2000 NASCAR Cup Champion Bobby Labonte will kick off the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado All Star program behind the wheel of the Chevrolet “Nashville” All Star Phil Vassar Silverado on March 18 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The World Financial Group 200 will be Labonte’s fourth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) start and his third as the driver of the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports fielded #47 Silverado. Country music star Phil Vassar, whose latest Arista Nashville album “Shaken Not Stirred” will highlight the paint scheme of the #47 Silverado, has been named the Grand Marshal of the race and will kick off event number three of the 2005 NCTS season with his rendition our “National Anthem.” In addition, Vassar will serve as the honorary starter of the race waving the green flag as the 36-truck field thunders out of turn four. Joining Chevrolet Silverado and Vassar as a partner on Labonte’s truck is the Nashville Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Nashville” will be featured for the first time in a major NASCAR series on the rear quarter panels of the #47 at the Atlanta event. Veteran crew chief Randy Goss will again head up the #47 team. Goss served as the crew chief on the #47 throughout the 2004 season that included the seven Chevy Silverado Celebrity All Star races and two driver development races (J.J. Yeley at Michigan and Kyle Busch, Indianapolis Raceway Park). Under his leadership, in nine NCTS 2004 starts, the #47 has an impressive record including four top-five finishes; four top-10s and seven top-15 finishes. Goss’ impressive NASCAR record includes championship-winning efforts in both the NCTS and NBS with driver Greg Biffle. Chevrolet Silverado and Morgan-Dollar Motorsports teamed to bring the All Star program to fans at seven NCTS events during the 2004 season-with several more to follow in 2005.(GM PR)(3-16-2005)
