JOLIET, Illinois – For the first time in his NASCAR career, Jeffrey Earnhardt doesn’t have to worry much about his future racing plans.
Go Green Racing (GGR) officials announced Friday night in Nashville that Earnhardt will contend for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year and drive the team’s No. 32 Ford Fusion in at least 20 races beginning with the first non-restrictor-plate event in 2016.
Can-Am, a member of the Bombardier Recreational Product (BRP) family and the leader in ATV & Side by Side Vehicles will sponsor the team in 11 Cup Series races next year. When not a primary partner, the company will serve as an associate partner in 23 other Cup races.
Terms of the multi-year deal were not disclosed.
Earnhardt won’t be the only driver, however, confirmed to drive for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team.
Additionally, Go Green Racing who will change their team name back to Go Fas Racing (GFR) beginning with Speedweeks next year announced that 2000 Cup champion Bobby Labonte will return for the four restrictor-plate tracks of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway beginning with next February’s Daytona 500. Can-Am will sponsor the 21-time Cup winner in two of the four restrictor plate events.
“I’m really excited to join GFR,” said Earnhardt. “I’m thrilled to have Can-Am on board as our partner for 2016. I’m an avid outdoorsman and their products are the gold standard for outdoor sports, so it’s a perfect fit. With Can-Am supporting our team we’re certain to increase our competitiveness throughout the 2016 season.”
With Can-Am ATVs, side-by-side vehicles and Spyder roadsters, BRP is carrying on a long tradition of conquests. More than 30 years ago, the world discovered the Can-Am brand through
revolutionary motocross bikes and its legend and winning spirit live on – with passion and exhilaration.
Earnhardt made his Cup debut for Archie St. Hilaire’s Go Green Racing last weekend at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. The son of retired NASCAR driver Kerry Earnhardt and nephew of Dale
Earnhardt Jr. is scheduled to make his second Cup start next Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“We are all really excited about this new partnership with Can-Am and Jeffrey Earnhardt for 2016”, said GFR owner Archie St. Hilaire. “This deal will improve our program and make us much more competitive in the upcoming season while giving Jeffrey all the tools he needs to succeed at this level. 2016 can’t come soon enough for myself and everyone at GFR.”
He added, “I’ve always been a long-time supporter of Jeffrey. While our Richmond finish wasn’t what we hoped for, he did exactly what we asked him to do. He finished the race. There isn’t a doubt that more sustained starts next year will pay off with results on the track.”
Before advancing his career to the Cup level, the 26-year-old competed in 16 NASCAR XFINITY Series races for St. Hilaire with a best finish of 16th at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in 2013.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
