SES: Justin Wakefield enters series for 2003

(Woodstock, GA) Young driving sensation, Justin Wakefield is taking a step closer to realizing his motorsports dream this season by competing full time on the NASCAR sanctioned Kodak Southeastern Series. Wakefield, a resident of Woodstock, GA will be turning laps in his #98 Ford Taurus owned by Jake Carswell, also of Woodstock, GA. The team will run under the banner, Carswell Motorsports with the team being based out of former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and multi-time former NASCAR All Pro Series champion, Jody Ridley's shop in Dalton, GA. Ridley will play a consulting role with the team throughout the season.

Justin's first event will be this weekend (April 26) at Greenville -- Pickens Speedway in Greenville, SC, which will also be televised on the Fox Sports network. Wakefield's first effort in the Kodak Southeast Series will be under the eye of Jody Ridley, who will play the role of crew chief for Wakefield's first event. Ridley has a long impressive history in auto racing with a victory in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series for legendary car owner, Juney Donleavy. Ridley's win came at the monster mile of Dover Downs International Speedway with the win being the only victory Donleavy has a car owner in his lengthy and historic Winston Cup Series career.

Wakefield and crew will criss-cross the southeast this season taking the young driver to tracks such as Nashville SuperSpeedway (June 6, 2003), which will also be televised on Fox Sports and to Kentucky Speedway in Whiteville, KY (June 26, 2003). This will be Wakefield's first season on asphalt as Justin competed last season in the regional ranks of the super dirt late model division. Wakefield will also be competing for the Victory Circle Chassis "Rookie of the Year" honors in the Kodak Southeast Series with the top rookie at the end of the season earning $5,000.

"I am very excited about the opportunity that Jake Carswell has given me this year," comments Wakefield. "There will certainly be a transition from last year on dirt to this year on asphalt. Right now, we have two goals in mine. One is to run in the top-15 every event, and the second is basically for me to gain valuable asphalt seat time," concludes Justin.

Justin began racing in the support classes at Dixie, near Atlanta, and Rome (GA) Speedway during his teen years and proven himself to be one of the up and coming driving forces coming out of Georgia by capturing several victories including a division championship in the 2000 season. Wakefield's motorsports aspirations are to eventfully compete at the zenith of stock car racing, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

"Growing up, I loved watching the late Dale Earnhardt race, and when I found out that I could make a living racing cars, I knew then that all I wanted to do was race," states Wakefield. "Racing this season in the Kodak series will give me that opportunity to build towards my goal in Motorsports. I can not thank enough Jake Carswell, my family, and all those who have supported me throughout the past few years," concludes Wakefield.

Last season, Justin officially began his professional auto racing career by competing in the super dirt late model division near home at Dixie Speedway and other tracks in neighboring states across the southeast. Wakefield picked up his first major win of the season at Rome Speedway (Rome, GA) by leading flag to flag and outrunning some of the top national stars in dirt late model racing. Justin also produced a stellar run at Dixie Speedway for the former United Dirt Track Racing Association (now known as the Xtreme Dirt Car Series) sanctioned 50-lap event by placing 8th in his first-ever appearance on the nationally touring series. Justin concluded the season with an overall 10 top-10 finishes.

"I had a good time last season running at Dixie and Rome Speedway," states Justin. I will be at Dixie a lot this season when I am not racing in the NASCAR Kodak series, and I am hoping that I will be able to turn some laps and race a few times," concluded Justin.

For more information on Justin Wakefield, please visit his official website at www.justinwakefield.com

-www.victorylanecommunications.com