BelCar Racing, the only full-time Cup team in NASCAR with minority ownership, is now “dormant,” according to a team co-owner, Sam Belnavis. BelCar fielded the #54 Fords this season with driver Todd Bodine. Belnavis was the majority shareholder and veteran car owner Travis Carter was the other partner. The team operated from a shop Carter owned in Statesville, NC. BelCar lost sponsor National Guard at the conclusion of the 2003 season, but when the Guard was introduced at a Wednesday news conference as a new sponsor for Roush Racing’s #16 Fords driven by Greg Biffle, Belnavis was also on hand. Roush Racing President Geoff Smith welcomed Belnavis to Roush, introducing him as the organization’s new director of diversity programs. “Travis has established a new relationship, as you know, with Torquespeed. This is not a surprise to him,” Belnavis said. “I am now a partner in this organization, but I will be developing programs to develop the diversity aspect of Roush Racing. I knew the direction the National Guard was taking, but I needed a platform for my career but also a platform that could substantiate and support a true diversity program.” Carter could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but a spokesperson said he was continuing to work to secure sponsorships for his own team, Travis Carter Enterprises, and Torquespeed, a joint venture between Carter and investors from the United Kingdom. “Travis and I are going to remain good friends,” Belnavis said. “This is a small sport when it comes to people. We’re family and we didn’t have a squabble.” Belnavis has been involved in motorsports for more than 20 years as an executive with the Miller Brewing Co. The Charlotte, N.C., resident brought Miller into racing signing then-Winston Cup champion Bobby Allison to run the #22 Buick. Diversity has become an issue in NASCAR, with several initiatives planned to create opportunities for women, Hispanics and African Americans in the sport. Belnavis and then-partner Tinsley Hughes partnered with Hendrick Motorsports in a diversity initative in 2002 that never got off the ground. “Diversity is going to be an endless pursuit,” NASCAR chairman Brian France said last week in New York. “We want everybody in this country, every man and woman, to be a NASCAR fan. If we can put initiatives forward to help make us more attractive to more people, that’s important.” Belnavis said he hopes to work on identifying possible driver candidates and build awareness of job opportunities in NASCAR.( ThatsRacin.com )(12-10-2003)
