CONCORD, N.C. – The lack of sponsorship has sidelined another competitor in NASCAR this week with SS Green Light Racing driver Ray Black Jr. out of a ride, at least temporarily, according to team owner Bobby Dotter.
“Well we’re real hopeful that he’ll be back in the seat full time soon, but as of now we’re lacking sponsorship,” Dotter told CATCHFENCE.com in an exclusive interview. “We’ve been working real hard to get something tied up all year. It finally come to a point that I just gotta starting putting some other drivers in that can bring some sponsorship with them here and there and Ray will fill in the gaps in-between.”
Two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Todd Bodine is saddling up in the No. 07 Waltip Bros Charity Championship Chevrolet this weekend making his first series start since Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International last August.
Black, a native of Palm Coast, Fla. is the third driver rideless this week after the abrupt closure of Red Horse Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series that left drivers Brett Moffit and Timothy Peters without a ride a week before their next race.
While the often upbeat and likable Black is expected to return to the series – sponsorship woes continue to haunt the sport of NASCAR and some drivers with their own backing. Dotter says though his team has been very fortunate to stay afloat.
“Well, it’s always been tough,” said Dotter of sponsorship. “We’ve been fortunate that Ray’s family (company) ScubaLife has been the sponsor the last few years, so this is kinda a new venture for us compared to recent past in trying to find a sponsor.
“We’ve got really hopeful things working but just not coming together as quick as we need them.”
Dotter, a former driver himself in XFINITY and the Truck Series says he’s looking to Bodine, a native of Chemung, N.Y. to not only evaluate their program but hopefully yield a solid finish in Saturday afternoon’s Hisense 4K TV 300.
In 21 XFINITY races at Charlotte, Bodine, now a Truck Series analyst for FS1 has five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. He last competed at Charlotte in 2005 driving for car owner Frank Cicci.
“We’re looking for Todd to run for us again at Watkins Glen and maybe a few more this year,” Dotter added. “Todd does a great job and can help us try to figure out some of the things we’ve been working this year.”
Dotter a pioneer NASCAR owner in doing a lot with a little says Black could return as soon as next weekend in Dover.
“As of right now, it looks like Dover,” added Dotter. “He’ll be back in there. We’ve got someone else maybe in for the next two after that in Pocono and Michigan and then Ray might be back in it at Iowa.”
In 43 XFINITY Series races, Black earned a career-best 14th last August at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
He is currently 24th in the championship standings with a season-high 18th at Daytona International Speedway and Richmond International Raceway respectively.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
