May 1998 News Archives - Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

PAST NEWS MAY 1998

(5-31-98)

Hut Stricklin is looking for a new ride, after splitting last week with the Stavolas(#8 Circuit City Chevy). He has the Daytona 400-mile race in July lined up as
teammate with Kenny Schrader, and he’ll be testing this week for three days at Pocono with Robert Yates and rookie Kenny Irwin. But beyond that Stricklin is still looking.(JournalNow), #55 but no idea of a sponsor.(5-31-98)
Junie Donlavey has ended speculation that his race team might move to Charlotte. But there are now indications a shakeup may be brewing within the stock-car team. Charlotte. But there are now indications a shakeup may be brewing within the stock-car team.(JournalNow), one report I hear is that crewchief Tommy Baldwin, Jr will leave at the season’s end.(5-31-98)
Car owner Bob Hancher denies reports that he may be considering a driver change, Hut Stricklin for Todd Bodine. Hanchter’s team failed to make this weekend’s MBNA 400. The team also failed to qualify at Daytona, Rockingham, Las Vegas, Texas and Talladega.(JournalNow)(5-31-98)
Dennis Setzer will stand by for Bill Elliott if he needs relief as Elliott is still hurting from the Talladega and California wrecks.(NASCAR Online)(5-31-98)

(5-30-98)
I hear that the #8 Circuit City Chevy team will have a special paint scheme for Richmond which is reversed from the current scheme and that a limited edition collectible for Buckshot Car to be available soon.(5-30-98)
Geoff Bodine was one of 4 teams that improved on his speed during 2nd round qualifying, only two, himself and the #98 were able to crack the starting lineup. Bodine was the second round fastest with a speed of 153.807mph(would have been 9th fastest in 1st round). To see who missed the race and who had to use provisionals go to: Jayski’s Provisional Status Page.(5-30-98)
I hear in a Cup pre-Happy Hour interview on TNN Buckshot Jones says he might be in the #8 more Circuit City Chevy past just Dover & Richmond.(TNN)(5-30-98)
In a story on the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Donlavey insists team’s not for sale. That counters a rumor(not here) floating around that the #90 Heilig Meyers team was or is up for sale and moved from Richmond, VA, to Charlotte, NC. “The team’s not for sale,” Donlavey, 74, said last night from his Richmond home, where he’s recovering from successful open-heart surgery performed
in early March. “It has not been sold and it will not be sold.” He acknowledged he was approached “four or five months ago” by a Charlotte-based group interested in purchasing the team and moving it to the Charlotte area, where most Cup teams operate.(5-30-98)
I hear the #8 Circuit City Chevy team has retained the services of Harry Reed, ex Ohlin Shocks Factory engineer and Jim Kitasaki ex Pi Research and IRL and that Kitasaki will handle engineering and data aquisition. I also hear Harry Reed will also act as a consultant with the #7 Philips team.(5-30-98)
Hut Stricklin didn’t sit on the sidelines long. Stricklin, who split with car owner Billy Stavola(#8 Circuit City Chevy) last week, has signed to run at Daytona as Kenny Schrader’s teammate — and drafting partner — with car owner Andy Petree.(JournalNow) Will be #55 no idea of a sponsor, yet(5-30-98)
Jerry Nadeau sat out Friday’s Winston Cup qualifying because he has a case of food poisoning. Dennis Setzer tried to get Nadeau’s No. 13 into the field, but was only 41st fastest in the first round. If Setzer qualifies the car, Nadeau will not be able to drive it. NASCAR rules prohibit a rookie from driving in a race when another
driver qualifies the car.(That’s Racin’), note Setzer attempted to qualifying in the second round and the team was one of three who failed to make the race.(5-30-98)

(5-29-98)
Race weekend in Dover is off to a tragic start. One fan is dead and four others are seriously injured. The accident happened in a campground near Dover Downs. Five
people were badly burned after trying to erect a 30-foot flagpole. The pole hit electrical wires and then a propane tank, sparking an explosion. The victims were taken to Kent General Hospital where one man died. He is identified as an out-of-state race fan in his 30’s. Four others are being treated for serious burns at Chester Crozier Burn Center in Pennsylvania and Saint Agnes Hospital Burn Center.
(WBOC, thanks Dave for the heads up), my thoughts go out to the fans and their families.(5-29-98)

(5-28-98)
Tom Hintz of Stock Car Racing Magazine reports: New rumors regarding Darrell Waltrip indicate Dale Earnhardt Inc. is negotiating with a major sponsor that will fund a second Winston
Cup team later this year and in 1999 with DW as the driver. DW has an announced agreement to return to the #17 car, but there are many conditions such as securing major sponsorship that make DW’s return there increasingly suspect.(Stock Car Racing)(5-28-98)
Automotive Performance Group(AGP), a full-service owner and operator of high performance automotive businesses, announced today that the company’s rising star driver Jimmy Kite, 22, will focus on stock car racing for the remainder of the 1998 racing season. Current APG plans call for Kite to compete in approximately 10 stock car races in 1998. To gain experience in stock car competition, Kite’s next race will be the ARCA Michigan 200 on 6-13-98. Kite will race a combination of ARCA and NASCAR races in 1998, with a maximum of four appearances in Winston Cup competition to preserve his eligibility for the 1999 Rookie of the Year award. Kite’s first scheduled entry for a Winston Cup race will be the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis on Aug. 1. APG operates a variety of high performance automotive businesses including Royal Purple Motor Oil. Andy Evans of Team Scandia is the Chairman and President of APG and also is part owner of the #11 Paychex Ford driver and part owned by Cup driver Brett Bodine. There is an image of what the car may look like on the Team Scandia Site.(Jimmy Kite Page PR thanks Ian)(5-28-98)
Some driver/fan club news: “Last Thursday, 5/21, we held the inaugural Derrike Cope Fan Club meeting with Derrike in the infield of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Over 35 people came from around the country to attend the meeting. A barbecue dinner was served followed by Derrike speaking to us, presentations, raffles, and an auction.
A great time was definitely had by all and we hope to make this an annual event. If anybody is interested in signing up for the fan club, they can do so at http://www.derrikecope.com.”(StcokCarFans Newsletter)(5-28-98)
#91 LJ Racing Team Owner Joe Falk denied talk of a merger with SABCO or getting First Union as a sponsor and says the team has signed no primary sponsor yet. The car borrowed from SABCO at Charlotte has been returned. Falk said there is nothing definite yet, but he did get a call from Circuit City the other day. No word what may happen there. See the story on Victory Lane Online.(5-28-98)
Waddell Wilson has signed on with the #46 First Union SABCO team as a consultant.(RPM2Nite)(5-28-98)
Dennis Setzer will drive the Dr. Pepper #50 BGN Ford this weekend at Dover. Jimmy Foster is getting better and is walking with just his leg brace on. Looking to see Jimmy return driving soon.(StockCarFans Newsletter)(5-28-98)
Dick Trickle in the #90 Heilig Meyers Ford, Derrike Cope in the #92 Kraft BGN Chevy and Mike Laughlin, Jr in the #45 Hunter Specialties BGN Chevy finished testing at Richmond today.(WC Today Radio)(5-28-98)

(5-27-98)
Tire tests at Indy next Tuesday and Wednesday(June 2nd and 3rd) week for the NASCAR Cup teams. Unsure who will be there.(5-27-98)
Heard on PRN Radio during the Coca-Cola 600: Someone stole one of the Dupont teams scanners and that whenever Ray Evernham would attempt to talk to Jeff Gordon, the person(idiot) would push the button and interupt them, and so Gordon couldn’t hear Evernham. So they finally went to an alternate channel and they didn’t have anymore problems.(Thanks Zac)(5-25-98) – I hear NASCAR is investigating the incident and hopes to catch the idiot who did it.(5-27-98)
See a story at the Circuit City site about the driver change for the #8 Circuit City Chevy: Circuit City Site – Hut Stricklin No Longer Circuit City’s Winston Cup Driver.(5-27-98)
BGN News: Northeastern Supply, of Baltimore, MD, will be an associate sponsor on the #10 BGN Chevy of Phil Parsons this weekend in Dover. Matt Hutter, driver of the #36 Stanley Tools Pontiac, has a new crew chief in Kevin Caldwell, who recently resigned from the #47 Monro team and driver Andy Santerre. Mike McLaughlin, Tim Fedawa and Glenn Allen will make an appearance at I.G. Burton Chevrolet in Milford, DE from 5:30pm-7:30pm on Thursday night.(NE Racing)(5-27-98)
NASCAR Magazine contributor and respected freelance motorsports writer Willie Patrick passed away over the weekend. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.(5-27-98)
Testing continued at Richmond: Teams included – Derrick Gilchrist tested Jimmy Spencer’s #12 BGN Chevy; #21 Michael Waltrip(WC); #30 Mike Cope(BGN); #32 Jason Jarrett(BGN); #45 Mike Laughlin(BGN) and #92 Derrick Cope(BGN). Gary DeHart was on hand as a consultant to the #21 team. No speeds announced.(5-27-98)
After more than 30 years, Joe Gibbs will get back into the cockpit of a Top Fuel dragster. The former NFL coach(and owner of the #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac) will be in the driver’s seat of the 6,000 horsepower McDonald’s Top Fuel dragster when the team warms up the car prior to the first professional qualifying session at the inaugural NHRA Fram Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet on Friday, May 29 at 11:45am/pm in the McDonald’s pit area, Route 66 Raceway, Joliet.(5-27-98)
Some Truck News: NAPA has reupped with the #16 Chevy Truck team and Ron Hornaday thru the year 2000. Dorsey Schroeder will drive the #55 Ice House Beer Ford truck at Watkins Glen this weekend.(NASCAR Online and RPM2Nite)(5-27-98)
Pit Road penalities during the Coca-Cola 600 included: The first caution period laps 36-40 Jerry Nadeau and Gary Bradberry were caught with coming in the pits too soon(after they both spun). Rick Mast, Todd and Geoff Bodine were sent to the rear at the same time for tires crossing pitroad. Jimmy Spencer(pitting too soon), Nadeau a stop and go on lap 94 for speeding, and Dick Tricle and Ricky Rudd on the third caution Period were caught speeding.(WC Scene)(5-27-98)
IRL driver Andy Michner may attempt a few BGN races towards the end of the 1998 season.(RPM2Night)(5-27-98)

(5-26-98)
Kenny Irwin will be testing the #28 Texaco Ford at Daytona, Pocono, Watkins Glen and Greenville Pickens in the month of June.(NASCAR Today Radio)(5-26-98)
Past Note: The Pepsi 400 night time testing will be held on June 8-10. The tests will be held from 5:30pm-10:30pm/et on the 8th, and 3:30pm-10:30pm/et on the 9th and 10th. The test will be free of charge to the public. Drivers scheduled to test: Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Hamilton, Michael Waltrip, Kenny Irwin, Mike Skinner, Steve Grissom, Kenny Wallace, Dennis Setzer, David Green, Greg Sacks and Dan Pardus.(NASCAR Online)(5-26-98)
I hear that Joe Snyder, formerly with IndyCar is the new General Manager for the #13 Elliott-Marino Team and driver Jerry Nadeau.(5-26-98)
Testing at Richmond today were the Cup teams of #8-Buckshot Jones; #21 Michael Waltrip and #90 Dick Trickle and the BGN teams of #15-Kenny Schrader; #34 Mike McLaughlin and #11 Kevin Cywinski.(NASCAR Today Radio)(5-26-98)

(5-25-98)
Some rumored replacements for the #8 Circuit City Chevy: Of course Buckshot Jones at Dover and Richmond; Andy Hillenburg possibly in for Michigan and Daytona; Robby Gordon is also being rumored.(5-25-98)
Danny “Chocolate” Myers had the experience of a lifetime Saturday as he became the first crew member ever to gas a car in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Myers, sporting a special uniform with IRL and Foyt team patches on one side and Goodwrench/NASCAR Winston Cup patches on the other, aided AJ Foyt’s driver Billy Boat to a 23rd place finish before hopping on a jet for the trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway. “It was altogether different from what we do in Winston Cup,” said Myers. “We proved it could be done. We flew up (to Indianapolis) on Saturday and had to get up early. We needed to be at the track at 4 am because the gates for the fans started opening at 5 am. We got to leave a little early since the team fell out of the race (after completing 111 of 200 laps). It was really one tremendous day and one neat deal.” The Richard Childress Racing team had a back-up plan in place just in case Chocolate was unable to make it back to Charlotte in time for the start of the race. Kevin Eagle, gasman for the Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Busch Series team, was standing by and ready to fill in if necessary.*www.goracing.com)(5-25-98)
From an AP story: “Five people died early today when a civilian helicopter crashed into a highway. The chopper was so badly damaged that investigators were having trouble determining its identification number and the origin of the flight.” The victims had attended the Coca-Cola 600 and had just left there. Authorities confirmed that the victims are not any of the NASCAR owners or drivers. It happened just outside of Charlotte near Monroe, NC.(Thanks to Nancy from StockCarFans and Tom Hintz of Stock Car Racing Mag for the updates), see one AP report at Helicopter Crash and a more recent story that says none killed were NASCAR drivers or owners: Five Die in N.C. Helicopter Crash, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those killed. UPDATED STORY: Five dead in helicopter crash after 600 – iRace.(5-25-98)
And in an ironic story posted last night at 11:06pm/et, Tom Sorensen for the Charlotte Observer/That’s Racin’ writes: Upon closer inspection, chopper’s way to go. Talks about the same company that was invloved in the accident.(5-25-98)
UPDATE II: Hearing rumors that Hut Stricklin has been released from the #8 Circuit City Chevy.(5-22-98) – one rumor has Buckshot Jones taking over??(5-23-98) – Hut Stricklin has been released from the #8 Circuit City ride effective immediately. The team cites a lack of performance as the reason for the split. Buckshot Jones will
handle the ride at Dover and Richmond while the Stavola team comes to grips with who will replace Stricklin full time. In an associated rumor, we hear that Hut might be in line for the #96 CAT car of David Green.(www.goracing.com)(5-23-98) – I hear Andy Hillenburg will drive the #8 Circuit City Chevy in some races also and may be the replacement for Stricklin. It is also rumored that Circuit City is thinking about leaving the team after the season.(many sources)(5-25-98)
UPDATE II: I hear Rescue with driver Blaise Alexander will announce a five race deal with Bud Moore Engineering in the #15 Ford, this coming Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca Cola 600. Rescue is behind the effort and wants Moore as part of NASCAR’s 50th Anniversary. Not sure what the other four races are.(5-18-98) – On NASCAR Online there is a story that Bud Moore Fords will return at the Daytona Pepsi 400 with either Tim Steele or some other young driver. Will not return this weekend at Charlotte as I say above. There will be an official announcement Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.(5-19-98) – BUD MOORE IS BACK! Per NASCAR Online: The #15 Bud Moore Ford, sponsored by Rescue Engine Formula will return at Daytona for the Pepsi 400 under the lights. The team, Robinson-Moore Motorsports, will run a limited 1998 schedule(Indy, Pocono, Richmond, Darlington, Charlotte and Rockingham) with Blaise Alexander driving the car until Tim Steele recovers from his injuries (Atlanta practice 11/97). Dave Robinson – an Orlando, Florida businessman is part of the ownership team. Also plans are for a two car team in 1999 with both Alexander and Steele as drivers. The team plans to test in the open Daytona test in June and possibly at Talladega before the Pepsi 400. The team is looking for crew members and is accepting resumes for jobs(the team address is on Jayski’s WC Team Address Page). See an image of the car at NASCAR Online.(5-25-98)
How about Jim Bown in the BGN race: A volunteer crew member, Peter Farkas, on the #51 BGN car of Jim Bown would like to thank everyone who helped us this week at Charlotte. Without the volunteer help they could not have done as well as they did. With some sponsorship it is felt tehy could run competitivly every week. Qualifying third and leading several laps isn’t too shabby for an unsponsored team with only
three full time workers. They would also like to thank Richburg(sp?) Construction
for some last minute sponsorship help. Anyone that may be interested in helping out, call Jay Ryan at (518) 273-0349 or (518) 273-2914. Email address is [email protected].(5-25-98)
Rookie driver Steve Park, who’s been sidelined since early March when he broke his leg in a practice-session crash at Atlanta, is healing faster than doctors predicted. He already has chucked his walking cane and plans to get back in the #1 Peenzoil Earnhardt family-owned chevy for test sessions at Indianapolis July 13-15. If all goes well, the team hopes to have him racing competitively at Indy for the Aug. 1 Brickyard 400.(Skip Wood-Times Dispatch)(5-25-98)
Giulio Montanari, the engine tuner and race-day front tire carrier for Rick Mast’s #75 Fords, was released from Carolinas Medical Center after being hospitalized for a week. Montanari was recuperating from surgery for injuries he received in a motorcycle accident May 16 en route to Charlotte Motor Speedway for The Winston all-star race. Montanari will undergo weekly therapy while continuing to recover at his
home in Mooresville.(That’s Racin’)(5-25-98)
Travis Carter Racing, which owns the #23 Winston Ford driven by Jimmy Spencer, already is implementing plans for a second team next season. R.J. Reynolds, or Winston, sponsors Spencer’s car and is helping Carter secure sponsorship for the second team.(Skip Wood-Times Dispatch)(5-25-98)
Bill Elliott’s father, George Elliott, underwent successful brain surgery Thursday. Doctors removed about 95 percent of a tumor, and he has been moved from intensive care to a private room.(Skip Wood-Times Dispatch)(5-25-98)
When Felix Sabates agreed to sell Kevin Lepage and the Joe Falk-owned team a backup car for last night’s Coca-Cola 600 after Lepage wrecked his regular ride, it may have been a precursor to a possible union. Clearly disappointed with the lowly showing of his #46 Chevy, Sabates could shut it down and join forces with both Falk and Lepage — bringing the First Union sponsorship along with him.(Skip Wood-Times Dispatch)(5-25-98)
Jeff Green subbed for Bill Elliott and Morgan Shepherd(once they found him) subbed for Mike Skinner during the Coca-Cola 600. Both Elliott and Skinner are still sore from previous accidents, plus Dover is coming up, a race track always tough on the driver.(5-25-98)

(5-24-98)
While watching the Indy 500, noticed that the #97 car driven by Greg Ray has Texas Motor Speedway(TMS) and the Speedway Motorsports logo on the side pods. TMS has two IRL races in 1998.(5-24-98)
Morgan Shepherd practiced some during Happy Hour in the #31 car of Mike Skinner. Skinner is still recovering from injuries received at Texas Motor Speedway in April.(StockCarFans Newsletter)(5-24-98)

(5-23-98)
UPDATE: “Just had a note handed to me that says Andy Petree has a major announcement planned for tomorrow morning. We don’t have any idea what it’s all about but we’ll let you know when we find out what’s going on.”(Mike Snow-GoRacing), probably the announcement of a BGN sponsor for his team or maybe the second Cup team for 1999?(5-20-98) – Andy Petree Racing announced the formation of a part-time NASCAR Busch Series team with driver Kenny Schrader and sponsor Oakwood Homes. The #15 Chevy is scheduled to run ten races in 1998 with its debut Richmond, June 5th. Jeff Swann, who has been a member of Andy Petree’s team, has been named crew chief for the operation.(see rest of the story at GoRacing)(5-23-98)
CORRECTION: Jeremy Mayfield is the first driver to lead the NASCAR Winston Cup points without having a victory in his career since Joe Ruttman led the points after the second race of the 1983 season.(Speedworld)(5-20-98) – Correction – Mayfield is NOT the first driver with no career wins to lead the points standings since Ruttman did it in 1982. That distinction belongs to Lake Speed, who led after 3 races in 1985 – the one and only time he has ever led. Earl corrected the story and I looked it up in the Book Forty Years of Stock Car Racing and Earl is correct.(5-23-98)
UPDATE: ST Motorsports will hold a press conference Saturday at CMS, to announce the formation of second BGN team, to go along with the Kingsford Charcoal team that Robert Pressley currently drives for. The sponsor will be Red Cell Batteries (www.redcell.com) and the driver will be Scott Lagasse. The team will compete in the remaining BGN races this year and the full schedule in 1999.(5-21-98) – ST Motorsports has expanded their Busch Series operation to include a second car driven by Scott Lagasse and sponsored by RedCell, the first Canadian-based company to sponsor a car in series history. The team has a possible target date of late June to debut the No. 22 RedCell Chevy.(GoRacing)(5-23-98), thanks Go Racing for all the news today!
Bill Elliott is back at the track after spending the past two days with his father, who underwent brain surgery in Houston, TX on Thursday. According to a Bill Elliott Racing spokesperson, George Elliott is still in the Intensive Care Unit but doctors are optimistic for a full recovery.(GoRacing)(5-23-98)
Chad Little’s #97 Ford Taurus will be carrying the new John Deere Kids logo on his decklid in the Coca-Cola 600. The John Deere Kids logo represents the company’s new line of educational preschool toys being sold nationwide.(NASCAR Online)(5-23-98)
GoRacing reports that Felix Sabates is taking a close look at Kevin Lepage for the #46 car — or so says Sabates.(GoRacing)(5-23-98)
In a post-Happy Hour interview on TBS, Jeff Gordon thanked Labonte for filling in for him after he missed the morning practice because he overslept. Gordon said that Labonte ran over something and cut the right-front tire. Gordon said that he had watched the tape of the incident and said that Labonte was a “talented driver”, because the incident “should have destroyed the race car” but that the car. Gordon also said the car handled exactly the same as it had been handling before the wreck.(many readers)(5-23-98)
Just found out about this page: The Coca-Cola 600 on TBS Superstation, it has on-line racecams of the in car cameras that will be carried by Bobby Labonte, Randy LaJoie, Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Todd Bodine and John Andretti. Also some articles, online games, chat, track info. For the Racecam you can go there early and “reserve a place” to view the racecams TBS will email you a code that you can use to access the live feed on Sunday. You have to do to register is fill in your name and email address.(5-23-98)
Happy Hour news from TBS Happy Hour practice coverage via Greg(I don’t get TBS thanks to TCI in Wildwood, NJ): Ricky Rudd and the #10 Tide team decided to skip Happy Hour practice. Ernie Irvan had set-up problems and changed two rear shocks, right front shock and sway bar. Jerry Nadeau’s hood opened as he exited pit road, folded back and put a major dent in roof but Nadeau saved the car. Looks like Joe Nemechek’s blown motor in the morning practice didn’t effect him much as he was the fastest in Happy Hour practice. On the other hand, Gary Bradberry who had a great qualifying run only to blow his motor in practice was the slowest.(5-23-98)
More morning practice news: Joe Nemechek’s #42 BellSouth SABCO entry lost an engine and put fluid down on the track. Kevin Lepage was unable to avoid the moisture and crashed the #91 LJ Racing First Union Chevy damaging it beyond repair.
Ironically Lepage is sporting First Union decals because a second Team SABCO car — the #46 Monte Carlo driven by Morgan Shepherd — failed to make the field for tomorrow’s Coca-Cola 600. As a result of the accident, Team SABCO owner Felix Sabates has given Kevin Lepage and the LJ Racing Team a Chevy from his stable to use during the Coca Cola 600. Bill Elliott also ran through the fluid and almost looped the #94 McDonald’s Ford. (GoRacing), Additionally, the #46 First Union pit crew members will help out the #91 LJ Racing Team’s under-manned crew service the car.(www.victory-ln.com)(5-23-98) – Felix Sabates denied persistent rumors he has spoken with Lepage about taking over as driver of the No. 46, but that might change.(That’s Racin’)(5-23-98)
Hendrick Motorsports is getting a chance to see how strong their team is today
after a strange combination of events had the #24 DuPont Chevrolet grazing the turn two wall. Terry Labonte was filling in for the AWOL Jeff Gordon, and caught the turn two wall with the right side of the DuPont Chevy. The damage to the car could be considered minimal but the feelings of ill will appear to be close to the surface of this power team. According to Gordon’s PR person Jeff was not here in time for the morning practice session. She had no reason why Gordon was late and stated that it was very unusual for something like this to happen. See the rest of the story at Gordon a no-show while the #24 hits the wall.(GoRacing), Jayski note: from many readers – during the TBS broadcast(which I don’t get – thanks TCI in Wildwood!) they said Gordon overslept. Gordon had the car out in Happy Hour after the crew replaced a trailing arm, centerlink, and straighten and painted all rightside sheetmetal but without the decal on the right side. Gordon ran 6th fastest in Happy Hour.(5-23-98)

(5-22-98)
Congratulations to Todd and Lyn Bodine on the birth of their daughter, Ashlyn Marie Bodine today!(WC Today Radio)(5-21-98)
Robert Pressley was the fastest 2nd round qualifier and will start 27th for the Coca Cola 600. Shocker was the #28 Texaco Ford and ROTY contender Kenny Irwin missing the race, the first time the team has missed a race since Michigan in August of 1994 when Ernie Irvan crashed during practice. Billy Standridge driver of the #47 Fans Can Race Ford could not get up to speed and will also miss the race. To see who used provisionals and who DNQ’d along with all the rules, go to Jayski’s Provisional Status Page.(5-21-98)
UPDATE: First Union will sponsor the #91 LJ Racing Chevy and driver Kevin Lepage in the Coca Cola 600. First Union is the sponosr of the #46 SABCO Chevy which failed to make the race.(5-22-98) –
The Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL will each have their logos on Ward Burton’s #22 MBNA Pontiac for the Coca Cola 600.(News and Record Online)(5-22-98)
Kyle Petty is continuing his efforts in fight hunger. Petty will reward fans bring three non-perishable items to either Kyle Petty souvenir trailer at Charlotte this weekend with a free Race to End Hunger T-Shirt, or $2.00 off any Kyle Petty racing T-shirt.(NSSN)(5-22-98)
Kenny Irwin, Jr will drive the #48 BGN Ford at the BGN race in Charlotte for Sammy Kershaw Motorsports.(RPM2Nite)(5-19-98), note: Irwin failed to make the race, did not run the Challenge race and failed to make the Coca Cola 600(5-22-98)

(5-21-98)
Bill Elliott’s father George is scheduled to undergo brain surgery today(5-21) in Houston, Texas. A tumor was discovered on the right side of George Elliott’s brain last week. Bill Elliott arranged to have Jeff Green practice his car for him Thursday.(AP) Best Wishes to the Elliott family and good luck on the surgery(5-21-98)
Chevrolet dedicated its concept vehicle — dubbed the “Intimidator” — to seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt at Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet in Newton, NC, on Monday. The NASCAR-inspired show car offers a glimpse of next-generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo styling and performance-enhancing technology. Earnhardt was on hand to accept a plaque in honor of the dedication from General Motors Design Staff Engineer Dick Ruzzin. See the rest of the story and an image of the car at TNN: The Intimidator On “The Intimidator”.(5-21-98)
Several driver changes could be coming at the end of the season. Among the possible changes being talked about in the garage are Joe Nemechek moving to a Rick Hendrick team, possibly the Bud-sponsored team, depending on Ricky Craven’s medical
situation; and Ward Burton moving to Buzz McCall’s Chevy team.(JournalNow)(5-21-98)
NASCAR officials have planned a major meeting in Daytona next week with selected car owners to discuss 1999 rules, in particular the issue of common body templates. GM teams are in favor of common templates, but Ford officials have been reluctant
to push the issue.(JournalNow)(5-21-98)
From the CART site but would effect NASCAR too: “The millions of fans of automobile racing in the United States and elsewhere have reason to be worried about the future of the sport they love. The reason lies in a proposed piece of legislation–the McCain Bill–which is expected to be tabled before the U. S Senate very soon–perhaps as early as May 18. If The McCain Bill is enacted into law as drafted, it could cause irreparable harm to motorsport.” See the rest of the story and a link to congress for folks to email their views to their senators: Pending Legislation Threatens Motorsport.(www.cart.com thanks Valarie)(5-21-98)
The 5 drivers/cars eligible for the No Bull 5 $1 million bonus will have special “No Bull Red” paint on the spoilers and the front nose skirts. The drivers eligible
for the “No Bull 5” program are Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Labonte, Jeremy Mayfield,
Ken Schrader and Rusty Wallace.(NASCAR Online), I noticed the red spoiler on Earnhardts #3 Chevy on RPM2Nite.(5-21-98)
The speed on pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which for several years has
been 55 mph, has been reduced to 45 mph.(AP)(5-21-98)
Dale Earnhardt could tie Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison as the all-time winningest driver at Charlotte with a win in the Coca Cola 600. Allison and Waltrip each won six times at Charlotte.(Speedworld)(5-21-98)
Andy Petree is ready to announce the driver and sponsor of next season’s long-planned Winston Cup team.(JournalNow)(5-21-98)
The problems surrounding Todd Bodine’s Tabasco-sponsored NASCAR team have once again led to reports that the Louisiana hot-sauce company may be ready to shake things up. Several other stock-car men are eyeing the lucrative sponsorship, including the man who bought Darrell Waltrip’s team, Tim Beverly, and Jack Roush, who
is amassing sponsorships as well as race teams at a brisk pace, according to those familiar with the talks.(JournalNow), Jayski Note: Bodine’s team looks pretty good for the 600 qualifying 20th.(5-21-98)
Update on Tony Stewart: I hear that the information regarding Tony Stewart traveling to Charlotte after the Indianapolis 500 as a “substitute for an injured driver” is not correct. Stewart has no such plans and has contractual obligations with Team Menard throughout the weekend and following the race.(5-21-98)
Check this out: Following Sunday’s Indy Racing League-sanctioned Indianapolis 500, defending IRL champion Tony Stewart will board a jet and fly South to Charlotte, N.C. and prepare to drive, if necessary, in the NASCAR Winston Cup Coca-Cola 600. “It’s possible that I might substitute for an injured driver,” Stewart told a capacity crowd of more than 400 at the annual Knights of Columbus “Race Night” here. He confirmed that team owner Richard Childress had contacted him about taking the wheel for either of his wounded drivers.(Mike Skinner/Dale Earnhardt). Stewart won’t be alone on the flight, though. His spotter for Sunday’s Indianapolis event will be the same person that spots for his NASCAR Busch Series team, and for Earnhardt in Winston Cup. In addition, Chocolate Myers, Earnhardt’s gas man, will be fueling Billy Boat’s Indy entry and flying to Charlotte for the NASCAR race.(MotorSports PhotoSource OnLine News Service) – makes me wonder about that NASCAR ‘rule’ that Cup ‘rookies’ are not allowed to run in a race unless they qualified the car (or at least have a lot of
practice at the track that weekend).(5-21-98)

(5-20-98)
National Geographic and the #88 Quality Care/Ford Credit team have partnered up to bring a half-hour TV show to the airwaves. The show will outline what it takes to get the job done in the big leagues of stock car racing. “Stock Car Fever” features “a week in the life” of Dale Jarrett and the Robert Yates Racing team. Then the show will explore last fall’s events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega SuperSpeedway. The show will air May 31 at 7pm/et on WTBS.(GoRacing)(5-20-98)
Story From Ben Blake at SpeedNet: “NASCAR fans, beware. You may be pushing the best young driver in the world right out of your sport. Motorsport organizations around the world would love to have Jeff Gordon and have told him so.” See the rest of the story at: NASCAR fans pushing Gordon out of series.(Indianapolis Star/News-SpeedNet)(5-20-98)
PTS Motorsports of Vineland, New Jersey and RaceComm/Motorsports Journal of Charlotte, North Carolina have announced the formation of a joint-venture to develop, license, produce and market NASCAR-related projects. PTS Motorsports owns and
operates NASCAR-theme retail stores and restaurants. RaceComm is the Internet’s newest NASCAR-related web site and the Motorsports Journal provides monthly NASCAR coverage. The venture will kick off their alliance as the producers and event management company for SpeedFest ’98 at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City on June 3rd and 4th. The show will feature NASCAR drivers, cars and wholesale/retail products and services. The event will conclude with a star-studded Gala and Fashion Show. For more information call: 609-691-0555 or 704-599-8481 or [email protected].(RaceComm), Jayski note: I live and work very close to this and plan on being at the SpeedFest.(5-20-98)
I hear that Tim Steele’s racing career may be over because of his post concussion syndrome suffered at Atlanta last year. Reports are that his physician is not pleased with recovery and that his vision is still affected when driving. Rumors are that hear Berlin Raceway in Grand Rapids would not let him out on the track to test a Modified for a friend recently because of his doctors report. Let’s hope not.(5-20-98)
Different paint schemes at Charlotte: Joe Nemechek has the same yellow type paint scheme as he did in California and there is a new paint job on Jerry Nadeau’s #13 First Plus Ford.(PRN during qualifying) Also the #’s 7,9,11, and 22 have the same schemes that they had in the Winston/Winston Open. Sterling Marlin is not running the non-alcohlic Coors car as rumored.(5-20-98)
Mark Martin will use the same car in the Coca Cola 600 that he won with in the Winston, it will be repainted back into Valvoline colors for the 600.(News and Record Online)(5-20-98)
Jeff Green will be in the #50 Dr. Pepper Washington/Erving Motorsports Ford Taurus again this week in Charlotte subbing for Jimmy Foster. Foster’s foot is improving and should be back in the car soon.(StockCarFans)(5-20-98)
Elliott Sadler crashed his #92 Diamond Ridge Motorsports Chevrolet during Wednesday’s practice. The car is being sponsored by Ocean Pacific Apparel in a one race deal with a possibility of it expanding.(NASCAR Online)(5-20-98)
This is as close to real racing as you might want to get. Coca-Cola unveiled the
newest racing-theme attraction — the Wall of Speed, a 100-foot-long, interactive virtual reality racing experience featuring eight authentic Winston Cup racing cars. Doug Rice and Mark Garrow from Performance Racing Network and Charlotte Motor Speedway will call the races between fans and NASCAR drivers, at times interviewing fans and the drivers about their experiences. Check out the rest of the story at: All the thrills, none of the danger.(That’s Racin’)(5-20-98)
Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., of Charlotte, is a new associate sponsor on Joe Gibbs Racing WC #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac and the BGN team of Tony Stewart on the #44 Shell.(NASCAR Online)(5-20-98)
“The Pacific Northwest, an area virtually untouched by NASCAR’s major league, aside from occasional guest appearances. The weather may be too much to handle. But Goodyear has been developing Winston Cup rain tires, probably not just for the
spring and fall equinox events at Martinsville or for a Pacific monsoon at Suzuka.”(in part from the JournalNow – link in the stories section)(5-20-98)
“There is also the sensitive issue of pruning the Winston Cup schedule. There are only so many weekends in a year, and only so many venues can be added without killing teams and crews. When Reynolds first signed up with NASCAR in 1971, the tour was
sharply pruned from 50-plus events a season to 30.”(in part from the JournalNow – link in the stories section)(5-20-98)

(5-19-98)
Check out the new improved Stock Car Racing Magazine Website, now managed by Tom Hintz, the famous ‘Brain Fart’ author. Has some good racing news on it.(5-19-98)
Speaking of new and improved websites, RaceComm, has some cool features not found elsewhere, like NASCAR driver wife of the week, open letter to Bruton Smith,etc.(5-19-98)
Bobby Hillin announced on RPM2Nite that St. Louis Cardinals slugger, Mark McGwire has joined the team as a part owner of Hillin’s #8 BGN team. On the back of the car the team will keep weekly tabs on McGwires home run total’s and his attempt to hit 62 home runs and break the season record of 61 by Roger Maris. Also Nabisco has come aboard as a sponsor and will do some promotions on the car in conjunction with McGwires home run assault. No word on which Nabisco products will be part of the promotion.(RPM2Nite) McGwire celebrated the announcement by hitting three(3) home runs against my beloved Phillies.(5-19-98)
Jack Sprague was also on RPM2Nite and says while his #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy truck still does not have a primary sponsor, the team is still working hard to get one.(RPM2Nite)(5-19-98)
UPDATED: Stanton Barrett and the #89 BGN FORD(not Chevy) team have separated. A new driver will be announced this weekend at Nazareth. Crew Chief, Mike Yodar, stated he is very excited about the new driver, but would not comment on who the new driver will be….but I hear the driver will be Jeff Fuller. John Preston will drive the #89 this Sunday at Nazareth Speedway as scheduled. Preston is supposed to race 5 races at Loudon, Nazareth, Richmond, Watkins Glen, and the fall Richmond race.(5-15-98) – sources tell me Jeff Fuller has been named to driver the #89 Ford when Preston does not drive.(5-18-98) – see the story at North East Racing.(5-19-98)
All reports I hear is that Jeff Gordon ran out of gas, Ray Evernham took the blame in many interviews I heard, enough said.(5-19-98)

(5-18-98)
“Anybody feel like a workout? If you do, come join me in North Carolina because that’s what I’ve spent most of the last month doing. My job isn’t to drive a racecar right now. Instead, my job is to get well as fast as I can. So for the time being, I have traded my steering wheel for a barbell and my driving suit for gym shorts and a T-shirt.” See the rest of TNN’s(www.country.com) story by and about Steve Park at: Brickyard Bound By Steve Park.(TNN)(5-18-98)
Dale Earnhardt has a cracked rib and five ribs ‘out of place’ from his Winston accident, but he will be in the #3 GM Goodwrench Chevy for qualifying for the Coca Cola 600 on Wednesday.(RPM2Nite)(5-18-98)
UPDATE: I hear that Bobby Hillin Jr. will add St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire as an owner to his #8 Busch Team. Five other baseball players now are involved as owners. Gary Gaetti and Danny Schaefer of the Cardinals, Andy Benes of Arizona, Hal Morris of Kansas City and Pete Schourek of Cincinnati. They’re supposed to make an announcement at Charlotte. Hillin won’t be at Nazareth this weekend because they just don’t have enough money.(StockCarFans)(5-14-98) – Bobby Hillin has a big announcement on Tuesday in Charlotte, this may be it.(RPM2Nite)(5-18-98)
Dennis Setzer will drive the #55 Ice House Ford this week at I-70 Raceway in Kansas City. A driver for the next race at Watkins Glen will be announced at a later date.(RPM2Nite)(5-18-98)
You never know where NASCAR news can be found, check out this story in part found by Tony: “I’m only playing another year, year and a half,” said Ziegler, whose 2 under was the highest winning score this year. Jim Albus and Gil Morgan had the previous high, each winning at 6 under. “I’m going to get into NASCAR, with Larry Hedrick,” Ziegler said. The complete story can be found at Ziegler wins Saint Luke’s Classic in the KC Star. Jayski Note: With the exception of what I included here, there is no other mention of NASCAR by golfer Larry Ziegler. Not sure if this means Ziegler is buying into the present #41 team or if a second team is the plan.(5-18-98)
“Chevrolet teams are looking at having it both ways next season, running this year’s Monte Carlo, with its sleek aerodynamics, in the Daytona 500, and then switching to a more downforce-oriented Monte Carlo later in the spring.”(JournalNow)(5-18-98)
Hmmm..didn’t hear this before: “Goodyear’s Wayne Torrance said he’s been surprised by the flurry of questions lately about a possible switch back to bias ply tires, and he said there’s nothing to it. “It probably goes back to some talk last year at Dover among Busch series car owners looking for ways to cut costs,” Torrance said. “I went around to each of them and told them we could build bias ply tires for them if they really wanted them, but they all told me they didn’t.”(JournalNow)(5-18-98)
General Motors car owners held a meeting last week to discuss topics of concern on the stock-car circuit, and some have come out of that meeting pushing hard again for NASCAR to go to common body templates in 1999. Ford officials appear to be resisting such a move.(JournalNow)(5-18-98)
UPDATE: Heard about this from a reader: A Nazareth Speedway Information pamphlet about the Craftsman Truck race to be held there on July 12th that on Saturday, July 11, there will be the Champions Challenge, a special match race between all previous Craftsman Truck Series race winners. Sound’s like the CTS version of the Winston.(5-17-98) – Jayski note: I have not found anything about this and a source tell’s me it has been cancelled.(5-18-98)

(5-17-98)
Ricky Craven hopes to be testing the #50 Budweiser Chevrolet in two or three weeks and plans to try to run in the Busch race at Watkins Glen on June 28.(Bob Zeller-News and Record Online)(5-17-98)
Michael Waltrip did not have the special paint scheme at The Winston for the Goodwill Games but will run the car in the Coca Cola 600 instead.(TNN-Inside NASCAR)(5-17-98)
A few weeks old but interesting from Jack Arute of ESPN: “Another story breaking this week concerns Dale Earnhardt’s gas man, Danny “Chocolate” Meyers. The burly 49-year-old mechanic plans to pull “double duty” over Memorial Day weekend. He will serve as a fuel man on one of A.J. Foyt’s Indy 500 entries and then jet down to North Carolina to gas Earnhardt’s Goodwrench Service Plus Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola 600 that evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Only one other competitor has completed the unique racing daily double. John Andretti, who drives for Richard Petty, participated in the driving doubleheader in 1994. There is more to this news than simply a PR opportunity. My sources say that several of the people behind the Richard Childress operation are in serious negotiations to field an IRL entry either late this year or in 1999. A prospectus has been written and it is being passed around to test the “sponsor waters.” Now that would be something, wouldn’t it? A jet black GM Goodwrench
Service Plus car in the Indianapolis 500. Bet it’s No. 3. Who’ll drive? Maybe? Naw, that would be too good to be true.”(ESPN)(5-17-98)
After his Winston accident, Dale Earnhardt’s was taken to the hospital complaining of Chest and Rib pain, x-ray’s were taken, which came out negative. Earnhardt had his a private helicopter pick him from the hospital to take him home.(5-17-98)
Mike Stefanik, three-time champion of the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour, has his eyes on the Pep Boys Indy Racing League, particularly the June 28 event at New Hampshire International Speedway. Stefanik is hoping to get an opportunity to compete in that event.(www.indyracingleague.com)(5-17-98)
Stevie Reeves has left the #43 BGN Team to pursue an IRL ride.(Indy Qualifying)(5-16-98)
UPDATE: Stanton Barrett will reportedly race the #40 ChannelLock Chevy if Kevin Lepage can’t make it to the BGN race in Nazareth on Sunday. Lepage is running in the Winston Open Saturday night in the #91 LJ Racing Chevy.(NASCAR Online)(5-16-98), Lepage will make it to the track and start the car from the back of the pack, along with Dick Trickle who had Curtis Markham qualify the #64 Chevy for him.(TNN-Raceday)(5-17-98)
BGN Stuff: Two cars made their “first appearance” at the track on Saturday morning. Akins-Sutton Motorsports took its back-up Barbasol Ford off the hauler,
converted it to No. 8 and put Raybestos Rookie candidate Kevin Grubb in the car, since the field was short. Ed Spencer III, NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jimmy Spencer’s nephew and a Busch North Series regular, made the trip over from Berwick, Pa., and will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut in the #87. Grubb has no practice times and no seat time in the car so unless something changed in the plans overnight, Grubb will only run a few laps and park the car. From what I hear Grubb was roaming the pits and NASCAR wanted to fill the field for the race. Ron Hornaday had a great qualifying lap at Nazareth and would have started 2nd, but the fuel didn’t pass inspection and he will have to start the #59 Chevy at the back of the field.(5-17-98)

(5-16-98)
Bill Baumgardner, owner of the two BACE Motorsports BGN teams, #74 Randy LaJoie and #33 Tim Fedewa had planned to attend the Nazareth BGN race this weekend but Doctors advised him to wait until next week at Charlotte.(5-16-98)
FORD’S Dan Davis, head of the company’s world-wide racing operations, said he’s willing to install special crash-analyzing black boxes on Winston Cup cars to try to make this racing safer, if NASCAR officials give him the go-ahead. Jarrett says that NASCAR should OK that move.(JournalNow)(5-16-98)
Bill Baumgardner, owner of the two BACE Motorsports BGN teams, #74 Randy LaJoie and #33 Tim Fedewa suffered chest pains a few weeks back and Doctors performed catherization on May 6th in Charlotte. It was discovered he had 60% blockage in a main artery of his heart. On the 7th, Doctors cleared the blockage and was released on May 8th and is expected to be in Nazareth, PA this weekend for the BGN race.(WC Scene)(5-16-98)
Looks like it’s a 90% chance Kenny Irwin, Jr will drive the #48 BGN Ford at the BGN race in Charlotte for Sammy Kershaw Motorsports.(WC Scene), Irwin had tested the car earlier this month.(5-16-98)
Kevin Lepage’s #91 LJ Racing Chevy has sponsorship for The Winston Open from Boyds Ultra Violet Premium Car Care Products, with a large decal promoting the company on the hood.(News and Record Online)(5-16-98)
Kevin Caldwell has left the #47 Innovative Motorsports BGN team and rookie Andy Santerre, Butch Enders, former crew chief of the #33 Kleenex BACE Motorsports Chevy jined the #47 team as an interin crew chief. There is a chance Caldwell could return later in the season.(www.neracing.com/WC Scene)(5-16-98)
Dale Earnhardt and #3 owner Richard Childress donated 10% of their winnings in The Winston to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation. Contibutions may be sent to: NCWHF, PO Box 29187 – RCR3, Greenboro, NC 27427.(WC Scene Magazine)(5-16-98)
Bob Evans Restaurants has joined the BGN #74 Fina Chevy BACE Motorsports team and Randy LaJoie as an associate sponsor.(WC Scene), does this mean Hardee’s is gone?(5-16-98)
Winston Notes: No special gold paint scheme as rumored for Jimmy Spencer; Kenny Scrader will run a back-up car as his primary was damaged during a pitstop last night in one of the No Bull 25’s; Kenny Wallace had a reverse color scheme, lot’s of yellow instead of blue; Andy Hillinberg’s #95 lost an engine on a pace lap and never started the race and it casued a delay in the Winston Open start as NASCAR had to clean up the oil.(TNN)(5-16-98)
The Richard Childress crew had to change motors in Dale Earnhardt’s #3 Bass Pro Shop’s Chevy before the Winston.(TNN pre-Winston special)(5-16-98)
In the Winston: “They’re gonna use a wheel to determine how many spots to
invert, so all those teams who’ve been filling sandbags since last year can leave ’em home. The inversion will be anywhere from 3 to 12 cars after the first segment, and Humpy said tonight that whoever spins that wheel will have to be someone of “absolute virtue”.(Henry – StockCarFans Newsletter)(5-16-98)
TNN has a special page for the Winston at www.thewinston.com, and Glen Grissom has a good story about the Winston Qualifying at The Winston Qualifying: Smokin’!. The site will have some in-car camera’s during the race.(5-16-98)
More Paint scheme news from the News and Record Online: Geoff Bodine’s Philips Ford has a black car with a light blue #7 and bared teeth on the front air dam. Wally Dallenbach’s #50 Budweiser Chevrolet includes the company’s “Louie the Lizard” character on the hood.(5-16-98)

(5-15-98)
I hear Andy Petree MotorSports BGN Sponsor for the rest of 1998 and the 1999 season Oakwood Homes. Press confrence and new car will be shown next thursday at CMS.(5-15-98)
The R.J. Reynolds, has initiated the T. Wayne Robertson Memorial Fund that will
support non-profit organizations in and out of racing. The fund is named for the
13-year head of RJR’s Sports Marketing Enterprises, who was killed four months ago in a Louisiana boating accident. The NASCAR Winston Cup Preview, held every January prior to the start of the NASCAR Winston Cup season in Winston-Salem, NC, will be one of the sources of contributions to the fund. Cliff Pennell, president of Sports Marketing Enterprises, also announced Friday that the Preview has been renamed the T. Wayne Robertson NASCAR Winston Cup Preview.(NASCAR Online)(5-15-98)
Good News: Ricky Craven recently took and passed some medical tests for the post concussion syndrome he is suffering from and doctor’s have told him he is making progress. The next step is for Craven to start some testing the #50 Bud Chevy. Craven has a target date of July 1st to return to racing and hopes to drive in the Pepsi 400 in Daytona on July 4th. He has also discarded the cane he was using and his surgically repaired knee is coming along well.(NASCAR Today Radio)(5-15-98)
The formation of Smith/Bickle Motorsports is here and ready to roll in next weekend’s CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The partnership brings together Florida businessman Eddie Smith and NASCAR driver Rich Bickle in a team effort that will run “select” Busch and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events this year. The team has decided to run Ford Tauruses and have drawn the number 91 for their fledgling Busch Series efforts. The car will be wrenched by Richie Wauters who came from the Diamond Ridge Motorsports operation. “Richie was looking for a crew chief opportunity and Rich had a good relationship with him. We felt like he deserved a chance,” said Smith. Eddie Smith will serve as president of Bickle/Smith Motorsports and the team is looking for sponsorship for their limited 1998 NASCAR Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series effort.(GoRacing)(5-15-98)
Intriguing ads for a new Chrysler two-door coupe are now appearing on television, just as Germany’s Daimler-Benz proposes a merger, sending some NASCAR men down to their local Chrysler dealer to see just what’s up. If Chrysler does begin selling a NASCAR-size passenger car, that could throw NASCAR’s common body template plans right out the window.(JournalNow)(5-15-98)
On RPM2Nite Darrell Waltrip said he plans to return to the #17 Chevy *IF* major sposnorship is in place. But he feels this will happen and he will be in the car at the Brickyard 400.(5-15-98)
New Motorsports Website: “New Motorsports Journal SUPER-SITE is ALIVE!
RaceComm Debuts Today (NOTE: This site will be “up” at 8:00 am Friday, May 15th.
Charlotte NC: Mike Calinoff Publisher of the Motorsports Journal and Viewpoint columnist for Speedworld has “turned on” his newest web site acquisition www.racecomm.com. The site goes live at 8:00 am on Friday morning just as the NASCAR Winston Cup drivers are signing into the Garage Area at Charlotte Motor Speedway — kicking off RaceWeek 98′. The site is an extension of the already popular www.motorsportsjournal.com and has been designed to be fan-friendly, interactive and entertaining. Calinoff has been adamant about having the site different than those already established in an effort to “co-exist those sites which bring up-to-the minute news.” We are proud to say that our site will always be “UNDER CONSTRUCTION!” — lending itself to constant changes, additions and photos based on fan input. This site is FOR THE FANS! Additionally, it was recently announced that liveracing.com has become a member of the RaceMedia family joining motorsportsjournal.com and racecomm.com.”(5-15-98)
Some of the Dodge teams ran truck tests Thursday at Bristol Motor Speedway. I hear the #43 Cummins Dodge was there.(5-15-98)
Chevrolet’s new concept vehicle — the “Intimidator” — will be on display at Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet in Newton, NC, on Monday, May 18. Earnhardt will also be on hand.(NASCAR Online)(5-15-98)
Morgan Shepherd will be the Grand Marshall of the BGN First Union 200 at Nazareth on Sunday.(WC Today Radio)(5-15-98)
UPDATE – Thirty-one drivers are entered in the Winston Open — all the regulars as well as Billy Standridge(#47 Fans Can Race), Randy MacDonald(#85) and Lance Hooper(#14 unsponsored?) in a Richard Jackson car.(News & Record Online) – (regulars include #’s 8,9,11,12,13,16,22,23,26,30,31,33,35,41,42,44,46,50,71,75,78,81,90,91,95,96, and 97 plus #92-Elliott Sadler – that’s 28 + the 3). If Jeremy Mayfield doesn’t win the Winston Open, it would mark the first time that a current points leader didn’t make The Winston.(AP)(5-14-98) – No Elliott Sadler or Lance Hooper and I forgot to add the #77 Jasper Ford so that’s 30 drivers.(5-15-98)

(5-14-98)
Remember last week we(MRN) told you about the possibility of a NASCAR Busch Series sponsor coming to Andy Petree Racing for the remainder of 1998? Well APR has scheduled a press conference for next week at Charlotte to announce that deal. Ken Schrader will be the driver. The amount of races is still a mystery but it will probably be less than the 15 remaining races that Schrader would be able to run in 1998. Expect all of the questions like, who is the sponsor, to be answered next week.(MRN-Marty)(5-14-98)
Part time IRL driver Johnny O’Connell plans to attempt the BGN Watkins Glen race. No idea what team, car or sponsor.(RPM2Nite)(5-14-98)
I hear Jason Keller is close to naming a full-time sponsor for the #57 Progressive
Motorsports Chevy. Justin Boots is the sponsor rumored.(5-14-98)
This week at Nazareth the Dr. Pepper #50 Busch Ford will be driven by Jeff Green. Also Jimmy Foster’s foot is getting much better.(StockCarFans – Gerry)(5-14-98)
Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip will all sport new colors for this Saturday night’s Winston. The Winston Open will also see its share of special paint schemes as well. Brett Bodine, Ward Burton, Wally Dallenbach (driving the Budweiser Chevy), Mike Skinner, Lake Speed and Jimmy Spencer have all planned special paint schemes.(TNN – www.thewinston.com), see my chart on the Jayski’s Paint Schemes Page.(5-14-98)
Only Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Ricky Rudd have run all 13 The Winstons.(5-14-98)
Ward Burton will be carrying Wildlife Forever and North American Fishing Club on his car for The Winston. The specially designed car will bear the Wildlife Forever and NAFC logos as part of Wildlife Forever’s “Racing for Wildlife” program, which will generate funds for fishing and wildlife conservation projects across the country.(Thanks Tporterman- North American Fishing Club’s magazine)(5-5-98) – Burton’s No. 22 Pontiac will prominently feature the “Racing for Wildlife” logo on its hood when he competes in the Winston Open Saturday.(SpeedNet)(5-14-98)

(5-13-98)
Five drivers — Jeremy Mayfield, Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin — have a mathematical shot at the $110,000 NASCAR Winston Cup Leader Bonus at Charlotte in the Coca Cola 600.(iRace), don’t forget the No Bull $1 million!(5-13-98)
The lighting project at Daytona is in it’s final phase and should be completed by the end of May. Open testing for the July 4th Pepsi 400 is scheduled for June 8-10th.(WC Today Radio)(5-13-98)
John Hendrick says Randy Lajoie will probably be in the #50 Bud Chevy through Richmond on June 1st then Wally Dallenbach will take over until Ricky Craven is ready to step back in the car. Dallenbach will run the car in the Winston Open this weekend.(WC Today)(5-13-98)
Wednesday Testing: Ward Burton and Dave Blaney tested at Dover; Wally Dallenbach(in the #5), Terry Labonte, Kevin LePage, Mark Martin and John Andretti tested at Richmond. No speeds given.(WC Today Radio)(5-13-98)
Mike Skinner returns from his Texas 500 injuries to the #31 Chevy this weekend at the Winston Open.(WC Today Radio)(5-13-98)
Stumbled onto this story it longer than I usually include here but haven’t heard this before, sound like the guy is talking Winston Cup: “Wake County businessman Steve Husketh plans to start the area’s first NASCAR team by building a 42,000-square-foot complex in Chatham County to house racing operations. Husketh, chairman of an auto-racing merchandising company and owner of six brake, tire and inspection shops in North Carolina, is the sole investor in a venture he estimates will cost about $2.5 million before the team tries to qualify for its first race. He said he has a driver and some sponsors lined up but wants to wait to introduce them at a press conference later this year. The Pittsboro complex will contain an assembly house where the car will be built and repaired; a glass-walled cafe where diners can watch mechanics work; and a merchandising shop. Premiere Corp., which Husketh chairs, licenses merchandise
endorsed by many of auto racing’s biggest names, he said. The new racing company will be called Premiere Motorsports. Fees to join the circuit are minimal. A NASCAR spokesman said new teams must buy a car number and NASCAR license — about a $500 cost — before they can try to qualify. The real cost of participation comes from labor, parts, design, testing the car and transportation to events. Many racing executives estimate it costs at least $6 million a season to be competitive. Husketh was scheduled to submit his zoning request for the facility to Chatham County officials May 7. Husketh would have preferred to put the shop close to his home in western Wake County, but county officials rejected his request for a special-use permit, saying the land near Apex he wanted to build on was not properly zoned. Others have criticized his decision, saying Premiere Motorsports will be at a disadvantage with product and personnel operating more than 100 miles from Charlotte, he said. But Husketh plans to bring some personnel up from the Charlotte area and he wants to give local mechanics a shot at the NASCAR scene. Turning a profit is getting tougher for NASCAR teams,
particularly for one-car teams who compete against multi-car owners — such as Rick Hendrick, Felix Sabates and Jack Roush — who can pool resources and track-testing days, said Dan Lowasser, who handles marketing for Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte. Unlike team sports with set leagues, NASCAR drivers have to qualify each week. At this year’s Daytona 500, the sport’s most prestigious race, 57 drivers competed for just 43
spots. But because of auto racing’s soaring popularity nationwide, more and more groups are trying to crack into the sport. Husketh owns Quality Automotive Concepts, whose holdings include Quality Brake & Tire in Cary and Quality Inspection Centers in Cary and Raleigh.(Triangle businessman gears up NASCAR team) by Steve Robblee of the Triangle Business Journal)(5-13-98)
Racin’ into a REIT? NASCAR baron Bruton Smith is eyeing a potential real estate investment trust later this year, sources say. The venture will likely be separate from publicly traded Speedway Motorsports, whose holdings include Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Sonic Automotive, his expanding car-dealership company. Smith couldn’t be reached. A source close to Smith says, “There might be something to that, but it’s not something I can say a whole lot about. I’ve heard it mentioned.” Local real estate types have also heard talk of a Smith-led REIT.(Business Journal of Charlotte)(5-13-98)
The news that German auto giant Daimler-Benz plans to merge with Chrysler has the racing world in a tizzy about whether Mercedes’ new marketing plans might include more auto-racing exposure. One thing about Mercedes — the company doesn’t aim low. And
Wallace and Mayfield, Roger Penske’s two NASCAR drivers, have been atop the Winston Cup standings most of the season. And Penske already has strong business ties with Mercedes. General Motors and Ford have been expecting their next NASCAR challenge to come from overseas, but they’ve have been looking at the wrong horizon, to the west, rather than the east. Honda and Toyota have long been on the minds of NASCAR men, given both companies’ long and extensive involvement in other forms of racing. Now NASCAR men are musing over the Chrysler-Daimler venture with more than idle curiosity, because Mercedes’ already strong racing programs could lead it to expand the new company’s marketing operations into Winston Cup racing. See the rest of Mike Mulhern’s story at The JournalNow – Mercedes Bends: German automobile giant could send Chrysler back to NASCAR.(5-13-98)

(5-12-98)
NASCAR SpeedPark is being built within the Give Kids The World Village, a unique
resort that fulfills the wishes of terminally ill children and their families to experience a memorable, joyful and cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions.
The bestowed SpeedPark will be a 21,000-square-foot interactive, racing-themed complex presented in an animated format, which includes a 224-foot-long NASCAR-themed “stock-kart” track. For more on this story see NASCAR Online at: NASCAR brings “SpeedPark” to “Give Kids The World Village”, there is also a Photo Gallery.(5-12-98)
On RPM2Nite Buckshot Jones said his team is moving up to Winston Cup in 1999(as reported many times), he said his team is looking for a second team to pair up with in 1999 as a possible two car team.(RPM2Nite)(5-12-98)
IMS Racing who owns the #35 Tabasco Pontiac and three IRL teams including driver Jeff Ward, may run Ward in the BGN for a few races in 1998.(RPM2Nite)(5-12-98)
Check out an image and a story about the #31 Special Olympics World Games Chevy that Mike Skinner will run in the Winston Open at 1999 World Games is on the Fast Track.(WRAL)(5-12-98)
Monday and Tuesday WC Testing – No Speeds: Lake Speed(#9) and Kenny Wallace(#81) tested at Michigan; Terry Labonte(#5), Mark Martin(#6), John Andretti(#43), Wally Dallenbach(#50) and Kevin LePage(#91) tested at Richmond; Ward Burton was to test at Dover but got rained out Monday and only got a few laps in Tuesday.(WC Today Radio/PRN)(5-12-98)

(5-11-98)
Tyler Jet Motorsport officials confirmed today their plans to enter the June 5th NASCAR Craftsman truck event at Texas Motor Speedway. Toby Porter will drive the #17 truck and the team is talking to a number of sponsors about coming on-board for that event.(5-11-98)
Alan Kulwicki brought national attention to Greenfield by winning a NASCAR Winston Cup championship. Now, five years after his death, his championship form will live on with the opening of Alan Kulwicki Memorial Park. The park is being built to honor the late auto racing champion and Greenfield native. See the rest of the story at Park named for Kulwicki nearly done.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(5-11-98)
Tyler Jet Motorsports officials confirmed today that Darrell Waltrip will be returning as the driver of the #17 car beginning with the Brickyard 400. The agreement that was signed last Friday puts Waltrip back behind the wheel of the #17 car through the end of the 1999 season. The team is actively searching for sponsorship for those remaining 14 races of ’98 as well as all of 1999 for DW’s expected Retirement Tour.(5-11-98)
Roush Ford driver Johnny Benson Jr., spent the off-weekend in Barcelona, Spain
at the Spanish Grand Prix. Benson was a guest of Grand Prix Tours and the
Jackie Stewart-owned team, the official Ford factory F1 team. Benson was
pretty amazed at the F1 technology.(5-11-98)
Sources in and around the NASCAR/Winston Cup garage area say there isn’t a chance that Bruton Smith will ever spilt from NASCAR. In fact, drivers, team members, and notables in the NASCAR camp state “off the record” that this so called “Civil War” is a fable, a fairy tale, or quite simply a Disney Production want to be. It appears, that financially, the worst thing that could ever happen to Bruton Smith would be a change in NASCAR. You see, it is in Bruton’s best interest, according to many, that NASCAR and NASCAR stock continue to be what they are, and that the growth continues, and continues, and continues, building that ever so important stock further and further up in the market. NASCAR’s stock market value is Bruton’s life boat. It has been said by many that Bruton is maxed out financially, and can not afford a split in NASCAR or a drop in the value of NASCAR stock. No, quite the contrary, the ever so talked about “war” between Bill France, Jr. and Bruton Smith could be devastating to Smith’s racing investments, and future plans. Bruton Smith needs NASCAR, and many say that he has taken out mortgages, leans, and more, on well known racing properties, personal property, and more to support his two babies, Texas and Charlotte. Does it make sense? Well, in the grand scheme of things it makes more sense for Bruton to stay as a NASCAR ally, then to leave…but stranger things have happened.(Nancy-StockCarFans.com)(5-11-98)
NASCAR now has a new series which is called the RE/MAX Challenge. It is a joint effort sanctioned by ARTGO and NASCAR. These races will basically run in conjunction with Busch Series races, CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, and NASCAR Winston West series races. A total of 18 races will be run this year. So what is it? In short the RE/MAX Challenge combines short track and superspeedway races, plus a road course race. The season opened on April 5th at Rockford Speedway in IL, and on the 26th of that month the series raced at LaCrosse Fairgrounds in Wisconsin.(Nancy-StockCarFans.com)(5-11-98)
I hear NFL Quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Brett Farve, has talked to BGN #4 Phoenix Racing about doing some sort of sponsorship deal with the team. Farve is heavily involved in Nike, not sure if that would be it, and not sure what is going on with Lance Snacks, the teams current sponsor.(5-11-98)

(5-10-98)
Bob Dell, former general manager of the #77 Jasper Motorsports Ford team has accepted a job with pro motor and will be assigned to the #7 Mattei Motorsports Ford Team starting at The Winston.(5-10-98)
Michael Waltrip and Jeremy Mayfield put on quite a show at Oklahoma City. In a 12 lap “heat” Race on the 1/2 Mile Dirt Oval, Michael Waltrip piloted his borrowed car to a win. The Prostock/Late Model Sportsman cars belonged to local racers. Jeremy Mayfield finished second but made an exciting effort to pass Waltrip several times in the last 4 or 5 laps. This was only the second time Mayfield has raced on dirt. The Race of Champions Feature was canceled (as well as regular races) when a thunderstorm shut down activities early in the evening. Wallace finished third followed by Marlin. Officials hope to get the race rescheduled later in the year. See the story at A Night for Gazing at the Stars: Rain Halts Racing, But Fans on Cloud Nine and Team Sabco Fan Page
.(5-10-98)
Truck driver Ron Hornaday will run five races in the #59 Kingsford/Matchlight
Chevrolet in the NASCAR BGN Series, substituting for Robert Pressley on the weekends when Pressley has conflicts with his NASCAR Winston Cup #77 team.(NASCAR Online)(5-10-98)
On TNN’s Raceday – Tim Beverly who bought Darrell Waltrip Motorsports was interviewed on Raceday and says he plans to have DW in the #17 Chevy when he is done at DEI in August. Plans are to run DW for the rest of 1998 and all of 1999. First order of business is to find a sponsor. Rich Bickle and Toby Porter tested the #17 truck at Charlotte recently in preparation for Texas, which is unavailable for testing.(TNN)(5-10-98)
Kevin Lepage and the #91 LJ Racing Chevy team will be heading to Richmond for a practice session this week. They will be at RIR on Monday and Tuesday(rain permitting), testing and preparing for the upcoming Pontiac Excitement 400 scheduled for June 6th.(Victory Lane Online)(5-10-98)
On TNN’s Raceday Motorsports show Bruton Smith was interviewed by Rick Benjamin and said he is not going to start a new race organization(series) and is not part of any new race organization. Smith said he is involved with NASCAR and plans to stay involved.(TNN-Raceday)(5-10-98)
The #85 Stegall Motorsports team and driver Shane Hall have a full sponsorship deal with Big-A Auto Parts starting at last weeks New Hamshire. Big-A became available when the #96 Andretti-Laird Racing team decided to reorganize.(NASCAR Online).(5-10-98)

(5-9-98)
Mike Calinoff, Publisher of the Motorsports Journal (www.motorsportsjournal.com) and President of RaceMedia Internet Development Ventures LLC, announced the debut of the new motorsports-related web site www.racecomm.com. The Super-Site Direct from Charlotte, NC’ will be up and running on the World Wide Web beginning Friday, May 15th in conjunction with the kick-off Race Week in Charlotte. Racecomm is a joint-venture project with Lake County Online of Mentor, Ohio — the producers of www.liveracing.com and one of the nations leading web site designers. “We’re excited about bringing our project to the next level.” said Calinoff who writes a weekly commentary at www.speedworld.net. “The growth of the Motorsports Journal and MSJ Online have exceeded our expectations and we’re counting on similar results with Racecomm.” The Racecomm site will feature more than 25 different departments and categories making the most interactive addresses on the web. “It is a natural alliance,” said Curt Eckertson, President of LCOL, “Mike’s plans our and directions fit well together — this is an exciting venture for all of us.”(5-9-98)

(5-8-98)
In an almost eerie coincidence in light of what happened to Harry Gant, Junior
Johnson, legendary driver and team owner, escaped serious injury in a nasty highway traffic accident April 21st. Johnson was a passenger in a pick up truck that pulled into the path of an oncoming car. The impact was severe enough the truck Junior was riding in rolled over, and wound up on it’s side. Thankfully no one was injured in the wreck.(WC Scene)(5-8-98)
Textilease, a uniform service, has signed on as an associate sponsor of the
Brett Bodine #11 Paychex/Team Scandia Ford team for the rest of the season.(WC Scene)(5-8-98)
Those rumored tests at Daytona/Talladega to try to find alternatives to
restrictor plates, were just that…rumors. While admitting that the idea was
discussed, NASCAR’s Kevin Triplett said there were no such tests scheduled.(WC Scene)(5-8-98)
I hear Jeff Fuller is in line to fill in for Joe Gibbs Racing BGN team when
scheduling conflicts prevent either Tony Stewart or Bobby Labonte from running the Shell #44. Jeff is currently tutoring JD Gibbs, who will take over the ride full time in 1999. The strategy is to gain as many owner points as possible for next year’s provisionals. Also, Jeff will fill in for Stewart this weekend at Loudon if there is a rain out, which would cause conflicts with Stewart’s other racing
commitments.(5-8-98)
UPDATE: From the Tony Stewart Website: The NASCAR Winston Cup Series car Tony Stewart, circled Richmond International Raceway, testing for the June 6 Pontiac Excitement 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race. Stewart’s Joe Gibbs NASCAR Winston Cup Series pit crew set up a mock pit so that Stewart could practice Richmond pit stops in the heavier and unfamiliar NASCAR Winston Cup Series vehicle. RIR’s unofficial timing caught the pit crew cranking out stops at around 20 seconds.(Tony Stewart Website.(5-7-98) – Tony Stewart will continue to honor his Indy contract for the remainder of this season, then plans to run Winston Cup full time next year. His
plan includes a return to the Indy 500 if he doesn’t score a victory at Indy this year.(5-8-98)
Hermie Sadler will make his 150th consecutive Busch series start at New Hampshire, May 9th. That will give him the record for most consecutive starts of any active BGN driver. Because he is sixth in the BGN points, he is almost guaranteed a starting berth in the race.(WC Scene)(5-8-98)
Mike Laughin, who suffered extensive burns to his hands in a savage wreck at the season ending race at Homestead in 1996, is making his much anticipated comeback to the BGN Series. He will make his first post-wreck Busch series start(attempt) at New Hampshire, and will also race in the Busch races at Richmond, Myrtle Beach and Indianapolis Raceway Park this year, with an eye towards running a full season in 1999. While recovering from his injuries, Mike has already won three races in the Sportsman division at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.(WC Scene)(5-8-98)

(5-7-98)
Jim Bown is running a limited BGN schedule. His next race is the Charlotte race. The team is looking for sponsorship and any help would be a plus. Anyone that may be interested call Jay Ryan at (518) 273-0349 or (518) 273-2914. Email address is [email protected].(5-7-98)
Brett Bodine will be running a one race paint scheme for the Winston Open in
Charlotte on his #11 Paychex Ford. The car will be white, blue with gold highlights.(5-7-98)
Motorsports fans will have a unique opportunity to experience The Winston online
as country.com presents its second live webcast Saturday, May 16 during TNN’s live
telecast of the Winston Cup race beginning at 7:00pm/et from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The webcast on www.country.com, TNN’s Internet site, will kick off Wild, Wild Web Week, the cable network’s themed schedule of interactive programming. The live webcast will allow Internet users to follow the action via in-car cameras in top
contenders’ cars. A special www.thewinston.com web site (available for access beginning May 8) will provide www.country.com motorsports fans access to real-time audio and video transmitted directly to the site from the cars as they speed around the track.(TNN)(5-7-98)
Sam Bass, whose paintings of NASCAR drivers and race cars have made him famous to
motorsports fans coast to coast, has produced the cover art for this year’s Coca-Cola 600 Month souvenir program, and visitors to the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s website,
www.charlottemotorspeedway.com, can reserve one of 600 numbered copies signed by the artist.(SpeedNet)(5-7-98)
Ed Berrier, driver of the No. 77 LEAR Corp. Ford Taurus in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series will be the special guest for A Night Too Hot To Handle, a special live taping of RACING CONNECTION, Saturday evening May 16–5pm/et at DJ’s Bar & Grill in Bridgeton, NJ.(Racing Connection)(5-7-98)
A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit accusing NASCAR of antitrust price
fixing will go forward to trial. NASCAR’s Motion to Dismiss was denied. The lawsuit charges that NASCAR participated in a conspiracy to fix the price of souvenirs and merchandise sold at stock car races. The lawsuit charges that NASCAR “implemented the conspiracy by circulating price lists to vendors, meeting secretly, monitoring vendors’ prices, and disciplining vendors who violated the price-fixing agreement.” The conspiracy began as early as 1991, the complainant charges. The lawsuit contends that NASCAR entered into agreements to fix the minimum prices of souvenirs and merchandise sold at NASCAR racing. The decision was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in the lawsuit of: In re: Motorsports Merchandise Antitrust Litigation, D.C.. N. Ga, No. 1:97-cv-2314-TWT, 3-20-98. The decision was reported in the April 16, 1998 issue of Antitrust & Trade Regulation Report, BNA, Vol 74, No 1856.(Beserver)(5-7-98)
Interesting site: Smoke-Free Ted’s Den. Smoke-Free Ted’s Racing is an organization dedicated to bringing positive benefits to kid’s that maintain a smoke free lifestyle. It is Ted’s opinion that smoking is a thing of the past, outdated, out of style, unhealthy and most of all unpopular. The fact is that an overwhelming majority of people are smoke free! Ted and his pal Fast Cat represent the attitude and fun living smoke free brings. Enjoy and take advantage of the site and their endeavors…they do it for you. Smoke-Free Ted’s Racing is a team that uses auto racing to provide positive benefits for children that maintain a smoke-free lifestyle. They are sponsored and have team involvement from Congressman, Tobacco Interests, Medical Interests, and NASCAR. The site is being expanded on and loaded daily. Check it out at Smoke Free Ted Website.(5-7-98)
The official web site of BGN driver Dale Fishlein – www.fischlein.com has been revamped, check it out. Dale and his #70 Adrian Carriers Chevy team has five cars and sponsorship dollars to be competitive.(5-7-98)
Southern New Jersey’s locally produced, live motorsports television program is now available to race fans on the worldwide web at www.raceshow.com. In cooperation with Southern New Jersey Internet Inc. (SNJI), RACING CONNECTION host Jack Stanton has developed RACING
CONNECTION Online with plans to offer race fans up-to-date racing news, feature stories, driver profiles and the Online Photo Gallery featuring NASCAR stars as well as weekly short track warriors.(5-7-98)
Fox Sports Senior VP/Communications Vince Wladika denied a report that the network is in talks with a group led by Joe Mattioli III, the son of Pocono Raceway owner Dr. Joe Mattioli, about a new stock car series to be televised on Fox. Wladika told THE DAILY that Fox did meet once with the Mattioli-led group and was presented with a proposal which included Wednesday night primetime coverage. But Wladika said the network is “very pleased” with its primetime line-up, which includes “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Party of Five.” Wladika: “We’ve always been very interested in auto racing and NASCAR. Someone pitched us an idea — we get ideas pitched to us all the time. But we categorically deny the report and we are not at all involved.”(5-7-98)
In celebration of NASCAR’s 50th Anniversary, Melling and the Cartoon Network will be sporting a “birthday cake” look at the Winston Open. The #9 Taurus will be painted pink and blue and feature the Cartoon Networks most notable charactures cavorting in “splattered” birthday cake and icing. The car will run through the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend.(5-7-98)

(5-6-98)
Hendrick Motorsports have decided not to run the #50 Bud Pontiac in the Winston Open came late last week too. So it will be Wally Dallenbach in the Bud Chevy for the Winston Open the this team won last year.(MRN-Marty)(5-6-98)
WINSTON OPEN QUALIFYING: The Winston Open’s starting grid will be set this year
by a pair of 25-lap qualifying races to be held Friday, May 15 at CMS. The first race will set the inside-row starters and the outside-row starters will come from the second. Each of the qualifying races, called the No-Bull 25s, will pay $25,000 to its winner. To set the starting order for the qualifying races, NASCAR will use the speeds recorded by its timing and scoring transponders during a Friday afternoon practice session for cars entered in the Open. The driver with the fastest speed will start first in the first race; the driver with the second fastest speed will start first in the second. The rest of the fields will be set in similar alternating fashion. The May 15 schedule also includes qualifying for The Winston. The 19 drivers qualified for that race will run a total of three laps, and during those laps they must come in and have their pit crews change two tires. Total time for the three laps and the pit stop will determine the starting order. The Winston Open winner will then be added to the field in the 20th starting spot.(That’s Racin’)(5-6-98)
Lake Speed will be at the Valley Hills Mall in Hickory NC, May 14th, to unveil a new paint scheme for the #9 Melling Ford that he will be running in the Winston Open. Speed mentioned on NASCAR Online Chat that it’s one of the most innovative
things you have ever seen. It will be there for the majority of the rest of the
season, depending on how popular it is.(5-6-98)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT from the desk of W. Steven Boller of TEAM PARADIGM: Important Notice to all Team Paradigm Supporters – It is with deepest regrets that Team Paradigm announces the following: “Our last website update was filled with expectation … finally, after 6 years of toil, tears, and a sizable expenditure of both effort and money, TEAM PARADIGM had achieved some remarkable headway as we were about to announce a driver, multiple corporate sponsors, and a three race package for 1998. In the final hour, the corporate people withdrew, and this latest
withdrawal witnessed our hopes and expectations devastated once again…..” For the rest of the announcement go to The Paradigm-Motorsports Website Notice. Shame it didn’t work out.(5-6-98)
Morgan Shepherd has put plans on hold for his own team until he and SABCO decide what direction the #46 team will go.(WC Today Radio)(5-6-98)
It appears as though Andy Petree Racing and driver Ken Schrader are ready to sign a sponsor for the NASCAR Busch Series. The 15-race deal would be for the remainder of 1998 and Schrader would drive the car. This sponsor may turn into a full-time NASCAR Winston Cup sponsor in 1999 and both Andy and Kenny would love to get Kenny Wallace to drive the car.(Marty – MRN)(5-6-98)
Casey Atwood plans on attempting fourth Busch Grand National race next weekend at New Hampshire. When he’s done with that race, he’ll be flying back to Nashville to run the Winston No Bull 200 Late Model race. Casey currently leads the Late Model points standings on the strength of 4 top five and 5 top ten finishes in 5 starts. His current plans are to run a limited Late Model schedule and run several more Busch races this year.(StockCarFans)(5-6-98)
John Wilson who left as head engine builder at Joe Gibbs Racing a few weeks ago appears to have lined up a new gig working for PE2 and Kyle Petty. Wilson worked closely with Petty for several years as his engine builder at SABCO Racing. Since the departure of head engine builder David Evans PE2 has yet to replace him, Wilson would fill that void. When Evans left PE2 his job was to build qualifying engines for both Kyle Petty and John Andretti.(MRN-Marty)(5-6-98)

(5-5-98)
The Wood Brothers & Michael Waltrip will be sporting a “Good Will Games ’98” paint scheme for The Winston this year.(5-5-98)
When Darrell Waltrip takes the green flag for the Winston, he won’t be wearing
the chrome helmet he has sported since 1995. Instead, Waltrip will switch to a Pennzoil yellow and black helmet for the race. Waltrip said he’s making the switch to see if the chrome in the helmet is the culprit for radio interference he has experienced with his Dale Earnhardt Inc. team in recent weeks. Waltrip planned to use the helmet in California, but it couldn’t be ready in time for the race. In addition to losing the chrome helmet, Waltrip will lose the Elvis-like firesuit he wore at last year’s Winston.(Pennzoil)(5-5-98)
Sterling Marlin, Kenny Wallace, Jeremy Mayfield and Michael Waltrip will be in Oklahoma City, OK this Friday night(5/8) at the Oklahoma State Fair Speedway in the 2nd Annual ‘Race of Champions’, it’s a 50 lap trophy dash in local racers rides. Ken Schrader, Harry Gant, Brett Bodine and Hut Stricklin raced in the race last July with Schrader winning it.(more info 405-948-6752)(Team Sabco Fan Page)(5-5-98)
Greg Sacks will be out of the #98 Thorn Apple Valley Ford until the Pepsi 400 at Daytona and Rich Bickle will continue to drive the car including the Winston.(5-5-98)
There is a chance that Steve Park may come back earlier than expected. Park would like to run the New Hampshire and Pocono races and then the Brickyard 400. Not sure how DEI would do this as Darrell Waltrip will be in the car up until the Brickyard 400.(RPM2Nite and TNN’s Raceday(www.country.com))(5-5-98)
Mike Skinner and Wally Dallenbach testedg the #31 Lowes Chevy at Sears Point in CA thru Thursday.(NASCAR Online), Jerry Nadeau, Jeff Gordon, Rick Mast, Chad Little, Johnny Benson, Kenny Irwin, Joe Nemechek, David Green and Jeremy Mayfield are also testing at the track.(5-5-98)
Despite his victory at California Sunday, Mark Martin’s team had it’s problems in the pits. Team manager, Buddy Parrott accidentally tripped on something in the pits and fell. It is believed he tripped on some wires or cables. Parrot recalls hearing a cracking noise during the fall. As a result of the mishap, Buddy has been diagnosed by the infield care center with broken cartilage and possibly a bruised or
cracked rib. Apparently, the injuries didn’t stop Buddy from celebrating with Mark and the team in Victory Lane.(StockCarFans)(5-5-98)

(5-4-98)
The #35 BGN Pontiac, Team Amick Motorsports is cutting back it’s BGN racing schedule in 1998 with driver Lyndon Amick. They had planned to run a full BGN schedule in 1998. Plans are to run approximately 15 more events.(NASCAR Online)(5-4-98)
Bill Elliott was taken to Loma Linda Medical Center after his second bad crash in as many weeks, where he received two stitches for a cut on his chin. He had minor fractures in his left foot and left hand, and bruises on his back and stomach, his spokeswoman said. He plans to race in the Winston in Charlotte in two weeks.(StockCarFans Newsletter)(5-4-98)
NASCAR would like to see GM’s Monte Carlo on the track some time soon, but Chevrolet officials say they’re not that far along in development. NASCAR sources say that the Monte Carlo might not debut at Daytona next year after all, but rather
later in the season.(JournalNow)(5-4-98)
Tim Brewer, the veteran NASCAR team manager and crew chief, could be back in action soon, working for Jack Roush, according to sources close to the situation.(JournalNow)(5-4-98)

(5-3-98)
Hut Stricklin sponsor Circuit City(#8 Chevy), as you might expect, is not happy with the situation(4 DNQ’s), and sources say the company may back out of car sponsorship when the contract ends(didn’t say, not sure).(SpeedNet)(5-3-98)
Mike Skinner while he qualified the #31 Lowes Chevy on Saturday, did not start the car in the California 500. Mike Dillon started and ran the car and had to go to the back of the field at the start of the race.(5-3-98)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is suddenly one of the hottest drivers in the Winston Cup garage, and he’s not even in a Cup car yet. If this wild child with a bent for alternative music and fast stock cars wanted a major-league ride, he could have one here this afternoon, in half-dozen cars. He is hot. “But we have no plans to run him in Winston Cup this year,” said Ty Norris, manager for Earnhardt Sr.’s race team. “Our biggest concern right now is to get this team back in shape for Steve Park when he returns. It would be premature for us as a team to field anything for Dale Jr., whether Dale Jr. is ready or not, or whether Tony Eury and the guys building his Busch cars are ready to go Cup or not.(JournalNow)(5-3-98)
We’ve been hearing about rival stock car series for a couple of years. But a group fronted by Joe Mattioli III, son of Pocono Raceway owner Dr. Joe Mattioli, reportedly has put a concrete proposal on the table to NASCAR teams and sponsors……for the rest of the story see the SpeedNet story at: Group reportedly to offer rival.(SpeedNet)(5-3-98)

(5-2-98)
Whoops! Something I missed and didn’t see today. Mike Skinner jumped in the #31 Lowes Chevy and qualified the car in second round qualifying and put it in the California. Plans are for Skinner to start the car and for Mike Dillon to take over.(NASCAR Online)(5-2-98)
Team TABASCO has announced that Wally Dallenbach will take over for the injured Todd Bodine in this weekends California 500 presented by NAPA. Dallenbach, who was just given his walking papers by Team SABCO, will fill in for Bodine who crashed during the Friday morning’s practice session. The crash that Bodine was involved in, a single car incident, knocked the TABASCO pilot out for several minutes. He was transported to a local hospital and was later released. Team Tabasco, worried about their driver, felt it was batter to have him sit out this event rather than push it and make his injuries worse. Bodine is basically “fine” but is very sore today.(www.goracing.com)(5-2-98)
Darrell Waltrip won’t be wearing his chrome helmet in Sunday’s race that he has
sported since 1995. Instead, the driver of the No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet will switch
to a Pennzoil helmet, with a yellow and black color scheme. Waltrip said he suspects his chrome helmet is the cause for radio interference that he and his Dale Earnhardt Inc., crew have suffered through in recent weeks.(NASCAR Online)(5-2-98)
There were reports NASCAR had schedule a test, either at Daytona or Talladega (or both) to test ideas for breaking up the lethal packs. But NASCAR spokesman Jeff Motley said he had not heard of any such test, and none of the teams questioned had heard anything about what might be tested.(SpeedNet – Ben Blake)(5-2-98)
John Andretti indicated he had had some offers to try the Indianapolis 500-Coca-Cola 600 double he pulled off in 1994, but he says he is dedicated to his Richard Petty-owned stock car ride, and that he can’t do justice either to stock cars or Indy by scattering his forces.(SpeedNet)(5-2-98)
One driver definitely in play is 24-year-old Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has been approached about Winston Cup jobs by Andy Petree (owner of Ken Schrader’s No. 33 and seeking to start a second team) and even Richard Childress, owner of dad Dale Earnhardt’s famous No. 3(Childress may have an opening in his companion No. 31, at least short-term).(SpeedNet)(5-2-98)
Chevrolet’s revised Monte Carlo, due out next year, apparently was due for a test at Daytona or Talladega next week, but the test has been called off for various reasons. The car, currently going under the “Intimidator” label hatched at the Detroit Auto Show in January, appears to be a purpose-built NASCAR race car designed to one-up Ford’s purpose-built “Taurus” NASCAR model. Stock? It’s no-holds-barred now, apparently.(SpeedNet)(5-2-98)
The rumor recurs that NASCAR might mandate a NASCAR-issued fiberglass body, so as to sidestep constant rules revisions and to bring the back-side teams up to par with the high-dollar boys. Teams would pick up their bodies (which would cost about one-eighth of what the present steel body costs) before races and would not be allowed to alter them. Could this be true? Garage sources say safety concerns (crushed metal absorbs crash forces and leaves less debris on the track than does fiberglass) and economic ones (think of how many body men would be put out of work) make this idea unlikely.(SpeedNet)(5-2-98)

(5-1-98)
Special Paint Scheme news: The paint scheme for the Mark Martin #6 Ford at the Winston will be black, red, orange and yellow at the Winston with Eagle One as the featured sponsor. Eagle One is a manufacturer of automotive-appearance products: waxes, polishes and cleaners for both interiors and exteriors. Also, Jimmy Spencer’s paint scheme will be gold at the Winston as well (Winston Gold) and I am hearing rumors the #50 Bud Pontiac might be gold in color as well.(5-1-98)
Ricky Craven is at the track in Fontana, CA and Dr Jerry Punch said during qualifying today on ESPN2 that Craven is making significant with his illness, post concussion syndrome, and expects to be back in the #50 Bud Chevy by Mid July.(5-1-98)
Richard Broome, crew chief of the #78 Pilot Ford has left the team to return to running his own business. Walter Giles, Team Manager has assumed the role.(WC Scene)(5-1-98)
Special or different Paint Schemes for the California 500 include: #18 Bobby Labonte in the Interstate Batteries Pontiac has Hot Rod Magazine on the hood and a little different paint(yellow and red); Geoff Bodine in the #7 Philips Ford has more of a dark blue hood to bring out the Philips name; #5 Kelloggs Chevy with Terry Labonte has the same paint scheme as Texas; #35 Tabasco Pontiac has the black paint scheme this week(at least in the primary car)(ESPN2 Qualifying)(5-1-98)
During an interview with Reese Davis, Jeff Gordon was asked about the news that Gordon and crew chief Ray Evernham would start a BGN team. Jeff said that they have discussed it with a few sponsors but that it would not happen in 1998, maybe next season.(RPM2Nite)(5-1-98)

Dueling Stories:
Verifying the latest Winston Cup garage talk, informed sources at Hendrick Motorsports confirmed today to country.com that Wally Dallenbach will replace current “Super Sub” driver Randy LaJoie in the Budweiser #50 beginning at the all-star driver event, The Winston. Dallenbach became free to shop his skills when he and Team SABCO decided to end their association. Currently, the popular driver is scheduled to substitute for the regular driver of the Budweiser #50, Ricky Craven, and attempt to make The Winston, then race in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, and the upcoming road course races at Sears Point and Watkins Glen. Craven has been sidelined due to his recuperation from post concussion syndrome.(TNN-www.country.com)(5-1-98)
Two-time defending Grand National champion Randy LaJoie says he will end his substitute driving for Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 50 car after the June 6 Pontiac
Excitement 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.(iRace-www.irace.com)(5-1-98)
This week, Fluidyne Automotive Products will be sponsoring the team at the California 500 this weekend. A press release with all the info can be found at LJ Racing Site.(5-1-98)
I hear there may be some personnel changes on the #46 First Union team.(5-1-98)
Drivers involved in qualifying/practice accidents: Brett Bodine #11 Paychex Ford; Dale Jarrett #88 Quality Care Ford; Dick Trickle #90 Heilig Meyers Ford(practice); and Todd Bodine #35 Tabasco Pontiac(practice), who was taken to a local hospital for observation. Todd was later released and returned to the track – all are ok and will attempt to make the field in second round qualifying on Saturday.(5-1-98)
Truck News: Tom Gloy and Bobby Rahal, co-owners of the #55 Icehouse Ford running in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, made the first step towards changing their driver setup for this season. DAVE REZENDES of Assonet MA has been thanked for his contributions to the team and wished the best in his future racing endeavors. No new driver has yet been named, although it is thought that some discussions have already been held with at least one other driver. The team is “in the process of evaluating the ICEHOUSE Truck program and will announce a new driver in the near future.” They
will race next week at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe Washington for the NAPACard 200, which will be shown live on TBS at 12:30pm/pt(RacingPR website, Lynne “Press Snoop” Huntting via the StockCarFans Newsletter)(5-1-98)