Kyle Weatherman has partnered with Rick Ware Racing to make his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut at Martinsville Speedway, driving the team’s #51 Chevrolet SS. The news was announced on Monday.
“I am so excited to get this unbelievable opportunity to make my first start at the NASCAR Cup level,” Weatherman stated. “I am so thankful for all of the people who have helped me along the way and I am literally shaking. Thanks to Rick Ware for providing me the opportunity and believing and trusting I can do a good job for his team.”
Weatherman currently races in the ARCA Racing Series, running a part-time schedule for Mason Mitchell Motorsports’ #78 car. He made his series debut as a 15-year old in 2013, and later became a development driver for Roush Fenway Racing, which allowed him to race part-time in 2014 for Roush-affiliated Roulo Brothers Racing.
He later contested the full 2015 and 2016 seasons, recording one win at New Jersey Motorsports Park in the former and finishing 7th in points in the latter. He ran seven races in 2017, recording a best finish of 2nd from the pole at Nashville. In 50 ARCA starts, he has 25 top fives, 36 top tens, and five poles.
The 2015 ARCA Rookie of the Year also made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut that year, piloting the #58 Lira Motorsports truck at the season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to a 23rd-place finish.
Weatherman will also drive the #51 in the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
“[Rick Ware Racing] thank you for the opportunity as I am beyond grateful. A huge thank you to all the fans and also to everyone that has helped along the journey to get here,” Weatherman posted on Facebook.
2017 is the first season for the #51 team. Running a limited schedule, the car has been shared by Timmy Hill, Cody Ware, B.J. McLeod, and Ray Black Jr. After 25 starts, the car is currently 41st in the owner’s championship. Like Weatherman, Ware, McLeod, and Black’s Cup debuts came in the #51.
The First Data 500 from Martinsville will take place on Sunday, October 29.
Featured image by ARCA Racing
