Morgan McClure to Pontiac? UPDATE: Pontiac officials say they hope to have at least as many cars on the track in 2003 as they currently have, and expect to soon begin announcing which teams will field the new Grand Prix. Chief among those expected to join Pontiac is Morgan-McClure Motorsports, which currently fields the #4 Kodak Chevrolets for Mike Skinner. Team owner Larry McClure has met with General Motors officials on several occasions while considering the move. Were talking with GM about switching to Pontiac next season, McClure said Aug. 3. It’ a situation we feel might be beneficial to our team. There are so many Chevrolet teams right now, it would move us up a little bit in the pecking order. Sort of the big fish in a little pond, I guess. Five teams currently field Pontiacs: #20-Tony Stewart and #18-Bobby Labonte at Joe Gibbs Racing; MBV with #10-Johnny Benson; MB2 with #36-Ken Schrader; and #14-A.J. Foyt Racing. Gibbs announced in July, however, that his teams will switch to the new Chevrolet for 2003. Pontiac has also been courting car owner Cal Wells, whose PPI Motorsports operation currently fields #32 Fords for driver Ricky Craven. But Wells says he is undecided on which brand will be in his team’ compound next season.(Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to read)(8-8-2002) UPDATE: Morgan-McClure Motorsports owner Larry McClure said he was “looking at all his options” in regards to a possible change in manufacturer next season. Currently, McClure fields the #4 Chevrolets for driver Mike Skinner. Pontiac, which is debuting a new model Grand Prix and next season and will lose Joe Gibbs Racing to Chevrolet, has been searching for new teams, with McClure’s and Cal Wells’ PPI Motorsports at the top of the list. “We’ve looked at everything and we haven’t made a decision yet,” McClure said. “I don’t have anything further to tell anybody. If I change to anything, or stay, it will be a benefit. Sideways moves, I’m not interested in those.” McClure also said Skinner would be his driver next season. Last season, Skinner signed a one-year contract with two one-year options. “As far as I know, he’s staying, so you can put that one to bed,” he said.(ThatsRacin.com)(8-10-2002)
