After a tremendously successful
35-plus-year driving career that netted 50 NHRA national event wins and
11 divisional championships, Alcohol Funny Car icon Bob Newberry has
decided its time to turn in his driving gloves.
Considered among Sportsman racing’s elite, Newberry is part of
an ever-dwindling fraternity of competitors who still works on the car,
tunes the engine and drives, which ultimately led to his decision to
make a change. Nick Bastiao, owner of Stealth Motorsports, has
purchased Newberry’s turnkey race team operation and will not only
retain Newberry as his crew chief and mentor, but also re-signed
Valvoline to a multi-year agreement.
“I have been extremely fortunate throughout my career to have
a strong network of supporters,” said Newberry. “From a number of
tremendous sponsors such as Valvoline, to countless friends and family,
their help has allowed me race at a high level whether in Competition
Eliminator or Alcohol Funny Car.
After a tremendously successful
35-plus-year driving career that netted 50 NHRA national event wins and
11 divisional championships, Alcohol Funny Car icon Bob Newberry has
decided its time to turn in his driving gloves.
Considered among Sportsman racing’s elite, Newberry is part of
an ever-dwindling fraternity of competitors who still works on the car,
tunes the engine and drives, which ultimately led to his decision to
make a change. Nick Bastiao, owner of Stealth Motorsports, has
purchased Newberry’s turnkey race team operation and will not only
retain Newberry as his crew chief and mentor, but also re-signed
Valvoline to a multi-year agreement.
“I have been extremely fortunate throughout my career to have
a strong network of supporters,” said Newberry. “From a number of
tremendous sponsors such as Valvoline, to countless friends and family,
their help has allowed me race at a high level whether in Competition
Eliminator or Alcohol Funny Car.
Having a competitive team has been a great calling card, but
it’s been a challenge to focus on my business while trying to race at
the same event. – Bob Newberry
“But,
with Nick purchasing my entire racing operation, I believe this is a
great time for me to step aside and help a strong up and coming guy who
has the same competitive will as I did when I was younger. I’ll still
be able to attend races – I’ll just have a different view from the
starting line.
“Valvoline has been involved not only as a sponsor but as a
technical partner of Bob Newberry Racing,” said John Stotz, Director of
Brand Marketing for Valvoline. “It’s great to continue those roles with
Stealth Motorsports and support Bob as a crew chief”.
One of the few competitors able to make a business out of
sportsman racing, Newberry founded Bob Newberry Racing (BNR) in 1983
when he first entered into the alcohol ranks. Throughout his career, he
developed a strong customer base in the alcohol categories with an
extensive line of racing components. Today’s announcement will allow
him to devote more time to that business.
“Having a competitive team has been a great calling card, but
it’s been a challenge to focus on my business while trying to race at
the same event,” said Newberry. “I will now be able to be hands on with
Nick’s team, but have more time to help my customers at the track”.
“It’s exciting to help Nick put together his team, especially
with Valvoline staying involved at a high level as well as having some
of the other sponsors that have been with me throughout my career. It’s
the perfect way for me to stay involved with a team, take care of my
business, while still getting to enjoy seeing the fans at the races. As
far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to retire from the seat.
“We’ll have more announcements forthcoming about the team, but
for right now I’m just planning on enjoying the view from outside the
car.”
