Parker Jr. leaves family team for Cicci-Welliver.

Hank Parker Jr. competed for the first time at Daytona International Speedway in last year's NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) event, and will return this year with a new team and sponsor.

In only his second full season of NBS competition, Parker qualified 30th in his family-owned No. 53 Chevrolet at last years race. Parker then passed his future teammate, David Green, in the closing laps to claim a top-10 finish (10th) in his Daytona debut.

After driving for his father's team, Hank Parker Racing (HPR), for the past two years, it appeared that the team would not find enough sponsorship to run a full schedule in 2001. A lack of funds had nearly cut short Parker's racing career in 1999, a scenario that the 26 year-old driver was determined not to repeat.

"My father and I talked about it, and we both decided that it was the best move for my career," explained Parker Jr. "I think it's a huge weight off my dad's shoulders to not have to be a team owner. He can come to the race and actually enjoy watching me, instead of having to worry about how to pay the bills and keep the race team afloat. He made a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to do this, and I really appreciate that. A son couldn't ask for more than a father who's willing to help him chase his dreams, and that's exactly what he's done."

Salvation came in the form of a phone call from Cicci-Welliver Racing, arguably the most dominant team in the Busch Series. Parker accepted a position with Cicci-Welliver as the driver of the team's No. 36 entry in December 2000.

"When the opportunity came up to drive for Cicci-Welliver, it wasn't a hard decision for me," said Parker Jr. "As a driver, you see the success they've had in the past few years and you want to be a part of that. I'm very excited to be a part of a team that has two drivers of the caliber of Tim (Fedewa) and David (Green). I'm looking forward to learning a lot and growing as a driver, and hopefully, I'll get to victory lane this season."

While Parker had joined a championship calibre organization, sponsorship, or a lack of it, was still an issue.

With many teams frantically searching for sponsorship dollars for 2001, Parker's team was relieved to hear from representatives of GNC Live Well (General Nutrition Centers). A deal was quickly negotiated, and the No. 36 GNC Live Well Chevrolet Monte Carlo was unveiled to the public at the Busch Series Preview in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 5, exactly three weeks after Cicci-Welliver announced Parker's hiring.

The No. 36 GNC Live Well Race Team tested at Daytona International Speedway Jan. 22 - 23. Hank Parker Jr. turned in a fastest lap of 179.222 mph during the session. Parker's crew chief, Billy Nacewicz, made the decision to remove and replace the test car's body when the team returned to their shop in Concord, N.C.

"Daytona hasn't been the best track for me, by far," admitted Parker Jr. "I've tried to make the race here three times and I've only gotten in once (qualifying 30th in February 2000). Even though I've raced at Talladega a few times, which is similar, I was still very nervous before the race here last year. There's something about Daytona that's just special. I was honoured to come out of here with a top-10 (10th) in my first Daytona race, that's for sure."

"It's exciting to work with a young driver with Hank's talent," remarked Crew Chief Billy Nacewicz. "I watched him a lot last year, and he always seemed to be a threat to win a race. He impressed me quite a bit, so to get a chance to work with someone I've taken notice of is going to be a lot of fun. I think we might surprise some people this year."

"I believe that we'll win a few races this year," added Nacewicz, when asked about his targets for this season. "I think that a top-10 finish in the championship standings is a very achievable goal, but the team and I really want to pull off a top-five finish and I think we can. I'm expecting really good things this season if we work hard and keep our heads on straight."