Keller will return to Busch Series next year

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Jason Keller will return to the NASCAR Busch Series in 2004 and will remain with ppc Racing's No. 57, he said Friday at North Carolina Speedway after qualifying 18th for Saturday's Target House 200.

	Credit: Autostock

Keller's current sponsor, Albertson's, told the team in August it wouldn't return next season. That put Keller's status up in the air, but apparently a sponsor has been found.

"I wouldn't be back if there wasn't a sponsor involved," Keller said. "We're just working out some things now."

Keller is fifth in the Busch Series points standings with two races go, trailing leader and teammate Scott Riggs by 60 points. Keller has been with ppc since 1998, enjoying some of his best seasons in his career with the team.

Nine of his 10 career victories have come with ppc Racing. Keller finished second to teammate Jeff Green in the Busch Series points standings in 2000, third in 2001 and second to Greg Biffle last year.

ALSO  •  Driver Page  •  2003 Busch Series Stats  •  Driver vs. Driver

Now, he'll be back to try again. The length of the deal isn't known, not even to Keller.

"I don't know a lot of details, but I have committed to come back," Keller said. "I'm excited about it. We're working out the details now."

The team is still looking for a sponsor and driver of its second car, as Scott Riggs is headed to Nextel Cup and Nesquik is getting out of the sport.