Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 15, 1990 TAG: 9007150121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Randy King
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The first semester of our Stock Car Racing 101 class has run out of gas.
Professor Crankshaft, the report cards, please?
\ Dale Earnhardt: The class valedictorian. Scored five perfect grades and came only $7,250 short of a $1 million first semester. If not for a $12 piece of bell housing off Rick Wilson's car, you would have won the Daytona 500 and scored the greatest first-half season ever. Much to the professor's surprise, you no longer are the most mischievous student in class. No on-air cursing. No penalty-box visits. No standing in the corner. Long-time class rowdy showed impeccable conduct.\ Grade: A+.
\ Derrike Cope: When class began in February, you were a hidden character parked in the back of the room. And when you raised your right hand in triumph at Daytona, the professor had to scurry to find a seating chart and ask for two positive IDs. Then, you won at Dover to convince me and the entire class. Everybody knows you now, kid.\ Grade: A.
\ Mark Martin: By far, our most consistent student. Finished in the top five in nine of 15 tests and leads the class in overall points. But your valedictorian chances ended at Richmond when your team got caught cheating. It cost you an A.\ Grade: B+.
\ Kyle Petty: You blew everybody away at Rockingham and pocketed the biggest first-place prize in NASCAR history.
Never expected you and your second-year team to run so consistently strong. Only one negative on the card: Get a haircut.\ Grade: B+.
\ Ernie Irvan: Another class surprise. After starting the semester as a big question mark, you switched rides early in the year and brought the long-overdue Morgan-McClure mount to the front. Yeah, Swervin' Irvan, the professor is betting you win a race in second half. Keep up the good work.\ Grade: B+.
\ Morgan Shepherd: Until the last four tests, you were the big story in class, scoring 11 straight top-10s. Hopefully, you can put brakes on a recent slide. Nevertheless, a solid first half.\ Grade: B+.
\ Rusty Wallace: The professor admits to being concerned about you early. You played the role of lame duck to the hilt, waddling around the track until late May. Then wins at Charlotte and Sears Point saved your hide, not to mention your grade.\ Grade: B.
\ Geoff Bodine: A win, six top-fives and 10 top-10s and rumors still persist your job is in jeopardy. The professor doesn't understand that.
You've brought Junior's car back to the front and you say you like Flossie's biscuits. So what's the problem? None here.\ Grade: B.
\ Dick Trickle: You were right, old man; you can still a race car. It is hoped that cigarette lighter in the car will last through the second half.\ Grade: B-.
\ Brett Bodine: No matter what Darrell Waltrip says, you won at North Wilkesboro. You need to learn to hang around a little longer in class, though. \ Grade: B-.
\ Harry Gant: The win at Pocono helped salvage what appeared to be a dismal half. Who said, "Gant can't?"\ Grade: C.
\ Ken Schrader: Slightly disappointed with your act. Really thought you'd be much better. Instead, you're the same old Schrader, breaking down at all the wrong times. Time to start winning, kid.\ Grade: C.
\ Terry Labonte: A lucky second place in Daytona 500 can carry a guy - for a while, that is. The quiet Texan better start making some noise in second half. Grade: C.
\ Sterling Marlin: The best driver in class who's never won a race. Somehow, Coo Coo's kid hasn't gone coo-coo yet.\ Grade: C.
\ Michael Waltrip: Led class in survival technique. Forget everything else. Just glad you're still with us after the Bristol crash course.\ Grade: C.
\ Dale Jarrett: You have done a much better job in the Wood Brothers car than the results show.\ Grade: C.
\ Hut Stricklin: Hut, Hut, it's not time to take a hike yet.\ Grade: C.
\ Davey Allison: Another disappointment. Take away a 6-inch win at Bristol and the first half was abominable. The hurting Alabama Gang needs you to keep carrying the flag.\ Grade: C-.
\ Dave Marcis, Butch Miller and Jimmy Spencer: Contrary to popular belief, this group is not Larry, Moe and Curly. Forget Marcis and Miller. How about Spencer's new hair piece?\ Grade: C-.
\ Bill Elliott: Awesome is now Lonesome. At least last year, you had an excuse: a broken left arm. OK, I admit you got a bad deal at Michigan. But what about everywhere else?\ Grade: D+.
\ Darrell Waltrip: The biggest flop in class. And adding injury to insult, the rest of the season may have gone down the drain with the practice crash at Daytona. You and the Tide team have been taken to the cleaners. Permanent press is next, unless . . . .\ Grade: D+.
\ Rob Moroso: You're a rookie, but I expected more. I see "Suitcase" Jake Elder already has given up.\ Grade: D+.
\ Ricky Rudd: No alibis accepted here. Maybe it's about time to take a chew of that Levi Garrett.\ Grade: D.
\ Alan Kulwicki: To think, you could have been in Junior's car. Luck has been so bad it makes one wonder if you could win a one-car race.\ Grade: D.
\ Jimmy Means: Better load up on that Alka-Seltzer, Smut.\ Grade: D-.
\ Bobby Hillin: After five years, you still don't know how to brake the car on a pit stop. Word of warning: Don't buy any textbooks for next season yet.\ Grade: D-.
\ Richard Petty: At least your attendance mark has been up. Unlike last year, you have bothered to show up for every test. But, as I know you'll admit, your numbers have been awful. No top 10s, an out-of-bounds 27th-place spot on the points list. Good conduct is still your only plus.\ Grade: F+.
\ Rick Wilson: Ah, yes, the Bartow (Fla.) Basher. The sheet-metal boys at Morgan-McClure must have thrown a party when you left for the Rahmoc bunch. The price of midnight oil in Abingdon has dropped severely with your departure. Better load up on those Dinner Bell Meats products just in case. After all, Cole Trickle needs a ride.\ Grade: F.
by CNB