RAM Racing
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In 1990, the team changed from Chevrolet to Ford and the name was changed to RAM Racing. Nelson became in charge of finding drivers and sponsors. In 1997, RAM Racing expanded into the Truck Series. Max Nelson stepped down in 1998 and became assistant manager. Randy Macaulay became the new general manager. Nelson retired in 2003. In late 2004, Ricky David purchased part of RAM Racing from Randy Macaulay and became the general manager for RAM Racing's truck team. In mid 2008, Don Macaulay was hired as General Manager of RAM Racing, replacing Randy Macaulay who moved to assistant mannager. | In 1990, the team changed from Chevrolet to Ford and the name was changed to RAM Racing. Nelson became in charge of finding drivers and sponsors. In 1997, RAM Racing expanded into the Truck Series. Max Nelson stepped down in 1998 and became assistant manager. Randy Macaulay became the new general manager. Nelson retired in 2003. In late 2004, Ricky David purchased part of RAM Racing from Randy Macaulay and became the general manager for RAM Racing's truck team. In mid 2008, Don Macaulay was hired as General Manager of RAM Racing, replacing Randy Macaulay who moved to assistant mannager. | ||
| - | In June, RAM Racing also announced that it will be selling its truck series team to L.E.T. Motorsports and will from David Lyon Motorsports. In August, Ricky David said that he will not return as the general manager of the 54 truck. Anton Lombardi, LETM manager later confirmed this and the name will be L.E.T. Motorsports. Anton Lombardi said that the truck team is considering a manufacturer change and will return to the Nationwide Series with help from RAM Racing. In August 2009, Don Macaulay announced that they signed a driver development deal with Clark Autosport Racing in the ARCA series. | + | In June, RAM Racing also announced that it will be selling its truck series team to L.E.T. Motorsports and will from David Lyon Motorsports. In August, Ricky David said that he will not return as the general manager of the 54 truck. Anton Lombardi, LETM manager later confirmed this and the name will be L.E.T. Motorsports. Anton Lombardi said that the truck team is considering a manufacturer change and will return to the Nationwide Series with help from RAM Racing. Randy Macaulay has said that he is looking to possibly sell the team. In August 2009, Don Macaulay announced that they signed a driver development deal with Clark Autosport Racing in the ARCA series. |
RAM Racing has won 15 times in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and once in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. | RAM Racing has won 15 times in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and once in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. | ||
Revision as of 04:35, 26 August 2009
RAM Ford Racing (more commonly known as RAM Racing) is an American stock car racing racing team that currently races in NASCAR. RAM Racing fields cars in the Nationwide Series and a truck in the truck series. The team is owned by RAM Ford Lincoln, a car dealership in Rockvale, North Carolina. Randy and Don Macaulay and Ricky David all share ownership.
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RAM Ford Lincoln
In the 1950s, Robert A. MacAulay opened Macaulay Ford Mercury in Stevens, North Carolina.
In the late 1960s, Robert moved to Rockvale and renamed the dealership to Robert A. Macaulay Ford Mercury. In the mid 1970s, Robert A. Macaulay Ford Mercury became known as R.A. Macaulay Ford Mercury. By the mid 1980s, the dealership was known as RAM Ford Lincoln and Robert's son Randy Macaulay became assistant manager.
In 1992, Robert Macaulay retired and gave his dealership to his son, Randy Macaulay. In 2003, Randy Macaulay sold a minority share of the dealership to Ricky David. In 2006, Randy Macaulay sold the dealership to the Jerry Clark Automotive Group. Randy Macaulay and Ricky David still share a part of the dealership.
Racing
Randy Macaulay started his race team in the late 1970s. Randy Macaulay Racing raced on tracks around North Carolina with sponsorship from his father's car dealership. By the mid 1980s, Randy Macaulay decided that he wanted to start racing in NASCAR. Robert Macaulay purchased Jerry Brown Motorsports in 1985. In 1988, Robert Macaulay hired Max Nelson as the general manager for Jerry Brown Motorsports.
In 1990, the team changed from Chevrolet to Ford and the name was changed to RAM Racing. Nelson became in charge of finding drivers and sponsors. In 1997, RAM Racing expanded into the Truck Series. Max Nelson stepped down in 1998 and became assistant manager. Randy Macaulay became the new general manager. Nelson retired in 2003. In late 2004, Ricky David purchased part of RAM Racing from Randy Macaulay and became the general manager for RAM Racing's truck team. In mid 2008, Don Macaulay was hired as General Manager of RAM Racing, replacing Randy Macaulay who moved to assistant mannager.
In June, RAM Racing also announced that it will be selling its truck series team to L.E.T. Motorsports and will from David Lyon Motorsports. In August, Ricky David said that he will not return as the general manager of the 54 truck. Anton Lombardi, LETM manager later confirmed this and the name will be L.E.T. Motorsports. Anton Lombardi said that the truck team is considering a manufacturer change and will return to the Nationwide Series with help from RAM Racing. Randy Macaulay has said that he is looking to possibly sell the team. In August 2009, Don Macaulay announced that they signed a driver development deal with Clark Autosport Racing in the ARCA series.
RAM Racing has won 15 times in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and once in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
NASCAR Nationwide Series
#35 History
What is now the #35 began in 1982 as the #18 Dodge Challenger for Jerry Brown Motorsports. JB Motorsports raced in the Busch Grand National Series (now Nationwide) with Darrell Brown driving the #18 Valley View Dodge Challenger. In 1983, Brown decided to switch to the Chevrolet Nova. In early 1985 Robert MacAulay purchased Jerry Brown Motorsports. In 1987, Jerry Brown Motorsports hired Joseph Alexander to drive the #18 Valley View Chevrolet. In 1989, Joseph Alexander was replaced with Greg Rogers.
In 1990, Robert Macaulay took over Jerry Brown Motorsports and officially became RAM Racing and switched manufactures from Chevrolet to Ford. Greg Rogers drove the #18 Randy Mason Windows and Doors/RAM Ford Thunderbird. In 1991, the 18 car was sponsored by varX and KeyStone 31. In 1992, KeyStone 31 sponsored the car full time and the number was changed from 18 to 31. Greg Rogers won RAM Racing's first race at Bristol in 1992. In 1993, Greg Rogers won twice in the #31 car. In 1994, Rogers one once and at the end of the season, Rogers left RAM Racing for JRE Racing. KeyStone 31 and the number 31 left with Rogers.
In 1995, the #31 team was switched to the #81 and Richard Allen was hired to drive the #81 verX car. Allen got his first win in 1996 in the Valley3/verX car. Richard Allen won once more in 1997 and left at the end of 1997 and RAM Racing went back to a single car team with Mike Raymond in the the #84.
In 1999, RAM Racing started a new time team with Adam Warner in the #04 Cottonwell Ford. Adam Warner left RAM Racing at the end of 2000.
In 2001, Mike Raymond was moved to the #04 Cottonwell Ford. Mike Raymond left at the end of 2002.
For 2009, Erik Davis was to be driving the #68 Lyon Engine Technologies/Lynx Tractors Ford. However, James Young was hired by RAM Racing in 2009. Erik Davis was switched to the new #35 car and James Young began driving the #68 car. Erik Davis began driving the #35 Lyon Engine Technologies/Lynx Tractors Ford Fusion. Josh Kirby was hired as the crew chief for the 35.
Don Macaulay announced that they have signed a two year deal with Erik Davis.
#68 History
What is now the #68 car began in 1991 as the #81 car. The team started as a part-time driver development program for RAM Racing. RAM hired three different drivers and were put in rotation. Jerry Bakers was the first and his best finish was 26th. Ricky David was second in rotation and his best finish was 15th. Richard Allen drove third his best finish was 21st.
In 1992, KeyStone 31 added more sponsorship to the #31. That allowed RAM Racing to hire Ricky David to drive the #81 RAM Ford/Randy Mason Windows and Doors part-time in the Busch Grand National Series. David earned four top fives including one 2nd pace finish. For 1993, additional sponsorship was found for the 81 car. RAM Racing was able to run the #81 verX full time with Ricky David in the Busch Grand National Series. David managed to win one race and ten top 10s. At the end of 1993, Ricky David left for Darrell Vick Racing and RAM Racing went back to a single car team with the 31.
For 1996, RAM Racing hired Mike Raymond to drive the #84 Lynx Tractors/HiFli1 Ford. HiFli1 left at the end of 1998. Mike Raymond won his first race in 1999. 2000 was Raymond's best year with two wins and finishing fourth in the standings..
In 2001, rookie James Young was hired to drive the #84 Crown Way Ford and Mike Raymond was moved to the #04 Cottonwell/Lynx Tractors Ford. Tony Page was hired as the crew chief. RAM Racing returned in 2002 with James Young in the #84 Crown Way Ford. James Young won his first race in 2003. At the end of the year Lyon Engines Technologies became a part time sponsor. In 2004, Young drove the Cottonwell/LET Ford and won two more races. In 2004, Young won two more races and finished 4th in points. At the end of 2005, it was announced that James Young would be leaving RAM Racing for Ricky David Racing in the Cup Series. Lyon Engines Technologies also left at the end of the year.
In 2006, RAM Racing hired rookie Ron Macaulay to drive the #84 Cottonwell/LGYonline.com Ford part-time. After a disappointing season, LGYonline.com left RAM Racing. RAM Racing returned in 2006 full time with Ron Macaulay. However, the team shut down early in the season due to sponsor issues.
In 2007, RAM Racing returned part-time to the series with some changes. Ron Macaulay and Richard Allen drove the #68 (formerly 84) Lyon Engine Technologies/Varaway Ford. Josh Kirby replaced Tony Page as the crew chief. The best finish was Allen's 15th place finish at Charlotte.
For 2008, Richard Allen started full time. However, due to several poor finishes, Allen was replaced in August with a series of drivers including Ricky David, James Young, and Erik Davis.
For 2009, Erik Davis was to be driving the #68 car. However, in early 2009, James Young was left without a ride after the merger of Ricky David Racing and Kyle Andrews Motorsports. Young was hired by RAM Racing. Additional sponsorship was found so Erik Davis was switched to the new #35 car and James Young began driving the #68 RAM Ford/Highland/Varaway Ford Fusion. Tony Page became the crew chief. In May, Tony Page was hired by Lyon Motorsports and Don Macaulay became the interim crew chief for the #68 team. Young will be driving the #68 DTYcars.ca Ford at Montreal with Jay Edwards as the crew chief.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
RAM Racing's truck series team started started as a development team in 1997. Adam Warner drove the #58 Cottonwell Ford F150. In 1999, Adam Warner was moved to the #04 Cottonwell Ford in the Nationwide Series.
For 1999, RAM Racing hired James Young to drive the #54 Crown Way Ford. Young was moved to the #84 Crown Way Ford in the Nationwide Series in 2001. The team was closed after this.
Part way through 2003, RAM Racing hired Ron Macaulay to drive the #54 truck part-time. Ron Macaulay ran part-time again in 2004 and left at the end of the year. In late 2004, Ricky David became the general manager for RAM Racing's truck team.
In 2005, Erik Davis was hired to drive the #54 truck part-time. In 2006, Lyon Engine Technologies signed for six races which let the team run the full schedule and RAM Racing hired Mick Hulstrand as the crew chief. In 2007, Lyon Engine Technologies was signed on as the primary sponsor. Erik Davis and RAM Racing got their only Truck Series win in 2007. In September 2008, Erik Davis switched rides with Richard Allen in the Nationwide Series.
For 2009, Erik Davis was moved to RAM Racing's #35 Nationwide car full time and Richard Allen started driving the #54 PRG R+D/Lyon Engine Technologies truck full time. In June, Lyon Engine Technologies suddenly stopped sponsoring the team.
In June 2009, RAM Racing announced that is will be selling the truck series team to David Lyon Motorsports, a new team owned by Ricky David and L.E.T. Motorsports. David Lyon Motorsports will take over RAM Racing's truck series team for 2010. David Lyon Motorsports announced that the #54 Ford F150 will return part time with Jon Rayner and an undetermined driver. In July, L.E.T. announced that Rayner will instead drive the #92 car in the Nationwide Series and a replacement has not been confirmed. On July 3, Richard Allen announced that he will be leaving RAM Racing's truck team before the next race on the 18th and will now focus on LET's Nationwide program. Bobby Garrett Jr. drove the 54 truck at Kentucky, Erik Davis drove the #54 ZOCAX at ORP, and Ricky David drove the #54 ZOCAX at Nashville. RAM Racing announced that Jon Rayner will drive the #54 CircuitState.com Ford at Bristol and Chicago.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
RAM Racing attempted its first cup race at Charlotte in 1997 with Richard Allen and failed to qualify.
RAM Racing made its second attempt at the Martinsvillle race in 1999 with Mike Raymond in the #86 RAM Racing Ford. Raymond failed to qualify.
In 2003, RAM Racing made two attempts at the Cup Series with James Young in the #86 Cottonwell Ford. Young attempted the Darlington and Charlotte race. Young failed to qualify at Darlington but finished 38th at Charlotte.
L.E.T. Motorsports
In May 2009, a partnership was announced between RAM Racing and L.E.T. Motorsports. LETM will attempt to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series later in 2009. RAM Racing will supply the cars and the driver(s) and Lyon Engine Technologies will supply the race engines. The partnership will help Lyon Engine Technologies test their new LE9 engine.
The team debuted at the 2009 Sprint All-Star Showdown with the #68 Lyon Engine Technologies Chevrolet Impala SS. Erik Davis drove the car and finished 21st. The car was prepared by AD Motorsports.
By the next week, the team decided to switch to part-time in the Nationwide Series.
Nationwide
The team debuted at the Carquest 300 with Richard Allen in the #86 PRG R+D/Lyon Engine Technologies Ford. The team qualified 25th and finished 38th due to engine failure. The next week, the team announced they plan on running at at least 11 more races this year (Dover, Milwaukee, Daytona, Chicago, ORP, Michigan, Bristol, Kansas, Charlotte, Texas, and Homestead). The team also annunced that Richard Allen will be the interim driver, PRG R+D and Zocax will sponsor those races, and Tony Page will be the interim crew chief.
Ricky David drove the car in June at Nashville and Kentucky with sponsorship from 99 Universe Technology. Tony Page was replaced with Jay Edwards as crew chief the week of Kentucky. Allen failed to qualify the car at Milwaukee. Jon Rayner drove the car the next week at New Hampshire and finished 15th. Later in the week, LETM announced that they plan on running the rest of the races with the exception of Montreal if sponsorship is found. Richard Allen suffered from engine failure at Daytona and failed to qualify at Chicago. The following week at Gateway, Tony Page was back as the crew chief for Richard Allen. The next week, LETM announced that Tony Page will remain as crew chief for the rest of the year, with the exception of Watkins Glen. Jay Edwards will remain at LETM. LETM also announced that Al Hill Jr. will drive the #86 Circuit State Ford at Watkins Glen with Jay Edwards as the crew chief. Jon Rayner drove the #86 NoBLOK Ford for at Bristol. LET Motorsports will not run at Montreal.
