LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The 2003 Featherlite Southwest Series Rookie of the Year, JR Patton, has decided to change his plans for the 2004 season. Patton started off the year with intentions of competing for the 2004 Autozone Southwest Series Championship. After a 42nd place finish, due to an early incident, at Phoenix International Raceway, JR and the team decided to modify their schedule.
JR and Team will compete in a West Series Car for the Pontiac Wide Track Grand Prix 200 at California Speedway on May 1, 2004. This will mark the debut for JR Patton in the Nascar West Series. “I believe this will be good experience for myself and the team,” says Patton, “It will give me a chance to drive a heavier car on a big track and give me Nascar’s approval to compete at any track. I am really looking forward to the learning experience.”
Along with the change in plans JR Patton Racing will compete in various Nascar Autozone Elite Division races including Kentucky Speedway, Nashville Speedway, Pikes Peak International Raceway, and Phoenix International Raceway. “As a team we are trying to gain vital experience on the larger tracks. I believe the team has made the right decisions with the steps we are taking,” says Ted Cummins, Crew Chief.
Following the West Series race in May, JR has decided to move his residence from Las Cruces, NM to Mooresville, NC. JR decided that if he wanted to make racing his career he needed to go where racing is big. “I am excited about relocating. I hope with the move, I can meet the right people and catch the break I need, to live my dream of driving in the Nextel Cup Series,” says JR.
The team is still looking for sponsorship to help compete in the select races that they plan to run. To contact the team email JR at pattonracing97@hotmail.com.
