BACE and Little to Cup UPDATE: BACE Motorsports announced this week that the team will make its NASCAR Winston Cup debut at California Speedway on April 28, 2002 with driver Chad Little in the #74 Chevy. In the coming weeks, Team Manager Terry Wooten will be announcing a crew chief for the Winston Cup team, as well as a strategic alliance with another Winston Cup program that will supply engines to the new venture. Operations of the #74 BGN Team, also piloted by Little, will cease immediately. “Were excited to make the transition to the Winston Cup level with the #74 Team,” owner Bill Baumgardner said. “Weve made a strategic change in plan for the No. 74 and are now dedicating 100 percent of the focus of this team to our Winston Cup effort. Since BACE was formed in 1990, weve been committed to a standard of excellence that has led our team to success. With the elements we currently have in place, we believe that this is the appropriate time to make the move to Winston Cup.” BACE’ debut marks the return of Chad Little to Winston Cup. Little joined BACE late in the 2000 BGN campaign, posting two Top-5 and six Top-10 finishes en route to a 9th-place finish in the 2001 BGN Championship race. “This is a great opportunity for me to return to Winston Cup with a team that understands how to build a winner,” Little said. “Their success in the Busch Series is undeniable and we have high expectations for Winston Cup,” he added. “Im excited to be a part of a team with such a great tradition and honored to drive for BACE in their first Winston Cup effort.” Little, a former NASCAR Winston West Champion, will pilot the #74 entry in a limited schedule, initially focusing on intermediate tracks, as the team actively seeks corporate sponsorship. Following BACE’ California Speedway debut, Little will run The Winston Open and Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’ Motor Speedway, then the June events at Dover International Speedway and Michigan International Speedway. Additional events will be named as the 2002 season progresses, with as many as 20 races possible.(Chad Little Site)(3-14-2002) UPDATE: Quote from note about Chad going Winston Cup racing: “We will be picking up several cars tomorrow, intermediate and I believe a speedway car. Our engines will be supplied by the same organization supplying the cars, wish I could officially tell you, however, they will make a press announcement the week following Bristol.”(Chad Little Forum)(3-20-2002)
