Jess Mattox joins Billy Ballew Motorsports

Jess Mattox to Join Billy Ballew Motorsports Driver Development Program

Mooresville, NC (January 20, 2007) - Billy Ballew Motorsports announced today that fellow Georgian and Late Model racer Jess Mattox will be joining the team as part of their driver development program.

Mattox has been racing since the tender age of nine and hails from Waycross, GA. He has already made a mark in the Legends Series as Rookie of the Year in 2004. Mattox, driving the Woodard Pools Legend car won two road course events at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2005 and two feature wins at the 2005 Hardee's Summer Shootout at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, all achieved in the competitive Semi-Pro division. In 2006, the nineteen year old raced in the Georgia Asphalt Series (Gas)[1] scoring top-ten finishes in the super late model division. Mattox also competed in a limited number of races in the acclaimed Florida Association of Stock Car Auto Racing Series (FASCAR)[2].

Ready to make the next step up into the NASCAR ranks, Mattox will learn from veteran experience when he moves to Billy Ballew Motorsports where Richie Wauters, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series crew chief and NASCAR Southeast Series Champion car owner, is at the helm. Wauters along with JR Norris, the 2006 NASCAR Southeast Series Championship winner and fellow Ballew development driver, will show Mattox what it takes to move to the next step and into a Craftsman Truck. As well as working on driving styles and abilities Mattox will learn what it takes to be a part of the organization of a championship caliber team by working in the race shop as well as at the race track. Along side the team Mattox will work and learn, developing the bond and knowledge that it takes to be a top-NASCAR driver.

"This is a great opportunity for me to join with Billy Ballew Motorsports driver development program," Jess Mattox said. "Having Richie Wauters as a crew chief and Jr (Norris) as another driver in the stable, I know I'll learn what it takes to make that next step. Richie has been around a long time and I know I am going to learn a lot from him. Drivers Bill Lester and Kyle Busch are two top drivers to learn a lot from. I know Bill has more of a road racing background and Kyle more of a short track so I know that I will have a wealth of knowledge. I am thrilled at this opportunity I have been given and am looking forward to getting behind the wheel of one of the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks. I have to thank my uncle Davy (Woodard) who has sponsored my racing since I first started. He has worked with Billy in the past and gave me the introduction. I am excited about the future here with Billy Ballew Motorsports."

The season-opening race for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series takes place at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 16 and will be televised live on Speed beginning at 8:00pm ET.

-credit: www.JessMattox.com.