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NASCAR BGN: Allen's Last Ride in 99 Car

13 November 1998

HOMESTEAD, FL - "Sunday is going to be a real sad day for me." Those are the words of Luxaire Chevrolet driver Glenn Allen as he looks toward Sunday's Jiffy Lube 300. Sunday will be Allen's final ride in Bill Papke's J & J Racing Chevrolet for the 1996 Raybestos Rookie of The Year. Allen has signed to drive the Barbasol Ford for Akins-Sutton Racing in 1999.

"It is going to be tough on me when the race is all over," Allen said. "Bill and I have become great friends and developed a real tight relationship over the last three years, I hope we will always remain great friends."

Allen is hoping to close the relationship out on a high note with a strong finish. Last season, Allen nearly won the Jiffy Lube 300, eventually finishing 4th. Allen also led the Jiffy Lube 300 in his rookie year.

"I love this race track," Allen said. "It would be a storybook ending if I could win the race for Bill and all the guys on my team that have worked so hard all year long."

In addition to The Jiffy Lube 300 being Allen's last race with Papke, it will also be the final race for Luxaire as the sponsor of the #99 Chevrolet. Papke is currently searching hard for a sponsor for next season. Papke has been a part of the Busch Series as an owner for 12 years and list a Busch Grand National Championship on his resume.

"If there was one thing I could let every potential sponsor know, it would be that there isn't a more honest man in the garage than Bill Papke, he deserves a top notch sponsor and hopefully one will come his way," Allen said. "I look forward to competing against Bill for a number of years, he deserves the best."

Keep an eye on the Luxaire Chevrolet this weekend, inside is a driver with a lot of emotion and a high desire to close out his season on a high note for his car owner and friend, Bill Papke.