Brian Vickers and BLV Motorsports will compete in the BGN with primary sponsorship from Engineered Machined Products (EMP) and associate support from the U.S. Army through the National Automotive Center (NAC). Additional sponsors of Team EMP will be announced at a later date. The 18-year-old Vickers, and BLV Motorsports, will enter the #40 Engineered Machined Products Dodge Intrepid in a minimum of 24 events in their quest for Rookie of the Year honors in the BGN. Vickers’ first start of 2002 will come at North Carolina Speedway on Feb. 23. Patrick Donahue has been named crew chief for the #40 Team EMP Dodges. Previously, Donahue worked for Evernham Motorsports and driver Casey Atwood. Before joining Evernham, Donahue served as Jeff Gordon’s Busch Series crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports. Vickers competed in four BGN races in 2001 to prepare for an expanded schedule in NASCAR this year. In 2000-2001, Vickers competed in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series and recorded four career wins. His prior motorsports experience came in Late Model and NASCAR Weekly Racing Series competition, Allison Legacy Series, and the World Karting Association. Engineered Machined Products, Inc. is North America’s leading supplier of water and lubrication pumps to the diesel industry, and is a recognized leader in the development and advancement of pumps and pumping technologies. E.M.P is located in Escanaba, MI. The National Automotive Center (NAC), founded in 1992, is the Department of Defense/Army focal point for collaborative ground vehicle research and development (R&D). The NAC leverages government, commercial industry and academia investment in advanced automotive technology R&D, and initiates shared automotive technology programs. Its primary focus is to benefit current and future military ground vehicle systems through: performance improvements, service life extensions, and reduction in ground vehicle design, manufacturing, production and operating and support costs.(BLV Motorsports PR)(1-22-2002)
