Mooresville, N.C. (June 1, 2009) – Former Dale Earnhardt Inc. developmental driver, Trevor Bayne will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 99 Toyota in eight NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) races this season.
The 18 year-old Knoxville, Tenn., native finished 23rd in his March 21st NNS debut at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway driving Jimmy Mean’s No. 52 entry. Bayne will make his first appearance behind the wheel of the No. 99 Toyota Camry this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. The seven additional races include: the June 13 race at Kentucky Speedway, the June 20 race at the Milwaukee Mile, the July 18 race at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis, Mo., the July 25 race at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind., the August 1 race at Iowa Speedway, the August 21 race at Bristol Motor Speedway and finishing up at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway on November 14.
“This is a tremendous opportunity and I have to thank Gary Bechtel for taking a chance on me,” Bayne said. “I met him a few months ago and he decided to invest in my talent. He is the main reason I am able to drive these eight races. I am very excited to get behind the wheel of a car that is competitive almost every weekend. I’ve hung out with the guys over at Michael Waltrip Racing the past couple of races and they are an awesome group of people that I am pumped to be racing with. My goals for these eight races are to learn as much as possible and hopefully grab some solid finishes.”
Bayne has been racing since he was five and has won over 20 championships. Last season, he raced in the Camping World East Series where he finished fourth in the final point standings and grabbed one win at Thompson (Conn.) Speedway. Additionally, the young phenom notched one pole, six top-three and eight top-10 finishes.
“I’ve talked to people in the garage about Trevor and everybody has had said nothing but good things to say about him,” said Jerry Baxter, crew chief of the No. 99 Toyota Camry. ”People like Bono (Kevin Manion) and Clyde McLeod have all that Trevor gives good feedback and gives 100 percent. He flew up to Dover to spend some time with the team so we could get to know him. He’s impressive and knows what he’s talking about. By the questions he has already asked, we know he’s well versed about these cars. He has a serious side to him, but he also has a side where he likes to mess around. So, we know he will fit right in at Michael Waltrip Racing.”
The 18 year-old Knoxville, Tenn., native finished 23rd in his March 21st NNS debut at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway driving Jimmy Mean’s No. 52 entry. Bayne will make his first appearance behind the wheel of the No. 99 Toyota Camry this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. The seven additional races include: the June 13 race at Kentucky Speedway, the June 20 race at the Milwaukee Mile, the July 18 race at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis, Mo., the July 25 race at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind., the August 1 race at Iowa Speedway, the August 21 race at Bristol Motor Speedway and finishing up at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway on November 14.
“This is a tremendous opportunity and I have to thank Gary Bechtel for taking a chance on me,” Bayne said. “I met him a few months ago and he decided to invest in my talent. He is the main reason I am able to drive these eight races. I am very excited to get behind the wheel of a car that is competitive almost every weekend. I’ve hung out with the guys over at Michael Waltrip Racing the past couple of races and they are an awesome group of people that I am pumped to be racing with. My goals for these eight races are to learn as much as possible and hopefully grab some solid finishes.”
Bayne has been racing since he was five and has won over 20 championships. Last season, he raced in the Camping World East Series where he finished fourth in the final point standings and grabbed one win at Thompson (Conn.) Speedway. Additionally, the young phenom notched one pole, six top-three and eight top-10 finishes.
“I’ve talked to people in the garage about Trevor and everybody has had said nothing but good things to say about him,” said Jerry Baxter, crew chief of the No. 99 Toyota Camry. ”People like Bono (Kevin Manion) and Clyde McLeod have all that Trevor gives good feedback and gives 100 percent. He flew up to Dover to spend some time with the team so we could get to know him. He’s impressive and knows what he’s talking about. By the questions he has already asked, we know he’s well versed about these cars. He has a serious side to him, but he also has a side where he likes to mess around. So, we know he will fit right in at Michael Waltrip Racing.”
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How exciting! Can't wait to see how Trevor does in the 99!
ReplyDeleteWay To go Trevor!
ReplyDeleteI remember when you ran the Allison series.
We enjoyed helping you and your dad out with our chassis dyno here in Knoxville.
Go get them MAN! We'll be watching! GOOD LUCK!!!!
Don Ramsay
Air Cooled Classics INC.
I saw Trevor run at Kentucky Speedway last night. I and my whole crew were very impressed by his agressive smart driving. I think this is a great move by MWR and I look forward to this young mans developement. He has a bright future. Christian Hottois, Louisville, Ky
ReplyDelete