Contract Status: Driver: 201?; Primary Sponsor: 201?

Harraka to attempt Sonoma in the #52 UPDATE: Look for the #52 BKMotorsports "Ford" at Sonoma on June 23rd with driver Paulie Harraka at the wheel in his 1st NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Brian Keselowski will return the following week at Kentucky on June 29th to pilot his #52 Toyota (BKMotorsports Favebook)
UPDATE Next weekend, Paulie Harraka will attempt to qualify for the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. If Harraka, 23, makes the field, he will be the first Drive for Diversity graduate to compete at the Sprint Cup level. Since 2010, Harraka has competed in more than a dozen races between the NASCAR Nationwide and Truck Series. His best results were a pair of 17th-place finishes last year in the #5 truck, at Dover and Kentucky Speedway. At Sonoma, Harraka will drive the #52 HASA Pool Products Ford for Go Green Racing team owner Archie St. Hilaire. Veteran crew chief Ben Leslie will oversee the team. Harraka has three starts at Sonoma in the K&N Pro Series West and an average finish of 9.2, with a career-high result of second. "Archie St. Hilaire and I have worked together in three Nationwide races already, and it's there that we built the platform to run this Cup race," Harraka said. "I feel like it's a great opportunity for both of us  me and the team  to make the step into the Sprint Cup Series and start learning what that's like together. St. Hilaire said realistically he would be pleased with a finish around 25th to 28th. If everything goes according to plan, Go Green Racing would also attempt the Cup races at New Hampshire and Watkins Glen later this summer.(FoxSports)(6-12-2013)

Brian Keselowski teams up with Go Green Racing for Richmond UPDATE: Archie St Hilaire (Go Green Racing) announced that his team would be making their first attempt of the season Saturday night at the Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond. St Hilaire also confirmed that he was joining forces with Brian Keselowski Motorsports (BKM) and Kelly Owen who have been working together this year in an effort to best utilize their resources with the new Gen 6 car with hopes of expanding their options for running the entire race when they compete. The group has plans for at least 10 more events this season. The team plans to run a mixtures of Toyota or Ford. Brian Keselowski will drive the #52 Toyota at Richmond, his father Bob is listed as the owner and the engine package from Triad. Ben Leslie will be working with the team as the crew chief.(Go Green Racing)(4-23-2013)
UPDATE: Brian Keselowski will pilot his #52 Brian Keselowski Motorsports Toyota at Richmond International Raceway with high expectations of successfully qualifying to race in the Toyota Owners 400. Brian Keselowski Motorsports has worked hard to get back on track since attempting the Daytona 500 in February 2013. The unfortunate event of not making the "Great American Race" only added a log to Keselowski's fire to come back and be successful on track. BKM welcomes back some of their sponsors that supported them in February to include, major associate sponsor, Highland Wealth Advisors, LLC, a company who works closely with High Net-Worth individuals to help them accomplish their Personal and Financial goals and objectives. Previous sponsors, Twisted Graphix and The Carolina Basset Hound Rescue, will once again be displayed on Keselowski's #52 along with newcomers, Virginia Software Group, Inc. and Infield Jen. Support continues to come from Keselowski's loyal fans who signed up to have their names on his race car.(BKM PR)(4-24-2013)

Brian Keselowski plans to attempt Talladega race: #92-Brian Keselowski posted a message on Facebook, that he would next attempt to make the Aaron's 499 at Talladega. "Ok we officially have a plan for our next race now. Talladega May 5th. We will run the Toyota again. We are seeking sponsors to get a TRD or a Triad engine. Also hope to test the car at Dega in April. Seeking sponsors to put us back on track."(3-10-2013)

Brian Keselowski gets Daytona sponsor: Brian Keselowski will pilot the #52 BKM/HMR Wreaths Across America Toyota sponsored by TruckerFan.com in this year's Daytona 500. Keselowski will carry an all-American red, white and blue, stars and stripe paint scheme dawning the Wreaths Across America logo and "Give By Cell" text keyword and number to raise awareness and funding for the federally licensed 501(c) 3 nonprofit. "I'm truly honored to be part of this," said Keselowski. "I wanted to go to Daytona this year but didn't think we'd have enough funding, and then I received a phone call from a group of investors who are also veterans. The group, named Fans 4 Truckers, wanted to pay for the sponsorship for Wreaths Across America at Daytona and asked me if I'd represent them." Fans 4 Truckers LLC is a motorsports marketing company with a line of trucker apparel and merchandise. They are dedicated to truckers and the trucking industry in honor of the American soldier. Morrill Worchester founder of "Wreathes Across America" is the man behind the extremely successful program of having wreathes placed each year on the graves of our fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Brian Keselowski Motorsports also welcome major associate sponsor, Highland Wealth Advisors LLC a company who works closely with High Net-Worth individuals to help them accomplish their Personal and Financial goals and objectives. Support also came in droves from many loyal NASCAR Fans.(Keselowski PR)(2-6-2013)

2013 silly season notes for #52-Brian Keselowski - Hamilton Means Racing: Was recently announced that Brian Keselowski would drive the #52 Toyota in the Daytona 500 and has a yet unannounced sponsor for the race. Brian's father Bob will serve as the crew chief and the team will have an engine supplied by Joey Arrington. No word on further plans for 2013 and if Keselowski will drive again in the #52 or move back to his own #92 Toyota team for other races in 2013.
See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(2-2-2013)

Brian Keselowski to attempt Daytona 500 with Hamilton Means: Brian Keselowski Motorsports will take on another NASCAR Sprint Cup series season. The team stepped back last year to study the new motor packages and sought sponsorship to return to the track. "I want to race and race right" stated Keselowski who went on to say "If I can't do it that way, I won't do it at all". Brian Keselowski has partnered with Kelly Owen, who is a partner in #52-Hamilton Means Racing. "I'm excited about the opportunity to partner with Brian Keselowski and be a part of the Daytona 500. Brian has shown the same ability as his brother, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Brad Keselowski but just hasn't had the equipment to prove it. We are hoping with this partnership that we can get him the equipment he needs to be successful." states Owen. Brian and Brad's dad, Bob Keselowski made his only ever NASCAR cup series start in the No.52 car owned by Jimmy Means Racing at Pocono Raceway in June, 1994. Brian Keselowski Motorsports has secured and signed a primary sponsor who will be announced shortly.(Keselowski PR)(1-29-2012)

Skinner joins Hamilton Means Racing: The #52 Hamilton Means Racing Toyota will have Mike Skinner as the driver going forward in the 2012 Sprint Cup season. Skinner is scheduled to make his debut for the team at Darlington Raceway in the Bojangles' Southern 500. HMR's Kelly Owen said "we are incredibility excited to have Mike come on board, he will certainly bring a great deal of knowledge and wisdom to our team's efforts for the remainder of the season. Best of all he brings stability so that we can make our plans knowing that we a commitment from an experienced driver that can get the job done." The #52 will be sponsored by Crusader's Staffing at Darlington.(HMR PR)(5-2-2012)

Hamilton Means to make debut at Martinsville: UPDATE: from the Hamilton Means Facebook page: "Jimmy [Means] and the crew are putting the finishing touches on today then heading over to dyno the car and if all goes well we are off to the track for a late entry into the Goody's Fast Relief 500 [at Martinsville Speedway]. Super excited to have Scott Speed driving for us and no doubt he can get it done!! Sorry for the late updates but once we have this first race behind us the others will go a little smoother. Ok I know I know I am using a different commercial but what company does that tag line belong to. 'A little hint', they were Jimmy's [Means] sponsor [Alka Seltzer] when he drove in Cup." The team will run the #52 Crusader Staffing Toyota with Scott Speed driving the car. The car will be a post entry which means it will be a late entry and will not accrue any drivers or owners points. See an rendering of what the car is expected to look like on the #52 Team Schemes page.(3-28-2012)
UPDATE: After overcoming numerous obstacles and setbacks, Hamilton Means Racing is poised to make its series debut at the Goody's Fast Relief 500 this weekend at Martinsville Speedway with driver Scott Speed behind the wheel. The team will run the #52 Crusader Staffing Toyota. After months of preparation HMR has everything in place and is ready to get their car on the track. The team will run Toyotas purchased from Michael Waltrip Racing and is leasing engines from Mark Smith at Pro Motor Engines (PME). The #52 will be a late entry for this weekend's event so it will not accrue any driver or owner points. Co-owner Dell Hamilton's company Crusader Staffing will be the primary sponsor while the team seeks new partnerships and sponsors.(Everest Marketing Group)(3-30-2012)

Hamilton Means pushes back debut to Martinsville UPDATE: Hamilton Means Racing plans to make its first appearance of the year on April 1st in the Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. HMR has hired veteran Johnny Sauter to pilot the #52 Crusaders Staffing Toyota. From a team spokesman: "Johnny has had success in all three levels of NASCAR with over 350 combined starts which include multiple wins in the Truck and Nationwide series along with top fives in Sprint Cup. Now that we have overcome the normal obstacles that present themselves to a small team during start up along with the development of the EFI program, we are ready to make our start in the series. With Johnny's natural talent and driving experience at the upcoming tracks we hope that everything has come together to result in success at these early races which will attract new sponsorship to help fund the future of Hamilton Means Racing. The effort by the team to overcome the challenges has made it that much more exciting to see our plans come to fruition." Hamilton Means Racing will run Toyotas purchased from Michael Waltrip Racing and plans to lease engines from Pro Motor Engineering. Crusaders Staffing, founded by HMR co-owner Dell Hamilton, will be the primary sponsor for the #52 team while the team reaches out to new partnerships.(HMR)(3-16-2012)
UPDATE: been told that Johnny Sauter has NOT agreed to the deal for Martinsville's Spriint Cup race with the #52 HMR team and that he will not be running any other series that weekend besides the Truck Series race.(3-17-2012)

Hamilton Means Racing status unknown: Hamilton Means Racing announced its formation just after the end of the 2011 season, but skipped Daytona and Phoenix and is not entered at Las Vegas. Despite multiple questions by fans of its Facebook page, the team still has not announced a start to the season or a driver. The team is still active, however, as its website is still up and running and the team even published a possible new logo. Jimmy Means Racing still runs the #52 in the Nationwide Series, but its Daytona driver, Peachtree City's Reed Sorenson, told News/Talk WSB that he is not considering running the HMR Cup car. HMR did not respond to an inquiry made about its schedule by WSB in time for this article.(WSB Radio)(3-8-2012)

Means Hamilton plans change UPDATE: With Daytona less than eight weeks away, co-owner Jimmy Means says that the newly formed team will try to attempt all 36 races in 2012. "Our intentions are to run every [race]," says Means. "But we've got do to [approach] them one at a time and take it from there." This will be Jimmy Means' second stint as an owner in NASCAR's top division. Once an owner-driver, over half of Means' starts in Sprint Cup came from 1978 to 1993. As any team at any level in NASCAR has experienced, sponsorship is harder to find in a shaky economy. However, Hamilton-Means Racing plans on their #52 Ford Fusion to show up at the track, with or without financial backing. "We're not relying on sponsorship to determine where we go or not," says Means. "We're just trying to get all the pieces together and have some different equipment to have a legitimate chance of making the races. Sponsorship is not really an issue at this time, but [we're] looking for it." The team is also willing to start and park events to keep afloat. "That's probably what we will have to do to start this." With a long list of free agents available this off-season, HMR has narrowed its list of possible drivers for 2012, but no formal announcement has been made. "[We will announce] probably in a few weeks." Means also told us his Nationwide team plans on keeping the #52 car running full-time with a driver announcement for that ride coming soon.(HMR)
BUT: HMR's Twitter says the car will be a Toyota and at Phoenix, so no word if they will attempt to make the Daytona 500.(1-29-2012)
UPDATE: HMR's plan of attempting the Daytona 500 have been put on hold. With a delay in obtaining some essential equipment needed for the effort, the team has decided to push the first start of the season back to Phoenix [in March] or Bristol [in March]. Engines and cars have been purchased, certification process is near completion, and the team plans further announcements later this week.(HMR)(1-30-2012)

Hamilton Means Racing plans to make Cup debut in 2012: Hamilton Means Racing, a team created by four principal owners with various levels of involvement in NASCAR, have announced their intentions to go NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing in 2012. Dell Hamilton, Jimmy Means, Arash Khorsandi and Kelly Owen will team up and look to make their first start in the Cup series at Daytona in February. The team is still reviewing their options for the driver of their newly formed #52. Recruiting talented individuals available in NASCAR and obtaining additional equipment vital to the team's effort, is the focus of the group at this point. Their plans are to operate from Means Motorsports race shop located in Forest City, NC alongside his fulltime Nationwide team. Means, no stranger to the NASCAR scene, has many years of experience as a Driver/Owner with 455 starts in the Cup series dating back to 1973. He has also owned and managed the #52 Nationwide team for the past 10 season since retiring as a driver. Hamilton Means Racing is hoping to secure additional partnerships and sponsors based on the relationships that Means, aka "Smut", has developed within the sport.
Hamilton, a businessman from Chattanooga Tennessee, operates Crusader Staffing who has been, and will continue to be, a longtime supporter of MacDonald Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Hamilton is excited about his role in the startup of HMR Racing, and stated "after researching what it takes to be competitive in NASCAR's top series, we are ready to get going and establish our team in the series." Owen and Khorsandi, Floridian natives, longtime friends and fans of the sport, see this opportunity as a way to fulfill a lifetime dream of being involved in the operations as well as creating new relationships in the sport of NASCAR. Owen entered the sport as a sponsor and has been involved with operations at Means Motorsports dating back to the summer of 2010. The two say they are aware of the obstacles ahead of them but look forward to the challenge.(Crusader Racing PR)(12-1-2011)