Carlos Contreras to jump to the BGN? UPDATE 2 To HRT in 2003 and Two Cup races in 2003:

Carlos Contreras to jump to the BGN? UPDATE 2 To HRT in 2003 and Two Cup races in 2003: hearing Petty CTS driver, #43-Carlos Contreras could be making the move up to the BGN, with Petty Enterprises and sponsor Hot Wheels.(7-20-2002) UPDATE: With Carlos Contreras reportedly considering a move to the Busch Series with another organization, Petty Enterprises is considering leaving the truck series at the end of this season. “We don’t know yet,” Richard Petty said July 19. “We’re not really aiming (at returning to the series), but we don’t know what’ going to happen. We’ve still got a month or two to make up our mind as to what we’re going to do.” There’ speculation that Petty Enterprises could field a full-time Busch Series team with a driver to be determined, but nothing is definite. “Right now, we’ve got three or four scenarios,” Petty said. “We’ll see which one comes out.” (Winston Cup Scene – need subscription to read)(7-25-2002) UPDATE 2: The Hispanic Racing Team (HRT Motorsports) has signed truck series veteran Carlos Contreras to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Contreras will drive a full schedule of races, starting in 2003, in the #41 with a yet-to-be announced sponsor. Contreras comes to HRT after competing in the CTS with Petty Enterprises. HRT Motorsports, the first and only Hispanic-owned, -sponsored, and -driven team in NASCAR, will expand to a two-car team with the addition of Contreras.. The team is currently running a limited BGN schedule this year for the #09 CICLON Energy Drink entry. Former BGN champion David Green and open wheel veteran Roberto Guerrero have been sharing driving duties thus far this season. Green took the #09 CICLON entry to 14th and 19th place finishes at Charlotte and Chicago, respectively. Guerrero is slated to take over driving duties of the CICLON Racing entry at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 26. Contreras and the #41 team are scheduled to run next season’s full 34-race schedule. HRT also plans to field a car for Contreras at the NASCAR Winston Cup Series events at Watkins Glen and Sears Point, both road courses. Contreras started his racing career in Mexico. After his 1999 debut in the CTS, he ran a full season in 2000 and finished second in the Rookie of the Year standings. In 2001 Contreras headed to Petty Enterprises, where he drove the #43 Dodge to a 14th-place finish overall. He is currently 16th in the 2002 driver’s standings.(The Motorsports Decisions Group PR)(10-8-2002)