Lester Buildings, one of the nation's largest manufacturers of pre-engineered post-frame buildings, has announced its will not return to NASCAR racing in 2008.  Lester Buildings' primary sponsorship of the Green Light Racing #07 and driver Tim Sauter will end at the conclusion of the 2007 season at Homestead. The company, with facilities in Minnesota, Illinois and Virginia and distribution in nearly 35 states, first hooked up with Sauter in 2004, competing in the now-defunct ASA National Series, then moved with Sauter to the NASCAR Busch series in 2005 and 2006 before joining with Green Light Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2007.
 
Lester Buildings' spokesman Tom Borgman said, "We regret to have to make this announcement as it means the end to a great relationship that has yielded many positive benefits - both the business and personal kind. Our decision to end our run in NASCAR is in no way, based on our feelings for Tim, for whom we have only the highest regard. He has done everything we've asked of him and more since day one. It has more to do with the challenges that go with sustaining an effective racing-focused marketing effort in a tight economy and validating that effort in an environment that is all about the here and now. Of course, these challenges are nothing new, especially for companies of our type who are navigating today's difficult construction market. But it's sad to have to leave the momentum we were building 'on the table' so to speak!"
 
The company is "full-speed ahead" for the remaining two races of the 2007 season and is pleased with the enhanced national exposure it has received. "Out of this effort, there's no doubt that many more hundreds of thousands of people now know about Lester Buildings," Borgman said. The company is also well-known for running a high-profile building sweepstakes and rebate program through internet partner sites, Truckseries.com and Jayski.com.
 
Sauter sits just outside the top-15 in the season's driver standings. However, as the NCTS racing press has noted, with just a few breaks here or there, that position should be higher with a number of potential top 15 and top 10 finishes dashed by simple bad racing luck.
 
Larry Lembrich, VP of Sales for Lester Buildings added, "It's been a pleasure to work with Tim. He is the consummate professional and is highly regarded up and down pit road, inside the ropes and by his fans.  We wish Tim and his family the very best of luck in whatever is down the road for him."
 
Sauter is currently looking for opportunities for the 2008 season.