by Lee Spencer

Comment

"We're trying to put a bunch of unemployed guys back to work — me being one of them," Nemechek said. "We have a lot of sponsor interest — but right now that being on a smaller scale. I think we can put together a competitive deal."

Veteran crew chief Philippe Lopez will oversee the team. Nemechek, 45, will field Toyotas in the Cup Series and a combination of Toyotas and Chevrolets on the Nationwide tour.

As a former car owner, the Lakeland, Fla. native understands the constraints of a single-car team but feels he has the resources to field a competitive car against the larger organizations.

"We can offer a very good product at a very economical price for someone willing to get their feet wet in NASCAR," said Nemechek, who feels his team is close to signing a 12-race deal with a potential sponsor. "We have the materials we need. It's really tough out there as you see a lot of teams going by the wayside. We have to do more with less and that's what this team is gearing up to do."

Nemechek most recently competed for Furniture Row Racing last season. He ran in 32 races in the No. 78 Chevrolet and maintained his nickname "Front Row Joe" by winning the pole in the spring Talladega race.

Nemechek won the 1999 summer pole at Daytona. His best finish on the 2.5-mile track came under the MB2 banner when he finished sixth in the 2004 Daytona 500.

Nemechek has two wins at Daytona in the Nationwide Series — February 1998 and July 2002.

Texas Terry

Add two-time NASCAR Cup champ Terry Labonte to the list of Daytona hopefuls.

Labonte is expected to pilot the Phil Parsons' Toyota for the Daytona 500 field.