Hut Stricklin and sponsor Hills Bros. Coffee closed a deal with Bill Davis Racing earlier this week to put Stricklin in a Dodge next season as a teammate to Ward Burton.Stricklin, who was let go last week by Junie Donlavey, is understandably excited about the new ride.
"First off, Bill and his wife, Gail, are great people," Stricklin said. "They have a great name in the sport and that's really the first and foremost thing to me. Aside from that, they've got a really good group of people. It's a large organization and it runs like a well-oiled machine.
"It's probably one of the premier rides that I've ever had. It's a situation that I'm just tickled to death to be in."
Stricklin was equally excited about stepping into a Dodge next season.
"I feel like it's good timing for me to go there," Stricklin said. "I'll be going there when they are starting their second year. So maybe some of the problems that they've already experienced, we won't have to go through the same problems."
The ride Stricklin will step into is currently the No. 93 Amoco car driven by Dave Blaney. But in addition to the red-and-gold Hills Bros. Coffee colors and logos, it may sport the No. 23 next season.
Davis is working to acquire the number for his team for next year.
There is the possibility Stricklin will drive a third car for Davis in the season finale at Atlanta on Nov. 18, but that is not definite. Otherwise, Stricklin is just going to keep going to the track and try to stay on top of things.
"I'm probably going to try to go to a few more races and be visible and try to stay up with what's going on so I won't be behind any for Daytona," Stricklin said.
The 13-year-veteran is optimistic this is the ride that can finally get him to Victory Lane for the first time.
"This is the best thing I've had since I drove for Bobby (Allison) in the early '90s," Stricklin said. "This team, I think, has great potential."
