

#49 Team News and Links Page

A 2008 Scheme - Click on Car to go to the Paint Scheme Gallery Team Page
LINKS
OFFICIAL team/driver
BAM Racing
Schrader Racing
Chad McCumbee
SPONSORS
Primary:
Associates:
SEM
UN-OFFICIAL team/driver
Go BAM Racing
(not posting new unofficial sites anymore: too many have no updates, are old, driver bashing, requests ignored)
#49 Team Past News and Rumors
(NOTE: some older links may not work)
Contract Status: Driver: 200?: Sponsor: 200?
- BAM Racing & Petty Racing team up for Sprint Showdown UPDATE: Chad McCumbee will run the #49 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge in the Sprint Showdown and will have a Petty Enterprises crew and Billy Wilburn will serve as crew chief. Quotes from Chad McCumbee: “I just want to thank everyone at Petty Enterprises and BAM Racing for giving me the opportunity to race in the Sprint All-Star Showdown. Hopefully we can have a good run and race our way into the all-star race. That would be a dream come true. Being one of the few drivers from North Carolina, I know how big that race has become. Lowe’s Motor Speedway is our backyard and the race is for bragging rights as much as anything else. I like the 1.5-mile tracks, like Lowe’s, so I’m confident that we will be competitive on Saturday. Billy (Wilburn, crew chief) and I have developed a great relationship over the last three races that I’ve run for Petty Enterprises. We have a lot of confidence in each other and that’s important when you are racing for all or nothing. That’s how we have to approach it. It’s win or go home. At the same time I’m going to go out there and do what I can to help my teammates. Kyle and Bobby have bigger fish on the line with the Coca-Cola 600. If there is something that I can try, something that may help them win next Sunday, then I am all for it. They have helped me tremendously in my time at Petty.” Petty Enterprises announced this week that McCumbee will pilot the #45 Dodge for two races this summer while Kyle Petty works in the broadcast booth for TNT.(MCG Sports/Petty Racing)(5-13-2008)
IMAGE: see an image of the car on my #49 Team Schemes page.(5-15-2008)
UPDATE 2: BAM Racing team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau announced a one-race association with Petty Enterprises for the upcoming Sprint Showdown on Saturday, May 17, 2008. According to Mrs. Morgenthau, "Before our move to Toyota, we were a Dodge team and we have worked closely with the Petty's for years. NASCAR's rules state that a team must be in the top 50 in owner's points from the previous year in order to compete in the Sprint Showdown. As I understand it, Kyle was looking to get Chad McCumbee some valuable seat time at Lowe's and wanted to enter a third car. Since our team is hard at work trying to secure sponsorship and return our Toyota to the track a little later in the year, we were glad to help them out. While the car for the Sprint Showdown will be listed as BAM Racing's #49, it will be a Petty Dodge and will be run out of their shop with their crew. I suppose you could say that when the King asks for a favor, we listen! BAM Racing is committed to return to the Sprint Cup series and we have several potential marketing partners that we're very excited about. We should be able to make an announcement soon."(BAM Racing PR)(5-16-2008) Comment here
- Sauter back in #70 at RIR; Schrader could run more races: from a Team Chevy PR:
KEN SCHRADER, #70 HUNT BROTHERS PIZZA IMPALA SS – Qualified 3rd: HOW DID YOU MAKE THAT CAR GO THAT FAST AS THE LAST QUALIFIER OUT? "It was desperation. When you aren't locked in to the top-35, you do what you have to do. We definitely concentrated more on qualifying for today. We will probably have to undo a little bit of that tomorrow. The Haas/CNC grout built us a heck of a little car. It is brand new with a brand new sponsor, Hunt Brothers Pizza. The Hendrick Motors, they did their job for sure.
You work on qualifying differently when you are one of those cars that is not locked in the top-35 because if you don't go fast enough, you go home. It brings a out desperation. There are a lot of things you have to do. We are going to have a good little race car."
IS THIS A ONE-SHOT DEAL? “No, we’re going to run it some more. We’re definitely going to run it some more. We’re working on the schedule, but we are going to run the car some more this year. I know that Jay [actually Johnny, not Jay] Sauter is going to run it next week and we’re working on that stuff now. That’s the only real good advantage I’ve found to being old so far. I told them to just let me know if I need to be there.”
YOU WERE SCHEDULED TO BE IN THE BAM CAR FOR TALLADEGA. DO YOU STILL HAVE ANY TIES WITH THEM? COULD YOU UPDATE THAT STATUS?
“I can’t speak for them. I’ve driven for those people two full years and then drove one race last year. We started of the year this year and they love the sport a lot and they’ve invested a lot of their own money on that team. I know they’re working hard to get funding to run it. I’ll always be indebted to them because I’ve been working for them for a while and they’re just good people that love this sport. But I don’t have any ties to them.”(Team Chevy)(4-27-2008) Comment here
- Microsoft Small Business joines up with MWR: Microsoft expanded its motorsports reach today in an effort to increase visibility of its growing Small Business Specialist Community of Partners and solutions for small businesses by announcing it has formed a unique sponsorship with Michael Waltrip Racing. Microsoft will serve as an associate sponsor on MWR’s #00 Toyota Camry entry driven by rookie Michael McDowell for the remainder of the 2008 season, beginning this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. The sponsorship, in conjunction with California-based advertising agency RainMakers International [this was the company and the sponsorship deal with #49 BAM Racing at 49team.com], offers a motorsports marketing platform to Microsoft’s Partners, a growing group which supports businesses everywhere in the Microsoft Small Business Specialist Community. Each participating partner will receive a structured marketing package which utilizes Michael Waltrip Racing marks, images of the #00 race car with their logo on it, tickets, likeness of Michael McDowell in his driver’s suit, and the usage of Waltrip’s race facility for contest winners. Additionally, each partner will have the ability to utilize the discounted media buying services offered by RainMakers, and more.(MWR)(4-25-2008) Comment here
- Schrader, other notables, planning to run Rockingham ARCA race: The Carolina 500, ARCA's May 4 race at Rockingham Speedway, has drawn the attention of several drivers who don't typically participate in the ruling body's races. Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Ken Schrader have recently joined the list of entrants. Schrader has won 15 ARCA races during his career. Other notable entries have been filed in the names of drivers Joey Logano by Joe Gibbs Racing, Austin Dillon by Richard Childress Racing, Scott Speed by Eddie Sharp Racing, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by Roush Fenway Racing, Michael Annett by Bill Davis Racing, Chad McCumbee, Bobby Gerhart and Matt Carter. Dillon is Childress's grandson. Speed is a former Formula One driver. Carter is the son of famed NASCAR mechanic Travis Carter.(Gaston Gazette)(4-20-2008) Comment here
- Schrader to the #70 at Talladega? hearing Ken Schrader may drive the #70 Haas CNC Racing Chevy at Talladega. #49 BAM Racing is skipping Talladega and moving to a part-time schedule.(4-15-2008)
UPDATE: Haas CNC Racing is pleased to announce that Ken Schrader will drive the #70 Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevy during the upcoming race weekend at Talladega. "I'm definitely very excited about the opportunity to drive for Haas CNC Racing," Schrader said. "It is a younger team that is going through the growing process but yet has all of the elements in place. The team has an outstanding relationship with Hendrick Motorsports, and we know they have a proven engine program," he added. "We certainly don't have to second guess the equipment."(Haas CNC Racing)(4-16-2008) Comment here
- BAM goes to a part time schedule; Schrader to #70?: Open letter from BAM Racing owner, Beth Ann Morgenthau: "Our recent switch to Toyota is a strong testament to our focus andcommitment to become more competitive. Even though we were disappointed it became necessary to miss two races to complete the transition to Toyota. We
were excited about the potential for the balance of the 2008 season. That excitement was abruptly interrupted this past week by news that a primary sponsorship deal once planned for the majority of the 2008 season had been reduced to a fraction of a season and that fraction will likely be in the fall. The private company has been in the process of raising funds in the equity market for working capital which included a portion going to a product launch using the #49 race car. Due to the uncertainty of the stock market raising the capital is taking longer than expected. With no other primary sponsor currently in place to fill the void the harsh reality of this most recent news is that we are forced to reduce our 2008 participation to a partial season. Our marketing groups are working hard to fill the sponsorship void so we can get back on the track sooner than later. When new primary sponsorship is secured you will be one of the first to know! It is of little consolation that we are not alone in this plight. The uncertain economic times affecting our sponsor are affecting sponsorships throughout NASCAR and are having a winnowing affect on the number of teams showing up each week to compete. We're confident that with the decreasing numbers of teams, with the competitive cars we produce and with the horsepower Toyota engines provide, we will be able to step back into competition effectively and successfully on short notice--and we are making every effort to make our sabbatical as short as possible.(BAM Racing)
Schrader? hearing Ken Schrader may drive the #70 Haas CNC Racing Chevy at Talladega.(4-15-2008)
- New sponsor for BAM Racing: BAM Racing announced MetaLogix, Inc as an official Diamond Sponsor of the #49 Sprint Cup Series team for the 2008 season. "We're excited to welcome MetaLogix, Inc as a Diamond Sponsor for 2008," commented team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau. "In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, it is the support from sponsors that makes it possible for teams to compete every week. We are excited to share the excitement of Sprint Cup racing with MetaLogix, Inc." The Diamond Sponsorship Program is an associate sponsorship program exclusive to BAM Racing.(Centre Daily Times)(4-10-2008) Comment here
- BAM Racing withdraws from Texas UPDATE 2: One week after announcing a sponsorship program with Microsoft Small Business and qualifying seventh at Martinsville, BAM Racing's #49 Toyota was withdrawn from this weekend's Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. No details were available as to the reasons behind the decision by owner Beth Ann Morgenthau, who has operated a team in NASCAR's premier series since 2002. The #49 was 42nd in owner points following a 37th-place finish at Martinsville, having made three of six races this season. Driver Ken Schrader finished 21st at Las Vegas and 41st at Bristol earlier in 2008.(NASCAR.com)(4-1-2008)
UPDATE: been told the team will return to the track next weekend at Phoenix and Microsoft Small Busisness Systems Center will next sponsor the car at Talladega in April. Added some images of the car from Martinsville to my #49 Team Schemes page.(4-2-2008)
UPDATE 2: BAM Racing has decided to skip the next two Sprint Cup races in Texas and Phoenix. Team co-owner Tony Morgenthau released the following statement about the decision: "Switching manufacturers was a taller order than we initially realized. While BAM Racing has a very strong short track program, our intermediate track program needs some work. Since we haven't had time to adequately test the cars on shaker rigs and pull down rigs; since historically we don't run that well at either Texas or Phoenix - even with a proven, tested racecar; since we intend to improve our on-track performance and not to take a step backwards; our organization has decided to take the next three weeks to focus on the remainder of the racing season. We recognize that we will sacrifice our 42nd position in owner's points, but that only guarantees our team a spot if qualifying is rained out. Ultimately every car that is 36th or lower must qualify on time in order to race. While skipping the next two races will hurt our points position in the short term, returning to the
track at Talladega ready to move forward with fully-tested Toyota Camry's will enhance our program overall. This has been a very difficult, "big picture" decision; by taking a little time to regroup now, we should be a much stronger team for the rest of the year. Finally, for all the naysayers who may predict this to be the death knell for one of the few remaining independent teams in Sprint Cup . . . wait until Talladega, then tell us if we're dead or not!"(BAM Racing PR)(4-2-2008) Comment here
- BAM merging..with someone? UPDATE 2...more on Toyota: been hearing rumors, but no confirms, that the #49 BAM Racing team may be merging with another team, the rumors include either the Petty Enterprises Dodge teams [#43 and #45] or the #22 Bill Davis Racing Team. The Petty deal sounds like a better match as BAM already uses Dodges. BDR just recently suspended operations of its 2nd team [#27] and parted ways with the crew chief of that team, Slugger Labbe. BDR is currently out of the top 35 in owners points and not guaranteed a spot in the next race at Martinsville. Either is BAM Racing's #49 with Ken Schrader or one of the Petty cars, #45-Kyle Petty. Supposedly CAT is only signed with the #22 thru 2008 and could be headed to Joe Gibbs Racing in some capacity for 2009.(3-21-2008)
UPDATE: Microsoft, through the Microsoft U.S. Small Business Team, has just become one of the sponsors of the #49 Sprint Cup Series team for the 2008 season. The Microsoft sponsorship will feature the Microsoft Small Business name as well as the Microsoft Small Camry Microsoft Full Rear Business Specialist (SBSC) ‘blue badge,’ which designates those Microsoft Partners who specialize on servicing the needs of small businesses. With this sponsorship, the Microsoft Small Business name, as well as the Microsoft Small Business Specialist ‘blue badge,’ will be shown in a Microsoft section on the #49 car for all remaining races of the 2008 season. The BAM Racing #49 car will feature a full-car Microsoft Small Business theme (primary sponsorship) for the March 30, 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race next Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. The car will show Microsoft SmallCamry Microsoft Rear 3-4 view Business and the Microsoft Small Business Specialist ‘blue badge’ across the entire car.(in part from the Microsoft SMB Community Blog), see images of the #49 TOYOTA on the blog site or my #49 Team Schemes page. Hearing this will be more of a working association the a merger with BDR. The #49 is listed as a Dodge on the entry list, but that could change when updates are made later this week. Of note, Schrader is entered in the Truck race at Martinsville...in the #52-Federated Auto Parts TOYOTA.(3-25-2008)
UPDATE 2: BAM Racing will begin using Toyota engines from Bill Davis Racing in the #49 car driven by Ken Schrader this weekend at Martinsville Speedway in what could be the first step toward a merger between the companies. "Right now it's more of a collaboration than a merger," said Eddie Jones, general manager at BAM Racing. "We're trying to work together to see what we can do for them and what they can do for us and see if there is anything to move forward on." BAM was under contract to use Dodge engines supplied by Gillett Evernham Motorsports this season. Jones said they're still in the process of working through that deal, but added that GEM has given permission for BAM to move forward with BDR. "That's the business part of the deal," Jones said. "I'm trying to get the race car all put together." Jones said he contacted BDR a couple of weeks ago, believing the power Toyota engines have shown could be the best long-term solution. "Short term, we expect to at least stay the same or get a little better," he said. "Long term, we're doing what we can do this year and hoping to have a great situation and by the time the year is over look at something else."(ESPN.com)(3-26-2008) Comment here
- Carmichael to run East series for Schrader: Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael will be running for a championship this season in the Camping World East Series for Ken Schrader Racing with backing from Hendrick Motorsports, his manager Scott Taylor said Thursday. Carmichael will be sponsored by Monster energy drink. Carmichael, 28, who retired from full-time motocross racing after 2006 is trying to make his way up the rungs of the stock racing ladder. Carmichael had been under contract as a driver last year with former Sprint Cup Series team owner Bobby Ginn and raced about 15 Late Model events around Florida last summer. Carmichael won 10 consecutive AMA national motocross championships from 1997 – 2006. Carmichael, who began competing in Motocross at age 5, said he was feeling unchallenged by Motocross when he made the decision to retire. He competed part time in 2007 but said his only interest now is as a test rider for Suzuki. The Camping World East Series runs 13 events this season. Carmichael may also run selected events in the Camping World West Series.(Hartford Courant) on ESPN2's NASCAR Now it was reported that DEI and Ricky Carmichael were trying to work on a deal to have Carmichael run the Camping World East Series, but they couldn't work out a deal and they parted ways.(2-29-2008) Comment here
- Qtrax.com to sponsor the #49 for the Bud Shootout: BAM Racing team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau announced a new marketing partnership with Qtrax.com, an internet site that is poised to have over 25 million songs which anyone can download freely and legally. In development for over four years, Qtrax.com provides a safe alternative to internet music piracy. Qtrax.com will be the primary sponsor for BAM Racing's #49 Dodge in the Budweiser Shootout. NASCAR veteran driver Ken Schrader will be behind the wheel of the BAM Racing Dodges starting at Daytona. The team intends to compete with the veteran Schrader for the entire 2008 season.(BAM Racing PR)(2-6-2008)
- Andretti still looking for 2008 ride: John Andretti says he is looking for a ride for 2008 and won't totally rule out a return to #49 BAM Racing in the future. Andretti drove 15 Cup races last year, including 14 for BAM and had been slated to drive for the team until a couple of weeks ago when the team put Ken Schrader in the driver's seat for the season-opening Daytona 500. For now, the only thing solid for Andretti is this weekend, where he will drive in the Rolex 24 At Daytona for Indianapolis Motor Speedway/Indy Racing League CEO Tony George, who will be one of Andretti's teammates along with Anthony Foyt IV and others. "I think the sponsorship [at BAM] didn't come theough like they had hoped - they're still working on it," Andretti said Thursday in the Daytona garage. "That's all I really know. ... I'm out looking and talking." Andretti said he anticipates participating in the Las Vegas test Monday and Tuesday if he can finalize a deal with a Cup team. Andretti wouldn't confirm which team he would test with, although one possibility would be Front Row Motorsports, which he drove for last year. He also said he has talked to teams in other NASCAR series. He also is seeking an Indianapolis 500 ride. "I probably am going to do a few races in the truck series, and then we'll see," said Andretti, who has 355 career Cup starts. "Everything happened so late [at BAM]; it happened after the new year. I guess I thought I was going to be doing that, so [now] I've got to change course." Andretti didn't rule out a return to BAM, which hasn't named a driver for anything past the opening race.(sceneDaily.com)(1-25-2008) Comment here
- BAM Racing has Schrader at Daytona, Andretti unlikely: BAM Racing has not solidified its driver lineup beyond the Daytona 500. Ken Schrader will attempt to qualify the #49 for the team with sponsorship from healthlife.com, BAM Racing marketing coordinator Rhett Vandiver said Tuesday. A sponsor for the Budweiser Shootout is still to be named and a driver beyond Speedweeks is still to be determined, Vandiver said. Vandiver also confirmed that John Andretti, who drove for the team at the end of last season, likely would not return to the seat.(Scenedaily.com)(1-23-2008) Comment here
- BAM Racing and Schrader team up for Daytona UPDATE: Been told that BAM Racing plans to field a “Diamond Driven” Dodge Charger with veteran driver Ken Schrader for both the Bud Shootout and the Daytona 500 with David Hyder as the crew chief and engines by Evernham Motorsports.(1-13-2008)
UPDATE: Ken Schrader is among the 31 drivers on hand for the second Sprint Cup test session today theough Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway. Schrader, who is eligible to compete in the Budweiser Shootout, confirmed Monday morning that he would run the Speed Weeks events for BAM Racing and also will do the tests at California and Las Vegas later this month. "We're just going to see what happens," said Schrader, who owns his own race team and often races at short tracks across the country. "The only thing I know for sure is I'm going to race every weekend this year. I don't know where or what."(SceneDaily.com)(1-14-2008)
- BAM Racing teams up with sponsorship agency: RainMakers International announced that it has signed a services agreement with BAM Racing to sell sponsorship on the #49 car. RainMakers is focused on bringing family oriented and moderately priced sponsorships to national and international businesses. This sponsorship is a revolutionary new sponsorship program -- over one year in development. The program's use of high-tech programming and patent-pending systems makes possible low-cost season-long space on the car for a limited time introductory price of only $4,995. The sponsorship includes high-tech turnkey marketing components for those who secure their sponsor space. RainMakers is the exclusive seller of this specially priced package. The marketing components include, but are not limited to, a promotional video customized for each sponsor, a sponsor promo-pack that includes a royalty free image license, a comprehensive sweepstakes campaign customized for each sponsor, a race website customized for each sponsor, four recorded messages for the sponsor's telephone "on-hold" system, and a chance to become a primary sponsor for one race in 2008. The introductory price of $4,995 is discounted for a limited time from the program's regular price of $10,080 and is subject to change without notice. However, even at the full price, sponsors would invest just $280 per race for a sponsor space on a Sprint Cup car, nearly the same size as other more traditional sponsor spaces costing thousands per race. To learn more about the program, log on to www.49team.com.(PrimeNewswire)(1-12-2008)
- Sherman Testing Indy Pro Cars: There’s been no shortage of open-wheel racers switching to NASCAR. Now we have someone going the other way. Former Cup [#49 BAM Racing] and Busch [now Nationwide] Series driver Brent Sherman has tested for Panther Racing’s Indy Pro Series car. Sherman isn’t a stranger to open-wheelers, though. He spent two years racing in the Barber Dodge Pro Series. In 2000 he tested a Toyota Atlantic car.(Palm Beach Post)(1-12-2008)
- BAM Racing Announces Sponsorship Program: BAM Racing announced the official launch of its revolutionary new Diamond Sponsorship Program. The program leverages an innovative small business initiative and high-tech, patent-pending systems exclusive to BAM Racing. Diamond Sponsors receive affordable space on the #49 racecar along with complimentary turnkey activation components that sponsors paying millions would envy. The use of technologically advanced programming and patent-pending systems makes possible low-cost, season-long space on the racecar for an introductory price of $4,995. More details about the program can be found at www.49sponsor.com. (BAM PR)(12-5-2007)
- A sponsor for the #49 named: BAM Racing announced today the addition of VOISYS (www.voisys.com) as an Official Diamond Sponsor of its #49 Sprint Cup Team for the entire 2008 season. "We're excited to welcome VOISYS as a sponsor of our team in 2008", commented team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau. "In NEXTEL Cup Racing, it is the support from sponsors that makes it possible to compete every week. And we're very appreciative of VOISYS joining us in a sponsorship role." Voisys is an 800 and Internet based lead generation system serving the automotive non-prime, prime, and lease markets. In just the past 12 months the company has generated millions of Sub-Prime leads with its VOISYS Loan By Phone, Direct Mail and Internet programs. For more information contact Michael Snider at 800-438-8642 X 102 or visit www.voisys.com.(PRWEB)(11-20-2007)
- Andretti back with BAM in 2008 UPDATE: BAM Racing co-owner Tony Morgenthau says driver John Andretti will return for the full Sprint Cup season in 2008. Andretti qualified the team's #49 Dodge for 10 of 11 races before missing the show at both Texas and Phoenix. "John's no slouch," said Morgenthau, who co-owns the team with his wife, Beth Ann. "He's going to be with us next year." The #49 car was sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America this season, but the PVA announced it will join Petty Enterprises in 2008. Morgenthau said BAM left the company on the hood of the car for several more races than originally planned. "We could have run a blank car, but might as well keep a good charity on the hood," he said. "I hope we helped the vets." Morgenthau said he is a partner in a computer company that has patented what he calls a revolutionary process of sponsoring race cars. Next season, BAM plans to have 5,000 associate sponsors who each pay approximately $5,000 to be on the car for the full season. The logos will be small, but Morgenthau said the companies "will get more from being an associate on the BAM car than they would from being an associate on any other car in the garage. It's an incredible package." The package is aimed at companies that do approximately $10 million to $25 million in sales. A more traditional primary sponsor may also be on the car, he said.(SceneDaily.com)(11-12-2007)
UPDATE: Cup car owner Beth Ann Morgenthau, of Coral Gables [FL], said John Andretti will continue as driver of the #49 Dodge next season, and added the team is more stable than in recent years. She indicated a second team might be added if a sponsor is secured. "'I would give anything for it to happen,'' Morgenthau said. Andretti, 48th in the standings, did not qualify on speed for the Ford 400.(Miami Herald)(11-17-2007)
- Healthlife.com to sponsor #49 BAM Racing at Phoenix: BAM Racing welcomes HealthLife.com as primary sponsor of the #49 Dodge this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. HealthLife.com, a property of ARMER Holding LLC, offers Internet users valuable information and advice on a variety of today's health-related topics. HealthLife.com, "Where Health, Life and People Meet," is a unique information and forum website that offers expansive content from nationally and internationally known experts in an array of health-related fields. HealthLife.com is also an online meeting place for folks of like mind with regards to health, fitness, weight loss, longevity, and general wellbeing. HealthLife.com may return to the #49 team on a limited basis for the 2008 Sprint Cup Series.(BAM Racing PR)(11-9-2007)
- Lifelock the primary sponsor of the #49 at RIR: BAM Racing will have LifeLock as primary sponsor of the #49 Dodge driven by John Andretti for this weekend’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. LifeLock, the leader in identity theft prevention, helps consumers to render their personal information useless to thieves, backing up its service with a million-dollar guarantee. LifeLock also offers the nation’s only child identity theft prevention service. LifeLock is offering a 30-day free trial subscription as well as 10% off for life to BAM Racing fans by using or mentioning promo code BAM. Enroll online at www.lifelock.com or call 1-877-LIFELOCK (543-3562). The public can pay tribute to the military service of a family member or friend by purchasing a Tribute Star that places the name of the honored service member or veteran on the #49 Dodge. To support Paralyzed Veterans theough the excitement of Nextel Cup Series racing, visit pvastartribute.org.(BAM Racing PR)(9-5-2007)
- Andretti to run #49 at MIS UPDATE and the rest of season: John Andretti will take over as driver of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge next weekend at Michigan. Andretti is replacing Mike Bliss, a team spokesman confirmed Saturday.(SceneDaily.com)(8-12-2007)
UPDATE: In an ongoing effort to increase the competitive level of the #49 team, BAM Racing announced today that John Andretti will drive the Paralyzed Veterans Dodge for the remainder of the 2007 Nextel Cup Series season beginning at Michigan International Speedway. Andretti has two wins, 13 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes along with four pole positions in series competition. Throughout his career, he has an average starting position of 22.3 and an average finish of 24.3. Previously this year, Andretti raced for Petty Enterprises in several events. "We have made significant changes across the board in the past weeks to improve our overall program," said team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau. "With the pressures of qualifying on time, and our commitment to our sponsors, we felt that an immediate change was necessary. We have every confidence in the team we have assembled and are committed to racing each and every week."(BAM Racing PR)(8-13-2007)
- Lifelock joins BAM Racing as a sponsor; Graf to run Watkins Glen: BAM Racing announced the addition of LifeLock to its family of sponsors for 2007. In a partnership with the team, LifeLock will serve as one of the primary sponsors of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge for two races [doesn't say which two races] and an associate sponsor for the remainder of the season. LifeLock, the leader in identity theft prevention, helps consumers to render their personal information useless to thieves, backing up its service with a million-dollar guarantee. LifeLock also offers the nation's only child identity theft prevention service. LifeLock helps consumers prevent ID Theft by setting and automatically renewing fraud alerts with the major credit bureaus, removing member names from pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail lists and guaranteeing the service with its industry-exclusive $1 million guarantee. LifeLock is famous for its CEO publicly releasing his Social Security Number in advertising and national media to prove that the effective of the service. As part of this partnership, LifeLock is offering 30 Days FREE trial subscription and 10% Off for Life to BAM Racing fans by using or mentioning promo code BAM. Enroll online at www.lifelock.com or call 1-877-LIFELOCK (543-3562).
AND Klaus Graf will run the #49 Paralyzed Veterans of America Dodge at Watkins Glen for BAM Racing. The public can pay tribute to the military service of a family member or friend by purchasing a Tribute Star that places the name of the honored service member or veteran on the #49 Dodge. To support Paralyzed Veterans theough the excitement of Nextel Cup Series racing, visit pvastartribute.org.(BAM Racing PR)(8-7-2007)
- Schrader back to the #49? UPDATE 3: hearing the Ken Schrader could drive the #49 BAM Racing Dodge at Indianapolis and may drive a few more races for the team. Schrader is under contract to the #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing team, but Bill Elliott is currently driving the car to try to get it in the top-35 of owners points, currently 36th, 225pts out of the top-35. Elliott has a past champions provisional to use so the car is safely in the races with the exception of Watkins Glen, where Terry Labonte is driving the #55 Toyota for MWR and would get the champ provisional if needed.(7-16-2007)
UPDATE: BAM Racing has announced that former crew chief David Hyder will return to the fold this week, reuniting with former driver Kenny Schrader. Schrader has been on the Nextel Cup sidelines since being replaced in the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford by Bill Elliott a few weeks ago. He will reunite with Hyder at BAM, beginning at the Brickyard 400 in two weeks.(Motorsports Soapbox)(7-18-2007)
UPDATE 2: been told by BAM Racing that Ken Schrader is not confirmed to drive any races for the #49 at this point and the team is currently talking to several different drivers and plans to make an announcement for Indy and beyond next week.(7-19-2007)
UPDATE 3: BAM Racing announced the return of Dean Johnson and David Hyder. Johnson assumes the role of crew chief and Hyder will serve as suspension specialist. Driver Mike Bliss will return to the BAM Racing organization on a full-time basis beginning at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader, currently a driver for Wood Brothers Racing, will drive the #49 Dodge in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis.(BAM Racing PR)(7-19-2007)
- New Crew Chief at BAM: hearing the crew chief Lee McCall and #49 BAM Racing have parted ways, Dean Johnson is the acting crew chief for Chad Chaffin at Chciago. Been told the team plans to announce crew chief plans soon. No word on who will be driving the #49 at Indy either. No word on McCall's plans.(7-13-2007)
- Foyt to drive #49 at Daytona: BAM Racing is pleased to welcome Larry Foyt and associate sponsor Firehouse Subs to the #49 Dodge Charger for the Pepsi 400 this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Foyt will attempt to make his first Nextel Cup Series start of the season with BAM Racing this weekend. Although he has not competed this year, Foyt has accumulated many on-track hours testing at superspeedways in support of series manufacturer Dodge Motorsports. Firehouse Subs, founded in Jacksonville, Fla. by former firefighting brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen, will serve as an associate sponsor for the Pepsi 400 on the BAM Racing Dodge as well as on the Mac Hill Motorsports Busch Series car in partnership with Foyt.(BAM Racing PR)(7-4-2007)
- Chaffin in the #49 for 2 races; Foyt at Daytona; Bliss resigns: BAM Racing announced Chad Chaffin will drive the #49 Paralyzed Veterans of America Dodge this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway and in two weeks at Chicagoland Speedway. BAM Racing and Mike Bliss have amiably decided to part ways. Chaffin will make his first Nextel Cup Series attempt of the season this weekend in the Lenox Industrial Tools 300. He has one Nextel Cup Series start at the 1.058-mile oval where he qualified on time and finished in the 34th position. In the Craftsman Truck Series, he has a total of four starts at the speedway with one top-5 and one top-10 start with two top-10 finishes. "I am excited to return to NEXTEL Cup Series racing this weekend," said Chaffin. "I am looking forward to working with the entire BAM Racing team as it attempts to turn its Car of Tomorrow program around. I've have been active on the track since last season and am prepared for the pressures that come with qualifying on time." Mike Bliss, who started with BAM Racing towards the end of the 2006 season, resigned from the team after a string of missed races. Larry Foyt is slated to drive the Paralyzed Veterans of America Dodge at Daytona International Speedway. To learn more about Paralyzed Veterans, visit its website at www.pva.org.(BAM Racing PR)(6-26-2007)
- Graf takes over for Bliss at Sonoma in the #49: BAM Racing to announced the return of German-born racer Klaus Graf as driver of the #49 Paralyzed Veterans Dodge Avenger for the first road course race of the season at Infineon Raceway. Graf successfully qualified a second entry at Infineon Raceway for the team in 2004. Graf, American Le Mans Series (ALMS) driver and 2005 Trans-Am Series Champion, has a wealth of road-course racing experiences to draw upon as he attempts his first Nextel Cup Series start in theee years. In his last start at Infineon Raceway, he qualified the #59 BAM Racing Dodge in the 38th position and captured a top-20 finish for the organization with a 17th place finish. "It feels great to come back to the Nextel Cup Series and BAM Racing," said Graf. "After my experience in 2004, I'm really looking forward to getting back into a Nextel Cup car. This time I feel even more confident and motivated to have a strong showing at Infineon Raceway. Of course, our first priority will be to qualify the car on Friday. With the preparation the team and I did together, we feel strongly about this task. I would like to thank Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau for this opportunity and their trust in my abilities." Graf has won numerous races and championships in several road racing series. He has nearly 20 years of racing experience and has competed in the ALMS, Trans-Am Series, ARCA Series and Nextel Cup Series to name a few. Graf recently completed a two-day test session at Virginia International Raceway with the BAM Racing team and the Car of Tomorrow (CoT) in preparation for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.(BAM Racing PR)(6-13-2007)
- Bliss going for the triple: #49-Mike Bliss is the only driver attempting to race in all theee NASCAR events at Dover this weekend -- today's AAA Insurance 200 Craftsman Truck Series race, Saturday's Dover 200 Busch Series race and Sunday's Autism Speaks 400 Nextel Cup Series race. He is looking forward to what should be one hectic weekend for him. "It is always a lot more fun for a driver to be behind the wheel during a race than to watch it from pit road," Bliss said. "So, I like to take advantage of every opportunity I have to gain seat time."(Delaware News Journal)(6-1-2007)
- BAM Racing owner designates Paralyzed Veterans of America as foundation partner: The Elizabeth Ann Coulter Morgenthau
Foundation, formed in 1997 by #49 BAM Racing owner Beth Ann Morgenthau, is pleased to announce the addition of Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) as a designated beneficiary of the foundation. The Elizabeth Ann Coulter Morgenthau Foundation was created to establish, foster and encourage research in the fields of medicine, science, literature, and art and music by making gifts to colleges, hospitals, schools and foundations. In addition, the foundation has awarded scholarships and fellowships to deserving students at various institutions of learning over the past ten years. Foundation beneficiaries have included the American Cancer Society, Johns
Hopkins University, The University of Miami/Jackson Hospital and the Kampong of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. Paralyzed Veterans is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 19,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The addition of Paralyzed Veterans as a partner of The Elizabeth Ann Coulter Morgenthau Foundation is representative of Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau's dedication to the empowerment of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. Recently, the couple welcomed Paralyzed Veterans as primary sponsor of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge for 2007 and beyond. To support Paralyzed Veterans theough the excitement of Nextel Cup Series racing, visit pvastartribute.org. To learn more about Paralyzed Veterans, visit its website at www.pva.org.(BAM Racing PR)(5-24-2007)
- PVA partners with BAM Racing: Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) will be the primary sponsor of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge at upcoming Nextel Cup Series events, thanks to an innovative new public-private partnership. Under the partnership between Paralyzed Veterans and BAM Racing/ARMER Holding LLC, the public can pay tribute to the military service of a family member or friend by purchasing a star at www.pva.org. A Gold Star $100 Tribute places the name of the honored service member or veteran on the race car itself and on a virtual wall at pva.org. A Silver Star $50 tribute appears on a virtual wall at pva.org. A significant portion of the proceeds will go directly to Paralyzed Veterans and its work to help returning service members and veterans maximize the quality of their lives. "BAM Racing is honored to welcome Paralyzed Veterans to the No. 49 Dodge," said team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau.(Paralyzed Veterans PR)(4-29-2007)
- Paralyzed Veterans of America on the #49 at Texas and Phoenix: Bam Racing is pleased to support Paralyzed Veterans of America by showcasing the organization as primary sponsor of the #49 BAM Racing Dodge at the upcoming Cup Series events at Texas and Phoenix. Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946, has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction (SPI/D).(BAM Racing PR)(4-9-2007)
- New sponsor for BAM Racing at Bristol: Bam Racing welcomes OBOVO.com to the #49 team as one of the organization's
primary sponsors this season beginning at Bristol Motor Speedway. OBOVO.com, recently re-named from WhatsOnline.com, is a proprietary metacrawler search engine that provides users with high quality Internet search results from multiple search engines simultaneously. Users can utilize a multitude of powerhouse websites for information, shopping and auctions directly from the site. OBOBVO.com also offers one of the most dynamic image and video search tools on the Internet. Look for OBOVO.com to adorn the hood of the BAM Racing Dodge at a number of races in 2007.(BAM Racing PR)(3-21-2007)
- #49 BAM Racing gets a sponsor for California: ZoneLoans.com joins the BAM Racing family of sponsors this weekend as the primary sponsor on the #49 Dodge and driver Mike Bliss for the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. ZoneLoans.com connects consumers to a network of lenders nationwide competing for their loan. ZoneLoans.com is owned by ARMER Holding, LLC, a Florida based corporation that owns, develops and promotes numerous prime online properties.(BAM Racing PR)(2-22-2007)
- BAM Racing retains Bliss, hires McCall, to run Evernham engines: BAM Racing announced that Mike Bliss will return as driver of the #49 WhatsOnline.com Dodge heading into the 2007 Nextel Cup Series season. In addition, the team is pleased to welcome
veteran crew chief Lee McCall to lead the team. Bliss joined BAM Racing toward the end of last season amidst restructuring
efforts for the team. In just seven attempted starts with BAM Racing, he qualified on time for six events with an average starting position of 27.0 and an average finish of 32.8. He garnered attention in Atlanta and Charlotte by nearly capturing top-10 finishes in both events.
With the anticipated increase in the number of teams in the Nextel Cup Series coupled with tighter competition, BAM Racing has opted to utilize Evernham Engines in 2007. After a successful relationship with Arrington Engines, the move provides additional research and support for the team. Veteran crew chief Lee McCall brings the wisdom and insight of over 20 years in motorsports to BAM Racing. McCall comes to BAM Racing from Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates after years with the organization. Most notably, he served as crew chief for Sterling Marlin for over theee seasons with the team contending for the championship title in 2002. For more information about BAM Racing, visit www.bam49racing.com.(BAM Racing PR)(1-4-2007)