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NASCAR WCUP: No. 98 Returns to Winston Cup Full-time in 2001

2 September 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
CONCORD, N.C.- After having been dormant since the end of the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, the No. 98 will once again return to full-time competition in 2001.

MacPherson Motorsports, which purchased the assets of the No. 98 Cale Yarborough Motorsports team in June, formally announced their plans to run the entire 2001 Winston Cup schedule.

Rookie driver Jeff Fuller from Auburn, Mass., will campaign Ford Tauruses for the Concord, N.C.-based team with veteran crew chief Vic Kangas heading the effort.

Fuller will contend for Rookie of the Year honors in 2001, as the former NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour standout competed in only six Winston Cup races for Eel River Racing in 2000. The maximum number of races a driver is allowed before he loses his rookie status is seven.

"We've assembled a great group of people who are totally committed to developing a very competitive race team," said Fuller. "Everyone at our shop is playing a significant role as we ready ourselves for the 2001 season. At MacPherson Motorsports, it's all about the team."

According to Fuller, the No. 98 team enjoyed a very successful test at Kentucky Speedway on Aug. 17, running competitive lap speeds with other Winston Cup teams in attendance. The team has two more test sessions planned - Sept. 5-6 and Oct. 4-5 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The team does plan on competing in the season-ending NAPA 500 at Atlanta as part of their preparation for the 2001 season. The final race of the 2000 season will mark Fuller's seventh start for the year, the maximum number of races a driver is allowed to maintain his rookie status.

As an Atlanta-based developer, team owner Chip MacPherson is enjoying the challenge of revitalizing the No. 98. "It means a great deal to build on the success of Cale Yarborough's history in this sport," said MacPherson. "Our team is motivated and driven. We are looking forward to creating our own place in the record books."

To help secure sponsorship, MacPherson Motorsports has retained the Charlotte, N.C.-based Motorsports Decisions Group, Inc. The full-service sports marketing and public relations agency will handle all of the team's media and public relations needs and assist in the marketing efforts to acquire primary and associate sponsors for the team.

Text provided by Mike Bauer

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