Midwest Transit Racing
Encyclopedia
Midwest Transit Racing was a former NASCAR
Winston Cup Series team owned and operated by Hal Hicks
and Mike Witter. It was formed in 1998 as #03 with Dan Pardus
driving and Midwest Transit as the sponsor. Before the car hit the track however, NASCAR changed the number to 07 for unspecified reasons. The team planned to run as many races as possible, but several starts led to nothing but DNQ's until the Pepsi 400, where Pardus finished 36th after a crash. The team tried again in 1999
, only switching its number to 50. When Pardus did not qualify for any of his attempts, he was replaced by Ricky Craven
. At first, the combination seemed to work, but in 2000, the team began DNQ-ing again as well as having problems finishing races. After Craven quit the team, Rick Mast
drove the car briefly, attempting races on a limited schedule, before Rich Bickle
took over for one race at Indianapolis
. After that the team suspended operations and closed down, ending a brief but tumultuous run in NASCAR.
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...
Winston Cup Series team owned and operated by Hal Hicks
Hal Hicks
Henry "Hal" Hicks was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 110 games in the National Hockey League. He was born in Sillery, Quebec and played for the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Maroons....
and Mike Witter. It was formed in 1998 as #03 with Dan Pardus
Dan Pardus
Dan Pardus is an American stock car racing driver. He has raced in the ARCA series, as well as NASCAR with Jim & Julie Motorsports and Midwest Transit Racing. He made one Winston Cup start, the 1998 Pepsi 400 and 18 Busch Series starts in 2001 and 2002. He was born in Daytona Beach, Florida...
driving and Midwest Transit as the sponsor. Before the car hit the track however, NASCAR changed the number to 07 for unspecified reasons. The team planned to run as many races as possible, but several starts led to nothing but DNQ's until the Pepsi 400, where Pardus finished 36th after a crash. The team tried again in 1999
1999 in NASCAR
The 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 7 and ended on Sunday November 21. Robert Yates Racing driver Dale Jarrett was crowned the champion...
, only switching its number to 50. When Pardus did not qualify for any of his attempts, he was replaced by Ricky Craven
Ricky Craven
Richard Allen Craven is an ESPN broadcaster who works ESPN2's NASCAR Now and a race analyst for the network. Prior to his ESPN duties, he was a NASCAR driver who won in four different series—the K&N Pro Series, and the three national series. He occasionally served as a pit reporter when NASCAR...
. At first, the combination seemed to work, but in 2000, the team began DNQ-ing again as well as having problems finishing races. After Craven quit the team, Rick Mast
Rick Mast
Rick Mast is a former NASCAR driver. He competed in both the Winston Cup and Busch Series before retiring in 2002...
drove the car briefly, attempting races on a limited schedule, before Rich Bickle
Rich Bickle
Richard "Rich" Bickle, Jr. is a journeyman NASCAR driver. Bickle, who has never completed a full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has a long history in short track racing.-Early career:...
took over for one race at Indianapolis
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
. After that the team suspended operations and closed down, ending a brief but tumultuous run in NASCAR.