Ricky Stenhouse Jr – Bojangles’ Southern 500 Advance
Team: No. 17 Zest Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Primary Chassis: RK- 815 – last ran at Fontana- finished 20th
Backup Chassis: RK-811 – chassis raced numerous times by No. 99 in 2012
ADVANCE NOTES
Stenhouse Jr. at Darlington
o The driver of the No. 17 Zest Ford will make his first NASCAR Sprint Cup series start at the 1.366-mile track.
o Stenhouse has three Nationwide starts at Darlington earning two top-10 finishes. He was the Coors Light Pole winner in 2012.
o Stenhouse is currently 16th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series point standings.
o The Sprint Cup rookie of the year contender has led in two of the last three races in the 2013 season.
The Car
o Chassis RK-815 is the same chassis that the No.17 team ran at Fontana finishing a respectable 20th.
o The backup Chassis RK-811 was a chassis that the No. 99 ran numerous times in 2012.
Zest
o High Ridge Brands is the name of the parent company/private equity firm.
o Zest’s first year in NASCAR was 2012 when they sponsored the No. 17 Ford.
South Carolina native
o Front tire changer, Mike Lingerfelt, grew up in Travelers Rest, South Carolina.
o Lingerfelt is a 19-year veteran in the premier Sprint Cup division.
o Follow Mike – @MikeLingerfelt
Stenhouse Jr. on Darlington:
“We have led in two of the last three races so things are looking up for our No. 17 team. I really enjoy racing at Darlington because it is a driver’s race track where you can drive your car really hard and up by the wall which is why many earn the “Darlington stripe.” I think every driver wants to win at Darlington because of its rich history. We will keep on adjusting on our No. 17 Zest Ford throughout the race and hopefully be in contention to win when the checkered flag waves.”
Scott Graves on Darlington:
“Darlington can be a really tough track for a driver, hence its nickname “Too Tough to Tame.” I think we are getting stronger each weekend so I feel confident that we will have a strong finish at Darlington. Darlington is challenging because we practice during the day but race at night so makes setting up our No. 17 Ford tricky. Ricky has had success here in the Nationwide series so I feel that will carry over to this weekend.”
