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[/media-credit]KERNERSVILLE, NC (December 5, 2012) – Joe Denette Motorsports (JDM) is pleased to announce a merger with NTS Motorsports to create a three-truck “powerhouse” for the 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season.
The team will field three full-time NCWTS entries under the NTS Motorsports banner with Ron Hornaday back behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado and Brennan Newberry continuing in the No. 14 Chevrolet Silverado. The team will also field the No. 24 entry full-time with a full driver lineup to be announced at a future date. However, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran, Kevin Harvick will pilot the machine in both Martinsville Speedway events in April and October, respectively.
“This is a monumental next chapter of NTS Motorsports,” said Bob Newberry, owner of NTS Motorsports. “The team just completed our 12th year in the sport but with all the changes, 2013 sho
uld prove to be our best year so far.”
Joe Denette will remain owner of Hornaday’s No. 9 Chevrolet and Bob Newberry will continue as owner of the No. 14. The two will become co-owners of the No. 24 entry.
“The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has been, and will continue to be, one of the most competitive series in our sport,” said Joe Denette, “and it is important to build and improve every day to make the strongest team possible. By combining our people and equipment with Bob Newberry and NTS Motorsports, it will help create a more competitive, stronger team for years to come. This is a win-win situation for both teams and all of our partners.”
Veteran Ron Hornaday has inked a two-year contract to remain with the team behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado. It will mark Hornaday’s 14th full season of NCWTS competition.
Bruce Cook has been named NTS Motorsports Director of Competition. Cook, who has six NCWTS victories to his credit, including two with Ron Hornaday, will also assume the role of crew chief for Hornaday’s No. 9 machine. Hornaday, a four-time NCWTS champion and the series’ most-winning driver, was paired with Cook for four of the final six races of the 2011 season. The duo was able to capture, two wins, one pole and four top-five finishes.
“The 2013 season is shaping up to be something really big,” stated Hornaday. “There are a lot of things to look forward to in the upcoming season. Joe (Denette) is committed to this team and will do what it takes to be competitive for 2013 and beyond. Bob (Newberry) has a history of building successful companies and we share the same passion for winning races and ultimately championships. He has put the right people in the right places and has a solid plan in place to reach his goals. It means a lot to be back in the KHI building where I had so much success in the past and with Bruce (Cook) back on board I’m looking forward to picking-up where we left off; winning races and competing for the championship.”
Dan Deeringhoff, who guided Clint Bowyer to a NASCAR Nationwide Series title in 2008, will remain as crew chief for Brennan Newberry on the No. 14 truck for a second year. Next season will mark Newberry’s first full-time NCWTS season. Newberry made his NCWTS debut at Martinsville Speedway in March of 2012 and competed in 10 of the 22 series events in 2012.
“I am just so excited for the opportunity that 2013 brings in my first full season in the truck series,” said Brennan Newberry. “To be able to work with Dan Deeringhoff as my crew chief for the second year in a row, the opportunity to work with veteran and proven champion, Ron Hornaday, to learn and gain knowledge from our new director of competition, Bruce Cook and the amazing opportunity to be working out of the same shop that Kevin Harvick Inc. became so successful in, is a dream come true.”
“NTS Motorsports has made its mark on being a developmental race team, moving our up-and-coming drivers from series to series,” continued owner, Bob Newberry. “Now, to have leaders Bruce Cook and Dan Deeringhoff and the veterans and icons of the sport Ron Hornaday and Kevin Harvick helping mentor Brennan, it really brings everything full circle.”
The crew chief for the No. 24 entry will be determined at a later date. However, the team is already looking forward to having Kevin Harvick behind the wheel at Martinsville Speedway where he has previously led 584 laps en route to three victories and two poles in 15 starts.
All three NTS Motorsports teams will utilize ECR Engines for the 2013 season; a move that team officials feel will give them a competitive advantage.
NTS Motorsports will operate out of the former Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) shop in Kernersville, North Carolina. Bob Newberry and Wes Furrh jointly purchased the property in November, boasting 70,000 square feet of shop space. The three-team “powerhouse” looks to continue the success in 2013 that KHI produced in the building in previous seasons with two NCWTS championships and 43 series victories.
Sponsorship announcements will be forthcoming in the following weeks.
