Herd Racing, LLC, a West Virginia based Nationwide Series team has received permission to put together a proposed Marshall-themed Nationwide Series car for the 2008 season, using university approved logos. The team has applied for #75 in honor of the 75 lives lost in the Marshall football plane crash on November 14, 1970. Dana Tomes is the Herd Racing majority shareholder, along with his wife Tonya, and both are alumnus of Marshall, and are excited about entering the Nationwide Series and promoting his, and many of his race teams, alma mater. Marshall University will not pay any sponsorship money for the car as Tomes said Herd Racing, LLC, is trying to promote the university and the Tri-state. Just like the cars, plans to get sponsorship are now under the caution flag, so to speak, for the approaching 2008 NASCAR season now less than a month away. Tomes has some sponsors, and hopes to announce them soon, and is working on more, needing $300,000 to just go to the opening race of 35 this year on the former Busch series. Tomes, and driver Brett Rowe, hope support will come either locally as well as regionally to make the Marshall car, and Herd Racing, LLC, go at top speeds once the flag drops.(Scout.com), more information available at HerdRacing.com. An image is posted on the 2008 Nationwide Paint Schemes page.(1-14-2008)
UPDATE: With its engine’s roar resonating off the state Capitol, Gov. Joe Manchin unveiled the #75 Marshall University stock car Thursday, the latest school to lend its name to marketing efforts in NASCAR. Backers are hoping to drum up enough sponsors to enter the car on the Nationwide circuit later this season. Marshall alumni Dana Tomes and his wife, Tonya, approached the university with the idea last October as a way to get additional exposure for Marshall and it was met with immediate enthusiasm. Tomes said Herd Racing needs a minimum of $50,000 to $75,000 per race depending on the location. That doesn’t include paying the crew. And if the car wrecks, the costs go much higher. Racing the car for a full season would take a minimum of $3 million to $6 million, he said. Tomes hopes to find enough sponsors to compete in the Sharpie Mini 300 on March 15 in Bristol, Tenn. If not, the next goal is a race near Charlotte, N.C., in late May.(Huntington, WV Herald-Dispatch)(2-28-2008)
