Shawna Robinson Replaced

May 16, 2002

I told y'all this would happen.

From NASCAR.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ron Hornaday will drive BAM Racing's No. 49 Dodge in the next two NASCAR Winston Cup Series events in an effort to help the rookie team develop.

BAM team manager Eddie Jones said the purpose of the move is to better the team's program for Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Shawna Robinson.

Hornaday will replace Robinson, who has made six starts in the season's first 11 races, for Saturday's Winston Open at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

He will also man the No. 49 in the following week's Coca-Cola Racing Family 600 on May 26.

"We want to make it clear Shawna is not being released," Jones said. "With us being a rookie team with a rookie driver, we want to get a report on whether or not we have problems with our cars, the crew or whatever."

Robinson's best start is 16th at Texas and her best finish, 24th in the Daytona 500.

BAM started its Winston Cup program a year ago but failed to make any of the races it attempted, with veteran drivers Andy Hillenburg or Rich Bickle. In the off-season, the team switched to Dodges in order to take advantage of Ernie Elliott engines.

After qualifying for the Daytona 500, car chief Teddy Brown -- who along with Robinson was the only major change from last season in personnel -- was elevated to crew chief. Robinson has qualified for six of the seven races she's attempted, but has struggled to be competitive and has been involved in accidents no less than four times in seven starts, including her qualifying race for Daytona.

"We have tried different crew chiefs, now we're going to try a different driver for the Open and the 600," Jones said. "We're looking forward to getting a report from Ron -- an experienced driver with decent success in what he's set down in, a good mechanic and a racer.

"We want to help Shawna develop as a driver, and if there is something wrong with the cars we want to find out about it now, so we can do what we have to do to aid this program and make it better."

After the Coca-Cola 600, the team's next scheduled race is at Michigan International Speedway June 16. BAM plans to test there the Tuesday and Wednesday after the race at Lowe's.

At the Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, Robinson qualified 16th -- her best effort of the season -- while Hornaday failed to make the race in Ted Campbell's Ford.

Hornaday was not available for comment.

She's replaced for one race right now, she'll be replaced permanently by mid season or BAM Motorsports won't show. Personally, I don't think Hornaday has it him either to be a WC contender. I like him a lot, but he's just too old to begin his Cup career. I'd like to see him get a good BGN ride, though.

Jpshostr · May 16, 2002

What the ####?

Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Shawna Robinson.

General Lee 01 · May 16, 2002

Yes,she's a Rookie candidate, but she can kiss the ROTY title Good-bye if she plans on finishing off this year.

LarryE · May 16, 2002

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH that's so hilarious there isn't a hot dogs chance in the deep fryer that she will win the rookie of the year title.

hopefully this is early news that she is gone after the year FOR GOOD

antig24 · May 16, 2002

:baa:

SilveradoWV · May 17, 2002

Yeah I didnt think she would make it this long!! I remember Ejr saying something like " It was hard to dodge her every 15 laps" that was in the post race crash interview where Shawna had just taken him out! I personally dont think Ron will do anything either, he was so awesome in the trucks and never really made the transition. About the best driver on the market now (if he's not already permanently taken) would be Nadeau (sp?)!