Mark Osborne Goes Pro Stock Truck

MARK OSBORNE TO DRIVE CHEVY S-10 PRO STOCK TRUCK FOR KESSINGER MOTORSPORTS IN 1999

POMONA, Calif.; Nov. 13, 1998 -- Mark Osborne will jump from the seat of a Pro Stock car into that of a Pro Stock Truck in the 1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series, announced James Kessinger, owner of Kessinger Motorsports of Lawrenceburg, Ky. Kessinger Motorsports campaigned a Chevy S-10 Pro Stock Truck for Tim Freeman on a limited schedule in the 1998 Pro Stock Truck Series, winning one national event, and will now field two Chevy S-10s in 1999, for Freeman and Osborne.

"After deciding to give my son Kyle more time to prepare for racing in such a competitive program," said Kessinger, "I began to seek out a driver who possesses integrity, skill, ambition and a record of success in professional competition. I found all of that plus more in Mark Osborne. I am confident his expertise and experience in racing Pro Stock cars will help bring our team to the forefront of this exciting series."

Osborne is currently ranked fifth in Pro Stock championship points, and will switch over to the Chevy S-10 at the season-opening Chief Auto Parts Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 4-6. The Kessinger Motorsports Chevy S-10 will be powered by a Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins 358 cu.in. Chevy V8 engine.

"I look forward to working with the Kessinger family, longtime friend and fellow driver Tim Freeman, and with Bill 'Grumpy' Jenkins," said Osborne, 37, of Abingdon, Va. "I know the Kessinger Motorsports team has the talent and expertise to win a Pro Stock Truck Championship."

"I'm very happy to be getting a teammate like Mark. Not only will he be a great addition to our team," commented Freeman, "but it's not often your best friend becomes your drafting partner. We'll be able to share information learned from each other's runs, and that should give the team a unique advantage over the rest of the field."

Mark entered the Pro Stock ranks in 1992, after 11 years of racing in NHRA's sportsman and competition eliminator categories. He's won three national events and has six runner-up positions to his credit. He's qualified No. 1 seven times.

Some of Mark's most recent accomplishments include Pro Stock national event wins in 1998 at the Fram Nationals (Atlanta, Ga.) and the Winston Invitational (Rockingham, N.C.). He also earned his latest career runner-up finish at the 1998 Visionaire Nationals in Brainerd, Minn.

Although Osborne is a proven, professional driver, he is also an excavating contractor. His family, including wife Kimberly and 9-year-old son Zachary, and his business were two areas of consideration which prompted him to make the move to Pro Stock Trucks. "With the shorter 14-event Pro Stock Truck schedule for 1999, it will make it a little bit easier on me to fulfill my responsibilities with my business and family, while continuing to do what I love -- race!"

Kessinger, together with daughter Cassandra and son Kyle, have taken a man's passion for drag racing and turned it into a success virtually overnight. With a Jerry Haas-built chassis and Bill Jenkins' "magical" motors, the Kessinger Motorsports team debuted its Chevy S-10 in June at the Sears Craftsman Nationals in Madison, Ill. To the surprise of many, Tim Freeman, driver and crew chief, walked away with the Pro Stock Truck title. Just seven races later, Freeman is 10th in the Winston Points Standings. "It's a dream come true for the Kessinger Team," says Kessinger.

James Kessinger, also President and CEO of Anderson Packaging, Inc., current sponsor of the Kessinger Motorsports team, is actively seeking new sponsorship for the two Chevy S-10 trucks.