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March 3, 1999 FLORIDA PRO LATE MODEL CHAMP
JOINS McDONOUGH MOTORSPORTS MRF Motorsports has announced that Homestead's Mike Franklin Jr. will drive for McDonough Motorsports of Bradenton, FL.
Franklin will compete in NASCAR's Slim Jim All Pro, Hooter's Cup, and the
Florida Pro series during the 1999 racing season.
McDonough Motorsports has enjoyed tremendous success over the past five years accumulating the most victories in the Florida Pro Series. The team most
recently fielded highly competitive rides for Jimmy Cope of Pinellas Park, FL.
"This is a great opportunity for me as a driver to work with an established
and very successful team like McDonough Motorsports," said Franklin. "They
have have a highly professional, multi-car, operation that has full-time, in-
house employees to prepare competitive race cars and that's a huge competitive advantage."
Franklin has won two coveted Florida Pro Series championships in as many
campaigns, but the road has not been a smooth one. He has not only handled
driving duties but has also put in endless hours with his crew to be ready for
race weekends.
He believes joining McDonough Motorsports will make him a better driver and
that's bad news for his competition. Franklin commented, "With this new
arrangement, my primary focus will be on driving and testing race cars.
That's less for me to worry about as far as car preparation goes and
making sure everything makes it to the track. In turn, I will also be able
to devote more time to Franklin Auto Repair and that's a win-win
situation for everyone involved."
After capturing his second Florida Pro Series Late Model championship last
season, Franklin will get an opportunity to drive different cars at various
tracks and in different leagues.
Franklin and his crew will be looking forward to the challenges of the
upcoming 1999 season. "Our immediate plan now is to compete in 10 NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro races, 4-6 Hooter's Cup races, and 4-6 Florida Pro events and proceed from there", Franklin informed.
A new challenge for Franklin will be competing in the Hooter's Cup Series.
Franklin will have an opportunity to drive the heavier, steel-bodied, Busch
Grand National cars for the very first time.
"I've really been looking forward to driving that type of car", says Franklin.
"They're heavier and don't necessarily handle as well as your typical Late
Model and that will be a welcomed challenge."
Although the MRF Motorsports team has not formally merged with McDonough Motorsports, the same names and faces will be with Franklin come race day..
"Our race crew consisting of Alan Mincey, Adiel 'Monkey" Nunez, and 'Racin
Ruben' Rivera will continue on with me while racing for McDonough
Motorsports", said Franklin. "I've had great support and lots of success with them. We're a team and there's alot of chemistry there."
While Franklin will not be in an MRF ride this season, Franklin followers will
not have any troubles finding one of Florida's top young Late Model
competitors on the track during the 1999 season.
"We will run the same red, white, and blue paint schemes this season on all
of the cars," said Franklin. "Our primary sponsors like Archer Painting,
Spitzer Dodge and Checkmate Truck Brokers / Country Boy Produce will be with us once again this season and our team is very excited
about that."
Ed McLean
Senior Sports Writer & Motorsports Columnist
The South Dade NewsLeader
Homestead, FL
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