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Post by dave on Dec 22, 2010 12:40:12 GMT -8
Announced on Sirius Speedway this morning Dave Moody reports Vision Aviation Racing is merging with Billy Bellew Motorsports for the 2001 season. Full interview with Bellew in a few minutes.
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Post by heatmizer on Dec 22, 2010 15:01:49 GMT -8
Well, looks like the Billy Bellew crew will get really good at re-building race trucks with Justin "Smash-em-up" Johnson and Dusty "Clueless" Davis behind the wheel. Sad that the economy got so bad that even also-rans like Vision seem like a way to keep a really good racing operation afloat for a year or 2. Billy Bellew must be thanking his lucky stars that Almirola got the truck out of the Go-or-go home crowd this last season. We all know that the double whammy of Johnson and Davis won't be able to qualify into the show. I will have to keep a running post counting the number of wreaked trucks they're responsible for next season. Look for it here.
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Post by topfive on Dec 22, 2010 15:17:09 GMT -8
Vision already purchased new trucks from Kyle Busch Motorsports and leased his former truck shop which is next door to Bellew. After their strong showing at Phoenix, a number of teams encouraged them to skip the West series and concentrate on trucks for 2011. Look for a couple of Nationwide starts as well in 2011. Johnson and Davis are already in Charlotte along with Chuck Wahl. Its good to see all these guys get a chance to move up.
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morris19
Bumper Bender
Keep Talking about us You are Making us famous
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Post by morris19 on Dec 22, 2010 17:59:56 GMT -8
Give the guy's some faith and don't bash them ! we all wish we had the chance they get!
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Post by Buzzy on Dec 22, 2010 21:02:05 GMT -8
Well, we won't have to worry about seeing either of them in 2011 in trucks or anything else. Neither will be able to qualify. But if by some fluke one of them does qualify I give the debut a couple of laps and it will be all over.
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Post by dave on Dec 22, 2010 23:07:06 GMT -8
What's happened is that Ballew has sold his truck series spots to Vision. Some of Ballew's current crew will prepare and pit the cars. He'll also provide shop equipment and logistics. The race trucks are the KBM trucks they got earlier. Factory support from Toyota. Ballew confirmed it's a year deal and he will have the same sort of involvement he has now with the new team. In his current shop he'll keep a crew and focus on a partial Cup effort he says this funding will allow him to pursue.
The 51 is funded for a full schedule with Johnson and the 15 with Davis is partial right now. Ballew says this includes Daytona for both. The 51 enters 3rd in owner's points and the 15 is 26th. Pete Pistone was interviewed a little later and said "who are these guys and where did they come from?" He said that was the general consensus in the press corps in Charlotte but welcomed a new team. It basically looks like Davis has hired Ballew to get the truck team off the ground. There is no way a new team that basically came from Superlates (with a couple of Pro Series) appearances could do it from scratch without buying the points and an established team to shorten the learning curve.
It's always good to see another full time team these days.
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Post by topfive on Dec 23, 2010 4:41:29 GMT -8
Pete Pistone was interviewed a little later and said "who are these guys and where did they come from?" quote] That's really ironic, as late in 2009 when they made their first few starts at Irwindale, one of the veteran drivers down there said almost the same thing. He found out who they were in short order. What a great feeling it must be for these young guys to be getting ready to run Daytona in February.
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Post by wayfast01 on Dec 23, 2010 9:04:02 GMT -8
Amazing how jealousy drives people to bash locals who actually get an opportunity in racing. Quit being bitter and be happy for Justin!
Good Luck Justin!!!
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Post by dave on Dec 23, 2010 17:21:50 GMT -8
That's really ironic, as late in 2009 when they made their first few starts at Irwindale, one of the veteran drivers down there said almost the same thing. He found out who they were in short order. What a great feeling it must be for these young guys to be getting ready to run Daytona in February. There is a big difference between running the weekly series at Irwindale and the truck series. I'm not trying to speak ill of them but they came into Irwindale at the right time. Had they done that at South Boston or Bowman-Gray, or event ran up front at the Showdown you bet people would have taken notice. The press knows about guys like Harraka and Bowles, it's just that Vision came from Saturday night short track to the touring series. I wish them luck.
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Post by Buzzy on Dec 24, 2010 16:25:20 GMT -8
Gee, what a surprise - buying points - no kidding? It should be interesting to see just how much Johnson can "get away with" when playing in the big leagues. Veterans might be able to buy their way in but these two twits haven't paid their dues yet. This should be funny. I might just have to watch the truck series again. What is going to happen when big daddy runs out of money? Such a joke. ;D
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Post by topfive on Dec 25, 2010 5:51:47 GMT -8
Buzzy, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and for at least one day of the year put away your jealousy.
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Post by Buzzy on Dec 25, 2010 15:07:28 GMT -8
topfive:
It has nothing to do with jealousy - it has everything to do with big money and poor driving.
And thank you for the holiday cheers. Same to you.
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Post by topfive on Dec 26, 2010 5:57:33 GMT -8
It has nothing to do with jealousy - it has everything to do with big money and poor driving. OK- Christmas is over- now its time for leftover turkeys- which made me think of you. Isn't your anger because they have big money the perfect definition of jealousy? You have been singing the same song since Johnson ran Supers at Vegas- always predicting he would fail, it must really eat at your guts each time he advances his career. Next will be trucks and when he succeeds there, you will have to sing your song in the Nationwide series. I'm curious, if Santa returned tonight and let you choose another local driver to replace him, who would it be?
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Post by teammtrsprts on Dec 26, 2010 8:52:03 GMT -8
Same old BS,
Buzzy hating everyone but his boyfriend the president!
I wish the Vision Air team a great year! I think they are playing their cards very well! There is a lot riding and why not bring in another team with points and previous success. It is a business!
Merry Christmas to all.
See you at the shootout!
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Post by goneracing on Dec 26, 2010 12:21:37 GMT -8
I'll be the first to admit it I'm a Little jealous of there deal I would give my right %$# for a sponsor like they have it would be the answer to my sons career. But I wish them all the best and will even cheer for them.
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