Wallace to Return to Nationwide Series at Daytona
Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Thursday that Darrell Wallace Jr. will return to the seat of the #20 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca Cola on July 4th.
The start at the world center of racing will mark Wallace’s second Nationwide Series start of the 2014 season. Wallace made his season debut at Talladega in May, where he started third behind his JGR teammates Sam Hornish Jr. and Elliott Sadler. However Wallace’s day ended after just 45 laps after being caught up in a multi car accident leaving him in 31st place.
Wallace’s #20 will be sponsored by Cola Cola as part of their “Share a Coke” initiative which will see the iconic brand swap out many of its famous logos for 250 of the most popular names among teens and millennials across the nation. Coming off the heels of his second career truck series win just two weeks ago at Gateway, Wallace is ready to hit the track at Daytona.
“What an awesome couple of weeks,” said Wallace, Jr., “with the win at Gateway in my Tundra to learning that I’ll be in the Nationwide race at Daytona behind the wheel of the No. 20 ‘Share a Coke’ Toyota Camry. Superspeedway’s haven’t shown the best results for me so far, but every time I’ve competed we have been super-fast and I know this time will be no different. I’m stoked to get back in a Nationwide Camry and hopefully we can take the positive momentum from Gateway straight into victory lane and celebrate by sharing an ice cold Coke with everyone for the Fourth of July.”
This will mark Wallace’s sixth start in NASCAR’s second tier series. In his five previous NNS starts,Wallace has 3 top 10’s with one pole and an average finish of 13.8
RCR and Caterpillar Extend Partnership
Richard Childress Racing along with Caterpillar Inc. announced on Thursday that they have renewed their partnership and sponsorship of the #31 Chevrolet SS driven by Ryan Newman in the Sprint Cup Series.
“I am very pleased to announce the continuation of our partnership with Caterpillar and the No. 31 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said Richard Childress, President and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “I am very fortunate to have met and interacted with so many Cat dealers, customers and equipment operators through the past six years. I am proud to be associated with Caterpillar. As much as they love racing and our passion for it, I also share their love of Cat equipment by using it at my property”.
Childress also said that he is excited to have Newman behind the wheel of the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet stating that Newman’s “Indiana roots and down home demeanor” makes him be able to relate with Caterpillar’s dealers and customers. A sentiment shared by Caterpillar.
“Cat dealers have been building relationships with customers at NASCAR events for more than 20 years.This contract renewal reaffirms our confidence in Richard Childress Racing and their commitment to excellence,” said Pablo Koziner, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Americas Distribution Services Division. “We are also excited to have Ryan Newman piloting the No. 31 car. Caterpillar is proud to have both Richard and Ryan representing the Caterpillar brand in the sport of NASCAR.”
Florida Lottery to Join Patrick at Daytona and Homestead
The Florida Lottery will team with Go Daddy as co primary sponsors for Danica Patrick and the #10 Chevrolet SS of Stewart Haas Racing in two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, starting next weekend at Daytona International Speedway and the Coke Zero 400 as well as the season ending Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway in November.
The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing over $26 billion dollars for education as well as sending students to college through its bright futures scholarship program will be prominently featured on the hood,roof, and tv panel of Patrick’s #10 while longtime sponsor Go Daddy will be featured on the rear quarter panels and deck lid. Patrick’s firesuit will also feature the Florida Lottery colors.
The fans have a chance to be winners as well. The Coke Zero 400 at Daytona and Ford 400 at Homestead are part of a prize package from the Florida Lottery allowing winners to meet Danica as well as meet the #10 Go Daddy pit crew, and sit on Patrick’s pit box through each race. One luck grand prize winner will receive Patrick’s race worn firesuit from the races.