Michael Waltrip Racing and RAB Racing confirmed that they have formed an alliance to field entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2012, beginning this weekend at Richmond International Raceway where 11-time X-Games gold medalist and 4-time Rally America champion Travis Pastrana will make his debut in the Series.
As part of the agreement, RAB Racing will acquire additional cars and receive technical and marketing support from MWR. Also, RAB Racing will change its current No. 09 number to the No. 99 starting at Richmond.
RAB Racing will field the No. 99 Boost Mobile/KMC Wheels Toyota Camry for Pastrana in seven 2012 NASCAR Nationwide races. RAB Racing will also field Nationwide Series entries for MWR in additional races.
“We love the Nationwide Series because it is what started Michael Waltrip Racing behind my house years ago,” said MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip. “As our organization has grown into three full time Sprint Cup teams, it has taken a lot of our focus and resources. We have been so impressed with what the Bentons and Brack Maggard have been able to do with RAB Racing that we believe this is the perfect relationship for both organizations. We can help RAB Racing in certain areas and they can continue to elevate themselves into one of the top Nationwide Series teams.”
“This is the next step for our team, having an alliance with a top Sprint Cup organization,” said RAB Racing co-owner Robby Benton. “We have a great core of people who believe in one another and this will help us grow in the future.”
Waltrip said the alliance isn’t limited to fielding cars for Pastrana.
“Whenever we have an opportunity to go Nationwide racing with any of our drivers, it will be in the No. 99 at RAB Racing,” Waltrip said. “We’ll add to the schedule here pretty soon with another announcement.”
Travis made it clear during a recent teleconference that he wants to stop talking about it and get to racing.
"We've gone across a lot of media, and frankly, I'm tired of talking about it. I know the media is tired of talking about it. And all the drivers are like, geez, are you getting out here or not?
"That ankle [injury] was horrible, but I'm finally getting started. I won't know a lot of answers until I'm getting in the cars, so I'm looking forward to this race."
