May 2000 News Archives

(5-31-2000)
Derrike Cope News: The new Derrike Cope/Warren Johnson Cup team, Quest Motor Racing Team is progressing quickly, the Derrike Cope site reports. The new team expects to move into their facility located in Huntersville, NC within the next three weeks and by the end of June it is anticipated that they will have the facility ready to showcase and be operational. The team has two cars and four more cars on order. When fully operational, the focus will be on testing, getting cars ready to race and have their engine development program up and running. Cope and Johnson have been talking with representatives from both Chevrolet and Pontiac and expect to make a decision within the next two weeks. The car number has been selected and will be announced sometime next week. The team and Cope plans to run at least five races this year. That will permit the team to take advantage of seven test sessions instead of the two test sessions that NASCAR grants to new teams. The team is actively seeking sponsorship for these five races and for the 2001 season(Derrike Cope Official Site)(5-31-2000)
Gordon and Snoopy? UPDATE 2: hearing #24-Jeff Gordon will run a Snoopy (from the Peanut’s comic strip) in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona and/or the Brickyard 400, no official word on what the occasion is. Supposedly the car will be light metallic blue with yellow highlights, Snoopy on the hood and quarterpanels(5-29-2000)
UPDATE: I hear these will not be the colors but the car will run at the Brickyard 400(5-30-2000)
UPDATE 2: here is more on this scheme – the car will have a dark blue roof, fading into light blue sides with grass decal around the bottom of the #24 Chevy. Snoopy as Joe Cool character painting(DuPont paint?) his doghouse on hood and as the Red Baron character on the quarters. Even have a Woodstock jack marker(instead of the arrow). The car will supposedly be introduced at Sears Point in June and hearing it will be run at the Brickyard 400. The reason? To commemorate the 50th year for Peanuts and as a tribute to them and the Peanuts creator, the late Charles Schulz(5-31-2000)
Some Notes: Dale Earnhardt is the only Cup driver to recorded nine top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. Ward Burton has raced more laps than any driver this season, 3,928 of 3,931 laps raced in the first 12 races(Speed Magazine) and Darrell Waltrip, who does not have a provisional available until Sears Point, failed to qualify for both Dover races last year (Roanoke Times)(5-31-2000)
Earnhardt Jr Special Paint? UPDATE 3: Officials from Budweiser, the “Official Beer” of NASCAR and the NHRA, will make a special announcement with Budweiser Racing drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kenny Bernstein at Lowe’s Motor Speedway regarding the 2000 season on Tuesday, May 23, 2000(fingerprint.inc/Bud PR) Hearing this will be the announcement of a Budweiser/Olympic Games scheme to be run this summer(5-17-2000)
UPDATE: The Budweiser press conference featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kenny Bernstein scheduled for 11:30am/et Tuesday (May 23) at Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been postponed(fingerprint.inc/Bud PR) no word on the rescheduled date(5-22-2000)
UPDATE 2: The scheme will be run at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona on the #8 Budweiser Chevy and will be an Olympic Scheme, just got three images in, see them at Jayski’s Paint Scheme Page(5-30-2000)
UPDATE 3: hearing the car will not be run until Bristol, under the lights(5-31-2000)
Vegas/Dodge Test Cancelled: Petty Enterprises and Dodge have cancelled their June 5-6 NASCAR Winston Cup test session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, according to Jeff Motley, LVMS director of publicity, NASCAR has limited the number of test dates the new Dodge program, headed by veteran Winston Cup crew chief Ray Evernham, can hold. Motley said there is a possibility that Petty Enterprises and Evernham would reschedule the test session at LVMS for a later date(Las Vegas Sun)(5-31-2000)
Wells and Marlin? Benson? UPDATE: The plan was for Wells to field a Busch and Winston Cup car this year, with McDonald’s and Lazzaro jumping to Winston Cup next season. But those plans are obviously changing, though Wells isn’t yet disclosing what he expects to happen. Rumors have Wells talking with a couple of veteran NASCAR drivers, with one being Sterling Marlin, about taking over the McDonald’s ride in 2001. Wells also is looking for more help in preparing the cars, so he might be interested in someone like veteran crew chief Tony Glover, a longtime buddy of Marlin’s(in part from CBS Sportsline) AND also hearing Wells has talked to Johnny Benson of the #10 Lycos team and to James Ince, crew chief for the same team
UPDATE: from Tyler Jet Motorsports – our committment now is to stay together as a TEAM right where we are(5-31-2000)
Aero Matching: NASCAR is currently having certain Winston Cup teams build test cars following an aero-matched design. The cars are said to be based on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo template with design changes made at the front and rear of the car to try to retain individual make integrity. It sounds as if NASCAR may be trying an end run around their common template strategy that was met by overwhelming dislike earlier this spring. The individual car manufacturers are still very much against the common template move as they firmly believe in the “what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday” theory. Fans also still look for the competition between makes as well as drivers, and Dodge, still looking towards 2001, is sort of in a holding pattern. No word as to when NASCAR expects the cars to be finished, but Gibbs racing has their model under construction(Inside Motorsports)(5-31-2000)
One owner, three winners? That’s Racin’ brings up a good question. When was the last time a team owner had three different drivers win in the same season? as Jack Roush has now done this year with Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth. The last to do it was Rick Hendrick in 1989 with Darrell Waltrip (six wins), Ken Schrader (one win) and Geoffrey Bodine (one win)(That’s Racin’) Technically, Mark Martin is listed as the owner of Kenseth’s car and Robert Corn is listed as the owner on the Burton car, but all fall under the Roush Racing umbrella(5-31-2000)
New Racing TV Show UPDATE: An exciting new weekly motorsports show, New England Dodge Motorsports Weekly, debuts on FOX Sports Net tomorrow. The show will cover the New England racing scene and the tracks, drivers, teams and fans that make New England one of the richest motorsports regions in the country. New England Dodge Motorsports Weekly will air Fridays at 7:30pm/et and reair on Saturday mornings at 11:30am/et for 25 weeks. The show will be hosted by nationally recognized CBS and FOX Sports broadcaster, Mike Joy. See the full Press Release at New England Dodge Motorsports Weekly Debuts on Fox Sports Net. The show debuted last week, but is a weekly show(5-29-2000)
UPDATE: Worcester(MA) Telegram sports columnist John Gearan will be interviewed by Mike Joy this week on FOX Sports New England. Gearan’s Mothers’ Day column attacking auto racing provoked thousands of angry emails, letters and phone calls to the newspaper and its advertisers. “While auto racing has enjoyed tremendous growth, there are still some people who want our sport to go away,” Joy said. “Mr. Gearan has chosen to be an outspoken opponent of racing and I want our viewers to learn how he formed his point of view. As opposed to news reporting, I appreciate that a columnists’s job to express his opinion. But this column produced such a surprising amount of nationwide outrage, I want to know if he now wishes he had approached the subject differently.” New England Dodge Motorsports Weekly airs Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 11:30am on FOX Sports New England(Note: my understanding is that the show is only shown in New England(5-31-2000)

(5-30-2000)
Martin News: Mark Martin’s on-track performance in the #6-Valvoline Ford, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1999 to $474,410. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Martin wins, $2,500 for each pole, $1,000 for a top-five finish, and $20 per lap Martin leads in this “Caring Hands” program. The next trackside fundraiser, where fans can put their handprints on a canvas wall, receive a commemorative button, and make donations, will be June 3 at Dover Downs International Speedway(Valvoline Newsletter)(5-30-2000)

(5-29-2000)
Carl Long at Dover UPDATE: If the #85 car with Darrell Waltrip makes it out of the Coca Cola 600 intact, Carl Long plans to load it into the hauler — which he also drives — and try to qualify it next week at Dover, DE(Total Sports/AP) see below for complete story. Also, who is Carl Long? See this story from PitNow: Long sells out his dream to Waltrip(5-27-2000)
UPDATE: Looks like Carl Long will attempt to make the Dover Cup race on June 4th. Some notes: Waltrip’s Carter-Haas Motorsports team paid the Dixon’s $20,000 tire bill for the race, and will give Dixon all of the money Waltrip earns in the event(ended up being $33,340). Waltrip’s team took over the car Saturday night, putting in a new seat and an entirely new setup. Long said it was the right thing to have Waltrip’s team take control of the car. Long, who was joined at the track by plenty of friends and family from back in the Triangle, normally employs just four volunteers to help him work. Long said the deal has given Dixon some new hope, and it looks like Dixon will send Long to try to qualify for next week’s Winston Cup race at Dover, Del. That’s a significant commitment, considering he’ll have to pay $45,000 for a qualifying engine and spend $15,000 more to overhaul a different engine for the race(News and Observer)(5-29-2000)
Home Depot leaving? UPDATE: Home Depot, negotiating to re-up with Joe Gibbs’ #20 Tony Stewart team, may not come back, and if it doesn’t, MBNA could return to a full time Cup sponsorship(it used to sponsor the #22 Ward Burton/Bill Davis car). MBNA currently sponsors the #18 BGN Gibbs car in the BGN that Jason Leffler drives. Team reps, however, feel Home Depot will return to the #20 Cup car. If so MBNA may look elsewhere for a full Cup sponsorship(SpeedVision)(5-28-2000)
UPDATE: Gibbs and Home Depot executives are negotiating an extension of their sponsorship contract for the Tony Stewart team(PitNow)(5-29-2000)
3rd DEI team? UPDATE: Rumor on the distant horizon: A third team for Dale Earnhardt Inc.?(SpeedVision) currently run the #1-Steve Park and #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr teams. No drivers mentioned(5-28-2000)
UPDATE: Ty Norris, head of DEI, isn’t enthusiastic about expanding with a third Cup team next season, but says he can’t rule it out. Michael Waltrip’s name has been coming up in connection with a third Cup team and other possibilities, following Jim Smith’s Ultra Motorsports merger with Mattei Motorsports. Smith, who runs Mike Wallace in the #2 CTS Ford truck, might want to put Wallace in a Cup car(PitNow)(5-29-2000)
Glowing Cars? Coca Cola 600 viewers got a taste of new TV technology coming to next year’s telecasts. During the Coca Cola “Red Lap” commercials, certain cars were highlighted by a red “halo”. In 2001, different color halos will occasionally be used to denote lead lap cars, interval, etc. At least one network planned to debut this video effect in 2000, but stopped development when they lost out in the bidding for future NASCAR TV rights. Reminds me of the Fox/glowing hockey puck a few years ago. Also during the Indy 500, ABC showed something different, a layout of the race track on the screen with the top three cars and where there were in relation with each other, thought that was neat(5-29-2000)
No Fines: NASCAR officials have decided not to fine DEI technical director Steve Hmiel and driver Steve Park for their actions during and following last week’s Winston all-star event. Hmiel made a derogatory remark concerning what he believed to be driver Joe Nemechek’s Polish heritage. Park was involved in a pair of incidents with Nemechek. He rear-ended the driver in traffic and almost spun Nemechek. After he recovered, Nemechek retaliated. Park was unable to hold onto his sliding car and started a crash that took out Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Nemechek was fined $15,000(Richmond Times Disptach)(5-29-2000)
#13 Penalty: Robby Gordon replaced race starter PJ Jones in the #13 Burger King/Turtle Wax Ford after flying back form running the Indy 500. After the red flag for rain, Gordon took over the #13, his nornal ride. The team was assessed a five-lap penalty because the crew had worked on the car under the red-flag stop for rain(Infobeat/AP) and Gordon’s team made the mistake of adjusting his seat during the delay, when teams aren’t allowed to work on their cars and the team was penalized five laps(News and Observer)(5-29-2000)
Pre-Race Accident: Four persons were slightly injured in the pit area by debris from an explosion during the pre-race show. The show involved several military planes flying over the track, with explosions of plywood structures timed to appear as though the track was being bombed by the planes. One of the staged explosion’s scattered some plywood debris from props along the front straightaway. Each was standing behind pit wall. Two people walked away from the scene and refused treatment. Two were treated and released from the infield care center with minor abrasions. Wayne Deloria, pit crew coordinator for the #32-Scott Pruett Ford, later returned to the care center complaining of dizziness and appeared disoriented. He was taken by ambulance to Carolinas Medical Center for precautionary tests(SpeedVision and That’s Racin’)(5-29-2000)
Next No Bull Five: the next No Bull Five race is the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 at Richmond(not the Brickyard). The five drivers eligible for the $1 million bonus are: #17-Matt Kenseth; #18-Bobby Labonte; #3-Dale Earnhardt; #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr; and #88-Dale Jarrett(5-29-2000)
No Bull Five Finishers: #99-Jeff Burton finished 11th; #6-Mark Martin was 12th; #18-Bobby Labonte was 2nd; #94-Bill Elliott was 43rd; and #20-Tony Stewart was 14th(5-29-2000)
#18 Yankees Car? UPDATE 3: The Beckett Racing Guide has a #18 NY Yankees/Interstate Batteries scheme listed, supposedly to be run in the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, see the image on the Paint Schemes Gallery(5-11-2000)
UPDATE: The Yankees scheme for Bobby Labonte for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona has fallen through but supposedly a different baseball themed special paint job may be in the works(5-17-2000)
UPDATE 2: Bobby Labonte will drive a specially painted baseball-themed #18 Pontiac in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. The red, white and blue car will carry the logo of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, which will be played July 11th in Atlanta(That’s Racin’)(5-27-2000)
UPDATE 3 an Image: see an image in the Jayski’s Paint Scheme Gallery(5-29-2000)
More Baseball? hearing Dale Jarrett will run a World Series baseball scheme on the #88 Quality Care Ford in October(5-29-2000)
Ford Sponsorship? UPDATE 2: the fate of Ford’s lucrative Quality Care sponsorship seems up in the air. Robert Yates is apparently planning to change Dale Jarrett’s colors to UPS brown for 2001. That leaves Ford officials scrambling to find a car for Quality Care.(PitNow) for more on this rumor, see the #88 Team News and Links page as well as the #6 News and Links page(5-27-2000)
UPDATE: Word is that Robert Yates has decided to accept a top-dollar sponsorship offer from United Parcel Service for his #88(Dale Jarrett) team, replacing Ford Credit/Quality Care(FC/QC). Some say FC/QC does not want a full car at present prices and might end up distributed among both Yates teams(as an assoc sponsor)(SpeedVision). Jayski Note: I hear the colors will be Next Day Air red, not the UPS brown and yellow(5-28-2000)
UPDATE 2: It appears now that deal is all but signed. The team and sponsor already are talking about possible paint schemes, sources say(That’s Racin’)(5-29-2000)
McFlurry Scheme? hearing #94-Bill Elliott will run a McFlurry (a McDonald’s desert) later in the 2000 season(5-29-2000)
Pontiac Changes? UPDATE: TNN’s Raceday reports that NASCAR plans to make some changes to the Pontiac bodies. No word on when or what will be changed. Pontiac teams feel they are at a disadvantage to the Ford and Chevys(5-28-2000)
UPDATE: NASCAR is exploring the possibility of making a rules change in the Winston Cup series to the Pontiac Grand Prix. On Sunday, NASCAR’s director of operations, Kevin Triplett, said the sanctioning body is looking a possible rules change, but made no promises(That’s Racin’)(5-29-2000)
Wells 2nd Driver? UPDATE 3: Car owner(#32 and #97BGN) Cal Wells says he isn’t negotiating yet with either Sterling Marlin or Tony Glover, who are considering their futures now that Chip Ganassi is buying Felix Sabates’ operation. Wells is in the market for a driver and crew chief for his new McDonald’s team(PitNow) I guess #97 BGN driver Anthony Lazarro is not moving up to Cup as originally planned?(5-26-2000)
UPDATE 2: Cal Wells is considering a shakeup in his slumping McDonald’s #97 BGN Ford team. Scott Pruett, who runs Well’s Ride Cup #32 Ford, may run the car for the rest of 2000. Current BGN driver, Anthony Lazzaro, failed to make the BGN race at Lowes. Pruett may take over that car next week at Dover.(PitNow)
UPDATE: Anthony Lazzaro has been dismissed from Cal Wells’ #97 McDonald’s BGN Ford. Wells entered NASCAR this season with a Winston Cup effort for Scott Pruett and the McDonald’s Busch Series group for Lazzaro — both stock-car rookies. The plan had been to move Lazzaro, and McDonald’s, up to Cup next year. Officially, no decisions have been made, but team sources confirmed that Lazzaro was out. Team members say the plan is for Pruett to drive the McDonald’s car in companion events(SpeedVision)(5-27-2000)
UPDATE 3: Wells is “re-evaluating” his BGN team. Lazzaro is still with the team. However, Lazzaro will likely turn the reigns of his car over to Wells’ Cup driver, Scott Pruett, during weekends the BGN and Cup series run at the same track including next weekend at Dover(That’s Racin’)(5-29-2000)

(5-28-2000)

Gannasi/Sabco to Dodge? TNN’s Raceday reports that that Sabco who will be bought by Chip Ganassi next month will change to Dodge from Chevy in 2001(5-28-2000)
Atwood to race Cup in 2000? Casey Atwood, named Thursday as Ray Evernham’s 2nd driver for Evernham’s Dodge team may run a few Cup races in 2000, not in a Dodge but probably an Elliott Racing Ford(TNN’s Raceday)(5-28-2000)
Ford Quality Care and the #97? rumors have say FC/QC could end up with the #97 Chad Little driven team or it could be an associate on some or few Roush’s teams(#’ 6,16,17,97,99). However, supposedly current #97 sponsor, John Deere, remains strongly in the running(to return in 2001)(SpeedVision)(5-28-2000)
Dillon to relieve Mast: TachZone is reporting that #21 BGN driver, Mike Dillon, will be standing by to replace Rick Mast in the #14 Conseco Pontiac for the Coca-Cola 600. Mast is apparently feeling a little under the weather this weekend, after a bout of food poisoning. Mast will start the race, and turn the wheel over to Dillon at some point, depending on how he feels. The driver change has been approved by NASCAR, and padding has been fitted in the seat to allow for Dillon’s smaller frame. Dillon has run in relief in a few other Cup races in the past(5-28-2000)
Punter to Pits: Carolina Panthers(NFL) punter Ken Walter will have a new job during tonight’s race. He will be catching tires rolled to the pit wall during pit stops for the Jasper Motorsports Ford driven by Robert Pressley. Team owner Doug Bawel came up with the idea after the team put a special teal-and-black paint job on Pressley’s car. Prominently displayed is a black panther, which is also both teams’ mascot(The State)(5-28-2000)
Pit Crew Competition: Prior to Thursday night’s Speed Street pit-crew competition, the two Joe Gibbs Racing teams, representing Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, decided to give any proceeds from the affair to victims of last week’s pedestrian-bridge disaster at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Stewart’s team finished second, earning $3,000, and sponsor Home Depot quickly agreed to match that amount(Gaston Gazette) Ricky Rudd’s #28 crew won the competition(5-28-2000)
Happy Day: Bruce Fecteau, a member of Brett Bodine’s crew, married Kimberly Tansey atop the team hauler, with Motor Racing Outreach chaplain Steve Green officiating. The couple met at Flemington (N.J.) Speedway while working for the same race team, and their first dates involved dinner atop the team hauler, so they decided to marry in the same manner(Speed Magazine)(5-28-2000)
PJ Jones in the #13? P.J. Jones took the #13 Ford of Robbie Gordon out for the final practice of the Coca Cola 600. Jones was getting acquainted with the Duracell Ultra entry in the event Gordon fails to return from Indianapolis in time to start today’s Winston Cup race(Times-News) CTS driver Bryan Reffner was to be the standby, not sure what happened to that(5-28-2000)
Skinner and the Red Cross: #31-Mike Skinner and Lowes COO Larry Stone will present $224,540 in checks to Mike Turner of the American Red Cross, prior to the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Through Lowe’s Racing for Relief program, led by NASCAR driver Mike Skinner, Lowe’s raised $114,370 through four Winston Cup Races in April. During March and April, Lowe’s customers contributed $110,170 for the Red Cross through the company’s customer donations program. Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse pledged $31 (Skinner’s car number) to the Relief: American Red Cross disaster relief fund for every lap Skinner completed and $1,031 for every lap he led during April. During the month-long program, Skinner raised the $114,370 donation by leading 75 laps and completing a total of 1,270 laps(PR)(5-28-2000)
Sabco Auction: Team Sabco employees hosted a memorabilia auction this week that raised nearly $30,000 to benefit the children of T.L. Stiles. An automobile accident claimed the life of Stiles, a Sabco fabricator, in November 1999. Drivers Blaise Alexander, Glenn Allen, Jeff Green, Randy LaJoie and Tim Fedewa were on hand to sign autographs. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Stiles Children College Trust(Gaston Gazette)(5-28-2000)
Flock moves ahead of Gordon UPDATE 2: Jeff Gordon has fallen back to second place in all-time Winston Cup winning percentages, behind Tim Flock. Flock, a 1950s-era star, won 40 races in 187 starts – a percentage of .2139. Gordon’s 50 wins in 234 starts is a percentage of .2136. (Speed Magazine)(5-28-2000)

(5-27-2000)
Dodge Stuff at the track: Fans can now buy a variety of Dodge items including shirts, jackets, flags, key chains, magnets, license plates, decals and beverage holders. Merchandise features the logos of Dodge, Evernham Motorsports and the #19 Dodge Dealer Intrepid R/T and its driver, Casey Atwood. Dodge has a 53-foot, state-of-the-art merchandise trailer parked just outside Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. The trailer will also be at the rest of the tracks this year(Car and Truck Buzz) no word on mail order(5-27-2000)
Penske Wins #100: as an owner in CART. #2 Miller Lite team owner, Roger Penske won the 100th CART race as an owner today when Gil DeFerran won the postponed CART race at Nazareth, PA(SpeedVision). Among those 100 wins are ten(10) Indy 500 victories(5-27-2000)
Andretti Hurt UPDATE: John Andretti, driver of the #43 STP/Cheerios Pontiac, was transported to University Hospital this morning for a chest X-ray. Greg Steadman, crew chief for Andretti said, “We’re still trying to find out John’s condition. Todd Bodine ran about 10 laps for us in practice to help us out. We’re trying to decide what we’re going to do, but we won’t know until we get the particulars on John’s condition. We’re going to be prepared. We’ve talked to a couple of guys about standing by tomorrow night in case we need them. Either way, we’ll be ready to go.” See the stories at TachZone and NASCAR Online which reports: John Andretti complained of sharp pain in his ribs and had to be helped from his car during a practice session at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Sat morning) and transported to a nearby hospital for tests
UPDATE: Andretti was back at the track before the Busch race started and, while he is pretty sore, he is planning on starting the #43 STP/Cheerios Pontiac. Andretti cracked a rib in the wreck in the Winston. When he got in the car and started practice, apparently the g-forces broke it the rest of the way. Tim Fedewa will practice the car this afternoon and Andretti will start the race tomorrow with Fedewa relieving(5-27-2000)
Waltrip Happy: Michael Waltrip said he’s very happy with Jim Smith, the new majority owner of his #7 Nations Rent Chevy. Waltrip’s previous owner, Jim Mattei, sold a large interest in the team to Smith, who owns the NASCAR Truck series team that fields trucks for Mike Wallace. See Waltrips comments at That’s Racin’(5-27-2000)
Todd on standby: Todd Bodine practiced in the #60 Power Team Chevy on Saturday morning at Lowes. Brother Geoffrey will have Todd standing by on Sunday night in case he is unable to complete all 600 miles. Todd drove in relief for Geoffrey at Richmond and brought the car to a 13th place finish(TachZone)(5-27-2000)

(5-26-2000)
Images and a contest: Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn Unveils Three Pop Secret No. 43 Pontiacs and Asks Fans to Guess Which Pop Secret Pontiac is Richard Petty’s Favorite. Petty’s Favorite Pop Secret No. 43 Will Race In the Pop Secret 400. The “Guess Richard Petty’s Favorite Paint Scheme” Sweepstakes Will Give One Lucky Fan the Chance to Win Over $86,000 as Andretti Races. For the full contest breakdown see the Racing Contest page; to see images of the three cars, see Jayski’s Paint Scheme Gallery, also added two more #5 CherryBerry images(5-26-2000)
Irvan on TV: Ernie Irvan will be hosting a TV show, “On the pole,” on Fox Sports, airing on Sundays in July and will be hosting an outdoors show airing in November and December on ESPN2(NOL Chat)(5-26-2000)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?(um me): TV talk and game show host Regis Philbin brought his “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” knockoff to downtown Charlotte’s Speed Street festival as host of the Food Lion Racefan Challenge. The promotion put 10 contest winners on the stage with a chance to play a modified version of “Millionaire.” But instead of using “lifelines” each player had one chance to tap the cumulative knowledge of Winston Cup drivers Bobby Labonte, Dale Earnhardt Jr., John Andretti, Johnny Benson, Scott Pruett and Ken Schrader. To win a million bucks, a contestant had to correctly answer 10 straight trivia questions, most – but not all – of which were about racing. The six drivers could be called upon for assistance once by each player. See full story at That’s Racin’. No idea if this will be televised(5-26-2000)
goracing changes: Action Performance Companies announced its intention to re-launch goracing.com, its Internet subsidiary, as an e-commerce-only marketplace, focusing exclusively on delivering Action Performance merchandise to motorsports. Action Performance will no longer offer content in the form of motorsports news and entertainment on goracing.com. The company will retain its rights in, and will continue to utilize, the name and URL “goracing.com” to further its `commerce-only” strategy. Action Performance has begun the process of restructuring the site and plans to re-launch goracing.com by the end of the summer racing season(Yahoo Biz) that means no more motorsports news or drivers sites there, good writers/reporters looking for work(5-26-2000)
#15 Sponsor: Lazy Days, the world’s largest RV/Motorhome dealer, signed a one-race deal with Fenley/Moore Racing to sponsor the #15 Ford driven by Ted Musgrave in this Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The deal was inked just minutes before Musgrave took to the track to qualify Wednesday night. Musgrave’s lap of 29.922 seconds landed him in the 38th spot after first-round qualifying. The current deal is for this weekend only, “but there is definitely potential for more,” said Ken Scolaro, General Sales Manager of Lazy Days. “We’ve known people involved in the sports for years, but have never really made that leap into ourselves and we felt the time was right to jump on board.” Based in Seffner, FL, a suburb of Tampa, Lazy Days RV SuperCenter is situated on 100-plus acres with more than 800 new and pre-owned motorhomes on display in a natural camp-like setting. Plus Lazy Days is also home to Camping World, 40,000 square feet of RV accessories(Lazy Days PR) Musgrave was unable to generate enough speed in 2nd round qualifying to make the race(5-26-2000)
DW another ride?? UPDATE 2 (it’s long): not sure what this is about but saw this in a story on NOL about Darrell Waltrip missing the race and Robby Gordon making it: Waltrip is still holding out hope that a ride will open up for him in his last Coca-Cola 600. “We’re working on some things,” he said. “Maybe somebody needs a driver. Maybe that’ll work out for me, I hope. There are a couple of possibilities there.”(NOL) and from That’s Racin’: Waltrip may very well wind up driving the #85 Ford owned by Mansion Motorsports in Sunday’s race. Driver Carl Long posted the 35th fastest speed in Wednesday first-round qualifying, but negotiations were under way on Thursday evening for Waltrip’s team to purchase that ride and put Waltrip in the car on Sunday. A decision on that should be made by Friday morning(That’s Racin’). Noticed during twilight practice tonight, only 42 or the 43 cars practiced, missing? the #85 Ford of Carl Long. More on this as it plays out or fades out(5-25-2000)
UPDATE: from what I hear it looks like DW will be racing in the Coca Cola 600 this weekend. Something should be announced sometime this morning. DW would drive the #85 Kmart/Rt 66 Ford that Carl Long qualified into the race on Wednesday. The car, a 1999 Ford bought at a Roush auction, was reskinned into a 2000 version by Long and one paid workers and a few volunteers at Mansion Motorsports, which is owned by black businessman Thee Dixon. Long is hoping to make a go of it with Dixon but sponsorship has been hard to find. Long is also looking for oppurtunities in Busch and the Truck series. See the #85 Teams News page for more info on the team
UPDATE 2: Yep, DW will be in the Coca Cola 600. Darrell Waltrip and his Winston Cup team owner Travis Carter(#66 Ford) came to agreement Friday with Carl Long, driver of the #85 Ford, and his car owner Thee Dixon for Waltrip to drive Long’s car in Sunday’s race and move his Big Kmart sponsorship to the team for the race. Long made the field after posting the 35th-best qualifying speed. Waltrip failed to make the field during Wednesday night’s first round session and failed to complete his lap during Thursday’s second round. Sunday would have been Long’s first Winston Cup start. He has competed at Charlotte previously in the Automobile Racing Club of America series(That’s Racin’) AND ….Negotiations began immediately. By lunch time Friday, crewmen had begun applying Kmart decals and trading out parts on Dixon’s blue, yellow and pink Ford, a surplus Jack Roush car bought at auction. Dixon, one of few black men to try out in NASCAR, is a painting contractor and sometime racer from Raleigh, N.C. He has brought out cars, usually without success, at Daytona and Charlotte. This week, Dixon sprung for a Roush engine, put employee Long in the car, and made the show. The price of the deal is not known. These usually come in at plus-or-minus $50,000. Long, 32, from Roxboro, N.C., has made occasional starts in Craftsman Trucks and in ARCA. Long’s comment: “I’m going to do everything I can do to work with the guys on the 66 team to get Darrell the best run we can give him in that car,” said Long, who refers to Dixon as Mr. Dixon. “I think it’s motivation. I can get on the radio and say, ‘Darrell, I know damn well if I can drive it, you ought to be able to.’ more comments from Long at SpeedVision and see the story at goracing: “Ol’ D.W.’s” Gets Ride For Coca-Cola 600. Jayski Note: Long who hopes to drive more races for Dixon is looking for full time rides in CUP, BGN or CTS. Long had put in for the #50 truck try outs but didn’t get chosen to test the truck. Also, Dixon will get the owners points for wherever DW finishes, DW gets the drivers points and #66 owner Carter will get 22 owners points after the car failed to make the race, tied for 4th slowest but higher in owners points then #71 Dave MArcis who will get 19 owners points(5-26-2000)
Glanville on the tube: former Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers(now the Tenn Titans) head coach, Jerry Glanville, will be talking NASCAR after TBS hired him to work on its coverage of it’s BGN and Cup races. Although the race announcers are Allen Bestwick with analysts Buddy Baker and Dick Berggren, Glanville will get a an opportunity to offer some commentary when he joins host Ken Squier in a separate booth. But his primary duties will be reports and features(Atlanta Journal Contitution)(5-26-2000)

(5-25-2000)
Kyle to Drive? UPDATE Yes and The King Speaks: hearing that Kyle Petty will be driving the #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac in the Winston Cup race next week at Dover
UPDATE: Richard Petty spoke to the media today, one subject was Kyle: Kyle Petty, Richard’s son and Adam’s father, is taking some time off this week as he continues to work through his grieving process. Kyle will return to driving in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series next week in Dover, Del., his father said. See the rest of the story and link to the audio of the teleconference at NOL: The King is back at the track(5-24-2000)
UPDATE 2: There’s the possibility that Kyle Petty will drive the #45 Busch Grand National car as well, but that decision will be based on sponsorship and Richard Petty says he “seriously doubts” it will happen(Times Dispatch)
UPDATE 3: Petty Enterprises and sponsor Sprint announced Thursday that Kyle Petty will drive the #45 Sprint car in the Busch Series race at Dover next week(SpeedVision)(5-25-2000)
Evernham News Conference UPDATE 3 It’s OFFICIAL: Dodge has scheduled an announcement for May 25th a Charlotte thought to be the day when Ray Evernham will announce his 2nd driver, rumored to be BGN driver Casey Atwood(Winston Cup Scene Magazine)(5-12-2000)
UPDATE: the announcment will be held at Victory Circle at Lowes Motor Speedway from 8:45-9:30am/et. Purpose is to reveal the second car and driver for Evernham’s two-car team(PR)(5-19-2000)
UPDATE 2: may be some other announcements concerning some other Dodge teams… UPDATE 3: Two months after naming Bill Elliott to drive his #9 Dodges, Ray Evernham announced that Elliott’s teammate will be………surprise……19-year-old Casey Atwood, who current;y drives the #27 Castrol Oil Chevy in the BGN for Brewco. No other announcements mentioned(NOL)(5-25-2000)
Cookoff UPDATE the winner: The qualifying round took place today in the garage area for the Coleman NASCAR Team Grilling Challenge, see the six finalists and more info on my Racing Charities page
UPDATE: Team #24’s Mary Whitesell has been named the top team grillmaster among the Winston Cup team cooks in the inaugural Coleman Team Grilling Challenge which was held today at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. Mary was awarded $5,000 and The Winston Cup Wives Auxiliary received $5,000 on behalf of Mary and Coleman Grills(5-25-2000)
Daytona Testing: Winston Cup drivers will have two opportunities to test at Daytona next month in preparation for the July 1 Pepsi 400. Teams can practice June 6 under the lights and return for a daytime test session on June 7 and a second test session has been scheduled for June 13. During testing, grandstands are open to the public, with access through Daytona USA motorsports attraction(That’s Racin’)(5-25-2000)
Gordon/DuPont thru 2005 UPDATE: Jeff Gordon will stay with DuPont as his sponsor on the #24 Chevy through 2005, DuPont, Jeff and Hendrick Motorsports announced Tuesday. To celebrate the new sponsorship agreement, DuPont unveiled the #24 “Signature Car”, with a distinctive DuPont Automotive Finishes paint scheme. The signatures of Jeff Gordon, Lou Savelli, president of DuPont Performance Coatings, and Rick Hendrick, founder of Hendrick Motorsports, along with “May 24, 2000” were added to the hood. Jeff will race the signature car in the 600-mile Winston Cup race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in the Coca Cola 600 this Sunday(DuPont Site) See a image of the scheme, very similar to the Winston Scheme on the Paint Scheme Gallery page(be warned, it’s a tiny image(5-24-2000)
UPDATE: Sources in the Winston Cup garage estimate the deal, which runs through 2005, will pay Gordon’s team somewhere in the $15 million range annually. DuPont, which began the sponsorship for Gordon’s rookie year in 1993 using just its automotive paint business, now puts the bulk of its entire worldwide marketing effort into the No. 24 team(News and Observer)(5-25-2000)
More Dodge Teams? Two more teams – the Melling Racing operation, which currently fields Fords for rookie Stacy Compton, and the Team Gordon outfit, which runs Fords for Robby Gordon – are also reportedly considering switching over to the Dodge Motorsports banner next season(goracing)(5-25-2000)
Nemecheck Penalized: #33 Oakwood Homes/Andy Petree Racing driver Joe Nemechek was penalized $15,000 for rough driving during last weekend’s running of The Winston at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Nemechek got involved in a couple of on-track skirmishes with #1 Pennzoil/DEI driver Steve Park(NOL)(5-24-2000)
UPDATE: see the PR: Nemechek’s Reaction to the fine(5-25-2000)
TODAY – NC Auto Hall of Fame: William H. G. France and Junior Johnson will be inducted into the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Thursday, May 25th. Roger Penske, Darrell Waltrip, Ray Evernham and Mike Joy will be guest presenters(Cotter Group PR)(5-23-2000)
Coverage: see That’s Racin’ for a bunch of columns and news on the induction(5-25-2000)

(5-24-2000)
Get Well: Bill Davis’ dad Jake is ill but doing better, get well Jake. Davis owns the #22 and #93 Cup team as well as the #20 and #22 BGN teams(5-24-2000)
Bodine In: it was reported during TBS’s coverage of 1st round qualifying that Geoffrey Bodine will be in the #60 Power Team Chevy for the remainder of the 2000 season(5-24-2000)

(5-23-2000)
Reffner backup for #13: Wednesday’s opening practice for the Coca Cola 600 marks the beginning of the second leg of Robby¹s Gordon’s “Double Time” race slate this weekend. Gordon will race both the Indy 500 Sunday morning, May 28, then travel immediately to Charlotte to race in the NASCAR event which begins that evening at 6:15pm. It was announced that Team Menard CTS driver Bryan Reffner will be Gordon’s backup. Reffner will practice Thursday and Saturday in Team Gordon’s Turtle Wax/Burger King Ford Taurus to get a feel for what to expect should he be in position to race on Sunday. Gordon will practice through the day Wednesday and qualify under the lights that night before boarding a plane to Indianapolis. Thursday morning Gordon will run in what will be the final shakedown of his Indy car during Indy¹s “Carburation Day” practice session. Following the shakedown Robby returns immediately to Charlotte to take part in Winston Cup practice(Team Gordon)(5-23-2000)
Richert to Gibbs: Joe Gibbs, owner of the Porter-Cable BGN Team announced the hiring of veteran crew chief Doug Richert. Richert, 39, will oversee the #4 Porter-Cable Racing Team, with driver Jeff Purvis. Richert, a San Jose, CA native, brings a long list of racing success to the Joe Gibbs Racing organization. At the age of 19, he served as crew chief for Dale Earnhardt and led the 7-time Winston Cup Champion to his first title. The list of drivers Richert has worked with reads like a Who’s Who of NASCAR; Darrell Waltrip, Neil Bonnett, Alan Kulwicki, Benny Parsons, Jimmy Spencer, and Buddy Baker. More recently, Richert served as crew chief for PPI Motorsports and driver Scott Pruett. Richert went right to work on Monday, the team spent the day testing at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. The Porter-Cable Team will spend the next couple of days in the shop preparing for the Carquest Auto Parts 300 on Saturday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway(TOTAL Sports Marketing PR)(5-23-2000)
#81 Team News: the #81 Davis & Weight Motorsports Winston Cup Ford team and driven by Michael Ritch plans to debut in Michigan on August 20th. Ritch and the team also run full time in the BGN in the #55 Ford. The team is actively seeking primary and associate sponsorship partners for both teams(5-23-2000)
Melling Racing Notes for the Coca Cola 600: The #9 Ford driven by rookie Stacy Compton will be adorned by the Kodiak colors. Chassis MRE 23, built in-house, will makes it’s debut this weekend as well. It is the fourth new chassis the team has built in-house this season. The team plans on only running their new chassis by the end of the season. Melling Racing and Compton will test at Pocono following the Coke 600 before heading to Dover(Melling Racing PR)(5-23-2000)
Hamilton Jr to Cup? the television show “Baywatch” has signed on to sponsor Bobby Hamilton Jr.’s #26 Chevy in the Busch Series. Actor David Hasselhoff, star of “Baywatch,” is expected to be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday to watch Hamilton(Las Vegas Sun)(3-3-2000) — UPDATE and a rumor: Actor David Hasselhoff, who previously was involved as a part owner and sponsor of open-wheel cars, said Saturday his Baywatch Restaurants and Night Clubs signed a three-year agreement to sponsor the Busch Series car of Bobby Hamilton Jr.(SpeedNet/AP) — am hearing this is a deal in which would bring the #26 Allcar/Hamilton team to Cup in 2001. This sponsorship was rumored here in the past to be going to the #2-Rusty Wallace team as an assoicate or to a possible new Wayne Burdette Cup team as Burdette is looking to get back into Cup after the failed attempt to buy Cale Yarborough’s Cup team a year ago(3-5-2000)
UPDATE 3: Bobby Hamilton is thinking about helping his son make the next step in his NASCAR career. Hamilton, who owns a Craftsman Truck Series team, carefully is watching Bobby Hamilton Jr.’s progress in the BGN this season. If his son performs well, Hamilton plans to help the 22-year-old compete in Winston Cup next season(Lap by Lap in the right hand column) Also of note: it is the Baywtach Restaurants not the TV show that is the sponsor of the BGN team(5-23-2000)

(5-22-2000)
Walkway Collapse at Lowes UPDATEs: from SpeedVision – Following the conclusion of The Winston at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, a pedestrian walkway that stretches across U.S. Highway 29 outside the speedway partially collapsed, falling across the southbound lanes on Hwy. 29. The walkway crosses the highway off the outside of Turn 4 of the track. There are injuries involved, but we have no official word yet on numbers involved; current estimates by Concord Police are 30-50. The highway has been closed, causing a huge traffic hack-up(SpeedVision) and from NASCAR Online: Pedestrian walkway at LMS collapses
UPDATE: from the AP via That’s Racin’: Ten people were taken to hospitals late Saturday after a concrete walkway over a highway in front of Lowe’s Motor Speedway collapsed as fans left The Winston. About 30 feet of the 15-foot-high walkway that spans the four-lane highway and connects the track to a parking lot collapsed at about 11:15 p.m. after The Winston. The bridge snapped at the center and was folded in half, laying in the road. Authorities were not sure exactly how many people were injured. But 10 people were transported to hospitals, two with life-threatening injuries AND an UPDATE from SpeedVision: Lowe’s Motor Speedway president Humpy Wheeler held a brief press conference at 12:30am/et in which he stated that 75 people had been injured, and that approximately 75 people were on the affected span when it collapsed. He said that there were no known fatalities, and a variety of injuries. He said that there were no cars or people under the bridge when it collapsed. Wheeler said that an investigation will begin immediately to determine the cause of the collapse. He said there was no indication of trouble with the bridge, which he described as having been built to Department of Transportation specifications in 1995. At 12:38, the Concord Fire Department says that all injured victims have been transported to area hospitals. Thanks to John Gardner of SpeedVision and Jenna Fryer of the AP for the news.
UPDATE 2: more news..There were no reported fatalities, and by 2:30am, a total of 78 injured victims had been admitted to area hospitals. The majority of the injuries were minor, ranging from cuts and bruises to broken bones. A small number were reported to be in serious condition or in intensive care. See full stories and pictures at: SpeedVision and the Charlotte Observer which lists phone numbers of the Carolinas Medical Center, NorthEast Medical Center and Cabarrus County Hospitals where the fans were taken. And an MS/NBC/AP report has the count at 90: Walkway buckles at NASCAR race Pedestrian overcrossing collapses; at least 90 injured. And from the Ap.org site(10:37am): Experts this morning are examining the concrete walkway that collapsed late last night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway racetrack, critically injuring 13 people. My thoughts and prayers out to those injured(5-21-2000)
UPDATE 3: statements by Humpy Wheeler were made during a press briefing at 3pm/et in front of the temporary N.C. Highway Patrol office on U.S. Hwy. 29 – still closed to traffic – across the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. See those statements at SpeedVision: Lowe’s Bridge Press Conference. Also of note: have heard from some folks at the scene who have said the emergency crews outside LMS were fantastic following the collapse, were on the scene almost immediately and in total control. Emergency personnel were quick to arrive and give assistance to those that needed it most. Thanks(5-22-2000)
Earnhardt Jr Special Paint? UPDATE: Officials from Budweiser, the “Official Beer” of NASCAR and the NHRA, will make a special announcement with Budweiser Racing drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kenny Bernstein at Lowe’s Motor Speedway regarding the 2000 season on Tuesday, May 23, 2000(fingerprint.inc/Bud PR) Hearing this will be the announcement of a Budweiser/Oylympic Games scheme to be run this summer(5-17-2000)
UPDATE: The Budweiser press conference featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kenny Bernstein scheduled for 11:30am/et Tuesday (May 23) at Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been postponed(fingerprint.inc/Bud PR) no word on the rescheduled date(5-22-2000)
Bessey/Bodine Trouble? UPDATE 3 Bodine at the Coke 600: This weeks NASCAR Winston Cup Scene has a story that states that #60 Power Team owner Joe Bessey plans to run a few Cup races later this season and that after the Winston this weekend he and driver of the #60 Chevy will sit down and discuss their future and who will drive the car in the future(5-18-2000)
UPDATE: The relationship between Winston Cup car owner Joe Bessey and driver Geoffrey Bodine has deteriorated to the point where Bodine said Saturday night he was unsure of his future with the team. “I might get fired after (The Winston Open), but I sure haven’t quit,” Bodine said. “I don’t know what’s going on.” Bessey has said in recent weeks he was “re-evaluating” his team and hoped to enter at least five Winston Cup events himself as a driver this season(That’s Racin’)(5-21-2000)
UPDATE 2: A crew member on the #60 Powerteam Winston Cup team told Speedway Illustrated Sunday morning that Geoffrey Bodine could be out of the car before next weeks 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. He said tensions were high last night following Bodine’s crash and have been for the past several days. In many published reports (team owner Joe) Bessey has stated he is “re-evaluating” his team. The Speedway Illustrated source states team members expect to ready cars for Joe Bessey to drive, at least temporarily, on short notice(Speedway Illustrated) Also of note, the Geoffrey Bodine Fanclub site is reporting that a broken rear-end ratchet caused the accident between Bodine and #71-Dave Marcis on the first lap of the Winston Open Saturday night
UPDATE 3: sources tell me that Geoffrey Bodine was fitted for the seat in the #60 Chevy today and will drive in the Coca-Cola 600 and beyond(5-22-2000)
PPI News: PPI Motorsports, #32 and #97(BGN) Cal Wells teams, announced today it has retained Don Hawk and Hawk Sports Management, a motorsports business consultancy, to help facilitate the strategic growth of its NASCAR programs and business interests. Prior to focusing on his consulting business, Hawk Sports Management, Hawk was employed as president of Dale Earnhardt, Inc(PPI Motorsports PR)(5-22-2000)
Robby Gordon makes the Indy 500 UPDATE: For the second straight year, Robby Gordon has taken the #32 Team Menard Indy entry to the fourth position on the grid in qualifying for the Indy 500. Gordon ran consistent laps of 222.894, 222.932, 222.894 and 222.822 for an average of 222.885mph. It was Gordon’s third attempt of the day. His first attempt was waved off after the first lap of 221mph. The car was too tight and Gordon felt he needed to loosen it up to really have a shot at pole. His second attempt, however, was too loose. Exiting the short chute into turn two, Gordon had a big twitch, got down into the rumple strip and subsequently waved off the run. They made a couple of minor adjustments and changed the balance. He was flat all the way around on his third attempt. Earlier in the day, Gordon unveiled his newly decorated blue Dallara with sponsorship from Burger King and Turtle Wax. It was announced that both new sponsors had decided to back his attempt to race both the Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600 NASCAR event on the same day next weekend(Team Gordon)(5-21-2000)
UPDATE: other drivers with NASCAR ties are starting the Indy 500: Jason Leffler will start 18th, Al Unser Jr 18th and Andy Hillenburg 33rd(5-22-2000)
Stewart and Indy UPDATE 2: during the Indy 500 qualifying on Saturday, it was mentioned that Tony Stewart would attempt to qualify the car he owns and is driven by Dr Jack Miller on Sunday(May 21st). Stewart will just qualify the car and turn the car over to Miller for the Indy 500 next Sunday(ESPN2 Indy 500 Qual)(5-20-2000)
UPDATE: Stewart was interviewed during the Indy 500 2nd day qualifying, after he removed and replaced a tire on Jeret Schroeder’s IRL car, and said it was news to him that he was going to qualify the car for Miller. He said his helmet was still there from his practice run last week, but he had no plans to qualify a car at Indy(ABC Sports) but later in the day, Stewart did go out in the #21 IRL to try to get it up to speed(5-21-2000)
UPDATE 2: Stewart did practice the car but Miller qualified it but was the last driver bumped from the field(5-22-2000)
Wally Day: Murfreesboro, TN, Mayor W. Richard Reeves has proclaimed Monday, May 22 as “Wally Dallenbach Jr. Day”. Dallenbach drives the #75 Cartoon Netrwork/TBS/RedCell Batteries/Rotozip Power Tools Ford for Galaxy Motorsports owner Darwin Oordt, who resides in Murfreesboro. Dallenbach will speak to approximately 1,300 children at Barfield Elementary School on Monday morning(NOL)(5-22-2000)
DW street: A street near the Lowe’s Motor Speedway Court of Legends will be renamed Darrell Waltrip Way at a special ceremony Wednesday, May 24th at 7:00pm/et(I guess just before qualifying?). Waltrip is being honored for a career that includes five victories in the Coca-Cola 600(That’s Racin’)(5-22/24-2000)

(5-21-2000)

Schrader to Ganassi/Sabco? from today’s St Louis Post-Dispatch – One hot rumor flying around the Speedway(Indy) is that Chip Ganassi, who runs the highly successful Target team featuring Juan Montoya and Jimmy Vasser, will form a NASCAR Winston Cup operation and hire former St. Louisan Ken Schrader as his driver. The story reports that Gannassi had lunch with Schrader ‘the other day’. Schrader drives the #36 M&M’s Pontiac(St Louis Post Dispatch) AND Driver Sterling Marlin is meeting with owner Felix Sabates and CART owner Chip Ganassi on Monday and Tuesday. The deal hasn’t been finalized, but Ganassi could buy 80 percent of Sabates’ team, which includes the cars driven by Marlin and Kenny Irwin(Times-Dispatch)(5-21-2000)

(5-20-2000)
Martin News: Mark Martin will compete in the BGN race at Charlotte on May 27. Martin will be racing the #60 Ford with a special Winn-Dixie paint scheme for the second time this year. This paint scheme will be a tribute for the Memorial Day weekend(J-Mar Newsletter)(5-20-2000)
Two Monte Carlos? NASCAR officials have raised the option of allowing General Motors teams to use two different Monte Carlo body styles next season, one the current Monte Carlo, or a new NASCAR template-model Monte Carlo. But Chevrolet officials have made it clear they’ve completely rejected NASCAR’s common-template project. See full story at PitNow(5-20-2000)
Martin’s Engine Builder Wins: Roush Racing’s Randy Hewitt claimed the top prize in the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown 2000. The Showdown 2000 pitted the top engine builders in NASCAR Winston Cup racing in a timed competition. Hewitt and his assistant Mike Kasch assembled a bare block Ford 5.8L engine in 21 minutes and 41 seconds to edge the team from Larry Hedrick Motorsports in the finals. Hewitt won an expense-paid trip for two to Hawaii and a one-year lease on a Mustang GT convertible or Camaro SS convertible. Highlights of the event will be seen on TNN’s “NASCAR Garage” this fall(J-Mar Newsletter)(5-20-2000)
Shepherd to drive ARCA: Morgan Shepherd will drive the #80 car owned by Stan Hoover in the ARCA race at Lowes Motor Speedway on Saturday(Morgan Shepherd Site). Shepherd will start 22nd. Also, some BGN(and former) drivers will run the ARCA race: Lyndon Amick will start 12th, Matt Hutter – 16th, Justin Labonte – 24th, and Damon Lusk – 25th. The ARCA Easy Care Vehicle Service Contracts 100 is at 6:00pm/et on Saturday. It will televised live on FOX Sports Net(5-20-2000)

(5-19-2000)
Sabco/Ganassi? UPDATE 5: hearing SABCO owner Felix Sabates(#’s 40 and 42) and CART championship team owner, Chip Ganassi are getting close to forming some sort of partnership that would bring a Ganassi team (an Andy Graves) to the Cup series for 2001(5-9-2000)
UPDATE: Chip Ganassi, who has won four consecutive championships as a team owner in CART, may be on the verge of entering NASCAR. Ganassi is negotiating with Felix Sabates to become a part-owner of Team Sabco. If there’s a partnership with Ganassi, it wouldn’t begin until next year(Dallas Morning News)
UPDATE 2: On Thursday’s ESPN2 RPM2 Night, Robin Miller reported that the Ganassi-Sabates is a done deal with Ganassi owning 80% and Sabates owning 20% with Ganassi talking to Jeremy Mayfield and Bobby Hamilton as part of a two car team to run in 2001. Target is the rumored sponsor(RPM2 Night). Note: Mayfield is signed with Penske-Kranefuss thru 2002 and Hamilton with Morgan-McClure thru 2001(5-11-2000)
UPDATE 3: See the story at SpeedNet: Ganassi to join NASCAR, source says, no drivers mentioned like on RPM2 Night but the story adds: “According to a source in Charlotte, who requested anonymity, Ganassi will become a majority owner of Felix Sabates’ operation and run a two-car effort starting in 2001 with Dodges.” No mention of what would happen with the current drivers, Sterling Marlin or Kenny Irwin, on RPM2 Night it sounded like a deal in addition to Sabates current teams, but the story sounds more like a partnership. Three of the drivers have contracts at least thru the 2001 season, Marlin has the option to leave at the end of the 2000 season(5-12-2000)
UPDATE 4: Felix Sabates says he and Chip Ganassi have “agreed to agree” on a transaction that could bring Ganassi aboard as majority partner in Sabates’ NASCAR racing organization(SABCO). Such a deal, Sabates said, would likely happen in the next 30 days. SABCO, fields the #40 Coors cars(Chevys) for Sterling Marlin and the #42 BellSouth car for Kenny Irwin. Sabastes says they have not discussed drivers and that any deal must be done in the next two or three weeks. Reports last fall had said Ganassi would link with Pontiac, which may be in need of teams with the defections to Dodge of Petty Enterprises and Bill Davis Racing. More recent rumors, however, pointed Ganassi in Dodge’s direction(in part from SpeedVision)(5-17-2000)
UPDATE 5: According to CNNSI.com motorsports insider Marty Snider, Felix Sabates has agreed in priniciple to the sale of 80% of SABCO to Chip Ganassi, who will take over day-to-day operation of Team SABCO on July 1. Sabates will continue to own 20 percent of the team. The three SABCO BGN teams will be disbanded at the end of the 2000 season. Target will join both the #40-Marlin and and #42-Irwin teams as an associate sponsor after July 1.(CNN/SI)(5-19-2000)
Alan Kulwicki Scholarship: UNC Charlotte has awarded its Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship to Ron Janney, a high school student and champion race car driver from Estell Manor, NJ(near Atlantic City and Jayski). Officials with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. will make the formal presentation of the scholarship at 5:15 p.m. Saturday on the prerace stage near the start/finish line of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. With the financial support of R.J. Reynolds, UNCC established the Kulwicki Scholarship in 1994 to commemorate the dedication to education of the late Winston Cup champion and engineer Alan Kulwicki. UNCC’s William States Lee College of Engineering awards the four-year scholarship to a high-school senior who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and has an affiliation with auto racing. Janney is ranked fourth in his class at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, N.J., and the 18-year-old began racing sprint cars in the Super Sportsman class last season(That’s Racin’)(5-19-2000)
Time Capsule: Cars racing through space? Tracks with tunnels and loops? Amusement parks in the infields? What does the future hold for NASCAR? NASCAR 2000 is giving NASCAR fans a chance to predict the future of racing during Speed Weeks at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at Charlotte, with the NASCAR 2000 Time Capsule. Fans can visit the NASCAR 2000 merchandise trailer Wednesday, May 24 between 10am and 6pm, fill out the prediction form and drop it in a time capsule that, once sealed, will not be opened for 50 years. NASCAR 2000 is a campaign exploring the future of stock car racing, examining new-millennium developments in technology, the evolution of facilities and the plans for increased fan interaction at the tracks and through television coverage. Driving the campaign is the vision of those closest to the action — drivers, crew chiefs, owners, manufacturers, engineers, television personalities and artists. Copies of all NASCAR 2000 media releases and graphic support, including the NASCAR 2000 logo, are available for editorial use(That’s Racin’/Cotter Group)(5-19-2000)
Strait OK: Bob Strait, ARCA driver who has attempted some Cup races, broke his right scapula (shoulder blade) after making contact with the turn 4 wall during his qualifying attempt Thursday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the ARCA race. Strait, returned to the track with his right arm in a sling, is planning to qualify in 2nd round Friday morning at 10:00am/et(ARCA Racing Site)(5-19-2000)
Gordon Awarded: Jeff Gordon received an award Friday from for his contributions to boating safety. Bombardier Recreational Products, maker of SEA-DOO watercraft and sport boats, presented Gordon with a special edition SEA-DOO GSX model watercraft custom painted in the familiar rainbow colors of his 24 car and autographed by Gordon. Over the past five years, Gordon teamed up with Bombardier to film public service announcements for the SEA-DOO. The rainbow-colored SEA-DOO will be on display in Demo Day markets to help raise awareness for boating safety. Gordon’s watercraft will be auctioned on eBay starting July 21, with all proceeds going to the “Jeff Gordon Foundation.”(NBC 6 Charlotte Site)(5-19-2000)
DEI News: Fans who visit the Dale Earnhardt Inc. shops between May 22 and May 24 can enter a drawing to win a behind-the-scenes tour and lunch at the facility. Fans have never been allowed into the garage area at the shops, some of the most elaborate in NASCAR racing(News and Observer)(5-19-2000)

(5-18-2000)
Petty Statement and News: The Petty family released the following statement: “On behalf of Kyle, Pattie, Austin, Montgomery Lee, and everyone in the Petty family, we are truly grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers and love we have received over the past few days. This is a very difficult time for all of us but we so appreciate the way our friends and fans from all over the world have expressed their love for Adam. We thank each and every one of you.”(Williams Company) ….AND….
From NASCAR Online: Steve Grissom will replace Kyle Petty in the #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac for the Coca Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The naming of Grissom, who drives for Petty Enterprises in the CTS, was a follow-up to the withdrawal of the #44 entry from this weekend’s running of The Winston Open(NOL)(5-18-2000)
#91 Done? UPDATE 2 Nope: hearing that the #91 LJ Racing team has closed up and will not continue operations
UPDATE: actually hearing that the team has temporarily shut down operations, not closed(5-17-2000)
UPDATE 2: LJ Racing Still Alive and Kicking: …”We’re ready to race… we have 9 cars ready, and have a new car for Charlotte,” said Joe Falk car owner of the LJ Racing #91 Winston Cup race team. “But,” Joe continues, “we just don’t have the funds, and we need that primary sponsor.” “I have just gotten back in town from having to let go our crew that is on the pay-roll, and have dropped down to just working in the shop on Tuesday’s & Wednesday’s. Even with being let go,” Falk adds, “some of the crew have stayed, while the rest have gone eleswhere, but stated that they would return as soon as they were notified that we were back to full pace. As it stands now, we are going to shoot for the fall race at Richmond and the fall race at Charlotte (Lowes Motor Speedway) with Todd behind the wheel, but then sponsorship is still the key.” See full story at Catchfence(5-18-2000)
Irwin Special Scheme UPDATE Image: To commemorate BellSouth’s initial trip to The Winston with Kenny Irwin as driver, Team SABCO will unveil a special paint scheme on the #42 BellSouth Chevrolet at a press conference on Thursday, May 18, in Charlotte, N.C. Irwin and BellSouth are announcing an extended Lifeline partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) initiative Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities, educating NASCAR fans that fast action can and should be taken to protect their homes and businesses from disasters and disruptions. Irwin will Unveil Bold New Car Paint Scheme Promoting Disaster Prevention(BellSouth PR)(5-17-2000)
UPDATE: NASCAR Winston Cup driver Kenny Irwin and BellSouth announced today their extended partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) initiative Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities. To focus attention on disaster prevention, Irwin is introducing a new paint scheme highlighting the Lifeline initiatives and FEMA Project Impact on the car he will drive in NASCAR’s all-star race, The Winston. The race takes place at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. See an image of the car and the PR at BellSouth – Project Imapct PR or the Paint Schemes Gallery(5-18-2000)
Blaney to run a few BGN events: Bill Davis Racing today announced a driver change for the #20 AT&T sponsored Busch Series car previously driven by Mike Borkowski. Their 1999 BGN driver and current Winston Cup regular, Dave Blaney will handle the driving chores at Charlotte, May 28, and Dover on June 3. A permanent replacement will be announced prior to the June 10th race in South Boston, VA. Blaney drives the #93 Amoco Pontiac in Cup for Davis(Bill Davis PR)(5-18-2000)
#2 Questions UPDATE: been getting many questions concerning the comments made by Buddy Baker during the BGN race at NHIS. Baker said that he had tested the #2 Ford for Penske and Rusty Wallace along with a young driver, but didn’t say who. I hear it was Ryan Newman and it may had been an ARCA car. That is all I hear at present(5-16-2000)
UPDATE: hearing that Penske will start an ARCA team for Newman to run some races in 2000-2001(5-18-2000)
#75 Tests: Wally Dallenbach tested the #75 Galaxy Motorsports Ford at Lakeland, FL Monday and Tuesday(5-18-2000)
Stewart Drives at Indy UPDATE: Tony Stewart drove 12 practice laps at Indy in the IRL car he owns, helping his driver, Jaret Schroeder(from NJ) shake down the car and help get it up to speed. Stewart said he has no plans to get back in the car the rest of the month(ESPN2 Indy Practice) also see the story at SpeedNet: Stewart can’t hide identity as he works with Schroeder, Stewart ran 218.200mph in which Stewart says that it was probably the only time you’ll see him in the car. Stewart has an agreement with his Cup owner, Joe Gibbs, not to run the Indy 500 and concentrate on the Coca-Cola 600. Stewart ran both races on the same day last year(5-17-2000)
UPDATE: see a Detroit Free Press story on this: Stewart’s Indy spin is mainly for fun by Steve Crowe(5-18-2000)

(5-17-2000)
Kyle to skip The Winston: Kyle Petty will not the Winston Open this weekend and no driver will run the #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac there. Petty Enterprises will make an announcement in the next few days on if Kyle will run the Coca-Cola 600 or have another driver run the car there(RPM 2Night)(5-17-2000)
Labonte and Lowes History: In 1999, #18-Bobby Labonte made Lowe’s Motor Speedway history by completing a pole “triple crown” at the 1.5-mile superspeedway. It began in May when Labonte claimed the pole for The Winston, NASCAR Winston Cup’s all-star race. Five days later, during pole qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600, Labonte proved his success in The Winston qualifying was no fluke by once again finishing on top, turning in a lap of 185.230 mph, and setting an event record in the process. Winning back-to-back poles for The Winston and Coca-Cola 600 was impressive in itself. Only two drivers had accomplished that feat in the 15-year history of The Winston – Bill Elliott in 1987 and Jeff Gordon in 1996. But Labonte went one better and accomplished what no driver had ever done at Lowe’s Motor Speedway winning the pole for the UAW-GM Quality 500 in October earning a place in the Lowe’s Motor Speedway history books. The Texas native has become the only driver to earn the pole for all three NASCAR events at the superspeedway in one year(Lowes Motor Speedway PR)(5-17-2000)
#18 Yankees Car? The Beckett Racing Guide has a #18 NY Yankees/Interstate Batteries scheme listed, supposedly to be run in the Pepsi 400 in Daytona, see the image on the Paint Schemes Gallery(5-11-2000)
UPDATE: The Yankees scheme for Bobby Labonte for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona has fallen through but supposedly a different baseball themed special paint job may be in the works(5-17-2000)
Labonte helps out: Last Wednesday night’s ARCA test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Bobby Labonte helped out his nephew Justin, Terry’s son, test their ARCA car for the May 20th race. Justin hopes to make his super speedway debut at Lowes. After Bobby did an eight-lap shakedown run, Justin Labonte ran 15 laps at speed, posting a best lap of 174.193mph, which easily put him in the top-10 of the more than 40 teams participating. ARCA veteran Bob Strait posted the quickest lap of the evening at 180.310mph(Lowes Motor Speedway PR)(5-17-2000)
Dodge Engines: Arrington Manufacturing, which builds Dodge engines for the NASCAR truck series and does research and development work for Dodge’s Cup entry for next season, will expand its Henry County (Va.) site. It will create a new 50,000 square-foot facility west of Martinsville and add 50 jobs. Joey Arrington, the president of Arrington Manufacturing, is the son of Buddy Arrington, a former Cup car owner and driver(Roanoke Times). Also see stories at NASCAR Online and the Martinsville Speedway site on this(5-17-2000)
Lycos Bought: Terra Networks, S.A., the leading provider of Internet access and interactive content and services to the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world, and Lycos, Inc. the Internet’s leading multi-brand network, today announced a definitive merger agreement under which Terra will acquire Lycos in a stock-for-stock transaction(Yahoo Biz) No idea how this will effect the #10 Lyco’s Team(5-17-2000)
Petty’s Throttle: story at SpeedVision: How Can a Throttle Stick? by Bill King, Mark Martin talks about how a throttle hangs open and what can and cannot be done by a driver in that situation. Also noted is: According to the #45 Petty Enterprises crew, the throttle was not stuck on the racecar after the accident. Benny Parson’s noted this on Monday’s RPM 2Night show on EPSN2 and showed on the Cup car they have in a studio how a throttle can hang open(5-17-2000)
#48 Team News: America’s Team Motorsports Inc. is coming to Winston Cup. The team is combining with Mark Smith and TriStar Motorsports and plans to run five Cup events this season. FansTeam.com, an Internet-based fan club created by the America’s Team group, is sponsoring the car. Darrell Lanigan is expected to compete for the team in the second races at Michigan, Richmond, Charlotte, Talladega and Rockingham. A show car for the team is scheduled to be at Southside Speedway on Saturday night(Times-Dispatch) for past news see the #48 Team News and Links page(5-17-2000)
NASCAR Lottery: A group of top NASCAR race drivers have agreed to join industry leader MDI Entertainment Inc. for lottery games and promotions, the company announced today. The drivers have awarded exclusive licensing rights for government-sponsored lottery games and promotions to MDI Entertainment, Inc. The Company will offer games and promotions featuring these famous drivers to lotteries in North America and elsewhere. The Wisconsin Lottery will be the first to launch an instant game featuring the drivers. RACE FOR CASH, a $2 ticket with a top cash prize of $25,000, goes on sale in late June. The game will include a second chance bonus in which lottery players will be able to enter non-winning tickets for the chance to win a trip to the NASCAR(R) race of their choice and prize packages of driver-related merchandise. The following are the six MDI licensed drivers: Dale Earnhardt; Dale Earnhardt, Jr.; Bill Elliott; Matt Kenseth; Jeff Burton; and Mark Martin(Business Wire)(5-17-2000)
Petree Races: #33 and #55 Cup owner, Andy Petree drove to victory in a 50-lap race at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, N.C., starting from the pole and leading all the way despite a challenge from runner-up Rock Harris(That’s Racin’)(5-17-2000)

(5-16-2000)
Humpy’s Picks: for the last twelve years, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler of Lowes Motor Speedway, predicts the winner of the Winston. His record? eight winners in the last dozen Winstons. This year he picks #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr, with #31-Mike Skinner winning the Open and either #28-Ricky Rudd or #26-Jimmy Spencer winning the No Bull Sprint. Rudd has a streak going, running all 15 of the previous Winstons. See full story at SpeedVision: The Winston Humpy Picks Junior (5-16-2000)
Gordon Skips the Winston: Robby Gordon, who will attempt to run the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day(May 28th), has decided to skip the Winston this weekend and concentrate on getting a good starting for the Indy 500. Gordon will receive the added benefit of having an extra week’s worth of work done to his fleet of Winston Cup cars(Speedway Scene)(5-16-2000)
Roush News: Roush Racing and Northern Light Extend Partnership to Bring New Sponsors to NASCAR by Terry Callahan(AutoChannel)(5-16-2000)
Donlavey ARCA UPDATE 2: #90 team owner Junie Donlavey plans to field an ARCA team for a limited schedule. Jason Hedleski, who works with Donlavey, plans to drive the car which will all be built in the same shop(Richmond Times-Dispatch)(3-19-2000)
UPDATE: Been told that Donlavey will not run any ARCA races as they want to concentrate on getting the CUP team running well and making races(3-20-2000)
UPDATE 2: #90 Cup Series team owner Junie Donlavey will enter a car in six events in ARCA, beginning at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Jason Hedlesky, who is Donlavey’s team manager, will drive the car. Hedlesky, of Ann Arbor, MI, is a former Super Late Model driver who competed in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Powerboat Magazine(http://www.powerboatmag.com) is the primary sponsor of the car, and Hills Bros Coffee and Suburban Lodges are associate sponsors. All three are sponsors of Berrier’s Winston Cup team. Hedlesky and the Hills Bros Coffee Racing Team spent an extra day at Lowe’s Motor Speedway following their Winston Cup test to help Hedlesky prepare for his ARCA debut(Hills Bros Racing Site/Keystone Marketing)(5-16-2000)
Martin News: The first week of the Valvoline Online Racing Auction on eBay.com raised approximately $40,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The top item was a NASCAR race weekend as a Mark Martin honorary pit crew member, which attracted a bid of $12,000.(for more info see my Racing Charities page). The auction continues through May 23. AND Mark Martin’s on-track performance in the Valvoline Ford, combined with contributions from Valvoline and NASCAR fans, has brought the current total raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 1999 to $324,410. Valvoline is donating $5,000 for every Winston Cup race Martin wins, $2,500 for each pole, $1,000 for a top-five finish, and $20 per lap Martin leads in this “Caring Hands” program. The next trackside fundraiser, where fans can put their handprints on a canvas wall, receive a commemorative button, and make donations, will be May 27 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte(Valvoline PR)(5-16-2000)
Gordon on TV starts May 16th: Jeff Gordon visited Homestead-Miami Speedway on Thursday to film several segments for ABC’s Good Morning America. The segments will air Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (May 16-18). Gordon took time from the filming to meet with 94.9 ZETA personality Toast, and took him for a few laps of the track in the Homestead-Miami Speedway pace car. Toast recently challenged NASCAR racing in on-air comments, and Gordon took time to explain the finer aspects of the sport. Gordon also did live on-air interviews with Glenn Richards and Ron Brewer (morning show host Paul Castronovo was absent due to the delivery of his first child)(Homestead-Miami Speedway PR)(5-13/16-2000)

(5-15-2000)
Derrike Cope Cup Announcement UPDATE 2: Derrike Cope will be on ESPN2’s RPM2 Night Thursday to make an announcement, not sure if the #61 BGN ride is it or if he has found a Cup or other ride, actually John Kernan said it is for Winston Cup and the announcement is HUGE
UPDATE: Derrike Cope has partnered with NHRA Pro-Stock Legend Warren Johnson to form a new Winston Cup team with plans to run in the 2001 season. The car will be a GM Product(Chevy/Pontiac). The team will get it’s first car in July and hopes to do extensive wind tunnel and engine testing later in the season. No sponsors yet they are meeting with sponsors for the team. More info from the Derrike Cope official site: The team is called Quest Motor Racing and the team has retained Camp and Associates as their marketing firm(5-11-2000)
UPDATE 2: see another story with Kurt Johnson’s thought’s of his Dad’s involvement in Cup: W.J. forms NASCAR team with Derrike Cope by Rob Geiger(5-15-2000)
#43 News: To gear up for their new partnership with John Andretti and Petty Enterprises, Cheerios / Betty Crocker Racing will team up with their other General Mills brands including Pop-Secret, Wheaties, Golden Grahams, Chex for Food Lion Speed Street in downtown Charlotte May 25-27, 2000. The Cheerios / Betty Crocker Racing Family Fun Stop will feature popular samples of General Mills products, show cars, an interactive contest and NASCAR Winston Cup driver appearances. All activities will be located street side and inside Founders Hall at the Bank of America Corporate Center at 100 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. Race fans will be able to join in the countdown to July 1, 2000 when Cheerios and Betty Crocker become the primary sponsor of John Andretti and Petty Enterprises by getting a glimpse of the new #43 Pontiac. Also on display will be John Andretti’s special edition Wheaties Pontiac paint scheme that will compete in The Winston on May 20th, three new Pop-Secret paint schemes designed by Sam Bass, Cale Yarborough’s 1976 Monte Carlo. See the rest of the story on the Driver Appearance page(5-15-2000)
Evans Debut: Twenty Four year old second generation driver Richie Evans, Jr. made his race driving debut this weekend at the Lonesome Pine Raceway(site is old) in Coeburn, VA(not TN). Evans was driving the black #61 Chevy late model stock car owned by his crew chief, Gary Hargett. It was Evan’s first time in the car, and his first stock car race. Evan’s started the 125-lap event last, due to a spin in qualifying and eluded trouble all night except for one other spin, and finished 18th one lap down. The #61 will run more ARA races this season, budget permitting as the team is still seeking sponsorship. The race will air on Speedvision, Wednesday, May 17th, 8:00pm/et(www.richieevansjr.com/PR) Richie Evans Jr. is the only son of the late legendary NASCAR Modified Champion, Richie Evans Sr. Richie continued to grow up around motorsports with his stepfather, Billy Nacewicz, who was Richie Sr.’s crew chief(and is the current crew chief for NHIS winner Tim Fedewa in the BGN)(5-15-2000)
Bodine on Montel UPDATE today May 16th: #60-Power Team’s Geoffrey Bodine will be in New York City on Wednesday to appear as a guest on an upcoming episode of the Montel Williams Show. The nationally televised talk show is hosted by Montel Williams, the 1996 Emmy winner for “Outstanding Talk Show Host”. Bodine will be on the show to talk about his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wreck at Daytona. Bodine suffered multiple injuries in the wreck and is currently undergoing physical therapy. He is expected to return to the driver’s seat of the Power Team Chevrolet within the next month. One of the major topics of discussion during the show will be the safety of the cars and trucks used in NASCAR competition. A show truck will be on hand at the taping to allow Bodine to explain in detail the safety features of a race vehicle. The episode of the show that Bodine will appear in has not been assigned an airdate as of yet. However, it is expected to be aired within the next two to three weeks. Please consult your local listings for more details(PowerTeam Page)(4-5-2000)
UPDATE – Airdate: This Tuesday, May 16th, #60 Cup driver Geoffrey Bodine and CTS driver Rob Morgan will appear on the Montel Williams Show. The show titled “Brushes with Death” was taped April 5th in New York City and covered Morgan and Bodine’s view of their tremendous accident at the Daytona International Speedway this past February. Montel Williams used Morgan’s Acxiom/AbiliTec Ford as a visual tool to highlight the safety features that helped save lives in the accident. The #46 Ford F-150 was on display outside Montel’s studios along with Morgan’s transporter. Check your local listings for channels and times(Rob Morgan PR)(5-15-2000)

(5-14-2000)

#97 Special Scheme: For the first time since 1997, the #97 John Deere Ford will have a new look on May 28th. The car will feature the FFA emblem on its hood while racing in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Placement of the FFA emblem on the hood of the #97 is included in Phase I of an enhanced partnership between John Deere and FFA. Phase II, Community Connection, involves local FFA chapters selling co-branded merchandise. The FFA emblem and John Deere logo are prominent on the items, signifying a solid partnership. Profits from the sale of the co-branded merchandise will be used to develop and produce educational and community- wide FFA events. Several events leading up to and during race day will showcase how FFA makes a positive difference in schools and communities. FFA is a national organization of 451,997 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Local, state and national programs provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA’s Internet web site, www.ffa.org, can provide additional information about the National FFA Organization(Lowes Motor Speedway PR) Have had an image on the Paint Scheme Gallery since Dec 1, 1999, check it out(5-14-2000)
TNN Baby: Stephanie Boyd-Durner from TNN’s Inside NASCAR TV show had a baby last week, congrats(5-14-2000)

(5-13-2000)
New Andretti: Another Andretti has joined the fold. Amelia Lois Andretti was born at 9:43 p.m. (EDT), Wednesday, May 10, to John and Nancy Andretti. She was 20 inches at birth, and weighed seven pounds, 14 ounces. Mother Nancy, brother Jarett and sister Olivia were in good health and doing fine. John Andretti drives the STP/Cheerios Pontiac on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit(Williams Company)(5-13-2000)
Honored: NASCAR Legend David Pearson’s hometown of Spartanburg, SC will honor the driver with a special celebration, David Pearson Day, set for Saturday, May 13, for more info see the David Pearson Daypage from GoUpState. The Greenville(SC) News also has a Schedule up: Pearson Celebration schedule(5-11/13-2000)
Schrader and ARCA REPOST: Ken Schrader will race at the quarter mile Anderson Speedway Indiana oval Sunday, May 14th for the Anderson ARCA 300. Schrader, the defending race winner, has entered a Federated Auto Parts sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 300 lap short-track war(AutoChannel)(5-4/13-2000)

(5-12-2000)
Sabco/Ganassi? UPDATE 3: hearing SABCO owner Felix Sabates(#’s 40 and 42) and CART championship team owner, Chip Ganassi are getting close to forming some sort of partnership that would bring a Ganassi team (an Andy Graves) to the Cup series for 2001(5-9-2000)
UPDATE: Chip Ganassi, who has won four consecutive championships as a team owner in CART, may be on the verge of entering NASCAR. Ganassi is negotiating with Felix Sabates to become a part-owner of Team Sabco. If there’s a partnership with Ganassi, it wouldn’t begin until next year(Dallas Morning News)
UPDATE 2: On Thursday’s ESPN2 RPM2 Night, Robin Miller reported that the Ganassi-Sabates is a done deal with Ganassi owning 80% and Sabates owning 20% with Ganassi talking to Jeremy Mayfield and Bobby Hamilton as part of a two car team to run in 2001. Target is the rumored sponsor(RPM2 Night). Note: Mayfield is signed with Penske-Kranefuss thru 2002 and Hamilton with Morgan-McClure thru 2001(5-11-2000)
UPDATE 3: See the story at SpeedNet: Ganassi to join NASCAR, source says, no drivers mentioned like on RPM2 Night but the story adds: “According to a source in Charlotte, who requested anonymity, Ganassi will become a majority owner of Felix Sabates’ operation and run a two-car effort starting in 2001 with Dodges.” No mention of what would happen with the current drivers, Sterling Marlin or Kenny Irwin, on RPM2 Night it sounded like a deal in addition to Sabates current teams, but the story sounds more like a partnership. Three of the drivers have contracts at least thru the 2001 season, Marlin has the option to leave at the end of the 2000 season(see the interview at RacinDeals – see link in the story section below)(5-12-2000)
Sad News: Pete Blackwell, owner/co-promoter of Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina passed away on Thursday. Many Cup, BGN and CTS teams test there often. Condolences to the family. See story and info at the Greenville Pickens Speedway site(5-12-2000)

(5-11-2000)
Another Tired Question about Dale Earnhardt Jr. Why did he(or his crew chief) not get fined for jumping on top of his car as Jeremy Mayfield(his crew chief got fined) did for jumping on his car roof after winning at California. Plain and Simple: I do not know. On Monday’s RPM 2Night (ESPN2), Benny Parsons was asked the same question and said that the drivers did not like that fine that Mayfield’s team got and that they should be allowed to celebrate. I am not looking to speculate on this, feel free to email NASCAR at NASCAR Online
UPDATE: The deal is Mayfield didn’t get fined for dancing on the roof. NASCAR stated the fine was because the roof did not conform to one or more templates. Mayfield made a dent while dancing on the roof, but we hear that was removed, the roof restored to it’s previous contour, then checked. Apparently Jr. didn’t make any dents, and/or his car passed the template checks(Speedway Illustrated)(5-11-2000)
#98 Sold? hearing the #98 Cale Yarborough team has been sold but have heard nothing more concrete on the sale or new owners or if Yarborough will be involved. Heard the team would not run until 2001(5-11-2000)
FBI and the #2 Team: the FBI was brought in to help stop the theft of team and driver uniforms, helmets, and other racing-related items from the shop by a team member, see the full story at RacingOne: FBI Investigates Theft Claim at Wallace Team(5-11-2000)

(5-10-2000)
Aero Work: Though sophisticated computerized data acquisition is allowed during open testing like that at the Lowes Motor Speedway this week, teams still include basic aerodynamics in their plans. Like many teams, crew chief Tony Eury and his engineers tried a few modifications to the body of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s #8 Monte Carlo. Notice the literally taped on pieces of body that are often fabricated on the spot, tested on the track, then replaced with further changes(see the Speedway Illustrated site for the image). If the team hits on something that works, and fits NASCAR templates, the real body will be changed accordingly(Speedway Illustrated)(5-10-2000)
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Testing Notes I: Winston Cup rookie-of-the-year contender Dave Blaney spent time on both dirt and pavement during the day. Before testing his Winston Cup machine on the 1.5-mile tri-oval, the 1995 World of Outlaws sprint car champion gave media members rides around the new four-tenths mile The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in a unique two-seat sprint car. The two-seat car is owned by the Dave Blaney Outlaw Driving Experience, a school in which fans can experience the thrill of sprint car racing(LMS PR)(5-10-2000)
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Testing Notes II: Petty Enterprises brought two cars for Adam Petty to test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but there was a unique twist; one was a Pontiac Grand Prix and the other a Chevrolet Monte Carlo(LMS PR)(5-10-2000)
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Testing Notes III: Bill Elliott’s team utilized a separate pit box filled with sophisticated computers and related diagnostic equipment throughout the two-day Winston Cup test. Interestingly, the box sported Evernham Motorsports logos(LMS PR)(5-10-2000)
Lowe’s Motor Speedway Testing Notes IV: The Robert Yates Racing and MB2 Motorsports teams had English wheels in their garage stalls. Normally only seen in fabrication shops, the devices are used to form sheetmetal. Both teams utilized the wheels to shape pieces that were used to make aerodynamic modifications(LMS PR)(5-10-2000)

(5-9-2000)
#58 Auction UPDATE: Moecker Auctions, Inc., have been retained to conduct the auction in regards to the S.B. III Motorsports (was the #58 Ford) racing team. They filed an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors on April 7, 2000. An auction of their cars, hauler, equipment and parts is going to be held on May 11, 2000 at 11:00am/et on their premises at 103 Center Lane, Huntersville, NC. The auction is open to the public. For more ingo see the site: www.moeckerauctions.com, didn’t see the auction listed there yet(4-12-2000)
UPDATE: The #58 team auction date has been moved to Tuesday, May 30th at 11:00am/et, for more info see the Moecker Auctions site, even includes a DynoJet Chassis Dyno, hauler, cars, shock dyno’s(5-9-2000)
Sad News: Thomas Ferrel Harris, who raced on the ARCA circuit across four decades, has died. He was 59. Harris, who underwent heart bypass surgery about 10 years ago, had a heart attack and died Sunday(Daily Press). Harris also made 41 Winston Cup starts from 1975-1983 with five top 10’s in his Cup career, all in 1989, including a 7th at Talladega and a 9th in the Daytona 500(info from Greg Fielden’s Forty Years of Stock Car Racing)(5-9-2000)

(5-8-2000)
#11 Sponsor UPDATE 2: hearing that Ralph’s Supermarkets will not return to the #11 Brett Bodine team in 2001(5-4-2000)
UPDATE: Ralphs Supermarkets had orginally signed a one year contract with Brett Bodine – a second year contract has not yet been signed, but at no point in time has Ralphs Supermarkets not said that they will not return for a second year with Brett Bodine and 2001 negotiations are pending(5-5-2000)
UPDATE 2: Brett Bodine Racing is currently searching for Associate Sponsorship for the remainder of 2000 to supplement their primary sponsorship with Ralph’s(Brett Bodine Site)(5-8-2000)
Irwin Injured? UPDATE 2: #42-Kenny Irwin was caught in #27-Mike Bliss’ wreck(Bliss cut a tire on #77-Pressley’s broken Brake part) on Lap 171 and was reported treated and released at the track infield center. Later word, however, was that Irwin had to be taken to an area hospital when he lost awareness while talking to others after his release. As of 2am/et, there was no further word(SpeedVision)(5-7-2000)
UPDATE: Team sources tell me that Kenny Irwin was not transported to the hospital. He was treated and released at the infield care center following the accident. The neurosurgeon on staff checked him out. Kenny went from there to the airport. A discussion did take place about going to the hospital after Irwin left the track, but it was not necessary. Irwin is sore but fine and is recovering
UPDATE 2: Kenny Irwin is recovering at home in Charlotte following an accident Saturday evening in the Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond. After the incident on lap 170, Irwin was treated and released from the infield care center. Contrary to published rumors, he was not transported to the hospital. “I am doing just fine,” Irwin said. “I’m just a bit sore from the accident but nothing more than that. I was very tired during the trip from the race track to the airport Saturday night, but I was not taken to the hospital.”(SABCO PR)(5-8-2000)
Kelloggs and Gordon: Taking its 35-year-old Kellogg’s Apple Jacks cereal to the fast track, the company has introduced Kellogg’s Racing Apple Jacks cereal, with NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon pictured on the box. The new Kellogg’s Racing Apple Jacks limited edition cereal, now on grocery shelves through mid-June, features the addition of red and blue and yellow and red swirled “Jacks.” The package shines with patterned holographic rainbow foil and embossing and includes a NASCAR schedule on the back(Yahoo Biz)(5-8-2000)
New Mechanic: Jimmy Lauder, an engine builder at Rockford’s(IL) Performance Products, is on a 90-day trial with the new Evernham Motorsports Dodge team. Jerry Gille and Lauder were partners in a late-model stock car Gille drove and Lauder prepared at Madison (Wis.) International Speedway(Rockford Register Star)(5-8-2000)

(5-7-2000)

Earnhardt Jr the fastest Correction: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr has won his first two Winston Cup races faster then anyone in Winston Cup modern era. Earnhardt Jr won his 2nd race in his 16th start. Tony Stewart did it in his 32nd race, Dale Earnhardt in his 41st, Jeff Gordon 50th, Darrell Waltrip 65th and Bobby Labonte 77th. Not sure what the all time record is but Red Byron won his 2nd race in his 5th start during the first NASCAR Grand National(Before Winston Cup) season in 1949
Correction: Davey Allison also won his 2nd race in his 16th start(5-7-2000)
#41 News: The #41 Chevrolet owned by Larry Hedrick skipped the Richmond weekend, the second-straight weekend the team has stayed home. The team is expected to test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Monday and Tuesday in preparation to return to action for the two weekends of racing later this month at the Charlotte track(That’s Racin’)(5-7-2000)
#91 to skip Charlotte? The car Todd Bodine drove for the #91 LJ Racing team at Richmond was going to be used at Charlotte in a few weeks. It was a brand new car, but wrecked after blowing a tire. Team owner Joe Falk says he doubts the team will ran Charlotte unless they can get a sponsor(Total Sports)(5-7-2000)
Gordon to run Indy 500 UPDATE: Robin Miller reported on ESPN2’s RPM2 Night Friday that Robby Gordon has been added to the Indy 500 entry list and would probably drive the #32 Menard car. During Richmond first round qualifying, Gordon said he and his Cup owners (John Menard and Mike Held) had not decided if Gordon would attempt running the Indy 500 as they are committed to Winston Cup. Have seen no official announcement. If Gordon does run the Indy 500, he hopes to be the 3rd driver to run the Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600 on the same day (John Andretti did it in 1994 and Tony Stewart did it last year)(5-6-2000)
UPDATE: Robby Gordon has officially decided to take another shot at the coveted Indy 500 crown, once again driving one of John Menard’s Dallara/Oldsmobiles. The announcement of Robby coming to Indy again comes on the heels of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcement that Gordon’s name was recently put on the entry list as driver of the #32 John Menard Indy Car. Gordon attempted the same feat in 1997 with Sabco Racing, but due to a rain delay at Indianapolis Gordon was only able to run the Cup race as scheduled. He then finished the Indy 500 later in the week(Team Gordon)(5-7-2000)
#7 Team UPDATE 2 Smith/Wallace news: Talk continues about Jim Mattei selling or taking on a partner for his race team, which fields #7 Chevy for driver Michael Waltrip. The discussion centers on Jim Smith, who owns the #2 CTS team(Mike Wallace). One source(That’s Racin’ source) said Sunday that Smith may be in Richmond next weekend to make an announcement about becoming involved in the team(That’s Racin’)(5-1-2000)
UPDATE: Jim Smith, is interested in owning a Cup team, but says his talks about buying Mattei Motorsports or becoming a partner has not been that serious. Anyhow he will field a car for his CTS driver, Mike Wallace at Lowes Motor Speedway for the Coca Cola 600, the Brickyard 400, Richmond in September and Phoenix(Winston Cup Scene) AND Jim Mattei and his entourage are in Richmond this weekend. In an unusual appearance, all three owners involved with Mattei Motorsports are going to be on hand. Mattei is expected to sell the controlling interest in his team to Truck team owner Jimmy Smith, possibly as soon as this weekend(Times-Dispatch)(5-5-2000)
UPDATE: hearing reports that something could be announced Monday(May 8th) concerning the future of the team(5-7-2000)
Marcis bags a Turkey: Dave Marcis didn’t bag a qualifying spot in Saturday night’s Pontiac Excitement 400 but he got the next best thing: a near-record 21-pound, 2-ounce turkey, among the largest ever bagged in the state(of Virgina). Marcis, who went turkey hunting at 4:30 a.m. Friday near Richmond, hasn’t qualified in eight of 11 races this season. He decided to pack up and go home rather than try to requalify Saturday(AJC)(5-7-2000)
Richmond Winner: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr won the Pontiac Excitement 400 and becomes the first repeat winner in the 2000 season and only the third rookies to win more then one race in a Cup season (Davey Allison 1987 and Tony Stewart – 3 wins in 1999). Oops, he jumped on the car roof too. #60-Geoffrey Bodine couldn’t run the complete race and enlisted the services of little brother Todd, who went out early in the race with the #91 car. Todd made up 2 laps lost on the driver exchange and finished 13th for his brother. #20-Tony Stewart led his first lap in the 2000 season. See results at NASCAR Online, Racin’ Network, Total Sportsand That’s Racin’(5-7-2000)

(5-6-2000)
#12 Crew Chiefs: Buddy Cisco and Steve Lane will be the co-crew chiefs for Jeremy Mayfield and the #12 Mobil One team during the suspension of Pete Sospenzo(from ESPN2 Qualifying)(5-6-2000)
New Marketing Firm: While not necessarily motorsports related Speedway Scene has learned that Brian France (senior VP marketing NASCAR), George Pyne (VP marketing NASCAR) and a “number of people from NASCAR” have recently formed a new marketing company. The company, called Brand Sense, is located in New York City and is being managed by Mark Johnson. Speaking on the new endeavor Brian France said , “It’s a licensing company that handles various licensing rights for customers. It’s not a motorsports company. An agency’s been formed to work with potential companies for their licensing rights. How to exploit them – manage them.” As France said, this is not a motorsports marketing company — “for the most part.” The names of some of the prospective clients Brand Sense is working to sign are head turners with France mentioning the name of Trump as a likely candidate, though France said, “We’re not announcing anything right now.”(Richmond Notes on Speedwayscene.com)(5-6-2000)
TV Stuff: Fox officials are reportingly talking with ABC’s Neil Goldberg, who does both ABC and ESPN telecasts of Cup and BGN events. And insiders say that Bill Weber, one of the sport’s top TV reporters, may be close to signing a deal with Fox(PitNow)(5-6-2000)

(5-5-2000)
#12 Won’t Appeal: No. 12 team won’t appeal NASCAR penalties and Q&A: with Winston Cup owner Michael Kranefus. These two column’s explain the penalties and situation more(That’s Racin’)(5-5-2000)
Yates Honored: Robert Yates, owner of the #28 and #88 Cup teams, has been chosen to receive this year’s Bill France Award of Excellence from Pocono Raceway. The award is given annually for outstanding contributions to Winston Cup racing and will be presented on June 17, the night before the Pocono 500(That’s Racin’)(5-5-2000)
Penske to Indy…as a sponsor: Joe Gibbs BGN driver, Jason Leffler, will be sponsored by Roger Penske under the UnitedAuto Group banner for his 2000 Indy 500 attempt in the #55 Treadway Racing owned GForce/Aurora(SpeedVision)(5-5-2000)
Roof Problems with the #12? The Dent, the Fine, UPDATE 2: hearing #12-Jeremy Mayfield’s NAPA Auto Parts 500 winning car has been impounded for “illegal roof height” found in post race inspection. The problem came when Mayfield jumped on the roof and dented it and took the car out of spec. NASCAR is hauling the car back to NC for the dent the size of a fist where the roof height is measured. The win will stand but hearing there maybe a fine. Also see stories about this at: Gaston Gazette, SpeedVision, Total Sports and That’s Racin’
THE DENT: Speedway Illustrated explains ‘the dent’ pretty well: “The problem is the dent is on the centerline of the car, 10” back from the windshield–right where NASCAR measures roof height. 51 inches is legal on all brands at this point. The dent apparently measures lower than the specification so NASCAR impounded the car and will bring it back to Charlotte where supposedly the dent will be removed and the car measured again(Speedway Illustrated)(5-1-2000)
UPDATE #12 Fined: NASCAR officials announced they have penalized #12 crew chief Peter Sospenzo for rules violations found in post-race inspection following Sunday’s NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California. Sospenzo, crew chief for the #12 NASCAR Winston Cup Series team, was fined $25,000 and penalized under Section 12-4-T in the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: “… any car found to be under the specified height requirement after the completion of time trials or the race …”(TNN Motorsports and That’s Racin’ and SpeedVision)(5-4-2000)
UPDATE 2: Getting asked much about this action from NASCAR, what you see posted is all I know, seems many fans are up in arms over this. Many stories I see say this: the violation was for the #12 Ford failing to pass post-race inspection after Mayfield won the NAPA Auto Parts 500 on Sunday at California. The car’s roof was measured below the minimum height of 51 inches. The team tried to explain it was a result of Mayfield jumping on the roof in victory lane. Nevertheless, NASCAR fined crew chief Peter Sospenzo $25,000 for the rules infraction(from a stoy today in the AJC. I am also hearing from some sources close to the team that: NASCAR told the Penske-Kranefuss team they knew the problem with the roof stemmed from Jeremy Mayfield being on top of the car after the race, and they did not believe the car ran that way during the race. There was a foot-sized dent where the roof height is measured. But they said it didn’t make any difference and issued the fine. I have not seen any explanations from NASCAR besides what is seen on the above sites and their stories. (and NO, I won’t run a poll on this nor will I start any campaigns on this, I do not know of any appeal processes NASCAR has) AND from Speedway Illustrated(great first issue by the way): Fans are asking us(Speedway Illustrated) if NASCAR is on some sort of mission with all the recent fines being handed out. Yesterday it was announced that Jeremy Mayfield’s crew chief Peter Sospenzo had another $25,000 added to his fines for a roofline that was under the minimum. Kevin Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt’s crew chief was also fined for an unapproved rear bumper. So, is NASCAR on the warpath? Speedway Illustrated sources say this is simply a “correction” of sorts. One crewmember told us, “NASCAR lays off the fines for a little while and we start crowding the rule limits, then they get on us for a while, fine a few people and we back off. Then it all starts over again. This happens every once in a while. The trick is to not be the guy who is made an example of.”(Speedway Illustrated) AND see the story at NASCAR Online: Mayfield’s team aims to bounce back, part of a quote: “saw footprints in the area where they were measuring and NASCAR did assure us that there was nothing illegal with the car”(5-5-2000)
Jarrett #400: Dale Jarrett, driver of the #88 Quality Care/Ford Credit Ford will start his 400th career Cup race at Richmond(5-5-2000)
Little 200: Chad Little, driver of the #97 John Deere Ford, will be making the 200th CUP start this weekend at Richmond as is his teammate #99-Jeff Burton(5-5-2000)
Wendell Scott News and an Honor: Former motorcycle photo journalist and vintage NASCAR enthusiast Joe Jordan will be the guest for a special interview on AM 1170’s Morning Drive program on May 5th at 9 AM, to discuss what may be the last surviving example of an authentic race car that was driven by the late Wendell Scott, the only African-American driver to win in NASCAR Winston Cup competition. See the full story in the Radio Section of my TV/Media Page(5-3-2000)
UPDATE – an Honor: see story at the Daily Press – VSHF(Virginia Sports Hall of Fame) finally will recognize black driver on Friday, May 5th, 2000(5-5-2000)
Driver Double Dip: Nine Winston Cup drivers will attempt to make the BGN race at Richmond: #9-Jeff Burton; #17-Matt Kenseth; #20-Dave Blaney; #25-Kenny Wallace; #30-Chad Little; #31-Steve Park; #42-Kenny Irwin, #60-Mark Martin; #71-Kevin Lepage. Interesting … all five Roush Racing Cup drivers are making the attempt. Note: Six of the nine qualified, the three that failed were Wallace, Little and Irwin(5-5-2000)
Blaney BGN: Bill Davis Racing announced a temporary driver change for their #20 AT&T BGN Pontiac. Dave Blaney, their former BGN driver and current Winston Cup regular(#93 Amoco Pontiac) will step in for rookie Mike Borkowski in three of the next four races starting at Richmond this Friday night May 5. Blaney will also handle the driving chores at Charlotte, May 28, and Dover on June 3. Borkowski will return for the May 13 Busch Series stand-alone date at New Hampshire and will resume his full-time duties at South Boston, VA June 10(Bill Davis Racing PR)(5-5-2000)

(5-4-2000)
Burton 200: Jeff Burton, driver of the #99 Exide Batteries Taurus, will be making the 200th start of his NASCAR Winston Cup career this weekend at Richmond(Ford Racing/Campbell and Co)(5-4-2000)
#3 Fined: #3 RCR crew chief Kevin Hamlin was fined $2,000 by NASCAR officials Thursday for rules violations discovered in inspection prior to last Sunday’s Cup race at the California Speedway. Hamlin was penalized under Section 12-4-Q in the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that parts and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform … or have not been approved by NASCAR …” Apparently, for the second straight race, the #3 Chevy’s rear bodywork around the bumper area was not dimensionally correct according to NASCAR’s body templates(SpeedVision and (NOLand That’s Racin’)(5-4-2000)
Dodge Team Rumors: There could also be at least two more one-car Dodge teams announced(at Charlotte/Lowes), possibly the Melling team with driver Stacy Compton, and maybe Robby Gordon’s team — both drive Fords at present. There could also be a fourth Petty car for Steve Grissom to drive at Daytona(in the 500)(Racing One/Steve Smith)(5-4-2000)
NASCAR beats the NHL: NASCAR’s explosive growth has the sport poised to become the fourth most profitable pro league by 2001, overtaking the National Hockey League, according to a study by a sports research firm. See the full story at the Fox Sports site: Taking the lead – Study: NASCAR to overtake NHL as fourth in league revenues by Allison Romano; also see a small story about this at: Skyreport.com(5-4-2000)
Schrader and ARCA: Ken Schrader will race at the quarter mile Anderson Speedway Indiana oval Sunday, May 14th for the Anderson ARCA 300. Schrader, the defending race winner, has entered a Federated Auto Parts sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 300 lap short-track war(AutoChannel)(5-4-2000)
#7/#88 Crew Change: Hearing #7 crew member(and former #28 crew chief) Robert “Slugger” Labbe has left Mattei Motorsports and has returned to Robert Yates Racing, going to the #88 Ford to head up testing. Travis Block takes over Labbe’s duties on the #7(5-4-2000)
Morgan Shepherd truck news: Morgan Shepherd will be driving the #23 CTS entry for Phil Bonifield at St.Louis. An agreement will have Shepherd in the Red Line Oil Chevy for other selected races this season(Team PR)(5-4-2000)

(5-3-2000)
Valvoline/Roush: Valvoline, the Lexington, KY motor oil company, which reportedly pays $8 million a year to be the lead sponsor on the #6 Jack Roush owned Ford, is in contract negotiations with Roush Racing, the company behind driver Mark Martin’s Winston Cup car. The price tag for lead sponsors on a Top 10 Winston Cup car is said to run $8 million to $11 million annually. Though the cost is high, NASCAR observers say Valvoline can’t afford to put the brakes on now. The company has sponsored the car for 11 years, eight as lead sponsor and this year Martin is positioned to win his first Winston Cup title. Valvoline and Roush won’t comment on their talks, which have been in progress since December. Both have said they want to renew their three-year contract, which expires this year, for three to five more years, see full story at the Herald-Leader. Rumor Alert: if Valvoline leaves, Ford(Quality Care) or UPS could end up being the #6 sponsor as mentioned in past stories here and elsewhere(5-3-2000)
Dallenbach Tests: Wally Dallenbach and the #75 Galaxy Motorsports team tested at Lakeland USA short track on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday night’s Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond International Raceway. The team will run the RedCell Batteries scheme at Richmond(Galaxy PR)(5-3-2000)
Will the Talladega Finishing Order Change? been asked this many times today, so let’s cover it here: NOPE. See the results at NASCAR Online – Diehard 500 Results – Talladega – April 23, 2000. He stays at 14th, gets no points and loses 25 more. What changes is the Drivers Points and the Owners Points(5-3-2000)
Gordon Walks: On Friday, April 28, Jeff Gordon was inducted into California Speedway’s “Walk of Fame” for the second time in his career. The speedway commemorates each Winston Cup winner at the track with a plaque in the Walk Of Fame the following year. Gordon, also won at California in 1997(Gordonline)(5-3-2000)
Sadler to test: Elliott Sadler and the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Team will test the #21 CITGO Ford at New River Valley Speedway located in Radford, VA on Wednesday in preparation for this week’s race in Richmond(Cox Marketing)(5-3-2000)
DW Grand Marshal: Three time, NASCAR Winston Cup champ, Darrell Waltrip will serve as Grand Marshal at the Kentucky Speedway’s inaugural race, “The Kroger 225”. The Craftsman Truck Series event, scheduled for June 17th will have a 7:30pm/et green flag and broadcast live, nationally on ESPN(Kentucky Speedway PR)(5-3-2000)
Sad News: Retired North Carolina Speedway public relations director Herman Hickman passed away Monday night following a long illness(SpeedVision)(5-3-2000)
Promo: What are the odds of seeing Jeremy Mayfield, Kyle Petty and Sterling Marlin at the World Series in September? About as good as those of seeing Kenny Irwin, Michael Waltrip and John Andretti during NFL games in October. Those six drivers are leading the NASCAR Winston Cup promotional efforts by FOX Sports as it begins looking towards its new television contract and the 2001 season. The six filmed promotional spots and station “tag lines” for FOX this past weekend during the activities at California Speedway, and several also met with FOX Sports President Ed Goren. See full story at: Six NASCAR Drivers Lead FOX Sports Promotions(Williams Co)(5-3-2000)

(5-2-2000)
Drivers Points: Updated my Drivers Points page to show Mayfield’s new total, he drops 7 spots, from 7th after the California win to 14th currently. These are of course, Unofficial. See the standings at Drivers Points page(5-2-2000)
#12 Penalties Explained: a Q&A at SpeedVision: Helton-Nelson Explain 12 Car Penalties by Ben Blake. Some of the Q&A’s: Q) What specifically was found in the fuel? A) The additive was an oxygenate, which is a performance enhancer in a racing fuel. Q) Q: Anything on last week’s issue on the roof measurement? A) That will come tomorrow or Thursday. Check it out for more info(5-2-2000)
Another Crew Chief Change? UPDATE yep: hearing Doug Richert and the #32 Tide team have parted ways
UPDATE: PPI Motorsports and Doug Richert, crew chief for the #32 Tide Ford driven by Scott Pruett, have mutually agreed to part ways. Richert has opted to pursue other opportunities while PPI Motorsports focuses on restructuring the current management team for the Tide Winston Cup crew. Joe Garone, current program director for PPI Motorsports’ NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch teams and former crew chief for the #94 McDonald’s Ford, will temporarily fulfill crew chief duties on the #32 Tide Ford and ultimately take a more active role in the actual competition management of PPIM’s Tide Winston Cup team. Additional overall management support comes in the form of increased leadership roles for Roy McCauley, engineer for the #32 Tide Ford, and Pat Smith, crew chief for PPI Motorsports’ #97 McDonald’s Ford Busch car(PPI Motorsports PR)(5-2-2000)
New #90 Crew Chief: Hills Bros Coffee Racing Team owner Junie Donlavey named Dean Johnson as crew chief for the #90 Fords driven by Ed Berrier in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Johnson’s first event will be the Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond this Saturday. Donlavey has been calling the shots on race day for the first third of the season(Keystone Marketing/Hills Bros Racing)(5-2-2000)
Wal-Mart to Cup? Wal-mart might be the next new sponsor on the Winston Cup tour and could have a logo on Mark Martin’s quarter-panel next season, according to NASCAR sources. That could be the trigger that Target needs to make the jump into Winston Cup racing, too.(PitNow) UPS and Wal-Mart?(5-2-2000)
not NASCAR but F1 driver ok: Formula One driver David Coulthard received minor injuries, but the pilot and co-pilot were killed today when their small plane crashed while landing at Lyon’s(France) airport(See AP story at the Star-Telegram)(5-2-2000)
Winston West UPDATE 3: #55-Ken Schrader took the pole and #50-Johnny Benson the outside pole for Saturday’s NASCAR Winston West Series event at California Speedway(RacingWest)(4-28-2000)
UPDATE: flip-flop the drivers and you have the first two finishers, Johnny Benson won the Pontiac Grand Prix 200 at California Speedway Saturday with Ken Schrader finishing 2nd. Coming in third was the first of the Winston West regulars, Brendan Gaughan, followed by Eric Norris and Kevin Richards(Racing West)(4-30-2000)
UPDATE 2: Johnny Benson’s Winston West winning car was found to have an unapproved intake manifold and crew chief James Ince expects a fine(Times-Dispatch) UPDATE 3: NASCAR officials announced that James Ince, crew chief for the #50 Tyler Jet Motorsports Pontiac driven by Johnny Benson in the California Winston West race, has been fined $10,440 for rules violations and the team will lose 108 Winston West points(NOL)(5-2-2000)

(5-1-2000)
New Points System? Mike Helton, NASCAR’s chief operating officer, says NASCAR officials are looking at ways to revise the points system for next season. Some issues being looked at is leading laps and being in the top 10 but would not include qualifying or any bonus points for being the fastest(Roanoke Times) What would the standing look lie if F1 or CART systems were used? See RPM Designs(5-1-2000)
Mayfield turns down Benny: NAPA Auto Parts 500 winner, Jeremy Mayfield has declined to appear on PRN’s “Fast Talk with Benny Parsons” radio program on Monday May 1. The show traditionally interviews the winner of the weekends Winston Cup race. It is one of the few times in the seven year history of the show that the winner was “unavailable.” Penske officials are aware of NASCAR’s decision regarding the #12 car, but asked for the decision NOT be announced at California. The show can be listened via Real Audio at www.goprn.com(5-1-2000)
Radio News: Hearing that Capitol Sports who produces the daily five minute radio show, Winston Cup Today, has decided to discontinue the daily radio show as well as the weekend magazine show effect May 31st 2000. There was a dispute between NASCAR and Captiol Sports concerning trademark, copyright and track credential issues in which an agreement could not be reached. The show can still be heard on the radio and via the Internet at Raceshop.com(5-1-2000)
Race Tidbits from California. If #17-Matt Kenseth had won, he and fellow rookie, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. would had been the first two rookies to win a CUP race in the same since since 1981, when Morgan Shepherd won at Martinsville, VA and Ron Bouchard at Talladega. #6-Mark Martin lost his power steering halfway through the race(Crosswalk)(5-1-2000)
#7 Team: Talk continues about Jim Mattei selling or taking on a partner for his race team, which fields #7 Chevy for driver Michael Waltrip. The discussion centers on Jim Smith, who owns the #2 CTS team(Mike Wallace). One source(That’s Racin’ source) said Sunday that Smith may be in Richmond next weekend to make an announcement about becoming involved in the team(That’s Racin’)(5-1-2000)
Stewart Moonlights: Tony Stewart drove a super late model at Irwindale Speedway(CA) on Saturday night. He started 17th and finished seventh(Roanoke Times) also see story at RacingWest(5-1-2000)
Mo Money: 2nd place Bobby Labonte takes home over $9,000 more than winner Jeremy Mayfield. Think those Winners Circle and other contingency plans don’t add up?(Rumblings-Henry Dubert)(5-1-2000)
Helton Steps Down: Motor Racing Outreach senior chaplain and founder Max Helton has served his final race as the lead chaplain for the touring ministry. Helton, who founded MRO 12 years ago, told the Sunday morning chapel service he would be like a crewman “back at the shop,” working more from the ministry’s base in the Charlotte, NC, area. Dale Beaver will take over Helton’s duties on the road, but Helton said he would still come to some races(Total Sports)(5-1-2000)
Glick Award: Before Sunday’s CUP race, Dan Gurney, a former Indy car, Formula One and NASCAR driver, won the first Shav Glick Award, presented to the person who is judged the “Distinguished Achiever in Motorsports in Southern California” by a blue-ribbon panel(LA Times)(5-1-2000)
Skinner/Lowes/Red Cross: Topping off a second place finish at Talladega, Ala., and a strong performance during the month of April, Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse NASCAR driver Mike Skinner was also a winner for the American Red Cross and victims of natural disasters. At the NAPA Auto Parts 500 race in Fontana, Calif., Skinner crossed the finish line for the Racing for Relief program, having raised $114,370 for American Red Cross disaster relief during the month of April. During the month long program, Skinner raised the $114,370 donation by leading 75 laps and completing a total of 1,270 laps. Under the program, Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse pledged $31 (Skinner’s car number) to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund for every lap Skinner completed and $1,031 for every lap he led during April, the beginning of severe weather season(PR)(5-1-2000)
Talladega Purse: In the DieHard 500 at Talladega, where the purse was listed as $2,904,027, the actual amount paid to the teams after the race added up to $2,354,541, or 81.1 percent of the advertised amount(Gaston Gazette)(5-1-2000)