NASCAR WCUP: Evernham returns to racing with Atwood at Richmond
7 September 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
RICHMOND, Va.- It will be exactly 350 days since the last time Ray Evernham slid on his famous disguise of headset, hat and sunglasses to go to work at a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race. On the evening of Sept. 9, Evernham will officially return to the track as the owner of the No. 19 Motorola Evernham Motorsports team at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
"This is the longest break from working at the track in my whole life," Evernham said.
Evernham's last race was at Dover (Del.) Downs International Speedway Sept. 26, 1999. Although he hasn't been directly working on the NASCAR circuit, Evernham has been busy preparing and refining everything from shop machinery to office accounting to the men and women that make up his team.
One of those team members is 20-year-old NASCAR Winston Cup Series newcomer Casey Atwood.
"Casey surprised me with his natural charisma," Evernham said of his young driver. "I expected his talent -- that's why I hired him -- but he's got the total package."
The No. 19 Motorola Evernham Motorsports team was formed to allow Evernham and Atwood access to authentic NASCAR Winston Cup Series experience in preparation for the team's 2001 debut with Dodge. Motorola, the "Official Communications Company of NASCAR" will support the team for three races in 2000, including Richmond, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway Oct. 1 and Miami-Homestead Speedway Nov. 12.
The Motorola Evernham Motorsports team spent Aug. 28-29 testing the Motorola car and developing their communication skills for race day. "Our radio communication is still under development -- we're still working on understanding each other's accents," Evernham said with a grin. (Evernham is a native of New Jersey, Atwood was born in Tennessee.)
Atwood At Night
The sun sets at 7:26 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 -- four minutes before Casey Atwood will debut as the driver for the No. 19 Motorola Evernham Motorsports team in his first NASCAR Winston Cup Series race.
"I am definitely a night person and I love to race under the lights," Atwood said. "The temperature is cooler and the night races let NASCAR teams have Sunday off."
Atwood will spend the evening racing at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway (RIR) with Motorola Evernham Motorsports team owner Ray Evernham and crew chief Chad Knaus.
"Night races are full of much more color," Evernham said. "In the dark, you can see the cars and the brake temperature better. Everything is just more vivid."
RIR first held a NASCAR race under the lights in 1991. A massive temporary system was developed to light the 0.75-mile oval and a permanent system was in place the following year.
"Night racing is really where auto racing began," said Kenneth Campbell, vice president of marketing and community relations for RIR. "A night race is like going to the theater. When the show comes on, the lights in the audience fade and the stage is the center of attention."
The No. 19 Motorola car hood and rear quarter panel will be adorned with reflective white Motorola logos for the evening's race. Atwood started eighth and finished eighth earlier this year in the May 5 NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division race at RIR.
In addition to this event, Motorola, the "Official Communications Company of NASCAR," has partnered with Evernham Motorsports to race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway Oct. 1 and Miami-Homestead Speedway Nov. 12.
"At night you can see sparks coming from the cars," Atwood said. "I just hope we won't see any sparks under our car."
Text provided by Jenny Bonk
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