Friday, March 4, 2011
By Ernie Saxton Communications
QUAKERTOWN — Looking for new challenges, 31- year-old Steve Butler is looking forward to racing against the tough competition in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Models at Grandview Speedway.
With more than 18 years of go kart racing experience, 182 feature wins and 10 championships to his credit, Butler is looking forward to the new experience of Late Model racing.
“I can hardly wait for practice day at Grandview,” said Butler. “I am just so excited about the opportunity that I have been given by AMB Motorsports to be competing with the NASCAR Late Models. I am anxious to get the season started and see just what we, as a rookie team, are able to do against such tough competition.”
Practice day is set for Saturday, March 26, at Grandview Speedway so Butler does not have long to wait. The season officially gets the green flag at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, with a doubleheader show of NASCAR 358 Modifieds and Late Models.
Butler will be in a Late Model owned by Quakertown's Amy Marie Blackmon. She is one of the few female car owners involved in racing at Grandview Speedway.
The team is newly formed and will carry No. 91. Lew Butler, Steve’s father, will be the crew chief and he will have some help and guidance from former track champion Bob Higginbotham, along with former racers Harry and Bill Henning.
Sponsorship for the 2011 effort will come from a variety of businesses including RNE Embroidery, Carpet by Wike, Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships, Pathetic Medic, Henning Trains, Animal House Pet Shop, Sweet Indulgences by Christina, LBWS Small Tube Fabrication, Valley Beverage, Mentzer Repair Services, and Amsoil. A primary sponsorship is still being negotiated and expected to be announced shortly.
AMB Motorsports will be supporting the charity Autism Speaks during the 2011 season.
“I have formed this team because I have a great passion for dirt track racing. I have been around it all my life,” said Blackmon ( a member of the National Association of Professional Women). “I have always dreamed of owning racing cars since the days when my dad, brother to former Late Model champion Bob Higginbotham, used to take me to Grandview to watch him race. Dirt racing just runs through my veins.”
Blackmon is a married mom with two children and has a full-time position with Aetna. She wants to prove that women do have a place in motorsports.
The season will be run in memory of her father, Leonard “Butch” Higginbotham, who passed away on Christmas Day in 2010 just as plans for the new Late Model racing team were coming together. They will also run in memory of Sara King, Steve’s grandmother, who passed away in September.
Everything is a go for the new team as they challenge the veteran Late Model racers at Grandview Speedway
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