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NASCAR-BGN: Fuller and Northstar Motorsports Have High Hopes for 1999

6 February 1999

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The NAPA 300 will mark a new beginning for the Heritage Consumer Products Racing team, with a new driver, a new engine program, new race cars, a new general manager/crew chief and a new attitude. Team owners Meredith and Sharon Ruark led the team through a complete reconstruction in the off season. The Ruark's have switched to Chevrolet Monte Carlos with Katech power underneath the hood. Behind the steering wheel will be 1995 Busch Grand National Rookie of the Year, Jeff Fuller with Leon Fox joining the team as General Manager and Crew Chief. To say the least, optimism is abound for the Heritage Consumer Products team.

After a busy offseason making all the changes, Fuller is ready to hit the track in Daytona Beach.

"It has been a hectic offseason for sure, but I believe all our hard work is going to pay dividends," Fuller said. "Meredith and Sharon are to be commended with their efforts to upgrade the racing team, I believe we are going to have a lot of fun this year."

Fuller will be making his fourth career start at the 2.5 mile superspeedway. As a rookie in 1995, Fuller started 17th and finished 11th.

"I enjoy racing on the restrictor plate tracks, it's a real challenge to know exactly where to put your race car and who you should draft with," Fuller said. "You can lead the pack on one lap and on the next lap, it's like a vacuum cleaner sucking you in as you lose 15-20 spots."

The NAPA 300 will be the second race for Leon Fox and Fuller as a team. The two paired together for the final race of the 1998 season at Homestead. Fuller entered a car he had built himself and called on Fox to turn the wrenches at Homestead. The two hit it off from the start and have teamed up for the entire 1999 season.

"Leon and I really clicked in Homestead," Fuller said. "I was so excited when we were able to hire him to run this team for 1999. I believe we can take these Heritage Consumer Products Chevrolets to the front."

With all their pre-season preparations behind them, Fuller and company will hit the track for practice on Monday, February 8th. The teams will practice all week leading up to the NAPA 300 on February 13th.