W
Ward Burton
Guest
As expected, Herzog Jackson Motorsports announced it would skip this weekend's NASCAR Busch Series Tropicana Twister 300 at Chicagoland Speedway due to lack of sponsorship.
The decision was the most telling blow this season for the operation, led by crew chief Tony Liberati and driver Todd Bodine, that led the Busch Series standings for two separate stretches earlier this season.
Bodine, who has been no lower than sixth at any point this season and currently sits fourth after 18 races -- 43 points out of first -- said last weekend he had had discussions with no less than three teams that were offering rides for the rest of the season.
"I don't want to leave this team and I don't want to leave Tony," Bodine said. "But I've got to keep the points going."
It was uncertain Wednesday who Bodine would drive for this weekend. Team spokesperson Kristen Helsel said Bodine had been released to find another ride if he could.
The decision was the first time the team's owners had to go through on their promise to withdraw if no sponsorship was present.
"This is a first class organization and we had hoped to continue to compete for the championship," Randy Herzog said. "Unfortunately, as so many other teams are experiencing, the economy has not allowed us to close a sponsor that would take us through the 2003 season.
"We will continue to pursue several opportunities in the hope that we can return to competition soon."
Helsel said that none of the team members had been laid off or told to seek other employment, but she feared some of them might jump ship if they felt the team was on the verge of shutting down, even though the ownership group has not been leaning in that direction.
Randy Herzog, even in June, said it was the team's goal to compete in the Winston Cup Series in the near future.
"In all my years of racing I have never been with a team that has performed so well under such pressure and uncertainty," Bodine said. "Randy and Stan have poured money into this team in hopes something would pan out.
"While I'm devastated, I can understand their decision. My hope now is to find a way to race this weekend so I can keep up my driver points."
At this time HJM has a single race, at Kansas Speedway in September, to be run with sponsorship help from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
"The professionalism and performance of this team has not gone unnoticed," Liberati said. "I feel certain that because of our record the right company will come along to partner with us.
"In the meantime, we will keep building our Chevrolets, perfecting our pit stops and keeping our chins up. Racing is a volatile sport. I'm just hoping we climb out of this situation quickly."
