EMP to sponsor Vickers in Busch Series

January 25, 2002
2:19 PM EST (1919 GMT)

THOMASVILLE, N.C. -- From two-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte's backyard, Brian Vickers and BLV Motorsports will compete in the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series for Raybestos Rookie of the Year.

Vickers, 18, will contest a limited schedule of about 24 races with primary sponsorship from Engineered Machined Products (EMP) and associate support from the U.S. Army through the National Automotive Center (NAC).

Brian Vickers

Vickers and BLV Motorsports will enter the No. 40 Engineered Machined Products Dodge Intrepid in a minimum of 24 events in their quest for Busch Series Rookie of the Year. Vickers' first start of 2002 will come at North Carolina Speedway on Feb. 23.

"This is a great opportunity for me and the team," said Vickers, who will graduate from Trinity High School in Thomasville with honors in May. "Thanks to the support from EMP, NAC and the U.S. Army, we will be prepared for the challenges of a new program and driver competing in the NASCAR Busch Series.

"Given some time to gain experience, we hope to have the opportunity to showcase our potential."

"Engineered Machined Products, our employees and all of our business partners are pleased to extend our relationship with Brian Vickers and BLV Motorsports," said Brian Larche, President of Engineered Machined Products. "Our philosophy at EMP is 'Powering the Future,' and we are doing just that by providing technology and support to Brian and this young exciting team."

"This is a great opportunity for partnering with industry," noted Brad McNett of the U.S. Army's National Automotive Center. "Other than a military environment, I can't think of a harsher condition an engine undergoes than in a racing environment.

"With the help of EMP, we will be able to analyze thermal conditions and cooling solutions that we can then apply to Army ground vehicles."

Patrick Donahue has been named crew chief for the No. 40 Team EMP Dodges. Previously, Donahue worked for Evernham Motorsports and driver Casey Atwood. Before joining Evernham, Donahue served as Jeff Gordon's Busch Series crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports.

Vickers competed in four Busch Series races in 2001 to prepare for an expanded schedule in NASCAR this year. In 2000-2001, Vickers competed in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series and recorded four wins. His prior motorsports experience came in Late Model and NASCAR Weekly Racing Series competition, Allison Legacy Series and the World Karting Association.

Engineered Machined Products, Inc. is a supplier in North America of water and lubrication pumps to the diesel industry, and is a recognized leader in the development and advancement of pumps and pumping technologies. E.M.P is located in Escanaba, Mich.

The National Automotive Center (NAC), founded in 1992, is the Department of Defense/Army focal point for collaborative ground vehicle research and development (R&D). The NAC leverages government, commercial industry and academia investment in advanced automotive technology R&D, and initiates shared automotive technology programs.

Its primary focus is to benefit current and future military ground vehicle systems through: performance improvements, service life extensions, and reduction in ground vehicle design, manufacturing, production and operating and support costs.

BLV Motorsports is located in Thomasville. Vickers resides in Greensboro, N.C.