Larson Lands Fulltime NNS Ride With Turner Scott

Turner Scott Motorsports, in conjunction with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today that 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Champion Kyle Larson will run the full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule behind the wheel of the No. 32 Clorox Chevrolet Camaro fielded by TSM. His 2013 Nationwide schedule will begin during Daytona Speedweeks in the DRIVE4COPD 300 on February 23.  

The 20-year-old driver from Elk Grove, Calif. native will have a busy week leading up to his Daytona International Speedway debut. Before attempting to qualify for  the Nationwide Series race, Larson will compete in the ARCA Racing Series Lucas Oil 200 on Saturday, February 16, in Turner Scott’s No. 4 Chevrolet Impala. He will also drive three separate racing machines in the UNOH Battle at the Beach, held on a temporary 0.4-mile short track on Daytona's backstretch. The two-day show will feature three non-point events from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the Late Model division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, with Larson taking part in all three divisions.

"Daytona is going to be really busy for me, but I'm ready to get back in the seat," Larson said. "I'm really thankful to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for allowing me the opportunity to drive for Turner Scott Motorsports this season in the No. 32 Chevy Camaro. I know this is a great team to be a part of, and I'm really looking forward to making the next step in my stock car racing career. Turner Scott is one of the strongest Nationwide Series teams out there, and I know they'll give me the chance to prove myself. I had a lot of fun with this team in just a few truck series starts last year and I know we can continue that success in the Nationwide Series."

In those four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts for Turner Scott Motorsports in 2012, Larson claimed three Top-10 finishes, including a runner-up effort, while leading 91 laps. Based on that early success, team co-owner Harry Scott Jr. is optimistic about the potential for this season.

"Kyle has already proven in a very short amount of time that he is a very talented driver, and we're very excited to have him on board at Turner Scott Motorsports," Scott said. "He did a fantastic job in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events he drove for us last season, so we are thrilled to be a part of the next step in his career and to see his talent develop while at the wheel of the No. 32 Chevrolet Camaro this season."

The No. 32 team will be led by crew chief Trent Owens, who is entering his seventh full season as a crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Owens has worked with a variety of drivers, calling the shots for Mark Martin in 2011 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway en route to Turner Scott Motorsports' first NNS victory. Most recently, Owens guided Truck Series Champion James Buescher and driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to their first career Nationwide victories in 2012.

"I'm really looking forward to this season and working with Kyle," Owens explained. "There's no question he's one of the best up-and-coming talents in the sport, and this whole team is excited to see him get behind the wheel of our No. 32 Camaro. I've worked with a lot of different types of drivers, but this opportunity is something I'm especially thrilled about."

Larson comes to the Nationwide Series with impeccable credentials. He competed in 123 races last season, capturing 30 victories en route to his second consecutive SPEED Performer of The Year Award nomination. He became just the third driver in history of the NKNPSE to win the series championship as a rookie, and won in his stock car racing debut in February, claiming the checkered flag in the Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 100 at New Smyrna Speedway, driving a Super Late Model. 

Larson also became only the second driver in history to win in all three types of USAC cars -- Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown -- in a single night at the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway. Sponsorship partners for his 2013 Nationwide Series campaign will be announced at a later date.