Morgan-McClure Motorsports will stay busy this weekend at “The Rock”, with cars fielded for both the NASCAR Busch Series and Winston Cup events. Eric McClure, son of Jerry McClure-a team owner, will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut at the upcoming Target House 200 at North Carolina Speedway. McClure will drive the #05 Monte Carlo Chevrolet in his first Busch Series attempt. Qualifying for the Busch race takes place on Friday, November 7 and marks the first time the 24-year old will drive with the I CAN Learn Education Systems primary sponsorship on his race car. He competed at Michigan in the June ARCA/REMAX Series event in the No. 4 car by starting the race fifth and finishing in the eighth position. He was poised to compete in the ARCA race at Lowes Motor Speedway recently in the No. 4 I CAN Learn Chevrolet, however, his hopes were thwarted when the field was set by ARCA owner points because of rain. The young McClure stayed busy testing for Morgan-McClure during the summer. He is ready to take the next step towards accomplishing his aspirations of driving in the NASCAR Busch Series and eventually the elite Winston Cup Series. He recently tested the #05 I CAN Learn Monte Carlo at Rockingham. McClure’s strong sense of family and education values pairs well with his new sponsor. The I CAN Learn Education Systems (Interactive Computer Aided Natural Learning) is a teaching program which offers a computerized Algebra curriculum designed to help students primarily in grades 7-10, who are ethnically diverse, inner-city youth, achieve impartiality in mathematics and thinking skills. A key goal of the program is to have students interact with their counterparts across the world to learn proficiency in problem solving in a competitive, peer-oriented atmosphere. The unique program is a complete education software system that has been recognized by the US Department of Education. It began by teaching Algebra to 200 students in an inner-city school in New Orleans during the 1994-95 school year. Today the I CAN Learn program has expanded to cover 15 states and over 50,000 students. Its range is also expanding to include school grades K-12 and Colleges. To find out more about this exciting program, visit its website at www.icanlearn.com.
Morgan-McClure Motorsports veteran Robert Larkins will handle crew chief duties. The Winston Cup crew will pit his car on raceday. Kevin Lepage, driver of the No. 4 Kodak Pontiac, also plans to pitch in with driving advice.
Eric McClure quotes:
“Being able to go to The Rock to try my first NASCAR Busch Series event is so exciting. I want to accomplish making the race, then we will go from there. I CAN Learn has been so supportive. We have gotten E-mails from the employees who cannot wait to see their company name on a race car going around the track. I fell so fortunate to have a positive sponsor backing our efforts. I think we can really help get the kids who participate in the program pumped up about the race also. This is just a tremendous opportunity and we are going to give it our best abilities.”
Jerry McClure quotes: “Having Eric participate in a NASCAR Busch Series event for the first time is exciting and nerve-racking. As a car owner, it is exciting to watch a young new talent showcase his abilities. As a Dad, whew, it is a combination of pride and nerves. “He is going to a tough track. I think there are about 53 cars entered. It will not be a cakewalk for him if he makes the race. We are trying to be real about his accomplishments. This is a good opportunity for Eric. It will teach him an awful lot. The entire team is behind him. I CAN Learn has been great to work with on this endeavor. I think they are all as excited and nervous in New Orleans as we are here. They have called and sent E-mails to wish Eric and the team the best this weekend.(Morgan-McClure Motorsports PR), See images of the car on my Busch Series Paint Schemes page.(11-4-2003)
