hearing that the #14 Fitzbradshaw team and driver Casey Atwood have parted ways. Supposedly the team is trying to get Dave Blaney to finish out the season.
UPDATE: FitzBradshaw Racing announced today that Casey Atwood will not drive the #14 Navy Accelerate your life Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the remainder of the year. The driver change is effective immediately. Team co-owners Armando Fitz and Terry Bradshaw indicated the decision to make the driver change was part of FitzBradshaw Racing’s evolution and preparation for 2005. “We have some significant operations changes underway for 2005, and that includes incorporating new personnel that we feel can get us and our sponsors into Victory Lane,” said Fitz. The changes we’re making are designed to enable us to take the next step toward the top and are, in my view, in the best interests of FitzBradshaw Racing.” Bradshaw echoed Fitzs sentiments, noting the difficulty of the decision. Im disappointed it didnt work out, because I think Casey will be a great driver, said Bradshaw. Were splitting up the team with five races left so we can evaluate the entire team and make the right decisions for the future. This move will give us all an opportunity to move forward. The decision was mutually made by FitzBradshaw Racing and Atwood. Ive enjoyed my time with FitzBradshaw Racing, representing the Navy, said Atwood. But so many driver decisions are discussed and made over the next two months, and this gives me the opportunity and the time to structure whats best for me for next year.
“FitzBradshaw Racing has been growing and working to perfect its operation since 2002,”stated Fitz. “Casey has been a key asset to our organization and contributed tremendously to our upward momentum.” The U.S. Navy began sponsoring the No. 14 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 2003 for 10 races and ultimately announced that it would sponsor a full-season for 2004. Atwood has been the sole driver for the No. 14 team. He started 29 races in 2004, with his best finish–second place–coming in Richmond in September. Dave Blaney will drive the #14 this Saturday at Memphis Motorsports Park. Blaney became familiar with FitzBradshaw equipment Saturday in Charlotte, driving FBRs #82 Goulds Pumps Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte. He qualified 15th and ran as high as 7th, but was tapped into the wall by Kyle Busch with 13 laps remaining. Blaney finished 25th after running in the top ten for most of the night. He has 75 career starts in the NASCAR Busch Series, posting seven Top-5 and 22 Top-10 finishes. Were reviewing all our options for the remainder of the season, said Fitz. Dave did a fabulous job in Charlotte and is familiar with our equipment, so hell take the wheel in Memphis. Well have our plans in place for the other four races very soon.(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(10-18-2004)
UPDATE 2: On Monday, Armando Fitz and Terry Bradshaw gave the 24-year-old Nashville racer another unexpected career slap by dismissing Atwood with five races left in the Busch Series season. They will put Dave Blaney in the seat for Saturday’s race at Memphis. Atwood could not be contacted yesterday, but his father, Terry, said a news release by FitzBradshaw Racing was not entirely accurate when it termed the decision ”mutual.”
”The first time Casey got a whiff of it was over the weekend at Charlotte,” the elder Atwood said. ”He has no idea what brought it on.” Atwood’s father said his son is not sure about his immediate plans.(Tennssean)(10-21-2004)
