S
smack500
Guest
CONCORD, N.C. -- Carlos Contreras has signed a two-year contract with Hispanic Racing Team for a full-time schedule in the NASCAR Busch Series beginning in 2003.
Contreras, driver of the No. 43 Dodge for Petty Enterprises in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2001, will be the second car for the team. David Green and Robert Guerrero have split duties this year on the No. 09 sponsored by CICLON Energy Drink.
Carlos Contreras Credit: ASP
Contreras' car, the No. 41, currently has no sponsor.
The team owners felt Contreras was a natural choice for their organization, the only Hispanic-owned and sponsored team in NASCAR.
"We're very happy to have come to terms with Carlos," said Rudy Rodriguez, president of HRT. "It's great for HRT Motorsports to pair up with the most experienced Hispanic stock car driver, and an overall great person at that."
"Given Carlos' Mexican heritage, his appeal is strong with the Mexican-American population, which accounts for more than 65 percent of the total U.S. Hispanic population," said Mike Vazquez, vice president of HRT. "He also comes with valuable NASCAR experience and race experience on most of NASCAR's tracks."
"I'm going to enjoy competing in the Busch Series with HRT," Contreras said. "Mike, Rudy and I have had a great relationship. They want to win as much as I do, and they've shown me that they put everything back into the program. That's what a driver wants."
Green took the No. 09 entry to 14th and 19th place finishes at Charlotte and Chicago. Guerrero is slated to take over driving duties at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 26.
Contreras, driver of the No. 43 Dodge for Petty Enterprises in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2001, will be the second car for the team. David Green and Robert Guerrero have split duties this year on the No. 09 sponsored by CICLON Energy Drink.
Carlos Contreras Credit: ASP
Contreras' car, the No. 41, currently has no sponsor.
The team owners felt Contreras was a natural choice for their organization, the only Hispanic-owned and sponsored team in NASCAR.
"We're very happy to have come to terms with Carlos," said Rudy Rodriguez, president of HRT. "It's great for HRT Motorsports to pair up with the most experienced Hispanic stock car driver, and an overall great person at that."
"Given Carlos' Mexican heritage, his appeal is strong with the Mexican-American population, which accounts for more than 65 percent of the total U.S. Hispanic population," said Mike Vazquez, vice president of HRT. "He also comes with valuable NASCAR experience and race experience on most of NASCAR's tracks."
"I'm going to enjoy competing in the Busch Series with HRT," Contreras said. "Mike, Rudy and I have had a great relationship. They want to win as much as I do, and they've shown me that they put everything back into the program. That's what a driver wants."
Green took the No. 09 entry to 14th and 19th place finishes at Charlotte and Chicago. Guerrero is slated to take over driving duties at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 26.
Good luck to them next year.