Atwood, Evernham part ways

After an arduous two years with Evernham Motorsports, Casey Atwood and Ray Evernham have decided to end their relationship ."Casey is a good friend and a talented driver," said Ray Evernham. "We want what's best for him and his career."

Casey Atwood.

Photo by Greg Gage.

It's a tough break for Atwood who grew up racing go-karts in his native Nashville, Tenn., at the age of 10. He was the youngest driver on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, at just 21-years-old.

Atwood, now 22, began his Winston Cup career in 2001 in the Evernham owned #19 Dodge Intrepid. After a lackluster rookie season, Evernham decided to move Atwood to the #7 Dodge, a ride co-owned by Ultra Motorsports. Atwood drove that car until the final two races of the 2002 season, when Ultra's owner Jim Smith released him from the vehicle. Atwood, who scored one top-five and three top-10s during his rookie year, was unable to capitalize with the leftovers handed to his new team throughout the course of the 2002 season. His best finish of '02 was a lone 11th place run.

After being forced to sit out the Phoenix race, Atwood ran the No. 91 Evernham entry at Homestead. Following the season finale it appeared the Evernham/Atwood partnership was over until a snag in the contract held the young driver nearly two months longer than expected.

Now that the release has been cleared, the possibility remains that Atwood may return to Brewco Motorsports in the Busch Series. When Atwood ran Busch in 1999 and 2000 with Brewco, he scored four poles and two wins. They may now try to relive some old magic as the team has an open seat in the 27 car following Jamie McMurray's departure for Ganassi Racing.

During his time with the team, Atwood ran the #27, the exact seat which now sits vacant as the 2003 season quickly approaches. Brewco's other team, the 37, will field cars for driver David Green sponsored by Timberwolf in the upcoming season. The down side for Atwood and the Brewco bunch, a sponsor has yet to be named to the 27 car.

As for the Ultra ride which Atwood left towards season's end, Jimmy Spencer recently announced he is set to pilot the #7 Dodge in 2003.