Davey Sammons Named Driver of Palladino Motorsports No. 99; Full URC Schedule Planned Plus 10-15 410 Sprint Car Races - Wednesday, December 19, 2007

BORDENTOWN, NJ ~ The most prestigious seat on the United Racing Company (URC) 360 Sprint Car circuit will be filled by Davey Sammons in 2008.
 
On Dec. 19, an agreement was forged to put the 19-year-old Sammons, of Bordentown, N.J., in the seat of Pat and Kathy Palladino's No. 99 for the full URC schedule in '08. Additionally, the Palladino No. 99 will make select 410 Sprint Car starts in Central Pennsylvania.
 
Both the 360 and 410 Sprint Cars will be trimmed with the Palladino color scheme/number and will be maintained at the Palladino Motorsports shop in Newfield, N.J.
 
Sammons replaces Curt Michael in the Palladino ride.
 
The Pat and Kathy Palladino-fielded No. 99 is synonymous with success on the URC circuit. Since Pat Palladino, previously a respected mechanic on the 410 circuit, made the decision to field his own team in 1999, the Palladino No. 99 has never placed worse than third in the URC standings, including championships in 1999, 2000, '05, '06 and '07.
 
Remarkably, the Palladino car hasn't missed an event on the URC circuit since 1999 - over 230 consecutive starts - and has amassed 41 wins with drivers Curt & Sean Michael and Trevor Lewis.
Sammons, meanwhile, is regarded as a star on the rise in the 360 Sprint Car ranks.

After being recognized as URC's Rookie of the Year in '06, Sammons - a graduate of the Quarter Midget and Micro-Sprint ranks - enjoyed a breakout year, finishing fifth in points and receiving the Most Improved Driver Award at the recent URC Awards Banquet.
 
Sammons earned his first-career URC victory in dramatic fashion, with a late-race pass of Randy West during the Delaware State Dirt-Track Championships at Delaware International Speedway on Nov. 3. The win at Charlie Cathell's First State facility sealed up a second-place finish in the Taylor & Messick URC Delaware State standings.
 
Sammons is honored to take the wheel of the circuit's top ride.
"The Palladino No. 99 is the most prestigious ride in URC," said Sammons.
 
"I'm honored to have the opportunity to drive for Kathy and Pat and look forward to a successful season together.
 
"I'm appreciative of all the effort put in by Andy Anderson and the No. 79 team that got me this far. Without them, this wouldn't have been possible."
 
The Palladinos share Sammons's enthusiasm.
 
"We're looking forward to embarking upon a new era. Davey is such a promising young talent, so eager. The entire No. 99 team is thrilled and anxiously anticipating the 2008 season," said the Palladinos.
 
The Palladino/Sammons No. 99 410 Sprint Car will be unveiled at Motorsports 2008 presented by VP Racing Fuels on Jan. 18-20 at the Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center in the Bob Hilbert Sportswear booth.
 
Sponsorship support for the '08 effort comes from BK Leasing; CnB Mushroom Farms; Dick Feeser, Realtor; Bowen Seafood; E.J. Wagner & Son Trucking; Jim's Lettering; Washington Pediatrics; and Don Ott Racing Engines.
 
Aside from the URC schedule, the team expects to take part in 10-15 410 Sprint Car events, beginning early in the season with select special events throughout the remainder of the season.
 
For further information on Davey Sammons, visit: www.daveysammons.com.