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Bobby Labonte, Jonathan Cash & Luke Baldwin Make-Up Busy Schedule
Photo Michael Jaworecki Myracenews
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Sadler-Stanley Racing, an open-wheel modified team owned by former NASCAR driver and TV personality Hermie Sadler and Virginia Attorney and State Senator Bill Stanley, announced their 2024 driver lineup Tuesday.
The 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Bobby Labonte, will return to the team for three NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races and select SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic events. Labonte will compete in NASCAR action at Richmond (March 29), North Wilkesboro (October 5) and Martinsville (October 26). His full SMART Modified Tour schedule will be announced at a later date.
Jonathan Cash will make the jump to full-time competition in the No. 16VA, racing for the title on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. Luke Baldwin, a rising Modified driver and son of former NASCAR Daytona 500 winning crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., will also run the 7VA full-time on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. Baldwin’s focus will be to race for the title, but also the Racing Electronics Rookie of the Year in his move to Tour-Type Modifieds in 2024.
The team will continue to operate with PSR Chassis machines. PSR has won the last two SMART Modified Tour titles with Burt Myers and Caleb Heady. SS Racing co-owner Sadler, the 1993 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year, said the team is eager to provide opportunities to some new drivers.
“It’s been really cool to watch drivers like Bobby Labonte and Ryan Newman win in our cars, but now the goal is to provide opportunities to deserving drivers that are trying to make a name for themselves,” Salder said. “Jonathan and Luke fit what we are looking for…. Pace-O-Matic works every day to provide opportunities to small businesses across the states they operate in… and they always fight for the little guy… our goals on the track this year will be to mirror what Pace-O-Matic believes on and off the track with our teams.”
The SS Racing team has been in existence for two years and won multiple events. The team won two races in 2022, including a once-in-a-lifetime win in the return to North Wilkesboro Speedway with the SMART Modified Tour with NASCAR legend Ryan Newman driving. In 2023, the SS Racing returned to Victory Lane twice on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic with Labonte piloting the No. 18VA to victory at Tri-County Speedway and Orange County Speedway.
Co-owner Bill Stanley is eager to see the team hit the track for the first time at Florence Motor Speedway on March 2. The full SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic schedule includes 15 events spanning across multiple southern states. The team plans to run just under 20 events during the 2024 season.
“The 2024 season is shaping up to be exciting for our team,” Bill Stanley, team co-owner, said. “Having young drivers like Jonathan Cash and Luke Baldwin running with Bobby Labonte for our Pace-O-Matic team is special. Racing with these PSR Products chassis machines at historic tracks will be a thrill to watch as we contend for wins and a championship in 2024.”
Labonte needs no introduction – as the 200 NASCAR Cup Series champion – he’s a proven winner in multiple different disciplines. A part-time Modified schedule for him in 2024 leaves him with one goal: win.
“I can’t thank Hermie and Bill and everybody at Sadler-Stanley Racing enough,” Labonte said. “We ended the year with two great wins and I’m looking forward to being part of the team again in 2024 for our limited schedule together. I really appreciate the support of Pace-O-Matic and their commitment to racing and the team. I’m also happy to continue to represent Cook Out in our events. I can’t wait to get started.”
Cash, who owns P&P Speed Shop, a racing kart engine and maintenance shop, is excited for the opportunity to go full-time Modified racing. He competed in his first Modified event at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2022 for SS Racing and also competed in 2023. Cash is excited to continue to build on his experience-level in open-wheel, high-speed Modifieds.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to drive for SS Racing and PSR Products in 2024,” Cash said. “I’m looking forward to trying to contend for the championship. The last two years, I have run a couple of Modified races each year and had fast race cars in all of them. I want to thank Pace-O-Matic, Hermie Sadler, Bill Stanley, PSR Products and their entire crew and everyone else involved in the opportunity.”
Baldwin has quickly grown to a winner. He picked up multiple victories and the week-long championship at New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in 2023. He also made his debut on the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, scoring an 11th-place finish in his debut. His jump to Tour-Type Modifieds is something he is excited to see happen. He will also compete part-time in 602 Modifieds for his family-owned team, beginning at New Smyrna in February.
“Definitely couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to join Sadler-Stanley Racing,” Baldwin said. “This team was on fire the last half of the year and I honestly can’t believe I’m joining them. I’m very excited to grow even closer with this team and build on our relationship. I am extremely grateful to be presented the opportunity and can’t wait to go out there and make the most of it. We’re fighting for Rookie of the Year, but personally, I want to get more than that. I want to win races and this team is more than capable of doing that.”
The month of March will be busy for SS Racing, kicking off at Florence Motor Speedway on March 2, followed by Caraway Speedway on March 10, South Boston Speedway on March 23, Richmond Raceway (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) on March 29 and Tri-County Speedway on March 30.
For more information on Sadler-Stanley Racing, follow the team on Facebook. Fans can also follow Bobby Labonte, Jonathan Cash and Luke Baldwin on their respective social media outlets. Sadler-Stanley Racing is working on a new, interactive website for race fans, which will be released in the near future.
