CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 15, 2012) – The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season officially kicks off this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, but the No. 99 Fastenal pit crew has been preparing for months already. The “Blue Team” won the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award in 2011 and looks to defend the title this season.
Most of the crew remains the same from last year. Josh Shipplett is the new rear-tire carrier, but he is no stranger to racing with Carl Edwards. Shipplett was part of the No. 60 Fastenal team in the Nationwide Series last year which claimed the owner’s championship for Jack Roush.
“The guys have been training hard and their practices have been great,” said pit crew coach Andy Ward. “The extra week we had before the season started has been nice to get some extra practice in, but we’re ready to get going now. We expect to pick up right where we left off. We’ve converted Josh (Shipplett) from a front carrier to a rear carrier over the winter so he’s been working overtime to get ready. He’s been a great addition to the team, and I expect a strong performance from the Blue Team this season.”
2012 No. 99 Fastenal “Blue Team”
Name Duties Hometown
Joe Karasinski Gas man Spotswood, N.J.
Dennis Killian Jack man Wentzville, Mo.
Dwayne Ogles Rear tire changer Hoover, Ala.
Josh Shipplett Rear tire carrier Winder, Ga.
Alan Troutman Front tire carrier China Grove, N.C.
Kale Uphoff Front tire changer McFarland, Wisc.
*Mike Lingerfelt – starting season as front tire changer while Kale recovers from off-season wrist surgery
Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR’s largest team operating in both the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series with drivers Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Trevor Bayne. Celebrating 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions with its exclusive Roush Fenway OnTrack sponsorship measurement services, motorsport’s only team-focused TV show, and its award winning marketing platform RickyvsTrevor.com bringing unmatched brand opportunities to sponsors. Visit www.RoushFenway.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roushfenway and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway. For sponsorship inquiries call John Bauersfeld at 704.720.4621.
