THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502100661
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: NASCAR '95: Season Preview
LENGTH: Long : 686 lines
1 - RICK MAST Age: 37.
Residence: Rockbridge Baths, Va.
Car: Skoal Classic Racing Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Richard Jackson.
Crew chief: Kevin Hamlin.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: In his finest season to date, Mast won the pole for the Brickyard 400, finished 18th in points, had 10 top-10 finishes and won $722,361.
Career highlights: No victories in 154 starts. Started racing in 1973. Made Winston Cup debut in 1988. Career Winston Cup earnings exceed $2.23 million. Starting fifth full year with Richard Jackson.
Scouting report: Mast seemed ready to break through with a win in 1994. If his team improves as much in 1995 as it did in 1994, he'll visit Victory Lane.
2 - RUSTY WALLACE
Age: 38.
Residence: Concord, N.C.
Car: Miller Genuine Draft Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Penske Racing (partnership of Roger Penske, Rusty Wallace and Don Miller.
Crew chief: Robin Pemberton.
1995 changes: Pemberton replaces Buddy Parrott.
1994 highlights: Won eight races and three poles, finished third in Winston Cup points and collected $1,914,072.
Career highlights: Has 39 victories in 300 Winston Cup starts, including 10 in 1993. Was Winston Cup runner-up in 1988 and champion in 1989, with six victories each year. Made Winston Cup debut at Atlanta in 1980 and finished second in a Penske-owned car. Came to NASCAR from ASA and USAC. Winston Cup rookie of the year in 1984; full time since then. Career earnings of $11.11 million.
Scouting report: Will the personnel changes on his team hurt or help his chances for a championship? If Wallace can click with Pemberton and improve his superspeedway record, he can win it all.
3 - DALE EARNHARDT
Age: 43.
Residence: Mooresville, N.C.
Car: GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Richard Childress.
Crew chief: Andy Petree.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Earnhardt won a record-tying seventh Winston Cup championship on the strength of four victories and 25 top-10 finishes. He won a record $3,300,733 and proved yet again he's the best in the sport.
Career highlights: Seven-time Winston Cup champion (1980, '86, '87, '90, '91, '93, '94); 63 career victories in 480 starts. Eleven wins in 1987. Total Winston Cup earnings of almost $23 million is tops in U.S. racing. Made Winston Cup debut in 1975. Full time since 1979, when he was rookie of the year.
Scouting report: Can anyone be a better pick for the title? Not a chance. Earnhardt has won six of the last nine championships, and he should make it seven-for-10.
4 - STERLING MARLIN
Age: 37.
Residence: Columbia, Tenn.
Car: Kodak Film Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Morgan-McClure Racing.
Crew chief: Tony Glover.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Marlin won the Daytona 500 - his first Winston Cup victory - and had 10 other top 10 finishes. He was 14th in Winston Cup points and earned $1,127,683
Career highlights: Marlin has one victory 309 races. First raced Winston Cup in 1976. Rookie of the year in 1983. Full time since 1987. More than $5 million in career earnings.
Scouting report: Now that he's got that first victory out of the way, Marlin needs to prove it wasn't a fluke. His car is capable of running up front more often than it did in 1994.
5 - TERRY LABONTE
Age: 38.
Residence: Thomasville, N.C.
Car: Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Rick Hendrick.
Crew chief: Gary DeHart.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Jumped from 18th to seventh in points. Won three races for the first time in his career. Also had 11 other top-10 finishes and won $1,125,921.
Career highlights: Won 1984 Winston Cup championship with two victories and six seconds. Has 13 wins in 480 career starts. Made Winston Cup debut in 1979 and has been full time since then. First win in 1980. Won The Winston in 1988 and IROC title in 1989. Has won $8.89 million in Winston Cup racing.
Scouting report: Terry Labonte proved anew in 1994 that he's an outstanding stock-car racer. His team is solid, and he cannot be counted out to challenge for his second title in 1995.
6 - MARK MARTIN
Age: 36.
Residence: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Car: Valvoline Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Jack Roush.
Crew chief: Steve Hmiel.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Won two races and a pole, and had 15 top-fives and 20 top-10s. Runner-up in the points championship. Won $1,628,906, another personal best.
Career highlights: First ran Winston Cup in 1981 and raced full time in 1982 before returning to ASA and All-Pro. Returned full time to Winston Cup in 1988 with Roush. Has 14 victories in 263 Winston Cup starts, with first win at Rockingham in October '89. Career earnings: more than $8.13 million.
Scouting report: With Steve Hmiel firmly in the saddle as crew chief and no significant team changes, Martin must be considered the most likely challenger to Dale Earnhardt in 1995.
7 - GEOFF BODINE
Age: 45.
Residence: Julian, N.C.
Car: Exide Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Geoff Bodine.
Crew chief: Paul Andrews.
1995 changes: With withdrawal of Hoosier Tire Co., Bodine switches to Goodyear.
1994 highlights: Won three races and five poles but finished 17th in points, largely because he only had 10 top-10 finishes. Earned $1,276,126.
Career highlights: Has 17 victories in 381 starts. Made Winston Cup debut in 1979; named rookie of the year in 1982; earned first victory in 1984. Won Daytona 500 in 1986. Has won $8.4 million in Winston Cup career. Was 1987 IROC champion. Purchased Alan Kulwicki's team after the 1992 Winston Cup champion was killed in a plane crash in April 1993.
Scouting report: Bodine knows how to win races, and his team knows how to win a championship. And this year they won't spend every spare minute testing tires. Bodine should have several victories and may contend for the title.
8 - JEFF BURTON
Age: 27.
Residence: South Boston, Va.
Car: Raybestos Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Stavola Brothers Racing.
Crew chief: Donnie Richeson.
1995 changes: Team returns to Goodyear tires.
1994 highlights: Rookie of the year, with three top-10 finishes, including fourth-place finishes at Atlanta and Pocono. Finished 24th in Winston Cup points with earnings of $594,700.
Career highlights: Began racing go-carts at age 8. Ran first Grand National race in 1988. Won first GN race at Martinsville in 1990. Has four career GN wins.
Scouting report: Burton proved himself the most capable of a crowd of rookies. He should move higher in points, but don't look for his first victory quite yet.
9 - LAKE SPEED
Age: 46.
Residence: Concord, N.C.
Car: Spam Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Harry Melling.
Crew chief: Peter Sospenzo.
1995 changes: Speed becomes team's driver and manager; Spam becomes sponsor.
1994 highlights: Speed, driving the Bud Moore Ford, finished 11th in Winston Cup points with nine top-10 finishes, including a third at Bristol in April. He won $832,463.
Career highlights: Won the 1988 TranSouth 500 at Darlington, his only victory in 299 career Winston Cup starts. Started in go-karts and became 1978 world karting champion. Made Winston Cup debut in 1980. Finished second in 1985 Daytona 500. Career earnings of $2.83 million.
Scouting report: People still can't figure out why Speed left Moore, and as this season progresses, that question will burn ever hotter. Fifteenth or better in points would be a big success for this inexperienced team.
10 - RICKY RUDD
Age: 38.
Residence: Lake Norman, N.C., and Chesapeake.
Car: Tide Ford Thunderbird.
Owners: Ricky and Linda Rudd.
Crew chief: Bill Ingle.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Won one race, had 15 top-10 finishes and finished fifth in Winston Cup points, second-best of his career. Won $1,044,441.
Career highlights: Has 15 wins in 500 starts. Career earnings: $8.68 million. One-third of his victories have come on road courses. Made Winston Cup debut in 1975; rookie of the year in 1977; full time since 1981. First victory was in 1983; he has won at least one race a year since.
Scouting report: The most impressive thing about Rudd's rookie season as an owner/driver was his consistency. It suggests he's ready to contend for the title.
11 - BRETT BODINE
Age: 36.
Residence: Harrisburg, N.C.
Car: Lowe's Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Junior Johnson.
Crew chief: Mike Beam.
1995 changes: Bodine takes over for Bill Elliott; Lowe's replaces Budweiser as sponsor.
1994 highlights: In Kenny Bernstein's Ford, Bodine had six top-10 finishes, including second place in the Brickyard 400, and was 19th in points. He won $791,444.
Career highlights: Has one victory in 220 Winston Cup starts. Started racing in 1977. Drove modifieds in Northeast from 1977 through 1986. Joined brother Geoff on Winston Cup circuit with debut at World 600 in 1986. Full time in Winston Cup since 1988. Has won $3.46 million in Winston Cup.
Scouting report: Bill Elliott won in this car. So did Terry Labonte, and brother Geoff. Brett had better win here, too, if he knows what's good for his career.
12 - DERRIKE COPE
Age: 36.
Residence: Huntersville, N.C.
Car: Straight Arrow Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Bobby Allison.
Crew chief: Jimmy Fennig.
1995 changes: Cope begins first full season here.
1994 highlights: Two top-10 finishes in 30 starts to finish 30th in points, four spots below his 1993 place. Won $398,436.
Career highlights: Has two wins in 216 starts. Won the 1990 Daytona 500 and another race at Dover in his first full year on the Winston Cup circuit. Total career earnings of almost $2.4 million.
Scouting report: Don't expect miracles here, but Cope has shown he can win, and he's got a decent car.
15 - DICK TRICKLE
Age: 53.
Residence: Iron Station, N.C.
Car: Ford Quality Care Thunderbird.
Owner: Bud Moore.
Crew chief: Donnie Wingo.
1995 changes: Trickle replaces Lake Speed.
1994 highlights: Trickle had one top-10 finish in 25 starts. He finished 34th in points and won $244,806.
Career highlights: The former Midwestern short-track star has more than 1,000 wins in his 35-year career. Two-time ASA champion. First Winston Cup race was in 1970. Was 1989 rookie of the year at age 48. Has four third-place finishes in 167 starts, with $1.79 million in Cup purses.
Scouting report: This is Trickle's chance of a lifetime, but at age 53, what can you expect? A victory would be something of a miracle, but it might actually happen on a short track.
16 - TED MUSGRAVE
Age: 39.
Residence: Troutman, N.C.
Car: The Family Channel Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Jack Roush.
Crew chief: Howard Comstock.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Musgrave won three poles and had eight top-10 finishes to wind up 13th in points. He won $656,187.
Career highlights: The son of a former USAC racer, he started racing in 1973. Raced outlaw stocks 1983-86, with top-five finishes in 97 percent of races run. 1987 ASA rookie of the year. First Winston Cup race in 1990. No wins in 122 starts. Career earnings of $1.78 million.
Scouting report: Musgrave has made steady progress in his Winston Cup career and had a fine 1994 campaign. He should win in 1995.
17 - DARRELL WALTRIP
Age: 48.
Residence: Franklin, Tenn.
Car: Western Auto Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Darrell Waltrip.
Crew chief: Pete Peterson.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: No victories, four top-fives and thirteen top-10s. Finished ninth in points and earned $835,680.
Career highlights: Eighty-three victories in 627 starts. Tied for fourth on all-time victory list with Cale Yarborough. Winston Cup champion in 1981, '82 and '85. Twelve victories in both 1981 and 1982. 1989 Daytona 500 winner. Career earnings of more than $13.59million.
Scouting report: Father Time is finally catching up with Waltrip. He may break through again, but his best days are clearly in the past, and it's about time to plan a farewell tour.
18 - BOBBY LABONTE
Age: 30.
Residence: Trinity, N.C.
Car: Interstate Batteries Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Joe Gibbs.
Crew chief: Jimmy Makar.
1995 changes: Labonte replaces Dale Jarrett as driver.
1994 highlights: Labonte slipped in his second year in the Bill Davis Pontiac, finishing 21st in points with only two top-10 finishes. He earned $550,305 in purses.
Career highlights: Began racing quarter-midgets at age 5. Started racing karts in 1978. Competed in first Grand National race in 1982; won $150. Became a Grand National regular in 1990 and won series title in 1991. Seven career Grand National victories. First Winston Cup race in 1992. Won a pole in 1993 and was runner-up for rookie of the year. Career earnings of $954.315.
Scouting report: If the new relationship gels, Labonte could win a race and should finish in the top 15.
21 - MORGAN SHEPHERD
Age: 53.
Residence: Conover, N.C.
Car: Citgo Ford Thunderbird.
Owners: Wood Brothers.
Crew chief: Leonard Wood.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Finished seventh in points with no victories, but nine top-five finishes and 16 top 10s. Won $1,089,038.
Career highlights: Has four wins in 383 career starts. First Winston Cup race in 1970; a regular since 1981, and had first victory that year. Total career earnings of more than $5.71 million.
Scouting report: Look for another top 10 in points from this steady driver, but he may not win. He generally goes two or three years between victories and his last was in 1993.
22 - RANDY LAJOIE
Age: 33.
Residence: Concord, N.C.
Car: Maxwell House Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Bill Davis.
Crew chief: Chris Hussey.
1995 changes: LaJoie replaces Bobby Labonte as driver, MBNA replaces Maxwell House as sponsor.
1994 highlights: One pole position, four top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 27 Grand National races to finish 16th in Busch points.
Career highlights: Began racing in 1980 at Danbury (Conn.) Race Arena. Won 15 of 25 races and championship at Danbury in 1981. Finished 16th in first Winston Cup race at Atlanta in 1984. Competed in three Winston Cup races in 1994.
Scouting report: LaJoie has yet to win even Busch race, or crack the top 10 in Busch points. But car owner Davis sees potential. A top-20 in points would be a major coup.
23 - JIMMY SPENCER
Age: 37.
Residence: Mooresville, N.C.
Car: Smokin' Joe's Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Travis Carter.
Crew chief: Cecil Gordon.
1995 changes: Spencer replaces Hut Stricklin; Gordon becomes crew chief.
1994 highlights: Two victories, but only four top-10 finishes to end up 29th in points with $479,235.
Career highlights: Two victories in 143 starts. Has won $1.97 million in Winston Cup purses. Two-time NASCAR national modified champ (1986-87). Won two Grand National races in 1992. Hindered in 1994 by two broken shoulders, but still won twice for Junior Johnson.
Scouting report: Who else but ``Mr. Excitement'' could win twice and then be forced to take a step backwards in 1995? Spencer will be hard-pressed to win here, at least in 1995.
24 - JEFF GORDON
Age: 23.
Residence: Charlotte, N.C.
Car: DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Rick Hendrick.
Crew chief: Ray Evernham.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Two victories (his first) and fourteen top-10 finishes for eighth place in points and winnings of $1,779,523.
Career highlights: At 21, Gordon had already won more than 600 events in 15 seasons of racing. Won the 1990 USAC midget championship at 19. Won the 1991 USAC Silver Crown championship. Was 1991 Grand National rookie of the year. Winston Cup rookie of the year in 1993. Won Coca-Cola 600 and the inaugural Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994. Career Cup earnings of $2.55 million.
Scouting report: This heir apparent to Earnhardt is for real and will blossom further with multiple victories and a top-five finish in points in 1995, maybe even the title.
25 - KEN SCHRADER
Age: 39.
Residence: Concord, N.C.
Car: Kodiak Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Rick Hendrick.
Crew chief: Ken Howes.
1995 changes: Budweiser replaces Kodiak as sponsor.
1994 highlights: No victories, but fourth in points with 18 top-10 finishes and and winnings of $1,171,062.
Career highlights: Has four wins in 266 career starts. Total career earnings of $6.81 million. Started racing in 1971. 1983 USAC national sprint car champ. First Winston Cup race in 1984; rookie of the year in 1985; won first Winston Cup race at Talladega in 1988. Won the Daytona 500 pole in 1988, '89 and '90.
Winless for three years, Schrader is fast running out of time to prove he's not just one of those guys out there turning circles. He must win.
26 - STEVE KINSER
Age: 39.
Residence: Bloomington, Ind.
Car: Quaker State Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Kenny Bernstein.
Crew chief: Rick Renn.
1995 changes: Kinser replaces Brett Bodine as driver; Renn replaces Donnie Richeson as crew chief.
1994 highlights: Did not race in NASCAR, but won 14th World of Outlaws sprint car championship in 17 years.
Career highlights: One of the greatest sprint-car drivers ever. Started racing sprints in 1976. Has won 10 Knoxville Nationals. Winner of 384 sprint features in his career. Won the IROC Talladega race in 1994 and finished sixth in the IROC championship.
Scouting report: Kinser has a lot of dues to pay before he can succeed in NASCAR, but the really great champions can drive anything. Is he too late in making the move? That's the question here.
27 - LOY ALLEN
Age: 28.
Residence: Raleigh.
Car: Hooters Ford Thunderbird.
Owners: Junior Johnson.
Crew chief: Mike Hill.
1995 changes: Allen and Hooters join Junior Johnson.
1994 highlights: Won three poles, but qualified for only 19 of 31 races, had no top-10 finishes and was 39th in points in amazing up-and-down rookie season.
Career highlights: Started in karting in 1980. Raced National Dirt Racers Association late models and wedge cars for six years, with 53 wins. Won 1992 ARCA race in Atlanta. Ran five Winston Cup races in 1993.
Scouting report: Lots of room for improvement; maybe even a surprise superspeedway victory. But he'll still miss races and struggle to finish in the top 30.
28 - DALE JARRETT
Age: 38.
Residence: Hickory, N.C.
Car: Texaco Havoline Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Robert Yates.
Crew chief: Larry McReynolds.
1995 changes: Jarrett fills in for the injured Ernie Irvan.
1994 highlights: Jarrett missed a race, but won one as well, and had nine top-10 finishes for 16th in points and $881,754 in winnings.
Career highlights: Has three wins in 228 career starts, including 1993 Daytona 500. Started racing in 1979; made Winston Cup debut in 1986; a regular since 1987. Career earnings of more than $3.7 million.
Scouting report: A guy who's willing to gamble his career for one year with the powerhouse Robert Yates team certainly displays a championship attitude. Now Jarrett needs to back it up with at least four victories. We're betting he can do it.
29 - STEVE GRISSOM
Age: 31.
Residence: Trinity, N.C.
Car: Diamond Ridge Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Gary Bechtel.
Crew chief: Buddy Parrott.
1995 changes: Parrott becomes manager and crew chief; Meineke becomes sponsor.
1994 highlights: Qualified for 29 of 31 races, had three top-10 finishes and was runner-up for rookie of the year. Finished 28th in points and won $300,915.
Career highlights: 1994 Busch Grand National champ. Began racing in 1979. All-Pro series 1981-87; second in points in '87. Full-time Grand National driver 1988-92, with eight victories in 182 starts.
Scouting report: After a decent rookie year, Grissom returns in 1995 with a sponsor and a veteran crew chief. He probably won't win one yet, but he should climb to 25th or better in points.
30 - MICHAEL WALTRIP
Age: 31.
Residence: Lake Norman, N.C.
Car: Pennzoil Pontiac Grand Prix.
Owners: Chuck Rider and Lowrance Harry.
Crew chief: Doug Hewitt.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Still no victory, but a credible 10 top-10 finishes and 12th in points. Earned purses of $706,426.
Career highlights: Still looking for first win after nine full seasons and 268 starts. Has won $3.29 million in Winston Cup career. Made Winston Cup in 1985; full time since 1986, when he was runner-up for rookie of the year.
Scouting report: We keep saying Waltrip will lose his ride if he doesn't win, but it's been five years and nothing has changed. Still, the monkey on his back has become a gorilla.
31 - WARD BURTON
Age: 33.
Residence: South Boston, Va.
Car: Hardee's Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Alan Dillard.
Crew chief: Philippe Lopez.
1995 changes: Goodyear tires instead of Hoosiers.
1994 highlights: Two top-10 finishes (including a second at Pocono) in 26 starts to finish 35th in points. Also won pole at Charlotte in fall and had winnings of $302,950.
Career highlights: Graduated to Grand National series in 1990 after checkered Late Model career. Older brother of Jeff Burton. Has four career Grand National wins and Busch career earnings of more than $600,000.
Scouting report: In some ways, 1995 may be tougher than 1994 for Burton because he won't have the advantage that Hoosier tires gave him in a few races. This team is still learning the ropes. A good year? Top 25 in points.
32 - MIKE CHASE
Age: 39.
Residence: Concord, N.C.
Car: Active Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Dean Myers.
Crew chief: Mike Hillman.
1995 changes: Chase replaces Dick Trickle as driver.
1994 highlights: NASCAR Winston West champion, with four victories in 14 starts. Finished 42nd in inaugural Brickyard 400.
Career highlights: Eight career victories in Winston West. Moved from his native California to Concord in 1993.
Scouting report: Chase will struggle to qualify for races, much less finish them. A top-10 finish or two would make the year.
33 - ROBERT PRESSLEY
Age: 35.
Residence: Asheville, N.C.
Car: Skoal Bandit Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Leo Jackson.
Crew chief: Charley Pressley.
1995 changes: Pressley replaces the retired Harry Gant as driver. Brother Charley becomes crew chief.
1994 highlights: Finished 12th in Grand National points, with nine top-10 finishes in 28 starts. Won $160,476.
Career highlights: Ten Grand National victories since Busch debut in 1984. The son of Late Model star Bob Pressley, he began racing in the early 1980s at New Asheville Speedway. Became Busch regular in 1989. Third in points in 1991; won five races in 1992. More than $1 million in Busch earnings. Started three Winston Cup races in 1994.
Scouting report: Anyone who can beat Harry Gant in a last-lap duel at Darlington, as Pressley did in 1992, can drive a race car. Stands a chance to become the first rookie to win a race since the late Davey Allison in 1987.
37 - JOHN ANDRETTI
Age: 31.
Residence: Indianapolis.
Car: Kranefuss-Haas Ford Thunderbird.
Owners: Michael Kranefuss and Carl Haas.
Crew chief: Tim Brewer.
1995 changes: New team, with K-Mart sponsorship.
1994 highlights: Had 29 starts (no top-10 finishes) driving for Billy Hagan and Richard Petty. Won $391,920.
Career highlights: The nephew of Mario Andretti started racing at age 9. Drove USAC midgets, sprints and Silver Crowns from 1983 to '85. Won IMSA GTP race at Watkins Glen in 1986. Made Indy-car debut in 1987 and finished fifth in Indy 500 in 1991. Made first Winston Cup start at North Wilkesboro in 1993. In 1994, became first driver to compete in both Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on same day.
Scouting report: Andretti and Brewer seem to have the right stuff, but a victory this year may be expecting too much.
40 - GREG SACKS
Age: 42.
Residence: Maitland, Fla.
Car: Sabco Racing Pontiac Grand Prix.
Owners: Felix Sabates and Dick Brooks.
Crew chief: Jeff Hammond.
1995 changes: Sacks replaces Bobby Hamilton as driver.
1994 highlights: One pole and three top-10 finishes in 31 starts to finish 31st in points. Cup winnings of $411,728.
Career highlights: Has one victory in 210 career starts - the 1985 Firecracker 400. Came up through the Northeast modified ranks, winning 28 of 33 races in 1982. Career earnings of $1.71 million.
Scouting report: Sacks is fast but not particularly efficient. And this team hasn't shown any strength. That's a bad combination.
41 - RICKY CRAVEN
Age: 28.
Residence: Concord, N.C.
Car: Hedrick Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Larry Hedrick.
Crew chief: Ken Glen.
1995 changes: Craven replaces Joe Nemechek; Glen replaces Doug Richert; Kodiak replaces Meineke.
1994 highlights: Runner-up in Grand National series for second straight year, with first two career victories and 16 top-10 finishes in 28 races. Won $205,497.
Career highlights: Began racing at Unity Raceway in Maine in 1982. Grand National North rookie of the year in 1990. Made Grand National debut in 1991; was series rookie of the year in 1992. Two victories in 89 career Busch starts.
Craven will be hard-pressed to beat Pressley for the rookie title.
42 - KYLE PETTY
Age: 34.
Residence: High Point, N.C.
Car: Mello Yello Pontiac Grand Prix.
Owner: Felix Sabates.
Crew chief: Jim Long.
1995 changes: Coors replaces Mello-Yello as sponsor.
1994 highlights: A rough year, with only seven top-10 finishes (a best of fourth at North Wilkesboro) and 15th in points. Earnings of $806,332.
Career highlights: Has seven victories in 411 career starts. Total career earnings of $6.48 million. Made Winston Cup debut in 1979; full time since 1981. In 1986 became first third-generation driver to win a Winston Cup race.
Scouting report: Something is brewing on this volatile team. Everyone is real serious, especially Kyle. It could signal a resurgence, or foreshadow a complete blowup.
43 - BOBBY HAMILTON
Age: 37.
Residence: Nashville, Tenn.
Car: Petty Enterprises Pontiac Grand Prix.
Owner: Richard Petty.
Crew chief: Robbie Loomis.
1995 changes: Hamilton replaces John Andretti.
1994 highlights: One top-10 finish in 30 starts in the second Sabco Pontiac. Winnings of $514,520.
Career highlights: Started in Late Model Stocks in Nashville area. Made his Winston Cup debut at Phoenix in 1989 and led race before dropping out. 1991 Winston Cup rookie of the year. Career earnings: $1.29 million.
Scouting report: Petty's team is struggling. It's a steep uphill climb for Hamilton and the red-and-blue Pontiac.
71 - DAVE MARCIS
Age: 53.
Residence: Avery's Creek, N.C.
Car: Marcis Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Dave Marcis.
Crew chief: Dale Fischlein.
1995 changes: Olive Garden becomes sponsor.
1994 highlights: One top-10 finish in 23 starts. Won $261,650; finished 36th in points.
Career highlights: Has five wins in 761 career starts. Started in Winston Cup (then called Grand National) in 1968. Finished second in points in 1975. Won three races in 1976.
Scouting report: Earth to Dave! Please hang up your helmet. You've had a good career, but enough is enough. We know you love it, but you're going to hurt yourself, or someone else.
75 - TODD BODINE
Age: 30.
Residence: Harrisburg, N.C.
Car: Factory Stores Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Butch Mock.
Crew chief: Troy Selberg.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Seven top-10 finishes in 30 starts, including a third at Atlanta in the fall. Won $494,316 and finished 20th in points.
Career highlights: Has seven wins in 99 Grand National starts. Made Grand National debut in 1986. Younger brother of Geoff and Brett. Made Winston Cup debut in 1992 at Watkins Glen. Career earnings: $561,046.
Scouting report: Last year was Bodine's real rookie year, and while he crashed a lot, he still had a good year. He still carries a solid ``likely to succeed'' tag and with a little luck could win a race in 1995.
77 - DAVY JONES
Age: 30.
Residence: Lake Tahoe, Nev.
Car: Jasper/U.S. Air Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: D.K. Ulrich and Doug Bawel.
Crew chief: Jay Smith.
1995 changes: Jones replaces Greg Sacks; Smith replaces Tony Furr.
Career highlights: Began racing quarter-midgets in 1970s. Moved to IMSA GTP series in 1986 and won Watkins Glen race. Moved to Indy cars and has raced in several 500s. Won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1990. Two-time IROC competitor.
Scouting report: Jones has never run in a Winston Cup race, and the question is: How long will it take him to qualify for one in 1995?
81 - KENNY WALLACE
Age: 31.
Residence: Harrisburg, N.C.
Car: Filmar Racing Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Filbert Martocci.
Crew chief: Gil Martin.
1995 changes: New team, with TIC Financial sponsorship.
1994 highlights: Finished fourth in Grand National series, with three victories and 15 top-10 finishes in 28 starts. Won $307,017.
Career highlights: ASA rookie of the year in 1986. Joined Grand National circuit in 1989, finished second in 1991. Ran first Winston Cup races in 1991, subbing for Kyle Petty. Ran full Winston Cup season in 1993. Filled in for the injured Ernie Irvan in last third of 1994 and had two top 10s, including a career-best fourth at Martinsville.
Scouting report: If he can make 29 races, he'll be doing just fine.
87 - JOE NEMECHEK
Age: 31.
Residence: Mooresville, N.C.
Car: Burger King Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owner: Joe Nemechek.
Crew chief: Tony Furr.
1995 changes: Nemechek starts own team.
1994 highlights: Finished 27th in Winston Cup points in rookie season, with three top-10 finishes, including a third at Pocono. Won $386,315.
Career highlights: Began racing at age 13 in motocross; stepped into stock cars in 1986. Rookie of the year in four series between 1987 and 1991. Has two Grand National victories; was GN champion in 1992. Made Winston Cup debut in 1993.
Scouting report: Like Lake Speed, Nemechek left a solid team to strike out on his own. He'll be lucky to match his rookie season.
90 - MIKE WALLACE
Age: 35.
Residence: Concord, N.C.
Car: Heilig-Meyers Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Junie Donlavey.
Crew chief: Freddy Fryar.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: Ran in 22 events after taking over following Bobby Hillin's resignation. Had one top-10 finish. Was 33rd in points and won $265,115.
Career highlights: Started racing at 16 and won more than 300 short-track events in the Midwest in the 1970s and '80s. Finished sixth in first Grand National start at Martinsville in 1990. Won 1994 ARCA Daytona race. Made Winston Cup debut in 1991.
Scouting report: Sibling question of the year: Who will finish second among the three Wallaces? If Mike doesn't, he's in trouble.
94 - BILL ELLIOTT
Age: 39.
Residence: Blairsville, Ga.
Car: McDonald's Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Elliott-Hardy Racing.
Crew chief: Tony Gibson.
1995 changes: New team.
1994 highlights: One victory, one pole and 12 top-10 finishes for 10th in points. Won $936,779.
Career highlights: Has 40 wins in 439 career starts. Won Winston Cup in 1988 with six victories. Won 11 races and Winston Million in 1985. Won Daytona 500 in 1985 and 1987. Made Winston Cup debut in 1976, earned first win in 1983. Most popular driver 1984-88 and 1991-94. Career earnings: $14.54 million.
Scouting report: It's a whole new ballgame for Bill. Look for a top 10 in points and a victory or two, but you can't expect this new team to contend for the title.
98 - JEREMY MAYFIELD
Age: 25.
Residence: Nashville, Tenn.
Car: Fingerhut Ford Thunderbird.
Owner: Cale Yarborough.
Crew chief: Steve May.
1995 changes: None.
1994 highlights: No top-10 finishes in 20 starts. Finished 37th in points and won $226,265.
Career highlights: Started in go-carts in the 1980s in his native Kentucky. Ran Late Model Stocks at Nashville Motor Raceway in 1991-92. Joined ARCA series in 1993 and was rookie of the year. First Cup race in 1993.
Scouting report: Mayfield looked like an up-and-comer until he joined the moribund Yarborough team. If he can make this car go in 1995, he'll be one hot prospect. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
by CNB