BAM Racing is a NASCAR racing team based in Charlotte, North Carolina owned by Beth Ann and Tony Morganthau. The team's fields the #49 Paralyzed Vetrans of America Dodge driven by John Andretti in NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR's top racing series. The team's current primary sponsor is Freightliner, the team is also sponsored by Fire Dex and sometimes in a few races, the #49 goes unsponsored.
BAM's trailblazer, Ken Schrader, who helped build BAM Racing from 2003-2005, left after the 2005 season to join the Wood Brothers. In 2006, Schrader will be replaced by Kevin Lepage.
In March 2006 Jimmy Spencer was hired by BAM Racing being to race at Martinsville Speedway in place of rookie Brent Sherman. Spencer will also be an advisor for BAM and will mentor for Sherman, and could possibly appear in more races, most likely on short tracks. Another driver change was announced in May, as veteran journeyman racer Mike Wallace will race the #49 at Richmond. On May 5, 2006, Kevin Lepage left Front Row Motorsports, Mike Bliss took over the #49 for the rest of the season. Bliss ran the first half of 2007 but left in June. Klaus Graf ran at Infenion, Larry Foyt ran Daytona and Chad Chaffin ran at New Hampshire and Chicagoland. Bliss returned for Pocono but left pernamently with Schrader returning for Indianapolis and John Andretti taking over for the rest of the year. Andretti will run the 2008 season with the team.
#49 History[]
The team made their debut in 2002 fielding the #14 Conseco Pontiac Grand Prix piloted by Stacey Compton. He ran 19 races with a best start of 6th twice and a best finish of 18th twice. The last two races of the 2002 season the team swtich the number and make to #49 Dodge driven by Derrike Cope starting 42nd both time times and finishing 22nd and 42nd. In 2003 the team signed 1-800-Call AT&T as a sponsor and hired Ken Schrader who had 2 top 5's and 2 top 10's starts with a two top 10's finish of 8th and 10th.
Drivers who have run for BAM Racing[]
- Stacy Compton
- Derrike Cope
- Andy Hillenburg
- Ron Hornaday
- Stuart Kirby
- Kevin Lepage
- Shawna Robinson
- Ken Schrader
- Klaus Graf
- Brent Sherman
- Mike Wallace
- Mike Bliss
- Larry Foyt
- Chad Chaffin
- John Andretti