2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie championship contender Philip McGilton released a statement today that he will no longer drive the No. 22 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra until additional sponsorship can be secured.

"It's a very unfortunate situation," explained a disappointed McGilton. "We were running in the top-10 nearly every week, and were a solid twelfth in the point standings, but some sponsorship deals that we were working on fell through and left us without a seat."

McGilton hopes that things on the sponsorship side will sort out quickly and allow him to rejoin his teammates in the upcoming months.

"One of the biggest let downs for me is not getting to work with my No. 22 guys," said McGilton.  "Doug Wolcott (No. 22 crew chief) did an outstanding job of assembling a first class team, and the chemistry that we all had together is rarely seen these days.  Hopefully, we will get some sponsorship put together so we can go racing again.  Bill Davis Racing is an excellent organization and I really appreciate what Bill (Davis), Mark (Chambers), Doug (Wolcott), and the guys did for us over there."

The 2008 season is McGilton's first season in the NASCAR ranks and the newcomer has fared extremely well thus far.  McGilton is 12th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings and is tied for the lead in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings as well.  McGilton's highest finish to date is 10th at the California Speedway in February.

SOURCE: Philip McGilton PR