In search of their third victory in the “Great American Race”, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will field a fourth entry for the Daytona 500, CATCHFENCE.com has learned.
The Welcome, North Carolina-based NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) team is expected to field the No. 29 Chevrolet SS for RCR XFINITY Series driver Brian Scott, who will attempt his second Daytona 500 at the “World Center of Racing.”
The No. 29 would return to RCR Sprint Cup Series competition for the first time since 2013 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, where reigning Cup champion Kevin Harvick wheeled a 10th place finish in his 466th and final start for the organization.
Richard “Slugger” Labbe, who stepped down as crew chief for Paul Menard following the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway race last October, to take a leadership role in research and development, is the leading candidate to lead Scott during Speedweeks 2015.
Scott, the Boise, Idaho native competed in last February’s season-opening event, qualifying a strong 12th, before finishing 25th in the No. 33 Whitetail Club Chevrolet SS for Circle Sport Racing. Circle Sport, which carries an affiliation with RCR will field an entry for Ty Dillon for the February 22 race.
Shore Lodge, a longtime backer of Scott’s NASCAR career is expected to sponsor him in his eighth Sprint Cup Series race. Last May, Scott recorded his first career NSCS pole at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, but finished 42nd after being tangled in a Lap 136 pileup.
Scott’s pole at Talladega earned him an a spot in next month’s Sprint Unlimited on February 14, but sources tell CATCHFENCE.com that Scott is not scheduled to compete in the non-points event, which opens the door for Richard Childress Racing teammate Paul Menard to take his place, based on the new Sprint Unlimited guidelines unveiled by NASCAR last month.
With Brian Vickers sidelined for health reasons and Scott bowing out of the exhibition event, those final two spots should be filled by drivers highest in 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship points who are not already eligible – expecting to now give Clint Bowyer (20th) and Menard (21st) the nod to compete.
In addition to the two restrictor plate races, Scott competed in four other events, including last November’s season finale at Homestead, where the two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race winner finished 28th.
The 27-year old Scott will have to earn a qualifying spot in the 57th-annual Daytona 500. Scott can secure himself into the 43-car starting field by qualifying his No. 29 Chevrolet on the front row during Daytona 500 qualifying presented by Kroger on February 15.
If Scott fails to do so, he can still earn a position based on his finish in the Budweiser Duel, set for February 19. As a last and final resort, Scott could secure one of four starting berths based on his qualifying speed set on February 15.
This season, Scott will begin his seventh season of NASCAR XFINITY Series competition and third at RCR. While the likable driver has yet to score his first career XFINITY victory, Scott’s maturity and growth have transpired on the track with results, noting it’s just a matter of when (and) not if, he’ll carry his No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro to victory lane.
Scott will have new leadership on his pit box this season. With former crew chief Phil Gould departing to Roush Fenway Racing, RCR tabbed former Truck Series championship crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. as his replacement. Undoubtedly, Hillman Jr’s credentials mixed with Scott’s aggressive driving style should play dividends for both this season.
After a career year in the XFINITY Series in 2014 with six top-fives and 23 top-10s en-route to a fourth place finish in series standings, many expect the duo to be championship caliber when their season-opener sees the green flag on February 21.
Scott’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program has not been outlined, but the former ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards competitor is expected to run a limited schedule with hopes of a full-time campaign in 2016.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
