Evernham looking to put Foyt back behind wheel
Braun-Akins plans to continue limited schedule with No. 38 car
By Dave Rodman, NASCAR.COM
April 21, 2006
04:45 PM EDT (20:45 GMT)
Evernham Motorsports development driver A.J. Foyt IV might be out of a ride at Braun-Akins Racing, but his mentor, team owner Ray Evernham, hasn't deserted him.
Ray Evernham is trying to find a ride for A.J. Foyt for the May 5 race at Richmond. Credit: Autostock
Economics and poor results initially forced Busch Series owners Todd Braun and Doug Stringer to merge their single-car Busch Series teams, which fielded the No. 32 Chevrolet for Jason Leffler and the No. 38 Dodge for Foyt, respectively.
Then, Foyt's schedule was cut and the Great Clips sponsorship from the 38 was partially transferred to Leffler's car, which was running in the top 10 in the standings at the time.
When it was decided the teams would exclusively use Chevrolets, that was the death knell for Foyt, who is locked into driving Dodges through his contract with Evernham Motorsports.
Evernham is diligently trying, however, to get Foyt into a Dodge ride for the May 5 race at Richmond International Raceway.
A team spokesperson said Braun-Akins would continue to run a limited schedule of races with the 38 car, which Dale Earnhardt Incorporated development driver Ryan Moore is driving this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.
When the 38 runs, it will carry the Great Clips colors, the spokesperson said, but in the team's latest release Leffler, who came into the Phoenix weekend 11th in the standings, 25 points out of 10th, was listed as Great Clips' "primary driver."
Some of the 38 team's Dodges will be converted to Chevrolets and some of the older cars may be sold, the spokesperson said.
"From a day-to-day standpoint as well as a performance standpoint, transitioning the No. 38 team over to Chevrolets was the obvious choice," co-owner Stringer said. "The performance and success of the No. 32 team with Jason Leffler is already in place as they currently sit 11th in the driver point standings.
"It was necessary to align both teams under one manufacturer in order to better capitalize on the communication and shared resources between the two."
Leffler will back in the No. 32 Chevrolet with Great Clips on board next weekend at Talladega.
Hmmm...maybe EMS needs to consider a 2nd Busch car now. Kasey/Scott/Jeremy could be the primary drivers and Erin/A.J. could drive the other races. Or something like that.
I agree. I think EMS needs at least one more Busch car.
I don't think Ray is ready to go more than one Busch car right now........I don't think Ray will do something like that until he has the resources in place and has everything else going well first
here is some more info I found........
Ray Evernham said he is perplexed by but has not soured on development driver A.J. Foyt IV. The grandson of the legendary racer recently lost his ride after struggling in the first eight races and seeing his Akins Motorsports team merge with Braun Racing and switch to Chevrolet - a conflict with his Evernham's Dodge contract. Evernham said he hopes to get Foyt in some ARCA races and more Busch Series races by the end of the season. Evernham said one possibility is for Foyt to run the No. 14 FitzBradshaw Racing car. Evernham Racing supplies engines for the FBR teams. (Scene Daily) (04-21-06)
forget foyt bring back casey atwood!
Sorry to the Foyt fans, but what are you thinking Ray??? Hope he has a card up his sleeve we havent seen played yet.
A.J. Foyt IV will be running the 14 FitzBradshaw Racing car at Richmond...as long as he qualifies for the race.