Dover 200 - T.J. Bell Notes

‘Bring ‘em on,’ young Bell says of Cup drivers
Driver likes experience of racing with best

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – While some NASCAR Busch Series teams are fretting over a probable influx of Cup drivers in Saturday’s 200-miler at the one-mile Dover (Del.) International Speedway, young up-and-comer T.J. Bell sees it more as an opportunity for him.

“I can see where some teams might be concerned with the spots the Cup guys take in a pretty tight field, but for somebody working to learn as much as they can and build a career as a race car driver, it’s a pretty neat deal,” said Bell, who drives the #36 DCT Motorsports Chevrolet. Bell will be making his third career start in the series Saturday after becoming the team’s permanent driver just a few weeks ago.

“If you want to be the best, you have to compete against the best and nobody is better than the drivers in the Cup series,” Bell said. “Racing against them can’t do anything but make me better as a driver and make us better as a race team.”

The demanding “Monster Mile” at Dover – the high-banked, one-mile oval – is a place where you have to be at the top of your game constantly, Bell also pointed out.

“It’s a really fast mile and it can be really tough on you physically and mentally. Things just happen very fast there,” said Bell, who finished 12th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Dover, his only start there.

“Sometimes it feels like the toughest part of the race is remembering to breathe each lap,” he laughed. “Focusing and concentrating is a basic part of race car driving but it seems a lot of times to be even more important at Dover. Short straightaways and turns that can be a little blind because of the banking keep your attention every single lap.”

Bell has made a quick name for himself in the Busch Series with two consistent runs in his first two races. A native of Sparks, Nev., Bell comes to the Busch Series from the ARCA and Craftsman Truck Series. The 2004 ARCA Rookie of the year while finishing third in the national standings, Bell has 32 ARCA starts with 11 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. He also has 13 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

He joined a team solidly in the top 30 of the NASCAR Busch Series standings. In its first full season as a race team, DCT Motorsports has placed itself among or ahead of many veteran established race teams, and has become more noticeable among racing veterans on a consistent basis.

John and Nancy McGill are the only full-time owners from Cleveland in the history of NASCAR’s top three series. McGill owns and operates McGill Property Group, a major commercial real estate developer. DCT Motorsports was formed in 2003, running their first race in July of that year. Since then, the team has shown a consistent improvement.

DCT Motorsports (www.dctmotorsports.com) is talking with companies regarding sponsorship for some races this season as well as the full 2006 season and beyond. McGill has developed sponsorship packages that could incorporate a full season or blocks of races. Utilizing his own business and marketing acumen, he brings creative and fresh approaches not just to team sponsorship itself but areas such as hospitality, cross-promotions and business-to-business possibilities.