businessman Eddie Smith, who was a co-owner of some of the vehicles driven by Rich Bickle in the 1990s in what are now known as the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, is back in the NASCAR garage. Smith said Wednesday that he had formed a partnership with former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield to buy the assets of the Chip Ganassi Racing Nationwide Series team. Holyfield joined Smith at the Ganassi shop two weeks ago before the purchase. The team, called Smith-Ganassi Racing [#42] for now, has the Ganassi points from last year and is locked in for the seasons first five races. Smith said he hopes to run the full season with driver Kenny Hendrick. The team will have Ernie Elliott engines, and Tim Weiss will be the crew chief. The Ganassi fleet had 11 cars prepped to race, so Smith believes the team can run the entire 35-race schedule.(Scene Daily)(2-11-2009)
