WATERBURY, Conn. – Cherryfield driver Andy Santerre is returning to New England to race in the NASCAR Busch North Series, according to the motorsports division of LesCare Kitchens Inc., which has teamed with Santerre for this season.

Along with the Busch North Series championship, LesCare and Santerre are securing further sponsorship which will allow them to also race in a select number of events in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Santerre, the 1998 Busch Series Rookie of the Year, looks forward to racing in New England once again after spending the last four years racing in the NASCAR Busch Series.

“I am very excited to team up with LesCare Kitchens and run for the Busch North Championship. I have accomplished more than I have ever dreamed I would during my racing career but I have never won a NASCAR championship,” Santerre said. “My goal is to be able to add that title to my resume. With backing from LesCare, I believe we have a legitimate shot.”

Santerre said he always bragged of the North drivers to those on the South circuit.

“Though only a handful of drivers have ever made it to the southern ranks of NASCAR racing, there is a large crop of talent in the northeast,” said Santerre, 33.

“I have gained an enormous amount of experience in the past four years running against some of the most recognized drivers in NASCAR. I believe that experience will help me compete against all the talented drivers in the Busch North Series,” he added. “Between the caliber of drivers I’ve been competing with and LesCare’s backing, I feel we can realistically vie for the championship.”

Santerre was successful in the Busch North Series. In 1993 he earned Rookie of the Year honors, in 1994 the Most Popular Driver award, and in 1996 the Bud Pole Award Championship. In 101 starts, Santerre has 10 career wins, 14 Bud Pole awards, 42 top-five and 61 top-10 finishes.

LesCare Kitchens began its motorsports sponsorship in 1994. The company has continually grown its sponsorship with drivers, race cars, and tracks to establish itself as a big supporter of the sport.

They have been affiliated with drivers such as Todd Bodine, Casey Atwood, Ted Christopher, Curtis Markham, Reggie Ruggiero, and Kelly Moore; and sponsored teams such as Petty Enterprises, Randy LaJoie Racing, and Michael Waltrip Racing.

“In order to get a business return on our investment, we need an outstanding driver who will put the car in the lead pack, capitalize on TV coverage when it is there, and just as importantly off the track as well as he does on the track,” said James Lestorti, LesCare’s CEO.