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NASCAR.com
WELCOME, N.C. -- Veteran driver Dave Blaney has been named to take over driving duties of Richard Childress Racing's No. 30 America Online Chevrolet Monte Carlo, replacing rookie Johnny Sauter.
Blaney, who is in his seventh season in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, has logged 155 career races with his first start coming at North Carolina Speedway in 1992. Most recently, Blaney drove a limited Cup schedule for Bill Davis Racing, making eight starts during the 2004 season.
Dave Blaney
"This sport has gotten so tough and complicated, sometimes tough decisions have to be made," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "Our sport is driven by business decisions and that is what this driver change is, a business decision."
"Blaney has a strong, consistent driving style that will fit well with the No. 30 team," added Childress. "As a veteran racer, Dave will work well with our crew chief Kevin Hamlin to get the America Online Chevy up front."
Blaney, 41, of Hartford, Ohio, currently lives in High Point, N.C. with his wife Lisa and their three children. The 1995 World of Outlaws champion, along with his family, owns Sharon (Ind.) Speedway.
"I am really honored to be driving for Richard Childress," Blaney said. "I look forward to getting back to racing every weekend and can't think of a better opportunity for me than with a great team like RCR and a great sponsor like America Online."
Sauter will remain under contract with RCR and drive additional Nextel Cup Series events throughout the 2004 season, to be named at a later date.
"I still feel very strongly about Johnny's ability as a young driver," said Childress. "That is why I wanted to keep him under contract with RCR to run the additional Cup races for us this season and help us with testing."
"This change will allow me the opportunity to focus solely on my Kleenex Busch program," Sauter said. "But, I am happy about remaining under contract with RCR to do some testing as well as running a limited number of Cup races on the 2004 schedule."
As announced earlier, Jim Inglebright will drive the America Online Chevy at Infineon Raceway June 27.
WELCOME, N.C. -- Veteran driver Dave Blaney has been named to take over driving duties of Richard Childress Racing's No. 30 America Online Chevrolet Monte Carlo, replacing rookie Johnny Sauter.
Blaney, who is in his seventh season in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, has logged 155 career races with his first start coming at North Carolina Speedway in 1992. Most recently, Blaney drove a limited Cup schedule for Bill Davis Racing, making eight starts during the 2004 season.
Dave Blaney
"This sport has gotten so tough and complicated, sometimes tough decisions have to be made," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "Our sport is driven by business decisions and that is what this driver change is, a business decision."
"Blaney has a strong, consistent driving style that will fit well with the No. 30 team," added Childress. "As a veteran racer, Dave will work well with our crew chief Kevin Hamlin to get the America Online Chevy up front."
Blaney, 41, of Hartford, Ohio, currently lives in High Point, N.C. with his wife Lisa and their three children. The 1995 World of Outlaws champion, along with his family, owns Sharon (Ind.) Speedway.
"I am really honored to be driving for Richard Childress," Blaney said. "I look forward to getting back to racing every weekend and can't think of a better opportunity for me than with a great team like RCR and a great sponsor like America Online."
Sauter will remain under contract with RCR and drive additional Nextel Cup Series events throughout the 2004 season, to be named at a later date.
"I still feel very strongly about Johnny's ability as a young driver," said Childress. "That is why I wanted to keep him under contract with RCR to run the additional Cup races for us this season and help us with testing."
"This change will allow me the opportunity to focus solely on my Kleenex Busch program," Sauter said. "But, I am happy about remaining under contract with RCR to do some testing as well as running a limited number of Cup races on the 2004 schedule."
As announced earlier, Jim Inglebright will drive the America Online Chevy at Infineon Raceway June 27.
