Countdown to Daytona 500, 1998

M.L. Morgan

Well, race fans, the countdown is continuing. It always seems as if this is an anxious time for both
the fans and the teams. The ‘silly season’ is pretty much over and we have a pretty good idea who
will be driving which car for which sponsor in 1998. Even as we go through our myriad changes
some things don’t seem to change.

Ford has decided to abandon the Thunderbird as a production car. The 4-door Taurus will be the
Ford representative in 1998. Such a hoopla has occurred that even your professional, unbiased
reporter is amazed. We did a piece on December 28, 1997 predicting some of the Ford teams would be
crying ‘foul’, and begging Nascar for concessions, but we had no idea how this situation would
mushroom. Even such stoics as Bill Elliott have gotten into the fray. Rusty Wallace seemed to be
the most candid when he said the Taurus was pretty close to duplicating the T-Bird performance.
I have a lot of respect for Rusty and his team. They are proven winners. They had tremendous
success in both the Pontiacs and the Fords.

Now I see Dale Jarrett, my personal pick to win all the marbles in 1998, commenting on the
“curve-ball” the Ford teams have been thrown. Spare me, please ! The Taurus has been in testing
since last September. I said “Cry Me a River” back in December but I won’t say it now. These
crocodile tears being shed by the Ford teams are just a bunch of smoke and mirrors. And you
thought I was going to say they are a bunch of crap. They are. The Ford teams dominated Winston Cup last
season and expect to be given free rein to do it again. Not if I have anything to say about it. Hell,
Godfrey, this is my page and I can say anything I want.

Before I continue this week’s tirade I want to encourage all of you race fans to read a great article
in Speedworld about how much money it takes to run a Winston Cup Car on a weekly basis. I
think even some of you more seasoned race-fans will learn a little bit. Check out Nascar Budgets.

So where did we leave off ? I remember - we were talking about the crybabies. At the end of
every season we will hear from some unhappy fans and some unhappy drivers and some unhappy
team-owners. Such is life. I have never heard so much crying before the start of the season. Uncle
Mike is not a puppy or a trainee. Uncle Mike has been around longer than Nascar. I think the
business of Winston Cup Racing has become virtually unmanageable. Just too much money
involved.

When fans have to pay 90 bucks for a ticket and then have to stand in line to go the bathroom
something is wrong. I couldn’t care less who wins the race. Fords can win 33 next season. I don’t
care at all. Nobody pays me to write these columns.

I hear a lot of comments from race fans. I can’t help you. Speak up to Nascar. Boycott the races.
As long as there are butts in the bleachers for every race Nascar isn’t going to change anything.

No doubt the Ford teams will get some concessions in 1998. That’s not profound, and it doesn't require a crystal ball - it’s just fact.

Stay tuned. We’re not going anywhere. Take a chance at winning an official Race Views t-shirt.
You might even learn something. Trust me.

Have comments or questions? E-mail: M.L. Morgan

Home | Past Editorials | Racing Links | M.L.'s NASCAR Flags | Ask Uncle Mike