NASCAR: Ken's NASCAR Notebook 96-08-29
- Ken_Corpus@wb.xerox.com (Ken Corpus)
- MNI - Motorsport News International
- Sun Sep 1 14:18:33 EDT 1996
Ken's NASCAR Notebook - August 29, 1996
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Winston Cup Schedule for '97
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A while ago I reported that the 1997 Winston Cup schedule might appear
in late August, which is earlier than the usual release after the
banquet in December. Reports from around the web say it looks like
NASCAR will release the 1997 Winston Cup schedule this coming weekend.
So if you see it before Sunday, I was right. If not, I was close!
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New NASCAR Rules Changes
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Guess all that whining by Hendrick paid off, as Chevy will get another
concession in time for Darlington. The Monte Carlo will get to add
1/4 inch to the rear spoiler and 1/4 inch to the front air dam. This
just in time for Jarrett's run at the Winston Million.
NASCAR is attempting to regulate and/or standardize the cold air box
for the intake. They would like to prohibit different styles of
breathers and cowls which regulate the air flow to the carb.
NASCAR will also reportedly standardize the quarterpanel heights for
all tracks. Previously, the left side was a minimum of 34 inches and
the right side was a minimum of 35 inches for Daytona and Talladega.
Previous year's champion will not get the first choice of pit stalls
for next year. However, this rule is still being reviewed and may be
withdrawn.
All engines will be limited to 14:1 compression ratio for next year.
Currently, the only limit on compression ratio is for the restrictor
plate race engines. This rule is expected to drop speed at the larger
non-restrictor plate race tracks.
The driver's weight will be included in the minimum weight of the car
for next year. Previously, the car was weighed without the driver.
This rule was intended to level field between small and big drivers,
but is expected to benefit the smaller guys, because they can better
position the weight in the car for various tracks.
Testing next year will be limited to NASCAR scheduled open testing on a
day prior to each race, with the exception of Daytona. This
eliminates private test sessions which is intended to level the
playing field between single-car and multi-car teams, as well as limit
the expense of testing.
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NASCAR to the Big Apple
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From its roots which stem from the deep south, NASCAR will move north
and open offices in the New York City. For years, NASCAR has visited
the Big Apple for its awards banquet, but it will now have a branch
office on Park Ave, which will house a full-time sponsorship sales staff.
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Jasper Motorsports PR
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Doug Bawel, president of Jasper Motorsports, announced the commitment
of Federal-Mogul and Jasper Engines & Transmissions to the NASCAR
Winston Cup Series for the 1997 season. He also announced that Troy
Selberg will be the new team manager and crew chief. Selberg has been
a crew chief in the Winston Cup Series for the past five years, and
recently was crew chief for Butch Mock Motorsports.
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John Andretti & Jeremy Mayfield
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According to an AP story, John Andretti (#37 Kmart/Little Ceaser's)
will drive the #98 RCA Ford of Cale Yarborough in 1997. Andretti
signed a three-year deal with Cale Yarborough, and apparently
appealed directly to sponsor RCA, headquartered in his hometown of
Indianapolis.
Another news story reports that Andretti and Jeremy Mayfield will
switch seats next year. It is expected that Kranefuss/Haas will make
an announcement about the switch from Andretti to Mayfield at
Darlington this weekend.
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Joe Gibbs recovers Super Bowl Ring
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During an autograph session at the Brickyard 400, Gibbs' Super Bowl
ring commemorating the Washington Redskins' 1992 Super Bowl victory
was stolen. Gibbs appealed to the person who had it to give it back
and said no questions would be asked. The ring showed up in an
anonymous package mailed to Gibbs, who owns the #18 Chevrolet Monte
Carlos driven by Bobby Labonte.
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Silly Season Central
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Since the silly season seems to be in full swing, I thought I would try
to provide a team by team look at next year. When it says no changes,
that means I do not know of any changes to date. I'll try to keep
this updated with each notebook published.
#1 Hooters Pontiac - Rick Mast leaves to drive the #75 car with no word
on a replacement driver yet. Hooters may be replaced by Skoal.
#2 Miller Ford - no changes for Penske or Rusty Wallace.
#3 GM Goodwrench Chevy - no changes, except Childress to add 2nd team
with Lowe's as sponsor and Mike Skinner as driver.
#4 Kodak Chevy - no changes, except Morgan-McClure to add 2nd team with
AT&T as sponsor and Jeff Pervis as driver.
#5 Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chevy - no changes for Hendrick and Terry Labonte.
#6 Valvoline Ford - no changes for Mark Martin and Roush Racing.
#7 QVC Ford - no changes for Geoff Bodine.
#8 Circuit City Ford - no changes for Stavola Bros. and Hut Stricklin.
#9 Spam Ford - no changes for Melling and Lake Speed.
#10 Tide Ford - no changes Ricky Rudd.
#11 Lowe's Ford - Brett Bodine loses Lowe's, still no replacement
sponsor announced.
#12 Badcock Ford - no changes for Allison and Derrike Cope.
#14 Racing for Kids Chevy - unknown about Dale Earnhardt's new team
with Jeff Green as driver.
#15 Hayes Modems Ford - no changes for Bud Moore and Wally Dallenbach.
#16 Family Channel/PrimeStar Ford - Roush PR says both sponsors have
renewed for next year, and Musgrave will stay on as the driver.
#17 Parts America Chevy - no changes for Darrell Waltrip's team.
#18 Interstate Batteries Chevy - no changes for Joe Gibbs and Bobby Labonte.
#19 HealthSource Chevy - no changes for TriStar and Loy Allen Jr.
#21 Citgo Ford - no changes for Wood Bros. and Michael Waltrip.
#22 MNBA Pontiac - Ward Burton reportedly will take over the #25 seat
potentially vacated by Kenny Schrader. No word on a replacement for
Ward Burton.
#23 Smokin' Joes Ford - no changes for Travis Carter or Jimmy Spencer,
but may lose ability to run Smokin Joe's logo with new FDA regulations.
#24 Dupont Chevy - no changes for Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports.
#25 Budweiser Chevy - Kenny Schrader will reportedly leave and go to
the #33 car. Hendrick is reportedly looking at Ward Burton as the
replacement. Budweiser sponsorship in jeopardy if Kenny leaves.
#27 Sponsor? Ford - this is the defunct ex-Jr. Johnson team that is now
owned by David Blair. Mike Hill is still crew chief. They released
Elton Sawyer, and Jason Keller earlier this year. Todd Bodine is
reportedly working out a deal with a sponsor to run a few races this
year beginning with Darlington.
#28 Havoline Ford - no announced changes for Ernie Irvan and Robert
Yates, but there is no shortage of controversy surrounding this team.
#29 Cartoon Network Chevy - Diamond Ridge Motorsports released Steve
Grissom earlier this year. Currently, Grag Sacks has been driving.
#30 Pennzoil Pontiac - no changes for Bahari Racing and Johnny Benson Jr.
#31 RealTree Camouflage Chevy - Richard Childress is running a limited
schedule with this sponsor and Mike Skinner as driver. Next year,
Lowe's will sponsor this team with Mike Skinner as driver.
#33 Skoal Pontiac - Robert Pressley leaves the leo Jackson team next
year. Kenny Schrader reportedly will take over the ride, and may
bring Budweiser with him.
#37 Kmart/Little Ceaser's Ford - Tim Brewer has quit as crew cheif for
Kranefuss & Haas. John Andretti will leave and go to the #98 RCA
Ford, replacing Jeremy Mayfield. Jeremy Mayfield reportedly will swap
places with Andretti and drive this car next year.
#40 First Union Pontiac - Sabco Racing tried to run this car on a
limited schedule with jay Sauter as driver. No word on plans for this
team next year.
#41 Kodiak Chevy - Ricky Craven and Hedricks Racing formed a new team
co-ownership earlier this year. No plans have been announced for this team.
#42 Coors Light Pontiac - Kyle Petty and Felix Sabates have announed
they will part ways, and its official that Robby Gordon will take over
as driver next year. Kyle is still trying to form his own team, with
last word that he may in fact go back to Petty Enterprises with Mug
Root Beer as sponsor.
#43 STP Pontiac - Bobby Hamilton announced that he has signed a
contract extension with Richard Petty for 1997. Richard Petty is
holding a contest to determine a new color scheme for next year.
#46 Independent Home Cable Chevy - Dean Monroe bought the team from
A.G. Dillard Motorsports. Stacy Compton has been selected to drive the
car and will reportedly run for Rookie of the year title in 1997. No
sponsor announced yet.
#71 Prodigy Chevy - Prodigy had sponsored Dave Marcis in this car for
1996, but no word if they will renew for 1997.
#75 Remington Arms Ford - Morgan Shepard will vacate this seat, after
much controversy surrounded this Butch Mock Motorsports team earlier
this year. Rick Mast has signed a 3-year deal to take over as driver
in 1997 with Remington as sponsor. Morgan is reportedly trying to
form his own team.
#77 Jasper/Federal-Mogul Ford - This team recently announced that
Jasper Engines & Transmission and Federal Mogul will return as
sponsors next year. They have also recently added Troy Selberg as
team manager and crew chief. Bobby Hillin Jr. should return as
driver, since he is part owner of the team.
#78 Diamond Rio & Hanes Team - unsure of the status of this team.
Randy McDonald had planned to run for Rookie of the Year in 1996.
#81 Square D Ford - 81 FilMar Racing announced that Square D and TIC
Financial will return as sponsors next year, Eddie Jones will become
team manager and Kenny Wallace will remain the driver.
#87 Burger King Chevy - no changes planned for Joe Nemechek's team.
#88 Quality Care Ford - no changes for Dale Jarrett and Robert Yates.
#90 Heilig-Meyers Ford - Dick Trickle has taken over as driver for
Junie Donlavey, but no word if he will retain that seat next year.
#94 McDonald's Ford - Bill Elliott recently bought out Charles Hardy's
portion of the team, and now retains full ownership. No other changes
have been announced for next year.
#95 Shoney' Inn Ford - Sadler Motorsports has released Chuck Bown and
hired Gary Bradberry to drive this car in selected races this year.
You remember this car from Bristol, where everyone seemed to use it as
a pin ball.
#97 John Deere Pontiac - Rypien Motorsports is running a limited
schedule this year with Chad Little as driver. The team plans to
eventually run a full Winston Cup schedule.
#98 RCA Ford - Cale Yarborough will have John Andretti (from #37)
replace Jeremy Mayfield for next year, and will retain RCA
sponsorship. Jeremy will reportedly swap rides with Andretti and take
over the #37 seat next year.
#99 Exide Batteries Ford - no changes for Jeff Burton and Roush Racing.
#? - Kyle Petty to form new team?
#? Morgan Shepard to form new team?
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Happy Motoring :-)
=Ken=
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