Dale Blaney to Return to Amoco Racing Team

by Richard Day

Dale Blaney to Return to Amoco Racing Team HARTFORD, OH (October 22) - With only a couple of months until the new millennium, Dave Blaney is looking back in time to fill the driver position in the Amoco Team 93 Sprint Car. Blaney has tabbed his brother, Dale, to steer the Amoco 93 when the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series opens its 2000 season. "I’m looking forward to it, because I’m probably more excited now than I was ten years ago when I started," Dale said. "I think everyone has something to prove, especially me. Amoco has spent two years in sprint car racing, and I think it’s time we get them more recognition by having good results. We’re going to do our best." Blaney was the series' Rookie of the Year in 1998 while driving the Amoco 93 and again will be driving for his older brother. The Blaney family has a rich racing heritage, as Dave and Dale have followed their father, Lou, into the driver's seat. Dave wants that successful tradition to continue with Dale and has high expectations for the team next season. "I expect us to win races and finish in the top-five in the points," said Dave, who will be competing in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series in the Amoco Ultimate 93. "That’s going to be our goal and I feel like we’re going to have the team and the people to do it." After co-owning Hylton-Blaney Motorsports the past three seasons with Keith Hylton, Blaney will start his own team - DB Racing - which will be based in the family’s hometown of Hartford, OH. "I felt like if I was on my own, we were going to give it a shot with Dale," said Blaney, who is completing his second season in NASCAR’s Busch Series with Bill Davis Racing. "I know he can get the job done and we’re going to try a new way that should make all the difference. With different people and different equipment, I think everyone is going to see a different Amoco team in the year 2000." The biggest change will be that the Amoco 93 will be utilizing Mopar engines, which will be built by Gary Stanton. Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series points leader Mark Kinser is currently the series' only regular driver racing with the Mopar engines, and the younger Blaney is looking forward to the new motor program as well as the changes the team is making. "There’s not going to be a whole lot that’s the same as when I drove the car before," Dale said. "We’re looking at Maxim cars and Mopar engines. I think I’m going to enjoy running the Mopar, because there were a lot of nights this season while watching the #5m (Mark Kinser) go around the track I’d say ‘Man, I’d like to be behind one of those Mopars’. Now, I’m going to get the chance. I’m really excited about having D.J. Lindsey come on board as crew chief. I’ve worked with him in the past and we work real well together. I think we’re going to have a real good team." Blaney brings a solid racing resume to the team, winning the 1998 Historical Big One, two All-Stars championships (1995 and 1996), and won the 1994 All-Stars Rookie of the Year when Lindsey was his crew chief. He’s hoping for good things when the duo reunites next season. "The first thing we’ve got to do is get that first Outlaw win," Dale said. "We’d like to win a lot, but we’ve got to get that first one out of the way. I think we’ve got a great opportunity to have year solid year." WoO