Pontiac-ACDelco Announce Alliance with Miller Racing Group
17 August 1997
CONCORD, NC - Leonard W. Miller, former IndyCar team owner and an African-American Hall of Fame inductee, has announced the formation of Pontiac's latest racing effort--Miller Racing Group, Inc., of Concord, N.C. The team, sponsored by ACDelco, will compete in five select NASCAR Slim Jim races in 1997 in preparation for a full schedule in the series in 1998. Destined for NASCAR's Busch series in 1999, and with their sights set on Winston Cup in 2002, the team has a strategic game plan in place that guarantees success. A.J. Alsup, son of 1980's Penske IndyCar driver Bill Alsup, has been selected to pilot the ACDelco Pontiac Grand Prix in 1997. Alsup is a former rodeo rider, a graduate of the Jim Russell driving school in Quebec, and a competitive motocross and off-road racer. To secure the Miller ride, he refined his talent while competing in NASCAR's Winston Racing Series Late Model Stock division in Southern Virginia. Alsup's previous NASCAR experience includes Slim Jim events at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kan., and Southwest Tour events at Phoenix International Raceway. Miller Racing Group is enthusiastic about A.J.'s diverse experience as they develop the team for future Busch Series competition. Team Manager Leonard T. Miller (Lenny), a commercial airline pilot, has teamed up with his father to handle racing operations and sponsorship procurement. "Ever since I can remember, I've been traveling with my father to the races," said Miller. "Once racing gets in your blood, it's hard to ignore." Miller was named co-owner and team manager in 1994. With the long term growth of the race team as an objective, he wasted no time in moving the racing operation to Concord, N.C. "If you want to attract experienced talent, you have to be where the action is," explained Miller. Miller Racing Group's long term alliance with R&W Enterprises, an engine development and components manufacturer with 20 years experience in building winning Formula 5000, Super Vee and NASCAR Modified racing engines, is just another piece of the racing puzzle that has come together. R & W has moved its fabrication shop into Miller's racing operation to share technology and increase development efficiencies. The senior Miller has experience managing teams in NASCAR, USAC, SCCA, IMSA and NHRA. In 1972, he fielded a team for the Indianapolis 500. An expert on the history of African-Americans in motorsports, Miller managed the highly visible "Viceroy" sponsorship for Benny Scott. He provides a well-seasoned racing philosophy to the team that is an essential ingredient for success. A U.S. Army veteran with a master's degree in education from Temple University, Miller will utilize his racing team to launch an evaluation and training program for young African-American race car drivers. The team is currently developing the up-and-coming David White and will offer similar opportunities to other young hopefuls in the future. By Performance Marketing Group