USAR: Michael Ritch 2005 plans

Michael Ritch to unveil new car, familiar sponsor in 2005

Longs, SC-In his five years of Pro Cup competition, Michael Ritch has never had a new car. But thanks to longtime sponsor Jackaroo and chassis builder Billy Hess, Ritch will sport some digs in the season-opening event at USA Int'l Speedway.

"It's exciting for Kryptonite Racing to be teamed with Jackaroo and Billy Hess this season," said Ritch. "Thanks to them, we're going to have a new car for the first time in Hooters Pro Cup. It's going to take a little time for us to get on our feet. But this isn't a hobby for me, it's a quest."

It's a quest to get back where he stood often in his first two years of Pro Cup racing: victory lane.

After racking up 10 wins in his first 35 starts, Ritch spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons in the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series. But since his return in 2002, Ritch hasn't returned to the winner's circle.

However, Ritch nearly made it back to the hallowed ground on several occasions during the 2004 season.

Ritch finished second three times last season and notched five top-five finishes. Two of Ritch's runner-up finishes came in the Championship Series, making Ritch optimistic about picking up his 11th win in the HPC Series.

"I'm a realist, so I can't say that we're going to win," said Ritch. "A good season for us would be to finish in the top five in the Southern Division points and the top seven in Championship Series points. If we win a couple of races along the way, I'll be happy."

Michael Ritch will pilot a Billy Hess Chassis powered by an Upchurch engine.

-usar-