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A New Team Emerges: Cardinal Motorsports to Run 2009 Nationwide Series |
 Lexington, NC: With change comes opportunity. And amidst the changes within the teams of the racing world these days, a group of NASCAR notables has assembled a multi-faceted team with a new take on the old model. Cardinal Motorsports Inc., headquartered in Lexington, NC, will run 10-15 Nationwide Series races and select ARCA races in 2009. Sponsorship announcements for the team are forthcoming. With an emphasis not only on performance but also on sponsor value, Cardinal Motorsports is different from the ground up. Will Spencer, President of JKS Motorsports Inc., is part-owner of the new team. Over the past 25 years, JKS Motorsports, Inc. has built a reputation for providing high quality executional servicesand products for marketing companies, teams, sponsors and manufacturers. The company creates and executes showcar programs, at-track simulator and promotional displays, track signage, and other racing related activation programs. Spencer brings an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to deliver sponsor value within the racing world, and the resources to execute it. The team’s shop will be located within a JKS Facility. Ed Berrier, a former Nationwide Series race winner himself, will also own part of the team. Berrier competed in both NASCAR’s Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Berrier has had a lengthy career in and around both the technical and business aspects of the sport. He played an integral role in the successful formation of Kevin Harvick Incorporated in 2002. Berrier will serve as General Manger of the team. Ed has also had a long-time working relationship in the sport with his cousin Todd Berrier, crew chief to RCR’s Kevin Harvick. Todd Berrier will provide some additional oversight to the team. Cardinal Motorsports will run Chevrolet bodies, and motors from Earnhardt-Childress Racing. “We’ve assembled the best people, equipment, and technical resources for this endeavor”, stated Ed Berrier. “This is a group that already knows how to be successful together. We’re serious about being a real contender in the Nationwide Series next year, and building a successful model for our sponsors for the years to come.” Former Whelen All-American National Champion Peyton Sellers will not only be the team’s driver, but is also part owner – something relatively unheard of for a 25 year old, which brings a level of sponsor accountability directly to the driver’s seat. Seller’s brother and noted crew chief, H. C. Sellers, will occupy the crew chief position for Cardinal Motorsports. “H. C. and I have always been most successful when we’ve had a real sense of ownership, and I’ve always really enjoyed the business side of racing”, said Sellers. “We are able to provide our sponsors with a high level of performance and value here. That’s important to us - very important to us.” The combination gives the team some unique advantages, not only in terms of driver talent, top equipment access and technical resources, but also in terms of in-house sponsor and marketing support services. Running a limited schedule also allows the team to focus those resources and maximize the performance impact for its sponsors. Cardinal Motorsports will maintain Sellers’ partnership with SkillsUSA, a national non-profit student organization that supports students entering the skilled trades. The team’s first event together will be the ARCA test at Daytona International Speedway, scheduled for December 19th – 21st in preparation for the ARCA 200 race in February. |
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