BAM Racing co-owner Tony Morgenthau says driver John Andretti will return for the full Sprint Cup season in 2008. Andretti qualified the team’s #49 Dodge for 10 of 11 races before missing the show at both Texas and Phoenix. “John’s no slouch,” said Morgenthau, who co-owns the team with his wife, Beth Ann. “He’s going to be with us next year.” The #49 car was sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America this season, but the PVA announced it will join Petty Enterprises in 2008. Morgenthau said BAM left the company on the hood of the car for several more races than originally planned. “We could have run a blank car, but might as well keep a good charity on the hood,” he said. “I hope we helped the vets.” Morgenthau said he is a partner in a computer company that has patented what he calls a revolutionary process of sponsoring race cars. Next season, BAM plans to have 5,000 associate sponsors who each pay approximately $5,000 to be on the car for the full season. The logos will be small, but Morgenthau said the companies “will get more from being an associate on the BAM car than they would from being an associate on any other car in the garage. It’s an incredible package.” The package is aimed at companies that do approximately $10 million to $25 million in sales. A more traditional primary sponsor may also be on the car, he said.(SceneDaily.com)(11-12-2007) UPDATE: Cup car owner Beth Ann Morgenthau, of Coral Gables [FL], said John Andretti will continue as driver of the #49 Dodge next season, and added the team is more stable than in recent years. She indicated a second team might be added if a sponsor is secured. “‘I would give anything for it to happen,” Morgenthau said. Andretti, 48th in the standings, did not qualify on speed for the Ford 400.(Miami Herald)(11-17-2007)
