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SCCA: Neville signs with Soenen Motorsports for 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series

10 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Chris Neville, of Scottsdale, Ariz., will compete in the 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series under the Soenen Motorsports banner.

Neville drove the No. 88 Tomy Bahama Ford Mustang Cobra for Huffaker/Qvale Motorsports in 1999, finishing third in the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Drivers Championship on the strength of 10 top-five finishes, including his first victory (Road Atlanta).

"Im really excited about joining this new team," said Neville. "I know we will do well because they are extremely professional, have a great crew and know precisely what it takes to win a championship. It was a real growth experience for me, to be with Joe Huffaker and Bruce Qvale, and the great folks from Tommy Bahama in 1999. It was a really tough decision to make (changing teams), because I got my first Trans-Am win with them, at Road Atlanta, and I know how excited they are about bringing a new car to the Trans-Am Series next year. I'm sure they'll be successful with that, but this was just something I needed to do."

Neville, 27, was the 1998 Trans-Am Series Rookie of the Year, and he has been competing professionally for the past nine years. Nevilles racing resume includes stints in the World Challenge, the IMSA Street Stock Endurance Series, the West Coast ASA Series, GT America and Formula Mazda.

Soenen Motorsports team owner Don Soenen will be making his first foray into professional racing with his 2000 program, while Soenen himself is a vintage racing veteran, most recently finishing fifth in the 1999 historic NASCAR standings.

"We are extremely pleased to have Chris as our driver for the upcoming season," Said Soenen. "His credentials speak for themselves and I know he will do an excellent job for us. Our goal is to win the 2000 Trans-Am Series Championship, and with Chris help, that is what we plan to do."

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