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RFK Racing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RFK Racing
Owner(s)Jack Roush
John W. Henry (Fenway Sports Group)
Brad Keselowski
BaseConcord, North Carolina
SeriesNASCAR Cup Series
Race driversCup Series:
6. Brad Keselowski
17. Chris Buescher
60. Ryan Preece
SponsorsCup Series:
6. Castrol, King's Hawaiian, Solomon Plumbing, Consumer Cellular, BlueForge Alliance, Fastenal, Elk Grove Manufacturing & Technology Expo, Esperion Therapeutics, Kroger (Blue Buffalo, General Mills), (Tree Top), (Coca-Cola, Oscar Mayer, Lunchables)
17. Fastenal, BlueForge Alliance, Esperion Therapeutics, Fifth Third Bank, Castrol, TravelCenters of America, Kroger (Blue Buffalo, General Mills), (Tree Top), (Coca-Cola, Oscar Mayer, Lunchables)
60. Kroger (Blue Buffalo, General Mills), (Tree Top), (Coca-Cola, Oscar Mayer, Lunchables)
ManufacturerFord
Opened1988
Career
DebutCup Series:
1988 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Xfinity Series:
1992 Goody's 300 (Daytona)
Camping World Truck Series:
1995 Heartland Tailgate 175 (Topeka)
ARCA Re/Max Series:
2005 Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 (Daytona)
Latest raceCup Series:
2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
Xfinity Series:
2018 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead)
Camping World Truck Series:
2009 Ford 200 (Homestead)
ARCA Re/Max Series:
2008 Hantz Group 200 (Toledo)
Races competedTotal: 2,371
Cup Series: 1,262
Xfinity Series: 726
Camping World Truck Series: 353
ARCA Re/Max Series: 30
Drivers' ChampionshipsTotal: 8
Cup Series: 2
2003, 2004
Xfinity Series: 5
2002, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2015
Camping World Truck Series: 1
2000
ARCA Re/Max Series: 0
Race victoriesTotal: 334
Cup Series: 143
Xfinity Series: 137
Camping World Truck Series: 50
ARCA Re/Max Series: 4
Pole positionsTotal: 235
Cup Series: 91
Xfinity Series: 96
Camping World Truck Series: 45
ARCA Re/Max Series: 3

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, doing business as RFK Racing, is an American professional stock car organization that currently competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. One of NASCAR's largest racing teams in the 2000s and early 2010s, Roush formerly ran teams in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, Trans-Am Series and IMSA Camel GT. The team currently fields the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse full-time for driver/co-owner Brad Keselowski, the No. 17 Mustang full-time for Chris Buescher, and the No. 60 full-time for Ryan Preece.

The team was originally Roush Racing and was renamed Roush Fenway Racing in 2007 when John W. Henry and the Fenway Sports Group became co-owners and RFK Racing in 2022 when Brad Keselowski became a co-owner.

Since its inception, Roush has competed exclusively in Ford brand automobiles. The team also operates Roush-Yates Engines, which provides engines for most Ford teams in NASCAR and ARCA.[1][2]

History

[edit]

Roush Racing was founded by Jack Roush, former employee of the Ford Motor Company and founder of Roush Performance . Prior to entering NASCAR competition, Roush had competed and won championships in various drag racing and sports car racing series since the mid-1960s, including the NHRA, SCCA Trans-Am Series, IMSA GT Championship, and the 24 Hours of Daytona. The racing business was originally a small branch of co-owner Jack Roush's successful automotive engineering and road-racing equipment business based in Livonia, Michigan. Early Roush drivers included Tommy Kendall, Scott Pruett and Willy T. Ribbs.[1][3]

The NASCAR operation, founded in 1988 and based in Concord, North Carolina, has since become the cornerstone and centerpiece of the company.[1] The team won back to back Championships in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2003 and 2004; the final Winston Cup championship with driver Matt Kenseth, and the first Nextel Cup championship with driver Kurt Busch. The team also has amassed many wins and championships in the Nationwide/Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series competition.[4][5]

In 2007, sports investor John W. Henry, owner of the Fenway Sports Group which operates the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool F.C., and the New England Sports Network bought a 50% stake in the team, renamed Roush Fenway Racing. Jack Roush continues to head day-to-day operations of the team.[6]

Roush restarted its road racing program in 2006, called Roush Road Racing (previously Roush Performance Racing or Roush Performance). The team fielded the No. 61 Ford Mustang in the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and Rolex Sports Car Series for Billy Johnson and Jack Roush's son, Jack Roush Jr., and since 2014 fields the No. 60 Mustang in the Pirelli World Challenge sponsored by Roush Performance and driven by Roush, Jr. Since 2015, the team has been fielded in a partnership with Capaldi Racing, moving from the Roush Fenway shops in North Carolina to Michigan near Roush Performance headquarters.[7][8][9][10]

After several months of speculation, Roush-Fenway announced on July 20, 2021, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame that the 2010 Nationwide Series and 2012 Sprint Cup Series Champion Brad Keselowski would depart from Team Penske after the 2021 season to join the organization as a driver (replacing Ryan Newman in the No. 6) and co-owner.

Cup Series

[edit]
Logo of Roush Racing used from 1999 to 2006

Founded in 1988, the NASCAR program is built around having multiple cars and providing engine, engineering, and race car build services to other NASCAR teams fielding Ford-branded vehicles. The multi-team aspect of the company allows for information and resources to be shared across the enterprise, improving the performance of all of the teams. Since the 2004 season, engines for the cars have been provided by Roush-Yates Engines, a partnership between Roush Fenway Racing and now-closed rival Yates Racing, with Doug Yates as a head engine builder. Roush-Yates also provides engines, cars and parts to other Cup teams, including Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske, Rick Ware Racing, Stewart Haas Racing, and Front Row Motorsports.[2][11]

Between 1998 and 2000[12][13] and 2003–2009,[14] Roush Racing operated five full-time Cup teams (6, 16, 17, 26/97, 99), more than any other organization including Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing, which have both operated as many as four full-time teams. Beginning in 2001, after years of operating in separate facilities, the teams were moved into a single shop in Concord, North Carolina to improve performance and communication.[13] Roush Racing set a NASCAR record by putting all five of its race teams in the Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2005.[15] Following the 2009 season, Roush Fenway was ordered by NASCAR to shrink its operation to four Sprint Cup Series teams, ceding the No. 26 team.[15] The team would later shrink to three teams after the 2011 season,[16] and would shrink again to two teams after the 2016 season. For 2025, RFK went back to a 3-car operation for the first time since 2016.

On November 29, 2023, it was announced that the number 60 will be brought up from the Xfinity Series, to enter the 2024 Daytona 500 with David Ragan. The team will be racing under the banner of Stage 60. It will also compete on a part time schedule with different drivers. Starting in 2025, RFK will expand the 60 team into a full time operation with driver Ryan Preece, and Kroger being the sponsor.

Xfinity Series

[edit]

The Xfinity Series operation began in 1992 with the No. 60 driven by Mark Martin. The No. 60 team has been dominant throughout its history, amassing many wins with Martin; three driver's championships with Greg Biffle in 2002, Carl Edwards in 2007, and Chris Buescher in 2015; and an owner's championship with Edwards in 2011. The No. 6 team won back-to-back driver's championships in 2011 and 2012 with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.[5][9] Following the departures of Ryan Reed, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Cindric, Roush's Xfinity program was closed following the 2018 season.

Camping World Truck Series

[edit]

From 1995 until 2009 Roush fielded teams in the NASCAR Truck Series, fielding trucks for drivers such as Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Ricky Craven, David Ragan, Mark Martin, Travis Kvapil, and various others. Many of these drivers went on to drive for the team at the Cup level.[4][17] Roush's trucks won fifty races and the 2000 series championship (Biffle).[5]

Truck No. 09 history

[edit]

Chuck Hossfeld drove the final race of 2000 at California Speedway in the No. 49 as a third Roush entry in preparation to take over the No. 50 from Greg Biffle in the 2001 season. He finished 31st after losing an engine during the event.

The No. 33 truck began running in 2005 as a research and development entry for Ford. Bobby East attempted three races in the truck but failed to qualify for two of them. He crashed out of his only start at Phoenix, finishing 30th. Mark Martin ran the Ford 200, where he started 14th and finished 8th with sponsorship from Stonebridge Life Insurance.

Joey Clanton began the 2008 season driving the No. 09 full-time in 2008 with Zaxby's sponsoring, but after the season-opening race, he was released. Travis Kvapil returned to Roush and shared this ride with Bobby East and John Wes Townley for the rest of the season. Jamie McMurray piloted the truck at the fall Martinsville race. Kvapil managed two top-five finishes at Dover and New Hampshire during the season. Roush shut down the No. 09 team after the 2008 season.

Truck No. 09 results

[edit]
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Owners Pts
2000 Chuck Hossfeld 49 Ford DAY HOM PHO MMR MAR PIR GTY MEM PPR EVG TEX KEN GLN MLW NHA NZH MCH IRP NSV CIC RCH DOV TEX CAL
31
106th 70
2005 Bobby East 33 DAY CAL ATL MAR GTY MFD CLT DOV TEX MCH MLW KAN KEN MEM IRP
DNQ
NSH BRI RCH
DNQ
NHA LVS MAR ATL TEX PHO
30
Mark Martin HOM
8
2008 Joey Clanton 09 DAY
32
2845
Travis Kvapil CAL
7
ATL
18
MAR
7
CLT
18
DOV
4
NHA
3
ATL
11
TEX
7
HOM
6
Bobby East KAN
24
TEX
8
MCH
18
MEM
8
IRP
19
GTW
25
LVS
25
John Wes Townley MFD
27
MLW
18
KEN
21
NSH
30
BRI
35
TAL
18
PHO
24
Jamie McMurray MAR
18

Truck No. 6 history

[edit]

Multiple drivers (2006)

[edit]
Travis Kvapil in 2007

The truck switched to No. 6 and was shared by Nextel Cup veteran Mark Martin and rookie David Ragan. The No. 6 truck's new sponsor was Scotts, and the truck, piloted by Martin, won the first two races of the 2006 season. Martin then decided to race more races than he originally intended, and he only skipped races without a corresponding Nextel Cup event. Auggie Vidovich II drove for the Mansfield race after Ragan crashed the truck in practice, finishing 19th. Ragan shared the truck with Martin for the balance of the season and had six top-tens and one pole in the 6 truck. Martin had the most success in the truck, winning five races. Overall, the team finished 2nd in the owner's points.

Travis Kvapil (2007)

[edit]

In 2007, Mark Martin moved on to a new role with another team. In his place, Roush-Fenway hired 2003 NCTS Champion Travis Kvapil. Kvapil, after two years of struggling to launch his Cup Series career, returned to the Truck Series in 2007. During the season, Kvapil almost won the opening race at Daytona, and won four races en route to a sixth-place finish in points.

Colin Braun (2008–2009)

[edit]
Colin Braun in 2008

As Kvapil heads back to the Sprint Cup Series with Yates Racing, former Rolex Sports Car Series driver Colin Braun took Kvapil's place in the No. 6 truck with sponsorship from Con-way. In his rookie season, Braun had three top-fives and finished 13th in points, winning Rookie of the Year. In 2009, he won at Michigan and finished 5th in points. With moving Braun to the Nationwide Series for the 2010 season, Roush shut down this team and ended its Truck Series program. He later sold the remaining trucks to Cup Series driver Kyle Busch for him to start his own truck team.

Truck No. 6 results

[edit]
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Owners Pts
2006 Mark Martin 6 Ford DAY
1*
CAL
1*
ATL
2*
MAR
4
CLT
13
DOV
1*
MCH
2*
BRI
1*
NHA
10
TAL
1*
MAR
4
ATL
36
PHO
2*
HOM
1*
David Ragan GTY
28
TEX
8
MLW
30
KAN
6
KEN
5
MEM
6
IRP
9
NSH
34
TEX
6
Auggie Vidovich MFD
19
Peter Shepherd LVS
18
2007 Travis Kvapil DAY
3
CAL
16
ATL
15
MAR
14
KAN
13
CLT
13
MFD
7
DOV
3
TEX
6
MCH
1
MLW
8
MEM
1*
KEN
2
IRP
3
NSH
1
BRI
11*
GTW
6
NHA
15
LVS
1
TAL
26
MAR
13
ATL
11
TEX
26
PHO
23
HOM
21
6th 3511
2008 Colin Braun DAY
31
CAL
9
ATL
28
MAR
14
KAN
3
CLT
15
MFD
16
DOV
8
TEX
22
MCH
6
MLW
31
MEM
29
KEN
16
IRP
15
NSH
6
BRI
32
GTW
9
NHA
28
LVS
12
TAL
4
MAR
25
ATL
20
TEX
5
PHO
28
HOM
14
13th 2856
2009 DAY
9
CAL
20
ATL
26
MAR
35
KAN
6
CLT
26
DOV
22
TEX
3
MCH
1
MLW
8
MEM
9
KEN
20
IRP
5
NSH
3
BRI
12
CHI
3
IOW
3
GTW
19
NHA
9
LVS
17
MAR
3
TAL
12
TEX
5
PHO
28
HOM
3
5th 3338

Truck No. 50 history

[edit]

Early Years (1995–1997)

[edit]

The original truck in Roush's stable debuted in 1995 at the Heartland Park Topeka road course. It was No. 61 and driven to a fourth-place finish by Todd Bodine. Bodine had four more top ten runs before Ted Musgrave drove to a fourth-place finish at Phoenix. In 1996, the car switched to No. 80, and Joe Ruttman was at the wheel, nailing down sixteen top-10s and finishing 4th in points. In 1997, with sponsorship from LCI, Ruttman won five times and finished 3rd in points.

Greg Biffle (1998–2000)

[edit]

For the first race in 1998 at Walt Disney World Speedway, Ruttman piloted the No. 50, rookie Greg Biffle drove the No. 80, and Chuck Bown ran the No. 99. After Bown departed the team, Ruttman took over the No. 99, and Biffle moved from the No. 80, which was discontinued, to the No. 50. Biffle had been hired by Roush under the recommendation of Benny Parsons, and he would be sponsored by W. W. Grainger.[18] Although he failed to win a race, Biffle won four poles and finished eighth in points.

Biffle would go on a tear in 1999 when he won nine times and was in contention for the championship for much of the season before finally losing to Jack Sprague. His 2000 season was less dominant with only five wins, but he was able to win the championship by 230 points over teammate Kurt Busch.[18]

Chuck Hossfeld (2001)

[edit]
Jon Wood's No. 50 truck in 2002

With Biffle moving up to the Busch Series, in 2001, Roush hired Winston Modified Tour driver Chuck Hossfeld to drive the truck after he won 2000 Roush "Gong Show" competition.[19][20][21] Hossfeld struggled in his rookie year, and soon he was released, with Jon Wood driving the truck for the remainder of the season.[19][20]

Jon Wood (2001–2004)

[edit]

Wood's audition was impressive enough to earn him a full-time run in 2002, and he posted twelve top-ten finishes in the U.S. Navy sponsored truck and finished 12th in points in his first full year. Wood had two wins the next year and finished 15th in points in 2004 before moving on to JTG Racing in the Busch Series.

Todd Kluever (2005)

[edit]

In 2005, Todd Kluever, another "Gong Show" winner, piloted the truck sponsored by Shell Rotella T and World Financial Group. Kluever earned six top five and twelve top ten finishes in his rookie season, winning the Rookie of the Year award.[17][22][23]

Multiple drivers (2006–2007)

[edit]
The 50 truck in 2007 driven by Danny O’Quinn Jr.

After Martin's strong start to the 2006 season, his original limited schedule in the No. 6 was expanded. Roush decided to run another part-time team for rookie David Ragan to fill out his original schedule. Ragan took the No. 50 to a 22nd-place finish at Atlanta, but struggled in his next few starts in both the No. 50 and the No. 6. Carl Edwards ran the No. 50 at the Dover race, achieving the team's only top five of the season, and Ragan returned at the Michigan race. Ragan's best finish in the No. 50 came at Atlanta where he finished sixth. Peter Shepherd and Michel Jourdain Jr. also drove the No. 50 on a part-time basis during the season with sponsorship from PurposeMoney.com. Edwards drove the truck for the first two races of the 2007 season unsponsored, scoring the team's only top five of the season at California Speedway. It was then announced that T. J. Bell would drive the truck for sixteen races, bringing sponsorship from Heathcliff's Cat Litter. Development drivers Peter Shepherd, Danny O'Quinn Jr., and Colin Braun also drove the No. 50 truck, with sponsorship from Northern Tool and Equipment.

Truck No. 50 results

[edit]
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Owners Pts
1995 Todd Bodine 61 Ford PHO TUS SGS MMR POR EVG I70 LVL BRI MLW CNS HPT
4
IRP FLM RCH
6
MAR
6
NWS
7
SON MMR
8
32nd 748
Ted Musgrave PHO
4
1996 Joe Ruttman 80 HOM
19
PHO
7
POR
9
EVG
8
TUS
15
CNS
6
HPT
23
BRI
6
NZH
7
MLW
17
LVL
5
I70
20
IRP
22
FLM
27
GLN
6
NSV
13
RCH
4
NHA
8
MAR
6
NWS
5
SON
4
MMR
3
PHO
3
LVS
3
4th 3275
1997 WDW
1
TUS
28
HOM
26
PHO
2
POR
13
EVG
4
I70
6
NHA
9
TEX
9
BRI
5
NZH
2
MLW
9
LVL
2
CNS
12
HPT
1
IRP
4
FLM
2
NSV
19
GLN
4
RCH
12
MAR
12
SON
1
MMR
19
CAL
29
PHO
1
LVS
1
3rd 3736
1998 50 WDW
2
Greg Biffle 80 WDW
5
8th 3872
50 HOM
4
PHO
36
POR
26
EVG
17
I70
21
GLN
27
TEX
22
BRI
29
MLW
5
NZH
30
CAL
7
PPR
17
IRP
7
NHA
2
FLM
24
NSV
4
HPT
21
LVL
8
RCH
3
MEM
22
GTY
19
MAR
8
SON
20
MMR
14
PHO
2
LVS
5
1999 HOM
11
PHO
11
EVG
10
MMR
24
MAR
5
MEM
1
PPR
14
I70
10
BRI
9
TEX
3
PIR
1
GLN
4
MLW
1
NSV
22
NZH
1
MCH
1
NHA
4
IRP
1
GTY
1
HPT
8
RCH
1
LVS
1
LVL
14
TEX
2
CAL
7
2nd 3739
2000 DAY
11
HOM
5
PHO
5
MMR
12
MAR
14
PIR
13
GTY
4
MEM
2
PPR
1
EVG
4
TEX
1
KEN
1
GLN
1
MLW
3
NHA
4
NZH
3
MCH
1
IRP
5
NSV
14
CIC
2
RCH
2
DOV
2
TEX
25
CAL
5
1st 3826
2001 Chuck Hossfeld DAY
19
HOM
20
MMR
20
MAR
18
GTY
19
DAR
24
PPR
10
DOV
23
TEX
27
Jon Wood MEM
14
MLW
12
KAN
4
KEN
7
NHA
19
IRP
27
NSH
16
CIC
12
NZH
6
RCH
13
SBO
14
TEX
24
LVS
29
PHO
14
CAL
3
2002 DAY
21
DAR
9
MAR
10
GTY
7
PPR
12
DOV
29
TEX
9
MEM
11
MLW
9
KAN
9
KEN
13
NHA
11
MCH
10
IRP
8
NSH
8
RCH
28
TEX
12
SBO
6
LVS
18
CAL
13
PHO
11
HOM
14
12th 2782
2003 DAY
8
DAR
19
MMR
2
MAR
22
CLT
22
DOV
4
TEX
3
MEM
4
MLW
10
KAN
1*
KEN
4
GTW
11
MCH
6
IRP
5
NSH
7
BRI
8
RCH
4
NHA
9
CAL
9
LVS
19
SBO
4
TEX
6
MAR
1
PHO
7
HOM
8
5th 3659
2004 DAY
7
ATL
27
MAR
4
MFD
8
CLT
17
DOV
10
TEX
13
MEM
8
MLW
11
KAN
6
KEN
12
GTW
30
MCH
30
IRP
27
NSH
18
BRI
18
RCH
14
NHA
29
LVS
12
CAL
13
TEX
26
MAR
4
PHO
26
DAR
22
HOM
36
15th 2835
2005 Todd Kluever DAY
32
CAL
4
ATL
36
MAR
16
GTY
32
MFD
4
CLT
20
DOV
20
TEX
25
MCH
15
MLW
9
KAN
2
KEN
12
MEM
10
IRP
2
NSH
5
BRI
13
RCH
32
NHA
28
LVS
8
MAR
2
ATL
6
TEX
10
PHO
12
HOM
7
11th 3074
2006 David Ragan DAY CAL ATL
22
MAR
34
GTY CLT
25
MCH
19
BRI
15
NHA
11
TAL
7
MAR
20
ATL
6
PHO
17
Michel Jourdain Jr. MFD
DNQ
TEX
13
MLW
DNQ
KAN
32
KEN
26
IRP
19
LVS
30
TEX
24
HOM
31
Carl Edwards DOV
2
Peter Shepherd MEM
23
NSH
31
2007 Carl Edwards DAY
24
CAL
4
T. J. Bell ATL
26
MAR
23
KAN
22
CLT
9
MFD
13
DOV
30
TEX
23
MCH
20
GTW
24
NHA
16
LVS
31
TAL
31
ATL
30
TEX
17
PHO
15
HOM
17
Peter Shepherd MLW
32
MEM
15
KEN
32
IRP
21
Danny O'Quinn Jr. NSH
17
BRI
10
Colin Braun MAR
34

Truck No. 99 history

[edit]

Early years (1996–2002)

[edit]

The No. 99 truck debuted at Heartland Park Topeka in 1996. It was sponsored by Exide Batteries and driven to an eighth-place finish by Jeff Burton. Posting three top tens in four races that year, he shared the ride with Mark Martin, who won at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The next year, Chuck Bown was hired to drive full-time, posting thirteen top tens and finishing ninth in points. Bown drove the first race of the 1998 season at Walt Disney World Speedway, before Joe Ruttman moved over to the truck for the remainder of the year, winning once and finishing third in points. Mike Bliss was next to tackle the ride, scoring a win at Heartland Park Topeka but only finishing ninth in points. When Bliss left for an ill-fated rookie year in Winston Cup, Kurt Busch was named the new driver for 2000. Busch won four times and finished second to teammate Biffle in the championship, easily winning Rookie of the Year.

Both Busch and Exide exited after that season (Busch moving to the Cup Series), and rookie Nathan Haseleu took over.[19][20] The truck was largely unsponsored at the beginning of the year, with Eldon becoming the sponsor after nine races. Despite posting four top ten finishes in twelve starts, Hasleau was waived mid-season, replaced initially by former Truck Series drivers Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch.[19][20] Biffle scored two wins in the truck.[24] Kurt's younger brother Kyle would also run six races in the second half of the season, earning two top tens at the age of 16.[25] Kyle Busch was scheduled to race the truck full-time in 2002, but during the 2001 season finale at Fontana he was ejected from the race due to conflicts with track sponsor Marlboro. Afterwards, NASCAR announced all drivers in its top three series must be at least 18 years of age. Tim Woods III would replace Busch in the race.[25][26][27][28]

After Tim Fedewa ran the 2002 season-opener in the truck, and with the now 17-year-old Busch not able to compete, the team did not run for the rest of the year due to lack of sponsorship.[26]

Carl Edwards (2003–2004)

[edit]
Carl Edwards in 2004

The truck returned in 2003 with Carl Edwards driving;[17] although the United States Navy was the truck's original sponsor, they left the team midway through the year and Edwards ran largely unsponsored until Superchips came on to sponsor him.[17] Edwards won three races and the Rookie of the Year title.[17] He repeated his win total in 2004 and moved up to fourth in points, and following Jeff Burton's departure from Roush Racing he began splitting time between the Truck Series and the Nextel Cup Series.[17][29]

Erik Darnell in 2008

Ricky Craven (2005)

[edit]

When Edwards moved up to Nextel Cup for 2005, Roush hired a former Cup driver, Ricky Craven, to take his place.[22] Despite posting seven top tens and winning at Martinsville, Roush and Craven announced they would not be back together in 2006.

Erik Darnell (2006–2008)

[edit]

Erik Darnell piloted the No. 99 truck full-time in 2006 with at first Woolrich, but eventually Northern Tool and Equipment as sponsor to a 2006 Rookie of the Year title.[17] 2007 brought about Darnell's first win at Kansas,[17] but inconsistency left the team 12th in points at season's end. In 2008, Darnell captured one win at Michigan by only .005 seconds over eventual champion Johnny Benson and ended the season fourth in the standings. This team was shut down after the 2008 season, as the team was being moved up for a part-time schedule in the Nationwide Series.

Truck No. 99 results

[edit]
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Owners Pts
1996 Jeff Burton 99 Ford HOM PHO POR EVG TUS CNS HPT
8
BRI NZH
4
MLW LVL I70 IRP
14
FLM GLN NSV MAR
8
1125
Mark Martin RCH
3
NHA NWS
1
SON MMR
Ted Musgrave PHO
5
LVS
36
1997 Chuck Bown WDW
12
TUS
9
HOM
3
PHO
8
POR
27
EVG
14
I70
3
NHA
10
TEX
4
BRI
9
NZH
7
MLW
10
LVL
22
CNS
26
HPT
20
IRP
12
FLM
12
NSV
7
GLN
34
RCH
8
MAR
16
SON
14
MMR
14
CAL
16
PHO
2
LVS
9
9th 3320
1998 WDW
25*
3rd 3874
Joe Ruttman HOM
22
PHO
7
POR
9
EVG
12
I70
2
GLN
1
TEX
3
BRI
3
MLW
7
NZH
5
CAL
11
PPR
3
IRP
3
NHA
3
FLM
4
NSV
24
HPT
9
LVL
27
RCH
4
MEM
4
GTY
18
MAR
21
SON
4
MMR
13
PHO
4
LVS
7
1999 Mike Bliss HOM
28
PHO
10
EVG
8
MMR
12
MAR
6
MEM
12
PPR
15
I70
9
BRI
28
TEX
6
PIR
2
GLN
19
MLW
5
NSV
15
NZH
2
MCH
22
NHA
6
IRP
5
GTY
8
HPT
1
RCH
13
LVS
30
LVL
11
TEX
26
CAL
5
9th 3294
2000 Kurt Busch DAY
2
HOM
9
PHO
4
MMR
2
MAR
23
PIR
11
GTY
21
MEM
13
PPR
2
EVG
5
TEX
6
KEN
29
GLN
2
MLW
1*
NHA
1
NZH
14
MCH
2
IRP
6
NSV
12
CIC
19
RCH
3*
DOV
1
TEX
3
CAL
1
2nd 3596
2001 Nathan Haseleu DAY
29
HOM
14
MMR
14
MAR
10
GTY
27
DAR
10
PPR
12
DOV
21
TEX
10
KAN
10
KEN
12
NHA
13
2968
Greg Biffle MEM
9
NSH
7
NZH
1
PHO
1
Kurt Busch MLW
5
Kyle Busch IRP
9
CIC
17
RCH
22
SBO
33
TEX
25
LVS
9
CAL
QL
Tim Woods III CAL
25
2002 Tim Fedewa DAY
27
DAR MAR GTY PPR DOV TEX MEM MLW KAN KEN NHA MCH IRP NSH RCH TEX SBO LVS CAL PHO HOM 86th 82
2003 Carl Edwards DAY
24
DAR
23
MMR
15
MAR
4
CLT
12
DOV
33
TEX
2
MEM
5
MLW
15
KAN
2
KEN
1
GTW
4
MCH
5
IRP
1*
NSH
1*
BRI
11
RCH
25
NHA
2
CAL
7
LVS
27
SBO
7
TEX
4
MAR
2
PHO
4
HOM
27
8th 3416
2004 DAY
1*
ATL
7
MAR
6
MFD
17
CLT
2*
DOV
14
TEX
6
MEM
5
MLW
23
KAN
1
KEN
33
GTW
18
MCH
6
IRP
5
NSH
20
BRI
1
RCH
5
NHA
4
LVS
33
CAL
10
TEX
9
MAR
8
PHO
10
DAR
4
HOM
12
4th 3493
2005 Ricky Craven DAY
4
CAL
3
ATL
18
MAR
2
GTY
10
MFD
8
CLT
10
DOV
7
TEX
13
MCH
33
MLW
21
KAN
13
KEN
13
MEM
27
IRP
25
NSH
24
BRI
32
RCH
20
NHA
11
LVS
23
MAR
1*
ATL
9
TEX
21
PHO
32
HOM
21
14th 2976
2006 Erik Darnell DAY
6
CAL
11
ATL
8
MAR
11
GTY
31
CLT
10
MFD
13
DOV
25
TEX
35
MCH
12
MLW
27
KAN
26
KEN
9
MEM
2
IRP
10
NSH
12
BRI
18
NHA
9
LVS
17
TAL
19
MAR
3
ATL
3
TEX
9
PHO
10
HOM
3
12th 3136
2007 DAY
12
CAL
13
ATL
24
MAR
18
KAN
1*
CLT
30
MFD
15
DOV
18
TEX
32
MCH
26
MLW
6
MEM
9
KEN
29
IRP
7
NSH
9
BRI
13
GTW
7
NHA
2
LVS
5
TAL
29
MAR
25
ATL
26
TEX
14
PHO
35
HOM
24
12th 2875
2008 DAY
21
CAL
11
ATL
12
MAR
5
KAN
28
CLT
4
MFD
11
DOV
25
TEX
24
MCH
1
MLW
4
MEM
2
KEN
29
IRP
3
NSH
2
BRI
15
GTW
6
NHA
4
LVS
2*
TAL
12*
MAR
19
ATL
6
TEX
18
PHO
7
HOM
11
4th 3412
– Busch was declared ineligible to compete at Fontana due to his age and sponsorship reasons and was replaced by Tim Woods III.

ARCA Re/Max Series

[edit]

Todd Kluever drove the No. 60 car in 2005 at Daytona, crashing out of the event. The next year, Danny O'Quinn Jr. drove a renumbered No. 39 car at Daytona, finishing 37th after completing less than half the laps.

Car No. 99 history

[edit]

In 2007, Erik Darnell drove the No. 99 in three races, finishing second at Kansas and winning at Kentucky and Michigan.[30] Travis Kvapil drove one race at Pocono, failing to finish, and Colin Braun drove three races later in the year, collecting three top tens.[31] For 2008, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. drove an Aflac sponsored No. 99 to compete in the championship, winning two races at Kentucky and Pocono and collecting ten top-fives. During the last race at Toledo Speedway, he and Scott Speed battled for the championship, and Stenhouse ran Speed up the track causing a caution. Speed later wrecked in retaliation, knocking Stenhouse and himself out of the race. Justin Allgaier won the championship, while Stenhouse and Speed slipped to 4th and 5th in the final standings.[32]

ARCA Series results

[edit]
ARCA Re/Max Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 ARMC Pts
2005 Todd Kluever 60 Ford DAY
11
NSH SLM KEN TOL LAN MIL POC MCH KAN KEN BLN POC GTW LER NSH MCH ISF TOL DSF CHI SLM TAL 111th 180
2006 Danny O'Quinn Jr. 39 DAY
37
NSH SLM WIN KEN TOL POC MCH KAN KEN BLN POC GTW NSH MCH ISF MIL TOL DSF CHI SLM TAL IOW 1360
2007 Erik Darnell 99 DAY USA NSH SLM KAN
2
WIN KEN
1*
TOL IOW MCH
1*
BLN KEN POC NSH ISF MIL
Travis Kvapil POC
33
Colin Braun GTW
9
DSF CHI
3
SLM TAL
9
TOL 51st 595
2008 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. DAY
25
SLM
6
IOW
19
KAN
2
CAR
3
KEN
1
TOL
7
POC
1*
MCH
2
CAY
3*
KEN
13
BLN
7
POC
30
NSH
7
ISF
2
DSF
5
CHI
2*
SLM
17
NJM
2
TAL
28
TOL
25
4th 5155
Colin Braun NJM
RL
– Relieved Ricky Stenhouse Jr. during race.

Partnerships

[edit]

Roush-Yates Engines

[edit]
Outside Roush headquarters

Perhaps Roush Racing's most famous partnership is with the now defunct-Yates Racing, a longtime rival Ford team. In 2004, the two teams announced a program to combine their engine divisions, now known as Roush-Yates Engines (RYE), a move which greatly improved the power of both organizations' engines. By 2006, most Ford teams were using the Roush-Yates engines, including long-time Ford team and Roush affiliate Wood Brothers Racing (then Wood Brothers/JTG Racing). Current Roush-Yates clients include Team Penske (TP), Wood Brothers Racing (WBR), Stewart-Haas Racing[33] (SHR), Front Row Motorsports (FRM), and Rick Ware Racing (RWR).[2][11][34]

Roush Fenway also has technical alliances with Front Row Motorsports, providing engines, chassis, and bodies as well as technical support.[35][36] Roush also provided heavy technical support to Yates Racing from 2008 to the team's closure at the end of 2009, when it merged with Richard Petty Motorsports.[37][38] As of 2017, Roush supplies engines and chassis to 13 Cup teams.

Wood Brothers Racing

[edit]

The first technical alliance between Roush Racing and another organization was with Wood Brothers Racing, another longtime Ford team and the oldest active team in the sport. The Wood Brothers alliance began in mid-2000, after Roush had provided the team with engines the previous two seasons.[39][40][41] The relationship later expanded when the team fielded Roush development driver Trevor Bayne from late-2010 to 2014.[42] It would end after that season, with the Wood Brothers currently receiving equipment and support (other than engines) from Team Penske.[43]

Tim Brown partnership

[edit]

In 2005, nine-time Pro Bowl NFL wide receiver Tim Brown announced that he intended to start his own NASCAR team, most likely No. 81, and receive equipment from Roush Racing.[44] Brown also stated that he will let Roush select his driver.[45] The series the team will run will depend on how much sponsorship money the team gets.

Brown had said that his team will most likely not enter NASCAR until 2007, but as of October 2006, no further announcements have been made about the status of this partnership.

No Fear Racing

[edit]

In 2006, SoBe No Fear energy drink announced that it was forming a new team to run full-time in 2007, with a car driven by road racing specialist Boris Said. It was also announced that this new team would be affiliated with Roush Racing. This allows Roush to sell No Fear Racing cars and equipment, as well as help them with engineering. In return, Said is tutoring Roush's younger drivers on road course racing.[46] The team began running a limited schedule with the Sonoma road course in 2006.

Robby Gordon

[edit]

Starting with the 2007 season, Robby Gordon switched from Chevrolet to Ford vehicles after signing a contract with Ford Racing. He leased engines from the Roush/Yates engine program through the 2007 season, until he switched to Gillett Evernham engines and a Dodge Charger.

Creation of Roush Fenway Racing

[edit]

On February 14, 2007, the Fenway Sports Group, owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, purchased 50% of Roush Racing to create a new corporate entity, Roush Fenway Racing.[47]

Mike Dee, president of the Fenway Sports Group was quoted as saying, "Although there have been many instances of cross-ownership in the world of professional sports, this partnership marks the first time that owners of a professional franchise in one of the four major leagues have crossed over into the world of NASCAR."

Aerospace industry

[edit]

Roush became involved in the aerospace industry in the 2010s. In April 2015, United Launch Alliance announced that they were contracting with Roush Racing to produce the lightweight internal combustion engine to be used to power the long-life on orbit system of the Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage to be flown in the 2020s as the second stage of the Vulcan launch vehicle.[48]

The Gong Show

[edit]

For many years, Roush Racing recruited its developmental drivers through an elimination-style of testing entitled The Gong Show. The first competition was held in 1985 for Roush's road racing program.[17][49] The first combine for the stock car program was held in 1999.[17][22][50][51] The process would begin when Roush solicited applications from thousands of drivers from all levels of racing. They would then be put through a series of tests, gauging not only driving skills but also public relations talent and personality traits. Eventually, the field would be narrowed down to an elite group who are allowed to race Roush vehicles, often Truck Series vehicles, in an attempt to assess racecraft. Those with the fastest times progress, and ultimately the best drivers are awarded a contract to drive for Roush in the Truck Series or Busch Series (now Xfinity Series). In 2005, the process was documented in the Discovery Channel television series Roush Racing: Driver X, which followed the stories of those involved in the 2005 Gong Show.[22][50] Winners of the program include Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and David Ragan.[17][22][50]

The term "Gong Show" comes from the 1970s talent show spoof The Gong Show.[22]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Jack Roush, Founder". Roush Fenway Racing. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "History". Roush & Yates Racing Engines, LLC. 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  3. ^ Wilson, Kevin A. (January 9, 2005). "Minority Report: Where Did All The Progress Go?". AutoWeek. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Spencer, Lee (March 25, 2015). "Are better days ahead for Roush Fenway Racing? The introduction of a new car at Texas could be a step in the right direction". Los Angeles: motorsport.com. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Ashenfelter, Mark (December 1, 2004). "Roush pleased, but not like you'd think". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  6. ^ Perez, A.J. (February 15, 2007). "Fenway Sports buys half of Roush Racing". USA Today. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  7. ^ "About The ROUSH Road Racing Team". Roush Road Racing. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  8. ^ Schrader, Stef (March 27, 2015). "Who Races In Pirelli World Challenge? Old Hats, Fresh Meat And A Roush". Jalopnik. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Jack Roush Jr. To Race With Car Number 60 For The 2014 Season Of The Pirelli World Challenge Series". Livonia, Michigan: Roush Road Racing. January 15, 2014. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  10. ^ "Multimatic Happy To Be Wearing The Blue Oval Again AT Sebring". Ford Racing. March 13, 2014. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Doug Yates". Roush & Yates Racing Engines, LLC. 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  12. ^ NASCAR Online (August 31, 1999). "Johnny Benson Out at Roush". motorsport.com. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  13. ^ a b "Rousch drops to four teams in 2001". Huntersville, North Carolina: motorsport.com. November 16, 2000. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  14. ^ Busbee, Jay (January 14, 2010). "Roush Fenway deals No. 26 to new racing team". Yahoo!. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Newton, David (February 9, 2010). "Roush ready to make 2010 a big year". ESPN.go.com. Concord, North Carolina: ESPN. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  16. ^ Caraviello, David (February 21, 2012). "LEGACY OF ROUSH'S NO. 6 CAR RIDES WITH STENHOUSE". NASCAR.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: NASCAR. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Crandall, Kelly (September 27, 2008). "Jack Roush's Eye and Drive for Talent". Bleacher Report. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
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  19. ^ a b c d "NASCAR Camping World Trucks Hossfeld Out At Roush". Motor Racing Network. July 10, 2001. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  20. ^ a b c d "Busch Steps In As Teacher". West Allis, Wisconsin: Motor Racing Network. June 30, 2001. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  21. ^ "Roush truck audition at Las Vegas". Las Vegas: motorsport.com. September 28, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  22. ^ a b c d e f Zeller, Bob (April 2005). "The Gong Show: In which Jack Roush conducts the most democratic driver selection in American racing". Car and Driver. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  23. ^ "3M to Sponsor Todd Kluever in the Busch Series in 2006; Company Will Also Sponsor Kluever and Mark Martin in Nextel Cup". Saint Paul, Minnesota: 3M, Business Wire. December 21, 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  24. ^ Ford Racing (October 27, 2001). "Biffle Phoenix winner's press conference". motorsport.com. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  25. ^ a b "Moving On ....... With Kyle Busch". Automobile Racing Club of America. April 6, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  26. ^ a b "Roush Parks 99 Truck For Now". Motor Racing Network. March 13, 2002. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  27. ^ "Participants must be 18 years old". ESPN.com. Charlotte, North Carolina. Associated Press. December 13, 2001. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  28. ^ Glick, Shav (November 3, 2001). "Busch's Chances Go Up in Smoke; Auto racing: Teen can't race this weekend in Fontana because event is cigarette-sponsored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  29. ^ "Burton moves to RCR, Edwards steps up". motorsport.com. August 13, 2004. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
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  31. ^ "Colin Braun – 2007 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  32. ^ "Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  33. ^ Turner, Jared (February 24, 2016). "Stewart-Haas Racing to switch from Chevrolet to Ford in 2017". Foxsports.com. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  34. ^ Newton, David (March 7, 2012). "Doug Yates' influence writ large". ESPN NASCAR. Mooresville, North Carolina: ESPN. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  35. ^ Demmons, Doug (November 11, 2010). "Financial drama at Richard Petty Motorsports distracts from NASCAR's Chas". al.com. The Birmingham News, Advance Publications. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  36. ^ Coble, Don (March 11, 2015). "Single-car race team drivers benefit from alliance with Richard Childress Racing: Teams in alliance with Childress off to blistering start". The Augusta Chronicle, Morris News Service. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  37. ^ Spencer, Reed (September 10, 2009). "Petty, Yates to merge, switch to Fords". Sporting News. Sporting News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  38. ^ McPoland, John (February 11, 2008). "Pressure is on as Travis Kvapil joins Yates team". GazetteXtra. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  39. ^ Cothren, Larry (September 1, 2003). "Advantages Of Multi-Car NASCAR Teams – Are One-Car Teams Dead? Multi-Car Operations Have Changed The Face Of NASCAR". Stock Car Racing. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  40. ^ "Wood Brothers Debut Newly Formed Roush Racing Alliance". Stuart, Virginia: motorsport.com. June 27, 2000. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
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  42. ^ Caraviello, David (February 22, 2012). "INSIDE NASCAR: WOODS, BAYNE IN SIMILAR SITUATION TO A YEAR AGO". Daytona Beach, Florida: NASCAR. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  43. ^ Bianchi, Jordan (August 14, 2014). "Wood Brothers signs Ryan Blaney, forms alliance with Team Penske". SB Nation. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  44. ^ "Articles". Speedtv.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  45. ^ "Jayski'sŽ NASCAR Silly Season Site – Rumored New Sprint Cup Teams". Jayski.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  46. ^ "Articles". Speedtv.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  47. ^ "Roush Fenway Racing – News". Roushfenway.com. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  48. ^ Gruss, Mike (April 13, 2015). "ULA's Vulcan Rocket To be Rolled out in Stages". SpaceNews. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  49. ^ "Max Jones: Biography" (PDF). www.transamcars.com/. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  50. ^ a b c Spencer, Lee (June 4, 2015). "Roush racers settle Dover differences in team meeting". motorsport.com. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  51. ^ Cothren, Larry (February 1, 2005). "North Wilkesboro Speedway Roush Racing Tryouts – Roush's Gong Show: When Roush Racing Decided To Hold Another Tryout For Aspiring Drivers, Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway Was Summoned Out Of Retirement". Stock Car Racing. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.

Sources

[edit]
[edit]