For the fourth consecutive year, the NASCAR Nationwide Series entries sponsored by ABF Racing are owned by Mooresville, N.C.-based Braun Racing.
Braun Racing was formed in 2002 when team owner Todd Braun hired rookie Chad Blount to drive in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Blount finished second in points and won Rookie of the Year honors.
Braun moved his operation to the Nationwide Series in 2003, fielding the #30 Dodge for Jimmy Vasser for two races, and the #19 for Chad Blount, Casey Mears, David Stremme, and Jamie McMurray. Mears ran the most races for Braun, winning a pole at Chicagoland Speedway and finishing in the top-10 four times in 14 starts.
In 2004, MacMurray won the team's first race at North Carolina Speedway in the #30. The team ran the #32 full-time with David Stremme as driver, who won a pole at The Milwaukee Mile and five top-fives before switching to FitzBradshaw Racing towards the end of the season. He was replaced by Shane Hmiel.
Hmiel was named the full-time driver in 2005. He won the pole at Texas and three top-fives when NASCAR suspended him for violation of its drug policy. Jorge Goeters, Ron Hornaday, Blount, and Jason Leffler finished out the year for the team.
In 2006, Braun merged with Akins Motorsports and hired Jason Leffler as driver. After the release of Akins's driver, A.J. Foyt IV, Leffler moved to the #38. The #32 became a part-time entry with Cup regular Dave Blaney at the wheel. Blaney had a few good runs and then pulled off an upset victory in the fall event at Lowe's Motor Speedway, holding off Matt Kenseth.
At the start of the 2007 season, Braun formed an alliance with Nationwide Series teams, Biagi Bros. Racing and ppc Racing. Braun Racing also was one of three NASCAR Nationwide Series teams selected by Toyota to help pave their entrance into the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
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