After an outstanding season with Performance Motorsports, Steve Portenga has decided to relinquish his duties as driver of the #77 Ford Taurus. It was a tough decision to make when you have a season like we did and a team that gels the way we did. The owners and crew at Performance Motorsports are dedicated to their race team and the Winston West and it showed. I can’t say enough about the PMS team (all volunteer). They are the reason we had such a successful year. I want to thank all of our sponsors and everyone who made our season possible. I heard a statement from Travis Kvapil, the 2003 NCTS Champion, he said, “When one door closes another door opens”, I hope that’s the case for both PMS and myself.
What the future holds for Steve Portenga is a little uncertain. My main focus is to expand my Race Car Fabrication business, along with establish my new business, Race It Again Parts. I’m still not sure if I will be in a car next year, when the right opportunity comes, I will know.
Again, I want to thank everyone involved with Performance Motorsports for the opportunity to drive and work with a great group of guys. We overcame a lot of obstacles throughout the season. Even though we came short of winning the championship, to me they are a championship team!
I would like to give special thanks to Joe Nava, Tom Brunner, Larry Nava, Sam Arciero, Tony Brunner, Chuck Earl, Kenny Earl, Jan Helsel, Bob Kidwell, Tom Label, Tim McMillin, Tim Morales, Jersey Mullen, Dave Porter, Dennis Simonian, Ton Stanton, Joe Strader, and all of the family and friends that let these guys donate their time and effort to this team.
