By Toby Christie, NASCAR Editor
When a clean sweep of the Front Row Motorsports team was announced a few weeks ago, it placed Chris Buescher and Landon Cassill into full-time rides for the 2016 season. However it also meant that Cole Whitt was left searching for a ride.
Tuesday, it was announced that Whitt’s search is over and he has landed at Premium Motorsports.
The Premium Motorsports team which bought assets from the former No. 40 Hillman Racing team in the off season, will remain their familiar No. 98 this upcoming season. And judging by comments in a team release, team owner Jay Robinson feels very comfortable handing the keys of his cars this season to the 24-year-old Whitt.
“We believe Cole is an accomplished young driver who drives aggressively, yet smart,” Robinson stated in a team release. “He’s a great fit for our team as we look to improve our competitiveness in the Sprint Cup Series.”
Whitt has a best finish of 13th, which came at the Spring Talladega race last season. Premium Motorsports hopes the driver known as ‘Ginger Lion’ can help them take the next step going forward. Whitt just looks forward to having a shot at being competitive from week-to-week.
“Jay and the crew at Premium Motorsports impressed me with their vision for the future and commitment to making the No. 98 competitive week in and week out,” Whitt said.
The release from Premium Motorsports also noted that the team has also acquired Mike Hillman as their competition director and Mark Hillman will now serve as crew chief for the car, after they purchased the assets from the former Hillman Racing team. The Hillman Racing team turned heads several times over the last several seasons with Landon Cassill behind the wheel of their cars. The team recorded a best finish of fourth place at Talladega in the fall of 2014.
Image: Robert Laberge/Getty Images
