Nemechek high on Wells' wish list for 2004

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Cal Wells is close to putting together a deal to return his organization to a two-car outfit.

Wells said Sunday his sponsor search for the second team is going well, and that Joe Nemechek is "very high" on his list of drivers for the program.

Wells, in his fourth season as a Winston Cup owner, has campaigned only one car since late 2001, when McDonald's withdrew sponsorship of his second car with Andy Houston.

	Joe Nemechek

Ricky Craven has driven for him the past three seasons with two victories, but Wells says he needs a second team to get Craven's No. 32 Pontiac into the top 10 in the standings.

"What I need is a good quality teammate for Rick, to help propel the 32 into the top 10 on a consistent basis," Wells said. "We were able to hold station for 12 weeks, but we fell off.

"We need help."

Nemechek has been job-hunting since Sept. 2, when Hendrick Motorsports elected to promote Brian Vickers to drive the No. 25 Chevrolet in 2004.

Wells said he needs a veteran for the second team. He hired Houston straight out of the Craftsman Truck Series in 2001, but Houston struggled, and McDonald's withdrew its support after Houston failed to finish eight of 17 races.

"I think someone who has a lot of experience is going to be the best for us," Wells said.

Wells also said that he would look outside his own organization for a crew chief for the second team.

	Ricky Craven and Cal Wells

"I don't know (who it will be)," Wells said. "(The) driver will have a lot of input."

Wells' engine program is in its infancy. His outfit switched to Pontiac in 2003 after a three-season run with Ford, and as a result, he started building his own engines.

He says he's not concerned about the strain a two-car team will place on the young engine program.

"I am not worried about that," Wells said. "RCR has been supporting us with plate stuff, and I am confident that over the winter we will solve some of the problems we have had with our engine deal, because there haven't been that many."