STATESVILLE, NC – Clay Andrews Racing (CAR), the team the stunned the stock car world on a memorable night in Sparta, Kentucky, is closing the doors on the Statesville, NC shop that they have been leasing from Travis Carter.
“We put our heart, soul and resources into David Gilliland,” said Clay Andrews. “Personally and financially we do not feel it is best to move forward at this time.”
CAR remains the only unaffiliated, NASCAR Busch Series competitor to win a race this season when Gilliland took the checkered flag at the Meijer 300. While there will be no racing in the foreseeable future for CAR, they are not simply going into obscurity forever.
“We hope to be back in about three years,” continued Andrews. “I have my eye on a young, but very talented driver that I would love to bring back into the Busch Series.”
Andrews, who resides in Corona, California, will not be available for further comment.
I think there was something going on behind closed doors with this team. Gilliland said for a while he was going to stick with the team. Then he's gone. No solid sponsorship ever materialized either. It makes me wonder if there was more to this team closing than meets the eye.
Ever since he won, all the talk has been about how he can now get a good ride and get money. Maybe that is what he has expected.....
While we're on the topic.... Gilliland to a #28 M&M's Ford in 2007? Think thats possible.. or even a good idea? Has he really proven himself that much?
I think David wanted to be loyal to Clay Andrews, but I heard him say in an interview that he was 30 years old and needed to strike while the iron was hot. Looks like he did.
I don't think he will do any worse than Kenny Irwin (RIP). Or even Dale Jarrett in his year in the 28. Rumors surrounded him all year that he was gonna get canned.
David seems to have a solid head on his shoulders and looks like he can do the job if he sets his mind to it. Remember, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson neither one won (Galaxy where are you????) a race when running Busch full time. Seems like they turned out ok.
I think it will be great to see the #28 back on track. And David seems to have some of the Carl Edwards attitude about being grateful to be in a racecar for a living.
