NASCAR Winston West Series driver Sammy Potashnick of SP Racing will not only kick off the 2001 season with sponsorship from Lucas Oil, but will also welcome back a previous crew chief, Fred Roempler.
Based out of the Chicago, Illinois, area, Roempler is somewhat of a seasoned veteran in the racing world. His experience comes from many series' in stock car racing including NASCAR Craftsman Trucks, Busch, and Winston West, as well as ASA, Hooters Pro Cup, and Late Models. With Roempler on board in 1997 and 1998, Potashnick mastered several noteworthy accomplishments including a pole qualifying position in Lakeland, Florida, with Roempler as crew chief. Prior to joining forces with the SP Racing Lucas Oil No. 65 team, Roempler has served as crew chief for several other NASCAR Winston West teams. Those teams of Mike Chase, Scott Gaylord, and Jeff Murray encountered heightened levels of success with Roempler as crew chief.
Potashnick believes that having Roempler as crew chief is just what the team needs. "I feel very positive about getting this season started on the right note with the supervision of someone as skilled as Fred Roempler," Potashnick said. "Changing teams in the middle of the season last year brought us some trying times, but we have two very essential elements to start the 2001 season–A great sponsor and a great crew chief. I feel very fortunate to have them both," Potashnick added referring to Lucas Oil and Roempler.
SP Racing will be testing at Phoenix International Raceway on January 26 in preparation for the first race of the season, which will be held at that track on February 4.
