The Bodines join Billy Balew in truck deal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 31, 2000) Billy Ballew Motorsports announced Monday they have secured the services of veteran NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Geoffrey Bodine for the season-opening NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona. Bodine's son Barry Bodine will compete in the following three races for the team. Billy Ballew Motorsports is owned by North Georgia automobile dealer Billy Ballew, who recently purchased the team from Black Diamond Motorsports. Billy Ballew Motorsports plans to run the entire 24-race NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the year 2000.

"We are extremely pleased to have a driver like Geoffrey Bodine behind the wheel for the season opening race at Daytona," Ballew said. "Geoffrey has won the Daytona 500 so we know he can win at that track. He has won 18 NASCAR Winston Cup races and it is important to us to have a proven winner at the controls when we kick off the season at Daytona.

"I also have watched his son Barry Bodine compete in the truck series and I have been very impressed with what he has been able to accomplish with the limited opportunities he has been given. We think that he can develop into the same kind of driver that his father has become."

The Billy Ballew Motorsports Ford F-150 will be sponsored by Linex and Miccosukee Indian Gaming. Linex is the maker of a quality spray on bed liner and they are based in Catersville, Ga. Miccosukee Indian Gaming is based in South Florida.

"This is a great deal for Linex, Miccosukeee Indian Gaming, Billy Ballew Motorsports and the Bodine Family," Geoffrey Bodine said. "I get to drive at Daytona and then I turn the truck over to Barry for the races at Homestead, Phoenix and Bakersfield. This will be a great opportunity for him because Billy Ballew Motorsorts has top notch equipment and a super crew chief in Richie Waters."

The Billy Ballew Motorsports entry has paced the field in preseason testing at Daytona.

-nascar.com-