Team switches No. 93 to No. 23 and Announces 2014 Daytona 500 sponsor
BK Racing has signed Tucson, AZ native Alex Bowman and Mayetta, NJ native Ryan Truex to pilot the team’s No. 23 and No. 83 BK Racing entries and compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Bowman will driver the newly renumbered No. 23 and comes off his rookie season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series which saw him win two poles and finish 11th in the final standings. Truex made four starts between the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series this past season. Both Bowman and Truex tested for BK Racing in the Preseason Thunder sessions at Daytona last week and have already begun to create a relationship with their respective teams and crew chiefs.
Bowman and Truex are making their team debuts in the season-opening 56th annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23. Dave Winston will crew chief the No. 23 BK Racing entry with Alex Bowman while Dale Ferguson will crew chief the No. 83 BK Racing entry for Ryan Truex.
BK Racing has also organized their agreement with Boria Exhaust as a primary sponsor for the Daytona 500. The deal signifies a multi-race sponsorship for the 2014 season. More details will follow this week.
In 2011, Bowman collected Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East as well as two victories in the ARCA Racing Series. The following year he competed in a full-season in ARCA and picked up four victories and collected Rookie of the Year honors as well.
In 2013, Bowman competed for Rookie of the Year honors in the Nationwide Series and collected both poles at Texas Motor Speedway.
“This is an extremely good opportunity for me,” said Bowman. “Ron (Devine) and I first started talking about the possibilities months ago. I’m happy to be a part of this organization.”
In 2009 and 2010, Truex won two consecutive K&N Pro Series East championships along with five career victories in the series.
Since 2011, Truex made starts in all three NASCAR national touring series, including a career-best second-place finish in Dover in Nationwide Series in 2012.
“Driving in the Sprint Cup Series has been a goal since I started racing, and to start this next chapter with BK Racing makes it extra special,” said Truex. “I am very excited for this opportunity.”
“Alex and Ryan have always impressed me,” said team owner Ron Devine. “Both take care of their cars and have shown speed at every level they have competed in. With their abilities, we feel they can both excel in our equipment. As a team we are very excited, and their abilities to work with everyone here at BK Racing will be important.”
In an effort to better align with long-time partner Dr. Pepper, BK Racing will renumber the No. 93 to the No. 23 in 2014. The number is synonymous with the regular Dr. Pepper’s original 23 flavors. However, the No. 93 will stay with the team on a part-time basis.
“Since we started BK Racing in February of 2012, I always wanted the No. 23,” said Devine. “We feel like the relationship with Dr. Pepper is very strong and this will take it to the next level.”
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will begin the 2014 season on Sunday, February 23 with the 56th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. As always, fans can visit BKRacing.com or twitter.com/2383 or facebook.com/bkracing2383 for the latest news and updates about Alex Bowman and Ryan Truex, the No. 23 and No. 83 BK Racing team.