Lance Hooper, one of four drivers scheduled to drive for Team Racing in the 2003 Truck Series was released today. The Palmdale, Calif. native was to run a total of seven events in the #86 Speed Motorsports Management Chevy. Hooper competed in the first race of the season at Daytona International Speedway and finished 20th. With the departure, Team Racing is actively seeking a driver replacement. “Lance Hooper has decided to pursue other options in racing,” said Phil Bonifield, co-owner of Team Racing and part-time driver of the #25 Red Line Synthetic Oil Chevy. “We planned on having Hooper compete in the #86 truck this season when T.J. (Bell) was not scheduled to run. Now we need to find a replacement driver who can compete on the larger tracks like Charlotte, Michigan and Texas.” Hooper joined Team Racing with two races to go in the 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. He posted he best career finish earlier that year with Sonntag Racing at Nazareth Speedway, finishing 10th. Hooper would return with Team Racing in 2002 competing in the last 10 races of the season. His best career finish with Team Racing was 16th at Big Daddy’s South Boston Speedway last year. Hooper acted as interim crew chief for Bell at the Mesa Marin Raceway, where Bell finish 18th in his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. “It’s a shame to see him go,” said Bell, who will drive for Team Racing in 18 events this season. “He’s a driver at heart and is doing everything he can to do it fulltime. He helped me out a lot at Mesa Marin as a crew chief. We worked well together in my first race and produced a top-20 finish. I wish him the best.” Team Racing will compete at the Martinsville Speedway this Saturday. Dana White will drive the #23 Red Line Synthetic Oil Chevy while T.J. Bell will drive the #86 Speed Motorsports Management Chevy. Both are attempting to make their first Truck Series start at Martinsville Speedway.(Team Racing PR)(4-9-2003)
