The Widdis family purchased a 1994 Randercar Chassis 2 months ago and a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass body a little over a year ago with hopes of driving the car at Norway Speedway.

The new additions were purchased at an auction in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

"All the changes this year have given us a new look on things. I believe we will be able to consistently run in the B-Features. We've set a goal, which is the first thing, now we just need to reach that goal," Bret Widdis said in a statement last week.

When the car was initially purchased there was no definite driver, or a statement on whether the car would even be driven. Many rumors quickly spread like wildfire. Some said Boyd Widdis, father and crew chief of son Bret Widdis, would be piloting the 1997 Oldsmobile. Others alleged Bret would be driving the Oldsmobile, while father Boyd drove the Chevy Monte Carlo that Bret raced into victory lane in only his 11th feature race as a rookie driving a limited late model against veteran super late model drivers. The rumors, though, were ascertained late last week when Bret Widdis finished a brief statement in which he said, "We are very pleased to inform you that I, Bret Widdis, will be driving the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass instead of the 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo. We believe this change is the best thing for the team and look forward to a prosperous year. This is our rookie season up at Norway [Speedway] so things needed to be changed to accommodate to the new track and personalities. I'm, also, very pleased to inform you that the team's management and crew will not change. I have to attribute all of my success to my dad and crew chief, my uncle Pete, and my mom. Without them this team is virtually nothing but a dream! Thank you for your support and we hope to see you at Norway this season!"

In his statement, Widdis also gave details and pictures of the new paint scheme for the Oldsmobile. "With all the changes to the car we thought it was only logical that a new paint scheme be devised for the new car, " said Widdis.

The car will be a navy blue consisting of a red stripe toward the bottom of the car with a row of stripes giving the car an American feel. Only reasonable for the U.P.'s own American family!

It is of great honor and privilege that I may be the bearer of some very important and exciting news. Directly after the brief statement from Bret Widdis the crew at www.widdisracing.com were allowed inside the Widdis garage to catch a sneak peak at the 1997 Oldsmobile that Bret will be driving in the 2003 Norway Speedway season. Photographer and Designer Manager, Jared Patz, was allowed to take a few candid shots of the car and crew chief Boyd Widdis working on the new addition to the team. Simply click on the link below to take advantage of this exclusive occurrence.