Salem, IN (December 29, 2005) – 2002 CRA Super Series Champion Joel Kauffman will compete full-time in the NASCAR Busch Series driving the #12 Supercuts / Cottman Transmission Dodge for FitzBradshaw Racing, competing for Rookie Of The Year Honors. Kauffman made seven starts with the #12 team in 2005 with a best finish of 22^nd at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the season finally for the NASCAR Busch Series.

Kauffman, who just turned 20 on December 9^th, won the 2002 CRA Super Series Championship at the tender age of 16, beating 60-year-old Canadian racing legend Junior Hanley by a record two points. Kauffman was the CRA Super Series Rookie Of The Year in 2001 at age 15. Kauffman celebrated his 20^th birthday with team co-owner Terry Bradshaw while shooting commercials for team sponsor Supercuts. The former NFL star presented Kauffman with a birthday cake while taking a break between shootings.

The team recently hired veteran crew chief Butch Hylton to work with Kauffman. Hylton has an impressive Busch Series record as a crew chief, which includes seven wins and 11 poles. Equally as impressive, he has earned one top five finish in the driver points standings (2004) and two top five finishes in the owner point standings (2002-2003), capturing the championship in 2003. Hylton has worked with many NASCAR’s top drivers including Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Bobby Labonte, and Mark Martin.

"I am excited to join FitzBradshaw Racing and have the opportunity to work with a rising young talent like Joel Kauffman," said Hylton. "He has shown everyone that he has potential and talent, and I hope we can build a team to help him capture the Rookie of the Year title next season."

"Our team is motivated and excited for next season and to run for Rookie of the Year," said Kauffman. "Butch has the knowledge and desire to lead this team to a title. I am excited to get the season underway."

FitzBradshaw Racing is owned by NASCAR veterans Armando and Mimi Fitz and NFL Hall of Fame member and Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw. The team also fields the #14 NASCAR Busch Series car along with the #99 in partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing. FitzBradshaw Racing is one of two teams featured on the SPEED Channel reality show NBS 24/7. The show airs on Monday nights at 7:30pm and at 10:00pm and re-airs several times weekly.

Joel Kauffman raced for LA West Racing while competing with the CRA Super Series for two and a half years. The team was owned by his father Vern Kauffman, owner of LA West Luxury Vehicles in their hometown of LaGrange, Indiana. Kauffman raced his first CRA Super Series event at the age of 14 on July 8^th, 2000 at Anderson Speedway, coming away with a very impressive 8^th place finish.

Kauffman still holds several CRA Super Series records including the youngest winner at age 16 getting the win at Toledo Speedway on May 26^th, 2002. Kauffman is also the record holder for the most Fast Qualifier Awards in a season with five during the 2002 season.

Everyone at the CRA Super Series would like to congratulate the Kauffman family and wish Joel lots of luck in his pursuit of the NASCAR Busch Series Rookie Of The Year Award during the 2006 season.