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Seuss, Fishel Racing To Join Forces

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – One of the questions left unanswered after the untimely death of veteran crew chief and team co-owner Jeff Riggs late last year was would Andy Seuss return to the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour in 2011. The question was answered this week as Andy Seuss and Fishel Racing announced a new partnership that will ensure the familiar #44 car fielded by well-liked car owner Bryan Fishel and one of the most popular drivers on the tour would be seen this season.

While the unexpected death of Riggs was a shock to everyone involved, it was also revealed with the announcement that a partnership was already being discussed before the tragedy according to Seuss and that is something he felt makes the announcement bittersweet.

“Obviously I am very excited for this new opportunity and Jeff and I actually discussed this the day before he passed away suddenly,” Seuss said. “Bryan, Tony, Jim and all the guys on the #44 team have been great to work with before as competitors and now we will all be on the same team. Reggie Newman will be going over there with me and
I see it as a win-win for everyone.”
Seuss, who won twice last season and has eight career wins total in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour, will replace Brandon Hire who drove the car last season for Fishel Racing. Brandon decided at the end of last season to step back from a full-time driving capacity with the team to spend more time with his family.

Tony White said everyone is Fishel Racing is looking forward to the getting started in 2011 with the new team.

“We are really in the best situation you can ask for as a team,” White added. “Brandon had some commitments for this year that would keep him from driving full-time and we are getting another driver with a lot of experience and he is bringing some talented crew members with him. We have a great group of guys already in place and feel we will have the pieces in place to contend for the championship this year.”

Seuss is familiar to contending for championships as the Hampstead, N.H. driver finished second to George Brunnhoelzl III, in 2009 and was in contention for the title last season up until the final night at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October.

Jim Hire, who served as crew chief on the No. 44 car last season will return and, in an unexpected announcement, David Riggs will also serve as a consultant for the team throughout the year.

“David will be a part of the team and that is something that makes this very special for me,” Seuss said.
Riggs brings with him the most successful resume as a car owner on the tour with three championships, 19 wins and 44 top-10 finishes since 2005.
Seuss added that Fishel Racing and Riggs racing had already worked some together behind the scenes in 2010 and that moving into the cars will be a smooth transition as both teams used Troyer Chassis and similar bolt-on parts.

“As far as getting comfortable in the car that is one thing that will make it easier,” Seuss said. “Another thing will be Brandon helping us through the transition. Having someone who sat in the car last year can help by explaining things that will make us more competitive right out of the box.”
Clemmons Speed Shop will also return and White feels this brings a new level of excitement for all of the team members.

“Clemmons Speed Shop will continue to build the engines for the No. 44,” White said. “This (new partnership) has gotten everyone pumped up around the shop and Bryan is looking forward to seeing how this all works out as far as results on the track.”

Brandon Hire returned to the seat last season full-time after missing the 2009 with a broken leg suffered in an accident at work. He piloted the car to two top-five showings last year with a season-best fourth-place finish at Tri-County Motor Speedway on September 25.

Seuss wants to do something special to thank everyone for making this possible and giving him an opportunity to compete in 2011.

“I would be honored to give Bryan and everyone at Fishel Racing their first win on the Whelen Southern Modified Tour and I am going to do everything I can to make that happen,” Seuss added. “I know we have the parts and people behind me who can give me a car capable of making that happen.”

Seuss and the team will get things started at the season-opening race at Caraway Speedway on Sunday, March 13.