Racing fans and potential sponsors alike wont be seeing a mirage when Scott Speed drives the all-black #95 Ford with the white skull and crossbones from Leavine Family Racing. Across the back of the new Generation-6 race car will be the words: ‘Surrender the Sponsor.” The race team is trying to build on the momentum of a 23rd-place finish at the season-opening Daytona 500. Part of that process is the continued search for a primary sponsor. ‘It is exciting just to see the hype about the #95’ Speed said. ‘We are not trying to make this a money stunt; were just trying to draw attention to our car. Hopefully, a potential sponsor will see this and want to be teamed up with us. There is no way I could have pulled off this paint scheme with any other team, which is why it was so appropriate for LFR they are up for anything.” The nearest ocean may be 357 miles away, but it wont keep LFR from living a pirates life during Sundays Subway Fresh Fit 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway. The idea was a collaborative effort between Speed and crew chief Wally Rogers. Team owner Bob Leavine quickly signed off on the idea. ‘The reality is, anything that brings attention to our race team is positive’ Leavine said. ‘Its not a stunt. Its a way for Corporate America to see what this little team from Texas can do.” ‘Were still looking for partners’ vice president of marketing Terance Mathis said. ‘DISH was a great partner for us at Daytona, but theyre not on for the full season. Were getting to the point where weve got to be strategic with how we use our resources and continue to run as well as we can and attract more sponsorship.” In six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Phoenix, Speed qualified second in 2010 with Red Bull Racing. He also has two Nationwide and one Camping World Truck series start at the one-mile D-shaped oval.(Leavine Family Racing), see images of the scheme/car on the #95 Team Schemes page .
