NASCAR's Tony Stewart to Race Jani-King Paul Revere 250

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 17, 2002) -- Crawford Race Cars announced today that NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Tony Stewart would join road racing veteran Elliott Forbes-Robinson in the #2 Home Depot Judd-powered Crawford at the Rolex Sports Car Series Jani-King Paul Revere 250. The historic midnight running of the Paul Revere will take place on the Fourth of July at Daytona International Speedway following Winston Cup Bud Pole qualifying for the Pepsi 400. 

"I am excited about the opportunity to run a true road course race again, especially after the fun I had with the Crawford team in the 24 hour," commented Stewart. "I am also excited about teaming up with EFR, knowing his years of experience in this type of racing, as well as his in-depth knowledge of the Crawford, will help me adjust to the changes made to the car since February. I'm looking forward to a great race."

The Jani-King Paul Revere 250 will mark Stewart's second appearance this season behind the wheel of the #2 Crawford. The Winston Cup star kicked off the 2002 racing season with Crawford Race Cars at the 40th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona in February. After starting in the third position and maintaining a spot in the top five of the 80-car field, the #2 Crawford lost its engine in the 12th hour and was forced to retire from the race. 

"I'm very excited to have Tony Stewart back in our car for the Rolex Series Paul Revere at Daytona," team owner and car creator Max Crawford said. "Tony did a superb job for us at the 24 hour. I think, had we let him, he would have driven all night. He is the consummate racer and everybody on our team enjoyed having him as part of the team, both as a professional and as a person... particularly his humor!"

Forbes-Robinson, Stewart's co-driver for the Paul Revere 250, brings a wealth of experience to the team as the winner of numerous championships in professional sports cars, Trans-Am, Can Am, World Challenge and SCCA. The veteran racer's 33-year career also includes two Rolex 24 victories, as well as some NASCAR Winston Cup experience. 

"Tony and I spent some time together during the 24 hour earlier this year, and he has come out to some of the Legends testing I've done," remarked Forbes-Robinson, known in the racing community as 'EFR.' "Max Crawford put us together for this race. Tony wanted to race in the Paul Revere, and I've been looking for a chance to run the Crawford in a race. I've been testing it since its inception, but this will be my first race in the car."

While much of Stewart's success has been on ovals, he won his first Winston Cup road race last season in the Save Mart 350 at Sears Point Raceway. The 31-year-old secured the 1997 Indy Racing League championship and captured the sprint car hat trick in 1995 when he grabbed titles in the USAC National Midget, Sprint Car and Silver Crown divisions. Stewart is currently seventh in the Winston Cup point standings and has already scored two victories this season at Atlanta Motorsport Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. 

Tickets are currently on sale for the Jani-King Paul Revere 250 and may be purchased by logging onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or calling the Speedway ticket office at 386-253-RACE. Additional information on the Jani-King Paul Revere 250 and Rolex Sports Car Series is available online at www.grand-am.com.