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INSIDE MOTOR SPORTS

Looks Are Everything

by Ed Hinton

Posted: Wed February 18, 1998

What makes a new NASCAR car model "new"? Mostly body changes, which affect aerodynamics and handling. As a rule, new race cars don't do all that well in their first year on the Winston Cup circuit, as crews incessantly tinker with the sheet metal, airdams, spoiler and glass in an attempt to find the perfect combinations that will get their machines to Victory Circle. Here's how some models recently introduced to the Winston Cup tour have done in their rookie seasons and thereafter.

1983 Ford "Aero" Thunderbird First-year victories: 4

Sleek T-Bird finally flies in '85 when Bill Elliot wins 11 races

1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme First-year victories: 2

After winning 11 races in five years, Oldsmobile fades from the

1986 Buick LeSabre First-year victories: 3

Newly designed rear window helps get Buick back in the win column

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 First-year victories: 2

One of a handful of GM's limited production models allowed to race

1989 Chevrolet Lumina First-year victories: 9

Lasts six years and wins 61 races before being replaced by Monte Carlo

1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo First-year victories: 21

Jeff Gordon wins seven races and the Winston Cup title that year

1996 Pontiac Grand Prix First-year victories: 1

Flying brick gets a face-lift but lingers at the back of the pack

1998 Ford Taurus First-year victories: 0, so far

First four-door race car in NASCAR history replaces much-lovedT-Bird

Issue date: February 23, 1998

OTHER NOTES

Picking Up Speed

Built for the Short Tracks

Penske Shows His True Colors

Getting a Grip On Bad Weather

The Deal

Fast Facts

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