Mike Jaworecki blog: Al-Lee Installation #36 Team Shuts Down.
EXCLUSIVE- tell your friends you read it here First!
When I first saw Ted Christopher in an Ed Whelan car, it was 2006 at Jennerstown Pa. Mike Andrews was driving the primary 36 car, Ted was in the number 86 back up. Ted started near the back and drove through the field using a bottom lane that no one else would touch. Ted would win that night, the first time in the car. The team would become a powerhouse on the Whelen Modified Tour like few other teams. The 36 was a favorite to win any event they entered. While they only won 1 championship, they have won 17 races since 2006, and have been in the championship hunt every year.
But as of today, August 15th 2011, the Al-Lee Installation race team is not preparing for any races. Ed Whelan called Ted Christopher and Crew Chief Brad LaFontaine and announced he was shutting down the team today. Racing is Ed Whelan's passion and hobby. Ed loves racing, modifieds and winning. Racing was a diversion from the daily grind of his business, but racing has not been fun for a while. Ed does not point fingers at anyone, and he is still friends with Ted, but it was time to take a step back.
The rumors had been running rampant the last few weeks about Ted going to another team or Ed firing Ted, now they are rumors no more. There will be no 36 modified at Bristol, or maybe any other race the rest of the year.
Ed will continue racing again at some point, maybe this year, maybe next year. Ed has always been a generous owner, getting his team all the ingredients to succeed at what they do, but even the best teams in every sport break up.
But as of today, August 15th 2011, the Al-Lee Installation race team is not preparing for any races. Ed Whelan called Ted Christopher and Crew Chief Brad LaFontaine and announced he was shutting down the team today. Racing is Ed Whelan's passion and hobby. Ed loves racing, modifieds and winning. Racing was a diversion from the daily grind of his business, but racing has not been fun for a while. Ed does not point fingers at anyone, and he is still friends with Ted, but it was time to take a step back.
The rumors had been running rampant the last few weeks about Ted going to another team or Ed firing Ted, now they are rumors no more. There will be no 36 modified at Bristol, or maybe any other race the rest of the year.
Ed will continue racing again at some point, maybe this year, maybe next year. Ed has always been a generous owner, getting his team all the ingredients to succeed at what they do, but even the best teams in every sport break up.
I got to witness the first team win in 2006 and the last Ted Christopher/Ed Whelan win at Stafford less than 2 weeks ago. Both driver and owner will be back. In 2006 it was strange to see TC on the 36, now 5 years later it will seem strange without it.
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Michael Jaworecki
Posted by W. J at 8/15/2011 6:07 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Ted Christopher NWMT WMT Modifieds Ed Whelan
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Ted Christopher NWMT WMT Modifieds Ed Whelan
While I'm not a TC fan per/se the Tour is not going to be the same without Teddy.
Love him or hate him he puts on a show no doubt. Now maybe history will repeat itself. Remember when Bugs and Freddy swapped rides in the 70's? Could anybody see the 36 and 16 teams swapping drivers? That would generate some buzz, don't you think? TC won't be gone for long, I think.
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