September 16, 1990 - Million Dollar Bill Hits Dover Jackpot

In the second 1990 race at Dover Downs International Speedway, Kyle Petty driving a Peak Antifreeze Pontiac finished 8th in the 500 lap race also sponsored by Peak.

From Lee Greenawalt collection

Yep, even in 1990:

• Dover still had "Downs" in its name before the company restructured, separated the casino operations from the auto racing facility, and renamed the track Dover International Speedway.
• The track surface was still asphalt vs. concrete.
• The drivers still battled that grueling, extra 100 laps and 100 miles.

Bill Elliott won the pole for the Peak Antifreeze 500, led a dominating 364 laps, and claimed the win over Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt - the only other cars on the lead lap. His victory was his only one on 1990 - and it was his final one in the famous red Coors Ford. In 1991, the Harry Melling owned car was re-skinned in the blue colors of Coors Light.

From Craig Bontrager collection

Though the race was the LAST win for Bill in a red car, the race the FIRST for another team. Phoenix Racing made its Cup debut in this race. Driver Jeff Purvis suited up for the team having made only one other Cup start - at Martinsville earlier in the season for Bobby Allison as the Raybestos team transitioned from Mike Alexander to Hut Stricklin.

Race Report from The Item

Chase...

The husband and wife McKennas of Ohio, owners of Plasti-Kote Spray Paint, dipped their toes into Winston Cup sponsorship with the 4-race 1990 sponsorship of James Finch and Jeff Purvis. The McKennas had a disastrous experience with Rahmoc as an associate sponsor of the Valvoline entry in 1988. Valvoline via Ashland Oil Co. provided base stocks for their spray paints.

Title:
Neil Bonnett/Jeff Purvis - NASCAR Finch Racing 1990
Caption: UNKNOWN 1990: NASCAR star Neil Bonnett (far left) stands next to driver Jeff Purvis and the James Finch Racing team with the Plasti-Kote Spray Paints Chevrolet Lumina Purvis drove in four races for the team during the NASCAR Cup season. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
Date created: 04 Mar 1990

Note the CITGO associate sponsorship on the Finch/Purvis ride in the above photo taken at North Wilkesboro... all thanks to Neil Bonnett

I convinced the McKennas in November 1988 to become the " Official Spray Paint of NASCAR" and an associate sponsor of Robert Yates/Davey Allison for 1989.

And how did Richmond's "Terrible Tommy" Ellis wind up in the other anti-freeze car - the Lake Speed Prestone entry for his only 1990 Winston Cup start? My memory fails me.

Lake Speed apparently crashed in Happy Hour. He complained of shoulder pain. Originally, he thought he could still go. But on race day, he apparently discovered he'd broken his shoulder. And Ellis got the nod.

Aha! Thanks!