ATLANTA, Georgia - Transnet
Racing announced Friday that it will take a major stepping stone in the direction of its Motorsports program by competing
in a limited NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) schedule this season, with the goal to run a full-championship effort in 2008.
Transnet Racing makes
the move to NASCAR following a successful stint in the open wheel ranks. The organization, founded in 2001, ran several years
in the TOYOTA Atlantic Series with drivers Alex Garcia, Jonathan Bomarito, Barton Mawer and Charles Hall.
Garcia, 29, will take
the reins of the No. 98 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS beginning with the third race on the NBS schedule from Autodromo Hermanos
Rodriguez in Mexico
City, Mexico on March 4.
“We’re very excited
about joining the NASCAR Busch Series,” said driver and car owner Alex Garcia. “We have been working on this program for a
long time. We now have the resources and the funding to put together a successful and promising team, we’re looking for some
solid results on the track this season.”
Originally hailing from
Venezuela, Garcia is looking forward to returning to his racing
roots when the NBS takes center stage for their third event held in Mexico City
next month. “Mexico is not only an important race for myself,
but my team as well,” he said. “Our team is continuing to work hard on our road course program and I’m confident that we’ll
be one of the 43 starters in the race.”
Proceeding Mexico,
Transnet Racing plans to compete in a minimum of 12 NASCAR Busch Series events throughout the remainder of the year. The team
will carry the bowtie of Chevrolet as its manufacturer with GP Race Engines supplying the horsepower for the team’s inaugural
season.
Jason Roche has been
selected to lead the team’s efforts as crew chief effective immediately. Roche comes to the team with an extensive background
in Motorsports. He has worked in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Busch Series.
Before switching gears
to crew chief, Roche was himself a professional racecar driver for several years. “We’re excited to have Jason aboard,” continued
Garcia. “He is bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm into our organization. He is willing to do anything to get the
job done. We’re glad he’s on our side.”
Transnet Racing is also
proud to announce today that both Dixien LLC and OmniSource Corporation will join the team as primary sponsors of Garcia’s
Monte Carlo SS.
Dixien, LLC. is a full
service, tier one supplier of Metal Stampings, Welded Assemblies and Plastic Components based in Georgia.
The Hispanic Minority Business Enterprise has been an automotive OEM supplier since 1982 with a customer base that includes
BMW, Ford, Nissan, Electrolux, and others. Business has expended through the years, and today Dixien is a highly respected
supplier to the automotive and outdoor power equipment industries, operating two metal products plants in Atlanta
and one plastic products plant in Macon. Dixien's operations in the Southeast
all share a tradition of commitment to quality craftsmanship. These beliefs are exemplified in their quality policy: "Zero
defects. Excellence in everything we do."
OmniSource Corporation
is the largest privately held scrap processor in the United States.
OmniSource can provide a variety of services, from vacuum processing of alloy solids to scrap management services for a variety
of industry segments. They are also a processor of metal bearing waste streams that would contain residual nickel and/or cobalt.
Their singular focus for over 60 years on scrap processing and transportation, marketing and brokerage, management, and consulting
has fueled their growth into one of the leading scrap recycling companies in North America, handling over 6 million tons of
Ferrous scrap and 700 million pounds of Non-Ferrous metals annually.
“We’re very excited and
honored to have Dixien LLC and OmniSource Corporation aboard as we embark in our new journey in NASCAR,” Garcia said. “Both
corporations stand behind our goals and are an exciting new addition to the NASCAR Busch Series. We look forward to having
them at the track with us and promoting their products both on and off the track.”
Transnet is continuing
their search for additional sponsors to join their organization.
The NASCAR Busch Series
won’t be the first wave of stock car experience for Garcia. In 2005, he participated in five NASCAR Elite Division events
posting three impressive top-10 finishes. Last year, he conquered the demanding and wicked half-mile oval of Salem Speedway
(Indiana) in his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut with a solid 20th place run.
“It’s a good feeling
to have some stock car experience heading into the NASCAR Busch Series,” Garcia explained. “My goal is to use the 2007 season
as a transition period. We want to make races. We want to run well. If we can do that, I think our team has achieved our goals
and we’ll have a jumpstart towards the full season in 2008.” SCR
