Big Fan Racing and Chris Hoiles Motorsports Merge

The # 89 Big Fan Racing Busch Team and the # 96 Chris Hoiles Motorsports Busch Team have decided to merge resources for the 2002 Busch season and run as many races as possible as one team. Both teams are located in Easley, SC. By combining resources such as equipment, personnel, and sponsorship the teams are prepared to start the 2002 season in position to run around 15 of the 34 scheduled races. Current talks with other potential sponsors could extend the number of races.

The team plans on testing some drivers in the next few weeks and is interested in talking to any drivers with sponsorship looking for a team. If a driver willing to bring enough additional sponsorship to the table is found the team will run as many races as possible which could be a majority of the schedule. Any drivers wishing to talk should contact either Mark Watkins at 864-859-7673 or Tony Burgess at 864-442-1123.

Currently there are several drivers talking to the team about the position. They include Shane Hall, Brad Baker, Gus Wasson, Jeff Oakley, Lance Hooper and Mike Laughlin, Jr. Other drivers have also shown an interest.

The team is also interested in talking with any potential sponsors for deals from one race to a full season.

The team will be running chassis from Laughlin Racing Products in Simpsonville, SC and will also be involved in some R&D for Laughlin during the year. Engines are built by Richard Jackson Motorsports in Arden, NC.

Big Fan Racing is a very grassroots fan built team that began on the internet in January 2001 and eventually made its debut when Lance Hooper guided the car to a 35th starting position in the Food City 250 at Bristol on August 24th. The team is approaching 2000 members from all around the United States, Canada, and a few other countries. More info on the team and how to join can be found at www.Bigfanracing.com. One level of membership is FREE for those who want to come on board and keep up with the team's progress and cheer them on.

The # 96 Chris Hoiles Motorsports team was started by Chris Hoiles, former catcher for the Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball team. It is currently managed by Tony Burgess who is also the team's Crew Chief.

The team combination will be a definite plus for both teams. Big Fan Racing founder Mark Watkins says "Our team is being slowly built by fans who love racing. It is a grassroots effort that simply sprung from an idea and has successfully grown to this point. We were looking for a way to get our team on the track for our members to enjoy in 2002. That was our goal. The call from Chris Hoiles Motorsports about joining our resources together to produce a better effort in 2002 intrigued me. We both had good equipment and a little sponsorship but not enough in one place. Now Big Fan Racing members will be able to enjoy watching their efforts pay off. We are in this because we love racing and want to have fun with it. You can't have fun if you are not racing so the decision was made and here we are preparing to race in 2002. I want to thank Tony Burgess and Chris Hoiles for this opportunity to put our car out on the track. With all of the bad news about teams closing shop it feels good to bring a little good news that our two small teams will be working together for the fun of racing. We will still be the underdog, but that makes a good effort on race day that much more fun."

The team will probably run both numbers at some time during the season. The red, white and blue Big Fan Racing paint scheme will be on the car unless a major sponsor comes on board. Currently the Big Fan Racing Logo will be on the hood and the Chris Hoiles Motorsports Logo will cover the rear quarter panels.