Hornaday replaces Robinson at BAM.

Two-time Craftsman Truck Series champion, veteran Winston Cup Series and current Busch Series driver, Ron Hornaday Jr, will take over driving duties in the #49 BAM Racing Dodge car at the next two Winston Cup races.

The team is hoping that Hornaday can provide input to improve the team's performance after a handful of disappointing outings with rookie Shawna Robinson so far this season.

"I am looking forward to being a part of the BAM Racing team," Hornaday said, "I'm excited about the entire programme and hope my experience will help the team become more competitive."

The opportunity for Hornaday to drive for BAM Racing came from discussions between team manager, Eddie Jones and current driver Robinson.

"Hornaday is an experienced veteran driver," Jones said, "We believe his experience in a Winston Cup car will be valuable in assessing our overall programme. BAM Racing is committed to Shawna Robinson and we are searching for ways to achieve better results. Additionally, we have added a new shock technician that we believe will improve our team."

"We have struggled this year and feel by bringing a veteran driver of Ron's calibre in, we can really get some useful feedback," Robinson added, "My goal is to make our programme better."

The 18 May Winston Open race at Lowe's Motor Speedway will mark the beginning of Hornaday's Winston Cup driving duties, followed by the Coca-Cola Family 600 at the same circuit on 26 May.

Hornaday is no stranger to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit. In 2001, he moved from the NASCAR Busch Series - where he scored an impressive record, including two wins and 18 top ten finishes, was Rookie of the Year runner-up and the Busch Series Most Popular Driver - to the Winston Cup ranks.

This year Hornaday contended in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opening event at Daytona International Speedway in a truck owned by Hendrick Motorsports and finished twelfth. He then drove the #5 GMAC Chevrolet for the injured Ricky Hendrick in six Busch Series events.

Hornaday and the BAM Racing Team will hit the track tomorrow [Friday 17 May] for Bud Pole qualifying. The green flag waves on his race return at 1930hrs on Saturday.