IN MEMORY DALE EARNHARDT 1951 - 2001

NASCAR MODELS by MR NASCAR

DALE EARNHARDT's 2001 "OREO" MONTE CARLO

Anyhoo, once I heard late in 2000 that Dale would be piloting an "OREO" sponsored car, the idea of putting together the graphics and decals was obvious. I began haunting the cookie aisle of grocery stores, and playing around with a few images I'd seen on the 'net, but only got to a certain point, and became frustrated. I emailed my "mess" off to the Three Amigos' resident artiste, Sam, who came up with the glorious images you see on this model. (Did Sam actually use any of the stuff I sent him? I suspect he's too much of a gentlemen to give a straight answer to that... my 3's were pretty good, though!...)

The model you see here started life as the 2000 GOODWRENCH regular kit from Revell. Of course, one thing I had not thought thru, and twigged to just prior to the race, was the aero package (not "oreo package"!..) It was mandated for Daytona as well as Talledega late in 2000 by NASCAR, hopin' for more 5-wide entertainment for the fans, and a "safer" package for the racers... (I withhold comment...) This would involve the addition of a roof spoiler, and a replacement for the already too-small rear spoiler on the kit body.

I had also planned on using a RaceReady Replicas resin updated nose, that I'd purchased from Ron's Hobbies in Paducah, Kentucky. (E-mail Ron here for info)
This is a nice little trans-kit, with a good updated, very cleanly-cast nose, with the correct angles, plus some sheet plastic for the roof spoiler and larger rear spoiler. Templates were provided on the instruction sheet for the Talledega/Daytona configuration. I chose to not use the templates provided, deciding to try something else instead...

(Click here for a page describing the process I used for bringing the body up to Talledega/Daytona specs.)

With the body spec'd out for Daytona, and the graphics printed, the rest was a pretty simple build. The car is a classic Earnhardt black, but there is one difference that I nearly missed. Caught it just as I was checkin' my references for decal placement... The bottom striping, normally silver, was WHITE on this car! I actually had to go back, remask and spray over the silver bits. Whew!!

Once I had it all primed, sanded and painted, it was DECAL TIME!! The 3 Amigos sheet provides the hood graphic, special coloured numbers and striping, head and tail light decals, and "OREO" signage for the rear quarters. The rest of the signage, rear deck, tv panel, contingency, tire lettering, etc, came from the REVELL Goodwrench sheet. I just needed to add a couple contingency decals from the war wagon. (I used the SLIXX 2000 individual sheet) Note: missing from this model are those round "We Care" decals, that should be on the lower rear quarterpanels, on the ends of the rear bumper, just behind the "OREO" logos.

Final touch was to apply several LIGHT coats of TAMIYA TS13 aerosol clear, from the heated (hot tap water ONLY!) rattle can, after decals had had a couple days to dry thoroughly, then polishing with Turtle Wax compound.

Of course, while all the above was happening, I built out the chassis, using my usual techniques. Valve stems, seatbelts, and a radio wire coil around the steering column were the only scratch-built items added. (See my Snoopy write-up for my comments on the Revell 2000 Monte...)

And there it was, another very satisfying model of a unique Earnhardt ride, that, sadly, turned out to be one of his last...

Oh yes, in the race, Dale finished a disgruntled second to Tony Stewart, but it was obvious second was not good enough for The Man in Black... the fires were still burning, and we could all see it.

His parting comment, as recorded in WINSTON CUP SCENE:
"...just a little bit more, we'd have had cookies and milk, instead of just cookies" - a reference to the OREO paint scheme.

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