Whitt Gains Full-Time Ride for 2017

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Cole Whitt has gained a full-time ride for the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season with Tri-Star Motorsports returning to the top level of NASCAR.

Tri-Star Motorsports

Tri-Star Motorsports announced today that Cole Whitt will pilot the #72 Florida Lottery Ford Fusion later this month in the 59th Annual Daytona 500. Along with fielding an entry in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, J.J Yeley will return to their Xfinity Series program. In the season opening race later this month Florida Lottery will be the primary sponsor on his #72 entry with RTIC Coolers, Rinnai, and Carolina Snuff returning with Whitt later in the year. Whitt has made 112 starts in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series over 6 seasons with his debut coming at Phoenix in 2011 with Red Bull Racing where he finished 25th after starting 19th. Whitts' best career finish came at Talladega in 2015 where he finished 13th.
Overseeing the #72 Ford Fusion entry in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be veteran crew chief Frank Kerr. Frank has been the crew chief in 217 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Shane Hmiel, P.J. Jones, David Reautimann, Marcos Ambrose, Robby Gordon, Bobby Labonte, and David Gilliland. Most recently, Kerr has overseen Tri-Star Motorsports #44 Xfinity Series program with David Starr in the car 7 times and J.J. Yeley in the car 25 times. Kerr's best finish in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series came with Marcos Ambrose at Watkins Glen in 2009 and Talladega in 2013 with David Gilliland, both resulting in second place finishes.
Reports coming in that Tri-Star Motorsports have acquired a charter from Front Row Motorsports to use in the 2017 Season. It is unknown on if it is the #34 or #38 Charter. This means Cole Whitt will be guaranteed to race in the season opening Daytona 500. Stay tuned to The Motorsports News Source for all of your latest news concerning Tri-Star Motorsports and The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series! (Koelle,2017)