Josh Wise’s (@Josh_Wise) brief sabbatical from competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is about to end.
CATCHFENCE.com has confirmed that Wise will return as the Go Green Racing driver of the No. 32 Ford Fusion for the next three races beginning with Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
Additionally, the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team has added the Aug. 22 race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and the Sept. 6 night race at the famed Darlington (S.C.) Raceway to Wise’s schedule.
The 32-year-old attempted to make his Cup debut with Go Green Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July, but failed to qualify.
Not fazed by missing the Crown Royal presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard, team owner Archie St. Hilaire reaffirmed his belief in Wise’s capabilities.
“Josh can do us a good job,” St. Hilaire told CATCHFENCE.com recently. “Indianapolis was tough for us, but we’re a team and we stick together through the good and bad.”
Wise received the call to drive for St. Hilaire’s Cup team after departing with Premium Motorsports formally known as Phil Parsons Racing last month.
The Riverside, California native started the season with Phil Parsons Racing, but when the former racer now television broadcaster sold his operation to Jay Robinson in May, Wise circled through the transition to remain in the driver’s seat. Wise finished 43rd in his final race for the team after being collected in an early-race accident at Kentucky Speedway.
Two days later, Wise announced his departure from the team through twitter.
“The team and I did not share the same goals moving forward,” Wise tweeted.
Showing no animosity towards his former employer, Wise followed up in a subsequent tweet, “I wish them the best and look forward to what the future holds.”
In 2011, Wise competed in eight XFINITY races for St. Hilaire’s No. 39 team with a best finish of 13th at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
“He’s very knowledgeable,” St. Hilaire told CATCHFENCE.com last month. “Josh knows a lot about the chassis of a race car and his feedback is great. He’s worked with Clinton (Cram, crew chief) before, so I’m hoping they can work together well from the start.
“Without a doubt Josh can help evaluate our program and guide us in the right direction. With him being in the seat more often, he would become a tremendous asset.”
Following Darlington, St. Hilaire hinted that Wise could fulfill more races in the No. 32 before season’s end, but would not elaborate.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
