Melling Racing to field Levi Garrett Dodge

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 2, 2001) Melling Racing's No. 92 Dodge will carry the familiar colors of Conwood Sales Company's Levi Garrett brand in the upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup Series races at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte (Oct. 7) and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (Oct. 21). Driver Stacy Compton will be the first to pilot the gold, brown and white Levi Garrett colors since 1990.

"The paint scheme sure conjures up some memories," said Compton. "It's painted very similar to the Levi Garrett car that Geoffrey Bodine won the Daytona 500 with in 1986. There were days when you would see that Levi Garrett car up front every week, and Charlotte and Talladega are certainly places where we feel we can bring it back."

Levi Garrett made its first appearance in NASCAR in 1981, netting eight wins and 24 poles before the brand retired as a primary sponsor after the 1990 season. During its 10-year career, the car was driven by Johnny Rutherford, Joe Ruttman, Morgan Sheppard, Rusty Wallace, Geoffrey Bodine and Ricky Rudd. The brand enjoyed most of its success with Bodine, who captured seven wins, including the 1986 Daytona 500, and 22 poles while driving the Levi Garrett car for Hendrick Motorsports from 1985 to 1990. Rudd added one victory and two pole positions to Levi Garrett's collection.

"Everyone at Conwood is tremendously excited about seeing the Levi Garrett colors on the race track again," commented Woody Cothren, vice president of marketing for Conwood Sales Company. "Levi Garrett has a deep history in racing, so seeing that car will bring back a lot of memories for people at Conwood, people within the racing community, and the fans in the grandstands. Some of the greatest names in NASCAR racing have been associated with Levi Garrett in addition to our Winston Cup drivers in the '80s, we were involved with the late Tim Richmond, Rick Hendrick, Buddy Parrott, Harry Hyde, Gary Nelson, Brett Bodine, Wadell Wilson, Kenny Wallace and so many others that have developed into the core of this sport today."

After concluding Levi Garrett's title sponsorship, Conwood Sales Company remained active in the Winston Cup Series with its Kodiak brand. Kodiak has sponsored Melling Racing since 2000. Conwood's era of NASCAR sponsorship will come to a close at the end of the 2001 season. Melling Racing is currently searching for primary sponsorship for the 2002 Winston Cup Series season.