ART takes new approach into running a Cup team (cont'd)

In addition to being Red Bull's competition director when the team joined the Cup Series at the end of 2006, Sawyer also was involved in creating Evernham Motorsports' Busch Series program earlier this decade.

"Startup programs are not new to me, so I kind of understand the good and the bad -- and there's some real enjoyment there in being part of putting the foundation in the ground," Sawyer said. "Michael [Wright] and Daniel [Webber, co-owner] seem to have the marketing side well in-tune, and that's not my forte; but I think I can lend them some valuable insight on the competition side for the next couple months here, to try and see how my next chapter starts."

Given his experience in the sport, which included nearly two decades racing in what's now the Nationwide Series -- finishing fifth in the championship in his last season, 2001 -- Sawyer knows the challenge facing ART.

"Obviously we're sitting here on July [2nd]," Sawyer said. "I think they have a little time, and looking back at my past experiences, looking to go at it with a partnership, or a technical alliance with an existing program -- so from that standpoint it helps on the time crunch.

"Still, it's going to be a major undertaking, but I don't think it's too far of a reach to feel like they can be prepared for the 2011 Daytona 500. I don't know that anyone has put a drop-dead date on it, though I think everyone that's observing [knows] there are certain timeframes in which those things have to happen, and each day that gets away, you're closer and closer to crunch time."

Wright, who formerly worked at IMG with former IMG client Jeff Gordon, said some of the organizations the group is speaking with had suggested running one race at the end of this season to prepare for Speedweeks, but he admitted that's not likely. Sawyer agreed if a January test is reinstated at Daytona that would be a plus for the new team -- which currently has no competition department employees.

"That would be huge," Sawyer said. "A lot goes into determining who attends a tire test, including the driver and manufacturer; but to be able to do that would be a tremendous opportunity for a new team."

Wright said the most credible thing about the proposal is fan research proves it would be embraced.

"If you asked me to put my finger on one thing, it would be the extensive market research that's been done over the last year, directly with fans, about what we plan," Wright said. "We've gone back to the marketplace three times with a very broad piece of research to verify the initial findings and to help craft a program that we think is what the fans want."

The team says part of the research showed that fans would not actually want to be owners due to the legal and financial liability, but would "instead want to participate in being a part of a new team from Day 1 along with exclusive benefits such as access to the team, the opportunity to access hospitality and preferred pricing across a range of racing products and tickets."

The team's announcement said annual memberships begin at $44.95 for children, $49.95 for teens and $299.95 for adults. Small businesses may also join the team's "76 Pit Club" for a membership fee of $1,999.95. Family memberships, two adults and two kids, are available for $499.95. Fans can begin their membership at the Web site www.americasracingteam.com and sign-up for annual, three-year or five-year memberships.

"This is not an individual's team, not a team wholly focused on a star driver or branded by one large corporate brand -- this is a team financed and fueled by and for the fans," Wright said. "This isn't a current team, but rather one that the fans will help build from its infancy and watch win races in what hopefully will be a very short time. Today is the beginning of their partnership into something very special."