Wikipedia

RFK Racing

(Redirected from Roush Performance Racing)

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 and the No. 17 Mustang full-time for Chris Buescher as well as the No. 60 full-time for Ryan Preece.

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
17. Fastenal, BlueForge Alliance, Esperion Therapeutics, Fifth Third Bank, Castrol, TravelCenters of America, Kroger
60. Kroger
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

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

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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

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Main article: RFK Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series
 
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

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Main article: RFK Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series

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

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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

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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

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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

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Multiple drivers (2006)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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Early Years (1995–1997)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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Early years (1996–2002)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Roush-Yates Engines

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Outside Roush headquarters
See also: Yates Racing

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

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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

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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

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Main article: No Fear Racing

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

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Main article: Robby Gordon Motorsports

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

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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

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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

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Main article: Roush Racing: Driver X

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

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References

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  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.
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  12. ^ NASCAR Online (August 31, 1999). "Johnny Benson Out at Roush". motorsport.com. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
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  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.
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  27. ^ "Participants must be 18 years old". ESPN.com. Charlotte, North Carolina. Associated Press. December 13, 2001. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
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  32. ^ "Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
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  47. ^ "Roush Fenway Racing – News". Roushfenway.com. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
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  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

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