backstretch. Schwantz was taken to Carolinas Regional Medical Center with a fractured pelvis and a brain contusion(That’s Racin’), get well Kevin(5-30-1999) — UPDATE 1: Schwantz was upgraded to fair condition Sunday. Schwantz was originally diagnosed with a brain contusion and a fractured pelvis, and he was listed in serious condition when he was admitted. But doctors subsequently discovered that Schwantz, the 1995 Grand Prix world motorcycle champion, had actually fractured the hip during a previous cycling accident. He dislocated the hip Saturday, and it was put back in place. Doctors said Schwantz was alert Sunday and was moved from the intensive care unit to a private room(SpeedVision)(5-31-1999)
#44 SlimJim: Terry Labonte will be in #44 Slim Jim Chevrolet at Dover. It is planned for Justin Labonte to run Slim Jim #44 from South Boston, VA through Indianapolis Raceway Park. Remaining Slim Jim driver scheduling to be made later(5-31-1999)
Hillin News UPDATE 1: Bobby Hillin Racing and sponsor Little Trees have agreed to continue their sponsorship agreement through the May 29 CarQuest 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The relationship between Hillin and Little Trees began with the May 8 Grand National 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. Enjoying their association with the Midland, Texas, native, Little Trees extended their sponsorship of Hillin to Saturday’s CarQuest 300. The No. 8 Chevrolet will be painted bright yellow with Little Trees logos adorning the car(Hillin PR)(5-28-1999) — UPDATE 1: Hillin didn’t make the race but I did notice the Little Tree’s decal on the deck lid of the #34 Goulds Pumps Chevy of Mike McLaughlin during a RPM2Nite interview, actually Little Tree’s has been a sponsor on the car all season(5-29-1999)
#38 news: I hear veteran crew chief, Joey Knuckles is joining the Glenn Allen #38 Barbasol team, not sure what capacity. Last I heard he was working as a tire changer on the #66 of Darrell Waltrip and was the crew chief for the Bud Moore #15 Cup team that has been idle since the Daytona 500(5-29-1999)
Cool Band Aids Scheme: Michael Waltrip will debut a new paint scheme for the CARQUEST 300 in Charlotte. The #21 Chevy has been designed with a STICKER CREATIONS™ adhesive bandages paint scheme. The adhesive bandages are designed so kids, or the kid at heart, can design the bandage with fun sticker designs. The stickers are designed with the same flexible material as the bandage, which allows the stickers to bend with the bandage and not wash off. Each package includes 25 bandages and 50 stickers with no two stickers the same. BAND-AID® Brand STICKER CREATIONS™ are now available nationwide at retail outlets including: Wal-Mart, Eckerds, Food Lion, Bi-Lo, and Winn Dixie. See the image of the car at 1999 BGN Paint Schemes Page(Cox Marketing)(5-28-1999)
RaceComm BGN Article:Nazareth Soaps by Jeff Downey(5-28-1999)
Team Yellow: new associate sponsor – The Haldex Group. The Haldex name is known globally as the standard for quality and advanced engineering in air brake actuation and adjustment. The Haldex Group features five divisions focused on safety products for trucks, cars and industrial vehicles. The deal starts at Charlotte/Lowes(5-27-1999)
Diamond Ridge News: I hear Alex Astor has assumed the role of Team Engineer for Diamond Ridge Motorsports(5-27-1999)
Bown to drive: Jim Bown will drive the Sasser Motorsports BGN entry at Lowes. Bown will seek to put the #65 Overtons.com Chevy in the starting line-up when qualifying begins Thursday afternoon. The top 25 positions for the starting field will be determined Thursday, with the remaining positions determined prior to Saturday’s 1pm green flag. The Sasser Motorsports team is co-owned by the father-son duo of Jimmy and Kevin Sasser, who operate Sasser Construction Company in Burlington, NC, a residential and commercial builder. Overton’s, based in Greenville, NC, is the world’s largest watersports dealer(PR)(5-27-1999)
Steele Hurt UPDATE 2: former Cup driver and ARCA champion, now running the Truck series, crashed hard at Odessa Saturday and broke a leg and fractured some ribs(Inside NASCAR/Raceday/TNN) Get well Tim(5-23-1999) — UPDATE 1: I hear Steele did not break any bones but is very bruised(5-25-1999) — UPDATE 2: Steele is very sore but he is expected to be back in action at Bristol on June 5th, the next CTS event(many sources)(5-26-1999)
#68 News: Premiere Motorsports has temporarily suspended operation while it searches for a new crew chief and prepares to move into its new home. The team, which fields Fords in the BGN for 1998 NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series champion Freddie Query, has been without a crew chief since May 16 when Walter Giles departed to pursue another opportunity. Premiere Motorsports has been operating in a small, rented facility in Mooresville, N.C., while its new, 36,000-sq. ft. shop is under construction in Pittsboro, N.C. Recently, all cars and equipment were moved from Mooresville to Pittsboro in preparation for the opening of the new shop complex — a facility which will include a motorsports theme restaurant. “This decision makes the most sense for us,” team owner Steve Husketh explained. “While we’re looking for a new crew chief, we can prepare to move into our new home. Our new crew chief will of course be instrumental in the decision of the date of our return to Busch Series competition — and the additional staff we’ll need to hire.”(Premiere PR)(5-27-1999)
Santarre Test: Andy Santerre has been cleared by his doctors to drive his #47 Busch car again. Santerre will test at Greenville Pickens Speedway this week and decide whether he is ready for Dover in two weeks or wait another week for the South Boston event(North East Racing)(5-25-1999)
Gordon and Star Wars: as reported back in March – Phantom Menace – In Saturday’s Carquest 300 Busch race at Lowes Motor Speedway, Jeff Gordon will drive a Star Wars car as part of a Pepsi promotion involving “Episode One: The Phantom Menace.” The car will be the standard “Pepsi blue” with the words “Star Wars: Episode One” and characters from the film on the hood of the car. In addition, characters from the film will appear on the rear quarterpanel of the car. The rear panel will have the words “Star Wars” and the Pepsi logo. Speculation is that the Star Wars-themed car will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday(Jeff Gordon Online)(5-24-1999)
Premiere Motorsports UPDATE 1: I hear the #68 Ford team with driver Freddie Query will park the BGN team until the new shop in Pittsboro(NC) is ready(5-21-1999) — UPDATE 1: I hear owner Steve Husketh showed up at the shop 8:30am Friday morning with two semis and loaded everything up and took it away. The crew and employees were supposedly told they were without jobs until June 18th(5-23-1999)
#25: Rick Fuller will practice and qualify the #25 Dura Lube Chevy for Kenny Wallace, who will race the car on Sunday at Nazareth(5-22-1999)
Bliss/Indy/No: I hear AJ Foyt wanted to run Mike Bliss, driver of the #99 Exide Ford Truck, in a third car in the Indy 500 but IMS would not let him because he did not attend the rookie test in April. Bliss will run the USAC Silver Crown series race Saturday at IRP(5-21-1999)
Labonte Sub: Curtis Markham will practice and qualify the #44 Slim Jim Chevy at Nazareth, PA for Terry Labonte who will be busy with The Winston and practice at Lowes(PR)(5-20-1999)
Phil Morris News: Blue Ridge officials today announced that they will be competing at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 29th with the backing of Value America. The team has purchased another car from the Diamond Ridge Motorsports team. This particular car has only three races on it and the team has effectively made many of the necessary changes to be ready for Charlotte(Phil Morris Site)(5-20-1999)
Schrader vs LaJoie? When Ken Schrader came home from Richmond, he was surprised to see a bunch of sheet metal on the front lawn of his home. “Nobody” knows who put it there, but it had Bob Evans decals all over it(RPM2Nite)(5-21-1999)
Parsons Crew Chief: Doug Taylor is no longer the crew chief for Phil Parsons and the #10 Alltel team(WC Scene)(5-20-1999)
LaJoie in the Money: Two-time Grand National series champion Randy LaJoie became the first series driver to surpass $3 million in career earnings when he picked up $14,225 in last weekend’s race at Richmond International Raceway. Mike McLaughlin is second in career money won, passing the $2.5 million mark last weekend(That’s Racin’)(5-20-1999)
Combo Event: This Sunday’s Busch Race at Nazareth is a Busch north/south combination event. This means both series will compete for both points and positions in the same race. The north teams must have south legal cars. The Busch North drivers will receive three provisionals for the event. The first two provisionals will go to the top two BNS drivers in the BNS points standings, that fail to qualify for the event. The 43rd starting spot will go to a former Busch North Series champion, if needed. This provisional would go to the most recent past champion, which would be 1995 BNS Champion Kelly Moore, if he needed the provisional. The next would go to Shaw and then Aube, a former series three time champion. There are at least a dozen BNS drivers entered in the combo event, out of over 60 drivers entered so far. 43 drivers/teams will make the race(North East Racing)(5-20-1999)
Bessey and Shoemaker: The #64 Shoemaker team will NOT be at Nazareth this weekend. However, Joe Bessey will be driving the #64 Power Team Chevy at Nazareth. Why? The #64 team needs time to get caught up on building cars. Currently the crew is working on building three brand new cars. One for Charlotte, Dover and a “drop-snout” car. The team has worked out an arrangement with Joe Bessey for him to drive his team car with the number 64 on it. This will help Shoemaker stay in the points battle and it gives Bessey a second opportunity should bad weather, which right now is a considerable issue, hinder his qualifying efforts. In return, it allows the Shoemaker crew to continue the job of getting the speedway car program back online and in stellar form(SHOEMAKER Racing #64)(5-19-1999)
Barrett Fast: Stanton Barrett was the fastest Busch regular and fourth fastest overall in testing at Charlotte Monday, moving around the 1.5-mile double dogleg in 30.95 seconds (174.475 miles per hour) in the #40 Channellock Chevy. A broken rear end after a freeze plug blew out at the immediate end of testing Monday sent Barrett into the first-turn wall, but the knowledge from that session should carry over for a strong 300-miler at Charlotte(Williams Company), didn’t see Barrett on any of the charts(5-18-1999)
Giles leaves: Walter Giles, crew chief for the #68 Premiere Motorsports Ford, has left the team, no news on a new crew chief or where Giles may go(5-18-1999)
Charlotte/Lowes Testing UPDATE 1: Top Five Early Speeds: – #87-Nemechek 176.010mph; #54-B Bodine 174.927; #15-Schrader 174.575; #59-Dillon 174.193; and #43-Hall 173.859(RPM2Nite)(5-17-1999) — UPDATE 1: for a list of the top 15 speeds see the SpeedNet story: Nemechek leads Busch qualifying at Charlotte(NOTE: it should read Practice not Qualifying), B.A. Wilson is in the #65 Overton’s BGN(5-18-1999)
South Boston Test: South Boston Speedway will be hosting an open test session for the BGN teams on Tuesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 19. Fans are invited to come out and view the practice and test session from the speedway’s frontstretch grandstands free of charge. South Boston Speedway officials said the track will be open to Busch Series teams from 8am until 5pm/et both days(www.southbostonspeedway.com(5-18-1999)
BACE News: Mike Wallace will drive the #33 BACE Motorsports Chevy at Charlotte on May 29th in a one race deal(RPM2Nite)(5-17-1999)
Rush Ride: Lonnie Rush will drive the #27 Hastings Filters Ford next week at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo. in a one-race deal. Mike Swaim Jr. has an ARCA committmet at Charlotte(NOL)(5-17-1999)
Diamond Ridge News: Diamond Ridge Motorsports owner Gary Bechtel(BGN #4) wants to be back in Winston Cup Series racing by the year 2001. Bechtel is taking it slow and has pulled back to ensure it achieves success before it makes the next step. Plans are to have the first Diamond Ridge-built car ready for the October BGN event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Curtis Markham will run the 2nd car, #29, at Gateway International Raceway in September and in the inaugural Diamond Ridge “house car,” at Lowe’s on Oct. 9.(in part from NOL) Bechtel wants Markham back in the car on a full-time basis next season, if he still is available(Times-Dispatch)(5-15-1999)
Grissom Returns to the BGN. Steve Grissom has agreed to assist ALLCAR Motorsports with its BGN team. Current driver Jimmy Kitchens will remain with the team but Grissom will drive the #22 Air Jamaica Vacations Chevy in the Cup/BGN combination events, while working with Kitchens, crew chief Todd Lohse and the team. Besides assisting the race team, that schedule keeps Grissom’s personal schedule open as he continues talking with the various NASCAR Winston Cup owners who have approached him. Kitchens’ role as the team’s driver is solid, Carroll said. Grissom starts this week at NHIS, even though it is not a combo event(The Williams Co)(5-4-1999)
Double Wallace: Mike Wallace won both the CTS race and the Winston West race at Pikes Peak(5-17-1999)
RIR Announcements UPDATE 1: Bahari Racing and Washington Erving Motorsports will hold news conferences at RIR this weekend to make sponsor announcements(Times-Dispatch), I have no idea what either are about…yet(5-12-1999) — UPDATE 1 WEM: Washington Erving Motorsports announced a new associate sponsorship with Jelly Belly yesterday for the #50 Dr Pepper team and driver Mark Green. The team’s ultimate goal is to race in Winston Cup(Times-Dispatch) speaking of WEM – Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Fields Jackson an owner of Washington Erving Motorsports(Mark Green Site).(5-15-1999)
More #72 News: On RPM2Nite – Team Owner, Ron Parker and driver Hermie Sadler will sit down next week and discuss their future together(5-14-1999)
#72 news: Overnite Transportation Company will be featured on the decklid of the #72 MGM Brakes/Parker Racing Chevy for the Hardee’s “250” Busch Grand National race Friday, May 14 at Richmond(Parker Racing PR)(5-13-1999)
BGN Testing: BGN drivers will be at Lowe Motor Speedway on Monday, May 17, from 9am to 5pm/et to prepare for the May 29 CarQuest Auto Parts 300(NOL)(5-13-1999)
Akins Hires: Brad Akins, owner of Akins Motorsports, announced today that he has promoted Doug Stringer to the position of General Manager of the Akins Motorsports operation. Stringer, who has been with the organization for 18 months, will assist Akins in management of the team’s new facility located in Concord, N.C. His duties range from coordinating team personnel, administrating needs of both Crew Chiefs, to other on-site activities at the new Akins Motorsports complex(Keystone PR)(5-12-1999)
Robinson News: Shawna Robinson will sub for the injured David Keith of Owensboro, KY., when the Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs Ford starts at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte’s ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde EasyCare Certified 100. Keith will sit out the Charlotte event with a pinched nerve. Robinson, who will start her second ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde event of the season, will run the one race for Mayfield-Kranefuss Motorsports, owned by Mobil 1 Taurus driver Jeremy Mayfield and his car owner, Michael Kranefuss. She finished second in the ARCA season-opener at Daytona Beach, FL(Williams Company)(5-12-1999)
BGN Testing at Nazareth: Five drivers tested today at Nazareth, PA. Ted Christopher 129.776mph; Joe Bessey 128.571; Terry Labonte 127.660; JD Gibbs 126.761; and Dennis Demers 124.317 (RPM2Nite)(5-11-1999)
Testing: I hear David Green and Bobby Hamilton were at Greenville Pickens(SC) Speedway today testing their Cup cars. Green(#41) also tested his BGN car along with Jeff Krogh(#56), Kenny Irwin(#11), Larry Pearson(#00) and Steve Grissom(#22). I hear Jason Jarrett was there but not sure if he tested at all. Question asked: Why do so many teams test at Greenville Pickens? Since it is a track the Cup and BGN series doesn’t run a race on, it does not count against a team to test there. The track, being a short track, is similar to Richmond and used by teams to get ready for tracks such as Richmond and Martinsville(5-11-1999)
BACE news UPDATE 1: I hear Curtis Markham will be driving the the #33 Bayer/Alka Seltzer BACE Chevy at Richmond(5-10-1999) — UPDATE 1: I now hear Markham will not drive the car but Johnny Benson will(5-11-1999)
Hardees: Jeff Burton will carry a Hardees sponsorship on his #9 Ford for the BGN race at RIR this weekend(Times-Dispatch)(5-11-1999)
More BACE news: BGNN driver, Brad Leighton will be in Nazareth on Monday(May 10) testing the #33 Bayer Aspirin/Alka Seltezer Chevy for the BACE Motorsports. If all goes well he may enter the car in the combination event at Nazareth later this month(NE Racing)(5-11-1999)
#74 Crew Chief: Michael Kadlecik is the new crew chief for the #74 BACE chevy and driver Tony Raines(NOL)(5-11-1999)
Bessey Tests: Joe Bessey and the #6 Power Team racing team is testing Monday and Tuesday(May 10-11tt) at the Nazareth Speedway(PA). Bessey is entered in the BGN event at the track in two weeks(PowerTeam Page)(5-11-1999)
Another Rudd: Jason Rudd, Ricky’s nephew, will attempt to make his BGN debut at the Richmond BGN race in the #81 Al Rudd Auto Parts Ford(5-10-1999)
Rush Out: Lonnie Rush Jr. was released as the driver of the #75 Spears Manufacturing Chevy truck after the Memphis race. After the race, Spears’ team coordinator Al Hoffman informed Rush that he had been released for the ride. Initially, Rush was told the team would suspend activities and not compete this weekend at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, CO. Reports now indicate the team may resurface in the Pikes Peak event with Marty Houston as the driver(TNN Motorsports Site)(5-10-1999)
More BACE news UPDATE 2: I hear crew chief of the #74 BACE Chevy Steve Bird is no longer with the team(5-5-1999) — Bird has left the team, no idea of his plans or who will replace him at this point, and NOL article cited “philosophical differences” as the main reason for the change(5-6-1999) — UPDATE 2: Story about Steve Bird and some news on the BACE team – Bird ‘sighted’ in New Hampshire(NOL)(5-8-1999)
Moore? McDonald’s? Greg Moore, one of the newest Indy-car stars(CART not IRL), may be McDonald’s new NASCAR marketing star. According to sources familiar with Moore’s stock-car racing plans, he is under strong consideration to drive for Cal Wells’ planned McDonald’s-backed NASCAR team. Wells will be running Fords, and Moore is considered by some as potentially the next Indy-car crossover talent.(PitNow)(5-17-1999)
Carelli Well Wishers: The teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series honored injured comrade Rick Carelli in Sunday’s NAPA 300K at Pikes Peak International Raceway by placing ‘Get well’ decals on the sides of their trucks. Ron Hornaday, an old friend and rival of Carelli’s all the way back to their days in the NASCAR Winston West Series, had “Get Well Rick” displayed on his #16 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet’s dash. The message was visible from the in-truck camera Hornaday was carrying. Randy Renfrow, who took over the reins of the No. 6 RE/MAX International Chevrolet, finished 22nd after engine problems ended his day(NOL)(5-17-1999)
Rain Tires: NASCAR has informed all teams in its Truck series that all-weather tires, or “rain tires,” will be used in each of the series’ three road course races this season in case of inclement weather. The first road course race of the series is the Grainger 225 June 18 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway. Earlier last week, NASCAR Grand National series director John Darby informed his team rain tires would be used at the road course race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) on June 27 in case of bad weather(That’s Racin’)(5-17-1999)
Carelli Hurt UPDATE 4 driver named: #6 Truck driver Rick Carelli, was critically hurt in the Memphis Truck race Saturday. He has head injuries and is at the regional medical center in Memphis, TN(Raceday-TNN-this AM). NOL latest report from The Med hospital in Memphis at about 7pm/et Saturday was that he was awake and stable, but that he had suffered a concussion. He was being held for observation overnight and was to undergo further tests(NOL), get well Rick!(5-9-1999) — UPDATE 2: Carelli is in stable condition in Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Memphis Regional Medical Center. He has a concussion and facial injuries, and likely won’t be moved until Tuesday at the earliest(Stock Car Fans Newsletter via Racing PR) — UPDATE 2: RPM2Nite reports that Carelli remains in the hospital in guarded but stable condition, he awake and alert. — UPDATE 3: Rick Carelli is currently listed in stable condition in Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Memphis Regional Medical Center. Carelli suffered a concussion and multiple facial injuries, the bones that make up his sinus cavity have been broken and it also appears Carelli may have sustained an injury to his jaw, for more info see a story on the RacingWest Site.(5-10-1999) — UPDATE 4: Team owner Marshall Chesrown has assigned Randy Renfrow as temporaty replacement driver for the next couple of races(this week is at Pikes Peak,CO). Cards and letters may be sent to: Rick Carelli, PO Box 977, Wheatridge, CO 80034-0977(Remax Sports)(5-11-1999)
Glen and the Rain: In a memo sent out last week to Busch Grand National competitors, NASCAR Busch Series director John Darby has informed the teams to be rain-ready for the Lysol 200 at Watkins Glen on June 27th. The memo stated: “In wet conditions, and at the discretion of the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division director, competitors will be required to equip their cars with wet condition tires as specified and provided by Goodyear, a windshield water repellent, windshield wiper(s), windshield defogger fan(s), and a rear taillight.” The taillight, affixed to the inside center of the rear window, will not be wired to the brakes, but should be illuminated during rainy conditions. The Goodyear rain tire has been used in the past, but not for a points event. The first use of the tire in competition was two years ago during qualifying for the Suzuka exhibition event. The rain tires were tested at The Glen several years ago by Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt. It was with their input, along with NASCAR, that the decision to proceed with further development was based. Rain tires were tested at the Martinsville oval by Terry Labonte, again several years ago, but it was deemed that rain tires would be unworkable on an oval track. Several of the teams that tested at Sears Point took rain tires with them in the event that rain became a factor for the test session(Speedway Scene)(5-8-1999)
Truck News: I hear CTS driver Ryan McGlynn will have the services of Ted Kennedy at Memphis on May 8th. Kennedy has won championships in the Winston West series as a crew chief and was with the team at the race in Bakersfield. Also hear the primary sponsor, Buyers Choice, will give way to associate sponsor Howes Lubricator at Memphis and the team will have a different paint scheme in a one race deal for Memphis(5-7-1999)
Jones to NHIS: Buckshot Jones will run the #00 Cheez-It Pontiac at the NHIS BGN race on Saturday in place of regular driver Larry Pearson. NOL says it’s a one race deal for Jones to fill a sponsor obligation(NOL)(5-6-1999)
Morris info: Blue Ridge Motorsports officials announced two new sponsors for the #01 Phil Morris BGN team. Dick Myers Chevrolet of Elkton, Va. came aboard as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the season. The full-service Chevy dealer has provided a 15-passenger team van and monetary backing to become part of the Blue Ridge Team. Team manager Dana Dorman announced that a Charlottesville, VA based internet shopping corporation, Value America, has joined the team in backing Morris in a one race deal at next weeks race at Richmond. The car will be painted red, white and blue, the corporate colors and a rendering of the new paint scheme should be put up on their website later today. Value America will be the primary sponsor for the RIR event, but Llumar Window Film, PMI, Rus Uniforms, Charlottesville Auto Body Paint and Dick Myers Chevrolet will be displayed as well(Phil Morris Racing Website)(5-6-1999)
Jarrett Sub UPDATE 2: I hear Jason Jarrett will not drive the #33 Bayer Chevy at NHIS this weekend and that Johnny Benson will sub. Not sure if this because of Jarrett’s injuries at California or if it is a permanent thing(5-4-1999) — despite having laser eye surgery Tuesday morning, Benson would replace the #33 team’s regular driver Jason Jarrett in Bill Baumgardner’s lead car at NHIS. The team will make an announcement in the next few days regarding future plans for the #33(NOL) but I hear Jarrett will not return to the #33 — UPDATE 2: Team owner Bill Baumgardner announced that Jarrett has been removed as the driver of the #33 BGN Chevy. Benson drives at NHIS, then it’s up in the air after that(NOL)(5-5-1999)
Skinner Debut: Jamie Skinner, the son of Winston Cup driver Mike Skinner, will attempt to make his Busch Series debut this weekend at New Hampshire. He is entered in the #19 Yellow Freight Chevrolet. The younger Skinner tested at New Hampshire last month, but was involved in a crash that heavily damaged the #19 Chevrolet(Team Yellow PR/PowerTeam News), see a bio of Skinner at Team Yellow – Skinner Bio(5-5-1999)
Bessey Returns: Joe Bessey and the #6 Power Team Chevrolet have sat idle from competition for much of the 1999 NASCAR Busch Series season. But the responsibilities of being a rookie owner in Winston Cup has caused Bessey to cut his own schedule of Busch Series racing back to a limited schedule. His only start of the season was at Rockingham, where he was involved in a wreck and finished 38th. Since then, the team has made some personnel changes and will be at the track frequently this month – running three Busch Series events in the month of May. Loudon, NH, Nazareth, PA and Charlotte. In preparation for the Loudon event, the #6 team spent Tuesday testing at the Greenville-Pickens(SC) Speedway. After the test, the team will load up and head for the Granite State, where practice begins Friday morning(PowerTeam News)(5-5-1999)
Entries: Only 46 entries are expected for this weekend’s Busch Series event at New Hampshire. The #68 team of Premiere Motorsports with driver Freddie Query withdrew their entry in an effort to focus on other upcoming races. Meanwhile, Busch North Series drivers Kelly Moore, Ted Christopher and Bryan Wall are all entered in the Busch Series event on Saturday(PowerTeam News)(5-5-1999)
RIR Testing: Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Bobby Hamilton Jr., R.D. Smith, Brad Baker, Jeff Finley and Freddie Query tested their BGN cars at Richmond on Tuesday. Martin ran the best lap in his #60-Winn Dixie Ford at 124.654 mph. That unofficial time easily surpassed Wayne Grubb’s standing qualifying record of 123.717. Burton ran second with a 122.727, with Hamilton pacing a 120.697 mph lap. Baker crashed the #7 Chevy early in the session, spinning backward into the Turn 2 concrete(Times-Dispatch). R.D. Smith ran 120.610 mph, which was more than a mile per hour faster than he ran Monday. Jeff Finley and Freddie Query also made Busch runs, but their times were not available(SpeedNet)(5-5-1999)
Miller busy: Butch Miller is pulling double duty on Thursday of this week as he is slated to test both the #18 and #4 Dodge trucks at Memphis(StockCarFans Newsletter)(5-5-1999)
Sacks Back? From what I hear, Greg Sacks is looking to field a BGN team at Charlotte(5-4-1999) note: Didn’t happen
Parker/Sadler Return: Hermie Sadler and Parker Racing’s #72 MGM Brakes Chevy will make a return to racing on the BGN series this Saturday in the New Hampshire 200 at NHIS. Team owner, Ron Parker, withdrew the #72 MGM Brakes/Parker Racing entry from competition for the California race only(Parker Racing PR), in retrospect, good move, with the rain out the team would have missed the race, maybe their luck has changed(5-4-1999)
RIR Testing: Five BGN teams tested at Richmond on Monday. #95-Bobby Hamilton, Jr was fastest at 120.000mph. #7-Brad Baker 119.840mph(Ed Whitaker team), #68-Freddie Query 119.840, #65-Jeff Finley(Sasser Motorsports) 118.943mph, and #79-R.D. Smith 118.943mph. Speeds were randomly hand-timed(RIR Site/NOL)(5-4-1999)
More McDonald’s Stuff: Who will be the driver next year when the new McDonald’s team begins participation in the Busch Grand National series? The early favorite in garage-area gossip is Jason Leffler, the United States Auto Club champion who seems on the verge of securing either a CART or an Indy Racing League ride. One of the current CART standouts, Greg Moore, is also thought to be interested in joining the Cal Wells-owned team that will probably become a Winston Cup regular in 2001. Another possibility reportedly is Robby Gordon, who formerly drove for Wells’ CART team(Gaston Gazette/Monte Dutton)(5-3-1999)
New Hire #68: Premiere Motorsports has hired Mike Greene as its new fabricator/machinist for the #68 Ford team and driver Freddie Query. The team is also looking for a shock specialist and truck driver. Query and team are testing at Richmond May 3-4, and South Boston May 5(5-3-1999)
Santerre Appearance: 1998 BGN Rookie of the Year Andy Santerre will return to New Hampshire International Speedway May 7-9th, but not as a driver. The Maine native will be making several appearances in the area. He will be making his return to the Busch Series on June 5, at Dover. Santerre will return to NHIS in July to drive in the 100 lap Busch North event, the day before the Winston Cup race there(NE Racing)(5-2-1999)
RAIN: Qualifying was rained out and the line-up will be determined by owners points and post marks. How does it work, from my provisonal page: In the event of rain, the top 35 positions are based on OWNER points and the rest of the field is filled by former race winner, WC Champion and based on Date/Time on the entry form for the event, in the following order: 1) the first 35 positions are set from current owners points (if it’s one of the 1st four races then it’s the previous season owner points); 2) previous Rockingham winners not included in #1; 3) past champion’s provisional, and; 4) the post-mark date on the team’s entry form for the event(4-30-1999)
Clean Shower gone? UPDATE 2: hearing that the Clean Shower sponsorship of the #8 Bobby Hillin Chevy is finished. Hillin supposedly took them off the car on Friday afternoon in Talladega?(4-27-1999) — UPDATE 1: Bobby Hillin lost his primary BGN sponsorship from Clean Shower before the Touchstone Energy 300 last week but managed to pick up Sparkle Towels on a one-race deal when Loy Allen missed the show. Clean Shower will stay on as an associate sponsor for selected races(Racer Magazine)(4-28-1999) — UPDATE 2: when Bobby Hillin unloaded on Thursday at California, Clean Shower on the hood; rest of car was bare. The team put Sparkle on the rear fenders and Georgia-Pacific on the rear, then Clean Shower as an associate by the rear wheels. The Clean Shower logo was then removed from the hood(4-30-1999)
Labonte/BGN: Bobby Labonte will not drive in any more BGN races during the 1999 and has withdrawn as the driver of the #18 MBNA Pontiac. It is still undecided whether they Joe Gibbs will find a replacement driver for races later this year, and the JGR MBNA Pontiac was withdrawn from the California BGN entry list(bobbylabontefans.com) From what I hear is that Labonte does not wish to risk injury while running for the Cup championship.(4-30-1999)
Golf: I hear Dunlop Golf was added as sponsor this weekend for Jeff Krogh’s #56 Chevy at California(4-30-1999)
Santerre: Andy Santerre, who was injured in an early crash at Daytona in February, is planning to return to the #47 Monro Chevrolet at Dover in June(Power Team News (4-20-1999)
Petty Ride: Mike McLaughlin has a broken hand as a result of the crash he was involved in at Bristol. The injury will prevent him from participating in the Kyle Petty Charity Ride(NOL/NE Racing)(4-29-1999)
Fellows Tests: Ron Fellows will be in Portland next week for testing. He says – “You’re not allowed to test the trucks on the same track on which you’ll be racing,” explained Fellows. “So we’ll be driving Joe Nemechek’s Busch car(#87 Chevy) for the tests. Still, we’ll be able to drive the circuit and learn what to watch for.”(Tornoto Star via Wide Freakin’ Open)(4-29-1999)
Cheever to BGN/CUP UPDATE 1: Indy 500 Winner, IRL and IROC driver, Eddie Cheever will drive a limited schedule in the BGN this season(WC Scene). TNN’s Raceday reports it’ll be with BACE Motorsports(2-7-1999) — UPDATE 1: Cheever said Wednesday he is putting together a team that will begin fielding a BGN team next season. He said his intention would be to participate in NASCAR’s Winston Cup series as well. He hopes his program will start in about 2 months and is soting out what make the team will use. Cheever said he would likely be the team’s driver to start the 2000 season. Cheever said going to the Grand National series first would allow his team an opportunity to hopefully win more quickly, but also give his team a chance to ‘figure out’ the Winston Cup series(That’s Racin’)(4-28-1999)
#59 Chief UPDATE 1: Dean Johnson, who left the #38 Akins-Sutton Ford team a few weeks ago, has taken the crew chief job at the #59 Kingsford ST Motorsports team and driver Mike Dillon. Johnson replaces Steve Plattenberger. Johnson and Dillon worked together at the #72 Parker Racing team in 1998(WC Scene)(4-9-1999) — UPDATE 1: Dean Johnson and Kirk Shelmerdine have joined the #59 ST Motorsports BGN team and driver Mike Dillon starting at California. Johnson is the team’s new crew chief, while Shelmerdine, who directed Dale Earnhardt to four of his seven NASCAR Winston Cup Series championships, will serve as a team consultant, according to team owner Tad Geschickter. Former crew chief Steve Plattenberger has been reassigned in the shop(NOL)(4-28-1999)
LaJoie: The #1 Bob Evans Racing team and Randy LaJoie will be taking the car that finished fourth at North Carolina Speedway earlier in the season to California Speedway(Cotter Group PR)(4-28-1999)
Purvis/100: Jeff Purvis makes his 100th career BGN start at California(NOL)(4-28-1999)
RIR Testing: Philip Morris tested one old and one new #01 Chevy with mixed results. His fast speed 120.643mph(4-27-1999)
Parker Racing #72: Ron Parker announced that he is withdrawing the entry of his #72 MGM Brakes/Parker Racing Chevy team from competition for the May 1, 1999 Auto Club “300” BGN race at California. Parker wants to review our complete program from top to bottom in order to make a rational decision on the long-term future of the program(Parker Racing PR)(4-27-1999)
MRN Sponsor: Porter-Cable Corporation, manufacturer of Porter-Cable Professional Power Tools, announced today its sponsorship of Motor Racing Network(MRN) Radio for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series broadcasts in 1999(PR)(4-27-1999)
Query News: Premiere Motorsports and driver Freddie Query, driver of the #68 Ford will skip Fontana and Loudon to test at Richmond, So. Boston and Nazareth. Next race entered: Richmond(5/14)(Premiere Motorsports PR)(4-26-1999)
Penalty: On Lap 68 in the BGN Talladega race, Kelly Denton hit pole-winner Ken Schrader near the start/finish line and started a chain-reaction accident that collected 23 cars, leaving a line of wrecked cars stretching well into Turn 1. Denton was penalized five laps by NASCAR for starting the incident(That’s Racin’)(4-25-1999)
Martin in a Chevy? Jack Roush says he may put Mark Martin in a Busch tour Chevrolet later this year because NASCAR’s rules put the Busch Taurus at too much of a disadvantage. Martin qualified sixth for today’s Winston Cup race but failed to make yesterday’s Busch race(at Talladega)(PitNow)(4-25-1999)
Ford? There will be no Ford Taurus’ in the Talladega BGN field, the ONLY Ford is the T-Bird of Ed Berrier. Mark Martin even failed to get in the race(Times-Dispatch)(4-24-1999)
Qualifying News: Two drivers had their times invalidated after Qualifying. Loy Allen, who would have started 22nd, was found to have a car that did not meet the minimum rear coil spring rate. Hermie Sadler, who would have started 25th, had an unapproved shock part. Both will make attempts in Bud Second-Round Qualifying on Friday(NOL)(4-23-1999) — neither made the race(4-24-1999)
#78 Sponsor: Sparkle Towels is the sponsor on the #78 Chevrolet of Loy Allen(Power Team Talladega Notes)(4-23-1999)
Spencer Shop: Cup driver Jimmy Spencer, who owns three BGN teams(#’s 5,12,54) including his own, has moved his teams into a new 36,000-square-foot facility at Lakeside Business Park in Mooresville(That’s Racin’)(4-23-1999)
#47 Stays Home: Noticeably absent from this weekend’s Busch Series race is the #47 Chevrolet fielded by Innovative Motorsports. The team had been fielding cars for Elliott Sadler, while regular driver Andy Santerre recuperates from injuries suffered at Daytona in February. The team’s primary superspeedway car was also destroyed at Daytona and next season the team will run the new 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. So rather than build a brand new racecar for only one event, they decided not to make an appearance at Talladega(Power Team Talladega Notes)(4-23-1999)
Krogh Done? UPDATE 1: Hearing that Mark Krogh and the #80 team has decided to take the rest of the year off from racing in the BGN(4-15-1999) — UPDATE 1: Yes Krogh taling the rest of the 1999 season off and will serve as the team manager for his borther’s #56 team. Mark may run a few BGN races later in the season(WC Scene)(4-23-1999)
Labonte/BGN: Terry Labonte has entered the BGN race at NHIS on May 8th in the #44 Slim Jim Chevy. Terry plans to run the events that do not conflict with his Winston Cup Schedule and let his son Justin drive the events that do(North East Racing)(4-22-1999)
Team Rensi Paint: The #25 DuraLube Chevy car will be carrying a new paint scheme on its quarter panels at California. The yellow section will change to white to accomodate the logo for the Indian Motorcycle Company which has signed on for at least one race as an associate sponsor(Race2Win)(4-22-1999)
NHIS Testing: Jamie Skinner, Mike’s son was testing at NHIS with his dad on Tuesday. Midway through practice Jamie collided with Gary Spencer wrecking both cars. Both drivers were unharmed. See the details at North East Racing(4-22-1999)
Grubb Back: Wayne Grubb will be back in the #83 Link-Belt Chevy for the BGN race at Talladega. Grubb has been on the mend since breaking his shoulder blade at Atlanta in March(Racer Mag)(4-22-1999)
Burton and BGN: Another Cup driver will race some BGN races as Ward Burton drive the #02 Siemens Pontiac in five BGN events in 1999 beginning May 1 at California, Dover Downs(6/5), Michigan(8/21), Darlington (9/4), and Charlotte(10/9). The car will be prepared by Bill Davis Racing(Bill Davis PR)(4-21-1999)
#34 Changes UPDATE 1: I hear #34 Goulds Pumps crew chief Jay Smith and the team have parted ways. Steve “Big Guy” Helwig will serve as interim crew chief for driver Mike McLaughlin(4-17-1999) — UPDATE 1: Cicci-Welliver Racing co-owner Frank Cicci announced today that crew chief Jay Smith and the Goulds Pumps Racing team have parted ways. Steve “Big Guy” Helwig will serve as interim crew chief for the team and driver Mike McLaughlin(Racewire)(4-21-1999)
RIR Tuesday Testing: Tony Roper tested the #61 Pontiac and Phil Morris tested the #01 Chevy at Richmond on Tuesday. Morris ran 121.457mph and Roper ran 121.076mph(NOL) Additional news on Morris can be found in the news section of the Phil Morris Racing Site(4-21-1999)
Lepage steps back UPDATE 2: from his BGN ride, for the next three weeks anyhow. Lepage will take the next three BGN events off from the #99 Redman chevy ride to concentrate on his Cup ride. Matt Hutter will drive the next few BGN races for the team(NASCAR Today Radio)(4-7-1999) — UPDATE 1: Brewco Motorsports/J&J Racing announced that Matt Hutter will drive the #99 Red Man Chevrolet in six Busch Series races during the 1999 season. Hutter’s debut in the Red Man Chevrolet will be the Touchtone Energy 300 at the Talladega Superspeedway on April 24th. Other races planned for Hutter: Fontana (5/1), Milwaukee (7/4), Myrtle Beach (7/17), Pikes Peak (7/24), and Phoenix (11/6).(PR)(4-15-1999) — UPDATE 2: Matt Hutter makes his debut in the #99 Redman Chevy at Talladega(NOL)(4-21-1999)
Bessey News UPDATE 1: Joe Bessey, owner of the #60 Power Team Winston Cup Team and #6 Power Team Busch Series Team, will make his return to racing in the Busch Series on May 8 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Details at North East Racing (4-8-1999) — UPDATE 1: Bessey will return at Talladega this weekend in the #6 Power Team Chevy(PowerTeam Site)(4-20-1999)
Team Yellow: Jamie Skinner is testing for the next two days at New Hampshire International Raceway at Loudon, NH in preparation for his debut with the #19 Team Yellow Chevy at the May 8th event in NH. Skinner is fresh off a late model stock win Saturday night at Carraway Speedway, NC. And yes, Jamie is Mike’s son(Team Yellow)(4-19-1999)
New Look: see the new look #64 Luxary Travel Coaches Chevy at Shoemaker Racing Site. Geoffrey Bodine will debut the new look at Talladega(4-19-1999)
#75 Sponsor: Kelly Denton will drive the #75 Chevy owned by Charles & Don Henderson at Talladega this saturday. Llumar Windows will sponsor the team for the one race deal. The team is still searching for a full time sponsor(Henerderson PR)(4-19-1999)
New Site: BGN driver Skip Smith (Williamsport, Pa.) now has a home on the world-wide web. The retired Pennsylvania State Police Officer, who is now firmly planted in his second career, driving the number #67 Smith Brothers Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo, can now be accessed by simply logging on the web. The Internet address for the new site is www.skip-smith.com, news and info on Skip and the team. Smith makes his Talladega debut this coming weekend. Also Deka Batteries is welcomed as “The Official Battery of Smith Brothers Motorsports” for the 1999 season. The new partnership, with East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc. and its Deka batteries brand, begins this weekend with the Touchstone Energy 300 at Talladega(raceitcom.com PR)(4-19-1999)
Big Daddy’s: Big Daddy’s BBQ is sponsoring the #90 truck driven by Lance Norick. The barbecue sauce company was slated to sponsor Junie Donlavey’s #90 Cup team this season, but Donlavey terminated the deal when the sponsor’s checks failed to clear the bank. Truck series spokesman Owen Kearns said the company hasn’t missed any payments to Norick’s team(Times-Dispatch)(4-17-1999)
Richmond Testing: Five BGN teams tested at RIR Thursday and Wayne Grubb returned to action, the speeds: #59-Mike Dillon 121.841mph; #37-Kevin Grubb 121.731; #83-Wayne Grubb 121.622; #56-Jeff Krough 120.914; and #81-Jason Rudd 117.238(yes Ricky’s nephew)(SpeedNet)(4-16-1999)
#27 CTS Change? UPDATE 2: Hearing that driver Ernie Cope may leave the #27 Hastings Premium Filters Ford Truck team to seek crew chief opportunities with another CTS team. Not sure if the other driver for the truck, Rob Rizzo, will take over or what the team’s plans are(4-12-1999) — UPDATE 1: I hear Mike Swain Jr may drive the truck at Martinsville(4-14-1999) — UPDATE 2: Mike Swaim Jr. has taken over the seat of the #27 Hastings Premium Filters Ford for the NAPA 250. Former driver Ernie Cope, cousin of NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Derrike Cope, said Thursday he was “not gonna drive any more.” He looking for a crew chief job and will continue to help the team out until he finds one. Team owner Mike Albernaz is taking it a race at a time in finding a new driver(NOL)(4-16-1999)
Query/Premiere Crew Chief: Australian Walter Giles has been named crew chief for the NASCAR BGN Premiere Motorsports #68 Ford driven by Freddie Query(PR)(4-14-1999)
Big Shake Up UPDATE 2: at the #38 and #98 teams as co-owners Bob Sutton and Brad Akins have decided to dissolve their partnership, leaving the team in an unsure position. No reason was given for the split(RPM2Nite)(4-12-1999) — UPDATE 1: Georgia businessman Brad Akins, co-owner of Akins/Sutton Motorsports, has assumed the management of the daily operations of Akins/Sutton Motorsports. Bob Sutton has been relieved of his day-to-day duties with the organization. The company will continue to field cars in the NASCAR Busch Series with drivers Elton Sawyer and Glenn Allen. “I made this change because I became aware that there were business practices occurring that were not consistent with the standards I have for my other businesses,” Akins said. “I believed the long-term objectives of this company would not be met if we continued the practices that were currently implemented, so I elected to assume total control of the company. I will continue provide the support for the efforts of these teams as they contend for the championship and race wins,” Akins said.(Keystome Marketing PR)(4-13-1999) — and the team is moving to a new shop this week and they will use Chevy’s at Talladega(as they did in Daytona) and finish the season in Fords(4-14-1999)
Smith Brothers Motorsports News: Bill Moore of Denver, N.C. has joined Smith Brothers Motorsports and driver Skip Smith to help lead their BGN efforts in 1999. Moore will serve as Supervising Technical Consultant for Smith Brothers. Working hand-in-hand with crew chief Terry Hess, Moore’s responsibility will be chassis set up, team organization and race day strategy. Moore has more that 10 years experience at the NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup Series levels. His start in the NASCAR Busch Series came in 1988, working with driver Patty Moise. Other teams and drivers Moore has served include: Kenny Wallace,, Kyle Petty, Sterling Marlin (Stavola Brothers), Brett Bodine (King Racing), Rick Mast (Precision Racing Products) and Jasper Motorsports. In preparation for BGN action at Talladega on April 24th, Smith Brothers Motorsports tested at the 2.66 mile oval on Sunday (April 11th) and Monday (April 12th). Team owner Mike Smith was very pleased with the team’s first day of testing and says he’s beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Driver Skip Smith turned laps well into the 189 m.p.h. range and the team is confident for the upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway(Raceitcom PR)(4-14-1999)
Query Safe: When Freddie Query – driver of Premiere Motorsports’ #68 Ford Taurus – was unable to qualify for the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series’ Bellsouth Mobility 320 at Nashville, Tenn., on Apr. 3, rumors of his impending replacement ignited. But Query – NASCAR’s 1998 Slim Jim All Pro Series champion – is in no danger of losing his ride, according to Premiere chairman Steve Husketh. The team just lost it’s crew chief, Jamie Jones to the #38 team and the Premiere Motorsports team hopes to make an announcement on a new crew chief early this week(Premiere Motorsports PR)(4-12-1999)
Mark Krogh News UPDATE 1: #80 owner Bob Krogh’s team is reorganizing and will probably return at California in May(WC Scene)(4-9-1999) — UPDATE 1: crew chief Doug George left the team after Daytona. Ted Brown is now the crew chief(4-11-1999)
Reffner back: Bryan Reffner, from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., will make his first start since the end of the 1998 season as the replacement for Tom Hubert in John Conely’s #7 Conely Rent-a-Car Sales Chevrolet in Saturday’s race. This could end up being a full time ride(NOL)(4-10-1999)
#37 news: The #37 Timber Wolf Chevy of Kevin Grubb is displaying an bodily organ and tissue donation message on the trunk lid at Bristol in an effort to raise awareness about the critical need for organ and tissue donations(SpeedNet)(4-10-1999)
Morris news: Blue Ridge Motorsports officials announced that they will enter the May 14th Richmond race as well as the BGN run at South Boston on June 12th. This puts Phil Morris and the #01 Chevy in at least a dozen shows for the 1999 season(www.philmorrisracing.com)(4-8-1999)
#38 Crew Chief UPDATE 1:: I hear Jamie(not Jimmy) Jones, the crew chief on the #68 Freddie Query BGN Ford is leaving to take the #38 Akins-Sutton crew chief job. No word on a replacement(4-5-1999) — UPDATE 1: Jones will be with the #68 team at Bristol and start for the #38 team on April 12th. #38 owners Bob Sutton and Barbasol Racing car chief Bobby Bakeeff will share crew chief duties this weekend at Bristol(Keystone PR)(4-7-1999)
Hamilton to sit? for at least a race? #95 team co-owner Check Sadler said the team will step back and regroup, meaning it may miss the Bristol race. Supposedly the team canceled it’s entry but as of Tuesday, no official word has been announced(NOL)(4-7-1999)
Gibbs steps down: JD Gibbs will give up his rookie status in the BGN to compete full time in the Busch North Series starting with the BNS opener at Lee Speedway on April 18th. Gibbs will drive a Pontiac from the Joe Gibbs shops and will be sponsored by MBNA. More details at www.neracing.com (4-6-1999)
Wallace/#25/BGN: Kenny Wallace has signed on with the #25 DuraLube BGN team for the rest of the 1999 season. He will attempt all but four Cup conflicting races(www.kennywallaceracing.com)(4-5-1999)
RaceComm Article:Good Thing by David Patterson – Busch Series Editor(4-5-1999)
King of the Hill: One of my favorite shows, FOX’s King of the Hill, will be featured on the #86 RC Dodge for the next three CTS races. The new look coincides with a promotion between RC and FOX, “The American Dream Sweepstakes,” running through the end of the month. It culminates with someone winning $100,000 and many more winning much smaller prizes. Hank Hill, son Bobby and the rest of the group from Arlen, Texas, will adorn 20 million packs of RC, each with a chance to win a prize(NOL)(4-3-1999)
Bristol Testing: Kelly Denton tested the #75 Henderson owned BGN Chevy Wednesday night at Bristol(NASCAR Today Radio)(4-2-1999)
Moore has a number: BGNN driver, Kelly Moore will drive the #48 LesCare Kitchens/Formica Pontiac in limited events in the BGN series this year(3-31-1999)
Team Debut: RDS Motorsports out of Burlington, NC, will make their first BGN attempt at Nashville this weekend with 19 year old driver R.D. Smith. They will have associate sponsorship from Carolina Auto Center but are still looking for a primary sponsor for the #79 Chevy. Crew chief is Chris Rice. Nashville is the first of a planned five race limited BGN schedule in 1999(3-29-1999)
Grubb Message: Kevin Grubb will display a message about organ and tissue donation on the trunk lid of his #37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet at Bristol on April 10th. To further help the cause his car will also be on display throughout the Tri-Cities at local White’s Fresh Food stores prior to the race. For info on this see Speedwords and to learn more about organ and tissue donation or information about these issues, you may call MRDS at either 423-929-1638 or toll-free at 1-888-562-3774(3-26-1999)
Sadler Safe: Hermie Sadler’s tough start(missing 3 of the first 5 races) prompted rumors that his ride might be in danger. But team owner Ron Parker has weighed in with a vote of confidence and says he is not one to jump from driver to driver(Times-Dispatch)(3-26-1999)
Nemechek Grants a Wish: “Joe Nemechek, driver of the #87 BellSouth Mobility Chevy, will host a Make A Wish Foundation child for Saturday’s Coca-Cola 300. Seven-year-old Jack Scott of Buffalo, Texas, will receive his “honorary crew member” status complete with pit/garage tour, team hauler tour, and time spent with Nemecheck prior to Saturday’s event. In addition, the Make A Wish Foundation has arranged for the boy, who has a congenital heart defect and is currently awaiting a heart and lung transplant, to receive a ride around Texas Motor Speedway in a Wal-Mart truck prior to Sunday’s PRIMESTAR 500″(NOL)(3-26-1999)
Horaday’s Son: Ronnie Hornaday, Ron Hornaday’s 19-year-old son will attempt to make the field for the NAPA 250 on Saturday in the #97 Chevy(4-15-1999)
Ruttman back: In a one race deal, Joe Ruttman will drive the #15 Ortho Ford owned by Black Diamond Racing at Martinsville, Ortho may sign on for more races(NOL)(4-14-1999)
Markham in the #83: Curtis Markham will be in the #83 Link-Belt Chevy at Bristol, subbing for injured Wayne Grubb(4-7-1999)
Elton 300: Elton Sawyer will make his 300th BGN start of his 16-year career at the Moore’s Snacks 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the #98 LYSOL Racing Ford. Sawyer will join legends Tommy Houston(417) and Dale Jarrett (323) as the only men to start 300 NASCAR Busch Series races(Keystone Marketing)(4-6-1999)
Spencer out: Jimmy Spencer will sit out this weeks Bristol BGN race as he is still feeling the effects of his Texas vrash. Steve Grissom is slated to drive the #12 Food City Ford(RPM2Nite)(4-6-1999)
Whitaker Back: Longtime BGN Series car owner Ed Whitaker said Monday afternoon he will field a car(#7) for former Nashville Speedway Late Model champion Joe Buford in Saturday’s Moore’s Snacks 250. Buford started 10th and finished 17th in the April 3 BellSouth Mobility 320 at Nasvhille. Whitaker, who fielded a car for 1998 BGN champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. for two races in 1997, has 27 career BGN wins as a car owner(Bristol News)(4-6-1999)
TylerJet Truck? UPDATE 1: Hearing that Tyler Jet Motorsports will run a “Lucky Dog” 10-10-345 Truck at Martinsville in addition to the #45 Cup car. No word on a driver, but my guess would be Rich Bickle, their Cup driver(4-1-1999) — UPDATE 1: Rich Bickle’s Ford Truck is painted purple to match his 10-10-345 sponsored Cup #45 Pontiac. Bickle/Smith Motorsports, a partnership between Bickle and Florida businessman Ed Smith, will field the Truck. The team is housed in a new 20,000 square foot shop in Mooresville, NC. The Truck will carry the number 45. The racer is the same one Bickle, who has 52 career NCTS starts, drove to a fifth place finish at Martinsville last year. One of Bickle’s three Truck Series career wins came at Martinsville in 1997. Bickle hopes to run the #45 Truck in three NCTS events this season, the other two at Memphis, TN, and Richmond, VA(TNN)(4-3-1999)
#43 lost sponsor? CORRECTION: hearing that the #43 Shane Hall/Mike Curb Chevy has lost it’s sponsor, Central Tractor/Tecumseh Engines. The sponsorship may end up going on another BGN car, such as the #56 Jeff Krogh Chevy(3-30-1999) — CORRECTION: From a source – CT Farm & Country/Country General has made no mention of leaving the Curb/Agajanian #43 BGN Team. Curb/Agajanian Motorsports as a courtesy to the sponsor elected to place CT Farm & Country/Country General’s name on the #56 to inform fans of CT Farm & Country/Country General’s name and product #awareness to the race fan. CT Farm & Country/Country General is hosting guests along with Curb Records at the Nashville Speedway this weekend(4-1-1999)
Barrett has two rides UPDATE 1: for now anyway: Stanton Barrett will rejoin car owner Junie Donlavey at Bristol in the #90 Cup Ford, and moves behind the wheel of Doug Taylor’s #40 ChannelLock BGN Chevy for its next event at Nashville. Barrett made both announcements today. Donlavey has arranged sponsorship from Triple Edge Silicon Wiper Blades and Suburban Lodge, the latter which sponsored his car also at Texas Motor Speedway(but failed to make the race). ChannelLock is the primary sponsor for Taylor’s team(The Williams Co). Taylor is also the crew chief for the #10 Phil Parsons team(3-30-1999) — UPDATE 1: Stanton Barrett will replace Kerry Earnhardt again in the #40 ChannelLock Chevy this weekend at Nashville. Team owner Darwin Oordt swapped out Earnhardt for Barrett last weekend at Fort Worth, Texas, when Earnhardt crashed during practice before qualifying. Barrett failed to qualify for the race in a backup car. The Texas crash marked the second consecutive week that Earnhardt, the 29-year-old brother of Dale Earnhardt Jr., had crashed in practice(News and Record)(4-1-1999)
Team Yellow Trouble UPDATE: NASCAR may fine Team Yellow, the #19 Yellow Freight Chvy of Mike Skinner, for drilling holes in the chassis of its cars. The holes were exposed when driver Mike Skinner crashed during opening day practice at Texas on Thursday. NASCAR officials then checked the backup car and also found the unacceptable body changes(Times-Dispatch)(3-28-1999) — UPDATE: NASCAR has fined #19 Team Yellow crew chief C.R. Miller $1,000 for rules violations prior to last Saturday’s BGN race at Texas. Miller, the crew chief for David Ridling’s Yellow Freight Chevrolet driven by Mike Skinner, was penalized under Section 12 Rule 4 Article Q in the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division Rule Book: “&parts and/or equipment used in the event do not conform to NASCAR rules,” and a violation of Section 20A Rule 11.2: “Holes drilled in frames, frame supports, and cross members with the intent of making the metal lighter are not permitted(NOL)(3-31-1999)
Bodine/Shoemaker/BGN UPDATE 2: Been a bunch of rumors sent in within the past few hours dealing with Geoffrey Bodine, Shoemaker Racing, Dick Trickle, etc.Background: The rumor was that Dick Trickle was coming back to the #64 Shoemaker Racing Chevy in the BGN series as someone saw Trickle and team owner Dennis Shoemaker talking in the garage at Texas. Here is what I hear from the Shoemaker Racing Site: 1) Dennis and Dick did have a conversation on Saturday morning, but it was nothing more than a friendly conversation and chit chat that lasted about a minute and a half as Shoemaker was busy preparing for the race. 2) Dennis has had no direct or indirect contact with Schneider National regarding anything other than friendly “hello’s” and “how are ya’s”. 3) Dennis is confident that Jimmy Spencer and Dick will work things out. In fact Dennis said, “Spencer and Trickle have had an unprecedented run of bad luck the past few events and he knows that Spencer can turn it around.” Dennis is certain that the #5 team will be a force to reckoned with very soon. 4) Dennis is regretful that Geoffrey Bodine has decided to no longer run the Busch Series. The reason given being the potential for injuries. 5) Barry Bodine’s dad, Geoffrey, has secured a fulltime opportunity with the #40 ChannelLock Chevy since Kerry Earnhardt was released. According to Geoffrey, he and the #40 car owner are friends. 6) The #64 Chevy WILL have a driver for Nashville(3-29-1999) — UPDATE 1: from the Geoffrey Bodine Fanclub Site – Either Geoffrey or Barry is scheduled to pilot the #64 Dennis Shoemaker Racing Monte Carlo in Nashville, TN, this Saturday and Geoffrey is not now, or ever has been “afraid” of being injured in a racecar. Injuries are an accepted risk taken by professional racecar drivers(3-30-1999) — UPDATE 2: The Shoemaker Racing Site site reports that Geoffrey Bodine will be back in the #64 Luxury Travel Motor Coaches Chevy at Nashville and Bristol(3-31-1999)
Buckshot to the BGN: Buckshot Jones will drive the #00 Cheez-It® Pontiac in the BellSouth Mobility 320 on April 3, 1999 at Nashville Speedway U.S.A. in the BGN. This will be a one-race substitution for Jones with Pearson scheduled to be behind the wheel at Bristol on April 10th. Pearson, regular driver or the #00 Buckshot Racing entry, suffered injuries to his lower back muscles in a crash during a practice session last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. In an effort to ensure a competitive run by the Buckshot Racing team, Pearson elected not to compete at Nashville Speedway U.S.A.(Buckshot Racing 1999)(3-30-1999)
#75 news: The Abingdon based team #75 Food Country USA (formerly of Big Daddy’s infamy) will run the Moores 250 next weekend(Bristol) with Kelly Denton as the driver. They are looking for a sponsor but will run the Food Country USA decals if none can be found(3-30-1999)
Earnhardt Gone? UPDATE 2: for Texas at least – Kerry Earnhardt has been replaced as the driver of the #40 ChannelLock Chevrolet at Texas. Stanton Barrett has taken over the controls of the Monte Carlo. “(The driver change) is a decision by the owner, and it is not the result of an injury,” a team spokesman said. Earnhardt, who crashed the car during practice Thursday preceeding qualifying, was 39th in the points standings. His best finish of the season was 20th in the season opening NAPA 300 at Daytona(Speedway Scene), no idea if this is for Texas or good. The story makes it sound like it is permanent, which is a shame.(3-26-1999) — UPDATE 1: Earnhardt will find out later this week if he’ll be back as the driver of the #40 BGN Channellock Chevy. Earnhardt said he’ll meet later this week with the team to discuss upcoming races. Earnhardt said he expects to drive in next Saturday’s event at Nashville(Dallas Morning News)(3-28-1999) —UPDATE 2: Kerry Earnhardt reportedly is having sponsorship problems but yesterday said he planned to be at Nashville Speedway this weekend in some capacity. Earnhardt, sponsored by Channellock, has made four of the six Busch Series races this season. Kerry, 29, is the older brother of Dale Earnhardt Jr., 24, the defending BGN champion(The Tennessean)(3-30-1999)
Wallace Wins: CTS driver, Mike Wallace set a new track record and established the mark for a 100-lap event en route to winning the NAPA Auto Parts 100 NASCAR Winston West Series race Saturday at Phoenix(NOL)(3-30-1999)
Sad News: Al Schill Jr., a stock-car racer(NASCAR Re/Max series) whose career was beginning to pick up speed, died Monday after celebrating a successful start to the 1999 season. Don’t know much about it but the story is at Schill Jr.’s death is under investigation (Journal Sentinel)(3-30-1999)
#38 News: Bob Sutton Jr., owner of the #38 Barbasol Ford announced today that he will act as crew chief for driver Glenn Allen in the BellSouth Mobility 320 at Nashville Speedway. Sutton, co-owner of Akins/Sutton Motorsports, said the change has been made because of the resignation of Dean Johnson, who was in his first season as crew chief of the Barbasol Ford(Keystone PR)(3-29-1999)
The return of Jr Johnson UPDATE 2: NASCAR Lengend, Junior Johnson will soon return to NASCAR racing as part of a BGN team. Johnson will be at a press conference at the former Smokin’ Joes Cup race shop in Hamptonville, NC, on Monday at 11am/et to formally announce the formation of the team. Johnson will talk about his involvement with the team, announce the team’s sponsor, Overton’s Inc. and introduce the team’s driver, one that has extensive NASCAR experience. Another press conference will be held on Tuesday at 11am/et in Greenville, N.C., at the home office of Overton’s(NOL) — Junior Johnson is lending his name to a new Busch Grand National team being formed. Does this mean the legendary ex-driver and car owner is ready to get back in the sport? No. In return for the use of his name, the team will use shops owned by Johnson(SpeedNet) and some hints are given in this story(posted 3-24) by Larry Woody at – Laid-back Johnson just an advisor now(Tennessean), mentions Johnson as more of an advisor and Overton’s as well as a driver Chris Cook, who hopes to make his BGN debut in the April 3 BellSouth Mobility 320 in Nashville. In the story it also mentions that Cooks team rents a shop Johnson owns in Hamptonville(3-27-1999) — UPDATE 1: Junior Johnson’s race shop on U.S. 421 in Yadkin County is back open for business, with Kevin Sassar setting up a Busch operation for Chris Cook, a Late Model driver from Nashville. Johnson, who retired as a NASCAR team owner three years ago, will offer some advice to the team(PitNow) — UPDATE 2: Lengendary NASCAR driver/owner Junior Johnson made a return to the sport today, announcing he is serving as a “consultant” to a new BGN team which will make its debut in the Saturday race at Nashville. The #65 Chevrolet Monte Carlo will run under the Sasser Motorsports banner, sponsored by Overton’s, Inc., a Greenville, NC, company that has become the world’s largest watersports dealer. The driver will be Chris Cook, a 32-year-old instructor at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Phoenix. Cook’s driving experiences include the Alaskan Grand Prix (three consecutive championships), go-kart racing, top-level road racing, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Phoenix. Cook was the Rookie of the Year, set the unofficial track record, won two pole positions, and notched multiple top-five finishes in the Late Model division at Nashville in 1992. The Sasser Motorsports team has a five-race schedule tentatively mapped out in this, its first season on the circuit. Crew chief for the Nashville race is Jimmie Wilson, a well-respected name in NASCAR who most recently served as a high-level consultant to various Winston Cup teams. The team is based out of Johnson’s former “Smokin Joe” NASCAR Winston Cup shops in Hamptonville. The 68-year-old is not the crew chief or the team owner, and has no financial interest in the team. But his relationship with the team goes deeper than being a landlord. The Sasser involvement is about as deeply as he wants to get committed to racing, he says. Although Sasser Motorsports and Overton’s have committed to a five-race schedule for 1999, they team is aggressively looking to compete in additional events during 1999. And next year, Kevin Sasser’s plans to “have a little fun” get ratcheted up a notch when the team hopes to go to a two-car effort — with Kevin Sasser as driver for one car(PR)(3-29-1999)
BACE Changes: hearing some driver changes could be in the future for BACE Motorsports and the #33 and #74 teams.. Jason Jarrett drives the Bayer-Alka Seltzer #33 Chevy and Tony Raines drives the #74 unsponsored Chevy(3-29-1999)
Pearson news: Due to lower back pain resulting from Thursday’s crash in Busch practice, Larry Pearson will climb out of the #00 Cheez-It Pontiac at the first opportunity in Saturday’s Coca-Cola 300. Tentatively Jimmy Spencer is slated as the relief driver(TMS Pit Notes)(3-27-1999)
Park to Sub UPDATE: Steve Park will sub for BGN driver Wayne Grubb in the #83 Link-Belt Chevy for the Texas BGN race(Pennzoil PR)(3-22-1999) — UPDATE: Wayne Grubb, still recovering from a broken shoulder, is shooting to return for the Busch race at Talladega Superspeedway on April 24(3-26-1999)
Atwood Five Race Cup Deal? UPDATE 3:Speedway Scene has learned that rising star Casey Atwood will announce a five race Cup deal for later this year. No details were available at the time of this posting on which five races will be included in the package, but expect an announcement soon, possibly this weekend(Speedway Scene) Jayski Note: I had reported a while back that Atwood signed a deal with Bill Eliiott, may have been just a testing deal, but possibly something related??(3-18-1999) — UPDATE 1: BGN driver Casey Atwood announced today he is not planning to enter any NASCAR Winston Cup Series events during the 1999 season. His current BGN team may look into running some Cup races in 2000, but nothing has been decided(Keystone Marketing)(3-19-1999) — UPDATE 2: Supposedly Atwood had been on the verge of signing a developmental contract with Richard Childress that would have included a five-race Cup deal. Under pressure from Castrol, his BGN sponsor, Atwood said all Cup plans were off for the remainder of this year(SpeedNet)(3-22-1999) — UPDATE 3: Atwood, Castrol and Brewco have a multiyear agreement, and plan to partner with a Cup team maybe for a few races in 2000, it basically hinges upon when Atwood is ready, right now and this year they will not be running in the Winston Cup series. Richard Childress has not offered a deal and by no means has Castrol put any pressure on anyone. As a group Brewco is not in as big a hurry as others would like for them to be. A press release to this effect was issued at Darlington on Friday(see UPDATE 1)(3-24-1999)
#68 Withdraws: Premiere Motorsports announced Tuesday that it has withdrawn its #68 Ford entry for rookie driver Freddie Query for this weekend’s NASCAR Busch Grand National Series event at Fort Worth, Texas. The team will regroup and concentrate on the following short track events at Nashville and Bristol in April(The Premiere Group PR)(3-24-1999)
Atwood to school: Casey Atwood, driver of the #27 Castrol Oil Chevy took his race car back to his old school, Overton High, in Tennessee on Tuesday for a Q&A session with some students. Atwood attended Overton through most of his junior year then completed his degree through home schooling so that he could adjust his classwork around his racing schedule(Tennessean)(3-24-1999)
Finley Released UPDATE: I hear that Jeff Finley has been released from the #25 DuraLube Chevy, owned by Ed Rensi. Some possible replacements include: Robert Pressley, Ward Burton, and Kenny Wallace(Race 2 Win) — UPDATE: my sources have confirmed this as being true and the Race 2 Win site is reporting Kenny Wallace will drive the car at Texas and for other BGN events that do not conflict with a Cup weekend(3-23-1999)
Grissom News: Steve Grissom will sub in the #18 MBNA BGN Pontiac for Bobby Labonte at the Texas BGN race(NOL)(3-23-1999)
Truck Team: David Starr will be racing the #73 Sonntag Redi-Mix Concrete Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, March 27. This is expected to be a one-race deal, though Starr and Sonntag may pair together for additional events depending on the circumstances. Starr, a resident of Ft. Worth, Texas, also races the #35 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Winston West Series. For more information visit his web site at www.davidstarr.com (PR)(3-25-1999)
Another Labonte UPDATE: Justin Labonte, Terry Labonte’s 18-year-old son, hopes to makes his BGN debut at Nashville on April 3 and has a test scheduled there on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week(NOL)(3-21-1999) — David Green has volunteered to help Justing this week in Nashville prior to heading to Dallas. David’s success at Nashville and continued good relationship with the Labontes has lead to this arrangement(3-22-1999)
100th Race: The April 3 Craftsman Truck race at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., will the 100th since the series began in 1995. The five drivers who have competed in all of them — Ron Hornaday, Jack Sprague, Rick Carelli, Butch Miller and Joe Ruttman — are eligible for a $100,000 bonus for winning(SpeedNet/Monte Dutton)(3-20-1999)
Grubb in for Grubb: Kevin Grubb, whose crew chief was hospitalized with chest pains Thursday, failed to put his #37 Timberwolf Chevrolet in the field for the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington, but he will run the Busch race. He will replace Joe Nemechek, who qualified 18th while driving for Kevin’s injured brother, Wayne, in the #83 Chevy. Wayne Grubb is out indefinitely with a broken shoulder(Times-Dispatch)(3-20-1999)
Crew Chief Hospitalized: Terry Shirley was hospitalized Thursday after complaining of chest pains. Shirley, crew chief of Brewco Motorsports #37 Timber Wolf Chevy and driver Kevin Grubb in the BGN, was admitted to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, S.C., and underwent a series of tests. After results returned negative, the doctors decided to keep him overnight for observation. He was expected to be released Friday afternoon(SpeedNet)(3-20-1999)
Amick and Education: Lyndon Amick will join the state Education Department in “R.A.C.E. with Lyndon,” a program of appearances and curriculum designed to Reinforcing Academics and Character Education. Scana, the primary sponsor of Amick’s No. 35 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, will give $25,000 to the effort, said Kevin Marsh, senior vice president and chief financial officers of the Columbia-based utility holding company.(NOL)(3-20-1999)
New Parsons Chief: former #40 ChannelLock Chevy owner, Doug Taylor has signed on to be Phil Parsons new crew chief after selling his team. Taylor replaces Gene Nead(NOL)(3-19-1999)
Skinner Disqualified UPDATE 5 Reinstated: From TNN’s Raceday – Mike Skinner who won the BGN race in Atlanta Saturday in the #19 Team Yellow Chevy, has been disqualified for unapproved cylinder head modifications and Dave Blaney in the #93 Amoco Pontiac has been declared the winner — Skinner and the #19 Team Yellow team have appealed the decision and all points and award money are frozen pending the outcome of the appeal, which may not be resolved until Monday. See the story at That’s Racin’: Skinner disqualified; Busch victory taken away(3-14-1999) — I hear the appeal hearing is in Charlotte on Wednesday at 10:30am/et between the #19 team and the NASCAR Appeal Board. Also check out a few Press Releases from Team Yellow: T and L Motors Press Release and TEAM YELLOW RACING LOGS POST-RACE APPEAL(3-16-1999) — I hear the cylinder head infraction in question has been reviewed now by nearly everyone involved in the technical side or BGN racing and has been deemed to be legal, but…sources tell me NASCAR will uphold it’s decision, I guess we’ll see(3-17-1999) — NASCAR Reinstated Mike Skinners and Team Yellows win at the Atlanta BGN race. The team gets the win and the points but they lose the winners share of the purse which was approx $19,000. So a late congratulations to Mike Skinner…(RPM2Nite). also see an UPI story at icFlorida: Skinner’s win is restored(3-18-1999) — Some info on the ruling from Speedwords: NASCAR released a statement explaining more about the infraction they discovered on the cylinder heads on Mike skinner’s Busch car in Atlanta. In short, they say there were changes to the shape of the port that created a vein (fin?) that helped direct the airflow to the combustion chamber. Engine builders have long tried to find ways of changing the floor of port runners to get air to flow better as it enters the cylinder to maximize volume and reduce unwanted turbulence. So, did T&L intentionally do something illegal? That would be virtually impossible to say with conviction. Apparently they didn’t add anything to the ports but rather carved the port floor out to create the vein with existing material, but in NASCAR´s opinion, changed the shape of the port significantly. This is one of those famous “gray areas” so many racers at all levels have run into. The rules say you can remove material, but in this case NASCAR decided it represented an unfair advantage over the rest of the cars(Speedwords) Don’t forget to check Tom’s Conspiracy News(3-19-1999)
New Purvis Chief: Johnny Allen replaces Sammy Ware as the crew chief for the Diamond Ridge #4 Lance Snacks Chevy team and driver Jeff Purvis(NOL)(3-18-1999)
Diamond Ridge #29 Change: The Diamond Ridge #29 Chevy is cutting back schedule to regroup after poor recent performance at Las Vegas and Atlanta. Still no sponsor and Ted Musgrave may not return, Curtis Markham could replace Musgrave for future races they enter(3-18-1999)
Be a Pepper UPDATE: The #50 Dr Pepper Washington-Erving Motorsports Chevy with driver Mark Green had their best qualifying (6th) and finish (9th if the #19 stays disqualified) this weekend at Atlanta. HBO cameras were present, not sure why but I do hear a new associate sponsor to be announced in the next couple of weeks(3-15-1999) — I hear the HBO cameras were at Atlanta to film a segment of Real Sports, the HBO sports show hosted by Bryant Gumbel. The topic of the segment concerns itself with the lack of diversity in professional motor sports and NASCAR specifically. They specifically interviewed Willy T. Ribbs and Joe Washington at the track. The segment is due to air on Tuesday, April 20th(3-18-1999)
Marlin and UT scheme: Race fans will be seeing orange and checkerboards Tennessee style when two-time Daytona 500 Champion Sterling Marlin debuts a special paint scheme featuring the University of Tennessee – 1998 National Football Champions – for the April 2-3 BellSouth Mobility 320 NASCAR Busch Series event at Nashville. The University of Tennessee Chevrolet Monte Carlo, prepared by Marlin Racing, of Columbia, Tenn., also is slated to enter the April 9-10 Moore’s Snacks 250 at the Bristol Motor Speedway and again at Bristol on August 27 for the Food City 250. PR from SterlingMarlin.net. See an image in my Paint Schemes Gallery (3-17-1999)
BGN and Cope UPDATE: I hear Derrike Cope will not return to the #61 BGN IWX Freight Pontiac. Tony Roper will driver the car at Darlington(per www.derrikecope.com) and for the rest of the season. The initial plan was for Cope to drive 20 races and Roper the rest — The Official Press Release in part: Tony Roper will drive the #61 IWX Motor Freight Pontiac in Saturday’s Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway. It will mark his first (BGN) start, which originally was scheduled to happen later this season. The team feels he needs to get healthy(banged up) after his two hard wrecks in Atlanta last weekend so he can concentrate on his Winston Cup program. Roper, 33, a native of Fair Grove, Mo., has competed in the last two seasons in the (CTS). In those two seasons, he has had 11 top-10 finishes and his series’ best second-place finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park last season. He has finished in the top-20 in points in both seasons. Roper has been a general mechanic on the Xpress team since the first of the year(IMX PR)(3-17-1999)
Grubb Update: NASCAR Busch Series driver Wayne Grubb is resting at his home in Mechanicsville, Va., after a hard crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday. The 22-year-old suffered a broken right shoulder during the Yellow Freight 300. Grubb, while trying to avoid an altercation between Geoffrey Bodine and Phil Parsons, slid headfirst into the outside retaining wall. Grubb was cut from the car and transported to an Atlanta-area hospital. Surgery will not be required. The Grubb Motorsports team plans to be in Darlington, S.C., this weekend for the Diamond Hill Plywood 200. A replacement driver for Grubb has not been named, but the team is interviewing potential drivers and an announcement will come later this week. Fans can send cards to the Wayne Grubb Fan Club at P.O. Box 3735, Richmond, VA 23234(Speedwords)(3-16-1999) — Joe Nemechek will run the #83 at Darlington, no word on future drivers. Grubb is out for at least the next two races(RPM2Nite)(3-17-1999)
Exides Demise? No: Keep hearing someone on the newsgroups is reporting Exide has left the #99 Roush Team as a sponsor, but all indications are that is not true. In a NASCAR Online story dated 3-16-1999 it says: “Mike Bliss, Roush Racing’s newest driver, is excited about joining the Exide Batteries team for the 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.” I think if thay had left, there would be no mention of them(3-17-1999)
BGNN Sponsor: North East Racing News(website that reports BGNN and BGN news) and the Penfold Motorsports Team are pleased to announce that the North East Racing News web site www.neracing.com has signed on as an associate sponsor for the teams run at the 1999 NASCAR Busch North Series Championship. The team plans to attempt the BGN Daytona race in Feb 2000(3-17-1999)
Menard to CTS UPDATE: I hear Menard’s/Johns Manville will sponsor a two truck team, Ridge Gate Motion Sports Dodges – #38 Mike Clark with driving and Les Back as the crew chief and the #78 with Bryan Reffner driving and Walter Giles as the crew chief(2-8-1999) — I hear this team has disbanded and all involved including driver Bryan Reffner and crew chief Walter Giles are looking for work, supposedly most of the employees did not get paid for their last two weeks, yikes(3-16-1999)
Another Cup Driver: Brett Bodine will attempt a limited BGN schedule, up to five races in the #54 Gold Bond Chevy owned by Spencer Motor Ventures and Jimmy Spencer(NASCAR Online)(3-13-1999)
Brewco #1 Fan: “For the remainder of the 1999 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division season, all three Brewco Motorsports teams will carry a special decal in memory of David Hunter, a long time friend and supporter of the Central City, KY. based team who passed away unexpectedly on February 20. The black decal carries the message ‘In Memory of David Hunter. Our No. 1 Fan.’ It will be carried on Casey Atwood’s #27 Castrol GTX Chevrolet, Kevin Grubb’s #37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet and Kevin Lepage’s #99 Red Man Chevrolet”(NASCAR Online)(3-12-1999)
DJ’s Schedule: Dale Jarrett’s three BGN races – California, Milwaukee and the 2nd Darlington race (NOL chat)(3-10-1999)
Bessey Limited? UPDATE 2: Hearing Joe Bessey has cut down on the number of BGN races he will run in 1999. He won’t be racing at Vegas(3-2-1999) — Bessey has decided to do this to better concentrate on his duties as a Winston Cup team owner(#60). Bessey’s BGN team will focus on a limited schedule for the remainder of the season. Their new schedule has not been released yet(NE Racing)(3-3-1999) — See updated NASCAR Online article: Bessey cutting back Busch program, he will skip the next six BGN events and return in April at Talladega and run 15 events with the plan to run a full 2000 BGN schedule.(3-5-1999)
Marlin and BGN Update: I hear Sterling Marlin will drive in the Las Vegas BGN race in a Circuit City sponsored #42 Pontiac for Joe Gibbs Racing. Marlin will also drive in four other BGN races for Gibbs, Texas, California, Dover(sept) and Phoenix. See the NASCAR Online story at Gibbs signs Marlin to NASCAR Busch Series deal(3-1-1999)
Morris News UPDATE: Busch Series driver Phil Morris has gotten additional sponsorship for his Llumar Windows Chevrolet and now plans to run in as many BGN events as possible. The Richmond area driver had originally planned only a five race foray into the Busch ranks this season(Inside Motorsports)(3-15-1999) — sources tell me that they have gotten no additional sponsorship and current plan is to run a 10-race BGN schedule(3-17-1999)
Labonte BGN MBNA Schedule: Bobby Labonte is scheduled to drive the #18 MBNA Pontiac at the following Busch Series races in 1999, subject to change: 1999 MBNA Busch Race Schedule(3-17-1999)
Grubb Hurt: During the Saturday, March 13 running of the Yellow Freight 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Grubb suffered a major setback. On lap 135, just after a restart, Geoffrey Bodine tagged Phil Parsons at the head of the pack. The result was a multi car pile up that would also catch up Grubb’s Link-Belt/Timber Wolf Chevrolet. Grubb had been having a strong run and was in 16th spot after making his final pit stop with several cars ahead still needing to pit leaving Grubb set up for a strong finish. It was not to be though. As Grubb was coming through the cloud of smoke from the spinning cars he would get tagged by another car and turned toward the outside retaining wall slamming it with the right front of his ride. The jolt would be a devastating one for the team and driver. As the team members tried to raise Grubb on the radio all they got was silence. Rescue personnel were quickly on the scene and found Grubb complaining of pain in his right shoulder. The rescue crews then spent the next 10 minutes cutting Grubb out of the car, loading him on an ambulance and then transporting him to the infield care center. After examinations in the care center Grubb would be flown to a nearby Atlanta area hospital for x-rays and further examination. The determination of the doctors was a broken right shoulder that would require surgery. Grubb, who was in severe pain, then would be looked over by a bone specialist to decide on the best options to take for the repair of the damage. Team spokesperson and the drivers older sister, Michelle Grubb, stated that the team would get together with team owner, Bill Grubb, at the first of the week to determine what direction to take for the next few events(Grubb Motorsports)(3-14-1999)
CTS Testing: Ron Hornaday tested his #16 NAPA Chevy truck and Rob Rizzo and Ernie Cope tested the #27 Ford at Greenville-Pickens(SC) today(MRM)(3-11-1999) — Cope will run 15-18 races this season, satisfying the requirement for USG SHEETROCK Brand Rookie of the Year honors, while Rizzo will take the wheel at Homestead, Nazareth (Pa.), and the circuit’s road course venues(NASCAR Online)(3-12-1999)
Truck Team: I hear CJ Racing Enterprises will run Rob Rizzo at the CTS Season opener at Homestead, FL. Ernie Cope will run Phoenix, Monroe, Bakersfield and Martinsville. Both drivers will sport the #27 Hastings Premium Filters Ford. Both drivers are expected to test next week at Greenville-Pickens(SC). The team is still seeking a primary associate sponsor for the 1999 season(3-8-1999)
Phil Morris info: The Phil Morris #01 BGN team recently acquired a Featherlite Hauler and Freightliner tractor to transport all the teams necessary equipment to the racetrack. With a marketing firm working overtime to further expand the teams projected 10-race schedule, two additional associate sponsors have been added to the Llumar/PMI Chevy. RUS Uniforms of Waynesboro, VA and Charlottesville Auto Body Supplies of Charlottesville, VA from the Philip Morris Racing News page (3-4-1999)
Hardy to return: Charles Hardy, who was the owner of the #35 Ortho Chevy in the CTS, is still planning on having a team in 1999 despite losing Ortho as a primary sponsor, along with driver Ron Barfield. Hardy, whose team has yet to find a replacement sponsor(or driver), says he will run a limited six- to eight-race slate on the CTS this year(Country Cool/UPI)(3-3-1999)
Shoemaker Sponsor: Shoemaker has signed Luxury Travel Motor Coaches for the 1999 season. Geoffrey and Barry Bodine will split the driving duties(WC Scene)(2-27-1999)
Santerre Get Well: Anyone interested in sending a get well to Andy Santerre, Elizabeth is accepting get wells at her Andy Santerre Fan Page (2-17-1999)
Darlington Tests UPDATE: #25-Jeff Finley, #51-Jim Brown and #90-Brad Loney(NASCAR Today Radio) — Loney was quickest at 163.920 mph, Bown was 163.647 mph and Finley was at 162.834 mph(NASCAR Online)(3-11-1999)
Hensley Tests: Jimmy Hensley will test the #43 Dodge by Petty Ram at Greenville-Pickens on Friday, 3-12-99 if the weather cooperates. Rain is expected for Friday in that area but hopefully the Richard Petty Motorsports team can shake down a brand new truck that will race in Phoenix(3-11-1999)
#75 truck team UPDATE: I hear it’s down to Lonny Rush, Marty Houston or B.A. Wilson for the driver job with the #75 Spears truck team(1-18-1999) — Lonnie Rush has been neamed to the #75 Spears Chevy truck team(NASCAR Online)(3-7-1999)
Stefanik injured: While testing at Greenville-Pickens Speedway Monday, Mike Stefanik was injured when he crashed the #66 Truck he was testing. Jim and Holly Clark, owners of the Prime Performance Motorsports #05 BGN Monte Carlo, immediately withdrew their entry for the BGN Vegas race this weekend, and will wait for Mike’s speedy recovery to drive their cars. The semi hauler with two race cars were half way to Vegas and called back Monday night. The throttle stuck wide open and he hit the wall head on. He was taken to the hospital where they determined he suffered some torn and strained ligaments in his neck. He is flying home today(3-3-1999)
Truck News UPDATE 2: #31 Brevak Racing with Kevin Cywinski driving will be sponsored by Bendix Brakes in 1999(2-24-1999) — Bendix will not be the sponsor as rumored here.(2-26-1999) — Brevak Racing has signed Auto Trim Design as a major associate sponsor for the #31 Ford. The crew chief remains Joe Shear Jr.(NASCAR Online)(3-3-1999)
Atlanta Testing: Seven teams tested at Atlanta on Monday – Fastest was #35-Lyndon Amick at 183.030mph. Other’s testing were #83-Wayne Grubb; #43-Shane Hall; #18-JD Gibbs; #53-Hank Parker, Jr; #72-Hermie Sadler; and Dan Pardus in the #50 Cup car(WC Today Radio)(3-2-1999)
Testing: Jeff Green in the #32 Kleenex Chevy and Mike Stefanik in the #66 CTS Ford truck tested at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway Monday(MRM)(3-2-1999)
Shepherd team: Morgan Shepherd will be in the BGN #07 Pontiac of Bruce Hanusosky’s in the Sam’s Town “300” at Las Vegas. Mr. Hanusosky is the owner of High Tech Performance Trailers in Cleveland, Ohio. They are seeking a sponsor for Las Vegas as well as for the races to follow. Any interested parties should contact either Bruce Hanusosky @ 440-357-8964 or Morgan Shepherd @828-256-2194. Or see the Morgan Shepherd Fan Page(2-28-1999)
Petty Tests: Adam Petty tested at Atlanta and turned in a lap of 186.541 mph Thursday(NASCAR Online)(2-27-1999)
Truck Team: Scott Walters to Drive a Raynor Performance Motorsports Craftsman Truck During 1999. Marty Walsh, owner of the team announced that Walters will drive the #81 Raynor Performance Motorsports Ford beginning at Homestead. It is not clear whether the team will run a full or limited season, due to Walters job as a crew member on the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. team(PR)(2-26-1999)
More Big Daddy News UPDATE 2: The #75 Henderson Motorsports team has suffered the same fate as the #90 Junie Donlavey Cup team. Big Daddy’s BBQ never came up with the money for sponsorship and now the team is in trouble. They and driver Kelly Denton will cut down to a five race schedule while they look for sponsorship. The team had signed a new engine lease program and hired new employees. See the complete article at the Bristol News – Kelly Denton, Busch team burnt by Big Daddy(2-17-1999) — Quote on Big Daddy’s BBQ Sponsorship Situation from Henderson Motorsports – “While our season has not gotten off to a perfect start by any stretch of the imagination, Henderson Motorsports is still working with Big Daddy’s BBQ Racing on a sponsorship program for the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division in 1999,” said Todd Creasy, spokesman for the #75 Henderson Motorsports entry. “At this point we’re trying to pick up our schedule as soon as possible. We are continuing negotiations with Big Daddy’s and look forward to racing with them this season.” For more information on Henderson Motorsports, contact Todd Creasy at (540) 628-4412.(Big Daddy’s BBQ)(2-18-1999) — Hearing that Henderson Motorsports has severed all ties with Big Daddy’s BBQ(2-26-1999)
Another Big Daddy’s Victim: Rick Crawford and the #14 Circle Bar Racing team were one of the first NASCAR teams affiliated with Big Daddy’s BBQ Sauce in 1998. Reportedly the team has not been paid for the 16 races that Big Daddy’s BBQ was on the tailgate.(2-25-1999)
Sadler in for Santerre: Country.com Motorsports has learned that Elliott Sadler will substitute for recuperating BGN racer Andy Santerre in the #47 BGN Chevy, effective immediately. Sadler will pilot the car until Santerre is fully recovered from leg injuries he sustained in a grinding crash in the BGN season opener at Daytona. Santerre, the 1998 Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the BGN, is expecting to return to the series in June. To see a TV interview with Andy Santerre and get an update of his recovery and racing plans, tune into TNN’s RaceDay this Sunday, February 28th, at 11:00am/et(TNN Motorsports)(2-25-1999)
Testing at Darlington UPDATE: Larry Pearson(#00), Wayne Grubb(#83), Jimmy Kitchens(#22) and Bobby Hamilton, Jr(#95) tested their BGN cars at Darlington on Monday. David Pearon was helping son Larry, Bobby Hamilotn was helping Jr and Bobby Allison was helping Kitchins(WC Today Radio)(2-23-1999) — Pearson and Kitchins tested again Tuesday, Pearson was fastest at 163.104mph(RPM2Nite)(2-24-1999)
Santerre Update: Busch Series driver Andy Santerre went home from the hospital Sunday after undergoing surgery on his broken leg. Santerre underwent five hours of surgery after breaking three bones in his knee cap and lower leg. He will be out at least six weeks. Mike Swaim Jr. drove for Santerre this weekend, but his status is race-to-race(Times-Dispatch)(2-23-1999)
Sponsor News: CT/Farm & Country General, an agricultural specialty retailer with 225 stores serving the agricultural hardware and related needs of rural customers, announced Sunday morning that it would sponsor the #43 Mike Curb-owned Chevrolet, with driver Shane Hall, for the remainder of the 1999 season(NASCAR Online)(2-22-1999)
Shoemaker Announcement: I hear there will be some sort of announcement in the coming week about the #64 Shoemaker Chevy team and the Bodines(Shoemaker Racing(2-21-1999)
Bodine/Shoemaker Sponsor: Geoffrey Bodine is driving the #64 “Luxury Travel Motor Coaches” BGN Chevy at the Rock. This is the Shoemaker entry that Dick Trickle drove last year. The plan to run the whole season with the driving chores split between Geoffrey Bodine and his son Barry(GoRacing)(2-20-1999)
McGwire Out: Baseball slugger Mark McGwire is no longer part owner of Bobby Hillin’s #8 Clean Shower BGN Team. McGwire is too busy to maintain his connection to the team(WC Scene)(2-20-1999)
Taylor Sells: Doug Taylor has agreed to sell an interest in his #40 ChannelLock Chevy BGN team to Tennessee businessman Darwin Oordt, with plans to turn over full control in the future(WC Scene)(2-20-1999)
Jarrett to run a few BGN? UPDATE 2: Hearing that Dale Jarrett will run up to three BGN races in the 1999 BGN season in the #11 Ford, no idea of what races and no news on a sponsor yet(1-29-1999) — Wes Ward will be the new crew chief of the #11 team, and I hear Rayovac will be the sponsor(1-31-1999) — Officially announced, Brett Farve(the Packers QB) is a part owners and Rayovac will be the sponsor, Kenny Irwin to drive 11 races(2-13-1999) — See the story at That’s Racin’ – Favre jumps into racing with both feet(2-19-1999)
Bob Evans and LaJoie, YEP UPDATE: Hearing Bob Evans has signed on with the #1 Phoenix Racing team and Randy LaJoie for the full season? Hear the announcement will be made on Friday(2-18-1999) — see the story at Bob Evans Restaurants serves up dough to Finch(The News Herald)(2-19-1999)
#95 Sadler Assoc:Fast Parts Online.com(link fixed) has announced that it will be an associate sponsor on the Earl Sadler #95 NASCAR BGN Chevy driven by Bobby Hamilton Jr.(FastPartsOnline PR)(2-18-1999)
Brewco Assoc: East Penn Manufacturing Company Inc. announced that it has joined Brewco Motorsports as an associate sponsor on all three of its BGN teams(#’s 27, 37 and 99) in 1999 through its Deka batteries brand(TunnelTurn thru Brewco PR)(2-18-199)
Fine: NASCAR has fined Richard Jackson, crew chief(and owner) for Lance Hooper’s #23 Lucas Oil Products Pontiac, was fined $10,000 for “pulling air from unapproved sources.” The infraction was determined in technical inspection following Bud Second-Round Qualifying last Wednesday(NASCAR Online/RPM2Nite) The team was also disqualified after making the race.(2-18-1999)
Santarre Sub UPDATE 2: Ward Burton will fill in for Andy Santerre in the #47 BGN Chevy while Santerre recovers from his injury inccurred in the NAPA 300 BGN Race. Burton is scheduled to drive the car for Rockingham, Vegas and Atlanta(NASCAR Online) — RPM2Nite reports that Mike Swaim, Jr(Dash Series) will drive the car. Santerre hopes to return by May(2-16-1999) — NASCAR Online reports that Burton opted out of the ride and the team hasn’t made a decision on a driver yet(NOL) — Also the NE Racing site reports that Santerre is resting comfortably in his hospital room at Wake Forest University Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, following surgery to repair the injury he sustained to his leg in Saturdays NAPA 300 at Daytona. The 1998 NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year hopes to return to his home in Harrisburg, NC on Thursday or Friday. Surgeons operated to repair three breaks in his left knee cap and a broken fibular in the same leg on Monday. The operation was successful but will require some time to heal properly. It is possible that Andy will be able to return to driving his #47 Monro Chevy as soon as June, but it is too soon to know for certain. For more info see the North East Racing Site(2-17-1999)
Hedrick Debut: Larry Hedrick’s BGN team will make its debut at Rockingham when it attempts to make the ALLTEL 200. David Green will be driving the #41 AFG Industries Chevrolet(2-17-1999)
RDS Motorsports: The #79 RDS Motorsports BGN Chevy team will test at Nashville in the next few weeks with driver R.D. Smith and crew chief Chris Rice. The team is still looking for a primary sponsor and has one assocaite sponsor in place with Carolina Auto Centers. The team recently tested at New River Valley Speedway in VA(2-16-1999)
Team Yellow Ready: Team Yellow Racing, the team that will field Chevrolet Monte Carlos in 20 races in the BGN in 1999 with Mike Skinner handling the driving chores in 14 of the events is ready to go. Mike Skinner, fresh off of an outstanding 4th place finish in one of the most exciting Daytona 500’s in recent memory is ready for the challenges of Busch racing. Team Yellow Racing debuts this Saturday, February 20th in the Alltel 200 at the North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina, “the Rock(Team Yelloe PR)(2-16-1999)
Rockingham: I have no plans on posting result links or having a Nextrace page for BGN like I do with Cup at this time but I can point to this link for the Rock – ALLTEL 200 Race Fact Sheet – Race #2 of 3(2-16-1999)
Santerre Hurt UPDATE: In one of the many multi-car crashes in the NAPA 300, Andy Santerre broke his leg and CBS reported that his wife said he would be flying to North Carolina for surgery and the he would probably be out of action for six months(CBS)(2-13-1999) — Santerre was flown home to Charlotte where he will undergo surgery on Monday morning to repair the damaged leg and will miss several months of racing due to the injury. Anyone that would like to send cards or notes to Andy can do so at his fan club address: Andy Santerre, P.O. Box 994, Harrisburg, NC 28075. Check North East Racing Site for updates on Santerre’s condition and news(2-15-1999)
GEM News: The new Gordon/Evernham Motorsports Busch Grand National team will have their first test session next Tuesday and Wednesday (23rd and 24th) at Las Vegas. The track and LVMS indicated that the track will be open to the public to watch the test session of the #24 Pepsi/Fritos Chevrolet and that Gordon’s souvenir trailer will be selling merchandise. See the story at the Las Vegas Sun – LVMS to open gates to fans for Gordon testing thanks to Gordonline for the heads up(2-15-1999)
Texas Testing: Several teams from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series were at the (Texas) speedway on Tuesday, kicking off two days of testing for GM. Schrader, owner of the #52 Oakwood Homes Chevrolet truck team, was on hand to see how his team might fare. His driver, Scott Hansen, will be making his truck series debut this year. “Things look pretty good for us this year,” said Schrader. “Actually, it’s kind of nice being on the owner side of things. I think this team has a shot a making a name for themselves this season.” Schrader has a vested interest in four events running at Texas in 1999 — as a driver in both the Sat., March 27 Coca-Cola 300 and the Sun., March 28 PRIMESTAR 500 and as a truck team owner for the Friday night, June 11 Pronto Auto Parts 400 and the Friday night, Oct. 15 Bluebonnet 300. In addition to Hansen, six other truck teams took laps Tuesday: Ron Hornaday, the 1998 series champion; Jack Sprague, who finished second only three points behind Hornaday; Jay Sauter; Rick Carelli; Lonnie Rush; and Joey Sonntag, also a rookie.(StockCarFans Newsletter)(2-4-1999) — Actually, Hansen made his CTS debut in Milwaukee last year and finished 24th(LTN Hour)(2-14-1999)
Bodine’s share: Todd Bodine was one of seven drivers involved in a practice session accident Friday and forced to use a backup car to start og the Daytona BGN race. But Bodine’s backup was the car he is going to use next weekend at Rockingham and it was not set up to run at Daytona. So Bodine asked his nephew, Barry Bodine, to use his car Saturday – Barry Bodine had failed to qualify for the race(That’s Racin’)(2-13-1999)
Why Hillenburg? I got asked a few times why Andy Hillenburg was driving the #18 MBNA Pontiac in the NAPA 300 at Daytona. During the race CBS said because the the team was not eligible for a provisional with Steve Grissom driving the car as he is a full-time Winston Cup driver(Johnny Benson was a more recent BGN Champ, so that prov was not available to Grissom)(2-13-1999)
Hamilton Sponsor: Bobby Hamilton, Jr had Miccosukee Indian Gaming as a sponsor in the NAPA 300 since the #64 with Barry Bodine didn’t make the field(CBS)(2-13-1999)
Accidents and Backups: During Friday’s practice there werew three different accidents which will send seven teams to the rear of the field in backup cars: #’s 3-Dale Earnherdt, Jr; #5-Dick Trickle; #9-Jeff Burton; #29-Ted Musgrave; #38-Glenn Allen, Jr rolling out the Rockingham Ford; #63-Chuck Bown; and #66-Todd Bodine(NASCAR Online/RPM2Nite)(2-13-1999)
More on Inspections: Lance Hooper was dropped from Saturday’s Busch 300 and sent home after NASCAR inspectors disqualified him for an engine restrictor-plate violation. NASCAR’s Kevin Triplett said that Hooper faces more penalties. “In post-qualifying inspection, we found a couple of violations of Section 20, Article 5.12 of the rulebook, that all air shall be filtered through the element and any attempt to pull air from other sources will be a violation,” Triplett said.(JournalNow)(2-12-1999)
Tough Inspections: Drivers continued to struggle through NASCAR inspections. Earlier in the week, two Busch drivers’ qualifying times were disqualified because of illegal shocks. In qualifying Tuesday for tomorrow’s Goody’s Dash race, the top three drivers failed inspection. Yesterday, Busch driver Lance Hooper’s time was disallowed for altering air flow into the engine. He had qualified 27th but will be unable to compete(Times-Dispatch)(2-11-1999)
Noticed: The #75 Chevy driven by rookie Kelly Denton did not have the Big Daddy’s decals displayed either, not sure if the team is having the same problem as the #90 Cup Team(2-10-1999)
DW to BGN: During BGN qualifying, Michael Waltrip mentioned that his brother Darrell would probably drive a few BGN races in the #21 Chevy(2-10-1999)
Bad Parts: Tow teams had the BGN qualifying runs disallowed for unapproved parts. Derrike Cope, who qualified 11th was disallowed due to an “unapproved part in the shock system” and Blaise Alexander’s No. 20 Lisa Express/Dimension Warranty Chevrolet was disallowed for a shock bleed hole below the mandatory minimum standard. Both will have to requalify in the 2nd round(NASCAR Online)(2-10-1999)
Where was Bodine? Due to technical difficulties, Barry Bodine was unable to make 1st round qualifying today in the #5 Chevy and will attempt 2nd round on Wednesday at 1pm.(www.geoffbodinefanclub.com)(2-10-1999)
Allen Out: Loy Allen and the #78 Mark III Financial Services Chevy was withdrawn from the NAPA 300 Tuesday morning. The team broke its only restrictor plate motor and had to leave(NASCAR Online)(2-10-1999)
California BGN Race Name: California Speedway, a subsidiary of Penske Motorsports, Inc. (PMI) (Nasdaq: SPWY), and the Automobile Club of Southern California today announced a five-year agreement naming the Auto Club title sponsor of the Auto Club 300. The race is scheduled for Saturday, May 1 with an 11:30 a.m. (PDT) start televised live by ABC(PRNewswire/Phatman)(2-10-1999)
Truck Schedule change: NASCAR changed two dates on the Truck series schedule. The tour’s first visit to Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, initially set for June 19, moves to June 18 as a twi-night race. Louisville (Ky.) Motor Speedway’s Kroger 225, scheduled for Oct. 1, drops back to Oct. 8(That’s Racin’)(2-9-1999)
Bodine has a ride UPDATE: Barry Bodine, son of Geoffrey, will replace his Dad in the #64 Dennis Shoemaker owned Miccosukee Indian Gaming Chevrolet in the NAPA 300 at Daytona. Geoffrey had been entered but opted to concentrate on his Cup ride. The Bodine’s are looking to run a full season if sponsorship can be found(NASCAR Online)(2-8-1999) — Geoffrey Bodine said it was car owner Dennis Shoemaker’s plan to run a full season in the NASCAR Busch Series with his #64 Chevrolets — and that he hoped it would be with some combination of himself and son Barry, who is driving the car at Daytona. However, the entire program hinges to a degree on sponsorship, which Geoffrey Bodine said he hoped was close to coming together. For the NAPA Auto Parts 300, the Miccosukee Indian Gaming package Bodine put together for last year’s Jiffy Lube Miami 300 at the Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex is in place for the two Florida races — but that’s it, Bodine said(NASCAR Online). The car was one of two that did not practice on Monday, no idea why(2-9-1999)
New Truck Team? I hear a new CTS team, CJ Racing, owned by Mike Albernaz, will run the #27 Hastings Filters Ford with Ernie Cope and Rob Rizzo driving on a limited basis(2-8-1999)
Hutter News: Matt Hutter in addition to driving five races for Brewco in the #99 Redman Chevy, when Lepage cannot run, will run five BGN races for Jimmy Spencer in the #12 Chevy. Hutter will run 10 ARCA races for Ed Rensi in the #83 DuraLube Chevy(TNN’s Raceday)(2-7-1999)
Brewco Assoc: First Sierra Financial, Inc., a publicly traded, (NASDAQ: FSFH), full service national equipment leasing company announced today it has increased its involvement in NASCAR racing and will be an associate sponsor with all three Brewco Motorsports Inc. BGN teams in 1999(PR)(2-7-1999)
Grissom and Gibbs: Steve Grissom will drive Joe Gibbs Racing’s #18 Pontiac in next Saturday’s BGN NAPA Auto Parts 300. Grissom will qualify the car on Tuesday. Bobby Labonte and J.D. Gibbs, son of team owner Joe Gibbs, will share the driving duties in the remaining 31 Grand National races this season(That’s Racin’/Jim Utter)(2-7-1999)
Another Rudd: Jason Rudd, Ricky’s nephew has been assigned #81 for his limited run in the BGN. He will hopefully make his debut at Richmond in a Ford(2-5-1999)
Loney gets sponsor: For more than 70 years Coyne Textile Services (CTS) has been working behind the scenes in the automotive industry – supplying uniforms, shop towels and laundry services for thousands of customers throughout the eastern half of the United States. CTS will sponsor driver Brad Loney in the #90 CTS Racing Chevy Monte Carlo for the NASCAR Busch Series 1999 season. Today, CTS has 44 locations and serves nearly 50,000 customers in 26 states and the District of Columbia. CTS serves many of the world’s most prestigious companies in every industry including automotive, pharmaceutical, food service, high technology, petrochemical, building services and more. For more information about CTS and its environmentally sound, image-building products and services please call: 1-800-MR-COYNE.(CTS PR)(2-4-1999)
Crawford Crew Chief UPDATE: I hear George Church will Rick Crawford’s crew chief for the #14 Truck in 1999. In the past George Church was crew chief for the late John Nemechek and this past season was crew chief for Rick Carelli in the Remax Chevy.(12-24-98) — Rick Crawford, driver of the #14 Circle Bar Racing Ford, has announced that George Church will be the new Crew Chief for the #14 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Team in 1999. The season kicks off at the 1.5 mile Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex on March 20th with the Florida Dodge Dealers 400. Crawford and the Circle Bar Race Team come in as defending champions of this race(Crawford PR)(2-4-1999)
Bob Evans info: Bob Evans Restaurants will sponsor former BGN racer, Shawna Robinson in her ARCA attempt at Daytona in the #1 Phoenix Racing Chevy. Bob Evans Restaurants will also continue its involvement in the BGN, as a major associate sponsor for Randy LaJoie during the 1999 season in the #1 Phoenix Racing Chevy.(Cotter PR)(2-4-1999)
Grubb Assoc: Hardee’s will be an associate sponsor on the #83 Chevy driven by Wayne Grubb. It’ll be on the B-pillar(2-4-1999)
Fans for Life is Pleased to announce that LaFavre Racing’s BGN Team owned by Scott LaFavre (www.lafavreracing.com) will be carrying the FansForLife.com web address decal the on #09 Emerald First Financial Chevy. Emerald First Financial provides credit to the enthusiast consumer market, specifically purchasers of marine, motorcycle and recreational sports vehicles, through the dealership channel. Sporting the new sponsor’s colors, the newly built Busch machines will be piloted by Mike Garvey, LaFavre Racing Teams’ ASA driver for 1999. Garvey’s previous BGN experience includes setting fast time in testing at Daytona International Speedway, and an eighth-place finish at Orange County, NC. LaFavre Racing’s plans for 1999 include a one-car ASA Team, as well as a NASCAR Re/Max Series team and a limited schedule BGN(Fans for Life PR)(2-3-1999)
#95 Crew Chief: I hear Bobby Hamilton, Jr. will have Gary Tatum, who most recently worked in the Legends Series with driver Steve Dale, as a crew chief of the #95 Sadler Chevy in 1999(2-3-1999)
Phil Morris Images: from the recent BGN test at Daytona, see the images at Racin’ with Russ – BGN page(2-3-1999)
BGN Testing at Rockingham: Saturday, Jan 30th – Jeff Green was fastest followed by Jeff Krough and Kerry Earnhardt. Lyndon Amick wrecked(1-31-1999)
Sawyer New Crew Chief: Akins/Sutton Motorsports has hired Rick Viers to serve as crew chief for Elton Sawyer’s #98 Lysol Ford Taurus for the 1999 Busch Series season. Viers will be replacing Wes Ward, who had been Sawyer’s crew chief since the 1998 AC Delco 200 at Rockingham(SpeedNet)(1-30-1999)
Truck News UPDATE and story: From TNN’s Site – Kevin Harvick has left the #75 Spears Chevrolet to take over driving chores at the #84 Liberty Racing Ford. Meanwhile, Lonnie Rush Jr. appears to be poised to take over Harvick’s old seat in the Spears truck(TNN Motorsports)(1-4-1999) — UPI story at Country Cool about truck driver Kevin Harvick – NASCAR Feature: ‘The Kid’ Gets His Liberty and Now he Wants to Fly(1-15-1999) – After making a number of significant changes during the off-season, Liberty Racing introduced its new 1999 race package during the Ford NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series test at Homestead Motorsports Complex. If the results of the test session are any indication, the team is definitely on track for a strong season, as they consistently posted some of the fastest times among the Ford teams. The team, which returns with sponsorship from Porter-Cable Professional Power Tools, brought two brand new trucks to south Florida for talented new driver Kevin Harvick to shake down. Along with Harvick, the team has the added benefit of experience with new crew chief Roland Wlodyka calling the shots. The third major addition is a new engine program supplied by Irvan-Simo Racing’s Signature Racing Engines. The test also offered the first opportunity for Harvick and Wlodyka to work together in a race setting. In keeping with its theme of change, Liberty Racing also used the test session to announce its decision to change the team’s number for 1999. The team will return to the number 98 that it took to prominence with Kenny Irwin, Jr. and Butch Miller from 1995 to 1997. The team ran the number 84 during the 1998 season(Porter Cable PR)(1-29-1999)
New Truck Team: Reyben Racing and its driver Brad Bennett have announced that they will be competing in the Craftsman Truck Series on a limited basis in 1999, competing in up to 10 races, including events at Martinsville Speedway, Watkins Glen International and Richmond International Raceway. Reyben Racing is still searching for primary sponsorship as it continues to build two new trucks for the year. The team will debut its No. 40 Reyben Chevrolet at the NAPA 250 at Martinsville Speedway April 17. (SpeedNet)(1-28-1999)
New BGN Team PR: As the 1999 BGN season grows closer and closer, teams have been racing the track, clock, weather and time – everything but each other. Along with several BGN teams, Skip Smith, driver of the #67 Smith Brothers Motorsports Chevy, recently tested at Talladega on Thursday, January 21, in preparation for the season. Smith, a native from Williamsport, Pa., and retired Pennsylvania State Police Officer, is scheduled to run eleven BGN events, beginning with the February 13 NAPA Auto Parts 300 at Daytona. Smith turned in a fast lap of 189.249mph, unofficially one of the fastest times recorded of all Busch Series teams present during the private test. Smith Brothers Motorsports will be supported financially for the eleven designated events by C&E Containers, Inc. (Jersey Shore, Pa.), a manufacturer of corrugated and specialty shipping containers, and owned by team owner Mike Smith(Smith Brothers Motorsports PR)(1-27-1999)
Steele to Trucks: As reported a few weeks back, ARCA driver and former champ Tim Steele will drive the #61 H.S. Die Ford for as many races as he can until he finds a major sponsor for the truck. H.S. Die is Steele’s father’s tool and die shop in Grand Rapids, MI(NASCAR Online)(1-27-1999)
Phil Morris update: Blue Ridge Motorsports officials have announced a 10 race agreement with two sponsors for the 1999 Busch Grand National season. Llumar Window Film has agreed to be the primary sponsor with Philip Morris as the driver. See full story at: Morris Gets 10 For 1999(Racin’ for Russ)(1-26-1999)
Jeff Finley info: The team has been re-assigned a car # and will be #25 instead of #52(1-25-1999)
Roehrig/Ruttman back: CTS Owner Kurt Roehrig has a full complement of #19 Ford F-150s and a proven veteran wheelman in Joe Ruttman waiting in the wings. Roehrig is waiting for a possible sponsorship deal to fall in place. Roehrig also has a four-race NASCAR Winston Cup Series program ready to go backed by water heater manufacturer Bradford White Corp. of Ambler, Pa. Tom Hubert, who was employed by Roehrig as a shop foreman before the California native set out to establish a driving career, is set to drive no less than two of the four races, at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the #19 Ford(NASCAR Online)(1-21-1999)
Phil Morris info: Blue Ridge Motorsports has announced a ten race schedule with a pair of sponsors to be announced before the end of the week. These BGN races slated for driver Phil Morris include Rockingham, Las Vegas, Texas, Talladega,Gateway, Watkins Glen, Phoenix, Bristol, Charlotte and California or Richmond(www.philmorrisracing.com)(1-20-1999)
Food City to Spencer: Food City will not be back on Dale Earnhardt’s #3 Chevy or Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #3 BGN chevy in 1999. However, Food City will be on a car in both the Winston Cup and Busch Series. Food City will be on the rear deck lid, the b-post, and just in front of the rear tires on the quarter panel of the #23 Winston No-Bull Ford driven by Jimmy Spencer. And for the 12 BGN events that Jimmy Spencer will run in 1999, Food City will share space on the #12 Chevy with Zippo Lighters. Also, Spencer has added a 13th race to his season (Moore’s Snacks 250 at Bristol) and in that event he will drive an all-Food City car(1-18-1999)
CT and Tecumseh: will sponsor the #43 Mike Curb chevy and driver Shane Hall. Not sure if it’s a complete season deal, but the image I have from the BGN Preview shows both on the car(1-18-1999)
Hutter returns: TNN’s Raceday reports that Matt Hutter who drove the #36 Stanley Tools Pontiac partway thru the 1998 season will drive five races in the third Brewco team car, #99 that Bill Papke owns, it is the same team he has in conjunction with Brewco and the same car Kevin Lepage will drive(1-18-1999)
Lewis to test for Akins-Sutton: Ashton Lewis was hired as a data acquistion driver for the Akins-Sutton Motorsports teams. The team fileds cars for Elton Sawyer in the #98 Lysol Ford/Chevy and Glenn Allen Jr in the #38 Barbasol Ford/Chevy. Lewis will also make several starts in a third car(NSSN)(1-18-1999)
Labonte and MBNA: The TNN Motorsports site has an image of the #18 MBNA Pontiac which Bobby Labonte will drive in limited BGN races, also J.D. Gibbs will drive a limited schedule in the #42 MBNA Pontiac(TNN)(1-17-1999)
New Assoc for Earnhardt Jr: Nabisco has signed on to be an associate sponspr on the #3 AC Delco Chevy and Dale Earnhardt Jr(JournalNow)(1-17-1999)
Trickle News UPDATE: Am hearing that the number of the Trickle-Spencer Chevy will be #5 with Schneider National as the sponsor. There will be a photo shoot with Dick and the car on January 11, sporting the new colors and graphics. I hear that car will look similar to last year’s, but with a few changes. The Schneider orange will stay, but the striping will be different and the new Schneider “swoosh” logo will be on the side. I hear no contracts have been signed yet by Trickle or the sponsor, but that it’s just a formality at this point. Trickle still wants to return to Cup and will run the #13 Elliott Ford at Daytona and has talked to the #91 team if they get a sponsor. Also see the story at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online(1-2-1999) — OFFICIALLY annouced today. Trickle in the #5 Schneider National Chevy owned by Jimmy Spencer. Bryan Schaffer comes over with him from the Shoemaker team(NASCAR Online)(1-14-1999)
Mark Green is a Pepper: Mark Green has signed on to drive the #50 Washington-Erving Dr Pepper sponsored Chevy’s(yes they switched)(1-14-1999)
DuraLube back: I n hear the #52 Ed Rensi owned Chevy with driver Jeff Finley will be sponsored by Dura Lube. Red and yellow paint scheme as usual(1-14-1999)
Adam Petty UPDATE 2: The latest I hear Adam Petty. He is going to attempt a full BGN schedule with Pontiac cars, Spree phone cards as sponser and car #45. The car will be run out of the Richard Petty Driving School shop out near Charlotte Motor Speedway(1-2-1999) — It’s OFFICIAL, Adam Petty to run full BGN series in 1999. Spree Prepaid Foncards will be the sponsor of the #45 PE2(Petty Enterprises) Pontiacs. Lance Deiters will be the the crew chief. Spree will also be associate sponsors on the #43 STP Pontiac and the #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac(NASCAR Online), also see a story and image at TNN’s site – Adam Petty’s New BGN Adventure by John Close(1-13-1999) — whoops, it’s a Chevy not a Pontiac(1-14-1999)
David Green to BGN: David Green will run a partial BGN schedule for Larry Hedrick Motorsports with AFG Industries as his sponsor in the #41 Chevy. The Hedrick team has struck a deal with James Finch, the owner of the Phoenix Racing team with driver Randy LaJoie, in that Finch will provide the Hedrick team with a race shop and the cars to race. Mark Reno, the crew chief of Finch’s Chevrolet, will also be the crew chief of the #41 AFG Chevrolet(NASCAR Online)(1-14-1999)
Raines in the #74: Tony Raines will drive the #74 BACE Motorsports Chevy in 1999. No sponosr named yet(MRN’s NASCAR Today Radio)(1-12-1999)
#00 Crew Chief Ill UPDATE: Kenneth Campbell, crew chief for the #00 Cheez-It Snack Crackers Pontiac and driver Larry Pearson, was hospitalized Wednesday at Spartanburg(SC) Regional Hospital with flu-like symptoms and low hemoglobin levels. Reports are that he is ok but he will remain hospitalized until blood test results come back from the lab(NSACAR Online) Best wishes Ken(1-8-1999) — Campbell remains in the hospital Tuesday following surgery to remove lymph nodes. See the NASCAR Onlinestory(1-12-1999)
No new Monte Carlo in 1999: The NASCAR BGN series will not see the new 1999 ½ Monte Carlo in 1999. It will more than likely not make its BGN debut until 2000(MRN’s Marty’s two cents)(1-12-1999)
Big Daddy’s does trucks too: The new Big Daddy’s BBQ Racing program will field teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, sponsoring #88 Terry Cook and #90 Lance Norick(Big Daddy’s PR)(1-11-1999)
Bessey Crewchief: Ronnie Thiel was named the crew chief for Joe Bessey’s #6 Power Team Chevy team(TNN’s Inside NASCAR)(1-10-1999)
Big Daddy’s to #75: Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Q (same outfit as Junie’s in WC) will sponsor the #75 Henderson Motorsports Team for the full 1999 BGN schedule, with Kelly Denton as the driver and Ron Denton as the crew chief(1-8-1999) – started a BGN Paint schemes page and have three of the #75 Big Daddy’s Chevy there, see Paint Schemes link at top of this page(1-9-1999)
Bobby Allison BGN Team UPDATE 2: Bobby signed a 3 year contract to be the team consultant for Bobby Allison-Dave Carroll Motorsports. This team will field cars for the Busch Grand National Series for the 1998 season. The driver – Jimmy Kitchens, is a local Alabama man that Bobby thinks has a lot of potential. This team will be competing on a full schedule.(www.bobbyallison.com – thanks Jimmy for the heads up)(12-4-98) — the team will field Chevy’s and be sponsored by Air Jamaica Vacations(NASCAR Online)(12-8-98) — I hear that as of today the sign in front of Richard Jackson’s shop changed to Bobby Allison-Dave Carroll Motorsports. Not sure how this affects the #23 Richard Jackson BGN team for 1999(12-11-98) — the team will be #22(1-8-1999)
Lockamy News UPDATE: It was announced today that Andy Kirby, three-time Nashville Speedway USA track champion, will drive the #28 Larry Lockamy owned car next year in the Busch Series, starting with the second race of the year. The car will be sponsored by Williamson Travel Centers and is a multi-year sponsorship(12-18-98) — Kirby erecently tested at Rockingham, where he will make his BGN debut – The Tennessean(1-8-1999)
Atwood Sponsor UPDATE 3: I hear Casey Atwood is near to announcing a sponsor for 1999, supposed to be an oil company, possibly Castrol.(11-13-98) — I hear the car will be the 27 Castrol GTX Brewco Chevy that Atwood will drive in 1999 and that the sponsor is already in place and they are receiving funding and equipping the shop(11-30-98) — Castrol Motor Oil will be the primary sponsor for Brewco Motorsports’ second team in the BGN beginning in 1999, see the full story in the USA Today at Atwood stays in center of action, an image can be seen on The main USA Today Motorsports page(1-7-1999) — see the story at the Tennessean: Atwood lands major sponsorship(1-8-1999)
Xpress Xpands Schedule: Xpress Motorsports, the team which fields the #61 IWX Motor Freight Pontiac, will race the full 32-race BGN schedule in 1999. Recently, the team announced a 20-race program with driver Derrike Cope. That schedule will be enhanced as the team will compete in the remaining 12 races with Tony Roper handling the driving chores. Roper, 33, a native of Fair Grove, Mo., has competed in the last two seasons in the CTS. Roper will take over at Nazareth on May 23rd.(Xpress PR)(1-8-1999)
Moore to BGN: 1995 Busch North Series Champion Kelly Moore signed a deal this week to drive a limited 1999 Busch South schedule and the full Busch North Schedule for LesCare Kitchens(NE Racing)(1-7-1999)
Diamond Ridge Update: Jeff Purvis will drive the #4 Lance Snacks Chevy, the crew chief will be Sammy Ware. Ted Musgrave will drive the #29 Chevy in a limited schedule with Crew Chief being Jay Guy, sponsor announcement soon. Also Curtis Markham has been named the Car Chief of the #29 team with options to go racing if he finds a driver spot during the season, he will not be hire by Shoemaker Racing(#64)(1-4/6-1999)
Parker Racing Sponsor: MGM Brakes Named As Primary Sponsor of the #72 Parker Racing Team in the BGN series for 1999. Hermie Sadler will of sourse be the driver and Cal Northrop will be the Crew Chief(Parker PR)(1-3-1999)
George new job: I hear Doug George has been named as the Crew Chief for #80 Chev BGN team with driver Mark Krogh(1-2-1999)
Daytona Testing Speeds – day 2: Randy LaJoie was fastest again in the BGN Daytona testing with a speed of 189.219mph in the #1 Chevy – see the speeds at That’s Racin’ BGN Monday test results(1-19-1999)
Daytona Testing Speeds: Randy LaJoie was fastest in the BGN Daytona testing with a speed of 188.466mph in the #1 Chevy – see the speeds at NASCAR Online BGN Sunday test results(1-18-1999)
Finch #, UPDATE: I hear that the James Finch team will carry the #1 with Randy LaJoie driving in 1999(1-17-1999) — LaJoie will run the #1 as seen in the NASCAR Online speed charts from testing(NASCAR Online)(1-18-1999)
The BGN Preview: The 1999 preview was the 7th annual, and the first held in the Metro Trade Center. It was presented by the Ladies’ Association for the third consecutive year. According to Ladies’ Association director Julie Markham, 37 drivers attended the event, with at least 600 fans — and probably more — there to see them. The crowds began appearing at noon, even though driver autographs did not start until 5pm(NASCAR Online)(1-16-1999)
Phil Morris News: Blue Ridge Motorsports officials announced tentative plans for the upcoming 1999 season which include a ten race schedule for the first year NASCAR team. Securing sponsorship from Power Monitors Inc. out of Harrisonburg, VA has put the team in a position to move forward with the next steps to racing in the Busch Grand National series starting with the Rockingham race in February. Other races in the early game plan include Las Vegas and Texas. Team driver Phil Morris is excited about the upcoming season’s prospects and final plans should be announced early next week as far as additional sponsors, paint schemes, etc. In other team news, final arrangements are being made to secure a team hauler and a third racecar, this time a Hopkins chassis speedway car. Interviews are being held to hire additional crew members under the direction of crew chief Neil Perkins. Perkins is in the middle of bringing their two intermediate cars up to date with recent BGN changes being implimented for 1999. These were ex-Dale Earnhardt Jr. cars, one of which Morris took to a fifth place finish at Rockingham in Oct. 1998. NASCAR has also granted the team the use of #01, the same number used through most of Phil Morris’ successful Late Model outings, including 30 wins in 1998(Racin’ with Russ)(1-15-1999)
Pressley to the CTS UPDATE: Robert Pressley, who drives the #77 Jasper Engines Ford in Cup, will also race 4-6 Truck races in 1999, no team or sponsor mentioned(WC Today Radio)(1-4-1999) — Robert Pressley said he has nothing solid going in terms of a part-time ride in the Truck Series or the Busch Series for 1999(1-14-1999)
Nike says No? A few readers have emailed Nike to ask about the company sponsoring Dale Jarrett’s BGN team and Kenny Irwin Jr. They said they have no future plans to sponsor any teams or drivers in auto racing(1-14-1999)
Lyndon Amick To Make History At 1999 Busch Preview: History will be made this Friday at 4:15pm/et when BGN Series driver, Lyndon Amick, will announce his 1999 season plans, broadcast live over the Internet from the Busch Preview in Hickory, North Carolina. Fans will get the inside scoop on the Busch Preview and have a front row seat to Lyndon’s press conference right in the comfort of their own homes. Launching for the first time on Friday, and from a new and fresh perspective, www.lyndonamick.com will carry the BGN feed live, and fans can watch the preview events unfold by logging onto the site. The site will tell a story from week-to-week and unfold as Lyndon’s career unfolds. The site will be the fan’s link to the every day life of a BGN team and the demands placed on them daily. Following the press conference at 4:45pm/et, be sure to jump over to www.foxsports.com where Lyndon will field your questions live from his chat session with Fox. This event marks the first time a BGN driver has ever announced his season plans, broadcast it live from the Internet, and conducted an online chat session with fans around the world simultaneously. The live Internet feed will be sponsored by Innovative Systems, Design and Networking, Inc. (ISDN), one of the technology sponsors to be announced(Team Amick PR)(1-13-1999)
Farve/Jarrett? UPDATE yep 6: Dale Jarrett will be driving next year in the BGN series. He will be driving a limited # with a new sponsor to be announced soon(www.dalejarrettonline.com)(12-6-98) — I hear the announcement will be within the next week or so(12-11-98) — I hear ESPNnews reported that Brett Farve will become part owner in Dale Jarretts BGN team. Drivers for the yet named sponsored Ford will be Dale Jarrett and Kenny Irwin(12-17-98) — Beginning in 1999, Favre will be part-owner of Dale Jarrett’s BGN team. Jarrett and his Winston Cup teammate, Kenny Irwin Jr., will share driving responsibilities. See the complete story at the Orlando Sentinel: Favre joins Jarrett’s Grand National team as part-owner(12-18-98) — I hear the car will be Green Bay Packer colors for the Daytona race(1-9-1999) — this was discussed on TNN’s Inside NASCAR and Ned Jarrett said nothing was signed yet, byt seemed to indicate it was close.(1-10-1999) — Not only is Irwin going to drive in 11 races in 1999, Jarrett will not drive in the BGN at all(NASCAR Online)(1-12-1999)
Michner update: TNN’s Raceday had an update on Andy Michner today. He will run in the IRL in 1999 for Brant Motorsports. He mentioned he may run a few BGN races in 1999, but didn’t say when or for what team. He had signed with BACE late in the 1998 season and crashed during a test session at Homestead.(1-10-1999)
Talladega Testing UPDATE: I hear the #61 BGN Pontiac and Derrike Cope were at Talladega Saturday testing(1-3-1999) — Also….Kevin Grubb, Wayne Grubb, Casey Atwood, Loy Allen Jr. and Mark Krogh were testing(SpeedNet)(1-6-1999)
