1995 Past News & Sources
September
September 4
Jarrett Back at Robert Yates Racing, working on second car
Winston-Salem Journal
Dale Jarrett will be back driving for Robert Yates again next season, say sources close to both men. Ernie Irvan, who is expected to get NASCAR’s OK this week to resume racing this season on the SuperTruck series, would be Jarrett’s teammate on the Yates team as soon as NASCAR gives him the OK him for Winston Cup racing.
“I can’t confirm or deny that, but I should have something to say by midweek,” Jarrett said after yesterday’s race.
Irvan, who would be teammate with Jarrett in the proposed deal, said that no such deal had yet been struck. But Larry McReynolds, the team’s crew chief, said: “I can’t deny that Robert and I have talked about a two-car team. But it would be two separate teams, with separate sponsors.”
September 10
Irvan’s comeback attempt and 2nd Robert Yates Car Confirmed
Goldsboro News-Argus
If driver Ernie Irvan gets the necessary medical clearances from NASCAR and Doctors, he could be back competing in SuperTruck races Sept. 23 at Martinsville and Sept. 30 at North Wilkesboro. If those two SuperTruck races are successful, plans call for Irvan to make his comeback from life-threatening injuries, suffered a year ago in a practice crash at Michigan, in the Oct. 1 Winston Cup event at north Wilkesboro.
Irvan would be driving the No. 88 Thunderbird owned by Robert Yates and sponsored by Texaco Havoline. Yates might even opt to having a two-car team for the 1996 season, keeping Dale Jarrett around to share the duties with Irvan. However, NASCAR officials say, Irvan hasn’t yet approached them about getting the necessary medical clearances.
“This issue isn’t about Ernie’s eyes,” said one NASCAR official. “He had serious head injuries. That’s what we’re concerned about as much as anything else.”
September 11
Roush to start 3rd team, Burton to drive, Parrott to Crew Chief
Richmond Telegram
Jack Roush, owner of the Ford Thunderbirds driven by Mark Martin and Ted Musgrave, announced over the weekend that he will form a third team for the 1996 season and it’ll be sponsored by Exide Batteries. Jeff Burton inked a three-year deal to drive the Ford and Buddy Parrott takes the role of general manager.
“This is a three-car operation and I’m hoping the team atmosphere will work as well as the other two teams that are out there right now,” Parrott said. Parrott had been Rusty Wallace’s crew chief up until this season, when he became Steve Grissom’s crew chief. But he left that post earlier this season and his absence has been noticed. Burton, who resides in South Boston, took Winston Cup rookie of the year honors last year.
“This is something that didn’t take but about two seconds for me to make my decision,” Burton said. “I’m just real excited about it. To be involved with Buddy and the experience he has obviously is going to help me tremendously.” Roush said the team will be located in the Charlotte area while his two current teams will remain in Liberty. “By locating the new team in Charlotte, it’s going to give us a chance to participate in the information exchange there and work more closely with some of the manufacturers and suppliers,” Roush said.
GM sources confirm that Roush offered the third-team ride first to Ward Burton, Jeff’s brother, with the promise of fielding either a Pontiac or Chevrolet next season. But GM officials told Ward Burton they wouldn’t support any such Roush effort.
Geoff Bodine Racing loses its sponsorship with Exide, but Exide will sponsor a Roush-owner SuperTruck team, based in Livonia, Mich.
September 23
Stricklin to Stavola
The Salisbury Post
The Stavola Brothers team made it official Friday, naming Hut Stricklin as its driver in the No. 8 Ford.
Stricklin will replace Jeff Burton, who is leaving to join a third Jack Roush team.
“We are very pleased to have a driver the caliber of Hut to race for us,” Bill Stavola said. “He brings great credentials to the table, and we feel that it will only be a matter of time before he arrives in victory lane.”
The team has also retained crew chief Donnie Richeson. It expects to introduce a new sponsor next month, Stavola said.
September 24
Labonte, Makar Stays at Gibbs
The Sun Journal
Two Winston Cup drivers who were happy despite the rain that messed up the schedule at Martinsville Speedway on Friday and Saturday were Bobby Labonte and Derrike Cope, both with contract extensions.
Labonte and crew chief Jimmy Makar both agreed to five-year deals with Joe Gibbs Racing that will keep the team intact through 2000.
Labonte joined Gibbs, former coach of the Washington Redskins, at the beginning of 1995 and has won the first three races of his Winston Cup career and is ranked eighth in the season points. He originally signed a three-year contract and now is contracted through 2002.
“I signed for five more years because I feel like I’m in the right position with this team,” said Labonte, younger brother of 1984 Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte. “This is a stable situation with a good team that’s going forward.”
Makar, the brother-in-law of Gibbs’ first Winston Cup driver, Dale Jarrett, was the team’s first full-time employee when it was formed in July 1991.
Cope Signs Extension with Allison
The Sun Journal
Two Winston Cup drivers who were happy despite the rain that messed up the schedule at Martinsville Speedway on Friday and Saturday were Bobby Labonte and Derrike Cope, both with contract extensions.
Car-owner Bobby Allison notified Cope, who drove the last 12 races of 1994 and all of this season for Allison’s team, this past week that he has picked up the option year on his contract.
“I did not expect it to come this early, but I think it shows that together we have progressed in a positive way and can look forward to a long and enduring relationship,” said Cope, who is 16th in the season points and has one top-five and six top-10 finishes in Allison’s cars this year.
September 29
Waltrip to the Wood Brothers, Shepherd out
Charlotte Observer
Michael Waltrip was confirmed Friday as the driver who’ll take over the No. 21 Fords of the Wood Brothers Racing team in 1996.
Team co-owner/manager Eddie Wood said at North Wilkesboro Speedway that Waltrip has signed a two-year contract. He succeeds Morgan Shepherd with the operation that previously fielded Fords for such star drivers as David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, A.J. Foyt, Kyle Petty and the late Neil Bonnett.
Shepherd’s contract wasn’t renewed, and he hasn’t divulged his plans.
“We’re finishing up our new shop, adding two team members and bringing Michael on as driver, so we’re really looking forward to next year,” said Wood, son of team founder Glen Wood.
“No one has driven for the Woods who wasn’t a winner,” Waltrip said. “I was living with Kyle when he got his break with the Wood Brothers and I always hoped I’d get a chance to drive for them some day. . . . I expect to win in their car and continue their winning tradition.”
Waltrip is in his seventh season at Bahari Racing. He’s expected to be followed with that team by Grand National points leader Johnny Benson Jr.