Three cup starts for Stenhouse

 

As he prepares for his first full season as a Cup driver next year, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will run at least three more races in NASCAR’s premier series in 2012, team owner Jack Roush said Saturday.

Roush, however, isn’t averse to adding events to Stenhouse’s Cup plans, if circumstances dictate doing so. Stenhouse’s main focus this year is defending his Nationwide Series title, but Cup experience may play into that.

“Right now, we’re organized for three races for him at Dover, Charlotte and Homestead,” Roush said Saturday. “But if we decide his prospects for winning the Nationwide championship are improved by running more Sprint Cup races, we’ll do that.

“And if we decide there’s a sponsor that expresses interest and wants to take a look at him, or to be on board for an additional venue, we’ll do that as well.”

Last week at Chicagoland, Roush Fenway Racing announced a commitment from Best Buy for 12 races as primary sponsor on Stenhouse’s No. 17 Cup car next year. Fifth Third Bank and Zest also are on board as primaries for several races, but Roush indicated that approximately 30 percent of the inventory on his cars is still available.