BUSCH: Herzog Motorsports signs Toby Porter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Herzog Motorsports, which fields the No. 92 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Busch Series and the No. 22 and No. 44 cars in the ASA Series, has signed Greenville, S.C. native Toby Porter to a multi-year agreement. Beginning with 2001, Porter will run selected events in the NASCAR Busch Series, as well as in the American Speed Association (ASA) ACDelco Series, where Herzog Motorsports has fielded successful and competitive teams for the past three years.

Porter, 26, has been racing since the age of ten. Starting in go-karts, Porter quickly progressed, racing in many competitive divisions, including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series and most recently, the USAR Hooter's Pro Cup division. Porter has amassed over 75 career wins, mainly in the late model stock cars, where he competed weekly at a number of local tracks, including Greenville-Pickens Speedway and Anderson Speedway, both in his home state of South Carolina.

"I am thrilled to be a part of a team as successful as Herzog Motorsports," stated an excited Toby Porter. "I can't wait for the year to start. I know that Herzog Motorsports and Tony Liberati (crew chief) have achieved amazing results in just one full year of competition. This is the chance of a lifetime and I am very grateful for the opportunity."

Randy Herzog, co-owner of Herzog Motorsports, is pleased with the addition of Porter to Herzog's talented lineup of drivers, including Jimmie Johnson in the NASCAR Busch Series and Mark E. Dismore in the ASA Series. "We are extremely excited to begin our new partnership with Toby," Herzog said. "We are convinced of Toby's talent, which is proven by his successful resume."

While Johnson will be the driver of record for this year's NASCAR Busch Series effort, sponsored by Excedrin, Porter will run in a handful of events in both the NASCAR Busch and ASA Series for Herzog Motorsports. "I think that Randy, Stan and Bill (Herzog, owners of Herzog Motorsports) have found a great driver with Toby Porter," said Johnson, who has been with Herzog Motorsports since 1996. "Toby is a good, smooth racer, and I believe he'll gel well with the team. I think it's great that the Herzogs are going to enter Toby into some races this year to familiarize himself with the cars, engines, team and tracks. I plan to be there every step of the way to help him in 2001."

Tony Liberati, crew chief for the Herzog Motorsports NASCAR Busch Series team, is also confident in Porter's abilities after a recent test session, in which Porter was able to display his talent. "I was very pleased with the test session," Liberati said. "It was a chance for the team to get to know Toby and for us to work with him one on one. I'm positive this is a great move for Herzog Motorsports. Toby has a lot of drive and determination, as does this team and those will be put to good use when we head to the track."

Porter's first official race as driver for Herzog Motorsports will be the season opener ASA event at the Florida Speed Park in St. Augustine, Fla. The race will be held February 17 at 9:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast live on TNN, The National Network.

Herzog Motorsports is a successful, championship-winning race team. Based in St. Joseph, Mo.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Milwaukee, Wis., Herzog Motorsports fields teams in the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division and the American Speed Association (ASA).