// Courtesy : Autostock Images //
Concord, NC (October 9, 2008) – Josh Wise joined Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) in 2006 after winning the USAC National Sprint Cup Series championship. Fast forward to today, Wise prepares for his second NASCAR Nationwide Series race in the No. 00 NAPA AUTO PA RT S Toyota Camry with MWR at Lowe’s Motor Speedway following 13 starts with Fitz Motorsports this season.
“This will be one of the best opportunities I have had this season,” Wise said. “ Toyota has done an incredible job in all three series and I’m looking forward to racing the NAPA AUTO PA RT S Toyota Camry again with MWR's support this weekend.”
In May, the 25-year-old finished 24th at the 1.5-mile quad-oval behind the wheel of the No. 22 Supercuts entry fielded by Fitz Motorsports.
“This is a track that I have already raced at before in a Nationwide Series car and that helps a lot,” Wise said. “Also, my pit crew Friday night will be the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PA RT S NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and that’s pretty cool that those guys are doing that.”
Wise' Career-Best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish is fifth at O’Reilly Raceway Park (ORP). In 14 starts, Wise has one top-five, one top-10 and three top-15 finishes. During his most recent attempt, he finished 13th with Fitz Motorsports at Dover International Speedway.
“We had a good run at Dover and we were able to capitalize,” Wise said. “We would have had a top-15 for Michael Waltrip Racing at Richmond International Raceway if we had not been caught up in a wreck.”
This weekend, Wise looks to improve upon his record with crew chief Paul Wolfe.
“I really enjoy working with Paul and he does an awesome job,” Wise said. “We’ve run about six races together and we are really starting to communicate well with each other.”
Richmond International Raceway and Dover International Speedway are tracks that Wise has raced on and his performance has shined. He feels confident about his chances this weekend as he revisits Lowe’s for a second time this season.
“Seeing tracks for a second time gives me even more confidence,” Wise said. “Having laps on a track really helps. ORP and Dover were tracks that I had seen for a second time and we ran well at both. We haven’t competed in many races, but Paul and I are hoping to top our best finish together this season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Friday night.”
Only having a handful of NASCAR Nationwide Series starts, Wise will rely heavily on his spotter during the 200-lap event.
“Roman Pemberton spotted for me at Dover and he’s spotting for me at Lowe’s,” Wise said. “He has so much experience in this business. He does such a good job and I need that. I have not had a consistent spotter. Consistency is a big part of success. Getting the right people in place to fill voids and having that consistency is what we will continue to strive for as we move forward in the right direction.”
Wise is expected to run more NASCAR Nationwide Series races for Michael Waltrip Racing in the No. 00 entry.
“Right now, I am slated to run four of the last five races for MWR,” Wise said. “I feel like it is critical for me to perform well because right now I am working to solidify something for next year.”
Live coverage of the Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Friday, October 10th will air on ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET on PRN Radio and SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, Channel 128.
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