Grapevine: Supercross' McGrath to try stock cars

McGrath is the second Supercross rider to try his hand at stock car racing after fellow two-wheel rival Ricky Carmichael made his debut last month, also in a late model event, where he was under tuition from NASCAR veteran Mark Martin.

"This is something I've always wanted to try, and I'm really grateful that Dale Jr. is giving me this opportunity to drive one of his race cars," said McGrath, who will run a 10-race programme this year with JR Motorsport, starting on April 21 at Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly, North Carolina.

"We are going to test this week, weather permitting. I've got a lot to learn when it comes to racing something with four wheels, but I'm confident I can pick it up pretty quick.

"I've been fortunate to have a lot of success in Supercross, but this is a new type of racing for me.  I want to succeed at this. It's not like I'm coming in here and saying that I'm going to be a Nextel Cup driver or anything like that. I want to focus on this chance."

McGrath dominated Supercross for nearly a decade, claiming 74 victories, seven titles and a Gold medal in the X-Games between 1993 and 2004. The 35-year-old tested one of Earnhardt's cars six weeks ago at the Tri-County Racetrack and the team claim he was up to speed by the end of the test.

"I'm proud to have Jeremy here, and it's cool to see how excited he is about getting into one of these late models," Earnhardt Jr. said.

"I like his approach, his mentality, and the energy he brings to this shop. I know this isn't just some fleeting interest on his part. He is as serious about this as anyone I've ever been around."

JR Motorsports fiels three cars in late model racing and has also one entry in the Busch Series, the No. 88 U.S. Army Chevrolet driven by Shane Huffman.