Since June, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s move to Roush Fenway Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team has been public knowledge.
But what companies were going to sponsor him? And in replacing Matt Kenseth, would he drive a No. 17 car or a No. 6?
Those questions were officially answered on Friday when Roush Fenway announced Stenhouse will drive a No. 17 car with anchor sponsorship from Best Buy and additional primary sponsorship from Zest and Fifth Third Bank (Matt Kenseth's existing sponsors in the 17).
"I'm honored to be able to step into the 17 ride," Stenhouse said at Chicagoland Speedway. "That whole team is a top-caliber team. I feel good they have the confidence in me to come in and be able to run a car like that."
Stenhouse, the defending Nationwide Series champion, said he was "kind of shocked" Best Buy chose to return as a sponsor for an inexperienced driver – but he certainly appreciated it.
His future Cup teammate, Carl Edwards, said there was a major reason behind the decision.
"All of you in this room know Ricky Stenhouse is going to be a force in this sport," Edwards said. "Today is officially the beginning of a new era. It's going to be very exciting to have Ricky in the 17 car."
Similarly, team owner Jack Roush said Stenhouse was "going to make a statement in this business."
"He is at the head of his class, of this generation of rookies coming through," Roush said. "He has one championship behind him and another one in his clutches, and I am very happy and proud of Ricky and what he might do."
Best Buy will also sponsor Edwards' No. 99 car for "a few" races next season.
There are 2 Comments. Load Now.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Comments for this post are closed.