RCR to Get an Early Start on Building #33 Team
Image details: The Dan Lowry 400 Practice served by picapp.com
Richard Childress Racing has announced that their brand new number 33 team - not scheduled to go full-time until the 2009 season - will be fielded in the running of the Coca Cola 600 two weeks from now at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and that NASCAR veteran driver, Ken Schrader, will attempt to qualify the car for the event.
Schrader was left without a full-time ride when, earlier in the season, BAM Racing announced that they would be taking a sabattical from the sport until the Fall due to sponsorship woes. Since then, Schrader ran the no. 70 Chevrolet for Haas CNC Racing to a 42nd place finish at Talladega, and failed to qualify the no. 40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing two weeks ago at Richmond.
Schrader has run in four races this year, with a season-best finish of 21st back in March at Las Vegas and currently sits 47th in points. In his 44 career starts at Lowe’s, he has accumulated a win, 6 top-five’s, and 13 top-ten finishes. The most recent top-ten finish in Schrader’s career was a 7th place finish in the Fall of 2006 at Richmond.
One has to wonder if: a) There could be a potential matchup between Schrader and RCR for Childress’ fourth team in 2009, and b) Schrader can piece together some decent runs with solid equipment beneath him.
Tags: aaron's 499, bam racing, chevy rock & roll 400, chip ganassi racing, coca cola 600, dan lowry 400, haas cnc racing, Ken Schrader, las vegas motor speedway, lowe's motor speedway, NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing, richmond international raceway, Sprint Cup Series, talladega superspeedway, uaw-dodge 400Related Stories
POSTED IN: NASCAR
3 opinions for RCR to Get an Early Start on Building #33 Team
Bruce Simmons
May 13, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I’m probably one of the bigger Schrader fans out there, but reality says that they’re testing the car out but probably have plans for someone else for 2009 in the car.
But I can fervently wish, can’t I?
Cesar
May 14, 2008 at 11:19 am
This is a great oppertunity for Schrader, after the disappointing move by BAM Racing to take the summer off. I personally don’t believe, though, that Schrader will be running the car in 2009, mostly because there are drivers out there that are much younger, and have more talent than Schrader does at this point. Bobby Labonte appeared as if he was going to fill the seat, but with the rumors tha the has signed an extension with the Petty’s, my bet is on Scott Wimmer or Greg Biffle (if he leaves Roush Fenway).
Tim Zaegel
May 14, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I’m tellin’ ya’s … I stand by my prediction that RCR’s not going to be looking for a permanent driver in the #33 next year. All they’re looking for is someone to fill the seat long enough to get it running in the top-35 in owner’s points, and then they’ll start looking ahead. 2010 or 2011 is when you’ll see them pursue a young hotshot.
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