Andy Santerre Motorsports, as expected, will not close its doors for 2009. But the door is only ajar for now.
ASM announced late Tuesday that it will run 16-year-old Midwestern driver Brett Moffitt in a partial NASCAR Camping World East Series schedule next season.
Moffitt will pilot the No. 44 Chevrolets vacated by Peyton Sellers’ departure.
Moffitt, who hails from Grimes, Iowa, has mostly ASA experience on his brief resume. He will run the Camping World West opener at Phoenix with ASM and then run the first six races of the Camping World East season. Beyond that, Moffitt said the second half of the season remains up in the air – dependent upon securing sponsorship.
"I watched (Moffitt) race a couple of weeks ago and he and Steve Carlson, who I think is one of the most talented drivers in the Midwest, battled side-by-side for 25 to 30 laps. He drove that car like a veteran," said ASM owner Andy Santerre, a four-time East Series champion as a driver. "I was really impressed with his ability and I have no doubt in my mind that he has the potential to be successful in the Camping World Series."
Moffitt joins a growing list of young drivers hoping to use Santerre’s team as a stepping stone, a list including Sean Caisse, Austin Dillon and Sellers.
"This is the next step up in my career so I’m really excited to get the opportunity to drive for someone like Andy Santerre," Moffitt said. "He is obviously well-respected in the series for the things he’s done as a car owner and driver. He’s won a lot so there’s no one better to learn from."
ASM won last season’s opening race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway with Dillon, who later departed to run for his own team, and also the season finale at Stafford Motor Speedway in Sellers’ final ride in the No. 44.
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