Terry Labonte's planned 2009 schedule in the #08 Toyota:
Indianapolis, 7/26
Michigan, 8/16
Bristol, 8/22
Atlanta, 9/6
Charlotte, 10/17
Homestead, 11/22 with Fancar
Said's Planned 2009 Sprint Cup Schedule in the #08:
Daytona 500, 2/14 [ran in the #08 but a Ford]
Atlanta, 3/8 - didn't attempt
Infineon Raceway, 6/21 ran the #08 Ford
Daytona, 7/4, didn't attempt
Watkins Glen, 8/9
Talladega, 11/1 - did not enter
#08 Team Past News and Rumors
(NOTE: some older links may not work)
#08 team to attempt Texas UPDATE: The #08 Carter/Simo Racing team will make the trip west to Texas Motor Speedway to compete in the Dickies 500 on November 8th.(Carter/Simo Racing)
AND the NASCAR Entry list has Derrike Cope listed as the driver of the #08 Toyota.(11-3-2009)
UPDATE: the entry list now shows the #08 team as withdrawn from the event.(11-4-2009)
Fans to sponsors a team at Homestead...#08 team? Matt Ferguson was watching a Sprint Cup race in March when he turned to his wife with what at first seemed like another one of his crazy ideas. He wanted to sponsor a car. Well, not just him. He wanted to devise a plan where all fans would have an opportunity to sponsor a car. So he began researching, hired an agent and developed a program. It's called FanCar, and you can learn more about it at FanCar.com. It's really simple. For $20, fans who sign up will get their name on the car of an established team owner with a driver already in place. The plan is to debut the FanCar in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The owner and driver will be announced on Monday, so fans will know whom they're backing. "This is not some start-up team," said Ferguson, a 32-year-old businessman from College Station, Texas. "This isn't their first race, and they're not a start-and-park team. We're not going to have somebody who doesn't know what they're doing or isn't respected by other drivers." He is a familiar name and is guaranteed to be in the field. But if this works, Ferguson plans to have another FanCar in the 2010 Daytona 500 and as many races as he can next season. If it works really well, he'll try to sponsor two cars.(full story at ESPN.com)
DRIVER? TEAM? hearing the the driver will be Terry Labonte for Carter/Simo Racing in the #08 Toyota at Homestead in the season finale. BUT Terry Labonte will not be guaranteed to make the race. His brother, Bobby Labonte, is scheduled to run the #71 TRG Chevy at Homestead. The #71 as is the #08 teams, are both not in the top-35 in owners points, so each Labonte has to race their way in or fall back on the past champions provisional. If both need it, Bobby would get to use it first as he won the Sprint Cup Championship in 2000 and Terry last won it in 1996.(10-30-2009)
UPDATE 2: FanCar announced it will sponsor two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Terry Labonte and Carter/Simo Racing at the Ford 400 on Nov. 22 in Miami. More information at www.fancar.com and invest $20 to be a sponsor of Terry Labonte's #08 Toyota Camry at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "We started FanCar to support drivers like Terry Labonte, a former Cup champion and an old-school, no-nonsense competitor," said Matt Ferguson, founder of FanCar. "Now it's up to the fans to get behind Terry and Carter/Simo Racing at Miami and join the FanCar team."
After becoming a sponsor, fans will be able to vote on the paint scheme as well as the overall message that Labonte's #08 Camry will carry during the Miami race. Participating fans will receive a certificate of sponsorship as well as a digital photo of the car. If the sponsorship is chosen as a gift, FanCar will send along an electronic gift card to the person selected. All funds raised by FanCar will go directly to the funding of the #08 Camry driven by Terry Labonte in Miami-no development costs or transaction fees subtracted.
"It's a great honor and a privilege to be the first driver of the FanCar," said Terry Labonte, driver of the #08 Carter/Simo Toyota Camry. "NASCAR fans have given me so much in my career, but FanCar takes that fan support to a whole new level."(Verve Sponsorship Group)(11-2-2009)
Stavola back in NASCAR? MORE: Friday's Sports Business Daily is reporting - Semi-retired driver Terry Labonte and former team owner Bill Stavola are both getting back into NASCAR full-time as co-owners of a new race organization. StavolaLabonte Racing will field cars in the Sprint Cup Series, possibly next year, with Labonte driving initially.(Sports Business Daily, need subscription)(10-9-2009)
MORE: Former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion [1984, 1996] Terry Labonte, who is preparing to run his fifth race of the season this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, hopes to compete in as many as eight to 10 events in 2010. Labonte as back this weekend in the #08 Carter/Simo Toyota, which is running a partial schedule this year. Labonte finished 24th in the Daytona 500 for Prism Motorsports and has run three races this year for Carter/Simo Racing. “If I end up running some more races next year, I felt like there are some tracks I haven’t been to in years, and I don’t have as much experience in these cars,” said the 52-year-old Labonte. “If I run eight, 10 races next year, I need to get as many laps as I can. I’ve got to learn as much as I can about these cars.” Labonte said he and former car owner Billy Stavola have tossed around the idea about starting a team. “He’s a good guy and was in the sport for a long time and had a good reputation,” Labonte said. “He would be a good guy to be associated with. We’re kind of kicking around the idea. On the one hand, it’s the perfect time to get in because you would be able to hire people today that you would not have had a chance two years ago. On the other side of the coin, I’ve never seen it so hard on the sponsorship side.” As far as running a full season, Labonte said he doesn’t think he has it in him. As far as the remainder of this year goes, Labonte said if the team has a good run in the NASCAR Banking 500 this weekend, he might run the car again later this year.(SceneDaily)(10-22-2009)
James Hylton injured in ARCA race: ARCA RE/MAX Series driver James Hylton, who was transported to a local hospital following an on-track incident on lap 147 in Sunday's American 200, has been treated and released as of Sunday evening. Hylton's family indicated that the veteran driver was diagnosed with an ankle injury.(ARCA Racing)(10-12-2009)
#08 team to donate portion of AMS race winnings: The Georgia based Carter Simo Racing Sprint Cup #08 Toyota team, driven by Terry Labonte, will be donating 10% of the teams race winnings from the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 10% will be equally divided between Egleston Children's Hospital and Shriners Children's Hospital. Labonte starts 43rd at AMS.(Carter Simo Racing)(9-6-2009)
Terry Labonte heads to Bristol: #08-Terry Labonte is one of 13 "Go or Go Home" drivers on the Bristol Motor SPeedway entry list heading into this weekends Sharpie 500. The 1984 and 1996 Champion will be guaranteed a start via the Past Champions Provisional, but the team feels the #08 Toyota is more than capable of making the field on speed. Even with a locked in spot, champion driver and quality crew, the car is missing one thing, sponsorship.(Carter Simo Racing)(8-20-2009)
Said in the #08 car at Watkins Glen UPDATE: Boris Said confirmed Thursday on the Race 2 Win Radio show that he will be in driving the #08 U.S. Chrome Ford at Watkins Glen.(8-6-2009)
UPDATE: "We've been rained out three times here," Boris Said said, referring to failing to make the field because without enough points he couldn't get on the grid. "So we listed Terry Labonte as the driver for the car, and if it rained out qualifying, he would run the race for us. But it looks sunny, so we're going to run it." Said has been trying to get his part-time, partly-owned team in more solid shape; he failed to make the Daytona 500 field, and his only NASCAR run has been at Sonoma, where he qualified ninth and finished 24th. "I plan on being in Montreal (for the Nationwide race later the month), but they haven't committed yet," Said said. "Hopefully if we bring this car back in one piece, we'll get the go-ahead." And on the Cup side? "We were going to go to Daytona in July, but the weather looked terrible, so we decided not to try, and that was a good call, because it rained out qualifying," Said said. Said runs Fords, with some engineering support through Jack Roush, and with veteran Frank Stoddard as crew chief and part owner. Earlier this year Said and Rick Clark announced a "merger" that would create a team that would run in 12 to 18 Sprint Cup events this season. That plan, given the economic environment, didn't quite go as planned. However Friday Said announced that Clark had indeed become majority owner of the team, with a 51% share. And the team plans a fuller Cup schedule next season, Said said. John Carter, the Georgia businessman who just bought Jeremy Mayfield's Toyota operation two weeks ago, is part owner too, and is in fact listed as official owner of Said's car here. "It's all one organization," Said insists. "John Carter came on board this year; he'll still be part of this operation. It's hard for the big teams right, so you can imagine how tough it is for everyone else. Hopefully we can get everything together and be at Daytona next year."(milemulhern.net)(8-7-2009)
U.S. Chrome to sponsor #08 at Watkins Glen...who will drive?: Bob Reath, owner of U.S. Chrome Corporation announced that he and his corporation are proud to sponsor the #08 Carter Simo Racing Ford Fusion in the Watkins Glen International Raceway NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event slated for August 8, 2009. Reath and U.S. Chrome Corporation got started in NASCAR in the mid to late 80's as a primary sponsor for Dana Patten, racing around the short tracks of New England. In 1988, U.S. Chrome partnered with Patten to run five Sprint Cup races. The team, based out of a two-stall garage in Enfield, N.H., made their debut at Michigan International Speedway with Frank Stoddard as the lead wrench and chassis specialist. Both Reath and Stoddard went on to grow in their respective fields. Stoddard cemented his place in NASCAR as a leading crew chief [14 wins with Jeff Burton] after several successful seasons with Roush Fenway Racing (RFR). Reath's U.S. Chrome Corporation, headquartered in Stratford, CT, has six plants in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The company specializes in functional wear, corrosion and friction resistant coatings. It also features a new environmentally friendly electrocomposite coating for several industries, including:
powersports; motorsports; aerospace; agricultural; solar; automotive; firearms; FAA aircraft repair; oil; and gas. "Everyone at U.S. Chrome is excited about racing again with Frank," says Reath. "We hope he succeeds as he has in many years of racing. We feel he has a good chance of winning at Watkins Glen and we all wish him luck."(Carter Simo PR), Terry Labonte is listed as the dirver of the #60 Ford on the NASCXAR Entry list, but also hear it will be between Labonte and Boris Said, with no firm decision made yet but on ESPN2's NASCAR Now, Boris Said reported he would be running the race, but didn't say what car he would be in.(8-4-2009)
Carter buys Mayfield's team UPDATE: Tony Furr, Jeremy Mayfield's long-time crew chief, says that Mayfield has sold his [#41] team [hauler and cars] to Georgia businessman, John Carter, who has been in racing for a while [the #08 Carter Simo Racing team], and Furr says he expected Labonte to run the rest of the season with the team, in as many races as it can make. Furr says the team will continue running out of Mayfield's old shop. Furr is overseeing the operation, and said Friday morning Mayfield may well be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway sometime this weekend. However NASCAR won a legal appeal Friday afternoon in the U.S. 4th circuit court of appeals that should put Mayfield back on suspension. The latest legal move, in NASCAR's favor, would apparently put Mayfield back on suspension, until the court case itself can be resolved. And that case might not get going for several months."John Carter owns it, bought it from Jeremy," Furr says. "I haven't talked with Jeremy in about a week so I don't know if he'll be here. Terry is going to run the car wherever we run it, and we may run it the rest of the year, don't know yet." Toyota's Joey Arrington is doing the motors; Jeremy Lafave is the crew chief. Furr says he himself "is mainly a consultant."(MikeMulhern.net), also as announced a few weeks ago, Boris Said is scheduled to run some races in the #08, running a Ford with Frankie Stoddard as the crew chief, supposedly at Watkins Glen and Talladega. No word if Mayfield's #41 team owner race attempts (12 attempts) and owners points transferred over to the #08 team.(7-24-2009)
UPDATE: Suspended Sprint Cup owner/driver Jeremy Mayfield has sold his hauler and inventory of cars and parts to John Carter, who plans to compete in as many races as he can the rest of the season. Carter said the deal included six cars, including one Terry Labonte ran in Sunday's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Labonte has agreed to drive in five races -- Indianapolis, Michigan, Bristol, Atlanta and Charlotte -- and could drive in more if sponsorship is available. Carter will run the team out of his shop in Tacoa, Ga., and the shop Mayfield rented in the Charlotte, N.C., area. Four of Mayfield's crew members, including crew chief Tony Furr, are now employed by Carter. The deal did not include an opportunity or Mayfield to drive for Carter if cleared. "That wasn't even discussed,'' Carter said.(ESPN)(7-26-2009)
- Said and Clark to finalize deal to merge: Boris Said would love to be driving full-time in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. But most of all, the tall Californian with the trademark head of big curly hair just wants to race. So this weekend fans at Barber Motorsports Park can catch the veteran Said driving a bright yellow and blue BMW in the Koni GS Series as co-driver with Matt Bell, one of road-racing's brightest young talents. Said -- whose fans wear big curly wigs and called themselves Said Heads -- is known to NASCAR fans as a road-racing specialist -- and he'll be back at Watkins Glen for the Cup's second road-course race. Said expects to finalize a merger between his own No Fear team and Rick Clark Motorsports. Plans for the merger were announced in February at Daytona but were held up until now. "It didn't get done yet because the economy slowed us down, the lawyers slowed us down," Said said. "I think we're going to have it done next week." The intention is to run a full-time schedule, but that depends -- as it usually does in these economic times -- on sponsorship. Said has his fingers crossed about that but says he's "a glass half-empty guy" on such things. "They're trying really hard to do the whole season," he said. "We're going to do as much as we can."(Alabama Live)(7-18-2009)
- Carter / Simo plans to run rest of season; UPDATE: Furr joins as crew chief for Labonte: Carter / Simo Racing announced that Terry Labonte is teaming up with Boris Said for the remaining NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Starting at Indianapolis and continuing through the remainder of the 2009 season, fans can expect to see Terry Labonte driving the #08 Camry or Boris Said behind the wheel of the #08 Ford. The team has immediate openings for sponsors the remainder of the season, all inquires can be made their website.(Simo Racing PR)(7-11-2009)
UPDATE: John Carter announced Tony Furr is now crew chief for the Terry Labonte #08 Camry. "This will be a winning combination along with Boris Said and crew chief Frankie Stoddard in the #08 Ford.", said Carter.(Carter / Simo PR), Earlier in the year, Furr was serving as crew chief for #41-Jeremy Mayfield and had recently been consulting with the #64 Gunselman Motorsports team.(7-14-2009)
- Wood Brothers to pit for Said: Road-racing ace Boris Said qualified John Carter’s unsponsored #08-Ford ninth for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. Wood Brothers Racing [#21 Ford], which did not enter this race, will serve as the pit crew for Said on Sunday, servicing his car when it stops for gas and tires. “For a part-time guy it’s hard because, one, I haven’t driven one of these cars since February in the Twin 150’s (Daytona qualifying races),” noted Said. “These guys are the best in the world at what they do and they’re in these cars week-in and week-out, and we throw some guys together and show up every three or four months, so it’s just tough. That’s a bigger uphill battle. We’ve been really close a lot of times and I’m not giving up. That’s my goal is to someday win one of these things.” For the Wood Brothers, helping out another team is hardly something new. In fact, way back in 1965, the Woods served as the pit crew for Scotsman Jimmy Clark when he won the Indianapolis 500. Team co-owner Eddie Wood said the squad was happy to jump in to help out Said. “We spoke a few weeks ago and Boris mentioned he was going to run Sonoma and didn’t have a pit crew, so since that race wasn’t on our schedule and we had no intentions of going, we offered up our guys,” said Wood. “Boris Said helped us out at Watkins Glen a couple of years ago and has done a lot to help our road racing program overall. He’s just a friend.” The partnership could be extended in August at the Watkins Glen International road course. “We’re trying to find some money to take Boris to Watkins Glen in one of our cars,” said Wood. “We haven’t been successful so far, but we’re trying because there aren’t many better on a road course than him. Really, it’s just a case of friends take care of friends. He needs something and I’m glad we’re the ones who can be able to help him out. I’m sure he would do the same for us.”(SPEEDtv)(6-20-2009)
- Said to run at Infineon UPDATE 2: Boris Said will be driving the Carter / Simo Racing #08 Ford owned by John Carter in the Toyota / Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway June 21st. The team has available sponsorship on race car.(Carter / Simo Racing)
UPDATE: Absent from the Sprint Cup Series since missing the season-opening Daytona 500, Boris Said is expected to make his return at Infineon Raceway later this month. Said, best known for his road-racing skills, will drive Georgia businessman John Carter's #08 Ford in the Toyota/SaveMart 350 on June 21. Said originally planned to enter as many as 18 races this season, but a deal with Rick Clark Motorsports announced in February never came to fruition. Carter claims the team has been working on providing Said with a competitive car for the track that winds through the Sonoma hillside. "We have missed several races while preparing for this race," Carter said. "Boris Said is one of the all-time greats on the road courses and I feel comfortable that Boris is the man for the job."(NASCAR.com)(6-10-2009)
UPDATE 2: The RCM / NO FEAR merger announced in February is expected to be completed this summer, as structural and legal issues have delayed the process to date. As the final papers near completion, we are pleased that Boris has the opportunity to drive for the Carter/Simo team, as he did in Daytona. Boris Said/Rick Clark statement: "We are working diligently to get to the track as soon as possible and plan a full season for 2010. We are in the process of securing sponsorships with new entities and we have full confidence we will be on the track as a team for the next 20 years."(No Fear PR)(6-12-2009)
- Said to Compete in West Series Race in Sonoma: Road-race veteran Boris Said has confirmed that he will compete in the Bennett Lane Winery 200, presented by Supercuts, NASCAR Camping World West Series race at Infineon Raceway on Saturday, June 20. Said will drive the #57 entry for DenBeste Motorsports & Biagi Brothers, which is dedicated to the career of legendary Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler. The car features a special silver-and-black paint scheme, with hints of snake-skin colors throughout. Stabler was recently named the Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend at Infineon Raceway, June 19-21.
Said is no stranger to Infineon Raceway and should be one of the favorites when the green flag drops on the Bennett Lane Winery 200. He finished second in the West Series event in Sonoma in 2006 and third in 2007. Moreover, Said won the 1998 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event in Sonoma, and he has also reached the Wine Country Winner’s Circle in a variety of other disciplines. He has four top-10 efforts in nine NASCAR Sprint Cup starts in Sonoma.(Infineon Raceway)(6-1-2009)
- Boris Said not in Sonoma? The road racer is always a threat to win out West, but he won't be there unless some last-minute funding comes through. RCM Motorsports is moving forward with plans to put Boris Said in 10 to 12 races this season. But in securing sponsorship for races like Watkins Glen in August, the team has run into issues where their sponsors won't be ready to fund them until the second half -- leaving Sonoma out in the cold. "This is the best time of my career in the sport, because we're on the cutting edge," said owner Rick Clark, optimistic despite the hardships. "All we can do is hope a significant sponsor will realize the marketing upside for Sonoma. Of the sponsors that we are talking to, they're trying to do their best to reposition in time ... but we could use the additional help."
Clark is excited, however, about some of the other opportunities that are in place for selected races in the summer and Fall. "The Ford people have been in contact with us weekly and are really excited about the team. We're looking at a Hispanic network and programming opportunities to feature our team, as well as a possible cartoon in the works. We are going to make an announcement about partnering with a major viral TV network that has 35-45 million homes and counting. So, someone is recognizing the value we bring to the table, and before long we will be a major team to be reckoned with."(Sports Illustrated)(5-22-2009)
- Said's car catches fire during ALMS race UPDATE 2:: With only 6 minutes left in the American Le Mans Series sports car race in Long Beach, a GT2 Corvette driven by [part-time Sprint Cup driver] Boris Said burst into flames and filled with smoke. The veteran racer scrambled out of the cockpit and across the track as safety workers sprayed the car with fire extinguishers. Said was not injured. The race was won by Gil de Ferran and Simon Pagenaud.(ESPN/AP)
AND: During an ALMS race on Saturday in Long Beach, Calif., Boris Said's Corvette burst into flames. He got out, but not before sustaining several second degree burns to his arms and eyes.(Portland Press Herald), watching the video, Said got out of the car and ran to the wall and sat there a few minutes with safety workers looking at him and talking to him, Said got up walked away and waved to the crowd and got in a safety vehicle.
AND Boris Said adds to the legend. Said suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire during the Long Beach Grand Am race. Get better, buddy, see an image of Said on Marty Smith's Door to Door column at ESPN
SAID Ride plans: Carter Racing plans to return to the track for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint All Star Race. Boris Said will drive the #08 Dodge for the Sprint Showdown, his second race in the #08 this season. The team is actively searching for sponsorship.(Carter Racing PR)(4-23-2009)
UPDATE 2: Due to 2nd and 3rd degree burns suffered during an ALMS event late last month, Said is unable to compete this weekend. John Carter has withdrawn the #08 Dodge from the Sprint Showdown.(Carter Racing PR)(5-13-2009)
- Hylton OK: ARCA driver James Hylton was released from Birmingham's Brookwood Medical Center on Saturday afternoon after an overnight stay. Full details were not available, but most thought his admittance was mostly a precautionary measure. And when you're dealing with a individual in Hyton's situation — being 74 years old — every precaution should be taken. Hylton held his own on Friday in the ARCA RE/MAX 250 for his age, and actually for anyone's age, finishing 15th. As a precautionary measure, Hylton was taken to the infield car center when he got out of his car. Hylton has run in all of the major racing series and started his racing career in 1954. He won NASCAR's Cup rookie of the year honors in 1966 [and two Cup races].(Alabama Live)(4-26-2009)
- Said's car catches fire during ALMS race: With only 6 minutes left in the American Le Mans Series sports car race in Long Beach, a GT2 Corvette driven by [part-time Sprint Cup driver] Boris Said burst into flames and filled with smoke. The veteran racer scrambled out of the cockpit and across the track as safety workers sprayed the car with fire extinguishers. Said was not injured. The race was won by Gil de Ferran and Simon Pagenaud.(ESPN/AP)
AND: During an ALMS race on Saturday in Long Beach, Calif., Boris Said's Corvette burst into flames. He got out, but not before sustaining several second degree burns to his arms and eyes.(Portland Press Herald), watching the video, Said got out of the car and ran to the wall and sat there a few minutes with safety workers looking at him and talking to him, Said got up walked away and waved to the crowd and got in a safety vehicle.
AND Boris Said adds to the legend. Said suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire during the Long Beach Grand Am race. Get better, buddy, see an image of Said on Marty Smith's Door to Door column at ESPN
SAID Ride plans: Carter Racing plans to return to the track for the 2009 NASCAR Sprint All Star Race. Boris Said will drive the #08 Dodge for the Sprint Showdown, his second race in the #08 this season. The team is actively searching for sponsorship.(Carter Racing PR)(4-23-2009)
- No Fear Racing merges, to run more races UPDATE: during ESPN2's NASCAR Show, Boris Said said Rick Clark Motorsports and No Fear Racing will merge in which Clark will have majority ownership. The team is expected to run 12-18 races this season. No word if Said will continue to run the #08 or go back to the #60. Clark has been trying to organize a team in either the Nationwide or Sprint Cup series for the past couple of years and has also led the Drive for Diversity initiative in NASCAR in the past. Said mentioned that an official announcement will be made at Daytona on Thursday where more details will be made known.(2-9-2009)
UPDATE: A 10:00am press conference is scheduled for Thursday where it will be announced that Rick Clark of New River, Va., has become majority owner of Cup team that plans to field Boris Said in 12-18 races this season. Adding to the announcement is that Clark is African-American and he would become the first African-American to be a majority owner in a Cup team since Sam Belnavis owned a Cup team in 2003. This isn't Clark's first endeavor with NASCAR. Two years ago, he announced plans to begin running in what is now the Nationwide series and move to Cup but had not been heard from since making the announcement.(Virginian Pilot)(2-11-2009)
UPDATE 2: Rick Clark and Boris Said announced their merger between Rick Clark Motorsports (RCM) and No Fear Racing. The new organization, RCM No Fear Racing, will form a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team with majority minority ownership. Clark, an African American businessman who spent eight years in the NFL as an agent for several players, was lured to the appeal of NASCAR and the opportunity to create a multicultural approach to auto racing which focuses on America’s youth by noted friend and ESPN lead broadcaster Dr. Jerry Punch. The race team will create a platform from which other marketing programs will be launched to increase inclusion in the industry. Said, with crew chief Frank Stoddard, will remain the driver of the #60 car and is expected to compete in 12-18 events in 2009, although competing in the #08 car this weekend through a prior commitment. Among the events that the RCM No Fear Racing team expect to compete are restrictor plate and road course events where Said has had past success. Mobile marketing and an animated movie make up the other marketing verticals, and a foundation will be established to give back to minority communities in need. In addition to Clark, prominent Wall Street and emerging markets finance lawyer, Al Tindall, is a principal in the RCM No Fear Racing team.(Performance PR Plus)(2-12-2009)
- U.S. Chrome to sponsor Said for Daytona: The Carter/Simo Racing team with driver Boris Said has added U.S. Chrome Corporation as a sponsor. Said's #08 ScottsMiracle-Gro/U.S. Chrome Ford Fusion is vying for a qualifying berth for the Daytona 500. Based in Stratford, Conn. U.S. Chrome has specialized in functional wear, corrosion and friction resistant coatings since 1946. The company has six plant locations -- in Connecticut, upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. U.S. Chrome features new environmentally friendly electrocomposite coatings for the aerospace, agricultural, solar, automotive, firearms, machining, FAA aircraft repair, oil, gas, powersports and motorsports industries. "We feel fortunate to have another outstanding company join our race team," offered Said. "We have a New England bonding -- U.S. Chrome is headquartered in Stratford, Conn., I'm a native of Stamford, Conn. and our crew chief Frank Stoddard is from New Hampshire. If we qualify for the 500, I think we'll all get together and have a lobster feast." U.S. Chrome has a history in motorsports. The company owned Busch East and Busch South teams in the 1980s. The crew chief on those teams was Stoddard. "U.S. Chrome is thrilled to partner with Boris and Frankie and the entire Carter/Simo Racing team," said Bob Reath, owner of U.S. Chrome. "Our customers are motorsports fans and this is a good fit for our company." Stoddard, a 15-time Cup winner as crew chief, said it's a special feeling to be reunited with U.S. Chrome. "Having U.S. Chrome as a sponsor brings back many pleasant memories," noted Stoddard. "It's a great company, which is led by Bob Reath. We want nothing more than to give them, and all of our sponsors, a solid performance in Daytona."(DMF Communications PR)(2-9-2009)
- No practice for Hylton means no Daytona 500 attempt: The hauler of #60-James Hylton was leaving Daytona International Speedway on Saturday as Hylton never got out on the track to practice. The Carter Simo Racing driver won’t attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 on Sunday because he never was able to get a complete lap in practice, and NASCAR typically requires a driver to complete a lap at a reasonable speed to qualify the car. The team had been working on the car for the 74-year-old driver throughout the weekend but apparently never got it to race specifications. So there will be 56 drivers attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500.(SceneDaily)
AND: The final pre-qualifying practice for the Daytona 500 has ended. The #60 Dodge of James Hylton continued to be plagued with battery and carburetor issues. Per Nascar rules, car's must run a practice lap above an average of 175mph in order to attempt to qualify on Sunday. Despite a valiant effort from the crew, who pushed the car up and down pit lane several times attempting to get it to fire, the car would not start. "We just got snakebite today.", said James Hylton.(EM Motorsports site)(2-8-2009)
- Said to be sponsored by ScottsMiracle-Gro at Daytona: ScottsMiracle-Gro and Carter/Simo Racing announced that they will sponsor Boris Said in the #08 Ford Fusion for the Daytona 500. The #08 Ford Fusion will feature the Scotts Bonus S Max Lawn Fertilizer paint scheme during Daytona Speedweeks. “I’m really happy that Scotts is on board for the 500,” commented Said. “Between using Scotts products on my lawn and helping Carl (Edwards) with his road racing efforts, I feel like I already have a strong relationship with Scotts. I’m thrilled to represent them over the next week.”
“It is great to have an opportunity to team up with Boris Said for the Daytona 500 where he will be driving the Scotts Bonus S Max Ford Fusion,” said Jim Shertzer, Event Marketing and Sponsorship Manager for ScottsMiracle-Gro. “Living in Southern California, Boris has already started to enjoy his Scotts lawn and his Ford Fusion is featuring Scotts Bonus S Max Lawn Fertilizer – with its unique 3-in-1 formula that kills and prevents fire ants for up to six months, kills dollarweed and feeds your lawn!”.
Carter/Simo racing is proud to offer fans with a unique way to interact with them at the 51st Daytona 500. Fans will be able to join a social network where they will get an unrestricted view of how the teams prepare for Daytona. Fans will be provided multiple live daily updates of the teams progress. They can also follow the team through practices, Coors Pole qualifying, Gatorade Duel events, and ultimately the Daytona 500. Photos, videos, and messages will all come direct from the team, to the fans at no cost. More info at www.em-motorsports.com.(Carter/Simo Racing PR)(2-7-2009)
- Said teams up with Carter for Daytona 500: Carter/Simo Racing is proud to announce that Boris Said and James Hylton will now team up and prepare to qualify for the 2009 Daytona 500. Said will pilot the #08 Ford, while Hylton will pilot the #60 Dodge. Both cars must make the field on speed, or through the "Gatorade Duel" qualification races. In addition to the Daytona 500, Hylton will also race the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Remax Series Event. Full and Partial sponsorship opportunities are still available visit EM-Motorsports.com for more info.(2-2-2009)
- Munter to test for Hylton: EM Motorsports and Hylton Motorsports announced that Leilani Münter has been hired to
test the team's 2005 Ford Taurus during this weekend's ARCA Series open test at Daytona International Speedway. James Hylton, 1966
NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year, will be Leilani's mentor and coach throughout the weekend. Hylton is scheduled to attempt to make the Sprint Cup Daytona 500 race for EM Motorsports.(PR)(12-18-2008)
- Sauter to Thorsport Racing? Hearing that Johnny Sauter toured the Thorsport Racing shop in Sandusky, Ohio last week. It's not clear if an indicator that there may be a potential driver change for the #13 team?(12-1-2008)
- Sauter meets with some of our Troops: Johnny Sauter spent his weekend in Fort Bragg, NC in support of the Warriors Promise Foundation. Joined by Pro Beach Volleyball player Angie Akers, Sauter met with troops to thank them for their service on behalf of FUBAR, Sauter’s NASCAR Sprint Cup sponsor for EM Motorsports. The Warrior’s Promise Foundation is a non-profit organization with the charter of providing support to the United States military community at the grass roots level. As part of the Warriors Promise Foundation a percentage of all FUBAR sales goes to the members of military communities in need.(PR)(11-24-2008)
- Hylton to attempt Daytona 500: #08-EM Motorsports announced that legendary NASCAR competitor James Hylton [2 wins, 1966 rookie of the year. 2nd in points 3 times) has teamed up with team owner John Carter to compete in the 51st annual Daytona 500 on February 15, 2009. The 74 year old Hylton made a well publicized comeback run at Daytona in 2007 which was thwarted by a faulty clutch in the Gatorade 150 qualifying event. During the race, Hylton ran as high as second, which put aside any doubts about the 1966 Rookie of the Years driving abilities. Hylton has competed in 16 Daytona 500s, with his best finish being third. In 2008, Hylton competed full-time in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as well as running in the Winn-Dixie 250 Nationwide Series race at Daytona. At age 73, Hylton set the record as the oldest driver to start a Nationwide Series event and also hopes to set the record as the oldest driver to compete in a Sprint Cup series event in February 2009.(EM Motorsports PR)(11-23-2008)
- Triple Duty for Johnny Sauter: Fresh off a top-20 finish at New Hampshire [in the #70], Johnny Sauter looks forward to a triple duty weekend at Dover International Speedway. Sauter will pilot the #08 FUBAR All Natural Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series. In addition, he will be behind the wheel of the #78 Chevy in the Nationwide Series and the #12 Dodge in the Camping World East Series. “I just want to race as much as I possibly can,” said Sauter. “Anytime someone comes to me with an opportunity to race, no matter what series or division, I’m all for it.”(9-17-2008)
- Sauter has Cup ride for next 4 races: Johnny Sauter has a full schedule in the coming weeks of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. Sauter will pilot the #08 FUBAR Dodge this week at Bristol and next week at Auto Club Speedway. Then, he will get back behind the wheel of the #70 Haas CNC Racing Chevy for the following two events at Richmond and New Hampshire. "I'm definitely looking forward to the next few weeks of racing," Sauter said. "As a driver, I'm just happy people think of me when they have openings to fill, whether it be for a few races or a single event. I'm still looking for a full time opportunity in 2009, but in the meantime I'm happy to be busy and just thankful for the chance to contribute to these organizations."(PR)(8-21-2008)
- Sauter in the #08 at MIS: Johnny Sauter will attempt to qualify the #08 FUBAR Dodge for this weekend’s Sprint Cup event at Michigan International Speedway. EM Motorsports owner John Carter announced Sauter will pilot the team’s racecar for a short list of events in 2008. Sauter hopes to give the team their first Cup start this season by qualifying for Sunday’s 3-M Performance 400. “I’m going to Michigan focused on getting the FUBAR car into the race,” Sauter said. “It would mean a lot to John Carter and everyone at EM Motorsports to be part of Sunday’s race and I’m going to give it all I’ve got in qualifying to make it happen for them. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to be part of this organization and hope I can make them proud this weekend.”(EM Motorsports PR)(8-14-2008)
- Sauter to run the #08 at Chicago & Indy: EM Motorsports owner John Carter announced Johnny Sauter will pilot the #08 getFUBAR.com Dodge Charger in both the LifeLock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway and the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sauter has competed at Chicago on seven occasions (two Cup and five Nationwide) and won the 2002 Tropicana Twister 200 Nationwide Series event while driving for Richard Childress Racing. The Necedah, Wisconsin native competed for the first time at Indianapolis in 2007, driving for #70 Haas Racing in the Allstate 400. FUBAR is a proprietary beverage scientifically formulated for superior performance, endurance and outstanding recovery. Each 12oz bottle or 50 gram bar of FUBAR delivers essential nutrients to the body for up to 6 hours, maximizing overall performance, endurance and allowing for faster recovery. Each FUBAR contains all the natural fuels the body needs with healthy carbs, beneficial fats and pure unprocessed sugars. Based in Toccoa, GA, EM Motorsports presently has three race-ready COTs for Sprint Cup Series competition and the team's shop was completely overhauled during the month of June. EM Motorsports is led by owner John Carter, Crew Chief Charles Swing, Marketing VP Doug Barron and NASCAR Consultant James Hylton.(EM Motorsports PR)(7-1-2008)
- EM Motorsports plans double duty at MIS UPDATE: EM Motorsports is competing in the both the ARCA RE/MAX Series Racing for Wildlife 200 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. James Hylton will be making his 32nd career start this weekend as he pilots the number #08 FUBAR Dodge Charger in ARCA RE/MAX competition. James made his first start at Michigan on June 15, 1969 in the Motor State 400. Hylton, driving the Hylton Motorsports 1969 Dodge Charger 500, finished in seventh place and collected $2,102 for his efforts.(EM Motorsports), no word who will drive the Sprint Cup car at MIS.(6-11-2008)
UPDATE: been told that the #08 EM Motorsports has withdrew from the Cup race at Michigan.(6-12-2008)
- #08 gets sponsor for Lowe's races: #08-EM Motorsports owner John Carter announced that Natural Styles, creator of “Fueled Up Beyond All Recognition (FUBAR) Performance Drink" and "FUBAR Performance Bar" will become the primary sponsor for the #08 Sprint Cup Series team. This association will begin with the Sprint Showdown, which takes place May 17th, at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. Tony Raines will pilot the EM Motorsports Dodge Charger in the event. Natural Styles, a Mesa Arizona based operation, has production facilities in Utah and California with a line up of new age - functional, "All Natural" beverages and 100% Organic performance bars.(Tony Raines.com)(5-10-2008)
- Raines to run the #08 at LMS: EM Motorsports owner John Carter announced that Tony Raines would pilot the Rhino’s Energy Drink Dodge Charger in both the Sprint Showdown and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. Fans will have the opportunity to vote a driver from the Sprint Showdown race into the field for the Sprint All-Star Race. EM Motorsports driver Tony Raines is eligible for the fan vote based on his finishing position in the 2007 Nextel Cup Series point standings had to be in the top 50, was 29th in drivers pts while driving ther #96). Based in Toccoa, GA, EM Motorsports presently has three race-ready COTs for Sprint Cup Series competition. EM Motorsports is led by owner John Carter, Crew Chief Charles Swing, Marketing VP Doug Barron and NASCAR Consultant James Hylton.(Tonyraines.com)(4-27-2008)
- Raines to attempt to make Martinsville in the #08: EM Motorsports owner John Carter announced that Tony Raines would pilot the #08-Rhino’s Energy Drink Dodge Charger in the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 on March 30, at Martinsville Speedway. Raines is a veteran of six Sprint Cup Series starts at Martinsville. Raines’ best finish at the historic half-mile track was a 10th place finish in last October’s Subway 500. Raines qualifies well at the track with an average starting position of 17.3 in his 6 races. EM Motorsports is based in Toccoa, Georgia and is led by owner John Carter, Crew Chief Charles Swing and Marketing VP Doug Barron.(EM Motorsports PR) Carl Long attempted to make the Daytona 500 with the team and Burney Lamar had made a few attempts. Long had been scheduled to run at Bristol, but the team didn't make an attempt there.(3-19-2008)
- Lamar to run the #08 at Calif and Vegas: EM Motorsports announced that Burney Lamar will be at the wheel of the #08 Rhino’s Energy Drink Dodge Charger in this
weekend’s Sprint Cup Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Lamar will also pilot the #08 Dodge at Las Vegas next week. Lamar is a veteran of 31 Nationwide Series starts, with his best finish being a 2nd at Daytona in the 2006 Hershey’s 300. Lamar also has two Craftsman Truck Series starts and three ARCA RE/MAX Series starts.(EM Motorsports PR)(2-20-2008)
- Hylton will not attempt the Daytona 500: The preliminary entry list for the Feb. 17 Daytona 500 includes 52 cars, but does not include James Hylton. The 73-year-old has decided not to compete in the season-opening Sprint Cup event after previously announcing his plans to attempt to run the race. He says that team owner John Carter had planned to have him a car for the race, but it didn't work out. Hylton planned to run as a teammate to #08-Carl Long under the E&M Motorsports banner, using Long's backup car in the Daytona 500. "They were building a new [car of tomorrow] car," he said Thursday during NASCAR Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. "I came down here and tested with Carl Long early on. Then they were building a backup car, and the plan was bring the backup car, and if he didn't need it, I was going to enter it and run in it." Hylton said that Carter has told him he will definitely have a car to enter in the July race at Daytona International Speedway and that he could run in some other Cup events as well. Hylton is entered in the Daytona ARCA race but must qualify for that race. He says his performance in that event could lead to more Cup racing down the road.(SceneDaily.com)(2-7-2008)
- Long to run the #08 at Daytona: Carl Long is running the Daytona 500 with the #08 E&M Motorsports team with sponsorship from Millstar Tools and Rhino's Energy Drink. The team will be testing their #08 Dodge at Daytona on Monday. Long is also scheduled to drive at Bristol with California and Las Vegas as a possibilities.(Carl Long Racing)(1-13-2008)
- Hylton teams with EM Motorsports team for Daytona ARCA race: John Carter, owner of EM Motorsports, informed James Hylton that he was selected to drive the team’s 2007 Dodge Charger in the 2008 ARCA Daytona 200 on February 9th. Hylton tested the 2007 Charger at Daytona International Speedway in mid December and was 18th fastest with a best lap of 50.702 seconds / 177.508 mph. In 2005, John Carter / EM Motorsports scored a 9th place finish in the Daytona 500 with a Dodge Charger driven by Kevin Lepage. The 2007 EM Motorsports Dodge Charger will be sponsored by Rhino Energy Drink of Austria. Hylton has said that Speedweeks 2008 will be his final run at Daytona as a driver in the ARCA/REMAX series. Hylton sees this effort as a great opportunity to start the 2008 ARCA/REMAX season off with a bang. Hylton is also looking for an opportunity to attempt a start in the 50th Daytona 500.(Hylton Motorsports PR)(12-31-2007)
- EM Motorsports plans to run some 2008 races: #08 E&M Motorsports team owner John Carter is no quitter. "Whatever I go out to do, I go out to win," Carter said. "There's no negative thoughts on anything I do. I don't care if it's the scrap business, trash or whatever I'm trying to conquer. I go in with a positive outlook, no matter what it costs." A partnership that would have provided stability and sponsorship fell apart after a handful of races. His team made just one race -- at Michigan -- and Joe Nemechek wound up crashing the team's best car after 92 laps. A driver from Europe who promised to bring money to the team instead turned out to be a fraud. He can't sell any of his remaining rolling stock because of the change to the Car of Tomorrow chassis. And plans for a shop to replace his little two-car garage have stalled for lack of working capital. "The last three years I've run [first with the #37 team, then the #08 team in 2007], it's all come out of my pocket," Carter said. "I'd rather not say [how much]. I don't want to make myself sick thinking about it. I've had to take out a loan because I still don't have a sponsor. But I do have one trying to come on with me and help me. We have the same shop, but we can make it happen out of there." Carter has purchased one COT and has another on order. He plans on being at Daytona in February, with either Burney Lamar or Carl Long behind the wheel of the #08 Dodge, whether that's out of his pocket or with partial sponsorship. "We've got new cars being built right now, one for Daytona and one for the races after that," he said. "You can use the same cars because of the same suspension pieces. One car's built now and the other's being built and I'm in the process of buying it." Engine builder Ernie Elliott -- the man behind Bill Elliott's superspeedway domination in the '80s -- is responsible for the horsepower. "He's building us a special engine to run Daytona with," Carter said. "We believe we've got a good package to run at a superspeedway with the Car of Tomorrow." "With the two drivers I've got, I still think we can go out there and win," Carter said. "A lot of people think this is off the wall, but with these new cars and all, I still think we can compete and still win a race. If we can get in a race and run with Ernie's engines and these cars are so equal to each other, I think we've got a better shot than ever, as far as going there and running in the top five or 10."(NASCAR.com)(12-29-2007)
- Lamar to run Atlanta Cup race? UPDATE: Burney Lamar, former Kevin Harvick Inc. Busch driver, was at Martinsville. He revealed that he plans to attempt to make the Nextel Cup field at Atlanta next week with an independent team. Lamar’s most memorable achievement to date was his second-place finish at for KHI at Daytona in 2006.(Racing Milestones)(10-22-2007)
UPDATE: Lamar is listed as the driver of the #08 EM Motorsports Dodge on the Atlanta Entry List.(10-23-2007)
- Carl Long to attempt Charlotte: been told Carl Long will attempt to make the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway [Oct 13th] in the #08 EM Motorsports Dodge. Joe Nemechek was to drive the #08, but has since gotten a full-time gig with the #78 Furniture Row team [which he will run in 2008 also]
AND confirmed at Carl-long.com...Carl Long will be racing in both the Busch Series and the Nextel Cup Series races next weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Long will pilot the #54 Fridel-Carter Motorsports Dodge in the Busch Series Dollar General 300, and the #08 E&M Motorsports Dodge in the Nextel Cup Bank of America 500.(10-8-2007)
- Nemechek in the #78 at California: #78-Furniture Row Racing plans to use several drivers through the rest of the season, manager Joe Garone said Tuesday.
"We released him, let him go, but it's not like a fire type of situation, just a continuing effort to get to the bottom of the problems we're having," Garone said of Wallace. "We're missing so many races. Ultimately, putting another driver in the car is something we have to do." Scott Wimmer unsuccessfully tried to qualify the #78 Chevrolet last weekend at Michigan - for a rain-delayed race that finally took place Tuesday - and Sterling Marlin is pegged to try to qualify the car for Saturday's race at Bristol. Joe Nemechek has agreed to try to get the #78 in the field for the ensuing race at California Speedway on Sept. 2. "It always helps running other drivers," Garone said. "Until we have a teammate situation, we can bounce things off various drivers that work for us. We're in a situation where we can move drivers in and out and share their information." Second-year Furniture Row runs Chevrolet engines, but not the new RO7 model that was distributed to the top Chevy teams in late May. Garone said the RO7 is producing about 30 more horsepower than the SB2 engine all Chevy teams began with this season. Wallace failed to qualify for eight consecutive races until he made the Aug. 12 event at Watkins Glen, N.Y., because rain canceled qualifying and the 43-car field was set by owner points. Wallace made seven consecutive races before his "losing" streak began, which coincided with the introduction of the RO7 that Chevy provided only to its signature, multiple-car teams of Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. "It's not that our engines aren't good," Garone said. "We are just not on the top of the food chain in Chevrolet's pecking order. We're last." Furniture Row, which builds its engines in its north Denver [CO] headquarters, has received the RO7 models and Garone said dyno testing should take place this week. He hopes the engine is ready to go by the Sept. 30 race at Kansas Speedway. For the next five races, whoever drives the car will be down on horsepower. Garone said all that his team members can do is keep their heads up. Garone said Wallace could drive the car again, and that there was no friction between Wallace and the team. Wallace was in the first year of a two-year contract that wasn't guaranteed for the second year.(Denver Post)(8-24-2007)
- #08 team gets associate sponsor for MIS: The #08 EM Motorsports team with driver Joe Nemechek will have a special hood graphic on the #08 Dodge for qualifying at Michigan, a yellow diamond shape with "Fans on Board" (like the Baby on Board signs). This is a fan message that they are on board with "Front Row Joe" Nemechek. Precision Gear, based in Taylor, Michigan is coming on the #08 Dodge as an associate sponsor for Michigan and likely beyond. More info on the team and fan effort at 08team.com.(EM Motorsports)(8-17-2007)
- Nemechek to attempt MIS in the #08 UPDATE: EM Motorsports owner John Carter announced that Joe Nemechek will be in the #08 Dodger at Michigan International Speedway in August, Nemechek's second effort for EM Motorsports which plan to enter the #08 in a number of races remaining on the 2007 schedule, while preparing for a full schedule in 2008. Discussions are under way with potential sponsors.(Race Week Media/08 Team PR)(8-9-2007)
UPDATE: Joe Nemechek fans are donating money to the team to help Nemechek, the team and help them find a sponsor. More info at 08team.com or joenemechek.net.(8-14-2007)
- Nemecheck to Drive at Indy UPDATE: Joe Nemechek will have a ride this weekend at Indianapolis, but which car he will drive remains in limbo. E&M Motorsports is looking to put Nemechek behind the wheel of its #08 car, but Ginn Racing may have a sponsor for the #13 -- the car from which Nemechek was bounced last week. E&M Motorsports had plans to run several races this season, beginning at Indianapolis with John Andretti at the wheel. Andretti has other commitments this weekend, so the team called on Nemechek.(NASCAR.com)(7-24-2007)
UPDATE: The #08 Team announces "Front Row Joe" Nemechek will drive the #08 car at Indy in the Allstate 400 for John Carter and EM Motorsports this weekend. Race Week Media is still searching for primary sponsorship for the car, but are confident of success with all of the support Nemechek fans are expressing. It was just over a week ago that it was announced the launch of the #08 Team and the momentum has been remarkable. The cars were loaded into the hauler late Wednesday night in Toccoa, Georgia for the ride to Indianapolis and are ready for Saturday's qualifying.(#08 Team PR)(7-27-2007)
- John Andretti to Lend Voice to IMS Radio Network: NASCAR and IRL driver John Andretti will join the IMS Radio Network as a broadcaster this Sunday for the Allstate 400 at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway [NOTE: he will NOT run in the new #08 Dodge as the team announced]. The Andretti name is synonymous with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Andretti, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Indianapolis and went to high school only miles from the speedway. In 1994, he made history by becoming the first driver to complete the Memorial Day "double" competing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Andretti made his return to the Indianapolis 500 this year. Andretti, who recently completed a four race stretch in the #45 Dodge for Petty Enterprises, competed in this year's Indianapolis 500 after a 13 year hiatus for Panther Racing and sponsor Camping World. He is, again, looking forward to coming back to Indy this season. IMS Radio coverage of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard begins at 1:00pm/et.(Petty Racing PR)(7-24-2007)
- New team to debut at Indy with Andretti: a new team, E&M Motorsports, plans to debut and attempt the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the #08 Dodge is scheduled to run in the Nextel Cup Series for a limited number of races remaining in the 2007 schedule and a full schedule in 2008. E&M Motorsports is owned by NASCAR veteran John Carter [formerly owner of the #37 RJ Racing team] and is based in Toccoa, Georgia. The #08 car -- a Dodge -- will be take the track at Indy for the Allstate 400 this month with John Andretti driving and are currently seeking primary sponsors for the '08 car -- now and in 2008.(Race Week Media/08team.com PR)(7-18-2007)
