Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

StarCom Racing Acquires Cassill for Two Races, Replacing Jeffrey Earnhardt

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

StarCom Racing announced Monday that Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series veteran Landon Cassill will pilot the No. 00 USFRA Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at both Sunday’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway and April 8th’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The announcement comes less than a day after StarCom and Jeffrey Earnhardt agreed to part ways after five races. The duo has failed to finish inside the top-30 since scoring career-highs of 21st in last month’s season opening Daytona 500.

Earnhardt finished 36th Sunday at Auto Club Speedway, 11 laps behind race winner Martin Truex, Jr.

It’ll mark Cassill’s first NASCAR race since being replaced by Michael McDowell at Front Row Motorsports’ No. 34 Ford, leaving him without a ride in the first five races.

Cassill said working with new teams has been a strength of his, and thrilled to bring new light to the team’s sophomore season.

“I love working with new teams. I feel like that is one of my strengths,” Cassill said. “StarCom Racing looks like they are in it for the long haul, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Team Manager Derrike Cope said he’s excited to have both Cassill and USFRA onboard for the next two races.

“StarCom Racing was privileged to acquire a new partnership with USFRA and Landon Cassill behind the wheel,” Cope said. “I’m optimistic that his knowledge and experience will only help our efforts as well as the growth of our team.”

In 259 Cup starts, Cassill’s best-career finish took place at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2014, finishing fourth for his only top-5 and top-10 finish to date.

Cassill also has finished inside the top-20 at Martinsville twice, finishing 19th in both feats.

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From the Pacific Northwest, Luis is a University of Idaho graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting and Digital Media and a four-time National Motorsports Press Association award winner in photography. Ever since watching the 2003 Daytona 500, being involved in auto racing is all he's ever dreamed of doing. Over the years, Luis has focused on writing, video and photography with ambitions of having his work recognized.