Morgan to Jasper Motorsports

Report from Motorsport News International

NASCAR Public Relations

Shepherd to drive No. 77 Ford

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 9, 1997) Jasper Motorsports announced today that it has reached an agreement with Morgan Shepherd to drive the No. 77 Jasper Engines/Federal-Mogul Ford, beginning this weekend in the Miller 400 at Michigan Speedway. Shepherd started the 1997 season as the driver for Richard Jackson's Cruisin' America Pontiac. "I'm real excited about being a part of Jasper Motorsports," Shepherd said. "I've looked at the whole program. I was very impressed with their chassis and engine development. They have a great bunch of guys over there. I'm anxious to become a part of Jasper Motorsports." "Morgan is one of the most respected drivers on the Winston Cup circuit," team owner Doug Bawel said. "He brings with him a wealth of racing experience. His personal record of four wins, 63 top-5's, and 167 top-10's in 450 NASCAR Winston Cup Series starts, along with more than $7.5 million dollars in career winnings speaks for itself. "Morgan had a very successful 1996 season finishing in the top-10 four times and placing 19th in the overall standings at the end of the season. We are looking for great things from Morgan as we combine the horsepower of Jasper and the technical and product support of Federal-Mogul's engine and chassis parts," he added. In 12 starts this season, Shepherd has racked up three top-10 finishes, including a third in the PRIMESTAR 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and a ninth-place showing in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He has also finished on the lead lap in five out of the last 10 events. Shepherd is currently 22nd in NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver points heading into the Miller 400. He finished 12th in Sunday's Pocono 500. Bawel added that the entire Jasper Engines/Federal-Mogul team welcomes Shepherd, his wife Cindy and their children to their team. Bobby Hillin, who has driven the No. 77 Ford since 1995 was released as team driver several weeks ago, but has continued to drive the car during the search for a replacement. Hillin's future plans have not yet been revealed.

Jack Durbin indy500@freenet.tlh.fl.us Motorsport News International jackd@motorsport.com (Moderators for "rec.autos.sport.info") Homepage http://www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/users/indy500/index.html