Despite being fourth in the standings and only 43 points out of first, #92 Herzog Jackson Motorsports and driver Todd Bodine only has a couple more races, later in the year, remaining in a limited sponsorship program with ESGR. Owners Randy and Stan Herzog have said for weeks that without a viable sponsorship lead their season would end. Though a team spokesperson said no decision has been made at this point, Liberati said he would probably go to Los Angeles next weekend while the Busch Series is at Chicagoland Speedway to visit former Busch Series driver and Hollywood stuntman Stanton Barrett. Bodine frowned and said he had entertained offers this weekend to drive three different Busch Series cars for the rest of the season, but given his choice he wouldn’t do that. “I have no plans,” Bodine said. “I don’t want to leave this team and I don’t want to leave Tony, but I’ve got to keep the points going.” Neither car owner Randy nor Stan Herzog was at the speedway Friday night. Bodine and Liberati said the owners, who had funded much of the season from their own pockets, “probably couldn’t bear to be here for the last hurrah.”
“This was our back-up car after we wrecked our primary car at Talladega, and the body wasn’t as good on it,” Bodine said. “I had to have somebody in front of me or behind me so we’re pretty happy with eighth for that car.”(NASCAR.com)(7-5-2003)
UPDATE: during an XM Radio interview, Bodine said if the team didn’t have a sponsor by the end of Tuesday, they would not be going to Chicago, Bodine is looking for another one-race ride at Chicago to keep his championship hopes alive.(XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio – Subscription Required)(7-8-2003)
UPDATE 2 – a real shame: Herzog Jackson Motorsports announced this morning that they will not be attending the Busch Series event this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway due to lack of sponsorship. The team, which has been plagued by sponsorship problems for most of the season, led the driver point standings for nine weeks. However, owner Randy Herzog has stated all along that without a viable sponsor for the rest of the season, the team would not continue racing. “This is a first class organization and we had hoped to continue to compete for the championship, ” stated Randy Herzog. “Unfortunately, as so many other teams are experiencing, the economy has not allowed us to close a sponsor that would take us through the 2003 season. We will continue to pursue several opportunities in the hope that we can return to competition soon.” Initially, Herzog Jackson Motorsports committed to compete in only the first five events of the season. However, when the #92 Chevy stood first in the driver points standings after Bristol (the fifth event on the schedule), the owners decided to continue to race. Just when it looked as if the team were to suspend its racing season, the gpsstore.com and Garmin jumped on board for the Richmond event. From there, both ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) and Monster split sponsorship of the team through last week’s event at Daytona. Team driver Todd Bodine expressed his disappointment as he was told of the owner’s decision. “In all my years of racing I have never been with a team that has performed so well under such pressure and uncertainty. Randy and Stan [Herzog] have poured money into this team in hopes something would pan out. While I am devastated, I can understand their decision. My hope now is to find a way to race this weekend so I can keep up my driver points.” Looking for the silver lining in the decision, crew chief Tony “Rambo” Liberati reminded his team of the opportunities that lie ahead. “The professionalism and performance of this team has not gone unnoticed. I feel certain that because of our record the right company will come along to partner with us. In the meantime, we will keep building our Chevrolets, perfecting our pit stops and keeping our chins up. Racing is a volatile sport. I am just hoping we climb out of this situation quickly.”(Eclipse Management PR)(7-9-2003)
UPDATE 2: As of now, there are no immediate plans to layoff the teams 16 full-time employees at its Charlotte, N.C. garage. Keeping them, however, will be difficult since the teams long-term stability remains in doubt despite Herzogs continuing desire to participate in NASCAR racing. Crew chief Tony Liberati remains under contract with Herzog Jackson, while Bodine was given his release to find another Busch Series ride. If Bodine doesnt race Saturday in the Tropicana Twister 300 as of Wednesday afternoon, he hadnt secured a ride hell forfeit any chance of claiming his first-ever Busch Series title. Randy Herzog, who co-owns the team with his brother, Stan, father, Bill, and baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, said the team will likely concentrate now on finding solid backing for the 2004 season. If the team returns to the track this season Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve will sponsor the No. 92 at Bristol on Aug. 22 and Kansas Speedway on Oct. 4 it would be in preparation to get a stepped up effort going for 2004, Herzog said. And despite the short-term gloom, Herzogs 2004 hopes include competing in the Nextel Cup Series.(St Joseph News-Press)(7-10-2002)
