| | Associated Press
CONCORD, N.C. -- Ray Evernham ended months of speculation by
hiring 19-year-old Casey Atwood on Thursday to drive the second car
for the Dodge team he will field next year.
Atwood, a regular on the Busch Grand National Circuit, will join
Winston Cup veteran Bill Elliott on the team.
Evernham had previously hired Elliott, the former Winston Cup
Series champion, to provide experience for the new team. Elliott
also will help develop Atwood, who wasn't even born when Elliott
began racing in NASCAR's top series.
The pairing of a veteran and a rookie-to-be was the combination
Evernham said he desired for his first season as a team owner.
"I certainly had these two guys in mind," Evernham said.
Evernham seemed relieved to finally have both cars filled.
Atwood was thrilled to be included in the plans.
"This is probably one of the greatest days of my life, what
I've worked for since I started racing," Atwood said. "I'm really
excited about working with Ray. He was one of the greatest crew
chiefs in Winston Cup racing. And being teammates with Bill
Elliott, you know he's an awesome driver and he's been around a
long time so I'm sure he'll bring a lot of experience.
"Together these guys have over 80 wins, so with Ray's
leadership and knowledge and Bill's experience as a driver I'm sure
they're gonna be able to teach me a lot."
Atwood has struggled a bit this year, his second full season on
the Busch Series. But he's already shown potential his young
career.
He won the pole and finished second at Nashville Speedway USA as
a 17-year-old two years ago, becoming the youngest driver in series
history to qualify in the top spot.
He also won in Milwaukee last year, nearly two months before his
19th birthday. Atwood won again at Dover, Del., making him one of
only five series regulars to win more than once in '99.
In his NASCAR Busch Series career, Atwood has two wins, five
poles and 18 top-10s in 56 starts.
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