Gary Bechtel is folding his Diamond Ridge Busch Grand National team into Joe Gibbs Racing, putting in place the facilities and resources for Gibbs’ planned two-car Pontiac effort next year. Jason Leffler will drive one Pontiac, the No. 18, with probable continued sponsorship from MBNA. Gibbs’ son J.D. said he would soon begin negotiations with Lance Snacks, Bechtel’s current sponsor, aimed at a renewal for the team’s second car. The status of Jeff Purvis, currently the driver of Bechtel’s No. 4, is uncertain. ?????We’re not going to make a decision about a driver until we have sponsorship arranged for the second car,???? said J.D. Gibbs. ?????Until we have a sponsor, there is no need to hire a driver.???? Bechtel still has equity in the Gibbs BGN operation. ?????I am not getting out of racing,???? he said. ?????This gives me the opportunity to pursue other things, with Joe and J.D. (Gibbs), within racing.????(Monte Dutton)(8-28-1999)
