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NASCAR WCUP: Horaday signed to race the Midwest Transit Chevrolet in Vegas

4 March 1999

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday has signed to race the Midwest Transit Racing Chevrolet in the Las Vegas 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday.

Mike Witters, who co-owns the team with Hal Hicks, said the team signed Hornaday for several reasons including his vast amount of experience at the 1.5-mile oval. Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Danny Pardus, Midwest's regular driver, will return behind the wheel at Atlanta Motor Speedway next week.

"Danny has no experience at Las Vegas," said Witters. "We did not have time for Danny to get out there and test. The team tested at Atlanta Motor Speedway this week. The opportunity presented itself for Ron Hornaday to race for us on a one-race deal."

Witters said Hornaday had to clear the ride with his boss -- seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt. Hornaday has captured two Craftsman Truck championships in the Dale Earnhardt, Inc., entry since 1996.

"Dale cleared Ron to drive our car and we thank him for that," said Witters. "Hornaday just finished doing 600 laps tire testing at Las Vegas for Goodyear. We couldn't think of anybody in the world who has more experience on that track than him. We made a proposal to Ron. He accepted and it was ratified by Dale Earnhardt. It's a one race deal."

"Danny Pardus is still our driver," Witters added. "It's simply impossible to test at every track before you get there to race. It's a purely a rookie testing logistical situation which presented itself. We feel like we're helping Danny by getting Ron for this one race.

"If Danny went there and didn't make the race, I suspect that counts against him. We don't think it would be fair to send him to Las Vegas without even having seen the track and say `Here, go do good for us.' "

Midwest Transit Racing failed to qualify for the season's first two Winston Cup races held at Daytona International Speedway and Rockingham, N.C. Pardus spent March 1-2 testing at Atlanta in preparation for the Cracker Barrel 500 scheduled March 14.