Evernham Motorsports Welcomes Tommy Lane

STATESVILLE, N.C. (January 25, 2005) – Evernham Motorsports, which launched its driver development program with Paul Wolfe in the No. 6 Hungry Drivers Dodge and soon added World-of-Outlaws standout Erin Crocker for select Silver Crown, ARCA and NASCAR Busch series events, has created another opportunity for a talented young driver.

Drive for Diversity participant Tommy Lane, a Wall, N.J. native, will join Evernham Motorsports to drive the No. 99 Evernham Dodge in the Dodge NASCAR Weekly Series at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. He also works on the No. 6 Hungry Drivers Dodge Busch team as a tire carrier. Lane will compete in a minimum of 18 events for Evernham Motorsports. Sponsors for the No. 99 team will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Tommy Lane is a great young man with a passion for racing and a commitment to hard work,” said Ray Evernham, president and CEO of Evernham Motorsports. “I’ve known Tommy and his father, Ace Lane, for a number of years, and I’ve always been impressed with Tommy’s ability and enthusiasm. I’m proud to be able to provide him an opportunity to expand his experience and hopefully give him a competitive ride someday in a major NASCAR series.”

Evernham selected Lane after evaluating his performance in the 2005 Drive for Diversity Combine at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Virginia. Lane was one of 18 drivers who tested Late Model stock cars and participated in activities and interviews with prospective team owners. He is the first Drive for Diversity participant to be selected for both the Driver Program and the Crew Program.

“I grew up watching Ray Evernham race, then win races as a crew chief and team owner,” said Lane. “It’s an honor to now have an opportunity to race for him and be a member of one of his race teams. He has a great organization and a real commitment to helping younger drivers get experience in good equipment. I just hope I can make him proud of me.”

Lane, 29, got his first taste of racing at the age of 11 in a go-kart. He won five straight track titles in go-kart competition. He moved up to three-quarter midgets in American Three-Quarter Midget Racing Association competition and finished eighth in points his first season en route to Rookie-of-the-Year honors. The next season, he finished third in the ATQMRA point standings.

He spent a season at Pocono Raceway working with the Stock Car Experience program and also attended Panoz Racing School at RoadAtlanta. When time permitted, he competed in some go-kart events. The next year, he worked with the Urban Youth Racing School, teaching Philadelphia’s youth the fundamentals of racing a go-kart.

Last year, Lane worked with Hermie Sadler on both the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series program. He was a spotter for Sadler during practice and the front tire carrier on race day.