Fan4Racing News Now – highlighting NASCAR Pre-Season breaking news for each week leading up to NASCAR season openers at Daytona International Speedway in February.
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January 20, 2016
Lucas Oil
Matt Kaulig is proud to announce the establishment of full-time NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) team, Kaulig Racing™, for the 2016 season. With a familiar face behind the wheel, Blake Koch has been selected to pilot the No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection™ Chevrolet Camaro for the 2016 NXS season.
“I am extremely excited to finally announce the formation of Kaulig Racing™,” said Kaulig. “This is an exciting project and venture that we’ve been working on for months, and it’s great to finally introduce our team. I have a vision of how I want to build this team and the pieces are coming together quickly.”
Kaulig is the President and owner of LeafFilter Gutter Protection™, an Ohio based leader in the gutter protection industry, and has sponsored Blake Koch in both the Sprint Cup and NXS the last 2 years.
Entering into NASCAR initially in 2014 in a sponsorship role with Koch, Kaulig is ready to start a new endeavor and transition to team owner. Setting the team up for success early on, Kaulig Racing™ has joined forces with powerhouse team Richard Childress Racing (RCR), in a technical alliance. RCR collaboration with the technical partnership brings an extra boost of confidence to the Kaulig Racing™ team for the 2016 season.
”We are pleased to collaborate with Kaulig Racing™ as they establish themselves within the highly competitive NASCAR XFINITY Series,” said Mike Dillon, vice president of competition for Richard Childress Racing. “Blake has a tremendous amount of talent behind the wheel of a race car and we wish him, Matt, and everyone associated with Kaulig Racing™ success as they establish their identity and enter the 2016 season.”
Familiar with the RCR name, Koch was recruited as a developmental driver for the team in 2009 during his K&N Pro Series West rookie season. Moving up the ranks from there, Koch entered into NXS full-time in 2011. Since then, the 30-year-old driver has collected 147 starts in the NXS, and has his sights set on a successful 2016 season with newly formed Kaulig Racing™.
“I can’t even put into words how excited I am for this opportunity,” said Koch. “Watching it all come together is something very special, and Chris Rice has done an amazing job assembling this team. Matt (Kaulig) and LeafFilter Gutter Protection™ have given us everything we need to be competitive. Because of Matt’s great leadership and employees, LeafFilter™ has grown to be an industry-leading company that has made this opportunity possible. I am beyond proud to be able to represent them on and off the track.”
Koch’s 2016 NXS season will be led by General Manager of Kaulig Racing™, and veteran crew chief Chris Rice. With experience in all three of NASCAR’s national series, Rice has amassed 220 NXS starts to his resume, including one NXS start with Koch during the 2013 Championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Starting on the outside of the front row, Rice led Koch to an 11th-place finish, a career-best start and finish for the West Palm Beach, Fla. native in the NXS. That race jumpstarted Koch and Rice’s relationship, and ultimately led to the creation of Kaulig Racing™.
The 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series season kicks off on Saturday, February 20 with the Powershares QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
RPM and Brian Scott in 2016
Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that Albertsons Companies and Shore Lodge will partner with the No. 44 team and driver Brian Scott. Scott, an Idaho native, will be making his team debut in February’s season opener Daytona 500 and will compete for Rookie of the Year. Albertsons Companies and Shore Lodge, both Idaho-based companies, will adorn the hood of the No. 44 Ford for 16 races and have associate placement for the remaining 20 races.
Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. The company operates more than 2,276 stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 18 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME Markets, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions and Star Market and Carrs.
“We are excited join these two iconic brands in support of Brian Scott and the No. 44 team,” said Shane Sampson, Albertsons Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer. “Doing so provides Albertsons with an important opportunity to link our Idaho roots and our banners with the best in motorsports.”
Shore Lodge, located in McCall, Idaho, is the quintessential lodging experience. Since opening in 1948, Shore Lodge has stayed an authentic Idaho destination for those in search of nature’s true luxuries.
“It is our privilege to be a part of the Richard Petty Motorsports team and to support Brian in his first full-season Daytona 500,” said Dan Scott, president and general manager of Shore Lodge and Whitetail Club. “This is an exciting opportunity to not only represent McCall, Idaho and introduce Shore Lodge to new audiences, but to also work with an extraordinary group that can take Brian’s motorsports career to new heights.”
Richard Petty Motorsports announced Brian Scott as the driver and the number change back to the Petty Family number 44 in the last few months. Albertsons Companies and Shore Lodge will join Twisted Tea, GoBowling.com and Goody’s on the No. 44 Ford Fusion throughout the 2016 season.
“We are pleased to have Albertsons Companies and Shore Lodge join our team,” said Brian Moffitt, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Petty Motorsports. “We look forward to working with them to build exposure through the Sprint Cup Series and build their business. We’ve made some great business gains over the past year, and I’m pleased to add Albertsons Companies and Shore Lodge to that list.”
Scott will hit the track in the No. 44 Albertsons/Shore Lodge Ford Sunday, February 21 for the 58th Annual Daytona 500.
Richard Petty Motorsports
In a sport where business relationships are pivotal to being competitive, Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) has shown great success, and with that, continue to improve on track. After a successful off-season on the business front, RPM heads into 2016 with a solid foundation while pursuing additional opportunities. The Mooresville, N.C.-based team renewed or expanded all of their current partnerships while adding new partners to their team.
Late last season, RPM and Ford Performance announced their commitment to winning races and championships together in an extension that will see RPM carrying the iconic blue oval in years to come. RPM will continue to have the championship caliber engineering, technology and resources of Ford Performance. Officials from RPM and Ford Performance have worked diligently toward building a mutually beneficial relationship that saw immediate results. They have worked together in the wind tunnel, on aerodynamic packages and on collecting engineering data. The result was increased consistency and performance for the organization.
The No. 43 team and Aric Almirola showed consistency and success on the race track in 2015. All the primary partners on the car have renewed or expanded their relationships with the team, lining them up for a solid footing as they continue to improve on track. Smithfield Foods, a partner since 2013, has once again expanded their partnership with the No. 43 team. They will be the primary partner for 31 races, up from last year’s 29 races, this season and continue to find innovative ways to activate their partnership. Primary partners United States Air Force, STP and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ “Fresh From Florida” campaign all renewed their partnerships with the No. 43 team and Almirola.
With the No. 43 team on stable ground, RPM got to work on building stability for the No. 44 team. Working to fill the gaps last season, the team focused on having a strong foundation for the 2016 season. In addition to announcing the number change from 9 to 44, the team welcomed new driver Brian Scott. Earlier today, RPM announced new partners Albertsons Companies and Shore Lodge for a multi-year partnership that includes 16 primary races. Twisted Tea continues to see value in their relationship and expanded their program to include three primary races as well as their associate partnership with the team.
All of the additions, expansions and renewals give RPM a good foundation to kick off the 2016 season. The added stability allowed the team to expand from hanging their own bodies to building chassis as well. This will allow the team to innovate with their race cars and make quicker adjustments as they work with the new Ford Fusion body and new NASCAR rules package.
“We continued to make solid progress during the 2015 season on and off the track and really set our sights on building a solid foundation to kick off the 2016 season,” said Brian Moffitt, Chief Executive Officer. “We’ve seen organic growth with all of our partners and continue to add new companies to our team. It makes me proud that companies continue to see a return on their investment with us and are growing right alongside of us. We are definitely making big strides to see that winning tradition of the Petty family return today, and I think that can happen this season.”
RPM will hit the track for the season opener Daytona 500 February 21st live on FOX.
KFC to Partner with Greg Biffle in 2016 Starting at Daytona Speedweeks
Photo – Courtesy of Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing has announced a multi-race partnership with KFC as a primary partner for Greg Biffle and his No. 16 Sprint Cup Series team during the 2016 season. The partnership will kick off at Daytona Speedweeks and include primary placement in the famed Daytona 500 and Sprint Unlimited All-Star events at Daytona International Speedway.
The partnership in Daytona will feature KFC’s recently launched line of smoky and crispy ‘Nashville Hot’ chicken, which comes just in time for the launch of the 2016 NASCAR season. Nashville Hot is available on KFC’s first ever tailgate platter; perfect for tailgating at events, watching sports and hosting group parties.
“It’s definitely exciting to have KFC on the car,” said two-time NASCAR Champion Biffle. “I don’t think there is a more iconic brand out there; who didn’t grow up loving KFC? Their new spicy, smoky and crispy Nashville Hot Chicken is now available nationwide – which I am very excited about – and I can’t wait to get to Daytona, enjoy a couple of tailgate platters with the team and hopefully put the Colonel in victory lane at our biggest race of the season.”
A perennial NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase contender, Biffle has scored 55 NASCAR wins and two championships during his celebrated career. He captured the pole for the 2004 Daytona 500 after winning the 2003 summer event at the 2.5-mile track known as the ‘World Center of Racing.’
“We are very happy to be teaming with Greg Biffle and Roush Fenway Racing and especially to partner with them for the Daytona 500,” said Kevin Hochman, KFC U.S. CMO. “Greg and Roush Fenway have a strong tradition of winning at Daytona, and we can’t think of a better way to launch our new Nashville Hot Chicken than at NASCAR’s biggest race of the season where we will be promoting the biggest thing in spicy chicken since Buffalo wings.”
In addition to looking for his second trip to victory lane at Daytona, Biffle will aim for Roush Fenway’s seventh win at Daytona in the Sprint Cup Series and its third Daytona 500 victory.
“We are proud to welcome KFC to the Roush Fenway Racing family with Greg and the No. 16 team,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “We know they will be a great partner going forward in 2016 and look forward to a strong partnership launch as the season kicks off in Daytona.”
The Daytona 500 is set for Sunday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FOX. The Sprint Unlimited will kick off the 2016 season on Saturday, Feb. 13 with the Daytona 500 qualifying duel races scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18.
RFR-PR
January 19, 2016
IHRA Announces the Appointment of a New Interim President
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) (the “Company”) (www.IHRA.com) announced that the IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRGSE) Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company has appointed Mr. Skooter Peaco, as Interim President of the Company effective immediately.
Mr. Peaco replaces Mr. Scott Gardner who resigned as President of the Company, effective as of the same date in order to pursue other interests.
Mr. Peaco possesses a deep knowledge of the Company’s business and he assumes his responsibilities as Interim President with the full support of the Board. Since 2003, Mr. Peaco has served as the Director of Racing Operations and most recently as the Vice President of Racing Operations at the IHRA.
The Board also wishes Mr. Gardner well in his future endeavors and thanks him for his service over the past two years.
The Company also announced that a Search Committee within the Board of Directors has been created, which will oversee the process for the identification and selection of a permanent President. The Committee has been charged with selecting an experienced individual to take over as the permanent President, improve the performance of the Company and drive long-term growth for the Company upon a newly formed platform that will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Additionally, the IHRA announced the revision to the 2016 National Schedule by reducing two national events; the current Baton Rouge, Louisiana event on March 18-19 and Cordova, Illinois June 2-4. These are the only schedule changes to the 2016 National Schedule.
IHRA-PR
Bass Pro Shops Partners with
Furniture Row Racing; Reunites with Martin Truex Jr.
America’s most popular outdoor store
to be primary co-sponsor on Truex’s No. 78 Toyota Camry in 2016
Photo Courtesy of Furniture Row Racing
Bass Pro Shops, America’s most popular outdoor store, will be a primary co-sponsor on Martin Truex Jr.’s Furniture Row Racing Toyota Camry during the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The announcement was made today (Tuesday) at NASCAR’s Media Tour in Charlotte.
The partnership calls for nine primary Bass Pro Shops paint schemes on Truex’s No. 78 Toyota, beginning with two races during Daytona Speedweeks – the 150-mile qualifying race on Thursday Feb. 18 and the season-opening Daytona 500 on Sunday Feb. 21.
Bass Pro Shops’ remaining seven primary races on the No. 78 will be at Phoenix (March 13), Fort Worth, Texas (April 9), Talladega, Ala. (May 1), Kansas City, Kan. (May 7), Charlotte (May 29), Daytona (July 2), Bristol, Tenn. (Aug. 20) and Homestead, Fla. (Nov. 20). Bass Pro Shops will have an associate sponsorship status when it’s not a primary on the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota.
The partnership represents an expansion of Bass Pro Shops’ longstanding relationship with Truex, an avid outdoorsman, who was previously sponsored by the Springfield, Missouri-based company from 2004 through 2009 when he drove for Dale Earnhardt Inc., which resulted in two Xfinity Series Championships (2004, 2005). Bass Pro Shops was the primary sponsor of these two championships.
“I’m very excited to have Bass Pro Shops as a primary co-sponsor on the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota,” said Truex. “In addition to my passion for fishing, hunting and the outdoors, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris is a personal friend and a hunting buddy. With our manufacturer changing to Toyota, our Furniture Row Racing team is positioned to take both companies to Victory Lane and contend for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.”
Racing and the outdoors are life-long passions for Truex, who grew up fishing with his father Martin Truex Sr., owner of one of the largest privately held fishing companies in the United States — Sea Watch International. Truex Jr. discovered his love of racing on a go-kart track at age 11. Today he is recognized as an experienced sportsman, and has appeared on national hunting and fishing television shows alongside outdoor legends Jimmy Houston and Roland Martin.
“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with Martin Truex Jr. – a passionate driver and outdoor lover – while further aligning with our friends at Toyota,” said Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. “NASCAR is an excellent platform for Bass Pro Shops and we are pleased to continue our strong alignments with Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon and Jamie McMurray.”
Truex celebrated his 10th year in 2015 on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit with his best performance to date. He qualified for the Chase and advanced to the Championship 4 round. The 35-year-old driver from Mayetta, N.J. garnered 22 top-10 finishes out of 36 events including one win and eight top-fives. He finished a career high fourth in the final Sprint Cup point standings.
“Partnering with Bass Pro Shops, a high-profile NASCAR sponsor and a national retail leader in the outdoor sportsman market, has added to an already high excitement level at Furniture Row Racing following a successful 2015 campaign,” said Joe Garone, president and general manager of Furniture Row Racing. “Bass Pro Shops and its founder Johnny Morris have been dedicated supporters of NASCAR racing and we are elated that they have recognized our team’s potential by becoming a partner.”
With Furniture Row Racing fielding Toyota Camrys in 2016, the sponsorship further extends an ongoing affiliation with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., a Bass Pro Shops partner on a wide range of collaborations since 2004.
“Toyota has been the official vehicle of Bass Pro Shops since 2004 and our partnership over the last decade has provided additional platforms to showcase Toyota vehicles to outdoorsmen and women who shop at one of the best brands in America,” said Ed Laukes, vice president of marketing, performance and guest experience for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. “With Martin Truex Jr. continuing his relationship with Bass Pro as he drives a Furniture Row Camry, it further deepens our connection with Bass Pro Shops.”
Furniture Row Racing made its NASCAR debut in 2005, competing in 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series races and two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races that season. The team has qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in two of the last three seasons, and in 2013 was the first single-car team to earn a Chase berth.
Furniture Row Racing
Travis Kvapil, 2003 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Champion will continue to drive the headliner Chevrolet Silverado for MAKE Motorsports in the 2016 season. Kvapil is returning to the MAKE team after running with the small team full time last year.
Travis Kvapil stated,
“I look forward to continuing to build with this MAKE team. We had some decent runs last year and some bad luck that prevented other good runs. They’ve learned a lot from last year and made some changes this winter to be even better this year. I’m happy to be able to help contiribute to the effort. ”
Tracy Lowe, co-owner of MAKE Motorsports stated,
“Mark (Beaver) and I are happy to have Travis back full time with our MAKE team. He has been an important piece to our growth in the sport. We want to continue to build and grow by giving him better equipment and resources. He is a great asset to our team personally and professionally.”
Kvapil finished the 2015 NCWTS season 16th in driver points with four top 15 finishes. He also scored MAKE’s best finishing position of 14th twice at Gateway Raceway Park and Kentucky Speedway.
Travis Kvapil will take the green for the season at Daytona International Speedway on February 19th in the Next Era Energy Resources 250.
Make Motorsports
It was announced today that as it continues its rapid growth, RACE 101 is excited to welcome veteran crew chief Jerry Babb and his company, Nu Style Motorventures, to the team in order to head up their NASCAR K&N Pro Series program for the 2016 season.
Most recently, Babb worked with Bassett Racing drivers Ronnie and Dillon Bassett in the K&N Pro Series East, guiding the young drivers to career best finishes, most notably a win at Motordrome Speedway and a runner-up placement at Iowa last May. Other drivers he has worked with include multi-time K&N and modified champion Mike Stefanik, Corey LaJoie, along with current NASCAR rising stars Alex Bowman and John Hunter Nemecheck.
“Last year was the hardest and most fun year of racing I’ve ever experienced,” said Tony Blanchard, team owner at RACE 101. “It brought back a fire and a desire to compete at the highest levels and I look forward to the challenges of 2016 and beyond. Jerry is a great addition to this team and having him take over the K&N program will allow me to focus on developing Sarah’s career.”
Blanchard reiterated that RACE 101 was started to help young drivers advance their careers and learn through mentorship and teaching. This addition allows him more time and ability to focus on those endeavors.
Babb will oversee preparation of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series machines that Cornett-Ching will drive during 2016 while Blanchard will devote more time to her career and the business development of RACE 101. The team will compete first at Daytona International Speedway in ARCA competition next month, followed the next day by the first race of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series season at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida.
“First, I want to thank the Bassetts and wish them the best of luck going forward,” Babb explained. “I am excited for this opportunity as it allows me to grow my company, Nu Style Motorventures, with the added bonus of Tony Blanchard to work with and learn from. One reason I am so intrigued by this young driver is her work ethic and the story behind how she got here, you don’t see that often and I know wins are on the horizon for this team.”
“I am really looking forward to working with Jerry at the shop, and on the track,” said Cornett-Ching. “He will be vital to oversee preparation of the cars while I strive towards the upper echelons of this sport. Jerry has a proven track record that speaks for itself. I can’t wait to see how we click this season and what kind of results we can achieve.”
Race 101
January 18, 2016
WIX FILTERS BECOMES TECHNICAL PARTNER OF HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS
Photo – Courtesy Hendrick Motorsports
WIX Filters has joined Hendrick Motorsports as a key technical partner with an agreement that will supply innovative filtration products and provide critical development support to the 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions through 2019.
With a four-year pact, WIX’s air and oil filters will be used in competition by the four Sprint Cup Series teams of Hendrick Motorsports with drivers Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Its logo will be featured on team equipment, transporters and underneath the hood of Hendrick Motorsports’ Chevrolet SS race cars.
“Since the early 1960s when Richard Petty began using our filters, generations of motor sports champions have driven to victory lane with WIX,” said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX Filters. “Adding a team like Hendrick Motorsports only further positions us as the number-one filter in motor sports, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what that means on the track this season.”
“We pride ourselves on our technical superiority and high performance racing filters, and we like to align ourselves with the best,” said Bill Stamey, engineering manager for WIX Filters. “Becoming a Hendrick Motorsports technical partner this race season is an incredible honor and a testament to our ongoing innovation and hard work.”
Hendrick Motorsports has earned 240 points-paying Sprint Cup wins since 1984, and its engines have more than 300 victories across all NASCAR series. Last season, the team’s engines posted wins in 14 of 36 Sprint Cup races and powered six Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders.
“WIX Filters has been involved with NASCAR for nearly five decades,” said Doug Duchardt, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “They not only will provide proven filters for our race cars but impressive capabilities in research and development. We know both their products and insights will ultimately help improve our performance. It’s an exciting partnership for our entire competition group, and we look forward to many successes together.”
Hendrick Motorsports
BRIAN WILSON PROMOTED TO
XFINITY SERIES CREW CHIEF FOR TEAM PENSKE
Team Penske announced today that one of its most accomplished engineers will take on a new challenge beginning in 2016, as Brian Wilson has been named crew chief of the No. 22 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS).
Wilson will assume the crew chief role while Greg Erwin, who guided the No. 22 team to its third-consecutive NXS Owners’ Championship this past season, will return as team manager of Team Penske’s NXS program. The No. 22 team has earned an amazing 25 wins with four different drivers (Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney and AJ Allmendinger) over the course of the last three seasons. The No. 22 Mustang is the first car to capture three-consecutive NXS Owners’ Championships.
Wilson joined Team Penske in 2004 and has served as race engineer on both the No. 22 NXS team as well as the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team over the last several years. A native of Detroit, Mich., Wilson played a key role on Team Penske’s first two NASCAR championships. He was race engineer on the No. 22 team that captured the 2010 NXS title with driver Brad Keselowski and he served in the same capacity in 2012 when Keselowski and the No. 2 team captured the Sprint Cup Series title.
“Brian has been an integral part of two of our NASCAR championships over the last few years and he has shown he deserves the opportunity to lead a team as he has demonstrated the ability to consistently produce race-winning cars,” said Roger Penske. “Brian has earned this opportunity and we believe he is the right person to lead the No. 22 team as it prepares to race for four-straight titles in 2016.”
After first coming on board as a shock specialist with Team Penske, Wilson became engineer of the No. 2 Miller Lite car in the Sprint Cup Series in 2007. Alongside crew chief Paul Wolfe, he transitioned to race engineer of the newly-formed No. 22 NXS team in 2010. After the team won the title with Keselowski that season, Wolfe moved into the crew chief role of the No. 2 Miller Lite team while Wilson was promoted to the Sprint Cup Series ace engineer position.
Over the last five seasons, the tandem of Wolfe and Wilson helped lead the Miller Lite team to 16 wins, 10 poles, 58 top-five finishes and Team Penske’s first Sprint Cup Series Championship with Keselowski behind the wheel in 2012.
“I am looking forward to this new challenge and the opportunity to lead the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang team after my last stint there during our first championship season in 2010,” said Wilson. “This is a team that has certainly proven that they know how to win and I want to continue that tradition. I’m excited to get a chance to continue to work with Brad and to get to work more closely with Joey and Ryan. Our goal will be to maintain the level of success that this team has shown since its beginning and continue to race for wins each and every week. Winning that fourth-straight NASCAR XFINITY Series Owners’ Championship would just be the ultimate prize.”
The NASCAR XFINITY Series will open its season on February 20th at Daytona International Speedway.
Team Penske
Erik Jones 2016 NXS Sponsor Lineup
Rookie Season Highlighted with GameStop, Reser’s Fine Foods,
Hisense and Interstate Batteries
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced today the No. 20 Toyota Camry driven by 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Erik Jones will carry GameStop, Reser’s Fine Foods, Hisense and Interstate Batteries for his rookie season in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS).
Jones has 26-career starts in the XFINITY Series over two seasons of running a limited schedule. He has earned two wins (Texas – April 2015 and Chicago – June 2015), three pole starting positions, 13 top-five finishes, 20 top-10 finishes and led 292 laps with an average start of 4.8 and average finish 8.9.
“I’m really excited to get 2016 started,” said Jones. “Ending last season with the Truck Series Championship and having the success on the XFINITY side, along with the Cup starts, it was a dream season. Things happened quicker than I’d ever planned, but I’m thankful for all of the opportunities and to be running full-time in the XFINITY Series this year. I can’t wait to get back in the No. 20 Toyota Camry for JGR and to work with Chris Gabehart. We had a great year in 2015 with GameStop and it’ll be another fun year continuing to build on that partnership, as well as with Reser’s, Hisense and Interstate Batteries.”
GameStop
Longtime partner GameStop enters their ninth season partnering with JGR and their second with Jones. Their 2016 season will kick off at Auto Club Speedway on March 19 and include two trips to their home track, Texas Motor Speedway. In 2015 in just his ninth-career NXS start, Jones earned his first NXS-career win at Texas Motor Speedway, starting the race from the pole position and leading 79 laps before taking the checkered flag on April 10, 2015. The win also marked the first win for GameStop in their backyard.
“Erik saw great success in his first year driving for team GameStop, and has become an amazing brand ambassador for us,” said Bob Puzon, Senior Vice President of Merchandising for GameStop. “He not only has great skills on the race track, but is also an avid gamer who our fans and customers connect with.”
GameStop will adorn the No. 20 Camry this season for 12 races: Auto Club Speedway (March 19); Texas Motor Speedway (April 8); Bristol Motor Speedway (April 16); Talladega Superspeedway (April 30); Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 28); New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 16); Watkins Glen International (August 6); Richmond International Raceway (September 9); Kentucky Speedway (September 24); Dover International Speedway (October 1); Texas Motor Speedway (November 5); Homestead-Miami Speedway (November 19).
Reser’s Fine Foods
Moving from veteran Matt Kenseth, Reser’s Fine Foods enters their fourth season with JGR as they join Jones for his rookie season. Reser’s previously sponsored Jones at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2014. Jones started the race from the sixth position and finished eighth in his second-career start in the series.
“We see it too… Erik Jones is a rising star in the world of NASCAR racing,” states President and CEO Mark Reser. “We’ve had success with veteran Matt Kenseth and now we are fired up to have Erik take the wheel of the No. 20 and make us proud. Our partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing continues to provide a tremendous marketing platform to support our business.”
Reser’s Fine Foods will be featured on the No. 20 Camry for eight races this season: Daytona International Speedway (February 20); Phoenix International Raceway (March 12); Dover International Speedway (May 14); Michigan International Speedway (June 11); Kentucky Speedway (July 8); Bristol Motor Speedway (August 19); Road America (August 27); Kansas Speedway (October 15).
Hisense
Entering their second year with JGR, Hisense shifts their sponsorship to include 19-year-old Jones for five races. Hisense made their debut with JGR at Richmond International Raceway on April 24, 2015 with Denny Hamlin piloting the No. 20 Camry. Hamlin started the 250-lap race from the pole position and led 248 laps on his way to securing the first victory for Hisense.
“Last year was a great ride with Denny Hamlin leading our introduction into NASCAR,” said Dr. Lan Lin, executive vice president of Hisense Group and general manager of Hisense International Co. “We are proud to add Erik Jones to the JGR/Hisense family and look forward to working together on some exciting projects to elevate the Hisense brand in 2016.”
The Hisense colors will appear on the No. 20 Camry for five races this season: Atlanta Motor Speedway (February 27); Richmond International Raceway (April 23); Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 23); Chicagoland Speedway (September 17); Phoenix International Raceway (November 12).
In addition to their five races with Jones in the No. 20 Camry, Hisense will also sponsor Hamlin for one race in the No. 18 Camry at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28.
Interstate Batteries
Celebrating 25 years with JGR, founding partner Interstate Batteries will team up with Jones for the second year in a row, serving as the primary sponsor of the No. 20 Toyota Camry at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5. Last season Interstate Batteries partnered with Jones where he was running in the top five before an on-track incident took away his chances of earning a trip to the Las Vegas Victory Lane.
“The 2016 season marks Interstate Batteries’ 25th year as a partner with Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Dorothy Jones, Chief Marketing Officer for Interstate Batteries. “When you have a young talent like Erik Jones behind the wheel of our Interstate Batteries Toyota in the Las Vegas XFINITY Series race, it’s a great way to kick off this milestone celebration. With Erik, along with defending Sprint Cup Series champion Kyle Busch driving our Interstate Batteries Camry’s, we are very excited about 2016 and hope to celebrate our 25th year together in victory lane.”
The 2016 NXS season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on February 20 with Jones in the No. 20 Reser’s Toyota Camry for his rookie season where he will be vying for the 2016 XFINTY Series Championship.
Joe Gibbs Racing