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WINSTON CUP CHANGES

Updated January 27, 1996

It is the time of the year when the changes for the upcoming season are coming fast and furious. To help you keep track of the changes, we offer this page which summarizes the changes on a team by team basis for Winston Cup.

Stay tuned this could be the most interesting page on the Web over the next couple of months.


1 Precision Products Racing
The team has announced a switch to the slippery new Pontiac Grand Prix and in a bit of surprise Skoal is out and Hooters is in as sponsor.
Driver: Rick Mast
Crew chief: Kevin Hamlin
Sponsor: Hooters is going to replace Skoal
2 Penske South Racing
The car debuted the revised 25th anniversary Miller colors at Atlanta. See the preview page for a picture of the 1996 Rusty Wallace Thunderbird.
Driver: Rusty Wallace signed a "life-time" contract Miller.
Crew chief: Robin Pemberton
Sponsor: Miller and Miller Lite
3 Richard Childress Racing
Mike Skinner has stated that he will drive a second Childress in some Winston Cup events next year and Earnhardt is also contemplating a Cup team, but Dale is signed for 1996 at RCR and they are working on an extension. Earnhardt is working on contracts with Goodwrench and Childress.
Driver: Dale Earnhardt
Crew chief: David Smith is promoted, replacing Andy Petree who has returned to the Skoal #33.
Sponsor: GM Goodwrench Services
4 Morgan-McClure MotorSports
Driver: Sterling Marlin
Crew chief: Tony Glover
Sponsor: Kodak
5 Hendrick Motorsports
Labonte, DeHart and Kellogs have renewed their contracts with Henrdick.
Driver: Terry Labonte
Crew chief: Gary DeHart
Sponsor: Kellogs. Quaker State replaces Valvoline as an associate.
6 Roush Racing
Driver: Mark Martin
Crew chief: Steve Hmeil
Sponsor: Valvoline will be back, but the color scheme will be updated to more closely resemble Valvoline cars in other series, similar to the Brickyard 400 scheme.
7 Geoff Bodine
Driver: Geoff Bodine
Crew Chief: Paul Andrews
Sponsor: QVC Inc. was announced at the Winston-Salem Winston Cup Preview after months of speculation. Exide left to join the third Roush entry.
8 Stavola Brothers Racing
This team appears to still be hunting for a primiary sponsor. Kendall Oil is listed as an associate on their promotional materials.
Driver:Hut Stricklin has signed a 3 year deal to replace Jeff Burton.
Crew Chief: Phillipe Lopez replaces Donnie Richeson has moved to Brett Bodine's team.
Sponsor: Kendall Oil will replace Raybestos, but only as an associate?
9 Melling Racing
Driver: Lake Speed
Crew chief: Jim Long.
Sponsor: Spam
10 Rudd Performance Motorsports
Rudd recently won his lawsuit against Felix Sabates regarding the services of engineer, Dave Charpentier. Charpentier has been barred from working for any Winston Cup team in 1996.
Driver: Ricky Rudd
Crew chief: Richard Broome joins RPM from King Motorsports
Sponsor: Tide was extended until 1997 and will be joined by Whirlpool and Downey Fabric Softener.
11 Brett Bodine Racing
Brett Bodine purchased the #11 team from Junior Johnson after months of speculation.
Driver: Brett Bodine
Crew chief: Donnie Richeson, Brett's brother-in-law joins Brett's team
Sponsor: Lowes Home Improvement Warehouses sponsorship remains intact.
12 Bobby Allison Racing
Driver: Derrike Cope has renewed his contract with BAR
Crew chief: Jim Fenning
Sponsor: Mane 'n Tail/Straight Arrow
15 Bud Moore Engineering
Bud Moore said he would shut his doors on December 15th if he didn't find a sposnsor. He hasn't landed a sponsor yet and he didn't close his doors. Wally Dallenbach has been hired to test Moore's Fords in Daytona on January 9-11 and 22-24. Presumably, Dallenbach will be hired on if a sponsor is signed. Donnie Wingo has moved to the Travis Carter team.
Driver:? Wally Dallenbach
Crew chief: ?
Sponsor: ? The team needs to find a sponsor after the departure of Quality Care.
16 Roush Racing
Driver: Ted Musgrave
Crew chief: Howard Comstock
Sponsor: Family Channel
17 DarWal Inc
Darrell is recovering nicely from his surgey after Atlanta and is on schedule for a healthy return to Daytona. Waltrip isn't letting on if '96 will be his last as a driver.
Driver: Darrell Waltrip
Crew chief: Pete Peterson
Sponsor: Western Auto, but under the name of "Parts America" a new entry in the "parts only marketplace. Also look for a new paint scheme in Daytona.
18 Joe Gibbs Racing
Labonte and Maker signed contract extensions with Gibbs. Hendricks Motorsports will longer be supplying the engines to this team. Joe Gibbs Racing is now developing their own engine program in-house.
Driver: Bobby Labonte
Crew chief: Jimmy Makar
Sponsor: Interstate Batteries
19 Tri-Star Motorsports
The Tri-Star team is going to move into the building vacated by Kenny Bernstein's outfit.
Driver: Loy Allen Jr.
Crew Chief: Jeff Hammond joins the team.
Sponsor: HealthSource has signed a three year deal with Tri-Star to run the full season.
21 Wood Brothers
Driver: Michael Waltrip was confirmed as the 1996 driver during the week between Martinsville and North Wilkesboro.
Engines: Danny Glad moves over to the Wood Brothers from the 7 car.
Crew chief: Leonard Wood
Sponsor: Citgo returns but look for a new red color scheme that can be seen on the season preview page.
22 Bill Davis Racing
Driver: Ward Burton joined the team at Bristol in August 1995.
Crew chief: Clyde Booth joins from Darrell Waltrip's team and will be responsible for the new 1996 Grand Prix.
Sponsor: MBNA remains as primary sponsor after talk they would leave the team.
23 Travis Carter Motorsports
Donnie Wingo joins team as Crew Chief, replacing Cecil Gordon.
Driver: Jimmy Spencer renews contract with Carter.
Crew chief: Donnie Wingo
Sponsor: Smokin' Joe's.
24 Hendrick Motorsports
Driver: Jeff Gordon - 1995 Winston Cup Champion
Crew chief: Ray Evernham
Sponsor: Dupont. Quaker State replaces Valvoline as an associate.
25 Hendrick Motorsports
Ray Evernham, Jeff Gordon's crew chief, will also serve as Team Manager for the Schrader team in an effort to bring some much needed consistency to the Budweiser team.
Ken Howes, has been appointed Director of Research & Development.
Driver: Ken Schrader
Crew chief: Ken Hammer
Sponsor: Budweiser. Quaker State replaces Valvoline as an associate.
27 David Blair
An attorney named David Blair who is a friend of Bill Davis from Arkansas, has finalized a deal to buy this team from Bob Brooks who had only recently purchased Junior Johnsons's shares.
Driver: Elton Sawyer
Crew chief: Mike Hill
Sponsor: This team is sponsor hunting as Hooters has moved to the #1 Rick Mast team
28 Robert Yates Racing
Driver: Ernie Irvan - swaps seats with Dale Jarrett.
Crew chief: Larry McReynolds
Sponsor: Texaco/Havoline
29 Diamond Ridge Motorsport
Driver: Steve Grissom
Crew Chief: Bill Ingle has been named Manager of Race Operations and Winston Cup Crew Chief in a deal that will also give him his desired opportunity to drive in some Supertruck and BGN races.
Sponsor: Hanna-Barbera joins Diamond Ridge as Cartoon Network Wacky Racing joins the circuit. A picture of the wild graphics on the car is available on the preview page.
30 Bahari Racing
Driver: Johnny Benson - Benson was confirmed as the driver for the Pennzoil Pontiac for three years in a deal announced at CMS. The details are on our CMS Tuesday notes page.
Crew chief: Doug Hewitt
Sponsor: Pennzoil antes up for another 3 years on the new Grand Prixs.
31 A.G. Dillard Motorsports
This team has no known plans for 1996 and has no immediate plans to run in 1996. Crew Chief Phillipe Lopez has left for the #8 Stavola team.
Driver: Ward Burton was released before the August Bristol race. A number of drivers filled the seat for the balance of the season - none leaving a lasting impression.
Crew chief: ?
Sponsor: Hardees won't be back and associate Ferguson is off to Petty Enterprises.
32 Active Trucking
Dean Myers indicates 1996 plans are still uncertain. Potential sponsors are interested - but not signed. Plan are to run in '96 with race-to-race sponsorship. The team is considering a Busch driver and/or Disk Trickle.
Driver: ?
Crew chief: Doug Williams
Sponsor: ?
33 Leo Jackson
Driver: Robert Pressley
Crew chief: Andy Petree returns to the team with an opportunity to take on some team ownership.
Sponsor: Skoal
37 Kranefuss-Hass
Speculation is this team will field a second car in 1996.
Driver: John Andretti
Crew chief: Tim Brewer
Sponsor: KMART/Little Caesars
40 Brooks-Sabco
This team is in trouble as no sponsorship has been obtained to replace Kendall Oil after they moved over to the #8 Stavola team. Owner Dick Brooks has closed his engine room and head engine builder Gary Nelson was let go.
Driver: The search continues as Rich Bickle will drive Richard Petty's SuperTruck in '96
Crew chief: Jeff Hammond is now employed by Tri-Star and Loy Allen on the #19.
Sponsor: Kendall Oil moved to the Stavola #8 team.
41 Hedricks Racing
Driver: Ricky Craven, 1995 Rookie of the Year
Crew Chief: Rick Ren
Sponsor: Kodiak
42 Sabco Racing
Driver: Kyle Petty
Crew Chief: Billy Woodruff took over from Barry Dodson after leaving Penske South with David Evans and Ronnie Phillips.
Sponsor: Coors Light will return with a new paint scheme on the new 1996 Grand Prix and First Union joins as a new associate sponsor. For a first look at the 1996 Grand Prix take a look at the preview page.
43 Petty Enterprises
Driver: Bobby Hamilton has renewed his contract with Petty Enterprises.
Crew Chief: Robbie Loomis
Sponsor: STP returns for their 25th anniversary and the team will have associate sponsorship from Ferguson Enterprises on the new 1996 Grand Prix. Here is a look at the anniversary color scheme. Apparently Kyle has already told his Dad that silver doesn't show up on the track or TV.
59 Schact Motorsports
Schact has secured Taco Bell sponsorship for a limited Winston Cup schedule. He will also run in ARCA (#75) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (#93) with Taco Bell colors.
Driver: Bob Schact
Crew Chief:
Sponsor: Taco Bell
71 Marcis Racing
Marcis continues a busy test schedule for IROC and assisting Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt. Was selected as Wild-Card entry for '96 Busch Clash. Confirmed that he will race Childress engines at Daytona.
Driver: Dave Marcis
Crew Chief:Terry Shirly has been named as Crew Chief. Dale Fischlein has resigned to resume his driving career.
Sponsor: Olive Gardens is leaving the sport. Marcis apparently has a '96 sponsor - but isn't prepared to announce just yet.
75 Butch Mock Motorsports
Driver: Morgan Shepherd takes over for Todd Bodine
Crew Chief: Troy Selberg will remain as crew chief after a change of heart and a change of driver.
Sponsor: Remington takes over the primary sponsorship and Factory Stores of America stays on as an associate. See the previews page for a picture of the 1996 Remington Thunderbird or the season preview for even more.
77 Jasper Motorsports
Driver: Bobby Hillen, also takes on a part equity position with the team.
Crew Chief: Jay Smith
Team Manager: Dennis Beaver joins Jasper Motorsports as team manager. He was formerly with Penske South.
Sponsor: Federal-Mogul, a premium engine supplier replaces US Air as the primary sponsor with Jasper engines remianing as an associate.
Owner: Doug Bowel, president of Jasper Engines & Transmissions has announced the purchase of controlling interest from D.K. Ulrich. Also involved in the team ownership is driver Bobby Hillin Jr. and Jasper Engines & Transmission distributorship owners Mark Wallace and Mark Harrah.
78 Wilson-Inman Motorsports
Randy MacDonald has changed his plans and will run 15 races to qualify as a ROTY candidate. The team's press release has all the details.
Driver: Randy MacDonald
Crew Chief:
Sponsor: Diamond Rio & Hanes
81 FilMar Racing
This teams will campaign the entire season with new sponsorship from Square D who will join associate sponsor TIC Financial.
Driver: Kenny Wallace
Crew chief: Gil Martin
Sponsor: Square D
87 Nemco Motorsports
Look for a new paint scheme at Daytona. Driver: Joe Nemechek
Crew chief: Jeff Buce was named as the new crew chief at Atlanta
Sponsor: Burger King has renewed the contract and commitment to being the best of the burger cars
88 Robert Yates Racing
Driver: Dale Jarrett - swaps seats with Ernie Irvan.
Crew chief: Todd Parrott gets his first crew chief role after spending much of his career with Rusty Wallace.
Sponsor: Quality Care and Ford Credit have been confirmed as the sponsors on the second RYR car.
90 Junie Donlavey Racing
Driver: Mike Wallace.
Crew chief: Bob Johnson.
Sponsor: Heilig-Meyers.
94 Elliott-Hardy Racing
There are indications that there will be a new paint scheme on this car that debuts at Daytona.
Driver: Bill Elliott
Crew Chief: Mike Beam
Sponsor: McDonalds
95 Sadler Motorsports
Earl Sadler will field Ford Thunderbirds in a full schedule.
Driver: Chuck Bown
Crew Chief: ?
Sponsor: ?
97 Rypien Motorsports
Limited Winston Cup schedule along with a full season in Busch. This team intends a full Winston Cup schedule in a year or two.
Driver: Chad Little.
Crew chief: Gary Cogswell.
Sponsor: John Deere on '96 Pontiac Grand Prixs
98 Cale Yarborough Motorsports
Driver: Jeremy Mayfield has signed a multi-year deal to remain with the team.
Crew chief: Tony Furr.
Sponsor: RCA has confirmed that they will be back in 96.
99 Roush Racing
Driver: Jeff Burton signed as the driver of a third Roush car.
Sponsor: Exide announced as the sponsor in a press conference at Richmond.
Team Manager: Buddy Parrott
Note:Assets of Kenny Bernstein's King Motorsports were auctioned off following the completion of the 1995 season.
SMS Motorsports
This team will compete in 5 Winston Cup events in 1996.
Driver: Mike Chase
Crew Chief: ?
Sponsor: ?
Winston Cup Notes: