John Wes Townley to receive tutoring, proven equipment at Richard Childress Racing
John Wes Townley will compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Richard Childress Racing in 2010. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
Related story: Nationwide driver John Wes Townley to compete for RCR in 2010
FORT WORTH, Texas – Richard Childress Racing officials announced Nov. 6 that driver John Wes Townley will compete for the team next season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Townley currently drives for RAB Racing and has a best finish of 16th, which came in this year’s March race at Bristol.
Sponsor Zaxby’s will continue to sponsor the 19-year-old’s racing efforts.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Townley said. “These guys have been great to me this year. They’ve helped me out whenever I needed it and I’m really proud of them, really thankful.”
The addition of Townley means that RCR will likely field multiple teams in the series, although sponsorship for a second team has not been announced. Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton and Stephen Leicht have driven the team’s No. 29 Chevrolet this year, with sponsorship from Holiday Inn. A second car has been fielded in select events.
“We’re going to give him an opportunity with some really good equipment,” Childress said, adding that Burton, who competes for RCR in Cup, has agreed to help tutor the youngster.
“We think if we get him in the right kind of cars with the right kind of tutoring and the right crew chief … . He’s only 19 years old and we feel that he’s got a great opportunity to make it.”
Burton said he envies today’s young drivers because of the opportunities they are often afforded, but doesn’t envy them for the pressure that comes along with those opportunities.
“If they don’t have success, the pressure gets turned up quick,” Burton said.
“Part of my role is to help him have success, and when he’s not, to be able to keep it calm … to think about ‘OK, what are we going to do to be better?’ To set realistic goals. It’s not realistic to think that you’re going to go out and outrun Kevin Harvick or Kyle Busch. You’re going to have to work up to that.
“Let’s set some realistic goals and let’s work toward those goals. And let’s remind ourselves every weekend why we’re here, what we’re doing and use it as a learning opportunity.”
Officials said personnel and the car number to be used by the team will be announced at a later date.
