Raines Satisfied with 1999 Season, Looks Forward to 2000

CHARLOTTE, N.C., November 15, 1999 - Tony Raines, driver of the #74 BACE Motorsports Chevrolet is already looking toward the future and the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series season.

Raines took the wheel of the three-time championship team for the first time in the 1999 season opener in Daytona. Raines, a three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner, had never driven in a Busch Series event prior to Daytona.

Some would consider Raines' rookie campaign to be a bit rocky, but for Raines it was a lot more. "Although we have had some tough races, we have been able to accomplish quite a bit," Raines stated. "This series is extremely competitive and to even qualify for each race was a race within itself."

A few of those accomplishments that Raines alluded to were the 1999 Rookie of the Year title and an 11th place finish in the series owner point standings. Raines finished 12th in the driver standings. Raines recorded three top-tens and one top-five finish in his 31 starts. He competed in every event with the exception of the Coca-Cola 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. Raines suffered a mild concussion in an accident during a practice session prior to the race and was not cleared to drive in the event. He returned to competition the following week at Nashville Speedway USA.

"This year has certainly been a learning experience for me," said Raines. "A lot of the tracks were new to me and a lot had to be learned. We set out every week trying to do the best we could. I think it paid off with the rookie deal and the points finish."

Raines finished the season with an average start of 26th and an average finish of 20th. He completed 93% of the possible laps run and only had three DNF's for the entire season. The major factor missing during the 1999 season was a primary sponsor. "It was really hard to run without sponsorship," said Raines. "We have been able to pick up a couple deals here and there, but without major backing that puts that much more pressure on you. Hopefully we will be able to land a primary sponsor for next year. They are working real hard on it."

Raines now turns his focus over to the new Millennium and the 2000 season. As he enters his sophomore year, Raines looks forward to bigger and better things. "Next year I will have the advantage of knowing all the tracks unlike this year," stated Raines. "I hope to get a lot more top-ten and top-five finishes. And there is that first win also. I think our team has a lot of potential and as long as we go out there every week and be competitive we should be able to accomplish quite a bit."

As Raines takes to the track in February for the 2000 season opener, he is sure to be a contender as he searches for that first victory. He is hungry and ready for the challenge of the new season.