ANAHEIM, CA -- "1999 will be a banner year", said Butch Gilliland, last season after signing a sponsorship deal with new sponsor Ralphs Grocery Company. And he was right! The 1999 Ralphs / Food 4 Less Race Team is well on their way to becoming the premier team in the NASCAR Winston West Series.

The Ralphs / Food 4 Less Race Team has just moved into a new 10,000 sq. ft. building, where they will run their Winston West and Winston Cup operations for the 1999 race season.

"The new shop is going to be spectacular once we are completed!" exclaimed Gilliland. "We will be totally self sufficient as far as repairs and maintenance are concerned. The new facility will include an engine room, parts room, fabrication department, Automotive lift, full machinery capabilities, shock dyno and shock absorber rebuilding capabilities, full data acquisition systems for testing and track side data information, a graphics room for creating and maintaining sponsor decals, and 2,000 ft of executive office space where all race team operations will be handled. With all of these amenities, the race team will be able to handle all fabrication needs and engine maintenance needs in house, in a timely and efficient manner.

"Not many race teams have the ability to be fully sufficient. Most teams have to have their bodies sent out to have any fabrication work done on them as well as their engines for regular maintenance. That can become very costly by the end of the year," said Gilliland, a now expert at running a winning team.

Butch is also excited about the new team of technicians he has hired to run the race shop. We have great in house fabrication Department, who can handle all of the damage repair we encounter, build the new cars as they come and keep us up to date with the new technology coming from back east. We also have a shop manager, Ron Hearidge, who has a number of years with racing and managing experience, to oversee all of the shop operations, and a transportation director who will be in charge of all transportation needs the team will have between testing, racing and show car appearances.

"I couldn't be more pleased with the team members we have brought together for this season. Along with our dedicated group of employees, volunteers, and terrific fan base, we will be unstoppable", said Butch.

Any questions on the new shop, or if you would just like to stop by, please give us a call! We would love to have you! Contact Carly Golleher at (714) 226-0111

Source: Butch Gilliand Championship Racing
Posted: 2/4/99