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BAM Racing withdraws from Texas & Phoenix races-UPDATE

Quote selected text Published April 2nd, 2008 in NASCAR News

Ken SchraderUPDATE: BAM Racing has decided to skip the next two Sprint Cup races in Texas and Phoenix. Team co-owner Tony Morgenthau released the following statement about the decision:

“Switching manufacturers was a taller order than we initially realized. While BAM Racing has a very strong short track program, our intermediate track program needs some work. Since we haven’t had time to adequately test the cars on shaker rigs and pull down rigs; since historically we don’t run that well at either Texas or Phoenix - even with a proven, tested racecar; since we intend to improve our on-track performance and not to take a step backwards; our organization has decided to take the next three weeks to focus on the remainder of the racing season. We recognize that we will sacrifice our 42nd position in owner’s points, but that only guarantees our team a spot if qualifying is rained out. Ultimately every car that is 36th or lower must qualify on time in order to race. While skipping the next two races will hurt our points position in the short term, returning to the track at Talladega ready to move forward with fully-tested Toyota Camry’s will enhance our program overall. This has been a very difficult, “big picture” decision; by taking a little time to regroup now, we should be a much stronger team for the rest of the year. Finally, for all the naysayers who may predict this to be the death knell for one of the few remaining independent teams in Sprint Cup . . . wait until Talladega, then tell us if we’re dead or not!”

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One week after announcing a sponsorship program with Microsoft Small Business and qualifying seventh at Martinsville, BAM Racing’s #49 Toyota was withdrawn from this weekend’s Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.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 #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.

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9 Responses to “BAM Racing withdraws from Texas & Phoenix races-UPDATE”  

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  1. 1 Rick Registered User Apr 2nd, 2008 at 9:08 am Quote

    Lets see….just worked out a deal of some sort last week with Toyota and BIG BAD BILL DAVIS. Wonder if Bill is busy layin the pipe to BAM. He doesn’t seem to be the most reputable owner in the garage,

  2. 2 Ron F. Apr 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm Quote

    A driver must really want to race if they agree to work for BAM. I believe about every fifth word that comes out of Morgenthau’s mouth.

  3. 3 malcolm Apr 2nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm Quote

    Should the plural be “Camry’s” or “Camries”? :P

  4. 4 mike Apr 2nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm Quote

    I wish Ken schrader could find a better team to drive for. He deserves ALOT Better!!!

  5. 5 gigolo george Registered User Apr 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm Quote

    Robby did his switch in about 10 days. If BAM is getting some of Jocko’s idle cars and parts, BAM is in trouble. I don’t think the new sponsors will be that happy either. Last week Kenny was fast but he couldn’t last in the Toyota. I like to see him up front once in a while. I guess we just have to wait and see what happens.

  6. 6 Howie motorsports photography Apr 2nd, 2008 at 8:55 pm Quote

    i have known Beth Ann ever since i did some shoots with her a few years ago at the Glen and she is a wise business owner, I believe in this decision totally. She wants to make sure everything is in place for the rest of the season and you can bet Kenny had some input to this as well. and as far as Kenny driving for anyone else their are not to many team owners who would hire him, he is way over the age for any sponsor to pick him up and he is lucky to have had a ride for the past 5 years.

  7. 7 Lee88-20 Registered User Apr 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 am Quote

    The last 5 years…more like the last 10 years I like kenny but his cup career is sad he shouldve stuck to dirt.

  8. 8 George Thompson Registered User Apr 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm Quote

    Kenny still runs the dirt races but there arent too many of those on sunday. With Kenny you have accept that he is going race as many days a week as possible.

  9. 9 Cheater Apr 6th, 2008 at 5:26 pm Quote

    At least he is racing and having a good time .Lets see how he does at Tony’s Eldora race this year……

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