This year, the list of new drivers competing for the Winston Cup championship seems a bit...er...thin, compared to season's past. However, these four drivers seem to know what's at stake for their respective teams, A chance to become the first rookie to win a WCS title...
#02- RYAN PARKS
Hometown: Williamstown, NJ
Car: #02 Toyota
Team: JS Racing Inc, Mt. Holly, NC
--Coming into the fray late, Ryan Parks is a relative unknown compared to the other three drivers competing this season for Sunoco's ROTY title. Parks, a former sports car racer, decided to try the oval circuits out for JS Racing, a start-up in it's own right led by former Fearless Motorsports driver, Josh Schreiner. While Parks will be a favorite at tracks like NJMP, Sonoma, and Lime Rock Park, his oval skill is yet to be determined. In fact, the first time he will competitively drive on an oval circuit will be at Daytona for the season opener. He will be looking to impress, as the team is trying to draw a full-time sponsor to continue the rest of the year.
Hometown: Williamstown, NJ
Car: #02 Toyota
Team: JS Racing Inc, Mt. Holly, NC
--Coming into the fray late, Ryan Parks is a relative unknown compared to the other three drivers competing this season for Sunoco's ROTY title. Parks, a former sports car racer, decided to try the oval circuits out for JS Racing, a start-up in it's own right led by former Fearless Motorsports driver, Josh Schreiner. While Parks will be a favorite at tracks like NJMP, Sonoma, and Lime Rock Park, his oval skill is yet to be determined. In fact, the first time he will competitively drive on an oval circuit will be at Daytona for the season opener. He will be looking to impress, as the team is trying to draw a full-time sponsor to continue the rest of the year.
#8- JOHN PETERSEN
Hometown: Bloomington, CA
Car: #8 Airgas Chevrolet
Team: Petersen Inc, Mooresville, NC
--For those who have been a fan of the CWCS from the beginning, the name John Petersen should sound familiar. In fact, out of the four rookies, he has the most experience, after a start during Season 2 in the #8 at Talladega. The president of Petersen Inc is ready to make the full-time jump to Winston Cup racing after a long Truck Series career in which he collected two titles (2003, 2007) and wins at places like Mesa Marin (first career win, 2000), Daytona, Martinsville, Dover, and Pikes Peak. Petersen will be piloting the former #29/#8 car who won the title back in S2.
Hometown: Bloomington, CA
Car: #8 Airgas Chevrolet
Team: Petersen Inc, Mooresville, NC
--For those who have been a fan of the CWCS from the beginning, the name John Petersen should sound familiar. In fact, out of the four rookies, he has the most experience, after a start during Season 2 in the #8 at Talladega. The president of Petersen Inc is ready to make the full-time jump to Winston Cup racing after a long Truck Series career in which he collected two titles (2003, 2007) and wins at places like Mesa Marin (first career win, 2000), Daytona, Martinsville, Dover, and Pikes Peak. Petersen will be piloting the former #29/#8 car who won the title back in S2.
#13- MATT CANADA
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Car: #13 Hasteway Shipping Chevrolet
Team: Zach Holcombe Racing, Concord, NC
--Matt Canada is one of the favorites for ROTY and for the Winston Cup title for many reasons. The biggest of them is his ability to succeed in just about anything he runs. Originally riding motocross as a kid, Canada won 2 regional titles and an AMA Amateur Championship. However, it was at 14 when he first witnessed a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he decided that Stock-Car racing was his calling in life. Canada then moved to North Carolina to be closer to Smith Racing, a late model team that competed in the PASS Late Model Series. 6 Years, 4 National titles, 2 track titles at Concord Speedway and 34 feature wins later, he declared he was ready to make the move up to big-league racing, and made a statement by signing a deal to drive the #13 Hasteway SS. If prior history means anything, then Canada will be a force to be reckoned with during S5 and beyond.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Car: #13 Hasteway Shipping Chevrolet
Team: Zach Holcombe Racing, Concord, NC
--Matt Canada is one of the favorites for ROTY and for the Winston Cup title for many reasons. The biggest of them is his ability to succeed in just about anything he runs. Originally riding motocross as a kid, Canada won 2 regional titles and an AMA Amateur Championship. However, it was at 14 when he first witnessed a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he decided that Stock-Car racing was his calling in life. Canada then moved to North Carolina to be closer to Smith Racing, a late model team that competed in the PASS Late Model Series. 6 Years, 4 National titles, 2 track titles at Concord Speedway and 34 feature wins later, he declared he was ready to make the move up to big-league racing, and made a statement by signing a deal to drive the #13 Hasteway SS. If prior history means anything, then Canada will be a force to be reckoned with during S5 and beyond.
#44- MARTIN ELLENBERGER
Hometown: Berlin, GER
Car: #44 Gulf Oil Chevrolet
Team: Leitec Performance, Daytona Beach, FL
--Another Road Course Ringer, Ellenberger, despite having 25 years more experience, has a similar story to fellow rookie Ryan Parks. A Sports Car Racer who decided turning left was the only thing he wanted to do. Similar expectations are raised for him as well, with Daytona being his next real test, who knows what to expect out of the "Other German" in Winston Cup competition. All that is known, however, is that he has sponsors putting all their eggs in one basket, after signing a 2 season contract with Gulf Oil.
Hometown: Berlin, GER
Car: #44 Gulf Oil Chevrolet
Team: Leitec Performance, Daytona Beach, FL
--Another Road Course Ringer, Ellenberger, despite having 25 years more experience, has a similar story to fellow rookie Ryan Parks. A Sports Car Racer who decided turning left was the only thing he wanted to do. Similar expectations are raised for him as well, with Daytona being his next real test, who knows what to expect out of the "Other German" in Winston Cup competition. All that is known, however, is that he has sponsors putting all their eggs in one basket, after signing a 2 season contract with Gulf Oil.