The Buzz: October 12, 2001
October 12, 2001
5:45 PM EDT (2145 GMT)
Ongoing insider discussions continue to swirl about Michael Waltrip's future.
After producing his lone career victory with the Daytona 500 to start this year, the driver of the No. 15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet hasn't exactly delivered. With multiple DNFs and sub-par qualifying efforts, rumors persist that he may be out at the end of this year.
Since that season-opening trip to Victory Lane, Waltrip has had only one other top-10 result. He has also plummeted from first to 28th in points and had three different crew chiefs.
The hierarchy of Dale Earnhardt Inc. has stated that Waltrip has one more year on his contract. But, as everyone knows, Robby Gordon began the year driving for the Morgan-McClure Motorports No. 4 team with a five-year contract. He was out of the ride five races into the season.
DON'T BE CRUEL
The word around the Winston Cup garage Friday was that Robert Pressley would be out of the No. 77 Jasper Engines Ford following the 2001 season. Rumor has it Dave Blaney is set to take over the ride.
AERO CHANGES
The Buzz has learned that NASCAR will make aerodynamic alterations to the Ford Taurus and Pontiac Grand Prix for the upcoming Winston Cup race at Talladega.
The Ford’s rear spoiler will be reduced from 57 inches to 55 ½ inches, while the Pontiac’s roof air deflector will be lowered 1/8 of a inch, from 1 3/8 inches to 1 ¼ inches.
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