Cole Whitt and Speed Stick® Join Front Row Motorsports in 2015
STATESVILLE, N.C. (January 16, 2015) – Up-and-coming driver Cole Whitt will expand the Front Row Motorsports racing stable to three full-time cars in 2015, piloting the No. 35 Ford with support from Speed Stick® for 10 races, including the season-opening Daytona 500. Randy Cox will also join the Front Row team to continue his relationship with Whitt as crew chief.
The 23-year-old Whitt will enter his second full-time Sprint Cup Series season after progressively climbing the NASCAR racing ranks of the Nationwide, Camping World Truck and K&N series. The Alpine, Calif., native made his transition to stock cars after an early career in open-wheel racing, which included a 2008 USAC National Midget championship.
“I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity to go racing with Front Row Motorsports and continue my relationship with Speed Stick®,” Whitt said. “Bob Jenkins is a smart businessman and has grown his team the right way over the years, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of that growth. The 2014 season was great for me as a driver. We had some important personal victories and some areas where we’ll want to improve.”
Speed Stick® is also on board to support Whitt during his sophomore season. Speed Stick®, known for its line of high-performing antiperspirants and deodorants, previously sponsored Whitt during his rookie year and connected with fans by documenting the driver’s first race at the Daytona 500 through a unique, online video series.
“I feel honored to have the support of a great sponsor like Speed Stick® and I look to building on last year’s successes,” said Whitt. “The Speed Stick® brand is all about giving guys the confidence to step up, particularly in the most stressful situations. It has your back when you need it most. I can’t think of a better partner for a young driver like myself.”
Additional Speed Stick® brand sponsored races this year will include high-profile events such as the Talladega Superspeedway race in May, the 600-mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Brickyard 400 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Bristol Motor Speedway Night Race.
“Cole Whitt continues to embody the traits that we champion at Speed Stick®,” said Bill Van de Graaf, Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Personal Care, Colgate-Palmolive. “In his first year, he impressed fans, teammates and adversaries by continuously stepping up in high-pressure situations. The Speed Stick® brand is excited to be at Cole’s side as he reaches for new heights.”
Cox will continue his crew chief relationship with Whitt in 2015 after leading the young driver’s Sprint Cup campaign with BK Racing in 2014. Cox has previously worked with drivers such as Brian Vickers, Kenny Wallace and David Stremme.
“This is an exciting time for Front Row Motorsports,” said team owner Bob Jenkins. “Adding Cole Whitt to our program, along with the support of the Speed Stick® team, is another big step in our growth as a young team. We’re going to have a diverse mix of experience with our drivers, which, I think, is going to be a big benefit for everyone.”
Whitt and the No. 35 Speed Stick® brand Ford team will make their first appearance on track in February for Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona 500 will kick off the Sprint Cup Series points championship on Feb. 22, with the qualifying duels run on Feb. 19.
Sources: Front Row Motorsports PR