Marty Gaunt and Mike Held have found that since they bought Triad Racing Development and Bill Davis Racing [#22 Toyota] from Bill Davis, that there is a thriving market for chassis and engines. They also have found that with the current sponsorship market, it probably isnt the right time to go racing. And in addition, if theyre supplying race teams with chassis and engines, they avoid a conflict of interest if they dont compete. So for the time being, the new Triad Racing Technologies group will be happy being a supplier and not a racer, even though BDRs [#22] Sprint Cup car finished last season 31st in owners points and is locked into the first five Cup races of 2009.”We dont need to be there [as a race team],” Held said Saturday in a phone interview.”What we feel like is we need to have the best package on the race track, and that is the package of chassis and engines that can win races for our customers.” Of course, if a $15 million sponsor comes along, Held would reconsider. Gaunt wouldnt totally rule out the #22 team running in the season opener at Daytona, but admitted it wasnt promising.”Weve heard and sat down and listened to a lot of opportunities,” Gaunt said when asked about teams outside the top 35 possibly being interested in forming a partnership to get the locked-in position.”At this time, we havent said concrete, absolutely not. What were saying its highly unlikely that were going to make Daytona or have a car participate in the series next year. But things change. If an opportunity came available where it was the right business decision and the funding was there, then well look at it.” The group obviously will be involved in all three NASCAR national series as a supplier. Gaunt said the company has more than 80 employees. With that pick up in business, it likely means that the new group will not compete at all in Trucks, a series where BDR was a prominent player since Toyotas entry into the series in 2004. BDR won the 2008 Truck title with Johnny Benson.(SceneDaily)(1-19-2009)
