ROCKLIN, California -- Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) will be entering three cars in the NASCAR Grand National Division West Series event, the “United Rentals 100” at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). The race is the first of the 2005 season for the series and is part of the Copper World Classic weekend at PIR.
Making his debut with BMR and driving the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet is veteran driver, Steve Portenga.
“BMR is a championship caliber team,” said Portenga. “They know how to get the job done having won the West Series championship title three times in a row. I also know what it takes to win a championship having won two NASCAR Southwest Featherlite Series championships. Combining our experience is a winning combination and together we can bring home a fourth championship for BMR’s race partner, NAPA AUTO PARTS. The “United Rentals 100” is where the 2005 NASCAR West Series chase for the championship title begins.”
Former open wheel driver, Sarah Fisher will be driving the #20 BMR/RCR Chevrolet Monte Carlo and will participate in the Drive for Diversity program for the 2005 race season.
“I am excited to begin my NASCAR racing career with a west coast team like Bill McAnally Racing and be in association with Richard Childress Racing,” said Fisher. “Their partnership in a driver development program along with the Drive for Diversity program is very exciting. It’s great to be a part of it.”
Andrew Lewis will pilot BMR’s third entry driving the #18 Teen Arrive Alive Chevrolet. The 18-year-old rookie will be making his first NASCAR West Series appearance. Lewis was recently name national teen spokesman for his sponsor, Teen Arrive Alive. On top of his driving duties, Lewis will be a guest on “Good Morning Arizona” on Saturday January 29th.
“Teen Arrive Alive is a program that brings teens’ driving safety to the forefront,” said Lewis. “I’m glad to have this opportunity to talk about driver safety on the city streets and also driver safety in a race car. NASCAR has gone to great lengths to make auto racing as safe as possible. I’m also looking forward to participating in my first NASCAR West Series race. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me to be a part of a team like BMR. This is the next step in my racing career and there is no better team to help me accomplish my goals than BMR.”
