By David G. Firestone
Editor’s Note: This was going to run last week, but given Kyle Busch’s sudden passing, I pushed it back to this week. Enjoy!
It’s the biggest racing weekend on the American racing calendar, and I’m excited for this week’s column! I’ve been waiting for the perfect occasion to discuss this. I’ve been sitting on this since January, and I felt that the Coca Cola 600 weekend is the perfect time to discuss this. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Although Dale Jarrett had been racing full time in the NASCAR Cup Series since 1982, it wasn’t until 1991 that he scored his first win when he won the 1991 Champion Spark Plug 400 with The Wood Brothers. In 1993, he signed with Joe Gibbs Racing as their first ever driver. His 1993 season was strong, and he stared by winning the 1993 Daytona 500 and finishing fourth overall.
1994 however, was a different story. Despite winning the 1994 Mello Yello 500, he was never higher than 15th in the point standings. It was clear that, despite the strong 1993 season, Gibbs and Jarrett just weren’t gelling as a combo.
It was during that 1994 season that Ernie Irvan suffered his near career ending crash at Michigan. Gibbs and Jarrett, seeing the writing on the wall, parted ways after the 1994 season. Jarrett signed with Robert Yates Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing signed Bobby Labonte. This is one of the very rare instances in sports where everyone came out ahead. Jarrett and Yates gelled instantly, as did Gibbs and Labonte. Within a few years, all four were top shelf combinations and Cup Series Champions.
When it comes to Dale Jarrett’s 1994 campaign, I have an autographed card,
and a couple of 1994 Mello Yello 500 napkin rings,
but the most important pieces I have are the original art for his 1994 Interstate Batteries firesuit.
His 1994 firesuit was designed by Charles Edward Daffron Jr. He passed away in 2021, and, according to his obituary:
“He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design. After college, he worked for Interstate Batteries in Dallas designing graphics for their NASCAR and Indy motor sports program. It was the highlight of his career.”
When you look at the artwork up close, it’s interesting how many little details are noticeable, in terms of Daffron’s work, and how simpler the designs were, when compared to those of today.
Wherever that firesuit is today, probably in the hands of a collector, I hope it is being cared for well.
I’m taking next week off, I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.
Sources Cited:
The Driver Suit Blog 