Atwood to gain Cup experience in 2000.
As Dodge's preparations for their all-new Intrepid model continue apace, the first team to commit to the project, Ray Evernham Racing will start their own 2001 campaign some five months early when the team runs it's rookie starlet Casey Atwood in three late season events at Richmond, Martinsville and Homestead.
Current CART team sponsor Motorola will provide the backing for the young Atwood, who will campaign a Ford Taurus for Evernham whilst the 2001 Dodge nears completion.
As Dodge's preparations for their all-new Intrepid model continue apace, the first team to commit to the project, Ray Evernham Racing will start their own 2001 campaign some five months early when the team runs it's rookie starlet Casey Atwood in three late season events at Richmond, Martinsville and Homestead.
Current CART team sponsor Motorola will provide the backing for the young Atwood, who will campaign a Ford Taurus for Evernham whilst the 2001 Dodge nears completion.
Evernham wanted to give the 20-year-old Atwood some Winston Cup experience before next season's Daytona 500 and the three events he has selected to run the driver in will certainly open his eyes to the rigours of the biggest stock car Championship in the world.
Homestead in Miami is a fast 1.5 mile oval that should see plenty of opportunities for drafting and working in a group while Richmond and Martinsville are both small, compact tracks where Atwood will gain vital experience in how to run on short tracks with 42 other drivers. Of course Atwood already has experience of short ovals with his Busch team but Winston Cup cars are heavier and more powerful than the current machine he races.
Perhaps the biggest coup that Evernham managed to pull off was the signing of Motorola who have never sponsored a WC effort before and have confined their activities primarily to Champ Cars and cycling.
"We couldn't pass up the opportunity to be Ray Evernham's very first sponsor as a car owner," stated the marketing director of Motorola Greg Via. "We are pleased to provide Ray and Casey the opportunity to display their talents."
The decision increases speculation that the firm are looking to move away from Champ Cars, where it has had limited success as a sponsor with the PacWest team in recent years, and into the world of NASCAR racing. The firm want to retain race sponsorship of the Motorola 220 at Elkhart Lake but may be looking to transfer day-to-day sponsorship to the more successful, and more lucrative Winston Cup.
