Christina Cordner, Official Fan Reporter
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Brian Scott Lands Full-time Cup Ride with Legendary Richard Petty Motorsports
February 13, 2016
It was announced on December 11th 2015, that Brian Scott would replace Sam Hornish Jr at Richard Petty Motorsports in what at the time was the number 9 Ford. This is a large step forward in the 28-year-old Idaho native's career. He had previously run 17 Cup races in a Chevrolet for both Richard Childress Racing and Circle Sport Racing. Brian recorded a Sprint Cup Series career-best finish to date of 12th at Kansas Speedway this past October. All together so far he has recorded three top-15s, and only four DNFs in 17 races between 2013-2015.
He explained that he enjoyed the past, but is now ready to move up to the sport’s highest level. “I had a lot of fun competing in the XFINITY Series for the last seven years, and I’m excited to take the next step,” Scott said. “I ran some races in the Sprint Cup Series the last few years and learned a lot. I feel like we are in a good position to compete for the Rookie of the Year next year and continue the consistency that RPM built over the last few years.”
Looking back on team statistics, it is easy to see the consistency that Scott spoke of. In 2015, Richard Petty Motorsports was consistently a top-finisher in the Ford camp and posted three top-five, nine top-10, and 22 top-15 finishes.
The new opportunity not only gives Scott a chance to live his dream of being a full-time Sprint Cup Series driver contending for Rookie of the Year and a championship, but also the chance to race in a car owned by the King of NASCAR himself, Richard Petty. The winner of 200 races and seven championships is one of the first names you think of when you think of NASCAR. Speaking about the opportunity, Brian talked about the joy of getting to drive for Petty and is undoubtedly excited for his future.
Upon making the announcement, Scott said that he was thrilled to be able to race full-time and for an iconic team. “When you think NASCAR racing, you think Petty," he added. Scott also at a later date went on to say, "I’m glad to now be a part of that legacy. I think it’s special to be with an organization with such history and then to be able to put your name in their history. Richard Petty’s history and recognition around NASCAR is his number. To go back to what everyone considers to be Petty history with the 44, I think it’s really special to be the driver that gets to do that.”
Likewise, Petty is also looking forward to the addition of Scott and complimented his progress to date. “We’re happy to welcome Brian to the team,” Petty said. “Our team has worked very hard to continue our winning tradition and building consistency. We feel Brian is a great addition to that. He’s made a steady progression through the ranks, and now, we feel he’s ready to compete in the Sprint Cup Series.”
Since the initial announcement, it has continued to get better, with the additional announcement coming on January 11th. Richard Petty Motorsports has decided to forgo the No. 9, and instead bring back the 44. The number 44 is one of the legendary Petty numbers along with 40, 41, 42, 43, and 45. Petty's brother Maurice drove the number 44 in three races between 1960 and 1961. The number was not used again by a Petty until Kyle drove the number in 114 races beginning in 1997, until he chose to run his late son Adam's number 45 after his death in 2000.
“After the 2015 season, we had an opportunity to make some changes and get the No. 44 back. We felt that it was good timing. We really wanted to get that number back in the Petty family where it really belongs. Brian (Scott) is coming on board, and he really hasn’t had a number in the Sprint Cup Series. Everything has just come together to really bring back a Petty tradition.”
He then touched on how special the number is to the Pettys. “For us, the numbers are more than just a number you could say,” he added. “They really represent our family history, our legacy and everyone who has worked for us or raced for us. We take a lot of pride in that and are glad to have the 44 back home.”
Richard's son Kyle agreed with his father and said, “It’s good to see the 44 number back where it belongs. I’m looking forward to seeing Brian Scott carrying on our tradition.”
As for the number’s history in NASCAR, it has competed in 969 races, winning 13 times, along with 156 top 5s and 324 top 10s. All 13 of those trips to Victory Lane were with driver Terry Labonte. Brian is now looking become the second driver to take the checkered flag using the number 44.
Another intricate role become known when it was announced that Chris Heroy would be leaving Chip Ganassi Racing, where he was Kyle Larson's crew chief, to join Richard Petty Motorsports, and call the shots atop the pit box for Brian.
Heroy spoke of his excitement about joining the Ford team and his goals for the future of the team.
“I'm looking forward to working with Brian (Scott) as he works toward the Rookie of the Year title,” he said. “This team has done a great job building consistency over the past year and continuing their winning tradition is a top priority, and I believe we can accomplish that this season.”
The team's vice president of competition Sammy Johns added that Chris would be a great addition to the team, feeling that the duo would challenge for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, despite being up against a talented rookie class this year.
None of this would be possible, though, without the support of marketing partners helping to pay the bills. Scott and Richard Petty Motorsports have already put those pieces together, announcing the sponsorship line-up for the season. Scott's long time sponsors Albertons and Shore Lodge have joined RPM along with him as primary sponsors. The Idaho based companies will make their season debut in the Daytona 500 and will adorn the hood of the No. 44 Ford for 16 races and have associate placement for the remaining 20 races. Additionally, RPM has renewed sponsorship commitments with Twisted Tea, GoBowling.com and Goody’s, with each of those brands to be showcased on Scott’s No. 44 Ford Fusion throughout the season.
Fans were able to see Brian Scott first take to the track at Daytona at 10:30am EST on Saturday, February 13th for the first of five practices. The day of importance, though, will be on Sunday, February 14 as that will be Daytona 500 qualifying. The session is set to get started at 1:15 pm EST and will be televised by FOX. That qualifying session will determine whether Scott is in the first or second Duel, and where he will start. Notably, the Can-Am Duels are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 18 at 7pm EST and will be 60 laps in length each.
Of course, this all is setting up the big day of importance and the race that the nation will have their eyes on to kick off the season, the Daytona 500, which is set to take place on Sunday, February 21 at 1pm EST. Fans can catch the race either via watching FOX, or listening to MRN radio.
Send me a tweet: @ChristinaC87
February 13, 2016
It was announced on December 11th 2015, that Brian Scott would replace Sam Hornish Jr at Richard Petty Motorsports in what at the time was the number 9 Ford. This is a large step forward in the 28-year-old Idaho native's career. He had previously run 17 Cup races in a Chevrolet for both Richard Childress Racing and Circle Sport Racing. Brian recorded a Sprint Cup Series career-best finish to date of 12th at Kansas Speedway this past October. All together so far he has recorded three top-15s, and only four DNFs in 17 races between 2013-2015.
He explained that he enjoyed the past, but is now ready to move up to the sport’s highest level. “I had a lot of fun competing in the XFINITY Series for the last seven years, and I’m excited to take the next step,” Scott said. “I ran some races in the Sprint Cup Series the last few years and learned a lot. I feel like we are in a good position to compete for the Rookie of the Year next year and continue the consistency that RPM built over the last few years.”
Looking back on team statistics, it is easy to see the consistency that Scott spoke of. In 2015, Richard Petty Motorsports was consistently a top-finisher in the Ford camp and posted three top-five, nine top-10, and 22 top-15 finishes.
The new opportunity not only gives Scott a chance to live his dream of being a full-time Sprint Cup Series driver contending for Rookie of the Year and a championship, but also the chance to race in a car owned by the King of NASCAR himself, Richard Petty. The winner of 200 races and seven championships is one of the first names you think of when you think of NASCAR. Speaking about the opportunity, Brian talked about the joy of getting to drive for Petty and is undoubtedly excited for his future.
Upon making the announcement, Scott said that he was thrilled to be able to race full-time and for an iconic team. “When you think NASCAR racing, you think Petty," he added. Scott also at a later date went on to say, "I’m glad to now be a part of that legacy. I think it’s special to be with an organization with such history and then to be able to put your name in their history. Richard Petty’s history and recognition around NASCAR is his number. To go back to what everyone considers to be Petty history with the 44, I think it’s really special to be the driver that gets to do that.”
Likewise, Petty is also looking forward to the addition of Scott and complimented his progress to date. “We’re happy to welcome Brian to the team,” Petty said. “Our team has worked very hard to continue our winning tradition and building consistency. We feel Brian is a great addition to that. He’s made a steady progression through the ranks, and now, we feel he’s ready to compete in the Sprint Cup Series.”
Since the initial announcement, it has continued to get better, with the additional announcement coming on January 11th. Richard Petty Motorsports has decided to forgo the No. 9, and instead bring back the 44. The number 44 is one of the legendary Petty numbers along with 40, 41, 42, 43, and 45. Petty's brother Maurice drove the number 44 in three races between 1960 and 1961. The number was not used again by a Petty until Kyle drove the number in 114 races beginning in 1997, until he chose to run his late son Adam's number 45 after his death in 2000.
“After the 2015 season, we had an opportunity to make some changes and get the No. 44 back. We felt that it was good timing. We really wanted to get that number back in the Petty family where it really belongs. Brian (Scott) is coming on board, and he really hasn’t had a number in the Sprint Cup Series. Everything has just come together to really bring back a Petty tradition.”
He then touched on how special the number is to the Pettys. “For us, the numbers are more than just a number you could say,” he added. “They really represent our family history, our legacy and everyone who has worked for us or raced for us. We take a lot of pride in that and are glad to have the 44 back home.”
Richard's son Kyle agreed with his father and said, “It’s good to see the 44 number back where it belongs. I’m looking forward to seeing Brian Scott carrying on our tradition.”
As for the number’s history in NASCAR, it has competed in 969 races, winning 13 times, along with 156 top 5s and 324 top 10s. All 13 of those trips to Victory Lane were with driver Terry Labonte. Brian is now looking become the second driver to take the checkered flag using the number 44.
Another intricate role become known when it was announced that Chris Heroy would be leaving Chip Ganassi Racing, where he was Kyle Larson's crew chief, to join Richard Petty Motorsports, and call the shots atop the pit box for Brian.
Heroy spoke of his excitement about joining the Ford team and his goals for the future of the team.
“I'm looking forward to working with Brian (Scott) as he works toward the Rookie of the Year title,” he said. “This team has done a great job building consistency over the past year and continuing their winning tradition is a top priority, and I believe we can accomplish that this season.”
The team's vice president of competition Sammy Johns added that Chris would be a great addition to the team, feeling that the duo would challenge for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, despite being up against a talented rookie class this year.
None of this would be possible, though, without the support of marketing partners helping to pay the bills. Scott and Richard Petty Motorsports have already put those pieces together, announcing the sponsorship line-up for the season. Scott's long time sponsors Albertons and Shore Lodge have joined RPM along with him as primary sponsors. The Idaho based companies will make their season debut in the Daytona 500 and will adorn the hood of the No. 44 Ford for 16 races and have associate placement for the remaining 20 races. Additionally, RPM has renewed sponsorship commitments with Twisted Tea, GoBowling.com and Goody’s, with each of those brands to be showcased on Scott’s No. 44 Ford Fusion throughout the season.
Fans were able to see Brian Scott first take to the track at Daytona at 10:30am EST on Saturday, February 13th for the first of five practices. The day of importance, though, will be on Sunday, February 14 as that will be Daytona 500 qualifying. The session is set to get started at 1:15 pm EST and will be televised by FOX. That qualifying session will determine whether Scott is in the first or second Duel, and where he will start. Notably, the Can-Am Duels are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 18 at 7pm EST and will be 60 laps in length each.
Of course, this all is setting up the big day of importance and the race that the nation will have their eyes on to kick off the season, the Daytona 500, which is set to take place on Sunday, February 21 at 1pm EST. Fans can catch the race either via watching FOX, or listening to MRN radio.
Send me a tweet: @ChristinaC87
Image Courtesy: Richard Petty Motorsports
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Image Courtesy: Richard Petty Motorsports
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