NASCAR BGN: New NASCAR Busch Series Team to debut at Indianapolis Raceway Park

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 15, 2001

On January16th, 2001, after months of preparation and testing, a father and son team launched Big Fan Racing, and http://www.bigfanracing.com/ , on the internet. Mark and Josh Watkins of Easley, SC, had decided in 2000 to try and develop a NASCAR Busch Grand National team, from the ground up, by reaching the millions of racing fans on the internet, and asking them to help sponsor the team with their funds, while also allowing the fans who did contribute to the team, a chance for interaction with the team.

For the first few days after launching http://www.bigfanracing.com/ , a few interested fans joined the team. Gradually, over the next week, more and more fans joined. Several weeks into the team’s start-up it became apparent that there were many fans interested in becoming a part of Big Fan Racing. The weeks that have followed have become even more successful than Mark and Josh could have ever imagined.

Only three weeks after launch of the team, enough funds were available to purchase the team’s first car, a 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and then things really began to take off. Even without any major advertising effort, fans continued to join daily. After 12 weeks, Big Fan Racing had hundreds of members in 47 states and Canada. During the first 12 weeks a number of relationships were formed, making Big Fan Racing not only more stable, but also lending a lot of credibility to the team. The first major step was taken when a deal was made between Big Fan Racing, and Mardy Lindley,who will become the team’s first driver.

Mardy is the son of the late NASCAR legend, Butch Lindley, a two time Grand National Champion, who many NASCAR insiders consider to be the greatest Grand National driver ever. The affiliation with Mardy Lindley and his current USAR Pro Cup team also led to a relationship with Former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner, Herschel Walker,who has now taken an active role in helping develop Big Fan Racing. Herschel and His Aloe Lu-Ya racing team have combined with Big Fan Racing in a joint effort to develop the team and give Mardy a chance to run the Busch series.

An alliance was also established with George Mappin and Bob Drinkard, Owners of Mappin-Drinkard Motorsports, who own the cars currently being driven by Mardy in the Pro Cup series. These affiliations have made Big Fan Racing stronger in the area of finding sponsorship for the team. Fans, however, are, and always will be the main focus of developing and funding the team’s growth.

Fans can join the team’s effort by becoming a member of Big Fan Racing’s Fan Associate Sponsor Team, or F.A.S.T., For only $50.00 per year. The team is relying on the volume of fans who join to carry the effort, and volume so far has not been a problem, since fans continue to join daily. A fan joining F.A.S.T receives a team t-shirt, and membership card allowing access to special hospitality areas at races the team competes in. One of the most popular reasons, however, for joining is the fact that the team is giving away thousands of dollars worth of memorabilia and prizes to its members. This includes many items from the team as well as items from other NASCAR teams. The team is also giving away race tickets, weekends with the team, and many other items that fans only dream about.

The team’s first scheduled race is later this year at Indianapolis Raceway Park, in the Kroger 200. The first race is being sponsored by Herschel Walker and Aloe Lu-Ya sports beverage. Associate sponsorships are also available and information is available by contacting the team.

Text provided by Mark Westrick

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