BDI Racing's #51 Chevrolet Super Late Model team broke out as a top-tier development team in 2008. Racing under Chevrolet's development banner, the team scored poles, strong finishes and its first-ever victory at Motor Mile Speedway in Virginia to make the season an overall success.

With the calendar turning to 2009, BDI Racing has its sights on an even bigger season on the short tracks of America. The first piece of the new season's puzzle has been filled as BDI Racing announced today that 19-year-old Michael Pope of Dublin, Georgia, will pilot the #51 Chevy in select events in 2009.

“Michael is a phenomenal racer and an extremely hard-working kid, but most importantly, he's an all-around good person to be around,” said BDI Racing Team Owner and NASCAR on SPEED TV broadcaster Bob Dillner. “Michael came to the Snowball Derby with our team and really jelled with the entire team and worked hard throughout the weekend in Pensacola . We had a good driver behind the wheel that weekend in Ryan Preece, and I know Michael would've loved the opportunity to be driving at that race. Yet Michael worked his tail off and became friends with the entire team despite not being able to drive. I really came to realize just how special of a kid Michael is and I know he's a good racer. He and his family are truly genuine people and their hard-working demeanor has made it a no-brainer to have Michael behind the wheel of one of our cars in 2009.”

Pope joins BDI Racing as one of the rising stars of the Southeastern Late Model scene. With a victory to his name in the competitive Georgia Asphalt Series and the 2007 Pro Late Model Viper Series championship at South Alabama Speedway, Pope has become one of the most heralded drivers in the Southeast. Now, as BDI Racing's newest driver, Pope is excited to continue the team's standard of success.

“I'm excited about this opportunity to drive for BDI Racing,” said Pope. “I'm also really looking forward to working with the guys in the shop and at the track. I'm going to learn so much working in the shop with them, at the track with them and behind the wheel.

“I want to go out and run well in the BDI Racing #51 Chevrolet. People know what this team is capable of and I want to prove it. I went to the Snowball Derby with them and saw that this team is capable of winning everywhere they go. Hopefully I can get the job done and win a couple races this year.”

Pope's first foray in the BDI Racing #51 Chevy will come in the SpeedFest 2009 CRA Super Series-sanctioned Super Late Model event at Lanier National Speedway (GA), January 24th and 25th.

While Pope's exact schedule will be announced at a later date, further driving opportunities with BDI Racing remain open for other racers throughout the 2009 season. BDI Racing's stable includes a fleet of Late Models, state-of-the-art equipment and an all-purpose team transporter, all housed in a 10,000-plus-square-foot shop in Concord, North Carolina, the home of all things stock car racing.

“Everyone at BDI Racing is excited to have a great kid like Michael Pope behind the wheel of our Chevrolet Super and Pro Late Models this season,” said BDI Racing Director of Racing Operations Matt Kentfield. “Michael is a great fit and addition to our team, but we have openings for other great kids to get a chance to succeed in a BDI Racing car this season, as well. We will do everything we can to make sure that every driver that sits behind the wheel of a BDI Racing car becomes as good of a racecar driver that he or she wants to be. We have the people, the equipment and the experience to help any racer achieve their goals.”

BDI Racing currently has openings in its #51 Super Late Model for big early-season events such as Florida Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway and The Rattler at South Alabama Speedway, as well as races throughout the 2009 season. Inquiries from funded and qualified drivers are welcome by contacting Matt Kentfield at 704-788-2134 ext: 5 and matt@bdiracing.net .

Based in Concord , North Carolina , BDI Racing is a full-service short track development team that offers a “total package” approach to building strong racers both on the track and off. BDI Racing has a full fleet of cars from Quarter Midgets, Bandoleros, Legends Cars, Pro Challenge Series cars and Super Late Models. Several house drivers, including Michael Pope and Meghan Dillner, make up the core of the BDI Racing development program, but opportunities are available in all facets of BDI Racing's organization for the entire 2009 season.

Marketing opportunities for the BDI Racing team and its driver development program are currently available for events 2009, as well. For more information on how partnering with BDI Racing can provide a multitude of benefits for companies of all sizes, contact the team at (704) 788-2134 ext: 5 and visit the team online at www.bdiracing.net.