---

ARCA: Kerry Earnhardt to go ARCA racing in 2000

14 December 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Written By Don Radebaugh

Cincinnati, Ohio- Kerry Earnhardt, the eldest son of seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, announced in a news conference Saturday at the Westin Hotel in Cincinnati that he would run the complete ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series superspeedway schedule in 2000.

Driving Chevrolet Monte Carlos fielded by his famous father, Earnhardt will debut the new ARCA effort February 13th in the 37th annual Daytona ARCA 200. "Me and dad sat down and talked about it and decided the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series would be the best place to gain superspeedway experience," said Earnhardt. "Ive got some seat-time in the Busch series at Daytona, Talladega and Atlanta, but theres a lot of other speedways out there where I dont have any experience and fortunately ARCA will provide that opportunity. Plus, ARCA runs a good bit in conjunction with Winston Cup so my dad can be there to help me on the radio and other ways too. Right now, the only fulltime players on the team will be myself and my crew chief Tim Weiss, and well build from there." Weiss crew-chiefed the Mayfield-Kranefuss Ford Taurus that David Keith drove to victory lane in the 99 Michigan ARCA 200.

Also on hand for the conference was the Director of Sales for Kentucky Speedway Lisa Wilson who announced a second ARCA date at the new 1.5 mile superspeedway in 2000 on July 2nd in conjunction with an Indy Racing League open test session. The Kentucky ARCA 150 will roll off under the lights that night followed by a fireworks display before the ARCA series would return on August 26th for the previously-announced Blue Grass Quality Meats 200.

In other news, Maurtco Powder Coating Company founder Don Fauerbach announced the formation of the first full-time, multi-car team in the long history of the Toledo, Ohio-based sanctioning body. In one of the most geographically diverse partnerships, Joe Cooksey of Centralia, Illinois, and Mark Gibson of Alexandria, Georgia, will operate as teammates under the banner of the newly-formed Maurtco Motorsports with its corporate headquarters in Millville, New Jersey. The new team will operate out of the Cooksey-led shop in Centralia under the direction of Vice President and Team Manager Mike Cooksey where Chevrolet Monte Carlos will be prepared for both drivers. Cooksey, who finished fourth in points in 99, commented about the new venture. "Im just absolutely thrilled to have Mark (Gibson) as a teammate," said Cooksey. "Hes been a mentor of mine and a source of inspiration since we first came to ARCA in 96. Hes helped us out so much with set-ups and was instrumental in getting our team pointed in the right direction." Gibson, who had previously driven for Briggs Cunningham in the past 3 ARCA seasons, was equally enthused. "Without a lot of prospects for 2000, I was really starting to get discouraged but after I got the call from Joe (Cooksey) I knew I was headed for something great," said the two-time ARCA winner. "I just completed my 183rd ARCA race this year so I thought reaching that 200-race mark would be a real milestone. This will give me that opportunity to get there. The multi-car teams sure work well on the Winston Cup side of the fence. Theres no reason it cant work here." Maurtco Motorsports will carry associate sponsorship from Cornwell Quality Tools with primary sponsorship yet to be announced.

Additionally, 1998 ARCA champion Frank Kimmel announced that Advance Auto parts would return as the title sponsor of his #46 Chevy Monte Carlos for the 2000 season with new associate sponsorship from ET Sharp Trucking. Kimmel also announced that Christy Clement, daughter of team owner Larry Clement, will serve as PR Director. America OnLine will return for the third consecutive season as title sponsor on Andy Belmonts Fords and Naples, Florida driver Cavin Councilor will have Target Saws sponsorship on his Monte Carlos for the 2000 season. For the second full season, Kewadin Casinos will sponsor 99 Daytona ARCA 200 winner Bobby Gerhart for the complete ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series tour in 2000 and Mt. Olive Pickles returns as title sponsor for Seymour, Indiana driver Dill Whittymore.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.