RFR driver excited to be reunited with championship crew chief Mike Kelley
CONCORD, N.C (Feb. 14, 2014) – With his rookie season behind him, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. heads into 2014 Daytona Speedweeks with extra confidence, as crew chief Mike Kelley is back at the helm of his up-and- coming race team. Kelley led Stenhouse to two back-to-back Nationwide Series championships in 2011 and 2012 and to NNS rookie of the year honors in 2010.
“I’m definitely looking forward to having Mike back on the pit-box leading our team this season,” said Stenhouse. “Last year we still talked almost every day about our races. Chemistry between crew chief and driver definitely makes a team successful; look at Jimmie (Johnson) and Chad (Knaus). I have been at the shop a lot this off season and all the guys on the No. 17 are excited for the season and feel confident.”
Kelley took over the reins, as Stenhouse’s crew chief at Texas Motor Speedway in April 2010 and the duo have not looked back. The pair’s accomplishments include back-to-back Nationwide championships and rookie of the year honors. In 94 starts together, the duo claimed eight wins, 38 top-five and 60 top-10 finishes.
Last season the up and coming RFR driver posted three top-10 finishes and a pole (Atlanta) during his rookie season in the Sprint Cup series, including a career-high finish of third at Talladega in the fall.
The 2013 Sprint Cup rookie of the year will make his first Sprint Unlimited start this Saturday night, Feb. 15. The Sprint Unlimited will be televised on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m EST.
Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series’ with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed and Chris Buescher. Having celebrated 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and its award-winning marketing campaigns for “RFR Driven”, “Let Ricky Race”, Pillow Pets, RickyvsTrevor.com, “25 Winning Years” and Google+. VisitRoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.
