JR Motorsports' Kelly Bires to run full Nationwide schedule in 2010
JR Motorsports' Kelly Bires will run the full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule in 2010. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – JR Motorsports co-owner Kelley Earnhardt said Thursday that Kelly Bires and the No. 88 team will run the full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule in 2010.
Team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. had indicated toward the end of the season that the No. 88 car might run only about half the Nationwide races because of sponsorship issues.
“We are committed to running the 88 full time,” Kelley Earnhardt said Thursday at a team media event.
She said JRM had about half the races sold for Bires and the No. 88 team, with Unilever’s Hellman’s brand among the sponsors.
“We have Hellman’s and then we have a couple more opportunities to announce that we have sponsors but, but we can’t announce yet,” Kelley Earnhardt said.
JRM officials announced late in the season that Bires would join the team, and he drove the No. 5 Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Tony Eury Sr. will serve as Bires’ crew chief, with Bires essentially taking the place of the departed Brad Keselowski, who has moved to Penske Racing.
“They’ve been working non-stop ever since I’ve been involved here in sealing up [sponsorship for] the 88 car,” Bires said. “They’ve got a lot that’s real close to happening. We’ve got a lot of great partners already with the Unilever folks and Hellman’s.
“It’s going to be interesting how it all shakes out. We’re very confident. Everyone has worked day in and day out to make this happen. We’re getting close on stuff. I just feel fortunate to be able to run a full season and contend for a championship.”
Kelley Earnhardt also said her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is currently committed to two Nationwide races in 2010, with Tony Eury Jr. as crew chief. Whether Earnhardt Jr. would use the No. 7 of Danica Patrick, who is running a partial schedule for the team, hasn’t been decided, Kelley Earnhardt said.
