Innovative Motorsports
| Owner(s) | George DeBidart |
|---|---|
| Base | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Series | Winston Cup, Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series |
| Car numbers | 12, 21 (Craftsman) 47, 48 (Busch) 98 (Winston) |
| Race drivers | Andy Santerre, Mike McLaughlin, Chad Little, Kenny Wallace, Shane Hmiel |
| Sponsors | Little Trees, Gould Pumps, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Toyota Tundra |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet, Toyota |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Closed | 2005 |
| Career | |
| Drivers' Championships | 0 |
| Race victories | 2 |
Innovative Motorsports (IMI) is a former NASCAR team. It was owned by George DeBidart and began racing in the Busch North Series in the mid-90's, before moving to the Busch Series in 1998.
Innovative ran four Cup races during its tenure. Using the No. 98 Chevy purchased from Michael Waltrip Racing, Kenny Wallace ran the Pepsi 400, the Tropicana 400, the Brickyard 400, and the Sirius at the Glen. His best finish was 29th.
Innovative debuted on the Busch Circuit at the 1998 NAPA Auto Parts 300. Andy Santerre was the driver of the car, the No. 47 Monro Muffler and Brake Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and finished 25th. Santerre was the driver for the whole season, grabbing two top-tens, a pole at Richmond, and NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year honors. The next season, Santerre suffered a broken leg in a crash at Daytona, and missed half of the year. Elliott Sadler filled in for him, posting two top-ten finishes. Santerre returned and won his first career race at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Santerre struggled making the field, and was released. Hermie Sadler finished the year, his best finish a 22nd at Phoenix.
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