17 Roush Fenway NASCAR Team News
17 Roush Fenway NASCAR Team News
Richmond Race Information
Safeway sponsoring LaJoie at Richmond
GEICO, Ty Dillon and Germain Racing ink multi-year contract extensions
1000Bulbs.com joins Ragan’s #38 team at Phoenix
Race and Commercial Breakdown of the two thousand seventeen Bojangles’ Southern 500
Driver lineup announced for Tales of the Turtles four hundred weekend
Fresh Hampshire preparing for “wicked joy” weekend
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series two thousand seventeen Darlington Race Info
NASCAR Related Racing Birthdays
Sunday Darlington Notebook
Texas, Earnhardt, Jr. playmate for Jr Nation Appreci88ion Party
Most Popular Driver voting opens Sept. Trio
Talladega and Anheuser-Busch proceed multi-year partnership with Busch Balcony
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup championship trophy unveiled
Roush Fenway named finalist for numerous PR News’ platinum awards
Daytona five hundred Club being renovated
Liberty University sponsoring Byron for twelve races
GMS Racing not running Cup full-time in two thousand eighteen UPDATE
Dover International Speedway’s 12th annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive set for Sept. 11
Dover playmates with “Apache Warrior” film and Lucas Oil for fall Cup race
Motorcraft/Quick Lane returning to Wood Brothers Racing
#17 NASCAR Team News and Links
OFFICIAL TEAM/DRIVER LINKS
PRIMARY SPONSORS LINKS
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS LINKS
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Fastenal (Legal races) is scheduled to be the sponsor at the following races in 2017:
Daytona – Two/26 / Wypall
Auto Club – Trio/26, 50th Anniversary
Martinsville – Four/Two, MCR Safety
Fresh Hampshire – 7/16
Pocono – 7/30, Rustoleum
Bristol – 8/Nineteen, Lenox
Talladega – Five/7 (WON)
Darlington – 9/Trio, DW throwback
SunnyD (Four races) is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races in 2017:
Go Bowling (Two races) is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races in 2017:
Little HUGS (Two races) is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following races in 2017:
NESN has been the primary sponsor at the following races in 2017:
Watkins Glen – 8/6
Ford EcoBoost / Ford Spectacle has been the primary sponsor at the following races in 2017:
(usually ran when there are no other sponsor)
Contract Status: Driver: 2017+; Sponsors: Fastenal 2018+; Fifth Third 2018+; SunnyD 2019
#17 Team / Driver News
Fifth Third Bank renews sponsorship of Stenhouse, Jr.: Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB) has renewed its relationship with Roush Fenway Racing as primary sponsor on the #17 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford with driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in a multi-year deal. Fifth Third Bank came onboard with Roush Fenway Racing in two thousand twelve and has served as a primary sponsor on the #17 Ford for the past six seasons.[More](9-3-2017)
Roush Fenway named finalist for numerous PR News’ platinum awards: Roush Fenway Racing has been named a finalist in numerous categories for the prestigious PR News’ Platinum Awards, celebrating the ingenuity and leadership behind the year’s most outstanding communications initiatives. The finalists of the Platinum Awards represent the innovative, risk-taking and strategic communicators setting the benchmark of excellence in the communications arena.[More](8-31-2017)
Stenhouse To Honor Waltrip with Darlington Throwback Scheme Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Fifth Third Bank will honor NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip with a throwback again for the two thousand seventeen Southern five hundred at Darlington Raceway. The paint scheme from Waltrip’s one thousand nine hundred ninety seven season is one of Stenhouse, Jr.’s dearest paint schemes along with the all chrome scheme that Waltrip ran the same year. The scheme incorporates the branding of Fifth Third Bank, one of Stenhouse’s longtime sponsors while maintaining the design and chrome numbers of the original car that Waltrip drove in the 1990’s. The car will also feature the logo of Frontier Communications on the decklid as part of the #FueledByFifthThird value-added B2B program.(Roush Fenway Racing)[Read More Here](8-24-2017)
SunnyD re-signs with Roush Fenway and Stenhouse SunnyD has announced a contract extension with Roush Fenway that will see the iconic brand extend its relationship with the team and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. through the two thousand nineteen season, with extra races added each season. SunnyD has served as a primary fucking partner on Stenhouse’s #17 Ford Fusion for numerous races over the past two seasons. In addition to on-track success, Roush Fenway and SunnyD have teamed together in several unique social programs and promotions. This season’s ‘Race with Ricky Sweepstakes’, offers fans a once in a lifetime chance to race against one of NASCAR’s up and coming starlets, and has received just under a half a million entries to date. SunnyD will next serve as the primary fucking partner on the #17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October.(Roush Fenway Racing)[Read More Here](8-22-2017)
Stenhouse and Fifth Third Bank Stand Up to Cancer with special scheme at Kentucky: Forty-seven names of courageous individuals who are presently fighting or have fought a battle with cancer will be featured on the No. Seventeen Fifth Third Ford for tonight’s MONSTER Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race at Kentucky Speedway.[More](7-8-2017)
Roush Fenway expects to remain at two teams: Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark told SiriusXM’s Tradin Paint that the team will “most likely” be two Cup cars and one XFINITY car in 2018.[More](7-4-2017)
Little Hug Fruit Barrels debuts at Dover as Stenhouse’s sponsor: A few weeks ago, Roush Fenway Racing announced a multi-race partnership with Little HUG Fruit Barrels, which will be the primary fucking partner for two races with Ricky Stenhouse and the #17 team in June at Dover and Pocono. The Little HUG brand is possessed by Harvest Hill Beverage Company, based in Stamford, CT.(Roush Fenway Racing)[Read More Here](6-4-2017)
NASCAR legend Jack Roush honored by SAE Foundation: Racing legend Jack Roush received the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Foundation’s Industry Leadership Award at its annual celebration Tuesday night in Detroit.[More](5-24-2017)
Little HUG Fruit Barrels sponsoring Stenhouse, Jr.: Just days after a dramatic win at Talladega Superspeedway, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Roush Fenway Racing have announced a multi-race partnership with Little HUG Fruit Barrels. The iconic barrel-shaped fruit drink will serve as a primary playmate for two races with Stenhouse and the #17 team in June at the Monster Mile of Dover and the Tricky Triangle of Pocono.[More](5-11-2017)
Jack Roush Scores Record-Extending 324th NASCAR Win at Talladega: In Jack Roush’s thirty years of NASCAR racing, his teams have covered over 1.78 million miles on the track, but none more dramatic than the final Two.66 miles in yesterday’s Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s dramatic come-from-behind win from the pole at Talladega, marked Roush Fenway’s record-extending 324th win in NASCAR’s three premiere series. Stenhouse became the ninth driver to win for Jack Roush in the Cup series. Overall, nineteen different drivers have driven Roush Fenway Fords to victory lane in NASCAR activity. In addition, Stenhouse’s pole was the team’s 232nd in NASCAR and its 89th in the Cup series.(Roush Fenway Racing)[click to proceed](5-10-2017)
Last-lap pass lifts Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to victory at Talladega There’s no longer a goose egg in the win column next to #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s name. With a last-lap pass in Sunday’s GEICO five hundred at Talladega Superspeedway, Stenhouse collected his very first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory in his 158th embark and delivered the very first win for Roush Fenway Racing since Carl Edwards triumphed at Sonoma in June 2014. Racing side-by-side with leader #18-Kyle Busch on the restart lap after #31-Ryan Newman’s wreck on the backstretch sent the race to overtime, Stenhouse, the polesitter, trailed by the smallest sliver of a 2nd at the stripe but got a strong thrust from #48-Jimmie Johnson and cleared Busch off Turn two on the final circuit. As #1-Jamie McMurray charged up the middle to take 2nd place from Busch, Stenhouse held the top spot through the final two corners and the tri-oval to strike McMurray to the checkered flag by .095 seconds. Busch, in third place, trailed McMurray at the stripe by a mere .004 seconds.(NASCAR Wire Service)[Total Report](5-7-2017)
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the GEICO five hundred Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 1st career win in his 158th begin. Stenhouse Jr. led fourteen laps. Stenhouse Jr. is the 11th driver to score their very first career Cup win at Talladega. Stehouse Jr. won from the pole.
#1-McMurray finished 2nd followed by #18-Busch, #43-Almirola, #5-Kahne, #41-Busch, #2-Keselowski, #27-Menard and #38-Ragan.
Points leader, #42-Kyle Larson, hit the wall a few times, was a lap down for a while, but was able to recover and finish 12th.
Larson leads the Driver Points by fifty four over #78-Truex Jr.
The race ended under NASCAR Overtime, adding three laps after a late crash involving #31-Newman, when he got turned on lap 185.
The race was tame but arousing until lap one hundred sixty nine when #47-Allmendinger, while running 3rd, got into the left rear of the 2nd place car, #24-Elliott, sending the #24 spinning in front of many cars getting collected by #22-Logano, #95-McDowell and #6-Bayne. The #24 got airborne and on its side. The #47 Chevy ended up on the roof. The crews had Allmendinger stay in the car until they could spin it back over.
Eighteen cars were involved: #2-Keselowski, #3-Dillon, #4-Harvick, #6-Bayne, #10-Patrick, #20-Kenseth, #22-Logano, #23-Gaulding, #24-Elliott, #32-DiBenedetto, #38-Ragan, #41-Busch, #47-Allmendinger, #72-Whitt, #77-Jones, #78-Truex Jr., #83-LaJoie and #95-McDowell.
Career best finishes for #15-Gase (21st) and #23-Gaulding (20th)
There were twenty six lead switches among fourteen drivers and eight cautions for thirty three yellow flag laps and a 26:51 minute crimson flag for the big wreck.
The average speed of the race was: 145.659mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. knocks Dale Earnhardt Jr. off Talladega pole Qualifying for Sunday’s GEICO five hundred at Talladega Superspeedway was shaping up to be a sentimental story-until #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said “No.” The last driver to make a run in Saturday’s final round of knockout qualifying, Stenhouse knocked #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the provisional pole for Earnhardt’s last spring race at the Two.66-mile superspeedway. The Coors Light Pole Award was Stenhouse’s very first since he secured his only previous top beginning spot in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series since two thousand thirteen in Atlanta. It was the very first pole for a Ford driver at Talladega since Travis Kvapil won his only career pole in October 2008. And it was the very first Talladega pole for Roush Fenway Racing since Mark Martin did the honors in both races in 1989. #2-Brad Keselowski qualified third, followed by #20-Matt Kenseth and #6-Trevor Bayne, Stenhouse’s teammate at Roush Fenway Racing. Note: #96-D.J. Kennington failed to qualify for the 40-car field.(NASCAR Wire Service)[More](5-7-2017)
Stenhouse Jr. & #17 Team Give Back on Fifth Third Day & fresh scheme: Before traveling to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Fifth Third Ford, and members of his team helped pack 1,300 backpacks for thirsty kids at 2nd Harvest Food Bank Metrolina. The two-time XFINITY champ will debut his fresh “Banking a Fifth Third Better” paint scheme this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Fifth Third Bank will also be aboard the #17 Ford Fusion machine at Michigan in June, Daytona and Kentucky in July.(RFR)[More](5-6-2017)
Texas post-race penalty announced: The #17 team of Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. has been found in disturbance of safety sections Ten.9.Ten.Four of the NASCAR rule book: Tires and Wheels. Note: Lug nut(s) not decently installed. Squad chief (Brian Pattie) has been fined $Ten,000.(NASCAR)(4-12-2017)
Blaney, Stenhouse, Jr., Kennedy to show up on American Ninja Warrior: Three NASCAR drivers will take part in NBC’s wild and frantically popular obstacle course showcase “American Ninja Warrior” as part of Season 9, and one — Richard Childress Racing driver and Daytona Beach, Florida, native Ben Kennedy — will hit the course at the largest stage in NASCAR, Daytona International Speedway.[More](4-7-2017)
Roush Fenway, Stenhouse Jr. “GO BOWLING” at Kansas Speedway: Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will pair up with Go Bowling when the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series rolls into Kansas Speedway on Saturday, May 13, for the Go Bowling 400. Go Bowling will serve as the ‘anchor’ on Stenhouse Jr.’s #17 Ford Fusion at Kansas.[More](4-5-2017)
Special Fastenal scheme for Stenhouse, Jr at Auto Club Speedway: In celebration of Fastenal’s 50th Anniversary, the #17 Ford, driven by two-time champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will feature a commemorative look at Auto Club Speedway this week. In celebration of Fastenal’s 50th Anniversary, the #17 Ford, driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will feature a commemorative look at Auto Club Speedway. Photo from Roush Fenway Racing. Roush Fenway Racing Still headquartered in Winona, MN, Fastenal now employs almost 20,000 people worldwide. The names of those employees will be featured on the #17 Fastenal Ford Fusion along with a special 50th Anniversary logo for the Auto Club four hundred on March 26th, 2017.[More](3-23-2017)
Roush sees retirement ahead Jack Roush, one of NASCAR’s most successful owners and a pioneer in bringing engineering technology into the sport with his multi-car Ford teams, has used the “R” word. Retire. “I expected to have better years than (winless) two thousand sixteen and 2015,” Roush said to azcentral sports in advance of Sunday’s Camping World five hundred at Phoenix International Raceway. “Had I realized I had those years in front of me, I might have determined to side-step, and retire. I’m 74. I can’t do what I’m doing today for another ten years. My window is, the longest I’ve been able to predict what I was going to do in life, has been five years. I’m most likely down to a three-year window. I’m looking at how I can be useful.”(Arizona Republic)[More](3-17-2017)
“I have no retirement plans whatever,” Roush said. “The article came from an ill-advised stream of consciousness I had at the end of last season.” He then said: “People retire in order to go do things they’re sultry about. I already have a job that permits me to be sultry beyond my imagination as a youngster.” Roush turns seventy five on April Nineteen.(NBC Sports)(3-18-2017)
SunnyD Kicks Off The Season at Atlanta with Stenhouse Jr. SunnyD will adorn the #17 Ford this weekend for the Folds of Honor Quik Journey five hundred at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Ricky Stenhouse Jr. scored his very first Cup Series pole award in 2013. “I’m indeed looking forward to this weekend, especially since we have SunnyD back on our #17 Ford,” Stenhouse said. “Last year, a lot of fans told me how much they liked the bright colors on our SunnyD Ford. We finished 10th at Atlanta last year so hopefully we can have another strong demonstrating this weekend.”[More](3-1-2017)
RFR looking to improve on pit road with slew of pit squad switches: The pit world looks a entire lot different this year for Roush Fenway Racing than a year ago this time. Fresh coach Scott Bowan took over towards the end of last year and is making moves within the teams to help improve spectacle and pick up time. With the removal of the #16 team from the RFR stables there was a group of eighteen crewmen fighting for twelve catches sight of. Pit Talks did their best to find out what the fresh teams would look like in 2017. It shows up that the only returning #6 car pit team members for Trevor Bayne from last year will be front changer Kale Uphoff and gasman Josh Pech. Fresh to the #6 team will be front carrier Ryan McCray (moving over from the #17), jackman Mike Brown (moving over from the #17), rear changer Chris Schuman (moving over from RPM), and rear carrier Justin Edgell (moving over from the #16).
As far as the #17 car goes, the pit team for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will look like this: Front changer Mike Lingerfelt will be the lone returner on the team. Rear changer Jon Moore is back from injury and will comeback to the rear as well. The front carrier position will be Kevin Richards (moving over from the #34), jack man will be Sean Meckelson (moving over from the #16), the rear carrier will be Brad Sutton (moving over from the #6), and gassing the car will be Kevin Wing (moving over from the #16).(Pit Talks)(2-12-2017)
Fifth Third Bank comes back to sponsor Stenhouse Jr.: on Fifth Third Bank’s website 53.com it lists the five races that Fifth Third Bank will be the primary sponsor on Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s #17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford: Richmond in April, Talladega in May, Michigan in June, Daytona in July and Kentucky in July.(1-17-2017)
Roush Fenway ‘Salutes’ Mark Martin’s Hall of Fame Career: For almost two decades there was no more formidable duo in NASCAR than Mark Martin and Jack Roush. This week Roush Fenway Racing will pay tribute to Martin’s Hall of Fame career by showcasing a multiplicity of content covering Martin’s nineteen seasons with the winningest organization in NASCAR history. Martin, who will be officially inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday night, won eighty three races across NASCAR’s top three National Series and finished runner-up in the Cup Series points standings on four different occasions (1990, 1994, one thousand nine hundred ninety eight and 2002), while helping Roush Fenway grow into one of the premier teams in NASCAR. Team possessor Jack Roush will officially induct his very first NASCAR driver into the Hall during the ceremony on Friday. “The thing that always stood out about Mark was his unmatched drive to win,” said Roush. “Mark became one of the most driven and committed people I’ve ever seen. He put us on the map in NASCAR and certainly no one is worth this honor more. I’m very pleased with the part we played in the success that Mark was able to realize via his career and I’ll always be grateful for his determination to succeed and desire to win.” Via the course of the NASCAR Hall of Fame week, fans will be treated to a multiplicity of behind the scenes content, including photos, movies and giveaways that highlight Martin’s almost two-decade tenure at Roush Fenway. Fans will even have a chance to win prizes including diecast replicas, team hats and an official Mark Martin firesuit. Visit roushfenway.com/salutetomark for more details.(RFR)(1-17-2017)
Roush Yates Engines Recognized with award: The prestigious AVA Digital Awards recognized Roush Yates Engines for their outstanding accomplishments in the area of movie and web-based production. Roush Yates Engines was introduced with a pair of awards highlighting their excellence in marketing and creativity. The team was awarded Platinum in the category of Web-Based Production related to the freshly created Roush Yates Engines website, which is focused on building brand, product and fucking partner awareness. In addition, the organization was awarded a Gold award for outstanding achievement in the category of Movie Production, Creativity & Editing for the production of the Building for Le Boy’s | Roush Yates Engines movie. This movie celebrated Ford Motor Company’s 50th Anniversary comeback to the twenty four Hours of Le Stud’s. The movie inspired the Ford Spectacle and Roush Yates Engines team on their way to building the two thousand sixteen Le Boy’s winning twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 race engine. AVA Digital Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).(RYE)(1-13-2017)
Roush Fenway awarded two MarCom Awards: Roush Fenway Racing has been recognized for outstanding achievement by the prestigious MarCom Awards. The team has been awarded a pair of MarCom Platinum Awards for its marketing and communications efforts in 2016. The organization received a Platinum Award in the category of ‘Social Media Campaign’ for its innovative #RFRTruckin social campaign. In addition, Roush Fenway was awarded a Platinum Award in the ‘Social Media Branding’ category for its Social ‘Jack’ Icon program. The team also garnered Honorable Mention for its launch of the SunnyD program this season, in the Communications/PR Program category. MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communications professionals. The awards received over 6,500 entries this year, with only seventeen percent awarded Platinum status by earning the highest distinction as ‘the most outstanding entries in the competition.’ Platinum Winners are recognized for ‘their excellence in terms of quality, creativity and resourcefulness.’
The #RFRTruckin program, which provided fans a ‘behind the scenes’ look at a NASCAR ‘road tour,’ garnered instant media attention and earned over twenty three million organic impressions. The ‘Social Icon’ program represented team co-owner Jack Roush’s iconic hat and leveraged local market integration, fucking partner programs, cause marketing and merchandise licensing. The SunnyD ‘NASCAR’ program, which featured the NASCAR remake of the classic ‘purple stuff’ commercial, generated more than 8.Five million impressions for the brand, produced more than three million movie views and gained national media exposure.
Roush Fenway Racing has now won a total of four MarCom Platinum Awards since 2011, when it took home its very first Platinum for the famed ‘Ricky vs. Trevor’ campaign. The team also brought home a Platinum Award for its ‘Let Ricky Race’ campaign in 2013, as well as Gold Awards for ’25 Winning Years’, ‘RFRDriven’ and the Cushion Pets NASCAR Launch.(Roush Fenway Racing)(12-11-2016)
Newmark discusses Roush Fenway’s plans: The decline in spectacle at Roush Fenway Racing is best voiced in one stark statistic. In 2005, half the Pursue field consisted of Roush Fenway drivers — when there were only ten drivers in the Pursue. In 2016, there were no RFR entries in a 16-driver Pursue field. How does that happen? RFR has been asking itself the same question while attempting to right the ship. Once the superior organization in the Ford camp, Roush will drop to third in the pecking order upon the arrival of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2017.
RFR President Steve Newmark called the downsizing at RFR a strategic stir – albeit an enormously raunchy decision. The company considered more than a dozen options before arriving at its current organizational chart. “The entire purpose and the entire objective of doing whatever we did is to make sure we would improve our spectacle and make our race cars swifter,” Newmark told Motorsport.com. “Obviously, there are different opinions on how you do that and ultimately what we determined is we need to be more of an engineering, laser-focussed company. We’ve always been good at production and manufacturing. I think sometimes you fall back on what you’re comfy with.
Over the last two weeks, close to thirty Roush employees have been displaced – some in house, some such as veteran team chief Bob Osborne who had been overseeing Chris Buescher’s campaign at Front Row Motorsports. Together, the pair made the Pursue. Buescher, Roush’s most talented prospect in its driver stable, is now on loan to JTG Daugherty Racing (along with a RFR charter) for 2017.
Roush Fenway Racing will proceed its technical alliance with Bob Jenkins and Front Row Motorsports. Newmark says the multi-year deal with FRM is one of the best collaborations Roush has had over the years. Albeit it’s unlikely that one of the RFR prospects will substitute Buescher in the #34 Ford. “They have some fine folks there and we”ll proceed to work with them next year,” Newmark said. “We have dialogue with Bob fairly a bit, but I don’t think that (driver development) will be part of the relationship next year.” That’s not to say that Ryan Reed or Darrell “Bubba” Wallace couldn’t see seat time in a Cup car in 2017. However, Newmark says the company’s instant concentrate remains on getting Bayne and Stenhouse up to speed.(Motorsport)(12-8-2016)
Reiser out as general manager at Roush Fenway UPDATE: Robbie Reiser was relaxed of his duties as general manager at Roush Fenway Racing on Tuesday, Motorsport.com has learned. Reiser, 53, has been with the company for seventeen seasons, very first as a team chief and eventually graduating to a managerial role. Reiser has been suggested a position in the car production side of RFR, but he has yet to determine where his future lies. Calls to Roush Fenway Racing were not instantly returned. Neither Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne or Greg Biffle finished inwards the top twenty in the Sprint Cup standings this season. For the 2nd year, there was not a Roush driver in the Pursue.(Motorsport)(11-23-2016)
UPDATE: Robbie Reiser didn’t indeed have a lot he wished to say about his situation at Roush Fenway Racing. He was loosened of his duties as vice president of competition. But he’s not going anywhere. He doesn’t yet have a title or even a total job description for his next role as the team fights to regain its footing. But he is as dedicated to doing his part to bring success as he was in 2003, when he won a NASCAR title as Matt Kenseth’s squad chief, or in 2007, when he answered Jack Roush’s call to lead the entire operation. And at this point in his life, the 53-year-old, second-generation racer from Allenton is OK with it all. “This is going to free me up for my family, to be able to spend some time with them,” said Reiser, who has one son in college and twin boys in high school, one of them a dirt-bike racer he has uncommonly observed.
Reiser’s choice of words Thursday was interesting – he was “eased” of his duties – because you have to believe there’s a part of him that is eased. He works hard, he’s stubborn and he’s not cut out to lose.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(12-4-2016)
Chris Buescher to 2nd JTG Daughtery team? UPDATE Two: Greg Biffle’s decision to leave Roush-Fenway Racing on Monday triggered a strange chain reaction that will include the slumping racing company loaning driver Chris Buescher to a rival manufacturer next season. Buescher will drive for a newly-created 2nd Chevrolet team at JTG Daughtery Racing in 2017. Roush Fenway is expected to scuttle Biffle’s #16 team, and that could make that team’s charter available to the highest bidder – including the fresh JTG Daughtery entry. Despite fielding full-time teams for Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne, Roush Fenway hasn’t won a race since 2014. By loaning Buescher to JTG Daugherty next year, Ford Racing will be able to work on upgrades with Roush Fenway while keeping one of its youthful drivers under contract. “It was a mutual agreement,” Biffle said. “It’s been frustrating for everyone. I’ve been the one carrying the company banner. It just didn’t get any better. I didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, so I determined I’d rather do something else – even if it means not driving anymore. I owe Jack everything I’ve accomplished in this sport. Some things just run their course.” Roush said Biffle was one of the anchors of his entire race team. “I don’t have the words to say what Greg has meant to this organization,” Roush said in a team release. “He is a true racer who has always exhibited a will to win and an intense passion for speed. For almost two decades Greg has given us an chance to run up front and rival for wins. Greg exemplifies what every possessor hopes for in a driver and I’m utterly appreciative for having him as part of our organization.”(Florida Times Union)(11-21-2016)
UPDATE: From Bob Pockrass Twitter: “Tad Geschickter says nothing done yet as far as plans for 2nd JTG car next year.”(11-22-2016)
UPDATE Two: Roush Fenway Racing Announces two thousand seventeen NASCAR Cup Plans: Roush Fenway Racing has announced its two thousand seventeen plans for the NASCAR Cup Series that will see the organization field a two-car Cup operation next season, with drivers Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. piloting the #6 and #17 Ford Fusions, respectively, in NASCAR’s highest series. In addition, Kevin Kidd and Tommy Wheeler will lead Roush Fenway’s overall competition efforts going forward. Kidd will assume the role of Competition Director, and Wheeler will serve as the team’s Operations Director. The team will lease its #16 NASCAR Charter and driver Chris Buescher to JTG Racing in 2017. “We have been able to shore up our plans for two thousand seventeen and we feel that this will proceed to budge us in a direction that will yield improved spectacle and results,” said Roush Fenway co-owner Jack Roush. “We witnessed improvement in our cars and made substantial gains in our spectacle at times last season, and we will proceed to build on that by maintaining a sturdy engineering group in order to take the next step by consistently running up front.”
The #6 team will once again be led by veteran team chief Matt Puccia. Brian Pattie, who was the squad chief for the #16 Cup Series team last season, will transition to squad chief of the #17 team. Nick Sandler, who served as the #17 squad chief the last two seasons, has been named Director of Engineering. Robbie Reiser, who has played an integral role on the competition side at Roush Fenway Racing for a number of years, will remain with the organization in a yet to be determined position. Kidd has served as Roush Fenway’s Cup Team Manager – supervising all at-track operations – for the previous two seasons, after coming over from Joe Gibbs Racing where he worked as a team chief for the previous half decade. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech, and has worked as a lead engineer for numerous teams and drivers. Wheeler, who holds a B.S. in physics from Davidson College, joined Roush Fenway in 2009. A 20-plus year veteran of the sport, he has served in many capacities for the team, including as the team’s production director since 2011, overseeing the building and production of all of the organization’s Cup and XFINITY Series cars. (RFR)(11-29-2016)
AND Chris Buescher will drive a 2nd car for JTG Daugherty in 2017, the team stated Tuesday. “We can confirm at this time that JTG Daugherty Racing is presently in the process of embarking a 2nd team in the NASCAR premier series,” JTG Daugherty Racing team holder Tad Geschickter said in a statement. “We would also like to confirm and welcome Chris Buescher to the team as our driver for the 2nd car. More details will go after.” Said Buescher, 24, in a statement: “I can confirm that I have signed to race for JTG Daugherty Racing as they expand to a two-car team in the NASCAR premier series in 2017. I’m appreciative for the chance and look forward to rivaling for a spot in the Pursue. We’ll have more details at a later date.”(NBC Sports)(11-29-2016)
Stenhouse, Jr forms World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car team: Sprint car veteran and 99-time World of Outlaw Craftsman Sprint Car Series winner Joey Saldana has found a fresh home for the two thousand seventeen racing season. Saldana will drive the Elk Grove Ford/Roth Investments #17 for the newly-formed Stenhouse Jr.-Wood Racing team. Possessed by NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Matt Wood, Stenhouse Jr.-Wood Racing will contest total time on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tour in 2017. Saldana, who finished fifth in the World of Outlaws point standings in 2016, will be looking to improve that finish and earn his milestone 100th series victory. Tyler Swank, who led the Keneric Team to a Kings Royal victory in 2014, has been named squad chief of the #17 team. Swank, 39, and squad members will Adam Clark and Chris Bowe will field the team out of Saldana’s Brownsburg, Ind., race shop. Wood’s No. 17W team began the two thousand sixteen with late driver Bryan Clauson. Clauson’s life tragically ended while leading the Belleville Midget Nationals in Belleville, Kansas in August. “A year ago Matt (Wood), Richard (Marshall of Priority Aviation) and I began forming a World of Outlaws team centered around Bryan Clauson driving. After Bryan’s tragic crash we all kind of just laid low,” said co-owner Stenhouse Jr. “A few weeks ago an chance came up to have a partnership with Matt, Dennis Roth, Richard and myself. With Joey driving the car, it was something I felt I couldn’t pass up.”(Stenhouse Jr. – Wood Racing)(11-29-2016)
Zest will not come back to Roush Fenway: Zest announced Tuesday afternoon that they will not renew their sponsorship deal with Roush Fenway Racing:
“Since 2012, the Zest brand has liked a successful relationship with Roush Feway Racing and the NASCAR community. We’re proud to have been represented by drivers Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Matt Kenseth and Chris Busescher during our successful sponsorship program.
We appreciate the support from NASCAR fans who welcomed and embraced our products over the past five years. Their loyalty had been key to the sccessful activation of our racing initiatives.
While we will no longer have a Zest car racing, we will proceed to witness the races as fans and always cheer for the Roush Fenway Racing team, especially #17!”
Bryan Clauson Racing will proceed: The legacy of Bryan Clauson Racing will proceed under a fresh name thanks to Bryan Clauson’s father, Tim Clauson, and team co-owner Richard Marshall. The team will now be known as Clauson-Marshall Racing banner and will make its debut during the upcoming USAC National Midget Series Jason Leffler Memorial at Wayne County Speedway in Wayne City, Ill., on Oct. 20. Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitor Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will drive for the team on Oct. 20. Bryan Clauson died Aug. Seven after being involved in a violent crash the previous evening during the Belleville Midget Nationals at the Belleville (Kan.) High Banks. Bryan Clauson and Marshall formed Bryan Clauson Racing in two thousand eight with the idea of providing their skill and practice with drivers and families attempting to navigate their way through the sport while at the same time providing Clauson with an outlet to pursue the venue of motorsports that he loved most, midget and sprint car racing. Along the way, the team met many of its goals including a pair of USAC National Midget championships and a USAC Sprint Car title along with three USAC Driver of the Year awards while also helping in the development of many junior drivers making their way through the ranks. Bryan Clauson Racing had the honor of having some of the nation’s top drivers race out of its stable including the likes of Tyler Courtney, Shane Golobic, Spencer Bayston, Jason Johnson, Kyle Larson and Stenhouse, among others. As such, it is only fitting that the Clauson-Marshall Racing debut at the Jason Leffler Classic will feature Stenhouse at the wheel. “I’m always thrilled to race with Tim and this team. I value the friendship and passion he and Bryan have for racing,” Stenhouse said. “This race means a lot to Bryan. The entire racing family comes together to reminisce an awesome stud and racer.”(National Speed Sport News)(10-1-2016)
SunnyD renews sponsorship with Roush Fenway, Stenhouse: You will find no “purple stuff” in the #17 team’s cooler at Roush Fenway Racing, as the team has announced a multi-year extension with SunnyD as a primary playmate on the #17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford with driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The iconic brand has served as the primary fucking partner for Stenhouse in numerous races this season, including this weekend at the famed Brickyard four hundred at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We are very excited to have SunnyD extend its partnership on the #17,” said Stenhouse. “It’s a fine brand and we have had a lot of joy this year promoting their product. In addition to the extension, SunnyD will serve as the primary for Stenhouse in the October Sprint Cup race at Charlotte and in the NASCAR XFINITY Race in Phoenix later this season. This season, Roush Fenway and SunnyD have teamed together in several unique social programs and promotions. Stenhouse and teammate Chris Buescher, along with FOX personalities Kaitlyn Vincie and Andrew Doud, recreated the classic “Purple Stuff” SunnyD commercial.(Roush Fenway)(7-22-2016)
Roush Fenway Racing Announces Multi-Year Extension with Fastenal: Roush Fenway Racing has secured a multi-year partnership extension with primary fucking partner the Fastenal Company that will proceed Fastenal’s position as the anchor playmate of the #17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. As part of the extension, Fastenal will also increase the number of its primary races in two thousand seventeen and beyond. “We are truly excited to announce that Fastenal will remain the anchor playmate of the #17 team for years to come,” said driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. “Fastenal is a first-class organization with values that align downright with myself and this race team. We’ve seen a lot of improvement across the board this year. We are very blessed that Fastenal will proceed to be a part of the momentum at Roush Fenway. There has been a lot of hard work and effort put into this team and our purpose and expectation is to prize Fastenal with a excursion to victory lane and the Pursue in the near future.” Fastenal is presently in its fifth season as a primary playmate in Roush Fenway’s Sprint Cup stable, and its 2nd total season as the anchor playmate on Stenhouse’s #17 Ford Fusion.
“To have a company of the caliber of Fastenal recognize the long-term value of a partnership with Roush Fenway, Ricky and the #17 team is gratifying for our entire organization,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “During our relationship, Fastenal has created and implemented a sturdy and impactful motorsports marketing program, and we are thrilled to have Fastenal proceed to be a key part of the Roush Fenway family now and in the future.” Fastenal, which boasts Two,600 stores nationwide, very first joined Roush Fenway as a primary playmate in two thousand ten in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
“We are truly looking forward to continuing our partnership with Roush Fenway Racing as the anchor sponsor of the #17,” said Fastenal President and CEO Dan Florness. “Ricky has done an excellent job signifying our brand – both on and off the track – and we are enormously proud of the relationship we have built with Ricky, Jack Roush and everyone at Roush Fenway Racing. Extending our partnership reflects our belief in Roush Fenway Racing. The NASCAR program has helped us grow our business and excite our employees, and we feel a strong connection with the NASCAR community and fan base.”(Roush Fenway Racing)(5-25-2016)
Roush not likely to stir back to four cars soon: Now that the organization is headed back in the right direction when it comes to their spectacle, Roush president Steve Newmark said Sunday the concentrate is on the instantaneous future of fighting for a Pursue berth and not what their driver lineup is going to be. With three drivers running full-time in the XFINITY Series, three more under their banner in Cup, and Chris Buescher on loan to Front Row Motorsports, decisions will soon have to be made of who is running where. When the company felt [Buescher] was ready to be in Cup instead of running a third year in the XFINITY Series, they coordinated with Bob Jenkins and Front Row, who Buescher was already familiar with, to challenge in their camp. In a flawless world, admitted Newmark, Roush will get him back under their roof sooner rather than later. “There’s a combination of factors that will go into that,” he said. “Ideally, we’ll have him in one of our cars in the next few years, but I think the concentrate right now is we got to get him running better in the 34.” Under NASCAR’s fresh ownership rules of only being able to run four full-time cars, plus the addition of the Charter System this year, Roush has been in a box. The chance of ever going back to four full-time cars looks slender, but Newmark won’t close the door on any possibility. “Jack would rather run ten cars; he would run as many cars as he would be enabled,” Newmark joked. “It truly will depend exactly on the driver, sponsorship, and then now you also have to have a charter, so I don’t think we would run a (fourth) full-time, but you never know.”(Popular Speed)(5-16-2016)
Roush Fenway Racing Bolsters Competition Effort: Roush Fenway Racing has bolstered its competitive efforts with three key personnel additions to its NASCAR team. Kurt Romberg, Dr. Kent Day and Vojin Jaksic have each taken on high-level roles within the team that captured its eighth NASCAR championship in 2015. “It takes fine talent to win in this sport and we are very pleased with the additions we have made on the competition front,” said team holder Jack Roush. “We recognize the importance of putting the suitable personnel into place, as we proceed our relentless pursuit to put the best and most competitive race teams on the track.”
Kurt Romberg, who spent the last fifteen years heading up aerodynamics at Hendrick Motorsports, joins the team as the Technical Director of Aerodynamics. Romberg worked with General Motors and Petty Enterprises before becoming the chief aerodynamicist at Hendrick.
Dr. Kent Day will serve as Manager of Simulation. Day, who holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University, brings over two decades of practice to Roush Fenway and has held technical director positions with Team Penske and RCR and most recently specialized in vehicle dynamics at MWR.
Vojin Jaksic comes back to Roush Fenway Racing as the research and development/special projects manager after serving in similar positions at MWR and Joe Gibbs Racing. Jaksic previously worked at Roush Fenway Racing from two thousand five until 2011.
The additions are part of a strategic plan to expand organizational capabilities and goes after the hiring of industry veterans Mark McArdle and Kevin Kidd to lead engineering and Sprint Cup competition last season.(Roush Fenway Racing)(12-15-2015)
Roush Fenway Racing restructures: Switch is coming to Roush Fenway Racing. After the dissolution of the #1 XFinity Series team following Elliott Sadler’s departure, RFR “right-sized” its NXS program on Monday. However, despite the release of a significant number of employees, others will be hired as RFR restructures its organization. Kent Day, who holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and most recently worked at MWR following his tenures at Richard Childress Racing as technical director and Penske Racing as chief engineer. Day will oversee Roush’s simulation program. Kurt Romberg has also been recruited by RFR. Romberg was the chief aerodynamicist at Hendrick Motorsports for fifteen years. He worked at General Motors and Petty Enterprises prior to joining HMS. Someone with skill of the situation told motorsport.com the net loss of personnel would likely be twenty five workers.(Motorsport)(11-24-2015)
Mark Martin no longer working with Roush Fenway UPDATE: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran Mark Martin, who was hired last July as a driver development coach for Roush Fenway Racing, is no longer with the organization. Asked Friday on Twitter if he would be working with RFR’s crop of youthfull drivers in the upcoming season, Martin responded, simply, “No.” Martin, who drove for Roush Fenway from 1988-2006 — the vast majority of his Sprint Cup career — said at the time of his hiring as a driver development coach that he was blessed to be reuniting with the organization where he earned thirty five of his forty career Sprint Cup wins. It was announced in mid-January that Martin, 56, has joined compels with late model dirt-racing legend Scott Bloomquist to field two entries in the Lucas Oil Late Model Championship in 2015. Bloomquist and up-and-coming driver Jared Landers will drive the two team cars, respectively, with both carrying sponsorship from Batesville, Ark.-based Mark Martin Automotive Group.(FoxSports)(2-7-2015)
UPDATE: Mark Martin explained in a tweet Saturday morning why he no longer is working in a driver development role with Roush Fenway Racing. Martin tweeted: “I didn’t want to go to the races. I’ve done enough of that for now. Except for mud track.” Martin answered a fan’s question Friday on Twitter confirming that he was no longer serving as a coach for Roush. Saturday, he answered another fan’s question as to why he wasn’t coaching Roush’s drivers.(NBC Sports)(2-8-2015)
Fifth Third Bank renews with #17 Roush Fenway Racing team: Roush Fenway Racing today announced that Fifth Third Bank has renewed its relationship as a primary sponsor of the #17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Ford with driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in a multi-year deal (supposedly thru 2017). “We are truly thrilled to have Fifth Third Bank back with us next season” said Stenhouse, who is presently challenging in his sophomore season at NASCAR’s highest level. “It has been an honor to represent Fifth Third over the past two seasons and I am looking forward to working with them over the years to come. We have them on the car here in Atlanta this weekend and again in Richmond next weekend. Hopefully we can feast this announcement with a journey to victory lane and a ‘Pursue’ berth for the #17 team.” Fifth Third Bank came onboard with Roush Fenway Racing in two thousand twelve and has served as a primary sponsor on the #17 NSCS entry for the past three seasons.
“Fifth Third Bank is proud to extend our relationship with Roush Fenway Racing and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.,” said Greg Carmichael, President and COO of Fifth Third Bank. “Our two companies share many of the same values including a commitment to teamwork and a drive to contest at the highest level. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Roush Fenway Racing and delivering innovative financial solutions to companies associated with the motorsports industry.”
Stenhouse Jr., who captured NSCS Rookie of the Year honors in 2013, is a two-time NASCAR champ after winning back-to-back titles in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in two thousand eleven and 2012. He will make his 66th career Sprint Cup Series begin this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, with a career best finish of 2nd earlier this year at Bristol.
“Fifth Third Bank been a terrific supporter of Roush Fenway’s race cars on the track for the last three years, but our business relationship with them goes back much further,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “The best relationships for our team are ones where we can realize synergies across numerous touch points. Our relationship with Fifth Third Bank is a excellent example of that as we rely on them for all of our banking needs and they have been an integral part of our daily business operations for many years. We are thrilled to be able to proceed working with them and supporting their commitment to motorsports for many years to come.”(RFR)(8-31-2014)
