RAB Racing with Brack Maggard announced today that 19-year-old Alex Bowman will compete for the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year honors, driving the team’s No. 99 Toyota Camry.
Bowman, who tallied four wins and six pole awards en route to claiming 2012 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year honors, has four career Nationwide Series starts to his credit. He posted a career-best 15th-place finish behind the wheel of RAB Racing’s No. 99 Toyota Camry in the penultimate race of the 2012 season, at Phoenix International Raceway.
“I am really looking forward to driving the No. 99 Toyota fulltime in 2013,” said Bowman. “In the two races that I drove for RAB Racing last year, I saw the potential that exists and we have the opportunity to make 2013 a really special year. They have a strong group of guys that build great Toyota Camrys. I know that Robby (Benton, team owner) has spent a lot of time and effort over the offseason to make the team even stronger, and I feel that we can compete not only for Rookie of the Year honors, but for solid finishes week in and week out.”
Bowman will be paired with veteran crew chief Chris Rice, who served in the same capacity for RAB Racing’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operation. Rice, 38, a NASCAR Nationwide Series race-winning crew chief, has been with the company since 2010.
“Alex is a really talented driver, one that we’ve had our eyes on for a few years,” said Robby Benton, owner of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. “He’s had success at every level; he’s won in everything he’s raced. We’re hopefully going to continue that trend with him in the Nationwide Series, behind the wheel of our No. 99 Toyota Camry. I feel that the experience Chris has working with young drivers will give Alex a competitive edge for 2013.”
Sponsor announcements for RAB Racing’s No. 99 Toyota Camry will be announced at a later date.
RAB Racing PR
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