Hillman Racing today announced that 2002 Daytona 500 Champion Ward Burton will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut behind the wheel of the No. 27 Hillman Racing Chevrolet with funding from State Waters Heaters in next month's season-opening NextEra 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
Hillman Racing is making its NASCAR debut this season, but the organization is anything but new to the sport. Team owner Mike Hillman Sr. played a key role in the founding of Germain Racing and was the architect of the group's two NASCAR championships in 2006 and 2010. Hillman acquired the championship-winning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series assets following the conclusion of the 2011 season and is set to embark as the owner and general manager of Hillman Racing for the 2012 season.
"First off, I have to thank Bob Germain for his friendship over the years; it's because of that we were able to acquire the truck teams," said Hillman. "I put my heart and soul into that organization and I wanted to continue the tradition of winning that we established there with the two Camping World Truck Series championships. I'm also appreciative of State Water Heaters for coming onboard as we continue to talk with additional marketing partners to grow this operation. Having a driver of Ward's caliber entrusting me with the development of his son's Jeb NASCAR career is a compliment to what I've been a part of in the Truck Series and the sport. I'm also looking forward to adding Ward to the list of drivers to win at least one race in each of the NASCAR National Series when we go to Daytona next month."
In 375 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, Burton has posted fives wins, seven poles and 24 top-five and 82 top-10 finishes. Burton also has four NASCAR Nationwide Series victories, seven poles, 23 top-five and 50 top-10 finishes in 161 starts.
"I am real excited about the things we have going on with Mike (Hillman Sr.) and his program. I think this is a real good thing for Jeb and his career," said Burton. "Hillman Sr. is building a great team of people and we are hoping that we can bring some additional marketing partners on board with us to make this program a huge success. Jeb and I have our long-time supporter State Water Heaters on board with us and we are thrilled that they are going to be a part of our 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season and helping to kick off Jeb's NASCAR debut."
In addition to Burton, a driver development program is being established for Jeb Burton, the 19-year-old son of Ward. Since making his last NASCAR start, Burton has been using that time to focus on helping his son Jeb develop his racing career and his conservation efforts with The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. Being the son of NASCAR's 2002 Daytona 500 winner, it would be natural to think that Jeb Burton would have the hope of someday becoming a professional race car driver like his dad.
Jeb has been racing since he was a kid, starting in go- karts and racing his way through the ranks in ASA and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, and now at 19, he is ready to step into one of NASCAR's top tier racing series with Hillman Racing in No. 27 Chevrolet Silverado, sporting the same number that he has been racing in his Late Model division. "I'm excited to race in the truck series," said Burton.
"This is a big step from the NASCAR Whelen Series but I am ready for it. I am comfortable with my crew chief Trip Bruce and the team of guys here at Hillman Racing. There are a lot of resources here with this race team and I am real appreciative for State Water Heaters and Mike Hillman Sr. for giving me this chance."
"State Water Heaters and Ward Burton have been partners since 2007," stated Jeff Storie, Senior Marketing Manager for State Water Heaters.
"We realized early on that Ward has a natural connection with our wholesalers and contractors. Because of that connection, Ward is a great ambassador for the State brand. We're thrilled that our 2012 partnership is moving back on the track with both Ward & Jeb. We look forward to seeing what Ward, Jeb and the whole Hillman Racing team can do together and we're glad to be a part of it. Mike Hillman's results in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series speak for themselves. We're excited to see what the combo of Hillman Racing, the Burtons & State can produce."
Complete details of the driver lineup for the remainder of the season will be announced at a later date.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
PRESS RELEASE: Brendan Gaughan to Compete in Limited NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule for RCR
(Brendan Gaughan will race for Richard Childress Racing in all three of NASCAR's top series in 2012. It was announced Wednesday he would race four consecutive Cup events after the Daytona 500 in RCR's No. 33 Chevrolet. Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)
Veteran NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan will compete in four races on the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, driving Richard Childress Racing's No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Impala in addition to his previously announced 18-race NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule with the Welcome, N.C. - based race team.
Gaughan, 36, competed full time in the Sprint Cup Series during the 2004 season, finishing 28th in the driver championship point standings with one top-five and four top-10 finishes in 36 starts. The 2002 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year competed full time in the Nationwide Series in 2009 and 2010, earning one pole and 17 top-10 finishes in 71 career starts. He finished ninth in the 2009 driver championship point standings and 11th in 2010. The two-time NASCAR Camping World Series West champion (2000-2001) has amassed eight victories and 63 top-10 finishes in 187 Truck Series starts, finishing 12th in the 2011 driver championship point standings. Gaughan was also part of the five-driver lineup that won the GT3 division of the 2011 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona sports car race at Daytona International Speedway.
Leading the effort for the No. 33 team will be veteran crew chief Gil Martin, RCR's Nationwide Series program team manager. Martin has been at RCR since 2000 and has served as crew chief for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Casey Mears, Kerry Earnhardt and Robby Gordon. He is one of a select few crew chiefs to win races in NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.
"The opportunity to run four races for Richard Childress in the Sprint Cup Series is truly amazing,' said Gaughan. "RCR has top-notch equipment and teamed me with a winning crew chief in Gil Martin. Everyone deserves a second chance and I am ecstatic that my second chance in the Sprint Cup Series is in the No. 33 Chevrolet with RCR."
The Las Vegas, native's four-race Sprint Cup Series schedule will kick-off at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway in March, followed by a doubleheader weekend where Gaughan will pilot the No. 33 South Point Chevrolet in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series events at his home track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Completing his 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule with RCR is Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, Calif.) in March.
"We're excited about Brendan running a limited schedule of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for RCR this season in addition to his Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series schedule," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Brendan has a full season of racing in the Sprint Cup Series and a few top-10 finishes under his belt with when he and Shane (Wilson) teamed up together a few years ago. This season he'll be competing at some of his favorite tracks with Gil calling the shots so we think he has a great chance for some strong finishes in the No. 33 South Point Chevrolet."
RCR's No. 33 team finished 13th in final 2011 owner point standings on the power of one win, four top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
For additional information on today's announcement, and all that's happening at RCR, please visit www.rcrracing.com.
PRESS RELEASE: Max Papis to Compete at Road America for RCR
Richard Childress Racing announced today road-course specialist Max Papis has been tapped to pilot its No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet when the NASCAR Nationwide Series visits Road America on June 23.
In addition to competing at the 14-turn road course, Papis will serve as a driver coach for fellow RCR teammates, assisting in strengthening their road-course racing skills.
"It is an honor to join a history-making team like RCR and continue what I started with Kevin Harvick Inc. the last couple of years," stated Papis. "I feel ready to win races in NASCAR and, at the same time, I'm honored to have the chance to pass all the experience I built in my last 20 years of competition around the world to real racers like Austin Dillon and Ty Dillon and doing it with my never-give-up attitude that brought me all the way here."
Papis, a native of Italy who now resides in North Carolina, has nine road-course races on his Nationwide Series resume with his career best finish of second coming at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in August 2009. The 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series champion has also competed in six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series road-course events, posting his best finish of eighth at Watkins Glen International in the same year.
"Max is a great addition to our driver lineup and to RCR overall," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "He has shown his talents in many different forms of auto racing all over the world and will be able to share that knowledge with our less experienced drivers. He's the perfect driver for the No. 33 Menards Chevrolet when the NASCAR Nationwide Series gets to Road America. Max also has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm wherever he is, at the track or the shop."
The 2007 Petite Le Mans race winner made his NASCAR debut in 2006 when he joined the 43-car field in the Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen International, posting a 14th-place finish. Since then, he has competed in 88 races across NASCAR's top three national series, accumulating two-top five and seven top-10 results.
Papis is scheduled to share the No. 33 Nationwide Series ride with teammates Brendan Gaughan, Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Tony Stewart for the 2012 season.
For additional information on today's announcement, and all that's happening at RCR, please visit www.rcrracing.com.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
PRESS RELEASE: Snyder Named Crew Chief for Gresham, No. 24 NCWTS Chevy
(Terry "Richie" Snyder. Photo by JoeDenetteMotorsports.com)
Joe Denette Motorsports (JDM) is pleased to announce that Terry "Richie" Snyder has been named crew chief for the No. 24 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet of Max Gresham for the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season.
"I'm very excited for the opportunity to work with Max this year," stated Snyder. "He has a lot of talent and enthusiasm. He is in the shop everyday asking questions and learning these trucks. I know with his talent, my experience, and our drive to succeed, we have a combination for success in 2012."
While Snyder will be making his debut as a crew chief when the NCWTS takes the green flag at Daytona International Speedway in February, the Thomasville, NC native is a veteran racer who knows what it takes to be a champion.
Snyder got his start working on late models and has a background in racing that spans more than 10 years. With extensive experience building suspension, Snyder also served as a fill-in truck chief on Johnny Benson's 2008 Championship winning team. He was also the truck chief for Timothy Peters during the 2009-2010 NCWTS seasons and for Jason White in 2011.
Over the past seven years, Snyder has contributed to 15 wins, seven pole awards and 65 top-five finishes in the NCWTS.
Max Gresham, who will pilot the No. 24 machine and contend for the 2012 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, says Snyder's experience in the series and his passion for the sport will be the key to success in 2012.
"Richie is a very well-rounded, knowledgeable guy who has a passion to succeed," said Gresham. "Although he has never called the shots as a crew chief, he has been around this sport and this series for a long time. He has worked with some great drivers and learned a lot through the years. I know his experience will help us succeed on the track."
For more information on Joe Denette Motorsports please visit: www.JoeDenetteMotorsports.com.
For more information about Max Gresham, please access www.MaxGresham.com - or you can follow Gresham on Twitter @MaxGresham and on Facebook at Max Gresham Fan Page.
Companies interested in securing the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark for their products are encouraged to log on to http://www.madeinusabrand.com.
Race fans interested in pledging along with Max to purchase made in USA manufactured goods can log on to http://www.PledgeForUSA.com.
PRESS RELEASE: Green Light Racing Set to Grow with Ross Chastain
SS Green Light Racing is pleased to announce that 19-year old Florida late model standout Ross Chastain will join the team for 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Chastain will pilot the team’s Toyota Tundra beginning with the NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES 250 at the famed Daytona International Speedway under the guidance of longtime driver, owner and crew chief Bobby Dotter.
A fifth generation farmer, Chastain has learned while working on the family farm that small seeds can blossom into succulent fruit in just a few months time and the young driver knows those same small seeds in racing can blossom into career of his dreams. “I’m very excited to work together with Bobby Dotter and I want to help grow with the team and improve myself throughout the year. I think we have set realistic goals and I’m excited to get to North Carolina and begin preparing for the season.”
Ross began his racing career at age twelve running the Fastkids trucks in his native state and has accumulated over 50 feature wins as he advanced through the ranks to late models. The Alva, FL native was the late model champion at the prestigious World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Raceway in 2011.
Ross ran five NCWTS races in 2011 finishing 10th in his first ever start at Lucas Oil Raceway and completed an impressive 98.5% of the laps in the five races with an average finish of 18.8. Last month, Chastain participated in an open ARCA test at the “World Center of Speed” in preparation for this February’s race posting lap times in the top quarter of the 79 drivers that attended.
Returning to its familiar No. 08 for the 2012 season, Chastain and the team SS Green Light team are guaranteed a starting spot for the first four races of the campaign. Sponsorship for the south Florida farmer is currently being finalized with multiple agricultural based businesses and will be announced at a later date. The team is also actively pursuing additional marketing partners for select races in the 22-race NCWTS schedule.
“My goal for 2012 is to run as many laps as possible and run up near the top ten each week,” said Chastain. “Bobby has a great reputation for developing young drivers and I’m looking forward to get to the shop to get some hand’s on experience on the trucks.”
The SS Green Light team has one of the longest tenures in the NCWTS with 270 consecutive starts dating back to 2001. The team is planning to run the No. 07 and No 08 Toyota Tundra entries utilizing horsepower from Mark Smith’s Pro Motor Engines.
Bobby Dotter, co-owner and crew chief of SS Green Light Racing is excited about his new driver; “I’m really looking forward to working with Ross this season. He built a nice resume running late models in Florida and in his few opportunities last year in the NCWTS he showed speed at a variety of tracks. His practice and test times proved to us he deserved the opportunity to be behind the wheel of our trucks. I’m impressed with his attitude and desire to learn and he has realistic goals. Ross plans to be in the shop working with the guys and gaining valuable knowledge about his equipment.”
SS Green Light Racing and Chastain plan to run the full NCWTS schedule and compete for Rookie of the Year honors.
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