Ron Hornaday will complete the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season behind the wheel of the #2 ACDelco Chevrolet but will not be re-signed by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) for the 2005 season. “We had two great years with Ron and I wish him the best in the future,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “We talked about next season and beyond and felt it was in our best interests to make this announcement now to give him the best chance possible to catch on with another team.” Hornaday, a two-time NASCAR Truck Series champion (1996, ’98), has earned two victories (Nazareth Speedway, 5/18/03; The Milwaukee Mile, 6/24/04) and 28 top-10 finishes in 60 Busch Series starts for RCR. “Racing at this level is a big business,” said Hornaday. “I understand what RCR has to do to enhance its NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series efforts. We’ve had a pretty good run together and the friendships will still go on but business is business.” The Palmdale Calif., native finished third in last year’s Busch Series driver point standings and is currently sixth in this year’s chase for the title. “Ron Hornaday is not only a winner on the track, but a true ambassador for ACDelco”, said Sue Seaglund, manager, event marketing for GM Service and Parts Operations. “Ron is the definition of what ACDelco considers a ‘Real Car Guy’. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and thank him for the two fantastic years he represented ACDelco, both on and off the track.” The driver of the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet for 2005 will be named before season’s end.(RCR PR)(9-22-2004)
UPDATE: hearing part-time RCR Busch Series driver, Clint Boyer, could be the driver of the #2 AC Delco Chevy for RCR in 2005, not really much of a stretch to think this could happen.(9-24-2004)
UPDATE 2: Richard Childress Racing is expected to elevate its current part-time NASCAR Busch Series driver, Clint Bowyer, to a full-time ride in the #2 Chevrolets next season, ThatsRacin.com has learned. A formal announcement on Bowyer’s promotion is expected next weekend at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., near Bowyer’s hometown of Emporia, Kan.(Thatsracin.com)(10-2-2004)
UPDATE 3: Clint Bowyer has been named the new driver of the #2 ACDelco Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing for the 2005 season. Bowyer, who split driving duties in the #21 RCR Reese’s Chevrolet in 2004 with former NASCAR Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick, has three top-five and five top-10 finishes in just 11 Busch Series starts. “I am excited to have the opportunity to drive the ACDelco Chevrolet for RCR,” said Bowyer. “This is a dream come true for me and my family. The ACDelco Chevrolet is a proven car that has won races and championships.” In fact, the blue deuce has won a NASCAR Busch Series-best three championships and 27 races since 1997. Accomplishments that Bowyer knows he has to live up to next year. “My job is to not only keep the ACDelco Chevy up front, but to take it to another level,” adds Bowyer. “RCR has committed to give this team everything it needs to win and I am very confident that we can do just that.” Bowyer replaces veteran NASCAR driver Ron Hornaday, whose departure from RCR was based on a mutual decision by he and Richard Childress. Bowyer said his connection with Hornaday makes the move both exciting and bittersweet. “I have the most respect in the world for Ron,” said Bowyer. “He taught me a lot this year. To get to drive the car that he drove is very exciting. I just wish he was still going to be my teammate.” The move from a veteran like Hornaday to a young aggressive lion like Bowyer caught many in the Busch Series garage off guard. But ACDelco General Manager Scott Mackie said change is sometimes needed to stay ahead in both business and racing. “Change isn’t easy, but it’s inevitable and can be exciting and rewarding,” said Mackie. “Our primary objective in our partnership with RCR has been to greatly increase the value of ACDelco to our direct and secondary customers. Through the awareness and exposure of our sponsorship with RCR, we continue to exceed expectations in the marketplace. This is an exciting time for ACDelco, and we hope customers will continue to use ACDelco for all their aftermarket needs.”(RCR Site)(10-8-2004)
