Team switches back from No. 50 and hopes for happier times. There was little to smile about last year -- Ricky Craven's lingering injury forced a round of musical drivers before Dallenbach took over full time. Budweiser bolts to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team after this year, so this team needs to look alive enough to get a new backer.
Career
The team made 22 races in 1997 but finished 30th or worse 16 times. In fairness, year started with intention of running partial schedule. Races
were added as sponsor's behest, and with everything that was going on at
Team SABCO, equipment and personnel just weren't ready.
Planed to run at least 15 races in 1997... Joined Team Sabco after one year with veteran car owner Bud Moore. Finished 20th in 1996 points standings.
Wally Dallenbach Jr. finished the 1996 season opener in sixth position. He
also had a third-place finish at Sonoma in May. However, these did not top
his career best, second place at Watkins Glen in August of 1993 and 95.
This is his first year with Bud Moore; who has fielded cars with Parnelli
Jones, Gordon Johncock, Bobby Allison, Dany Gurney, David Pearson, Dale
Earnhardt and Ricky Rudd; Dallenbach drove the STP Pontiac for Richard
Petty in 1994.
Dallenbach's experience spans the NASCAR truck series, SCCA Trans-Am
series, 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 hours at Daytona, International Race of
Champions and various IMSA GTS events.
Enjoys hunting and would be a professional hunter in Africa if not racing and has eaten some of the most exotic food in the world, especially during hunting trips. ... Wife Robin is also an accomplished race car driver.
Sources: NASCAR Press Guides, Star and News staff reports.
