BUSCH: Brewco Motorsports sign East for Nashvillle

East Set for Brewco Motorsports Debut at Nashville Superspeedway
USAC Champ to drive #27 Federated Car Care Ford

Central City, KY (June 3, 2007) ... Bobby East will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut for Brewco Motorsports, Inc. in the Federated Auto Parts 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, June 9th. The 2004 United States Auto Club (USAC) National Midget Series Champion will drive the #27 Federated Car Care Ford Fusion in the 300-mile event.

The Nashville race will be the first of a minimum ten scheduled Busch Series races for East in 2007 driving the #27and #37 Ford Fusions for the Central City, Kentucky-based team. East will also drive three to five ARCA events this season for Brewco as part of the Ford Racing Driver Development program. "We've had an interest in Bobby driving for us since 2005 after we watched him win the 2004 USAC championship," said Clarence Brewer Jr., founder and owner of Brewco Motorsports. "His racing background is similar to that of some of today's best Nextel Cup drivers, like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon. We think he has a great future in Cup racing, based on his background and what he's already accomplished. "

"Brewco has a history of developing up-and-coming stars in racing, like Casey Atwood and Jamie McMurray," Brewer continued. "We're looking to have a similar relationship with Bobby. Our goal is to run for the Busch Series championship with one driver in 2008 and we think Bobby is the driver to do this for us."

"Bobby is someone we believe strongly in, and we're happy to see that Brewco Motorsports is providing him an opportunity to continue his development in the Busch Series," said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. "We've followed Bobby's career ever since he was a teenager and feel he has the tools to become a successful driver in NASCAR. Having the chance to prove himself with a quality organization like Brewco is hopefully going to serve as a springboard toward achieving that goal."

Born on December 17, 1984, East became the youngest driver in USAC history to win a feature when he won a USAC National Midget event at the Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, Indiana at the age of 16 years, six months, and 25 days in 2001. He was the most victorious driver during the 2004 USAC season with 15 victories among the series' three divisions. He found victory lane seven times in national midgets, five times in national sprint cars, and once each in the Silver Crown, Western States Sprint Car, and Speedrome Regional Midget Series during the season.

East made his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Memphis Motorsports Park in October 2005, finishing in a solid 17th place. He is currently a member of Ford Motor Company's driver development program and competed in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2006 for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing. He finished 23rd in points despite missing two races.

Born in Torrance, California, and a native of Brownsburg, Indiana, East currently resides in Mooresville, North Carolina.

"I'm very excited to be working with Brewco Motorsports in 2007," East said. "I know they have successful ARCA and Busch Series programs in the works for this season, so I'm looking forward to being a part of that. We'll use a limited schedule this year as a foundation to build on for next year, when I hope to bring Brewco their first Busch Series championship."

Practice for the Federated Auto Parts 300 begins at 6:00 PM ET on Friday, June 8th. Qualifying is set for 3:05 PM ET on Saturday, June 9th, with the 225-lap, 300-mile race going to green at 7:00 PM ET. ESPN2 will provide live television coverage with MRN handling the radio broadcast.

-credit: brewco