Backstretch Motorsports

BAM Racing withdraws No. 49 Toyota entry for Texas

One week after announcing a sponsorship program with Microsoft Small Business and qualifying seventh at Martinsville, BAM Racing’s No. 49 Toyota was withdrawn from this weekend’s Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

No details were available as to the reasons behind the decision by owner Beth Ann Morgenthau, who has operated a team in NASCAR’s premier series since 2002.

The No. 49 was 42nd in owner points following a 37th-place finish at Martinsville, having made three of six races this season. Driver Ken Schrader finished 21st at Las Vegas and 41st at Bristol earlier in 2008.

General Mills’ move to RCR has Petty searching for ‘09

Richard Childress Racing will field a fourth Sprint Cup car next season backed by General Mills, a move that leaves Petty Enterprises searching for a new primary sponsor for its flagship No. 43 car.

RCR will unveil the No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet for the 2009 season, with a driver to be announced at a later date. The newcomer will join stablemates Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer, all of whom won races and qualified for NASCAR’s Chase last year. Despite that success, team owner Richard Childress viewed eventual expansion as vital if he hoped to keep pace with rival organizations with more cars.

Childress”I think if you look at the two teams we’re going to be racing for the championship against,” Childress said, “Roush has four or five, seven, eight [cars], I don’t know how many he really has. And Hendrick is the big number, they’ve had four teams and been a contender, and all their cars have been able to win races and run good. I think that’s the bar that we have to shoot at. It just gives us more resources, it gives us more talent to work with. If we’re going to beat these guys, we have to have the same amount of resources as they have.”

Childress said he has a short list of four or five potential drivers for the car. But it didn’t sound Tuesday as if Bobby Labonte, who drives the General Mills-backed car for Petty Enterprises this season — and whose contract is up at the end of the year — would be making the move to RCR along with his sponsor.

Petty Enterprises Sponsorship Statement

Mooresville, N.C. (April 1, 2008) – Since 1949 Petty Enterprises has forged a legacy as the most successful organization in American motorsports history by forming lasting partnerships with trusted sponsors based on the Petty family principles of hard work, integrity, dedication and charity. These core values have produced some of the most enduring and successful partnerships in all of sports.

In 2009 primary sponsorship of the famed No. 43 Dodge will become available for only the second time since ―The King, Richard Petty partnered with STP in 1972—a relationship that continues to this day. Petty Enterprises‘ current partner, General Mills, has been the primary sponsor of the No. 43 for the past nine seasons and will continue through the end of the year. “We value our relationships with all of our sponsors,” said Robbie Loomis, Executive Vice President, Operations. We appreciate everything that General Mills has helped us accomplish over the past nine seasons both on and off of the track, and we wish them well in their future plans”

The No. 43. driven by “King” Richard and his record 200 wins is synonymous with success not just at the highest levels of motorsports, but across all sports. 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte, continues that tradition today. “Bobby is one of the most marketable and popular drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said Brian Moffitt, Vice President, Marketing. “He and his family share the ideals and values of the Petty organization and he remains a key component to the long-term future of Petty Enterprises. While there is substantial sponsorship interest in Bobby and Petty Enterprises we will carefully consider our options to ensure the continuation of our rich tradition and to build on current momentum. Prospective partners are well aware of the special power of the Petty brand, as numerous surveys and marketing groups have identified Richard Petty as one of the most iconic brands in all of sports.”

“I am proud of our organization‘s rich tradition.” said Richard Petty “We look at bringing in fresh resources and new partners as a real opportunity to further grow and improve the Petty organization. Especially those who share in the same core values of integrity, dedication and winning that have come to define Petty Enterprises.”

On The Bubble: Regan Smith In 35th; Hornish, Franchitti On Outside Looking In

Short-track action guarantees shake-ups, and last week at Martinsville Speedway delivered.

Heading into Sunday’s Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, the top-35 teams in current NASCAR Sprint Cup car owner standings are guaranteed starting berths. And those teams teetering on the “bubble” read differently than they did a week ago.

The Teresa Earnhardt-owned No. 01 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet driven by Regan Smith sits in 35th place, only three points behind 34th place and the No. 70 Haas Automation Chevrolet owned by Margaret Haas and driven by Jeremy Mayfield.

Two former Indianapolis 500 champions and current Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidates find themselves outside the top 35 thanks to last Sunday’s Martinsville finishes. Sam Hornish Jr. (No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge) slipped from 35th to 36th in the owner standings. He’s only three points behind the DEI No. 01. Dario Franchitti (No. 40 Kennametal Dodge), the reigning IndyCar Series champion, was unable to boost his position; he remains 38th.

Hendrick Motorsports’ Casey Mears parlayed a seventh-place finish at Martinsville into a four-spot jump in the top-35 rankings, from 33rd to 29th. After dangling only 12 points out of 35th, he now has some breathing room — 76 points.

Speaking of breathing room, Jamie McMurray (No. 26 Cask 16 Ford) created some with a fifth-place qualifying effort at Martinsville, followed by an eighth-place finish. He jumped five spots in the owner standings, from 36th to 31st.

David Reutimann’s debut in the No. 44 UPS Toyota driven by now-retired series champion Dale Jarrett and owned by Michael Waltrip, was not as successful. A frustrating day at Martinsville dropped the No. 44 from 34th to 37th in the owner standings. Heading to Texas, Reutimann must qualify on time for Sunday’s Samsung 500. He’s currently 20 points out of 35th.

And lastly, veteran Kyle Petty — remaining 40th — will put Chad McCumbee in the No. 45 Marathon American Sprint Motor Oil Dodge this weekend. McCumbee subbed twice for Petty in 2007, due to broadcast obligations.

“Everyone at Petty Enterprises believes in Chad and his abilities,” Petty said. “Texas gives us a chance to get another good look at Chad without throwing him to the wolves. He should be relaxed because he knows he can get the job done there.”

(This Release Contains Previously Published Material )