Hoosier Steve Casebolt, who drives the orange-and-white c9 Dixie Chopper car in the Lucas Oil Late Model Series, made a pitstop at the facilities of his sponsor on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Dixie Chopper Media Marketing Manager Rick Judy took Casebolt on a tour of both the Fillmore/Coatesville headquarters and the Greencastle assembly plant.

"I am overwhelmed that Dixie Chopper has shown an interest in us and we hope to always go out there and do a great job for them," the 30-year-old Richmond, Ind., native said.

Casebolt enjoyed lengthy conversations with owner Art Evans and his son, Wes, as well as getting to see Dixie Choppers being fabricated and assembled.

"After learning more about Dixie Chopper and seeing their product line, I can't see why everybody doesn't already have a Dixie Chopper," he said.

With the 2008 racing season now behind him, Casebolt says he's proud that his team drove the Dixie Chopper-sponsored Rocket Chassis home to a "very respectable third-place points finish."

The nine-month-long series saw more than 600 competitors in action while Casebolt made strong runs in several different states and even led the points race for much of the season.

In 50 races (point and non-point races) in 2008, he scored one win, 12 top-five finishes and 23 top tens and finished third overall in points.

The season marked Casebolt's first year back in his self-owned car, which Dixie Chopper will again sponsor in 2009.

"We feel like we have learned a lot this season and we have something to build on now," he said. "Next year shouldn't be as tough on us financially since we already have everything it takes to run the series full time in place."

Casebolt's current plans are to begin his 2009 season in Tampa, Fla., at Eastbay Raceway and once again bid for the Lucas Oil Championship.

For more information on Steve Casebolt and his race team, check out their website at www.stevecasebolt.com