and Leffler would share time.
DOUG BENC: GETTY IMAGES FILE PHOTO
everytemplate(); if (document.getElementById("titletemplate")) { document.getElementById("titletemplate").innerHTML =titletemplate.toUpperCase(); }
April 18, 2006, 10:45PM
Foyt IV loses Busch sponsor after merger
Great Clips drops rookie because of Dodge affiliation
By NEIL HOHLFELD
A.J. Foyt IV's rookie season in the NASCAR Busch Series apparently is over after he was bumped from his ride with Great Clips racing due to a conflict with car manufacturers.
Foyt is under contract as a developmental driver with Ray Evernham Motorsports, which is affiliated with Dodge. Foyt had been racing for Akins Motorsports, which merged with Braun Racing last week.
At that point, Foyt lost his full-time ride with Great Clips, which added Jason Leffler and announced Foyt and Leffler would share time. Leffler, who had been driving the No. 32 Chevy, took over for Foyt at Nashville last week and finished 35th. Earlier this week, Braun and Akins announced that the No. 38 car, which had been Foyt's Dodge, was being shifted to a Chevy.
Because of Foyt's commitment to Evernham, he was removed from the ride and replaced by Ryan Moore. In seven Busch races, Foyt's best finish was 21st, and he was 35th or worse five times.
Moore has raced three times in the Busch Series last season. The Charlotte Observer said Moore will drive the No. 38 Chevy this weekend at Phoenix.
After that, a decision will be made concerning whether he will get additional races or if Braun-Atkins will go to Leffler on a full-time basis.
Foyt IV, who lives in Hockley, raced three seasons in the Indy Racing League under his grandfather, A.J. Foyt. Young Foyt branched out to the Busch Series when Evernham signed him to the developmental contract.
It's possible that Evernham will try to find another ride for Foyt, but Foyt might have to drop down a level and race in Auto Racing Club of America (ARCA/Remax) events.
neil.hohlfeld@chron.com
