JTG Daugherty Racing announced Wednesday afternoon a multi-year agreement with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., as the organization’s new driver in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2020.
Stenhouse Jr. replaces Chris Buescher who took the 10-year seat of Stenhouse Jr. at Roush Fenway Racing next season.
February’s Daytona 500 will mark the first race in NASCAR where the 32-year-old will pilot a Chevrolet in any of NASCAR’s top national series.
“We’re very fortunate to have Ricky join us next season to continue to elevate our racing program at JTG Daugherty Racing,” team owner Tad Geschickter said. “Ricky brings a lot of experience and talent to the team, and we know we can have two Playoff-contending teams next season with him and Ryan Preece at the helm of our cars.”
The Olive Branch, Miss. native completes JTG Daugherty’s lineup next season alongside Ryan Preece who will return for a sophomore season aboard the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Stenhouse Jr., a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Champion, has two wins, 15 top-five finishes, 34 top-10 finishes and two pole awards in 251 career NASCAR Cup Series starts. Competing for three years in Xfinity from 2010-2012, he was Rookie of the Year in 2010 and won two Xfinity championships consecutively the following two seasons.
Stenhouse Jr. earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award in the Cup Series in 2013 and brought home his first checkered flag finish at Talladega Superspeedway in 2017, going on to win his second race later that year at Daytona International Speedway.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join JTG Daugherty Racing next season,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “To be able to see what Tad, Jodi (Geschickter) and Brad (Daugherty) have built over the years says a lot about the team and the organization both on and off the track.
“JTG has grown from a small team in a barn to a two-car team with more than 100 employees, and I’m looking forward to joining the family. I’m grateful for the opportunity and ready to go win races with the ultimate goal of making the Playoffs and competing for a championship.”
Aside from his premier series accomplishments, Stenhouse Jr. is highly decorated in the sprint car racing community. After his first Cup Series win at Talladega, he became only one of eight drivers to have won in NASCAR’s premier series as well as the USAC Silver Crown, National Sprint Car, and National Midget Series, joining drivers such as Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.
JTG Daugherty Racing says sponsorship and a car number for Stenhouse Jr. will be announced at a later date.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
