New Busch Series Team announced for 2001
HARRISBURG, NC (October 2, 2000) - Santerre PR

Andy Santerre, a regular NASCAR Busch Series competitor, and Winston-Salem businessman, Mike Reece, have combined efforts and formed Santerre Reece Motorsports - a NASCAR Busch Series team slated to compete on a limited basis in 2001 with a full schedule planned for 2002.

The 32-year old Santerre has been involved with the Busch Series as a driver for the past three years, but his experience with cars and racing goes way beyond his driving abilities. Santerre enjoys plotting and building race cars just as much as he does driving them and has enjoyed much success with the cars he built. In 1998, Santerre built a Busch Series car, took it to Richmond International Raceway and earned his first-ever Busch Series Bud Pole Award. A few weeks later, he earned his first Busch Series top-five finish with the same car. He went on to earn the 1998 Raybestos "Rookie of the Year" honor on the Busch Series.

"I have always enjoyed building the cars as much as I do driving them," Santerre confessed. "I take a lot of pride in building a fast race car and it is that much more rewarding for me when the car runs well and wins races. I have always felt I could build a competitive car if given the chance and I believe I have proved myself in that respect."

Santerre built a new chassis for the 2000 season to compete under the Andy Santerre Motorsports banner in four NASCAR Busch North Series races. Santerre won two of the four races he entered with his own car.

Santerre's goals in racing may differ from the typical driver's, but Santerre is secure in his decision to start his own team and takes pride in the fact that he is blazing his own trail instead of doing what is expected by others.

"Almost every driver I know has aspirations of being a Winston Cup driver one day," Santerre, a Cherryfield, Maine native remarked. "I don't. Nor have I ever, really. I'm realistic and I know how lucky I am to reach the level of racing I have, but when I look five or ten years into my future, I don't see myself as a driver." Santerre continues, "Racing is my life and I love the sport, I want to stay involved, contribute and make a comfortable living at it, but I don't think I am prepared to sacrifice everything you have to sacrifice to be a full-time driver. My long-term future in the sport of auto racing is as a car owner. I am not giving up driving any time in the near future, but the timing was right to start laying the groundwork for my own team. I have a great partner in Mike Reece, he has been involved in racing before and he understands how the sport works. With his business experience and my racing knowledge, we feel confident we can build a competitive race team."

Mike Reece owns several companies in the greater Charlotte/Winston-Salem area. His main business - Reece Builder's and Aluminum Company - has been in business for over 30 years and is the largest, privately owned home improvement business in the Southeast. Born in Winston Salem, Reece has spent almost his entire life in North Carolina; he currently resides in Mooresville with his wife of 10 years, Helen. Reece's love of racing and admiration and respect for Santerre has led to his partnership in Santerre-Reece Motorsports.

"I have known Andy for several years and I think the world of him as a driver and as a person. He has a good head on his shoulders and he has a desire unmatched in any other young person I know to succeed. He has set his sights on being a car owner and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be successful. I want to be a part of that."

Santerre and Reece have secured a race shop in Mooresville, North Carolina. They are in the process of moving all their equipment and cars into the building to begin preparing for the 2001 season.

The duo plan to field Chevrolet Monte Carlos on the NASCAR Busch Series; their car number is pending from NASCAR and a sponsorship announcement is expected by December. Currently, Santerre-Reece Motorsports plans to enter 13 - 16 races in 2001 with Santerre as the driver. A full schedule is planned for 2002.