---

NASCAR BGN: Purvis is Number 1 Priority at Diamond Ridge Motorsports

7 April 1999

CHARLOTTE, N.C., - Perhaps equally valuable to a race team as a few extra horsepower is common sense. At Diamond Ridge Motorsports, both are prevalent.

In an effort to bring Diamond Ridge Motorsports back to its winning traditions, the crews from the No. 4 Chevrolet of driver Jeff Purvis and the No. 29 Chevrolet of drivers Curtis Markham and Ted Musgrave have been combined, with their collective labor focused on the No. 4 car.

"Ever since Jeff and Lance Snacks came to Diamond Ridge, they have been the primary team," said Gary Bechtel, owner of Diamond Ridge Motorsports. "The (No.) 29 car is still going to race this year, and that team is still part of Diamond Ridge. But with the talent we have on both teams, it made sense to combine the two operations. That way, our total focus is with Jeff Purvis, and making him a consistent top-five competitor."

Joining crew chief Johnny Allen on the Lance Snacks machine is Jay Guy, who will serve as car chief. Guy is the crew chief for the No. 29 team, and will return to that capacity when Markham takes the wheel of the No. 29 car for the June 12 Busch Series race at South Boston (Va.) Speedway.

"I've had 13 years of Winston Cup experience - everything from a car chief to a body shop guy, but not a lot of Busch experience" said Guy. "With the (No.) 4 car, I'll work on shocks mainly. That'll help us out a lot as we get ready for South Boston. I'll have more time to deal with setups for the Busch car."

Markham continues his unique role at Diamond Ridge Motorsports, toiling as a mechanic on Purvis' Chevy during the week, while acting as a driver-for-hire during race weekends.

This weekend at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Markham will substitute for Busch Series driver Wayne Grubb, still on the mend from shoulder injuries sustained in a crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway. "I'm from Richmond, Va., where they're (the Grubbs) all from, and we used to race together anyway," said Markham. "It's kind of a reunion of sorts.

"A driver is an athlete; the more racing we do, the better we are. As often as I can get out there on the race track, the more it's going to help me when the (No.) 29 team starts racing again."

According to Bechtel, postponing the No. 29 team's return to racing wasn't an easy decision, but it was certainly a wise decision.

"We had to re-evaluate our priorities," said Bechtel. "Did we want to have two cars running mid-pack, or did we want to have one car racing for the lead? Obviously, winning races is why we're here. Combining our two race teams into one operation, focusing on making one race car go faster than anybody else's, was the logical choice.

"Let's get the (No.) 4 car up front in qualifying and in the race, then we'll go racing with the (No.) 29 car. That's the plan and we're committed to it."

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.