Innovative Motorsports
Encyclopedia
Innovative Motorsports is a former NASCAR
team. It was owned by George DeBidart and began racing in the Busch North Series in the mid-90's, before moving to the Busch Series
in 1998
.
was the driver of the car, the #47 Monro Muffler and Brake
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
, and finished 25th. Santerre was the driver for the whole season, grabbing two top-tens, a pole at Richmond
, and NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year honors. Unfortunately, the next season, Santerre suffered a broken leg in a crash at Daytona, and missed half of the year. Elliott Sadler
filled in for him, posting two top-ten finishes. Santerre returned and won his first career race at Pikes Peak International Raceway
. Unfortunately, Santerre struggled making the field, and was released. Hermie Sadler
finished the year, his best finish a 22nd at Phoenix
.
Sadler took over the car full-time in 2000
, as it was renumbered the #30 and receiving sponsorship from Little Trees
. Unfortunately, Sadler struggled making races as well, and would soon be released. Chad Little
replaced him, but when his performance didn't improve over Sadler's, Sadler came back to finish the year, and posted a seventh-place run at Pikes Peak.
After the team did not run in 2001
, it returned in 2002
as the #47 with rookie Shane Hmiel
driving with sponsorship from Mike's Hard Lemonade. Hmiel had two poles, eight top-tens and a sixteenth place points finish, finishing behind Scott Riggs
and Johnny Sauter
for Rookie of the Year. The team closed after that.
. He wrecked and finished 26th. McLaughlin struggled through the course of the season, and had six top-tens en route to a 24th place points finish. Just before the 2001 season, McLaughlin quit the team for Joe Gibbs Racing
, and was replaced by Kenny Wallace
. Wallace had two poles as well as a victory in North Carolina Speedway
, finishing 10th in points. After Stacker 2 came on as a sponsor, Wallace improved to seventh in points in 2002 and had thirteen top-tens, but did not win. After the #47 team closed its doors, Hmiel moved to the 48 and had ten top-tens and was in eighth in points, when he was suspended by NASCAR for violating its drug policy. Jeff Green
, Todd Bodine
, Carlos Contreras
, Randy LaJoie
, and Kerry Earnhardt finished out the year for the team.
, the #12 driven by Robert Huffman
and the #21 driven by Hank Parker Jr.
. Huffman, a rookie, had six top-tens, but failed to finish nine races and ended up twenty-third in points. Parker Jr. had four top-tens and finished 17th in points. Due to a lack of funding, Innovative closed up for good at the end of the season, with Huffman's team being sold to Darrell Waltrip Motorsports
, and Parker's team to Capital Motorsports.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
team. It was owned by George DeBidart and began racing in the Busch North Series in the mid-90's, before moving to the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
in 1998
1998 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 1998 NASCAR Busch Series Season began on Saturday February 14 and ended on Sunday November 15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was crowned champion at season's end.See also: 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series...
.
Winston Cup
Innovative ran four Cup races during its tenure. Using the #98 Chevy purchased from Michael Waltrip Racing, Kenny Wallace ran the Pepsi 400, the Tropicana 400, the Brickyard 400, and the Sirius at the Glen. His best finish was 29th.Car #47 history
Innovative debuted on the Busch Circuit at the 1998 NAPA Auto Parts 300. Andy SanterreAndy Santerre
Anthony Lee "Andy" Santerre is a NASCAR Grand National Division car owner, former champion driver of the East Series, and a winner of one Busch Series race as a driver...
was the driver of the car, the #47 Monro Muffler and Brake
Monro Muffler and Brake
Monro Muffler Brake is an automotive service company focusing on muffler and brake repair. Monro Muffler is named for Monroe County, New York , without the "e."-Early history:...
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made two-door coupe introduced for model year 1970, and manufactured over six generations through model year 2007. It was marketed as a personal-luxury coupe through most of its history, with the last model version being classified as a full-sized coupe...
, and finished 25th. Santerre was the driver for the whole season, grabbing two top-tens, a pole at Richmond
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
, and NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year honors. Unfortunately, the next season, Santerre suffered a broken leg in a crash at Daytona, and missed half of the year. Elliott Sadler
Elliott Sadler
Elliott William Barnes Sadler is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is one of only 23 drivers to have won in each of NASCAR's top three series...
filled in for him, posting two top-ten finishes. Santerre returned and won his first career race at Pikes Peak International Raceway
Pikes Peak International Raceway
Pikes Peak International Raceway, also known as PPIR, is a participant focused racetrack located in Fountain, Colorado, south of Colorado Springs and north of Pueblo...
. Unfortunately, Santerre struggled making the field, and was released. Hermie Sadler
Hermie Sadler
Herman Marion Sadler III is an American race car driver/announcer and professional wrestling promoter from Emporia, Virginia. He is also an advocate for autism research, as his daughter Hailie Dru, was diagnosed with the disorder in 2001...
finished the year, his best finish a 22nd at Phoenix
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
.
Sadler took over the car full-time in 2000
2000 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 19 and ended on November 11. Jeff Green of ppc Racing was crowned series champion.See also: 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-2000 Team chart:...
, as it was renumbered the #30 and receiving sponsorship from Little Trees
Little Trees
Little Trees are disposable air fresheners in the shape of a stylized evergreen tree, marketed for use in cars. They are made of a material very similar to beer coasters and are produced in a variety of colours and scents...
. Unfortunately, Sadler struggled making races as well, and would soon be released. Chad Little
Chad Little
Chad Little is a former NASCAR driver. He holds a degree in marketing from Washington State University, and a law degree from Gonzaga University...
replaced him, but when his performance didn't improve over Sadler's, Sadler came back to finish the year, and posted a seventh-place run at Pikes Peak.
After the team did not run in 2001
2001 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 17 and ended November 10.Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing was champion.See also: 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-2001 Team chart:...
, it returned in 2002
2002 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 2002 NASCAR Busch Series Season began February 16 and ended November 16. Greg Biffle of Roush Racing was crowned champion.See Also: 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-2002 Team chart:...
as the #47 with rookie Shane Hmiel
Shane Hmiel
Shane Hmiel is a former American racecar driver. He was paralyzed in a near fatal racing accident on October 9, 2010...
driving with sponsorship from Mike's Hard Lemonade. Hmiel had two poles, eight top-tens and a sixteenth place points finish, finishing behind Scott Riggs
Scott Riggs
Russell Scott Riggs is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #81 Dodge Charger for Whitney Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.-Early career:...
and Johnny Sauter
Johnny Sauter
Johnathan Joseph Sauter is a NASCAR driver from Wisconsin. Sauter is the son of former NASCAR driver Jim Sauter, and the brother of NASCAR drivers Tim Sauter and Jay Sauter...
for Rookie of the Year. The team closed after that.
Car #48 history
The second Innovative car made its debut in 2000 at Daytona with Mike McLaughlin, sponsored by Goulds PumpsGoulds Pumps
Goulds Pumps, Inc. is a United States manufacturer of industrial pumps based in Seneca Falls, New York. It was founded by Seabury Gould in the 1840s. The company is now owned by ITT Industries.-Downs, Mynderse & Company:...
. He wrecked and finished 26th. McLaughlin struggled through the course of the season, and had six top-tens en route to a 24th place points finish. Just before the 2001 season, McLaughlin quit the team for Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J. D. Gibbs, his son...
, and was replaced by Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace
Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
. Wallace had two poles as well as a victory in North Carolina Speedway
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
, finishing 10th in points. After Stacker 2 came on as a sponsor, Wallace improved to seventh in points in 2002 and had thirteen top-tens, but did not win. After the #47 team closed its doors, Hmiel moved to the 48 and had ten top-tens and was in eighth in points, when he was suspended by NASCAR for violating its drug policy. Jeff Green
Jeff Green (NASCAR)
Jeffery Green is an American stock car driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He currently drives part time in the Nationwide Series for Tri-Star Motorsports in their #44 entry and the Sprint Cup Series for Front Row Motorsports in their #55 entry.Green's 1990 Nashville Speedway USA championship...
, Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine is a NASCAR driver. Todd is the younger brother of former racers Geoff Bodine and Brett Bodine. Bodine is known for his bald head, which has given him the nickname The Onion...
, Carlos Contreras
Carlos Contreras
Carlos Contreras is the first Mexican-born driver in any NASCAR national series. He has competed in the Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series .-Busch Series:...
, Randy LaJoie
Randy LaJoie
Randall LaJoie was a driver in the NASCAR Busch Series , where he is a two-time champion. Presently, he does not have a full-time ride. He is the father of racers Casey and Corey LaJoie.-Early racing career:LaJoie started racing go-karts when he was 12 years old...
, and Kerry Earnhardt finished out the year for the team.
Craftsman Truck Series
After the 2003 season, Innovative closed its Busch teams, and signed with Toyota to field entries in the Craftsman Truck SeriesCraftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
, the #12 driven by Robert Huffman
Robert Huffman
Robert Huffman is a former NASCAR driver from Claremont, North Carolina. He drove in eleven NASCAR Busch Series between 1991 and 1993. He next raced two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 1997...
and the #21 driven by Hank Parker Jr.
Hank Parker Jr.
Hank Parker Jr. is a former NASCAR driver. Parker has run a total of 137 NASCAR Busch Series races, scoring 2 wins and 31 top tens in four full seasons, and finishing a best of 14th in the championship. He currently works as a fill-in driver for Carl Edwards on his Busch team...
. Huffman, a rookie, had six top-tens, but failed to finish nine races and ended up twenty-third in points. Parker Jr. had four top-tens and finished 17th in points. Due to a lack of funding, Innovative closed up for good at the end of the season, with Huffman's team being sold to Darrell Waltrip Motorsports
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports was a NASCAR team owned by three-time Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip. It was formed in 1991 when Waltrip resigned from Hendrick Motorsports to start his own team, and was originally named DarWal, Inc....
, and Parker's team to Capital Motorsports.