NASCAR All-Pro Series driver, Toby Porter of Greenville, SC, and Dirt Late Model driver, Adam Stevens of Portsmouth, OH, have been named as the primary drivers for MJ Motorsports for the 2003 season. , who has scored two wins on the All-Pro Series this season, will drive the Dodge Intrepids on the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. In addition, will compete in a minimum of five BGN races in 2003 for MJ Motorsports. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to run the full Pro Cup Series with MJ Motorsports,” said , “The alliance that Mike and Jenn have made with Team Jesel in the Busch Series will give us the resources to go for the (Hooters Pro Cup) championship.” Stevens, who at 23 has numerous wins on dirt, will compete as a Rookie and pilot the teams NASCAR Late Model Super Truck Dodges at the Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway. He currently works as a mechanical engineer for Petty Enterprises. “I am confident that a weekly racing program will help condition me for the future,” said Stevens, “we’ve got great equipment and I feel that I can adapt well to asphalt racing.” MJ Motorsports has recently formed a technical alliance with Team Jesel, who fields Dodges on the NASCAR Busch Series for drivers Casey Mears and Hank Parker, Jr. “I don’t think that we could have picked two better drivers than Toby Porterand Adam to spearhead our foray to the next level of motorsports,” said Team Owner Mike Calinoff, who works for Winston Cup driver Matt Kenseth and Busch Series competitor Casey Mears as their Team Spotter, “their talents will speak for themselves.” Sponsorship announcements for both teams are forthcoming. More information at mikecalinoff.com.(9-17-2002)
UPDATE: MJ Motorsports announced the addition of Shaw Industries as a sponsor for their 2003 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series team with driver David Stover. The Concord, NC team will make their series debut at Lakeland on February 22, where Stover will begin his charge for Rookie of the Year honors. Shaw Industries, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is headquartered in Dalton, Georgia. Shaw is the worlds largest manufacturer of carpet and the largest manufacturing employer in the state of Georgia. MJ Motorsports plans of a two-car team will not come to fruition this year, as Toby Porter has secured a ride in the BGN. However, the team has formed an alliance with Jimmy Burns Motorsports of the Pro Cup North Series. In addition to sharing technical information, they have combined marketing forces to ensure maximum exposure for their respective sponsors. In a related announcement the team has hired a new Crew Chief and Team Manager. Scott Reifner, who spent two successful seasons with Mart Nesbitt has joined the team and will organize the building and maintenance of the cars. He will call the shots on race day as well. Carl Miller has also joined MJ Motorsports as Team Manager and Shop Foreman. Miller brings 30 years of NASCAR experience to the team.(MikeCalinoff.com)(2-7-2003)
