NASCAR Cup

News 97-12-22

NASCARFans E-Mail Newsletter OK, apparently there was some confusion over the "MRN/Sears Diehard Fan of the Year" (at least I was confused, anyway). Lynne, whose information I posted here last week, was a finalist in the contest, but not ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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NASCARFans E-Mail Newsletter

OK, apparently there was some confusion over the "MRN/Sears Diehard Fan of the Year" (at least I was confused, anyway). Lynne, whose information I posted here last week, was a finalist in the contest, but not the actual grand prize winner. The grand prize winner was Kim Hunter, of York, PA. I'm sorry for any confusion this may have caused. ===== Further on Richard Petty's first race, courtesy of Bob:

To take it a step further, it was at the Canadian National Exposition Speedway (CNE Stadium), a one-third mile asphalt oval, on July 18, 1958. The race was won by Daddy Lee, driving a '57 Olds, and the back up car Richard drove was a '56 Old convertible. Of interest, Lorne Greene (Ben Cartwright of Bonanza) was the track announcer for this track around this time, and he might have been the announcer for Richard's first run.

Courtesy of THE STOCK CAR RACING ENCYCLOPEDIA ===== Nashville, TN television station WSMV said (Friday night) that Fox Television Network will sponsor DW in his Cup efforts in 1998. They said they they couldn't reach DW for comment, as he was on the road back from North Carolina. (thanks, Ken)

but....... as of Saturday, Jayski had this report....

"Looks like the Darrell Waltrip and FOX America's Most Wanted sponsorship deal has fallen through. Have not heard of any other potential sponsors at this point"

Hopefully DW can get a sponsor locked in very soon. ===== Here's Jayski's news gatherings:

I hear Lake Speed is very estatic about the new Taurus and that he was the fastest at Talladega's 3 day test, sorry no times reported. I hear the big Ford teams were not quite as happy. Supposedly Speed feels the Taurus handled and felt so much better than the Thunderbird and in comparison, the Taurus feels like you are driving a luxury car.

Found out some very preliminary speeds at Ford's private test of the Taurus at Charlotte today: Dale Jarrett(88)-176.750mph; Jeff Burton(99)-176.298; Greg Sacks(98)-176.183; Brett Bodine(11)-176.068; Ricky Rudd(10)-176.010; Jimmy Spencer(23)-174-701; Michael Waltrip(21)-174.362; Dick Trickle(90)-174.250; Kenny Irwin, Jr(28)-172.084. Other teams there but no times: Ted Musgrave(16); Mark Martin(6); Rusty Wallace(2); Jeremy Mayfield(37); Lake Speed(9); Rick Mast(75); Jerry Nadeau(13). Kenny Irwin hit the wall around 4pm and wrecked the car pretty good, but was not hurt. For a measure: Geoff Bodines pole speed in October was 184.256mph. Remember these are not official, just preliminary and the temperature today was only in the 60's, plus I hear they were running race setups. PS: I have heard no times for the Talladega tests at all.

Ricky Rudd, owner/driver of the #10 Tide Ford and Dick Trickle, driver of the #90 Helig-Meyers Ford and owner Junie Donlavey have decided to help each other out in sharing information from testing runs, wind-tunnel gigs and other data compiled both on and off the track. They will not be true teammates but will help each other out. (Skip Wood, Times-Dispatch)

"Santerre finds ride for Busch circuit: Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre has a ride for his first season on the Busch Grand National South circuit next year. After a lucrative deal with a team owned by a NASCAR Winston Cup driver fell through due to lack of sponsorship, Santerre signed a one year deal with a first time owner. The 29-year old Santerre said he could not divulge the name of the owner at this time, but he is pleased with the arrangement. Monro Muffler-Brake Service of Rochester, N.Y., will sponsor Santerre for approximately $1.5 million, but Santerre said they are still looking for associate sponsors."(Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News)

"According to local sources in Maine, Ricky Craven was out snowmobiling on Thursday night, and while he was out there going 50 or 60 mph, a moose stepped out in front of him. He was not injured, and the snowmobile is ok too. According to my source, WGAN radio interviewed Craven about this on the air Friday morning. No other details were reported."

Jay has the schedule for the Christmas Eve ESPN race marathon at:

http://www.jayski.com/espn.html

SPOILER ALERT: Per Jayski's buddy Matt: This week's TV Guide mentions the winner of the race in their listings, so if you you wish not to know who wins the race and then watch it, you may wish to look elsewhere for the times.

WC Testing Schedule at Daytona: Jan 3-5 General Motors; Jan 6-8 Ford; Jan 12-14 GM; Jan 19-21 Ford(WC Scene)

Thank you, Jay. ===== In 1967, Bill France Sr. dedicated the Firecracker 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway to the memory of the late astronaut, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, one of the three Apollo 1 astronauts who were killed 30 years ago on the launch pad.

The son of this original Mercury astronaut is Scott Grissom, the driver of the No. 73 Chevy in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. On Wednesday in the presence of Gus Grissom's widow, Betty, President Clinton honored the elder Grissom's two Apollo 1 crewmen, Lt. Commander Roger Chaffee and Lt. Colonel Edward White with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

"In 1978, President Carter presented Commander Grissom with one of the first Congressional Space Medals of Honor. Today, I have the privilege of presenting the same medal to his crewmates, Roger Chaffee and Edward White," Clinton said.

Only 10 individuals have ever received this award.

Grissom, a former SCCA road racing national champion, plans to compete in his home state NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Texas Motor Speedway in June -- an event in which he finished 23rd a year ago in his series debut. Among the other events he'd like to try in a limited season is the inaugural series event at Memphis Motorsports Park in September. (NASCAR Online) ===== As promised:

T minus 27 days and counting 'til the Craftsman Chevy Trucks Challenge T minus 48 days and counting 'til the Winston Cup Bud Shootout T minus 53 days and counting 'til the Busch Series NAPA Auto Parts 300 T minus 54 days and counting 'til the Winston Cup Daytona 500 ====

Mike Irwin (mailto:mike@nascarfans.com) NASCAR Fans _______________________________________

NASCAR Fans Website http://www.nascarfans.com _______________________________________

To subscribe/unsubscribe to the E-mail List send mail to (mailto:nascarfans-request@nascarfans.com) subject line: subscribe or subject line: unsubscribe ________________________________________

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