Alan Pittman to drive Grave Digger Pro Modified

Westbrook Motorsports to field "Grave Digger" Pro Modified in IHRA Competition

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Westbrook Motorsports has announced the IHRA Pro Modified team has entered into a licensing agreement with Clear Channel Motorsports to carry the famed "Grave Digger" identity and paint job. The supercharged, 1941 Willys features identical graphics to the world-renowned monster truck entry campaigned by Dennis Anderson.

Team owner Ken Westbrook feels his team will provide the IHRA with an excellent promotional tool for upcoming events.

"I'm confident this team will be a positive for IHRA Motorsports and drag racing," explained Westbrook. "Our partnership with Clear Channel opens new avenues of marketing for IHRA and our team. Drag racing is a top form of entertainment and I could think of nothing more entertaining than a team within the premiere doorslammer class carrying the "Grave Digger" identity into battle. The truck is legendary and a crowd favorite, our job is to create the same identity for the Pro Mod."

"Gravedigger's" first IHRA event is the Holley Spring Nationals at Rockingham, March 22-24.

"Gravedigger is one of the most famous trademarks in all of motorsports," stated IHRA Vice President of Marketing Aaron Polburn. "From the first moment all the Clear Channel team experienced IHRA Drag Racing, they knew Pro Modified would be the perfect venue to expand that trademark. Add to that the fact this is the 20th Anniversary of "Grave Digger" and you have a marketing atom bomb just waiting to explode."

Polburn announced a full line of "Gravedigger" merchandise is in production and will sold by the Westbrook team at all national events.

Driver Alan Pittman, who piloted the Ken and Sylvia Westbrook-owned entry to a second place IHRA points finish and two wins in 200 will be behind the wheel in 2002. The prospect of driving a car bearing one of the most recognized names in motorsports is a welcome challenge.

"Our tires won't be as big as his, but we make ours smoke and Dennis can't," explained Pittman. "I've always wanted to drive one of those trucks, but I haven't had the chance. Maybe we can do a trade out sometime. I really haven't gotten a chance to run this car with the new identity, so I really haven't gotten a chance to get a true feeling of how awesome it is going to be.

"On the outside, I'm having the time of my life and I haven't even turned the tire under power yet," added Pittman. "That day is coming."

"This is beyond my wildest dreams," added Westbrook. "This is the 20th anniversary of the "Grave Digger". This is both an honor and a privilege to take part in. We are going to give it our best effort and beyond."

"I think you'll find in the near future, their involvement in motorsports is going to lead them more and more into drag racing. It is the ultimate extreme sport and the quickest and fastest motorsport in the world. Now that they are a part owner in IHRA, I believe there is going to be a natural desire to enhance their product."

-cce-