Race El Paso, the race team based out of El Paso, Texas owned by Gregg and Ryan Jackson plan to attempt the Brickyard 400 at Indy this August. The Jacksons nearly made it in 2004, when Geoff Bodine drove the team’s car [was #34 then], the Border Bandit, to a qualifying run that put it one slot from earning its way into the Brickyard race. This year, the team is in a partnership with two race teams: Gary Trout Autosports and Front Row Motorsports. Those teams are helping to put together the pit crew and have been storing Race El Paso’s cars. The team also has more than one car and more than one engine, which is being built by Ernie Elliott, the brother of longtime NASCAR driver and semi-retired Bill Elliott. The car also will have a capable driver. The team already has NASCAR Craftsman Trucks series driver Chad Chaffin lined up, but it also still is negotiating with NASCAR veteran Mike Skinner. Still, the Jacksons know it won’t be easy to get a car into a Nextel Cup race. “Our primary goal is to qualify,” Ryan said. “Our second goal is to finish the race.” More info at suncityracing.com.(El Paso Times/kvia.com)(7-3-2006)
