STATESVILLE, N.C. – KBR Development, which recently began what was supposed to be its second full season in the ARCA Menards Series, is shutting down.
The team’s closure was announced on its website Saturday. In a statement posted on the team website, KBR Development’s Mike Bursley thanked those who helped the organization during its time in operation.
In the 20+ years that I’ve been involved in motorsports as either a team member, driver, crew chief, a manufacturer, owner, or representing an organization in the sport, I’ve been blessed to have worked side by side with a number of great people along with a lot of the past and present industry leaders,” Bursley said in the statement. “Over those years, together we have won our fair share of races all while losing our share. We’ve set records, battled through many sleepless nights rebuilding cars and traveling, been involved in different rivalries and altercations, and along the way met a number of great people/friends. Through all that, I’ve been blessed to have either been crowned or part of a number of different championships but like most things eventually they come to an end.
“To all the past and present team members, the number of different drivers, the variety of marketing partners, customers, to my family and the people that have supported and cheered along over the years, I want to say thank you, it’s been fun and was quite the ride.”
The team made its ARCA Menards Series debut in 2018, with Carson Hocevar driving the team’s No. 35 in three events. He earned two top-five finishes in those three starts as well as a pole at Michigan’s Berlin Raceway.
In 2019 the team ran the full ARCA Menards Series schedule with the No. 28 entry, which was driven by five different drivers throughout the season. Hocevar competed in most of the events, earning four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes as well as his second pole.
Sheldon Creed, the 2018 series champion, Raphael Lessard, Brandon McReynolds and Stefan Parsons also made starts in equipment prepared by KBR Development last year.
Prior to the 2020 season the team announced plans to relocate from its base in Michigan to Statesville, N.C., while also hiring multi-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel to serve as the team’s general manager.
However, Kimmel was later sued by his former team, Venturini Motorsports, who accused him of stealing trade secrets. The two sides have since reached a settlement agreement.
The team competed in the season opening race of the ARCA Menards Series season with World of Outlaws star David Gravel driving the team’s No. 28. He finished 12th in what proved to be the team’s final race in the series.