USAR: Chase Pistone ready for 2005 full-time ride

Chase Pistone Set To Run Full-Time In Pro Cup Series In 2005
21-Year-Old Will Join Up With New Team And Veteran Crew Chief

CONCORD, NC (January 11, 2005) -- The 2005 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series rookie class just got a little bit tougher. FastTime Motorsports and team owner Phil Stefanelli will team up with 21-year-old hotshot Chase Pistone and crew chief David Pletcher to run full-time in the Hooters Pro Cup Series Southern Division in hopes of capturing the series elusive Rookie of the Year trophy.

The team will make its debut at Lakeland, Florida's USA International Speedway on Saturday, February 26, as the 2005 USAR Pro Cup Series opens.

"We're more than excited about the season," said Pistone, the grandson of NASCAR pioneer "Tiger" Tom Pistone. "It is going to be a challenge, don't get me wrong, but we are up for the challenge. This will be different from what I've become accustomed to running in the past, but if we work together and can figure the cars out, we'll have a successful season. Pro Cup is the right way to go as an up-and-coming driver right now with the growth of the series and the exposure it is getting these days."

"I'd like to just make and finish the first few races. We are looking for solid top-10, top-15 finishes to get ourselves going and we'll build from there. I think the Rookie of the Year is definitely attainable."

The Cornelius, NC-native will have a veteran crew chief at his side in Pletcher, who has been racing with the Pro Cup Series since 1999.

"Having David leading me as a crew chief will be nothing but an advantage to me," said Pistone. "I'm excited about having him on board. He's been to the race tracks that will be visiting this year in these types of cars, so he'll bring something extra to the table. That will hopefully give me an advantage over the other rookies. This is going to be a tough rookie class though."

The team will be run out of the FastTime Motorsports shop in Concord, NC. Pistone will be one of the team's full-time team members.

"We are looking to run in the top-10 and we're looking to shoot hard for the Rookie of the Year," said owner Stefanelli. "David's been in the Pro Cup Series since 1999 and that will be a great asset to Chase. He's looking forward to the challenge of helping Chase move along as a driver.

"As an owner, we are looking to give him the best possible equipment we can with two new Laughlin cars and with our engine facility doing the engines. We should have a pretty good package that can compete."

The team's primary sponsorship and car number are still being hammered out, but it will carry sponsorship from Metrolina Expo Trade Center.

Pistone began racing in 1993 in go-karts. He quickly moved up through the ranks and became a force to be reckoned with in the Legends Series. He captured championships in the nationally televised Summer Shootout Series at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Between 1997 and 2002, Pistone won over 100 features in Legends. In 2002, Pistone began racing Late Model Stocks are Hickory Motor Speedway. He has also raced with the UARA Series.

-ChasePistone.com.