- Xfinity 250 - Martinsville Speedway - 1. (#91) Zack Saunders - 2. (#1) Cory Mott - 3. (#29) Steward Harding Walker - 4. (#69) Caleb Tipton - 5. (#94) Thomas Wolfe - 6. (#22) Nic Vasquez - 7. (#6) Stephen Menke - 8. (#3) Ben Lawson - 9. (#37) Joe T. Wright - 10. (#16) Nathaniel Campbell - 11. (#57) Michael Deitch - 12. (#00) Garth Griswold - 13. (#11) Nishil Condoor - 14. (#7) Steven Carlile - 15. (#8) Zach Johnson - 16. (#99) Justin Bell - 17. (#74) Caleb Sheets - 18. (#30) Mason Hoeffner - 19. (#96) Vince Mitchell
Crown Jewel Racing Officials announced today the long-awaited news of the Backroad Bandit Racing Team after a lengthy discussion with the BBR Legal Team. Despite the sudden disappearance of Team Owner Mike Burnett after the Team Conti Cup Series race at Pocono, the team showed resilience by installing driver of the #93 Kris Burnham as Interim Team Owner. Burnham, who has been serving as the Team Representative for BBR since Burnett’s leave of absence began, assured the BBR Team’s return for the playoffs. This display of resilience should give fans hope for the team’s future.
The Backroad Bandit Racing team started the season by making their presence known to the CJR Community. With the #94 Thomas Wolfe winning the Clash at the Coliseum, Burnham winning the Pennzoil 300 at Las Vegas, #91 Zack Saunders winning at Phoenix, and Mike Burnett winning the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. It seemed like all was well in paradise. When rumors started to swirl, Saunders was looking to get out and find a new ride because there might be trouble in paradise after all. Uber Motorsports confirmed late last week that Saunders has signed a contract to race for the Uber Motorsports team in 2025.
The Backroad Bandit Racing Team really took a turn for the worse after Burnett’s 29th-place finish at Pocono and the heated argument after the race with multiple drivers about differing opinions and financial obligations surrounding the team’s racing strategy. Burnett slammed the door to his hauler and hasn’t been seen since. A once prominent racer in the league has now drifted into a distant memory.
Burnham, suspended from a race earlier in the year due to an incident on pit road, would take the reins of BBR. Burnham would announce that he planned on making the final two races of the regular season and would join Thomas Wolfe in the playoffs. But the winds would change all too quickly as the trucks left for Daytona Tuesday Night. During a team owner meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Burnham announced that he would not make the race on Wednesday night and would not request a waiver for the playoffs. Burnham would quickly leave the meeting and disconnect himself from the CJR Community.
New Sheriff in Town
Despite the challenges faced by BBR Headquarters, Thomas Wolfe has remained a beacon of commitment and success. With wins at Texas, Chicago Street Course, and Indianapolis this season, Wolfe has shown unwavering dedication to the team. His commitment should reassure the CJR Community of the team’s potential for success.
CJR Officials today announced that Mr. Wolfe has taken over ownership of the Backroad Bandit Racing Team effective immediately. In a short news conference, Mr. Wolfe thanked the fans, prior owners of BBR, and his family for the opportunity to take over this organization and lead it back to greatness.
When discussing the team’s future, Mr. Wolfe said that the team will be downsizing in 2025 to a two-car team. It has been rumored that BBR was having financial hardships with the current lackluster economy and the cost of the racing program this season. Mr. Wolfe did not rule out the possibility of a rebranding for the organization soon and said that his focus at the moment is finishing out 2024 with a Championship Trophy at Phoenix.
As Mr. Wolfe takes the reins of the Backroad Bandit Racing Team, we look forward to a bright future for the organization. We wish Mr. Wolfe success in his bid to bring this organization from the ashes it is currently smoldering in back to a bright flame in 2025.