The National Guard racecar is back on the NASCAR racing scene this season under the ownership of the sport's first minority racing team and with a new driver behind the steering wheel.

BelCar Racing, under the partnership of Sam Belnavis and car owner Travis Carter, began putting the No. 54 car through its paces this past week in a three-day test session at Daytona, Fla. The man sitting in the driver seat this season is Winston Cup winner Todd Bodine. Belnavis and Carter believe the veteran NASCAR driver has what it takes to put the car and the team in the winner’s circle.

BH Motorsports, which ran the National Guard car last year, tried to run three races during the 2002 season with Ron Hornaday driving No. 54. But inclement weather canceled qualifying twice and Hornaday failed to make the field in the other. Hornaday did compete in the ARCA series event at Lowe's Motor Speedway and finished second. 

He said BelCar’s involvement in racing is focused on enhancing the diversity effort in NASCAR as well as increasing the recruitment efforts and retention rates of the team’s primary advertiser. The Army National Guard, along with Bodine and the resources that Travis Carter brings to BelCar, are helping the team lay the groundwork for a successful future in Winston Cup racing.