RAM Racing
From Wikislippy
RAM Racing is an American stock car racing racing team that currently races in NASCAR Nationwide Series. RAM Racing fields the #68 RAM Ford Lincoln/KeyStone 31 Ford Fusion driven by James Young and the #36 Lynx Tractors/Varway Ford Fusion driven by Scott Davis. The team is owned by Randy and Don MacAuley and Ricky Bobby.
Contents |
RAM Ford Lincoln
In the 1950s, Robert A. MacAuley opened MacAuley Ford Mercury in North Carolina.
In the late 1960s, Robert moved and renamed the dealership to Robert A. MacAuley Ford Mercury.
In the mid 1970s, Robert A. MacAuley Ford Mercury became known as R.A. MacAuley Ford Mercury.
By the mid 1980s, the dealership was known as RAM Ford Lincoln and Robert's son Randy MacAuley became assistant manager.
In 1992, Robert MacAuley retired and gave his dealership to his son, Randy MacAuley. In 1993, Randy MacAuley sold a minority share or the dealership to his race car driver, Ricky Bobby.
Racing
Randy MacAuley started his race team in the late 1970s. Randy MacAuley Racing raced on tracks around North Carolina with sponsorship from his father's car dealership.
By the mid 1980s, Randy MacAuley decided that he wanted to start racing in NASCAR. MacAuley formed RAM Racing with Robert MacAuley as part owner and sponsorship from RAM Ford Lincoln.
#36 History (Nationwide)
Randy MacAuley's RAM Racing started racing in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (now Nationwide Series) part-time in 1987 and 1988. RAM Racing hired Joe Alexander to drive the #18 RAM Ford Lincoln Ford Thunderbird.
RAM Racing attempted full time in 1989. Due to lack of sponsorship, RAM Racing went back to part time. Joe Alexander left after the 1989 season.
RAM Racing found new sponsorship and a new driver for 1990. Jake Rogers drove the #31 KeyStone 31 Ford Thunderbird.
In 1991, partway through the season, Rogers was suffering from the flu and stayed out the next few races. RAM hired three different drivers and performed a test. Tire changer, Jerry Bakers drove the first race finishing 28th. Jackman, Ricky Bobby drove the second race and finished 12th. Paul Avery drove the third race and finished 17th.
Jake Rogers won RAM Racing's first race at Bristol in 1992. In 1993, KeyStone 31 sponsored the 31 car full time and Jake Rogers won twice in the #31 car. At the end of the 1994 season, Rogers left RAM Racing for JRE Racing. KeyStone 31 and the number 31 left with Rogers.
In 1995, Paul Avery was hired to drive the #81 car. Avery got his first win in 1995. Paul Avery won once more in 1996. Paul Avery left at the end of 1997 and RAM Racing went back to a single car team with Mike Raymond in the the #84.
Partway through 1998, RAM Racing started a new part time team with Craig James in the #74 Cottonwell Ford. Craig James left RAM Racing at the end of 1999 and RAM Racing went back to a single car team with the #84
In 2001, Mike Raymond was moved to the #74 Cottonwell Ford. Raymond left at the end of 2001.
In 2009, Scott Davis began driving the #36 Lynx Tractors/Varway Ford Fusion.
#68 History (Nationwide
In 1992, KeyStone 31 added more sponsorship to the #31. That allowed RAM Racing to hire Ricky Bobby to drive the #81 RAM Ford part-time in the Busch Grand National Series. Bobby earned four top fives including one 2nd pace finish.
For 1993, additional sponsorship was found for the 81 car. RAM Racing was able to run full time with Ricky Bobby in the Busch Grand National Series. Bobby managed to win one race.
In 1994, Ricky Bobby left for Darrell Vick Racing and RAM Racing went back to a single car team.
For 1996, RAM Racing hired Mike Raymond to drive the #84 Lynx Tractors/jayFray Ford.
Craig James left RAM Racing at the end of 1999 and Mike Raymond began driving the #84 Cottonwell Ford.
In 2001, rookie James Young was hired to drive the #84 Crown Way Ford and Mike Raymond was moved to the #74 Cottonwell Ford. Raymond left at the end of 2001.
RAM Racing returned in 2002 with rookie James Young in the #84 Cottonwell/Lyon Engines Technologies Ford. RAM Racing brought Don MacAuley on as crew chief and the pair showed success.
James Young won his first race in 2003. In 2004, Young won two more races.
In 2005, James Young left RAM Racing for Ricky Bobby Racing in the Cup Series. RAM Racing hired rookie Ron MacAuley to drive the #84 Cottonwell/LGYonline.com Ford. After a disappointing season, LGYonline.com left RAM Racing.
RAM Racing returned in 2006 with Ron MacAuley. However, the team shut down early in the season due to sponsor issues.
In 2007, RAM Racing returned part-time to the series. Ron MacAuley and David Avery drove the #68 Lyon Engines Technologies/Varway Ford. The best finish was Avery's 15th place finish at Charlotte.
For 2008, David Avery started full time. However, due to poor finishes, Avery was replaced in August with a series of drivers including Ricky Bobby, James Young, and Scott Davis.
At the end of 2008, it was announced that Scott Davis would be driving the #68 Lynx Tractors/Varway Ford. However, in early 2009, James Young was left without a ride after the merger of Ricky Bobby Racing and Kyle Andrews Motorsports. Young was quickly hired to drive the #68 RAM Ford/Highland/KeyStone 31 Ford Fusion. Scott Davis was switched to the new #36 Lynx Tractors/Varway Ford.
Sprint Cup
RAM Racing attempted its first cup race at Charlotte in 1997 with Paul Avery and failed to qualify.
RAM Racing made its second attempt at the Martinsvillle race in 1999 and failed to qualify again.
In 2003, RAM Racing made two attempts at the Cup Series with James Young. Young qualified for both the Darlington and spring race at Charlotte. Young finished 38th and 21st respectively.
