NASCAR: Ken's NASCAR Notebook 96-09-04
- Ken_Corpus@wb.xerox.com (Ken Corpus)
- MNI - Motorsport News International
- Sat Sep 7 21:47:06 EDT 1996
Ken's NASCAR Notebook - September 4, 1996
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Winston Cup Schedule for '97
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Well, if you haven't seen it yet, here it is:
Feb. 9 Daytona International Speedway Busch Clash*
Feb. 16 Daytona International Speedway Daytona 500
Feb. 23 North Carolina Motor Speedway
March 2 Richmond International Raceway
March 9 Atlanta Motor Speedway
March 23 Darlington Raceway TranSouth Fin. 400
April 6 Texas Motor Speedway
April 13 Bristol Motor Speedway
April 20 Martinsville Speedway
April 27 Talladega Superspeedway Winston Select 500
May 4 Sears Point Raceway
May 17 Charlotte Motor Speedway The Winston Select*
May 25 Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 1 Dover Downs Int'l Speedway
June 8 Pocono Raceway
June 15 Michigan International Speedway
June 22 The California Speedway
July 5 Daytona International Speedway Pepsi 400
July 13 New Hampshire Int'l Speedway
July 20 Pocono Raceway
Aug. 2 Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Aug. 10 Watkins Glen International Bud at the Glen
Aug. 17 Michigan International Speedway
Aug. 23 Bristol Motor Speedway
Aug. 31 Darlington Raceway Mntn Dw Southern 500
Sept. 6 Richmond International Raceway
Sept. 14 New Hampshire Int'l Speedway
Sept. 21 Dover Downs Int'l Speedway
Sept. 28 Martinsville Speedway
Oct. 5 Charlotte Motor Speedway
Oct. 12 Talladega Superspeedway Sears DieHard 500
Oct. 26 North Carolina Motor Speedway
Nov. 2 Phoenix International Raceway
Nov. 16 Atlanta Motor Speedway
Nov. 23 Suzuka Circuitland**
* = Non-championship point event
** = Demonstration event
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Roush adds Second Truck
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Jack Roush recently announced that he will add a second truck for the
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, with Chuck Bown as the full time drive.
Chuck was recently released from the #95 car of Sadler Motorsports.
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Andretti & Mayfield Swap Rides
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Previously, I mentioned that John Andretti and Jeremy Mayfield would be
swapping rides next year, but a recent news story says that they will
be swapping rides for this weekend's race at Richmond.
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Texas Motor Speedway Tix
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Tickets for the April Texas 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway are not
yet on sale. You can call the track and ask to be put on the mailing
list for ticket information. In about two weeks, the track will mail
out information on how to order tickets to all those that are on the
list. You must be on the mailing list to get the info and you must
order your tickets thru the mail after you receive the information.
Call the TMS ticket office at 817-430-7223.
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California Speedway Tix
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Tickets for the June California 500 race at California Speedway are not
yet on sale. You must call the Michigan International Speedway
Information Center to be added to the mailing list for California
Speedway ticket information. Call them 1-800-354-1010 and follow the
prompts for options 1, then 5, and then 2
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Silly Season Central
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Keeping track of this stuff could be a full time job!!!
#1 Hooters Pontiac - Rick Mast leaves to drive the #75 car (official).
Pressley could come over to fill the vacant seat (as Pressley leaves
the #33 car). Hooters may be replaced by Skoal (if Schrader brings
Bud to the #33 car).
#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. Will likely stay parttime next year.
#15 Hayes Modems Ford - no changes for Bud Moore and Wally Dallenbach.
#16 Family Channel/PrimeStar Ford - Roush, both sponsors, and Musgrave
will back for next year (officially announced).
#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 - Despite rumors about Ward Burton reportedly taking
over the #25 seat potentially vacated by Kenny Schrader, Ward
announced his intentions to stay with Bill Davis' team. Another rumor
has Mark Rypien merging with Davis' operation.
#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 was reportedly talking toWard Burton, but Ward
has announced his intentions of staying with the #22 team. Hendrick
is now rumored to be talking with Ricky Craven as the replacement.
Budweiser sponsorship likely in jeopardy when Kenny leaves.
#27 Sponsor? Ford - this is the 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.
One rumor has Ernie driving for (retired) Jr. Johnson next year.
#29 Cartoon Network Chevy - Diamond Ridge Motorsports released Steve
Grissom earlier this year. Currently, Grag Sacks is the current
driver. Reports
say that Bill Ingle is looking at Robert Pressley and Derrike Cope.
#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 for full schedule.
#33 Skoal Pontiac - Robert Pressley leaves the Leo Jackson team next
year (official) and might go to Jackson's brother's #1 team vacated by
Rick Mast. 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 chief for
Kranefuss & Haas. John Andretti swaps rides with the Jeremy Mayfield
of the #98 RCA Ford. Kranefuss may buy out Carl Haas' interest in the team.
#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
but rumors say Craven wants to leave and drive the #25 car for Hendrick.
#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.
Rick Mast has signed a 3-year deal to take over as driver in 1997
with Remington returning 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 - 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.
Rumor is that Morgan Shepard is talking to Junie about 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.
#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. Rumor has it that mark
is trying to merge with Bill Davis and the #22 team.
#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...or possibly stay with Sabates now???
#? - Morgan Shepard to form new team...talk now is that he is talking
with the #90 Junie Donlavey & Heilig-Meyers team about next year.
#? - Morgan-McClure to form 2nd team...reportedly on hold for now
#? - M&M Mars company to form or sponsor new team...
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Happy Motoring :-)
=Ken=
E-Mail: Ken_Corpus@wb.xerox.com or 76734.1003@compuserve.com
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