A. J. Frank

A.J. Frank is a former NASCAR driver from Blufton, South Carolina. In his brief career, Frank competed in three NASCAR Nationwide Series events.

His first start came in 1996, when Frank raced at Watkins Glen. Starting 34th in the thirty-seven car field, Frank fell to 36th after crashing on lap 24.

Frank returned to action for two races in early 2001, racing for Jay Robinson Racing. Starting 38th at Darlington, Frank slid to 39th after handling problems. He wasn't much better at Nashville, finishing 38th. A crash on lap eighty-six would be his last in NASCAR competition.

Racing career
Over the past 15 years, A.J. Frank has raced in about everything and every series imaginable.

The Bluffton, S.C., driver competed in the WERA Motorcycle Road Racing Series for five years and picked up 30 wins. Frank also spent time in the Russell Racing School/Russell USAC Series, winning nine pole positions in nine race races, finishing third in points, and grabbing four wins. In addition, he competed in SCCA Amateur and Professional Divisions, Touring Division, GT-1 and World Challenge. Over the last few years, the 31-year-old driver competed in NASCAR Late Model Series and Goody's Dash Series, as well as making sporadic starts in the NASCAR Busch North, Busch Grand National and AutoZone Southeast Series.

But this season, Frank will no longer continue his nomadic career path. He's found a home. And it's a good one.

East Coast Motorsports recently announced that Frank will pilot the No. 45 Johnny's Suzuki/Baird Transport Ford in the Northern Division of the Hooters Pro Cup Series.

"This is a dream come true," said Frank, who brings along sponsors Low Country Customs and American IronHorse Motorcycles to the No. 45. "I couldn't have asked to be in a better situation."

Frank will be a teammate of defending Pro Cup champion Clay Rogers. And the two will not only share notes, but they'll share the same shop and crew as well.

"It would have been tough to have us both running in the Southern Division," said Frank. "Troy [Baird, co-owner] and Johnny [Dangerfield, co-owner] decided to have us run in the North. It gives us a chance to keep everybody together. Everybody on the crew is friends, and we're teammates at the track and away from track."

The collective camaraderie is nothing new for the group, however. Though Frank is the new driver at East Coast Motorsports, he's not new to the organization.

"I had a chance to spend last year working on Clay's crew and spotting for him," said Frank. "I got to know them, and they got to know me. Also, I brought a couple of guys with me, and they fit right in with the team."

They also bolstered one of the most prepared teams in Pro Cup.

"When A.J. and his guys came in last year, they really made our team better," said Clay Rogers. "It gave us extra hands to work on the cars, and they've all been around racecars for a long time. We used to have one go-to guy on our team. This year, I feel like we can put a wrench in anyone's hand."

Not only will the powerful pairing help in the shop, but it will allow Rogers to experiment during the regular season at the Northern Division tracks in the Championship Series, gaining valuable data that could prove pivotal during final five races.

"I'm going run a couple of races in the Northern Division," said Rogers. "I'm going to be able to run some experimental setups, because A.J. will be running a setup that's less aggressive."

Teamed with a championship crew, teammate and car owners, Frank will likely be a favorite in the Northern Division rookie class. But that's not his lone goal.

"Winning the rookie deal is not my only goal," said Frank. "I feel like we should run up front right from the start of the season. Troy and Johnny don't hire people that they don't think can win and I think I can win. I've raced against all these guys before. People might think I'm cocky, but I believe I can win the Northern Division title."