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SCCA: Gloy and Barkelew join forces for 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series

20 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.Former Trans-Am Series Champion Tom Gloy and RaceWerX owner Bruce Barkelew have joined their two teams to create a Trans-Am Series powerhouse for the 2000 season and beyond.

The new team, Gloy-RaceWerX, will focus their efforts on winning the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Drivers Championship for lead driver Brian Simo. Long-time Gloy regular Bill Fingerlow will serve as Team Manager. The 1999 RaceWerX engineering staff of Doug Louth, Lynn Bishop and Bill Mitchell will remain intact for the 2000 season.

I couldnt be more excited about the 2000 season, said Barkelew. The relationship with Tom kicks the RaceWerX program up several notches.

Tom Gloy returns to Trans-Am Series after a two-year absence, last running Dorsey Schroeder, Brian Simo and Mike Borkowski during the 1997 season. For the past two years, Gloy has been getting a taste of NASCAR in the Craftsman Truck Series. Gloys past accomplishments include driving stints in Formula Atlantic, CART Indy Car, Formula 2, IMSA GTP and GTO, with championships in Formula Atlantic, the Trans-Am Series and winning the prestigious 24 Hours At Daytona.

Im really looking forward to the 2000 Trans-Am Series season, said Gloy. I believe we have all the ingredients in place for an excellent season. The association with Bruce, and using my long-term employees like Bill Fingerlow and Peter Ralphs, will make the season a fun one. I look forward to associating again with a driver with the class and talent of Brian Simo.

Simo has compiled some impressive stats: The only driver to qualify in the Fast Five at every race and lead an amazing 61 percent of the 1999 seasons laps. He has an equally impressive 78 percent top-10 career finishing record. After a third consecutive year as the Drivers Championship runner-up last season, Simo has his sights firmly locked on the top spot.

I couldnt be happier, this is a phenomenal alliance, said Simo. Im very optimistic and excited to get startedI cant think of a better way to start the year than to finish the season opener at Sebring one position higher than last year. (Simo finished second at Sebring in 1999.)

Simo will make his bid for his first BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Drivers Championship title at the wheel of the No. 2 Valvoline Ford Mustang Cobra.

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