Jennifer Jo Cobb will make her NASCAR Cup Series debut next weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in the chartered No. 15 Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing.
By competing in the Apr. 25 GEICO 500, Cobb will be just the second female driver to have made at least one start in all three of NASCAR’s top three national divisions behind Shawna Robinson.
Arrowhead Brass and Fastener Supply, a longtime supporter of Cobb will support the debut.
Entering this weekend’s ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, Cobb has 216 career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts to her credit alongside 31 NASCAR Xfinity Series races from 2004 to 2018, respectively.
Last fall, Cobb shattered two records in one weekend by capturing a land speed record in a Cup car clocking more than 223 miles per hour on Friday afternoon in Arkansas.
Cobb followed that up the next day at Talladega, where she led 16 laps in the Truck Series race, becoming the first female with the most laps led on an oval in NASCAR’s top three series.
“I am so thankful for this opportunity with RWR,” said Cobb. “It’s also exciting to have my longtime sponsor at Fastener Supply to extend their support as well.”
Talladega will be a reunion of sorts for Cobb at Rick Ware Racing as she competed in several races for the organization in the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2011 and 2016.
“I have a long history with RWR and a lot of respect for this organization,” added Cobb – the only full-time female NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner and driver.
“This (RWR) team has a lot of heart and reminds me a lot of my small team competing against such mammoth organizations. I am proud of what RWR has accomplished and I want nothing more than to make the team and all my sponsors and supporters proud of this effort.”
Team owner Rick Ware has a significant history in motorsports when it comes to giving females an opportunity in NASCAR.
Former drag racer and High School principal Kim Crosby made her NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Rick Ware Racing at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in 2004. Chrissy Wallace, daughter of NASCAR veteran Mike Wallace also made her NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Rick Ware Racing at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in 2010.
“I am grateful in the excitement of having Jennifer Jo Cobb drive for RWR at Talladega Superspeedway,” said Rick Ware. “Being a female in a male-dominated sport is not an easy task, especially for as long as Jennifer has been competing in NASCAR.
“Our goal for her is to have a successful first NASCAR Cup Series debut.”
Cobb, 47, has two NASCAR Xfinity and nine Truck Series efforts at the 2.66-mile superspeedway with a best track finish of 11th in the 2018 Truck Series Fr8Auctions 250 – a race where she also led three laps.
In five Truck Series starts this season, she has a season-best 18th at Daytona in February and stands 32nd in the championship driver standings.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
