PPI confirm Pontiac switch.

Much to the chagrin of Ford, Pontiac Racing has added the Cal Wells-owned PPI Motorsports team to its 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup team lineup. PPI currently fields the No. 32 Tide entry driven by Ricky Craven.

"We are very excited to have Cal Wells and the Tide racing team join Pontiac as we look forward to the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series," said Lynn Myers, Pontiac-GMC General Manager. "Their energy and excitement about the new Grand Prix race car has been tremendous."

"When we first discussed the possibility of the Tide team coming to Pontiac, it was very clear that Cal was serious about doing whatever it takes to win a championship," said Bob Kraut, marketing director for Grand Prix. "That type of attitude is exactly what we need as we put the new Grand Prix race car on the track in February." A production version of the 2004 Grand Prix will be in dealer showrooms next spring.

As a Winston Cup car owner, the former CART FedEx team boss directed his #32 Ford team to victory lane in just 58 starts, claiming the checkers at Martinsville Speedway on October 15, 2001 with Craven at the wheel. In 86 Winston Cup races, Wells' organization has posted seven top-five and thirteen top-ten finishes.

"Certainly a lot of thought went into the decision to switch to Pontiac for 2003," said Wells. "I really wrestled with this opportunity and ultimately determined that Pontiac was going to provide the best opportunity for the Tide 32 team to compete among the best in Winston Cup. I'm very excited for Ricky (Craven), this PPI Motorsports team and Tide as we look to our future together."

Craven, who is an eight year-veteran of the Winston Cup circuit, has flourished since joining forces with Wells' organization. In addition to his Martinsville victory, Craven has captured three pole positions, seven top-fives, twelve top tens and more than $3.6 million in earnings in less than two seasons at PPI Motorsports.

While PPI's switch to Pontiac was not unexpected, there was no indication of Wells adding a second team to his stable for 2003 as has also been widely predicted. Wells ran two NWC cars in 2000 for Scott Pruett and Andy Houston but after a dismal half season in the #96 McDonalds sponsored entry, Houston was let go and the team scaled down to a single car operation.

What this announcement will do for the remainder of Craven's 2002 season remains to be seen as Ford bosses were highly angered by the way in which Wells conducted his business in making his chassis switch. Ford were most supportive of Wells when he made the switch from CART to NASCAR competition and the #32 team may now find themselves at the bottom of a very long pecking order for the rest of the year.

Craven is currently 15th in the Winston Cup driver's standings but hasn't recorded a top ten finish since the MBNA Platinum 400 at Dover in June.