[Quality88]

One week after announcing a sponsorship program with Microsoft Small Business and qualifying seventh at Martinsville, BAM Racing's No. 49 Toyota was withdrawn from this weekend's Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
No details were available as to the reasons behind the decision by owner Beth Ann Morgenthau, who has operated a team in NASCAR's premier series since 2002.
The No. 49 was 42nd in owner points following a 37th-place finish at Martinsville, having made three of six races this season. Driver Ken Schrader finished 21st at Las Vegas and 41st at Bristol earlier in 2008.

NASCAR.COM - BAM Racing withdraws No. 49 Toyota*entry for Texas - Apr 1, 2008

[bob101]

Go fast or get left behind. To me that's the great thing that separates racing still today. Survival of the fastest indeed. No profit sharing like baseball and football etc....

While sad for their employees and Ken Schraeder it makes the other teams that much more competitive.

[Measure]

Sounds like they couldn't find a primary sponsor. MS was only on as primary for one week, and the entry list for texas shows them as team "TBA Toyota"

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Measure

Sounds like they couldn't find a primary sponsor. MS was only on as primary for one week, and the entry list for texas shows them as team "TBA Toyota"

Yeah that must be the problem, to bad for Schraeder and that crew.

[oncea3fan]

surprised federaded auto parts hasn't stepped up for a race or two.

[Measure]

BAM Racing also withdraws from Phoenix, explains decision - Blog of Tomorrow - al.com

According to that:

"Switching manufacturers was a taller order than we initially realized. While BAM Racing has a very strong short track program, our intermediate track program needs some work. Since we haven't had time to adequately test the cars on shaker rigs and pull down rigs; since historically we don't run that well at either Texas or Phoenix - even with a proven, tested racecar; since we intend to improve our on-track performance and not to take a step backwards; our organization has decided to take the next three weeks to focus on the remainder of the racing season. We recognize that we will sacrifice our 42nd position in owner's points, but that only guarantees our team a spot if qualifying is rained out. Ultimately every car that is 36th or lower must qualify on time in order to race. While skipping the next two races will hurt our points position in the short term, returning to the track at Talladega ready to move forward with fully-tested Toyota Camry's will enhance our program overall. This has been a very difficult, "big picture" decision; by taking a little time to regroup now, we should be a much stronger team for the rest of the year. Finally, for all the naysayers who may predict this to be the death knell for one of the few remaining independent teams in Sprint Cup . . . wait until Talladega, then tell us if we're dead or not!"

[Measure]

I'm betting they don't get around to entering the Talledega race. In fact, I created a proposition over at hubdub to cover this question: Hubdub - Will BAM Racing put the #49 car on the entry list for the Sprint Cup race in Talledega on 4/27/08

[clutch]

Originally Posted by Measure

BAM Racing also withdraws from Phoenix, explains decision - Blog of Tomorrow - al.com

According to that:

"Switching manufacturers was a taller order than we initially realized. While BAM Racing has a very strong short track program, our intermediate track program needs some work. Since we haven't had time to adequately test the cars on shaker rigs and pull down rigs; since historically we don't run that well at either Texas or Phoenix - even with a proven, tested racecar; since we intend to improve our on-track performance and not to take a step backwards; our organization has decided to take the next three weeks to focus on the remainder of the racing season. We recognize that we will sacrifice our 42nd position in owner's points, but that only guarantees our team a spot if qualifying is rained out. Ultimately every car that is 36th or lower must qualify on time in order to race. While skipping the next two races will hurt our points position in the short term, returning to the track at Talladega ready to move forward with fully-tested Toyota Camry's will enhance our program overall. This has been a very difficult, "big picture" decision; by taking a little time to regroup now, we should be a much stronger team for the rest of the year. Finally, for all the naysayers who may predict this to be the death knell for one of the few remaining independent teams in Sprint Cup . . . wait until Talladega, then tell us if we're dead or not!"

I hope that this is the case. I have been on a real roller coaster ride with Ken Schrader this year and after Martinsville and the move to toyota I thought that things were turning around for the team. I'm pretty gutted, and would hate to see another single car team bite the dust.

I really hope that they can acquire a full time major sponsor

[Measure]

Guess we don't even have to wait until Talledega to tell BAM they're dead...

BAM Racing to sit out more NASCAR races

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Measure

Guess we don't even have to wait until Talledega to tell BAM they're dead...

BAM Racing to sit out more NASCAR races

unlike other flailing teams, BAM has shown considerable fiscal intelligence: they chose NOT to spend money at the track in a futile attempt to attract sponsorship. when you think about it, how many people at the track have the wherewithal to sponsor a Cup team that aren't already involved? when you're not a front-runner and struggling to stay in (or make) the race, how and where you spend your funds is critical.

BAM may well outlast many teams whose future seems (somewhat) secure...

[bob101]

I caught the tail end of a radio interview with a lady from BAM racing. I didn't get her name but appearently she is the money (or wife of the money).

Her whole contention was that the TV announcers are making the choosen that we have now in NASCAR.

She said her sponsors were tired of paying $$$$ to get on a car and get 15 seconds of air time in a race and no mention if they were running 20-30th unless they ran over someone.

She went on a rant about how the announcers only talk about 4 cars all day and then wonder why people are having a hard time getting sponsorship.

The call ended abrubtly and she called back. She said she was not suprised, in fact she thought either the power had been turned off for non payment or the phone.....

[jks812]

I think she's right. All you usually hear about is the top 5. I watch a race to see 43 cars. But unless a lower tier team runs over somebody, or god forbid don't move over and let one of the top teams go by, you don't never hear a word about them. The only ones not running up front that you'll hear about is JG,JJ,Jr, and sometimes ( but not always) Tony.

[bob101]

I looked it up, her name is

Beth Ann Morgenthau co-owner of BAM racing. She said if they can't get something going they will move to another form of motorsport as they want to do something in speed. She didnt' really seem all that upset about the situation other than the announcers and some toward NASCAR.

[Measure]

Simply fielding a car fast enough to get into a race should not give you a "Golden Ticket" to TV exposure. If you always run at the back of the pack, you don't deserve much attention.

As for the sponsorship situation, perhaps 43 is too many cars to find primary sponsors for. That's a situation that the market is working out right now, but apparently is going to cost some teams their ability to compete.

[bob101]

That's true...however pick someone who enters EVERY race who normally finishes 25 or less and see how many times they are mentioned unless they wreck.

She said if someone wanted to move into NASCAR expect to pay $50 million out of pocket NOT COUNTING sponsorship money to barely stay out of the top 35 in points per car.

Even team Harvick is looking elsewhere for better exposure. He's teamed up with some guys in NHRA and is looking at fielding a top fuel car (the most expensive class in NHRA) and said while the exposure was not as large as NASCAR the bang for the buck was astronomical for sponsors as compared to NASCAR in any division.