Morgan-McClure Retains #4, hopes to return at Daytona

Monday night on his SIRIUS NASCAR Radio show, Tony Stewart revealed that the car of new teammate, Ryan Newman, will have the #39 next season for Stewart-Haas Racing instead of the previously announced #4. The #4 has been intertwined with the Abingdon [VA]-based Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet the past 25 years. MMM co-owners Tim Morgan and Larry McClure expressed their displeasure after a Friday morning press conference at Michigan International Speedway where it was announced that Newman would have the #4 in the Sprint Cup Series. Morgan said Wednesday afternoon that while he had never spoken to Stewart, he maintained faith that NASCAR officials would respect the tradition of the MMM team and disallow the number switch. Morgan-McClure Motorsports ceased operations last January due to a lack of funding. “I knew it was NASCAR’s prerogative, but I never actually believed the [number] change was going to happen unless I heard different from NASCAR," Morgan said. “There was apparently just a misunderstanding here."

“We’ve had the #4 for a long time and there is a lot of history there," said Morgan, who talked to a NASCAR official Monday. “I think NASCAR respects the history of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, and I think they made the right decision." Speaking with co-host Matt Yocum on the “Tony Stewart Live" show Monday night, Stewart provided insight into his reversal. “We had some hiccups in the #4 with Larry McClure," Stewart said. “I’m not sure there was enough due diligence when it came to knowing for sure if Mr. McClure was going to have a car for next year. We spoke with NASCAR and NASCAR said that that number was available and I’m not sure that, all the way around, that enough due diligence was done."

Stewart, a two-time NASCAR series champion, added that he respects the history of the MMM team and realizes the impact a number change would make. “We’ve been told that [McClure] is going to run some races next year and to us, especially me as a car owner, we know how much car numbers mean to teams and organizations," Stewart said. “Even though NASCAR has given us that number for next year, if Mr. McClure is going to run a car we’re excited to have him back in the series…so we wanted him to have his number. “As a fellow car owner, I know how important that would be to me so we wanted to make sure that he’s got his number back for next year with the word that he’s going to be running some races next year."

Despite the sluggish economy and financial woes of other NASCAR organizations, Morgan said his homegrown team is still hoping for a return to the track. “We’ve never quit working," Morgan said. “We’re working on a different routes, including possibly taking on an investor or investors." Morgan said the MMM group also has representatives seeking out sponsorship packages. “We’re pursuing every avenue to put something together where we could be competitive," Morgan said. While Morgan said his team has the equipment necessary to make a return later this season, the most feasible option would be next season. “We’re hoping to get back by Daytona," said Morgan, referring to the season-opening Daytona 500. “I don’t think Tony meant any harm or disrespect," Morgan said. “I just think this was an honest misunderstanding. I’m sure our friends and fans are happy that we still have our number." Bristol Herald Courier