USAC

C&R Racing set to make Phoenix debut

C&R SILVER CROWN CARS SET TO MAKE PHOENIX DEBUT INDIANAPOLIS -- Four C&R cars, the most from any stable, are set to compete in this weekend's season opener for the USAC Silver Crown Series, with some of the top drivers in recent Silver Crown ...

Published: Jan 18, 2006, 5:51 PM

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C&R SILVER CROWN CARS SET TO MAKE PHOENIX DEBUT

INDIANAPOLIS -- Four C&R cars, the most from any stable, are set to compete in this weekend's season opener for the USAC Silver Crown Series, with some of the top drivers in recent Silver Crown racing memory competing in them.

Two-time defending series champion Dave Steele (Tampa, Fla.) and Brian Tyler (Parma, Mich.) make up one of the most experienced teams in Silver Crown racing: Team 6-R. The team, which dates back to the late 1980s, purchased two cars last month, and both drivers will be major threats to take the checkered flag when it falls to close the "Copper World Classic" at Phoenix International Raceway. Steele has 14 series victories and Tyler 10, putting both in the Top-10 in career series victories.

The team adds the No. 1 with Steele behind the wheel, but returns the No. 21 team in a partnership with Hoffman Auto Racing and its primary sponsors Kroger, Pringles, Tide and Bounty. The Hoffman team has fielded or partnered to form a team for several seasons as well.

Team co-owner Darryl Guiducci expressed delight in both the new era of Silver Crown racing and expects it to grow quickly.

"We really want to try to run for a championship again," Guiducci said. "I wasn't the biggest fan of it at first, but everything changes, and I know that to change our fan base, we have to change. And I'm not afraid of this change either. I think we're going to get more and more people as this thing continues.

Added HAR president Richard Hoffman: "We are pleased to be able to field a car with 6-R Racing. They are total professionals, and that we will be able to make a mark in the first year of this new series. It is important to our sponsors to have a presence, and the TV package and the addition of important Kroger markets in Chicago, Kentucky and Kansas will help us sell more Tide, Bounty, and Pringles at Kroger stores."

Steele, who has four straight victories at Phoenix, was comfortable in the test at Phoenix last month.

"The one thing I really liked about it is that it didn't really have that much of a different feel when compared to the old style Silver Crown chassis; it really handled great," he said. "I was impressed that from the time we were on the track to end of the test there were no real major problems. As a driver, that's impressive for any racecar, not to mention a brand new racecar."

Ken Pierson, who owned the car Tony Hunt took to the 2001 Western Sprint Car Series championship, purchased a car from C&R as well, with driver Tim Barber (San Francisco, Calif.) behind the wheel. Barber finished third in the Western Sprint Car Series points last season and made his debut in the Silver Crown Series.

"We're hoping to put on a good show this weekend," said Barber, "and I think this series is really going to take off after that. I definitely think Ken chose the right car when he chose C&R Racing. I've got my sights set high because I think we're going to have a great car for Phoenix."

Jerry Coons Jr. (Tucson, Ariz.) is also set to compete in a C&R chassis in a combined effort for R.E. Technologies and NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran and former Silver Crown driver Carl Edwards. Coons, a five-time runner-up in series races, drove for R.E. Technologies last year, and the team recently committed to the new car and has strong hopes of competing at Phoenix.

"We did a lot of research looking at the different manufacturers and we saw that the builder for us would be C&R Racing," said Coons's team manager Chris Santucci. "C&R has put of thought into their cars. I have a lot of respect for (C&R Racing President) Chris Paulsen and his knowledge of racing."

Chris Paulsen, President of C&R Racing, is ecstatic about returning to his roots, now as a chassis builder and new Silver Crown Series supporter.

"This is something we feel we can do a very good job of, going to the high-speed tracks, fits right in to what we do everyday," he said last September. "That's why we've decided to take C&R Racing to the business of building these chassis. It'll be a first-class racecar, and we're noted for our quality in what we do."

For the latest on the Silver Crown Series or C&R Racing, check out USAC's website (www.usacracing.com) or C&R Racing's website (www.crracing.com).

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