Eric McClure 2006 NBS Event Preview
Morgan-McClure Motorsports (MMM) /Team McClure, Inc.
No. 04 Hefty Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Race: CARQUEST Auto Parts 300
Track: Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Primary Sponsor: Hefty®
Associate Sponsors: Duke Yontz Auctions, 77sports.com, Morgan-McClure Chevrolet
Eric McClure/Team McClure Notes of Interest:
Hefty® makes its debut as a NASCAR team sponsor on the #04 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which will be fielded by Morgan-McClure Motorsports.
The CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 will mark Eric McClure’s first attempt to qualify for a NASCAR Busch Series event in 2006. His most recent start came at the California Speedway in September 2005.
The team recently participated in a test session at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 8-9 in preparation for this weekend’s CARQUEST Auto Parts 300.
The Chilhowie, Va., native has never competed in a NASCAR Busch Series event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but does have one start in a Nextel Cup car (Nextel Open, May 2005)
Eric McClure will be attempting to qualify for his 14th career NBS event. The Emory and Henry College graduate has a best finish of 22nd (Memphis- October 2004) and a best start of 15th (Daytona-July 2005).
Morgan-McClure Motorsports veteran employee Robert Larkins will serve as crew chief on the #04 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Congratulations:
Eric and Miranda McClure celebrated their second (2nd) wedding anniversary on Monday, May 22, 2006.
Eric McClure Quotes:
On the upcoming weekend:
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Charlotte with the Hefty® Chevrolet. Hefty® is a very well-known and respected brand and we’re both pleased and fortunate to have them as part of Team McClure and Morgan-McClure Motorsports. I’m very excited about the opportunity to represent them on the racetrack as we develop what we hope will be a long relationship.
“Charlotte is always a very tough race to qualify for, maybe the toughest with the Cup guys and quality of cars, but we’re looking forward to it. I’ve got a great opportunity with Hefty® and Morgan-McClure for this event and I want to make the most of it. The MMM guys have worked very hard in preparation for the event, put in some hours on their own time, and we want to do a good job for them. We’re optimistic about getting started on the right foot.”
On the test:
“We had a pretty decent test. It was my first time in a Busch car in seven (7) months so it was nice to have the track time in the car and on the new surface. I had a lot of fun testing with Larry (McClure) and some of the AERO Exhaust crew members (NO. 4 Nextel Cup Team). We were able to diagnose the problem that kept us out of the Texas race last year and corrected it, so that was a plus. We were able to work on the car and do some long runs and get our times pretty respectable. Scott (Wimmer) was a real asset to us with his knowledge. I did have a bit of a crash doing a qualifying run, when I ran through some oil, but nothing too major. We had a good lap going, so hopefully we can do it when it counts.”
