Hartsville SC native Jody Lavender recently signed to drive the #88 owned by Jimmy Burgess and JBR Racing in the NASCAR Camping World East Series. The series was known as the Busch East Series last year but Camping World is the new sponsor in 2008. Jody is not a complete stranger to the series since he ran two races in 2006 and was a top-5 contender in both races.

Jody said, “We’re excited about joining the JBR Racing team for the 2008 season. We’re also excited about competing in the NASCAR Camping World East Series. I’ve competed in the NASCAR All-Pro and Craftsman Truck Series in the past and look forward to competing in another NASCAR series.”

Jody continued, “We know the competition will be tough but we’ll be competitive and we plan to win some races. JBR has good equipment and the team is a hard working and excited team. In fact, Jimmy Burgess, owner of JBR Racing, is one of the most excited people you’ll ever meet. He’ll keep all of us excited and working hard. Veteran Todd Graffam is one of the best crew chiefs in the business.”

The first race for Jody in the #88 car will be at the Greenville-Pickens SC Speedway on April 19, 2008. Jody said, “Greenville-Pickens has always been one of my favorite tracks and we’ve always run good there. It’s now probably considered my “home-track” in the Camping World East Series and I’d like nothing more than to get a win for our many fans in the area.”

Jody has always been a crowd favorite and has been voted “Most Popular Driver” twice and runner-up once.

The JBR team based in Biddeford, Maine does not have a major sponsor and is looking for a sponsor for the season or for one or more races. More information can be obtained at www.jbrracing.com or www.jodylavender.com. The 2008 series schedule is also available on the East Series website and Jody’s website.